The Prucus Estate District had recently become bustling with activity.
In three weeks, Ention Prucus, the Family Head of Count Prucus's House, would return to the estate, and a grand banquet was being prepared to celebrate his homecoming.
Ention would be joined by retainers working at Utrecht Castle, as well as Prucus Family retainers scattered throughout the territory. Renowned merchants, nobles from other regions, meritorious soldiers, and many others were also expected to attend.
Considering the Prucus Family's influence, organizers anticipated a crowd of up to 800 guests.
Of course, the banquet wouldn't be a fleeting one-day affair; it was planned to last for three days.
As a result, everyone at the Prucus Estate was bustling with activity, from Countess Elaine Prucus herself to the head butler, Hacent, and all the servants. Even the knights had been training rigorously since hearing of Ention's impending return.
However, there were two people in the estate who remained unaffected by the frenzy, acting as usual: Kyle and myself. Kyle was utterly hopeless with administrative tasks, while I was still frail and young.
Elaine never asked for our help. Would it be appropriate for nobles of our status to assist servants?
Such an act would disrupt the established hierarchy, and the servants themselves would likely feel deeply uncomfortable.
In short, our best way to help Elaine was to stay out of the way.
"They must be truly busy."
Even Yuria, my personal maid, had been called upon to assist the Head Maid.
In her place, a clumsy and young maid was temporarily assigned to me. She wasn't particularly pretty, nor did she seem skilled at her duties. I simply ordered her to stand by.
Ention Prucus. Aura Master. Rapelli's Guardian Sword. My father.
It felt awkward.
In reality, my father runs a beauty salon with my mother. Ention is my father only within the game's lore.
After resting at the estate for a few days, he'll return to Urten Castle.
That's how it went in the original story. Ention lives at Utrecht Castle, only occasionally returning to the estate.
The crucial question was whether Ention would mention the heir at the banquet. The moment he uttered a single word about the succession, the Prucus retainers' covert war would begin.
In the original work, he never mentioned an heir. That's why Gent, as the eldest son, grew insecure and tried to undermine Kyle, attempting to exclude him from the succession.
But I couldn't be certain.
The original work didn't include a third son because I didn't exist then.
Ention must have heard rumors about me and received information from his spies within the estate. Elaine and Hacent also regularly report to him.
Sung Yujin, the genius inventor king.
My reputation had already spread beyond Pteris City to neighboring cities.
Hacent hasn't explicitly declared his support for me, but he must be inferring it from the information he's seeing.
I hadn't deliberately concealed Hacent's support. As the head butler, his backing carries significant political weight for me. There's no need to hide it.
The Plum Knights are also backing me. It's not an official endorsement yet, but judging by the atmosphere, it's practically the same. That's the rumor going around, anyway.
I've treated the Plum Knights exceptionally well truly exceptionally well. If you asked me what I've done for them, I could rattle off at least a hundred things without hesitation.
The Plum Knights are now addicted to modern conveniences. They've already had a taste of modern comforts and can't live without them now.
Even the Knight Commander was an absurd chain smoker and beer enthusiast. He used to be obsessed with pork belly and fried chicken, but lately he's been singing the praises of cheese dakgalbi.
And the noble ladies who've tasted modern cosmetics and desserts are on my side too.
This world had its own excellent cosmetics, but compared to the overwhelmingly advanced products of the modern era, they were few in number and often came with side effects.
They were absolutely stunned when they saw artificial eyelashes.
The most popular items were foundation and lipstick. The noble ladies who'd become addicted to modern cosmetics not only bought every new product as soon as it came out, but they even pestered me about when the next one would be released.
Desserts. Chocolate in particular was a complete game-changer.
According to the Information Guild, cacao trees do not exist in this world. This means I can have a complete monopoly on chocolate.
Coffee trees seem to exist on the Eastern Continent... Heh heh heh. But monopolizing chocolate alone is more than enough.
This alone won't guarantee the support of the noble ladies, but it will certainly give me more influence than Gent and Kyle.
This banquet is crucial.
There's no room for exceptions. I must attend this banquet.
My goals are to establish my presence among my retainers and... the merchants and mages from the Mage Tower who will be attending.
The merchants are essential for expanding my business.
We need to establish a symbiotic relationship with the Mage Tower, not an adversarial one. After all, the Mage Tower dominates the economy of this world, no matter what anyone says.
I glanced at my laptop. The cameras installed throughout the estate were functioning perfectly, transmitting live video feeds.
Kyle, that kid never gets tired of training every day.
On the day Ention Prucus returned, the Prucus Family gathered around the dining table for the first time in ages, each member holding their utensils.
Yet there was no warm conversation among the family members.
Ention was an exceptionally taciturn man. Moreover, he despised idle chatter. Even during meals, he never uttered the common "delicious" or any similar remark.
With Ention, the family patriarch, acting this way, the atmosphere at the dinner table was unusually quiet and awkward.
As I cut into my steak, I glanced sideways at Ention.
Black hair, black eyes, a stubbled jaw, and wrinkles around his eyes. His face was the only part of his skin that was bronze-tanned, a clear sign of his constant outdoor work.
How many assassins would it take to kill an Aura Master?
One thing was certain: poison wouldn't be enough.
I shifted my gaze slightly to the side.
Gent Prucus.
A handsome young man with black hair and black eyes, sporting a beard like his father Ention. He was the eldest son of the Prucus Family.
And my own half-brother. How can I use him in a way that will make me look like I've played him perfectly?
Ention was someone I wanted to kill but couldn't. Gent, on the other hand, was someone I couldn't afford to kill right now.
Gent has to fight Kyle for the heirship. At least until I come of age.
I pondered this as I ate my steak, lost in thought.
The quiet dining table was filled only with the clinking of silverware.
After finishing my meal, I returned to my room and immediately opened my laptop to monitor Ention. I had already installed cameras and listening devices in his room and office.
But Ention, after finishing his meal, went straight to the bathroom.
After his bath, he returned to his room, sat on the floor, and began practicing the Mana Breathing Technique.
...What is this?
There was none of the scandalous, extravagant private life I had imagined for Ention. Instead, his life was as bland and dry as his outward appearance suggested.
No. No. I can't jump to conclusions. He's just returned to the estate after a long absence.
He'll probably be eager to make up for lost time with his wife, Elaine, with some passionate sex.
It was 10 PM.
Ention's room had grown cold. I thought Elaine had entered, but it was Hacent.
Hacent briefly reported to Ention on the events that had occurred at the estate. Ention listened silently, nodding occasionally.
When Hacent subtly praised me, Ention smiled with satisfaction.
Just as Hacent was about to leave after finishing his report, Ention spoke:
"Hacent, do you believe Sung Yujin possesses the qualities to become Family Head?"
"My lord, I am not well-versed in the qualities required of a Family Head.
However, Young Master Sung Yujin is certainly qualified to lead others. He is a member of the Prucus clan and your son."
"Sung Yujin is frail. He suffers from the same heart condition that afflicted Haruel.
If Sung Yujin were to suddenly die after becoming Family Head... the family would be shaken."
"Young Master Sung Yujin's condition is improving daily. He hasn't had a seizure recently.
As I'm not a physician, I can't say for certain, but I believe his heart disease will be completely cured in about five years."
"...Sung Yujin's heart disease has improved that much?"
"I believe it's due to the ancient artifact Young Master Sung Yujin possesses."
"Understood, Hacent. You may leave now."
"Yes, Family Head."
Hacent exited the room.
Ention sat in his chair, deep in thought. I suspected his thoughts were about me.
As the heir he was considering, I was likely completely out of the question. Having heart disease was a significant disadvantage.
As he said, if the Family Head were to suddenly die one day, the entire family would be shaken to its core.
But what if his heart condition could be cured within five years? And what if he possessed the ability to lead the family effectively?
Then I couldn't be completely excluded from the succession.
My physical weakness is a concern, but if Ention has any sense, he can't ignore my inventive capabilities. Even with my limited personal combat skills, I can make the family wealthier than either the eldest or second son.
Honestly, the Prucus Family's military strength is already sufficient. Looking to the future, we need to focus on financial power.
Financial power is essential for maintaining military strength, and military strength is necessary to protect financial power.
The two cannot be considered separately.
After pondering for a long time, Ention lay down on the bed and closed his eyes.
I was deeply shaken by this revelation.
What about Elaine? She doesn't have sex?
Elaine was an extraordinary beauty, even by real-world standards. It wasn't for nothing that this was a world from a fantasy novel.
If a woman like her were my wife, it wouldn't be strange to hold her in my arms every night.
She's really asleep!
I transferred the laptop's camera feed to Elaine's room. She was lying in bed, fast asleep.
Is Ention going through menopause?!
I quickly shook my head. Jumping to conclusions was dangerous.
Today was Ention's first day back at the estate. He might simply be exhausted and fallen asleep. They might have sex tomorrow night.
But if they really aren't having sex... could I exploit that gap to seduce Elaine...?
I tore my gaze from the laptop, rose from my chair, and walked toward the bed.
There was already someone there: Yuria.
Yuria was restrained on the bed, her limbs spread out in a cruciform position by handcuffs and ankle shackles. A black blindfold covered her eyes, and a ball gag was clamped in her mouth.
I walked toward Yuria's groin, stripping off my clothes as I approached. I removed the faintly vibrating vibrator from her vagina.
[Yuria's Erogenous Zones: Vagina, Cervix, Mouth]
I checked Yuria's erogenous zones almost habitually. I was growing eager to develop her next erogenous zone, but I hadn't yet decided where to focus my efforts.
"Yuria, today's training will be the same as yesterday: vaginal conditioning."
"Hmph! Hmph!"
Squish!
I thrust my cock into her vagina, pushing all the way until the head pressed against her cervix. As my personal fucktoy, her vagina fit my cock perfectly.
After inserting, I remained completely still. I didn't move my hips or use my hands to stimulate her clitoris.
"Yesterday, it took two hours for me to cum in this position. Today, I'll make you cum faster. Yuria is a natural genius with her vagina."
I lowered my upper body onto hers, determined not to move until I climaxed.
I whispered softly in her ear, "Yuria, if you make me cum within thirty minutes... I'll hold you as long as you want."
"Ugh..."
Her vagina tightened around me, but it wasn't enough to make me cum.
"You really are my perfect fucktoy. You're improving every day."
***
The day of the banquet.
I entered the banquet hall dressed in more extravagant noble attire than usual.
The banquet hall, rarely used, was grand and spacious enough to comfortably accommodate hundreds of guests. As expected, the hall was packed with people.
An orchestra, specially invited for the occasion, sat along one wall, playing music.
The noble and merchant guests, invited to the banquet, enjoyed wine and food while engaging in various conversations. Some even danced to the music.
The busiest people in the banquet hall were the servants. They had to attend to the guests' requests, immediately replenish any empty food platters, and clean up any spills or dropped food.
"Sung Yujin, you've come to the banquet."