NOVEL NEXT Chapter 66: Kinslaying
"Lord Viserys, you have already won the seventh arena, and each arena champion receives a reward of 3,000 gold dragons. I can offer you an additional 10,000 gold dragons if you withdraw from the competition."
Andersen's demeanor was much more pleasing this time, in stark contrast to his previous aggressive behavior. At least he knew how to use honorific language and discuss money. It was a progress.
"You came to see me in private, right? I think your brothers have been putting a lot of pressure on you lately, haven't they?"
"Just say yes or no!" Andersen's face changed, and neither of them answered the other's question directly.
Andersen watched as Viserys stood up and walked towards him, causing him to subconsciously take a step back. After all, Viserys's strength was formidable, and Andersen was wary. Meeting in private carried risks; if he were killed, it would be a waste.
"We can actually cooperate," Viserys said, patting Andersen on the shoulder.
"Cooperate?"
"That's right. My goal is to defeat all my opponents, and so is yours. But my opponents are in the ring, and yours are outside of it."
Andersen swallowed hard, vaguely guessing what Viserys was implying.
"If you kill your brother, you will be the sole heir to the house, won't you?"
"What are you talking about?" Andersen's body shook like a cat with its tail stepped on, his voice trembling. He realized that Viserys was trying to induce him to commit kinslaying.
"I tell you! It's impossible!" Andersen glared at Viserys, as if to assert his determination and ward off the devilish suggestion.
"If it's impossible, then why are you yelling?" Viserys looked at him with a mocking smile. "Kyla, please escort Lord Andersen out."
Greatly provoked, Andersen turned and left, unwilling to stay a moment longer. In his haste and turmoil, he accidentally stumbled.
"Come see me when you've figured it out!" Viserys shouted, watching him leave.
Viserys knew he couldn't simply ignore being targeted by House Fregar. Thanks to the intelligence from House Zalyne, he was aware of the situation within Andersen's house.
He believed that planting the seed of doubt would eventually make it take root in Andersen's heart. If he could control House Fregar through Andersen...
...
On the road, Andersen was restless, his breathing heavy and difficult to calm. He was so irritable that he seemed ready to snap at any moment. Suddenly, his carriage stopped, and he shouted angrily, "What's going on!"
The coachman didn't answer. Instead, a young man who looked like him stepped in—Vitus.
"Where have you been?" Vitus asked indifferently.
"What does it matter to you?" Andersen retorted.
"You should know that Viserys is against the house, right? What did you go to him for?"
Andersen was shocked. 'How did he know where I was? Had Father already included him in the family's intelligence network?' Anger flared at the calm look on Vitus's face. He had always been like that. Realizing he couldn't hide it, Andersen admitted, "Yes, I went to see Viserys."
"What did you want from him?"
"Do I need to tell you?"
"If you don't tell me, you'll have to tell Father," said Vitus, expressionless, implying that if Tormo knew, Vitus would too.
Realizing that Vitus was showing off, Andersen felt his anger suffocating him. He glared at Vitus, his face red, and finally conceded, "I don't think we have to kill him. Maybe he just wants some money and to leave Braavos with his beggar princess."
Vitus looked at Andersen, a mocking smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You actually went to bribe a dog with a broken leg. As long as you kill him, everything he has will belong to House Fregar."
"Kill him? You have no idea how strong he is!" Andersen argued, his voice rising. Whenever he talked about Viserys, he couldn't help but think of the scene he saw on the Falia flower boat—a single man against an entire guard! It was shocking.
Although the guards he brought from the house were not masters, they were swordsmen who had practiced for many years. Even using their fists and feet instead of swords, Viserys won too quickly, which cast a shadow over his heart. Especially when Andersen had his arm broken and fixed—the intense pain was still fresh in his memory.
"Don't worry about that, I have plenty of ways." Vitus shook out his clothes. "Just follow my orders, and you'll be rewarded with a fortune. But if you're too greedy, think about what happened to your mother."
When Vitus mentioned his mother, Andersen's nostrils flared, and his cheeks turned red with anger.
However, Vitus said with disdain, "What? Are you going to attack your brother again?"
Watching Vitus berate him, Andersen's teeth chattered. In fact, he and Vitus were half-brothers. Andersen was the bastard son of Tormo and a courtesan. The "greed" Vitus mentioned referred to Andersen's mother trying to secure more resources for him. This had displeased Tormo's wife, Vitus's mother, who secretly killed Andersen's mother out of spite.
Because Tormo had been very close to Andersen's mother, he was enraged by her death. He included Andersen among his two legitimate sons, nominally entitling him to inherit. Over the years, however, Tormo's anger faded, and he began to see Andersen merely as a rival to motivate his legitimate sons to work harder.
Recently, Tormo's task of making tea for his two half-brothers had stirred up embarrassing memories for Andersen. Now, Vitus had reopened those wounds, almost driving Andersen to lose his mind.
"Remember to go with me to Falia's place tonight," Vitus said before leaving. Watching him go, Andersen almost trembled with anger.
Suddenly, Andersen heard Viserys' words echoing in his mind: 'Come see me when you've figured it out.' But what could he possibly do? Even if he was the best fighter, he couldn't break into House Fregar's fortress alone, could he?
"No, I can't do this," Andersen shook his head. He still couldn't bring himself to turn his sword on his own brother.
'But are Vitus and Tarth my true brothers?'
