Chapter 22

1-Second Invincible Player In The Game 22

22. Membership

“A guest from the Orvella family is expected to visit.”

At the butler’s report, a spark of excitement lit up in Daysel’s eyes.

The meaning of a message from Orvella was clear—it could only be one thing. Daysel concealed his blooming joy inside and calmly took a sip of tea.

‘I thought it would take a long time because of the queue, but it’s faster than I expected…’

Being a leading candidate for the next head of the family and having built a respectable career, he was more than qualified.

However, the review process was prolonged due to the number of unworthy applicants.

And yet, to think that the noble of nobles, ‘Edel Kraiss,’ would issue a membership in just one year.

It was only natural for his butler to be excited.

“The time is 6 PM.”

“6 PM…”

“It must have been urgent to send someone so quickly. It seems they hold Daysel in special regard.”

Daysel left the butler’s flattery behind and checked the clock. There wasn’t much time left.

* * *

The air was quite chilly. It was the time when the sunset was fading.

Upon hearing the news of the carriage’s arrival, Daysel hastened his steps to the main gate.

The door of the carriage opened, and a neatly dressed middle-aged man stepped onto the ground.

Thud─

A badge with a scale motif, forged from metal, hung on his chest.

He offered a greeting along with a brief introduction.

“Good evening? I am Alkai from Orvella.”

“I’m Daysel Ben Tenest. A pleasure to meet you, Sir Alkai.”

The man looked around the estate grounds and expressed his admiration.

“Ho-ho… As I’ve heard, it is indeed a beautiful mansion.”

“Thank you for the compliment. However…”

Daysel showed a hint of regret with a bitter smile.

“If you had informed us a bit earlier, we could have prepared properly. I apologize for such a modest reception.”

“Ha-ha, your words alone are appreciated. Nevertheless, there’s no need for Daysel to worry. Actually, we need to deliver the membership and leave posthaste.”

The man smiled kindly. Then he took out an elegant box and looked around.

Soon, his eyebrows slightly furrowed with confusion.

“Hmm… But where is Mr. Hersel?”

“…?”

Taken aback by the unexpected name, Daysel blinked. The man bowed his head apologetically and said,

“Actually, he needs to receive it personally. It’s truly appreciated that you came out, Daysel, but proxy collection is against the rules…”

‘What does that mean…’

Just then, the man’s eyes sparkled as he gazed into the distance. The sound of footsteps followed. Daysel joined in looking where the man was staring.

Click-clack─

The arrogantly tilted chin and the disdainful blue eyes. Watching the dignified stride, Daysel felt as if all warmth was draining from his body.

Thump─

Hersel put a hand on his shoulder with a crescent-moon-like smile.

“Thanks for coming out to meet me, Daysel.”

After tapping his shoulder twice, Hersel’s hand left. A shiver ran down Daysel’s skin.

‘Could it be…’

His suspicion was correct. As Hersel approached, the man bowed deeply in greeting.

“Good day, Mr. Hersel. Congratulations on becoming a member of the illustrious Edel Kräiss.”

“Pleased to meet you. But isn’t this later than expected?”

“What? Oh, no… This was actually issued quite exceptionally fast…”

The man holding the box was visibly trembling. Hersel looked at him and snorted with leisure.

“Hmph, all that talk about time being money?”

“Ye-yes, of course, it’s money. But this… there was a lot of talk about it internally…”

“Why? Did my name cause a stir or something?”

“Cough, um. Hardly. That would be…”

“Enough teasing. Is that mine?”

Hersel snatched the box. A faint red glow leaked from the seams of the box.

Click─

A single card, crafted from metal. Daycel’s eyes gradually widened. It was unmistakably the ‘Edel Kräiss’ membership card he had only seen with his father and mother.

“Oh, it’s even more radiant in person. You’ve done well, off you go.”

As if he had finished his business, Hersel waved his hand dismissively. The man, still in a daze, offered his thanks and climbed into the carriage.

Hersel passed by Daycel without giving him a glance.

But Daycel grabbed Hersel’s shoulder.

“What trick did you pull… How could someone like you get into Edel Kräiss!?”

As if he couldn’t comprehend it, Daycel furrowed his brow, and Hersel smirked.

“Who knows? Think about it on your own.”

Watching his retreating back, Daycel ground his teeth audibly.

He felt an indescribable sense of humiliation at the fact that a being he once considered no more than a bug had surpassed him.

“There you are! Brother! Over here!”

And then another infuriating figure appeared.

Another loathsome target, Mirsel ran towards Hersel and looked this way.

“Brother, that guy is glaring as if he wants to kill you.”

“Mirsel, in times like these, it’s best to ignore.”

“Why? What happened?”

“He’s too pitiful to even speak of.”

Daycel watched the two, who were grating on his nerves, and bottled up something deep inside.

A deadly intent that felt like it would leak out the moment he let his guard down.

Thwack──!

As a top spun out of the mortar, Mirsel grumbled in frustration.

“It’s strange, why is it only yours that doesn’t get pushed out?”

“There’s a trick to it, a trick.”

“Can’t we swap and try this time?”

“Who was it that said we should compete with our own creations?”

Mirsel, seemingly convinced of his hopeless situation, let out a deep sigh as if wishing the ground would swallow him up.

Feeling it might be time to let him in on the secret, I handed over my top.

“Try holding it.”

With a dumbfounded expression, Mirsel held his self-made top in his empty hand, comparing its weight

I wish I could take even one of them lightly…

A test of courage?

My mood suddenly sank. It was because something came to mind.

“Surely… you’re not talking about that place?”

“Yes, where the monsters caught by dad are kept.”

Mirsell smirked annoyingly. It seems this little one harbored a grudge for being toyed with a spinning top. This must be revenge, no doubt.

“It’s better to be nervous, you know? There’s still something alive and moving in there.”

“…I refuse.”

“Don’t be like that, let’s go, okay?”

[Let’s go together.]

Without a second glance, I walked on as Mirsell and Niasell grabbed my collar. How could such little kids be so strong? I couldn’t shake them off even if I wanted to.

Stop it.

You’ll stretch out the clothes…

“Ha…”

Suddenly, I remembered my uncle and let out a sigh.

Come to think of it, I…

As a child, I used to follow my uncle around during the holidays, annoying him.

I would press the power button on the computer and run away.

I would execute the figures he treasured by placing their heads on the desk.

I even proudly displayed the CDs hidden under the bed, calling them my uncle’s treasure in front of the whole family.

…Damn it.

I really was a terrible child.

Maybe I’m receiving punishment now for treating my uncle like a toy back then.

“Lead the way.”

A life full of sins.

Today, I will atone for the sins of that day.

* * *

The lowlands emit a foul smell.

The moisture-laden bricks exude the feeling of a basement. As I descended the stairs, the heat from the lamps hanging on the wall brushed against my cheeks. The trembling of Niasell on my back conveyed the eerie atmosphere.

Groooan───

Even the wails of the grotesque creatures added to the atmosphere, making it feel as if we were entering the maw of a dungeon.

Amidst this, Mirsel was laughing, seemingly enjoying the situation.

“How is it? The ambiance is chilling, right? Niasel, it’s time for you to come down from your brother.”

Niasel shook his head with all his might. Yet, I put the terrified little one down on the ground. Niasel glared at me with resentful eyes.

…Understand.

If he peed, my back would get wet.

Niasel reached out his hand. There was no paper, but the words [Then at least your hand] seemed to hover in the air.

“Do as you like.”

Our hands clasped. Niasel’s expression softened a bit.

But, what’s this?

Mirsel’s glance over his shoulder was oddly disconcerting.

“Why? Do you want me to hold your hand too?”

“…No, what am I, a child?”

Mirsel turned away petulantly. I followed his lead down the corridor.

Clank──

Niasel’s strength went into his hand. It was because of a sudden metallic sound from ahead.

“Gasp… Lord Hersel, what brings you here?”

It was Jack and Rodel. The sound we heard earlier seemed to come from their armor.

“What are you doing here?”

“Well, we… It’s our turn for guard duty today, so we were standing watch here.”

Just like the last time they were gatekeepers, and since Aol took many knights to the border, it seems they were struggling with a shortage of manpower.

Mirsel pointed at the entrance door of the exhibition hall.

“Open that for us, will you?”

Jack and Rodel scratched their heads, looking troubled.

“No… well, you see. Young Master Mirsel, that’s a bit difficult.”

“If the lady of the house finds out, she’ll scold us severely…” S~eaʀᴄh the NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Mirsel pouted and asked.

“Why not? You let us in easily last time, why not now?”

“That was because the Duke was with us. You know how dangerous it is beyond that door…”

Jack spoke as if to soothe. For some reason, I was beginning to like these two men. It would be good for me if we just turned back now.

In this place, a troublesome demon related to the scenario is sealed away.

Of course, there’s no chance the seal would break just yet, but there’s nothing to gain from stirring things up, right?

…It’s also quite frightening.

But then, Mircel looks at me with eyes full of expectation.

“What’s there to fear when your big bro is here with you?”

Damn it…

I fervently pray that Jack and Rodel adhere to the rules as I open my eyes sharply. However, these clueless fools just purse their lips and nod.

“Oh, if that’s the case, there’s nothing to worry about if you’re accompanied by Lord Hursel.”

“As long as you keep it a secret from the lady of the house…”

Click—

Thinking they’ve done well, they chatter away as they unlock the door with a key. Mircel takes the lead, holding a lamp.

Holding Niasel’s hand, I glare at Jack and Rodel as we step into the exhibition hall.

“Rodel… did we make some kind of mistake?”

“Well, I’m not sure…”

Those useless fools.

* * *

After Orvella’s carriage left, the mansion was thrown into a commotion.

“Are you serious… It wasn’t Daycel but that rascal?”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m saying. The gentleman from Orvella was very polite, you know?”

“I saw him hand over the card clearly!”

The servants couldn’t hide their astonishment that Hursel had obtained membership to ‘Edel Cryse’. It was only natural for such a sensational rumor to spread like wildfire.

“Ahem, but what do you mean by rascal? You should say Lord Hursel. Ahem.”

“This guy? Already lining up, are you?”

“Oh my, what if the lady of the house hears about this?”

In the midst of their chatter, the butler quickly turned his head. The other groups whispering about Hursel did the same.

“…Quiet down. The steward is passing by.”

With the atmosphere of the mansion as it was, the steward let out a heavy sigh.

‘The lady of the house will be here soon, how should I explain this…’

There was an important meeting coming up. To reveal such a fact before a crucial moment was a dilemma. It couldn’t be hidden either.

While fretting internally, a carriage arrived at the front gate. The steward bowed his head and welcomed the returning lady of the house.

“How was your outing? Any good news?”

“It went well. But I’m tired, it’s been a while. Meeting people is quite the task.”

The lady of the house strolled through the garden path. The steward followed her. The chattering servants bowed respectfully, as if reminded anew of who truly ruled the estate.

“Elma, will you tell the children to come to the next meeting?”

“The young masters, you mean?”

“Yes, I thought they might learn something. Opportunities like this are rare.”

The steward flinched.

“You don’t mean…”

“Exactly, the head of the family will come in person.”

“?!”

The steward struggled to calm his surprise. It was natural for a servant to worry upon hearing that Heinrich, the head of a rival family, would come as the representative.

They reached the front of the main house. Gossip from the maids leaked through the still-closed doors.

“Hershel, that man is really going to Edel Kreis?”

“That’s right. A carriage from Orvella arrived just earlier…”

Eventually, the maids’ chatter reached the lady’s ears. She asked gently,

“Elma. Can you tell me more about what those children are discussing?”

“Well, that is…”

The steward explained the situation as carefully as possible.

“Really? That’s interesting news. It’s not a place just anyone can enter.”

“Could it be with the money siphoned from the mines you mentioned before…”

The lady had long known that Hershel had been smuggling goods from the mines and that he had been conducting suspicious transactions with Orvella’s daughter.

“Well. I doubt Orvella would be swayed by that amount of money… It seems our eldest son has some talents I haven’t noticed. It wouldn’t be bad to take a look.”

“A look?”

With a deep interest in her eyes, the lady smiled faintly.

“I’m thinking of having him attend the meeting. Not just as an observer, but as a representative.”