The Terminally Ill Young Master is the Mad Dog of the Underworld
Chapter 281

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]

Chapter 281: In the Manner of the Family

Skella and I faced each other at the highest place where no one's gaze could reach, the former dwelling of Haglandere.

"Young Master, you grow stronger every time I see you."

A light of surprise appeared on Skella's calm face.

"Living a busy life tends to do that."

I shrugged my shoulders.

"What do you think? From your perspective, am I now capable of competing with Brother Verdzig?"

Skella nodded.

"You are certainly worthy of being called a rival."

"As you know, I have many other talents. If we were to compete with all of them combined?"

I thought of the special power called dark mana, the martial arts of the Karzan style, stealth techniques, and other skills.

Among them, especially my stealth technique had reached the pinnacle of mastery.

'With the Dark Star and Whispering Snow in the Night, plus the power of dark mana and the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique.'

Perhaps I had already approached being the continent's greatest assassin.

'If I had lived as an assassin instead of a swordsman, things would have been easier, wouldn't they?'

Or maybe not.

"Though the Young Master possesses various talents, the same goes for the Second Young Master."

I nodded at Skella's assertion.

"So we're both hiding our strength equally?"

That would be right. That man isn't ordinary in his schemes either.

"If they were to compete one-on-one, I'd say Second Young Master Verdzig has about a 70% chance of winning."

"Even that alone is quite remarkable."

He's a man with such extraordinary talent that even Ulbhild and Siena would consider him superior.

Add to that time, family support, an adequate environment, and his efforts.

He was a man lacking in almost nothing.

'Except for his personality.'

But take pride, Allenvert. Before you knew it, you became another giant serpent entangled with the serpent of apocalypse, trying to devour each other.

'Whichever side devours the other will soar high and become a dragon.'

Of course, we won't actually take each other's lives.

"Well then, let me share the information first as promised."

The prisoners from the execution squad captured by Karl didn't open their mouths despite harsh interrogation.

However, when they inhaled the hallucinogen that Geninghen had slipped into their belongings, they each confessed exactly one thing.

"The Black Society has extended its reach even to the royal family of Litvaleur."

"...!"

Skella asked in surprise.

"Is that true? Even with the Second Young Master's information network, I haven't heard such talk."

"It's true."

"Taking control of Flanders was an open secret, but surely not even the King of Litvaleur..."

"It was hard for me to believe as well."

"Hmm, that's information of considerable value."

If even the King of Litvaleur sided with the Black Society...

Grunewald would have to face external and internal enemies simultaneously.

'Even without raising an army, if they could make us enemies of the kingdom.'

From then on, we'd be like rats trapped in a jar.

The wild dogs coveting Grunewald's gold, silver, treasures, and position would swarm to get even a bite.

"Does His Grace the Black Serpent Duke know this fact?"

"Probably."

I nodded.

"Even if he didn't know, Brother Karl would report it."

"That's true."

Skella's expression became serious.

"The Black Society's schemes are truly frightening. They've literally planted conspiracies everywhere, surrounding Grunewald. To think even the royal family..."

I snorted at those words.

"They're just thugs who go around causing trouble wherever they go."

When I dismissed the Black Society's status with a single sentence, Skella chuckled.

"That's one way to look at it."

"I think the royal family is probably resisting quite fiercely right now."

"...I understand."

Skella sighed.

"It's not my place to comment, but the more I see, the more certain I am that this is a crisis where Grunewald's power must not be divided."

I had a similar expression to Skella's.

"I agree."

"It was definitely valuable information."

Skella looked at me.

"I will report this to the Second Young Master."

"I'd appreciate that."

"So what information do you want?"

At Skella's question, I answered.

"It's simple. I'm curious why my brother attacked the Black Society."

"...The Second Young Master recently learned a secret about Bergen related to the fall of Eisenach."

Skella said.

"Bergen was a vassal that once stood against His Grace the Black Serpent Duke and opposed him, then raised the white flag after defeat and was absorbed into the clan... We thought that was the only sin of the clan, but there was actually one more."

I nodded heavily.

"Even after being forgiven once and becoming father-in-law and son-in-law, they plotted once more to bring down Eisenach, the Fourth Lady's clan."

"And they did so secretly with the cooperation of the Black Society."

That was a crime and justification that wouldn't be strange even if it meant destroying the clan.

"Even knowing this fact, His Grace the Black Serpent Duke didn't destroy Bergen. Instead, he used it to place even greater shackles on them."

Some swords are more powerful when not drawn from their sheaths. Bergen's crime is exactly like that.

"Because it would be better for maintaining the balance of power."

"That's not all. ...It would also negatively affect the futures of Young Master Verdzig, Young Master Barclava, and Young Master Somerset, who have destroyed maternal clans."

"!"

Even I felt like I'd been hit on the head by those words.

"Originally, the Second Young Master harbored great love and hate toward His Grace the Black Serpent Duke. But he finally learned the truth."

Skella looked straight at me.

"That he strove to be thoroughly fair as a clan head and tried to guarantee equal opportunities to all his children."

"..."

I nodded.

If he realized that his long-held resentment was actually based on a misunderstanding, it wouldn't be strange for Verdzig's heart to change.

"So that's why he attacked the Black Society?"

"It would be. If he were to be played by the Black Society once more, Bergen would be betraying His Grace the Black Serpent Duke for the third time."

"..."

"Therefore, the Second Young Master said he would settle things not through schemes but 'in the manner of the family.' Attacking the Black Society was an action that clearly declared such a stance."

"I see."

Father would have known that he couldn't resolve everything during his reign.

Grudges, complex interests... all would need to be passed on to the next generation through inheritance and reorganized anew.

Therefore, properly organizing the succession structure is also one of the most important virtues of a ruler.

'Since Father's vessel is this great and the stage is so well prepared...'

All I need to do is compete fairly.

I was convinced that no more schemes or anything else would be necessary.

'Because only that way can we prevent Grunewald's crisis.'

This wasn't just a matter of simple revenge, but also a matter of survival.

"Thank you. My doubts are cleared."

"Is this all you wanted to ask?"

"Yes. There are things that are difficult to ask directly."

"..."

Skella looked at me quietly.

"If we're comparing the value of information, it seems you're at a slight disadvantage."

"I don't think we need to calculate interests so precisely every time."

I smiled slightly.

"If you're really bothered by it, shall I ask one more thing?"

"By all means."

I brought up a somewhat sensitive question.

"If you were to cast off the shackles binding you to the Recrusa clan in the future, would you have no intention of remaining loyal to my brother?"

"...Well. I've never thought about such a thing."

Skella tilted her head.

"But my brother is obsessed with you."

"That's not particularly welcome to me. I never wanted it."

"What if my brother changes like he has now and becomes a better person?"

Instead of answering, Skella asked back.

"I don't understand why you keep asking such things."

"If you want it, when I achieve victory..."

I answered.

"I'm thinking of casting off your shackles and setting you free."

"!"

Skella's eyes wavered.

"Young Master, why are you showing such kindness to a vampire like me?"

The fate of the Recrusa clan and Skella's fate reminded me of parts of my previous life, but since I couldn't say that, I gave a vague answer.

"Who knows? It's just my feelings."

"Do you need me?"

Seeing that Skella seemed to misunderstand something, I corrected her.

"As long as my brother treasures you, I have no such intention. Rather, unless you leave Grunewald and become free, bringing you under my command would only enrage my brother."

Not just enrage him, but his reformed nature might revert to its original state and he might try to poison me.

If someone comes at night with a knife, I'll know it's Verdzig.

"The important thing is that even if you remain my brother's retainer..."

I said.

"It should be a result chosen entirely by your own will. You don't need to be a shackled dog."

"Is that what you call freedom?"

"Yes. Have you developed any work you want to do or places you want to go?"

Skella seemed to be pondering over our previous conversation.

"...Someday I'd like to travel. Across that sea."

"Haha."

I smiled slightly.

"If you want, you'll be able to board a ship anytime."

"...Even so, I won't do anything underhanded to favor you."

"There's no need for that."

I shook my head.

"We'll settle this in the manner of the family. That's enough."

* * *

Several days passed. Verdzig and I received Father's summons and boarded a carriage heading to the vineyard.

"His Grace will have an 'important discussion' today. Please dress in formal attire."

The head butler's request clearly indicated that this would be an occasion for important talk about the succession structure.

"This reminds me of old times."

I muttered while looking outside the carriage.

Back then, I had traveled this road with the head butler in quite a tense state. But now I felt a mixture of small excitement and curiosity.

"Does the scenery look different now?"

Olivier asked with a slight laugh.

"Well. Scenery is scenery."

I crossed my arms and looked toward the window.

"Only the heart of the person viewing it changes."

Using the sea spread out in the distance as a canvas, memories from my previous life flashed by.

'An orphan from the back alleys who lived and died as a blade of the underworld.'

Now I'm just one step away from ascending to the most noble position.

'For Allenvert's long-cherished wish and Karzan's revenge.'

But what would happen if I lose this confrontation?

Of course, the current Verdzig is no longer the frightening and ruthless man he once was.

'Even so.'

The fact remains that the moment of defeat would cause everything I've built to crumble like a sandcastle.

'Those who fall from high places get hurt more severely.'

Up ahead, the carriage carrying Verdzig was traveling slightly ahead of mine.

I thought that was quite a symbolic scene.

'Though the vast distance between us has narrowed to this extent.'

Even combining all the various fortunes and trials I've experienced since my reincarnation, along with my previous life's experiences and talents, I still haven't surpassed Verdzig, which was truly remarkable.

Even the Black Society's executioner couldn't kill me.

"But how exactly is His Grace the Duke planning to decide on a successor?"

Peter asked cautiously.

"There are several methods."

Olivier explained.

"Other clans usually eliminate opponents underwater through struggles involving schemes, or obtain concessions through various means. Sometimes the head of the clan directly chooses a successor from the beginning to prevent relatives and retainers from having other ideas."

"The former case was Svaltalfar, the latter was Valkenhain."

When I added to the explanation, Peter opened his mouth wide in admiration.

"I see. What other methods are there?"

"In clans with strong martial traditions like ours, they sometimes decide through duels. But it's a bit strange for the person who's best with a sword to become the clan head, isn't it? We're not barbarians."

"That's true."

"He'll probably give us trials. To judge all aspects: capability as a clan head, martial prowess, wisdom, political power, problem-solving ability..."

Yes. The fact that our brothers didn't cross the line with each other was tantamount to announcing to the clan that 'we will decide the succession this way.'

If not, Verdzig and I would have waged war mobilizing our respective forces, with the victor ascending the throne with bloodied hands and name.

"Um, will it be alright? The Second Young Master is certainly..."

Jeffrey answered Peter's question instead.

"It'll be fine. I've never seen a man as remarkable as our Young Master."

"..."

After pondering those words, I said to Jeffrey.

"What about our father then?"

"Huh? No, that's..."

"Impudent fellow."

Jeffrey, who had instantly become an irreverent retainer, blinked his eyes.

"I'm joking. Everyone relax a bit."

Somehow the three of them were more nervous than I was.

"Young Master, we'll arrive soon."

The coachman said.

...In the distance, Father's presence revealed itself with the heavy weight of a great mountain.

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]