Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Dragon Slayer
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The firstborn son and the man closest to becoming the next family head.
'Gunter de Strange.'
I'd had him in mind ever since my rebirth.
When I thought about my future path ahead, he was far more dangerous than the Tony, Jony, or Rony brothers.
But I had no idea when he'd started keeping tabs on me. Even recalling my past life brought no memories.
'Well.'
Of course, if Gunter was behind it, it would have been meticulously and covertly executed, so a kid my age wouldn't have noticed.
In my past life, assassins had come to the main estate a few times, only to be blocked and killed by the guardian knights each time.
None had ever successfully infiltrated my room like in this incident.
That meant this time was more dangerous than before.
'This won't be easy.'
The road back to the Sword King title.
Gunter's threat level was higher than in my past life.
This assassination hadn't been life-threatening, but who knew what form the next one would take? I had to stay on high alert.
'Gunter moves more meticulously and methodically than anyone.'
Through this assassination attempt, I'd realized this life wouldn't be a cakewalk either.
I'd relive some events from my prior experience, but others deviated from that timeline.
This incident proved it.
It was a chance to remind myself that the slightest carelessness could mean death at any moment.
'Actually, it's fortunate the assassin came before any bigger disaster.'
Now I could prepare for what lay ahead.
"Emma, do you know who's coming to the meeting today?"
The nanny folded her fingers one by one as she answered.
"The family head, the eldest young master, the second young master, and the third lady. And all the collateral branch lords are gathering too."
"Even the collateral branch folks?"
"Yes. I heard the master called an emergency assembly. Probably because of the assassin who came after you, young master."
Not just the direct line—eldest, second, and third—but the collaterals too. It was like preparing for war.
A gathering so threatening that neighboring nations would quake just knowing about it. Even the emperor commanding the imperial army would be on edge.
'...Heaven is on my side.'
An opportunity to check Gunter had come sooner than expected.
"You're sure both brothers are coming?"
"Of course. The young masters and lady have already arrived."
"Brother and sister?"
"Yes. They're waiting in the garden for the family head."
"I didn't know they were here. I should've greeted them. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Uh... I thought it best if you stayed here."
Her expression said it all. The Strange family competed fiercely, lives on the line, unlike other houses.
'She must've figured the brothers would bully me.'
Like the trashy Tony, Jony, and Rony trio.
I gathered my thoughts and gave the nanny a gentle smile.
"Emma, could you fetch the item I asked you to store in the freezer?"
"Hail the family head!"
Bess, the guardian knight captain, bellowed through the castle. The other guardian knights echoed him.
"Hail the family head!!"
Roys de Strange, current head of the Strange family, entered with a stern expression.
Two men and one woman strode behind him.
Golden slicked-back hair, yellow armor emblazoned with a cross. A muscular man with a massive two-handed sword slung over his shoulder—the eldest, Gunter.
Short blue hair, blue cross-emblazoned armor. A gaunt man with dual swords at his waist—the second, Hysteria.
Finally, red long hair, blood-red cross-emblazoned armor, and a sword with a hilt as long as its blade strapped to her back—the third, Valentine.
Three powerhouses who could raze a nation in half a day had assembled.
For one reason: to uncover the mastermind behind the assassin who dared infiltrate the Strange main estate.
Roys arrived at the conference hall first and pulled out a chair.
Drag.
The eldest, second, and third took seats at a distance from each other.
The elite knights of the Strange family followed, filling the gaps.
Scrape.
Four at the round table, facing off, with their blood kin from their territories seated around.
A long silence hung before Roys, the family head, spoke first.
"The assassin?"
The eldest answered.
"We're pursuing."
His voice was thick, like dragged from a deep cave.
"From what we've learned, they're from an eastern guild with some notoriety—'Red Worm'."
"Red Worm?"
"An assassination outfit."
"Why target us?"
Roys propped his chin, intrigued. Gunter cleared his throat and continued.
"To claim the youngest's head. Rumors of the Sword God's guardian spirit reincarnating in our family have spread across the continent."
Sword God reincarnation.
That alone explained the assassins on the maknae.
Guilds eyeing the Strange family weren't few.
"Father, Red Worm is just a band of barely over a hundred assassins at best."
"A hundred?"
"Yes. Nowhere near our level. So I figure they've been hired by some backer."
"Backer?"
Gunter nodded firmly.
"Something big enough to take us on. Ready for war."
"Something that can handle us..."
Roys unleashed his aura, eyes blazing with fury.
Whoosh.
"You mean Glazer."
"Yes, Father."
"But the war with Glazer just ended."
"They're underestimating us. Ever since Hagen took over, they've pulled stunts like this yearly."
"Hoo—"
The blood kin nodded cautiously in agreement.
The second son, listening, let out a vile chuckle.
"Kuhahaha! No, brother, you really think that makes sense?"
"...What?"
"What? Is that even a question? You saying that without knowing Glazer's current state?"
Roys turned to the second son.
Hysteria stood as if waiting, pacing the round table slowly.
"Father. As you know, Glazer's at odds with the emperor right now. No spare strength for war with us."
"......"
"Hiding in the shadows isn't enough—they pick a fight now? What's in it for them?"
"...Hm."
"Make enemies of Strange and the imperial army at once? Come on. No matter how great the kid is, who'd risk war over offing one child?"
Hysteria smirked slyly, slinging an arm around a sweating, chubby collateral brother.
"You think I'm right or wrong?"
"R-Right."
"See? You think Gunter brother's spouting nonsense too, huh?"
"N-No! Not that! G-Gunter sir, absolutely not!"
"It is. Don't be scared—tell Gunter brother yourself. How'd a brain like that land next family head? You'll get offed by one of us soon. Kuhahaha!"
Gunter glared at Hysteria, displeased.
"Enough, Hysteria."
"Oops... Our next family head already ordering me around?"
"Not an order."
"A request then?"
"A warning. Stop here and sit quietly."
Hysteria met Gunter's gaze unflinchingly.
"Or what?"
Gunter gripped his sword hilt.
"You know what happens."
Hysteria's lip twitched as he gripped his own.
"No idea. Show me, brother."
Their standoff intensified.
Snap!
Roys snapped his fingers.
Gunter and Hysteria flinched, returning to their seats back-to-back.
"Quiet."
One word silenced the hall. Tension stabbed like needles; blood kin sweated profusely.
Roys turned to Valentine.
"Valentine, your thoughts?"
"...I agree with Brother Hysteria."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. The culprit isn't Glazer—it's internal."
"Internal?"
"If Gunter brother was right and Glazer moved, their target would've been your head, Father—not Berddin's."
"......"
"Glazer would've aimed for the family head, not Berddin."
"Logical, indeed."
Roys closed his eyes, pondering.
Even as eldest, he couldn't ignore the second and third's dissent.
"Gunter."
"Yes, Father."
"Head east immediately and annihilate that Red Worm unit. Kill their families, kin—anyone connected. Burn it all. Erase their existence."
"......Understood."
"Valentine, re-secure this castle. Ensure no assassins breach again."
"Yes, Father."
Roys exhaled deeply, scanning the room before speaking with blade-sharp eyes—a warning.
"No repeats. We'll show exactly what befalls those who draw steel on Strange."
The meeting ended.
The door opened; Roys left first. Dozens of collaterals followed, drenched in sweat.
They hurried, desperate to flee the castle.
Same family, yet terrified to that degree.
Anyway, the castle would empty soon.
Only Valentine lingering awhile.
Step, step, step.
As collaterals vanished from sight, a familiar face emerged from the hall.
Slicked-back blond, thick brows, muscular build.
'Gunter.'
He passed me expressionlessly and spoke.
"So you're Berddin."
Gunter recognized me instantly.
Despite never meeting.
"Yes, brother."
I met his gaze without flinching. Gunter smiled faintly, amused.
"Just as I heard."
"As you heard?"
"Yes. Fine eyes. Father would approve."
"Thank you for the praise."
"......"
Conversation ended. Gunter ruffled my hair lightly and left.
Valentine followed, giving a brief smile before turning cold.
No words. Not even a greeting. Just a nod and gone.
I stood before the hall long after. Until all had departed post-meeting.
I remembered clearly.
From childhood to adulthood, one always stayed till the end after meetings.
Today was no different.
'As expected.'
Entering cautiously once all seemed gone.
"...Huh? Who're you?"
Blue-haired man, legs propped cockily on the table.
"Hello, brother. First time meeting. I'm Berddin."
The powerhouse who'd check Gunter for me until I grew.
"Berddin?"
The second son, later dubbed revolutionary.
Hysteria de Strange.
"Yes. That's me."
He was my strongest card right now.