Chapter 305: I Can't End It Like This (3)
Chapter 305: I Can't End It Like This (3)
“Hey, did you hear?”
“Of course I did. You mean the Young Master returning yesterday?”
“Tsk, ‘Young Master’? You should call him Young Lord Schneider.”
“Ah, right. The old name just rolls off the tongue so easily…”
The people of the Schneider Grand Duchy were overjoyed at the news of Patrick’s return.
Patrick Schneider.
The pride of the Schneider Grand Duchy.
By now, there wasn't a soul on the entire continent who didn't know that name.
From his victory at Arcana to every step he had taken since—was it not the stuff of a living legend?
And now, he had pulled off another miracle.
After discovering traces of Dark Mages within the Holy Kingdom, he had personally gone there and freed the Pope from brainwashing.
That alone was a monumental achievement, but when the Empire refused to cease its warmongering, he had marched alone into the midst of their 200,000-strong army to settle the matter.
Then came the duel with the Sword Saint.
In a battle to determine the strongest on the continent, Patrick had defied all expectations and emerged victorious.
The Strongest on the Continent.
Many had predicted that Patrick would one day claim this title.
However, no one expected it to happen so soon.
A mere youth, not yet thirty, had defeated the Sword Saint and ascended as the greatest swordsman in the world.
The fact that Patrick Schneider was the heir to the Grand Duchy filled the hearts of the people with boundless pride.
“I knew since he was a boy that he’d become a great man. Was he ever an ordinary person?”
He was, indeed, a man far removed from the definition of "ordinary."
As one person boasted, another chimed in, determined not to be outdone.
“My friend, I was there on the scene when the Young Master caught a Saber Tiger. How old was he then? Three?”
He was ten.
Even so, three was a bit much.
Though ten was monstrous enough in its own right…
“Tsk, tsk. You know my son is a squire in the Double Dragon Knights, right? He bragged to me about carrying out an order from the Young Master himself.”
“Oh? What kind of order?”
“He said that one day during training, the Young Master spoke in a voice full of majesty.”
“And? What did he say?”
“He said, ‘Hey, go get me some booze.’”
“……”
That sounded more like an errand than a mission…
Regardless, the man puffed out his chest as if he were immensely proud.
“One day, my son will receive the Young Master’s direct tutelage and become a magnificent knight.”
“Well, if the Young Master is the one teaching him, it’s bound to happen.”
“Hahaha! Right?”
The residents were sincerely happy and proud of Patrick. And if the common folk felt this much pride, they couldn't help but wonder how much more joyful his family must be.
‘The Grand Duke is truly blessed with his children.’
‘He’s suffered so much; he deserves a peaceful retirement.’
But was that really the case?
* * *
“What… What on earth did I do so wrong that I have to suffer like this because of my son in my old age?”
Grand Duke Schneider let out a long, heavy sigh.
“The moment I take my eyes off him, he’s causing trouble here, causing trouble there…”
Seeing his father wilted like a salted cabbage, Patrick felt a tiny—a very tiny—twinge of guilt…
‘Hmm, actually, I don’t feel anything. I guess it wasn't that big of a deal.’
No, that’s just because you have no conscience.
Regardless, Patrick sighed and spoke up.
“I told you, didn't I? The situation was unavoidable.”
“How, in any world, does an ‘unavoidable situation’ lead to you throwing a tantrum in the Holy Kingdom because the soup was too salty?!”
“…Father, I’m only saying this to you.”
Patrick continued with a dead-serious expression.
“It really was salty… Whoa!”
Grand Duke Schneider picked up a fork from the table and hurled it.
“You dodged it? You actually dodged it?!”
“Well, was I supposed to just get hit?”
“Where do you think you’re going?! Get back here!”
“Mom! Father’s hitting me!”
As expected, in times like these, his mother was his only hope.
Patrick Schneider, the strongest man on the continent, was a wise man who knew how to tattle to his mother when things got dicey. However…
“Son.”
Today, even Ava was not on his side.
“I’d like to ask you about these ‘rumors’ that you stood alone against 200,000 Imperial troops, called out the Sword Saint, and engaged in a duel.”
“…Ah. That?”
“It’s a lie, isn't it?”
“……”
“There’s no way my son would do something so stupid, reckless, and foolish as to treat his own life like it’s worth nothing. Right?”
Mother, your words are a bit harsh.
But you see…
“Actually… I think I have a vague memory of doing exactly that… Gack!”
Thwack!
A fruit plate flew through the air, moving significantly faster than the fork the Grand Duke had thrown.
‘Wow, Mother’s really gotten stronger.’
He was happy for her, but he didn't exactly want to confirm it this way.
“Do you have a brain in that head of yours or not?!”
“No, Mother, listen, the thing is—”
“How dare you talk back when you’ve done nothing right?!”
“Father, just listen to me for a second.”
“Listen to what?!”
It seemed the fact that his parents were so perfectly in sync was also a problem.
But they weren't the only ones.
“Mother, please step aside.”
“Dear.”
It was Isabella, Patrick’s wife, who stepped forward to stop Ava. Patrick thought she might be coming to his defense, but…
“I’ll be the one to beat some sense into him.”
Shring.
Uh… wait. Didn't you say you’d put down the sword?
Didn't you say you’d focus on being a housewife?
“I’ll help today as well.”
Elione chimed in from the side.
Seeing her summon a high-level spirit, she seemed to be in earnest.
And to top it all off…
“Young Master. You went too far this time.”
Patrick despaired as he saw April, her twin swords glowing with Aura Blades.
“Even you, April…”
Patrick had no allies.
As was always the case…
* * *
Patrick Schneider, the strongest man on the continent, eventually managed to secure forgiveness only after prostrating himself before his family and begging for mercy. Only after the family had calmed down could they continue the conversation.
“First of all, this mission was only half a success.”
“What do you mean by that?”
At the Grand Duke’s question, Patrick replied.
“The original goal was to confirm the presence of Dark Mages in the Holy Kingdom and capture them.”
“Mhm…”
“But they weren't there.”
“……”
“I don’t know why, but they’re gone. There were quite a few identified as Dark Mages, but they suddenly vanished.”
“……”
“Right before I arrived.”
“Was there a leak in information?”
The Grand Duke’s suspicion was logical. However…
“Who knows? Given the nature of Dark Mages, if they realized they’d been caught, wouldn't they have tried to assassinate me rather than run? It’s strange for them to flee and give up such a massive advantage as the Pope.”
“That is true.”
Even for Dark Mages, brainwashing the Pope would have required significant time and effort.
To give that up so easily without a single act of resistance was bizarre.
Patrick shrugged.
“For now, I succeeded in normalizing the Holy Kingdom and stopping the war. But I didn't see so much as a single hair of a Dark Mage.”
“So that’s why you call it a half-success?”
“Yes. Well, actually…”
If he had to guess the whereabouts of the Dark Mages, there was one more place that came to mind. But…
‘Let’s forget about that for now.’
The issue of the Dark Mages was important, but he had inherited an even more significant problem from the Holy Kingdom.
Solving that had to come first.
“First, there are some people I need to introduce.”
From behind Patrick, several figures silently revealed themselves.
Instantly, April’s hand flew to her hilt, ready to draw, and Elione summoned her spirit once more.
To think there were people capable of such stealth that the two strongest people in the room—excluding Patrick—couldn't even sense their presence?
It was only natural to be on guard.
Elione’s expression was particularly grim. Because…
“A Dark Elf?”
One of the figures who appeared was a Dark Elf, the polar opposite of her own kind.
Furthermore, the others were equally unsettling.
A vampire, a griffon—a type of demonic beast—and a beastman with a fox tail whose specific race she couldn't even identify.
However, the aura of destruction and chaos emanating from them carried a clear meaning.
Elione stepped forward, shielding the rest of the family.
“Husband, why are Kalaron’s familiars here? Even a Dark Elf?”
Patrick shrugged.
“Why are you acting like this is new? Technically, the Orcs living in our country are also Kalaron’s familiars.”
“But they are…”
Elione tried to retort, but she found it difficult to find the right words.
In the case of the Orcs, they had established a deep relationship with the Schneider Grand Duchy long before the Elves had joined.
And after living together, everyone had grown accustomed to them.
But the sudden appearance of these specific familiars of Kalaron forced her to be wary.
While Kalaron was not an evil god, his domain was destruction and chaos.
They were fundamentally at odds with those who served Yupinel.
And while perhaps not as intensely as Elione, the others were also wary of these sudden outsiders.
Patrick let out a sigh and spoke to them.
“First… I’ll tell you everything. Let’s listen to the whole story and then talk calmly.”
Patrick then recounted everything that had happened to his family.
In truth, even Patrick didn't know the full story.
However, he could tell that a massive plan was unfolding with him at the center.
Thus, he intended to share as much information as he had.
The Prophesied Human mentioned by the World Tree.
What had happened with the White Tiger.
And he explained that these four were familiars personally dispatched by the Apostles of Kalaron.
Of course, there were things he couldn't say.
‘It would be good if I could explain the existence of the Outer God I learned about this time, but…’
The Pope had practically begged him to keep that a secret, so he remained silent on the matter for now.
After hearing the full explanation…
“The Prophesied Human?”
“The World Tree said that?”
“Why are you only telling us this now… No… more importantly, is it true?”
“Son…”
The faces of his family were filled with shock and an undeniable sense of frustration.
Even with only partial information, it was clear that the heavyweights who maintained the framework of the world were taking a profound interest in Patrick.
“Ahem, did you say your name was Mr. Philion?”
Grand Duke Schneider addressed the vampire, Edward Philion.
“Speak, huma—Gah?!”
Crack!
“Where do you get off using such informal speech? Is my father your friend?”
A chair thrown by Patrick smashed against Edward Philion’s forehead.
Edward staggered for a moment, then clutched his brow, looking aggrieved.
“Ugh… I am not a citizen of this country.”
“And?”
“I am also a proud lord of the vampire race. Therefore, I see no need to show more courtesy than necessary.”
“I see…”
Patrick nodded as if he understood…
“So those are your last words?”
As if he would ever accept that.
Seeing Patrick slowly draw his sword, Edward spoke in a frantic rush.
“On second thought, the father of the Prophesied Human deserves treatment exceeding that of an Emperor. Please forgive my mistake.”
Edward Philion.
He was a man like a bat, capable of switching sides at a moment's notice.
Having witnessed the sequence of events, Grand Duke Schneider spoke.
“You may speak comfortably.”
“Well, yes…”
Edward looked like he might take him up on the offer, but seeing the "demon" behind the Grand Duke licking her twin swords menacingly, he didn't dare.
“I prefer it this way. Please, go ahead.”
“If you insist… Then, I must ask, what exactly is this ‘Prophesied Human’ title you use for my son?”
Edward thought for a moment before answering.
“I do not know much about it myself. However, the one among us who knows the most is likely this woman.”
Edward pointed to the fox-kin, Daji.
She had been hiding half her face behind a fan, but when pointed out, she gave a mysterious smile.
“Well, since I am a party to this matter, in a sense…”
“Then can you explain it to us?”
“I cannot explain it in great detail. However, I can provide some context.”
She slowly lowered her fan, revealing her face.
“The Prophesied Human is a type of safeguard.”
“A safeguard?”
“Yes. You could call it a safety mechanism to counter a global crisis.”
“……”
“When the time comes, whether one is chosen by the Prophesied Human or not may determine the rise or fall of an entire race. That is likely why the World Tree entrusted its entire race to him.”
Daji fanned herself as she continued.
“I cannot say more than this without being reckless. However, I will add one thing: your son is currently a more important figure than all the other humans in this world combined.”
“My son?”
“Yes. Please keep that in mind.”
“My son?”
“…Indeed.”
“This guy?”
Grand Duke Schneider looked at Patrick.
Patrick was standing there with his nose in the air and his hands on his hips.
“Ahem!”
Seeing this, Grand Duke Schneider let out a deep sigh.
“What is the world coming to…”
* * *
Patrick had revealed the truth to his family.
However, the fragments of truth revealed were too small to grasp the full picture.
Nevertheless, if one were to summarize based on the information available at this stage…
“For now, it seems I’ll have to take down one calico cat and three other ‘et ceteras.’”
The Apostles of Kalaron.
The Four Calamities that heralded the end.
He spoke so casually about taking down beings who had led even the Roman Empire—the strongest nation in history—to its ruin.
Whose son was he to have such reckless audacity?
‘Unfortunately… he’s my son.’
Today, too, the sighs never ceased from Grand Duke Schneider’s lips.
As was always the case.
He rubbed his throbbing temples and spoke.
“Son. Did you not already fight Galloping Death and fail to win?”
“Now, now. ‘Fail to win’? Strictly speaking, I won.”
How on earth could anyone interpret it that way?
The brat who had to sleep for an entire year after barely surviving three strikes with everything he had…
Grand Duke Schneider squeezed his eyes shut.
The memory was still vivid.
The time his son lay in bed, motionless.
To him, those were years of agony, as if his heart were being carved out.
And now he wanted to fight those Apostles of Kalaron again?
“I cannot allow it.”
“No, Father, I’m telling you, this is something I have to do. It’s not something I can just avoid—”
“I said I cannot allow it!”
“……”
Grand Duke Schneider stood up abruptly and shouted. Seeing his usually gentle and calm father so angry, even Patrick couldn't find a witty comeback.
The Grand Duke stood tall and declared.
“As the ruler of the Schneider Grand Duchy, I command you. Patrick Schneider, drop everything else and focus solely on domestic stability and your lessons as my heir.”
“Father…”
“I will hear no counterarguments. If you disobey this command, I will use everything at my disposal as the Grand Duke of Schneider to stop you.”
“No, Father!”
“If you are prepared to destroy the country you built with your own hands, then go ahead and follow that stubborn temper of yours.”
“……”
“If not, then follow my instructions this time.”
And as if there were nothing more to say, Grand Duke Schneider got up and walked out.
Patrick was left behind with a look of bewilderment.
‘Wait, is that really my father?’
How could a man capable of such a "do or die" stance live like such a pushover normally?
Ava approached the stunned Patrick.
“Do you not understand your father?”
“Do you?”
“I do.”
“Pardon?”
Ava reached out and stroked Patrick’s shoulder.
That touch, as if she were caressing the most precious thing in the world, somehow made Patrick feel small.
She spoke softly.
“You’ll understand when you become a parent yourself.”
“……”
“Even if someone offered the entire world, it could never be more precious than one's child. That is what it means to be a parent.”
“No, Mother…”
Please, listen to what I have to say.
He tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come out.
In his mother’s gaze, he felt an emotion he had never experienced before.
It wasn't a rebuke, nor was it anger. It was…
‘Resentment? My mother feels resentment toward me?’
“Well, this is…”
Patrick, who feared nothing and hesitated for no one, found himself unable to say another word.