Chapter 608
Chapter Title: The Rightful Heirs
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In an office with a panoramic view of the government building’s garden, a middle-aged man was busy with paperwork.
*Knock, knock—*
With a knock, a knight entered.
“Commander.”
“What is it?”
“We have visitors.”
“That’s odd. I wasn’t told the Rodren Empire was sending a delegation.”
Sis said, his eyes still fixed on the documents.
The knight replied.
“They are not a delegation from Rodren.”
At that, Sis’s hand paused for a moment.
Then, he clicked his tongue and said.
“Send them away.”
Sis Sigma.
He was the commander of the Tussen Knights, the de facto ruler of the Resentong region.
A hero known by the epithet ‘Crimson Wave,’ he was also publicly known as the master of Resentong.
The Resentong region grew incredibly cold in winter due to the influence of the continent’s northern territories.
However, during spring, summer, and fall, the land enjoyed a very warm climate, thanks to the fire spirits that had settled there.
Furthermore, with most of its territory being vast plains, it was the breadbasket of the western continent, where crops grew exceptionally well.
It was also a place where high-grade spirit stones were produced, as the Great Fire Spirit had resided there for a long time.
For these reasons, countless nations wished to trade with the Resentong region.
But the only nation the Tussen Knights officially engaged with was the Rodren Empire.
Decades ago.
When the Tongkon Kingdom faced a large-scale invasion from Tartaros, most of its allies simply watched as it fell.
This was to prevent the unusually severe invasion from spreading to their own territories.
They also refused the request for aid because the Rodren Empire, the hegemon of the west, had already dispatched a large number of heroes and troops.
In the end, the invasion of Tartaros was thwarted, but in the process, all of Tongkon’s royalty either lost their lives or went missing.
The heavily damaged Tongkon Kingdom naturally collapsed, fading into the annals of history.
Afterward, the Tussen Knights, who carried on Tongkon's legacy, severed ties with the nations that had been allies but had turned a blind eye to their crisis.
At Sis’s sharp reaction, the knight quickly corrected himself.
“They are not a delegation from another country either. The visitors are from Rodren. It’s a sudden visit, not a delegation.”
“Hmm?”
“People from the Jerdinger and Llewellyn families have arrived.”
“Jerdinger and Llewellyn?”
Sis looked up from his documents and rose from his seat.
He walked over to the large window in the room and looked outside.
He wore a puzzled expression as he observed the four figures at the forefront.
“They look familiar.”
“They are Leo Flove, the student council president of Lumerne, and from the same year, Celia Jerdinger, Abad Llewellyn, and Chelsea Llewellyn.”
“I see. The young ones who are making waves in the world these days.”
Sis remarked with admiration.
“Then I suppose I should go and greet our guests.”
***
After revealing their identities, Leo’s party was easily escorted to a reception room.
“I heard the Tussen Knights aren’t very friendly to foreign nobles. I’m glad we can meet the Crimson Wave without much trouble.”
“Our empire and the Tussen Knights have maintained relations. Still, since it’s a sudden visit, I thought it would take some time to see Sir Sis. I never expected to meet him right away.”
The Tussen Knights governed the Resentong region.
The commander leading such an order could be considered the highest authority in this region.
Indeed, Sis had achieved the rank of a hero.
The master of the fertile Resentong region.
In other words, he was a man with a status equivalent to a king.
Even if direct descendants of the Jerdinger and Llewellyn families had arrived, a sudden visit would normally require a formal process for an audience.
To be able to meet him immediately like this…
“He must be very busy. I’m a little surprised.”
As Celia spoke in a slightly bewildered tone, a middle-aged knight who had been listening at the entrance to the reception room smiled warmly.
“It is because our visitors are you, Lady Celia, and Lord Leo.”
“Me and Leo?”
“Yes. The previous head of the Jerdinger family spared no support in helping the Resentong region rebuild after it was devastated by the Tartaros invasion.”
“My grandfather did?”
“Yes. And while helping rebuild Resentong, he asked for nothing in return. Tussen later tried to repay his kindness, but he firmly refused. He also never publicly disclosed the help he provided to the Resentong region.”
A deep sense of respect was evident in the middle-aged knight’s eyes.
Regas’s unwavering support for Resentong’s reconstruction was likely heavily influenced by his wife, Naila.
But no matter how much he loved his wife, it wasn't easy for a family head to help others without any compensation.
Especially for someone who possessed so much.
‘Come to think of it, grandfather had almost no personal assets.’
Even as the head, one couldn't do whatever they pleased with the family's entire fortune.
Thus, it was common to build up personal wealth that could be managed freely.
Especially for the head of a top hero family like the Jerdingers, wealth would naturally accumulate.
Regas had no such thing.
It seemed the reason was that he had been secretly helping the Resentong region.
Listening to the story, Leo murmured.
“A knight among knights.”
“Huh? Of course, my grandfather is the greatest knight. He was the previous head of the Jerdinger family, the greatest family of knights. Of cour—”
“That’s not what I mean.”
Leo chuckled at Celia’s words.
“I mean he inherited a spirit that has been passed down since ancient times.”
A noble and just soul that doesn't hesitate to sacrifice for the weak and fights against injustice.
Literally the epitome of an honorable knight.
There are certainly things in the world more valuable than territory and wealth.
Others might not, but the direct descendants of the Jerdinger family knew this fact well.
‘That must be why they’re called the greatest family of knights.’
At Leo’s words, Celia lifted her chin and said.
“Of course, he’s my grandfather.”
Just as Leo let out a soft laugh at her remark, the reception room door opened, and a middle-aged man appeared.
The man’s first impression was that of a fair and just judge who valued principles.
Leo, who had been observing him for a moment, muttered inwardly.
‘An elemental knight. And a powerful one.’
The imposing presence of a seasoned warrior who had weathered countless battlefields.
He was a formidable individual, comparable in strength to the heroes Leo had met so far.
‘Is this the commander of Tussen, Sis Sigma?’
Leo watched Sis in silence.
The moment he entered the room, Sis’s gaze fell upon Leo.
More accurately, it alternated between Leo and Celia.
His resolute eyes wavered for an instant.
The knights in the reception room bowed to Sis.
“Leave us. I wish to speak with our guests.”
The knights looked puzzled at the sudden command but promptly left the room.
All the while, Sis simply stared at Leo and Celia.
A moment later, Sis spoke.
“The mages of Llewellyn…”
“They’re my friends. You can speak freely.”
He had already explained the situation to Chelsea and Abad.
At that, Sis nodded.
“Then I will be direct.”
Sis said, staring intently at Leo.
“What is your relationship to the Tongkon royal family?”
Leo looked slightly surprised by the question.
Celia was also taken aback.
Looking at the two of them, Sis continued.
“My family, the Sigma family, has long been a confidant of the Tongkon royalty. I myself, as a very young child, had the chance to see the royal family just once before Tongkon fell. That is why I vaguely remember their appearance.”
The old records of Tongkon were all lost during the Tartaros invasion.
What little remained was all in the Tongkon royal palace, but the palace was currently sealed.
No portraits or records survived.
Furthermore, since no hero artifacts existed, the Hero Record could not be opened either.
Thus, the appearance of the Tongkon royalty only remained in the memories of those who had met them before they all disappeared.
Sis was one of those people.
“I couldn’t tell from the pictures of the Jerdinger direct descendants, but… seeing you in person reminds me of them. Celia Jerdinger, your bearing is the spitting image of the princesses.”
‘Grandfather and Father did often say I resemble my grandmother.’
Celia thought to herself.
“And you, Leo Flove.”
Sis’s gaze fixed on Leo.
“Your hair color is the same as the Tongkon royals I saw back then.”
When seen in newspapers, the black-and-white photos made it impossible to tell.
It was only known that he had white hair.
But seeing him in person, Leo’s hair was the exact same color as the Tongkon royalty Sis remembered.
At Sis’s words, Leo toyed with a strand of his hair.
‘My grandmother, Naila Jerdinger, was said to have dyed her hair continuously after marrying my grandfather Regas and becoming the mistress of the Jerdinger family, right?’
It was a hair color that didn't exist in his paternal Flove family, nor in his maternal Jerdinger family, which had been a mystery. It seemed he had inherited it from this side of the family.
“I’ll ask again. What is your relationship to the Tongkon royal family?”
At Sis’s question, Celia looked at Leo.
Leo then opened his mouth.
“My grandmother, Naila Jerdinger, wife of the Jerdinger family head, Regas Jerdinger… her birth name was Rena Tongkon.”
At those words, Sis’s body trembled.
“Princess Rena’s…?”
Leo handed over the documents he had received from Regas.
After confirming their contents, Sis drew a sharp breath.
An artifact in the form of a pendant was enclosed with the documents.
A red spirit stone was embedded in the pendant’s cubic zirconia, and on the spirit stone, the Tongkon royal crest was clearly imprinted.
Regas Jerdinger, who had helped rebuild the devastated Resentong region for decades without asking for anything in return.
As a token of gratitude, the Tussen Knights had wished to come under the Jerdinger family’s protection, but Regas Jerdinger had refused.
Now, he finally understood the reason for his actions.
“Why… I… Tussen… the people of Tongkon have searched for the royal family for so long.”
Among the young, the name Tongkon was already forgotten.
There was nothing left to remember Tongkon by.
Tartaros had thoroughly reduced everything related to Tongkon in the Resentong region to ashes.
The only remaining legacy was the Tongkon royal palace.
Things without records are quickly forgotten.
No matter how much one wishes to teach and pass on the legacy, it’s impossible without records.
Even the Hero of the Beginning, who saved the world, was completely forgotten from people’s memories.
But those who had lived under the reign of the royal family at that time still remembered.
They remembered the royals who threw themselves into harm’s way for their people.
How much blood and sweat they had shed to create a good country.
“My grandmother… lived her entire life with the guilt of not being able to protect so many people. The kingdom ultimately fell, and she felt responsible for the many who were sacrificed in the process. As the sole survivor of the royal family, she said she could not reign over those she failed to protect, and that she was happy as long as the people of this land were happy.”
“Ah… how could she think such a thing.”
Sis, who had long searched for a royal survivor and had eventually given up, couldn’t help but feel devastated.
He had never dreamed that a royal bloodline had survived so close by.
Sis, who had been bowing his head and shedding tears, finally looked up.
His eyes were filled with a fierce determination.
“Now, all that remains is for this land to be returned to its rightful owner.”
Sis’s eyes turned to Leo and Celia.
“Who will be the one to become king?”
At his words, Celia glanced at Leo.
“It is Lord Leo Flove.”
Sis nodded as if in understanding.
“I will prepare for the coronation at once! So that you may ascend the throne tomorrow!”
Celia wore a flustered expression at his words.
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes! Resentong has been without a king for too long! Now that the rightful owner has returned, you must ascend the throne tomorrow and proclaim it to the world!”
“But aren’t there preparations to be made? A coronation in one day? That’s physically impossible.”
“Is there anything impossible in this world?”
‘This man. He had a cool-headed image just a moment ago, why is he suddenly acting so rashly without thinking?’
Celia looked bewildered.
Watching Sis, Leo was reminded of someone.
‘He’s like Depesere.’
Depesere.
The Gold Dragon who had served Lisinas.
He was also the dragon who had managed Gardsrone’s internal affairs.
Normally a meticulous character, he would become like this, losing all reason, whenever the Great Hero was involved.
His impression and his sudden reckless behavior reminded him of the one who had lost his life long ago.
Leo, who had burst into laughter, said.
“Let’s take care of that slowly. Before that.”
“Yes. Please speak.”
Sis, whose tone had already changed, said respectfully.
‘The Tongkon royals must have been truly good people.’
For his attitude to change so drastically just by learning of the Tongkon bloodline.
“I would like to meet the Spirit of Purification.”
***
The city where the Jerdinger main estate was located.
Peion.
Reina was walking the streets of her hometown with her husband for the first time in a long while.
“This place hasn’t changed either.”
Seeing Reina’s delighted expression, Dade asked with a worried face.
“Reina, are you feeling alright?”
“Of course. Walking like this is actually a nice change of pace. It feels good.”
Reina smiled brightly.
The attendants from the Flove family were fidgeting, worried about their mistress’s health.
“Madam. Should I buy you something warm?”
“Lady Reina. Please wear gloves if you’re cold.”
“Hehe, thank you. But I’m fine now, so there’s no need to fuss.”
Reina, who had been laughing with her hand over her mouth, let out a small sigh.
“I wanted to go to Letin with the children.”
“It’s not too late to go after you’re feeling a little better.”
“Yes.”
Reina, who had been smiling brightly at Dade’s words, suddenly stopped walking.
“Reina?”
Dade looked alarmed.
Reina clutched her right chest and hunched over.
“Reina?”
“Gasp! M-Madam!”
Dade and the attendants checked on Reina’s condition.
“Oh-ho, so you were alive?”
At the voice that came from ahead, Reina felt a chill run down her spine.
When she lifted her head, she saw a flame.
*Fwoosh—*
A flame that was all too familiar.
‘My flame?’
“It’s good to meet my old prey again.”