Chapter 196
Chapter 196
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 196
Chapter Title: The Middle Names' Gathering
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The Iron-Blooded Duke's eyes lingered on me a bit too long. Under that blank stare, I found myself wondering if I should just bow deeply and call it a day.
*Did he see through me?*
Right now, with the mask on, I wasn't Ruan—I was Naru.
I was borrowing the power of a magic tool, but the problem was I had no idea how effective its disguise really was.
A powerhouse like the Iron-Blooded Duke probably wouldn't be fooled, though...
On the other hand, if he *had* figured it out, wouldn't he react right away?
In the end, I had no clue.
His face was so impassive that reading his expression for clues was impossible.
"Hey. Didn't you hear me? Right now—"
*Smack!*
I smacked the back of the oblivious thug's head hard.
It was a tense situation, and with some real emotion behind it, my hand naturally put more force into the blow.
The thug collapsed to the ground without even a groan and passed out cold.
Did this idiot even realize it?
That I'd just spared his worthless life.
*...Not the time to worry about someone else's neck.*
Awkward silence fell again.
"......"
"......"
The Iron-Blooded Duke's signature deadpan gaze settled on me. He still hadn't said a word.
It felt like he was pressuring me to speak first somehow.
I kept a calm expression while racking my brain desperately.
Had he figured it out?
Or not?
I hoped for the latter, but it felt like wishful thinking.
Should I just play it cool and say hi? But what if he *hadn't* noticed? The risk was too high.
With my heart in my throat, I looked at the Iron-Blooded Duke.
He wasn't in his usual Family Head attire—instead, he wore simple clothes that made him look like a wanderer. Maybe that's why it hit me anew: outwardly, he was about my age.
His presence was completely suppressed too, so at a glance, he just seemed like a delicate, mysterious boy...
No wonder some fool from the back alleys had tailed him.
*Say something, damn it.*
The right response depends on the other person's attitude.
If the Iron-Blooded Duke said even one word, I could base my counter on that...
But he just stared at me steadily, showing no sign of opening his mouth.
Unable to withstand the pressure, I spoke first.
"...Are you hurt anywhere?"
"......"
*Shit, wrong approach.*
The Iron-Blooded Duke's eyes narrowed slightly, like he was baffled by my tone.
And then, just as his mouth cracked open...
"What do you know? There you are."
A deep voice boomed, accompanied by a massive figure stepping into view.
*What the hell now...?*
The man was enormous.
Two meters? Two-fifty? Maybe more?
Hard to tell.
Either way, he exuded an overwhelming presence that made him seem even bigger, with a shaved head and muscles like boulders.
A bastard sword as wide as my torso hung across his back.
Honestly, it looked more like a blunt weapon than a sword. The blade was ridiculously thick—practically the size of a book.
He seemed to be with the Iron-Blooded Duke.
And he wasn't hiding his presence at all.
"Always wandering off the moment I look away. True to a dark elf, huh? Sticking to these shady back alleys... Oh?"
His tone was oddly light for his size and voice.
The Iron-Blooded Duke, who had been staring at me, finally looked away and spoke.
"It's nothing."
"Yeah? Then let's get going. We're the last ones. You know how nasty those guys' tempers are."
"Right."
"But who's the kid?"
The man's eyes turned to me.
I hesitated, then bowed my head and blurted out.
"Hello. I'm Naru, an academy student. This gentleman seemed to be in trouble, so... Turns out it was none of my business."
"Oh ho. What a fine young man."
The guy grinned and plopped a hand on my head. It felt like a lion's paw pressing down.
I quickly brainwashed myself.
*I'm an academy student... Just an innocent, kind, helpful academy student named Naru who doesn't know anything...*
If I were really Naru, not Ruan, how would I react in this situation?
I thought it through and spoke.
"If I may ask... You both seem to have extraordinary auras. What's your business at the academy?"
They probably wouldn't say.
Even within the family, few knew the Iron-Blooded Duke's movements.
If the man said he couldn't tell me, I'd act like I'd realized something and bolt.
"Ah. That's a bit hard to disclose..."
As expected, he scratched his cheek awkwardly.
But then.
"Curious, are you?"
"Yes?"
"It's only polite for a noble to offer thanks."
The Iron-Blooded Duke reacted unexpectedly.
"Maxim. If it's alright, may this child join us for the meal ahead?"
"What? That's..."
Two facts shocked me.
This burly middle-aged man's identity: Maxim of the Sky-Splitting Sword—the master of those goons I'd just ditched.
And the fact that I might be getting kidnapped.
I quickly said.
"I appreciate the offer, but I just ate a full meal—"
"Then how about we stroll the shops? Help with digestion."
"...But I'm right in the middle of eating hours, so my stomach's rumbling again. Thank you."
...Whatever the occasion, it had to be better than being alone with the Iron-Blooded Duke.
I looked at Maxim with my last shred of hope, but he burst out laughing and shouted.
"That sounds fun!"
* * *
Who knew that choice would plunge me straight to the depths of hell.
"Oh. You finally showed."
"...Brothers, we must keep to the appointed time. Time itself is a blessing from the gods."
"What's with the brat?"
"Cute little thing~"
"......"
The Iron-Blooded Duke and Maxim took me to a restaurant I'd never even heard of, despite frequenting the shopping district.
Plain exterior, but inside, it oozed class and refinement.
We headed to a basement private room.
No outside noise leaked in, just soft lighting creating a serene atmosphere.
*And the furniture's texture...*
As a petty noble, I had enough eye to tell.
Solid wood—not flashy, but every piece a master craftsman's work.
The servers I'd glimpsed on the way had impeccable manners, rivaling those of great houses...
A hidden gem for big shots?
The kind that keeps client info airtight.
Probably.
Anyway, at the large table in the room sat four people, each with a distinct vibe.
No time for detailed descriptions, so briefly: thug, monk, pirate, witch.
*......*
All four radiated presences like the Iron-Blooded Duke and Maxim.
The moment our eyes met, I realized what this gathering was—and who they were.
*All Middle Names...*
Cold sweat trickled down.
From my position, I'd walked right into the monsters' jaws.
Should I have just run without looking back?
My mind went blank like when I'd faced the Demon King, but I forced myself to steady.
"Delac said he got some help. So we're buying him a meal."
"The Iron-Blooded Duke needed help? What, did a high priest attack?"
"Funny joke."
Maxim guffawed. (For the record, I didn't find it amusing in the slightest.)
Anyway, all eyes turned to me naturally. Ignoring the pressure, I forced a pitiful smile.
*What an absurd situation, right? A fool like me at such a prestigious gathering.*
So please, react appropriately.
*Thud!*
A honed knife stabbed into the table.
"Are you insane?"
As expected, the pirate woman snapped irritably.
Eyepatch, cutlass, eagle-sharp features.
The pirate jabbed a finger at me.
"This is a bar. What'd you bring a snot-nosed kid for?"
"......"
Ah. That reason.
*Don't say that, pirate.*
I looked away from her to the monk.
His robes suggested a 72 Churches priest, but his solid build showed through—likely a combat specialist, an inquisitor.
A priest with a Middle Name was probably the church's ultimate weapon...
He looked younger than expected.
Actually, everyone here looked young for what they were. Inside, probably not.
"......"
The priest's narrow eyes met mine, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
"Fear not, little brother. All will be well."
"......"
*Don't reassure me—just kick me out.*
I grumbled inwardly, but there was nothing else to do.
The thug ignored me... The witch eyed me with sparkling interest, which creeped me out.
"Let's all sit first."
Maxim's low voice prompted a tongue-click from the pirate.
Her interest in me melted away like snow, so sudden it left me dazed.
The pirate said.
"Sorry, but I'm swamped with business lately. My schedule's down to the minute starting tomorrow. Let's wrap this up quick."
"Heh heh heh."
The thug laughed openly, narrowing the pirate's eyes.
"What's so funny? Look in a mirror?"
"My apologies. Couldn't help laughing at a pup mocking wrinkles."
"What?"
"Isn't it? With such noble and refined company... Yet a mere sea raider prattles about schedules. How could I not laugh?"
"Shut your stinking trap."
"Oh? Gonna shut it for me?"
"Come closer. I'll slice that tongue out myself."
The mood turned vicious already.
Pirate and thug openly bickering, with witch and priest showing no intent to intervene.
Only Maxim scratched his head awkwardly. Now he seemed less lion, more dull bear.
"The declaration of a Middle Name."
A flat voice cut through.
The Iron-Blooded Duke.
Their glares snapped to him.
I'd noticed he'd used a Blessing. With so many at his disposal, I couldn't tell which.
"Ten years since the last. Only three in the Empire hold that right."
"......"
"And coincidentally, ten years ago, the Red Sorcerer used it too. So probably the same reason this time."
"The mighty purple grand archmage got taken down~?"
A light voice chimed in.
The witch.
"They offered me the spot too. Asked if I could fill it... Turned it down, too much hassle."
"......"
"Olson's combat skills were trash anyway... But a grand archmage fell personally? Obvious what happened."
The monk picked up.
"The cult leader intervened."
"......"
That might actually fit.
Even using the shadow world and manipulating the princess... such a covert Demon King descent still felt off.
*Above all... I never heard how Dean Olson got dragged into the shadow world.*
From what I saw, he'd already been trapped underground.
*Leone's doing?*
Most natural, but still questionable.
If Leone was the mastermind, why help me?
"So the plan was thwarted without much damage despite the cult leader's involvement. Impressive feat. Delac, heard your bloodline shone."
Maxim's words drew a nod from the Iron-Blooded Duke.
"Probably. He's got big things ahead."
"Uh..."
The attitude caused murmurs. Maxim looked flustered; pirate and thug wide-eyed.
Maxim said hesitantly.
"Well... Didn't know you had it in you. How about praising Hiro more?"
Referring to Hiro Bednicker, the eldest son. Probably making a name as a Heros hero.
Likely acquainted with fellow hero Maxim.
"He's hit A-rank. Impressive for his age."
The Iron-Blooded Duke tilted his head.
"Would Hiro be satisfied with that?"
"Hmm..."
"Doubt it. And Maxim, this isn't the time to discuss Bednicker Family training."
"...True."
Maxim nodded.
I'd been watching the Iron-Blooded Duke intently as my name came up...
But he didn't spare me a glance.
Made it even more uncertain.
Any reaction would've let me guess he'd spotted me.
*Anyway...*
Bad news.
Had I drunk too much apple juice earlier?
My gut was demanding urgent evacuation.
Even for a thick-skinned guy like me, asking for the bathroom mid-convo with Middle Name bigshots was tough.
"Sorry to interrupt, but may I use the restroom?"
Hard, but doable.
Holding it too long's bad for you, so no choice...
Eyes turned to me again.
Most baffled looks, but Maxim burst laughing.
"Puhaha! Bold kid. Bright future ahead."
"...Yeah. Definitely not ordinary. Maxim, your disciple?"
"Nope."
The pirate's good eye flicked to the Iron-Blooded Duke.
He ignored her and told me.
"Straight down the right hall."
"...Thank you."
I hurried out.
Just escaping that space eased my tension. They hadn't pressured me outright, but sandwiched between monster shells? Stress city.
*...Just bail like this?*
Not a bad idea. Fake face anyway—no real tracking risk.
I sighed and headed to the bathroom.
"Uh, that's..."
A flustered server spoke before I entered, but draining the lizard came first.
As expected of a high-end spot.
Bathroom spotless, overly grand.
After finishing up and washing, I didn't leave right away.
Leaned against the wall, pondering.
*Still, running's the best—*
Then.
The door flew open, Iron-Blooded Duke storming in.
"Uh..."
"Too many eyes earlier."
He spoke in his usual flat tone.
"Let's talk."
"...Sure?"
Was this the ultimate demon hunter's pursuit? Felt like Priest Ruan fleeing for a moment.
"......"
Surprisingly, the Iron-Blooded Duke hesitated to speak.
Didn't suit him—like carefully picking words.
What could make a man like this agonize so?
My tension spiked.
"I..."
He finally spoke.
Very cautious, deliberate.
"...respect my child's tastes."
"......?"
What?
As confusion replaced tension, he left. Hadn't come for the facilities anyway.
I stood dazed in the bathroom, then glanced at the mirror.
Naru's face, crafted by the lynx tribe mask.
Girly as I'd said at first.
And academy uniforms were unisex.
...So.
Anyone glancing might mistake me for a girl.
It clicked.
*If the Iron-Blooded Duke knows I'm Ruan and saw through the disguise...*
From his view: reuniting with his long-lost son, who's crossdressing in the street?
That explained his initial silence—uncharacteristically flustered.
"...Argh."
My mind went blank.