"By the way, how have you been living lately? I heard they're calling you some kind of hero these days."
My second eldest brother asked this with an overjoyed grin plastered across his face—like someone who’d just learned their good-for-nothing youngest brother was finally starting to act like a decent human being.
Though well… that would be the correct assessment.
“…I’m just living an ordinary life.”
“Wow, even your tone’s all changed, eh? You sound completely noble now.”
“Ron, you’re a noble too.”
“I don’t have a title, so it doesn’t count, does it?” My second brother chuckled away. Despite appearances, he was one of the stronger individuals who’d reached the latter stages of Aura Expert.
“Hah. Setting aside my story—how have you both been? I heard from Father that you’re researching Demons.”
“Demons? Oh, that? It’s supposed to be confidential, but... well, does it matter?”
My second brother scratched his head and muttered, then continued.
“It’s a report from the Imperial Scholarium, and frankly, it’s rather unsettling. What was it... something about Demons rising to prominence soon? Normally I’d just think it was another conspiracy theory spreading around, but this time it feels different. So I’m doing some personal research.”
Coming from the Imperial Scholarium, it did seem credible…
I’ll need to verify this myself.
To defend Lea’s wish to protect the North, I too would need to examine the Demonic Realm.
As I nodded thoughtfully and kept quiet, my second brother grinned and slung his arm around my neck.
Smack!
“Hey, youngest. So how’s living with your fiancée? Are you happy these days?”
“Well, it’s not bad. And yes, I’m happy.”
“Ugh! Insane, did you hear that, brother? Oof, gives me goosebumps. This is why I don’t get married.”
“Ron, you just can’t. Because you’re ugly.”
“Seriously, shut up before I bite you.” My second brother rubbed his arms and stepped back.
Then my eldest brother stared at me intently and nodded approvingly. “I can see that you’ve been training consistently.”
“It is the North, after all.”
“True. You’d have to work hard to survive there.”
My eldest brother nodded as if he understood. Then he gently patted my shoulder and continued speaking. “Always be careful. And if anyone bothers you, tell us. You have Berg behind you.”
“Yes.” I nodded with an oddly complex feeling. A tickling sensation. This was the moment I’d longed for so desperately before my regression.
If only I hadn’t fallen for Hera, I could have achieved this before.
A bitter smile crossed my face… but what’s past is past. What matters is now. Isn’t it about correcting what went wrong?
But just as I was thinking I’d never lose this scene in this lifetime—
“Baron Louis Vinn Berg.”
An imperial officer slowly approached and called my name. She came right up to me with an impassive expression and delivered a message.
“His Majesty has granted you an audience. Please follow me.”
* * *
“Ah… There he goes.” Louis’s second brother, Ron Berg, watched Louis’s retreating figure with a rueful gaze.
The youngest had been no more a thoughtless child, yet he had suddenly all grown up. Honestly, if he hadn’t seen it himself, he wouldn’t have believed such a thing.
Come to think of it, something was strange from the time he left the family.
Suddenly apologizing for everything he’d done until then, stopping his harassment of the servants. And then actually studying, of all things. Just thinking about the shock at the time was enough to make Ron bolt upright even in his sleep.
“Well, at least it’s good he turned out well. His married life seems satisfying too.”
“It’s not marriage. It’s engagement.”
“Brother, that rigidity is your problem. That’s why you’re not popular with women.”
“You’re unpopular because you’re ugly.”
“Seriously, shut up.”
Just as Ron was exchanging pointless banter with his brother Dreck, their father, Venda Berg, approached.
“Did you meet Louis?” Venda asked.
Judging by the flush in his cheeks, he’d been bragging about Louis to the other nobles.
I don’t think he even looked that proud when I landed a position at the Imperial Scholarium...
Just as Dreck was thinking, This is why they say the youngest always gets the most love, and letting out a hollow laugh—an unwelcome interloper arrived.
He was massive—an enormous build squeezed into flashy outerwear that didn’t suit his size, with a greatsword strapped across his back.
The interruption had come from none other than Count Dragunov, head of the continent’s most powerful merchant family.
“Getting excited over receiving a hero’s title. Surely you must know it’s all just propaganda.” Count Dragunov sneered as he picked a fight with Venda.
Venda let out a derisive snort at Count Dragunov. “Ah, I see. Thanks for your concern. But... don’t you have a child of your own? What’s he been up to lately?”
“Ha, if you mean my son, he’s currently in marriage talks with Lady Artezia. Unlike someone who was practically sold off.”
“Lady Artezia... ah, you mean the girl who was broken up with by my son. Haha! What a relief. I was worried she’d be depressed after being hurt by the matter, but if your son took her in, that’s wonderful. There really must be such a thing as fate.”
Ron gave a dry chuckle watching his father counter with a bright smile.
The underlying meaning was clear: You picked up the girl my son discarded. How remarkable.
Ron shook his head as he watched his father. Just like a noble not to be outdone. Even his insults are delivered elegantly.
Count Dragunov seemed to catch the hidden meaning as well, as his face reddened and he began forcing a laugh. “Ah, hahaha. How gracious of you.”
“Not at all. Such courtesies are only natural between subjects serving His Majesty. Oh my, other guests are arriving. Wait here. We’ll finish our conversation later.”
Venda smiled and delivered parting shots at Count Dragunov until the end. Count Dragunov barely managed to catch his breath as he left.
Watching the departing Count, Venda clicked his tongue lightly. “Really now. All sorts of cretin keep acting up now.”
"...You're just too impressive, Father," Ron muttered under his breath. Then he turned toward where the Imperial Palace lay—the direction his youngest brother, Louis Berg, the one who had set all of this in motion, had gone.
A private audience with His Majesty, though… Is something happening?
* * *
“This way, please.”
The imperial officer guided me into the inner part of the audience chamber.
“Yes.”
I nodded and headed inside.
Before heading to the banquet hall, I’d passed a message through an imperial officer, requesting a private audience with the Emperor. Technically, it wasn’t a proper request—more of a one-sided notification, entirely outside protocol.
Besides, someone who’d only just been promoted today asking to meet the Emperor alone? If it had been anyone else, they would’ve shut it down immediately. People might’ve started talking.
But I knew the Emperor would accept.
After all, hadn’t I just handed him a stroke of fortune? He probably thought I’d brought him another one.
Sure enough…
“So, you wanted a private audience with me.”
The Emperor’s voice was quiet, but his eyes burned with desire. Not quite greed—more the ambition of a ruler searching for a way to protect his realm.
He seems urgent.
Seeing the Emperor’s eyes, I pieced together the rest. Judging by that look, my second brother’s claims about the Demon threat weren’t far off.
That’s why he’s so openly expectant.
The Mithril I’d brought before had proven to possess divine properties—exceptional against Demons. As a reward, it could also serve to rally the troops. Truly, it had been a gift of holy ore.
In contrast, what I’d brought this time was questionable as a gift. It wouldn’t increase military strength or bring prosperity to the empire. No, it was a gift that would only disturb the Emperor’s peace of mind.
Even so, I need to speak.
To kill the High Elder, and to ease the Emperor’s burden. It was absolutely necessary.
Exhaling lightly, I directly met the Emperor’s gaze and began quietly, “Your Majesty.”
He seemed puzzled, but I continued regardless.
“Please understand that what I’m about to say is not meant to mock Your Majesty, but comes from a loyal subject.”
“You’re making me curious—requesting a private audience and then speaking so cautiously. Very well. Proceed.”
With the Emperor’s permission, I nodded calmly and went on. “Then, please forgive my irreverence.”
“Very well. Do get on with it will—”
“I’ve discovered the culprit who murdered Your Majesty’s youngest son, the Third Prince.”
A pause.
The Emperor’s gentle, encouraging laughter vanished in an instant. “What did you just say?”
“I said I’ve discovered the culprit who murdered His Highness, the Third Prince.”
My tone was calm and detached, like a doctor announcing a patient’s death.
At that moment, the Knight Commander guarding the Emperor drew his sword from its sheath.
“You innnsolent wretch! How daaare you mock His Majesty!”
The knights nearby drew their swords in unison, while hidden guards stepped out of the shadows, pressing daggers to my neck.
“If you had a death wish, you should have said so. I’ll kill you right here.” One guard pressed his blade hard against my skin. A thin wound opened, and blood trickled down the dagger.
A droplet fell to the floor.
Even knowing I could die at any moment, I met the blade with an unflinching gaze.
The chamber filled with nothing but silence and deadly intent.
Finally, the Emperor broke the quiet. “Are you saying now that my son didn’t die by accident?”
“...”
“Answer me!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” I nodded impassively.
“Ha, haha.” The Emperor rose unsteadily from his throne. Taking shaky steps, he closed the distance until he stood within arm’s reach.
Hot breath. Bloodshot eyes. His whole body trembled with raw fury. He looked like he could strike me at any second.
“Who was it?” The Emperor seized the collar of my shirt, roaring, “Who? Who dared murder my son?”
His grief tore through the room like a beast’s howl.
It might have shaken anyone else—but I held steady, my expression composed as I said, “The one who harmed His Highness is the very person who first reported the news of the accident.”
“Stop beating around the bush—tell me! Who is the culprit?” the Emperor roared again.
I knew my head would roll if I gave another vague answer.
With a slight nod, I replied quietly, “The High Elder of House Praha. He is the one who orchestrated His Highness’s assassination, Your Majesty.”