Episode 344
8 p.m.
A bit late for dinner.
Hector Badniker was the first to arrive at Cycheoldang, the meeting place.
He came about an hour early, and it wasn’t just because of his stubborn personality of never breaking his scheduled appointment time.
There are two other reasons.
First, because the evening training ended early and there was nothing to do.
And second. Because the guy who created this today is the person Hector cares about the most recently.
That person was like a storm that swept away wherever he went and caused trouble… … .
I felt like I was being quiet in my family.
‘… ‘What on earth are you trying to say?’
Looking at the contents of the letter, it seems that it was not only Hector who was called here today, but also all of my other brothers and sisters, but I couldn’t imagine what the purpose was.
On the other hand, I wondered how many people would actually gather.
This is because the children of the Iron Blood Duke were not close enough to sit together at the dining table and have a meal together.
‘Now that I think about it, everyone has never gathered together yet.’
The emergency situation of Iron Blood Prince’s critical condition brought together his children from all over the empire to his home, but there was rarely a chance for them to gather in one place.
It’s not that there wasn’t even a hint of such a place being created… … .
To put it bluntly, on a day when we were planning to exchange opinions and discuss if possible, Luan, who arrived last, boasted that she could cure Sanghyeolgong.
To be exact, this is what the nun named Razbet who accompanied me said.
At first, Hector, like a bad nicker, felt great resistance to the presence of outsiders, but when the actual results were shown, there was nothing else to say.
Iron Blood Ball was completely cured.
At least the body.
“… … .”
Hector naturally remembered his father on the bed, and immediately sighed softly.
I had tried to forget, but it is difficult to control the flow of thoughts.
But I was able to force myself to think differently.
Hector thought about his brothers again and thought that it wouldn’t be surprising if they all gathered together.
I don’t know why, but even self-indulgent brothers like Heiro and Raizen who are not swayed by others’ words showed quite a bit of respect for Luan’s words.
‘… ‘Did you get hit?’
like me? … The noble family name has been removed. When I think about that time, my facial muscles still tingle.
Suddenly.
The person who appeared before I even thought about it was Heiro Badknicker.
The young hero glanced around the hall with his characteristic languid eyes, and immediately after making eye contact with Hector, he spoke briefly.
“You came quickly.”
“… yes.”
Hector didn’t know that he was going to talk, so Hector answered a beat late.
Heero nodded once and went to sit in a random seat. Then he rested his chin and lowered his eyes with a bored expression.
“… … .”
“… … .”
Hector looked at Heero’s eyes.
The atmosphere itself wasn’t much different from the last time I saw it, but the attitude was somewhat unfamiliar.
Actually, a few times I felt like Hiiro had changed a bit.
Should I say that it seems to have become softer? Originally, it didn’t feel sharp or harsh.
“… … .”
“… … .”
Awkward silence.
Since they were not close enough to talk about personal things, of course there was no conversation between them.
From Hector’s point of view, this was especially inevitable because the memories of the last time we met were not very pleasant.
Hector hoped that someone would come to break this silence… … .
At that moment, the door opened again.
I lifted my head with joy.
“… … .”
“… … .”
The one who appeared this time was Nero.
Although he is reticent, he is the best among his siblings.
Unlike Heero, Nero didn’t even say hello, but sat down near Heero and folded his arms.
‘… ‘Of course.’
Hector does not have a good relationship with his older brother.
There may be a problem with their personalities, but there must also be a problem with the attitude Hector had in the past.
The meal time that Iron Blood Ball had in his private time just one day a year… … .
Only three people could be invited to that glorious occasion.
Hiero, Nero, and finally Hector.
Although they were equal in terms of position, Hector had a deep sense of inferiority towards them.
Dazzling talent and performance to match… … .
Those two are the closest to being the next matriarch. People who don’t know anything add Hector’s name to that list… … .
Actually, that is not the case.
Hector could see the gap between them and himself.
There is a big difference in terms of physical strength.
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Rather than narrowing, the gap will likely widen as time passes.
This is why Hector did not focus only on training, but also had connections with the nobles of the island.
But I knew better than anyone else that that wasn’t like a ‘Bad Knicker’.
My father would definitely not approve of me like this… … .
“… … .”
I sighed again.
As Hector thought about it, he inevitably came to the conclusion that he was an iron-blooded hero.
Since he is a person who can be said to be everything in life, it is inevitable.
“Why sigh?”
But this time I wasn’t alone.
Heero, who was looking at Hector, asked, and Hector hesitated for a moment and then said.
“… Heiro, you must have seen your father too, right?”
At least some of the children should have known what state the Iron Blood Ball was in when he came to his senses.
Assad chose Hiero, Nero, and Hector as the characters. Apart from Luan, who was completely cured.
This means that before Hector faced Sanghyeolgong, it was Heiro who greeted him first.
“Byeonji.”
“But you don’t seem to mind. You seem calm… … .”
“Do you think so? I was very surprised to see this. I was also embarrassed. “But my father isn’t dead, so there’s no need to make a fuss.”
“Even if it continues like that?”
“huh.”
Heiro said in a calm voice.
“Because he is alive. “I wonder if it will work out somehow.”
“… … .”
At that insignificant reply, Hector’s long-forgotten inferiority complex seemed to rise again.
This is because I also envied such a strong personality and a disposition that was not easily shaken.
‘… Should I have gone to Heros too?’
There is no group better than Heros as they gain practical experience and become stronger in a short period of time.
Hector knows this all too well.
However, if you walk the same path, you will never be able to surpass Hiiro.
Because I thought so, I decided to aim for the Royal Knights as a member of the imperial family.
I didn’t think it was a wrong choice, but looking at Heero’s attitude now, that thought was somewhat shaken.
In the end, maybe I ran away again… … .
After that, the conversation stopped abruptly.
This is because Hector closed his mouth with a stiff expression that anyone could see.
“… … .”
If it had been Hiiro in the past, he would have spoken or scoffed regardless of his attitude, but now he kept his mouth shut.
Unfortunately, Hector, who was absorbed in his own thoughts, did not realize that fact.
After about 30 minutes more, the brothers and sisters began to gather one after another.
Most of the sisters, including Lina, Olivia, and Everan, attended. Everyone was gathered except for her eldest daughter, Aquata.
On the other hand, the siblings’ attendance rate is very low.
The eldest son and second son arrived quickly, but the other three showed no sign of showing up.
Fortunately, Ryzen Badniker wandered in with one minute left.
“I’m not the last one, am I?”
“for now.”
“Thank goodness.”
Raizen sighed exaggeratedly and sat down in his seat.
and… … .
Tick.
As soon as the second and minute hands touched each other, the door flew open and the hero of the day appeared.
“… … .”
Luan didn’t mind the attention focused on her.
He heads to the head of the table with a carefree face, not knowing what he’s thinking.
And instead of necessarily sitting on the chair, he sat diagonally on the armrest of the chair, and strangely, his poor appearance suited him quite well.
“Why are you so quiet? I thought no one came. “Are you sure everyone is here?”
“I don’t think so. “If you see that there are a few unseen faces.”
In response to Heero’s response, Luan said, “Ah.”
“First of all, you two can’t come. Aquata came home this morning, and Dolver received an urgent call from the academy. Because both of them had [special reasons], their absence was acknowledged. In other words, practically everything is gathered.”
“huh? “Isn’t there someone other than those two who didn’t come?”
The moment Raizen spoke in a deep voice, Hector realized who the person who was not present was.
I forgot about him for a moment because he had a somewhat less presence compared to his brothers and sisters with strong personalities.
At that moment, the door opened rather roughly and Arts Badniker appeared.
“uh… … .”
Art’s eyes widened and he looked around. Her face said that she had never imagined that everyone but herself would be gathered together.
“… … .”
“… … .”
And Hector looked at Luan with a somewhat nervous face. For some reason, her heart began to beat faster, and her secret anticipation began to bloom.
This is because I had no idea how the owner of that damn personality would punish Ats for being late for an appointment.
Hector didn’t realize it again, but Heiro and Raizen were also looking at Arts with similar eyes.
Anyway, Atsu, who received all the attention from his brothers, was very embarrassed and quickly lowered his head.
“ah… … ! Forgive me for being late.”
“… … .”
Luan was the one who made the place today, but Atsu’s head was turned toward Heero.
Heero sat quietly without even nodding his head with an indifferent expression on his face, and Ats, embarrassed by his attitude, scratched his head.
“… … .”
At that time, Luan spoke in a surprisingly indifferent voice.
“Go to your seat and sit down.”
“… … .”
Atsu looked a little perplexed at the youngest’s command, but after looking at Heiro and Hector’s notice, he quietly went to his seat and sat down.
“good. So we’re really there now, right? The food will come out slowly, so just wait a little longer… … . First of all, I am touched that everyone came together even though we called at a late hour. I felt like I personally confirmed the brotherly love between brothers. “As the youngest, my emotions are endless.”
“What did you call me for?”
“hmm. “To hold the [1st Badniker Family Meeting].”
Everyone except Luan blinked at the sudden words.
Badniker, a family meeting.
It was a combination of words that did not go together like water and oil.
“… Family meeting? “What does that mean?”
“You don’t know? A family meeting is a gathering where family members gather together to discuss solutions when something big happens… … .”
“I’m not asking about meaning.”
“And the meaning is wrong. “A family meeting isn’t such a grand concept, is it?”
Raizen slightly backed up Hector’s words. Is Luan like that? He tilted his head and continued speaking.
“It doesn’t matter since we roughly understood the meaning. “I understand roughly.”
“… “Is this big deal about my father?”
“huh. “I’m sure everyone heard that he opened his eyes, and do you know that my father, who came to his senses, is not in a good condition?”
Atsu asked back.
“You’re not okay?”
“To be exact, it’s memory loss.”
“Luan… … !”
Hector was surprised and called Luan, but she had a calm face.
“why? Assad wants to hide?”
“Did you brag about it knowingly? … ?”
“I agree with the opinion about hiding it. But at least I think everyone here has the right to hear it.”
“what?”
“No matter how much you are respected in the family, this is something between you and us. “It is rather that person who should be left out.”
“… … .”
How many people in this family can treat Archmage Asad as an outcast?
Hector declared.
There won’t be one… … .
That is, except for this troublesome maknae in front of me right now.
“so? “What do you want to say?”
Olivia, who had been silent until now, opened her mouth.
Now that I think about it, it’s surprising that Olivia came here. This is because, unlike Nero, she gave the impression of being indifferent to everything.
Strangely enough, I can feel the goodwill in Luan’s expression and tone of voice.
“hmm.”
Luan scratched her head and slowly opened her mouth.
“… I thought about it carefully. “I think our family is a little crazy.”
“… … .”
The surroundings became quiet at Luan’s sudden remarks.
This is because it was not a statement that could easily be made by mistake.
‘Um, that crazy guy… … .’
Artsu thought that the brazen youngest had finally crossed the line.
The time has finally come for the older brothers, who value the prestige of their family more than anyone else, to fix that bastard’s messy hair… … .
“… … ?”
But there was no such sign.
Most of the people here were waiting for Luan’s next words.
Artsu was wondering if he should be angry and lost the timing, and Luan’s voice continued.
“Our father… Iron Bloodsmith Delac C. Badnicker. As a human being, I pay respect to his accomplishments. He used to think of his father as a born monster. He was born that way in the first place. Well, it’s probably not wrong at all. But when I thought about it again recently, I realized that it is not a problem that can be viewed so simply. “It was much more complex than I thought.”
“what?”
“Should I say it out loud? “A deformed family that is completely dependent on just one person is the current Badnicker.”
“rude!”
In the end, Atsu couldn’t stand it anymore and jumped up from his seat.
This is because I can no longer see Badniker being swayed by that youngest bastard.
“You’re crossing the line, Luan Badnicker. “Do you think you have the right to criticize this family, since you were a member of Badniker and were kicked out once?”
In fact, Arts was trying to be as patient as possible.
For someone who had the words ‘incompetent’ and ‘inferior’ stuck in his throat, he said it quite gentlemanly.
Atsu continued, suppressing the urge to say harsh words.
“I heard from Brother Hector at that time that you had become the head of the small family. It’s hard to believe, but seeing as they actually use Cycad, it’s probably not wrong. I don’t know how you got that position. However, no matter how much you are the head of a small family, you cannot ignore the insults to Badniker and the senior elders who lead the main family.”
“It’s not an insult, I’m just stating the truth. “If you felt that way, it means that the elders’ policy was wrong.”
“… … .”
Atsu was momentarily speechless.
“It’s not unexpected that my father ended up like that, much less unlucky. Something that was going to happen someday happened this time. “On the other hand, I am very fortunate that my life was saved.”
“I wish you could get to the point soon.”
Luan responded to Heiro’s words.
“good. This is the key point. As I said, my father has now lost his memory. Even though his body is strong, his mind is not, which means he cannot use even half of his power properly. However, at the end of the meeting, the elders who lead the family said that they would send my father, who ended up like that, on a mission again. “Do our brothers and sisters here agree with that judgment?”
“… If that is the decision of the council of elders, then we must follow it. “They are the ones who have led the family even before we were born.”
This time it was Hector who responded.
“Luan, now that I know something about your personality, I have a rough guess. You probably don’t like their decision. But telling us that doesn’t change anything.”
“… … .”
“You mainly responded to most unreasonable situations with force. That won’t be possible this time. Regardless of whether it is possible or not, even if you beat up all the elders, the atmosphere in the family will not change.”
Heero understood Hector’s reaction.
Since his maternal grandfather is a member of the elders’ council, it would be difficult to easily rebel against their decisions.
Hector stood up and shook his head.
“… I’m sorry, but if this meeting today goes against the will of the elders, I have nothing more to say. “Let’s just go.”
“Very well said!”
At the same time, Arts, who was so elated, also stood up from his seat.
Luan shook her head and said.
“What kind of half term? I didn’t mean to say that. “It’s not a place like that anymore.”
“… … .”
“I understand what you are saying, brother. “I understand, so please sit down for now.”
“Like I said, I have nothing more to say-.”
“Sit down. “When you say nice things.”
Atsu opened his eyes wide.
“… But is this child still unable to tell the difference between heaven and earth? You, you incompetent bastard. “Who on earth are you telling me to sit down?”
“The conversation isn’t over yet. “What kind of family etiquette is it to jump up and leave in the middle of a conversation?”
“under! There’s nothing more to hear! Let’s go, Hector.”
Arts, who had been shouting confidently, felt some sort of discomfort at that moment and turned around… … .
Before I knew it, I saw Hector sitting in his seat.
For some reason, his serious face seemed to be claiming that I had never stood up in the first place.
“… older brother?”
Looking at Ats, who finished speaking in a somewhat awkward voice, Luan snapped her fingers.
“Brother Atsu, Iricom.”
“uh… … ?”
“Come here.”
Badniker’s youngest son smiled, showing his teeth.
“Come to work, you bastard.”
