The Curse of Being Hated Has Been Lifted

21 – Good News

The road from the Academy to Asrian Viscount was remarkably peaceful.

There were no sudden appearances of thieves or pedestrians asking for help.

Except for the fact that Stella, known as the worst witch until recently, was still alive, the Empire was welcoming its best peaceful era.

When traveling from Asrian Viscount to the institution, he filled two full days, but when returning, it took three days.

I didn’t want to hear the suggestion to come late and just go to sleep.

“Thank you.”

“Then, I hope you have a pleasant time with your family.”

A pleasant time,

When was the last time he had a pleasant time with his family? Now, he couldn’t even remember.

Perhaps the idea itself was wrong from the start.

Logan had never had a good time with his family, let alone experiencing joy itself.

Looking back more than ten years ago, of course, there were many happy memories for him, but since being cursed, he had never been able to relax and be happy.

“Do your best as much as possible.”

After settling the balance, Logan walked straight into the Asrian Viscount’s mansion.

Mabu soon went to find a nearby inn because he had promised to pick up Logan when he returned.

‘This city is still the same.’

Before approaching his nature, the city that caught his eye was very lively.

As a family that lived by commercial power rather than military power, the Asrian family had a neat and lively atmosphere compared to other viscount families.

There was not a single hungry person, and everyone lived dreaming of a bright future.

That was the central city of the Asrian Viscountcy.

Asrian, who briefly looked at the citizens, approached the city gate of his nature.

“Can you stop for a moment?”

He was not just anyone; he was the eldest son of the Asrian Viscount.

It was an absurd situation not to recognize his face, but the guards politely blocked his way.

The reasons were threefold. Firstly, Logan wasn’t the type to mingle outside, so he wasn’t a figure often seen by lower-ranking guards like them. Secondly, the lifting of Logan’s curse, while giving him the same appearance, made him feel like a different person. Thirdly, Logan hadn’t given any advance notice, so they hadn’t anticipated seeing him at the gate of the Asrian Viscountcy now.

“Step aside.”

The guards trembled at the icy glare in Logan’s sharp eyes.

Logan’s expression, once quite serene until he got off the carriage, gradually worsened as he approached the gate. Now, just before entering the heart of the estate, his face bore the most fittingly grim expression – a cold anger.

“You don’t intend to stop me, do you?”

As Logan emerged, there was nothing the lower-ranking guards could do.

“Escort me to the Asrian Viscount.”

Logan had no intention of staying long in this accursed family.

“Just wait a moment. We’re just guards…”

“Then fetch someone with authority. Surely you don’t have the audacity to keep me waiting?”

In response to Logan’s threat, one of them immediately ran to bring a superior.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a completely clueless soldier; it was the head maid rather than the head of the guards.

“It’s been a while.”

Logan had stayed at the Asrian Viscountcy just a month ago, but his words weren’t empty.

He hadn’t seen the head maid throughout the winter break.

In fact, he hadn’t even seen his parents’ faces.

“Coming without any notice. Did something happen at the academy?”

The head maid could sense the strange aura emanating from Logan’s body, but unlike the academy novices who had only indirectly felt the atmosphere Logan created from afar, she had been exposed to Logan’s curse since childhood. So, the slight change in atmosphere alone wasn’t enough to make her treat him differently.

“You know nothing. Just guide me to the Asrian Viscount.”

It wasn’t the expression of a father. It wasn’t even a term of address like “sir.”

The maid, noting his tone that clearly distinguished himself from the Asrian Count, furrowed her brow.

“Your manners are indeed quite rude.”

“I’ve never considered myself a child of this house.”

Logan sensed that this verbal exchange would drag on.

Esolin, the maid, particularly disliked herself.

“Oh, you really came?”

As Logan calculated how much more squabble he had to endure, a voice greeted him warmly.

“It’s been a while. Logan, how have you been? You seem quite different.”

A man with a slender yet strong physique approached Logan and reached out to tousle his hair.

-Thunk!

“What are you trying to do?”

“Just wanted to pat my cute nephew’s head a bit.”

He was Repair Asrian, the younger brother of Asrian, the current head of the family.

Unlike the present head, Raphael Asrian, who was a mage, Repair had no magical talents. He chose the path of the sword and currently served as the commander of the Asrian Count’s knights.

“But you’ve really changed a lot.”

Though Repair spoke jovially, his demeanor wasn’t unpleasant.

At least to Logan, Repair was the most trustworthy person in the family.

That was true before the curse, and it remained true after the curse.

Now, thinking about it, Repair seemed to have chosen a path similar to the swordsmen.

He might not be as physically strong as a swordsman, but he was a person with a rational judgment and a clear mind.

He often seemed thoughtless in his actions, but Logan knew he was a very clever person.

Intentionally keeping his distance and speaking curtly, but always offering helpful words to Logan.

Perhaps Logan didn’t even realize that he might have been able to secretly cultivate red beans because of his influence.

That’s why it was difficult for Logan to be cold to him.

“Uncle! Why all of a sudden…”

There are only two beings in Asrian Viscount’s estate who can call Repair “uncle.”

One was Logan, and the other was his only younger sister and the future owner of the Asrian Viscount’s estate, Royan Asrian.

“Gasp!”

As soon as Royan saw Logan, she immediately hid behind Repair.

“Is it okay now? Look closely. Even if it’s your brother, imagine how hurt he’d be if you bump into him.”

Repair lifted Royan up in a flash in front of him.

Royan, who was terrified as if in a panic the moment she saw Logan, realized that Repair’s usual intimidating demeanor didn’t seem to affect him as he held onto Logan, and she made a very troubled expression.

‘The two most awkward people have come together.’

If Repair had resolved the situation with Logan to the extent of indifference rather than hatred and oppression by his own will, Royan could not mistreat Logan because of fear.

Whenever their faces accidentally met, she would run away as if she had seen a ghost, so Logan actually felt sorry for her.

“It seems like you’ve been practicing your swordsmanship.”

Looking at the sword in Royan’s hand and her dirty clothes, he had a rough idea.

“Well, I did pretty well. Better than you, my peer.”

“Thank goodness. Even though the Asrian family is primarily focused on commerce, the lord’s strength is important.”

At Logan’s assertion that he absolutely had no intention of becoming the lord, Repair let out a wry smile.

“It feels like it’s been a while since we talked face to face. How about going for a drink?”

“I’m planning to head back today. Let’s have a drink next time. Can you guide me to Lord Astrian’s residence for now?”

As they conversed, a sense of ease washed over him, only to be replaced by tension in his eyes once again.

“What do you want to talk to Lord Astrian about?”

“It’s a story he’ll truly appreciate, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Fine. Follow me.”

Lord Astrian’s office was located on the top floor of the castle.

In terms of efficiency, it was truly dreadful, but Lord Astrian was someone who didn’t mind his servants going up and down the stairs to establish his authority.

“Is it really you, older brother?”

“It is.”

The stillness of the path to Lord Astrian’s office was broken by Royan’s words.

“You seem to have changed a lot.”

“I haven’t changed. Perhaps it’s your eyes that have changed. Not being afraid of what you used to fear is a sign of growth.”

The warm words that came from Logan’s mouth were almost unbelievable, and they caused a spark in Repaire’s eyes.

“You…”

Before Repaire could finish his sentence, Logan opened the door to the office.

“Who enters without knocking…”

Lord Astrian, who was busy with paperwork, carefully scanned the individuals who had interrupted his work.

His rough and brusque but intelligent younger brother, the daughter who couldn’t be ignored even if he tried, and his son, whom he had thought would have no business with him for a while, were standing there.

“Did you get expelled from the academy?”

“Not exactly, Lord Viscount.”

Logan walked up to Raphael, putting force into each step.

The distance of about five meters felt longer now than the space between stars.

To Logan, Raphael was such a person.

Truly distant, detestable, and fearsome.

“Then what brings you all the way here? If you had sent a letter, I might have read it.”

Nonsensical talk.

“I’ve brought only good news.”

“Good news?”

“The eldest son you despised so much has come to sever ties himself.”