Chapter 4: Protagonist Supplement Plan (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 4: Protagonist Supplement Plan (1)
By the time I turned fifteen, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
“What should I do about my brother?”
It was clear that the world I was living in now shared the same setting as Milfgard, the game I played in my past life.
If that was the case, I reached the conclusion that the problem was my older brother, Luan, who was the protagonist of that game.
After all, most of the milfs who had made me who I am today were the mothers of the heroines my brother was supposed to target.
‘This is a real mess…’
The main story of Milfgard begins after my brother gets into a fight with our father and, through Mother’s mediation, enrolls in the Academy in the Royal Capital.
There, my brother forms various relationships with heroines like the Princess, the daughter of the Minister of Internal Affairs, and the young lady of the Sword Saint family.
In other words, if things continued like this, my brother would be involved with the daughters of the powerful, while I, his younger brother, would be involved with their wives.
What would happen then?
The conclusion was simple.
I had to make sure it didn't turn out that way.
‘I’m not joking; we could literally end up as dew on the executioner’s blade. Not just me, but our entire family.’
My brother’s relationships with the heroines… well, if I were to be extremely generous, they could be seen as normal romance—like a campus couple in college.
But my situation was different.
I knew full well that while what I intended to do wasn't exactly a crime, it was something the husbands would never forgive.
Of course, if I didn't get caught, it never happened.
‘So… what I need to do now is…’
The reason Luan, the protagonist of Milfgard, fought with our father was a common clash between a rebellious adolescent and his parent.
A father who was a stubborn, old-fashioned stickler for the rules.
A son who grew up under him, pressured to produce results his entire life, only to hit his rebellious phase late as an adult.
It was a common relationship, yet a difficult one to fix.
Therefore, what I had to do wasn't exactly improving the relationship between my brother and father…
‘I need to turn my brother, who’s starting to show signs of rebellion, into an obedient son.’
Is it gaslighting? Heavens, no!
Whether he liked it or not, as long as he was born as the child of a nobleman—specifically a Margrave who ruled and defended a strategic border—there were responsibilities and duties he was bound to shoulder.
Honestly, hasn't he lived a good life so far on the taxes paid by the people our father rules? And he’ll continue to live well in the future.
So, what I was trying to do was make my brother realize the weight of those responsibilities and duties.
Of course, the relationship between my current homeland, the Roycen Empire, and other nations was excellent; there were no threats of world destruction, and with Father around, we were guaranteed at least thirty more years of peace!
But a crisis always lurks within peace.
In reality, there was no guarantee that my brother’s fate would follow the game’s story exactly, but one must manage risks in advance.
“Well… shall I go see my brother then?”
It can’t be helped, Brother.
You didn't choose to be born as the eldest son of a Count, but you’ve lived a good life because of it, haven't you?
Then you ought to succeed Father properly and rule the territory magnificently.
*
The title of Margrave isn't just a rank for a lord who rules a region bordering another country.
Within the territory, it is a word that signifies the supreme authority in administration, military, and judicial affairs—no different from a king.
So, why was such immense power necessary?
It was because the Margrave was the person standing on the front lines, defending the nation’s soil.
‘So, while I can understand Father’s stubborn, old-fashioned ways to some extent…’
My brother couldn't.
To be precise, Luan didn't feel the weight of that mission and responsibility.
It was because the era of peace had lasted far too long.
No matter how good the relations with other countries were, the eldest son of a Margrave should always maintain the mindset of Sangjae-jeonjang—the feeling of always being on the battlefield.
Lost in these thoughts as I walked down the wide, clean corridor, I heard the complaints of the struggling instructor again today.
“Young Master… please, stop sleeping and…”
“zZZ…”
Our Young Master was enjoying his nap again today, it seemed.
Well, I understood.
At seventeen—which would make him a high school freshman back in my previous life—what fun would subjects like politics or economics be?
To put it kindly, Luan was a dreamer who yearned for freedom; to put it bluntly, he was a spoiled brat who knew nothing of the world.
And so… I quietly slipped into my brother’s study.
Immediately, my brother’s instructor bowed deeply to me.
“Young Master Luan.”
“Good to see you. It looks like… you’re having a hard time again today.”
“O-oh, no! It is all my failing. How could it be Young Master Luan’s fault?”
Everyone knew that lately, my brother did nothing but pass out and sleep as soon as class started.
Even so, seeing the instructor claim it was all his own fault made me realize just how powerful Father’s influence was.
In this territory, if you offended the Margrave, three generations of your family could literally lose their heads.
Of course, it was the role of a middle manager like me to soothe the subordinates.
“You don't need to be so afraid. Father is well aware of how hard you are working, Instructor.”
“I-is that so…?”
“Anyway, how is my brother doing? Especially regarding his grades. Father has been quite concerned about them.”
“T-that is…”
Turning my gaze to the table, I saw books titled Introduction to Economics and such scattered among the mess.
For a lord ruling a territory, economics was as essential as water and salt.
“I don't even need to look to know.”
“I am deeply sorry…”
Even as we held this conversation, my brother showed no sign of waking up.
I wondered if he had snuck out of the castle again last night to play around in the town.
Regardless, I had more to discuss with the instructor, so this worked out well.
“Instructor, what do you think my brother’s problem is?”
“Pardon?!”
“It’s alright.”
In times like this, many words weren't necessary.
I just had to look at him as if to say, Trust me.
Eventually… the instructor spoke with great difficulty.
“…If I may be so bold as to speak my humble mind… Young Master Luan lacks motivation. He doesn't understand why he must learn this knowledge…”
“I thought as much.”
Since the day he was born, Luan was the legitimate son of a prestigious family who never lacked for anything.
He was warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
He had never been hungry, nor had he ever worked up a sweat to achieve something.
To be honest, he was just a cocky kid with a very handsome face.
‘Still, he’s not a bad guy.’
From what I’d observed, Luan’s nature was actually quite good.
The flaws I just mentioned were merely unavoidable downsides caused by the environment of a prestigious Count’s family.
He knew how to give medicine and rest to injured or sick servants, and he had once thrown himself into the path of a carriage to save a young child.
In the game’s story, once he went to the Academy, he eventually realized he had been a clueless frog in a well.
That was why he was able to sleep with—no, have romantic relationships with the young ladies of various prestigious families.
“So, in your opinion, Instructor, if my brother were motivated, he would achieve great things? Is that correct?”
“Pardon? Um… yes, that is correct. If I may say so, Young Master Luan has more than enough talent.”
“Indeed. Actually, I think my brother is quite smart too.”
“You are right. Furthermore, his innate character is kind and noble, so he will surely bring great honor to the name of Margrave Konstanz.”
At this point, I glanced at my brother.
His face was still covered by a book, but the artificial snoring I’d been hearing had stopped.
That meant he had realized I was in the room from the very beginning.
He really wasn't stupid.
“Instructor, excuse me, but how much time is left in my brother’s lesson?”
“Well… it is almost over.”
“I see. Then would you mind stepping out a bit early? There’s something I’d like to discuss with my brother.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
The instructor quickly packed his books and hurried out of the study.
Of course, my brother was still pretending to be asleep… but there was no reason for me to play along with his acting anymore.
“Let’s talk, Brother.”
“…”
“Hey, I said let’s talk.”
“You should have just said that from the start.”
*
My brother, Luan, stared at me in silence for a moment.
He really does look a lot like me…
While I was having that trivial thought, my brother spoke.
“Don't you think it would be better if you succeeded Father instead of me?”
“Ha, why?”
“Honestly, I bet Father thinks so too. Unlike me, you’re… how should I put it? You’re the 'good' child.”
“That’s true. But that’s only because our positions are different, Brother.”
Unlike my brother, I had never once gone against Father’s words.
I couldn't have even if I wanted to, but regardless, I had never once shown any sign of dislike.
To me, Father—the Margrave of Konstanz—was a superior I was related to by blood. Nothing more, nothing less.
And of course, Father only viewed me as a spare for the eldest son.
“…What do you mean, positions?”
“To Father and Mother, I’m just insurance in case something happens to you. I have no other purpose.”
“…”
It seemed the words 'insurance' and 'purpose' had rubbed him the wrong way.
But what could I do? That was the reality.
“Sometimes I think you and Father are very much alike. Especially your choice of words. Honestly… I just don't understand. Sometimes I can’t believe Father and I are even the same kind of person…”
As expected, Luan’s nature was upright and warm.
He just didn't know the world.
“I’m not trying to say you’re wrong, Brother. Honestly, they might be our parents, but they’ve never given us a warm word or an affectionate look.”
“…You make it sound like I have some kind of affection deficiency.”
“Don't you?”
Luan snorted and jerked his head away.
What do you mean, 'don't you'? Anyone could see he was a high schooler starved for love.
“But I’m not trying to say our parents—especially Father—are wrong either. There’s a reason why Father gave up on being 'human.'”
“Hah, what reason?”
“Are you curious?”
Luan didn't nod, but he didn't shake his head either.
The more I looked at him, the more he seemed like a typical kid of that age who couldn't be honest with his feelings.
Well, in times like this, the younger brother who was better than the older one had to step up.
“Let’s go, Brother.”
“Go where, all of a sudden? Why?”
“Where else? Outside the castle. You like going out, don't you? There’s something good to see right now.”
“I do, but… see what?”
“The reason why Father gave up on being human. Are you coming? If you hesitate, we’ll be late.”
When I stood up as if I wouldn't wait any longer, Luan stood up as well, acting as if he were being forced.
Good. Just follow my lead.
Then I’ll turn you into the child who earns Father’s favor.
‘And in exchange, I’ll be the one going to the Royal Capital… Hehehe…’