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It seems my stepmother had placed a bounty on my head. I wanted to report her to the guards, but I had no allies. Even if I had, someone as powerful as the mistress of the Tenest family could easily deny everything and get away with it.

-Not just the mistress. Everyone in the mansion wants you dead, young master.

What troubled me most was the deep-seated resentment directed at Hersel that permeated the mansion. Financial motives and past grievances. It was no surprise that there were numerous people who wanted me dead. Remembering this again sent chills down my spine.

Instinctively, my eyes darted to the bathroom entrance. Could there be some danger I hadn’t noticed? I scanned my surroundings nervously. These assassination attempts would continue. I couldn’t even spare a thought for the scenario of a game meant to preserve the world. Dealing with the imminent threat of death was my priority. With only the meager traits of ‘One Second of Invincibility’ and ‘Noble Blood’s Ember,’ I had to make do somehow.

“The first thing I must do…”

As soon as dawn breaks, I must report Selly’s treachery to the mistress. Though I wanted to resolve it immediately, it was too late. The mansion was silent enough to hear the chirping of crickets in the middle of the night. They would likely try to disguise my death as an accident, but with so few people awake at this hour, they might attempt to handle it quietly if I showed myself.

The guards had already tried to kill me earlier. Additionally, entering the tiger’s den without punishment was a kind of warning. A warning that I knew who was after my life. Even if mentioning a will had minimal effect, it would make it harder for them to act openly. It might even buy me some more time.

My head felt dizzy, whether from the multitude of thoughts or the bath’s heat. I finished bathing and returned to my quarters. As I was drying off and enjoying the pleasant coolness, I noticed the bottle of alcohol on the table. It seemed to be the one the attendant mentioned preparing earlier. The condensation on the bottle reminded me of a commercial I’d seen on TV.

One glass should be fine, right? Today has truly been hell.

* * *

Early morning.

Selly made her way to see the mistress. Her face was pale, and she looked uneasy. Perhaps she had seen a hallucination in her sleep, but she thought she had seen Hersel’s eyes gleaming at her from the window, covered in dirt. When she got up and inspected the window, there were even deep fingerprints there.

“Damn ghost. Come at me if you dare. I’ll sprinkle holy water all over you.”

Shaking off the uneasy feeling, she arrived at the mistress’s mansion. The head maid opened the door for her.

“It must be true if you’re here.”

“Has the rumor spread already?”

“In a place full of gossipy maids, how could it not?”

She had only given a hint to one or two people, yet someone must have spread it.

“But Selly,” the head maid said.

“Yes, head maid.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“Of course—!”

Selly suddenly recalled the hallucination from earlier.

“It’s certain. That cliff is so high.”

“If Selly says so, it must be true. I was just worried. Old age brings needless worries.”

Selly tried to shake off her uneasiness as she followed the head maid up the lobby stairs. Just then, a man blocked their path. A young face, barely past adolescence, with sharp eyes. It was Erucel, the third son of the Tenest family. �

“Good day, Young Master Erucel,” Selly greeted.

Erucel did not respond. He just looked at the head maid and tilted his head.

“Is this the one spreading nonsense?”

“Yes, that’s her.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, there was a sharp sound.

Slap—

Blood trickled from the corner of Selly’s mouth. Erucel had slapped her with his palm. Selly blinked in shock and looked at the head maid, who remained calm. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Selly quickly bowed her head.

“Young Master Erucel, I’m sorry, but why are you doing this…?”

“Don’t play dumb. I heard clearly that you’ve been spreading rumors about my brother’s accidental death.”

Was it because she had spoken lightly? Was it because she hadn’t reported immediately? The only thing clear was that groveling and sticking to the truth was her only chance of survival.

“Yes, it’s true. Young master Hersel fell off the cliff…”

“Do dead men drink? The steward said he emptied several bottles of that strong liquor yesterday.”

Hersel is alive?

Something had gone terribly wrong. Selly shivered with confusion.

“What were you thinking, spreading such lies? Lies that are easily uncovered.”

“No, Young Master Erucel! Young master Hersel fell off the cliff! I swear, on the mistress’s orders!”

“…Orders?”

“Ugh.”

Selly realized she had misspoken. The festival hosted by the mistress was an open secret. Erucel’s anger grew more intense.

“You are to be executed immediately. The charges: deceiving and insulting a noble.”

Shing—

Erucel’s eyes gleamed as he drew his sword from his waist. Selly thought as she looked at Erucel’s raised sword. Hersel couldn’t be alive. There’s no way he came back and drank like before.

As death approached with each second, Selly’s body shook. Just as Erucel was about to bring down the sword, there was a loud bang.

The door burst open behind them. Selly reflexively turned her head.

Click-clack, click-clack—

The man who entered had a flushed face, reeking of alcohol even from a distance. Still groggy from the liquor, he staggered toward them. The closer he got, the more Selly’s legs gave way until she collapsed to the floor. It was someone who should not be there.

“What are you doing to my servant, Erucel?”

A low, resonant voice filled the hall. It was Hersel.

* * *

“Ugh… my head.”

I grabbed my throbbing head as I got out of bed. The floor was littered with empty bottles. I had forgotten that Hersel was an incorrigible alcoholic. One drink, and I had lost all control. Never drinking again.

Since it wasn’t too late, I quickly dressed and headed to the mistress’s mansion. What I saw there shocked me.

Selly, with one cheek swollen and bleeding from her mouth, stood before Erucel, the third son, holding a sword.

This wasn’t a welcome situation. My plan was to report the mistress and Selly before they could come up with a countermeasure. But here we were.

These people have no manners, always resorting to swords.

I spoke to grasp the situation.

“What are you doing to my servant, Erucel?”

“Hersel….”

“I asked what you’re doing.”

“I’m executing her on the spot. She insulted and deceived a noble, your worthless servant.”

But why is he speaking informally to me? He’s of lower rank. So rude.

“Watch your tone.”

My remark caused a twitch in Erucel’s face, more fearful than hateful. He seemed a bit scared. Just the right atmosphere.

I invoked ‘Noble Blood’s Ember’ and walked toward Erucel.

Click-clack, click-clack—

With each step, Erucel broke out in a cold sweat and stepped back. His reaction… he’s definitely scared of me. Maybe a childhood trauma? Given my reputation, he probably didn’t treat his half-brother too kindly.

Right now, I’d lose in a fight, but he must have had plenty of beatings growing up.

“By deception, you mean?” I asked. “What deception?”

“Well, you see. She was spreading lies about your death.”

What is he saying? Decide between formal and informal language already…

Regardless, I got the gist. They failed the assassination, so they wanted to cut ties. Selly, who had pushed me off the cliff, could become my only ally now.

Might as well use her.

I looked at the bewildered Selly, then back at Erucel, smiling as if with a hidden agenda.

“It was my order.”

“What?”

“Are you deaf? I told her to spread the rumor that I had died.”

Erucel’s face showed utter confusion.

“Why would you do that?”

“Why? Didn’t it make people happy to hear I was dead? I heard there were many who would rejoice.”

He flinched. Realizing I knew about the stepmother’s assassination attempts must have unnerved him.

Feigning innocence, I smiled at the trembling Erucel.

“Judging by your expression, you didn’t like it. Surely, no brother would be happy to hear about his sibling’s death. Right?”

I approached Erucel. Though I got closer to his sword, I remained unconcerned. I still had ‘One Second of Invincibility’ if things went south.

Patting Erucel’s stiff shoulder, I concluded the matter.

“It was just a childish prank from an older brother. Please forgive me, Erucel.”

Framed as a prank, he wouldn’t pursue it further. The servant was just following orders. All responsibility was mine. He could accuse me if he wished, but could he punish someone of higher rank?

“Tch….”

Erucel lowered his sword completely, possibly out of fear or because of my unexpected behavior.

Leaving the now speechless Erucel behind, I turned to Selly.

“Let’s go back, Selly.”

“Yes, young master Hersel.”

She stood up quickly, realizing my intentions and moving accordingly.

Click-clack, click-clack—

As we left the mansion, Selly asked.

“What will you do with me?”

“Shouldn’t you apologize or thank me first?”

An apology for pushing me off the cliff. A thanks for saving her from Erucel. Though I didn’t elaborate, she seemed to understand.

“Thank you for earlier, but you should apologize, young master…”

Her eyes were filled with resentment, no longer hidden. No flexibility, this one.

Sighing, I said.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

I stopped and turned to face Selly.

“I understand your resentment regarding your mother. But I feel no guilt or sorrow over that.”

Selly’s expression turned to one of scornful disbelief.

“That’s not my doing.”

Her face showed confusion. I delivered the final blow.

“I’m not Hersel.”