Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Banquet (3)
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"A truly entertaining story."
As Demian's tale came to an end, the Copperhead Count spoke with a deeply satisfied expression.
"I'm sorry, but I need to step out to the privy for a moment."
The Count said with an embarrassed look. It seemed the signal had come after all that drinking.
The Count left the tent with quick steps. Thanks to that, Demian could catch his breath for a bit.
'Tired.'
Demian wasn't used to entertaining others like this.
If it weren't for Abel, he would have stormed out even if the man were the king instead of a count.
'But is this guy doing alright?'
Demian glanced over at Abel.
"I'd love to see the wheat fields of the Viscount Haksen estate sometime."
"Y-Yes, of course. Then in the fall, I could in, invite, invite you... would that be alright...?"
"Naturally, you'd be welcome."
Demian's efforts hadn't been in vain. Their relationship seemed to have progressed nicely.
'Good, keep it up.'
Abel and Lady Olivia were getting close quickly, and he'd even won over the biggest obstacle, the Copperhead Count.
So far, everything was going smoothly.
"If we visit the Viscount Haksen estate, I should pay my respects to Viscount Haksen and his wife. What kind of gifts do they like?"
"Oh, no need to go to such trouble. Just your visit alone would be a joy."
Demian watched the two with a pleased expression.
* * *
Sophia Russell couldn't tear her eyes away from Demian Haksen, who sat beside the Copperhead Count.
'An August-made bow? He brings something that precious to her, but gave me nothing?'
The bow crafted by August was an extraordinary item, one the Count had seated him beside without hesitation.
But that wasn't the only reason Sophia Russell was annoyed.
'Doesn't that mean he still has feelings for me?'
Sophia Russell was convinced Demian Haksen still harbored lingering affections for her.
That conviction was now wavering.
'At this rate, it looks just like he's here to court Olivia...'
Sophia Russell glared at Olivia Copperhead with eyes full of jealousy.
'What's so pretty about that girl...? Well, she is pretty...'
Even blinded by jealousy, she couldn't deny Olivia Copperhead's beauty.
And it wasn't just her face. She came from the powerful Copperhead Count family.
'Still, my body's better.'
Sophia Russell looked down at her own figure.
Unlike Olivia Copperhead, who was flat as a board, she exuded a sensual presence.
It was then, as Sophia Russell trembled with jealousy.
"I'm sorry, but I need to step out to the privy for a moment."
The Copperhead Count rose from his seat and left the banquet hall.
Left alone, Demian Haksen quietly watched Abel Haksen and Olivia Copperhead.
'Why isn't he talking to Lady Olivia?'
It didn't look like he was here to propose to her; there was too much distance.
"If we visit the Viscount Haksen estate, I should pay my respects to Viscount Haksen and his wife. What kind of gifts do they like?"
"Oh, no need to go to such trouble. Just your visit alone would be a joy."
While Demian Haksen sat quietly, Abel Haksen was growing closer to Lady Olivia.
'No way... he's not trying to set up his brother with Lady Olivia instead?'
No matter how she looked at it, that seemed to be the case.
"Whew... so that's it? I worried for nothing."
Sophia Russell let out a sigh of relief. Then, something occurred to her.
'...No, don't think such useless thoughts. I have Jackson.'
Sophia Russell shook her head vigorously. In that moment, her eyes met Demian Haksen's.
Demian Haksen was staring straight at her.
At that gaze, Sophia Russell felt her heart race without realizing it.
'Out of all these people, he found me...?'
It was clear Demian Haksen still had lingering feelings for her.
Confirming that made her face flush in an instant.
Sophia Russell fanned herself, trying to avoid Demian Haksen's gaze.
* * *
It was while Demian watched Abel and Olivia's conversation.
He felt an unpleasant gaze piercing him from among the spectators.
If Demian were an ordinary low-class knight, he might not have noticed.
But Demian's senses had long surpassed low-class.
'Who the hell is it.'
Demian turned his head to find the source of the gaze.
There, among the nobles, he spotted Sophia Russell glaring at him.
'What the hell is she doing?'
Looking at Sophia Russell's face gradually soured his mood.
Demian held no emotions left for Sophia Russell.
In the past, he might have clung to her, but now there was neither love nor hate.
But thinking of the insults his family had suffered brought rage boiling up.
'I'll deal with her later.'
For now, Abel's matchmaking came first.
Demian decided to bide his time.
* * *
Like his disciple, Jacques Noire was also watching Demian Haksen.
'...To think he'd bring a bow made by August.'
Jacques Noire had never intended to offer the vitality concentration potion.
He needed as many potions as possible for his own ambitions.
The reason he'd given one to the Count was to make Jackson Cutter win the Count's favor.
But Demian's offering was too impressive, stealing all the Count's attention.
'Troublesome. Very troublesome.'
Jacques Noire had entered the jousting tournament to lay the foundation for his ambitions.
His ambition was to reach the Master realm.
Master.
The realm called true superhuman.
Reaching it would etch his name in history books.
To ascend there, he needed knowledge left by Master-class individuals and vast quantities of potions.
And to obtain those, he needed a fortune.
To gather that money, Jacques Noire had committed all sorts of crimes.
He'd even fled the Mandarine Kingdom after a major incident.
He came to the Apple Kingdom, far from Mandarine, to escape such troubles.
Unlike in Mandarine, Jacques Noire sought to gather funds through milder means in Apple.
But he had no intention of serving another house for a pittance.
Such meager salaries couldn't buy what he wanted.
So, Jacques Noire chose to devour wealthy families using marriage as bait.
Taking Jackson Cutter as a disciple was for that very reason.
Passable looks and decent talent.
The kind of son-in-law nobles would drool over.
Even Jackson Cutter dating Sophia Russell had been Jacques Noire's design.
Thanks to that, he received full support from the Russell family.
But the Russell family, wealthy as it was, was too small to satisfy him.
For his ambitions, he needed a bigger fish.
That's why he targeted the Copperhead Count family.
Making Jackson Cutter win the jousting tournament was to secure that marriage.
'But with Demian Haksen around, it'll be difficult.'
Even in Jacques Noire's eyes, Demian Haksen surpassed Jackson Cutter in every way.
Skill aside, his fame, looks, and even wealth were superior.
'Still, I can't just hand over the Copperhead Count family.'
From Jacques Noire's perspective, it was an incredibly enticing prey.
Devouring it would bring him one step closer to his ambitions.
'I'll have to get more involved myself.'
It was a huge hassle, but far better than losing the Count family.
'And it won't be pure loss anyway.'
If he devoured the Copperhead Count family as planned and took whatever fortune Demian Haksen possessed...
Far from loss, it'd be a profit.
'You'd better prepare yourself, Demian Haksen.'
Jacques Noire's eyes gleamed coldly.
* * *
The banquet ended only late into the night.
"Let's call it a night here. Everyone, return to your lodgings and prepare for tomorrow's jousting tournament."
The nobles left the banquet hall and headed to their accommodations.
Demian and Abel did the same, returning to their tent. As soon as they arrived, Abel threw himself onto the bed.
"Huaaah..."
Abel let out a deep sigh. Only now did he seem to relax.
"Were you that nervous?"
"Of course. It's Lady Olivia."
Abel said, lifting his head.
"So, what did you think after meeting her?"
"She was truly beautiful... lively... and fun."
Abel said, his face flushing. It seemed he'd fallen even deeper for Lady Olivia during their talk.
"Think ahead about what you'll talk about tomorrow."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"You're not planning to meet Lady Olivia tomorrow?"
"I want to, but... tomorrow's the jousting day... Lots of people will swarm her... I don't know if I'll get a chance to talk..."
"Hey, you boring guy. If there's no chance, make one."
Demian said with a look of pity.
"Don't worry. Your big brother will make it happen somehow."
Demian spoke with confident tone. Abel looked puzzled.
"You'll see tomorrow."
At those words, Abel sat still, staring at Demian. Demian clicked his tongue briefly.
"You're doing this because I won't tell you? You have to pry it out...?"
"Brother, thank you."
The sudden words made Demian pause.
"You got me a gift... arranged this opportunity... I don't know how to repay you."
"Why are you getting all sentimental out of nowhere?"
"It's just... I'm sorry. I've said a lot of harsh things to you."
Among the family, Abel Haksen had disliked Demian the most.
Even after seeing his changed self post-regression, whenever something went wrong, he'd blame Demian Haksen.
But that wasn't Abel's fault. It was all because of Demian Haksen.
Because he was worthless and pathetic, disappointing his brother time and again. The brother had simply accumulated resentment until he couldn't hold it in.
"...Don't worry about it."
Above all, weighing the severity of wrongs, Demian's were far heavier.
In his previous life, Demian had killed Abel with his own hands.
The sensation of slicing Abel's neck still lingered vividly.
"It's natural for a brother to think of his sibling. So you just focus on proposing to Lady Olivia."
"Yes, I will!"
Abel declared loudly. Demian smiled faintly.
Watching Abel's happy face made him feel like his past sins were being forgiven, if only a little.