Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan

Chapter 205

“First impression: a passing grade.”

Bracken Ranke had wanted to meet Theo for a long time.

“He took two of my precious children—how could I not see him for myself?”

He understood his second child, Holkers’ decision.

Holkers had always been overshadowed by his older sister and had no real interest in inheriting the family headship. Instead, he sought a bigger stage to play on.

He yearned for a glamorous, attention-filled life, which made his choice a natural one.

But Erica was different.

She loved being among Ranke’s swordsmen, and inheriting the family mantle seemed as natural as wearing a well-fitted cloak.

Everything changed, however, after her awakening ceremony.

“A little,” Bracken would later think.

“Dad.”“Yes, my dear? Are you ready to begin your training as my heir, to inherit this magnificent legacy of mine?”“I’m heading out for a while to have some fun.”“...What?”

The sparkle in her eyes when she said she wanted to “have fun” was so bright, so full of excitement, that Bracken instinctively nodded in agreement.

He assumed she would return soon after her curiosity was sated.

But nearly a year had passed, and his children showed no signs of coming back.

Curiosity finally got the better of him.

When they visited home briefly during a holiday, they told him stories of Theo’s exploits. That was when Bracken made his decision:

“I need to see this young lord for myself.”

Coincidentally, rumors were circulating that the Gardner family head was acting suspiciously and heading to Winterer. Bracken decided to kill two birds with one stone.

Now, here he was, face-to-face with Theo.

“It seems the rumors aren’t unfounded.”

Theo had a charm that could captivate even Bracken’s fiery children.

“The other vanguard members said much the same.”

Bracken believed that if you wanted to truly understand someone, you had to observe the people around them.

That’s why he had been wining and dining the White Steel Dragon Vanguard—chatting, drinking, eating.

Of course, it had been a rather intense experience for the squad.

“Please, spare us!”“No more drinks, I beg you! Ugh!”“Too much meat... I—blurgh!”“Hahaha! More drinks! More meat! Eat your fill! What? You’re full? You’re drunk? Nonsense! If I keep serving it, it’ll find a way in!”

While several members ended up suffering from overindulgence, Bracken brushed off their plight as a minor inconvenience.

“A proper drinking companion—that’s what he’ll be.”

Bracken grinned, already looking forward to sharing a drink with Theo.

To him, Theo wasn’t just an intriguing young man; he was a potential kindred spirit.

***

“At least Bracken seems to like the White Steel Dragon Vanguard.”

It was well-known, even in Theo’s past life, that Bracken Ranke had a peculiar way of expressing his approval—by offering copious amounts of alcohol and meat to those he deemed worthy.

This generosity had earned him a reputation for being larger-than-life, someone who could even form brotherly bonds with barbarian chiefs during the countless wars around the Mahe region.

But Theo also remembered how this very trait had led to Bracken’s tragic end.

“Blargh!”“Please, no more...!”“My stomach... I can’t take it...!”“Hahaha! More drinks! More meat! There’s no such thing as ‘too full’ or ‘too drunk!’ Keep eating, and it’ll all go down eventually!”“Theo’s actually going to drink that?”“Finally! We’re off the hook!”“But can he handle it? That stuff’s brutal for first-timers.”“Exactly. We only got used to it because of all our missions abroad.”“Do you think we’ll see him get drunk for the first time? That could be fun—mmph!”“Shut up, idiot! You’re jinxing it!”“...Huh?”“Wait, what? He’s drinking it like it’s nothing?”

“Well, I’ll be damned! Holkers, what are you doing standing around? Bring another jug!”

“Wh-what? More?”

“We’re celebrating meeting a fine ‘Anda’! Get a move on before I boot your lazy behind!”

Holkers, dazed, scrambled to fetch another jug.

“You up for more?”

“Of course. Though I must ask, are you sure you’re fine? It seems you’ve had quite a bit already.”

“Haha! Worrying about me, are you? No one’s outdrunk me yet, my boy!”

And so began the marathon.

One cup, two cups, three cups...

“Ahh! That hits the spot!”

“Allow me to pour another.”

“Such a delightful drinking partner! Truly, my children have chosen well!”

Ten cups, then eleven.

The cups turned into jugs, then barrels.

The onlookers could only gape in shock.

“Is this really okay?”“Seriously, how hasn’t he collapsed yet?!”“He’s not even sweating. This is insane.”

Meanwhile, Bracken was visibly drunk, his face flushed and his speech slurred.

“Back in the day—hiccup—I swore allegiance to your father first! hiccup Let me tell you all about it again!”

Erica and Holkers exchanged horrified glances.

“He’s... he’s drunk?”

“Father never gets drunk! This is impossible!”

Theo, on the other hand, remained composed, calmly taking sip after sip.

『You’re as crafty as ever. It’s like watching Sigurd all over again.』

“As long as they don’t catch on, it’s fine, right?”

『We call that cheating, boy.』

Theo had a simple way to endure the alcohol: by separating his mind and body. Using , he entered a heightened mental state, detaching himself from the physical effects of the alcohol.

While the method consumed minimal mana and went unnoticed by others, Theo was well aware of the backlash waiting for him once ended.

“I’ll deal with that later. Speaking of which, Lodbrok, are you ready?”

『...Ready for what?』

“You know, the ribs.”

『You were serious?! You’re out of your mind! I’m an invalid, not a butcher’s shop!』

“It’s not like you’ll miss them.”

『I WILL MISS THEM, YOU MONSTER!』

As Lodbrok seethed, Theo smiled faintly.

“Guess pestering people is my version of drunken antics.”