REAPER SCANS

I Became the Genius Bastard of a Noble Dark Clan

[Translator – Jreaming]

[Proofreader – Harley]

《Content Warning - The following chapter contains material that may be harmful or traumatizing to some audiences: Underage Drinking and Drugs. Reader discretion is strongly advised.》

Chapter 13

He absorbed each number on the document with absolute focus, committing them to memory down to the last decimal. Reading it twice, he managed to memorize every single figure.

'Secured one piece of evidence.'

But just this wasn’t enough. There needed to be a decisive breakthrough.

'It's about time for them to fall into the trap.'

At that moment, the butler, Cox, returned, panting heavily as he said, "Here's the wine you asked for."

"Thank you. You're not upset with me, are you?"

"Of course not! How could I possibly be?!"

"Good. Even though I treat you like this, I actually like you a lot."

"Th-thank you! I am dedicated to serving you, Young Master!"

Such a ludicrous conversation. Cox rolled his eyes before he opened his mouth and said, "Ah, by the way, Young Master. Actually, there is something I must tell you."

"Yes?"

"Some friends are looking for you. Your... old acquaintances. They want to meet with you secretly. At... the usual place."

Chris stared at Cox. Even though he was smiling affably, Chris could sense the hidden animosity in his eyes.

"Ah, I hope you don't get too close to those friends. Their reputation isn't exactly… good."

Chris laughed. If the butler had been genuinely concerned, he wouldn't have mentioned it at all.

"I'll meet with them."

"Young Master?"

"Didn't you hear me? I said I'll meet with them. Convey that."

Cox's eyes widened. He bowed his head, saying, "I will convey your orders, Young Master."

Chris snickered.

'Got you.'

Chris had a strong suspicion that the rat had taken the bait.

It was time to catch it.

* * *

Who could these so-called ‘friends’ of the bastard be?

Naturally, they were of the same kind, the sons of minor nobility—the lost causes of the families.

Christian, the original owner of this body, called them friends.

"Long time no see, my friend!"

"I've heard rumors that you've changed. How laughable!"

Chris simply nodded at the men who approached him, pretending to be friendly.

'These are the children of powerful figures within the county, right?'

The fiend world of the Magic Empire had a social system similar to the outside world’s. There were territories and subjects. The difference was that instead of nobles with knights, fiends who had mastered dark arts ruled over the subjects.

Count Kazar's family, as a branch family, possessed vast land, and these men were the sons of lower-level administrators who managed the land on behalf of the count's family.

"They say you insulted the lady from the Poison Magic Clan. Truly, among all of us, Christian is the most disgraceful bastard!"

"That's right. Christian is the one who is most like a dog."

As they chattered with what they considered to be jokes, Chris snorted. His friends were taken aback by his unusual reaction.

Something was different.

"It’s been such a long time, but you seem so quiet. Aren't you happy to see us?"

"Nah, it's just..." Chris simply smiled. "Shall we go inside?"

They were now in the most bustling street of the largest city in Count Kazar's territory. Entering one of the buildings in the alley, they were met with a scene that was unimaginable from the outside.

A dimly lit bar.

It wasn’t just a place for drinking, as it also dealt with various illegal activities.

"Welcome back, young master!" A shady-looking manager greeted them, bowing deeply. "How may I serve you?"

"Just as we discussed earlier," one of Christian’s friends said.

"Very well! Please come in!" The manager hastily responded.

Soon after they entered a spacious room, they were served lavish food and strong liquor.

'Isn't this whiskey from the Carn Empire? Even the nobles of the Carn Empire have a hard time getting their hands on it, but it's available here.'

Chris clicked his tongue. The surprises didn't end there.

"Here is a special treat prepared for you, young master."

A trembling teenage girl, barely in her late teens, entered the room. She was there to pour the drinks.

'How unsightly.'

Chris frowned.

For reference, he was only fifteen years old. However, not only was he drinking, but he was also served by a young girl. By the looks of it, this seemed to be a regular occurrence.

What a despicable bastard he had been.

'And these guys are no different.'

Chris narrowed his eyes at his 'friends'.

"What’s wrong? Why so grim? Did the count scold you harshly? Are you displeased with the girl?"

Chris shook his head and said, "No. Let's just drink."

"If you say so. Let me pour one for you. Here you go!"

One of the friends poured him a glass and Chris it to his lips. He had no intention of drinking it. He just wanted to smell it.

Indeed, there was a 'scent' coming from the alcohol. It was a smell that others would not have noticed.

However, Chris, who had spent a long time engaging in illegal activities in back alleys, instantly recognized the odor emanating from the drink.

It was drugged.

'So that's the plan.'

Chris had known from the beginning that the meeting Cox had arranged was a scheme. He had been wondering what kind of ploy it would be, but they wanted to get him addicted to drugs.

'And they’ve probably also set it up so that once drugged, I will commit a significant mistake.'

Chris had a guess about their overall plan. He glanced briefly at the trembling girl.

"Why aren't you drinking? Hurry up and drink," the friend who poured the drink urged him with an uneasy note to his voice.

Chris held out the glass to that friend and said, "I'm not in the mood. You drink it."

"What? Th-that’s…” He panicked. “But I poured that glass for you, C-Christian. Naturally, you should—"

"Afraid to drink it because of the drugs?"

The expressions on the faces of his ‘friends’ froze.

With a snap of his fingers, Chris activated the 1-star dark magic spell, 'Descent into Slumber.' The trembling girl instantly succumbed to a deep sleep. The casual display of magic left his friends wide-eyed in surprise.

"Christian? Since when could you use dark magic like that?"

"Shut it."

"Wh-what?"

"Both of you, shut up. You disgust me."

Chris grabbed each friend's head with one hand.

Bang! 

Their heads slammed onto the table.

"Gah!!"

"Argh!!"

Chris did not stop with one blow. He repeatedly slammed their faces onto the wooden surface. In no time, their faces were covered in blood.

Surprisingly, despite the loud noise coming from inside, no one came to check on them. This was all thanks to the 'Silence' spell cast by Chris.

"Stop... please..."

"Wh-why are you doing this…?"

Chris shrugged his shoulders and said, “You don’t know why I’m doing this? Then you need a better beating.”

Bang!!

Again, their heads hit the table. They tried their best to resist, but it was no use.

After subduing them, he tied their hands and feet with the 1-star spell ‘Ropes of Darkness’.

“St-stop!! I-I’m sorry…!! Christian, I only drugged you to help you enjoy—”

“Bullshit.”

Bang!!

He continued until they confessed their sins, howling in pain.

"Please... stop... I'm... I'm going to... die..."

"I don’t like your tone."

Bang!

"Argh!! I’m s-sorry! We... we were just following orders. We were told to drug you... No, I mean… Christian, sir..."

"Drug me and then what?"

When they hesitated, Chris slammed their faces into the table again.

Bang! Bang!

"Gah!! We... we... we were going to kill that girl and frame you for the murder."

Chris let out a hollow laugh.

Even in the Magic Empire, murder was a grave crime. While 'accidental killings' during fights among fiends were often overlooked, killing an innocent person for no reason was strictly forbidden.

In other words, the enemy had set a trap to completely ruin him.

"Who gave you the orders?"

"It... it’s..."

"Was it the butler, Cox?"

The duo’s eyes widened. Realizing that Chris already knew everything, they hung their heads.

"Yes, it was him. That half-vampire bastard knew our weaknesses and threatened us. We had no choice."

As expected. Now that he had confirmation of who the rat was, Chris fell into deep thought.

'Why?'

Why did Cox, his father’s butler, want to destroy Christian? There didn't seem to be any personal grudges there.

'Well, I'll find out once I catch him,' Chris thought simply.

He drew his dagger and held it to their throats, stating, "You've committed crimes deserving of death, so you have no right to complain if you die."

"Please... spare us...!!"

"Why should I spare you?" Chris asked nonchalantly.

The realization that he was serious made them tremble violently.

"Please, just spare us! We're willing to do anything you ask!"

"We'll even become your slaves!"

These words were blurted out in their desperation to survive. Surprisingly, Chris responded to their words.

"Do you truly swear to do anything?"

"Y-Yes, anything!! Even if you ask us to become dogs!"

"Do you genuinely swear to that?"

"Yes, yes!! We swear it!!"

Chris curled the corners of his mouth and said, "I accept your 'oath'."

A chilling sound reminiscent of branding irons searing flesh echoed as a seal materialized on their foreheads before vanishing. Chris had summoned the terrifying dark magic, ‘Binding Seal’. Once certain conditions were fulfilled, the spell would make them obey him like slaves.

"From now on, listen carefully and obey my every command."

Their eyes widened in fear upon hearing the 'order'.

Now, it was time to catch the rat that had fallen into his trap, Butler Cox.

* * *

Reaper Scans

Translator – Jreaming

Proofreader – Harley

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The Manor

Count’s Study

Count Kazar wore a gloomy expression on his face as he gazed out the window and asked, "You say Christian left the castle?"

"...Yes, my lord." Cox bowed his head. "I'm sorry. I should have done everything in my power to stop him."

"No, how could it be your fault?" Count Kazar heaved a long sigh.

Cox had reported that Christian had gone to an illegal bar with his friends. There was no telling what they were involved in... The count preferred not to imagine.

'I should not have hoped for anything. Then I would not be so disappointed.'

He thought things might be different this time, but as always, they weren't.

As a bitter expression settled on Count Kazar’s face, there was a sudden commotion outside the study.

"What is going on?!"

As Count Kazar frowned, the doors to the study burst open with a bang.

A pale-faced fiend rushed in, shouting, "Terrible news!!"

"...What is it now?" The count's heart pounded anxiously.

"They say the young master has committed murder in the city!"

* * *

Chaos erupted in the mansion.

"What do you mean...?! Murder?!" Count Kazar's hands shook violently.

"The young master's friends rushed here to deliver the news!"

"Bring them in immediately!"

Christian's friends from earlier entered the room. Taking in their hesitant demeanor and bloodied faces, Count Kazar's eyebrows twitched.

* * *

Reaper Scans

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