The Villainous Noble Son Wants to Capture His Stepsister! - Chapter 5

Suddenly, let me just say—this world is incredibly dangerous compared to modern Japan.

Step outside the city, and you’re fair game for bandits and monsters.

Traveling long distances without guards? Almost impossible.

The only people who could pull that off were either skilled fighters or complete lunatics.

By the way, the difference between animals and monsters in this world is whether or not they can reproduce naturally.

There were exceptions, of course, but most monsters spawned in dungeons, deep forests, or areas where magic had stagnated.

A truly mysterious ecosystem.

Anyway, what I’m trying to say is—

In this world, combat skills are absolutely essential.

Despite being a romance game, this world was packed with RPG elements.

The strong prey on the weak.

Truly a cruel existence.

This was why noble families in monster-infested territories tended to be heavily combat-oriented.

On the flip side, nobles in safer regions—or those wealthy enough to hire an army of guards—didn’t prioritize personal strength as much.

Like the Wertheim Ducal Family.

My family.

However, unlike game Kraut, I had no intention of relying on powerful subordinates while strutting around like an arrogant pig.

I had vowed to become the ideal older brother—

Which meant that, in time, I needed to become strong enough to protect my little sister from a demon king if necessary!

And for that, I needed a proper teacher.

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“Please! Teach me how to wield a sword!”

“…Are you seriously saying this?”

A flat, unimpressed voice came from above.

She was probably giving me that same cold stare she always did.

But since I was currently bowing at a perfect ninety-degree angle, I couldn’t see her expression.

Yes—right now, I was begging Heliotrope, my beautiful combat slave maid, to train me in swordsmanship.

Originally, I had considered asking one of the knights.

But honestly?

They didn’t look very strong.

…Not that I had any right to judge.

Still, it wasn’t entirely their fault.

Wertheim Territory was close to the royal capital, where monster appearances were rare.

On top of that, the capital city within the duchy was a major trade hub.

With merchant caravans constantly coming and going, the city was filled with skilled mercenaries and adventurers acting as guards.

So whenever bandits showed up, they were dealt with almost immediately.

In a place with minimal danger, the quality of the soldiers naturally declined.

That was why, out of everyone I knew, Heliotrope was the strongest.

She had nearly wiped the floor with me in the game, using lightning-fast rapier techniques.

If anyone could train me, it was her.

“……”

“……”

She remained silent.

Whether she was shocked or just deep in thought, I had no idea.

And since I kept my head lowered, the heavy silence was starting to get nerve-wracking.

Even though she was my maid and slave, she despised me.

Having someone she loathed suddenly beg her for something had to feel… complicated.

Technically, she couldn’t disobey me.

I could’ve just ordered her to train me.

But I refused to do that.

If she refused, I would simply keep bowing until she changed her mind.

Given everything Kraut had done to her, she had every right to refuse.

At the very least, I just wanted to show that I was sincere.

That’s what I thought, but…

“…I have one condition.”

“Huh?”

I had been fully expecting her to refuse—so when she instead gave me a condition, I instinctively lifted my head in surprise.

Heliotrope’s expression was slightly downcast, her eyes filled with undeniable conflict.

“Say the word. If it’s something I can do, I’ll do it.”

I responded without hesitation.

Backing down wasn’t an option.

If I wanted to earn her trust, I had to prove my sincerity.

And more than anything—if it meant becoming the ideal older brother, I would do whatever it took.

I braced myself, mentally clenching my fists.

And then—

“Release me from my slave contract.”

She fixed me with an unwavering glare as she made her demand.

“…What?”

I was too stunned to speak.

Ignoring my reaction, Heliotrope continued, her voice calm and composed.

“A slave cannot harm their master. If I am to train you properly, you will need to take hits and engage in sparring matches. If you are truly serious about learning the sword, then the slave contract will only serve as a shackle.”

“That’s…”

She was right.

No, she wasn’t just right—she was absolutely, undeniably correct.

If I truly wanted to train, then removing her restraints was the only logical choice.

If—
If our relationship had been anything other than what it was.

I had already planned to free Heliotrope someday.

But only after I had earned her trust.

I knew full well that she despised me.

No—she likely hated me with every fiber of her being.

She had lost her homeland, been sold into slavery, and then purchased by a spoiled noble brat who flaunted his family name.

For years, Kraut had tormented her—mocking her, belittling her, treating her as nothing more than property.

If not for the magical command preventing her from harming me,

She would have sent me to my grave long ago.

Freeing someone who neither trusted nor respected me, and likely harbored only resentment?

It would be sheer recklessness—nothing short of suicidal.

No rational person in my position would ever agree to it.

Which is why—

I reached forward—

And unlocked the choker-like slave collar around her neck.

In that very instant—

A blade flashed toward my throat.

I had no idea where she had hidden the knife.

But it was already mid-swing.