Chapter 104

North of the Mountains (1)

Kleio just laughed. Unless there was a proven way to determine a soul's nature, he was the second son of Gideon Asel.

"I am embarrassed that you would deny my existence just because there are some problems with my memory. As I said, I am my father's child and your younger brother."

"My brother. Is that how you see me? You don't remember anything about me. So, presumptuously, you swept through the new year's party of the Merchant Association."

Kleio seemed to know a little bit more about why Vlad was angry.

'Since his younger brother, who had lived in distress until now, comes out, he thinks I'm trying to make his father's heart change.'

In truth, Kleio didn't want to have such a job as being the manager of a general trading company. Kleio gently pushed away Vlad's hand on his shoulder.

"I'm just a wizard, and I'm doing my best in that area. After making my name known with some small tricks, I had to be polite and not deny all invitations. If you wish, I will be more mindful of it in the future."

"You're pretty casual at lying. Don't you work too much for someone devoting themselves to learning?"

"That's..."

Gideon probably knew about his own business, but Kleio didn't realize how much Vlad knew.

"Touching real estate and magic tools was conceivable, but trying to advance into the publishing industry gave my father a new surprise. The investigative manager admired that the little master could read the world's flow well."

It seemed that the investigations done by Baronet Asel's team were shared with the successor.

"...The book hasn't been released, but it seems that the predicted sales will be good. And it's a magic book. Because there is a widespread misunderstanding of magic in the world, it is published with the aim of improving public perception."

Kleio consistently made his argument, but that calm brought out Vlad's disgust.

"You've really become a wise man, Kleio. Alright, with such a remarkable achievement, my father sees putting you in this academy as a successful investment. But remember, you don't normally gamble like that."

"Brother..."

"You look a lot like your father. Even mother would've been pleased if she had seen you so matured."

Vlad's words shook unsteadily as the object of his hatred and jealousy remained so calm before him. To Kleio, Vlad's behavior seemed a little odd. Thelma's death had been eighteen years ago. Too much time had passed to ask Kleio to feel guilty over his mother's loss.

'No, it's not just property... Is he trying to quarrel with his younger brother and father?'

It was an emotion impossible to imagine for Jungjin, who never had a father in his life.

'This nearly thirty-year-old guy is raging about favoritism.'

Kleio turned off Perception, finding it a waste of ether. Again, his posture collapsed. He suddenly couldn't bother. He was fortunate that his brother didn't know the mansion was more important to him than his father's interests.

'Even if I'm the second son of the Asel family, I can change my surname when I receive a title. At that time, I'll make it Mr. Kim or Mr. Lee.'

Kim was originally part of his name, and Lee had been Jungjin's mother's name. The lowest title that could be given was Baronet, and the name of the surname and province were entered at the same time. All the rich lands of central Albion had existing rulers, and unless they were the descendants of the Knights of the Round Table, their estates were usually in the central region. Those who became aristocrats in Absalom II's time occupied the lands of the old nobles, which were all they lost if they were lucky, and were often granted territories obtained from the Brunnen monarchy. Rarely thereafter, those given a new hereditary title received land that wasn't of much value that had been owned by the royal family as a manor. Since there were ordinarily no inhabitants of such a formal estate, the person receiving the title could give it a new name.

'Let's give it a name like Jongno or Sadang.'

Kleio considered titles such as Baron Kim of Sadang or Baron Lee of Jongno with a silly smile. Thinking he was laughing at him, Vlad pushed Kleio's body back and crossed his arms. Shortly thereafter, a smile returned to his mouth, and the anger vanished from his voice.

"Anyway, whatever happened, I don't hate you right now. Kleio, no, Lei. Your friends call you Lei?"

Kleio frowned. Before Arthur and Cel had appeared, it seemed this kid didn't even have a family nickname.

'Even if I don't remember it, I know well that he was insidiously harassing his younger brother.'

Vlad seemed to be testing the shortened name.

"Just do what you want."

"No, how could I? It's too awkward to call you Kleio. This nickname sounds good. I'll call you like that now too. Haha, let's continue to do well, Lei."

"You must be tired from traveling, so take a rest. I have to leave for practice early tomorrow, so I will step out first."

"Hey, take this mana stone. If I take this back, what would my position be?"

"Then, I will be grateful for the favor. Also, say hello to father for me."

Vlad's suspicions wouldn't be erased whether he accepted the mana stone or not, so Kleio decided to take it. Kleio raised up the heavy box filled with rubies and called for Mrs. Canton.

"Madam, please arrange my brother's bed in the central room on the second floor. Then, take the night off."

Kleio left, believing he had fulfilled his brotherly duty by giving Vlad Asel the best room in the mansion.

***

The next day, Kleio had overslept because of the excitement from Vlad. Because of that, he missed the train he booked. He took the next train he could, but by the time Kleio arrived in Moralt, the capital of Tristein's estate, it was already curfew outside the city. The duke's residence itself was located in a rugged mountain near Moralt that could only be reached by foot or wagon.

In general, most castles and mansions were located in the estate's capital alongside the post office and government offices, but the Tristein estate was uniquely situated in the outskirts of the mountain, with a separate residence for the duke. It was a rugged area located in the northwest parts of the Pintos mountains. The entire estate was barren, and the inland sea Zekabre, which was frozen over for more than five months a year, was interlocked over the sheer cliffs at the estate's northernmost tip. Most of the villagers engaged in logging, collecting mana stones, herbs, and mushrooms, or hunting. Even before the demons' appearance, the population was small because it was an area rife with threatening mountain beasts.

For one reason or another, Arthur and his party stayed for a day at the only inn in town. The day was cold, and snow was piled up to the height of the twins on the other side of the road. It wasn't even 6 PM yet, but it was already as dark as midnight outside the messy pub. There were only four people inside; a few people had come to visit even before the demons arrived. Lippi sat in front of a high table, struggling to reach the ground with her legs.

"The demons are starting to move, so you can't leave the city after 5 PM unless you're on a train."

"We were worried when you didn't show up, Lei."

"I tried to make a phone call, but the lines at the central station are being replaced."

Kleio, the latecomer, quietly apologized.

"I'm sorry for being late, guys. In addition to making you worry, I spent the day uncomfortably."

"I wasn't worried, but I was stuck between these ones. Isiel was restless, and Arthur nearly ran to your mansion."

Cel interrupted with a smile as she arrived back from the bar with a tray of alcohol.

"Well, it's unusually postpaid here. You have to pay while you eat."

"Order everything you want to eat as my apology."

"Wow!"

"Lei, you're so kind!"

The two who loved to eat cheered him.

"It's as if you thought I was stingy."

"It's the first time we've come to a pub!"

"Well, you are too young to do so normally."

"Hehe, my birthday has passed now. I'm fourteen."

"We can go to the pub!"

"We can also drink beer!"

Fourteen seemed to be the drinking age of Albion. The twins, freed from age constraints, raised the ale glasses that Cel had laid down before them.

"Wow, this is delicious!"

"It smells like caramel!"

"Beer's like this?!"

"No, not all. This is a strong ale."

"Thanks for letting me know, Cel. I'll have to drink again in the future!"

"Home doesn't sell strong ale like this, so drink a lot here."

"Oh, that's good!"

The twins emptied half their glasses at once, as their cheeks became slightly reddish. Kleio, emptying his own glass, worried over the dark amber liquid similar to a Scotch ale.

'Oh, should the kids be drinking this?'

"Lippi, Leticia, if it's your first time drinking, slow down a little. You might get drunk."

They put down their now empty cups.

"Lei, who always drinks, is trying to stop us..."

"It's weird; he's two-faced..."

With a counterattack like that, Kleio was speechless. Cel thumped his back.

"You can't beat them with words, so stop and eat some food. Once they start eating, they'll quiet down too."

"Thanks for the tip, Cel. But what's delicious here? There's no menu, so how do I order?"

"What are you thinking about? The menu has only two stews, three grilled dishes, and some fried potatoes. It takes a while to grill a whole piglet so that the stew will be served later."

Cel had figured everything out, leaving no room for Kleio to make a decision. He stretched out his hands helplessly.

"Then, we can order it all."

The twins cheered.

"Good!"

"Good!"

.

.

.

Arthur, who arrived back at the pub after arranging a carriage, laughed as snow coated him.

"Hahahaha. So, you ordered the entire menu?"

On the table were hot lamb skewers and fried potatoes. The intense smell of spices and charred fat raised everyone's appetites.

"Now, there's a bunch!"

"How much did you order?"

"Half-dozen!"

"So it's three times this?"

"Why not? You can eat everything!"

"Who can't eat? I should eat it quickly! The smell is incredible. Hey, try all the luxuries with Lei!"

Arthur couldn't stop laughing as he took a glass of ale. Like this, when he was really excited or laughed loudly, his canines were slightly exposed, giving him a bestial look.

'It's ridiculous that you're so excited to make fun of me.'

He put down his empty glass, giving up.

"Yeah, laugh a lot. There's never been a time when I could laugh like that."

The twins picked up a skewer each, using a fork to pull off the lamb meatballs.

"Lei is talking like an old man again."

"What if Lei really became an old man? What would he do?"