Ch.121121. The Eldest Son of the Alphonse Family.

“Selden Alphonse, I am meeting Evander Alphonse, the first son of the Alphonse family.”

“No need for… formalities, sit down.”

“Yes, I understand.”

The eldest son of the Alphonse family, Evander Alphonse.

Honestly, I was a bit taken aback when I opened the door to the reception room.

His massive body and thick forearms.

His bushy beard was so prominent that I could have mistaken him for Baron Byron.

After sitting on the reception room sofa, Evander stares at me intently.

“I hear you’ve changed quite a bit?”

“What could have changed about me? I’ve just grown up a little, that’s all.”

“I don’t think simply growing up could change someone this much. It’s the first time I’ve seen you speak so steadily in front of me.”

“Is that so?”

“My subordinates who saw you at Leonard’s wedding said something like this—that you had been hiding your claws all along?”

I lifted my teacup leisurely and smiled.

“Do you think so too, Brother?”

“No, your frightened appearance when you saw me was genuine. If that was fake, it wouldn’t make any sense.”

“That’s right. You saw correctly, Brother. The rumor about hiding my claws just means I’ve changed a lot.”

“Did you gain some kind of enlightenment?”

“What enlightenment could there be in this small piece of land?”

Evander looked around the reception room and then leaned back on the sofa.

“By the way, I’m sorry about Jason’s matter.”

“Sorry? What for?”

“I’m apologizing as the eldest. It was something I should have resolved earlier.”

“What does it matter who resolves issues between siblings? If he hadn’t attacked my carriage, I wouldn’t have known about it either.”

“Ah… carriage attack? It seems Jason really underestimated you. He’s always pretended to be thorough since childhood, but he tends to be overconfident in his own thoughts.”

As expected, the conversation had a heavy atmosphere.

I also leaned back firmly against the sofa and crossed my arms solemnly.

“You don’t seem bothered by it.”

“No, why wouldn’t I be sad? Our relationship soured during the succession dispute, but he was still my blood brother.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

Evander’s eyes suddenly lit up as if he remembered something.

“From what Father told me, you have no desire to become the family head?”

“Have you forgotten? I am ‘Selden Alphonse.’ My dream is to live freely rather than bother with the position of family head.”

“That’s not something you can decide so easily. Even if you have no interest in the succession dispute, others won’t see it that way.”

“And I assume you’re included among those ‘others’ who think differently?”

Evander hesitated as if I had hit the mark, then laughed heartily.

“Haha! You really have changed a lot. To see through my intentions like that.”

“It’s not so much that I’ve changed, but rather that I understand your mind better than others because we share the same blood.”

“Yes, to be honest, I believe you’ll eventually get involved in the succession dispute.”

I couldn’t exactly cut open my belly to show him my true intentions—it was maddening.

I understood Evander’s concerns.

For me, who had been possessed, the position of family head seemed cumbersome.

However, for those born and raised here, it was an opportunity to grasp wealth and honor at once.

That’s why Evander couldn’t trust me.

“Do you know what was the hardest thing after my exile?”

“What?”

“Managing the people in Lake Territory. If it’s difficult to manage this small territory, imagine how many troublesome matters would arise if I became the family head?”

“Are you saying that, born as a noble, you have no desire for honor?”

“Honor? Does that feed you? Will God specially protect you when you die?”

Evander pondered something deeply, then straightened his back from the sofa.

“Even if you don’t take the family head position yourself, I think you could still get involved in the succession dispute.”

“It seems you think I’ll side with Brother Leonard.”

“I know that Leonard visited Lake Territory recently. He’s moving quite efficiently despite being newly married.”

Ah, that?

Is he talking about when Seri Familia came to consult about her refusal to share the bed?

Sigh…

Even if I told the truth, who would believe me?

I sighed briefly due to the throbbing headache.

“You may not believe me, but the focus of that conversation wasn’t about succession.”

“So there was some talk of it.”

“Yes, Brother Leonard asked me to take his side.”

“And what did you answer?”

“I politely declined.”

“Hmm, if you sided with Leonard, Miria would likely follow. Then I’d have to fight the succession battle alone against multiple opponents.”

I shook my head indicating that wouldn’t happen, and Evander continued.

“I’d feel more at ease if you were on my side.”

“Aren’t you already at an advantage in the succession dispute with Brother Leonard even without me?”

“Why do you think so?”

“Brother Leonard has only just entered the succession dispute. Naturally, you who have been preparing for a long time would have the advantage.”

BANG-!

Evander slammed his palm forcefully on the reception room table.

Then he grinned at me.

“Yes, that’s right. As you say, if it were just between me and Leonard, I’d have a much better position. But if ‘you’ get involved, the situation could change.”

“I don’t understand why you’re saying this now. To be honest, didn’t you ignore me even when you were in the succession dispute with Brother Jason Alphonse?”

“That was when you were the troublemaker ‘Selden Alphonse,’ but now it’s different. Just look at how you eliminated the second son in one go.”

“As I said earlier, that was just coincidence because of the carriage attack.”

Evander Alphonse thoughtfully stroked his chin.

“But the people of the territory think differently. They praise you endlessly, saying you’re very capable.”

“Such rumors will gradually disappear with time.”

“So you really have no intention of joining me?”

“I have no intention of joining either you or Brother Leonard.”

After I firmly stated my position, Evander Alphonse nodded and slowly rose.

“Well, I understand for now.”

“Are you leaving already?”

“No, prepare a room for me. I’ll stay here and rest for a few days before leaving.”

Rest, my foot! He’s probably going to poke around everywhere to figure out what I’m thinking.

I already have so much to do, and now I have to deal with this nuisance…

But what choice do I have?

He’s a blood brother of ‘Selden Alphonse,’ and if I drove him away, he’d obviously misunderstand that I’m in league with Leonard.

I also rose heavily.

“Let’s do that.”

*

“The total number of mercenaries recruited this time is two hundred and thirty, and most of them are skilled enough to be deployed anywhere immediately.”

At Riden’s words, I examined the selected mercenary list and spoke.

“Two hundred and thirty… more than half were rejected.”

“Still, this is an impressive number of mercenaries. Probably the most among noble families, I’d say.”

“Where are all the selected mercenaries now?”

“As you ordered, they’re staying at inns in Lake Territory.”

“Did you make sure they keep quiet?”

“Yes, I told them not to even mention the word ‘mercenary.’ I added that breaking this rule would naturally result in termination of their contract.”

“Good work.”

Riden tilted his head at my words.

“But why did you suddenly want to hire mercenaries, only to keep them cooped up in inns?”

It couldn’t be helped.

Currently, Evander Alphonse would be prowling around with his eyes wide open, and if he discovered I had recruited mercenaries?

He would probably misunderstand that I was preparing to enter the succession dispute.

That’s why I had hidden them.

“There’s a reason. Anyway, tell them to stay in their inn rooms as much as possible for the time being.”

“Understood. But the inn costs won’t be small…”

“It’s fine, we’re only providing accommodation now. What family in the world would provide both room and board?”

“Ah… I see.”

Knock knock-!

At that moment, Pedericks entered with a knock.

Judging by his expression, fortunately, no incident had occurred.

“What is it?”

“A letter has arrived from Lady Elina Parseche.”

“Huh? What kind of letter did she send so suddenly?”

“Lady Elina Parseche’s mother has passed away. Baron Byron is also on his way to Parseche territory.”

Such sudden news of passing…

I sighed deeply and looked at Riden.

“Riden, you know that my eldest brother is currently staying at our mansion, right?”

“Yes, I know.”

“I’m not sure how long he’ll stay, but once the eldest brother leaves, you’ll personally train the mercenaries.”

“Me personally?”

“Yes, Rio has other work to do, and Jawill Wilson needs to finish building the defense formation.”

“…Understood.”

I got up from my chair, put on my coat, and nodded to Pedericks.

“Let’s go to the Parseche family.”