The Strongest Villain Sets Out: Reincarnated into a Merit-Based Clan, I Become the World's Strongest Swordsman

A letter had arrived from one of my brothers.

According to it, he apparently had business in the royal capital vicinity soon. Since he’d be in the area, he would also come check on his younger brothers in the royal capital.

In other words, me, Kamren, and Ilario.

However, given that he had specifically sent a letter to me, the youngest, there was no doubt his real business was with me.

[Hmm? What’s wrong, Luka? You’re making a weird face.]

As I remained standing there staring at the letter, Lilith, who had been watching my behavior, called out to me.

“What do you mean weird face?”

[Like thiiis.]

Lilith made a funny face. I almost burst out laughing but barely held back and crumpled up the letter.

“I’m not making such a weird face. But this has become troublesome.”

[Troublesome?]

“One of my brothers is apparently coming to the academy within a few days.”

[A sibling we haven’t seen yet?]

“I think you’ve seen him, Lilith. When I was at the main residence, he was there too.”

[Hmm, who could it be? I’m bad at remembering human faces…]

Lilith tilted her head while floating in the air. With that reaction, she definitely didn’t remember. Well, that was fine. Such things weren’t important anyway. I threw the letter into the trash and sat down on the bed to think.

“My brother is probably coming to the academy specifically for me. I wonder what he’s planning to try.”

“? Are you and that brother on bad terms, Luka-sama?”

Astaroth, who had been listening to the conversation, tilted her head.

Come to think of it, she had only joined us partway through. She knew nothing about the Salvatore ducal family.

“We all are basically on bad terms. Especially with my male siblings.”

The Salvatore ducal family was meritocratic. Even so, men had a higher probability of becoming the family head.

That was solely because men were born with more powerful talents.

Of course, there were exceptions. In this generation, monsters like Norn-nee-san had been born too.

But still, as expected, it was mainly the male side that obsessed over the head of family position everywhere.

That’s why I was hated. Currently, I was the most troublesome one. They clearly understood they couldn’t beat Norn-nee-san.

Targeting me while I was young and still growing was quite rational.

Personally, I didn’t have much complaint about being targeted since it seemed interesting. The problem was that it would be annoying if they used underhanded tactics.

If they sent assassins like before, it would be bonus time and I’d be super happy. It would make for good Muramasa verification.

Especially the brother coming to see me this time was a muscle-head like Norn-nee-san. I wondered if he wouldn’t come at me head-on.

“For family members to quarrel among themselves—humans are thoroughly foolish. When Luka-sama is the most noble creature on this earth.”

“Being foolish is also very human. Naturally, I’ll kill anyone who gets in my way.”

My path was for my sake alone. I intended to thoroughly remove any obstacles.

“Hehehe. If you just give the order, shall I curse those people? It’s simple if I know their faces and names.”

“No, that’s fine. If I’m going to do it anyway, I want to defeat them with my own hands. They’re idiots, but their abilities and talents are real. The joy of overcoming that is all mine.”

Otherwise, there would have been no point in keeping Kamren and Ilario alive.

Those guys would also grow half-heartedly and entertain me. I wasn’t expecting much from Ilario, but he might be useful for curse-related matters in the future. I was waiting for that time to come.

‘If defeating your siblings is the goal, then why did you look so reluctant, Luka?’

“Ugh.”

She’d hit a sore spot. I made another subtle expression and said:

“That’s… the guy who’s supposed to come is a type I’m bad with.”

[“A type you’re bad with?”]

Unusually, both Lilith and Astaroth spoke in unison as they tilted their heads.

I explained while sighing.

“His name is Tiberios Salvatore. He’s our older brother above me, Kamren, and Ilario. That guy is, how should I put it… annoying.”

If it was just a simple annoyance like Kamren’s, that wouldn’t be a problem. I could just beat him down with ability.

However, Tiberios’s annoyance was different from that. Bright like the sun, naturally overbearing and—annoying.

This type was what I was worst with.

He didn’t listen to what others said and never doubted that all his own thoughts were correct. On top of that, he had no resistance to violence or murder, and when I was at the main residence, he had nearly targeted my life.

By chance, Norn-nee-san had passed by and beat Tiberios nearly to death, so nothing happened, but if she hadn’t been there, I would have at least suffered major injuries.

Such a troublesome and problematic man was coming.

The situation was different from the past to now, but just thinking about being spoken to with that pointlessly bright face made me feel sick already.

[Wow, you really do look disgusted.]

“If you hate it that much, couldn’t you just not meet him? If he says anything, let’s kill him.”

“I’d love to do that, but nobles have various constraints. Besides, even if I ignore him, he’ll find me anyway.”

Then it would be better to finish the conversation quickly and then ignore him. I couldn’t show the opponent any openings to exploit. With a deep, heavy sigh, I rolled onto the bed.

I entrusted my consciousness to Astaroth, who gave me a lap pillow, and eventually fell asleep. The more unpleasant the time, the more you don’t want to sleep, the sleepier you become…

☆

Three days later. The worst day of my life began.

From the carriage that had stopped in front of me, a handsome young man who looked good with a smile got out.

While glaring at that face with narrowed eyes, I greeted him.

“…It’s been a while, Tiberios-nii-san.”

Tiberios-nii-san also raised his hand in greeting.

“Yo, Luka. Long time no see! You’re still cool as ever!”

I disliked this casual way he put his arm around my shoulders too. Despite that habit, he was observing me without any carelessness.

“What business do you have today?”

“Hey now, that’s cold. Your big brother came all this way to see you, and you’re already getting to the point?”

“I didn’t want to see you.”

“You really say it.”

Tiberios-nii-san laughed calmly even when I spoke badly to him. I disliked that frivolous face and found it disgusting.

When it came to hiding his true feelings, he was definitely first-class. However, his eyes suddenly became sharper. Strength gathered in the arm gripping my body.

“Well, I thought I’d give you some training after such a long time.”

“…Training?”

At this unexpected proposal, I opened my eyes wide.