Chapter 28. Misunderstanding (2)
“Hmm, that was a good rest.”
It had been a week since returning to the mansion.
Evan had rested to his heart’s content.
Just in time too, as the duke was away.
With no one calling for him, staying in his room was perfectly acceptable.
“Keh, this is happiness right here.”
There’d been way too much going on lately…
For someone like Evan who prioritizes safety above all else, it had been exhausting.
But it wasn’t all bad.
Thanks to that, he’d obtained the Health Ring, and now the constant anemia and headaches were gone.
If only these effects would apply without needing the ring…
“The downsides of being Evan Alkart are many though.”
Way too many, in fact. But the year’s worth of effort had paid off.
Steady improvement through potions.
Not alchemy, but more like “elixir-crafting”, trying to change his constitution – which wasn’t entirely ineffective.
Now with the Health Ring too, he’d reached a somewhat normal level.
What remained were all upsides.
“With status, I’m already winning at life, anyway.”
This world ran on a class system.
Class was law, power, and money all in one.
Evan’s position? Noble offspring.
No less than the son of a duke, second only to the emperor among nobility.
What a huge advantage, right?
Some might lament being the second son, but for Evan, it was a blessing.
True, there was nothing to inherit…
But that also meant nothing to be responsible for.
In other words, pure bliss!
If only this could last forever…
“How much time is left?”
Evan gazed at the ceiling, pondering.
About three years until the main story began.
But this wasn’t downtime.
The collapse started much earlier than the main plot.
By the time the player appeared, things were already in motion.
Meaning he needed to get moving now if he wanted to stop it.
Even slacking off, he had at most a year.
All the upcoming disasters needed to be prevented.
“Of course, it’ll be the assistants who do the actual stopping, not me.”
Still, running around was unavoidable.
As much as he disliked it, getting sick was worse.
So far, he’d met three main assistants.
Adrianna, Arthur, and the Dark King.
Things had warmed up with Arthur recently, and he was keeping a comfortable distance from the Dark King.
The problem was the Holy Maiden.
Seemed like he’d made a good impression.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have sent that letter.
“But man, the support feels kinda weak compared to what I expected.”
Pretty much non-existent, really.
Maybe it was because he hadn’t been in any dangerous situations yet?
“At this rate, she should be happy and take better care of me after that gift I sent, right?”
Or he could send more.
Like how he helped Arthur improve.
There was still the curse lingering in the Holy Maiden’s heart.
Resolving that would require quite a few materials.
“Still, making good connections at the ball wasn’t bad.”
Bellia.
The only connection he’d made at the ball.
Second daughter of the head of the Golden Trading Company.
Always ranked second, dismissed as merely the runner-up…
But their scale couldn’t be underestimated.
Second place can always become first.
With just a bit of future knowledge, they’d probably seize the top spot easily.
Kingmaker.
That sounded kinda cool.
Knock knock.
Right then, someone knocked on the door.
Lapis, who had been playing string games with Frey, peeked her head up.
“Who’s there?”
“Master! Two letters have arrived!”
“Wanna read them both at once?”
“…Two of them? Do you know who they’re from?”
“One is from someone you’ve never met before!”
“?!”
Confused, Evan took the letter Lapis handed over with the thread.
-Sender: Bellia
“Ah.”
Thankfully, she hadn’t forgotten!
Evan carefully skimmed the contents.
-Long time no see, Lord Evan Alkart.-I’m sorry I disappeared so suddenly without properly greeting you. I had an urgent schedule come up.-Instead, I’ll personally send you the ‘good connections’ you were looking for, straight to your residence.-Thank you very much.-May you achieve everything you desire.-P.S. Watch out for the notorious villainess.
Even without sending anything first, she replied first.
An involuntary pleased smile formed on his lips.
“Looks like relations aren’t great between them.”
Figures.
Acella was famously a terrible person.
There weren’t any who liked her, only those who hated her.
Otherwise, why would someone as beautiful as her still not have any marriage proposals?
“Heard there were some in the past, though.”
Probably died after drinking her tea, right?
An “accident” he’d seen several times back on Earth.
Though it was just named that, accident.
“Should reply.”
-Thank you. Wishing you even greater success.
That should be enough.
Too grandiose wouldn’t fit his personality.
“I’ll send this one too! …Ah! And Master! This is about the orphanage establishment progress!”
“Guess it’s time to work again.”
Evan sighed inwardly while checking the documents.
Hmm…
Not sure yet.
Roughly how much it would cost, roughly how much manpower needed, need to hire supervisors, need to hire someone responsible for overseeing it all…
Anyway, lots to do.
“Evan.”
Frey stood up from her seat.
“Ah! My thread!”
Ignoring Lapis’ exclamation, Frey approached, holding out her hand.
“Let me see that document.”
“? Go ahead.”
Evan readily handed over the papers.
“Just don’t mess with them separately.”
“Don’t worry. It’s all for Evan’s sake.”
“?!”
Is she sick or something?
Lately, Frey had become overly obedient.
Probably the effect of giving her a name.
Sometimes she stayed cooped up in the room except for occasional “walks.”
Not necessarily bad, but kinda unsettling.
This isn’t gonna end with her stabbing me in the back later, is it?
“This is about an orphanage. Why are we making it?”
“In case we ever come across people like Frey, we can’t possibly house them all here in this mansion.”
Eventually, they’ll need independence too.
The master of this mansion is the duke.
Unless he inherits the ducal title in the future, he’d definitely need to leave here.
A place to live after moving out.
He deliberately chose a peaceful city.
Even in the game, it didn’t stand out much, so unlikely to get dragged into major events.
Of course, he couldn’t say that.
And it wasn’t actually the primary purpose either.
Evan honestly explained the purpose.
“No matter their background, homeless children need a ‘place to rest’, don’t they?”
“A place to rest… like me…”
Muttering a few words, Frey nodded.
“…Understood.”
“Huh?”
Lapis tilted her head up.
Looking out the window, Lapis spoke.
“Evan! Your dad’s back!”
“…Duke-sama?”
Knock knock.
At the same time, someone knocked on the door.
Unfamiliar presence.
Both Frey and Lapis’ gazes turned toward the door.
Slight hostility in their eyes, mistaking it for an enemy.
While Evan calmed them down, a monotone voice came from beyond the door.
“Lord Evan, His Grace the Duke requests your presence.”
“Do I really have to go?”
*
Evan stood in front of the duke’s study.
“Ah, I’m already exhausted?”
Before coming, he had to meet with the duke formally, so he bathed, dressed up, and changed clothes.
Parents and children observing such formalities seemed unnecessary, but they were nobles first, family second.
People who lived and died by honor, apparently this kind of process was natural.
“Tight…”
Trying to loosen the tie he spent two hours tying, Evan quickly withdrew his hand at the fierce look from the nearby maid.
Hmm. Right.
I’ll untie it later.
Definitely not scared or anything.
“His Grace the Duke.”
Evan carefully knocked on the study door.
“Lord Evan Alkart. May I enter?”
-Come in.
The voice sounded less and less like Evan’s every time he heard it.
Unlike Evan, who hadn’t finished growing yet, deep and dignified.
Talent to make one feel regal with just a single word.
Creak-
The small hinge sound rang out as the door opened.
The study.
Filled with various luxurious items, yet not overwhelming.
Despite not being a library, stacks of books piled up, carpets made from high-ranking monster fur covered the floor, and a gentle music box melody played softly.
Tick.
The music box stopped, and the duke who had been sitting alone at the desk focusing on documents looked up.
Black hair, gold eyes symbolic of the Alkart family bloodline.
Sharp nose bridge, flawless facial features, face without a trace of fat.
White dress shirt covered by a formal vest.
Just by looking, one could feel his dignity and authority.
Despite being in a study, wearing formal attire instead of casual wear felt more natural than strange.
He was born a noble, a duke, and the head of the family.
Cavaro Alkart.
First direct face-to-face meeting just the two of them.
Seeing him immediately made his face tense up, muscles locking up.
Rather fortunate.
Better than making mistakes.
“Wow, super intimidating atmosphere.”
Especially those eyes.
Now he understood why the two brothers didn’t resemble Evan despite sharing the same lineage.
The dazzling color that shone even in the dark.
Something one had to be born with, not something that could be acquired later.
“Does resemble…”
Evan did resemble Duke Cavaro.
Not to that extent though.
With effort, maybe he could acquire that kind of elegance and dignity later.
Though his body would strongly resist, and Evan himself had no intention of doing so.
“Hmm. Not feeling so well.”
It was still fresh.
The moment of possession.
The inherited memories.
The cold body of his mother.
Evan collapsing in front of her.
Those golden eyes looking down at the two.
-Father! Why! Why!!
-…Your voice is too loud, Evan Alkart. Maintain your dignity.
-Father loved Mother, didn’t you!? How could you…
After that, Evan couldn’t remember what the duke said.
Even the old hands didn’t know.
Stories not revealed in the game.
Impossible to know.
-Then I… I…
Only the words Evan himself spat out in anger remained vividly imprinted in his body.
-No matter what, I will find Mother. I will find your humanity. Even if it means committing [Taboo]!!
After that, there was no communication between father and son.
All conversations ended at the ball before the recent one.
This… is it really father-son relationship?
“I heard you attended the ball.”
Cavaro spoke.
Evan slowly nodded.
“…Yes.”
“Did you find anyone noteworthy?”
What does he mean by that?
Asking if there’s a girl he likes?
“Pfft, no way.”
No way the duke would ask something like that.
“There were no particularly impressive individuals.”
Evan responded in the calmest tone possible.
“All of them seemed to be living solely for their own desires.”
“…”
“Learned a lot. Though I failed to spread the reputation Your Grace desired.”
“No matter. You’ve already enhanced your reputation.”
…Huh? Me?
“Your name came up often at this ball. They say you conversed with Lady Bellita, second daughter of the Golden Trading Company, on the balcony.”
Cavaro’s golden eyes gleamed haughtily.
“What did you talk about?”
Should I hide it?
Brief consideration.
Ambiguous lies here could lead to unpredictable consequences.
Safety-wise, best to tell the truth.
Cavaro wouldn’t use this to threaten or scold.
Would probably just say “I see” and move on.
“…About heretics.”
“Heretics, huh.”
Cavaro closed his eyes briefly.
Slowly putting away the documents, folding his arms under his chin, he reopened his eyes and spoke.
“…I see.”
Thoughtful expression.
But didn’t show it further.
Is he letting it slide?
“…Well done.”
Dry praise.
Reactions that felt forced, as if saying it just to say something.
This seemed to mark the end of the conversation, as Cavaro dismissed him.
“You may leave now.”
“…Understood, Your Grace.”
Evan slowly turned around and grabbed the doorknob.
Just as he was about to leave.
“Still…”
Cavaro’s voice stopped him in his tracks.
“Are you still practicing [Taboo]?”
“…”
How should I respond to that?
Evan thought for a moment.
The tone clearly seemed to be asking “Are you still resenting me?”
No way.
As shown, Duke Cavaro had no attachment to “Evan Alkart.”
The mastermind behind Evan’s death who didn’t blink an eye.
“This much should be fine to say.”
This much was something he normally mentioned anyway.
“I no longer intend to practice [Taboo].”
The faint sound of Evan’s voice lingered in the room as he turned the doorknob to leave.
“I will no longer do so for Mother’s illegitimate child either.”
“…”
Brief silence.
Cavaro delivered his final words.
“…Soon, a guest will visit the mansion. It should be a decent meeting. Prepare accordingly.”
“…Yes.”
With that, it was over.
Evan stepped out of the room.
“Phew, thought I was gonna die there.”
Feeling like his dark circles were getting darker.
I’ve really had too much to deal with…
Let me just go rest now.
Just as he turned his body.
“Evan.”
“…Lord Leonardo.”
The eldest son of the Alkart family.
Evan’s half-brother, and older brother, Leonardo, stood there.
“I’ve heard about you.”
“…About me?”
“Apparently you managed to poison all the young attendees at this ball.”
Leonardo’s eyes flashed.
“So you’re finally stepping out into the open, huh?”
“…??”
Me?
