Chapter 42

"Where is Alibret?! Why hasn't he returned?!"

We gathered as a family and held a meeting.

I, the fourth son, smiled to myself as I looked at the empty seat of my second brother.

...I was relieved that one rival was gone. With this, the possibility of me inheriting the family had slightly increased.

Now, only the eldest and the third son remain. If they could just disappear...

As I was thinking this, the third son, sweating coldly, read out a letter.

"...It seems highly likely that he was attacked by monsters in the lower world. We received a letter from the lower world's administrator, stating that the bodies of the knights were found."

Upon hearing the third son's reading, my father raised his voice in frustration.

"Are you kidding me?! What happened to Alibret?!"

"The bodies... haven't been found. It's possible that he was taken by the monsters..."

"Ah! Why? Why does God treat our family like this! This is all... that cursed child's fault!"

Father scratched his remaining hair and shouted with bloodshot eyes.

...I agree with Father.

My brother is truly incompetent.

Why didn't he speak up more strongly when he obtained the 'Gacha' ability?

If he had, our family would have been in a much better position by now.

He's a foolish brother who can't see the future.

It was the same when he was at the Knight Academy. He once embarrassed me.

A younger brother should respect and support his elder brother.

Yet, he defeated me in a duel when I challenged him.

He lacks consideration, or something like that.

I confirm that everyone's expressions are weary.

...It's about time. I have a secret plan.

"Father, shall I go and bring back that fool?"

"Can you... do it? But... many excellent knights have also died, you know?"

"Relying too much on knights isn't good. The lower world and the upper world are different. We should take a lower world administrator who knows the lower world well. It seems the elder brother didn't take one."

This was written in the letter. Everyone looks at me in surprise.

"...Impressive! To realize that, you must be a genius!?"

"...Yes. So, I would be happy if you could prepare a suitable position for him when I bring him back."

When I say this, the eldest son, Guer, flinches.

He looks at me sideways, his gaze sharp.

...I smile back, but inwardly I am cursing him.

If I bring him back, I can surpass my brother.

In the world of nobility, the positions of siblings are fixed. Normally, a younger brother cannot inherit the family.

That's why assassination incidents occur.

"But, Father. What about Alibret? Isn't it dangerous to send Leon to the lower world now?"

He tries to obstruct me.

...Of course, from Guer's perspective, his position is threatened. He can't say it honestly, of course.

Father looks at me with sudden unease.

"Is it... safe?"

"Yes. I have a secret plan. You all know how my combat skills have improved recently, right?"

"Ah... indeed. I never thought you had such power."

"Yes, so please leave it to me. I will definitely bring back that fool."

Father still looked uneasy.

This father is basically incompetent, but he loves his family deeply.

Especially after losing Mother, this has become excessive.

Crest, who killed Mother, is, of course, not part of the family.

"...I'm counting on you, Leon."

Despite this, Father gave me permission to go.

"Yes, I will take care of it."

I replied and left the meeting room.

As I walked down the corridor toward my room, Guer approached me.

"...You, don't even think about trying to drag me down from the position of heir, do you?"

"How about that? Isn't it Crest who decides, not me?"

"If you try to belittle me, I won't let you off easily!"

Guer shouted, glared at me threateningly, and then headed to his room.

I watched his back and smiled.

I felt an overwhelming sense of superiority.

The thought of Guer being afraid of me sent shivers of indescribable pleasure through my body.

After that, I returned to my room and called for a maid.

She is a woman I recently hired as a maid.

She has an excellent appearance. But... she is not human.

Normally, all non-human races are sent to the lower world. However, I hired her as a maid to use her.

"Did you call me, Master Leon?"

"Yes, I called you. Come immediately when I call, you fool."

When I shouted at her, she bowed her head.

At the same time, she deactivated her transformation.

Fox ears appeared on her head, and a fox tail emerged from the hem of her maid's skirt.

She is apparently a kitsune, a race of fox-like creatures. Well, they are essentially relatives of monsters.

She seems to be skilled in making magical items and other things, and I, being excellent, saw potential in this.

...I secretly had her make various things, and by using them, I increased my own power.

This is the real reason for the increase in my strength over the past few days.

"I plan to leave the house tomorrow and go in search of Crest."

"Crest... is your younger brother, right? The one with the interesting skill?"

"Yes. I will bring him back and put a slave collar on him. Then, Crest will do as I say."

I glanced at her wrist.

She also has a slave collar on her wrist because she is my slave.

"...I see, so you want me to make a powerful slave collar."

"Yes. Of course, you have it ready, right?"

"Yes. I have also prepared a more powerful magic stone."

"Really?"

I smiled.

The magic stones she makes can temporarily enhance one's physical strength when ingested.

Thanks to this power, I have become quite strong.

Perfect.

The Misician, Ripheld family is currently dealing with the appearance of monsters in the upper world and has not allocated personnel to search for Crest.

And I have a powerful pawn.

...Everything is flowing in my favor.

"With this... I will become the head of this family!"

"That's wonderful."

"I'm done with you. Go somewhere."

"Understood. Enjoy the effects of the magic stone to the fullest."

I kicked the smiling, twisted-lipped woman out of the room.