How to Survive as a Member of the Meteor Sword Family Chapter 40

How to survive as a loser in the Yoo Seong-geom family

Episode 40

Ghosts live (1)

A week has passed since Isabelle and Violet clashed in the underground laboratory.

After hearing the whole story, Isabelle decided to cooperate with Violet for now, but she still didn’t seem to completely trust her.

“Well, that’s something that will be resolved over time… … .”

Violet is clearly a character close to being a villain, but from my perspective, she is an extremely useful… no, absolutely necessary helper.

If Velkan is the strongest sword in the Meteor Sword Family, then Violet is the strongest shield in the Meteor Sword Family.

If she could gain complete control over Baalzebub’s power.

Even if all the monsters living in the magic realm were to rush out at the same time, it would have the power to hold them off for about 5 minutes on its own.

‘It’s because it’s hard to get to that point. There’s so much original sin that’s accumulated… ‘

All I can do is find Baalzebub’s ego and return it to Violet.

What happens after that is entirely in Violet’s hands.

“I can’t help but hope that you do well. I’m going to be really excited, really.”

My worries weren’t limited to Violet. The image of my brother I saw a few days ago kept coming to my mind.

“Little brother, I am so happy to hear that you have grown up. No matter what you do, I will support you until the end! This time, unfortunately, we were not able to mix swords, but next time, let’s definitely fight!”

Despite his cold treatment, Pierre left for the academy again after telling me that he would support me until the end.

He is a perfect brother, not only in looks but also in talent, ability, and character.

Perhaps, if I had not known what would happen later, I might have followed him too.

I kept thinking that I was being cold to him on purpose, even though we weren’t really family.

When I thought about him, his love for his family to the point of caring so much for his rascally younger brother, my already confused mind became even more complicated.

What’s more, it was even more bitter because I knew it was true.

‘f*ck… … The only way I know is to kill my brother while playing Eli Rune. What should I do?’

Since nothing has happened yet, I couldn’t come up with an answer even after thinking about it.

‘Hey, I don’t know. There are still two years left, so let’s think about this slowly. As time goes by, some other solution will come up.’

Having decided to resolve the matter at hand, I sat down in the carriage waiting to depart for the Magic Kingdom and began to sharpen my sword.

[Advanced Longsword]

▶This is a high-quality longsword painstakingly crafted by the kingdom’s craftsmen. It boasts greater durability and aura than swords with lower-grade enchantments.

This is a new sword bestowed upon the lord in place of the one broken during the fight with Isabelle.

It looks like an ordinary longsword, just like the sword I used before.

It certainly felt like it was made with care by a skilled craftsman, with a good center of gravity and a comfortable fit in the hand.

“Damn it. I should have enchanted this with Magatorium. If only the 5th group guys hadn’t just blindly attacked the female Lemut… … .”

I felt regretful all over again.

And then what came to mind were the five comrades who had shared life and death with me for the first time since I came into this world.

“I wonder how the guys are doing. They received a small amount of settlement support when they left the unit, so even though they may not be rich, they won’t be starving.”

In particular, the images of the mouse and Buta, who worked with me a lot, came to mind.

A mouse who always spouts nonsense and kicks me but still calls me “big brother” and follows me around, and Buta who stutters badly but has an honest personality.

In a way, you could say they were the first friends I made when I came to this world.

“Children. I hope I can see you someday.”

Although it wasn’t my doing, I apologize for the evil deeds this body has committed in the past.

I had a strong desire to gather together and have a drink and reminisce about the days of the Phantom Troops.

While I was lost in my past memories, I felt two people approaching the waiting carriage.

‘It’s finally here.’

Realizing that it was Isabelle’s presence, I leaned back against the plush back of the luxury carriage.

Soon, the door on the other side opened wide and Isabelle, carrying two large backpacks, nodded.

“I’m sorry I’m late, Your Majesty. It took some time because there were many things to prepare.”

Then she immediately opened the carriage’s luggage compartment and skillfully loaded a backpack larger than my body.

‘What on earth did you pack… … .’

It’s a contrast to me, who only took a sword and the card I received from Hong Tao.

Besides, I have not one, but two backpacks that are that size.

Judging by the heavy, thumping sound it made when I put it down, it was clear that it contained something quite heavy.

At this point, I’m starting to think that maybe they’re moving rather than traveling…

I wanted to ask what on earth was in it, but I decided to respect the person’s privacy and suppressed my curiosity.

“It looks like you’ve finished loading your luggage, sir. Shall we go, sir?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

A middle-aged coachman sitting on the coachman’s seat opened the curtain in front of him and spoke to me.

‘It’s a bit disappointing that Gaju won’t be there to see me off, but there’s nothing I can do about it.’

Just as I was about to set off, feeling inexplicably disappointed, a loud scream was heard from far away.

“Wait a minute, stop for a minute!”

It was a familiar voice. I opened the curtains and saw Hong Tao, jumping forward like a swallow full of water, which was out of place with his large body.

‘Why is the wealthy family here… … .’

I had an ominous feeling for some reason.

I always feel this way, but I have a very developed sense of the negative.

and.

This time too, somehow, I had a feeling that my premonition would come true.

“Heh… … Heh… … .”

Hong Tao’s face was bright red, as if he had used up all his mana to come running.

“Hello, Lord Jaegyeong.”

“You could have just asked someone to do it. Why are you running here yourself? What’s the matter?”

“Ugh… … Ugh… … That’s it.”

Hong Tao looked back and forth between Isabelle and me, who nodded and showed respect.

After catching his breath for a while, he opened the carriage door wide and said.

“I heard late that the young master was leaving for the Demon Kingdom, so I came running here.”

“Yes… … ? Why on earth… … .”

“Your Majesty is going on a long journey, so it is only right that we see you off.”

“Oh, really? Thank you for your concern.”

“It’s an honor that the lord of one of the four great families, the wealthy lord, personally came to see me off!”

Surely he didn’t come out just to see me off. It seems like he has some hidden agenda.

Contrary to my feeling of insecurity, Isabelle seemed genuinely touched and ran out of the carriage to formally bow to Hong Tao.

“No, Miss Isabelle. I have come to ask you a favor, so please don’t be so harsh.”

Hong Tao wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and looked at me with a sly smile.

As I looked into his greedy gaze, an inexplicable chill ran down my spine.

“Your Majesty, are you asking me for a favor?”

As I suppressed my anxiety and spoke to him, Hong Tao smiled faintly and put his hand into his arms.

“It’s nothing else than a letter that arrived a few days ago from Count Bruges, who is my acquaintance.”

If it’s Count Bruges… … he’s someone I vaguely know.

He was a man of distinguished civil service blood for generations, and he had a considerable political standing within the Kingdom of Cassel, right?

And… …if anything, this is someone you don’t want to get involved with at this time.

“But?”

“It was a simple letter to Count Bruges, asking for help in resolving a ‘very, very’ minor problem. I thought that since you’ve dealt with the Silverback that even the knights couldn’t catch, you should be able to resolve it without much difficulty, so I came here to ask you a favor. It seems like our destinations overlap.”

Seeing him rubbing his palms together made me feel even more anxious.

My experience playing Disa for a long time was constantly ringing the alarm bell of crisis.

“That’s because we’re short on time.”

“Hey, someone with your abilities should be able to solve it in no time.”

I tried to firmly refuse, but Hong Tao didn’t seem to have any intention of backing down.

“What is happening?”

An oblivious Isabelle asked Hong Tao a question.

“That’s it… … .”

As if he had been waiting for this moment, Hong Tao opened the letter and began to recite its contents.

“Nothing else, Count Bruygen purchased an abandoned mansion in the forests in the southern part of the kingdom to use as a vacation home.”

The moment I heard the story, a chill ran down my spine.

‘f*ck… … .’

The prediction was right on the mark.

While playing Disa, the quest I wanted to avoid the most came to me on its own. I asked Hong Tao a question just in case.

“By any chance… … strange phenomena continue to appear in that mansion… … .”

“How does your majesty know that?”

“… … It’s just a gut feeling.”

“As expected, you are truly amazing, Young Master!”

As if to prove that my prediction was correct, Hong Tao’s small eyes widened.

He looked at me for a moment as if he was surprised, then began to speak again.

“Because it was such an old and abandoned mansion that it was not well maintained, Count Bruges hired workers to tear it down and rebuild it. This is where the trouble started.”

“… … Did a ghost appear?”

“As expected of you, my lord! We can spread out the mats right now! I heard that the construction is being delayed because the workers are seeing things and running away. I heard that some of the workers who hold out until the end have gone mad.”

“… … I guess so.”

Hong Tao tilted his head once, as if my dull answer was unexpected, and then began to state his opinion.

“I think it’s probably the work of a witch or a mine, but even sending the knights under Count Brugendt’s command didn’t solve the problem… … Oh. The moment I heard this story, the young master came to mind!”

It’s not the story, it’s the amount.

Count Bruges is one of the top ten wealthiest people in the capital city.

“So, how much did you agree to receive?”

“If the starting deposit is 20,000 gold and you succeed, you get 40,000… … Ahem ahem! Money isn’t important. As a direct descendant of the Meteor Sword Family! If a mine or witch appears! Of course! Shouldn’t you kill them!”

“… … Do you really have to do this? Why not just leave it to the Knights of Hades… … .”

Isabelle’s eyes narrowed at my unusually hesitant attitude.

“Your Highness. What is the duty of one with the name of Aster? Isn’t the reason for Aster’s existence to punish the demons, mines, and witches that disturb the world? I heard that when you were in the Hades’ Army, you spoke passionately to your father about this after slaughtering the demons.”

“That, that’s right… … That’s right. That’s right.”

I couldn’t just carelessly take back what I had said in the past. This was the moment when the idiom “a man’s own fate” came to mind.

“… … So, is it okay for us to take care of the matter at that mansion?”

“As expected of you, you are a master!”

Hong Tao smiled happily at my answer, which seemed to be crawling in, and glanced at my expression.

“Do you not want to do it?”

“No, it’s not that I don’t like it… … .”

Actually, I hate it. And not just any ordinary hate, but an awful hate, to the point of death.

Even I, who accepts quests regardless of the cost, was reluctant to do this.

Hong Tao sighed deeply, as if frustrated with my continued hesitation, and whispered.

“The card you have, my lord, has not yet been approved for use by the Continental Central Bank. You will need my signature to use the deposited funds. Is that okay?”

“……I’ll do it.”

Hong Tao threatened me with money so viciously. I had no choice but to nod.

“As expected of you, my lord! I believe you will definitely solve the problem cleanly! And this is a map of where the villa is! It’s near the southern border, so it’s about two days away by carriage from here, so it shouldn’t be too far!”

Hong Tao, who forcefully put the map in my hand, disappeared like the wind with a relieved face.

On the other hand, Isabelle, who saw my corpse-like face, asked a question as if she was puzzled.

“Why is that? From what I hear, it seems like you are a low-level magician or witch who uses the power of illusion or mental confusion. Isn’t this a problem that someone like you can easily solve?”

“That’s right. Huh… … No. It would be better to go and confront it yourself.”

Why are you worrying so much?

Because that’s a place where real ghosts appear, not mines or witches.

‘f*ck… I hate ghosts the most in the world.’

Before coming here.

For me, who fainted while watching The Exorcist, this quest was so brutal.