Ch.114Chapter 114. Truly, One Mountain After Another.

“Aren’t you upset with Dad?”

“Why?”

I sat down on a bench outside the mansion with Lucien and began to speak.

“Even though Dad returned to the mansion, he didn’t come looking for Lucien.”

After returning to the mansion, I had shut myself in my room for days.

I was having my own reality check.

My brother had tried to kill me and had shown clear psychopathic tendencies by kidnapping people.

Baron Byron had swiftly beheaded him.

Witnessing that scene firsthand made me feel a certain emptiness about life.

Though Jason Alphonse had gone down the wrong path, he had been walking his chosen road when death suddenly claimed him.

Yes, I admit he deserved to die.

But that’s not the point—I felt a sense of regret about the precarious nature of life in this world.

A place where an enemy’s blade could pierce my head at any moment.

That’s right.

This was inside the novel “The Youngest Son of a Brilliant Family.”

In response to my question, Lucien put her index finger to her lips, appearing to think deeply before breaking into a broad smile.

“I thought Father must have had his reasons. So even though I wanted to see him, I held back.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Otherwise, Father would have surely come looking for me.”

I should have met with Lucien sooner.

The headache that had been plaguing me even after returning to the mansion seemed to subside.

My mind felt clear, like a blank white sheet.

“You understand Dad’s heart so well. Lucien, you’re amazing.”

“I heard that your brother died. He would be my uncle, right?”

“That’s right. Lucien, you’re really smart, aren’t you?”

“If I want to be helpful to Father, this level of knowledge is just the basics.”

There was a time when I kept Lucien around because she was a dragon and therefore valuable to use, but now she had become something more—a sanctuary for my heart.

Adjusting my posture, I continued.

“What did you do while Dad was away at the family home?”

“I trained hard and studied. Oh, right! I also helped build the defense formation.”

“You helped with the defense formation?”

“Yes! It seemed fun, so I volunteered.”

Defense formation construction is fun?

Well, from Lucien’s perspective, maybe it’s like assembling toys?

Hearing this, I suddenly felt sorry for her.

Sure, I might be receiving comfort from this child, but it seemed like I hadn’t done anything concrete for her.

Providing her a place to stay?

Or making sure she had meals?

Beyond those basics, I felt I hadn’t given her the fundamental things that would make a normal child happy.

Is it normal for a child her age to spend all her time training in swordsmanship and studying?

No.

When I was her age, I hung out with children my age and experienced all sorts of things.

This is essential for Lucien’s personal development going forward.

It feels like I’ve been given one more task.

“Lucien, have you ever played with the children in the village?”

“Hmm, even when I tried to approach them, they avoided me.”

“The children avoided you?”

“Yes, I think they feel uncomfortable around me because I live in the mansion.”

Lucien did look unmistakably noble to anyone who saw her.

And that’s not all.

Her speech, behavior, and even her thoughts…

In every aspect, she would be unapproachable to children her age.

No wonder I find comfort in this child.

Hiding my bitter expression, I continued.

“Would you like me to introduce you to a friend?”

“A friend?”

“Yes, a friend.”

“Hmm… most humans seem rather simple-minded…”

“Dad is human too, you know.”

“Yes…!? Except for you and Uncle Jawil Wilson.”

“Including Jawil Wilson doesn’t make me feel any better, you know?”

Lucien, seemingly quite flustered, expressed herself with somewhat exaggerated gestures.

“W-well, Uncle Jawil Wilson may be simple-minded, but he’s still nice to me…”

“Haha! I’m just joking. And the person I want to introduce you to is a half-blood with both human and elven heritage.”

“An elf?”

Lucien’s expression filled with curiosity at the mention of “elf.”

Naturally, Rina’s mental age is better than Lucien’s current one.

However, that’s only because her human mother was overprotective, fearing her identity might be revealed; her learning speed isn’t slow.

If I put the two together, they wouldn’t be bored with each other.

“Yes, an elf.”

“I read in books that humans and elves don’t get along well?”

“Well, that’s how it is now, isn’t it?”

“But for Father to be friends with an elf, even if they’re half-blood, that’s really amazing.”

Lucien’s praise made my shoulders rise with pride.

I just need to rescue Rina’s nanny and ensure her safety before making the introduction.

Rising from the bench, I smiled brightly.

“My daughter, look forward to it.”

*

“Jawil Wilson.”

“At your service.”

“Why is the southern defense formation being constructed so slowly?”

After checking the defense formation blueprints and progress reports on the study table, I tilted my head in confusion. Jawil Wilson straightened his back with a confident expression.

“Isn’t that the direction where monsters appear?”

“And?”

“If war breaks out, the north, west, and east will be the key strategic points, so I’ve been constructing more thorough defense formations there.”

Sigh…

While monster waves don’t just come from one direction, the majority pour in from the south, from the direction of the Forest of Death. What’s the point if that area is vulnerable?

“Jawil Wilson.”

“Haha! Young master, I’m not seeking praise. It’s just that lately, my mind seems to be working exceptionally well—”

“Please, stop.”

“…Pardon?”

“Stop trying to be exceptionally clever and just do as you’re told.”

“B-but if war breaks out and enemies invade, they won’t be coming from the Forest of Death, will they?”

I slammed my palm on the table and raised my head toward Jawil Wilson.

“Does Pedericks know about this too?”

“…He’s been busy with financial management, so I haven’t reported it separately.”

“Look, it’s commendable that you actually tried to think, but there’s a proper reporting structure, isn’t there? You can’t just ignore that.”

“I was trying to minimize expenses as much as possible…”

“I’ve told Pedericks multiple times not to worry about finances, and didn’t I personally explain to you that we’re constructing the defense formation with monster waves in mind?”

His previously confident expression vanished, and Jawil Wilson hung his head low.

“I think I was short-sighted. I apologize.”

“What’s done is done. From now on, focus on strengthening the southern defense formation. Pay more attention to it than the other areas.”

“Understood.”

Looking at the deflated Jawil Wilson, I let out a short sigh.

“It must be tough taking care of Lucien and constructing the defense formation at the same time?”

“N-no, not at all. If anything, having Lucien around is comforting. Now I understand why people raise children.”

“Anyway, I know you’re working hard. Once the defense formation is complete, I’ll give you proper compensation including your salary, so hang in there a bit longer.”

“Understood!! Jawil Wilson will do his best!!”

I covered my ears against the thunderous response and nodded.

“Alright, you can go now.”

“Yes!”

After confirming that Jawil Wilson had left the study, I stretched my arms wide.

It feels like I’ve gone from living an easy life to being a company employee on the verge of collapse from overwork.

But what can I do?

I need to stop the monster wave first, to solve the primary problem.

On top of that.

Now that the second son, Jason Alphonse, is dead, if Leonard proves to be incompetent, Baron Byron might put “Selden Alphonse” in the succession line at any time, even though I’ve already expressed my refusal.

If that happens, goodbye to my easy life as I’d be caught by the family.

This issue couldn’t be overlooked either.

‘One mountain after another.’

Clunk-!

While I was sighing to myself, someone burst through the door.

Startled, I straightened up from my chair.

“S-Selden!”

Looking far from dignified, Leonard rushed in with sweat on his forehead.

I wondered if he had already suffered some mistreatment from Seri Familia.

“What brings you all the way to Lake territory?”

Leonard, clearly out of breath from running, clutched his chest and took a deep breath before slowly speaking.

“I’ve reached a serious impasse, you know? And I have no one to share my concerns with. That’s why I came to you.”

“Is it perhaps because you’ve been placed in the succession line?”

“Why would I worry about that? It’s because Father recognized my talent.”

“…Then has Lady Seri Familia done something to you?”

“Sigh… not exactly, though it is connected to Seri Familia…”

Despite coming all this way, Leonard was hesitating and trailing off.

I put on a generous face, indicating I would listen to all his concerns.

“Please tell me. I’ll listen to whatever is troubling you, brother.”

With that, Leonard seemed to steel himself, and with a determined look in his eyes, he continued.

“Seri Familia… well, she refuses to sleep with me!!”

…Truly, one mountain after another.