Novel Live
Chapter 75
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Chapter 75: Duke Georg Grunewald
I recalled the diary Allenvert had written in seclusion. He had repeatedly recorded his fear and admiration for his father in its pages.
-Father is cold, flawlessly like a machine, and all-knowing. No one can defy or deceive him. Not my brothers, mothers, the people of our maternal family, vassals, or retainers…
-I hate Father. When I think of what he did to me and Mother, I can never feel any filial affection towards him. It’s impossible for me.
-However, I wanted to become a man as strong as Father. How ugly and contradictory, Allenvert. Why do I admire him even as I hate him…?
There was a pitiful aspect to Allenvert’s mixed feelings of love and hate.
‘Furthermore…’
It's astonishing that Duke Georg Grunewald's authority is so high that Allenvert would speak of him in such a way.
‘How greedy and disobedient these noble bastards are.’
To control all those precious sons and make them obey without complaint? Especially with such a large port under his domain, where so much money and so many foreigners come and go?
‘It’s not human governance.’
If it’s true, he is literally the incarnation of politics.
Furthermore, Ludan said his true martial prowess is unknown to the world. Such a perfect superhuman, and he happens to be my father and the lord of this duchy?
‘Gaining such a man’s favor is not easy.’
But one thing is clear. The reason that man is silently watching his children’s succession battle is to choose a young lion strong and cunning enough to succeed him.
If so, then I should trust the Duke’s discernment.
“We have arrived, Young Master.”
Jeffrey said. I looked out the window.
“Wow, this is amazing.”
It was, once again, a truly massive winery. I had never seen one of this scale even in my previous life.
“Is this building a warehouse for aging wine?”
I asked, pointing at the huge warehouse.
“That’s correct, Young Master. It’s over 200 years old.”
“Wine made in such a place must truly be the pride of the kingdom.”
“Is that all? This wine is made by storing grapes, grown under the hot sun and sea breeze by day and the cool moonlight by night, in old wine barrels. There isn’t a merchant who visits Grunewald who doesn’t covet our wine.”
“That’s incredible.”
I swallowed. Expensive liquor isn’t usually something I buy with my own money.
“Will I be able to taste it today?”
“It would be possible if the His Grace wishes it.”
“Well, this gives me another reason to make a good impression on Father.”
“We also separately produce brandy and distilled spirits.”
“It would be a true delicacy paired with good meat or fish.”
I said, smacking my lips.
“…However, Young Master, as you have not yet come of age, please refrain from excessive drinking.”
“Of course. I’ll expel any alcohol poisoning if I feel like I’m going to get drunk.”
“Young Master.”
The Head Butler’s voice changed as he saw a group of figures coming out of the warehouse.
“Please be prepared now.”
The small talk ended there. I took a deep breath and calmed myself.
“Of course.”
As I got out of the carriage, a sharp sense of pressure enveloped me. Guards boasting unbelievably strong mana were looking at me with emotionless eyes.
‘…Wow, this is intense.’
Each one of them was incredibly powerful.
"His Excellency the Duke is coming out."
At the guard's deep voice, I straightened my back.
Thud, thud.
The Duke’s face, walking out from the darkness, was slowly revealing itself as the curtain of night was drawn back.
‘Wow, his physique…’
He was like a lion walking on two legs. He even resembled a Werelion, a royal species among Lycanthropes that is said to be extremely rare.
His abundant blond hair, swept back, was like a mane, and even the gray hairs mixed within seemed to represent this man’s age and dignity.
A body full of muscles, a beard-covered jaw, a posture that was upright yet flexible and weighty…
‘There’s no way such a man could be weak.’
What I was curious about was just how strong this man was.
‘He might even be stronger than Amilcar.’
Amilcar, one of the ten greatest warriors of the Flanders Kingdom and an 8th-tier powerhouse. He possessed strength that ranked among the best I had personally encountered.
‘An 8th-tier…’
If he had reached that level, he deserved the titles of Archmage and Swordmaster.
I could fully understand Ludan’s words that Grunewald’s martial arts were the kingdom’s foremost martial techniques, and that Duke Georg’s martial prowess, having mastered those techniques, was as strong as to cover the sky.
‘Moreover, Amilcar was merely a strong warrior.’
He couldn’t possibly match the stature of Duke Georg, who was not only an overwhelming warrior but also the lord of the duchy.
‘He is an unbelievably powerful man.’
I easily understood why Verdzig would have no choice but to fear his own father. No matter how cunning, intelligent, and genius that guy was…
‘I wouldn’t be able to stand against this man.’
Verdzig was the most unfathomable, snake-like man I had met in this life.
However, no matter how strong a snake’s venom might be, no matter how fierce and brave it might be, it would be difficult for it to pierce the lion’s hide and sink its teeth in.
‘This man is the king of this land and this sea.’
I wondered how many people of higher stature there had truly been in both my previous and current lives combined.
‘Would it have felt like this if I had met the Dark King in person?’
With my current stature, I couldn’t even grasp the level of the Duke’s power. Frankly speaking, this was quite a shock.
Only then did I understand why the Head Butler and Jeffrey were so apprehensive and respectful of Duke Georg.
“Welcome, Allen.”
I almost knelt at that dignified voice.
“…I greet my father.”
Pull yourself together, Allenvert. It's unlike me to have the initiative taken from me right from the start.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes. It’s been seven years.”
The dignity contained in his voice was already a form of martial art in itself. Like a king reigning, I felt pressure tightening and pressing down on me with each of his steps.
‘Still, I’m his son. You’re being too much, Father.’
The moment it became certain that this was a place to assess my abilities and capacity.
‘It reminds me of when I stormed into Daikin’s residence long ago.’Nôv(el)B\\jnn
At that time, I was as good as dead if Daikin had given the order. I was far weaker than Zizek and a naive kid who didn’t know the world.
‘But I never cowered or acted subserviently.’
I would rather die than be subservient. That is the way of a man of the underworld. That boldness saved my life and the lives of my subordinates.
So, facing an opponent with an overwhelming difference in stature and showing courage is something I am used to.
‘Besides, This man is my father.’
While maintaining composure, I mustn’t lose the easygoing demeanor of a commendable and beloved son.
I know well how those in power view their children and what they expect.
“You’ve grown a lot.”
“Well, it has been seven years. It’s enough time for a boy to become a young man.”
“I see.”
“Father, you’ve also gotten a few more gray hairs.”
I saw the Duke’s eyebrows twitch, and I thought.
‘This isn’t right?’
Thinking it over, I realized that what I had said in an attempt to be easygoing had become sarcastic.
“Hmm. So, what I mean is, it’s not that…”
“Enough.”
The Duke turned his back. Moonlight poured down brilliantly upon him.
“I called you here to spend some time together as father and son after a long time. Come in.”
“Yes.”
“The rest of you, wait here.”
At his words, everyone replied in unison,
“Understood.”
I looked beyond the door of the wine cellar that the Duke had personally opened. Magic stones were providing light.
‘It feels like I’m being dragged in.’
But I’m not walking into a death trap. Because surely, opportunity awaits me within.
***
“You’ve changed a lot, as I’ve heard. To think you can even say such things.”
The Duke uncorked a bottle of wine and poured it into my glass. Looking at the color, redder than blood and more beautiful than a ruby, I thought.
‘It looks expensive.’
Indeed, even just looking at the extremely meticulous craftsmanship, the glass was not ordinary.
“Is this your first time drinking alcohol?”
“Yes.”
It wasn’t a lie. It was my first time in this life.
“As you may have heard on your way here, this is our Clan’s prized vintage, aged for 50 years.”
“Ah, such a precious thing.”
“Should a father not be able to treat his son to at least this much?”
Duke Georg maintained a consistently expressionless face. Although his words were kind, his voice was so stiff that it felt like I was being interrogated.
“Allen.”
“Yes, Father.”
“How much do you remember of Grunewald’s history?”
“I know that Grunewald, which was a small kingdom, was granted the title of duchy by the king during the time of the founder of the Vitenfeld line.”
“Is that so.”
The Duke familiarly savored the wine’s aroma before taking a sip. I followed suit.
‘Wow, the aroma…’
Traces of flowers, grapes, almonds, and spices were intricately intertwined, like a well-made soup. Why could I even smell vegetables and rocks from this one glass of wine?
“Peony, linden, well-roasted walnuts, pepper and thyme, clay and well-dried plums.”
At my words, which I muttered as if possessed, the Duke showed a surprised expression for the first time.
“Interesting. You perceived all those aromas from this one glass?”
“I simply muttered the faint images that came to mind.”
“Excellent.”
“Since your senses are this keen and accurate, you must have shown such genius when learning martial arts .”
I belatedly realized that even this was a test.
“Were my other brothers and sisters similar to me?”
“Somerset was the dullest, and Verdzig was the keenest. But even he couldn’t discern the scent of thyme hidden within the strong scent of pepper, or the sour and astringent taste of linden berries hidden within the refreshing scent of peony.”
“……”
“Having rich senses means possessing talent for martial arts and mana. Furthermore, it is also related to the ability to see through the hidden side of complex matters.”
Seeing my hand tremble slightly at these words, I wondered if this might be the first time I had received praise from the Duke.
“It seems I also have a talent for gourmet food.”
“I’ve heard that you showed exceptional insight even when drinking tea with Ludan.”
“!”
How did he know about this as well? I wondered what he didn’t know, and I suddenly became worried that my actions from last night might have been discovered.
“Allen.”
“Yes.”
“How old do you think this farm is?”
I took a guess based on my feeling.
“I think it’s about 200 years old.”
“It’s 300 years old.”
“Huh.”
For a farm to have continued for 300 years… just how deep are this Clan’s foundations and history?
“The first Grunewald started from a very small fishing village. Ancestors who were exceptionally brave, ancestors who were exceptionally shrewd in business, ancestors who were exceptionally good at handling people, ancestors who were exceptionally respected for their scholarship and dignity……”
The Duke stared at me.
“They built and expanded the Clan fortune, and before we knew it, they developed this small fishing village into a port and became its leaders. As time passed, they became kings of a small city, and soon after, they became dukes and became the sword that protected the kingdom. 200 years have passed since then, and that is the Grunewald of today.”
“Everything I saw on my way here was the product of time, with the worries and sweat of my ancestors ingrained within it.”
“I am pleased that you understand that point.”
I was about to feel good about his continued praise, but that’s when it happened.
“Lately, I hear you’ve been up to some interesting things.”
At the attack that came like a thrust during a casual step, I momentarily held my breath.
“……”
I looked at my face reflected in the wine glass. My face, as red as if it had been covered in blood, wore a well-crafted mask of indifference.
‘Excellent, Karzan.’
Your boldness saved me once.
I raised my head and stared into the Duke’s stern and cold eyes. They held a dignity that would make most people not even dare to look at him.
‘These are the eyes of a lion.’
However, while I was nervous, I did not lose Karzan’s boldness. That is how I have survived.
“Since the time I wasted was long, I figured I should become more diligent.”
“Is that so.”
The Duke nodded.
“You’ve been quite mischievous with your brothers as well.”
“As far as I remember, it was my brothers Somerset and Barclava who were mischievous first.”
I looked at his face and continued.
“…And then it was my brother Verdzig.”
At that name, even the Duke’s gaze showed a slight change.
“Ulvhild seems to cherish your talent quite a bit. Karl also seems to be favorably disposed towards you.”
“I’m grateful for that.”
The Duke completely emptied his wine glass. I took the bottom of the wine bottle and refilled his glass.
“You’re skillful. Where did you learn such things?”
“I carefully observed the attendants pouring wine at banquets.”
“It seems your ability to imitate isn’t limited to swordsmanship.”
At the Duke’s words, as if he knew everything, I doubted myself once again. Had I really deceived this man? Did he already know what I had done in the underworld last night?
This man’s gaze was so deep that it naturally evoked such suspicions.
“But remember one thing.”
“I’m listening.”
“It is best to be without emotion in plots and schemes. Emotional reactions easily lead to misjudgment.”
“But I’m quite an emotional man.”
“So it seems. The balance you have now is appropriate.”
The Duke spoke as if my retort wasn’t unfamiliar to him. Even though that shouldn't be the case.
“By the way, Allen.”
“Yes?”
My questions were resolved by his next words.
“…It seems you really don’t remember. You didn’t like this nickname very much.”
It seemed he placed more weight on the possibility that I truly had amnesia. The Duke is indeed different.
“Hmm, is that so?”
I scratched my head and nonchalantly replied.
“I don’t really think anything of it.”
“The truth is, there are those who suspect that you have been hiding your true abilities and waiting for the right moment.”
“I wish that were the case, but if I were going to hide my claws and then reveal them, I wouldn’t have waited for seven years.”
The Duke’s eyes narrowed.
“In short, strategically speaking, now is not the right time?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Why?”
“Those who only wait for the optimal moment will, paradoxically, always miss the opportunity. If a man truly sets his mind on something, what does it matter whether it is late or early?”
“……”
At these words, he showed a rather surprised expression.
“To think I would hear such bold words from your mouth.”
This was Karzan’s conviction, who walked the nights of the underworld, so it was no doubt unfamiliar and surprising to the Duke, who remembered the young and weak Allenvert.
“But you know, Allen.”
“Yes.”
“There is actually one thing I’m curious about.”
“Please ask, Father.”
The Duke’s voice changed.
“What exactly did you do with the mask your brother gave you that day?”
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]