Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Triumphant Return
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After wrapping up the duel with the Northga family, we were on our way back to the estate.
The people greeting us from the family were far more numerous than usual. Countless members of the Pador family had gathered at the main gate.
The moment they spotted us, they burst into applause.
"Young master!"
"Young Master Deyan...!"
Triumphant return.
For us coming back to the family from Lan Pador's birthday party, could there be a more fitting description?
This is embarrassing.
Anyone seeing this would mistake it for a victorious return from war.
Marian and Nellin stuck out their tongues at the fervent welcome.
"How did the news spread to the family so quickly?"
"Didn't we set out almost immediately ourselves?"
They were thrilled just that the third son, who'd been treated like a halfwit all this time, had made a comeback.
And when they heard I'd crushed the Northga family—the ones our house was constantly at odds with—who knows how eagerly they'd welcome me with open arms.
Gazing at the crowd, I murmured,
"That's the scary thing about rumors."
When it's good news like this, it's wonderful beyond words, but you can't escape the piercing glares when it's bad.
As I stepped down from the carriage, Jayvolg approached me first.
"Young master, you've finally realized the greatness of the sword!"
"...?"
Jayvolg hugged me tightly, while the others watched with warm smiles.
"That knight is the young master's teacher, right?"
"Top of his class at the knight academy—no wonder experience matters."
"Should I ask him to take a look at my son too?"
Hey, listen up?
That's not it at all. This is completely different, like apples and oranges.
Jayvolg, the sword zealot, surely didn't mean it that way.
Jayvolg grinned broadly.
"I'm thrilled, young master! So happy!"
"Hahaha... yeah, yeah."
This is starting to grate a bit.
I couldn't rein him in because I had to keep up the act.
Jayvolg, you rascal...
"Can you teach me the secret?"
"Me too, teach me!"
The knights sidled up to him slyly, puffing out their chests.
"That's what the sword is all about...!"
After Jayvolg's exuberant welcome wound down, Janitz approached next with a kind smile.
"Young master."
"It's been a while."
"Truly... I'm delighted. So happy."
Janitz gazed up at the sky as if reminiscing about old times, then looked at me.
"I've always believed in you. That one day you'd soar into those very skies."
"... ."
Strange.
Even in my first life, Janitz had always treated me well. Seeing him genuinely rejoice now stirred something in my chest.
Caught up in the surge of emotion, I teased him lightly.
"Should I be surprised by this much? You'll see even more astonishing things ahead."
"Hahaha! Young master."
Janitz thumped his greaves.
"Guess I'll need to bolster my courage."
He said it in jest, but it seemed laced with genuine faith in me.
"Good, very good."
Janitz placed a hand on his hip and continued.
"The eldest and second young masters would have loved to see this."
"Is big brother still on his mission?"
"Yes, that's right."
Around the time I tackled Trial Valley, he'd been sent off on a mission too...
It must be taking quite a while.
I figured it was to hunt a demon beast. From memory, it was a dangerous one.
No need to worry about big brother. He'd handled missions flawlessly before, and even in this reincarnated life, when I'd glimpsed him briefly afterward, he wasn't the type to fall anywhere.
Compared to me now, he was stronger.
If I'm still preparing to spread my wings, big brother is already one of the stars shining in the heavens.
I've got a long way to go to match his fame.
After all, he's the youngest knight captain in Pador family history and a senior knight before turning thirty.
And the second brother...
"Is Mihail—no, second brother—still wandering?"
Janitz nodded with a weary expression.
"That one's always been so eccentric, ugh..."
"True enough."
The three Pador brothers.
Of them, second brother Mihail Pador—blood-related or not—makes you wonder if he's really from the Pador family.
Anyone would think so.
Second brother seems possessed by wanderlust, drifting aimlessly across the continent.
The problem is his antics along the way are, well, downright bizarre.
One day it's drinking with bandits.
The next, roaming with bards singing songs.
He's even begged with street urchins.
From the family's perspective, every tale is an embarrassment.
They've admonished him countless times... but would he listen?
Second brother lives life entirely on his own terms.
Can't be helped. It's his innate nature.
He's been that way since childhood, always doing things his way. Even our stern father gave up on him.
The only one second brother fears might be big brother?
Funny thing is, thanks to that personality,
his unpredictable swordsmanship has earned him real recognition for his skills.
So... opinions on second brother within the family are mixed.
What escapades is he up to now?
Veriht said he'd deliver a letter, so news should come soon.
He's probably raising hell trying to tame a demon beast or something.
Wouldn't put it past him.
As I wrapped up thoughts on second brother and prepared to bask in the welcome,
I spotted Ralph slipping off the carriage like he'd committed a crime.
He'd covered his face with his cloak.
Embarrassed? Doesn't seem like it to me.
In my eyes, Ralph deserved the welcome just as much.
I pushed through the throng toward him.
Ralph startled when he saw me approach, fidgeting nervously as he tried to sneak away.
He whispered, hooding his gaze with the cloak.
"G-go away... Just go!"
Go where? As if.
Instead, I pulled back his cloak.
Ralph tried to hide his face in shame. Pointing at him, I shouted,
"Ralph's here too! I wonder if everyone knows how awesome Ralph was...!"
At my praise, all eyes turned to Ralph.
He floundered awkwardly, but soon the crowd started clapping one by one.
"Young Master Ralph!"
"Awesome! So cool!"
"We heard! You fought to the end, right?!"
An unexpected reaction?
Ralph flushed, then broke into a dazed grin.
Quickly adapting, he scratched his head and laughed heartily.
"Hahaha!! Yeah, that's right! It was so close! We almost had it in the bag!"
That's more like Ralph.
While attention shifted to him, I slipped out of the welcoming crowd.
Janitz, watching it all, smiled.
"Such consideration."
"I mean it."
"...?"
"He was truly impressive. Never thought I'd learn something from Ralph."
"Is that so...?"
Janitz glanced at Ralph, whose shoulders swelled with the crowd's cheers, then tapped his sword.
"A fine thing. For those who wield the sword, intent matters most."
Even after all these years passed.
Janitz always felt like the adult, then and now.
After murmuring something profound, Janitz said to me,
"Oh, young master. Ian asked for you."
"Me?"
That name snapped me out of the languid haze of the welcome.
What's his angle?
Does he want to see and judge the one who climbed onto his testing ground?
I tilted my head slightly, and Janitz chuckled.
"Yes. Ian dotes on you so much, after all."
"Right... yeah."
"How thrilled must Ian be, he who loves the family more than anyone?"
I doubt it.
In the original timeline, Cross would have been the star of this welcome.
That's how he fully entrenched himself in the Pador family in my first life.
And Cross was Ian's man.
Per Ian's plan, Cross would have seamlessly infiltrated the family through this event.
I ruined that, so far from joy, his insides must be churning.
Especially since the fool he botched it with rose up and stole the glory.
Nothing more infuriating.
So, he wants to see me to figure out what happened.
I want to see him too. His reaction, that is.
I made up my mind and called for Marian and Nellin.
"Guess I should go see him right away. Marian, Nellin!"
"Yes, young master."
"Head to the mansion first. I'll go pay my respects to Ian."
"Shall we prepare a separate carriage?"
"No need. I'll walk."
No more carriages for me. The invalid act was over.
I headed straight for Ian's study.
Along the way, the family buildings and landscaping caught my eye.
Was the estate this grand?
I'd been cooped up in the mansion or riding in carriages before, so I'd never grasped the scale...
It's enormous.
Striding openly down the path felt refreshingly new.
Lost in thought as I walked, I arrived at Ian's study before I knew it.
A place all too familiar. I'd come here countless times with worries.
Now, I gripped the handle with a different mindset than before.
Before opening the door, I steeled myself.
Never underestimate the opponent.
Always assume they're stronger than you.
Treat yourself as the underdog to spot the enemy's weaknesses.
The mentality I'd held as the Dark Venerable.
I needed that mindset for Ian. He wasn't someone to take lightly. And now, in this private meeting, I had to deceive him.
To win the battle against him, I had to fool him.
Creeeak.
I opened the door. There sat Ian, looking amiable as ever.
"You've come, Deyan."
"Yes."
Both he and I exchanged smiles. Ian naturally poured tea and spoke.
"Deyan, your exploits make me as happy as if they were my own. No—since they elevate the Pador family's standing, it's only natural."
"I don't know where to put myself."
"But..."
Here it comes?
Ian sipped his tea and broached the subject.
"Why hide such skill all this time? Haha, you're not going to say Jayvolg taught you well, are you? That would imply our family's knights lack talent."
Coming out strong?
He'd preempted any nonsense about Jayvolg's teaching and dragged the family into it.
In other words: the family couldn't fix you, so how?
That one line shut down every internal excuse I could muster.
This was the critical part.
He'd seized the initiative—how would I counter?
What card would I play?
Now it was my turn to defend.
"That's exactly what I wanted to discuss with you, Uncle."
"Hm?"
Ian raised an eyebrow feigning curiosity.
"What is it?"
"First... is security here tight?"
I scanned the room. Not for show—I genuinely checked for eavesdroppers.
Evil Society members could be anywhere.
Fortunately, it seemed clear.
Ian reassured me.
"Of course. It's just you and me. If you're still uneasy..."
"No. If I can't trust you, Uncle, who can I trust?"
I trust you.
Or rather, I trusted...
The old me, Deyan from the first life, would have trusted Ian more than anyone.
That's what he was to me back then.
Ian chuckled awkwardly.
"You're making me blush. Drink the tea before it gets cold."
Ian put on a jovial front.
I stared at him gravely.
"Uncle Ian."
"...?"
"What if this tea were poisoned? Would you believe it?"
"Poisoned...? In Pador manor?"
"Yes. There was poison in the food I ate."
Ian set down his teacup.
The tea rippled briefly before settling. Despite feeding me poison behind the scenes, his facade showed sincere outrage.
Not an easy foe.
"Hard to believe, I know, but it's true. Someone poisoned me, addicted me to poison, and that..."
Bam!
I slammed the table in feigned fury.
"...turned me into a fool."
"...!"
Ian composed himself, speaking calmly despite his initial grimace.
"We inspect ingredients rigorously. Who could breach that and dose you for years? More importantly... if so, how did you realize you were poisoned?"
Every word screamed ignorance of the Evil Society.
He pressed me.
"Deyan, I'm not doubting your spirit, but it's puzzling. How could you alone detect such a meticulously administered poison?"
Tell me about it?
No matter how capable I seemed, spotting poison deliberately fed by Ian and the Evil Society alone? Absurd.
My answer for that...
I'd gotten it at Lan Pador's birthday party.
This would fool him!
"Do you know of the Baekgwang?"
"Baekgwang?"
Doubt flickered in Ian's eyes for the first time.
Two possibilities.
He truly didn't know of Baekgwang, or he knew them all too well.
Either way, it didn't matter.
My goal now was to redirect his blade elsewhere.
"Yes. They pulled me from the swamp of poison."
The Evil Society couldn't have missed that Baekgwang and Lan Pador had clocked each other.
Mutual awareness.
In that state, I'd slotted Baekgwang in as the force thwarting the Evil Society all along.