[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]

Chapter 287: Somerset's Apology

"Allen, do you know about a bird called Nocturban?"

"Nocturban?"

"It's a legendary poisonous bird that exists only in these Virgenhrid Mountains."

Balthazar explained.

"It's about the size of a large crow, with dark green feathers and strange red eyes."

Just imagining it was quite repulsive.

"Nocturban feeds on poisonous plants, venomous insects, and poisonous snakes, accumulating very dense toxins in its core. Nocturban's blood in particular is said to be a terrible deadly poison."

Mother supplemented the explanation.

"Yet it's both colorless and odorless, so it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it the continent's strongest poison."

Balthazar spread his palm.

"One who can digest it with their own power, such a person we call a Poison Master."

"...Then."

"He has reached that level."

Balthazar nodded.

"Though it was a surprise attack, poison arts are inherently specialized for assassination and ambush, regardless of skill level. If he had only practiced swordsmanship instead of poison arts, the rebellion would have failed."

That's true. There's a reason it's called the martial art of assassins.

"Just soaking that blood in alcohol or food makes it a lethal poison."

Then Grimnar probably first poisoned grandfather, then injected additional poison to bring him down.

"Did he learn martial arts other than poison techniques?"

"Of course, he's strong in both sword and fist techniques. You can tell just by looking at Rudgarda."

"Hmm."

I nodded.

"But actually, this is welcome news for me."

"Right, Allen."

Balthazar agreed.

"If you can absorb his poison with dark mana..."

"Then it would complete the instant death technique."

It would become a one-shot reversal move that could poison even enemies stronger than me.

"But absorbing poison isn't as easy as it sounds. Even with dark mana, if your power is insufficient, you'll be devoured instead."

But I had to do whatever I could.

"The Black Society are people who wouldn't hesitate to commit mass slaughter by draining human blood with demonic arts. To protect the 1st and 8th princes from such people, we need to use poison or whatever else we can."

"Yes. This isn't the time to be picky about methods."

Balthazar sighed.

"But fate is truly ironic. If the power of dark mana defeats Grimnar Angantyr's poison, this would essentially be the Eisenach bloodline completing their own revenge, wouldn't it?"

"That would be true."

I truly felt that the workings of fate were deep and mysterious.

"Therefore, learn the secret manual of the martial art left by ancestor Eldarkion, the Night Soul Infiltration Divine Art."

Eldarkion's martial art.

And if I defeat Verdzig and obtain the clan head's martial art left by Vitenfeld Grunewald...

Then I might be able to fight not just Ivan, but even the Dark King.

'I haven't been given time to leisurely train martial arts.'

Using the privilege of reincarnation, genius comprehension, and the help of divine martial arts wouldn't be too unfair.

'Or maybe not.'

* * *

I didn't brush away the earnest gazes of people who wanted to return immediately to absorb the stew's mana.

"Let's disperse now. Everyone needs time to prepare."

"Ahem, shall we?"

As people scattered in unison, I looked at Somerset who remained alone.

"Shall we have a talk now?"

"...Allenvert."

The third brother who once couldn't wait to devour me was now in a position where he couldn't even dare meet my eyes.

'Tsk tsk.'

He should have lived properly from the start.

I put aside my desire to tease him more for now. If I tormented him now, he might actually cry.

"Shall we go to my room to talk?"

"Yes, let's do that."

What a turn of events. I used to go to Somerset to extort potions from him.

"Would you like some water?"

Back then, I used to make a fuss demanding he give me water.

Somerset also seemed to remember that time, shaking his head with a complicated expression.

"...I'm fine."

"He says he's fine. Peter, wait outside."

"Yes."

Thus, only the two of us remained in the office.

"...First, Allenvert."

"Please speak."

I was curious how Somerset would start.

"I'm sorry. I have no shame in asking for forgiveness, but I wanted to say at least this much."

So this was quite unexpected for me too.

'Whoa, what's this? Has he really become a decent person?'

I didn't believe it when I heard Olivier's report, but to this extent, it seemed the story about his reformation was true.

'Good. You've been rehabilitated, Somerset.'

Without even getting beaten up, trials made you into a man. Well done.

"Even though my clan, the Agrippas, committed such great wrongs against the Eisenach, I didn't even know that fact. No, even if I had known, I wouldn't have felt guilty back then."

Somerset delivered his apology cleanly without excuses, having put down all his pride.

The traces of days of contemplation were evident.

"I'm sorry. I was swayed by the Black Society's shallow temptation, nurtured my inner inferiority complex, and caused trouble for everyone. Most of all, I want to apologize for the countless hardships you endured in your childhood, even if you don't remember them."

"...Unexpected."

My voice probably became a bit cold.

Because those words of apology reminded me anew of Somerset's karma.

"What was the trigger? The trigger that made you change your heart like this."

I asked as if testing how honest Somerset would be.

"While hiding, my mind finally returned a little. Then I could see it. My situation and Agrippa's situation, like a candle in the wind."

"I didn't know you thought of your clan that way."

"Neither did I. But talking with the head butler, I realized. The pain I felt from shame was nothing compared to the pain and despair you must have felt as a child."

"..."

The souls of Karzan and Allenvert had long since merged into one. I too had stopped distinguishing between them.

However, being moved by the sincere apology of the third brother who had tormented him must surely be Allenvert's heart.

"I never expected to hear such thoughtful words from you."

"I apologize once again, Allenvert."

Somerset bowed his head to me.

"But an apology in words alone would be only half-hearted. I want to add what little power I have to yours."

I crossed my arms and asked like a merchant bargaining.

"What do you want in return?"

"...How could I speak of that first?"

He opened his mouth as if he would first speak of what he could give.

"I have almost nothing left. Just my position as commander of the security guard."

"I suppose so."

I nodded slightly.

"Though the security guard has the weakest military power, it's a unit that can become 'another intelligence network' with eyes everywhere."

"I already have more than enough intelligence networks."

"...Our security guard has another important duty. The mission of escorting and protecting all sorts of vassals and branch clan members."

I looked at Somerset without answering. So? What next?

"...We'll definitely be able to obtain important information."

Somerset's excuse was somewhat weak.

"That's just a possibility. It doesn't seem to have much great value."

While feeling slightly disappointed, I also wanted to positively accept Somerset's change.

"Brother, may I tell you what I'm thinking?"

Somerset, who had been dejected, raised his head.

"Say anything. If possible, I'll definitely accomplish it."

"Before that, I think we need to first confirm how different Agrippa's position is from yours."

"...Those people."

Somerset bit his lips hard.

"I couldn't persuade them. They're afraid of being 'judged' for their original sins."

"You're not asking me to understand that."

I tilted my head askew.

"Of course not."

Somerset answered as if telling me not to misunderstand.

"I just want to save the Agrippa clan a little. At least the innocent people."

"There are clear laws, so surely I wouldn't slaughter them all? If they put everything down and retreat to sit in the back room, I won't be too harsh."

Though I would prioritize mother's and Balthazar's opinions first.

"...They're not the type to do that."

"Then there's only one method left."

I pointed at Somerset.

"You become the head of the Agrippa clan."

"!!!"

Somerset asked in great surprise.

"What do you mean..."

"Then give me the reformed clan, that clan's power and loyalty. To that extent, I'm willing to accept your apology and the 'third mother's apology.'"

"Huh..."

Even while surprised, Somerset asked as if trying to grasp a ray of hope.

"Allenvert, would that be alright? Not just me, but even mother..."

"She is father's wife and also my stepmother after all."

Frankly speaking, I couldn't kill the third mother with my own hands.

That wouldn't be the noble way, and certainly not the human way.

"...Thank you, I'm even more shameless now."

I wondered how many times this man would bow his head today.

"But I'm worried, what if she stubbornly refuses to apologize in the end?"

I looked at Somerset.

"Do I need to tell you that too?"

Somerset shook his head in alarm.

"That's unthinkable. I'll break mother's stubbornness by any means necessary."

"Good."

I shook hands with Somerset.

"Agrippa will definitely move to interfere with me. First, report their movements in detail. And try to block them as much as you can."

"Leave it to me."

Somerset Grunewald, recruitment complete.

* * *

Allenvert's premonition was not wrong.

"Hurry, eyes are everywhere!"

Count Bergen had lost most of his employees to Verdzig, but he still had 'loyal retainers.'

Moreover, receiving support from the Agrippa clan, who felt anger and anxiety about being leashed to Verdzig, wasn't too difficult.

"Verdzig has no interest in our salvation. If necessary to become a duke, he's ready to extract only our sweet juice and discard us. I know well since he's my grandson."

"Hmm, how should we handle this crisis?"

Words like apology, compensation, or responsibility never existed in the minds of Count Bergen and Count Agrippa from the beginning.

Therefore, the two chose their 'familiar method' again.

"We must quietly leave the city."

Both sides decided to hand over treasures, elixirs, and some information to Grimnar Angantyr.

In other words, it was a plan to kill with a borrowed knife.

"Just get out of the castle. Grimnar's warriors have agreed to come meet us."

Men in black wearing masks like underworld thugs were leaving the castle under cover of night.

"..."

And there were those watching from afar.

"Pathetic. Their stealth technique level is too low."

Verdzig, looking down from a high spire, sneered.

"Since the young master took all the useful subordinates, they had no one to work with except such dregs."

Harald Grimarr said.

"There probably weren't any more people in the underworld worth hiring with money."

At this point, the underworld's hegemony was divided between Allenvert and Verdzig.

Those with useful skills were naturally watching these brothers' reactions.

"Pitiful, grandfather. And uncle."

Count Bergen, and Legal Officer Lawrence.

...The two had finally crossed the river.

Even if he didn't step forward, father would not forgive them now.

Bergen's power had already fallen into Verdzig's hands, and they no longer had value.

"Well then."

Verdzig raised his head.

"Let's leave the Black Society's mischief taking advantage of this opportunity to the reliable agents of the Shadow Division."

He looked far away at Venion and the Shadow Division side, who had already spread their encirclement net front and back outside the castle.

Even if someone was lucky enough to escape their grasp, he was destined to be caught by them anyway.

...Including the Black Society agents who instigated their judgment from behind.

"Grandfather, and uncle. Please take on all the clan's sins and save 'the rest of the clan members.'"

Verdzig smiled coldly.

"Duke of Grunewald and Count Bergen? Not bad."

Verdzig swept back his beautiful golden hair.

"Bergen must pay the blood price."

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]