Chapter 120
Chapter 120
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: The Young Head
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I asked.
“Is the Family Head at the main estate?”
“Yes.”
“And he summoned me...”
“That is correct.”
“Hmm...”
This is a bit awkward.
Not because of the summons, but for another reason.
“Can’t I go see him after I finish the course? The special exam isn’t even over yet.”
“A different Collector will have contacted the instructors and is speaking with them separately. You will not face any disadvantages, Young Master.”
“I see.”
If she puts it that way, I have no choice.
I nodded.
“Why is the Family Head summoning me?”
“To commend you for your great service, of course, Young Master.”
“...”
“He seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood. I have not served the Family Head for long, but it was the first time I had seen him like that.”
Jane said with a faint smile.
“You can probably look forward to it.”
* * *
I followed Jane out of the forest.
I wanted to check if Caron and Hector were handling things well, but it seemed I didn't have the time.
I glanced back and said.
“Sir Asad’s barrier was breached just like that.”
“That is because he permitted it.”
And so, for the first time in a while, I returned to the main estate.
Having spent 100 days on Spirit Mountain in the interim, it was indeed a long-awaited return for me.
Not that I felt any particular sentiment about it.
“Is he on the fifth floor?”
“No. The Family Head is currently in the annex.”
“Where in the annex?”
“I will guide you.”
“Alright. We can go straight there, right?”
Jane then spoke in a troubled voice.
“I believe it would be best if you paid some mind to your attire.”
“Ah.”
Come to think of it, after rolling around in the Butterfly Forest for three days, my appearance was far from tidy.
Although the Iron-Blooded Duke wasn't strict about such etiquette, it was proper to maintain at least a minimum of decorum when meeting the Family Head.
I washed myself and put on the clothes Jane had prepared.
“This is uncomfortable.”
“It suits you well.”
After only wearing loose and comfortable training clothes, putting on these formal robes was torture.
“Shall I help with your styling as well?”
“I appreciate the thought.”
After barely managing to refuse Jane's attempts to style my hair and even spray perfume, I followed her to the annex.
But the annex where the Iron-Blooded Duke was located was, for me, in a rather unexpected place.
Beyond the main building's rear garden.
In other words... the Iron-Blooded Duke was in the forbidden area I had secretly explored with Seren.
“...”
For some reason, the memory of my fight with Hariba felt like a distant past.
If I actually factored in the time on Spirit Mountain, has it really been that long?
“Young Master?”
“I’m coming.”
I followed Jane, walking through the unkempt rear garden.
Having just traversed the [Butterfly Forest] myself, I could tell one thing.
This place felt much darker and gloomier than the forest I had experienced.
In fact, with no people and no paths, it was a place that could barely be called grounds.
After walking through the woods for a bit, a building soon came into view.
“I will wait here.”
I looked ahead and asked.
“Is the Family Head in there?”
“Yes.”
The building's exterior was a bit too shabby for the Iron-Blooded Duke to be inside.
To be blunt, it was just a slightly large cabin. The kind a hunter would use, not a nobleman.
With a somewhat reluctant feeling, I approached the cabin and opened the door.
*Click-.*
‘Ugh...’
Immediately after, I scowled at the scent of blood that assaulted my nostrils.
The disaster I had witnessed in the forest suddenly flashed through my mind.
The forest that exuded a foul presence, the small cabin discovered there, the girl lying in a pool of blood.
“You’ve come.”
The only difference from then was that inside, instead of a corpse, there was a voice welcoming me.
I realized for the first time that the Iron-Blooded Duke could make such a sound.
I mean... a gentle, benevolent tone.
“Family Head?”
The interior was dark, making it hard to see.
Just as I was wondering if I should use my Fiery Eyes.
*Fwoosh-.*
A lantern hanging on the wall lit up, illuminating the room's interior.
“...”
I was momentarily speechless at the sight that was revealed.
The first thing that caught my eye was a long metal table in the center, on which all sorts of heinous tools were lined up.
I realized they were professional torture instruments, and the bloodstains on them were fresh.
There was also a chair.
On what appeared to be a restraint chair, someone sat bound in chains, their face covered by something like a leather bag.
‘Seems to be alive.’
Judging by the physique, it was a man, but he was completely still, as if unconscious.
“What are you doing?”
“Did Jane not tell you?”
“No.”
“Hmm.”
The Iron-Blooded Duke pulled the sack off the person in the chair.
“Huh, huff, hik... heek, hyek... hik!”
“...”
The man gasped for air as if hiccuping.
It was a face I knew.
In a slightly stiff voice, I said the man's name.
“...Teacher Ainsburn.”
“Teacher, you say. That title wasn't a lie. Though his true identity was a cultist. Ah, was the source of this information you?”
The Iron-Blooded Duke said in an amused tone, looking down at Ainsburn.
Ainsburn, the law teacher.
From the man who once had the appearance of a noble scholar, his past intelligence and dignity were nowhere to be found.
He looked decades older than when I last saw him, and even more haggard.
“N-n-no...!”
Ainsburn said in a tearful voice.
“I-I-I’m not a cultist...! Family Head...! Please believe me...! I-I was just threatened by them, I had no choice—”
“Shhh.”
The Iron-Blooded Duke brought a finger to his lips and said.
“...Circumstances. That's always the problem, Teacher. Do you think there's anyone in this world who joins the cult without a reason?”
“F-F-Family Head...!”
“Use that brilliant brain of yours and think. Weren't you a genius who graduated at the top of the Imperial Academy?”
*Tap, tap.*
The Iron-Blooded Duke playfully tapped Ainsburn's forehead with his index finger.
Each time his finger touched, Ainsburn trembled as if having a seizure.
“To be honest, I'm not very interested even if you had unavoidable circumstances. Right now, I'm just happy.”
“Y-y-yes?”
“The cult that has been avoiding me so desperately was actually nestled deep within my own house. I must ask this. Have you disgusting rats finally resolved to face me in an all-out war?”
“I-I-I... don't know anything about the cult's affairs...”
*Squish-.*
“Gyaaaaaaaah—!”
The skewer-like tool in the Iron-Blooded Duke's hand pierced through Ainsburn's instep.
“Your voice is still lively. One of my trivial talents is discerning vitality from screams.”
“Heh, heuk, hik, hieeek...!”
“Rest assured. You will live for at least three more days. Ah, of course, for you, Teacher, it will be a three days longer than a lifetime...”
“F-F-Family Head...! I-I was wrong...! I was wrong...! I'll tell you everything! I was wrong! So please, please forgive me just this once...! Spare m—”
The Iron-Blooded Duke pulled the sack over his face again.
Ainsburn's voice abruptly cut off, and his movements ceased.
He wasn't dead. Was it a magical tool that forces someone into a state of suspended animation?
“...You were in the middle of an interrogation.”
“Something like that.”
“Do you handle such matters yourself? Why not have your subordinates do it?”
“A foolish question. There is no one in this family who can interrogate more accurately than I.”
...The Blessing of Truth.
Indeed, with that ability, the Iron-Blooded Duke's interrogation skills would surpass even Junian's.
“Have a seat? It's a bit dirty, though.”
“...”
The Iron-Blooded Duke said with a beaming smile that didn't suit him.
For the first time, I felt I had caught a glimpse of a childlike innocence in this man that matched his youthful appearance.
What exactly was the cult to the Iron-Blooded Duke... and what had the cult done to him?
Suppressing my questions, I sat on the shabby chair the Iron-Blooded Duke pointed to.
The Iron-Blooded Duke walked across the creaking floorboards and adjusted his clothes in front of a nearby old mirror.
Taking off his blood-stained gloves and wiping the blood from his face, he spoke.
“Ruan.”
“Yes.”
“You did very well.”
“...”
Was there any praise in this world more gruesome than this?
The only father who would say such words while wiping blood from his face would be the Iron-Blooded Duke.
I replied with a reluctant expression.
“Thank you.”
“To kill a High Priest alone at the age of fifteen is a great achievement. In fact, 'achievement' is an understatement.”
“...”
“When word of this gets out, there will be no one in this empire who doesn't know your name. The Great Families, of course, the imperial family, the capital's nobles, the Heros, the mercenary world, the mages, even the religious orders... Everyone will know your name.”
“Please prevent it.”
At my words, the Iron-Blooded Duke turned his head.
A streak of blood still remained on his face.
“Prevent it?”
“Yes.”
“Why.”
“Fame is a double-edged sword. And I am not yet ready to wield it as I wish.”
“Are you worried about attracting troublesome gnats? With the Bednicker name, you need not worry about that.”
“That name won't stop the cult.”
The Iron-Blooded Duke fell silent.
“Why has the cult become the empire's greatest enemy? Because their ideology is dangerous? Because their power is immense? In my opinion, all of that is wrong.”
“...”
“The cult thoroughly conceals itself, only revealing its presence at opportune moments. And each time, a storm of blood has swept through the empire.”
“Stealth.”
The Iron-Blooded Duke nodded.
“A hidden dagger is indeed the most dangerous.”
“Of course, I don't want to erase this achievement. There will be a time to use it. Until then, please ensure it doesn't leak out.”
“Now is not the time?”
“That's right.”
The Iron-Blooded Duke nodded.
“I will respect your wishes.”
“...”
“However, within this Bednicker family, no one will be able to ignore your name any longer.”
“Does that mean...”
“As of today, you are the Young Head.”
“...!”
I stared at the Iron-Blooded Duke in surprise.
“From now on, you can requisition up to thirty knights from the main family at your discretion, and even the Council of Elders will not be able to oppress you without just cause. If you need to spend money privately, you can speak to the treasury... Also, I will arrange for you to use the Socheoldang in the east wing of the main building.”
“Uh...”
“I will also send butlers, maids, and other servants soon, but I will leave the final selection to you. It's important to develop an eye for people.”
The Socheoldang had been empty until now.
Of course it was.
The position of Young Head had been vacant all this time.
“Also, if you have anything else to say to me, tell Asad here in the estate at any time. I will respond within a week at the latest.”
On top of that, the right to a private audience with the Iron-Blooded Duke.
“...I have no intention of becoming the Family Head.”
Even though all the things the past Ruan had ever wanted were suddenly poured upon me, I had no choice but to say that.
But the Iron-Blooded Duke replied as if he had been waiting.
“Becoming the Young Head doesn't mean you must become the Family Head. What I want to give you are rights within the family, and it's a hassle to grant them one by one.”
“Even so, it's too much.”
“Not at all. In fact, it's hardly enough compared to the military merit you've established.”
Since the Iron-Blooded Duke is strict with rewards and punishments, his words were likely true.
It was over so quickly that it didn't feel real—but now I realize killing a High Priest of the Dark Cult was a tremendous feat.
“So I will ask you here. Is there anything else you desire? If it is within my power, I will grant it all.”
...What I desire now.
I said.
“Family Head.”
“Speak.”
“I am still weak.”
At those words, the Iron-Blooded Duke narrowed his eyes and said.
“Is that humility?”
“No.”
“To defeat a High Priest single-handedly and survive an encounter with a Demon King, yet you say you are weak...”
The Iron-Blooded Duke muttered to himself, then nodded.
“If the scenery you're looking at is lofty, I suppose that's possible. I'm curious. What level of strength do you pursue?”
“At the very least, a level where I can trade blows with a Demon King.”
I said.
“As you know, I encountered a being called a Demon King in hell... but I didn't survive because I was strong. I barely managed to keep my life thanks to that monster's whim and an unexpected turn of events.”
“...”
“I don't want to go through that kind of experience again.”
The Iron-Blooded Duke then looked at me and opened his mouth.
“...The Demon King. They are called by that title because of the various religious figures in the empire, but in truth, they are beings no different from gods.”
I know that too.
I realized it the moment I met them.
Not just Eldest Martial Brother, but that thing called Tangtata was also a monster beyond my current comprehension.
“In other words, you are saying you wish to trade blows with a god.”
“Is it impossible?”
“...”
The Iron-Blooded Duke fell silent.
He seemed to be organizing his thoughts, and I sensed a slight hesitation in his demeanor.
What is this man hesitating about?
“Ruan, your question touches upon a topic I have pondered my entire life. I, too, have deliberated, researched, and found an answer.”
And then, the Iron-Blooded Duke said something rather shocking.
“To contend with a god, one has no choice but to become a god oneself.”
“...What?”
“And I can become a god right now.”
“...”
If anyone else had said it, it would have come across as a joke or the ravings of a madman.
But given who was speaking, I narrowed my eyes.
“I don't quite understand what you mean...”
“You, who have killed a High Priest, have the right to know the truth, so I will tell you. The gods who grant us Blessings are not absolute beings. Most of the gods on this continent were mortals who only became gods after death.”
I looked at the Iron-Blooded Duke, deeply shocked.
I felt as if I had just overheard a secret of the world that could never be learned through ordinary means.
The Iron-Blooded Duke's calm voice continued.
“But there are ranks and classes even among deities. And those beings we call Demon Kings... or Calamity Gods, are distinctly powerful among the gods. In the past, they could not run rampant like this. Because there was a god who was both powerful enough to keep them in check and good.”
A cold flame blazed in the Iron-Blooded Duke's violet eyes.
“That very position is my goal, the only divine name that has been vacant for thousands of years.”
As if possessed, I asked.
“What is that divine name?”
“According to ancient texts, it was called by many names. At times, it was treated as the God of War, the God of Battle, or even the God of Fighting. But the most representative among them is the God of Martial Arts. In other words—”
I reflexively finished the Iron-Blooded Duke's sentence.
“—The Martial God.”
A brief silence fell over the cabin.