Ch.318318. I remembered the face. Let’s meet again soon.

“You seem to be doing well.”

“Brother, it’s been a long time.”

Evander Alphonse’s visit to Lake Territory after having disappeared.

He sat on the sofa in the reception room, letting out a gentle laugh.

“Mother has been very worried about you. She said you left home without any notice.”

“I’ve been traveling around various territories. I needed some fresh air.”

“…So, has your mind cleared up a bit?”

“Well, it wasn’t bad.”

“You look like you’ve had some realizations?”

Evander Alphonse laughs heartily at my words.

“I realized quite profoundly that I was a frog in a well.”

“A frog in a well? That’s nonsense. By the way, what happened to the knights who left with you? Why are you visiting alone?”

Evander Alphonse hesitates for a moment, then grips his teacup and continues.

“I disbanded them all.”

“…Pardon?”

“I gave them all the funds I had and disbanded them.”

“Disbanded?”

“Since I’ve been pushed out of the succession line, I properly declared my surrender.”

Suspecting there might be some scheme, I checked with my ‘Insight,’ but Evander Alphonse’s current feelings were genuine.

He dreamed of rebellion but gave up his ambitions?

Tilting my head in confusion, I spoke.

“…Didn’t you have ambitions, brother?”

“Why do you think I had ambitions?”

“It’s only natural to desire the position of family head as a member of the family.”

At that, Evander Alphonse shakes his head.

“No, I was confident I could lead the Alphonse family better than anyone. Better than Miriam, who’s a woman, better than the late Jason, and even better than Leonard, who has grown a lot now. Well, I never even considered you, who’s been pretending to be a good-for-nothing.”

“Ah… I see?”

“I was that confident I could do well if I became the family head. That’s why I didn’t hesitate to commit wrongs.”

“…So you thought that even if people pointed fingers at you, they would understand if you became family head and led the Alphonse family well.”

Evander Alphonse flinches as if I hit the mark, then nods.

“Exactly. As a result, I became increasingly obsessed with it and crossed the line. I almost betrayed even the bonds of family.”

“…I see.”

“You don’t seem surprised. Did you already know?”

In a situation where even Evander Alphonse was being honest, there seemed no need to lie.

“Yes, I knew.”

“…And you stopped me through the Eastern Continent Imperial Family?”

“That’s right.”

Evander Alphonse drops his head, then raises it and smiles brightly at me.

“…Thank you. You were able to stop me.”

“No, no. It was my duty as a brother and as family.”

“Haha… Isn’t it funny? I criticized Jason Alphonse so much, but when I came to my senses, I realized I had become worse than him.”

“I’m glad you’ve come to your senses now.”

Evander Alphonse takes several deep breaths to cool the tears forming in his eyes.

“Huff… Anyway, I came here to thank you.”

“…I take it you don’t plan to return to the family?”

“How could I show my face to our parents after committing such an unfilial act?”

“Our parents don’t know what you were planning to do. Of course, Brother Leonard is also keeping quiet about it.”

“Haha… So my brothers are looking out for me?”

“I mean that there would be no problem if you returned.”

Evander Alphonse looks bewildered, as if he hadn’t expected my response at all.

“Aren’t you angry with me?”

“To be honest, I am angry. Both at you and for myself, because they are my parents too.”

“Then why are you telling me to return?”

“As I told you before, I have no desire for the position of family head. However, I think Brother Leonard is still not ready to lead the Alphonse family alone.”

“Even if you think so, Leonard might think differently?”

“Actually, Brother Leonard was the one who brought it up first. He said he wants to work with you.”

Evander Alphonse’s face turns red again, as if he’s about to cry.

He takes several deep breaths.

“…I truly feel the shame of my actions as the eldest son.”

“What’s important is that you’re repenting now, not that you’re ashamed. You can do better from now on.”

“I was planning to greet you and leave, but I’ll think about returning.”

“Why don’t you stay here for a few days and think about it?”

“Here at Lake Territory?”

“Yes, I’ll tell everyone to keep quiet about your visit to Lake Territory, so you can stay comfortably.”

Evander Alphonse gives a faint smile.

“…I’ll impose on you for a few days. I heard the Miracle Forest is quite famous in Lake Territory?”

“Wasn’t it originally the Forest of Death?”

“I know that. I heard it’s so crowded with tourists there’s barely room to step?”

“Haha! It’s not that bad. And the Miracle Forest isn’t the only place to see; please also visit the Academy. It’s one of the pride of Lake Territory.”

“Alright, for now… I’m tired and would like to rest a bit today.”

Evander Alphonse rises, following Padericks who has entered the reception room.

I also headed to my bedroom to get some sleep, as it was already getting dark.

Thud-!

I flopped down on the bed and stared blankly at the ceiling.

It would be good if Evander could support Leonard from behind when he leads the Alphonse family…

Anyway, has the family issue been somewhat resolved?

“Haah…”

So many things have happened.

How many incidents were related to my family alone?

Looking back, I felt proud of myself for how I managed to resolve them.

Now it really feels like all that’s left is marriage to one of the princesses and a sweet life.

It felt like I was heading toward the final station to put a period on everything.

“…There’s also Lucien.”

By the way.

When will her heat cycle come?

With Lord Robert around, preventing her rampage shouldn’t be a problem, but I was still worried.

According to reports, Lucien was adapting quickly to the Academy…

I hoped this peace would last as long as possible.

We’ve been running breathlessly for too long.

Tap-tap! Tap-tap!

Just then, footsteps so loud they could be heard inside my bedroom came rushing.

And then the door opened without even a knock.

Turning my head, I saw it was Jawill Wilson.

“Young master! Something terrible has happened!”

I instinctively got up when I saw Jawill Wilson’s tearful expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“An assassin has infiltrated. And Padericks and Young Master Evander Alphonse’s condition is…”

“W-what did you say!”

I immediately drew my Raiden Sword.

What kind of madman had broken through Lake Territory’s tight security?

The situation was so unexpected that I bit my lip involuntarily.

Moreover.

If someone infiltrated, they should be targeting me, so why go after innocent Padericks and Evander Alphonse?

Various thoughts floated through my mind, but I quickly pulled myself together.

“Where are Padericks and Brother Evander now?”

“In the second-floor corridor!”

I immediately ran down to the second floor.

And the moment I saw Padericks and Evander’s condition, I was at a loss for words.

“Y-young master…”

Glass shards on the floor…

Evander Alphonse’s head was already gone, only his body remained, and Padericks was on the ground, clutching the wound on his neck with his palm, looking up at me intently.

“Padericks!!”

“Young master… Didn’t I tell you to be careful…?”

I grabbed Padericks, who was looking up at me with fading eyes, and raised my voice.

“Call Rebecca right now!!”

As I cried out, Padericks grabbed my arm firmly.

“Young Master Evander Alphonse encountered the intruder and pretended to be you, but then…”

“Don’t talk! You can survive, so don’t worry!”

“…I’m relieved that at least you’re safe, young master…”

“Hey!!”

The situation was so unexpected that tears welled up with a surge of emotion.

I could feel Padericks’ breathing becoming increasingly labored.

“I hope you live the life you desire, young mas—”

Thud-!

…Padericks’ breath ceased.

At the same time, my reason also snapped.

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and looked at Jawill Wilson with cold, settled eyes.

“Jawill Wilson.”

“Y-yes, sir!”

“Who on earth killed Padericks?”

While I was looking at Jawill Wilson with bloodshot eyes, Riden Solice appeared, having captured one of the intruders.

He forced the intruder to kneel before me.

“…Young master, I’ve captured an intruder…”

“Good work, Riden Solice.”

Shing.

As I drew my Raiden Sword, the kneeling intruder raised his head.

“No matter how much you torture me, you won’t get the answer you want!”

“…No, there’s no need for that.”

“What…?”

I bent slightly at the waist, removed the mask to confirm the intruder’s face, and spoke impassively.

“I’ve memorized your face. I’ll see you again shortly.”

“W-what does that mean…?”

Sheathing my Raiden Sword back into its scabbard, I took a deep breath and muttered quietly.

“Hourglass.”

* Hourglass: Upon activation, turns back time by thirty minutes.

However, the skill permanently disappears after 3 uses.