Chapter 22: State of Selflessness

“Count Clayton, do you think he’ll comply with our demands?”

A man with hair like a lion’s mane asked, and someone who appeared to be his subordinate bowed his head and replied.

“Yes. We believe that Count Clayton can not only fill the void left by Count Salier but also paint a bigger picture.”

“As far as I know, Count Clayton is a typical merchant focused on money.”

“That’s true, but looking at his recent actions, we can see that he is attempting a political move that has nothing to do with financial gain.”

The man Oliver G. Daniel slowly nodded at his subordinate’s words.

Indeed, the Clayton family’s status in the coalition market was by no means low.

Even his lord hoped to establish connections with the Clayton family.

“Good. But what are these political moves? As far as I know, he’s not sponsoring any organization.”

Count Clayton was not known for spending money for political gain.

Even when he did spend money, it was always for the sake of public interest or to secure a deal, never for political purposes.

“He hadn’t yet acted openly like a sponsor, but recently, there were reports that he had been attending noble gatherings.”

“Hm… so Clayton is doing that.”

Since banquets were not just for eating and playing, it was fair to say that the head of the Clayton family was spying on the atmosphere of the noble world.

“By the way, how old is Anais this year?”

“Seventeen.”

“I heard that the genius from the Clayton family is the same age. What do you think?”

“Lowell, the head of the family, is known to be very cautious. He would probably approach his son’s marriage with great care.”

“Still, the name of our Judgment Knights’ daughter is not insignificant.”

In terms of reputation, the Clayton family couldn’t compare to the Judgment Knights.

How could a mere merchant family’s name be equal to that of the knights who had supported the imperial family since the great war?

“Of course…. but you know how strong the nobles’ purity beliefs are.”

“Tch. Damn those purists.”

Anais who was currently attending classes at the academy was not the biological daughter of the former commander, Lindberg K. Robert.

Though their names were not lacking, it was true that they were short on justification from their side.

“Robert, your loyalty continues to trouble me even after your death. You could have at least left a child behind on your way out.”

Daniel who still remembered Robert’s broad back clenched and unclenched his fist for a moment.

“Then the eldest son, who is called a fool, might be just fine. I heard he has recently matured.”

“Yes.”

“Arrange a meeting with the head of the Clayton family. I will handle it personally.”

“Understood.”

After his subordinate left the room, Daniel looked at a photo on a table.

It was a group photo of himself, the Judgment Knights members, the former commander Robert, and a very young Anais.

Robert was smiling in the photo, but Daniel was grinding his teeth.

How much filth was hidden behind that smile.

Even though he had become the commander to escape those filthy feelings, jealousy still lingered in Daniel’s heart.

No, rather, since the day he stood in this position …

“Your marks are too clear still.”

Those feelings had only grown, not diminished.

“A-An engagement? Big brother’s engagement?”

“Yes.”

After the communication through the crystal ball ended, Klein looked at Shane with a dumbfounded expression.

Big brother… engaged?

Of course, as nobles, they were familiar with the concept of engagement, but since their father Lowell had never once mentioned anything about an engagement until now, it was understandably shocking.

Moreover, the thought of his brother being engaged…

Although Shane had shown significant changes recently, Klein still couldn’t quite imagine him settling down and starting a family with a woman.

No, maybe if that happens, Brother will become even gentler than he is now.

While Klein was thinking that, Shane recalled his father’s words in this changed situation from his past life.

Anais…’

…Klein muttered softly to himself as he felt a pang of sadness thinking about the past.

Lindberg J. Anais.

The famous daughter of the famous Knights of Judgment.

She was an honor student who even took third place in the department test.

He had been looking for an opportunity to approach Anais anyway.

In his past life, she had been exceptional enough for Shane to remember her.

But he hadn’t expected it to lead to an engagement with her.

Are they trying to fill the void left by Salier, that wretched bug?

Shane knew they hadn’t approached him knowing his true identity. He had left no evidence at the scene after all.

However, since Count Salier’s position was not small for the master that the Knights of Judgment served, they must have been planning to fill his void as soon as possible.

Shane welcomed this development.

Rather, I can make use of this.

Since it was still just a discussion, Shane thought positively about it.

“By the way, Klein.”

“Yes?”

“You haven’t formed a team yet, have you?”

Here, “team” referred to the mandatory team formation for the students in the command department.

The command department students had to gather their own team members to clear dungeons and earn points.

“Oh, no. I thought I needed to learn more theoretically, so I’ve postponed the recruitment.”

“Is that so? That’s perfect timing.”

“……?”

“Because of my thesis, the Raviata Adventurer Party has proposed a collaboration.”

“Ra-Raviata, you say?”

Why were there so many surprises today?

The name Raviata was one Klein could not fail to recognize.

Weren’t they, along with the Hermes Adventurer Party that disappeared, the object of all adventurers’ admiration and aspiration?

“It seems they liked the thesis I submitted for my department test. They’ve invited me to join them in the Great Mezaiya Forest.”

“My goodness! Congratulations, big brother!”

Klein was genuinely delighted as if it were his own achievement.

But that moment was brief, and he soon remembered the contents of his brother’s thesis, and a shadow fell over his face.

“But the Great Mezaiya Forest… it’s one of the five great cradles, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is. It will be very dangerous.”

“Hmm…”

If Shane returned safely from the expedition to the Great Mezaiya Forest, his reputation would skyrocket.

Conversely, the danger would be as great as the fame he would gain.

“That’s why I’m asking, Klein. Would you come with me?”

“Me, you mean?”

“Yes.”

Klein’s abilities would be incredibly useful in the Great Mezaiya Forest.

The forest was more dangerous because of its environment than the monsters it housed.

If Klein were there, the dangers would be minimized… and it would undoubtedly be a great opportunity for Klein’s growth as well.

Moreover, entering one of the five great cradles would earn him department points, even if he wasn’t part of his own team.

Meanwhile, Klein was deeply moved.

His brother trusted him enough to make such a proposal.

No matter what happens, I will protect you.

With that resolve, Klein accepted Shane’s proposal.

However, contrary to Klein’s thoughts, the rumors spreading through the academy took a different turn.

“Hey, Klein. I heard you’re collaborating with Raviata? That’s amazing.”

Klein tilted his head in confusion at Al Ross’s words, someone he was usually friendly with.

“Thanks, but it’s not me. It’s my brother who’s doing it.”

“Oh? Really? That was true?”

“Huh?”

Al Ross laughed incredulously as if it were absurd that Klein didn’t know about the rumors.

“Man, the whole academy is buzzing with rumors about your brother.”

“…? What are you talking about?”

“They’re saying your brother just tagged along on your collaboration with Raviata.”

What was this sudden talk?

When someone with the level of fame of Raviata made a move, rumors were bound to spread quickly.

Moreover, Raviata had given an interview confirming they had signed a contract with Clayton R. Shane.

So why were the rumors twisted this way?

“Tsk… Your brother might seem like he’s changed a lot, but people still can’t accept it, I guess.”

“……”

After hearing his friend’s explanation, Klein fell silent.

He never had such thoughts.

He just wanted to protect his brother, but now things had turned out this way.

“I can’t let this continue. I need to announce as soon as possible that I’m stepping down from the collaboration…”

“Why are you acting so irrationally today? Do you think the rumors will disappear if you step down? People will just accuse your brother of trying to take all the credit for himself.”

Al Ross who came from a common background couldn’t understand why Klein wanted to throw away such a golden opportunity and tried to dissuade him. However, Klein’s heart felt heavy.

Indeed, if he stepped down now, it might turn out just as Ross had said.

“Haah… What should I do?”

Klein continued to worry.

Until he met Shane after class, Klein’s expression remained troubled.

“Klein, why do you look like that? Did something bad happen?”

“Big brother… I’m sorry. Because of me, strange rumors are spreading…”

“Rumors?”

Shane also didn’t care much about rumors, so Klein cautiously explained them to Shane.

Although he didn’t want to provoke Shane’s inferiority complex, he thought it was better to be disliked by his brother a little than to take away his brother’s opportunity.

However.

“Why are you worrying about such things again?”

“What? But this is clearly something you did on your own.”

“Klein.”

“…Yes.”

“I told you before that I wouldn’t be hurt by fools who are swayed by rumors. I’ve kept that promise. What about you?”

“……”

Klein remembered when he had just entered the academy this year.

[And know that sometimes such looks from you can further shatter a person’s spirit. I am not to be pitied.]

Unintentionally, he found himself back in that moment again.

Of course, he was worried about his brother, but this was something his brother had to overcome.

Klein reflected on his own attitude.

That’s right. My brother doesn’t even care about this, so it’s ridiculous for me to get worked up first.

In reality, Klein had been worried that his brother might get hurt like in the past, but he soon realized the hidden truth within himself.

So, it was me who was scared.

For the first time in his life, his brother was being kind to him.

Except for his strangely old-fashioned way of speaking, he didn’t say anything harsh to those around him.

And although it was just one person, someone had volunteered to be his team member.

Everything had changed so much that it was hard to believe he was the same person from the past.

Klein had feared that his brother might revert to his old ways and that the emotional wounds might resurface.

At that moment, Klein felt as if his inner self was clearing up.

It was the moment when the wall of hesitation within Klein crumbled.

Standing with his eyes closed, Klein shuddered lightly.

What?!

Meanwhile, Shane who was watching let out a small gasp of astonishment.

He had reached a state of selflessness.

Sometimes, one becomes so immersed in something that they forget everything else and focus solely on that one thing.

It might seem like he was just very focused, but it was not that simple.

The state of selflessness is a phenomenon in which one’s level of existence is raised by extinguishing the turbid energy that has spread within oneself.

In most cases, people rarely experienced this in life-and-death battles, but when they did, it led to significant growth.

But Klein…

Reaching a state of selflessness just from a few exchanged words?

Shane was dumbfounded but soon smiled faintly.

This is my brother, after all.

Then Shane envisioned a future more fitting for the hero’s older brother.

Physical growth seems sufficient. Now, it’s time to…

It was time to lay the groundwork for mental growth accustomed to battle.

We need to go to the dungeon.