Rise of the Foolish Second Son

Chapter 3: Trouble's Brewing

Leo was slowly getting back on his feet, but instead of going out, he stayed inside the baron’s manor, enjoying his time studying all sorts of old relics. In his previous life, these would’ve been considered priceless antiques. The manor itself had a style that reminded him of Mediterranean architecture, though more practical and simple. The grand living room had a stone-tiled floor—no cement or glue, just natural stone—and it gave off this whole "one with nature" vibe. The oak furniture? Not a single nail in sight, all connected with intricate joints and carved with delicate plant patterns. It was heavy and sturdy, the kind of thing you’d pay a fortune for in the future. Leo couldn’t help but think, "Man, this stuff would go for millions back home."

The servants around the manor were acting a bit strange. They kept sneaking glances at Leo and whispering among themselves. After all, they were used to him being the “foolish second son,” who was always barking orders and being quick to hit or scold them. But now? Leo had suddenly become polite and calm. They didn’t know what to make of it. Angela, especially, was thrilled—finally, the young master was acting normal and not scaring everyone half to death. Oddly enough, she even found herself missing him when he wasn’t around.

“Master Leo, dinner is ready,” the old butler, Montu, said with a slight bow.

“Oh, right. Thanks, Uncle Montu. Let’s go,” Leo replied, snapping out of his thoughts with a smile.

At the Ferdinand family table, things were done a bit differently—unlike other families, the butler ate with the family. Tonight, his sister-in-law Isabella and her five-year-old son, Owen, were already seated. Leo ruffled Owen’s hair as he walked by, but the kid pulled away with a scowl. "Don’t touch me!" he snapped.

“Don’t be rude,” Isabella scolded gently.

Leo just chuckled, not bothered at all. “Heh, looks like I’ve still got some work to do to win over my little nephew.”

As they ate, Leo suddenly remembered something. “Hey, Uncle Montu, where can I get some books around here? Any libraries or bookshops nearby?” Being a guy who had just time-traveled to this world, Leo figured he needed to get a better grip on how things worked—technology, history, the whole deal. Plus, with his new and improved memory, hearing, and reaction time, reading would be a breeze. No time wasted.

Montu smiled, “There’s a library about ten miles away, near the Duke’s estate. It’s funded by noble families like ours and the Kennises. There are also a few bookshops in the east of town. If you’ve got time after dinner, I can take you.”

Leo was about to agree when suddenly, the calm dinner was interrupted by the sound of frantic footsteps.

“Madam! Something terrible has happened!” A voice rang out from the doorway, full of panic—almost like someone was choking on their words. It was Happy, the stable boy, and he sounded like he’d just run through hell.

Everyone froze for a second before leaping to their feet. Isabella rushed out first. In the living room, Happy stood there, covered in blood, pale as a ghost, like he’d just crawled out of a grave.

“Big trouble!” Leo felt his heart sink, and his eyelid twitched instinctively.

“What happened?” Isabella asked, her face as white as a sheet.

“On the way to Yalian City, we were ambushed by bandits... Master Jerome and the guard Mark Bass... they didn’t make it. The baron... he’s unconscious... and the grain was stolen,” Happy stammered through his tears.

Isabella collapsed into sobs, her body trembling uncontrollably. “Where are they now?” she managed to ask through her tears.

“They’ll be brought back soon,” Happy said, barely holding it together.

“Damn it!” Leo cursed under his breath. “I just got here, and already, I’m neck-deep in this mess? So much for a quiet life... Guess the universe never hands out peace easily.”

Not long after, the men who had gone to Vito City started returning to the manor. Baron Howard was carried into his bedroom, while Jerome’s body was laid out on the living room floor. Isabella threw herself over her husband’s corpse, crying until she passed out from the shock. Montu quickly ordered someone to fetch a doctor.

When the doctor arrived and examined Howard, he turned to Leo and Isabella. “The baron suffered a severe head injury. He may never wake up. It’s possible he could recover, but the chances are very slim.”

Isabella’s grief was overwhelming. She collapsed by Howard’s bed, weeping uncontrollably. The servants, too, were hanging their heads, looking like the end of the world had just arrived for the Ferdinand family.

Leo frowned, feeling like the universe was throwing challenge after challenge his way. "Damn, looks like the family might be done for after this," he thought grimly.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside. One of the servants hurried in, looking flustered. “There are some debt collectors outside, causing a scene. They say they’re here to collect what’s owed.”

Montu’s face darkened. “Debt collectors? Those vultures! They’re just here to take advantage of the situation. Get rid of them!”

But as soon as Montu sent someone to deal with them, the ruckus outside only grew louder. More debt collectors gathered, and soon a crowd had formed, curious to see what kind of trouble the baron’s family was in now.

To avoid further chaos, they had no choice but to invite the debt collectors into the drawing room. One of them, a man named Abel, spoke up, “We’re all business associates of the family. Honestly, we didn’t want to come today, but we lent real money, and times are tough for us, too. We don’t have big estates like the baron. Some of us even borrowed money just to lend it to him. Now, we understand the situation, so we’re willing to waive the interest. Just give us back the principal, and we’ll call it even. Sound fair?”

The group didn’t even acknowledge Leo, figuring the “foolish second son” wasn’t worth their attention. They got bolder and louder, demanding to speak with Isabella.

“Where’s the one in charge here?” they shouted.

Leo glanced at Abel, the loudest one of the bunch. “This guy’s got a story,” he thought, but he had no patience for it now. With his father unconscious and his brother dead, it was time for him to step up as the second son.

With a sigh, Leo stood up. As he passed Montu, he whispered, “Get rid of them. After the funeral, I’ll deal with this mess.”

Montu hesitated, giving Leo a look that was equal parts surprise and disbelief.

Leo knew the butler still saw him as the clueless second son, but hey, if Montu had a better idea, he was all ears.

After some back-and-forth, the debt collectors finally agreed to leave, promising to come back after the funeral to settle things.

Just as they were sent off, a servant rushed in. “Uncle Montu! Lex is here. He says he’s looking for Master Leo!”