After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 164
## Chapter 164: The Foolish Brothers Again
“Sorry, Lutz, I can’t handle this. Please do something.”
As soon as I returned to Baden, Max, looking sour, approached me. It’s unusual for someone as positive as him to be so troubled. What on earth happened?
“I don’t want to deal with it because it’s a hassle, but when it’s your brothers, Lutz…”
Unbelievably, the ones troubling him were my brothers, Matheus and Niklaus, who had left the Freudenstadt family to live a life of debauchery and self-indulgence.
“They barged in, complained that the adventurer’s inn was shabby, said they couldn’t eat monster meat even if it was top-grade oak steak, didn’t like the wine from the capital, and even demanded women.”
“What did you say?”
“I had no choice but to tell them straight, ‘I don’t have the authority to offer my subordinates for night services.’ That made them furious. They drink and eat excessively from midday, harass adventurers, and spread bad words about you and me. Some parties have even given up on hunting and returned to the capital.”
Well, that’s a problem. An adventurer’s inn isn’t a resort hotel; it’s more like a business hotel for short-term earnings in the enchanted forest. We even have separate rooms for special guests like Clara, but if they don’t like that, there’s nothing more we can do. The wine complaint is likely just because they can’t appreciate the taste. And ordering Max, who cares about his subordinates, to “provide women” is just outrageous.
“Sigh… I understand. They probably won’t listen to me either, but I’ll give it a try.”
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“Hey Lutz! Get rid of this insolent slave who calls himself the steward!”
“Yes, how can you not offer hospitality when the lord’s brothers have come for an inspection?”
What are these idiot brothers talking about? Exasperated, I responded to them with a modicum of respect.
“Brothers, I’m sorry that our hospitality here in the frontier isn’t up to par. If you don’t like the adventurer’s inn, I’m afraid there’s no better accommodation available.”
“Why not offer your own mansion then?”
“My mansion? I don’t mind, but it’s just a simple log house. The adventurer’s inn is much more comfortable.”
“Ugh… Just prepare the best room available and punish that slave immediately!”
Sigh… These foolish brothers are exasperating.
“The ‘slave’ you’re referring to is Sir Maximilian. He is no longer a slave as he has been knighted by Her Majesty the Queen.”
“A knight? A mere knight dares to show such disrespect to the sons of a marquis?”
Ah, dealing with them is truly tiresome. I discarded my polite facade and addressed them directly.
“You call him ‘mere’ knight, but do you possess a title higher than that? You are merely sons of a marquis and not even the heirs. You don’t even hold the title of a knight.”
“Wha… Lutz, how dare you speak to your brothers like that…”
“Furthermore, this person is the first prince of the Empire. His status is far higher than yours. You should be showing him respect.”
“Unforgivable!”
Matheus charged at me, his face contorted with rage. I didn’t dodge his exaggerated punch, believing it would never hit me.
As expected, his punch was caught by a slender, pale hand. Matheus tried to pull back, but the long, thin fingers held him tightly, preventing any movement.
“Oh, resorting to violence when you can’t win with words? That’s not very becoming of an elder. Surely, you didn’t think your punch would reach Lutz? I’m here beside him.”
The speaker, with her strawberry-blonde hair standing on end and fierce gray eyes, caused Matheus’s face to turn pale with fear. I knew her delicate fingers were crushing his hand like a vice, and his knuckles would break within ten seconds.
“Thank you, Gretel. Even though he’s a worthless brother, please spare his hand.”
Gretel’s shoulders relaxed, and she released Matheus, who collapsed to the ground.
“Lutz… how dare you…”
Niklaus, who was also ready to charge, stopped in his tracks under Gretel’s fierce gaze, looking like a frog facing a snake. Well, Gretel is indeed terrifying.
“Remember this!”
Niklaus helped Matheus up and fled, avoiding Gretel’s eyes.
Well, running away was the right choice.
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The foolish brothers stayed in Baden afterward. They probably found it hard to return to the capital, where their bad reputation had spread. We reluctantly accepted this, but since they were interfering with the important industry of adventurers, we rented and refurbished the best available vacant house in town as their quarters.
With that, we decided to forget about these useless individuals. However, we never expected that this would lead to even greater troubles later on.