ATHO Chapter 35

Chapter 35 – Leaving the Manor

Chapter 4: Liberation from the Past, Part 4

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 novels.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

“I don’t know… You just seem a bit off.”

“You’re overthinking. Let’s get back to work.”

“Oh… Okay…”

Reassuring Lien, who still looked worried, I resumed my work. Hiding my face behind some documents, I sighed quietly, making sure Lien wouldn’t notice.

By the time the afternoon’s work was done, Jade and Father returned from their inspection. I picked up some letters and petitions for Father and headed to his study.

Inside, Father and Mother were chatting happily.

“Father, welcome back. I brought the letters and petitions that arrived.”

“Thank you, Charles,” Father said with a smile as he took them.

“Say, Charles, I’ve been thinking about Lien’s upcoming birthday. Do you have any ideas for a gift?” Mother asked.

I thought for a moment. Had Lien mentioned wanting anything recently?

But… even if he had, I wouldn’t be here by then.

“I’ll think about it as well,” I replied.

Mother smiled warmly in response.

“Mother, Father… Are you happy right now?”

My sudden question made both of them look surprised.

“Yes, we’re very happy. Charles, what’s the matter?”

“Exactly. You look like something’s weighing on you.”

“Do I? I’m sorry for asking something odd all of a sudden. As long as you two are happy, that’s all that matters.”

Forcing a smile, I left the room.

This second chance at life where everyone is happy… I can’t let my presence ruin this happiness.

The thought of leaving everyone was so painful it felt like my chest would burst. But remembering the events of my first life, I forced myself to endure.

Compared to those days, being alone is nothing.

I kept telling myself it would be okay.

The next day arrived. The day I’d part ways with everyone.

Father and Mother left the mansion early in the morning, so I saw them off. Afterward, I spent the remaining time with Jade and Lien before they departed.

“We’re heading out, Charles Nii-san. We should be back by evening,” Jade said.

“Got it. Take care and give it your best at the trading company.”

“Yeah. We’ll do our best, Nii-sama,” Lien said, smiling.

I gazed at their smiling faces, committing them to memory. The amethyst-colored eyes that once seemed so intimidating were now so precious it made my heart ache.

My beloved, irreplaceable younger brothers…

“Jade, Lien… Take care,” I said, waving slightly as I watched them leave.

As soon as the door closed behind them, I sprang into action.

Packing only the bare essentials into a small bag, I wrote a brief letter. Apologies for my sudden departure and my gratitude for everything until now.

Before leaving the room, I stopped in front of a portrait of Mother hanging on the wall.

“Mother… This is for the best, isn’t it?”

It would be a lie to say I’m not lonely.

If I could, I would want to stay by everyone’s side.

But that’s something I’m not allowed to do.

Staring at my mother’s gentle smile in her portrait, I clenched my fists tightly and steeled my resolve.

And then, I left the manor.

By the time I reached the town, the surroundings were gradually being enveloped in twilight. The lights of taverns glowed warmly, inviting customers, and the streets buzzed with the lively atmosphere of people heading home.

I rarely stayed out alone this late, so I observed the town at night with a fresh perspective.

“Sir Charles, are you inspecting the town at this hour?”

“Sir Charles~! Please drop by our shop again soon!”

The townsfolk greeted me as usual as I passed. Just hearing their kindness, so unchanged, made my eyes well up with warmth. Pulling my hood down further to hide my distorted expression, I made my way to an inn.

“Sir Charles, are you staying the night?”

“Yes.”

“It’s rare to see you without Sir Jade and Sir Lien.”

“Yes, it is,” I replied.

Hearing their names brought a pang of guilt, squeezing my chest tightly for leaving without a word.

Once I completed the check-in process and reached my room, I collapsed onto the bed and closed my eyes. If I stayed awake, I would inevitably think about Jade, Lien, and the rest of my family.

What am I sulking about?

This was my own decision.

Watching the moonlight filter through the window, I burrowed into the blankets, frustrated at how I’d grown too accustomed to happiness. I couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning, sighing repeatedly through the long night.

The next morning, I left the inn early and boarded a carriage heading for my destination.

As the carriage swayed, I thought about what lay ahead. It would take roughly two weeks to reach the neighboring country. Once there, I’d need to find a job and secure a place to live before my travel funds ran out. After that… what would I even do?

Looking absentmindedly out the window of the wagon, the familiar landscape of my land spread before me.

“Nii-san, look. It’s another bountiful harvest this year.”

“Charles Nii-sama, the golden wheat fields are so beautiful.”

Jade’s and Lien’s smiling faces surfaced in my mind, always by my side. Thinking of them tightened my chest with a mix of loneliness and longing to see them again. I averted my gaze from the window, bowing my head to avoid dwelling on such thoughts.

Ten days of traveling west passed. I arrived at a small town near the edge of the territory and decided to stay the night there.

Exhausted from the journey, I lay down to rest, but sleep wouldn’t come. A deep sigh escaped me, and I felt the pull of regret creeping in.

“I wish I could go back…”

The quiet words slipped out, but I quickly shook my head to banish them.

I left because I had to. For everyone to be happy, this was the only way.

Regret loomed over me, but imagining everyone’s smiling faces back home, I reassured myself with the same words over and over.

Once I leave the territory, I’ll feel better. I need to get to a place where no one knows me, and quickly.

With these thoughts swirling, I spent another long, solitary night.

The next morning, I boarded another carriage headed for the neighboring country. Inside, three young boys sat together, the eldest trying to quiet the other two, who were chattering excitedly.

“Hey, remember we promised to stay quiet when other people came aboard!”

“Okay~ But it’s boring to stay quiet, Onii-san!”

“It might be boring, but you have to stay quiet.”

“Fiiine,” the two younger boys pouted but fell silent as instructed. Watching their interaction, I couldn’t help but smile. Noticing this, the youngest boy turned to me and held a finger to his lips.

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*Translator’s Note: Do note that I have not proofread any of the chapters. You may correct me for any mistakes in spelling or whatever. Thanks! -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: 2025.09.28

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