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The mistress smiled gently and placed the bouquet in an empty vase.

“Unfortunately, these aren’t flowers for a get-well visit.”

If she intended to give them, she should have done so silently. Her thorny words made me narrow my brows. The phrase “unfortunately” sounded as if she regretted not bringing a wreath for condolences.

As I glared sharply, the lady spoke.

“Congratulations, Hersel, you’ve won.”

So, the flowers were indeed a wreath.

Regardless, her taunting didn’t make me relax my frown.

“I didn’t let you in to receive congratulations from you. Have a seat.”

Once she sat down, I began to recall the things I had pondered alone. These were topics I had put off while surviving the disaster.

I wanted clear answers about who released the monstrous bird and where the key came from. While I had made reasonable guesses, it was necessary to confirm them.

“Who released the Blackbird of Resentment?”

“…”

The lady remained silent, just staring into my eyes. That alone was enough of an answer, so I voiced the name of the culprit behind this mess.

“It was Deisel.”

“Why do you think that?”

“There are only two people who would do something like this: you or Deisel. The twins were here, and it’s unlikely you did it.”

Another silence.

This woman had nothing to gain by answering since it wouldn’t benefit her son. She probably disposed of all the evidence while I was unconscious.

“Well, that’s settled. What I’m more curious about is how the bird was released. Where did the key come from? I have a feeling you’d know. Am I wrong?” ℟�

“If it’s that…”

The source of the key, as revealed by the lady, was a bit unexpected.

“It’s from the Schweick family. Their excessive confidence seemed suspicious, so after some investigation, we got our hands on it.”

I had assumed the key came from the ‘Guardians of the Shadows,’ the enemies of the player characters.

Though the key used by the Guardians of the Shadows was also a replica, it wasn’t surprising another fake existed.

“It makes sense. Originally, they probably intended to dispose of it. Then, due to various events, the key ended up in Deisel’s hands…”

As I spoke, I recalled that Heinrich had acquired the key, making my skin crawl. A person preparing for war wouldn’t have just handed it over.

I didn’t know what method she used, but it must have been unconventional. To end this troublesome relationship as quickly as possible, I spoke calmly, presenting the proposal I had prepared.

“I’ve asked enough. Now, let’s make a mutually beneficial agreement. What do you think?”

“An agreement?”

The lady chuckled.

“This is why you’re interesting, Hersel. Your reactions are always unexpected and intriguing.”

“If you’re going to mock me, forget it.”

“Mock you? Not at all. Alright, let’s hear what you have to say.”

As she leaned in, I took a deep breath and spoke.

“I have no intention of becoming the head of the household. Your precious son can take that position.”

The lady’s eyes twitched for a moment. This declaration was unexpected. Before I took over this body, Hersel would have been desperate for the head position. Suddenly giving up the position? Anyone would experience a moment of brain freeze.

“Why do you say that so easily?”

“Well…”

Hersel had survived under this woman’s care since childhood. This lends credibility to the theory that the assassination attempt wasn’t driven by personal feelings. It was merely an attempt to eliminate an obstacle for her son’s future. Thus, if I remove her motive to target me, that’s enough.

“To be honest, you could have killed me anytime. But you didn’t. Your relaxed demeanor suggests you won’t cause trouble in the future either. Am I wrong? I don’t want to deal with such nuisances one by one.”

Besides, I knew that taking the head position wouldn’t help my survival.

“There are many reasons. Initially, I aimed for the head position to have the power to punish you. But as I grew older, I realized it was impossible.”

I had vaguely suspected it before, but now I was certain. The idea of executing a woman who could manipulate the Schweick family was unrealistic.

“Even if it were possible, I don’t want to see the twins whining because their mother is gone. It would be noisy.”

Handling the complaints of the little ones was too much.

“Overall, it’s just a hassle. I didn’t want the position to take on tedious tasks.”

Asares isn’t a game about managing an estate.

For someone like me who needs to ensure the narrative flows well, the head position would be a shackle.

“In short, there’s no point anymore, so I’m stepping down.”

While my words might have seemed a bit embellished, they were sincere.

However, given the suddenness, this woman would find it hard to believe.

My task now was to make my claim credible.

“It sounds plausible, but it’s hard to believe.”

“I thought so. But you know what? Words are fascinating. Their weight changes with timing.”

“…”

Understanding my words, the lady blinked.

If I had said this earlier, it would have sounded like nonsense. But now, after the festival, it carried more weight.

“Think of it simply. I’m stepping down as a racehorse right before the finish line. Of course, I’m not handing it over for free.”

To drive my point home, I grabbed the paper and pen on the table and wrote down a number conspicuously.

This act wasn’t for personal greed but to add persuasiveness.

With pure sincerity,

With my crystal-clear soul at stake.

“Hm.”

Her expression suggested it was acceptable.

Let’s add one more zero.

“The inheritance share should be this much. The timing can be when your precious son takes the position.”

“Hersel.”

…Did I go too far with tenfold?

As she called my name sharply, I hesitated to erase a digit. Instead, she looked deeply into my eyes.

“What happened to you?”

That sudden question caught me off guard.

This woman, more than anyone, seemed to sense that the essence of this body wasn’t Hersel himself.

Still, I laughed off her question with a response I once heard.

– People say you can’t change, but I don’t believe that. Especially with men, they can change dramatically even if you don’t see them for three days. Compared to that, starting to like tomatoes or changing tea preferences is a trivial change.

“You said I changed. It’s as you see.”

Hearing that, the lady’s eyes sparkled.

“Still, your obsession with money remains unchanged. It would have been nice if that changed too….”

***

According to the doctor, my leg would fully recover in a week. After two days, I was able to walk, so I limped out of the annex.

I came out to get some fresh air, but the smell of burning made me cough.

“Cough!”

The area where the breath attack had swept through had become a charred plain.

The mansion, the lady’s cherished art gallery, and everything else had turned to ashes.

At least my private residence remained undamaged, which was fortunate.

Or maybe not?

Since Aol and the lady, along with their children, would be staying at my annex for the time being, having nowhere else to go.

“Young Master.”

“Hm?”

“You planned this, didn’t you?”

“What?”

“The annex is intact.”

Selly’s baseless accusation made me shake my head.

The last place I stalled was my private annex, my home ground.

I was prepared to offer it as a sacrifice, so how dare she see me as such a petty person.

“Be quiet. We’re short on hands. Go help clean up the debris.”

“I was going to, since I feel out of place.”

Selly rolled up her sleeves and ran towards the servants cleaning up the rubble.

I wandered aimlessly around the now desolate estate and sat on a suitable rock.

Then I recalled the recent events.

The agreement with the lady was mostly smooth.

Except for one requirement I had to accept, nothing changed significantly.

The added clause stated that if I went back on my word, everything would return to how it was.

This meant she would keep an eye on me.

Even so, I considered it smooth because my decision would not change.

“Anyway, I’ve secured funds for my old age.”

The remaining task was preparing to go to the academy.

Deciding whether to focus on swordsmanship or magic didn’t take long.

“…Magic is the only thing I can learn.”

Personal preferences didn’t matter. This body’s dantian was damaged.

There were no other options from the start.

Although it wasn’t a decision but a compulsion, Donatan seemed displeased with my vision.

– It’s hard to accept. You, who contracted with me, the avatar of lightning and former guardian of the sword saint, want to learn mere sorcery?

‘Then fix my dantian.’

– That’s impossible.

I was tired of hearing complaints without alternatives.

Ignoring him as not worth responding to, Donatan persistently continued.

– Then how about cultivating your body? Even if being an aura knight is out of reach, you could sweep away those below.

‘You want me to be the head of worms?’

– At least call yourself the head of a snake.

Enough. Let’s drop it.

I stopped the pointless conversation and looked up at the sky.

Watching the sunset, I turned at the sound of footsteps.

Mircel and Niasel were limping towards me.

“Brother, what are you doing here? Father is looking for you.”

“He’s looking for me? Why?”

“I don’t know. Let’s go back together.”

I felt uneasy.

To be precise, uncomfortable.

Though I knew who Aol was, calling someone who had no memories of raising me ‘Father’ felt highly repulsive.

That’s why I wandered around even though my body hadn’t fully recovered.

“Fine, let’s go back together.”

Having no choice again, I led Mircel and Niasel back to the annex.

Servants whispered as they watched the three of us limp along.

***

“Erucel, carry me.”

In front of the annex steps.

I stopped Erucel, who was passing by like a legendary horse, and spoke.

“Brother, go up yourself. Why act so undignified?”

He defended himself, seemingly incredulous.

I started my rebuttal with evidence.

“My ankle hurts. Just carry me up.”

“No!”

Erucel resisted again.

But it seemed he’d give in with a bit more pressure.

“You’re freeloading in my house and can’t even do that? Useless.”

“Let the soldiers…”

“The soldiers are out there clearing debris. You just eat here and do nothing?”

Erucel’s face twitched, and sweat formed.

I looked down at him with contempt, burning the ‘Noble Blood’s Ember.’

He sighed deeply and surrendered.

“Fine. Just get on.”

“We’re heading to the reception room where Father is.”

“The top floor. Damn it…”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

Riding the legendary horse Erucel, I headed for a new ordeal.