After thinking too much, I sat down on a couch made of leather—or something like it. It was more comfortable than sleeping in someone's arms. My brother was not important for now. He looked like a creep, but he couldn't do anything to me. Because here, everyone is a predator. A world where morality is taught to children not to teach them, but to chain them. Heh.
I took out a book about the history of this city—or state—or whatever. It was too big to be called a city or nation. The book introduced me to the regions, domains, and cultivation empires of the world. A map of the known world.
Apparently, the empire where I live is named Ruthenal, in the domain of Peteler, and the region named North Embryo. The scale of the world is pretty good. Our domain is inside the middle zone of the empire. There are three zones: central, middle, and outer.
It looks like this empire is at war with Gorter Empire. But they play games of the mind mostly—not physical battlefield stuff. Because here, the minds of people are the battlefield. Yeah, there are huge-scale battles too, but that is not the focus for now.
Here, the normal age of a human is a million years. And everyone works on their intelligence. The cultivation system, no matter how different, always includes intelligence.
Ohh—and here is the reason for the million-year lifespan: everything here is crystallized laws.
For example, water isn't just water—it's the law of water and motion and shapelessness, and many more.
Heh. This world looks even more beautiful in my eyes now. So it means those moving stairs may have the concept of loops and forward motion fused into them. I like it.
And the book says: no matter how big and vast human civilization is, it never discovered the end of the world—meaning, the world feels endless to humans.
And the reason for this kind of culture? I think… it's connected to this world. Everyone focuses on intelligence, and the cultivation system is built around it. Maybe… it's the universe of intelligence.
And maybe there are more universes like this... like a universe of bravery, and so on. It's exciting.
Hmm… and now I feel like that grandpa will come. I know it.
Let's read more about this history when I get time. I closed the book and got up from the couch and opened the door.
He was still standing there. And he looked shocked.
Of course he would be.
Oh—I still don't even know my name. Let me ask him.
"Big brother… call my name. And give me head pats."
He was surprised, then hesitated, but I showed him my pleading puppy eyes and he started to pat my head.
"Floison," he said.
Eh. It sounds like a mixture of flower and poison. Oh… good.
A beautiful flower—that is my body.
The poison—that is my intentions.
And the scent of it—that is my acts.
Good.
Whatever. His head pats were enjoyable. Then I put my hand on his head and pulled his hair, walking toward another room.
I felt like it.
It was a clothing room.
I looked at him and said, "Sit on the couch." Then I went to change my clothes.
I wore an oversized white shirt that reached my knees, and a pink panty, and a blue robe on top of it. The robe's upper coat part... ugh. I tied it with a red ribbon, and I was barefoot.
It looked good.
I went to show my brother and asked him, "How is it?"
From his eyes—he was shocked, delighted, and blushing.
He only said, "It's good."
Then I kicked his balls lightly.
He grunted and held them. Hmm. I feel calamity is coming.
Then the bell on the door rang.
He went to open it, and I followed closely behind. When he opened the door, there was an old man standing. His posture and every muscle were showing kindness of an old man, but he couldn't hide calculations and ruthlessness in his eyes from me.
Because my brother looked happy and called, "Grandpa!" happily.
I followed more respectfully, with a bow.
"Greetings, Grandpa. I hope you are fine."
He nodded and laughed heartily.
"Look how he is—good grandson. Then you… Florin?"
So that's my brother name.
He just stood there.
I invited him with a depressed gesture. "Come in, Grandpa."
He tried to study my expression—if it was fake. But I could see from his kind eyes, with calculations that didn't move. From the time he took, it meant he couldn't say it was fake.
I took him toward the guest room and we sat on the couch.
He said, "I'm sorry for your parents' death. I couldn't save them."
I thought: No, you did great old man. At least you're useful.
Outwards, I clenched my clothes and tears started to flow from my eyes.
I nearly forgot about my brother sitting with me. He tried to fake his expression—but couldn't. What a noob.
I looked at my grandpa and said with teary eyes, "Grandpa… can we go outside? Mommy always said, when you feel sad, go outside for fresh air."
He looked at me, then nodded. His expression also sad—but not really. I know.
We went outside the house, stood on a piece of land, and started to tour the houses and areas around us.
Along the way, we met an aunt that my grandpa greeted. Both showing respect on the surface—while both were the same scheming type.
I greeted her with respect and asked her a question:
"Elder… can you tell me… do we two only get our parents' 20% inheritance? Because that's all we got."
I said it with curious expressions. Hehe. Gotta give her a helping hand. And this is public—maybe she would also use them. Hehe.
I saw someone going to pass us on a flying sword. I was standing beside my grandpa, so I did a natural trip from the ground and fell toward the endless sky beneath me.
But I was caught by that person on the sword.
Hehe, little bitch, I gave you full advantage. Now use it.
I stood on the land from the hands of the young man.
And that woman showed a shocked expression and shouted:
"Flede, you hurt the child for such a simple thing!" (In a loud voice)
People started to gather.
She said again:
"And why are you stealing both children's inheritance?!"
In response, Grandpa said:
"He did fall on his own. And I'm protecting the children's inheritance because they are not matured enough."
Yes, yes. That's what I was waiting for.
Good old man.
I had already approached beside my brother. And when no one was looking, I whispered in his ear:
"Say: I am matured enough. If not… then I hate you, big brother. You don't play with me."
And he said it.
The crowd accepted it—because it benefited them. Hehe.
They were maybe eliminating their potential enemy if Grandpa didn't give the inheritance. I could feel the tension. Everyone was each other's enemy… until one had a chance to be eliminated.
Hahaha.
There wasn't a voice. Because everyone knows everything.
So Grandpa said kindly,
"I will return to the child the inheritance… because he is taking responsibility."
Good comeback, old man.
I just looked around curiously, trying to look like a child trying to understand what's happening.