Hugo turned his gaze back to Ian after witnessing the scene.
“What exactly happened? Tell me.”
“To summarize briefly, these individuals tried to bribe me. They offered to put me on the heir’s seat. After interrogating them, I brought in the person who was orchestrating this from the top.”
“…What?”
Both Hubert and Hugo were shocked, though for different reasons.
Hubert was surprised because he hadn’t expected such people to exist, while Hugo was stunned that those with ulterior motives had already emerged and approached Ian so quickly.
After all, it had only been rumors, and nothing concrete had been proven.
In fact, Hugo and Jurdan had been quietly investigating the matter to avoid worrying Hubert and to prevent any suspicion from falling on Ian.
Hugo had already sensed Hubert’s concerns.
If Hubert heard about these rumors, it was obvious that discord between the brothers would arise.
‘Judging by their reactions, it seems there’s some truth to this.’
The way Klins and Luther trembled and lowered themselves made it clear that something had indeed happened.
“I suspect there are others with similar intentions. I suggest conducting a thorough investigation to firmly establish discipline. Oh, and here’s the bribe they gave me. If the deputy head butler continues to deny it, you can trace how he acquired these jewels.”
Ian handed over the “box of sincerity” they had given him to Hugo.
Sure enough.
Inside were various accessories and jewels, all of which looked incredibly valuable.
“I understand. You may leave now.”
“Yes, I’ll take my leave then.”
Ian bowed and walked out of the lord’s estate with light steps.
Although his methods weren’t exactly proper, Ian had ultimately resisted their temptations.
It was truly commendable and impressive. He had done something significant.
“Advisor Jurdan.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Isn’t Ian truly a blessing?”
“Yes.”
Even Jurdan, who still harbored some doubts about Ian, couldn’t deny it now.
Ian had proven himself to be a true member of the family, ready to work for its sake.
“Interrogate these two and investigate if there are others with similar intentions.”
“As you command.”
Hugo turned his gaze back to Klins and Luther.
They trembled in fear, unsure of what punishment awaited them.
“If you cooperate sincerely, as you’ve said, there will be no torture, and your punishment will be much lighter. I swear this on the name of Hugo von Schrantz.”
When Hugo made this promise in his name, their faces brightened.
A promise made by the lord in his own name was no small matter.
“We will cooperate sincerely!”
“Thank you, my lord! Thank you!”
They obediently followed Jurdan, repeatedly expressing their gratitude.
“Hubert. Your worries have proven to be unnecessary.”
Hubert stood silently, lost in thought.
Ian had personally captured those who sought to make him the heir and brought them forward.
‘That guy, filled with inferiority and always wanting to stand above others, did this?’
It was still hard for him to believe.
‘He’s really changed.’
Hubert felt his worries and concerns melting away like snow.
All the anxiety he had felt now seemed foolish.
‘I should treat him better from now on.’
Perhaps because his worries had dissipated.
He now felt it was okay to truly accept Ian as his brother.
—
* * *
The faction that had sought to place Ian on the heir’s seat was completely eradicated.
Fortunately, since only a few had joined, the number of those punished was relatively small, but it served as a clear warning to those who had been hesitating.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Arne had been embezzling funds meant for the territory’s people.
Moreover, about half of the wealth stored in his warehouse had come from the Erce Count family, a hostile force against Schrantz.
When they began investigating him as a potential spy, Arne, unable to withstand the pressure, ultimately chose to take his own life.
With the main suspect dead and no significant progress in the investigation, the case was effectively closed.
Following the territory’s laws, all his assets were confiscated, and his family was exiled from the territory.
Thanks to this, the turmoil within the territory passed without further incident.
It was truly fortunate, but…
“Brother, are you really struggling with just this? I’ve told you several times to release the aura in your sword like an explosion.”
“If it were that easy, I would’ve already mastered Chapter 2 and moved on to Chapter 3 by now.”
“It took me about two months to fully master Chapter 2. I’m sure you can do it too.”
‘He’s just casually flexing on me.’
Hubert, who often came to the training ground to give Ian unsolicited advice, wasn’t exactly welcome.
Since the incident, Hubert had been awkwardly approaching Ian, but now he was being overly friendly.
‘I’m glad he’s finally treating me like a proper brother, but his constant advice is driving me crazy.’
Hubert probably thought he was being helpful.
But from Ian’s perspective, it was just annoying.
‘The problem is, it’s actually helping me get the hang of it.’
If it hadn’t been helpful at all, Ian would’ve already told him to back off.
“By the way, Brother, shouldn’t you be heading out soon?”
“Heading out? Where?”
“During breakfast this morning, Father said to come see him as soon as training was over. If you wash up now, you’ll make it just in time.”
“Ah, right.”
He had mentioned that during breakfast.
Ian had forgotten, but thankfully Hubert remembered.
“Let’s stop here for today.”
“Yes, Brother.”
Ian placed the wooden sword back in its original position.
Ian and Hubert quickly washed up, changed their clothes, and went to see Hugo together.
Hugo was still in his office. It seemed his work wasn’t finished yet.
“Come in. I’ve been waiting. It seems you two have been training together. Ian, have you made any progress?”
“I’ve just started to get the hang of it. I’ll need more time.”
“That’s good to hear. Hubert, make sure to help your brother more.”
“Yes, Father.”
The sight of the brothers getting along so well was heartwarming.
It was a scene he could never have imagined before.
Seeing Hubert, who had only addressed Ian as “brother” out of formality but never truly acknowledged him, now treating Ian as a proper brother, Hugo felt relieved.
Hubert would one day become the lord and lead the territory, while Ian would remain a loyal member of the family, handling difficult tasks.
Together, they would work for the family’s sake and lead it forward.
It was a beautiful picture, even in imagination.
‘Ugh, his advice might get even worse.’
Of course, this wasn’t exactly pleasant for Ian.
“It’s snowing.”
Hugo’s gaze shifted to the window, and naturally, their eyes followed.
The crisp autumn had passed, and now the trees stood bare in winter.
Snow was falling outside.
Through the window, they could see children playing in the cold, undeterred by the weather.
“On one hand, it’s worrying. While things are fine here, many in Vilcen are still struggling.”
Even in this situation, Hugo was thinking of the people in other territories.
Every time Ian saw this, he was reminded of how much there was to learn from Hugo.
The people of Vilcen were having a hard time due to the aftermath of the monster uprising.
Some had even lost their jobs because part of the mountain had burned down due to the fire Ian had set.
‘We’ve compensated them and provided relief, but…’
The financial situation wasn’t great, so it was inevitable that the aid fell short.
“Still, we’ve prepared as best we can. Thankfully, we managed to finish before the full onset of winter.”
“Even so, it’s hard not to worry. Hubert, make sure to pay more attention to what they need, just like your brother and I do.”
“Yes, Father.”
Hubert was already doing that.
And Ian often asked about the well-being of the people in Vilcen, wanting to help them.
Perhaps it was guilt over causing them to lose their jobs, or the camaraderie forged through shared hardships.
Whatever the reason, he couldn’t help but care about them.
He was even brainstorming ways to help Vilcen recover.
“My lord!”
At that moment, a loud voice calling for Hugo echoed from outside the office, followed by hurried footsteps.
It was Jurdan.
The door to the office swung open.
This was unlike Jurdan, who was usually meticulous about etiquette and composure.
Behind the open door, servants passing by the office looked on in surprise.
“Why are you in such a rush? Did something happen?”
“The, the exploration team… the exploration team…!”
Jurdan was so out of breath from running that he could barely get his words out.
“The exploration team? Ah, the one we sent to the uncharted territory?”
Hugo finally remembered the exploration team he had sent, having long since stopped expecting anything from them.
“They’ve… they’ve found something!”
“Found something? What do you mean? Did they find the bodies of the missing people?”
If that were the case, there should have been a report about them going missing.
But Hugo had no memory of receiving such a report.
“No, no! The exploration team sent to the uncharted territory reported that they’ve discovered a large deposit of iron ore! And nearby, there’s also a deposit of mithril!”
“M-Mithril? Did you just say mithril?!”
It was so unbelievable that Hugo pinched his own cheek.
The pain confirmed it wasn’t a dream.
“Is… is it true? They really found mithril?”
Mithril was an incredibly rare ore, lighter than iron yet stronger, with high magical resistance, and extremely valuable.
If this was true…
‘Exploration success!’
Not just a success, but a monumental one.
“They say it’s a small deposit, but it’s definitely there! This is the mithril ore!”
Jurdan carefully placed a small box in front of Hugo and opened it, as if presenting a treasure.
Inside the box was unmistakably mithril ore.
“Is… is this really mithril?”
Hugo, who had never seen mithril before, stared at it in awe.
“They also estimate that the iron ore deposits nearby are of high quality and substantial quantity!”
“Ha, haha! Hahahaha!”
A wide smile spread across Hugo’s face.
Who would have thought the exploration team, which he had all but forgotten about, would achieve such results!
And in just two months, no less.
‘Of course, it’s because I told them where to look for resources.’
But the reason they found it so quickly was because of Ian.
Without Ian, they might have eventually found it, but it could have taken much longer, or they might not have found it within the timeframe Hugo had proposed.
Exploration wasn’t something that could be completed in just half a year.
That’s why, before the exploration team set out, Ian had marked the areas they should focus on.
“Ian, you’re truly a blessing! A real blessing! Our proud son! I always believed in you!” T/L : No you didn’t bro. Its getting tiring.
Ian responded with a baffled expression.
“Weren’t you the most skeptical when I suggested sending the exploration team?”
“Listening to you was the best decision!”
Hugo hugged Ian tightly, as if he hadn’t heard a word Ian said.
Whether he was trying to stifle his embarrassment or was simply too overjoyed to care, it was hard to tell.
“My lord, we no longer have to worry about our tight finances!”
They were overjoyed like children at the unexpected windfall and the fact that they no longer had to worry about practical concerns.
Though the sight of middle-aged men acting like giddy children wasn’t exactly flattering.
‘Well, as long as they’re happy.’
Ian simply smiled warmly as he watched them.
