047
The Custoria family had a separate building called the Silver Moon Hall. It was located a little away from the other buildings, and the surrounding area was extremely quiet.
“Eunwolgwan is a place where retired elderly people stay.”
Heilas was walking ahead, wearing his Royal Guard uniform. He and I were heading to the Silver Moon Pavilion.
“Servants and other relatives don’t come near Eunwol Gwan.”
There was no sign of people on the way to Eunwol Gwan.
“An android is enough for an errand boy. And the elders tend to avoid contact with others. They shouldn’t exert direct influence. After all, the elders are merely advisors. Their role is to restrain the head of the household from going out of control.”
It seemed that the elders did not have any direct influence on the decision-making process. After all, if that were the case, the head of the household would be a puppet.
Heilas explained about the elders of the Silver Moon Hall. There were seven of them. If there were many, there were many, and if there were few, there were few.
“It’s rare for someone to live long enough to be treated as an elder within a family. They die and disappear for various reasons. The fact that they’re still alive today proves that they deserve to be an elder.”
“Was there anyone who opposed the adoption?”
“Two against, four silent, one for.”
“There are more cons than pros.”
“Silence is the will of the head of the household. That’s why the head of the household’s decisions are usually not passed. Even opposition is just an expression of concern, so there’s no need to take it seriously.”
Heilas and I stood at the main entrance of Eunwol-gwan. The doors opened left and right on their own. It was dark inside, but as we entered, the lights came on.
The old, dusty smell characteristic of old houses stung my nose. In fact, it was the oldest building among the Custoria mansions.
On the first floor, there was a curved staircase extending upwards, one on each side. I followed Heila’s lead and climbed the stairs.
Squeak.
The wooden stairs creaked so loudly that it was questionable whether they could support the weight of the body.
“Don’t worry, it’s stronger than you think.”
When I hesitated, Heilas laughed.
As we went up to the second floor, the hallway was long. We went into the room at the innermost part.
The first thing that caught my eye was a large three-legged incense burner. It was the source of the faint smell that had been coming from the hallway on the second floor. The incense burner was in the center of the room, and beyond it sat the shadowy elders.
The smoke from the incense burner formed a curtain between the elder and us.
“Ah, Heilas is here.”
“Oh, I should call you ‘Master.’”
“He’s my grandson, so what?”
“If you look at it that way, you’re like my nephew.”
“We’re all growing old together, tsk… … .”
The conversation, which had a dignified and sophisticated atmosphere, was quite ordinary. I held back laughter and maintained a blank expression.
“Ahem.”
Heilas coughed. Only then did the elders’ chatter cease.
The figure of the elder, visible through the darkness and smoke, was not even distinguishable in gender. They were wearing black robes that covered their feet, and their faces were covered with veils that did not reveal their facial features. Their voices were also similar, perhaps because they had been altered.
“This child is Luca… … Us.”
Heilas introduced me. It seems like he’s not used to my new name either. I guess he’ll keep calling me Luca. I find that more convenient.
“Yeah, that’s the kid.”
“He looks smart. Judging from his face, he looks like he could survive even if he had to eat his father and mother.”
The elder who just spoke… … has quite the insight.
The elders were muttering and spouting off words about me. The murmuring grew louder, and Haylas and I just stood there and waited.
“Come closer, Lucas.”
One of the elders said, and I approached the incense burner in the center.
“You may pass the incense burner.”
The elder who had called me extended his arm and gestured. The other elders’ murmurs died down.
“Closer.”
I walked mechanically. I was close enough to the seated elders that I could touch them if I stretched out my hand.
Ssuk.
The elder stood up, his robes long and drawn. He reached out and placed his hand on my cheek. I looked up, but I could not read the expression on his face beyond the veil.
“Child, please live long. To do so, you must swallow the chaos, not be swept away by it. Even if your throat is torn to pieces.”
The elder looked down at me and said, They must know a lot, including the complex environment surrounding me.
“… … I think so.”
I thought about what to say in response and then just blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
I had a feeling that the elder who touched my cheek would be the one who approved of my adoption.
The elder sat down and motioned for me to come over. I walked past the incense burner and back to Heilas. After that, the elders began to chat again.
Anyway, my adoption was already decided. The reason I came here was to show my face. I listened to a lot of words that I couldn’t tell if they were good words or bad words.
“Everyone, keep your mouths shut. Then, let’s move on to the next item, Your Majesty.”
The elder standing on the far right spoke, unable to bear it any longer. Only then did Haylas open his mouth as if he had been waiting for it.
“Then from now on… … .”
“Ah, I have to send Lucas out before that. I have a meeting to attend to now.”
After hearing the elder’s words, I turned around and tried to leave.
Bam.
Heilas grabbed my shoulder and stopped me.
“It’s okay if Lucas is there.”
The elders whispered among themselves in small voices.
“If the Lord has decided so, then I will continue.”
I sat there and listened to the elders and the head of the household talk for an hour. There were some interesting things, but most of it was just boring.
Squeak, thud.
After the meeting, Haylas and I left the room. As soon as we left the main gate of Eunwol Gwan, I asked Haylas.
“Why did you come to the meeting instead of sending me out?”
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… … Perhaps even Nicholas and Jupe never attended the Council of Elders.
“You have to find the answer yourself, Luca.”
Heilas spoke without looking back. It seemed like this was Heilas’ way of raising children. It’s a shame that the children will suffer.
* * *
It was the morning of the last day of my stay at my parents’ house.
As I left the room, a boy a head shorter than me was there pointing a pistol.
“My dad said that kids like you can even dodge bullets. Is that true?”
It was an innocent voice. I stared at the child. I knew the child’s face and name very well.
‘Emilio Custoria, son of the eldest son, Nicolaos.’
I don’t want to call you nephew. I guess I should call you a cowardly puppy.
“Emilio, you know I’m your uncle, right?”
“Yeah, I know. But you’re from the dirty lower classes.”
Calling him a one-night stand puppy is an excessive compliment. Let’s call him a worthless worm.
Emilio was aiming at my head from about two paces away. I could dodge, but it was a death shot if I made a mistake.
“If you don’t put that gun away, I’m going to beat your butt up until it’s on fire.”
I warned you.
“You? You put your hands on my body? You’re making me laugh.”
I can’t help but sigh. Nikolaos seems smart, but it seems like he’s done a terrible job raising his children.
Creak.
There’s a clicking sound of gun parts engaging. This crazy kid is really pulling the trigger.
Ta-Ang!
The gunshots rang out. I stood still. It was close range, but I expected it to miss.
“Why didn’t you avoid it! You should have moved and avoided it!”
Emilio jumped up and down in anger. He tried to aim his gun at me again.
widely!
I reached out. The gun caught my fingers and shot up. I turned the gun around and snatched it away.
‘Only eight or nine years old… … .’
When I was Emilio’s age… … I was getting into a fistfight with some kids from an orphanage over a loaf of bread. Thinking about it, I feel a little angry.
“When, are you going to hit me?”
Emilio stepped back in confusion. I shook my head and aimed the gun I had taken at Emilio’s forehead.
“No, I’ll kill you.”
Emilio’s pupils dilated at my words. The strength in his legs was fading away. As if I had been waiting, I pulled the trigger.
bang!
The bullet passed through Emilio’s skull and lodged in the ground.
“Ah, ah, uh, Jin, did you really shoot?”
Emilio, who had slumped down, looked up at me with blank eyes. His pants were soaked with yellow liquid. A pungent smell was rising.
“Go and tell your father. He said your uncle tried to kill you.”
I kicked Emilio in the chest with my foot and sent him falling down the stairs. The chubby Emilio rolled down the stairs.
Servants came running from all directions after hearing the gunshots. At first, they had no idea what was happening.
“Emilio! Are you okay?”
Nikolaos also ran over and hugged Emilio. Emilio, with tears and a runny nose, hugged Nikolaos.
“What’s going on, Luca?”
Nikolaos glared at me and spoke coldly.
“I taught him a lesson because he pointed a gun at an adult. I made sure he never does something like that again.”
I turned the gun around in my hand and offered the handle to Nikolaos. Nikolaos examined the gun and sighed.
“Is that so? But… … .”
“but?”
I was a little angry too. If it had been someone else, he could have died. Even at a young age, that kid was taking other people’s lives lightly. He would treat his subordinates like toys.
“… …Um, can we talk just the two of us for a moment?”
Nikolaos left Emilio with the nanny and went into my room. I followed Nikolaos inside and closed the door.
thud.
The door is closed.
“Okay, Luca. People outside will probably think we’re in serious conflict.”
Nikolaos sat down in the chair by the window, smiling as if he had never looked so serious before. I frowned. I thought I knew what was going on.
“Did you create this opportunity to see me alone like this because you were afraid that others would think you were forming an alliance if you met separately?”
Last night, Nikolaos must have incited Emilio’s outburst.
“As expected, you are excellent. Your mind seems to work three times faster than Jupe’s.”
“Emilio’s life could have been in danger. Did he come from somewhere?”
“No, he is my biological son. But even if something happens, I can just have another child. I still have a lot of sperm left.”
If Emilio had died in front of me, I would have been in a very difficult position, no matter what the reason. It would mean that the eldest grandson of the Custoria family would die.
“Did you think you could talk comfortably after trapping me?”
I went over to open the door, intending to let Nikolaos out.
“I know for sure that you are already allied with Giselle.”
I turned my head and grabbed the doorknob.
“So?”
“I can guess what Giselle said. She probably said things that seemed to be in my favor. But the truth is different. If things continue this way, Jupe will be the next to take over. If that happens, I might not be able to save my life. This is a situation where I have to ignore the little things.”
To Nikolaos, his son’s life seemed like a ‘minor matter’.
To be honest, I was a little intrigued by Nikolaos. I sat down across from him and looked at the wall clock.
“It’s five minutes.”
“Thank you for your valuable time.”
