The Terminally Ill Young Master is the Mad Dog of the Underworld - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: The Brothers of Grunewald

“What did you just say?”

Somerset furrowed his brow at my greeting.

“How vulgar. Where on earth did you learn such manners?”

I scratched my ear and retorted.

“I was just greeting you.”

Judging by his immediately aggressive response, it seemed he had also been sizing me up.

This was the reaction I had expected. Of course, I had no intention of getting along with this fellow from the start.

“No matter how deprived you are of proper etiquette education, your lack of dignity is astounding. Didn’t your servants teach you anything?”

Somerset scolded me in a rage-filled voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Truly, how far will you shame our family name.”

“Oh.”

My, how ardently he loves his family name.

Somerset ostentatiously sat as far from me as possible.

“Bring me some water.”

“Yes, sir.”

The maid hurried to bring the water, her back drawing Somerset’s sticky gaze.

‘My, how blatant.’

I recalled Ludan’s words about Somerset being the most frequent visitor to erotic literature collections.

I had mentally noted him as the kind of man who not only indulges in carnal pleasures but also has a sinister air about him.

‘My judgment was accurate.’

Even as he sipped the water, his eyeballs were rolling around lecherously. This fellow, judging by his appearance, will likely sire many bastards when he’s older.

‘What a lamentable man.’

In the underworld, there are many men like him, consumed by women and debauchery.

‘According to Olivier’s assessment…’

Somerset has a rough, simple, and hasty temper. He’s a typical martial type. Just by looking at his physique, one can tell that his martial prowess and talent are considerable.

‘But he doesn’t seem to be of the intelligent type.’

Although his mother, the Third Lady, and her relatives are coddling and pushing him as the next heir.

If he becomes the Duke, those same relatives will likely suck the life out of him, as Olivier had assessed.

‘I see. He acts like a hoodlum, but there is likely someone behind the scenes pulling the strings.’

He’s a grown-up brat who has only known the comfort of his mother’s skirts, and his head has grown thick as a result. That’s why his head is so large – is his hat a custom-made one?

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“I don’t know why people in this house have such a problem with people’s eyes.”

“What did you say, you brat?”

Intense hostility burst out like a shockwave.

‘Not bad.’

His hair was fluttering, and the tablecloth was flapping. He must have consumed a lot of good tonics.

‘His raw power is considerable.’

But his actions are reckless, and I don’t sense any calmness in him.

That’s why, despite his formidable strength, he doesn’t scare me at all.

“Calm down, brother. Did you come here to fight? You’re not some street thug, so what’s the meaning of this…”

“Shut up.”

As I gently scratched the surface, a violent reaction immediately sprang forth.

Somerset crumpled the silver cup in his hand and flung it to the floor.

“Oh dear, that was an expensive one.”

“What a waste. How poor must you have been to make such a fuss over a mere silver cup?”

He’s quite arrogant for someone who has never earned a penny with his own hands.

“I envy your luxurious lifestyle, brother.”

Realizing that the level of their conversation had degraded significantly, Somerset sighed.

“Forget it. It’s meaningless to exchange words with you.”

I also decided to stop the probing at this point. If a real fight broke out, I still don’t have the means to defeat him, but that’s not the reason.

‘I’ve gotten the gist of your level. How tedious.’

At the age of twenty, to be this simple-minded, his conduct and political acumen in aristocratic society would be difficult to expect.

I don’t know how formidable the influence of the Third Lady’s family is, but if I were the head of the clan, I would never entrust the clan to this man.

In other words, his threat level as a rival is low. The cunning and prudence I sensed from Verdzig, the Second Master, is lacking in Somerset.

‘There’s nothing more to see from him.’

Watching the man who didn’t seem threatening at all as an opponent, I chuckled.

‘As they say, reputation never lies.’

“What’s so funny that you’re laughing like that?”

“I’m just happy to see my brother again after so long.”

Somerset snorted dismissively at my nonsense.

An attendant standing at the door shouted.

“First Young Master has entered.”

“So you were already here.”

“Big brother!”

A towering man with black hair and brown eyes approached with a weighty gait.

‘Ah, that must be the First Young Master of Grunewald.’

Karl Grunewald.

His hair color was distinctly different from the typical blonde of the Barclava or the slightly brownish blonde of Somerset.

“Big brother, you’ve arrived.”

I ostentatiously showed deference to Karl. In fact, this man was also one of my main targets for today.

“Allenvert. It’s been a long time.”

“It’s an honor to see you.”

Seemingly irritated by my attitude, which was the complete opposite of his own, Somerset muttered under his breath.

“What’s with this brat?”

I silently performed ventriloquism.

“What did you say?”

Somerset immediately responded.

“Stop it. Should brothers fight as soon as they see each other?”

The First Young Master chided both of us.

‘Good, brother.’

While he’s scolding both of us, the one who’s really being put on the spot is Somerset.

Unable to say anything, Somerset just shuts up. It seems the First Young Master is the more formidable sibling after all.

This confirms that the First Young Master has no difficult younger brothers besides the Second Young Master.

“I should have come to see you as soon as you woke up, but forgive me for not coming and only meeting you now.”

“What, what the hell.”

I ignored Somerset’s muttering.

“It’s alright. As the younger brother, I should have looked after you as well. I’m sorry about that.”

Just as expected, the First Young Master gave me a kind smile.

‘Karl is indeed favorable towards me.’

Combining the content written in the diary, Olivier’s assessment, and the rumors Petter overheard, it would be something like this.

The eldest son, who has an inferiority complex and fear towards his superior second younger brother in every aspect.

‘He tries to constantly monitor and compete with his second younger brother, but due to his own lack of achievements, he is gradually being pushed out of the succession race.’

In his eyes – How lovely must the younger brother who defiantly stands up to the threatening second younger brother, while still deferentially honoring him, appear?

‘I’ve secured one ally for now.’

As planned. I’ve mentally divided the two into potential allies and adversaries.

“Young Lady Ulbhild Grunewald has entered!”

I turned my head to see the sole daughter, whom I had heard was quite eccentric.

‘Oh.’

I couldn’t help but be surprised. I didn’t know the Allenvert siblings had another beauty among them.

“Allen!”

A swordswoman with long, toned limbs and a pure, focused gaze in her eyes approached me.

“Greetings, sister.”

“Allen, it’s been so long. I heard you’ve been in seclusion, but how have you honed your body!”

She asked warmly, making me slightly flustered.

“I’ve been training intensively these past few days.”

“I see, good choice.”

Ulbhild, who had a cold expression making her seem more like a knight than a noble lady, whispered to me.

“But Allen, is it true that you reached the fifth level of the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique in less than a week?”

“That’s right.”

“Remarkable.”

Her face, which had been icy, was now filled with genuine curiosity, making her seem less her age.

“Self-taught? Without even having the guidance once?”

“That’s correct.”

“Amazing. If the Head Butler hadn’t vouched for it, I wouldn’t have believed it at all.”

After her outburst, Ulbhild briefly greeted the brothers.

“Brothers, it’s been a while.”

“How have you been?”

“More or less. Somerset, I’ve heard rumors that you’ve been neglecting your training lately.”

“Ah, sister, that is…”

“Relying only on your meager martial prowess and neglecting the sword, your future prospects are obvious. It’s none of my business, so conduct yourself as you will.”

She didn’t seem particularly close to even her full-blooded brother Karl, and there was a hint of disdain towards Somerset.

But why is she treating me this way?

“Allen. If you don’t mind, could you briefly demonstrate your sword aura?”

“Uh, right here?”

“A dagger will do, won’t it?”

“Well, that’s…”

Her clear brown eyes were filled with a mad gleam. Pressured by her intensity, I nodded.

“Good.”

Ulbhild smiled contentedly. I picked up the knife set on the table and manifested the sword aura.

“Ooh…!”

Ulbhild fondly ran her bare hands over the sword aura, plucking at it with her fingers, and then tore the tablecloth. Sword aura effortlessly slicing through it.

“Truly remarkable. How have you perfected the sword aura to such a degree?”

She had the aura of a pure seeker of the martial arts. Now I understand why the sister was said to have no interest in the power struggle.

“Allen, you’ve impressed me. I’ll come visit you soon, so clear your schedule. And…”

I know a man with a similar gaze to hers. That was the private tutor who began to obsessively see me as some kind of rare treasure.

‘Finally, someone has properly recognized my talents.’

“Fifth Young Master has entered.”

Meanwhile, Barclava quietly entered and took a seat far from me.

“Oh, the youngest has arrived?”

“Ugh.”

Barclava showed disgust and ignored me.

“Our youngest brother, our baby, our Barclava. Has the hand you broke against the wall healed yet?”

“Just shut up, please.”

“I’m just worried, but that’s too much, huh?”

“It’s healed, so leave me alone.”

“Oh.”

Just as Barclava was about to be further tormented –

“So you were all gathered here.”

A soft yet commanding voice caught everyone’s attention.

“Elder brother, Ulbhild, Somerset, Barclava.”

Just by calling out the names of the siblings, the atmosphere changed.

Walking in with an overwhelming presence was a handsome blond-haired, blue-eyed man. This was Verdzig Grunewald, the Second Young Master.

‘Wow, he’s disgustingly handsome.’

While Allenvert’s face still has a boyish charm, Verdzig’s is that of a mature adult man.

But what’s most striking is –

‘How preposterous. Was he really that strong?’

This was a man of overwhelming power, far beyond Somerset, far beyond Karl, far beyond Ulbhild. I couldn’t even begin to fathom his level of power.

My body involuntarily shrank in fear. It’s a natural response. The rabbit trembling before the tiger is the way of nature.

But I am no rabbit.

“Allenvert, it’s been a while.”

“Indeed.”

I responded.

“It feels like I saw you just yesterday, though the actual meeting has been long.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Verdzig smoothly parried my sarcastic remark with a beautiful smile, glancing at the siblings.

“Everyone, please rise. The Ladies have arrived.”

As if I don’t even exist in his world. And he speaks as if he has the strongest voice in this room.

“…”

The First Young Master’s gaze towards Verdzig was icy.

‘This family feud is entertaining.’

I watched the scene with the detachment of an outsider, even though I am a party involved.

“Duchess Isabel Grunewald, Duchess Emengarde Grunewald, Duchess Bianca Grunewald have entered!”

…The music changed.

Escorted by maids, three resplendently dressed Duchesses entered the banquet hall.

‘So the three are entering together.’

They must have coordinated this. Even etiquette is a battle of egos.

“It’s so good to gather like this for once.”

“Greetings to the First Lady.”

The siblings greeted the black-haired Isabel Grunewald, the First Lady, who was the elder in the absence of the clan patriarch.

“…”

I made eye contact with Emengarde Grunewald, the Second Lady. Her eyes were identical to Verdzig’s – beautiful, but somehow evoking a snake’s gaze.

“Allenvert.”

The corner of her mouth curved upwards in a smile.

“It’s been a while.”

I also stood up with a smile.

“Greetings to the Second Lady.”

“You’ve grown into such a handsome young man in our absence.”

The Second Lady closed her fan, partially covering her lips.

“If your mother, Lucatia, were to see you now, she would be so proud.”

The hidden smile was likely closer to a mocking arc.

“I’m grateful for your concern.”

I replied calmly.

“The gifts you sent have allowed me to achieve great accomplishments. They were truly valuable.”

“It’s not that extraordinary, so don’t worry about it.”

…We hid our daggers in our laughter.

And so the banquet began.

———