I'll Smash Everything with Passive Skills-Chapter 89: 0. Gunther’s Melancholy (3)

"Is that the answer?"

"...!"

It was the benevolent smile of the Sword Saint.

Gunther found it hard to speak as he faced that smile.

It was so unfamiliar to him to feel the analysis of liking someone for the first time in his life.

Of course, he liked his family and Veris, whom he followed. But liking a girl named Anna felt different.

"Don't worry too much. This is just how an old man's meddling feels. Hehe!"

"Ah, no."

Gunther lowered his head, wiping his face with a handkerchief.

It was none other than the world-renowned Sword Saint. The man was not only skilled but also a high-ranking duke of the empire.

Making excuses here would be an inappropriate action.

"By the way, you want to personally support the Baronate of Holstein, right?"

The Sword Saint set down his fork. He placed his hands on the table, interlocking his fingers.

It was clear to anyone that this was not the posture of someone having a meal, so Gunther had no choice but to gently set down his fork.

Of course, Veris was nodding and eating his food.

"Not a bad idea. Nobles should cherish and take care of their territories as much as their own lives."

The Sword Saint's voice was more favorable than Gunther had expected.

"But I have a concern."

"What is it?"

"I'm worried that she might find my feelings burdensome."

"Hoho."

Gunther was jumping to conclusions. The Sword Saint laughed again.

"This is just my opinion."

"Yes."

"You don't need to worry about that. Don't you know? Most nobles think of their territories in a certain ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) way."

"...That's true."

Gunther nodded.

Then, he looked at Veris, who was sitting next to him, with newfound eyes.

...Veris was diligently consuming his food.

Of course, he must have been listening to the conversation between the Sword Saint and Gunther, but Veris was simply swallowing his food without a word.

"Haha."

Feeling a bit relieved, Gunther chuckled softly.

Gunther had lived a life without worries. That's why he sought out Veris. And now he was receiving help.

Looking at the Sword Saint, Duke Heinkel's kind gaze, he felt this fact deeply.

"Did you say you would donate your entire fortune?"

"Ah."

Gunther suddenly recalled the Sword Saint's voice, which had continued, bringing back a fact he had forgotten.

"That's right. Brother Veris said he would donate my entire fortune to the Baronate of Holstein."

Gunther's expression was one that couldn't quite tell if he was laughing or crying. *

"Uh?!"

Anna shouted loudly while reading a letter that had arrived by express mail.

She was currently in the reading room of the library. Naturally, many sharp gazes fell upon her, causing Anna to blush and sit down.

"Oh my."

The letter contained astonishing news. After checking the outside again and reading the content, it was undoubtedly from her father.

[ Dear Anna! Something amazing has happened. Recently, the great Duke Heinkel has provided substantial financial support. I've heard that an anonymous benefactor has generously donated a large sum. Thanks to this, we can restore the homes of the suffering territory residents and feed those who are starving. It's a blessing and the Duke's grace. I am truly happy. ]

Tears were welling up in her eyes.

Being alone at the academy, Anna had felt guilty for neglecting her family and the affairs of the territory.

But such fortune had come! Moreover, the letter mentioned that the remaining funds would be shared with the lords of the northern territories who were also suffering.

"Haah."

With a joyful sigh, Anna buried the letter against her chest.

She had no idea why such a thing had happened. But it was clear that Duke Heinkel and the anonymous benefactor had provided help.

"I wonder who it could be."

Anna thought as she sat in the reading room.

The great Sword Saint of the empire. If it was someone connected to Duke Heinkel, they surely wouldn't be an ordinary person.

"I can't just sit here."

Anna stood up and hurriedly packed her things.

A few friends had already heard about Anna's situation. She wanted to tell them this news as soon as possible.

Clatter!

Having packed everything, Anna rushed out of the library. Her heart raced with impatience.

"Hmm?"

Just as Anna stepped out of the library, she spotted two men. What could she say? One was the famous Veris von Vitelbach, and the other was Gunther von Haruen.

They were people she had talked to a lot recently.

"Hello!"

Anna greeted them with a bright smile.

It was an action born from her good mood, but Gunther, who hadn't expected her to speak first, was taken aback.

"W-We meet again!"

"Yes. I hope you've been well?"

It was a natural exchange of pleasantries. However, Gunther's face turned bright red as he stammered.

Anna couldn't help but laugh at him. She knew that Gunther already had feelings for her.

Knowing that made him seem unexpectedly cute, despite his large bear-like stature.

"I-I've been doing well!"

"Pfft!"

His greeting was almost a shout. Seeing that, a light smile appeared on Anna's face.

Tap, tap.

Veris nudged Gunther with his elbow. Anna thought that he always had such a selfish-looking face.

"Um... Anna."

"Yes?"

"Uh, um. Ah! Never mind. Please take care!"

He bowed.

Gunther was making an incomprehensible greeting. As Gunther hurriedly walked away, Veris was left scratching his head.

"That guy is really clumsy."

"That's also part of Gunther's charm."

I wonder if I'm feeling good.

Unlike the first day, Veris felt a sense of discomfort at Anna's favorable reaction.

This reaction... really means she's feeling good.

Gunther had already disappeared around the corner. Veris quietly asked Anna.

"Did something good happen in your territory?"

"Yes?"

Anna blinked her large blue eyes.

Her expression was filled with curiosity, as if she were wondering how he knew that.

"How did you know?"

Anna tilted her head. Veris smiled softly and replied.

"Who do you think saved your territory?"

"Could it be?"

Anna's eyes widened in surprise.

She had no clue who the anonymous benefactor was. But now, with Veris suddenly saying this, it didn't seem strange that she didn't know.

"Right. Gunther von Haruen. I heard that he donated all the pocket money he had saved up his whole life to the northern Baronate of Holstein."

"Oh my...."

It was an unexpected voice from Veris. Anna was trembling slightly.

Worried that it might hurt her pride, Veris added.

"You don't need to feel sorry or hurt your pride. That guy was just expressing his sincerity in his own way."

"No!"

Anna suddenly exclaimed in a high voice. When Veris looked at her, he saw that the expression on Anna's face was not dark but bright with a smile.

"I'm really grateful. If it weren't for Gunther, many of the territory residents would surely have suffered. If I see Gunther again, I want to express my gratitude to him."

She was a noble lady with a surprisingly well-formed sense of gratitude. Veris thought of how the eccentric Grand Duchess Evangeline would have reacted to this.

"Really?"

Seeing Anna's kind response, a smile crept onto Veris's face.

What a catch.

I've hooked another one.

*

"Is this really true!"

It was a few minutes later that Gunther, who had run away, was found.

When he relayed the conversation with Anna, Gunther was roaring with happiness.

"Don't forget. Your creditor is me."

"Ugh."

The excitement was short-lived. Gunther slumped down at Veris's playful voice.

Gunther was a member of the marquis family. But that didn't mean he could spend money as he pleased.

In reality, the family's finances were tightly controlled by the head of the family.

That meant that no matter how promising a vassal he was, belonging to the Haruen marquis family, Gunther didn't have that much money in his pocket.

So, who had showered gold on the northern Baronate of Holstein?

"...Your grace and kindness will be praised by the people of the continent, from the imperial family to the beggars in the back alleys...."

"Enough."

"...."

"Remember. Interest is a must. It's compound interest."

Veris's voice was firm. Gunther was pouting.

"No, no one charges interest to a close younger brother!"

Gunther protested. But Veris merely shrugged.

"You were the one who said we didn't need a contract between us."

"Well, that's true, but...."

Gunther's complexion darkened. Then, as if he had come up with a surprising thought, he shouted with a joyful face.

"If you marry 'Sister' Beatrice, then you'll soon be my brother-in-law, right?"

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"What?"

"In that case, it wouldn't matter how long it takes me to repay the debt. It's stipulated in Imperial noble law."

He had no idea about that.

Could there really be such a law in the empire?

Moreover, "Sister"? It was a very awkward title for Gunther, who had always referred to Beatrice as "that woman" or similar terms.

"Now that I think about it, I've raised a tiger cub."

"Isn't it all thanks to your teachings, brother?"

Gunther didn't say a word. But for some reason, Veris felt a laugh bubbling up inside him.