Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Shadows of Betrayal
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I headed straight to Ian's office the moment I decided to become a junior knight.
Ralph was already there, along with another boy.
The boy had a face devoid of any emotion and pale green hair.
No doubt about it.
This was Cross, the man the Pador family trusted and relied on more than anyone.
Ian gave me a gentle, wistful smile at my arrival.
"You've come."
What an incredible guy.
He didn't show a hint of suspicion toward me.
If I hadn't lived my life in the Sichuan Tang Clan, I might have fallen for that act completely.
"Thank you for welcoming me."
"Hahaha, of course. You're my nephew, after all."
Ian offered me a seat. But then... I felt a silent glare.
Ralph was shooting me a sidelong glance.
Well, the poor guy's got it rough.
Abandoned by his father, Ian Pador.
He couldn't meet his expectations, so he wasn't even invited to the new family Ian had set up.
Ian pointed to Cross.
"You already know Ralph well enough... but this one's new to you, right?"
"Yes, it seems so."
New in this life, anyway.
In my first life, I'd seen this bastard plenty.
Back then, I even wanted to be like him.
He had talent that sparked envy.
"Take good care of him. He's my disciple now. He'll help you both out going forward."
Disciple?
Don't make me laugh.
Call it what it is.
This guy's Ian's dog.
A loyal retainer who'd throw away his life for the Pador family without hesitation.
But his true nature? Ian's right-hand man and one of the main culprits who brought the family to ruin.
The knight captains who died by his hand numbered two, and the knights under them were countless.
Above all... as the family's guardian, he pulled strings to let the Evil Society infiltrate, leaving the family defenseless and collapsing.
Of course, in the end, my eldest brother killed him after learning everything.
Ultimately, this guy and Ian's other dogs rotted the family from the inside out.
For me, I have to stop it at all costs.
In that sense, unlike the past, it's good news that I'm attending Ford's second son's birthday party as the second young master of Pador.
This is where Cross makes a flashy debut, announcing himself to the world.
Not anymore.
I'm stealing that spotlight.
Now that I've decided to show my skills, I won't let him take root inside.
I'll keep Cross from ever stepping into the light, forever overshadowed by me.
"Nice to meet you. Let's get along."
I greeted Cross. He gave a curt nod, his expression wooden.
Typical of Ian's dog—no charm at all.
"Ralph, aren't you going to greet him?"
Ian looked at Ralph. Ralph had been glaring at Cross but reluctantly spoke up.
"I'll... treat you well."
"Good. That's the least you can do."
"...Father?"
"Did I say something wrong? A kid who couldn't even pass the Trial Valley. He only got in because others recommended him—it's practically favoritism."
"Then what about Deyan...!"
Ian cut Ralph off with a cold tone.
"Deyan passed the Trial Valley. You didn't. Anything else to say?"
Ralph hung his head.
The rowdy punk who ran wild around peers or others turned into a whipped puppy before his father.
Ralph replied weakly.
"I'm sorry, Father."
"Get out. And Deyan, lead the group well."
"Yes, I will."
We left Ian's room.
The moment the door closed, Ralph glared at us and muttered low.
"Follow me."
Ha, seriously.
What tantrum is he throwing now?
Ralph led us to Lactea Mountain.
Perfect timing.
Since I'm revealing my strength anyway, might as well settle the pecking order now.
Good thing—I was getting frustrated.
Just as I was about to smack Ralph with my sword...
Snap!
"...?"
Ralph slung an arm around my shoulder. Then he jabbed a finger at Cross wildly.
"Hey, you punk! Who do you think you are, calling yourself Father's disciple? Right, Deyan?"
"Uh...?"
What the hell is this?
His target isn't me—it's that guy?
I want that guy gone too, but this feels off. Not bad, but I can't team up with Ralph to attack Cross.
Am I crazy? Stirring up trouble in the family?
I patted Ralph's excited shoulder and said,
"Calm down, Ralph. Let's get along, okay?"
"Shut up! Deyan, if you're part of the family, you get it! Does a guy like that fit in our house?!"
Ralph dropped his arm when I didn't back him up. He seemed seriously pissed.
He grabbed Cross by the collar.
"You—don't get cocky just because Father calls you his disciple. Act like you're somebody? You barely acknowledged Deyan's greeting earlier. You nuts?!"
Ralph yelled, but Cross just stared back impassively.
With no reaction, Ralph gripped harder...
"This bastard won't answer?!"
Ralph's outburst.
Watching it unfold, I got the picture.
He's jealous.
Of Father's warm gaze going to someone else.
That's why he bullied me before—and now it's shifted to Cross.
Poor guy.
Problem is, picking a fight with him won't end well.
Cross isn't one to back down—he's humiliated Ralph before.
Cross said flatly,
"I am Sir Ian's disciple."
"What?"
Focus entered Cross's eyes.
They slowly turned to Ralph.
"I am Cross, Sir Ian's disciple. The sword of Pador."
"What bullshit...!"
As Ralph swung a fist, Cross's hand moved oddly.
If I don't stop it... Ralph's hurt!
Grab.
"...!"
I caught Cross's hand.
"Enough. Didn't Uncle say to get along?"
"Stay out of it, Deyan...!"
Ralph, you don't even know he was about to save you?
Just let him get hit?
"Calm down, calm."
"You want a punch first?"
Ralph switched targets to me.
Cross stood still as if nothing happened, collar free.
Ralph kept lunging at Cross, but I held him back.
"Stop blocking me!"
Don't block?
Fine, won't block.
This punk needs a reality check.
I released Ralph and said,
"Hit him if you want. But it'll mess up the schedule. Who do you think Uncle will blame?"
"That...!"
Ralph trembled.
I pressed harder.
"Can't handle the aftermath? That's why drawing a blade makes you a fool."
"You calling me a fool?"
"Forget it. What's the point? Hit him. We'll all get punished, but yours will be the biggest."
Ralph held his fist up... then bit his lip.
It dropped.
"Tch... you're right. Smarter than you look."
Anyone's smarter than you.
I sighed and nodded. No point dragging words with an idiot.
"Got it? Save it for later. After Lan Ford's birthday party."
"Ugh... you or him!"
Ralph ruffled his hair and stormed off. Unlike the fiery Ralph, Cross stood frozen like a statue.
One's a punk, the other's barely human.
Wonder if I can lead these two to the party smoothly.
On the way to the Ford villa.
"Try some of this!"
Marian shared her homemade soufflé with us. The carriage held us Pador reps, plus Marian and Nellin.
We took the soufflé without much reaction.
Ralph's turn next.
Ignore Marian's food, Ralph, and you'll eat crow from then on.
I watched him closely. But
"S-Soufflé?!"
Ralph took it eagerly, surprisingly.
"Thanks...!"
"Yes, Master Ralph. Still so shy."
"Right, exactly!"
Marian and Nellin giggled on either side, turning Ralph beet red, smoke practically rising.
Ralph, the punk's a total introvert underneath.
"W-When did I...!"
Ralph covered his face and munched the soufflé.
Come to think of it, unless it involved his father, he wasn't that much of a troublemaker.
Good nature deep down?
Maybe hiding his embarrassment.
Ralph changed the subject hastily.
"Listen up! You know Lan Ford's birthday isn't just a party, right?"
"Yeah, who doesn't?"
"Y-You...!"
As Ralph raised a hand, Marian shoved another soufflé into it.
"Master Ralph, have another."
Ralph took it blankly.
"Uh...? Oh! Y-Yeah."
Marian, so wise.
"Anyway! Don't embarrass us. The other four great houses will be there. Especially...!"
Ralph chewed the soufflé like an enemy.
"North! Don't let those bastards look down on us. Got it?!"
Ralph ranted.
"Y-You listening?!"
Cross stared out the window. I didn't bother replying, too annoying.
North...
One of the four great houses, sword wielders like Pador.
Hence, always rivals to our family.
Like Wudang vs. Huashan, or Nangong vs. Moyong?
Rumored to be total authoritarians.
Never met them, so who knows.
If we crossed paths, the family kept me out?
Wonder what they're like. Kinda curious.
"You all ignoring me?!"
As Ralph tried to stand, Nellin poked her head out the window.
"The Ford villa!"
Ralph coughed awkwardly in his half-risen pose.
"R-Right. Ford villa! Take a good look. They've invited every noble worth a damn!"
Curious, yeah.
In my first life, the family shielded me from events like this.
My body was frail too. Nobles pounce on any weakness.
Other nobles...
"Let's see."
"Good call!"
I leaned out following Ralph.
Outside... endless carriages in a line.
Nellin's head strained toward the window.
"Wow!! Young master, I've never seen so many carriages!"
Carriages show a house's power best.
Hence the flashy crests and symbols adorning them.
Most eye-catching?
Amid the throng, three figures on horseback, no carriage.
Seemed shabby at a glance, but no one approached.
Their banner's flag.
A unicorn with spear-like horn marked their house.
Only one such house.
Spear masters supreme.
Tral family.
Nellin spotted someone among them and shouted happily.
"There—Master Andrew!"
Andrew, one of the three, rode half-asleep.
Andrew's here too?
His talent shone in Trial Valley; natural for him here.
Attention on Tral shifted with another noise.
Thunderous wheels.
"Hm?"
Arrogant air from the coachman.
A carriage twice any other's size charged like a racehorse.
"Black lion crest..."
Ralph's eyes sharpened.
"North family bastards."
"So that's North."
Rumors true—flashy, noisy entrance.
North pushed ahead, coachman whipping relentlessly.
Ralph fumed.
"Speed up too...!"
As we accelerated after North, Tral subtly followed.
Soon Tral, us, North side-by-side, refusing to yield.
Others trailed naturally.
The procession's end:
Ford villa hosting Lan Ford's party.
Richest noble house? Palace-sized mansion welcomed us.
Competition from the gate— I smiled.
Power gathers, superiority must be shown...
Especially the young, acting instinctively.
This at the entrance already.
"Fun."
Can't wait for inside.
My lips curled unwittingly.
Marian noticed.
"What's fun, young master?"
"Just watching the carriages."
"Young master... you wanted to see the world."
"No, not that..."
Thud.
Ralph clapped my shoulder.
"You punk, that's it?!"
No, not that.
"Young master, same as me?!"
Nellin beamed, eyes bulging frog-like.
Why group me with Nellin?!