Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Dragon Instructor Society (4)
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[You have defeated 'Evil Hanabi' and earned recognition.]
[You have defeated 'Matthew Byron' and earned recognition.]
.
[All Luck has increased by 14.]
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[Congratulations! You have successfully completed Tutorial Quest #11 by forming a party with 'Evelyn Nereville.']
[Rating: B+]
[As a reward, you have obtained 'Beginner's Top.']
'As expected, no additional rewards this time. Is it because my rating was low since I didn't fight them directly?'
It was a bit regrettable.
It seemed additional rewards were only given for ratings of A-rank or higher at minimum.
'I was hoping this time we'd get permissions related to using the rewards we've received so far.'
Now that real combat had truly begun, he'd thought they might grant power commensurate with that.
'Still, it's not all bad.'
[You have leveled up for the first time.]
[From now on, you can freely distribute the additional coefficients provided.]
Theo's eyes seemed to sparkle at the word 'freely.'
If he could grow his abilities in the direction he wanted, the plans he could choose from would become endlessly varied.
……Later.
He'd check it slowly later.
Choices like this shouldn't be rushed.
He needed to solidify his direction after long research and deliberation, then make a strategic decision.
Crunch!
Theo scrolled all the messages down and fully exited the Camellia Palace, turning to look back.
The place where all that chaos had unfolded moments ago was now eerily quiet, to the point he wondered if it was the same spot.
'The ones who targeted me and Mother. Axion. No, it was Troyvan.'
Theo vividly recalled the second information window he'd seen while patting Axion's shoulder.
[Observing 'Axion Ragnar' anew.]
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Axion Ragnar (15 years old/Male)
· Title: Dark Leopard
· Talents: Madness. Psychopath.
· Status: Experiencing intense shame or stress from failing his uncle's orders to a cripple.
+
The information window's [Status] occasionally described the observation target's psychology.
That's why he'd checked, just in case…… and he'd hooked a big one.
There was a man named 'Ed Troyvan.'
Axion's uncle and Emil's twin brother, he was originally the prodigy the Troyvan Marquis family boasted about.
To the extent that he could aim for the next family head position.
But perhaps due to his great love for his sister.
Ed had followed Emil when she married into the Ragnar family and became a vassal of Ragnar.
The title he received from the family head at that time was Anti-Dragon.
He became one of the 'Nine Dragons' guarding Ragnar.
And yet.
This incident wasn't Axion's mere whim—it was Ed's scheme.
'For a man of his caliber to move, of course there'd be an ulterior motive. With the Renden he planted suddenly dead, he must have wanted to test me out of curiosity.'
Now, how should he respond?
'If my memory is correct, Troyvan will eventually……!'
It was then, as Theo's eyes sank deeply.
"Theo Young Master, Theo Young Master!"
Wellington was rushing out of the Camellia Palace with urgent footsteps.
"What happened just now……!"
"Wel."
"Theo Young Master, did you just call me by a nickname……?"
Wellington trailed off from his attempt to apologize for the Dragon Instructor Society incident, his eyes widening round.
Nicknames were usually used only among close friends.
"The first round ended too boringly. How about a second round?"
It was the first time.
The first time Theo had suggested hanging out together.
Wellington nodded eagerly, of course.
Evelyn, emerging a step behind them, also looked a bit surprised.
'It seems his mindset has changed in the meantime.'
Probably something born from clashing with Axion— the concept of 'my people.'
A welcome change.
"There's a regular spot I know very well. Let's go there. They'll give us tons of service."
Following behind the pleased Wellington leading the way.
'With this incident, Wellington and the Dragon Instructor Society are completely at odds. Does that mean the future where Narsio and Ragnar clash will change too?'
How the future would shift was still unknown even to Theo.
There were far too many variables in the conflict between the two families.
But one thing was certain.
A single thread of great history had begun to subtly change.
'If I can harness Narsio's power, which wouldn't fall behind even in a clash with Ragnar……?'
Theo wanted to steer that subtly changed thread in the direction he desired.
To do that, he'd have to steadily follow his plans and accumulate power step by step.
And.
Part of that power was right there.
"……."
Theo glanced up toward the upper part of the Camellia Palace.
Second floor, storage room. A faint blue light leaked through the window cracks.
'It's clear. That blue light…… it's the signpost the messages and quests point to.'
From the invitation to the storage room.
The blue light had been guiding Theo toward new events.
Which meant he absolutely had to seize this Camellia Palace, where the blue light lingered.
'I was never going to be on the same side as Troyvan from the start anyway. So what if I strike them first?'
Something flashed through Theo's mind.
It wasn't fully formed yet, but if he played it right, it could work.
'And if I snatch the Camellia Palace?'
Wouldn't that cut off one or two of their limbs?
He could pull another thread of history in the direction he wanted.
A cold sneer curled at Theo's lips.
* * *
Camellia Palace 4th floor, Third Wife Emil's residence.
Slap!
The sound of a slap rang out.
It was an everyday occurrence.
The maids and butlers all pretended not to hear and slipped away, covering their ears.
"You didn't just hand over justification to that cripple bastard—you let your own limbs get severed too?"
Emil glared at her worthless second son with a flushed, fuming face.
Axion nodded, his left cheek bearing a bright red handprint.
"Yes."
"You're saying that like it's something worth saying……!"
In a fit of rage, Emil raised her hand high again, then took a long breath.
"I've explained to you countless times how grave the stakes are in this matter for your uncle, so I assume you know well. I have no interest in what that lowly Theo Ragnar does. All we need is the Rose Palace—nothing more."
"……."
"But now that lowly thing, oblivious to its place and hunkered down in the Rose Palace, will be on high alert. We'll have more than one or two variables to worry about."
Emil's eyes turned venomous.
"My son, go to your room and cool your head. You nearly botched a major affair over your shallow whims. Reflect deeply on that."
"……I'll keep it in mind."
Axion gave a curt nod with a blank face and left Emil's residence.
Snap!
Emil fully unfurled the folding fan in her hand, cooling the heat from her face.
"He acts so clever, but who the hell does he take after to be that impulsive? Tch!"
"That's because he takes after the Plum Palace Lord in her youth."
A shadow quietly approached from behind.
Emil turned and glared at it with blazing eyes, not a hint of surprise.
"You're not throwing that out as a joke right now, are you, Brother?"
"The Palace Lord seems quite angry. I have some aroma candles I procured with difficulty from the southern Arcran volcanic region. I'll gift them to you—try enjoying the scent during your half-bath later. It'll melt away all the fatigue built up in body and mind."
Emil let out a hollow laugh at her twin brother Ed's words.
That's why she couldn't hate this mischievous half of herself.
He understood her true feelings more deeply than her own husband.
"And honestly, this incident might have turned out for the better."
"Why?"
"The Rose Palace has been too tricky to claim all this time, as it was the family head's harem. But what if Theo Ragnar stands out there?"
Emil's eyes flashed with realization.
"That cripple bastard can play Rose Palace Lord?"
"Yes. Then when we crush Theo Ragnar, won't all the other servants and wives bow their heads before the Camellia Palace?"
A smile played on Ed's lips.
"And we can remove that lowly eyesore of a mongrel at the same time."
Emil's smooth brow relaxed.
Truth be told, the biggest reason they hadn't seized the Rose Palace so far was Cecilia constantly picking fights with her.
If they could lop off their heads together with Theo's, nothing could feel more refreshing.
Hearing this report, there was absolutely no downside.
Emil gazed at Ed with sticky, covetous eyes.
"Then you've already prepared for that?"
"When you open your eyes tomorrow morning, you'll hear some delightful news."
"As expected of my brother. How could I not love you?"
Emil wrapped her arms around Ed's neck from behind.
Ed gently patted her back.
But.
Unlike his touch, his eyes held no gentleness at all.
* * *
For the first time, Wellington made a horrified face in front of Theo.
"……Theo Young Master, didn't you say we were going for a second round?"
"Yes. I did. Though you chose the place, Wel."
"But 'second round' usually means having a drink after dinner, doesn't it?"
Wellington stared fixedly at the glass before him.
Bright yellow orange juice with a few ice cubes.
The straw stuck in the center seemed to mock him.
This wasn't alcohol.
It was a kids' menu given to little children tagging along with their parents.
The bartender and Evelyn were already red-faced from laughing beside them.
"We're still legally minors. The Dragon Instructor Society is the one at fault."
"This is a pub."
"But we're still minors."
"……."
"And it's delicious."
Theo sucked on the grape juice through the straw as if wondering what was wrong.
The bartender bowed politely, saying it was an honor.
Wellington turned to the side with eyes pleading for help.
But Evelyn was now openly cackling, on the verge of falling backward.
Haa!
Wellington sighed as if the earth were caving in.
This was why they never had after-parties.
He wasn't much of a drinker himself, truth be told.
But still—what was this? In novels, when friends built loyalty and bonds, alcohol was always there……
What was this? His dreams shattering?
He couldn't argue Theo was wrong.
In the end, Wellington had no choice but to suck on his juice through the straw just like Theo.
It was then.
Bang!
"Welcome!"
With the bartender's greeting, around twenty swordsmen entered, reeking of sweat.
Familiar faces.
"So in today's spar, if I'd changed my stance like this, I might've won?"
"A loser talking fancy won't change that."
"You little punk with no manners. Tomorrow, I'm really gonna…… Huh?"
"Huh? Captain? With the Instructor……? Whoa! Young Master too?"
"Why is the Young Master here!"
"I thought he went for expensive food."
The sparring partners who'd shared the 4th training ground for the past three months.
As expected of Wellington's regular spot—they already knew it.
"It just happened that way."
"Oh, then we can't just sit idly! This is best enjoyed together, right?"
They kept glancing at Theo slyly, wanting to join but hesitant.
Should it be said they were intimidated by Theo?
「Those guys actually banded together for a drink among themselves because they were sulking that you and Wellington Young Master went off to eat delicious food without them.」
Evelyn's telepathic message slipped into Theo's ear.
So that's what happened.
Theo's eyes widened slightly.
'I've been too neglectful all this time.'
It seemed Evelyn wanted to point that out.
To take it easy and make some room in his heart.
She'd probably come here after coordinating with Wellington.
'I didn't mean to be unapproachable.'
Still, he was grateful that they opened their hearts to him like this.
Theo gave a slight nod, signaling it was fine to join.
Soon, cheers erupted as the sparring partners dragged over tables and chairs, creating an impromptu after-party atmosphere.
Far more relaxed and fun than the Dragon Instructor Society's social gathering.
* * *
The after-party was nothing special.
Just sharing the stories bottled up inside them.
Tales of dreaming of becoming master swordsmen but falling behind due to lack of talent.
Stories of laying down the sword due to trauma from losing comrades on missions.
Accounts of crumbling under the weight of family expectations, and so on.
Those stories were filled with much pain and fragments of old dreams.
Theo enjoyed listening to each one.
Because he wasn't the only one who'd lived a hard life.
He found great comfort and empathy in their lives, stubbornly endured despite everything.
'In the end, everyone's lives are similar. Mine or theirs. Only the circumstances differ.'
It made him feel much closer to them.
The sparring partners now sat casually beside Theo without hesitation, no longer intimidated.
In the end, the impromptu after-party stretched from second round to third and beyond, until dawn.
"Ugh…… Can't drink anymore."
"Don't make me eat more……."
"Save me……."
Everyone was dead drunk, unable to regain their senses.
The only ones still sober were Theo and Wellington.
Slurp slurp!
Wellington chewed on the straw of yet another unknown glass of orange juice.
'I want to have fun too…… I can have fun too…….'
Hanging with a straight-laced guy(?) had its downsides.
Grumbling inwardly, Theo chuckled beside him.
"You don't look pleased."
"……Well, what can you do. We're minors."
"After the Awakening Ceremony."
"……?"
"After the Awakening Ceremony ends, let's have a drink, just the two of us. Family rules don't prohibit it then."
Wellington let out a hollow laugh.
This showed how well Theo handled people.
"Yeah. Let's do that."
"And actually, I held off on drinking because I have a separate request for you, Wel."
"Request?"
Wellington tilted his head.
Theo rarely took the initiative like this.
Realizing Theo's face was serious, he narrowed his eyes.
"Something's up."
Wellington's gaze sharpened.
Like the 'Lion of the Snowfields' moniker he'd earn in the future.
Theo wondered if this was Wellington's 'true' face, hidden until now.
"Soon, there'll be a throne competition between me and Axion. And it'll end around when the Awakening Ceremony starts."
"……!"
Wellington unwittingly straightened his back stiffly.
Throne competition.
In Ragnar, nothing carried more weight.
"Of course, I'll win. But there's something I want your help with there."
"What are you……!"
It was right then.
"Theo Ragnar."
Bang!
The pub door flew open as if about to shatter, and swordsmen in yellow armor stormed in.
The pub's patrons all paled.
They were Law Swordsmen, called the grim reapers of Wintera.
"We arrest you on emergency charges of extortion, intimidation, violence, and inciting rebellion."