Jobless Reincarnation: The King with a Mental Problem

[Rudius's Perspective]

My brother has been acting very strangely lately.

Ever since he told me about the existence of higher dimensions that night, he has been staying up all night in the living room.

Even when he was resting on the sofa covered with Luo Qixi's cloak, he was a light sleeper. Whenever I went to the living room to eat something in the middle of the night, I would always wake him up.

I asked him what was wrong, but he wouldn't tell me, saying he didn't know either.

This is really scary. He always stays up late every night and never misses his training during the day. I know very well how much training he does every day. Luckily, there is healing magic so that he won't suffer any hidden injuries.

Otherwise, I'm worried he'll turn himself into a strong corpse.

Then, he suddenly dragged Paul out to work, saying that Senis was pregnant and the family was running out of money.

It was only then that I realized I had never cared about money. How should I put it? I always thought my family was wealthy.

After all, we live in the best houses in the whole village, eat the best food, and enjoy the highest status.

Even their beds are the best. In Silphie's house, her mattress is made of straw. I was surprised at first, but later I learned that most people in the village are like that.

I thought I could live this kind of life of luxury forever.

So when I heard that my family had gone bankrupt, I was really shocked.

But it was just a scare; we should have been able to make ends meet by buying a few things.

But my brother told me not to make a fuss.

Why?

Does he have any plans?

But before he could ask any further questions, he and Paul went out to work.

Then, a month later, the two of them returned exhausted, looking like zombies.

They said I earned almost 5 gold coins, but I don't even know how much purchasing power that money has.

He's only two years older than me, and he's already helping to earn money to support the family.

Although I felt he had some kind of plan, he couldn't have worked himself to the bone to earn money for something bad.

So he told me not to overthink it, and I stopped thinking about it.

That's probably what "great wisdom appears as foolishness" means.

But what happened next was even stranger. The day after they returned, they said they were going out to hunt monsters. Paul came back covered in blood, looking dejected, but his brother did not.

This really startled everyone. Fortunately, Paul said his brother was fine, but the expression on his face was really strange.

His explanation was that he was too tired and had been discouraged by his older brother.

The reasons are quite valid, but there's still something off about them.

When her brother returned, Senis finally felt relieved. Looking at him lying on her lap and their expressions, she honestly wanted to believe that she was the one who had been rescued.

No, it's normal that I, as a time traveler, can't do such a thing.

But what happened next was even stranger...

I could tell he was reluctant to leave his home, but he didn't want to stay a moment longer and wanted to leave.

Is it because my brother and I spend too much money?

Honestly, it was only then that I carefully compared my circumstances with those of my peers.

We have plenty of meat, eggs, and milk every day, but the children I teach only get boiled potatoes.

Even by modern standards, I think the clothes Senis made for us were of good quality.

Meanwhile, the other adults and children in the village were still wearing linen clothes.

Am I indifferent to these conditions because I come from the modern era?

Come to think of it, this is the Middle Ages...

Now that Senis is pregnant, I might have another brother or sister.

I'm going to be a big brother soon, and only now, comparing myself to my older brother, do I realize how big the gap is between us.

Not only in magic and swordsmanship, but even as a son and older brother, he is far superior to me.

They are always taking on more responsibility.

You didn't tell me because you didn't want me to worry?

In their previous life, their parents were like that too...

But I...

No!

I can no longer ignore their contributions!

I had already made up my mind a long time ago!

To change, to become better! To become a better person!

I've worked my hardest and most dedicated effort to get to where I am today!

The role model is right in front of me; all I need to do is learn from him.

Although he always loved playing pranks...

But he really does look exactly like my ideal.

And this perfect image suddenly collapsed before my eyes.

I was with him on the way to Roya City.

He was unusually silent today, and his expression wasn't pleasant either, as if everyone owed him something.

Despite his sour expression, he still took great care of me and Lilia.

He drove the carriage while using magic to heat us up.

At first, I thought he was just a little sad because he was leaving home, and I wanted to chat with him about something to help him relax.

Okay... I was ignored.

But my brother is much more reliable than me; he probably doesn't need my concern.

But what happened next was far beyond my comprehension.

We encountered bandits, and at first I was quite excited, just like in an RPG story from my previous life, when you encounter grunts right after leaving the starting village.

But what happened next far exceeded my expectations.

Just as I was excitedly preparing to strike in secret, an arrow nearly killed me.

It was only then that I realized that life is not a game, and I was just a hair's breadth away from dying.

But that's not the scariest part.

The guy's next actions were just like those of a villain.

I know my brother is very strong. Teacher Luo Qixi said that he can dismember people with magic with just a flick of his wrist.

But he didn't use magic; he used swordsmanship, just like how he would play with a mouse before killing it after catching it.

Why not just kill them?

Why torture them so cruelly?

I was shocked when the thought came to me.

I have only just realized that life is real, fragile, and precious.

Did they subconsciously choose the way they would die in the next moment?

My...morality? Or should I say my bottom line?

In short, this type of thing suddenly and continuously decreased by an unknown amount...

Even if they were guilty, shouldn't they have been subjected to such cruelty?

That kid who wasn't much older than me, the older brother who wanted to protect his younger brother, the couple who wanted to crawl towards their lover even while bleeding, and the woman who could have escaped but chose to ambush them.

Although they were bandits, they undoubtedly had feelings too.

And my brother...

It's like they weren't treated like human beings at all...

What exactly happened to him, bro?

They clearly cared about us a lot, so why are they acting like villains now?

That older brother who usually plays pranks, laughs loudly, and cuddles on Senis's lap...

He was now crouching in a pool of blood, grabbing the woman's hair, venting his unknown rage on the dying person in a calm yet chilling tone.

He was yelling at them, but I always felt there was something else hidden in those words. Something that had been building up inside me, something I dared not explore.

He was protecting us, but...

Why torture them like this?

This is wrong...

That's what they said, but they didn't even have the courage to speak up and stop him.

Fortunately, he stopped.

As the cart started to turn again, I buried my face in my knees, afraid to look up.

He continued to care about me on the way, but I became afraid of him.

I don't know if what he did was right or wrong, because everyone praises this kind of older brother...

Something's wrong... Could it be me?

Am I still stuck in the values ​​and beliefs of my previous life?

Am I supposed to adapt to this world?

My values ​​from my previous life...

My mind is so confused...

"...Rudy, are you...really alright?"

Why...?

Why can he act so nonchalant and show concern for me right after killing someone...?

Should we run away?

No!

I always overthink things, and the more I think, the more scared I get. It was the same in my past life; I was so scared that I didn't dare to go out.

But after being kicked out by her family, she didn't seem to be doing much badly on the street...

Okay, even though he's dead.

But it was to save people, and perhaps that's why the gods gave me a second chance.

I must not repeat the same mistake in this life. I must take action and have a good talk with him.

I looked up and gazed at my older brother's profile.

He was still driving the carriage, his eyes fixed ahead, seemingly still waiting for my response.

The wind blew his hair up, revealing his forehead.

His face was expressionless, but I suddenly noticed a very faint line at the corner of his eye; he looked really tired...

I asked all the questions in one breath.

Then, I heard his reply.

He said he was terrified because I almost got killed.

He said it was his responsibility.

He said he divides people into four categories, and he only cares about those who are important to him.

I listened to every word he said; it made a lot of sense, and he had a very "big brother" style of domineering and pure authority.

He acknowledged his imperfections... but only for... what was important...

Is that why he works so hard?

I really envy him...

If I could... I... I'd like to help him...

If only I could be like my older brother... if only I could make things a little easier for him...

But he refused.

What he said next, about good and evil, about making the world a better place, hit me like a hammer blow.

He hates this world, so much so that he wants to change it.

What have I been doing all this time?

He cautiously adapted to this world, learning magic to avoid losing to others, and training his body because his older brother was training. His self-righteous growth was merely imitation of him...

I never thought about changing anything; I just wanted to find my own little safe haven in this world and stay there.

Just like in my previous life.

In my past life, I locked myself in my room and felt like the whole world was bullying me.

But what my older brother said was "to make this world worthy of the existence of good"—he saw the evil and chose to "change" it instead of "run away".

and I?

I was just thinking, "Did my brother do something wrong?" and "Am I being too indecisive?"

Whose yardstick am I using to measure right and wrong?

Morality from a past life?

But in my past life, I didn't even dare to leave the house, so what right did I have to judge an older brother who was standing in front of me?

Tears welled up uncontrollably.

I...I want to be like that too...

But I'm just a shut-in who didn't even finish school...

Can I do it?

Until he said—

"Because I know you are actually a good child..."

Good boy...

My heart felt like it was being squeezed, and I couldn't catch my breath.

My parents said the same thing in my past life.

Even as I locked myself in my room and became a NEET, they still whispered to that door that would never open, "We know you're a good kid."

But what did I say in response?

I disappointed them my whole life, and even at their funeral, I chose to run away for fear of embarrassing them.

I even threw away my last chance to be a "good child" who met their expectations.

Even at the very end, as I pushed the passerby aside and was hit by the truck, I felt a sense of relief.

Because in that case, I would have finally done a "good deed," and I would be able to stand tall and go there to see them, and tell them, "Your son, in the end... still became a good boy."

That was my self-satisfaction, my pathetic atonement.

And now, this person in front of me, not much older than me, is looking at me with the same eyes and speaking with the same tone as my parents, placing the same expectations on me.

He said I was someone who had made up my mind.

He said I would respond to him.

On what grounds?

Why do you all trust me so much?

I'm clearly a selfish, cowardly, and useless coward who only knows how to run away!

I've already messed it up once!

Tears welled up uncontrollably.

I don't want to cry, it's too embarrassing.

Especially in front of him, in front of this older brother who just seemed like a villain to me, I cried.

But it didn't work; my nose was sore and my throat felt blocked.

And... his expectations for making the world a better place, and my goal of becoming a better person, seem... not so different.

Just... responding to him casually isn't out of the question.

Anyway, I originally planned to work hard and show my true skills.

This is only for myself, so that I won't repeat the same mistakes in this life, not because of what he called a "good child".

Yes! It was just something I did on the side.

......

This guy...

It's so embarrassing to laugh like that...

Fortunately, there weren't many people on the road...

He was promised the title of Sorcerer King by a brat...

How embarrassing...

Okay, actually I'm a little happy about it too.

Speaking of which... when did his sword break?

I can't believe I'm only just noticing this now...

Perhaps I should pay more attention to my family...

Did he have a falling out with Paul?

If anyone made a mistake, it must be Paul.

But he still held onto that broken sword...

Forget it, I won't guess anymore. I'll just give him my sword first.

Normally, I would have already laughed at his statement that "the king is happy because the world is beautiful."

[The Boreas Residence in Roja City]

I......

My name is Ludius Grerat.

Memories of my past life and this life keep playing in my mind, like a revolving lantern.

where is this?

Why am I here?

What exactly happened?

I... I remember now, this is Roya, and I came here... to be a teacher.

Then I saw one...

She looks like a beautiful young girl.

wrong.

I remember now!

The moment I saw her, my gut instincts kicked in.

Danger! You'll die!

When I came to my senses, she ambushed me with a wooden sword...

Then she straddled me and beat me while cursing me.

"So you're that bastard's brother! I can't believe you actually dared to come! I'll beat you to a pulp!!!"

Her punching technique was incredibly skilled. Unlike my brother's restrained blows, every single one of her punches was aimed at the most painful spots. To be honest... I was terrified...

That aura reminded me of my bullying classmate from a past life.

I was so scared I couldn't move...

This young lady is quite troublesome; I greatly underestimated the difficulty of this task...

Of course, my brother was also partly to blame; they clearly had a grudge against each other and kept it from me!

No wonder they hid as soon as they brought me here!

Lord Philip too!

Damn it!

I will never feel joy again!

[Trevor's Perspective]

"Hehehehehe~~~"

Wang gritted his teeth, covered his mouth, and tried his best not to laugh too loudly.

Wow! As expected of Alice, she's incredibly strong and powerful! So strong and powerful!

After saying hello to Philip, Wang went to change his clothes.

Then I just hid...

I also want to know what will happen when Rudy, whom I have personally trained, meets Alice again?

So the king and Philip hid in the shadows and watched.

"Um... is it really okay to just look like this?"

"Don't worry! It's alright! My second brother is invincible! He's just punching Miss Alice's hand with his face!"

Philip was worrying unnecessarily. If his little brother got serious, little Alice would be nothing more than a roadside dummy right now.

He's lying on the ground getting beaten up now, probably because Rudy is actually a masochist and is getting excited about it.

The adorable Rudius and his grumpy husband Alice...

What a tragic couple...

No! We're in luck!!!

Wang was overjoyed for his younger brother's future happiness!

But at this time...

Wang saw something that looked somewhat familiar... like an NPC?

Um......

Now that you've seen it, let's confirm it.

With this in mind, Wang told Philip to continue hiding while he went to talk to the NPCs.

"Hey! Buddy, you've been working hard lately, haven't you?"

The short king approached the tall servant.

"Not at all, it's no trouble at all. It's my responsibility as the housekeeper."

"You're lying. With that capricious young lady Alice around, it would be a miracle if things weren't tough."

"Ha... well, actually it was quite tough..."

"Yes, this type of person is actually quite difficult to please."

"It's so good that you understand."

"Yes, mutual understanding is really important... Speaking of which, how much money can you earn after going through so much hardship?"

"Sigh..." The tall man sighed, bending over. "Only five silver coins a month..."

"So little?"

"Yes, that's all..."

"Lord Darius, didn't he give you any subsidies? They must have been quite a lot, right?"

"There are subsidies, but I dare not spend them. Besides, I don't know how many layers of deductions are made before I actually receive that little bit of money."

"That must have been really tough..."

"Yes, it must be really tough..."

My older brother and I, and my younger brother, watched the scene of Ace's infatuation in the room together.

Then they all sighed again.

"Tell me, if I help you out and kidnap little Alice, how much money will you give me?"

"That's great...you want more..."

The tall man suddenly fell silent, his eyes bulging like billiard balls as he glanced sideways at me...

"Why did you stop talking? You were probably trying to ask me how much money I wanted. Actually, I'm not short of money, I just saw how hard you're working and wanted to chat with you."

"You! What are you?!"

Before he could finish speaking...

The tall one was sawed off by me, and now he's even shorter than me.

Wang covered his mouth with his hand.

But he still struggled desperately with his broken legs.

"Shh~~~ Don't make too much noise... It wouldn't be good if my brat found out..."