Hell Mode: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing Episode 10: The Noble's Duty

The Granzell family gathers for dinner, a picture of polite formality that barely masks the underlying tension. Baron Granzell, with a serious demeanor, listens to Xenof's report on the monster-infested mines. The land, once rich, is now a dangerous den of goblins and ogres, a direct consequence of past exploitation and the White Dragon's fury. The need to reclaim the mines is urgent, a burden weighing heavily on the Baron's shoulders. Allen, serving quietly, overhears the grim assessment, his young mind already calculating the implications.

Allen isn't merely observing; he's strategizing. We see glimpses of his personal training, his summoned hawk soaring, and bears triumphing over monsters, all accumulated over half a year. He reveals his plan to become an adventurer upon turning twelve, using the impending monster subjugation as a cover. His aim isn't noble altruism, but a calculated acquisition of experience points, ensuring the Knights don't monopolize the gains. He is a gamer in a new world, optimizing his path to power.

Allen stands before a fortified goblin camp, his summoned bears and spiders ready for battle. His internal monologue reveals a ruthless efficiency; these monsters are simply experience points, a resource to be harvested. He commands his summons to eliminate every goblin, leaving none to escape, systematically clearing the area. The appearance of a Goblin King is met not with fear, but with excited anticipation, another boss to conquer, another influx of experience. His red, glowing eye hints at a power deeper than mere summoning.

Months pass, and a ship docks, bringing Mihai home from the academy. His younger sister, Cecile, greets him with unbridled joy, eager to resume their life together. However, Mihai's immediate request for a serious duel with Allen introduces an unsettling undercurrent. The family observes, their expressions hinting at unspoken worries about the eldest son's demeanor.

Mihai and Allen clash on the mansion lawn, their family watching with a mixture of concern and pride. Allen, despite his extensive training and strategic use of summoned creature stats, finds himself outmatched. Mihai's speed and skill have dramatically improved, surprising Allen and ultimately leading to his defeat. Allen's frustration is palpable as his sword is disarmed, his progress still insufficient against his brother.

After the duel, the true reason for Mihai's changed demeanor becomes clear. He announces his departure for a mysterious "noble's duty," stating he will not return for three years. Cecile's joy turns to devastation, her desperate questions about the duty met with evasiveness. Mihai's solemn promise to return in three years offers little comfort against the sudden, unexplained separation.

Allen observes his father, Baron Granzell, with growing suspicion. The Baron's cold assertion that this is simply a "noble's duty," coupled with his almost pained expression, speaks volumes. Allen realizes his father's complicity, suspecting the Baron knew of this outcome all along. The casual cruelty of the noble system, where sons are dispatched for unseen purposes, begins to unravel the facade of their privileged life.

As Mihai's carriage departs, Cecile's cries echo a profound sadness. Allen watches, his own frustration boiling over. He senses a tremor from his brother, a hint of fear beneath Mihai's brave facade, solidifying Allen's conviction that something is deeply wrong. His fists clench, his powerlessness as a ten-year-old in a noble's world, unable to intervene, fuels a quiet fury. The image of his hands, so small and ineffectual, burns into his mind.

Allen's eyes glow with fierce determination, his frustration transforming into an unwavering resolve. He declares his intention to use his summoner skills without reservation, to protect his family from such