The eldest son and the closest person to becoming the next head of the family.
'Gunter de Strange.'
I had kept him in mind since my rebirth.
When I considered my future, he was a more dangerous figure than the Tony, Johnny, and Lonnie trio.
However, I didn't know when he started to check on me. Even when recalling my past life, I couldn't remember.
'Well.'
Of course, Gunter would have carried out his plans meticulously and secretly, so my younger self wouldn't have known.
In my previous life, there were a few times when assassins came to the main house. Each time, they were all killed by the guardian knights.
But there had never been an instance where an assassin successfully entered my room, like this time.
That means this life is more dangerous than the last.
'It won't be easy.'
The path to reclaiming the title of Sword King.
Gunter's threat level is higher than in my past life.
While this assassination attempt wasn't life-threatening, I don't know what form the next attempt will take, so I must be extremely cautious.
'Gunter is a meticulous and strategic planner.'
The assassination attempt made me realize that this life wouldn't be easy either.
While I might experience things I've encountered before, there will also be events outside the flow of causality.
This incident proved that.
It was an opportunity to recognize once again that I stand in a position where I could die at any moment if I let my guard down.
'I'm rather fortunate that the assassin came before something major happened.'
I can prepare for future events in advance.
"Emma, do you know who's coming to today's meeting?"
The nanny folded her fingers one by one as she answered.
"The head of the family, the eldest young master, the second young master, the third lady, and all the lords from the branch families are gathering."
"Even the people from the branch families?"
"Yes, the master urgently summoned them. I think it's probably because of the assassin who came for you, young master."
Not just the direct line but also the branch families. This was akin to preparations for war.
It's a meeting that, by its very existence, poses a threat to neighboring countries. Even the emperor commanding the imperial army would be nervous about such a situation.
'...Heaven is helping me.'
I never thought I'd get a chance to keep Gunter in check this soon.
"Are both my brothers definitely coming?"
"Of course. The young masters and the lady have already arrived."
"My brothers and sister?"
"Yes, they are waiting in the garden for the head of the family to arrive."
"I didn't know they had arrived, so I didn't greet them. Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"Well… I thought it would be better for you to stay here."
Her expression alone made it clear what she meant. Unlike other families, the Stranges compete with each other, risking their lives.
'She probably thought there would be some power play among the siblings.'
Like the trash trio, Tony, Johnny, and Lonnie.
After organizing my thoughts for a moment, I spoke to the nanny with a gentle smile.
"Emma, could you bring me the item I asked you to store in the cold storage last time?"
---
"Welcome, Master!"
The voice of Beth, the captain of the guardian knights, echoed throughout the castle. The remaining guardian knights repeated his call.
"Welcome, Master!!"
The current head of the Strange family, Lois, entered the castle with a stern expression.
Two men and a woman followed him closely.
A muscular man with golden slicked-back hair and yellow armor adorned with a cross, carrying a massive two-handed sword on his shoulder: the eldest, Gunter.
A skinny man with short blue hair and blue armor adorned with a cross, with two swords at his waist: the second, Hysteria.
Lastly, a woman with long red hair and crimson armor adorned with a cross, carrying a sword with a handle as long as the blade: the third, Valentine.
The three of them were a powerful force capable of destroying a country in half a day.
The reason was singular: to find the mastermind behind the assassin who dared to invade the Strange main house.
When Lois, who arrived at the meeting room, was the first to pull out a chair and sit down.
Scrape.
The eldest, the second, and the third sat down, keeping their distance from each other.
The elite knights belonging to the Strange family filled the remaining seats.
Scrape.
The four sitting across the round table and the blood relatives growing in their territories.
After a long silence, the head of the family, Lois, was the first to speak.
"The assassin?"
The eldest answered his question.
"We are pursuing them."
His voice was deep and resonant as if drawn from the depths of a cave.
"From what we've found so far, it seems they're from a guild called 'Red Worm,' which is known in the East."
"Red Worm?"
"An assassination organization."
"Why did they target us?"
Lois propped his chin with interest, and the eldest continued after clearing his throat.
"They came for the youngest's neck. Rumors that the spirit of the Sword God has returned to our family have already spread across the continent."
The return of the Sword God.
Just that phrase was enough to explain why assassins were targeting the youngest.
Currently, numerous guilds on the continent are eagerly waiting for an opportunity to devour the Strange family.
"Father, but Red Worm is just a small assassination organization with barely over a hundred members."
"A hundred?"
"Yes, they are not a force that can stand against us. So, I thought they were probably hired by a larger power."
"A larger power?"
Gunter nodded with determined eyes.
"A power big enough to handle us. One that is ready to confront us."
"Big enough to handle us…"
Lois opened his aura-filled eyes in anger.
Sssss.
"You mean Glazer."
"Yes, father."
"But it hasn't been long since the war with Glazer ended."
"They probably think little of us. Hasn't Hagen been doing this every year since he became the leader?"
"Whew-"
The blood relatives nodded as if they agreed, watching Lois's reaction.
Unlike them, the second son, who had been listening to the conversation, let out a sly laugh.
"Kahahaha! Brother, do you really think that makes sense?"
"...What?"
"What do you mean, 'what?' Do you think that's a proper question? Do you really believe that Glazer is in such a state?"
Lois turned his gaze to the second son.
Hysteria, as if waiting for this moment, stood up and slowly walked around the round table, continuing to speak.
"Father, as you know, the Glazer faction is currently at odds with the Emperor and lacks the capacity to wage war against us."
"...."
"Given their precarious situation, it makes no sense for them to provoke us now. What could they possibly gain?"
"...hm."
"To antagonize both the Strange family and the Imperial Army simultaneously? That's practically a death wish. No matter how exceptional our youngest may be, no one would start a war just to kill one child."
Hysteria, wearing a sardonic grin, slung an arm around the shoulders of a sweating, portly cousin from a collateral branch.
"Don't you think I'm right?"
"Y-yes, I do."
"See? Even you think Gunter's proposal is absurd, don't you?"
"N-no! That's not what I meant! G-Gunter, please, I didn't mean that!"
"Of course you didn't. Go ahead, tell Gunter what you think. Ask him how he plans to become the next family head with such ideas. He might end up getting taken out by one of us soon. Ha-ha!"
Gunter glared at Hysteria with displeasure.
"That's enough, Hysteria."
"Oh, look at that. Our future family head is already giving orders?"
"It wasn't an order."
"A request, then?"
"A warning. Stop now and sit down."
Hysteria didn't avert his gaze from Gunter.
"What if I refuse?"
Gunter placed his hand on his sword hilt.
"You know what will happen."
Hysteria, his lips curling into a grin, also gripped his sword.
"Why don't you show me, brother?"
As the tension between the two escalated, a snap echoed through the room.
Snap!
Both Gunter and Hysteria flinched and then stepped back to their seats, turning their backs to each other.
"Silence."
With just one word from Lois, the room fell into an uneasy stillness. The gathered family members began sweating bullets under the piercing tension.
The head of the Strange family, Lois, then turned to Valentine.
"Valentine, what do you think?"
"I agree with Hysteria, Father."
"Do you?"
"Yes. The culprit is likely an insider."
"An insider?"
"If the Glazer faction had moved against us, their target would have been you, Father, not Verdin."
"...."
"If the Glazers had made a move, their goal would have been to eliminate the head of our family, not Verdin."
"Indeed, that is logical."
Lois closed his eyes and pondered deeply. Despite Gunter being the eldest, the contrary opinions of the second and third children couldn't be ignored.
"Gunter."
"Yes, Father."
"Return to the east and annihilate the Red Worm assassin group. Kill everyone connected to them—their families, relatives, and anyone remotely associated. Erase their existence entirely."
"...Understood."
"Valentine, review the security of this castle. Ensure no assassins can infiltrate again."
"Yes, Father."
Lois exhaled slowly, his gaze sweeping over the assembled family members. His eyes sharpened, delivering a warning with a deadly seriousness.
"Never again. We'll make it abundantly clear what happens to those who dare to threaten the Strange family."
* * *
The meeting adjourned.
As the door opened, Lois was the first to leave, followed by dozens of collateral relatives, all drenched in sweat.
They quickened their pace, eager to escape the oppressive atmosphere of the castle.
It was clear that, despite being family, they were terrified—far more than seemed necessary.
Soon, the castle would be nearly empty, with only Valentine likely to remain.
Thud, thud, thud.
Once all the collateral relatives had vanished from sight, a familiar figure emerged from the conference room.
A muscular man with slicked-back blond hair and thick eyebrows.
"Gunter."
As he passed by me with a stoic expression, he spoke.
"You must be Verdin."
Gunter recognized me instantly, even though we had never met before.
"Yes, brother."
I looked up, not avoiding his gaze. Gunter found my demeanor amusing, offering a small smile.
"Just as I'd heard."
"Just as you'd heard?"
"Yes, you have striking eyes. No wonder Father is fond of you."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"...."
Our conversation ended there. Gunter lightly patted my head before walking away.
Valentine followed, giving me a brief smile before her expression turned cold again. She said nothing, not even a greeting, just a nod before leaving.
I stood in front of the conference room for a while, watching everyone depart.
I clearly remembered.
From my childhood until adulthood, someone always stayed behind until the very end of every meeting.
Today was no different.
"Just as I thought."
Entering the conference room cautiously, I found a man with blue hair sitting with his legs propped on the table.
"Who are you?"
With a casual attitude, he eyed me.
"Hello, brother. This is our first meeting. I am Verdin."
The man who would be my ally against Gunter until I grew stronger.
"Verdin?"
A future revolutionary within the family.
Hysteria de Strange.
"Yes. I am that Verdin."
Right now, he was the strongest card I could play.