My attitude and tone were rude, clearly not befitting a host. I knew it myself, but I had no intention of showing Gent any respect.
Fuck. I was in the middle of a sex party with beautiful maids in the pool...!
I struggled to suppress the murderous intent rising within me. I wanted to kick Gent out of the mansion as quickly as possible.
But Gent was equally rude. He had arrived at the mansion unannounced, accompanied by several knights a level of discourtesy that would draw criticism even in this world.
Currently, his knights were monitoring Floy to prevent her from causing any trouble.
"What the hell are you really here for?"
I asked again.
By now, Gent's temper should have flared. But he calmly took a sip of black tea and said with composure, "Would you believe me if I said I came to see with my own eyes that my younger brother is doing well?"
"Bullshit."
I became a Baron and Master of Tebra Port City because of Gent's machinations. If he hadn't schemed, I'd still be living in Count Prucus's mansion.
Of course, I now feel a sliver of gratitude. I'm living a life of happiness unimaginable in the Count's mansion.
"Yujin, I've heard strange rumors are circulating among the nobles."
I sensed Gent had matured. The old Gent would have already been shouting at me.
Is it because of me? In the original work, Kyle was away from the kingdom, so he had no enemies until his return. But now, Gent sees me as his enemy.
I can only attribute this change to my existence.
"Strange rumors?"
"The rumors that you're obsessed with men. Seeing your butlers in person, I can see why the rumors might be true. What's the truth? Tell me honestly, and I'll help you."
All the butlers working at my mansion are women dressed as men and all of them are stunningly beautiful. That's probably the source of the rumors.
I wasn't surprised; I'd anticipated this.
"I don't know where you heard that, but it's nonsense. You didn't come here just because of some idle gossip, did you?"
"Just rumors... I thought it was true, since you don't invite outsiders. But I guess not."
"Lord Gent, let's get to the point. What do you want from me? Did you come because of the Korea Merchant Guild?"
"I have no interest in such guilds."
I felt relieved. Gent's fundamental nature hadn't changed much. Born a noble, he still looked down on merchants.
"I came today because I'm worried about you."
"...Worried?"
"Isn't His Majesty the King's birthday coming up in two months? I thought you might overexert yourself, given your chronic illness, so I came to check on you."
"Ah. So, in short, you want me to stay cooped up in my mansion instead of attending the birthday celebration at the Royal Palace?"
"Harsh words, but you seem to understand my meaning."
I glared at Gent, but he calmly met my gaze.
"Lord Gent, you know Your Majesty's birthday isn't just any birthday. It's his 60th, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of his ascension to the throne. If I miss this, my reputation will plummet, and no one in society will ever invite me again. I'll be branded as a dishonorable, disloyal, and ungrateful Prucus."
"Don't worry about that. I'll personally explain to Your Majesty and the nobles that my younger brother couldn't attend due to a life-threatening heart condition. So, none of your fears will come to pass. Just rest here peacefully, little brother."
Words can change their meaning with the slightest shift in tone. How could I possibly trust Gent?
Gent's intentions are obvious. He's trying to eliminate my influence in society.
I had no intention of staying put, despite Gent's words.
"Brother, my heart condition is fine. I haven't had a seizure recently."
"But your heart isn't completely healed, is it?"
"It's close to being fully healed. Even if I exert myself, there won't be any problems. No matter what you say, I'm going to the Royal Palace. I've already prepared the gift for His Majesty."
"Little brother, you've been sheltered in safe places for too long and don't understand the world. It's not a peaceful place. It's common for travelers to be devoured by monsters. This is the frontier. It's a long journey to the Royal Capital. Without proper soldiers or knights, how do you plan to survive against monsters and bandits? Rest comfortably in the mansion. I'll deliver the gift you prepared for His Majesty."
"I didn't realize you were so worried about me, Lord Gent. I appreciate it, but I'm fine. I plan to travel with Mother."
"What?!"
Gent's eyes widened in surprise, clearly caught off guard.
"You're going with that woman...?"
"That woman? She may not be my blood relative, but she's still my mother. Mother."
Elaine Casirot.
Count Prucus's second wife and the biological mother of the protagonist, Kyle. We share no blood relation.
And she's also the woman I'm after.
"I haven't asked Mother yet, but she'll definitely agree. We're family, after all. It's not like I'm asking for money; I just need her to move with us. She wouldn't refuse that, would she? The Main Family has its own Knight Order, so the safety you're worried about is naturally guaranteed. Our Clan's knights would never fall to monsters or bandits. Or do you not trust the Clan's knights, Brother?"
"..."
"Is that all? I won't forget your concern. Now, please leave the mansion."
Gent's face twisted at my words, but he quickly regained his composure. Lowering his voice to a threatening growl, he called my name, his tone now markedly different from before.
"Yujin."
"What?"
"I told you before that I was testing you. I said I'd reveal the results on the day I inherit the Count of Purcus title."
"Ah, right. I might never hear the results of the test after all."
I scoffed at him.
"I'll give you a special midterm grade right now: you've failed."
"Failed? That's nothing new. I've never been good at tests. As you know, Lord Gent, I'm rather frail."
"...I'll overlook your involvement with the Korea Merchant Guild. But I've heard you've been meeting with nobles lately."
"I couldn't refuse their invitations."
"You seem to be getting along well with the clan's retainers. And you've been giving them quite a few gifts, haven't you?"
"They're elders of the clan. I have to take care of them. If not me, who will?"
"...It's not too late. I'll give you one last chance to change the test results. Stay put in this mansion and don't move."
It was a warning.
In the past, I would have found his warning irritating but ultimately heeded it. Gent's influence was too formidable to openly antagonize. I would have outwardly feigned compliance, waited for Kyle's return, and then stabbed Gent in the back.
But the situation had changed.
Yuria had reached the Aura Master cultivation realm far faster than I anticipated. Though currently a low-grade Aura Master, she could defeat Ention Prucus, a mid-grade Aura Master, in a fight.
Moreover, Yuria was also an Archmage, possessing talent far surpassing that of other Aura Masters.
"Lord Gent, I told you earlier no matter what you say, I'm going to the Royal Palace."
Gent sighed.
"...I see. I never realized my little brother was such an idiot."
I laughed. From now on, we were enemies. But I wouldn't try to kill him not yet. After all, we were family, bound by blood.
Besides, killing a sibling would terrify his retainers. If he could kill his own brother, they'd assume he'd dispose of them even more easily. He'd want to avoid such a drastic measure if possible.
"I don't know when we'll talk again... or if we'll ever be able to laugh together again."
Gent started to rise from his seat. I welcomed the thought of him leaving the mansion, but letting him go like this would drive me mad with frustration.
"Brother."
"What is it?"
"I'll show you something amazing. You'll be completely astonished the moment you see it. I guarantee it."
"Something amazing?" Gent narrowed his eyes.
I reached out to Yuria, who stood beside me. Ever perceptive, she placed a dagger in my hand without hesitation.
"...Yujin. I don't think you're foolish enough to..."
"No, Brother. It's not what you think. Watch closely."
I covered the blade with my other palm.
"Hah!"
As I lowered my hand, a blue aura flickered like flames along the blade.
"...!"
Gent's eyes widened. He looked as shocked as a noble suddenly hearing that a plague had struck his territory something he'd never imagined possible.
He stared for a long moment before finally speaking after I extinguished the aura.
"H-how... how did you learn to use Aura?!"
"Just a little effort. Oh, since I'm 17 now, doesn't that make me the youngest Aura Expert in the kingdom's history?"
I chuckled. In truth, the youngest Aura Expert in history is Yuria, who stands beside me.
For reference, Gent became an Aura Expert at the age of 24.
"..."
Gent trembled uncontrollably, unable to speak. I could sense his jealousy and inferiority toward me.
If the fact that I can use Aura becomes public knowledge, I could sway Gent's vassals and even some of the neutral ones to my side.
And my reputation in the kingdom would completely transform. I might even be hailed as a hero.
"Brother, be careful on your way back. This world is dangerous, just as you said. When we meet again... well, will anything have changed? We're brothers by blood, after all."
"..."
Gent, looking like his soul had left his body, walked out of the mansion with his escort knights, his steps mechanical.
"Master, weren't you being too hasty?"
"It's fine. It's fine. I have you."
I grabbed Yuria's cheek, pulled her close, and kissed her. My other hand plunged into her chest.
"Hah..."
A month later.
I received information that Gent had become engaged to a noble lady.
He had never intended to marry before becoming the official heir, so this sudden engagement was clearly meant to keep me in check.
My betrothed was Vivi Heollis, daughter of Marquis Heollis.
The Heollis Family was a prominent noble clan in the western Rapelli Kingdom, ranking among the five wealthiest families in the kingdom. They were also the masters of the Heollis Merchant Guild, a powerful entity within the Kozline Merchant Guild.
Did I get engaged to the eldest daughter of the Heollis Family because of the Korea Merchant Guild, my greatest asset? What a troublesome brat.
I wanted to assassinate him outright, but doing so would cause chaos, and my retainers would likely suspect me. Even if I were to assassinate him, now was not the time. Besides, I didn't want to defeat him in such a petty manner.
There's no way I'd lose to a punk like him. And later, when I inherit the Count's title, I want to see him clinging to my legs, begging for his life.
I examined Vivi Heollis's portrait.
She was a beauty with rare, bright lime-green hair. According to the documents, the Heollis Family had Elf blood flowing through their veins, likely mixed in about 300 years ago.
Pale skin, and her chest... an A-cup? Flat as a board. But her proportions are excellent. Slender arms and probably stunning legs. It's hard to tell under the dress, but... not bad.
I felt my member stirring.
A full-fledged pornographic fantasy was already brewing in my mind.
A forbidden affair with a rival's fiancee was the kind of scenario that showed up all the time in porn and erotic novels.
Ah, shit. Remembering that webtoon from before is making me even hornier.
I thought about the King's birthday celebration next month. Gent would be at the Royal Palace then, and so would Vivi Heollis.
And she's probably still a virgin.
They're only engaged, not actually married. High-ranking nobles value chastity, so they likely haven't had sex. Gent, being a noble to the core, would be even more strict about it.
If I get the chance, I want to seduce her and see whether she'd want me too. Heh heh...
My mouth was already watering. I imagined Vivi's pale green curls loosened around her shoulders as she looked at me with the same hunger building in my gut.