Chapter 22

“The Orbella family is expecting a guest to visit.”

Upon the butler’s report, a gleam appeared in Deisel’s eyes. There was only one reason for a sudden message from Orbella on the day of their visit. Deisel suppressed the blooming joy within him and calmly took a sip of tea.

‘I thought it would take quite a while because of the long waiting list, but it’s faster than I expected…’

Being a strong candidate for the next head of the family and having built up a decent career, he met all the qualifications.

However, many unqualified people had also applied, which prolonged the time it took for the review results to come out.

But to think that the membership of ‘Edel Klais,’ known as the nobles’ nobles, would be issued in just a year. Even his butler was understandably excited.

“The time is 6 PM.”

“6 PM…”

“They must have sent someone urgently. They seem to think highly of you, Master Deisel.”

Ignoring the butler’s flattery, Deisel checked the time. There wasn’t much left.

***

The air was rather chilly. It was around sunset.

Hearing the news of the carriage’s arrival, Deisel quickened his steps to the main gate.

The carriage door opened, and a middle-aged man in a neat outfit stepped onto the ground.

Clack—

On his chest hung a badge with a finely crafted scale emblem.

He introduced himself briefly with a bow.

“Greetings. I am Alkai from Orbella.”

“I am Deisel Ben Tenest. Pleasure to meet you, Sir Alkai.”

The man looked around the mansion grounds and expressed his admiration.

“Ho… As beautiful as they say.”

“Thank you for the compliment. But…”

Deisel, with a hint of regret, showed a wry smile.

“If you had informed us earlier, we would have prepared properly. I apologize for the hasty reception.”

“Ha-ha, your words are more than enough. However, there’s no need for Master Deisel to worry. We are here to urgently deliver the membership card and then leave immediately.”

The man smiled kindly and took out an elegant box, looking around.

Soon, his eyebrows furrowed slightly in confusion.

“Hmm… But where is Master Hersel?”

“…?”

The unexpected name made Deisel blink.

The man bowed his head apologetically.

“Actually, the recipient must collect it in person. Though I greatly appreciate Master Deisel coming out, it’s against the rules to have a proxy receive it…”

‘What does he mean…’

At that moment, the man’s eyes sparkled as he looked into the distance. Soon, the sound of footsteps could be heard. Deisel also followed his gaze.

Click-clack, click-clack—

With a haughty lifted chin and blue eyes looking down, exuding elegance in his walk, Deisel felt a chilling sensation as if all the warmth was draining from his body.

Tap—

Hersel, with a crescent-moon smile, placed his hand on Deisel’s shoulder.

“Thanks for coming out to greet him, Deisel.”

After patting his shoulder twice, Hersel’s hand left, sending a shiver down Deisel’s skin.

‘No way…’

That ‘no way’ was correct. As Hersel approached, the man bowed respectfully and greeted him.

“Greetings, Master Hersel. Congratulations on becoming an honored member of Edel Klais.”

“Nice to see you. But you’re late, aren’t you?”

“Excuse me? Ah, no… This issuance is actually extraordinarily fast…”

The man’s hands holding the box were trembling nervously. Hersel, noticing this, scoffed casually.

“Hmph, weren’t you boasting about time being money?”

“Of course, time is money. But there was a lot of internal discussion regarding this…”

“Why? Did seeing my name give them a stroke?”

“Ahem, ahem. No, of course not. That would never happen…”

“Let’s stop the teasing. Is that mine?”

Hersel snatched the box. A subtle red light seeped out from the gap in the box.

Click.

Inside was a card finely crafted from metal. Deisel’s eyes widened gradually. It was unmistakably the ‘Edel Klais’ membership card he had only seen in his parents’ possession.

“Oh, it’s even more radiant in person. Thanks for your effort. You can go now.”

Waving his hand as if the matter was settled, Hersel dismissed the man. The man, bewildered, gave his farewells and got back on the carriage.

Ignoring Deisel, Hersel walked past him.

Deisel grabbed Hersel’s shoulder.

“What did you do… How could someone like you get into Edel Klais!?”

Deisel, narrowing his eyes in disbelief, was met with Hersel’s smug grin.

“Think about it on your own.”

Watching him leave with a smirk, Deisel ground his teeth so hard it made a noise. The indescribable humiliation of being overtaken by someone he had considered a mere bug was unbearable.

“Found you! Brother! Over here!”

To make matters worse, another infuriating figure appeared. Mircel ran up to Hersel and glanced at Deisel.

“Brother, that guy is glaring at you like he wants to kill you.”

“Mircel, at times like this, you should pretend not to notice.”

“Why? Did something happen?”

“I can’t even begin to describe how pitiful it is.”

As he watched the two who grated his nerves from top to bottom, Deisel suppressed something within him.

A vicious intent that seemed ready to spill out at any moment if he let his guard down.

***

Thud—

A spinning top bounced out of the mortar, and Mircel, frustrated, panted heavily.

“It’s strange, why won’t brother’s top get pushed?”

“There’s a trick to it.”

“Can’t we switch tops this time?”

“Who was it that insisted on competing with what we made ourselves?”

Seeing no hope, Mircel sighed deeply, as if the ground would cave in.

Feeling it was about time to tell him, I handed over the top.

“Pick it up.”

Mircel, dumbfounded, grabbed his own top with one hand and compared the weight.

“Brother, don’t tell me…”

“Yep, I put a bit of iron in mine.”

Seeing Mircel puffing in frustration made me feel a bit nostalgic. Playing with kids wasn’t so bad after all. The feeling I had when playing with my nieces and nephews seemed to raise my self-esteem as an adult.

It made me feel my position as an adult.

Like this.

“…Isn’t this kind of cheating, brother?”

With one eyebrow twitching, Mircel drooped his lips, and I imparted the lesson of adulthood.

“The world will cruelly stab at you with hidden blades like this. If you want to survive this harsh world, remember this, Mircel.”

“I see…?”

Mircel looked dazed, as if he had just realized a great truth.

A person like me, who puts a bulletproof vest on children’s tender hearts to protect them from the harsh realities of life.

Now that we’ve played enough, it’s time to leave.

As I turned to leave, I felt my collar being tugged. It was Niasel.

…When did she get here?

“Brother, since Niasel is here, let’s go test our courage. We decided to do that today.”

“Test our courage?”

“Yeah, in the basement, where Dad keeps his treasures.”

I was intrigued. If it was Aol’s trophies, they must be very valuable.

If I could sneak one or two, it would be great…

But a test of courage?

Suddenly, I felt a chill. Something came to mind.

“Don’t tell me… you mean that place?”

“Yes, where Dad keeps the heads of the monsters he’s captured.”

Mircel grinned mischievously. This little brat must have held a grudge for the prank with the spinning tops. This was definitely revenge.

“You’d better be prepared. There’s still some that are alive and moving.”

“I refuse.”

“Come on, let’s go. Okay?”

[Let’s go together.]

Ignoring them and walking away, Mircel and Niasel tugged on my collar. How could these little kids be so strong that I couldn’t shake them off?

Stop it. My clothes are stretching…

“Sigh…”

Suddenly, I remembered my uncle and sighed. Come to think of it, I…

Used to pester my uncle every holiday by following him around and annoying him.

I would press the power button on his computer and run away.

Behead the figures he cherished and leave them on his desk.

Screen his hidden CDs as his treasure in front of the family.

…Damn it.

I was really a bad kid.

Maybe I’m receiving my punishment now for tormenting my uncle as if he were a toy.

“Lead the way.”

A life full of sins.

Today, I’ll atone for those sins.

***

A musty smell emanated from the lower floor.

The damp bricks exuded the feeling of a basement. As I descended the stairs, the heat from the lamps on the walls brushed my cheeks. The eerie atmosphere transmitted Niasel’s trembling to my back.

Grooooaaarrr—

The sound of a grotesque creature’s wail added to the feeling of entering a dungeon.

Despite this, Mircel was smiling as if enjoying the situation.

“How is it? Isn’t the atmosphere chilling? Niasel, you should get off brother now.”

Niasel shook her head vigorously.

Even so, I gently put the frightened child on the ground. She looked at me with resentful eyes.

Understand, if you wet yourself, my back will get soaked.

Niasel held out her hand. Although there was no paper, the phrase [Hold my hand then] seemed to float in the air.

“Do as you like.”

We held hands. Niasel’s expression softened a little.

But what is it?

Mircel kept glancing back at me, which bothered me.

“What? Do you want me to hold your hand too?”

“…No, I’m not a child.”

Mircel turned his head away with a pout. I followed his lead and walked down the corridor.

Clink—

Niasel’s grip tightened as a metallic sound came from ahead.

“Ah…, Hersel, what brings you here?”

It was Jack and Rodel. The previous noise seemed to come from their armor.

“What are you doing here?”

“Well, we… We are on duty today, so we’re guarding this place.”

They were short-staffed because Aol had taken many knights to the demon realm.

Mircel pointed at the exhibition hall door.

“Open that door for us.”

Jack and Rodel scratched their heads, looking troubled.

“Well, the thing is, young master Mircel, it’s a bit difficult.”

“If the mistress finds out, we’ll be in big trouble…”

Mircel pouted and asked.

“But you let us in last time, didn’t you?”

“That’s because the Grand Duke was with you. You know how dangerous it is beyond this door…”

Jack said in a coaxing tone. For once, these two guys seemed likable. It would be great if we turned back now.

There was a very troublesome monster related to the scenario sealed here.

Although the incident where the seal was broken wasn’t due yet, there’s no benefit in poking around.

It’s also scary.

However, Mircel looked at me with expectant eyes.

“It’s not dangerous. Brother is here too.”

Damn it…

I desperately hoped Jack and Rodel would stick to the rules, but they nodded, pursing their lips.

“Oh, that’s true. If young master Hersel is with you, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“If you keep it a secret from the mistress…”

Click—

Thinking they had done well, they giggled and opened the door with the key. Mircel took the lamp and led the way.

Holding Niasel’s hand, I glared at Jack and Rodel as we entered the exhibition hall.

“Rodel, did we make a mistake?”

“I’m not sure…”

Useless guys.

**

After the Orbella carriage left, the mansion was in an uproar.

“Really… it wasn’t Master Deisel but that brat?”

“I told you, the man from Orbella was extremely polite to him.”

“I clearly saw him receiving the card!”

The servants were astonished that Hersel had gained membership in Edel Klais. Such sensational news spread like wildfire.

“Ahem, but what’s with calling him a brat? You should say Master Hersel. Ahem.”

“Are you already lining up?”

“What if the mistress hears you?”

In the midst of their chatter, the butler urgently turned his head. Those gossiping about Hersel did the same.

“…Quiet. The head maid is passing by.”

Given the mansion’s atmosphere, the head maid sighed deeply.

‘The mistress will be here soon. How should I report this…?’

A meeting was scheduled soon. It was hard to inform about this ahead of such an important event. But it couldn’t be hidden.

While she was fretting, a carriage arrived at the main gate. The head maid bowed and greeted the returning mistress.

“How was your outing? Any good news?”

“Everything went well. But it’s tiring, meeting people after a long time.”

Walking along the garden path, the mistress spoke, and the head maid followed. The servants, realizing who the real master of the mansion was, bowed their heads politely.

“Elma, could you tell the children to attend this meeting too?”

“The young masters?”

“Yes, I thought I’d let them observe. Such opportunities are rare.”

The head maid shuddered slightly.

“Does that mean…”

“Yes, the head of the family himself is coming.”

“?!”

The head maid tried to calm her surprise. It was natural to worry as a servant when Heinrich, the head of the hostile family, was personally coming.

At that moment, they reached the main hall. Voices of the maids gossiping seeped through the still-closed door.

“Hersel really joined Edel Klais?”

“Yes, just now, someone from Orbella came and…”

Ultimately, the maids’ chatter reached the mistress’s ears. The mistress asked in a gentle tone.

“Elma, could you tell me in detail what they are talking about?”

“Well, that’s…”

The head maid cautiously explained the entire situation.

“I see? Interesting news. That place isn’t somewhere just anyone can enter.”

“Do you think he used the money he stole from the mine to buy his way in…?”

The mistress was already aware that Hersel had smuggled goods from the mine and maintained dubious dealings with Orbella’s young lady.

“Well. I don’t think Orbella would be swayed by such money… Our eldest son must have some skills I haven’t grasped. It wouldn’t be bad to see for myself.”

“See for yourself?”

With an intrigued look, the mistress smiled softly.

“I’m thinking of letting him participate in the meeting. Not as an observer, but as a representative.”