Chapter 449
Chapter 449
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Family (1)
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My heart sank. Adeshan's expression wasn't good at all.
A voice trembling like that of a terminally ill patient slipped through my lips.
"Not smooth... Don't tell me someone died? If so, let me deal with this bastard right now."
"No. There were no casualties. But all ten escorts suffered varying degrees of injury. It took my personal intervention to subdue him to a point where conversation was possible."
It was on the scale of capturing a man-eating beast alive. She had found the target in the Penal Legion stationed in the western continent. Resistance was fierce, but she barely managed to persuade and bring him using the note Ronan gave her (black hair, the bigger the better).
Adeshan's shuddering face brightened again.
"As expected of this world's Ronan. Such strength without any training—truly impressive."
"Phew... Glad it was nothing serious. Thank you so much."
A sigh of relief escaped me naturally. At this point in my life, I was in the middle of my most foul-tempered phase. I figured I wouldn't go as far as murder, but the fact that no one was crippled was nothing short of a miracle.
"So, where did you lock him up? The underground dungeon?"
"Of course not. Since bringing him two days ago, we've been treating him to the best hospitality. He's probably in the drawing room now. Asel is handling reception and observation to prevent any incidents."
"Asel? That won't be easy."
"He volunteered, believe it or not. I tried to dissuade him, saying it was scary, but he insisted since he's a friend from home. Heh, what a brave kid."
Adeshan laughed. Surprised by his unexpected maturity, I smiled too. Contrary to my worries, things seemed to be going well. Of course, he was probably suffering unnecessarily.
Just before heading to the drawing room, Cain politely expressed his gratitude.
"Thank you for your efforts and kind reception. Have a good evening."
"...No need. I heard you're Ronan-nim's father—is that true?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"Heh, you two look so alike, father and son. See you at dinner, Cain-nim."
Adeshan smiled with her eyes. Her tone carried a seductive lilt, and the atmosphere felt charged.
As we walked down the corridor, I poked Cain in the side.
"Hey. Thinking of remarrying?"
"What are you saying? I was just observing basic etiquette."
"The lady seemed quite taken with you."
"Unlikely, but even if true, I'd have to decline. My rule is never to touch a widow. My heart belongs eternally to one person—Kasha."
Kasha was my mother's name. His eyes told me it was sincere, leaving nothing more to say.
Honestly, I admired that kind of fidelity. Maybe that's why I could keep my wits amid the Witch of Disaster's embrace and fend off Naviroje noona's kiss—perhaps I inherited it from my father.
Cain said,
"By the way, I'd appreciate it if you held back on calling him a bastard. What if I turn into a dog?"
"Oh, forgot about that. Sorry."
"It's fine. I can become a dog conditionally with alcohol, so it's not entirely wrong. Come to think of it, I've never shared a drink with my children."
Cain muttered. It seemed he had a new goal.
As we chatted, the drawing room came into view. I was just about to open the ornate door.
"P-Please stop, Ronan! The family head won't stand for this!"
Asel's frantic voice echoed from beyond the door.
My hand paused on the knob.
A response laced with amusement came back.
"Whether they do or not. I warned you. If no guests arrive within an hour, I'll shit on this fine desk. How long has it been since I got here?"
"Th-That... an hour and a half?"
"You know it well. Then tell me, do the Acalusias not value punctuality? Is a noble Asel's thirty minutes precious as gold, while lowly peasant Ronan's thirty minutes can be ignored?"
"I... have nothing to say... But we're doing our best, so please... Eek! What are you doing?!"
"Asel. You're cleaning up human shit because of thirty minutes late. Even after all your success."
The sound of a zipper being pulled down rang out.
Cain and I turned to each other almost simultaneously.
"N-Nooo! Stop!!"
"Kuhaha! Despair! Wail in helplessness!"
The laughter boomed heartily. Asel was practically sobbing now.
I couldn't listen anymore.
"What the hell is this lunatic doing in someone else's house?"
Bam! I kicked the door open and stormed into the drawing room.
A man squatting on the desk and Asel stomping his feet came into view. Naturally, the man's face bore a striking resemblance to mine.
Our eyes met, and he furrowed his brow.
"Huh? Who the hell are you?"
"Y-You're here, Ronan! Waaah!"
Asel burst into tears and hid behind me.
The man's pants were already half-down. It wasn't a mere threat—he really meant to do it.
That confirmed his identity: this parallel world's me. Ronan-3.
Taking a deep breath, Cain smiled at him.
"Nice to meet you, Ronan."
"What's this old fart acting chummy for?"
"...Old fart? You talking to me?"
"Who else? Pfft, look at that hair... One of your parents must've fooled around with a goat."
Ronan-3 snickered. Cain froze. The barrage of insults spared no one.
After a long stillness, Cain murmured lowly.
"...So that's really my son."
Cain's eyes shook like a coachman who accidentally ran over a child. I could guess his feelings, but he hadn't exactly done right by him either.
I patted Cain's shoulder.
"What did you expect, abandoning him as an infant? You even piled curses on top."
"Yes... You're right. It's my fault... Definitely my fault, but..."
Cain trailed off. Ronan-3's ass was still bare.
Unable to find words for his birth son, Cain squeezed his eyes shut.
"...Sorry, but give me a smoke."
"Here."
I handed him the pipe from my inner pocket. Cain lit it expertly and exhaled white smoke with a sigh. It was so deep, his soul might escape.
Ronan-3 glared.
"Fuck, lighting up in my face all of a sudden. Didn't you hear me ask who you are?"
"Shut up and wait. You monkey who can't even control your shit, why so foul-mouthed?"
"What'd you say? Wanna go?"
Ronan-3 barked a hollow laugh. Killing intent rose over his ragged shirt. Asel, using me as cover, shrank back.
"Eek...!"
Killing intent filled the room in an instant. Fist clenched without a sword, he looked ready to charge. I'd thought Ronan-2 from the last world was bad, but this was a beast.
'Knock him out first?'
At this rate, blood would spill before we talked.
I was confident I'd thrash him one-sidedly if it came to a fight, but beating a son in front of his parent pricked even my conscience.
Scratching my head, I clicked my tongue.
"Tch... Forget it. Why fight? We're not kids."
"Coward bitch. Balls shriveling when crisis hits, huh?"
"Cut the crap. Forget the rest—I'm the one who called you here. Got the note?"
"Note?"
"The one with the girl preference. Ronan the private who likes big sis types."
"How do you... Wait, then!"
Ronan-3's face hardened. He was finally grasping the situation.
I nodded slowly.
"Yeah. I'm you from a parallel world."
"What bullshit... No, really?"
"Didn't you hear the runt call my name? Don't believe me, come closer."
I strode toward Ronan-3. The killing intent had long faded. He stood frozen, like bound in iron chains.
Scrutinizing my face, Ronan-3 let out an incredulous chuckle.
"...It's really me."
"Told you. You believe easily."
"Only I would know that info."
"True enough."
"Unbelievable. Thought the army was forcing my discharge with some scheme..."
Ronan-3 slumped onto the sofa. His voice lost strength, like he'd been possessed by a ghost. Still, he accepted it faster than Ronan-2.
Suddenly, his brows shot up as he turned to Cain.
"Wait. If you're the parallel me, then you...!"
"Yes. Ronan."
Cain nodded. The goat shock subsided, his face warm with a smile again. Approaching cautiously, Cain stood before him.
"I'm your father. We parted too young for you to remember. I had no way to reach you, but I missed you to my bones."
"Father... really?"
Ronan-3 stood. His voice was even more dazed than when talking to me. Understandable—suddenly summoned to a noble mansion, facing parallel self and a father from memory.
Cain placed hands on his son's shoulders.
"Yes, Ronan. I'm your father."
"Father..."
Father and son stood gazing for a long time. A warmth unique to family flowed between them. I watched their reunion with a pleased smile.
"You bastard."
Ronan-3's face twisted viciously.
"Huh?"
Before Cain could respond, Ronan-3 swung a clenched fist at his face.
Crack! A sharp impact sound, and Cain's head snapped back.
"Ugh...!"
Cain's lip split, blood spraying. Asel covered his mouth with both hands. At the unthinkable filial impiety, my hand went to my sword hilt.
"You punk, what the—"
"Wait. I'm fine, Ronan."
Staggering, Cain raised a hand to stop me. My half-drawn blade halted. Thankfully, no follow-up.
Ronan-3 glared between his trembling fist and father, growling through gritted teeth.
"What right do you have to show up now? Do you know how much our sister suffered because of you?"
"I'm sorry. I have no excuses."
"Fuck, why come now..."
His trailing voice dripped raw emotion. I couldn't interject anymore. I was just an intruder from another world—the true father-son were those two.
Cain wiped blood from his mouth and embraced his son.
"I'm sorry. Truly sorry."
"..."
Ronan-3 stood silent. Cain held the pose long. Glancing at me, he spoke.
"Son from another world. Let's go to Nimberton."
"...Home?"
"Yes. Need to see Iril too... Planned to stop by anyway. Above all..."
Pausing, Cain nodded.
"I have so much to teach you all."