Repeat Vice - The Villainous Noble Doesn't Want to Die, So He Swore to Not Die As One of The Four Heavenly Kings - Chapter 21: Part Two Prologue - Father and Son

Chapter 21: Part Two Prologue – Father and Son

The morning sun shining through the window illuminates the pitch-black morning coffee I am currently sipping.

Carlos, standing beside me, gracefully offers his respects.

“Good morning, Master Rofus. The visitors you wished to see have arrived. They are already waiting in the guest room.”

“…Turn them away. What time do they think it is?”

Responding grumpily, I catch a glimpse at the time on the pocket watch Carlos briefly showed.

“It’s already past 9 o’clock. You rose a bit late today.”

“…Are the ones coming again from the commercial association in the port town?”

“Yes, this time they seem to be board members.”

…In that case, I can’t ignore them.

I sigh.

…Lately, I feel like I’ve been sighing more often.

“…Breakfast will be after the meeting.”

“As you wish.”

I slip into the black suit for reception and leave the bedroom for the guest room.

Three months have passed since my return from Rougvelt.

Not everything, including the problems in the areas surrounding the port town, particularly those related to Rougvelt, has been resolved.

Due to illegal taxation by Clinton, many towns and villages have become impoverished as well.

Residents who were abducted and sold as slaves have not all been rescued too.

Illegal slave traders, although we’ve shut down only two pairs of them, still operate some underground slave markets.

Moreover, with Clinton’s demise and the absence of his officials, there have been delays in the post-processing.

While it would have been much easier if I could have taken the position of the official myself, given my age of 12, my father naturally refused to do so.

For now, I’ve been tightening the reins on the deputy official sent as a temporary measure and molding them into puppets obedient to my instructions for subsequent post-processing.

…But there’s still no solution in sight for the poverty in the villages, and progress in rescuing the slaves is still slow.

If only I had skilled pieces like the Dark Knight, but they are under the direct order of my father.

I can’t move them as I please with my authority.

As a temporary measure, I’ve issued tax exemptions for impoverished areas, but it’s like a drop in the bucket.

While there may be some leeway with tax exemptions, poverty remains a deeply rooted problem that cannot be fundamentally solved so easily.

Furthermore, with the limited resources of the Lightless territory, we cannot continue tax exemptions indefinitely.

We need to come up with a solution urgently, but it seems that the deputy official acting as a puppet has no significant ideas that could help.

And there’s the claim from the commercial association in the port town.

That scoundrel Clinton, in procuring supplies during the demon hunting, ships, cannons, potions, all bought on credit, and the bill was designated to me, Rofus Ray Lightless.

Normally, it would be unthinkable for the commercial association to settle for credit alone, but it seems Clinton’s position as an official has gained their trust.

Truly, he left me with a troublesome legacy.

Thanks to him, I’ve had no rest for these three months, constantly dealing with paperwork for post-processing and numerous meetings with the members of the commercial association.

The negotiations with the members of the commercial association in the port town initially hit a deadlock.

Their demand was to pay as per the invoice, and they wouldn’t budge an inch..

Our response was about who should pay, emphasizing that the transactions were carried out solely by Clinton, and we were the victims of his unauthorized use of our name.

Moreover, since there was no signature from me on the contract, the transaction was not valid… However, during the negotiations, Clinton used contracts with the Lightless crest imprinted on them.

This has made things quite complicated.

Even without a signature, if there’s the family crest, the contract can sometimes be considered valid.

The use of the Lightless crest is allowed only for members of the Lightless family and their relatives, as well as those involved in the governance of the Lightless territory.

Clinton, being an official, fits perfectly into that category.

Thanks to that, negotiations remained at a standstill.

However, recently, I shared a certain story with the members of the association. It wasn’t a compromise, but rather a tale.

About the maritime trade’s thorn in the side—the Devil’s Sea.

The story of successfully defeating and subjugating ship-devouring demons encountered on a previous voyage.

In truth, I killed them and turned them into familiars, but it’s not much different.

These demons obey only me and won’t attack ships allowed passage by me.

The moment I conveyed this, the expressions of the merchants who had come for the negotiations changed.

Naturally.

It means trade with the Steria territory can be done via the shortest route.

Due to the cold climate in the Steria territory, there are many unique creatures, including Wyverns.

Of course, their fur and magic stones are traded at high prices in other territories.

Additionally, various furnishings and high-quality goods unique to the Steria territory are nothing short of a gold mine for merchants.

They couldn’t resist.

From there, the talk of claims ceased abruptly, and the discussion shifted solely to trade with the Steria territory.

Primarily, it was about vested interests and commercial taxes.

Those greedy merchants, besieging my mansion day after day.

It’s a journey of two full days by carriage to go here from their home.

Surely, they expect to make that much profit by going through all the effort just to come here, but their frequency of visits is too high.

“—Today’s discussion was indeed meaningful. Farewell for now, Rofus-sama.”

“Not ‘for now.’ Decrease your visits a bit, you fools.”

Once again, the meeting ends smoothly, and the members of the association leave with smiles on their faces.

In this round of negotiations, it was settled that the claims for ships and such would be settled as loans from the commercial association to the Lightless family.

It’s an interest-free, indefinite loan that essentially doesn’t need to be repaid.

Well, in return, there have been some concessions regarding vested interests for the commercial association.

Forced to endure meetings lasting for hours from early morning, I collapse onto the sofa in the guest room once the merchants leave, exhausted.

As I lie there, Carlos, who had seen off the merchants, returns.

In his hands is a tray with coffee and a ham and egg sandwich—a breakfast I had requested is prepared.

“Well, well… You seem quite tired.”

“There’s hardly any rest. If possible, I’d like to just throw everything away.”

“Rofus-sama shouldn’t have to do unnecessary things. Shouldn’t you leave it to the Head?”

Leave it to Father?

It’s precisely because Father let that scoundrel Clinton run rampant that we’re in this incredibly delightful situation in the first place.

Leaving it to him would likely result in the same cycle repeating.

“No, Father must be exhausted from managing such a vast territory. After all, he let scum like Clinton run wild.”

I say with sarcasm, and Carlos awkwardly looks away.

“That… was because the dispatched auditor was bribed…”

“Such excuses won’t work with the people who suffered the damage.”

As a result, I’ve been killed several times just from those simple actions.

Seemingly at a loss for words, Carlos falls silent.

I snort at that and ponder while eating the sandwich Carlos brought.

It would be better to leave the threat of the Demon Sea intact.

If only ships permitted by Lightless can pass through, the profits from trade with Steria can be monopolized by Lightless.

In that case, I need to go to Rougvelt for a while and release the Straff.

However, in addition to the administrative work for post-processing, I’ve been in close contact with the puppet deputy official every day.

I simply don’t have the time to do so.

Maybe it would be easier to move the base to the port town from the secondary residence in the capital instead?

…But if I were to do that, Father might send the Dark Knight to fetch me again.

It’s truly a headache being a successor to the throne.

Suddenly, Carlos opens his mouth, as if remembering something.

“By the way, departure is approaching next week.”

“…Huh?”

Next week? Departure? Did something happen that warrants a travel?

“Oh, have you forgotten? You were eagerly looking forward to it. It’s the party hosted by the Galeon Duke.”

“Oh, right…”

Ah, that’s right, that too.

Come to think of it, I received an invitation three months ago.

I remember it vividly, the day I had nightmares of being killed countless times.

It’s not like I was looking forward to it to the point of vomiting, but still…

If I attend the party, I’ll be meeting Raymond, the second Demon Lord, who is also the main host of the party.

Probably in the story, this will be my first meeting with Raymond.

Honestly, I’m not very thrilled.

After all, in the story, it was because I became Raymond’s follower that I ended up becoming one of the Four Heavenly Kings and ultimately getting killed.

Maybe if I don’t attend the party, the future where I become Raymond’s follower will change.

Moreover, simply getting to the Galeon territory is an infinitely long journey already.

The Galeon Duke’s territory is located on the opposite side of the kingdom from the Lightless territory, which is on the east side.

Even if I travel by carriage, it would take at least one week to reach it.

If I go through the capital where the train passes, it might be a bit shorter, but even then, being absent for more than a week with the duties of post-processing and dealing with the commercial association being clearly present…

Maybe I should just skip attending the party.

“Carlos, respond to the Galeon Duke’s invitation to the party with a refusal.”

“What!? Why the sudden change? To decline now…”

To Carlos’s surprise, I show my uninjured left elbow with no hesitation.

“Time is precious, after all. My left arm hasn’t healed yet, and I can use poor health as an excuse.”

“Well, that’s… quite difficult.”

“Huh? Why is that?”

“We’ve already accepted the invitation to the Galeon Duke’s party, and, moreover, the head of our household will also be attending…”

Carlos averts his eyes, finding it difficult to speak.

Father will be attending too?

Well, now that I think about it, that’s only natural.

It would be absurd to invite only underage children to the party. It’s only sensible for the current head of the household, my Father, to attend.

In that case…

“Carlos.”

“Yes, what is it?”

I narrow my eyes and gaze out the window.

“I’ve decided to come down with a stomach bug next week.”

Carlos drops his shoulders in exasperation.

“…I hope you can deceive the head of the household.”

That’s the problem…

In conclusion, I couldn’t refuse to attend.

Early in the morning, three carriages are lined up in front of the mansion.

I put on my formal outerwear and am led out to the front of the carriage.

“Father, I’m feeling a bit…”

“Silence. Get in quickly.”

“I’ve decided not to attend this time…”

“Do you intend to bring shame to the Lightless family?”

“…”

Father’s gaze was filled with an intent akin to a killing intent.

It seems there’s no room for refusal.

Indeed, it would be a breach of etiquette for nobles to accept an invitation and then cancel at the last minute, except in extreme circumstances.

It would be detrimental to the impression of the Duke of Galeon’s household on the Lightless faily to cancel at this point.

For the Lightless Marquis family, anything that could tarnish the relationship between the Duke’s and the Lightless family would be extremely disadvantageous.

I had no choice but to obediently get into the carriage.

However, Father seems unusually tense, or perhaps there’s just nowhere else to direct his attention to, but he seems lacking in composure.

Perhaps Father’s unusually stern gaze is because of the incident in the study the other day.

After all, I had the audacity to criticize his governance with a smug face, saying, “It’s the people who suffer.”

It must have made a terrible impression on him.

And when Father, also boarding the carriage, sits opposite me, I quietly rise from my seat.

Father’s sharp gaze pierces through me.

“Where are you going?”

“…To the carriage behind.”

There are three carriages heading to the Galeon territory.

The first carriage is ours, the second is for accompanying servants, and the third carries gifts for the Duke of Galeon’s household.

Carlos is in the second carriage.

The quality of the carriage is slightly lower than the first one, but it’s perfectly acceptable.

It’s much better than being alone with Father for the long journey.

However, Father curtly dismisses me.

“Stay.”

“But I’m with Carlos…”

“There are other servants. Regardless, if you go, everyone will be intimidated by your presence. Don’t you understand that?”

I can feel a vein throbbing on my forehead at Father’s words.

I want to commend myself for holding back from saying something scathing.

But I can’t counter Father’s argument, I just left it at that.

It’s infuriating, but I have no choice but to sit silently in my seat.

“Start.”

Father’s short, cold voice echoes, and the carriage sets off towards the Steria territory.

The long, hellish journey begins.

Inside the carriage bound for the Galeon territory.

The only thing between Father and me is an endless silence.

We’re not close enough to engage in friendly conversation, and it was to be expected.

The tense atmosphere, the hellish mood.

It’s the usual atmosphere, but being in the same space with him for such a long time is perhaps a first.

I feel absolutely dreadful.

I avert my gaze from Father and look out the window.

As the carriage sways, what feels like an infinite amount of time passes, and suddenly Father speaks up.

“…Is it true that you’re interested in a commoner girl?”

“…”

An unexpected question from Father out of the blue.

I suppress the urge to laugh and answer calmly.

“…Is this about the report? That’s just Carlos’s imagination.”

Father glares at me with sharp eyes.

As if trying to decipher my true intentions.

“…The girl is from a fishing village. I believe her name was Faratiana.”

I feel an irrational irritation at the mention of that name by Father.

“Please stop with these baseless rumors. I have no intention of entertaining such nonsense.”

“Reports of a similar girl have also reached me from Alba.”

“…Is that so?”

Sir Alba, the head knight… It seems he had a lot to say to father.

I’ll remember that white-haired head of his.

“Would you still deny it? Then, if it is indeed true, bring the girl here…”

I release my magic, exerting pressure to twist Father’s words, but he remains calm in the face of my intimidating aura.

“Rofus… affirming it would be the same as silence.”

Father seems somewhat exasperated, and I glare at him.

“…Then, hypothetically, assuming it’s true, what then?”

“Don’t be so guarded. It won’t change anything, and I won’t do anything about it either. You don’t even have an official fiancée. As for Vermay… it doesn’t matter what happens to it.”

Vermay… the arrangement where I’ll be engaged to a girl born before I come of age.

It was an agreement made between families when I was born.

Well, that’s usually how it goes among nobles.

“So, why bring this up?”

As I gaze at him, trying to figure out his intentions, Father shrugs.

“We haven’t had a proper conversation as father and son lately, so it’s just small talk.”

I can’t help but laugh at Father’s words.

“A proper conversation between father and son? Surprising. I never expected to hear such words from you.”

“What’s so surprising? Besides, when do you intend to return to the main residence?”

“Return to the main residence? Me? You must be joking. You must know that Mother and my younger brother fears me. And it was you, Father, who ordered me to move to the secondary residence, was it not?”

Father ordered me to move to the secondary residence when I was ten years old.

Before that, when I was very young.

I hate to admit it now, but I couldn’t control my overwhelmingly powerful magic.

At that time, I made a mistake in controlling my magic, and my out-of-control magic harmed my younger brother.

Mother shielded my injured younger brother, and Father stopped my rampaging magic.

Until then, I had been praised and celebrated for having the greatest magical power in the history of the Lightless family, being called a reincarnation of the first generation.

It was my first failure, and I became desperate to control my magic.

Day after day, I continued to train tirelessly, sacrificing even my sleep.

My efforts paid off, and by the age of ten, I was able to fully control my magic, but Father had me moved to the secondary residence.

It was because the fear my younger brother and Mother felt toward me was causing problems in our daily lives.

I don’t hold it against Father for moving me to the secondary residence.

But I don’t see the necessity of returning back to that house.

“It’s been two years already. Surely you’ve mastered magic control by now. Besides, if we continue to live separately, our family relationship will remain the same.”

“Why suddenly try to repair our relationship?”

“A year ago, I told you to return to the main residence. Why didn’t you?”

“I won’t return. I have no intention of ever returning in the future.”

There’s no need to return now.

“Rofus…”

Father murmurs my name, and I look away.

“That’s all for this conversation. I’m going to rest for a while, so don’t mind me.”

I close my eyes and refuse any further conversation.

From then until we reach the town en route, neither Father nor I speak a word.