Chapter 44
“Allen… Allen Ather.”
While the Duke was receiving a guest in his study, Eric decided to take a brief rest in his room until he was called. Quietly, he let out a sigh, thinking of that particular visitor.
“So, the one who’s been out on the battlefield all this time is now here in this mansion?”
Allen Ather.
His half-brother, this utterly capable body.
At this point, he was the closest to being the heir—a prodigy born under the goddess’s favor.
And, unlike himself, the undisputed protagonist of the story.
“I knew I’d eventually have to face him to become the heir… but I hoped it would be after I’d earned some achievements, on equal footing.”
Still, he hadn’t expected to meet him this soon.
Like other heroes, monsters, or even Isabella and Malefica, who could explode at any misstep, Allen Ather was perhaps an even trickier opponent, and the thought made him nervous.
“…Butler.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
Sitting on the bed for a moment, pondering how to deal with him, Eric soon composed himself and called for the butler waiting outside.
“What kind of person is my older brother?”
“Do you mean the First Young Master?”
It was strange to ask a servant about family they had eaten from the same pot with for over a decade, but now was not the time to be picky.
Even though Eric had cleared Protect Humanity countless times, unlike in the game where he often encountered heroes, he had no way of knowing if the playable character’s original personality reflected Allen’s true self.
‘At least it’s fortunate that this body is such a reckless rascal. Asking a strange question like this won’t seem too odd to him.’
Watching the butler pause, then answer carefully, Eric felt some relief. Sometimes the notorious reputation of this body worked in his favor.
“Without a doubt, he is a truly remarkable person. Master of the sword, mercenary tactics, various administrative and governance skills—he has been extraordinary since childhood.”
The butler finally spoke after a brief pause, a proud expression on his face.
A model of Northern nobility. A pride of the Ather family. Allen’s reputation spoke for itself. He was the perfect successor to Austin Ather, considered one of the greatest heads of the family in history, capable of restoring the family’s glory.
“Personally, I believe he inherited the most of His Grace’s traits among the three young masters. He is also kind to us servants, quite the opposite of the Second Young Master. Of course, you have changed a lot since then as well.”
Hearing the butler praise Allen so lavishly, Eric narrowed his eyes in a complicated expression.
He had expected some recognition, but standing there, competing for the heirship, he didn’t particularly appreciate Allen being elevated in front of him. What he wanted was more personal insight.
“Come to think of it… Young Master, you might feel a bit uneasy around your elder brother.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Well…”
Eric tilted his head in puzzlement at the remark. A younger sibling feeling awkward around a superior sibling wasn’t unusual, but the butler’s expression suggested there was more to it.
“No, it’s better if you meet him directly.”
The butler hesitated briefly, then, noticing someone descending the central staircase, shook his head slightly.
“Master Eric, His Grace summons you. Shall we go?”
“Did you call me?”
In the Duke’s study, Eric followed the captain of the knights, sent by Austin to fetch him, upstairs. Standing before the firmly closed door, he spoke nervously.
“Enter.”
Creak—
At the reply, Eric cautiously opened the door and stepped inside.
‘Allen Ather…’
A few steps toward the Duke’s desk, Eric saw a young man sitting upright on a sofa, sipping tea.
‘I’ve heard he returned from the frontlines… but what kind of achievements did he accomplish?’
It was natural that the Duke favored Allen more than him. Austin was hardly a good father, but he was an excellent head of the family. His judgment of people was based solely on achievements. That he prioritized Allen meant Allen’s accomplishments on the battlefield were at least as great, if not greater, than Eric’s.
‘Allen was already competent in the setting, but there was no mention of such remarkable feats before officially becoming heir and receiving a territory.’
Eric couldn’t understand this situation. While Allen’s deeds in-game were recognized occasionally by heroes recounting past events, none were extraordinary enough to be called heroic—like single-handedly defeating a named monster or resolving anomalies for the church.
If there had been, Eric, as a veteran of Protect Humanity, would have known.
‘So if this is the real Allen, not the playable version, this makes sense…’
This “hell difficulty” scenario wasn’t just about his body becoming incompetent; the challenge extended to Allen’s overwhelming abilities.
After all, if Allen were the playable character from the game:
Allen Ather
Level: 40
Strength [120]
Agility [100]
Health [130]
Mana [60]
Traits: <Benevolent>, <Heroic Spirit>, <Prodigy>
At this stage, before full-scale monster invasions, Allen would not have such monstrous stats. These were nearly triple the starting stats a player gets for Allen’s body. Several traits were also unusually filled.
‘Now that I think about it… Ivan’s stats were also abnormally high compared to the game.’
Eric, silently observing Allen, looked away with a wary expression at his friendly smile. Unlike other heroes, only the rascal brothers had inflated stats. Whether this was meant to increase the difficulty of succession or for another reason was unclear. Eric decided to focus on what he could do for now.
“I’ve heard of your accomplishments. Well done.”
“I only acted in a manner worthy of our family name.”
The Duke spoke briefly, and Eric bowed lightly, as if it were nothing.
Although the praise seemed minimal for a son returning from a distant place after resolving a family crisis, considering Austin’s usual indifferent personality, it was decent enough.
“You may ask for anything you desire. I will grant it within my power.”
Eric, shocked, met the Duke’s words with wide eyes.
While he had achieved significant success resolving the anomalies in Dalnaerim Forest and handling the Winterrose family’s problems, he hadn’t expected the Duke to offer anything he wished for—especially in the presence of Allen, who was competing for the heirship.
“May I speak of it later?”
Eric hesitated briefly, then glanced at Allen before speaking quietly. No need to boast in front of him. No urgent reason demanded an immediate decision.
“Come whenever you wish.”
Austin nodded slowly, allowing Eric the freedom to decide. Eric bowed and left the study.
“Eric.”
Just as he was about to return to his room for some rest, someone called from behind, stopping him.
“Congratulations. I hear the church recognized you as a hero?”
Allen Ather. Despite being the rascal who had repeatedly brought shame to the family name, he called Eric without hesitation. Eric looked at him in surprise.
“At first, I thought Father had the church handle it when I almost got assassinated by the guard. But now you resolved the anomaly in Dalnaerim Forest? I knew my little brother would pull it off!”
Was he trying to pick a fight like Ivan did before? Eric tensed, waiting for the next words.
Unexpectedly, Allen approached with a broad, genuine smile, draping an arm over Eric’s shoulder.
“Wait… what did you just say… Brother?”
Eric tried to push him away, but Allen hugged him tighter, beaming.
“Hahaha! That’s right! My beloved little brother, don’t you have any wishes? I’ll help with anything I can!”
“Ugh… I… can’t breathe…”
Eric’s mind flashed back to the butler’s warning: Allen might feel awkward around him, and his traits <Benevolent> and <Heroic Spirit>.
This Allen was genuinely kind. Even the rascal little brother who had tarnished the family name countless times was cherished simply for being family.
“Hmm… so this happened while I was on the frontlines.”
After being freed from Allen’s embrace, Eric entered his room with him to chat and learn more about the events that had occurred since he had taken Eric’s body. He didn’t mention his own abilities, Leona, Lilian, or Malefica.
Allen listened quietly.
“I apologize for Ivan’s actions. He grew twisted from being constantly compared to me. I’ll make sure he’s properly reprimanded later, so please forgive him.”
Eric waved it off lightly.
“Eric… you’ve really changed.”
Allen looked impressed at his younger brother’s calm response.
“Ah, by the way, I heard you’ve officially entered the succession competition.”
Recalling what he had learned from the family’s knights and servants before arriving, Allen looked at Eric with pride.
“It won’t be easy. I won’t simply give up the heirship… but I won’t interfere with you either.”
Even loved family could be rivals. No matter how much Allen cared for Eric, succession wasn’t something to be handed over lightly.
“You should be careful. Becoming the head of the ducal family isn’t just our concern.”
Allen’s expression turned serious as he offered advice.
“As you’ve noticed, many are involved in this succession. The knights, the elders of the council… and not only within the family.”
“Prince Allen!”
Hearing a familiar voice from the corridor, he stood.
“Ah, sorry. My adjutant calls. I wanted to spend some quality time with my brother, but duty calls.”
Allen left the room without hesitation. Eric watched him go, puzzled.
“See you later, Eric!”
…It seemed there were still things about this ducal succession that he didn’t yet understand.
