The eldest son and the one closest to becoming the next head of the family.
Gunter de Strange.
Ever since I was reborn, I’ve been mindful of his existence.
When I considered the future ahead of me, it was clear that he posed a far greater danger than the trio of Tony, Johnny, and Ronnie.
But I had no idea when he began to see me as a threat. Even after recalling my past life, I couldn’t pinpoint it.
Well.
Knowing Gunter, he must have acted with precision and subtlety, so my younger self in the previous life wouldn’t have noticed.
In my past life, there were a few attempts by assassins to infiltrate the main family. Each time, they were stopped and killed by the guardian knights.
None of those attempts succeeded in reaching my room like this one did.
This means that this life is more dangerous than the last.
It won’t be easy.
The path to reclaiming the title of Sword King.
Gunter’s level of threat surpasses what it was in my previous life.
While this assassination attempt wasn’t life-threatening, there’s no telling what tactics he’ll use next. I need to remain alert.
Gunter is someone who plans meticulously and acts with utmost caution.
This assassination attempt made it clear: this life won’t be any easier than my previous one.
Though some events from my past life repeat, others diverge entirely from the flow of causality.
This incident proved as much.
It served as a strong reminder that I stand in a position where even the slightest lapse in attention could lead to death.
If anything, I should be glad the assassin came before something bigger happened.
At least now I have the chance to prepare for what’s to come.
“Emma, do you know who’s attending today’s meeting?”
The nanny began folding her fingers as she answered.
“The master of the house, the eldest young master, the second young master, the third young lady, and all the lords of the branch families will be gathering.”
“Even the branch families are attending?”
“Yes, the master urgently summoned them. I believe it might be because of the assassin who targeted you.”
Not only the direct descendants—first, second, and third—but even the branch families. This was akin to preparing for war.
A gathering so dangerous that its mere existence could threaten neighbouring nations. Even the emperor, commanding the imperial army, would have reason to be on edge.
…The heavens are on my side.
I hadn’t expected such an opportunity to keep Gunter in check to come so quickly.
“Are you sure both my brothers will be attending?”
“Of course. The young masters and young lady have already arrived.”
“My brothers and sister?”
“Yes, they’re waiting in the garden for the master’s arrival.”
“I didn’t know they were here, so I haven’t greeted them. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“Well… I thought it might be better for you to stay here.”
Her expression alone made it clear what she meant. In the Strange family, siblings competed to the death.
She probably thought I’d face harassment from my brothers.
Just like the useless trio of Tony, Johnny, and Ronnie.
After a brief moment of thought, I gave the nanny a gentle smile.
“Emma, could you bring me the item I asked you to store in the cold storage?”
“Greetings to the master of the house!”
The voice of Beth, the captain of the guardian knights, echoed through the castle. The other knights repeated her call in unison.
“Greetings to the master of the house!”
The current head of the Strange family, Lois, entered the castle with a stern expression.
Following behind him were two men and one woman.
A muscular man with slicked-back golden hair, a yellow cross-emblazoned suit of armor, and a massive two-handed sword slung over his shoulder—Gunter, the eldest.
A thin man with short blue hair, a blue suit of armor with a cross insignia, and two swords strapped to his waist—Hysteria, the second eldest.
A woman with long red hair, blood-red armor adorned with a cross, and a sword with a handle as long as its blade strapped to her back—Valentine, the third.
Three individuals, powerful enough to destroy an entire nation within half a day, had gathered.
For one purpose: to uncover the mastermind behind the assassin who dared infiltrate the Strange family’s estate.
Upon arriving at the meeting hall, Lois was the first to pull out a chair and sit down.
Scrrrk.
The first, second, and third children each took seats, keeping a deliberate distance from one another.
The elite knights of the Strange family, who had followed, filled the remaining gaps.
Scrape.
Seated around the circular table were the head of the family, the three direct descendants, and the members of the branch families who had grown up in their respective territories.
After a long silence, Lois finally broke the tension.
“The assassin?”
The eldest, Gunter, answered.
“We’re pursuing them.”
His voice was deep and resonant, like it had emerged from the depths of a cave.
“Based on what we’ve uncovered so far, it seems they belong to the guild known as Redworm, which has made a name for itself in the East.”
“Redworm?”
“An assassination organization.”
“And their motive for targeting us?”
Lois rested his chin on his hand, his expression intrigued, as Gunter cleared his throat and continued.
“They were likely after the youngest’s head. The rumor that the Sword God’s spiritual guardian has returned to our family has already spread across the continent.”
The Sword God’s return.
That single phrase explained well enough why the youngest had been targeted by an assassin.
Numerous guilds across the continent were lying in wait, eager for an opportunity to devour the Strange family.
“Father, Redworm is merely a small organization of just over a hundred assassins.”
“A hundred?”
“Yes, they’re not nearly a match for us. But I believe they were acting on orders from a larger power.”
“A larger power?”
Gunter’s gaze hardened as he nodded.
“A force so significant that they’re prepared to take us on.”
“To take us on…”
Lois’s eyes flared with anger as he unleashed his aura.
Sssss.
“You’re referring to Glazer.”
“Yes, Father.”
“But the war with Glazer only ended recently.”
“They must think lightly of us. Ever since Hagen took over as their leader, they’ve pulled stunts like this every year.”
“Phew…”
The gathered blood relatives exchanged uneasy glances and nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, the second son, Hysteria, let out a wicked laugh.
“Kahaha! Brother, do you really think that makes sense?”
“…What?”
“Does that even sound plausible to you? You’ve no idea what state Glazer is in and yet you make such claims?”
Lois turned his gaze toward Hysteria, who seized the moment, rose from his seat, and began circling the round table as he spoke.
“Father, as you know, Glazer is at odds with the emperor right now. They’re in no position to wage war against us.”
“……”
“In a situation where they should be lying low, why would they provoke us? What could they possibly gain?”
“……Hmm.”
“To turn both the Strange family and the imperial army into enemies simultaneously? That’s nothing short of suicide. No matter how extraordinary the youngest is, who would be insane enough to risk a war over killing a single child?”
Hysteria’s sly grin grew as he draped an arm over the shoulder of a fat, sweat-drenched member of the branch families.
“What do you think? Am I wrong?”
“You’re… you’re right.”
“See? Even you think Brother Gunter’s opinion is ridiculous.”
“N-no, that’s not what I meant! Lord Gunter, I would never—”
“Don’t deny it. Just tell Brother Gunter. ‘How did someone with a head like yours end up as the next head of the family? You’ll probably get killed by one of us soon anyway.’” Hysteria laughed uproariously.
Gunter glared at Hysteria with a displeased expression.
“Stop it, Hysteria.”
“Oh, my. Our future family head is already starting to issue orders, huh?”
“It’s not an order.”
“Then, is it a request?”
“It’s a warning. Stop here and sit down quietly.”
Hysteria didn’t avert his gaze from Gunter.
“What if I don’t want to?”
Gunter gripped the hilt of his sword.
“You know what will happen, don’t you?”
Hysteria’s lips twitched into a faint smirk as he grabbed the hilt of his own sword.
“No idea. Why don’t you show me, brother?”
As the tension between the two continued to rise—
Snap!
Lois snapped his fingers.
Both Gunter and Hysteria flinched involuntarily before retreating to their seats and turning their backs.
“Silence.”
With a single word, the meeting hall fell into order. The piercing tension caused the blood relatives to break out in a cold sweat.
Family head Lois turned his gaze toward Valentine.
“Valentine, what do you think?”
“…I agree with Hysteria.”
“Do you now?”
“Yes. The culprit is probably not Glazer but someone within our ranks.”
“Within?”
“If Glazer had acted, as Gunter said, their target would not have been Verdin but rather your life, Father.”
“……”
“If Glazer had truly acted, their goal wouldn’t have been Verdin but the head of our family—you, Father.”
“Indeed, that is logical.”
Royce closed his eyes and sank into deep thought.
Though Gunter was the eldest son, he couldn’t ignore the differing opinions of the second and third.
“Gunter.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Return to the east immediately and annihilate that Redworm assassin group. Kill not only the group but also their families, relatives, and anyone even remotely connected to them. Burn everything related to them and erase their existence.”
“…Understood.”
“Valentine, you will re-examine this castle’s security to ensure no assassin can infiltrate again.”
“Yes, Father.”
Lois exhaled deeply, surveying everyone gathered in the hall before speaking in a sharp, cutting tone.
“Ensure this never happens again. Show the world what happens to those who dare to point a blade at the Strange family.”
The meeting concluded.
When the doors opened, Lois was the first to leave, followed by dozens of collateral relatives sweating profusely. They quickened their pace as if they couldn’t wait to leave the castle.
Despite being family, their frightened expressions made one wonder if such tension was necessary.
In any case, the castle would soon be empty.
For the time being, only Valentine would remain.
Step, step, step.
Once all the collateral relatives disappeared from view, a familiar figure emerged from the meeting hall.
A muscular man with slicked-back blonde hair and thick eyebrows.
‘Gunter.’
He walked past me with a blank expression and spoke.
“So, you’re Verdin.”
Gunter recognized me immediately, even though we were meeting for the first time.
“Yes, brother.”
I raised my head and met his gaze. Gunter found my demeanor amusing and flashed a faint smile.
“Just as I’ve heard.”
“Just as you’ve heard?”
“Yes, you’ve got impressive eyes. It’s no wonder Father favors you.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“……”
That was the extent of our conversation. Gunter lightly patted my head before leaving.
Shortly after, Valentine appeared. She glanced at me, offering a slight smile before her expression turned cold again. She didn’t say a word—not even a greeting. She simply nodded faintly and left.
I stood in front of the meeting hall for a long time, waiting until everyone who had attended the meeting was gone.
I vividly remembered this.
From when I was a child until I became an adult, one person always stayed behind until the very end whenever a meeting concluded.
Today was no different.
As soon as I thought everyone had left, I cautiously entered the meeting hall.
“…Huh? Who are you?”
A man with blue hair, lounging with his legs propped up on the table, greeted me with a lopsided grin.
“Hello, brother. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Verdin.”
He was a strong individual who could keep Gunter in check until I was strong enough.
“Verdin?”
The one who would later be called a revolutionary—the family’s second son.
Hysteria de Strange.
“Yes, I’m that Verdin.”
He was the strongest card I could play at this moment.