I was Reincarnated as the Youngest Child of a Villainous Noble Family Who Controls the Kingdom from Behind the Scenes

Leorg's pov

"Hey, Vaid, Miley, it's been a while since we last talked, hasn't it?"

Late at night, as I was settling down in the living room, the two of them happened to walk in. Vaid, my eldest son who rarely speaks, silently sat down on the sofa, while Miley was chugging juice she had brought from the kitchen.

Even though we're family, Miley is probably the only one who can act so boldly around me.

"Ahhh! So good!"

"Try savoring it a bit more."

"Father, you must be in a really good mood to be sipping on that wine so leisurely."

"Indeed, I'm not in a bad mood."

It's true that I always drink good wine when I'm in high spirits. I wonder when was the last time I felt like this? Was it when Vaid, Miley, or Gilium were born? Nonsense, I wouldn't get so worked up just because a child was born.

Was it when Vaid completed his first mission at just nine years old? Or when Miley, who used to be such a crybaby, killed someone for the first time at eight? Or perhaps when Gilium destroyed a hideout of anti-kingdom forces with his subordinate monsters earlier this year?

Compared to those moments, what is there now? I'd like to think that, but the reason is probably that Alphiss .

"Is it about Alphiss ?"

"You rarely speak up, but when you do, you're sharp, Vaid."

"You have a habit of touching your beard with your fingers when you're happy."

"...How terrifying."

Vaid may not speak much, but his insight alone surpasses mine. In battle, he never allows the enemy even the slightest slack, relentlessly pursuing them. The Blink of a Flash, the Demon God, the Sword Saint—I know no other man who bears so many titles.

He single-handedly wiped out an enemy nation's forces without breaking a sweat and then marched straight to their throne room to subjugate their king. His latest title is the Nation Crusher. At this point, he's the last man I'd want as an enemy. My own son has turned into quite the monster.

"Alphiss is so cute! The other day, I tried to ambush  him with a kiss from the ceiling, but he dodged it perfectly!"

"If you have time for that, maybe you should manage your magic research institute a bit more."

"That place can run without me now. I made some gold ingots and gave them to those pot-bellied old men, and they were overjoyed."

"The Creation Witch—that's your title, isn't it? If you wanted to, you could manipulate the market single-handedly."

My son and daughter gathered here are talents capable of holding the fate of a nation in their hands. The Balfont family has always been blessed with such individuals. Nowadays, even the king greets me with a bow when he sees me.

If we wanted to, we could probably establish our own nation, but taking on too much is the act of a fool. What is true control? It's about holding the reins of those who carry the burden.

You don't need to run fast yourself. Just let the horse run. By holding the reins of the king, the Balfont family has manipulated everything to  their will. If something unfavorable to the royal family becomes known to the people, we act. If something unfavorable to the royal family spreads among the people, we act. This is how the royal family has no choice but to let us hold the reins.

"Alphiss , huh? To be able to use magic like that at  his age. Miley, how old were you when you first used basic non-attribute magic?"

"Huh? I don't remember, but I think I was around eight?"

"Alphiss was using dark attribute magic at seven. By the time he was eight,  his precision was terrifyingly high compared to yours back then."

"Hey,Alphiss  is just so cute, isn't he?"

How should I take this fact? I was around twelve when I first used attribute magic. For the Balfont family, that's considered a late bloomer.

"More than that, Father, what you're really concerned about isn't magic, is it?"

"Vaid, what are you getting at?"

"Don't dodge the question. It's about the waves. Not many in this world can perceive them."@@novelbin@@

Waves are a special power that living beings possess, different from magic. The quality of waves varies, and unlike magic, they are emitted endlessly. If one could control them, they would surpass magic in power.

That's why even the royal family has no one who can perceive and wield them. Most people never even learn of their existence. If everyone could control waves, it would be troublesome.

"That  boy was using waves, wasn't he? That's Alphiss for you."

"This isn't something to brush off so lightly. Where and when did  Alphiss earn about their existence..."

"Even if he knew, to control  it so easily... Ah! I forgot to prepare a gift to celebrate Alphiss mastering waves! Hey, Father, what do you think would be good?"

"...I'll giveAlphiss  his first mission."

As soon as I declared that, Miley's cheerful expression changed completely. Vaid also opened his eyes and glared sharply at me.

"Hey, Father, isn't that a bit too soon? What if something happens toAlphiss  ? I might lose it."

"Then you can just take revenge on the enemy."

"I might flatten the entire battlefield."

"Vaid, what do you think?"

I deliberately turned the conversation to Vaid. His expression said it all. Despite his demeanor, he's extremely competitive. Blessed with more talent than anyone, he never shies away from hard work. That's why he's strong.

"...Do as you please. What happens to my brother is none of my concern."

"Good, then I'll proceed. Tomorrow, I'll summon Alphiss and inform her of the mission."

"Have you decided on the mission's details?"

"I have. The mission is..."

As I explained the mission, Vaid began muttering about how Alfis wasn't ready for such a task. This quiet man has become quite talkative.