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The eldest son, Nikolaos, and the second son, Jupe, are far from elite soldiers. The eldest son is an imperial bureaucrat, and the second son is a common officer.
It’s not that ordinary officers can’t be successful. However, the second son, Jupe, has been in the service for over ten years without any notable achievements. His future is almost set in stone.
If Jupe had truly been a talented soldier, he would have earned several medals of honor by now, and based on this, he should have held an important position in a higher-ranking unit or special unit.
“Nicholas was born with a thin nerve bundle. Even the Empire’s technology cannot change a person’s innately weak nervous system.”
Giselle spoke about her eldest son. This was information I did not know. It was something only the family knew.
“Since my nervous system is weak and I can’t use high-powered prosthetics, I probably wouldn’t have been able to become a soldier even if I wanted to.”
Even if it is a rear-guard position, you must have at least a minimum level of combat ability. If your nervous system is weak by nature, you have no hope as a soldier.
“Jupe was originally not suited to be a soldier. However, since we couldn’t send the second son to be a regular bureaucrat, we somehow made him a soldier.”
The reason Jupe became a soldier was to save his family’s reputation. As a noble, you cannot live your life as you wish. Your job is determined by your family’s will and interests. Even your spouse and life.
“But if those two are wary of me, does that mean they want to become the head of the household?”
“Yes. Nikolaos is the eldest son and is very capable as an official. So he thinks he is qualified to be the head of the household. In fact, he has won over many other relatives and vassals. And Jupe, although he is the second son, thinks he can become the head of the household instead of his older brother because he is a soldier. The conservative relatives supported Jupe because he was a soldier, even though he was a little less capable.”
“Everyone has at least one flaw as a leader. So you’re saying that even I, with my weakness as an adopted son, have potential.”
In fact, it is impossible. I am a body that was made into a quantum through a deal. Even the cool-headed Heilas would not make me the next head of the family because of the bloodline.
“Anyone from the Custoria family right now will be reading and reviewing your resume carefully. And objectively speaking, you are a very capable soldier. You have a very high chance of succeeding as a soldier. There are many relatives, especially the elders, who value ability and honor as a soldier over blood relations.”
Judging from the way she spoke, it seemed that Giselle also valued me highly. It was better for me to believe that.
“Should I be wary of assassination attempts?”
I asked without hesitation. This was important. If it was, I had to prepare for it.
“It’s hard to say for sure that there won’t be an assassination, but the probability itself is very low. If you get caught, not only your position but even your life will be in danger. If there’s an assassination attempt, you really have to be perfectly prepared.”
It would take a pretty powerful person to kill me.
“Then you will try to crush me through other means for now.”
“He will try to embarrass you, especially because of your origins. Given your father’s personality, even if he brought you here himself, he would not actively protect you.”
I have to overcome the insults and attacks of my competitors with my own strength. That’s what Heilas wants too.
“I like it.”
“yes?”
“A competitive family. As an orphan, this is the type of family I always wanted.”
It’s not about confidence or bravado. I really think so.
There was no one I could compete with in the orphanage I was in. It wasn’t until I came to the Royal Guard training camp that I met a real competitor. And now, even in the training camp, there was no one I could compete with. At best, there was Ilay Kartika.
Even though the methods of competition are different, there are those in the Custoria family who want to trample on me. I will fight with all my might. And in the end, I will be the winner.
Just imagining the expressions on their faces as they fall at my feet sends shivers down my spine.
Yeah, I’m a pretty twisted person. The more someone tries to crush me, the more I bounce back.
“… … Are you having fun right now?”
Giselle, who saw my smile, said as if she couldn’t understand. I don’t expect her to understand anyway.
“Giselle, let me ask you one thing. Up until now, you’ve only talked about your two older brothers. So what are you thinking? Don’t you want to become the head of the household?”
I looked straight into her eyes. Even if she was lying, her emotions would show in her eyes.
“I don’t think there’s any reason for me to tell you that.”
Giselle spoke as coldly as when she first saw me. I smiled even deeper.
“I have no intention of becoming the head of the family. The name Custoria is enough for my future. However, if there is someone who wants to trample on me, I will not let that happen. What happens after that? It is none of my business. If the opportunity comes, take it, Giselle Custoria. This is my advice as your older brother.”
By the way, I’m older than Giselle.
At first, Giselle was taken aback by the word “brother,” but soon she laughed. Her bright smile was rare to see, so it was precious.
“Will you support me when that time comes?”
“Because I promised. If you don’t antagonize me, I have no reason to hate you or harm you.”
After hearing what I said, Giselle stood up from her chair and held out her hand.
“Then I will think of you as an ally and act accordingly. Please take care of me, Brother Luca.”
I opened my eyes slightly and smiled. Then I sat down and shook her hand.
“You’re my brother?”
“This is the first and last time I’ve called you like this.”
“That’s good. I don’t really like awkward things either.”
Ding, ding.
The wall clock chimed in an old-fashioned manner.
It’s dinner time now.
* * *
Even the most noble of nobles wouldn’t have a grand banquet every day. Today was the day when many members of the Custoria family gathered. And it was the day to introduce myself. Since it was a special day, a banquet was held.
The tables, which could easily seat about 60 people, were lined up in a straight line, making it difficult to hear voices from one end to the other.
Behind the table, there were twice as many servants as there were people sitting, serving the food. It was hard to count the dishes already served, and plates of food kept coming out without a break.
I could see the order of my family by the position of my seat. The immediate family, including Heilas, sat in the front. I was honored to be included.
And then, in order, sat Heilas’s brothers and sisters, nephews, and, towards the end, cousins and distant relatives. Some of the vassals were also at the bottom.
“Yes, you are Luca. I have heard many stories about you.”
I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve heard the voice of a gentle middle-aged woman. No, have I ever heard it? All the middle-aged women I know are extremely tough.
‘Eva Custoria.’
This is my adoptive mother. It was only at mealtime that I was able to see her face. She looked affectionate and sorrowful.
‘Eva hates me. Of course it is.’
If you listen closely, you can hear the dryness and even the stinging thorns in the voice of my adoptive mother, Eva. To her, I am an enemy who threatens her own son. It can’t be pleasant.
There is no need to be disappointed. I never expected a warm mother. It is a hundred times better to be hostile to me than to pity me.
“Welcome to the family, Luca. I am Nikolaos, the eldest son, and this is Jupe, the second son.”
A neat man, Nikolaos, introduced himself, placing his palm on his chest. He was a bureaucrat, but his eyes were sharp and cold like those of a soldier. He did not seem to have a weak nervous system. Perhaps he was worried that he would be considered sickly.
And the Jupe that Nikolaos introduced was the typical appearance of an imperial officer. He was stocky and imposing, and his uniform bore the usual decorations that any officer with many years of service received.
Jupe showed a look of displeasure, as if he did not like the fact that Nikolaos had introduced himself on his behalf.
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Originally, Nikolaos and Jupe were rivals. They could not have gotten along well.
“I always wanted a brother in the military. Today, I got my wish. Nice to meet you, Luca.”
Jupe reached out to me and said, a remark that was blatantly dismissive of Nikolaos. It seemed as if the two of them were not allies.
It’s funny, it’s funny.
As the atmosphere heated up, the conflict between family members became red like an old scar.
“I wish I had a dependable older brother.”
Flattery came out of my mouth without my consent. Your sociability has improved quite a bit, Luca.
Next, my younger siblings stood up and introduced themselves. If we were to list the children of Heylas, the oldest one was the eldest son, the second son, me, and Giselle. Below them were two boys and one daughter.
After I opened my face a little, my adoptive mother Eva stopped the approaching people. Those who were trying to greet me sat down.
“… … Now, let me introduce you to the new family of Custoria, Lucius Custoria.”
Eva stood behind me, took my shoulder, and smiled warmly. She was a woman accustomed to pretense and acting.
Lucas is a new name I’ve been given, because Luca felt too low-class.
My original name has become a nickname, but I have no complaints. It’s either Luca or Lucas anyway. What’s the big deal about names?
Clap, clap, clap.
Applause poured in from all sides. I looked closely at their faces. The more distant the relatives were from power, the less interested they were in me. It seemed like it didn’t matter who became the head of the household.
Rather, the vassals were paying attention to me. They were in a position where they had to stand in line. Some might see me as an opportunity to advance. Either by being nice to me or by attacking me.
“Hail His Majesty Dino Kratzia, Defender of Mankind, Founding Father, and First Emperor of the Empire.”
Heilas murmured as if praying. It was a kind of prayer, indeed.
Before the dinner began, people clasped their hands and closed their eyes. And as soon as they opened their eyes, the meal began.
Dalgrak.
The sound of dishes moving spread.
I felt Jupe’s gaze glaring at me. His eyes stopped on my hands.
‘It looks like you want to find fault with something.’
It seems that he wants to see how I handle the dishes. There was etiquette for noble meals. The way he handled the dishes was one of them.
I also came here after studying table manners. I just need to quietly observe the manners here and destroy Jupe’s expectations.
But then a better idea occurred to me. Avoiding fights isn’t my style.
I stabbed the cut meat with a knife and put it in my mouth. Jupe opened his mouth as if he had been waiting for it.
“Luca.”
I picked up the poultry’s leg with my hand and made a face of ignorance.
“What’s wrong, Brother Jupe? Oh, the food is really delicious.”
I rolled my eyes quickly as I spoke. Nikolaos smiled and remained silent. Only Jupe was anxious to point out something to me.
As expected. The enemy you have to watch out for is Nikolaos. Jupe is a jerk.
“Luka, I don’t want to be like this from the first time we meet, but… … .”
Jupe smiled faintly. He waited for the attention of his other relatives to gather, trailing off.
“… … I think I should point out table manners. This is the role of an older brother. You are also a soldier. I don’t know how you have lived until now, but you must observe basic manners. For the father who acknowledged you, and for the name of the Custoria family… … .”
I cut off Jupe’s words.
“I, a cadet who has even received a medal of honor, will bring more glory to the Custoria family than someone who served for ten years without receiving a single Cross of Swords medal. More than these table manners.”
I laughed, shaking the leg of a poultry whose name I didn’t even know. Some of my relatives burst out laughing at my words, but then quickly covered their mouths.
Jupe’s face turned bright red in an instant. It was as if he had been doused with hot water. He was so immature in controlling his emotions. He was so stupid that it made you wonder if he was really Hailas’s blood.
“Hey, hey, you dare… … .”
He seemed to have no idea that I would talk back and fight back. He was speechless.
