ATHO Chapter 30

Chapter 30 – A Disheveled Man

Chapter 3: People Who Wish for Happiness, Part 10

Novel Title: 嫌われ者の俺はやり直しの世界で義弟達にごまをする (As the Hated One, I Flatter My Stepbrothers in a World Where I Get a Second Chance)

Author：赤牙 (Akakiba)

Art：古澤エノ (Furusawa Eno)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: シャルル (Charles -MC), リエン (Lien -ML1) & ジェイド (Jade -ML2)

*Please read at freenovels.net, the original site of translation. TQ*

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“Marianne…?”  

“Sir Charles, what are Jade and Lien to you?”  

Swallowing hard at her intense expression, I replied, “Jade and Lien are my beloved family. I’ve resolved to ensure their happiness, no matter what.”  

“Do you feel that way because they are your brothers?”  

“Well, yes…”  

Marianne sighed again, this time with an exasperated look.  

“Sir Charles, you’re unbelievably oblivious. Painfully so.”  

“W-what!?”  

“Well, never mind. As someone who’s been rejected, I have no obligation to help those brothers of yours. Sir Charles, promise me just one thing: I’ll find my own happiness, so you must also make sure you find yours.”  

“Yes, I’ll do my best.”  

With that, Marianne smiled and said, “Let’s head back to everyone,” before leaving the room. Outside, Jade and Lien were waiting for me.  

“Jade, thank you for letting me borrow Sir Charles for so long.”  

“Not at all.”  

Jade came up beside me and lightly placed a hand on my waist. As I looked up at him, puzzled, Marianne sighed deeply yet again as she observed us.  

“Jade, once the proposal is ready, please let me know. You can go home for today. Sir Charles, don’t forget your promise, okay?”  

“Y-yes.”  

As Marianne saw us off, we boarded the carriage. Jade and Lien immediately flanked me, clinging tightly to my sides.  

“Charles Nii-san, what were you talking about with Marianne?”  

“Oh, um… various things, you know…”  

“What sort of ‘various things’? And what was that promise about?”  

Knowing that mentioning rejecting the marriage proposal would tarnish her reputation, I kept my explanation vague.  

“Well, it’s about how much I treasure both of you. I told her I’ll continue to cherish you two.”  

Feeling awkward about such an embarrassing confession, I laughed sheepishly. To my surprise, Jade and Lien hugged me tightly.  

“Charles Nii-sama! That’s practically a proposal—ah, I mean, I feel the same way about you! You’re very precious to me, too!”  

“It’s not the most satisfactory explanation, but understanding how much you care for us is enough. I, too, hold you dear, Charles Nii-san.”  

“Thanks, both of you.”  

As they held me, I remembered the promise I had made to Marianne.  

To bring happiness to Jade and Lien, and to find my own happiness as well…  

After the ending I faced in my first life, it seemed impossible. But with these two by my side, it felt like that promise could be realized.  

***  

We managed to recover from last year’s poor harvest, and this year has been free of major disasters or adverse weather. The crops are growing well. I’ve been as busy as ever with my duties as lord.  

Meanwhile, Jade and Lien had begun an extensive trade operation involving Meidel Trading Company and various villages.  

The company launched the first product line with the wine as a souvenir. Its cute packaging, accessible size, and price point have been well-received.  

When I offered to help, Jade and Lien told me that my work as lord was already demanding enough, so they couldn’t let me strain myself further. Thus, I resolved to support them from the shadows, though at times it felt lonely.  

I wished I could contribute more directly…  

And so, I quietly continued with my work today.  

“Lien, is today’s schedule just the inspection?”

“Today’s plans include the regular inspection of the town and market research in the morning, followed by a village inspection in the afternoon. However, one additional inspection location has been added, so the schedule is quite packed. Should we postpone the market research?”

“No, let’s stick to the plan. What about you two?”

“Yes, we’re fine with it as well.”

With the day’s plans settled, we boarded the carriage and headed toward the town.

“Nii-san, today’s inspections are primarily focused on assessing the state of the crops. Is that alright with you?” 

“Yes. Even though we managed to get through the bad harvest, there are still areas that aren’t stable yet. It’s important to understand the situation for the future.”

“Exactly, Niisama. In that case, we should focus on these locations,” Lien suggested.

“Alright, let’s do that.”

Lien pointed at the map, marking the inspection locations. Ever since the three of us started conducting inspections together, our efficiency has improved significantly. Both Jade and Lien are incredibly capable, and they handle tasks so quickly that all I need to do is make the final decisions. While I might feel embarrassed as their older brother, their support is a great relief.

They’re truly dependable. 

Moreover, spending time with the two of them, even while working, is always enjoyable.

As we planned our route with the map spread out on our laps, the carriage’s speed gradually slowed, signaling that we were nearing our destination.

“We’re almost there,” Jade remarked.

He glanced out of the carriage’s small window, and for a moment, his expression hardened. Once the carriage arrived at the town’s stop, we began preparing to disembark, but Jade stopped me.

“Nii-san, could you wait here for a moment?”

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

“I just remembered some personal business. Please wait in the carriage for a bit. I’ll return shortly after handling it.”

“Oh, uh… sure, I guess.”

“Thank you. Lien, come with me.”

“…Alright.”

The tension in Jade’s demeanor made me hesitate to question him further, so I stayed in the carriage alone. Both Jade and Lien had dropped their usual kind expressions, their faces now unusually serious—even intimidating.

After a while, when they still hadn’t returned, I began to grow restless. Something about Jade’s mood earlier suggested trouble. Were they caught up in something dangerous?

Unable to sit still, I left the carriage to look for them.

However, searching the town aimlessly was futile. Just as I was about to give up and return to the carriage, I heard a familiar voice.

Drawn by the sound, I wandered into a dim alley where the voice grew louder, turning into angry shouts.

“This is all your fault!”

Turning a narrow corner, I saw the familiar figures of Jade and Lien standing before a disheveled man who was shouting at them. 

“You two are to blame for all the losses I’ve suffered! I trusted you, but look at what happened because I listened to you! You tricked me, didn’t you?!”

“What are you even talking about? We’ve never deceived you. Besides, you’re the one who recklessly got involved in other ventures,” Lien replied coldly.

“Shut up! I’m not to blame!” the man screamed, suddenly grabbing Jade by the collar.

Jade’s in danger!

I instinctively moved to intervene, but my foot hit a can lying on the ground, making a loud noise. The three of them turned to me at once. Jade and Lien’s expressions were colder than I’d ever seen, but upon realizing it was me, Lien’s face softened, and he rushed over.

“Nii-sama! I told you to stay in the carriage! Come on, let’s go back.”

“But… Jade is…”

“Jade can handle it. Sorry for worrying you!” Lien reassured me, pulling me away toward the carriage.

As I glanced back, Jade was leading the man further into the alley. Before I was out of earshot, I thought I heard the man call my name: “Charles!”

Once back at the carriage, I questioned Lien.

“Hey, Lien. Are you sure it’s okay to leave Jade behind? That man seemed really angry. What if something happens to Jade…?”

“Jade is more than capable, Nii-sama. You know how skilled he is in martial arts—there aren’t many people who could pose a threat to him,” Lien replied brightly, though I couldn’t shake my worry.

Before long, Jade returned to the carriage, unharmed and wearing his usual gentle smile.

“Jade! Are you alright?”

“Yes, Nii-san. I’m sorry for causing you concern. That man is a customer of our business, but he seems intent on blaming us for his failed ventures. He’s been lying in wait to complain like this.”

“I see…”

“I didn’t want to trouble you with it, but it seems I ended up worrying you even more.”

“As long as you’re okay, that’s all that matters.”

“Thank you, Nii-san,” Jade said, taking my hand and smiling warmly.

Although neither Jade nor Lien mentioned the man’s identity, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he might have been our uncle, Lyle. His appearance and clothing were different, but his voice sounded strikingly similar. If that was the case, why did they hide the meeting from me? And what kind of failure was he blaming them for…? 

It was almost as if it were the first life all over again.

“Hey, about that man earlier… is everything okay now?”

“Yes. His situation has already been handled, so he shouldn’t appear again. There are plenty of ways to settle his debts.”

“Exactly. So, Charles Nii-sama, there’s nothing for you to worry about.”

Avoiding the two cheerful smiles, I nodded vaguely. As they smiled, I couldn’t help but recall the incident in my first life…

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*Translator’s Note: ‘RIP’, Uncle Lyle… 🤣 -K

*GLOSSARY: 

• Nii-san/Nii-sama/Onii-san = (Big/Elder) Brother

☝🏻I’ll be using these throughout my translation. Jade would call Charles ‘Nii-san’ while Lien would call him ‘Nii-sama’.

Next update: 2025.09.23

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