“What about the academy’s studies and the family…”
“We are on vacation until next spring. He said he would do a preliminary investigation before entering the academy, but he followed me, didn’t you look into that?”
Seeing Julich’s pitiful eyes, Michael’s face turned red. In fact, I never did any preliminary research.
I wanted to go to the bustling capital of the empire, and I just needed a suitable excuse.
Of course, when we arrived, we played Tangja Tangja. Julich must have known that too, so it was just a sarcastic remark.
“Anyway, a son of a swordsman uses a sword so harshly.”
“It’s not my mind how I use my sword. Please do not interfere.”
Seeing Michael turn his head curtly, Yulihi smiled.
“You’ve become quite bold while I haven’t seen you. Well, I mean, he must have tried to assassinate his brother or something.”
“no!”
The tantrum he had been holding back exploded at the sarcastic noise. I’m already going crazy because of the gossip, but to say something like that in front of my face!
Yulihi shrugged at his brother’s anger.
“What is it not? Are you saying that your new brother isn’t your brother? Or are you saying you never attempted an assassination?”
“Both sides! In the first place, older brother doesn’t even know what’s going on!”
“If you feel so unfair, tell me somewhere. It was a car I was actually curious about.”
The car had just arrived at the castle and was on its way up to the mansion. Regarding the assassination, I had only heard rumors from the local people.
Not to mention his new brother, he hasn’t even met his father yet.
It wasn’t bad to listen to Michael’s explanation first.
“It all started as a simple joke!”
Michael, who couldn’t even properly explain to anyone, explained everything as if to relieve resentment. The first thing Max did to disturb Luke’s sleep.
The thing that didn’t go as planned because he fell asleep too deeply. And only that day, it was unlucky to be caught and leaped into an assassination case.
Until the last time he was framed by Max.
“But to say that you instigated the assassination case, I’m going crazy because of the unfairness!”
“ha.”
In spite of Michael’s appeal, Julich only showed his absurd feelings. After a while, Julich clicked his tongue and said.
“There is something missing in what you just said.”
“What do you mean you forgot?”
“If you hadn’t played that prank in the first place, there would have been no reason to be framed.”
“…!”
Michael’s face turned red. In anger, right before he could express his objection, Julich raised his hand faster to block his words.
“I don’t need to hear any more. Isn’t it all because of your stupidity?”
“I am!”
“Nothing wrong? Then I will tell you.”
Yulihi folded his fingers one by one and said.
“First, touching a silent brother and turning him into an enemy. It sounds like you have pretty good abilities, but you made a threatening enemy.”
“Are you going to let that half-assed guy sit on top of your head and try to play big brother!”
“When you hit someone, the other person also punches. Can you guarantee that you won’t be attacked?”
Michael’s face darkened. I hadn’t even thought about that. Isn’t he a bastard whose only support is his father?
It was just that level not too long ago. However, after going through the assassination scandal, Luke’s position has completely changed.
‘What if he holds a grudge and tries to drive me?’
It is the position of the one-sided victim and perpetrator. If Luke made up his mind now, Michael’s reputation could fall to an unrecoverable level.
Just imagining it, I felt goosebumps all over my body.
“Second, failing to give trust to subordinates. He openly shows signs that he will cut you off at any time, but of course he will sell you. Isn’t it a simple reason?”
“Yeah, but I still have something to eat!”
“They did the work and gave it to me in return. Anyone who sees it will know that it was a favor.”
It was a stabbing sound. Come to think of it, I never looked for Max except when I needed it.
From Max’s point of view, Michael would have been regarded as a high-ranking client rather than an object of loyalty.
From noble mtl dot com
“Third, if you knew something was wrong, you should actively take care of it, but you didn’t think that you had prepared a countermeasure and just let it go. Do you think reality runs according to set rules like chess?”
“…”
Michael’s face turned red at Julich’s blow. I wanted to refute, but nothing came to mind.
It always has been. Julich looked at the sight beyond Michael’s field of vision and made fun of his younger brother’s short sight.
Michael couldn’t escape his brother’s shadow.
“I think I heard everything you said.”
“…Are you going to see your father?”
“It should be. There are some people I would like to introduce to you.”
“Who can I introduce you to?”
“Lord.”
Michael turned his back in shock at the voice he heard from behind. There were three strange-looking people there.
One was a hunchback with sore half of his face. At first glance, it was a commoner who was all ugly looking, but Michael knew it at once.
‘Hey, is this an assassin?’
The atmosphere and quiet movement reminded me of Max. The difference was that the old man was much quieter than Max.
I was walking right next to it, and it was hard to hear footsteps. Where the hell did you get such a person?
‘It’s not just this old man. The other two are also unusual.’
One of them was a knight with a helmet covering his face, and the other was a young man with a scholarly appearance.
They were two people who didn’t match at all, but I felt an atmosphere that neither of them could approach.
“As the lord said, I looked around the territory once.”
“Okay, what about my hometown where I grew up?”
“It couldn’t have been better.”
The one who spoke this time was a scholarly young man behind him. There was suppressed excitement in his thin smile.
“The security is good, the military is good, and the geography is perfect. It is indeed the right place to accomplish a great cause.”
“ha ha ha! I’m glad you did that!”
“I only speak the truth.”
The young man only slightly bent his back, but I could feel respect for that small movement. It is said that he was completely fascinated by his master.
At least this young man would not betray Julich. Michael’s fists tightened as he compared himself to Max’s self.
‘The true heir to the Bernstein family.’
A title that Michael once envyed and thought he might be able to obtain if he did well. But the reality was grim.
Julich was much higher than Michael. In a place where no matter how much I stretch out my hand, I can’t reach it.
“Now, let’s go to the mansion. I want to introduce you to my father.”
“yes!”
Michael bit his lip as he watched Julich leave with his men. Now that the true heir had returned, it was his turn to be constantly compared to his brother again.
But this time was different from before.
‘Half bastard.’
The opponent who put him here, and now the rising star of the Bernstein family. If it was a talented person, there was no way the hyung who was crazy would leave Luke alone.
Either get it for sure, or break it so no one can use it. Nine out of ten I will force one of the two.
‘But he won’t go according to his brother’s wishes.’
A twisted smile appeared on Michael’s lips. For the first time, I thought that I might be able to see Julich eating candy.
****
The heir’s homecoming after the academy’s vacation. The Count happily greeted Julich while preparing a light banquet.
“Welcome, Julich! Did you learn a lot at the academy?”
“Although my knowledge has broadened a lot, I still lack a lot.”
“Hoo!”
He is the eldest son who always underestimates his achievements and trembles with humility. It is said that I have gained quite a bit to say that my knowledge has broadened.
The count’s eyes sparkled with anticipation at his proud son’s performance.
“I want to hear it right away, but I guess I should introduce my family first. Come in.”
At the Count’s signal, Luke, who was waiting outside, entered. Then, he slightly bowed his head toward Julihi and greeted him.
“Nice to meet you, brother. This is Luke.”
“I heard the story through a letter. It’s nice to meet you here.”
Unlike Michael, Julich held out his hand with a smile.
“I am really happy to have a new family. Let’s lean on each other and get along well.”
“I am really happy that I have a reliable older brother.”
Smiling at each other, Luke and Julich held hands. As the scene he had dreamed of unfolded before his eyes, a hearty smile formed on the Count’s lips.
‘Yes, isn’t this what a family should be like? I wish Michael would follow at least half of my brother!’
As he had expected, it was Michael whose stock price was going down as soon as Julich returned. But in fact, from Luke’s point of view, this situation was just ridiculous.
Because he knew that Julich’s attitude right now was all pretense.
‘I’m really happy to have a new family. I’m thinking of making him a subordinate if I have the ability.’
Julich Bernstein. Contrary to the family’s keynote that values chivalry, the word ‘Hyoung’ in a troubled world suits him.
If they are talented, they recruit them regardless of means and methods, and if they cannot collect them themselves, they thoroughly destroy them so that others cannot use them.
At the same time, I try to keep my external image as perfect as possible.
‘He’s full of serpents in his stomach.’
Thanks to that, I was swung around a lot before returning. At that time, I thought that I would repay it by paying even interest in this life.
Julihi, not knowing what Luke was thinking, said with an innocent face.
“I heard that Sir Bruno became your knight?”
“yes. Somehow it happened.”
“A knight with great power. I was worried about where that power would be used, but I’m glad it seems to be on a good path.”
Julihi nodded as if it went well. And after a while, I clapped my hands like I remembered now.
“Oh, come to think of it, there are people I want to introduce to my father.”
“Are you going to introduce me?”
“These are the ones I gathered in the capital this time. The two of them are temporarily away from each other, so I guess I should introduce one of them first.”
As Julich’s eyes glanced back, the knight in black armor stepped forward.
The knight, whose face was covered by a helmet, bowed and said.
“This is Ray Winslow.”
“…?”
Hearing the knight’s voice, the Count tilted his head. A voice whined inside the helmet. I couldn’t help it, but it sounded a little strange.
It wasn’t a grown man’s voice, it was a boy’s voice before his voice changed.
“Yes, Sir Ray. It’s Leonard Bernstein. I received your greetings well, but would you like me to take off your helmet first?”
Unless it’s a battlefield, it’s rude to wear a helmet to say hello. After the Count scolded him slightly, Julich stepped forward.
“Wait a minute, Father. That part is a little bit complicated.”
“What’s the matter? Is there any reason why you can’t take off your helmet?”
“Exactly, I can’t take it off yet. After a light fight, you can take off your helmet.”
“Huh, I don’t know what you mean.”
Despite the Count’s question, Julihi smiled once and turned her gaze to Luke.
“Luke, if possible, I would like to have a friendly sparring with Sir Bruno. Is that possible?”
“Are you talking about friendly sparring?”
“okay. If knights met, they would want to see swords against each other. When I told him about Sir Bruno’s strength, he said he really wanted to fight it.”
Actually, the knight named Ray stood still, neither affirming nor denying Julich’s words. Luke nodded happily.
“That’s good. I was also curious about how good Sir Ray’s skills were. Bruno!”
I had Bruno waiting nearby, so I opened the door and Bruno came in.
The two knights glanced at each other and nodded.
Friendly sparring of this kind was not uncommon. Sparring often took place to show off the might of the subordinate knights or as part of a war of nerves between each other’s lords.
“I’m begging you, Sir Ray.”
“I wish you well too.”
“…?”
At the strange voice, Bruno tilted his head once and headed for the arena. Bruno, who was following Luke, whispered.
“Master, how much shall we do?”
“What?”
“Sir Ray. Apparently, I don’t think he’s as cocky as Jino, but I think it’ll hurt a little if he shows up.”
Luke laughed at Bruno’s whisper. It’s so nice to see you on your own. With Bruno’s skills, most knights can be defeated easily, so it’s not unfounded confidence.
But this time was an exception.
“Fight with all your might.”
“yes? To make it completely incapacitated?”
“It’s not like that, but if you do it roughly, you lose.”
“Ah, that’s a joke…”
As Bruno smiled and waved his hand, Luke rubbed his chin with a worried expression.
“Actually, I don’t even know. Is the lineage of the giants stronger than the descendants of the spirits?”
“…!”
It was only then that Bruno’s face hardened when he realized the meaning.