Episode 319
Dawn is a more appropriate time than early morning.
Hector opened his eyes feeling cool for the first time in a long time.
“… hmm.”
The air is a little cold.
When I looked out the window to see what was going on, I saw spring rain drizzling under the gloomy sunlight.
Looking at the fairly wet window sill, it must have been pouring since midnight.
Hector closed the door and looked at the clock.
‘Five-thirty.’
This is why habits are scary.
After spending a few weeks living in a group with the Imperial Knights, my eyes opened before the sun even rose.
Hector went into the bathroom, still feeling sore, and thoroughly washed his entire body, even drying his hair.
Then, he put on formal clothes that would befit his badknicker blood and carefully checked to make sure there was no dust or lint on the clothes.
“hmm.”
And only after I felt satisfied with what I saw behind the mirror did I leave the room.
Even if it rains, I have no intention of skipping morning training. After all, there are many indoor training halls at home.
Of course, even if it doesn’t get wet in the rain, you will have to wash it again if it gets covered in sweat, but it doesn’t really matter. Because Hector enjoys taking baths.
So, I walk through the still dark hallways of Badniker and head to the indoor training hall.
“ah.”
“hmm.”
I ended up encountering an awkward person in many ways.
Heero Badniker.
“… … .”
Hector was still uncomfortable with this person.
Before meeting at the conference hall, the last time we saw each other was at a dinner party invited by Iron Blood Lord, and at that time, Hector heard some harsh words from Heero.
‘It wasn’t just bitter words.’
He was criticized as unqualified, punched in the abdomen, and even strangled.
If Luan hadn’t intervened at that time, he really might have died.
Fortunately, at yesterday’s meeting, they didn’t show much interest in Hector because of Risen Badniker… … .
If the two of you meet like this, you don’t know what kind of reaction you will have.
Hector said in a slightly nervous voice.
“good morning.”
“-uh.”
Then, a beat later, the answer came back.
Hector, who was trying to pass by with only a formal greeting, felt puzzled by the attitude.
Originally, Hiiro’s attitude towards him was one of disregard, contempt, or annoyance… … .
Now, for some reason, I felt like I was uncomfortable with this meeting.
And then something even more surprising happened.
“good morning. no. “Isn’t that good?”
Because Heero said that and his gaze was directed out the gloomy window, Hector was able to quickly calm his agitation.
Good morning?
That Heiro-nii, to me?
“It hasn’t happened yet, but you’re sincere.”
“It’s become a habit.”
“… … .”
“… … .”
“… “I’m sorry, but I’m in a hurry for morning training.”
“okay.”
I had nothing more to say so I was just going to pass by, but coincidentally, Hiiro also started walking in the same direction.
Come to think of it, Hiiro also trained at the training hall until late at night last night.
‘It was fascinating.’
Heiro Badniker was the first person that came to mind when Hector thought of the word [genius].
Although it doesn’t disdain effort, it means that it doesn’t like to concentrate too much.
That person trained all night and headed to the training ground early in the morning.
It means that there has been a mental change.
‘Is it because of that guy?’
It takes a big shock to bring about change in a person’s life.
Coincidentally, Hector also experienced a life-changing shock during last year’s blessing ceremony.
Hector touched his once healthy cheek, feeling a tingling sensation for some reason.
‘… A similar thing happened to Brother Heero.’
Then, for the first time, I felt a sense of kinship with the eldest son, Heiro Badniker, whom I had only assumed as a competitor and an enemy to one day surpass.
Of course, since this was a one-sided feeling, it was difficult to express it carelessly… … .
“… Hector.”
“yes?”
“Shall we spar in the morning?”
Hector stopped without realizing it.
“You mean Dalian?”
“huh. “I unintentionally got a glimpse of your training yesterday, and I was quite interested in imperial swordsmanship.”
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“… … .”
“I think you too would have something to learn from experiencing my strong sword. how is it? Of course, there’s nothing you can do if you don’t feel like it.”
“no.”
Hector smiled slightly as he looked at Heiro, who was talking while avoiding eye contact.
“Please do your part.”
* * *
After sparring, we had breakfast together.
Badniker’s chef witnessed the rare sight of his eldest son and second son, who had never been friends, sitting side by side at the same table and having a meal.
In order not to spoil the scenery, I showed off my skills without any filtering.
As a result, Heiro and Hector ended up eating a little too much for breakfast.
After training, we split up for a while and got back together around lunch. Plus Nero Badniker.
It is for the sake of Sanghyeolgong’s greetings.
Waiting room on the 4th floor.
Hiiro asked while looking around.
“Where is Luan?”
“You said you wouldn’t be attending.”
“okay? Well, isn’t that strange?”
Nero looked up in confusion at Heiro’s words.
“Isn’t this strange?”
“I don’t think he likes Badknicker very much. He doesn’t seem to follow his father like we do… … . “Sometimes he even showed signs of reluctance.”
“ah.”
Hector was convinced because this was something he had often felt.
“… however.”
Heero’s relaxed voice suddenly became cold.
“Why is there an uninvited guest in this waiting room for my father’s greeting?”
“huh?”
Raizen, who was sipping tea from a distance, looked exaggeratedly surprised and pointed at himself.
“Me?”
“Stop that attitude.”
“You’ve been grumpy since daylight. Are you the owner of this mansion? You can go anywhere, you can’t go anywhere… … . Do you have the right to say that? “It’s not even Sogaju.”
Raizen frowned and said while looking at the collector.
“This room is the lounge? Even if I can’t say hello, isn’t it okay to rest here? is not it? Collector.”
“In principle, there is no problem.”
As the collector bowed his head politely, Raizen shrugged his shoulders. A movement that seems to say, “Look!”
Heiro looked at Raizen as if he was annoyed, but he was not a very communicative person to begin with, so he ended up keeping his mouth shut.
The main reason was that my father’s bedroom was right nearby and I didn’t want to cause any fuss.
Raizen, who did not particularly care about such things, spoke while looking at the collector this time.
“Anyway, it’s troublesome to keep calling you collector and collector. “I don’t think I’ve heard your name yet?”
With those words, the collector who gathered here to face the sons of Iron Blood Prince… Ludwig, who was disguised as a , responded.
“It’s called Bigson. “I’m sorry for the late introduction.”
“It’s an unusual name.”
“I hear it often.”
Raizen looked at Ludvik with strange eyes, but Ludvik just brushed it off with a calm attitude.
I couldn’t see it through at a glance like Luan, but it seems like there’s something that’s holding me back.
Heero said.
“When does the greeting start?”
“Starting at noon, people will be admitted one by one. The time limit will be 5 minutes per person.”
Although the time was shorter than expected… … .
Hector soon realized that it was a good time.
Since Sanghyeolgong is unconscious anyway, he won’t even be able to have a conversation.
A dull moment passed in silence, and soon the hour and minute hands reunited at the top.
Heero was the first to enter.
Is that guy also nervous?
Heiro Badniker got up with a somewhat stiff expression and left the waiting room.
‘… … .’
Hector, who was left behind, felt strangely nervous.
In fact, the situation in which I came to visit my father in the hospital was still unrealistic.
In the bedroom beyond this thin wall, an unconscious Sanghyeolgong is lying… … .
miss you.
But on the other hand, I don’t want to see it.
Conflicting thoughts collided inside, causing anxiety.
“Hmph.”
Risen Badniker was humming a tune and reading the ledger, wondering what was fun even in this situation.
I was strangely interested in the sight, and as I watched, our eyes met.
“Do you have anything to say?”
“… “He is the owner of a commercial company.”
“however.”
“What kind of business is it?”
“Xyren Company.”
“… … !”
Then Nero, who had been quiet, looked at Raizen with a surprised face.
This is because Xiren Trading Company was a top-tier trading company whose stock price was currently rising rapidly in the empire.
There is a wide range of products that are of guaranteed quality, and above all, the contract completion rate is close to 100%.
I heard that compensation in the event of a violation is also the fastest among the imperial chambers.
“You are the owner of Zairen Company?”
“huh. But don’t think about eating it with your bare mouth. “I only do business with worthy partners.”
“… … .”
Hector, who was dazed, understood a little late.
Has this guy decided that I’m not worth it?
It is natural to return rudeness, but before Hector could say anything, the door opened and Heiro returned.
“You’re here. “Perhaps my father’s condition is-.”
“… … .”
Heiro did not reply.
With a stern look on his face, he took his jacket from the room and left.
Next in line was Nero Badniker, but she did not return to her room even after visiting hours.
After a while, the collector who checked the situation said this.
“Lady Nero has passed away.”
“… … .”
“It’s your turn, Master Hector. Let’s go.”
“hmm.”
Hector stood up with a nervous look on his face.
I followed the collector and headed to Sanghyeolgong’s bedroom. His heart trembled as he headed to a place he had never set foot in before.
Hector took a deep breath out of nervousness and opened the door… … .
“… … .”
The moment I saw the Sanghyeolgong on the bed, I understood the reactions of those before me.
* * *
The rain that had been falling since last night gradually became heavier, and after the sun set, it started pouring down.
For a spring beach, the force was so fierce that it was reminiscent of heavy rain that can only be seen during the rainy season.
The pouring rain seemed to be suppressing the airflow throughout the mansion, but today, the atmosphere of the main building, combined with the quieter atmosphere, created a strange silence.
‘no.’
Maybe Hector himself feels that way.
“… … .”
I swung my sword to shake off the distracting thoughts, but it had no real effect.
Thanks to this, Hector was able to skip lunch and dinner training for the first time in a long time. If you try to swing it while your mind is clouded, you will not be able to practice it, so you have no choice but to give up.
I had no choice but to sit in my room and look at the rain pouring down through the window, when suddenly I heard a knock on the door.
‘I would have said I would skip dinner.’
I got up and opened the door to see if he had brought his own meal, but the person there was somewhat unexpected.
“Brother Hector.”
“Dolver?”
It was Dolver, Badniker’s sixth son.
Dolver bowed with a weak-looking face and scratched his head sheepishly.
“Did it somehow disturb your rest?”
“Not really. “Do you have anything else to do with me?”
“Oh, that’s because I haven’t seen Luan since this morning. “I was wondering if you would know.”
Hector tilted his head.
“I didn’t see you today either. “I heard you refused to greet your father, so maybe he’s at Socheoldang?”
“I thought so, so I went to Socheoldang for the first time, but I heard that he left early in the morning and hasn’t returned yet.”
“okay?”
Hector tilted his head, but he didn’t think it was anything particularly strange.
This is a guy who has never been seen staying in one place in the first place.
After the protection ceremony, I wandered around the entire empire as if I had some kind of wanderlust.
“He might be doing personal business, or he might be talking to the council of elders. “Anyway, I have no clue.”
“ah… okay. Excuse me. older brother. “Have a good night.”
“okay. you also-.”
That’s the moment.
Hector’s expression became frighteningly stiff. So much so that Dolber, who was standing in front, was startled and took a step back.
“Tongue, brother?”
“What is this…?” … .”
I got goosebumps.
This is because an energy that could never be felt in Badknicker and should not be felt penetrated the top of my head.
An idea passed through Hector’s mind.
The school grounds immersed in darkness, the world behind the mirror, the blood-red moon we encountered there… … .
Hector quickly looked around as if looking for something. Then, my gaze suddenly turned to the upper floor of the main building.
The dense and dark evil energy of the instrument was felt from there.
‘father!’
The next moment, Hector’s footsteps passed through the hallway in an instant and climbed the stairs to the fourth floor.
Cluttered air currents.
A large number of people could be felt on the 4th floor, where only a select few could enter.
Collectors including knights, maids, family elders whose faces even Hector had difficulty seeing, and even Assad.
They stood in front of Iron Blood Prince’s bedroom with a somewhat bewildered expression.
“… “What is this?”
Assad’s face, who had never lost his cool, hardened.
“Assad, what on earth is going on?”
Hector stopped talking.
Iron Blood Ball’s sleeping quarters.
This is because I witnessed the sight of Sanghyeolgong sitting in that room with a blank face.
“… “Here.”
Sanghyeolgong’s lips trembled.
My murky gaze turned to the empty chair next to the bed.
“It looks like someone was there.”
