episode_0024

thud.

After the last gamble was over, Frederick was dragged to the office and knelt down tied to the rope with a devastated expression.

I didn’t do it. Rather, Grandpa Charles, who realized the seriousness of the situation, tied him up because there was a risk of him escaping.

And the same was true for Frederick’s ‘friends’.

“… … … … … .”

“Ah… … .”

“It’s all because of Frederick… … .”

Frederick, with his head bowed, is in the front, and his friends, who returned from studying abroad with him, are also tied up and kneeling.

Although all of them were Auror users, they were unable to cut the rope and run away. One of my friends who had already tried to do so was lying unconscious in Grandpa Charles’ hands.

Above all, these guys were also evil. Frederick’s ‘friends’ who were in similar situations and who owed him enormous debt. From what I heard, he was thinking of taking a hit from our family and moving on to another family.

‘I heard they were playing together.’

In addition, several knights and servants who were also gambling were all kneeling like that.

Even though it was late at night, I was just waiting for my father’s ruling, which occurred according to Grandpa Charles’ words.

“… … … Debt, debt.”

“… … … … .”

“Worthermore, the collateral put up was the ‘Byron family’?”

Crazy bastard.

At the very least, did he sell his entire family name, not just his name and rights?

Well, it’s just vaguely written as the Byron family, and it was written by the second son, so even if Frederick couldn’t pay the debt, there would have been no change in the owner of the estate.

‘still.’

Since it was a pledge provided by the second son, who had the right to succession, the debtors must have been waving the contract and demanding all kinds of things from the family. Since it had Frederick’s own autograph on it, it would have been impossible to get away with it.

‘Is it because the rights have already been sold once that the transfer was completed so easily?’

Should I say that I was scammed by this? I almost burst out laughing for no reason.

The transfer of rights written by Frederick, the bags of gold coins, the testimonies of friends, and even the debt contract that Frederick had hidden away.

My father, who had been quietly reading all of this, looked down at the bags of about 30 gold coins.

“There must be about 100 gold coin bags listed here, but where are the rest?”

“… … … … I.”

“Answer!!!!”

“Black! Oh, I stopped by on the way, at the manor… … … Also, at the gambling house… … … … .”

“Huh.”

So, originally, the money I received from selling my family name was 100 bags of gold coins, but I even forgot more than 70 on the way?

There was a reason why Frederick was so interested in my bag of gold coins.

From the first time he lost a bag of gold coins to me while gambling, he had to get it back at all costs.

“In the meantime, the money earned from two days of gambling is kept separately. ”

“… … … … … .”

“When you came back, I had some knights escort you, but I didn’t say anything about the bag of 100 gold coins. The money earned from gambling was kept separately… … … There was an accomplice.”

The situation continued to roll like a snowball.

Common sense dictates that there is no way to leave the second son, who was forced to study abroad, without any management or supervision. He would have had knights escort him when he returned.

Nevertheless, the news about the bag of gold coins did not reach my father’s ears.

‘Frederick’s factions.’

Even though they were small in number, even those who supported him were part of the same group.

“I trusted you, but this is the result.”

“Ah, father… … … .”

“… … … Charles, get someone to pay that guy’s debt right away.”

“Father… … … !!”

… … Why do you like this guy?

Do you really think that your father asked you to pay off his debt to forgive you?

I know you’re delusional because the situation is hopeless, but that also has its limits.

The father glares at Frederick, who suddenly has a hopeful, yet ‘I knew it would happen’ expression on his face.

“And put all those debts on Frederick’s name.”

“Father… … ?”

“Similarly, from the current time.”

William Byron, the head of the Viscount Byron family, had extremely cold eyes.

judgment was pronounced.

“Frederick Byron is deprived of all his rights.”

“… … … Yes?”

“All benefits received as a member of Viscount Byron, tax exemption rights, immunity rights, and… … Even the right to succession.”

“Ah, ah, father!!”

“You are no longer Frederick Byron. Just a commoner named Frederick.”

There was no hesitation or hesitation from my father.

At this moment, he was just a cold-hearted matriarch with no ties to his family.

“Frederick, you will find out how much you owe. Deacon Charles!”

“Yes, matriarch.”

“Tell this to the person in charge of Eunkwang. Soon, an Auror worker who doesn’t mind being treated roughly will leave.”

“Okay.”

“Ugh, Eunkwang… … !!”

Silver mine. In Viscount Byron’s work, silver mine was never used in the sense of a mine producing silver.

The place where my father, who was originally the second son, exiled his older brother, who had once come close to ruining the family.

Worse than a prison, a place where you are actually sent to die.

“Work only until you pay off your debt. I don’t know when that will happen.”

“Father! Father!!!”

This is a place where they don’t even give you half a gold coin a month, let alone one.

In such an extreme environment, how long would it take to repay a debt worth 100 bags of gold coins?

At least, it seemed like I would never see Frederick again in my future life.

“Ah… … yes. I forgot one thing.”

“Ah, father! Please think again… … !!”

“Kyle. Haven’t you received what you deserve yet?”

“Father… … ?”

“You mean the price?”

“Here, the insufficient betting amount must be submitted to this transfer of rights… … … It says you will receive it with that guy’s right hand.”

“… … … !!!”

“Do whatever you want.”

visor.

Grandfather Charles gives Frederick’s sword. The sword that once failed to cut my wrist because of that guy’s declaration of surrender.

Frederick was looking up at me with his pupils trembling like crazy. While making as humble an expression as possible.

“Ka, Kyle. I was wrong. I’ve done everything wrong so far. Well, I told you everything. Everything!”

“… … … … .”

Grab the sword.

“I, I knelt down! Wow, originally I was going to just let you go even if you won. I was thinking of just giving in and letting him go! It’s true!!”

“… … … … .”

Raise your sword.

“You, you, do it this way! Bastard! Oh, no. Hey Kyle! You fucking bastard! I’m begging you like this, please… … !!”

“… … … … .”

Looking straight at the direction in which you will swing your sword.

“Rain, damn you! Better break it up! Or do something wrong!! A completely severed body cannot be reattached even with holy magic! There is no turning back!! This fucking incompetent bastard doesn’t even know that───”

“Don’t worry too much.”

“───What.”

“There are many people who live well with one hand.”

“… … This incompetence──”

Kwasik.

*

After a short while, the only people left in the office were me and my father.

There was still a bit of a fishy scent of blood, but the floor had been thoroughly cleaned.

The family’s exclusive wizard came during the night to clean up the blood and debris, and since there was such a commotion, the rumor will probably spread before the end of the day.

It seemed like my father also deliberately called in a magician to clean it up with magic to encourage that.

Anyway, just the two of us remained and looked at each other.

“… … He cut it off in one blow.”

“The wrist would have been cut off anyway, so wouldn’t it be better to finish it cleanly?”

In some ways, selling out one’s family is an act that can be called treason. He probably already harbored resentment toward me and his father for this incident, but there was no way he would make the choice to let a superhuman with Auras go without his limbs intact.

To be honest, if I hadn’t cut it, it would have been an ‘accident’ at the silver mine or something. My father would have taken care of it.

It was the first time I had ever cut something with a sword or had blood splattered on me, but surprisingly, it wasn’t that shocking.

Rather than revenge… … To some extent, it was also for Frederick’s sake.

──Just one more round, just one more round.

──Whoa, Director?

──Don’t worry. don’t worry. If you win it and pay it back… … … !!

‘If I had really stopped it by cutting off my wrist at that time, I wouldn’t have regretted it.’

28 years of life in the original world, 20 years of life in this world.

Although it happened almost 40 years ago, I could only sigh at the memory, which still hurts me vividly.

That’s why I sincerely.

‘I hope you at least get rid of your gambling addiction.’

I hoped that Frederick, who had his wrist cut off, would be able to overcome his gambling addiction.

Aside from my grudge against that guy… … … It’s extremely unpleasant to see things similar to what happened before adoption.

As I was self-evaluating, my father spoke first.

“This incident… … … Thank you very much. I didn’t know you could handle it this well.”

“I also had no idea things would turn out like this.”

“Frederick It’s not a family that would be shaken by that idiot’s actions, but it was sure to be a really annoying and annoying thing. No matter how many times I express my gratitude, it’s not enough.”

“It’s natural. Then the others… … … ?”

” Those so-called friends will be investigated closely and thrown to the debtors, and the knights and servants who are suitable for gambling will be dismissed and expelled. Since I knew that I couldn’t stop it with pay cuts, I had no choice but to take a hard line. And the accomplices who helped Frederick… … I guess I should send him to Eunkwang so I can help him until the end.”

… … Well, my father will take care of the post-processing anyway. Since I had received everything I needed from Frederick, it was not my concern.

Nevertheless, the reason I stayed in the office until the end was not because I wanted to be thanked.

“And, I should also tell you about the things you will bring.”

“… … … Yes.”

“Of course, the bag of gold coins and the transfer of title are all yours. Since I have to organize Frederick’s room and things anyway, it’s okay to keep them all. And above all… … … .”

My father paused for a moment.

He spoke firmly, as if he had already made a decision.

“Frederick’s right of succession will be passed down to you. If something happens to my eldest son… … … You are the next Viscount Byron.”

“… … … … … .”

“Kyle?”

“No, that. I’m happy, but… … … I wasn’t as inspired as I thought.”

“… … Is that so.”

The eldest son’s spare, just in case, the qualifications to reach the position of head of the family.

It was certainly a great right, but since he was the third son who had no real power or anything to begin with, it did not have much impact.

‘Becoming the head of the family gives you more time to play board games.’

It would be much more helpful in spreading board games, but what good is it if I can’t enjoy it?

After all, it was right for the head of the family to be the eldest brother. still.

“However, since you have obtained the right to succession, many things will be given to you.”

“… … … For example.”

“Funding support for the spread of Kyle Gali that you mentioned. That’s possible without any problem.”

“Wow.”

Shouldn’t I be grateful to Frederick at this point? This solves one of the problems that were bothering me.

The original plan was to help and receive funding from the Arche Tower, but it took a long time and was uncertain as the Abracadabra trend in the Magic Tower had to be successful.

However, by obtaining the right to succession and Frederick’s various rights, the financial issue was resolved at once.

Of course, you will never be able to spend it infinitely, but you will be able to receive enough initial capital.

Unlike when mass production could not even be attempted, the feeling of being able to do so was refreshing.

“Are you still attracted to that? Plus, you can get involved in the family’s big and small affairs, so you’re much more likely than before───”

“Ah, I guess it won’t matter anyway. I have to go back now.”

“… … … If I go back.”

“Of course it is the Arche Magic Tower. It’s only been two days since I left, but now is an important time.”

Abracadabra is not perfect yet. I had to further refine the rules, think about the balance of hidden magic, and participate in the fantasy work that is still being built.

If it weren’t for the unprecedented situation of Frederick’s Kyle Galli gamble, there would have been no need to return to the family at this time.

‘Now that’s somewhat resolved.’

I guess I should go back and play some board games.

My father looked at me for a moment at my obvious statement.

“… … Yes, that would be correct. I was excited for a moment.”

“Didn’t you wake up from your sleep? It’s probably because you’re tired.”

“That… … I guess so.”

“Then we will leave right away.”

“… … … Right now, you mean?”

“Yes.”

Dawn is slowly coming, and I slept all day anyway.

Should I play spirit poker with Sally on the way?

With that thought in mind, I bowed my head to my father.

“See you later. Father.”

“… … … … … .”

“Father?”

“… … Yes, I guess so. well… … Come back.”

“Yes.”

Was it because it was early in the morning that I felt emotionally charged?

I said hello to my father, who had a strange attitude, and left the office.

‘It was an unexpected situation, but I still gained more than I expected.’

Now, again.

It was time to get back to work.

*

A month since Kyle Byron returned to the Arkhe Map Tower with his maid.

Viscount Byron, who had been disturbed by Frederick’s gambling, loss of his last name, and silver mining, also regained peace, and those involved were severely punished.

A former nobleman and current miner, a member of the Byron family, is despairing of reality, using only his left hand to use a pickaxe.

At the spire of a duke’s house, the spiritist’s hysteria finally reached its peak.

A board game named Kyle Gali was slowly becoming known in the Byron territory through word of mouth.

The Arche Magic Tower sent an invitation to the empire’s nobles and other magic towers.

[To all distinguished guests in the empire who received this invitation.]

[Arke Magic Tower invites you to a wizard’s fantasy.]

The Arche Magic Tower is one of the six major magic towers of the empire, and at the same time, it was thought to be gradually declining due to losses.

The entire empire paid attention to this invitation, which could possibly be the last.

So many people began heading to the Arche Magic Tower.

Although it was still too early.

“All preparations are complete, now… … The only thing left to do is explode.”

That’s for sure.

It was slowly starting to boil—it was a precursor to a pandemic.