The Terminally Ill Young Master is the Mad Dog of the Underworld
Chapter 241

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]

Chapter 241: The Night Is Not Yet Over

The long-awaited contest between the two ducal clans ended once again with Grunewald's victory.

However, both the victorious Grunewald side and the utterly defeated Valkenhain side were conversing amicably in the banquet hall.

"Today, Young Master Allenvert certainly made an impressive debut."

"Indeed."

Reinholdt set down his wine glass.

"Mm, Grunewald's wine truly is the kingdom's finest."

"Absolutely."

Special Operations Division Grand Commander Heinrix chuckled.

"Though I'm also fond of Valkenhain's brandy. Each liquor has its own unique taste, after all."

"Valkenhain's grapes have high acidity and low sugar content. The climate is also cooler compared to Grunewald, with insufficient sunlight."

Reinholdt explained.

"However, we produce very high-quality oak, so our craftsmen have been creating brandies with distinctive flavors using their secret techniques."

"Heh heh, once you taste it, it's hard to forget."

"The craftsmen would be delighted to receive recognition from a connoisseur like Sir Heinrix."

Meanwhile, Grunewald's Royal Guard Grand Commander Dietrich joined their conversation.

"What are you two discussing so enthusiastically?"

"Oh, Grand Commander Dietrich."

Heinrix, who usually had a subtle relationship with him, shrugged his shoulders.

"We were talking about alcohol, which the Grand Commander doesn't drink much."

"That's... ahem. Personally, alcohol doesn't agree with me."

"I suppose so, since one glass of wine turns your face red."

Sensing the conversation turning childish, Reinholdt cleared his throat.

"Ahem, anyway, how did you two view today's contest?"

"What's there to say? Young people these days are frightening. The day we're overtaken isn't far off."

Heinrix joked around.

"It was like watching His Grace in his youth."

Then Dietrich, looking somewhat displeased, took Verdzig's side.

"To me, it looked like Young Master Verdzig from a few years ago."

"Hmm."

Heinrix exhaled with a strange expression.

"Well, it's a bit regrettable that he couldn't stand on this stage due to his age not matching. Though of course, his accumulated achievements far exceed that."

"Good grief."

Finally unable to bear it, Heinrix chuckled.

"Our Royal Guard Grand Commander really works hard. Spouting such random nonsense."

"Shut up."

Reinholdt watched the two with curious eyes.

'Though they seem somewhat unreliable, these are the core of the core supporting Grunewald Duchy's military.'

Moreover, he confirmed anew that neither was beneath him in rank.

'Especially Heinrix...'

A drop of cold sweat formed on Reinholdt's palm.

'I could never match him.'

He was once again realizing with his whole body the overwhelming power of the giant called Grunewald.

'Surpassing Grunewald won't be easy for us in this generation either.'

***

Ulbhild and Karl approached Siena to greet her.

"Young Lady Siena, that was truly an impressive fight."

"Valkenhain's future looks bright."

"Young Lady Ulbhild, Eldest Young Master Karl."

Siena bowed to the two.

"I learned much today."

Ulbhild's eyes immediately lit up as she launched into a lengthy discourse.

"Especially the flawless combinations of the Black Hawk Soul-Binding Sword Technique and the exquisite technique of ensnaring enemies..."

Ulbhild continued while drawing sword paths in the air with her hands.

"And then the Black Dragon Scale Lock Armor was simply admirable."

"Um, please calm down a bit."

"No, Young Lady."

The martial arts fanatic spirit possessed Ulbhild's eyes.

"Though Allen's Soul-Penetrating Black Moon was impressive, conversely, the fact that it could only be broken by using the Penetration technique to bypass that barrier was surprisingly remarkable. If I had been there, whether I could have broken it is questionable, and furthermore..."

"Please, please calm down."

Even Siena momentarily faltered and overwhelmed.

"Young Lady Siena, I'm currently training in the Snow Blossom Sword Technique, an ice technique. If you don't mind, shall we have a match?"

"Uh? I appreciate the offer, but I have a schedule..."

"If that's difficult, a sword discussion would be fine too. Of course, the process and results would be kept secret, so please..."

"I'm sorry!"

As Siena fled, Karl, who hadn't even gotten a chance to speak, sighed.

"...Ulbhild."

"Hmm, I suppose I was too hasty. I thought we could have a proper conversation since she's a Young Lady."

"If you were trying to interfere with me, you succeeded."

"Brother, why do you say such hurtful things?"

Ulbhild looked up with wounded eyes.

"But what were you going to say?"

Karl replied with a strange expression.

"Nothing important."

Meanwhile, Siena, who had fled from Ulbhild, walked toward where Reinholdt was.

'Young Lady Ulbhild... her position as 2nd seat in the Ete Nistyrnur was definitely not gained through empty reputation.'

Against Karl, her win rate would be at least fifty percent.

But against Ulbhild, it would be difficult to exceed ten percent.

'Moreover, I heard Young Master Verdzig is a true genius on a different level from even Young Lady Ulbhild.'

Adding Allenvert, who had defeated her today, that made four people already at her level or above.

'...Ridiculous. There probably isn't another clan like this on the entire continent.'

The golden generation must refer to the current Grunewald.

'No matter who among them inherits the ducal title, Grunewald will remain strong.'

If they unite instead of splitting apart, their strength would be immeasurable.

'But...'

She gained one certainty today.

Despite all of Verdzig Grunewald's evil reputation and infamy, considering everything...

'Won't that man ultimately be the final victor?'

Even if he loses, if he has no place left in the clan, that would truly be a waste.

'...Could Valkenhain embrace that man then? For instance, Deril...'

Siena, who had momentarily fallen into various fantasies, cleared her throat unnecessarily before asking Reinholdt.

"Ahem, anyway, Grand Commander."

"Yes."

"Who was 3rd seat in the Ete Nistyrnur?"

Reinholdt answered immediately.

"Young Master Adalwolf, second son of Marquis Abelk."

"How convenient."

Siena nodded.

"Let's arrange an appointment with him as soon as we return. Tell him I'll come personally."

"Will that be alright?"

"I've confirmed that I still can't beat Young Lady Ulbhild. So I should aim for those below her."

Then Reinholdt grinned.

"Another upheaval will occur. If he's sitting in a position beyond his abilities, he should rightfully yield it to you, Young Lady."

The 6th seat in the Ete Nistyrnur was a ranking assigned before Siena gained her current power anyway.

So with her current strength, having reached the early 6th tier and mastered both the Black Hawk Soul-Binding Sword Technique and the Falling Star Beneath the Azure Night Cultivation technique, she could certainly defeat Young Master Adalwolf.

'Rather than training while staring at walls, the presence of powerful rivals indeed makes warriors stronger.'

Reinholdt thought.

'The Young Lady will become even stronger.'

By the way...

'His face is really fucking handsome.'

Reinholdt glanced sideways at Allenvert with inner admiration.

'They say he inherited his mother's beauty directly.'

With the famous Lady Lusatia, Grunewald's 4th Duchess, and Allenvert standing side by side, they looked like elves who had come to observe humans.

***

"Congratulations, Allen. That was truly a magnificent match."

I bowed lightly to Mother.

"Without what I learned from Mother and Granduncle, such a victory would have been difficult."

"You're being too modest."

Mother smiled gently.

"It's the truth."

Thanks to knowledge about dark mana and Balthazar's teachings about the Penetration technique, I was barely able to complete the Soul-Penetrating Black Moon.

"But Allen, though this is the first time I've actually seen you fight, really..."

Mother, who was about to say something, suddenly hardened her expression.

"Mother?"

"...It's nothing."

Seeing her complicated expression, perhaps Mother was...

I thought she might have been about to say I 'resembled Father' but stopped herself abruptly.

'The love-hate relationship between them still hasn't been resolved.'

What resolution? They haven't even had a private conversation yet.

'I noticed they didn't exchange a single word earlier.'

I thought of Father, who hadn't shown his face at this event.

'...This man. I understand you're too ashamed, but...'

Still, you should reconcile.

Or should I go directly and stir things up?

'Being a son is quite exhausting.'

"By the way, Mother, those two seem to have found some common ground."

I looked at Barclava and Jillian, who were sitting shoulder to shoulder, cutting meat with slightly awkward faces.

"Indeed. Have they developed a friendship?"

"Or perhaps the little ones with outstanding siblings are feeling sympathy for each other."

I chuckled.

"Allen, look over there."

Mother gently pulled my arm.

"Young Lady Siena is coming."

"!"

Mother naturally stepped aside.

"You two must have much to discuss. Mom will go over there."

"No, wait a moment."

As Mother disappeared with expectant eyes, Siena approached me with a slightly hesitant face.

"Young Master, may we talk for a moment?"

"...Yes. Sure."

"It's a bit awkward to do it here. Would the balcony be alright?"

"Ah, that's a bit..."

I don't want any misunderstandings.

"..."

Siena opened her mouth with a slightly disappointed expression.

"Never mind, it's not a long conversation anyway, so I'll keep it brief."

"Please speak."

"...I'm going to defeat Adalwolf Abelk, the 3rd seat of Ete Nistyrnur, as soon as I return."

"Oh!"

Then I'll sit back and enjoy the benefits of promotion.

"Were you really planning to do that?"

"The 7th seat position isn't quite satisfying."

"Mm. The rankings do need normalization."

I nodded.

"...Get stronger until we meet again. I'll also strive to improve."

"Are you planning to come here again?"

"No? At least not next time."

Siena looked at me with a strange expression.

"...You don't seem to know yet."

For some reason, Siena seemed somewhat surprised.

"What are you talking about?"

"It's nothing."

***

After the gathering ended, a visitor came to see me as I lay in bed after bathing.

"Young Master, it's been a while."

"Must you come at such an hour?"

"Haha."

I grumbled at Venion as I sat in a chair.

"So what's the matter? Lord Venion, sword instructor, Intelligence Director, and Shadow Division head."

"Well, as a teacher, I wanted to congratulate my student's growth."

"I'm sure."

"There's something I need to tell you."

Venion cleared his throat and changed his tone.

"...Do you remember retrieving Countess Webern's tiara?"

"Of course."

I vividly remember seeing through that bastard Mordecai's scam and killing them all.

"You also remember that the tiara was needed for a man named Kailan Webern's revenge war, right?"

"Of course."

"The time for revenge is approaching."

"!"

I also asked in a lowered voice.

"Is war starting?"

"With just a bit more time and the right trigger."

Venion answered.

"...I see."

"And actually, there was a betting condition for this contest."

"What was it?"

"As you might guess, Grunewald can't directly intervene to attack the Marquis Belorok clan."

"Mm."

That's obvious. A territorial war, especially between a duchy and a marquisate, would require all sorts of diplomatic bullshit just to get approval.

"Therefore, it's realistic to provide support from the shadows under Kailan Webern's banner, who has strong justification."

"Of course."

"Here's the important part."

Venion grinned.

"The two clans agreed to give command of the allied forces supporting Kailan Webern to the winner of this contest."

"...!"

I asked in surprise.

"Then hastily selecting a personal guard was also...?"

"Bingo. Young Master Verdzig has already been given command of one battalion of the Royal Guard."

"...I still can't fully read Father's thoughts."

I realized anew.

'This must be what Siena meant.'

If I had lost, Siena would have received the command.

'Whew, Karzan nearly ended up taking orders from someone else.'

I couldn't stand that.

"Of course, it's not confirmed yet."

Venion said.

"His Grace views Kailan Webern as having the makings of a great hero. Therefore, he intends to send someone who won't lose in strategy as well as martial prowess as the clan's representative."

"...Indeed."

Under such conditions, Ulbhild wouldn't quite fit. Besides, she has no interest in the ducal title.

'Sorry to Karl, but he's definitely lacking in the strategic aspect.'

"Then does Father plan to send me or my brother?"

"Who knows what that man is thinking."

Venion shrugged.

"By the way, young master, will you sleep early tonight?"

"Why do you ask that?"

"As your teacher and Intelligence Director, let me give you one piece of advice."

Venion whispered.

"It would be good to stay awake late tonight."

"...What does that mean?"

Of course, Venion was not a man who answered such questions.

"It's a secret. But it's quite a significant matter."

I grumbled.

"This isn't teasing people or anything."

Venion grinned.

"I've clearly warned you."

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]

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