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“Okay… I admit it. I didn’t expect this to be inedible. So, what are we going to do now?”

It seemed my surprise at being able to move was the only thing I could rely on, but Gerald quickly regained his assertive demeanor.

“What do you mean, what are we going to do? It’s time for a generational shift.”

“That’s an arrogant statement. You’re just an A-Rank Adventurer.”

Gerald remained seated, crossing his legs casually, while the butler standing behind him pulled out a dagger from his cloak.

I wondered why someone who had prepared paralysis poison wouldn’t bring any guards; it seemed this butler was indeed his escort.

Moreover, knights rushed through the reception room door and surrounded us. But the knights didn’t quite look like knights…

If normal knights wore iron armor and wielded longswords, the ones surrounding us now were armed with a variety of weapons: hammers, flails, daggers, and even crossbows.

“Are these even real knights? Aren’t they just a bunch of thugs?”

“Yes, they are indeed thugs. To be precise, they used to be.”

Why hide it? Gerald calmly admitted.

“I like to gather talented individuals. If I see someone capable, I hire them with money. The butler behind me used to be an assassin who killed people in the back alleys. Skill-wise, he could be considered A-Rank.”

It’s remarkable how even a thug can become such a respectable butler with enough money. I’m reminded once again of the power of wealth.

“Why did you go through such trouble to prepare? Is it because of Hex?”

“…I don’t know how much you know, but this is just precaution. What kind of fool wouldn’t prepare after the ancestors faced such incidents in the past?”

“That’s a fair point.”

Clearing my throat to gather attention, it seemed the small talk was now over, as Gerald spoke.

“Now, everyone present here is between B and A-Rank, but do you honestly think you can take down all of us by yourself?”

I never engage in fights I cannot win. It appears Gerald thinks the same way. When both sides think they can win, it usually comes down to who has prepared more. In truth, I hadn’t really prepared much.

Gerald’s inability to gather information was evident then and there. Even though I’m currently A-Rank, once I meet an Alchemist, it’ll just be a matter of time before I reach S-Rank.

In other words, if anyone wants to challenge me now, it has to be either the Empire’s army or an S-Rank Adventurer or S-Rank Monster.

Without knowing that, these street thugs thought they could take me on.

Seeing is believing. I made quick work of all the knights, reducing them to a state of incapacitation.

There were clattering sounds from all around. This included the butler hiding behind Gerald.

“…!?”

Of course, they would be surprised. Everyone who has seen this skill has called it blood magic.

Sometimes, I feel like my skill could indeed resemble blood magic. After all, I’m using powers that feel like superhuman abilities in a world of magic.

Anyway, that’s that. What matters right now is something else.

“Now, do you have anything else prepared?”

“…Do you think you can kill me, the head of a dukedom, and still walk away unscathed?”

“Oh, is that what you mean?”

In fact, when I asked the Emperor yesterday if I could wipe out a family, he replied that it depended on which family it was.

From that remark, it seemed some families wouldn’t be missed from the Emperor’s perspective.

“Unfortunately, I was told that the Winchester family should not be destroyed.”

At my words, Gerald smirked. It was a laugh that seemed to mock the mere adventurer for thinking he could do anything.

“So it’s agreed that the family will stay intact, but the head will change.”

“What…?”

If a family suddenly disappeared overnight, there would definitely be issues. But if the family stays while only the head is replaced?

There would be problems, but since the head of the dukedom would die, I’m sure the next duke would handle the aftermath.

“Why are you so shocked? People are bound to die eventually.”

In the end, everyone dies. No matter how much this person has revived the family or led it to ruin, once they die, the position of head of the family will inevitably change.

“Besides, there won’t be a problem with the head, right? I’ve trained my son diligently to take over the position.”

I couldn’t recall his name, but Riche has an older brother. Riche is 20, and if we assume her older sister is 21, her brother must be at least 22 by now.

But that’s just the minimum example because siblings in this era often have significant age gaps; he might be over 30, or if lucky, close to 30.

Such a person would have been trained to take over the position of head, so he wouldn’t be lacking in that regard, right?

“How do you know all this…?”

“I read it in a novel.”

“…?”

This level of information is basic knowledge for a reader. If someone transmigrates into a novel but has no information, then it’s hardly a transformation but more like reincarnation.

“The reason you’ll die is simple. You’re too tenacious and annoying.”

In the original story, there was an inflated arc. It was just supposed to be an easy event, but Gerald interfered with Arthur. Thus, I can expect interruptions as long as I’m alongside Riche.

If that’s the case, killing off the root cause would be the smoothest way to handle things instead of forcibly chasing Riche away.

“Riche. Is it okay if I kill your father?”

“Ah… uh…”

Did I hit her with paralysis poison? But isn’t it better for her if this person dies anyway? I turned my gaze back to Gerald.

“Then do you have any last words before you die?”

“…”

“Are you sulking? Why did you go mute when you were just talking? You’re going to die, so say something. Giving you the opportunity for a last will is a tremendous act of mercy, you know?”

Have I ever allowed last words to those I’ve killed before? No, in fact, I’ve always found it a waste of time and killed them before they could say anything. Therefore, giving Gerald a chance for last words itself is a huge act of mercy.

Still, it seemed like he had something to say, as his lips began to move softly.

“…You’ll eventually be cursed and die if you keep hanging around.”

“That’s a pretty funny last word.”

To say something like that right before dying. What a natural performer; maybe you should consider streaming in your next life?

“But let me tell you something fun.”

As I watched the resigned Gerald, I continued.

“With status effect resistance, I don’t get cursed.”

“…”

You know, Gerald, don’t you ever wonder how you will die?

“Gerald. Do you know what it means to die by money?”

“…?”

In the real world, we often hear the saying of dying by money. I just happen to have a lot of coinage left over from the competition for my slot machine in my inventory.

“You tried to control people with money, so you’ll die beaten by money.”

Picking up some coins with my fingers, I took aim at Gerald and prepared to fire. My accuracy was better than I anticipated. I just tossed them casually, and they landed right in his face.

“Ugh?!”

“Nice shot, Boss!”

Eventually, I managed to insert one coin between my five fingers like a magician. After fiddling with my fingers a bit, I tossed them up as if scattering beans.

The coins flew like shrapnel, some hitting Gerald’s face and bouncing off, while others lodged firmly into his skin.

“Ughhh…!”

You know, usually streamers who get hit by money seem to enjoy it despite their struggles. Why does Gerald look so gloomy when he’s being given money? I just don’t get it.

If someone threw money at me, I’d probably just say thank you and pick it up without a second thought. This goes to show that rich folks don’t understand the value of money. Only someone like me, a commoner, would know.

I kept throwing coins at Gerald’s face. His clothing protected his body, so they didn’t get lodged as well. The face is where the real fun is.

“Mission: Make him ugly.”

I glanced at Gerald’s face.

“Congratulations, you succeeded. Here’s your reward.”

I kindly planted a coin right in the center of his forehead. Stepping back to observe Gerald’s face, it looked quite decent.

The human version of a cactus. Coin head.

Riche’s eyes widened at the sight. Her pupils were shaking, and her limbs trembled as if she were ready to sprint away at any moment.

But due to being hit by paralysis poison, she couldn’t take her eyes off the coin-headed Gerald. Ultimately, she chose to close her eyes and escape reality.

*

After everything was over, I realized that one can truly die from being hit by money.

The knights who had surrounded us surrendered after concluding they couldn’t win against me. Regardless of the money-related connection, their lives were inevitably more important.

The three incapacitated by paralysis were laid on the sofa in the reception room until they woke up, while I stepped outside to take a stroll in the garden to catch some fresh air.

Gerald’s funeral couldn’t be held right away. There were preparations to be made, and for now, the rumor needed to be suppressed and the chaos calmed.

During this garden stroll, I heard a voice behind me.

“Isn’t it pretty?”

Turning around, I found a tall, handsome man standing there.

“Sorry for the late introduction. I’m Duke Winchester, Riche’s older brother.”

“Unexpected, huh?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re standing right in front of your father’s enemy, and you aren’t feeling anything?”

“Ah… so that’s what you meant.”

Duke let out a self-deprecating laugh.

“Someone had to do it eventually.”

That’s a relief. If he charged in, referring to me as his father’s nemesis, I’d have an additional person to deal with.

“Why didn’t you do it sooner?”

“Haha…”

He turned his gaze back to the garden.

“This garden… was originally tended by my mother, but after she passed away, a caretaker was appointed, and now only this flower blooms here.”

A thin, elongated stem, topped with small white flowers. Unlike a typical garden, this one had only flowers of the same type planted to an unusual degree.

“The common hedgehog flower. It symbolizes deep longing and is a gift to you.”

Here was some knowledge I hadn’t known before. I’m not sure how much I will retain it.

“But you must have heard the commotion in the reception room just now. Why didn’t you come to check?”

“Such things have happened more than once, you see.”

That explains it. Despite the chaos erupting, he remained composed.

“By any chance… how much did you hear about Riche’s family situation?”

“What about it?”

“Our family matter.”

Riche hadn’t mentioned a single word to him. I just know because I read it in the novel.

“I know everything.”

“Is that so…”

There’s no need to expound upon it. Riche had secretly gone to play in the forest as a child and met some bandits, and her mother only recognized the trouble too late, dying in the process of saving her.

But it could be inferred from all current circumstances that the obsessed Gerald projected all his failures onto his daughter and subsequently became twisted.

“Luke. May I ask you a favor despite this intrusion?”

“Go ahead.”

“I beg you to take good care of Riche…”

“That depends on Riche herself as well.”

“I will take care of all the aftermath of today’s incident.”

“Well, I’ll consider some leniency.”

*

Time passed, and I heard that Riche had headed to her room after the paralysis lifted. I set off for Riche’s room, but where was it exactly?

“Is this it?”

-Creak.

“Ahhhh?!”

Upon opening the door, I found an unfamiliar woman changing her clothes inside.

“I’ll take my leave.”

I quickly shut the door again. Seriously, how am I supposed to find Riche’s room in this huge mansion? If these people are going to offer directions, they should at least give complete ones and not omit the important bits.

Eventually, I stumbled into Riche’s room. Upon entering, I saw that it was much simpler and more modest than the other rooms I had seen. Just a plain bed, a closet, and a small desk. That was all.

Riche wasn’t lying in bed but was huddled up against the corner, sitting on the floor.

“Are you okay?”

“…I’m not okay.”

Yeah, I can see that. I just asked to be polite. It seemed like Riche had been crying, as her voice was hoarse.

“If you feel resentment, why not take revenge? Your target is right in front of you.”

“…Fine. But it’s obvious responding means just being hit back; you didn’t say I’d have to react.”

Wow. She knows me too well.

“Why are you even here…?”

“I’m staying here for the night and heading to the Empire tomorrow.”

“…Got it.”

“…”

“…”

A brief silence fell.

“Did you know? All of our party members are orphans?”

Considering everything, Luke qualifies as an orphan, Luna’s family is all dead, and for Yui, given her lack of any given background, it’s safe to assume she’s also likely an orphan.

And now Riche became an orphan just today. It wasn’t intentional on my part; it just turned out this way.

“Are you offering that as comfort right now?”

“Ah, don’t be silly.”

I just blurted out a random thought. I promised myself that I wouldn’t comfort others in my life. I recall back in elementary school, I told a friend whose parents died in an accident that at least now there was no one to scold him, and he cried.

‘Comforting’s an area of talent.’

I’m great at provoking, but terrible at comforting.

Just as I was about to head back to where Luna and Yui were staying, in the guest room,

“Hey… why did my father have to die?”

She grabbed my attention with her words.

“Was your father a demon? Is that why he had to die…?”

“No? He was just an ordinary human.”

“Then why…?”

“Because he was trash.”

He was a person who might pop out at any time and interfere in everything. Why would I need to keep him alive?

“If that’s the case, shouldn’t you die too…?”

“Isn’t it because no one has shown up capable of killing me until now that I’m still alive?”

I won’t deny that I’m trash. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind dying, but it just happens that I could continue living. However, the reason I’m still alive is that no one has appeared who could take my life yet.

If either Dean Lucia or Weapon Master Gideon had wanted me dead, they could have easily done it long ago, but both prefer to avoid unnecessary killing.

“Do you regret it? If so, you don’t have to follow me.”

I told her. I’d said it before. If she wanted to seek justice, she should follow the toilet. By following the toilet, she’d encounter obstacles, but Gerald would still be alive.

Having dropped out of the Academy and now that the mastermind behind the trauma was eliminated, wouldn’t it be better just to lounge around the family?

“…No, I don’t really regret it. My father wasn’t a good person anyway…”

“I know that.”

“But still… how do I say this… I just wasn’t prepared mentally.”

I don’t know what getting prepared mentally changes, anyway.

“Luke. Can you come to my room tonight?”

“Why?”

“Just hold me while I sleep…”

Asking the person who killed your father to sleep with you? She must not be in her right mind.

“Are you planning to stab me once I’ve fallen asleep?!”

“…It’s nothing like that.”

How would she even assassinate me? I wouldn’t die with a single stab, and even frying me with magic wouldn’t work.

I shrugged and replied.

“Fine.”

That night, I enjoyed a delightful meal accompanied by Riche.

 

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