After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 178
Episode 178: The Hopeless Brothers
“This was an unexpected blunder. Those idiot brothers of mine are greedy when it comes to alcohol and women, but I thought as long as those desires were satisfied, they wouldn’t bother with anything else.”
“Yeah, I heard the same. I sent enough money to their lodging to cover drinks, food, and maybe two or three prostitutes, thinking that would keep them content… but apparently not.”
Seeing Max and I with our heads in our hands, Ayaka spoke up with a pained expression.
“No, preventing such situations beforehand is originally the responsibility of us, the ‘Dark Clan.’ That we failed to do so is entirely my fault, and I sincerely apologize.”
It wasn’t Ayaka’s fault. Even I hadn’t imagined my lazy brothers would pour their energy into some nasty scheme that wouldn’t even make them money.
“But the Dark Clan was keeping an eye on their actions, weren’t they?”
“Yes, as much as we could from the outside. Those gentlemen stayed holed up in their mansion from morning until evening. In the evening, they’d head to the taverns, dine and drink on your tab, Lord Lutz… and it seems they would bring back women they found there. And it was often confirmed that women who had been taken once would willingly return to your brothers’ mansion.”
“So, they drugged those women in the mansion to make them addicted and unable to leave. Unforgivable.”
Max, who was rarely this visibly angry, clenched his fists. He may enjoy the company of many women in Baden, but he never used his power to take advantage of anyone, nor did he resort to drugs. He had a healthy view of relationships.
“So… there’s a high chance that the women visiting my brothers right now could cause another incident?”
“Exactly as you say, Lord Lutz. We have belatedly compiled a list of the women under your brothers’ influence. There are currently eleven who visit the mansion regularly, though the frequency varies.”
As expected, the Dark Clan is excellent. It’s unfortunate they couldn’t prevent the uproar, but their recovery efforts are swift.
“Then, keep an eye on those women. If there’s any suspicious behavior, apprehend them immediately. We absolutely cannot allow another incident.”
“Understood, we will.”
Ayaka, her dark eyes filled with determination, looked up at me. Yes, I can trust her with this. Now, I have something I need to do.
“Alright, it’s time to teach those idiot brothers of mine a lesson.”
Come to think of it, there’s no such thing as a scolding “with a hot compress” in this world… Well, no point in getting hung up on details!
—
Two weeks later. The groundwork was complete, and the time had come to catch them.
We had given the female perpetrator special-grade detox and mental recovery potions, custom-made by Clara, rushed from the capital. It brought her back to her senses instantly, which was shocking, given how far gone she seemed. Clara’s abilities as an apothecary really are unmatched.
Through her testimony, we learned that she had been seduced at a tavern, taken to the mansion, drugged repeatedly, and kept intoxicated with pleasure until she couldn’t live without it. Then, when she was hooked, she was promised more drugs if she killed a man from the Duchy. It’s an old, yet effective method. We promptly reported the situation to Beato and His Majesty by fast courier and awaited their instructions. The imperial decree had already been issued.
“I thought it was impossible, but… to think Brother Matheus and Brother Niklaus could be that foolish.”
A beautiful woman with naturally flowing light blue hair sighed in resignation beside me, her face slightly pale. It was none other than my beloved sister, Liese.
The fact that Liese, who now leads the national army’s magic division, was here meant that the idiotic plan of my brothers had escalated into a state-level affair. Of course, it had. If the 30,000 experienced slaves rose in revolt, it would cost an enormous amount of money, time, and lives to quell. If they knowingly provoked that, it would be considered an act of treason.
“Maybe they didn’t think it through that deeply. They probably just wanted to humiliate me and tarnish my name.”
“That sounds like them. They’re ignorant, indulgent fools… but if that’s really all it is, then there’s no hope for them.”
We both sighed deeply again. My foolish brothers likely hadn’t thought things through, but there had to be someone pulling the strings behind the scenes, someone aiming to sabotage the development of Baden.
“First, we need to make sure those brothers of mine don’t continue with their foolishness. And then… we need to see how far we can dig up information on whoever’s behind this.”
“Yeah, let’s do our best. So, the plan is set for three days from now. We’ll prepare the decoy on our side…”
And so, my sister Liese and I, despite our lover-like relationship approved by my wife, found ourselves deep in a discussion far from anything romantic. When on earth will I ever be able to fulfill those promises we made to each other?