"......!"

* * *

Philip Alton, the Lord of the Alton Estate, closed his eyes tightly, unable to lift his gloomy face. His second son, Powell Alton, grunted his teeth on behalf of his father and shouted in a voice full of hatred and killing intent.

"Are you really trying to make Alton a contribution to the continent? Are you out of your mind, Brother?!"

Powell, who was imprisoned in the dungeon of the Lord of Alton’s castle, rushed forward as if he was going to come out of the prison bars at any moment. The eldest son of Alton Estate, Python Alton, faltered back under the influence.

"It, it can't be helped. How long are you going to be stuck in this frontier territory? We should go to the center, too."

"How can our family get to the center! Our Alton is like an iron fortress that protects everyone from the forest of monsters. If it’s not so then why is the family's mission to protect the people of the Empire at the closest point in the forest of monsters!"

Powell’s throat had been hoarse from shouting. Each and every word he spit out as if he were vomiting blood was stuck in Python's chest like a dagger.

"Besides, I don't know what's going on with the First Prince, but he's using black magic! A person who uses black magic becomes the Emperor of Crombell? It's sure to be a continental achievement. What the hell can you do as the right arm of the soon-to-be-fallen Imperial family!"

"Don't, don’t take it that way. Nobody knows yet. The First Prince's use of black magic is......!"

"Now the territory has reached this point, it's only a matter of time before the whole continent will know, Brother!"

Seeing Python, who could not speak at all, Powell beat his chest in frustration and cried.

"I wouldn't even say this if it was something that could be hidden easily. Do you think the First Prince will succeed to the throne even if he hides it well?"

"Po, Powell......"

"Brother has been like that since you were a kid. You used to obsess over what you had in your hand, and what you didn't have without even looking at it."

"......"