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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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Frankly, I wasn’t the type to disregard money.
Money? It was good to have.
Since I was born into a wealthy family, it would be nice to earn a lot, spend it like water, and live a life of luxury.
In that sense, the position of the next head of the Midas family was quite appealing.
People would curse me? Most of those who cursed me would change their tune in a heartbeat if I piled a mountain of money in front of them.
Yet, the reason I wanted to give up the position of heir was simple.
This world was “Planetarium,” or something incredibly close to it.
From the perspective of someone actually living in this world, not a gamer sitting in front of a screen, this world was pretty crazy.
Things seemed calm now because major incidents hadn’t broken out yet, and I hadn’t been caught up in the world’s main currents.
What good was enough wealth to bathe in gold when monsters capable of reducing mountains of treasure to ashes with a sneer were swarming all over the world?
My goal before entering the Academy was to secure a position where I could benefit from the family without being overly tied to it.
Of course, given my abilities, I wouldn’t have to worry about making a living even if I severed ties with the family completely.
But it would be unfair to bear the stigma of being a Midas without any of the benefits.
So, I wrote the letters.
The one who accepted my offer would benefit by eliminating a competitor and securing my share, while I would benefit by receiving compensation for distancing myself from the unwanted position of heir.
Even if my siblings, all a bunch of scoundrels, didn’t offer a fair price, it would at least signal my disinterest in the position, hopefully reducing the number of assassins.
[I received your letter. I am ashamed to reply so late, as an elder brother who should have looked after his younger sibling.
Although we have different mothers, it is only natural for members of the same family to help each other. If you wish, I can immediately dispatch an expert…]
[It is good that you recognize your shortcomings. You want help? As much as you need. First, come to where I am…]
[I understand your situation. However, it is difficult for me to take action with just a vague request for help. If you could send me more specific details…]
[My dear brother, your letter filled me with deep disappointment. If you had such a problem, you should have consulted your elder brother without hesitation…]
As expected, the replies came swiftly.
Some sent formal greetings or ignored the letter altogether, perhaps suspicious of my intentions. However, many others approached me enthusiastically.
But that last one was utterly shameless. I didn’t know if he thought his assassination attempt hadn’t been discovered or if he was just thick-skinned.
What I hadn’t anticipated was…
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I saw you put up an interesting item for auction. Would you mind if I bought it?”
…the arrival of a strange individual.
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The young man introduced himself as Theo Midas.
“I’m the eldest among the children born between the Lord and my mother. Well, it’s just me and my younger sister. You’re the third child of the first wife, right? I envy you. I don’t even know where my mother falls in the order!”
He was handsome.
And talkative.
He looked to be over twenty, yet he spoke respectfully to his much younger brother without a hint of awkwardness.
“Age doesn’t put food on the table. Besides, I’m dealing with a rising star these days. It doesn’t hurt to make a good impression.”
“Rising star? You flatter me. I was just lucky.”
“If that’s modesty, it’s excessive. If it’s true, I’m envious. To be able to succeed with luck alone… How can an ordinary merchant like me bear it?”
Theo shrugged theatrically, took a sip of the tea in front of him, and continued.
“So, how much will you sell it for?”
“Sell? I’m simply seeking appropriate advice, as I’ve been entrusted with a task beyond my capabilities.”
“Hahaha!”
Theo laughed.
“Advice, you say. I see. Then, would you hand over most of the funds allocated to the new branch to me? We’ll manage it well and return it to you doubled.”
“I’m sure Father would be thrilled to hear I was scammed by a con man.”
“That’s what I mean by ‘advising’ on management strategies. You can use the increased profits to fatten your own pockets or cleverly use them to sabotage others. The funds, personnel, and influence associated with a single branch are all tempting, like ripe fruit. How can I just stand by and watch? I’m sure my other siblings are salivating right now.”
“Yet none of them came to see me in person.”
“That’s because they’re too fat and lazy to move their asses. Decorum? Pride? Those can be picked up later. Just brush off the dirt, and no one will notice.”
Look at him, spewing insults with a smile.
But I preferred him to those who hid their true intentions behind a veneer of politeness.
I spoke.
“I want two things. A reasonable regular income and a peaceful night’s sleep without uninvited guests.”
“Giving a little allowance to my younger brother is no big deal. But the latter might be a bit troublesome.”
“I simply desire a free life, unconnected to power.”
“Do you know what those blinded by the throne are like? They see everyone around them as competitors. No matter how much you explain your lack of interest and try to distance yourself, they can’t eat in peace unless they cripple you, just in case you might come back and challenge them someday. Protecting you from that… a single branch isn’t enough compensation, don’t you think?”
“My, my. You’re not a merchant, but a robber.”
“That’s the highest praise.”
I briefly considered pushing back, but decided to hear him out.
“What do you want?”
“I heard you’re going to the Academy.”
Theo wiped the cheerful smile from his face and scratched his cheek and looked slightly troubled.
“My younger sister also wants to go there, but I’m worried she’ll face many difficulties if I send her alone. It would be better if she had someone from the same family with her, wouldn’t it?”
“If you’re worried, why not just not send her?”
“Sadly, I’ve never won an argument against her.”
“…”
I felt a bit uneasy, but it was a decent offer.
Given the difficulty of finding new allies due to the Midas family’s notoriety, having another potential ally wasn’t a bad thing.
Moreover, having him send his own family member with me meant he wasn’t likely to betray me easily.
“Alright, I understand. Where is your sister?”
“She’s training as an apprentice priestess at the Star God Temple. She should be finished before the Academy is completed, so you don’t have to worry.”
“Oh? Is she devout?”
“No, she said it’s more beneficial to learn magic from the church than to hire an expensive private tutor.”
“…”
“You can’t back out of the deal now.”
Would this be… okay?
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As it turned out, Theo Midas kept his promise.
The new Midas Trading Company branch in the Armathia territory was nominally under my name, but effectively belonged to Theo, and a portion of the profits steadily flowed into my coffers.
It was a paltry sum compared to what I could have earned by managing it myself, but it was more than enough for an ordinary person.
More importantly, I now had a passive income without lifting a finger.
“It’s a shame. It was a good opportunity to gain a lot of practical experience.”
Regret expressed her regret at the sudden cessation of assassination attempts, but I wasn’t disappointed in the least.
Unlike the War Ghost, who wouldn’t bat an eye even if blades clashed and blood rained down, my nerves were fragile.
Regret’s physical abilities, which were already above average even in a harsh environment, were further enhanced through plentiful meals and the consumption of special ingredients with body-strengthening effects.
As a result of adding systematic training to her combat skills, which had previously been based on intuition and natural talent, Regret grew stronger at a frightening pace.
According to Sir Kelin, her combat abilities without using magic were already superior to those of most knights.
Considering her age, her talent was monstrous.
I wasn’t bad either, it seemed, but I still paled in comparison.
It didn’t matter. I wasn’t a combat-focused character, and there were many ways to achieve my goals without personally wielding a sword.
I considered learning more advanced magic and physical enhancement techniques, but ultimately decided against it.
According to my knowledge, it would be more efficient to start learning at the Academy, and it was better to go in with a clean slate rather than develop bad habits from premature learning.
I improved my basic abilities through consistent exercise and study, accumulated wealth by completing my damn father’s quests, and regularly opened Cubes to select the most valuable items.
And finally, the time had come.
[Barhardt Imperial Academy New Student Recruitment]
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Huh, I didn’t expect the priestess(?) half-sister, the MC also doesn’t seem aware of her so I wonder what is going on with her situation
So his half-sister went to the church and one of the main heroines, according to the illustrations, is wearing a saint-like outfit.
Chat this might have incest