One sunny autumn day.
“...Ah, so? Then Vania, you, and Ryan aren’t father and daughter, but half-siblings.”
A Prince wearing a headscarf and an apron is dusting the window of my room.
Even in that cleaning outfit, his face is shining brightly.
“I will do it, Your Highness.”
Somehow, he looked like he shouldn't be asked to do anything, so I tried to move the duster, but Merchen refused.
"No way. Ryan said he'd cut my pay in half if I didn't do mt job properly."
“How much is the daily wage?”
“1 silver.”
“Huh?!”
Wow, crazy human!
You're going to erase a 20 gold debt and make him pay off 1 silver a day?
“Then you have to work for 200 days?”
“That’s what it is.”
“You said you understood that?”
“Considering the cost of living here, including eating, sleeping, and living expenses, I thought it wasn’t an unreasonable amount of money, so I agreed.”
“...”
"And didn't you say you'd take me to Farnese? If I were to work somewhere else, earn my own money, and then hire an escort and a coachman to get me home, it would be a lot harder. So, I think this is a mutually satisfactory deal."
“I see...”
The parties are satisfied, what?
“So, you have earned 10 silver coins through your labor so far, Prince.”
Today is the 10th day since I returned to Belzer.
“Yeah. I’m proud.”
“That’s fortunate.”
"Let me finish what I was saying. It's very interesting. So, your family wielded considerable influence in the empire?"
“Yes, well... I was kicked out now, so it’s not my family anymore.”
Grandfather Merchen, who is over 600 years old, did not know about the existence of the 'person with special abilities' and 'Wassenberg', who were just over 200 years old.
So I was explaining it.
"So the supernatural powers of the cult leader I saw in Romaier were actually this ability. Since you said all those with this ability are of the same bloodline, is that your half-brother?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Yes. Those with this ability deserve praise if they use their powers for such a beneficial purpose."
But it is not used for good.
I'm wondering how to explain that I'm from a corrupt family.
“In my time...”
The handsome grandfather cast 'When I Was There'.
"There was magic, but it was disappearing. Were there about ten wizards left on the continent?"
“Oh.”
“If the wizards had still remained, the monsters rampaging across the continent would have been easily subdued.”
“That would be really great.”
“But now that there is no magic, the only people capable of dealing with monsters while minimizing damage are those with special abilities.”
"...That's right."
"They willingly shoulder the responsibility of fighting monsters for the sake of peace, and the royal family should treat your family with the utmost respect. That is the only right thing to do."
As the Prince said, if only he had the power to take responsibility and be satisfied with just appropriate treatment...
Then, I wouldn't have incurred the wrath of Ryan, who had an instant death weapon, and my family wouldn't have been ruined, and I wouldn't have had to leave the house!
"But it's a little hard to understand why your biological father would drive out his incompetent children. Why would he be so cruel?"
“Don’t get me wrong. Normal parents don’t abandon their children.”
“Hmm. No, wait.”
Merchen tilted his head.
"Unlike Ryan, didn't you say you possessed a superpower? That you possessed the power to subdue the monster within me?"
I decided to slowly tell him that Ryan also has superpowers.
If Merchen found out that he was a human who could kill someone with just a snap of a finger, he might run away in shock...
"Then you should reveal that you're a person with superpowers and return to your family. Why are you here like this?"
He was puzzled.
"Your father is second only to the Emperor in status, and his wealth is among the greatest in the country. When you return, won't you be able to live a life of luxury without suffering?"
...Well, that’s a natural thought.
In fact, the reason why children who have not awakened in Wassenberg are kicked out at the age of 12 without any verification is...
'Even if it was a miscalculation by a small chance, if he developed this ability too late, there's no way he wouldn't come back on his own two feet.'
I never even dreamed of it!
Who would have thought that there would be an imperialist with the will to kill his father instead of returning to a wealthy family, even with an instant death weapon!
Anyway, that's exactly what ironically happens...
It was a blind spot in the great Wassenberg family that made them unable to imagine or prepare for Ryan's revenge.
'Huh? Wait a minute. But...'
I suddenly realized something surprising.
'The children of the father who kicked out or tried to kick out as incompetent were not actually all incompetent?'
If you think about it from the pre-regression perspective...
Fifth, Ryan, not incompetent, returned after being kicked out 20 years ago and blew up the house.
The eleventh Vania, thought to be incompetent, was discovered to possess unprecedented powers at the age of twelve.
The twelfth Alexander, found to be incompetent, awakened his powers on the battlefield where his father had sent him to die.
'As a result... There were no incompetent children among the father's 'chosen blood'.'
Clearly, some people were 'incompetent'.
Looking at the history of the family, there are records of one or two direct children of the previous heads of the Wassenberg family dying young or going missing...
'Everyone in Wassenberg knows that those people were incompetent and were either kicked out or killed.'
But maybe?
What if those incompetent people who were kicked out or died were actually people with superpowers?
What if you had a unique ability like mine that was difficult to awaken, or if you had an ability that had special conditions for manifestation, like my brother Alexander?
'It would have been... highly probable...'
If the history of those with this ability were long, it would have been possible to establish a clear standard through many samples and experiences.
But no. It happens because the family history is short...
Trial and error.
Perhaps there is no such thing as an incompetent person.
I have a question for Ryan about this family...
“Vania?”
"Ah."
Merchen called me while I was lost in thought.
“...Where did we leave off? Oh, why don’t you go home... um.”
I said, feeling depressed.
“I want to go too. I, really... want to be loved by my father and have a good relationship with my brothers...”
“...Are you okay?”
Merchen was worried.
“But that won’t work.”
It's always embarrassing to have to say with my own mouth that my house is rotten.
"Our family isn't as righteous as you think, Prince. They have no intention of taking responsibility for their power, and instead, they use it to commit many evil acts."
“...”
“They take the lives of people who are killed by monsters hostage...They do really, really bad things...”
Alphonse Lord Valensier, the Sun of the Empire, sat listlessly, his wrinkled hands folded.
The 55-year-old Emperor looked much older than his years. His hair was gray, and his blue eyes were lifeless.
“The Western Glatt’s hand situation has been given a level 1 alert.”
The Emperor spoke in a voice devoid of any majesty.
“I know.”
Duke Edgar Wassenberg, the real power in the empire, raised his teacup haughtily. His son and daughter sat on either side of him, acting as his assistants.
“Fortunately, the first one was nearby, so I was able to send him away.”
The Duke looked young and energetic, belying his age of 48.
With his dazzling golden eyes and a massive body the size of a house, those who encountered him were gripped by fear, as if they were confronting a ferocious beast.
It was the same with the Emperor.
"As you know, a Level 1 alert is a situation that's difficult to prevent with the regular military. I hope you'll do your best."
The Emperor spoke weakly.
"Of course I should. As Your Majesty's loyal subject, have I ever dared not obey an order?"
The Duke answered readily, but the Emperor's face remained dark.
Because he knew.
As always, this place is set up for negotiation.
To a robber who threatens and takes the safety of the country hostage, you must hand over the property you want...
A place for difficult negotiations.
“Haha. Is it my turn now?”
The young, beautiful blond man sitting to the Duke's right opened his mouth as if he had been waiting.
“Your Majesty, I have a new project I’m working on these days...”
It was the Duke's second son, Elliot.
“...Ah, so? Then Vania, you, and Ryan aren’t father and daughter, but half-siblings.”
A Prince wearing a headscarf and an apron is dusting the window of my room.
Even in that cleaning outfit, his face is shining brightly.
“I will do it, Your Highness.”
Somehow, he looked like he shouldn't be asked to do anything, so I tried to move the duster, but Merchen refused.
"No way. Ryan said he'd cut my pay in half if I didn't do mt job properly."
“How much is the daily wage?”
“1 silver.”
“Huh?!”
Wow, crazy human!
You're going to erase a 20 gold debt and make him pay off 1 silver a day?
“Then you have to work for 200 days?”
“That’s what it is.”
“You said you understood that?”
“Considering the cost of living here, including eating, sleeping, and living expenses, I thought it wasn’t an unreasonable amount of money, so I agreed.”
“...”
"And didn't you say you'd take me to Farnese? If I were to work somewhere else, earn my own money, and then hire an escort and a coachman to get me home, it would be a lot harder. So, I think this is a mutually satisfactory deal."
“I see...”
The parties are satisfied, what?
“So, you have earned 10 silver coins through your labor so far, Prince.”
Today is the 10th day since I returned to Belzer.
“Yeah. I’m proud.”
“That’s fortunate.”
"Let me finish what I was saying. It's very interesting. So, your family wielded considerable influence in the empire?"
“Yes, well... I was kicked out now, so it’s not my family anymore.”
Grandfather Merchen, who is over 600 years old, did not know about the existence of the 'person with special abilities' and 'Wassenberg', who were just over 200 years old.
So I was explaining it.
"So the supernatural powers of the cult leader I saw in Romaier were actually this ability. Since you said all those with this ability are of the same bloodline, is that your half-brother?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Yes. Those with this ability deserve praise if they use their powers for such a beneficial purpose."
But it is not used for good.
I'm wondering how to explain that I'm from a corrupt family.
“In my time...”
The handsome grandfather cast 'When I Was There'.
"There was magic, but it was disappearing. Were there about ten wizards left on the continent?"
“Oh.”
“If the wizards had still remained, the monsters rampaging across the continent would have been easily subdued.”
“That would be really great.”
“But now that there is no magic, the only people capable of dealing with monsters while minimizing damage are those with special abilities.”
"...That's right."
"They willingly shoulder the responsibility of fighting monsters for the sake of peace, and the royal family should treat your family with the utmost respect. That is the only right thing to do."
As the Prince said, if only he had the power to take responsibility and be satisfied with just appropriate treatment...
Then, I wouldn't have incurred the wrath of Ryan, who had an instant death weapon, and my family wouldn't have been ruined, and I wouldn't have had to leave the house!
"But it's a little hard to understand why your biological father would drive out his incompetent children. Why would he be so cruel?"
“Don’t get me wrong. Normal parents don’t abandon their children.”
“Hmm. No, wait.”
Merchen tilted his head.
"Unlike Ryan, didn't you say you possessed a superpower? That you possessed the power to subdue the monster within me?"
I decided to slowly tell him that Ryan also has superpowers.
If Merchen found out that he was a human who could kill someone with just a snap of a finger, he might run away in shock...
"Then you should reveal that you're a person with superpowers and return to your family. Why are you here like this?"
He was puzzled.
"Your father is second only to the Emperor in status, and his wealth is among the greatest in the country. When you return, won't you be able to live a life of luxury without suffering?"
...Well, that’s a natural thought.
In fact, the reason why children who have not awakened in Wassenberg are kicked out at the age of 12 without any verification is...
'Even if it was a miscalculation by a small chance, if he developed this ability too late, there's no way he wouldn't come back on his own two feet.'
I never even dreamed of it!
Who would have thought that there would be an imperialist with the will to kill his father instead of returning to a wealthy family, even with an instant death weapon!
Anyway, that's exactly what ironically happens...
It was a blind spot in the great Wassenberg family that made them unable to imagine or prepare for Ryan's revenge.
'Huh? Wait a minute. But...'
I suddenly realized something surprising.
'The children of the father who kicked out or tried to kick out as incompetent were not actually all incompetent?'
If you think about it from the pre-regression perspective...
Fifth, Ryan, not incompetent, returned after being kicked out 20 years ago and blew up the house.
The eleventh Vania, thought to be incompetent, was discovered to possess unprecedented powers at the age of twelve.
The twelfth Alexander, found to be incompetent, awakened his powers on the battlefield where his father had sent him to die.
'As a result... There were no incompetent children among the father's 'chosen blood'.'
Clearly, some people were 'incompetent'.
Looking at the history of the family, there are records of one or two direct children of the previous heads of the Wassenberg family dying young or going missing...
'Everyone in Wassenberg knows that those people were incompetent and were either kicked out or killed.'
But maybe?
What if those incompetent people who were kicked out or died were actually people with superpowers?
What if you had a unique ability like mine that was difficult to awaken, or if you had an ability that had special conditions for manifestation, like my brother Alexander?
'It would have been... highly probable...'
If the history of those with this ability were long, it would have been possible to establish a clear standard through many samples and experiences.
But no. It happens because the family history is short...
Trial and error.
Perhaps there is no such thing as an incompetent person.
I have a question for Ryan about this family...
“Vania?”
"Ah."
Merchen called me while I was lost in thought.
“...Where did we leave off? Oh, why don’t you go home... um.”
I said, feeling depressed.
“I want to go too. I, really... want to be loved by my father and have a good relationship with my brothers...”
“...Are you okay?”
Merchen was worried.
“But that won’t work.”
It's always embarrassing to have to say with my own mouth that my house is rotten.
"Our family isn't as righteous as you think, Prince. They have no intention of taking responsibility for their power, and instead, they use it to commit many evil acts."
“...”
“They take the lives of people who are killed by monsters hostage...They do really, really bad things...”
***
Alphonse Lord Valensier, the Sun of the Empire, sat listlessly, his wrinkled hands folded.
The 55-year-old Emperor looked much older than his years. His hair was gray, and his blue eyes were lifeless.
“The Western Glatt’s hand situation has been given a level 1 alert.”
The Emperor spoke in a voice devoid of any majesty.
“I know.”
Duke Edgar Wassenberg, the real power in the empire, raised his teacup haughtily. His son and daughter sat on either side of him, acting as his assistants.
“Fortunately, the first one was nearby, so I was able to send him away.”
The Duke looked young and energetic, belying his age of 48.
With his dazzling golden eyes and a massive body the size of a house, those who encountered him were gripped by fear, as if they were confronting a ferocious beast.
It was the same with the Emperor.
"As you know, a Level 1 alert is a situation that's difficult to prevent with the regular military. I hope you'll do your best."
The Emperor spoke weakly.
"Of course I should. As Your Majesty's loyal subject, have I ever dared not obey an order?"
The Duke answered readily, but the Emperor's face remained dark.
Because he knew.
As always, this place is set up for negotiation.
To a robber who threatens and takes the safety of the country hostage, you must hand over the property you want...
A place for difficult negotiations.
“Haha. Is it my turn now?”
The young, beautiful blond man sitting to the Duke's right opened his mouth as if he had been waiting.
“Your Majesty, I have a new project I’m working on these days...”
It was the Duke's second son, Elliot.
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