Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 13

EP.13 It’s a Given that Things Get Twisted from the Start

“Mother?”

“Have you come, our youngest?”

“Yes. I just got here. What’s going on?”

“Don’t you see? Your older siblings are fighting.”

To anyone listening, it would seem like siblings were casually bickering.

But in reality, it’s like a huge battlefield where everything is being destroyed.

‘At this rate, someone might end up dead, right?’

They fight so fiercely that it makes my body tremble.

It’s said that siblings always fight while growing up, but they are different.

When Kyle saw them, there were no siblings closer than them.

“Why are they suddenly behaving like this?”

“The time has come to choose the next heir. Since Kyle is still far from it, they exclude you. But those two have already reached a sufficient level to challenge each other.”

So, they’re determining who is worthy of becoming the next Baron through strength.

It’s not like picking a new neighborhood leader, it’s resolved physically like this.

If other noble families saw this, it would be enough to cause a stir.

– Bang! –

Once again, a tremendous roar echoed, and finally, the match was decided.

Unlike Kyle’s brother, Leto, who was still standing, his sister Lea was lying down heavily.

“I lost, Brother. You are the next lord of Jonathan.”

When did Lea covet the position of Baron Jonathan’s? No.

Did Leto boast about that position as the eldest son? No, not at all.

They have no interest in such positions. Only becoming stronger matters.

Yet, the reason they clashed like that was to firmly establish the succession within the empire’s nobility.

It was to prevent potential confusion beforehand.

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‘Even Jonathan reacted sensitively to the succession…’

What about other noble families who are even more concerned about succession?

Especially the Littorio Duke House, considered the top noble family excluding the imperial family!

Lea shook up the succession within that family.

Of all people, one of the injured was a son of the Littorio family.

At this point, fate might say, ‘Ah, this is a bit too much.’

“…I apologize, Lady.”

Kyle’s head bowed once again.

Regardless of what he has become, apologizing is the right thing to do.

Officially, he was the heir presumptive of the Duke House and Elga’s brother.

It was appropriate to act this way regardless of what the woman in front of him was thinking.

“No need to apologize. I said it before, didn’t I? That I want to express gratitude to you, or rather, to Baron Jonathan. What do you think that means?”

Kyle is not a fool. He is not just a muscular body.

He could roughly anticipate why Elga was saying such things, what she intended to hide.

He could somewhat guess what response she hoped to hear from him.

“…Because the son of the Duke House was involved in such a matter, it affects you as well, Lady.”

“Exactly. I don’t know if you’re aware, but my father, Duke Littorio, is a staunch meritocrat. If someone as close to the Duke House as his own son gets into trouble due to careless jests, causing a big mess and losing his mind in the process, he would be quite displeased.”

“…”

“Thanks to that, I finally have a chance. If I can improve my evaluation before my second brother recovers, then I’ll be the winner.”

The Duke Households immense authority second only to the Emperor.

Becoming the head of that family is worth more than gold.

So, Elga’s expression of gratitude wasn’t empty words.

Of course, it won’t be easy.

Compared to Elga, who has only just gained an opportunity, her brother has proven himself through that opportunity.

Although he may need time to recover from the sudden accident, he could also bounce back quickly.

Otherwise, Elga might be pushed aside again before she even gets a chance to fully utilize her opportunity.

Even if she proves herself, becoming the head of the Duke House is another matter.

Kyle knows that there is still resistance for a woman to become the head of a family.

If it’s unavoidable, they might accept it, but if there are other options, they might wonder, ‘Why a woman?’

‘In describing Lady Elga, she subtly expressed ambition for the Duke seat.’

She needs someone. She needs a strong ally to support her.

While coming to the Imperial Academy to prove herself, she also likely has the purpose of finding that ‘someone’ here.

“Well. I ended up telling you all about our family.”

“Don’t worry. I’m good at forgetting.”

“That’s for the best. And one more thing. Can I ask one more question before you forget everything?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Between my brother, who has already proven himself, and me, who hasn’t yet, who do you think is more likely to ascend to the Duke seat?”

‘…What kind of question is that? And you want me to answer? Me?’

He’s neither an vassal of the Littorio Duke House nor anything more than a noble student.

Kyle was so stunned that he couldn’t say anything.

The succession issue of another family is not something to joke about.

It not only violates etiquette but can also cause a significant rift with a single slip of the tongue.

It’s important to smoothly navigate such questions, even if asked by the parties involved.

For example, by saying you’re not sure or that it’s difficult to answer.

Simply responding like that would also be understood by the parties involved.

“If it’s hard to answer, then there’s nothing to be done.”

It seemed that Elga was well aware of that aspect as well.

Surely she wouldn’t be so crazy as to broach such a sensitive topic here and now…

“Lady Elga will ascend to the Duke seat.”

“…?”

For a moment, Elga wondered if she had misheard.

No one in her family, not even the maids or servants who had raised her since childhood.

Even Leto, who would support her until death, had not given an answer.

Lady Elga, you. Elga, you will ascend to the Duke seat.

No one had ever said such a thing.

It was absurd. Who would dare to answer so recklessly?

That one word could strangle him and harm his family.

So, when they replied that they didn’t know, Elga always smiled and moved on.

Deep down, though, she couldn’t erase the disappointment.

‘But why…?’

Why does this man confidently declare that the Duke seat belongs to her?

“What did you just say?”

“I said that the next Duke of Littorio will likely be you, Lady.”

Elga found herself unconsciously scanning her surroundings.

There shouldn’t be anyone nearby who is close to her second brother, but she worried nonetheless.

“…What are you trying to do?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why did you answer like that just now?”

“There’s no intention. I simply answered the question.”

“Are you crazy? To give such a significant answer so casually…”

Words that the maids, the servants, and leto had hoped to say.

It was infuriating to see this man, whom she had only met yesterday, speak so confidently.

Even those who had been by her side all her life couldn’t answer so casually.

How can you speak with such determination?

“Are you implying something? Wanting something from me…?”

“You asked for my thoughts, and I gave them. That’s all.”

“…”

What should he say? He must say it, no matter what.

But Elga couldn’t bring herself to say anything.

She just sat there, staring blankly at Kyle in front of her.

“…Reason.”

The only word she managed to utter was just that one word.

A glint of fire shot from Elga’s red eyes.

Reason, the reason why he said she would ascend to the Duke seat.

She wanted to hear it. Why did you say that? what reason did he has?

Even those who were on her side ultimately didn’t give her the answer she wanted.

Why are you so adamant when you know nothing about me?

“Because you are more suited for that position, Lady.”

Upon Kyle’s answer, Elga let out a long sigh and said, ‘Ah.’

“…..”

“…..”

After sitting blankly for a while, Elga suddenly rose from her seat as if possessed by something.

Without even saying goodbye, she hurriedly turned and left the third floor of the library.

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Kyle sat down and looked out the window.

He could see Elga hastily leaving the library below.

‘The effect is certain.’

The issue of succession, which even family members don’t speak of lightly.

To openly declare that it’s her is madness.

Intentionally, Kyle embarked on this mad endeavor.

Perhaps Elga, who just stormed out moments ago, is also having such thoughts.

She probably didn’t conclude that it’s best not to indulge in the antics of this lunatic.

Kyle considered this the best approach.

Not in a secluded place where only the two of them are present, but in an open setting.

He dared to engage in the madness of discussing Littorio’s future duke.

This would force Elga to keep her distance from Kyle no matter what.

If someone overheard their conversation just now, Elga would be in a very awkward position.

The academy hasn’t even started yet, and they’re already delving into succession maneuvers.

It’s clear that they need to be wary of the second brother’s entourage, who still have plenty of time.

‘I hope we don’t get too deeply involved, Lady.’

Getting involved in succession disputes can really mess things up.

So, he showed the impulsive side of himself, just like earlier.

It’s a way of saying that having an interest in you won’t do you any good.

But this woman, at the very least, should tidy up the books.

If she doesn’t read and put them back in their place, the librarian’s warning won’t be taken lightly.

With a sigh, Kyle picked up all the books on the desk and stood up.

For reference, the weight of the books was just enough to make even a knight candidate struggle to carry them.