Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Father's Concern
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1
"Father did?"
"Yes, the master has summoned you, young master."
Today's ever-gentlemanly head butler, Vangelis, said politely.
My injuries had healed to the point where I could finally get out of bed and move around a bit.
I still got pins and needles in my muscles if I pushed too hard, and my internals were damaged enough that I was living off soup alone, but the visible external wounds had mostly healed.
As expected of a fantasy world—most injuries could be cured with healing magic and potions.
And amid all that, Johan Agrit had summoned me.
Considering how soft he was with family, you'd think he'd come himself...
No, given how he subtly asserted his authority, he might have waited until I could walk on my own.
Either way, there was no point overthinking it.
I could just go and ask.
"I'll go right away."
Just like the first day I arrived at the Agrit Count Family, I followed Vangelis to the study.
I knocked, received permission to enter, and only then stepped inside alone.
Johan stood with his back to the door, gazing out the window.
Bathed in morning sunlight, he didn't look like a man with two kids at all.
Well, he did look middle-aged enough to call him that... but his vibe was just different.
"You're here. How's your body?"
"As you can see, I can walk around."
"Good to see you're recovering well."
Johan turned with a smile.
Even against the backlight, his black eyes were sharp and clear.
"I heard you called for me..."
"No need for long talk. I've heard the details from Viscount Hoiman. They say you took down some assailants in Segorian."
Asailants?
Not monsters...?
"I... didn't really do anything. I didn't defeat them either. The opponent just ran off on their own."
My fight with Ocureus had been a total defeat for me.
I'd used every means at my disposal but couldn't seize the advantage.
I'd figured out a strategy... but without a way to execute it, it was meaningless.
If Ocureus hadn't retreated, I didn't even want to imagine what would've happened.
"You've become humble."
"I just stated the facts."
"Then I'll state facts too. Helping another territory in need is fulfilling your duty as a noble. You deserve praise."
"...Thank you?"
It wasn't something I'd done for praise...
Still, it didn't feel bad to receive it.
But the joy was short-lived.
"However, this I must say. Why did you go alone?"
Johan stepped away from the window and approached me steadily.
When he was close enough to touch if we reached out, he leaned against the desk and crossed his long legs.
The sun must've been blocked by clouds, as the room grew dim.
"...The situation was urgent."
"No matter how urgent, you can't just leave without a word."
He was right.
I had no rebuttal.
I just clamped my mouth shut and nodded.
"Courage and recklessness are a thin line. If it had been beyond you, what then?"
"...I have nothing to say."
"And if something had happened to you... what would you have done?"
Johan's voice grew thinner and more tremulous as he spoke.
I looked up and met his eyes—he was frowning.
He quickly raised a hand to rub at his eyes.
"...Anyway, don't worry us like that. Your mother hasn't been sleeping."
"I'll go show her I'm safe."
"Once you're fully healed."
Johan rubbed his eyes, trying to regain his blank expression.
That look... was utterly different from the Johan Agrit I'd seen in Broken World.
Bellisa had mentioned at dinner that he was worried about me, too. Did everyone have a face they only showed family?
A corner of my chest felt heavy.
When Erica and Choco had worried over me... I'd honestly been happy.
My thanks weren't empty words.
But now, it felt like a weight had been added to my heart.
Why? The answer came quickly when I thought about it.
My father.
The usually strict father would stay up all night nursing me if I got sick.
He'd been more nervous than me when sending me off for my college entrance exam.
That was the last time.
Old memories surfaced suddenly, like a thorn embedded in my skin, stirring up my chest.
"...I'll be careful from now on. I'll avoid danger if possible, but if not, I'll tell you."
"Good. It's not right for a grown son to keep worrying his father, so I'll leave it at that."
Ahem. Johan cleared his throat.
He seemed to be regaining control of the mood.
"I called you for another reason today. There's an invitation to a ball from the Hilfenberg Ducal Family. Will you come with me?"
From Hilfenberg?
The Agrit Count Family was sizable enough that an invitation wasn't odd.
Honestly, I had zero desire to go!
The Hilfenberg Ducal Family ball was the stage for the very next main event!
Meaning, something annoying enough that Leon had to step in would happen...!
Which meant I had to go.
The main event that should've happened at the Hilfenberg Ducal Family had already been twisted once.
With no idea what might occur, I couldn't just spectate from afar.
If it were some other academy incident, maybe, but this involved Leon—too risky to ignore.
Anireza had informed Ocureus that Deathwise had awakened—that was a given.
With demons and Precursors in some kind of alliance, things wouldn't pass quietly.
So I needed to observe and grasp how the original main event had twisted.
Even if I didn't go, Johan would attend anyway.
What if he got caught in some weird variable at the ball and something happened to him?
The fallout would hit the Agrit Count Family—and me—so I couldn't ignore it.
"Then we'll set the schedule."
Knock knock. Someone knocked.
Johan glanced at the clock and winked one eye.
"Time flies. Come in."
The door burst open.
What I saw first... was massive muscle.
With a strange sense of déjà vu, I tilted my head up slightly to see the rugged face of a middle-aged man.
"Oh, Count Johan! Long time no see. So this is Theo! I saw you as a little kid, and you've grown so much already! Just like your father—grown up well!"
A burly man whose taut muscles threatened to rip his clothes strode over and slapped my back.
He'd hit lightly, or so it seemed, but my body swayed.
Of course, my wounds all throbbed.
"My son is still a patient, Sir Dariund."
"Ah! Sorry about that. It's just been so long, I got carried away with excitement! Do you remember me?"
Dariund extended his hand.
I shook it carefully.
I examined him closely.
His thick lines, bold features, and solid muscles suited full plate mail and oversized weapons perfectly.
The quintessential warrior—and in fact, one of the famous knights.
No mistaking it: Ironwall Dariund.
Vice-captain of the Ironwall Knights, one of Tekat Kingdom's four great knight orders. Known as a simpleminded brute swinging a massive axe... but strong precisely because of that straightforward power.
"Long time no see, Sir Dariund."
"Already so polite, and growing more like your father by the day."
I glanced at Johan.
He feigned blankness, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward.
"So... what brings you here?"
"There was an incident in Hoiman territory. I stopped by while investigating."
"Is there anything I need to state officially?"
"Nah! The viscount and young lord told me everything. No need to hold up a patient. This isn't official business—just came to see your face."
Dariund threw his chest out and laughed heartily.
Wait, he wasn't even here for a statement, and he'd come all the way from Hoiman just to say hi?
A full day's ride on horseback...?
"Then I'll take my leave. Please talk comfortably."
Johan nodded slightly, so I backed away quietly.
Dariund's vigorously waving figure vanished through the closing door.
-You don't actually believe that guy, do you?
"Of course not."
As if a Precursor cardinal would really come all this way just to say hi.
There's more to it.
2
"So... what now."
I closed the door.
Just in case, I filled my room with mana and deployed it.
I dominated and analyzed the space—no eavesdropping or surveillance.
A simple application of spatial magic.
Safe to speak freely.
Who'd have thought Dariund would show up here...
I nearly died holding back my surprise.
-Just cut him down.
Ridiculous.
Dariund outclassed me socially and in ability.
Head-on, my win chance was 0%. The only path to victory was proving he was a Precursor cardinal and mobilizing the authorities.
But the Precursors hadn't surfaced yet, so impossible.
-What, so you can do nothing?
For now, yes.
But Ocureus let me go on purpose, right?
Dariund wouldn't touch me amid that.
-Hmm... fair point. Even brushing a finger could spark war with the demons.
The Precursors wouldn't want unnecessary bloodshed either.
So minimal safety was secured.
Just stay out of Dariund's sight.
"Put this aside for now... and that other thing..."
My eyes drifted to the floor of my room.
Erica sat facing Choco, stacking wooden blocks.
They'd been taking turns piling them high like a tower when Choco placed a triangular block.
Erica, about to add hers on top, puffed out her cheeks.
"That's cheating...! Triangles are against the rules!"
Choco shrugged.
Meaning he owned it proudly.
Is that thing really a raccoon...?
"...Whatever. Time to rest."
Recovery came first right now.
Rest was the best medicine, after all.
With vacation underway, maybe take a quiet trip where no one would spot us?
"Been a while since the sea..."
Last time I'd seen the ocean... Bayford, not that long ago.
No, Bayford wasn't a vacation—I'd gone for work, so no count.
The sea, the sea...
Perfect for leisurely time off...
As I thought that, Erica toddled over and clung to my leg.
"The sea sounds great~?"
"...Wanna go?"
"Yeah!"
Erica's beaming smile was dazzling.
Beside her, Choco raised both paws high.
Both wanted to go, it seemed.
Typical...
"Too late today, so tomorrow. Go pack your things."
"Ehehe, yay!"
Erica peeled off me and scampered out of the room.
I stroked Choco's head as I watched her buoyant exit.
Now, where to...
"Merad Beach is the most famous around here, right?"
3
"Sea~ Sea~! Gonna collect tons of shells!"
Inside the carriage to Merad Beach, Erica bobbed her shoulders.
To the upbeat rhythm, Choco mimed swimming.
Could raccoons swim in the sea?
Well, Choco could, probably...
"Don't just rinse food in the sea to eat it."
Salt intake in moderation.
Choco nodded vigorously, thinking it was for him.
Merad Beach's famous green coconuts couldn't be eaten raw anyway...
Still, curious about the juice.
They didn't grow wild there, but a trial import sold so well it became a landmark.
"We've arrived."
"We're here!"
The coachman stopped the carriage.
Choco and Erica immediately flung open the door and jumped out.
"Careful not to trip."
Excited kids wouldn't listen.
Especially Erica, cooped up indoors usually... no wonder she was thrilled.
No one else around, so no need to mind stares.
I grabbed the luggage bag and followed them down.
The briny sea scent enveloped me on the wind.
A salty taste lingered in my mouth.
Roooaaar...
Emerald waves filled my vision entirely.
The endless expanse rippled like liquid jewels.
The vividness monitors couldn't convey gripped me.
Wind tousling my hair, waves tickling my ears, the full briny-salt tang of the sea—it felt like a nostalgic OST was playing.
Erica and Choco had long since dashed to the shore.
Humming Broken World's laid-back, peaceful OST, I followed at a leisurely pace.