Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: First War (1)
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“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
In an instant, a profound silence descended.
But each person's reaction differed.
The Plum Palace Lord watched Theo with a quiet gaze,
Julius let out a low groan,
and Ed wore a strange smile.
And then.
Bang!
Wolfgang slammed his hand on the table and shot to his feet irritably.
“The sword's voice is truth? Ha! You think a punk like you can handle all those factions on your own?”
A sharp, intimidating aura filled the room.
It was pressure enough to make even seasoned senior swordsmen shrink back.
But Theo remained utterly unfazed, as if he couldn't even feel it.
“Isn't that for me to handle?”
“What did you say?”
“And I understand that in appeals hearings, when there's such a massive difference in standing like this, the proceedings are handled through proxy battles?”
“……!”
Only then did Wolfgang realize Theo's intent, his face hardening rigidly.
If proxy battles were to occur as Theo suggested, they would have to treat Theo as a 'single' faction.
Meaning someone could step in to fight on Theo's behalf.
And if that someone was Evelyn, who had aided him?
Even with one arm lost, a senior swordswoman was still a senior swordswoman.
No one could predict the outcome if she stepped forward.
'Or perhaps the Demon Dragon himself might intervene...!'
Wolfgang stole a glance at Julius.
Julius was now watching Theo with an inscrutable expression.
He knew how much Julius cherished Evelyn.
And how deeply interested he was in Theo.
Hadn't he agreed to Ed's request in the first place just to torment Julius?
But if Julius turned around and offered to support Theo here...
That would be the worst possible outcome.
Who among the factions would want to oppose the Demon Dragon?
No, even if Julius didn't step in, it was a problem.
By family law, appeals hearings had to be held in public venues.
That meant drawing unavoidable attention.
And for fifteen factions to send representatives just to capture one lowly bastard son?
The backlash, the finger-pointing from the crowds—how could they endure it?
Swordsmen lived with honor and pride in their hearts.
This would drag all that honor and pride through the mud.
The fifteen factions would surely resent Wolfgang for forcing them into such a farce.
And word would spread quickly that the Elder Council Leader was behind it.
'A checkmate!'
Unknowingly, Wolfgang clenched his fist tight.
He had to turn this situation around somehow. This time, he turned to Ed—
'...This guy. He's a snake.'
Ed's expression wasn't relaxed either, mirroring Wolfgang's unease.
In truth, for the first time, Ed felt a chill from Theo.
Because he had seen ulterior motives that even Wolfgang had missed.
'He plans to plant the impression that the Camellia Palace is suppressing him, positioning himself as a hero for the lowly masses?'
After the appeals hearing, Theo's image would split into two main impressions.
- The bastard son fighting righteously against harsh oppression.
And.
- The Ragnar who boldly asserted his succession rights before all.
It was the perfect stereotype for the downtrodden who could never raise their voices against giant powers.
Even if Theo lost the appeals hearing, it wouldn't be a true defeat.
Sympathy would pour in for sure.
Theo was using this chance to boost his name value, gather followers, and build a foundation.
Meanwhile, Ed and Wolfgang had only losses to show for it, win or lose.
'How does he know the appeals hearing rules in such detail?'
Conflicts in Winter were usually settled by faction or faction allegiance, so he hadn't worried.
But Theo had precisely struck at that blind spot.
A vital point, no less.
“…….”
Despite Wolfgang's insistent glaring pressure, Ed fell silent for a moment.
His mind was in chaos.
But deciding on a response here wasn't hard.
'...I have to kill him. No matter what, I must.'
Such boldness, schemes, and the ability to design a board they couldn't escape.
Everything was exceptional.
Leaving him alive would mean constant trouble, grabbing at his ankles forever.
Even if it meant enduring public scorn, he had to crush him now.
'I'll put Axion forward.'
He'd teach him the fear of death.
As Ed's eyes cooled to ice,
Pfft!
Theo met his gaze directly and let out a light scoff.
As if to say, "You think I don't know what you're thinking?"
And.
-As if to say, "Is this really the end?"
'No way...?'
Ed suddenly recalled something, his eyes widening as he looked up.
At that exact moment.
“I thought you were just a quiet kid, but to think you could pull off something this cheeky.”
An echoing voice suddenly boomed from the ceiling.
“……!”
“……!”
“……!”
“……!”
The four dragons, Ed included, all straightened up rigidly.
An overwhelming aura, enough to dominate them all, crashed down like lightning toward where Theo stood!
KABOOM!
Rumble rumble—
The Law Court shook violently up and down from the massive quake.
The sturdy marble floor caved in, kicking up a dust cloud that instantly engulfed Theo.
“We pay respects to the Family Head!”
“We greet the great heir of the Dragon God.”
“We pay homage to the Sword Sovereign!”
“We offer our respects to the Lord of the North!”
The four dragons knelt on one knee toward him in unison, bowing their heads.
A sword salute brimming with the utter loyalty of vassals to their great lord.
But.
Their lord showed no interest in his cherished retainers' greetings, focusing solely on one spot.
Where the dust had cleared.
A man towering at least 190 centimeters, with a solid build and fierce eyes, looked down at Theo.
“You're not even tensing up in front of me. You've changed a lot, son.”
The man, Kyle Ragnar, chuckled as if amused.
Witnessing the scene,
Ed felt a shiver run down his spine for a moment.
'No way... Did he foresee even this...?'
Theo's expression toward the Family Head was too calm.
As if he'd known this would happen.
* * *
'I had a hunch, but I didn't think you'd really show up like this.'
Unlike his calm exterior,
Theo inwardly smiled bitterly as he met Kyle's intrigued gaze.
'In my past life, it was so hard to even see you, no matter how much I wanted to.'
-Father.
To Theo, Kyle had always been a distant figure.
Someone he could never get close to, no matter how much he yearned like other family fathers and sons.
A being positioned at an unreachable distance, like stars in the night sky.
Sometimes admired,
sometimes resented,
and at others, longed for—and now he stood right before him.
Showing a face he'd never once revealed in his past life.
'Get it together. This is time to focus on the war.'
But the sentiment was fleeting.
Theo quickly steadied his mind.
This was the first war of this life, which would be filled with countless battles ahead.
He had to win.
[You have successfully endured the opponent's fierce aura.]
[You gain some experience points.]
Just withstanding Kyle's aura had earned him a bit of experience.
Thanks to that, a good plan came to mind.
“Initiate Swordsman Theo Ragnar pays respects to the great incarnation of the Dragon God.”
Theo deliberately prostrated a beat later than the other Nine Dragons.
To imprint his presence on Kyle one more time.
And to tell the other Nine Dragons that this was his place.
'Father must know that too.'
Sure enough.
Kyle flashed a subtle smile, grabbed Theo's shoulder, and pulled him right up.
“What's with the formality between father and son? Get up.”
A gentle tone.
But Theo wasn't swayed.
'Father is more serious about his children's throne battles than anyone. He came here after hearing about me somehow. So I need to keep showing a strong front.'
As far as Theo knew, Kyle had only one interest.
-The family's prosperity.
Fathering nearly a hundred children through countless women.
Leading the family to its greatest peak.
Even pursuing swordsmanship to the level of demigod.
All to make Ragnar's greatness resound across the continent and the world.
Thus, Kyle always sought successors who could elevate Ragnar even further after him.
He especially enjoyed evaluating his young children who hadn't even undergone the Awakening Ceremony.
Just like now.
“I happened to be strolling nearby and overheard your situation by chance.”
No.
He'd probably been watching from the start.
“Your current predicament seems quite complicated. Mind if I ask who you planned to put forward for the proxy battle?”
Theo didn't miss Kyle's eyes sharpening like a predator eyeing prey.
He knew exactly what answer Kyle wanted here.
So Theo tilted his head as if genuinely puzzled.
“Am I too dull, or do I not understand the Family Head's words?”
“I'm asking who will represent you in the appeals hearing.”
“Represent me? Where in the world is there such a person?”
“……What?”
Caught off guard, Kyle blinked for a moment.
“My voice is purely my own. Who in the world could speak for me? My justice, my will, my claims—all are mine alone.”
“You mean?”
“Yes. So naturally, I planned to step forward for the appeals hearing myself.”
“Then you'll lose.”
“How can I know without trying?”
“They've all at least opened their mana cores.”
“Even if forced to bend, I won't bow of my own will.”
“What? Ha! Hahaha!”
Kyle covered his face with his hand and burst into booming laughter.
Then he whipped his head toward the Nine Dragons and grinned.
“Did you all hear that? What my son said? 'Bend but never bow'! What could suit a Ragnar better?”
The bowed Nine Dragons remained silent.
Only Julius wore a faint smile.
Ed and Wolfgang's faces, however, were stiff.
“The attitude you're showing before battle truly pleases me.”
Kyle turned back to Theo and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Crunch.
It hurt.
But Kyle's scarlet pupils, fixed on Theo, burned more intensely than ever.
“Thank you for the kind words.”
“Still, I maintain it's unfair for you—who hasn't even undergone the Awakening Ceremony and can't yet be called a proper swordsman—to face the appeals hearing like this.”
This time, Theo's eyes lit up.
He knew what his father was about to do.
“So, in their stead, I, Kyle Ragnar, lord of Ragnar, shall now test you with a single strike.”
In an instant, the Nine Dragons jerked their heads up in shock.
Faces frozen in disbelief.
“Endure it. Do that, and I'll clear you of all charges.”
“……!”
“……!”
“……!”
For the Nine Dragons, it had been ages since they'd seen Kyle shield someone—let alone a young child—like this.
The Plum Palace Lord's and Wolfgang's faces twisted in shock, while Julius let out a soft 'pfft'—at that moment.
“Family Head! You can't do that!”
Ed hurriedly stepped forward.
'I have to stop him from catching the Family Head's eye, no matter what!'
Alarms blared in his head.
The moment Kyle took notice of Theo, all schemes to seize the Rose Palace would crumble to dust.
“Anti-Dragon.”
But Kyle eyed his long-time vassal who dared interrupt his fun with displeasure.
“Yes, Family Head.”
“Who gave you permission to speak?”
Ed quickly bowed his head.
“My apologies. But I feared the vassals and knights might presume to meddle in father-son affairs...!”
“You think I, Kyle Ragnar, could be swayed by mere sentiment?”
Hah!
Kyle scoffed.
“If they're the type who can't trust me like that, what choice is there? I'd cast them out.”
“......Cast out?”
“For Ragnar, there's only one meaning to that.”
In that instant, Kyle's scarlet eyes gleamed blood-red.
“Kill them.”
“……!”
“……!”
“……!”
“……!”
The other Nine Dragons and Ed alike could only stiffen.
“Shall I give my personal evaluation? I actually think this child is right.”
Silence fell.
The heavy air seemed to squeeze the lungs of Ed and the Nine Dragons.
This place was now Kyle's domain.
“Aren't they all retainers and soldiers who should follow Ragnar? Yet they dare tarnish their lord's authority? Then crush them. So they never dare again. Isn't that right?”
“Your words are most just.”
“......The supreme authority of Ragnar is the Family Head. Do as you will.”
The Plum Palace Lord bowed her head, and Wolfgang, lacking the courage to challenge Kyle from the start, submitted.
Only Julius smiled at Kyle, enigmatically.
“Something to say, Demon Dragon?”
“No. Just that you seem genuinely excited for the first time in ages, Family Head.”
“Mind your tongue.”
Kyle chuckled softly and turned back to Theo.
“Well? Will you do it?”
Theo calmly shook his head at Kyle's question.
“How could I compare the Family Head's single strike to those of vassals or knights? It's too heavy for me.”
In that moment, Kyle's face cooled icily.
“You're not saying you can't, are you?”
“No. As a trainee swordsman, how could I refuse the Family Head's command?”
“Then?”
“I meant it's not fair.”
“Not fair...?”
What was this now?
Kyle's expression shifted subtly once more.
And Theo curled one corner of his mouth slightly as he spoke.
“The stakes have risen, so the price on the other side must match, don't you think?”
“Oh?”
“For example.”
Theo's gaze turned to Ed.
“The Camellia Palace.”