Episode 318
As I sat in Socheoldang’s office and looked out the window, the sight of Badniker immersed in darkness caught my eye.
A mansion located in the middle of a huge forest that is no different from the forbidden… … . Looking at it again, I thought it was an old-fashioned place, but now that I think about it, I don’t think there’s anything strange about it since Badniker’s ancestors were fairies.
“It looks a little hot.”
A somewhat subdued voice.
Before I knew it, I saw a bird sitting on a tree branch.
“I came back from the north. “I was dragged in without even having time to change clothes.”
“Why don’t you at least take off your clothes?”
“well.”
It’s almost April now.
Even though spring was in full swing, Badniker’s home was a little chilly.
Is it because the sun has set?
That could be a reason, but considering the wet weather and moist air, it looks like spring rain will probably fall sometime today or tomorrow.
“You came to see Delac, right?”
I came here knowing everything.
I nodded.
“yes.”
“Whatever.”
“Everyone was dying. It seemed to be in more serious condition than expected. “I understand why the council of elders, including Mr. Assad, is talking about the next head of the family.”
“Right.”
Assad, in the form of a bird, seemed to nod.
“This is top secret, but I’ll tell you. “I plan to cast a magic spell on Delak within a few days.”
“Eternal sleep magic?”
“It’s a magic that puts the target into a semi-permanent sleep.”
“That means… … .”
“okay. “I’m going to put him to sleep until I find a way.”
“… … .”
Although it was a reasonable measure, Assad’s voice sounded somber.
I guess so.
At least right now, it’s like admitting that there’s no way.
“So if I find a way, I can wake you up at any time?”
“It’s not that bad of a spell. What should I say about the magic of eternal sleep… … . It’s about making the subject stop time. For that reason, it is also called time freezing magic. I don’t know if you know, but space and time is a concept that even archmages must treat with the utmost care. “If you act hastily, an unbelievable disaster may occur.”
“So when can I wake you up?”
“Once every 10 years.”
“… … .”
“If you miss that period, you have to wait another 10 years. I can’t say it’s an efficient magic. Honestly, since it is a magic with very little information, there may be side effects that I am not aware of. But wouldn’t anything be better than dying like this?”
That’s right.
but… … .
As I was about to think of another thought, Assad suddenly spoke.
“Yes, you. “You don’t want to be the head of the house, do you?”
“… Yes?”
“But in my opinion, there is no one more suitable than you.”
“That is difficult to agree with.”
I looked down from Cycad Hall.
From here, the outdoor training hall was also clearly visible, and two men were seen training in different training halls.
First on the left.
Heiro was swinging his sword.
It felt more like sparring with a virtual opponent rather than simple training, and I could tell from his movements that the opponent Heero had assumed was Ludwig.
“First of all, isn’t Brother Heero’s potential amazing? It would be rare for someone at that age to become an A-level hero in Heros and achieve solid results. “The influence in Heros is also at a level that cannot be ignored.”
Then, this time, I saw Hector training in another training center.
Hector was performing a sword technique that I had never seen before. A movement that exudes moderation and formality, probably imperial swordsmanship.
Standard swordsmanship. I thought that my compatibility with Hector was not bad.
If you fight as if you are stuck in a rut like that and sometimes use the remnant sword, it will be much more difficult for your opponent to deal with.
“Brother Hector is also a member of the imperial family, but if it were an order from the family, he would kick that position right away. “He has even formed his own faction in the system, so the young nobleman who will soon become a powerful figure in the family will give his power to Bad Knicker.”
And although he is not here, I mentioned one more name.
“Brother Raizen became the owner of a large commercial company on his own at a young age. Luck and momentum, guts and resourcefulness. It would have been impossible if he didn’t have even one thing. Compared to that, me?”
I shook my head.
“I don’t have anything. Of course, it is stronger than those three. As it happened, I often clashed with members of the church and was quite active. but-.”
“You gave the correct answer.”
“yes?”
“In Badknicker, you only need those two things.”
Food Duck… The sparrow flapped its wings slightly, stood on a taller branch, and looked down at me.
“What do you think Delac had such outstanding abilities? Of course, that guy is also smart. But he said politics is not something you do with your head. He couldn’t afford to do that to Delak… That is why vassals exist.”
“… … .”
“You just have to do it like you do now. Continue to become stronger and crush the cult bastards. “Our Badniker will support the rest.”
The bird’s eyes became increasingly more magical.
A damp wind blew from somewhere, and green mana fluttered like a small leaf and enveloped me.
“Influence in Heros? Noble faction? Skills as a businessman? We can do all that. “It’s not difficult.”
——————
faqwiki.us
Join our Discord for new chapter updates!
https://discord.com/invite/xr7SxG5T6V
——————
The moment I encountered those eyes and that oppressive force, I felt an inexplicable discomfort.
I finally felt like I knew what kind of person the head of Badniker was.
‘… This.’
Isn’t this just a puppet?
As I sighed openly, Assad seemed to understand differently.
“If you really don’t like it, just serve as acting director for 10 years. Since you are sixteen now, you will still be twenty-six when everything is done, right? “You are still young, and by then you will be able to do whatever you want and have everything you want.”
“… … .”
Assad, who has lived for a long time, spoke lightly of the 10 years, but in reality, that is not the case.
Within the next few years, the denomination will begin to show its true strength and an all-out war will begin.
I don’t know either.
In that chaos, to what extent will it grow without the Iron Blood Ball?
And whether I can handle that empty space.
“… When will the spiritual repose spell be performed?”
“Within a few days.”
“Please tell me exactly.”
“Day after tomorrow. As you can see, Delac’s condition is getting worse every moment. “It is slowly getting worse at this very moment, so it would be better to do it while you are still at least a little better.”
“… … .”
“Delak’s final resting place will not be announced. “First, they will tell you that you are away on a long-term mission, and then they will appoint you as the head of the household.”
“I don’t think it’s a lie that will last long.”
“that’s right. This kind of thing is just a waste of time. Seungnyang, who wanted Badknicker to be overthrown, will attack… “Good Spring or something.”
Assad laughed sarcastically and continued.
“Still, I can’t help it. “There is a big difference between announcing that a person is actually in critical condition and playing it off until the end.”
“… … .”
“So your succession ceremony will not be formal either. However, I think I will leave the family’s treasured sword to you.”
“Bogeom?”
“The sword of Delak, [Michael].”
I burst out laughing.
Ruan Badniker, who sold the treasured sword, is now at the point where he is inheriting the matriarch’s treasured sword.
“Let’s just sleep for today. “It’s going to be busy starting tomorrow.”
With those last words, Asad’s mana faded, and the bird’s eyes returned to their original color.
The bird looked at me with bright eyes, then flapped its wings and flew away.
“… … .”
It was a good bite.
That thought occurred to me for a moment.
I felt like I was really tangled up with the badniker I had been trying to avoid so much… … .
Now I see that Iron Blood Ball wasn’t the problem.
Rather, it felt like the presence of Iron Blood Ball was blocking me.
Of course, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
In any case, Badniker’s power is essential to fight against the cult bastards, and that’s the same even if Iron Blood Ball is missing.
Being able to deal with that huge power, at least formally, may be a positive thing.
but… … .
“… “It’s hot.”
I suddenly felt muggy, so I took off my coat and hung it on the chair, but at that moment, something fell on me.
“… … .”
It was stationery.
I looked to see what kind of letter it was, and saw that it had a black rose seal on it.
“ah.”
I remembered.
This is the letter that Sanghyeolgong gave me.
To be precise, it is a recruitment proposal from the Heros Clan.
-Did you read the letter I gave you?
-letter? ah. no.
-I see. It’s okay if you don’t read it.
A conversation we had once passed through my mind.
This is a letter given to me by Sanghyeolgong.
So, in Heros.
“… … .”
Why?
It was a letter I had no intention of reading, an item I had forgotten even existed… … .
I broke the seal and opened the letter.
I thought it was a trivial recruitment proposal.
However, the letter began with an introduction that went far beyond my expectations.
[I’m sorry to have to say hello to you through a letter like this.]
[Please understand even if my handwriting is a bit poor. I have written letters so often that I can count them on one hand.]
[I don’t know where to start, so let’s get straight to the point.]
The main point is about recruitment?
As I read it with that in mind, the letter again exceeded my expectations.
[When I happened to meet you in the islands and offered you a mission… … .]
[It suddenly occurred to me that you might not want me to join the Black Rose.]
[I realized too late that just because other kids want it, there is no guarantee that you will too.]
I think this is my first time seeing Sanghyeolgong’s handwriting.
I felt like I could see his personality from his handwriting.
First of all, like he said, his handwriting wasn’t that bad.
Rather, it formed a perfect word without any unnecessary parts, and was angular enough to be hard.
For some reason, I pictured Iron Blood Ball writing a letter in a dark room with only a candle lit.
[Because you didn’t answer until the end. In the end, it might be my greed.]
[At some point, it became difficult for me to guess people’s hearts.]
[Is it because I am in a position where I have to be careful about even the words I say?]
[I don’t know what kind of results my thoughtless words had, but I’ve made mistakes and regretted them more often than not. This is why I could not easily express praise or scolding.]
[Nevertheless, looking at your actions, I wanted to praise you for doing a good job.]
[no. It seems a little different from a compliment. This… … .]
Here, the strong handwriting has changed slightly.
It’s as if it represents the distraught Sanghyeolgong’s state of mind at the time.
[…] Maybe it’s pride.]
[It was difficult to express it. Because I don’t have the right to be proud of your growth.]
[At some point, I stopped knowing what other people thought of me. I could only feel fear or awe from their gaze.]
[Even close friends, colleagues, and family were no exception. From the beginning, I was slow to notice such things, but after realizing this fact, I more deliberately closed my eyes and ears.]
[Because I couldn’t guess other people’s feelings, I didn’t talk to them carelessly, and I lived my life without clashing as much as possible.]
[My caution could hurt them.]
[On the contrary, my love could become a burden to them.]
[Naturally, what took its place was the Council of Elders. The purpose of these organizations was to carry out the affairs of the head of the family, so it was not wrong in principle. I also thought it was the right choice at the time, but seeing you grow up made me think a little differently.]
[I guess I eventually escaped.]
[Even if it’s hard, painful, or even if you make mistakes… Shouldn’t I have faced my children until the end?]
[Just like all parents did.]
[At a time of confusion in many ways, Assad recommended the medium of letters.]
[I understand after writing it myself. This is a suitable means of communication for me. Because I can carefully organize what I wanted to say over a long period of time and then convey it.]
[Of course, even elaborate words can cause harm. I just hope it doesn’t happen this time.]
The image of Sanghyeolgong comes to mind again.
A look of confusion flashed across his expressionless face, and he crumpled up the letter he had already written and threw it away.
The trash can was full of such letters.
“… … .”
At this point, I realized that the letter I was holding was slightly crumpled.
[I thought of myself heading to Yeongsan with you.]
[To be honest, I was a little looking forward to that moment.]
[It’s because I’ve been waiting for a very long time. May my bloodline grow so that it can fight side by side with me.]
[Possibility is latent in the blood.]
[Of course, I will respect your wishes, but I would really appreciate it if you would come with me… I think it would be good.]
“Tsk tsk.”
I laughed.
This is because the words hidden in the area pressed in ink can be easily predicted.
Perhaps “I think I’ll be happy” was changed to “I think it’ll be good.”
I sat in my office for a while and laughed.
“… … .”
Coincidentally, the time when Iron Blood Prince wrote the letter was before I had poured out sharp words to Theon Heroes in his office.
So, Iron Blood Prince offered to recruit me so carefully and politely that it would be surprising if anyone else found out.
But what did I say then?
-Even though I became a half-asshole and couldn’t fit in anywhere, couldn’t use anything I learned at Badniker, and moved around the empire like a wreck… The matriarch will not give me any mercy, support, advice, or even criticism.
-If you had awareness as a father, wouldn’t you have given me at least one more chance?
-Don’t expect anything from me. I won’t expect it either.
My face feels hot.
I felt embarrassed, thinking that I was still immature at this age.
I also thought I knew why Iron Blood Prince had told me to throw away the letter.
“ha… … .”
This time I sighed, like a person suffering from bipolar disorder.
At the same time, I felt as if some of the core that had been in my heart for a very long time was melting away and floating away somewhere.
I stood up enjoying so many emotions at the same time.
“good.”
The hesitation disappeared.
The feeling of shit, helplessness, and self-destruction that I felt while wandering through the eternal winter in the stomach of a giant is enough.
This time, I will act as I want… … .
“… “Let’s give it a try.”
I am ready to accept whatever the outcome is.
