The Terminally Ill Prince is the Mad Dog of the Underworld (Novel) - Chapter 33
Chapter 33. Can’t One Even Burp?
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The meal proceeded in a quiet and calm atmosphere. If it weren’t for the band’s performance, only the sound of clinking tableware might have been heard.
This is quite desolate. Are they really family?
“Baklava, you should chew more quietly.”
“I’m sorry.”
Baklava shrunk his shoulders after being scolded by his mother. Then the third son Somerset joined in the criticism.
“Baklava. What’s with that posture? Straighten your shoulders.”
“Yes, brother.”
Baklava answered with a cowed expression.
‘Oh, would you look at that?’
He can’t even hold his head up here. I sent a mocking glance to Baklava.
‘So you’re the weakest one, you pitiful thing. How pathetic.’
Although Baklava was irritated, he kept his mouth shut like someone afraid of being scolded for speaking up.
“Come to think of it, Karl, I heard you excellently cleared out those pirates recently.”
After scolding the youngest, the second wife Emmengarde now praised the eldest son. Though her eyes didn’t smile.
“It wasn’t anything special. They were just a ragtag bunch, so it wasn’t difficult to subdue them.”
“Your modesty is excessive. I’ve heard tales of your bravery, how you boarded the enemy flagship alone and cut down their leader.”
‘Oh. Amazing.’
I thought while quietly chewing my meat.
‘Seems he has quite some combat experience. Though he doesn’t look like the type to charge into enemy territory alone.’
“I was also impressed by brother’s achievements.”
The second son Verdzich chimed in with a gentle tone.
“Though I’ve done similar things before, I’ve never charged in alone. It’s not a feat just anyone can accomplish.”
That’s sarcasm, right? Anyone could see that Verdzich’s martial prowess was stronger. When you listen knowing this fact, isn’t it a strange thing to say?
‘It’s like saying “Why are you showing off when I don’t even do such things?”‘
As per my interpretation, Karl’s expression looked uncomfortable.
‘This is interesting. They keep jabbing at each other without outright cursing. Such loving brothers, indeed.’
In any case, Karl and Verdzich, who had their coming-of-age ceremonies long ago, seemed to be actively involved in external affairs. To think they even participated in military operations like pirate suppression.
‘Let me see. Karl was in the Knights Order and Verdzich in the Royal Guard, right?’
Both of them were commanders leading a battalion each in the Knights Order and Royal Guard respectively.
‘Their father probably deliberately gave them these loyal forces. Giving his sons some military authority to test their control… It’s a common approach.’
Basically, the Grünewald Duchy was divided between two powers: the military and civil administration. The military itself could be further divided into two pillars.
First, there was the ‘Regular Army’ which maintained about 30% of its strength during peacetime centered around officer corps and non-commissioned officers, then conscripted citizens during wartime.
‘But this one doesn’t really have much presence.’
It’s more like a reserve force maintained at minimum strength just in case of emergencies.
On the other hand, the other pillar was the ‘Standing Army,’ elite units that maintained their numbers even during peacetime and handled their respective duties. Due to the nature of these units, the Standing Army was naturally composed of a small number of elites compared to the Regular Army.
‘I suppose the core of the military would naturally have many Standing Army veterans.’
The Royal Guard, Knights Order, Special Operations Unit, and Security Force belonged to the Standing Army.
According to Olivier’s explanation, except for the Security Force, the other three units symbolized the duchy’s military might.
‘What’s interesting here is that the head of the family had his sons lead different units, and there’s an implicit hierarchy between these units.’
The Special Operations Unit is small and specialized. While Ulvhilde was put in charge partly due to her excellent abilities, it was mainly because she had no interest in succession rights.
Therefore, to effectively compete for succession rights, controlling either the Royal Guard or Knights Order was important, and as seen yesterday, the Royal Guard members were generally more skilled.
‘Therefore.’
In terms of loyal forces’ status, Verdzich had the upper hand over Karl.
‘How subtle. Is it based on merit?’
If so, my father Duke Georg was truly a cold-blooded man. Well, considering his attitude towards my mother and me, it’s not surprising.
‘Though it’s not like the Knights Order is a pushover unit by any means.’
Knights Order members were typically either raised in noble houses from childhood or those who achieved excellence in the duchy’s training institutions.
Since receiving formal knighthood meant recognition as lower nobility, it was a unit that mainly attracted children of noble families without inheritance rights and talented, wealthy commoners.
‘Knights were usually regular soldiers who pursued their own pride and romance.’
Most knights I met in my previous life were like that.
But those with the title of Royal Guard members were rarely seen. They were precious everywhere.
‘I suppose a duchy is grand enough to maintain a Royal Guard.’
Indeed, it showed a different level of dignity compared to other nobles below the rank of marquis. The Royal Guard was considered the highest-tier military unit in any kingdom, and accordingly, required substantial costs for training and maintenance.
According to Olivier, it was a unit that gathered only the best regardless of background. They were the strongest shield created to protect the head of the family and the ducal castle, and veterans who could be deployed for any mission at any time.
‘There are mainly two paths for recruitment.’
Either selecting the most outstanding individuals from training institutions as apprentices and training them within the unit-
Or externally recruiting those who had proven their worth through distinguished military service in other units.
‘While many go from the Knights Order to the Royal Guard, the reverse is rare. That alone makes the hierarchy between the two units clear.’
The second son leads a higher-ranking unit than the eldest son. Wouldn’t that alone be enough to make the eldest son feel bad?
‘I would’ve been upset too.’
I observed the two men carefully. I could tell from their eyes alone – one harbored inferiority, the other superiority.
“To cut down the pirate leader’s head alone. Big brother, that’s truly amazing. How can you be so brave?”
So I deliberately flattered Karl. Understanding my intention, Karl showed a gentle smile.
“If you diligently learn Grünewald’s secret martial arts, you could perform far more impressively than your brother. Manifesting sword qi within a week of starting – none of us has ever accomplished that.”
“Thank you for your kind words. I’m trying hard to follow even in your footsteps.”
When martial arts came up, Ulvhilde, who had been quiet as if uninterested in everything, suddenly jumped in.
“Allen. Since we’re on the topic, this sister would like to instruct you in swordsmanship.”
“…”
Why has she been like this? Is my talent that desirable? Her look was too similar to the tutor’s.
“Though you’re my brother, I say this because you’re too precious to waste. When you think it’s too late is actually the earliest. Even a seven-year gap is nothing if you train properly now.”
“Hmm. Thank you for your kind offer. However, since father hasn’t permitted sword training yet…”
“Father? Why? Why not?”
Ulvhilde’s eyes widened in disbelief. She looked ready to go confront him right away.
“How could I fathom father’s intentions? There must be a reason.”
“Well, that’s true, but still…”
Ulvhilde, noticeably becoming gloomy, started cutting her meat. Rough calluses marked her long fingers.
‘Impressive. Those are a swordsman’s hands.’
Even in the underworld, it was rare to find a sword wielder with hands like that. It showed how rigorous her training must have been.
‘Anyway.’
As planned, the eldest son and first daughter had clearly taken a liking to me.
I’m the one who caused a huge commotion by getting into a fight with the youngest right after waking up. I wouldn’t be surprised if people thought I’d gone crazy.
‘How pleased they must be that such a person is now showing proper respect as a younger brother.’
Last night, while listening to Olivier’s story, I thought.
‘What would Karl, who lacks the dignity of the eldest son after being overshadowed by his brother, want most? Money? Power? Honor?’
No.
‘…The existence of siblings who look up to him more than to Verdzich. In other words, his siblings’ recognition and respect.’
Today’s observations confirm my reasoning was quite accurate. His full sister Ulvhilde neither respected nor feared him, and Somerset wasn’t the type to respect anyone. As for Baklava, he was practically Verdzich’s puppet, so there’s nothing to say.
‘That leaves only me.’
Good. I’ll act out the respect you desire, Karl. I’m a man who can become a sycophant whenever necessary.
‘By the way, our sister Ulvhilde’s gaze is a bit scary.’
Nevertheless, she was recognized for her exceptional skills, enough to lead a unit in the Special Operations Unit. That Special Operations Unit which was said to be the most unique and difficult to control.
‘Even the name sounds suspicious. Special missions, they say?’
It definitely seems like it would be full of eccentric people.
‘Though it would probably suit my temperament best.’
After my coming-of-age ceremony next year, I would likely either lead a unit or be assigned to one.
If I had to choose, I’d want to join the Special Operations Unit. It would be beneficial to build a relationship with Ulvhilde. For now, at least.
‘How complicated.’
Anyway, through this gathering, I could clearly see who was the most threatening opponent.
‘Verdzich Grünewald.’
A man with outstanding talent reminiscent of the current head, Georg Grünewald, and unmatched martial prowess among young nobles of his age.
And someone cunning enough to persistently check and provoke a brother who just recovered from fever.
‘He really reminds me of that b*st*rd.’
Just as I was reminiscing about the Dark King who stabbed me in the back and killed me, Somerset picked a fight.
“By the way, Allenbert. What’s with that tacky formal wear?”
“Pardon?”
I responded somewhere between annoyance and courtesy. Ambiguous to others, but irritating to the person in question.
“Your face is quite pretty, but your taste in clothes is completely provincial. Be careful not to shame our family if you appear in social circles dressed like that.”
The personal attack came exactly as expected. The third wife also wore a subtle smirk. Reciting what your mother told you to say? Oh my, what a pathetic fellow. How old are you to still be clinging to your mother’s skirts?
“I didn’t know my brother cared so deeply about family honor.”
Somerset’s caterpillar-like thick eyebrows twitched at my response.
“You. What’s with that disrespectful tone?”
“You’re the disrespectful one, brother.”
“What did you say?”
“This is the formal wear father wore in his youth.”
“!”
“How impudent, brother. How dare you mock father’s clothes as tacky? If you don’t like me, just say so. How can you, as his son, disrespect father like this?”
As Somerset, suddenly turned into a b*st*rd, quivered his lips with an angry face, Third Wife Bianca intervened.
“Allenbert. Your words are too harsh. That’s not what he meant.”
She stepped in appropriately when her son was losing the verbal battle. I muttered in an annoying voice.
“Ah, is that so?”
“You b*st*rd. How dare you, a half-breed with barbarian blood…”
“Sister, your words go too far.”
First Wife Isabella reprimanded her.
“Such inappropriate behavior should be restrained.”
“Sister. I apologize. I got somewhat excited.”
Of course, Lady Bianca didn’t offer me a single word of apology. Is avoiding apologies a family tradition?
‘In that sense, our Second Lady is as deep-minded as her son.’
Just looking at how she sent her enemy’s tribute as a consolation gift showed clearly that she disliked my mother Lusatia. But she doesn’t show it at all in this setting.
“Burp.”
Oh no. Maybe because I was eating in such an uncomfortable situation, I accidentally let out a burp.
“Allenbert. Are you mad?”
This time, I have no retort to Prince Somerset’s scolding. I raised my hand in apology.
“I’m sorry.”
“…”
Then everyone, even Olivier and Peter, looked at me like I was crazy.
Why are they like this? Can’t a person burp sometimes?