Chapter 359
Chapter 359
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 359
Chapter Title: Side Story 43. Guardian of the Family (2)
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"Mom. What's this rock?"
Erin tilted her head.
In front of her stood a rock as tall as a castle wall, smooth and gleaming.
Its grayish-white surface was densely inscribed with people's names.
Adeshan looked up at her daughter, who was riding on the pony.
"Come to think of it, you haven't been here before, have you, Erin? This is a memorial stone."
"A memorial stone?"
"Yes. It's a monument to honor the warriors who died bravely in battle. The memorial stone up in the north has Grandma's and your uncles' names on it too."
Adeshan gently stroked the memorial stone.
All those engraved here had fallen in the final battle.
The memorial stone in Ronan’s territory of Valtua overlooked the lake that had once been connected to the Nebula Klazie headquarters.
"Whoa, so this is the Mirror Lake from the history books?! The one connected to the Pale Castle?"
Erin's little feet kicked excitedly.
She came to the Valtua villa once a month but had no idea.
The Pale Castle where the final showdown with Nebula Klazie had taken place.
She knew the lake connected to it was somewhere in Paradise Forest, but to think it was right in the family territory.
Seeing her daughter's reaction, Adeshan smiled.
"Hehe, it was connected back then."
"Back then? Not anymore?"
"Right. Your principal, Kratir, twisted the passage connecting it to the headquarters. Now, if you go in recklessly, you'll just catch a cold."
"Eek, that's not fair!
Where's the fun in that?"
Erin's cheeks puffed out.
She had hoped for at least some gossip-worthy adventure.
Resting her chin on Adeshan's head, she muttered.
"Then why are we here? Is this Dad's workplace?"
"No, not that. But Dad always stops by here before work."
"Why?"
"Hmm... why do you think?"
On the day of the field trip, Ronan had brought the whole family here.
Instead of answering, Adeshan turned her gaze to Ronan.
Once her junior and comrade-in-arms.
Now her husband stood not far away, hands in his pockets, looking up at the memorial stone.
"......"
Beside him, Lanse stood awkwardly.
Like Erin, it was his first time here, so he wasn't sure how to act.
Ronan, who had been silent, finally spoke.
"Balzac."
"Yes?"
"A mosquito who was close to me. Remember Aunt Ophelia?"
"Ah, yes. Of course."
Lanse nodded vigorously.
One of his parents' classmates.
The vampire girl who visited home once or twice a year.
Her snow-pale skin and crimson eyes held a demonic allure no human could match.
"He was the guy who had a crush on Ophelia. Like the Schlieffen of mosquitoes, you could say. Good background, decent looks too. Later, their misunderstandings cleared up, and they could have made a great pair."
"'Could have'...?"
"Yeah. It didn't happen. He died right before the final war. This loyal mosquito dragged his shredded body—beyond recognition—to deliver the headquarters' location to your mom."
Ronan gave a wry smile.
He regretted quitting smoking at times like this.
The Shadow Archduke's brother.
The vampire who became a hero in death—his name was engraved at the very top of the memorial stone.
"That's..."
"Of course, Balzac isn't the only tragic story. Plenty more. Dying and leaving behind wives and kids was standard, and there are tons of cases where parents and children fell together. Every name here is a tragedy that could fill textbooks."
It still felt like yesterday.
The moment war breaks out, lives become worthless scraps.
Every blink claims lives, each with their own stories.
'Fucking war.'
No life was ever cheap.
All Ronan could do was strive to end the war as quickly as possible.
Finishing his brief reminiscence, Ronan placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
"Son. War is total shit."
"......Yes."
"Just saying. Don't get too down. Someone might think you killed all these people."
"Th-that's not...!"
"Kidding, man. Anyway, one minute of silence."
With that, Ronan bowed his head.
It was a rare serious side of his father.
Lanse clasped his hands and lowered his gaze.
Remembering those who died to bring peace.
Watching them, Erin slowly nodded.
"Dad really is a good guy."
"Hehe, you think so too, Erin?"
"Yeah. Though he seems to hate looking like one."
The mother and daughter laughed.
Soon, Ronan finished the silence and looked back at Balzac's name.
May he be sipping the finest blood in mosquito heaven.
"By the way, they should be here soon."
"Huh? Who?"
"Didn't I tell you? It's not just us..."
Ronan was midway through.
Whoosh!
A sudden gale swept in, casting a shadow over the family.
Lanse, sensing the eerie aura, jerked his head up, but the shadow was already gone.
And then.
"Long time no see. This lake too."
"What."
A unfamiliar voice echoed from behind Lanse.
A low, heavy voice he'd never heard before.
Turning hurriedly, he saw a tall, lanky man standing there.
"Wh-who are you?"
The man, taller than his mom, had a long, black coat draped over his shoulders, out of season.
His waist-length black hair made him look like a living shadow.
The man slowly scanned the surroundings, his gaze landing on Lanse.
"Hup...!"
Lanse froze.
The crimson eyes blazed with vertically slit pupils like a reptile's.
No explanation needed—he knew instinctively.
This was an absurdly powerful being.
As Lanse's trembling hand reached for his sword hilt.
"He looks like you. Your kid?"
The man said curtly.
Lanse's hand stopped at the baffling words.
Ronan strode over and threw an arm around the man's shoulders.
"Yeah. Pretty promising, right?"
"Better prospects than you back then."
"Still got that mouth on you. Aren't you hot? Long coat in this blazing sun."
"Not hot. Let go."
"Just a bit longer. Definitely cooler, like a reptile."
The man tried to shake off the arm around his neck, but Ronan held firm.
Only when a beastly growl escaped did Ronan release him.
Erin, who had sidled up to Lanse's back, whispered.
"Bro. Who is he?"
"......No idea."
Lanse shook his head.
Ronan was smiling, so not an enemy.
But the ominous aura rising from the man kept him on edge.
Adeshan smiled as she faced the man.
"Long time no see, Lord Orse."
"O-Orse?!"
Lanse and Erin gasped.
A name they'd heard countless times growing up.
'No way, the legendary black dragon from the legends? Nah, can't be.'
Must be a mistake.
Orse the Black Dragon.
Hero of the Nebula Klazie war, once a ferocious dragon who razed the continent.
The dragon second only to Navardoje in fame—why would he come here?
Orse ignored the two denying reality and returned the greeting.
"Hm. Field commander, huh."
"Hehe, a nostalgic title. It's been over ten years already."
"A mere instant to me. You've gained more realms since we last met."
"You've grown stronger too, Lord Orse. Kids, say hello to Dad's friend."
"Fr-friend?"
Adeshan stroked the siblings' heads.
Orse's brow furrowed slightly, but he didn't deny being Ronan's friend.
The hesitant Lanse and Erin bowed politely.
"Nice to meet you, Lord Orse. I'm Erin de Valtua."
"......Lanse."
Orse nodded curtly in response.
His cool reaction suggested he wasn't fond of kids.
"I heard you're helping my husband this time. Thank you for coming to pick us up."
"Hmph. Just here for some fresh air without the scent of blood. Where's the murder machine's kid?"
"Ah, she's coming separately. Using a space scroll, so soon..."
"Uncle Orse!"
Mid-sentence from Adeshan.
A shadow burst from the side, latching onto Orse's neck.
A familiar face—tulip-red hair.
Orse glanced at the girl and clicked his tongue.
"Get off. And who're you calling uncle?"
"Ahaha, you're always so prickly, Uncle. Didn't miss me?"
"Didn't."
"Not honest. Though that's your charm."
Sechika giggled.
Orse sighed wearily, as if resigned from experience.
Erin, peeking from behind Lanse, frowned.
"......Sister Sechika?"
"Oh, Erin too? Hi!"
Sechika waved cheerfully.
She wore explorer gear like the siblings, not her usual casual clothes.
Erin asked warily.
"What brings you here, Sis?"
"Huh? Didn't Lanse tell you? We're doing the parents' job experience together."
Sechika explained simply.
Ronan and Asel had agreed to show their work, and the site was in the south.
Lanse blinked in surprise at the news.
"First time hearing it."
Ronan had forgotten to tell the kids, naturally.
Sechika hopped off Orse's shoulder.
"Eh? For real?"
"Yeah."
"Whatever. More fun together. I spent vacations following Mom's merchant group, so I barely knew Dad's work either."
She strode over and linked arms with Lanse.
Her large, clear eyes were peridot like Marya's.
Sechika asked back.
"Or do you not wanna go with me?"
"Ugh."
Lanse's face flushed at her boldness.
Up close, Sechika smelled like wildflowers.
"......Not that."
"Hehe, good enough."
Sechika pulled his arm tighter.
As Ronan and Adeshan watched the pair with amused expressions.
A voice came from Ronan's waist.
"Dad. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Huh? Tell what?"
"That Sister Sechika was coming too."
Looking down, he saw Erin pouting fiercely.
Her round, pretty eyes were sharply narrowed like his when young.
Ronan’s lips curved at his daughter's novel cuteness.
"Oops, forgot to mention. Want me to cheer 'Long live my girl'?"
"No."
"Eh? N-no?"
"Don't know. I hate you, Dad. Stay away."
Erin turned away.
Her sudden chill evoked a northern gale.
She wedged between Lanse and Sechika, prying them apart.
Ronan muttered blankly.
"......Honey. What did I do?"
"Ahaha, she's at that age where big bro's cooler."
Adeshan covered her laugh.
Having grown up with two brothers, she understood Erin's feelings.
Ronan scratched his head, utterly baffled.
Suddenly, Orse's voice rang out.
Unlike before, his voice boomed across the entire forest.
In an instant, shadows blanketed everyone's heads.
Mana spreading ominously warped the air.
Lanse instinctively pulled his sister close.
"Wh-what...!"
Turning, they saw Orse in his true form.
His neck soared skyward, too long to see the end.
Scales like the darkest night stayed shrouded even in harsh sunlight.
"Whoa. First time seeing Uncle transform since I was five."
Sechika whistled in admiration.
Then, four wings like Sita's—but incomparably vast—unfurled from Orse's body.
The black wings veiled the sky like a curtain.
Finally, Orse lowered his massive head, rivaling the memorial stone, and growled.