Playing the Perfect Fox-Eyed Villain Chapter 52

Episode 52. The Cryphat Family (2)

After wiping the sweat off my body at the training ground, I turned my head to Herand.

“By the way, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you at the palace, Brother Herand. Is there something you need?”

“Okay, I’m on my way back from the secretary’s office at the order of the chairman who has come in for a moment.”

He is the chairman of the right.

When that name was mentioned, I looked at Herand intently.

Former head of the Cryphat family and chairman of the Council of Nobles.

He hated Yurian so much that the word 'disgusting' was fitting.

Of course. Chairman Orun, a pureblood, became the imperial dog through the 'Gam-Nun', an organization directly under the imperial family, despite being a collateral branch, but Yurian's reputation was higher than that of the four major families.

If notoriety is like fame, then so be it.

By the way.

'The right-hand man is in the secretary's office… … What's going on?'

I became interested without realizing it.

“Don’t worry about it. It didn’t really have anything to do with you.”

As if he had sensed my thoughts to some extent, Herand opened his mouth and waved his hand. There was no sign of a lie on his face as he denied it with cold sweat.

“But, Yurian.”

“Yes, brother.”

“That… is Milena’s relic.”

Milena's relics?

Ah, I guess you're talking about the 'Soul Stone Necklace' that I obtained earlier and entrusted to Herand.

“Can I really keep it? Isn’t it something special to you?”

Herand stroked his beard once and spoke with an awkward expression.

It looks like he's thinking of using that as an excuse to harm me, and he wants to return the favor right away.

But I can't receive it.

If the Yeomyeonghoe finds out that I secretly acquired the 'Soul Stone' while I have no place to store it, they won't let it go.

“Please keep it for a little longer. Once I finish what I’m doing now, I’ll come get it myself.”

“Is that so…?”

Herand shivered at the words that the matter was settled.

I have no idea what you're thinking.

“Then, I will go first, brother. I heard there is a family meeting. Please give my regards to the head of the household.”

Deciding that there was nothing more to talk about, I turned my head to move on.

After testing out the 'Spear' in the training ground, I felt that this body was talented not only with the 'Sword' but also with other weapons.

Thanks to that, my body was itching to try out other weapons.

“……How about we go to the family meeting together, Yurian?”

Then, at Herand's sudden words, I turned my gaze again and looked at his face. When our eyes met, the color of 'fear' rippled over Herand's head.

“You, you too… aren’t you a member of the Cryphat family?”

“I am a collateral, brother. Wasn’t it you who gave me the label ‘Prason’?”

I think the 'Yurien' I know would have just laughed it off.

But this feeling boiling inside my chest… What is it? Anger?

“Yes, I know you hate the Cryphat family terribly.”

The emotion flowed out naturally from my body. The poisonous anger of 'Yurien',

Herand, who was receiving it, looked quite distressed, but continued speaking.

“The environment and treatment must have been the worst for you. They even held Milena’s funeral in a shabby manner, and they even prevented you from attending the ceremony because they didn’t want to hear you cry.”

Although it was something I didn't remember, when the name 'Milena' was mentioned again, I started to feel a chill in a corner of my heart.

But it wasn't enough to cause a major disruption to the conversation. It just temporarily calmed down the anger that had been boiling over.

“I’m not trying to tell you to forget the past. It’s just…….”

“Brother, I appreciate your words, but I have no intention of attending the family meeting.”

I cut him off and made my opinion clear.

“Is that so…….”

"yes."

I nodded calmly to him, who trailed off.

In fact, I know rationally that there is nothing good about having a family and reputation like 'Cryphat'.

However, Yurian, his instincts, unlike the rational 'me', could not tolerate harmony with the 'Cryphat' family, which was already at odds with each other.

'That's not all.'

I have a greater desire not to get involved in useless things.

Surely, the snobbish direct descendants of the Cryphat family would expect my unconditional obedience.

“If you say so, I won’t say anything more.”

Herand stroked his beard with an expression that revealed his complicated inner feelings.

The third son of this fearful 'Cryphat' family is very affectionate, unlike the other members of the family who are vicious.

That's what I thought.

So, despite being from the Cryphat family, it seems like he doesn't feel particularly averse to it.

“I’m really sorry about what happened to Milena… I know this apology doesn’t mean much to you, but I still wanted to say it….”

“It’s okay. It’s an old memory.”

To be exact, I have never experienced it.

“……But, are you sure it’s okay? Joshua will also be attending this family meeting. He’s the youngest who’s been getting in trouble with you recently.”

Oh, is that why you wanted to attend the family meeting?

Joshua Kreifart.

In the game story, a boy who grows up receiving a lot of affection from the current head of the family and the right-hand chairman of the Senate will rise through the ranks both within and outside the family, and eventually even hear the words, "next head of the family."

“Hey, since this is Joshua’s first time attending a family meeting, it’s only natural that the elders and many vassals will be paying attention to him. They’ll definitely ask you to punish him for what happened before…….”

“Don’t worry about that, brother.”

I smiled at his concern.

I don't know what that smile was like, but looking at Herland sweating profusely, he doesn't look too good.

“Joshua and I recently had the opportunity to strengthen our friendship.”

***

“Damn it! That kid…….”

Joshua, who had stopped by the conference room for a family meeting, swore with a wrinkled face.

He kept fiddling with the tie on his formal attire, clearly showing his discomfort, and then turned his gaze to the clock hanging on the wall.

‘… … The meeting will start soon.’

It was his first time participating in a family meeting, but if he were his usual self, he wouldn't have been this nervous.

For Joshua, who was as confident as his high nose, the emotion called ‘nervousness’ was something he could not understand.

– 'Let's start negotiations, Joshua. This is no small matter to leave unaddressed.'

But now, things were different than usual.

The day we raided Yurian's mansion.

Joshua bit his lip because of the 'negotiation' he had with him.

– 'First, I will hand over the identity of Alphas Mayhand to Gamneun Nun. Also, I would like Joshua to take care of all the damages caused by this incident.'

The content of the 'negotiation' he had with him was fine up to this point. However, what he said next was enough to make Joshua flustered.

– 'I hope you will support me as the head of the family at the upcoming family meeting.'

Until now, the noble elders and the 'Cryphat' family have been gnashing their teeth at Yurian's actions.

Besides, didn't you recently issue a 'warning' to some people through the secretary's office?

The 'Cryphat' family, whose pride had been hurt by something that had never happened before, were once again looking for a way to send him to the northern front.

What happened at the banquet hall was truly fitting given the 'number'. A mere 'collateral line' had tarnished the honor of his 'direct line' in an official setting.

‘Did I come out for nothing… … . I was swayed by unnecessary emotions… … !’

Joshua's surprise attack on his mansion in the middle of the night, driven by anger over the humiliation he suffered at the banquet hall, turned out to be self-destructive.

I kicked away the opportunity to kick Yulian out using that as an excuse.

“Joshua, Mr. Herand has arrived at the conference room. The conference will begin soon, so would you please come inside?”

Joshua, who had been lost in thought, suddenly raised his head at the sound of the servant's voice.

After that, he nodded and started walking.

As he approached the meeting place, Joshua's steps began to become heavier.

'… …fu*k.'

But Joshua shook off that thought and opened the door and stepped inside. The vassals' eyes were fixed on him.

“Are you here, Joshua?”

Among them, when the emotionless gaze of 'Oven Kreifart', the current head of the Kreifart family and Joshua's father, was directed towards him, Joshua nodded slightly and sat down in his seat.

As he looked around, Joshua saw familiar figures.

The first thing that came into view was Herand sweating profusely. Behind him, the head butler, Lahart, was wearing a relatively calm expression.

“Then let’s start the meeting.”

The family council began with Gaju and Oben's words. The first topic that came up was the whereabouts of 'Black Saint' Haydn Reich.

“Everyone knows that Geomseong has a deep connection with the Second Prince. If Geomseong supports the Second Prince, the right to the throne will tilt in his favor.”

“But, isn’t it impossible to overlook the Third Prince, Lord Kaldrak, who was active on the Northern Front? Most of the military is supporting him…….”

“It seems that the Four Princesses who are supporting us from the Magic Tower cannot be ignored.”

“But we all know that his status cannot be compared to that of the Sword Master. The only one who can match his honor is…….”

The member who was speaking trailed off. Although the scale of his infamy was greater, he could only think of one person whose reputation could rival that of the 'Geomseong'.

“However, I don’t think Yurian will have much interest in succeeding to the throne.”

“That would be better. If Yurian shows interest for no reason, the current situation could become even more complicated.”

“What do you think, Joshua?”

In the middle of the conversation, the conference room suddenly became quiet with Oben's words, and everyone's eyes turned to Joshua.

“This is your first time attending a family meeting, so I think you might be nervous. So, calmly state your intentions.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Joshua, who politely responded to Oben’s words, slowly got up from his seat. He could have openly revealed his antipathy toward Yurian here, but that would be difficult.

– 'Don't think of anything ridiculous. If you report this incident to the closed eyes and the secretary's office, an investigation will begin.'

It is Yurian who holds the reins of negotiations.

'then…….'

I'll do as you say.

“Hello, my name is Joshua Kreifart.”

Most of them had a pleased expression on their faces when they saw Joshua greeting the people around him.

“How about we formally acknowledge Brother Yurian as a member of the family while we’re at it?”

Those expressions only last for a moment.

After a moment of bewilderment at Joshua's shocking words, most of them exploded in anger.

"what……?"

“Are you calling that a word now?”

“If we admit that scoundrel, the name Cryphat itself will be tarnished!”

Joshua decided to go out strong.

Because of his promise to Yurian, he couldn't say that he should send him directly to the Northern Front. So Joshua decided to screw him over in another way.

Fight back.

Resist even more.

“But, isn’t Brother Yurian’s reputation comparable to that of the ‘Black Sword’? That’s why I think this way.”

Joshua twisted his lips as he watched his vassals raise their voices.

“Brother Yurian is the right person to be the next head of the household.”

I will defend you as you say.

He insists on it so strongly that it is so thorough that you can't help but feel antipathy towards it.

“Tea, tea, let’s go……!?”

“Are you saying that right now?”

“No matter how young you are, that statement is hard to accept. Joshua!”

As Joshua had expected, the opposition from the people was fierce. As a result, some members stood up and raised their voices.

“Well, Joshua is still young, so he’s easily influenced by rumors.”

“I find it absurd that the source of such rumors is within the system.”

“I think so too. It would be better for the family and the royal family to immediately send him to the northern front…….”

Yeah, that's it.

Joshua groaned inwardly at the sight of the people getting angry.

'What happened today was something that could be explained by kicking the guy out and then making a vague excuse.'

I thought it was a well-used and throw-away card. I didn't mean it sincerely.

'Then, no one would really take issue with it.'

As the topic of conversation gradually shifted to the need to send Yurian back to the northern front.

“Ha, but……, I think what Joshua said is okay.”

Herand joined in the conversation.

Joshua, embarrassed, slowly turned his head and looked at Herand.

'Hey, Brother Herand?'

I thought that Herand also feared and hated Yurian?

What on earth are you talking about, bro?

“He, Joshua, who hated Yurian so much, has changed his opinion of him. Most recently… Isn’t his behavior proof that he is showing more humanity than before?”

no.

Absolutely not, Brother Herand!

Joshua wanted to refute Herand's sudden words, but he couldn't.

Because he knew that if he changed his words while defending Yurian just a moment ago, his reputation as a spineless person would be damaged.

“Considering the current state of affairs of the imperial family, Yurian’s status cannot be ignored.”

“Yes, even though it is notorious, it is also a reputation.”

As if they had been waiting for this opportunity to arise, starting with Herand, those who had less antipathy toward Yurian, especially those who had risen to this position solely on the basis of their talent, began to raise their voices.

'That starting point… was it me?'

Joshua glanced at Herand and thought.

'Damn it… …!'