Chapter 174
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 178
Chapter Title: Adding Fuel to the Fire
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My declaration that I was not Starnassila Alzen but Kang Han-gil did not cause any immediate uproar.
It was hard to comprehend easily or accept simply, but with heavyweights like Weller, Vivian, Sisili, and Arpe maintaining their calm demeanor, the subordinates probably saw it as something backed by a plausible reason.
Of course, the few who truly understood my words would take it gravely... but right now, there were bigger issues that took precedence—one, no, two of them.
Specifically, the visit from Starnassila Lindel, the Duke's family traitor... in other words, Charhela, and the death of the second son, Starnassila Berik.
And between those two, the higher priority was Starnassila Berik's death.
"......"
Starnassila Urtega stared down at Berik's mangled corpse with hollow eyes, saying nothing.
"......"
The eldest son, Starnassila Berga, was just like his father—lips sealed tight, as befitting the heir.
The only difference was the occasional glance he shot my way, his expression hard to read.
Finally, Starnassila Pitra...
"Ah, aaah, aaaah...!"
"......"
"......"
As expected, she had collapsed with a crazed look on her face, endlessly sobbing as she stroked Berik's pulpy visage.
There was not a shred of noble dignity or composure in her expression, voice, or posture.
All that remained was an overwhelming grief and sense of loss she could not contain.
"Aaaah...! Hwaaaah...!!"
Her cries grew more desperate and profound as time passed.
No one could easily step forward to comfort her amid such heartrending, wretched sobs that twisted the listener's guts.
"......"
I, too, simply watched her in silence.
Not even the thought of liquor or a smoke crossed my mind.
"Ah..."
Then, in the midst of her wailing, her eyes suddenly turned to me.
A gaze sharp and piercing as an arrow, blazing hot.
"...!!"
It was so overtly hostile and raw that I flinched involuntarily, shoulders jerking.
"Because of you...! Because of you, my child... my children...!"
Her frantic mutterings, spat through bloodshot eyes and foaming mouth, did not reach the end.
Unable to withstand the shock, she fainted on the spot.
"Mother!?"
"Mom!!"
Only after Weller and Vivian rushed to her first did the butlers and maids swarm in.
"...Hoo."
I let out a small sigh, gazing at the ceiling, wiped my sweat-slick palms on my pants, and quickly dabbed away the cold sweat beading on my forehead.
A heavy silence blanketed the Duke's study.
There, Urtega and I faced each other wordlessly.
My only companion was Murel, standing motionless behind me like a wooden statue.
"......"
Unable to bear the silence, I spoke first.
"...Say something, Father."
His inscrutable eyes fixed on me as he let out a low sigh.
"You still call me Father."
"Judging by your reaction, you suspected it long ago... So what should I call you?"
"I heard you introduced yourself as Kang Han-gil."
"......"
Yes, slowly and quietly, but surely, my declaration was spreading.
Not yet, but it was a bomb that would explode someday.
Or perhaps it already had.
For now, it was overshadowed by the priorities of Charhela and Berik... but once those settled, a slew of annoyances would surely arise.
"I did say that. But the fact that this body is 'Starnassila Alzen' hasn't changed."
"...Even in that form."
"Yes. It's changed, but the foundation is definitely 'Starnassila Alzen.' So... about half, I suppose."
"Hoo..."
He leaned back in his chair with a heavy sigh laden with torment.
No, slumped would be more accurate.
It was a side of him I'd never seen, and it unsettled me.
"If you still claim half of yourself is 'Starnassila Alzen,' then I must say this."
He murmured quietly, pausing before spitting it out like chewed gristle.
"The most unfilial wretch under heaven."
"......"
I had nothing to say, so I clamped my mouth shut.
"...However, perhaps this is the will of the gods."
"Do you believe in gods?"
"No. I am merely a dog of the imperial family, loyal only to them."
"I see."
It might sound self-deprecating at first, but he truly believed it—with pride, even.
There was an in-story explanation for it, but I still couldn't fathom bowing his head to anyone with such power... Probably his answer, so I should respect it.
Not that I had any right to judge.
"So, what will you do now."
"...A loaded question. Well, I'd like to live peacefully as a wastrel, blowing through money like before my change."
"Do you think that's possible."
"No."
I shook my head with a bitter smile.
Watching me, Urtega straightened up, eyes narrowing.
"If you know it's impossible, you must have a plan."
"None at all. Really. Nothing's decided inside me yet."
"...Then you came to see the 'outcome.' To decide your path based on that?"
"That sums it up best."
I shrugged with a cheeky grin.
"If you let it slide without a word, I can keep leeching off the Duke's family. Too tempting an option to pass up."
"...Hah."
A chill ran down my spine at the creeping aura of the Demi God.
Not quite Demon King level, but as I grew stronger, his presence hit harder.
"......"
Yet his pressure stayed below a certain line, settling calmly like water in a shallow bucket.
And even that ebbed with time.
Seemed he had no intention of acting on me now.
"Go back to your room and rest for now."
"Hm? That's fine?"
Just thinking about it, there were issues aplenty to debate.
How to dispel suspicions about me, how to explain it.
Live as 'Starnassila Alzen' or as 'Kang Han-gil'?
Willing to use my knowledge for the Duke's family?
Who is this Kang Han-gil, where from?
Why possess 'Starnassila Alzen' of all bodies?
What's the intent behind the possession?
Where did 'travel' take me, what did I do?
What's the nature of this alien power in my body?
And so on, and so on.
From Urtega's position, not a single question one should voice emerged.
"Yes. Your disposition... depends on Pitra's decision."
"...Truly pathetic, you henpecked husband."
I nodded with a wry smile.
"Then, before I go, one request?"
"...Speak."
"Assign Knight Lira to Weller's direct command."
"...To Weller's personal knights."
"Yes."
"Why."
"That... Weller will explain."
I'd shoved the explanation onto Weller and clammed up; he nodded calmly.
"Understood."
"Thank you. Then."
"...One thing."
"Yes?"
As I turned to leave the study, his even voice reached my back.
"...Can you revive him. Berik."
I instantly grasped his meaning.
Even in this world where fantasy games became reality, death was generally irreversible, an absolute finality.
But true to fantasy land with its mysteries and impossibilities, revival wasn't entirely impossible.
Prime example: the Elixir of Immortality.
"Possible."
"......"
"But I have no intention of reviving Berik. Ever."
"Why."
"Because Berik betrayed humanity. He became the Demon King's limb, trying to kill us."
"......"
"Plus, personally, I didn't like him."
"I see... Understood."
He nodded, silently dismissing me, so I bowed my head slightly and left the study.
I couldn't guess Urtega's motives for mentioning Berik's revival, but what one person thinks of, others usually can too.
"...Kang Han-gil. Is that what I should call you."
"......"
Yes, like Starnassila Pitra, now occupying a seat in my room.
"......"
"......"
"......"
"......"
"......"
Rebecca, Kachiora, Pasha tra, Rapiti, and Charhela in my room looked like frightened kittens, eyes darting nervously. Pitiful sight.
"What brings you here, Mother."
Grind!
The chilling sound of teeth gnashing echoed.
Yet Pitra's face was terrifyingly expressionless.
...Conversely, her swollen eyelids still bore traces of grief, evoking pity, but I didn't show it.
"...Calling me that doesn't seem appropriate."
"Haa... Fine, what then? Duchess?"
"That will do."
I nodded to her cold, curt reply and sat opposite.
"So, what's your business, Duchess."
"Kang Han-gil. I know you possess special abilities. And that you know many things through them."
"......"
"I won't ask why you entered that body or your intentions. I won't pursue how you arbitrarily altered Alzen's form. Instead, one request."
"......"
I stared silently; impatience flickered in her demeanor.
"In the past, I saw and heard you speak of the Elixir. You must know where it is. I want it."
"...I refuse."
"Why? If it's compensation you want, I'm prepared to pay any amount."
"It's not about that. I simply have no desire to save Berik."
"...Grind!"
Teeth ground again.
"Why... why...!"
"...Because Berik betrayed humanity. He sided with the Demon King to kill us."
"Shu...t... up...!"
Uncontrollable sorrow erupted from her eyes like heavy lava.
Her face twisted suddenly; bloodshot eyes streaming tears, she bared her teeth like a beast.
"You killed him. You...!"
"......"
"Alzen too, Berik too... all you...! So take responsibility...! Revive him, my son, revive my sooon...!"
"...Duchess."
"I beg you like this. Please, please...!"
She dropped to her knees, sobbing and pleading—a wretched, tragic sight too painful to behold directly.
"...Mother. Enough. Berik died as he deserved. Alzen's life wasn't worth much anyway, honestly. Better now with Kang Han-gil inside. Besides, Kang Han-gil entering that body is the will of the gods."
At that moment, stern-faced Charhela stepped in, pouring oil on the fire.
My instincts screamed alarms.
If she kept talking, things would spiral uncontrollably.
"Hey, Charhela, stop..."
"And I intend to marry that Kang Han-gil! Mother! Please give your blessing!"
"......"
Silence.
A cold, heavy, dangerous hush pressed down everywhere.
"...What?"
In that instant, Starnassila Pitra's killing intent exploded outward.
"Ah..."
You crazy bitch. Know your place.