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chapter 55
Simply put, the periods when the Infinitos Danios were active were all times when the continent’s political situation was unstable.
But now…
“It’s… too peaceful.”
“Indeed. It’s an unprecedentedly peaceful time right now.”
The Empire of Brunes held strong military power and commanded the surrounding territories.
The current emperor was even called a sage ruler, demonstrating exceptional skill in politics, diplomacy, and economics.
“But that doesn’t mean you should be discouraged. Even without war, there are many places that need strength.”
There were several problematic regions around the central empire that each nation struggled to handle.
The Kingdom of Ashfel was a haven for pirates and sea monsters, while the Kingdom of Romani, with its many mountain ranges, was overflowing with monsters.
Even just heading north, it was called a monster’s paradise.
In the Brunes Empire, the regions around the Kilten Mountain Range were notorious as harsh places for humans to live.
“I guess I’ll have to live like a wanderer my whole life.”
That is, if one didn’t wish for war.
“…Then that’s how I’ll live.”
“No, I made a promise to Grace.”
Ribanu’s dream—and future—was to succeed, humiliate the Duke Foret family, and ensure Grace could live comfortably.
But now, a life of wandering?
“You say wandering, but wouldn’t wealth and honor follow too?”
“What if Grace doesn’t want to be by my side?”
“I think Grace would follow you no matter what.”
“I don’t want that either—it’s too dangerous.”
When Ribanu first learned about the Infinitos Danio illness and his own remarkable talent, it had seemed wonderful. But now, it didn’t feel so good.
“Master, do you want to hear something amazing?”
“What is it?”
“Even if you don’t want to start a war, once the nobles become aware of your existence, they might wish for war. There’s a reason I’m telling you this. In fact, peace has lasted too long, and the empire has accumulated immense power. Those who want to use that power to gain authority will definitely desire war. I know quite a few of these nobles myself. Of course, in my opinion, it’s just their greed—but they wouldn’t know the horrors of war unless they experience it.”
The Brunes Empire was already strong, but through Ribanu, it could gain even greater military power.
Of course, from the emperor’s perspective, a vassal stronger than himself could be a double-edged sword.
“…What?”
It was something Ribanu hadn’t expected.
That nobles might even come to desire war first…
“You are that extraordinary and dangerous.”
“Does Grace know?”
“I don’t think so.”
When he knew nothing, he only made people suffer with stench and skin disease. But now, he could be a seed of discord.
It was terrifying.
“Don’t tell anyone.”
“Understood. Though, the price for keeping your lips sealed might be a bit high—are you okay with that?”
As the head of the Information Guild, Ahyn made sure deals were airtight.
“Money?”
“You have plenty of money, right? I don’t bat an eye unless it’s significant.”
“…Fine.”
At that moment, mischief gleamed in Ahyn’s eyes.
Ribanu felt a sense of foreboding.
“Show me some charm.”
And as expected…
“…Are you insane?”
“Shall I?”
“…You crazy…”
“Charm. Show it to me.”
Ribanu gritted his teeth and performed his gesture—pressing his fingers lightly to both cheeks.
“It’s a little weak, but it’s your first day, so I’ll allow it. Think harder next time—I expect more.”
“What?! That’s it?”
“You’re trying to slack off, Master. During the secrecy period, you must show it three times a day!”
Ribanu gaped in disbelief.
He didn’t want Grace to know this, but at this rate, he’d have no choice but to practice charm three times a day.
“One time!”
He tried to negotiate.
“Two times.”
“One time. Absolutely no more.”
“Then go to Grace now and…”
But control was clearly in Ahyn’s hands.
Grace would fall for him in an instant.
“Ah, fine. Two times, two times!”
Ribanu shouted desperately and then squeezed his eyes shut, realizing what he had done.
“Okay. Good.”
Ahyn’s lips curved into a mischievous smile.
Ribanu’s swordsmanship was improving daily.
He was also slowly growing closer to Ahyn, spending more time together.
“Master! Look here!”
“…Go away.”
“Ah, can’t you just look?”
“No, go.”
“Just a little, please? Look at this!”
…Closer?
It honestly seemed like a one-sided relationship: Ahyn bothering him and Ribanu annoyed and reluctant.
Ribanu realized Ahyn had a bit of an attention-seeking streak and tended to cling excessively to those he liked.
He didn’t know why Ahyn liked Ribanu so much.
“Ah, go away!”
“…Hmph. I’m so hurt, Ahyn, sniff sniff.”
“……”
“We share secrets, but Ahyn, I’m so hurt, sniff sniff.”
“…Should I kill you?”
Or maybe Ahyn just enjoyed Ribanu’s reactions.
Ribanu’s eyes burned with murderous intent, yet a twitch of his lips gave away everything.
…Just a pervert, huh?
Grace couldn’t shake the thought that she had chosen the wrong person.
She didn’t know much about him except that he had raised Veronique of the Information Guild well, but had she known his true nature, she might have kept her distance.
“Grace!”
Ahyn, who had been pestering Ribanu for attention, suddenly noticed Grace and smiled brightly.
“I have something to tell you!”
It seemed Grace was his next target.
Why was he making such a fuss to get someone to look at him?
Curious, Grace stayed still, only for Ribanu to grab Ahyn by the scruff and say:
“I’ll handle this.”
“Really? Woohoo.”
With a lewd smile, Ahyn pressed his lips to Ribanu.
Before she could even think, Ahyn pointed to his lips and cheerfully said:
“How’s this? A mole on my lips? Very sexy, right?”
“….”
Ribanu looked at Ahyn’s new lip mole with lifeless eyes, completely resigned.
“What do you think? Give me your review.”
“…It’s a mole.”
“You only say ‘mole’ after seeing this sexy mole? Master, aren’t you too dry?”
…Definitely a pervert.
It was already hard enough to show off his lips’ new mole, yet Ahyn did it casually.
Grace felt relief that Ribanu had blocked Ahyn before he rushed her.
“Master, it’s time for tea!”
“Okay, let’s go.”
As soon as Grace called, Ribanu shoved Ahyn’s face away and quickly moved toward her.
“Ah! I want tea time too!”
Ahyn, expecting to spend his day productively, seemed to have abandoned his guild entirely.
He spent the whole day at the villa, meddling in everything.
Grace suspected he might be secretly selling information but had no concrete proof.
The Infinitos Danio info was high-tier, but few knew it, and few would buy Ribanu’s information anyway.
Still, to be safe, they decided not to sell Ribanu’s information.
Ahyn sulked, claiming they didn’t trust him.
They didn’t.
Who trusts the head of an information guild?
Reto also began sword training.
But because he was already insecure, they trained separately to avoid further shattering his self-esteem.
“Today, we’ll do 1,000 vertical strikes.”
“Okay.”
“Try swinging once.”
Reto held a wooden sword and swung through the air.
“Here, you need to strike diagonally like this.”
“Like this?”
“Yes, very good.”
After correcting his posture a few times, Reto quickly adapted and swung the wooden sword well.
But having been a sedentary scholar, he quickly tired.
“Hah, huff…”
After the 100th strike:
“Tired?”
“No.”
A normal child might have thrown the sword or collapsed in exhaustion, but Reto gritted his teeth and continued.
“You can say if it’s hard; don’t overdo it.”
“…A little more, I can… do it.”
He even struggled to speak.
“Hehe, you’re just like Master Ribanu.”
Ahyn chuckled.
Reto was surprised:
“I’m just like him?”
“Yes. Master Ribanu struggled with stamina at first but gritted his teeth to reach 1,000 swings. He overexerted and couldn’t even hold the wooden sword the next day.”
“Really? My brother did that?”
Reto had always thought Ribanu could do anything well.
He couldn’t believe he shared similarities with him.
Reto’s lips curved into a small smile as he spoke.
