Chapter 10: The Lure (1)
After completely draining the dragon blood in the family head's secret chamber.
Jenice pestered me several times a day.
"Young master, shall I make you a snack? How about a cup of warm milk?"
"I'm fine."
"Oh..."
"...Then bake some cookies."
"Yes!"
It seemed she was trying to confirm whether my sense of taste was functioning properly.
And every time I snacked, she wore an expression of immense relief.
It was understandable.
'She watched me casually gulp down that horrific-smelling dragon blood.'
It wasn't unreasonable for her to worry that I might have fallen ill from it.
In any case, I was perfectly fine.
'On the contrary, I've advanced a whole level.'
When I closed my eyes, the powerful flow surging in my chest was proof enough.
After consuming every last drop of the dragon's blood, both the quantity and quality of my mana had leaped forward dramatically.
My Mana Heart had also made significant progress.
"For the time being, it's difficult to grow using spirit medicines."
"We must find another way."
I had no chance to measure my power precisely, but it felt roughly doubled.
Hierniorn sent me a pleased glance.
[Thank goodness. I've heard cases where failing to fully assimilate the dragon's blood leads to rampage.]
'That happens when the Mana Heart's durability can't hold. The dragon blood isn't fully digested yet, but my control is sufficient. Don't worry.'
The process continued ceaselessly.
Like a plant rooted in soil absorbing nutrients, my Mana Heart was steadily digesting the dragon blood's energy.
Now it was time to put this power to use in magic.
'I need to secure a teacher somehow.'
I wanted to train in earnest.
But begging my father—who even had a fake tombstone erected—to hire someone was out of the question...
'With so many uncles, maybe I should visit them one by one?'
The idea was to obtain a tutor from them.
But Hierniorn shook his head.
[Don't even think about it. Better to seek help from your mother's side. Your uncles will never aid you.]
He even nagged me to beware of them instead.
Especially now, when it was the most dangerous time.
Because my talents had been revealed, drawing all eyes to me.
[Among your uncles, be most wary of the second son, Garnas. He's the coldest-blooded of the lot. He'd stop at nothing to surpass the eldest, Leonir.]
'What happened?'
[Ten years ago, Garnas took his first wife from the prestigious Hailey family, another mage lineage. They had a son—handsome boy. But...]
'But?'
[The moment they realized the child had no notable talent, he ruthlessly banished them. No one's seen mother and son since; likely he disposed of them to eliminate future troubles.]
'What...?'
[That's why the Hailey family grinds their teeth at the Kirchheis name. Of course, they fear us too much for revenge.]
'What kind of madman does that?'
He was a monster without a drop of pity or blood in his veins.
Hierniorn explained that most of the family bloodline shared such cold, cruel temperaments.
[Think about it. When do you suppose such fiends are most dangerous?]
'Mm, when I'm asleep?'
[...Of course that's risky too, but the real peril is when they suddenly act kind. You could lose your head with eyes wide open.]
'True enough.'
[If someone cozies up without reason, that's your culprit. Remember that.]
After hearing Hierniorn, securing a tutor grew even more complicated.
It wasn't just about finding a teacher; I had to consider who I could trust and how to learn safely.
I had no intention of getting stabbed in the back twice.
'If only Jenice were a mage, I wouldn't need to worry.'
[Indeed.]
The only person I could fully trust right now was my nanny, Jenice.
Even Hierniorn placed absolute faith in her, making her perfect for the role.
But Jenice couldn't wield magic.
She clearly had other abilities...
'Since she's hiding them, I'll pretend not to notice for now.'
In any event, I continued training alone without a tutor.
The warning light flashed not long after.
A girl showed up unannounced in my room.
"Hi! Kirian!"
Libiel arrived laden with food and toys.
I narrowed my eyes.
"What? Why are you here?"
"Why do you think? I wanted to play together!"
"Not interested."
"Tch. How mean. I like you, you know? I want to be friends!"
The girl who'd been demoted to second place was smiling innocently—far too suspicious.
But bluntly turning her away felt awkward.
"Ta-da! A gift."
"What's this?"
"A magic crystal-powered train play set. My favorite, but I'm giving it to you. Let's be friends from now on!"
"..."
It was hard to coldly rebuff a kid approaching with such pure goodwill.
At the same time, the unnaturalness of the situation piqued my curiosity.
'No way she really just wants to play. There's definitely an agenda. What's the angle?'
For now, I'd observe.
I let Libiel play in my room, ate only the snacks Jenice made, and kept my distance.
I didn't even dip a toe into pretend play.
Yet the kid was persistent.
She visited daily, as if I'd slathered my room in honey.
Her excuse was simple.
"Your room's so cool and refreshing. Smells nice too."
[Ahem! The kid knows her stuff.]
Soon, Libiel even brought kids from vassal families, turning my room into a playground.
Jenice beamed, thinking I'd made friends.
"You're popular, young master. Have fun."
She seemed convinced no tiny kids could have ulterior motives.
But I didn't drop my guard.
On the contrary, my suspicions grew.
A week passed like that—
"Kirian, wanna go outside today? I found a super fun place. You'll love it."
But the unusually dark glint in Libiel's eyes felt ominous.
The invitation itself was a glaring red flag; ignoring it was the obvious choice.
But a different idea struck me.
'If I play this right, I could turn the tables.'
If someone behind Libiel was targeting me, dodging once wouldn't end it.
It was a mountain I'd have to climb eventually.
With proper safeguards, confronting it head-on was best.
[Hm? What safeguards? Am I not enough?]
'Someone else is responsible for the direct bloodline's safety, right?'
Discipline Captain Bastion Lamoff.
If I could use him as a shield, I could wrap this up cleanly.
[True, Lamoff's a stickler for rules—safe bet. Come to think of it, he's quite trustworthy...]
'Then go fetch him quick.'
[Me...?]
'Yeah.'
[How? You're not telling me to steal something and lure him again?]
I chuckled.
This time, a far simpler method.
First, I told Libiel to wait outside.
Then, dodging Jenice's eyes, I wrote a note and handed it to Hierniorn.
To all operatives within the main castle: Relay order to assassinate target 'Kirian Kirchheis' immediately!
A potent talisman to summon the Discipline Captain at once.
* * *
"Here?"
"...Yeah."
The place Libiel led Kirian to was a massive cave.
A yawning void in one corner of the rugged mountains encircling Kirchheis Castle like a screen.
Long ago, it had been a research site for magical creatures; now, scaled down, it served as a breeding ground.
"You know zoos? It's like that. Magical creatures live here. But they're all caged, so no worries."
Not a place for children.
But as direct bloodline heirs of noble status, Kirian and Libiel prompted the keepers to guide them swiftly.
This was also the second phase prepared by Tornil's side.
"Um, Jenice?"
"Yes, Miss Libiel."
"I forgot my coat. It's pretty cold inside the cave. Could you fetch it?"
"Right away."
Even the nanny was successfully isolated.
Now Libiel's senses focused entirely on Kirian.
Her father's command echoed in her ears.
"You've gotten close to Kirian by now, right? Today, Libiel. Lure him into that cave."
This was the 'operation site' Tornil had designated.
Getting him here was success.
Once inside, Libiel's mission ended.
The girl swallowed dryly, staring at her cousin's back.
'What happens now?'
Truth be told, Libiel didn't know the full details.
Just ordered to bring him here to 'get rid of him.'
She knew it was bad, but defying her father was impossible.
"To survive in Kirchheis, you must commit evil deeds too, Libiel."
Such ruthlessness for the sake of struggle was the virtue and refinement of their bloodline.
But—
"..."
Libiel wanted to grab Kirian's wrist and bolt right then.
Because she wanted to win fairly.
To crush Kirian properly and earn recognition from all.
That was her true heart.
And right then.
"Sounds fun."
Kirian strode forward boldly.
Her chest ached at the sight.
Rival or not, tricking an oblivious kid was utterly wrong.
But the water was spilled.
"...Go in first. I'll get my coat and follow."
"Got it."
Kirian's figure vanished into the darkness in an instant.
As Libiel sighed and turned—
Something odd appeared in the distance.
"Discipline Corps...?"
Armed with swords and staves, they raced over like flying.
Bastion at the fore wore a gravely serious expression.
Jenice, heading to the castle, halted and furrowed her brow.
"What's that guy doing here? Looking for trouble again?"
She recalled the day he'd barged into Kirian's room.
But this time, even she couldn't brush off the Discipline Captain.
"We've received intel of intruders in Kirchheis Castle. They may be targeting Young Master Kirian."
"Tch, intruders? Targeting our Kirian...?"
"I don't repeat myself. Move out!"
The knights plunged into the cave after Bastion; Jenice followed.
Libiel felt strange relief as they rushed past.
'No idea what's going on, but with the Discipline Corps here, they can't harm Kirian, right?'
She was even glad.
If the plan failed, it might create an opportunity.
A chance for fair duel and victory over Kirian.
Shaking off guilt, Libiel peered inside.
But then.
Ku-gu-gu-gu-gu—
A roar shook the cave.
The heavy shockwave through the ground sent chills down her spine.
Were they proceeding despite the Discipline Corps?
"No!"
Libiel dashed inside desperately.
Adults stood not far ahead.
But none dared step forward.
Overwhelmed by the monster emerging from the pitch-black depths.
Guooooooh!
"G-Golem...!"
Not mere rock or mud, but a mecha golem of mechanical parts.
The giant, meant to be caged deepest within, loomed over Kirian.
Its fist already raised high.
Poised to smash anyone who moved.
"Young master, stay still!"
"Don't move! Please!"
Bastion and Jenice's desperate cries.
Golems of any kind instinctively attacked moving objects.
So the two inched forward slowly toward Kirian.
But the next instant.
"Young master!"
"Nooooooo!"
They leaped forward without a word.
The mecha golem's eyes flared crimson; its fist plummeted.
Libiel clutched her head.
"Kirian!"
Kwaaaaang!
The metal fist pulverized the ground in a deafening boom.
The entire cave rocked as if collapsing.
The child's form had long vanished into the dust.
"Ahh..."
Dead?
Just like that, so pointlessly?
Libiel's mind went blank as she collapsed.
But then.
"...?"
A vivid mana flow registered.
Someone wielded immense power amid the dusty fog.
Could it be?
Paht!
Bastion, closest, leaped high over the dust.
The donut-shaped debris cloud revealed the interior; the captain confirmed Kirian unscathed.
And recoiled.
"Golem..."
Beside the barely dodged boulder fist.
The boy smirked, lips curled in delight.
As if welcoming the crisis with that brilliant smile.
"Young master! Behind me!"
"No."
"...?"
Bastion landed swiftly, blocking ahead, but Kirian peeked around.
And wagged a finger, channeling mana.
"I'm taking it."
"Taking what?"
"The golem's core."