Ch.7575. Please pick up the wooden sword on the floor again.

THWACK-!

A dull sound echoed through the vast forest.

Followed by an unceasing scream.

“AAGH! W-wait!! What did I do wrong?! It’s not like our Alphonse family is any worse than them!!”

Selden Alphonse held a wooden sword in his hand with a chilling smile and spoke.

“Pick up your wooden sword from the ground.”

Leonard gulped nervously.

The first and second sons with their exceptional swordsmanship talents.

And he even acknowledged that he was less skilled than the third child, Miria Alphonse.

However, wasn’t Selden Alphonse his younger brother?

Moreover, he was the youngest who never put in any effort and constantly caused trouble.

Thanks to that, Leonard had been able to hold his head high in the family, but now what was this situation…

Leonard took small steps backward, unable to believe the reality before him.

“Brother, where are you going?”

“Y-you bastard!! You dare strike your heaven-sent brother? Do you think Father will let this slide if he finds out?!”

“Is it so wrong for brothers to practice swordsmanship together with wooden swords?”

“…Stay away from me, you bastard!”

Leonard wasn’t the type to feel anxious when looking at his talented brothers and sister.

Why?

Because he had lived with some satisfaction by comparing himself to his much less capable younger brother, ‘Selden Alphonse’.

I’m not the worst one in the family.

No matter what I do wrong, I’ll get less criticism than Selden.

Such complacent thoughts dominated his mind.

While others desperately strived to reach higher, Leonard instead breathed a sigh of relief looking at Selden Alphonse who was beneath him.

When Selden was exiled to Lake Territory, the most anxious person was actually Leonard.

He worried that the arrows of criticism that had been aimed at Selden would now be directed at him.

And so.

Leonard had to live quietly like a mouse in the family without Selden.

With his reliable shield who covered up his mistakes now exiled, he could only wait for the day of his return to the family.

-I heard Young Master Selden earned enormous profits for the family with Peil fruit?

-S-Selden? Are you confusing him with another young master?

-I’m certain! I heard it from a knight in Lake Territory! They say he’s been consistently practicing swordsmanship these days.

Profits from Peil fruit?

Swordsmanship training for someone with no talent?

He thought it was just desperation.

He too had once struggled to surpass his brothers and sister.

How much self-doubt had he experienced each time?

He thought that with a little more time, Selden would be no different from himself.

That’s why he tried not to listen to these unsettling rumors.

-This time, Young Master Selden was invited to the Imperial Palace by the Princess.

-That’s impossible… Even the first and second young masters have never been invited to the Imperial Palace.

-If he returns to the family like this, the succession battle will become really fierce.

-Is it that serious?

-Of course! Just having connections to the Imperial Family is incredibly significant!!

However.

Selden’s influence grew uncontrollably.

Even the first and second sons seemed concerned, as they occasionally asked Leonard about their youngest brother’s well-being.

Why on earth?

Selden was always beneath me!?

The more he thought about it, the less he understood.

What could he have done to establish connections with the Imperial Family…

Leonard believed that Selden was just lucky, as always.

At least until just moments ago.

CLANG-!

THUD-! THWACK-!

Unable to properly respond even once, Leonard dropped his wooden sword to the ground and screamed again.

“AAAAGH!!”

“Why do you keep putting down your sword? Do you dislike practicing swordsmanship with your brother that much?”

“Y-you… what are you… what secret technique did you use to improve your skills so much in such a short time?!”

“Don’t you think you’ve been neglecting your sword training, brother?”

“Th-that can’t be. Except for our older brothers and sister, I practiced the hardest!!”

Selden coldly stared at Leonard, who continued to back away.

“The problem is that you were satisfied with practicing less than our other siblings.”

“I-I don’t know what opportunity you’ve found, but do you think you can win against our brothers in the succession battle!?”

“I don’t know, but today I’ve learned one thing for certain. That I can defeat you.”

“W-why are you doing this… What did I ever do wrong to you?”

“You should consider yourself fortunate. Since we’re going to the Imperial Palace together, I’m not hitting your face.”

Leonard whimpered and assumed a submissive posture.

Weak before the strong, and mercilessly strong before the weak.

Just that kind of person.

Even so.

Selden’s heart did not soften one bit.

He knew well, didn’t he?

When you step on someone, you must do it thoroughly.

So thoroughly that they won’t even dream of revenge out of fear.

THWACK-! THWACK-!

“…I’m sorry.”

“Pardon? I can’t hear you.”

“I said I’m sorry… please forgive me.”

Selden exhaled deeply.

He needed to go to the Imperial Palace and was wasting time.

Plus, the knights waiting in the carriage in the distance…

Selden bent down to meet the eyes of Leonard, who had collapsed on the ground, and slowly spoke.

“There won’t be a second act of mercy.”

*

“Have you been well?”

“Yes, I’ve just been resting comfortably in the territory.”

“I heard you were exiled for causing trouble… but you say you’ve been resting well? How fortunate you are.”

After arriving at the Imperial Palace, Leonard and I were each shown to our rooms.

While I was alone unpacking my belongings, the person who came to visit was none other than Princess Etherian.

By the way.

If she has complaints, she could just say so directly, why does she keep making these snide remarks?

Could it be that she’s still holding a grudge from when I teased her before?

She acts so cool, but why is she being so petty?

I looked at Princess Etherian with a mischievous expression.

“Have you been investigating me again?”

“In-investigating?! Why would I be afraid enough to investigate you!?”

“Then how did you know?”

“I investigated you openly!!”

“Haha, is that so?”

When I laughed, Princess Etherian tilted her head forward and narrowed her brows.

“You seem to have become quite comfortable with me.”

“Ahem! Anyway, thank you for inviting me to your birthday banquet.”

“Are you truly grateful?”

“What do you mean…?”

“Anyone can see you were resting well in Lake Territory, so you’re not displeased?”

I expected this, but she’s still confrontational from the start.

Still, I can tell she doesn’t have the same hostility toward me as before.

It’s just Princess Etherian’s mischievous personality.

I spread my palms and waved them hurriedly.

“Not at all. I was quite disappointed that I couldn’t properly see the Imperial Palace last time.”

“Well, that was because of me.”

“Please don’t say that. Didn’t I survive thanks to you, Princess?”

“I also survived thanks to you, so there’s nothing to be grateful for.”

“…Thank you.”

Princess Etherian’s banquet was two days away, and I was planning to relax in my room and then go out to see the city, but why is she lingering here…

Befitting her royal blood, even drinking a cup of tea exuded an air of classical elegance.

Normally, thirty minutes would be plenty of time to finish tea, but she’s been gazing out the window leisurely for an hour now.

Even so.

There wasn’t much conversation.

Apart from occasionally hesitating before asking questions, she just kept staring out the window.

I too, since being reborn as ‘Selden Alphonse,’ had been moving at a breathless pace, so I thought I deserved to enjoy this moment of leisure.

“…Isn’t it difficult being in exile?”

After seemingly deep in thought for quite some time, Princess Etherian finally spoke.

I answered with a gentle smile.

“It’s all because of my own mistakes. It’s only natural to face hardship when being punished.”

“From what I’ve investigated, you were exiled for frequenting pleasure quarters?”

“That’s right. It was my immature behavior and my fault.”

“How amusing.”

“…Haha, I have nothing to say if you mock me.”

Princess Etherian placed her teacup on the table and looked out the window again.

“No, that’s not what I meant. I just thought you might have deliberately acted like a troublemaker.”

“…Pardon?”

“Isn’t it funny? That someone who supposedly spent every day drunk in pleasure quarters suddenly changed after being exiled.”

I’m not sure what she’s getting at, but if she investigated ‘Selden Alphonse,’ it’s reasonable for her to be suspicious.

Haven’t I been questioned by Padericks and many others already?

“I’ve just changed a little bit, that’s all.”

“Isn’t exile difficult?”

“It’s fine. Besides, I’m incredibly grateful that you’ve invited me here for a change of scenery.”

When I slightly bowed my head, Princess Etherian cleared her throat as if embarrassed.

“Ahem!! If exile is difficult, I could help you…”

“No need. My exile period is almost over, and I’d like to resolve it myself until the end.”

“If that’s your wish, I understand. By the way, around the time your exile ends, you’ll have your coming-of-age ceremony, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Then, Princess Etherian turned her gaze from the window to me, and with a reddened face, continued.

“Have you decided on someone to marry?”