Chapter 130
There were five sons in the Byrne Marquis family.
The reason it's expressed in the past tense as 'were' is because a muddy succession dispute once broke out, and three of the five brothers were removed from the family registry.
Officially, the only ones still registered as members of the Byrne Marquis family were the eldest son, Asuel Byrne, who was the current head, and the fifth son, Clael Byrne, who had left the house and joined the shrine.
The other three were each exiled for the crime of trying to seize the family estate from Asuel.
The one who sent the letter to Clael... the second son, Liel, was no different.
"Seriously... What does he want now, after all this time? Calling me out so suddenly."
After school at the academy. It was one evening.
As he made his way to the bar where the letter had summoned him... Clael muttered with suspicion.
Although Liel had been kicked out of the Byrne Marquis family, his relationship with Clael wasn't particularly bad.
When Clael was a child, Liel had looked after him, and with his cheerful and easygoing personality, had taught him all sorts of games.
However... Liel unfortunately had a serious womanizing problem.
The reason he ended up being expelled from the Byrne Marquis family was because he tried to make a move on Asuel's fiancée.
He probably thought that if he stole his older brother's woman, he'd gain both the fiancée and the inheritance—killing two birds with one stone... but the woman was too virtuous, and the attempt was quickly exposed.
Depending on the situation, he might have faced proper punishment as a criminal... but when he was found out, he got away with just exile by prostrating himself naked before their father and brother.
Liel wasn't the kind of person one could respect, but strangely enough, he wasn't someone you could truly hate either.
Even when he tried to steal his older brother's fiancée, he didn't use any cowardly tricks—he tried to win her over head-on and failed miserably.
That's precisely why... Clael decided to at least see his face and responded to the summons.
"Ah, this must be the place."
He arrived at the designated bar.
When Clael opened the door... inside the dimly lit shop were a few round tables and a counter, with patrons drinking.
"Hey, Clael! Over here!"
From one of the tables, his second brother Liel waved at him.
Wearing flashy accessories, Liel looked like a host, and called out to Clael with a friendly smile.
"Liel... It's been a while. So, what's this about today?"
"Hey now, jumping straight to business before even a proper greeting? It's been ten years since we've seen each other—don't you have anything else to say? Come on, have a drink!"
"Well, I was summoned without even knowing what it's about. You're not just trying to catch up, are you?"
"Hmm, about that..."
Liel scratched his head awkwardly.
Then, after taking a sip from the glass on the table, he opened his mouth with a troubled expression.
"You see... ever since I left home, I've been working in a job where I entertain women."
"............?"
"You know, I tried to hit on our brother's fiancée, right? Because of that, I was thrown out with barely any money... and couldn't get a decent job. So I had no choice but to flirt with women in bars to get food and money... and then someone who runs a nightlife establishment scouted me."
Even though no one asked, his brother began telling his life story.
Clael, without sitting down, decided to at least listen for now.
"Well, that's how I ended up working at a place like that, and it suited me pretty well. I like women, after all. I honestly think it's my calling. It's a lifestyle that fits me. I didn't have much money, but I was living a pretty relaxed life. But then... one day, I heard that my youngest brother had been recognized as a Saint—and on top of that, that a huge bounty had been placed on him by the underworld."
"A huge bounty... on me?"
"Let me just say this... it wasn't my idea. The guys who've been looking out for me just used my name and did it on their own. I'm really sorry, seriously."
"............"
His brother raised both hands.
With a troubled, apologetic look.
Clael would soon learn the meaning behind that gesture.
"I see... So I've been set up."
The men at the surrounding tables all stood up at once.
From a door behind the counter, more men emerged, carrying knives and ropes.
Apparently, all the patrons in the bar were enemies.
Based on the fragmented information... from Liel's story, it seemed that Clael had a bounty on him, and had been sold out by his brother because of it.
"You really did it this time, Liel."
"I really am sorry. But... it seems Girael has returned to the royal capital, and he suggested using me to lure you out."
"Girael...?"
The fourth brother, Girael, had fallen into a life of thievery and was even on a wanted list.
Clael had heard from Asuel that Girael had returned to the royal capital... but he never imagined he'd resort to something like this.
"I know I'm not one to talk, but... I think it's better if you just let them take you quietly. I don't want to see my little brother getting beaten up."
"Yeah. I guess you're right..."
The ruffian-looking men began slowly closing the distance.
Armed with weapons and ropes to capture Clael.
"Well... I guess I've got no choice."
Clael gave a resigned shrug.
"If I've got no choice... then maybe I'll have a little fight for once."
"Guh...!"
Clael grabbed the bottle of liquor on the table and, for starters, smacked it over his brother's head.