Chapter 21

Chapter 21

That evening, it was time for the family dinner.

A grand banquet was being held in House Reinhafer.

It was a party to celebrate the graduation of Theo’s second son, Grine, from Eldain Academy.

With this, House Reinhafer has once again raised the family name to great honor. Graduating from the academy is extremely difficult for as prestigious as the academy is.

Fewer than a thousand first-time students succeed in taking and passing the entrance exams, and only about half of them graduate. .......

It makes me realize that I have a lot of ground to cover.

Shit, maybe I really shouldn’t do it.......

Anyhow.

All things considered.

The fact that the House used two tickets to produce two graduates is a very good thing.

It’s not a common occurrence among the other ducal families, so Theo seems quite pleased with himself.

For the record, the twins did not attend. Their mother, Psylla, is probably still beating them up for not being able to get them into the school.

Plus, they’d be embarrassed to tell their returning older brother that they were defeated by their younger sibling, if that’s even possible.

Well, whatever.

Forgetting that it wasn’t important now, I listened to the conversation between Grine and Theo.

“Good work, Grine, have we decided on a specific timeline for the mission?”

“Yep. We will depart for the southern Chasers in three days.”

Grine inclined his head and spoke with courtesy. Just looking at it, it’s almost a shrine.

Well... as anyone who’s ever played Inner Lunatic knows, there’s a sneaky rascal underneath.

“Chasers... to be there at this time of year, I assume your primary mission is to hunt down demons.”

Grine nods quickly at Theo’s words.

I recognize the setup.

Chasers.

A neutral territory in the south, just outside of Reinhafer’s territory, it was a barren, demon-infested wilderness of the worst kind.

According to the sub-story, Grine was assigned to this area on a mission from the Imperial Family to stop a monster wave.

This is because it is a rule in the Arkheim Empire that in order to become a knight recognized by the imperial family, you must fulfill your first assignment from the empire.

However, it’s not all about monster hunting.

The main plot of Chasers isn’t just about hunting monsters, there are other intricate threads running through it.

There’s also quite a bit of loot to be had in what could hardly be considered a subplot.

Of course, in order to get all of this, I’d have to participate in the Chasers Carnage myself.

I said, “I’ve got the details. The only problem is getting permission.......’

I had it all planned out.

Whether or not Theo would allow my bratty youngest son to see the outside world is another matter, and one I’ve been struggling with for some time.

No matter how much he’d changed recently.

Nox’s reputation is still in tatters.

‘After all, it wasn’t that long ago that he lost his temper with the family doctor.......’

Not only that, but it seems to have had an effect on the maids and butlers who were spreading rumors about him, too.

Now they think I’m totally in love with her. There’s even talk of me touching her already.

Damn. Why the hell do I have to listen to this crap?

Even Rona has picked up on this vain rumor and commented.

-Did the Master finally put his hand on Zitri?!

-What the hell is that...

-It’s already been rumored! How could Master Nox do such a thing... ah.

Damn it.

Did she think it was natural for me to put my hands on Zitri...!

The story leaked out for a while.

The bottom line was that I had to go to the Chasers now, and I had to convince two people, Theo and Grine, to allow me to go.

I knew I was in for a rough start.

I’d better get my timing right and get in on the action.

With that thought in mind, I focused on the two men as they continued.

“The Chasers are always overrun with monsters in the winter, so it must be in the imperial interest to get a head start on them in a timely manner.”

“Certainly... it’s a barren land, but what goes down there goes down elsewhere. In any case, don’t let the name Reinhafer be attached to it.”

“I will keep that in mind, Father.”

That was the end of the conversation between Grine and Theo.

The family banquet continued, with maids flying around incessantly.

I tried to think of a way to bring up the subject, but then I caught sight of Grine’s grave face as he spoke to me.

I felt a little... dirty, to be honest.

“Nox, I’ve been hearing a lot about you lately.”

Grine begins, a mischievous look on his face.

By rumors, I mean my recent exploits.

And the biggest one is probably about the attack on Mia’s forest.......

He didn’t seem to believe me.

I can’t help it.

It’s a feat that even those who saw it in person would shake their heads and call bullshit on.

“Is it true that you attacked Mia’s Forest with the second daughter of the Steiner family?”

“It is true.”

I reply dryly. No amount of platitudes here would make it believable.

Moreover, his tone is unmistakably mocking.

There’s no warm glance or eye contact with my youngest sister.

No wonder. It’s a fantasy, really, to expect such a thing at Reinhafer.

Grine interrupts with a toothy grin.

“I see. So all those rumors about you defeating your twin brothers, Hartz and Allen, and taking a lowly commoner girl as a maid are true.”

“Yes.”

I say it again, this time bluntly, and I can feel Grine’s eyes slowly moving over me. It’s as if he’s trying to read something.

He’s trying to use his skills.

He’s convinced I’m hiding something.

But it’s impossible.

There’s not even a hint of agitation in my expression.

[As a talent, it can be activated at any time.

All it takes is the right amount of concentration.

__________________

[Basic Info]

Name: Grine von Reinhaber

Gender: Male

Age: 18

Race: Human

Primary Element: Darkness

Achievements: -.

[Traits].

Affirmations: [Quick Recognition]

Neutral: [meticulous calculation]

Negatives: [Hypocrisy] / [Contempt] / [Aristocracy] [Opportunism]

I blurted out.

I was in the best mood I’d ever been in.

[Slay the Chasers].

I’d finally gotten to participate in the most rewarding of the subquests. And with the support of the Rinehafer Family’s patriarch!

‘This is bound to feel good.’

My dramatic facial expression changes.

Zitri only let out a small sigh and trailed behind me.

* * *

“Young Master, have you lost your mind!”

Rona’s voice rings in my ears as soon as I return to the room.

No, but has she stopped honoring me altogether now?

I can’t believe she’s so easily accused me of insanity...

I can only wonder where my authority as a master has gone.

“...For once, I’m on the same page as Senior Rona. The ‘Chasers’ area is dangerous no matter what, the number of demons and bandits gathering there alone is said to be in the dozens.”

“It’s okay, I’ve thought of everything.”

Rona still looks disbelieving, and Zitri looks worried, even though she believes me.

I don’t have a problem with that either.

I appreciate the concern, but it’s really not something I can control.

Even at this moment, my lifespan is dwindling.

To survive.

And if I’m going to make it to Eldain Academy, I need to extend my life as much as possible.

If I don’t buy myself a few months of life ahead of time, there’s a good chance I won’t be able to keep up with the Academy’s murderous curriculum.

For now, I must squeeze every last ounce of efficiency out of the time I have left.

“I’ll be the only one going on this extermination, so Rona and Zitri can stay here.......”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”

Unlike Rona, who was pleased with my words, Zitri’s head snapped up, showing her discomfort. She looked slightly angry.

I wondered what was wrong with her all of a sudden.

“As his exclusive maid, I am obligated to accompany Young Master Nox wherever he goes, so I must go with him.”

Her words were clearly sophistry.

Even a nobleman would rarely take a maid with him in a wartime situation like this unless they were the most lecherous or promiscuous.

“You might get hurt.”

“Yes, but it could also hurt you.”

“.......”

What the hell.

I hope she’s not trying to argue with me.

I paused, trying to read her intentions.

Then Zitri saw an opening and jumped in.

“Young Master Nox, I understand from Rona that you are very ill. Do you think you’ll be able to travel that far without me? You often forget things... and your clothes need to be cleaned, do you think you’ll be able to do that alone?”

“.......”

This is definitely outside of my expectations.

It’s the kind of thing that I’ve never bothered with in games because I’ve just moved on to God.

But it’s definitely something that would have bothered me.

Obviously, it would be much better with a Zitri.

Still.......

‘She almost sacrificed herself for me once, can I take her into battle again?

It’s me, and I have no choice but to take on the stronger beast here or die.

But she’s not.

She can live.

Just by staying here.......

I paused for a moment at that thought and smiled wryly.

No, that’s not true.

“‘Zitri has lost her family and serves only me. And I hear there are factions among the maids.

I wondered what her future would be if I were to die in the Chasers’ war of attrition.

She’d be exiled and end up committing suicide, just like the first time.

Better that I take her with me.

I concluded, then shook my head as if I couldn’t do it.

“Instead, you will follow me. And learn to borrow Carl’s back.”

“Okay, besides...... I’m already pretty close with Carl.”

“What! You’re getting friendly with Carl?! Zitri, how the hell did you do that!”

Rona exclaimed, jumping up and down.

Zitri smiled awkwardly.

“Well... I took half of my paycheck and bought him the finest quality cane sugar for horses, and in no time at all.......”

I flushed at that.

Of course, Zitri had been carrying a knife a lot lately.

But I hadn’t realized she’d spent so much money on it.......

Like your master, you’re a big eater.

I looked toward the stall where the knives were and muttered in a low voice.

“Anyway, Rona, stay behind, and Zitri, assist me. Make sure you help me get there.”

“Understood, Young Master.”

I smile at the curt reply.

Only Rona is left out in the cold, trusting conversation.

” Carl... you bastard...... haystack wasn’t even food? You think it’s best to buy him a treat that fits his mouth...? Yeah. You were an animal too, just like your master.......”

That’s it!

I once again placed the beetle on the back of her head.

It’s a mild prescription.

These days, Rona has a habit of coming out of the woodwork, only to come back in again.

Hawks are the medicine.

With that thought, I began my preparations for the Chasers annihilation in earnest.

All that’s left is about three days.......

Knock.

Suddenly, I hear Rodwell’s voice knocking on the door.

Sure enough, it was Rodwell.

“Young Master, the Lord says he has something for you.”

Theo has something for me...?

I felt my heart pound with the words.

A gamer’s certainty filled my head that it must be something useful.

I immediately dressed neatly.

This time, I made sure my shirt was clean and my coat was well packed.

Items are supposed to be sacred and untainted.

Then.......

Let’s go!

Bonus Chapters