Chapter 161
Chapter 161
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 161
>Chapter Title: Somehow, I Had That Feeling
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
Right, as expected.
My pointless burst of justice had delayed things a bit, but now we were getting to the main point.
Of course, that didn’t mean our conversation up to now had been entirely useless.
‘These were words I needed to say someday anyway.’
In any case, I pulled out the Heavenly Origin Art paper I’d carefully stored in my subspace and finally asked the question I’d been holding back.
“You said if I showed you this, we’d get some results...”
“You seem impatient.”
“Can’t blame me.”
This was the new Heavenly Origin Art I’d been longing for.
Sure, it was an imperfect intermediate result, but that didn’t make its meaning any less significant to me.
Why would it?
Pahren von Decullan.
The secret that had elevated him to the ranks of the strongest in history was this new Heavenly Origin Art.
Of course, I didn’t think it was just one secret that made Pahren the strongest ever.
But it was undeniable that after acquiring the new Heavenly Origin Art, he’d achieved remarkable feats no one could ignore.
That was when Henji spoke up.
“Aster, there’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while.”
“...?”
“No, never mind. It’s not important.”
I stared at Henji, who’d started something only to back off.
‘What’s with this guy?’
If it wasn’t important, why bring it up at all? Teasing like that just left a bad taste.
Normally, I’d brush it off with, “Ah, okay then,” but his meaningful expression made that impossible.
“What is it? Let’s hear it.”
“Really? It’s nothing much.”
“...”
My fist trembled.
Justice was itching.
Having successfully piqued my interest, Henji chuckled lightly as if it were no big deal and revealed his thoughts.
“I don’t know if it’s just me, but your obsession with the new Heavenly Origin Art seems beyond normal.”
“...”
“Isn’t it? Oh, and just to brag a bit—it is an impressive secret art. But worth staking your life on? Hmm...?”
As I stayed silent, Henji’s eyes gleamed like a cat that had found a toy.
“I thought you might discard all your current arts to learn it, since you’re still young. But Parun’s letter says your level isn’t that shallow.”
“So?”
“You’ve already accomplished plenty, enough that abandoning everything for the new Heavenly Origin Art might not be wise. Karahen, Lortel... You wouldn’t stake your life on arts most couldn’t even dream of learning, right? Human nature, I suppose? Ah! Or is it pure intellectual curiosity, like me or Parun? Hmm, that could be it. Intellectual curiosity. Very important.”
Henji nodded to himself, drumming away, and I could tell from his demeanor that he was already half-convinced of ‘a certain fact.’
And that ‘certain fact’ was that I had mastered the old Heavenly Origin Art.
“Well, that’s my suspicion... Really nothing big, right?”
My fist trembled briefly at his probing, but I forced a smile and played it cool.
“More curiosity than intellectual pursuit. Isn’t it intriguing that the Decullan root, Heavenly Origin Art, has been improved?”
“How many would stake their lives on mere curiosity? Only a madman.”
“...”
At this point, even I had nothing to say.
He was right—no sane person in the world would burn their life on such curiosity.
Which meant.
‘He thinks no one who hasn’t learned the old Heavenly Origin Art would obsess like this.’
Realizing that, I let out a chuckle.
It wasn’t some grand secret anyway.
No, it was a secret I couldn’t share with others, but one I no longer needed to hide from Henji or Parun.
So, just as I was about to admit, ‘You’re right’—
Henji spoke up right then.
“Whoops, I’ve rambled on.”
“...”
“Haha, guess meeting someone to share secrets with loosened my tongue. Anyway, I’ll review the paper and get back to you. I can’t promise quick results like Parun said, but I’ll do my best.”
Was this what they called a verbal smackdown?
Henji unilaterally pummeled me then folded the game in an instant.
I forced my lips into a smile, grinding my teeth. Very slowly, I nodded, clenching my fist tight.
‘I... could smack him with my fist now, too.’
Of course, it was an impulse I wouldn’t act on.
Well, half of me wanted to...
“Oh, right—you had a question? The letter mentioned finding a way to split the core.”
How smoothly he changed the subject.
I suppressed my boiling anger and nodded.
“Yeah. Splitting the core.”
“The theory for splitting a core isn’t that hard. The issues are the risks during the process and efficiency afterward... Hmm, odd. The Decullan Heavenly Origin Art tempers the core without splitting it...”
“Tch.”
From verse one to two, three—finally grating on my nerves, I glared at Henji.
But had he never been hit before? He just laughed it off, ‘Haha,’ opening his palms like it was a joke.
“I’ll select a few books on division methods and send them. You should understand them easily.”
“Not another hundred-plus, right?”
“Haha, no way. Oh, and about the new Heavenly Origin Art—Parun says I just need to finalize it, but it won’t take just a day or two. How long do you plan to stay in Blandoga?”
How long in Blandoga...
I quietly estimated.
Honestly, I didn’t want to stay long.
Coming to Blandoga unplanned was solely for the circle and new Heavenly Origin Art. Once resolved, I planned to head straight back to the academy.
But.
“...Hmm, now it’s less about how long I want to stay and more about how long I can.”
This was because of the Tyulk Family thugs.
Depending on how they acted, I might have to leave Blandoga sooner than expected.
Of course, that wouldn’t ruin my ties with Blandoga, but provoking a vassal family’s young patriarch wasn’t something to brush off lightly.
Still.
‘Something feels off.’
Who set that brainless thug—who couldn’t even keep his wits in front of Damian—into motion?
It wasn’t a direct order. More like someone close to him whispering in his ear.
Just then, as the suspicions deepened.
“By any chance, is it because of the Tyulk Family vermin?”
“You know?”
“Everyone knows the Tyulk young patriarch is vermin. His younger brother is actually the useful one.”
“No, not that.”
Henji’s tone had a subtle edge.
Like someone who knew about the justice I’d dispensed earlier.
“Oh, the tailory incident? I don’t know details, but I get the gist.”
“...How?”
“Wouldn’t it be weirder if I didn’t? Parun might not care about one life, but you know me...”
In other words, he didn’t want sparks flying to Blandoga, so he was fully prepared.
“Didn’t know your family loyalty ran that deep.”
“Not me—my dim-witted brother’s another story.”
Ah, right.
He had a brother.
Our first meeting was because of that airheaded brother, but his lack of presence made me forget.
“Stanley, was it?”
Something like that.
“I don’t recall mentioning his name.”
Oh, right.
Then what was Stanley?
It just fit someone with zero presence. Or not.
Anyway.
The halfwit wasn’t important now.
‘Right—why didn’t I think to ask Henji?’
What Ransi meant by ‘unusual vassal family.’ And who whispered to the thug.
Henji was perfect for answers Ransi couldn’t or wouldn’t give.
As I thought that.
Henji smiled and spoke.
“Anyway, I think I can help with that. What do you say? I’d like your opinion, Aster.”
“Help?”
I raised an eyebrow at the unexpected offer.
But Henji’s proposal didn’t stop there.
“Yes. I can ensure the Tyulk Family doesn’t make trouble for you over the vermin. If you want, I’ll resolve the vassal family issue raising problems for you too.”
“The vassal issue as well?”
“Yes. You might’ve guessed, but the vermin and that vassal family aren’t separate matters. So if I’m helping, best to handle both at once.”
“...Hold on.”
I raised a hand to silence Henji.
Too much info dumped too casually—I needed a moment to sort it.
First.
‘So, the unusual vassal family did whisper to the thug?’
Second.
‘And Henji can resolve it all?’
“You seem confused. Need an explanation?”
“As concise as possible.”
Henji nodded affably as ever.
“First, the vassal family targeting you is the Zilroksa Family. The issue is they’re a bit special...”
“Ransi said the same. How special?”
“You don’t know? The current Zilroksa patriarch is our patriarch’s older brother.”
“Sworn brothers?”
“No, blood brothers.”
“...?”
Wait—blood brother to the current Blandoga patriarch... that made him Damian’s uncle.
“How? Did they found Zilroksa themselves?”
No, even that didn’t add up.
Even if a bloodline member founded it, they wouldn’t accept it as vassal if subpar.
And bloodline splitting off to form families was rare.
Henji smiled, amused by my confusion.
“The previous Zilroksa patriarch had no sons. Daughters inheriting isn’t unheard of, but unfortunately, they lacked talent.”
“So...”
“Common tale. Zilroksa without a proper heir, and a man who couldn’t become Blandoga patriarch. Interests align perfectly, no?”
What was this?
Common, sure, but intriguing.
Simply put, Zilroksa’s uniqueness: led by the current patriarch’s blood brother.
Family laws were strict—even a brother couldn’t act freely, but treating them like other vassals felt awkward.
Then, a comedic scenario flashed in my mind.
“Is the Blandoga patriarch away from the family now?”
“Yes. Know the incident in the Hamern Great Forest recently? It disrupted magic material supplies, so he’s away long-term again.”
There it was.
“Got it.”
“Got what?”
Henji eyed me with interest.
Matching his gaze, I laid out the puzzle pieces fitting perfectly in my head.
“The Zilroksa Family is targeting me to diminish Damian’s influence. I’m just an excuse. They want to shake off his sway. With the patriarch absent, it’s the perfect chance.”
Too petty? Power crumbles like that.
‘Absolute power’ is absolute because it’s unassailable—once challenged, it loses majesty.
“So, what’s the Zilroksa Family’s goal?”
“Hmm, interesting. Go on.”
“Rebellion.”
Yes, nothing else.
“Seizing the throne.”
Using the patriarch’s absence to weaken Damian’s influence, gradually strengthening their own in Blandoga...
“Then sit on Blandoga’s throne they couldn’t claim before.”
That was my read on Zilroksa’s aim.
Henji clapped right then.
Clap, clap, clap.
I smiled proudly at the dry applause. Even I thought it was sharp.
‘Tch, then what about Damian?’
I should help.
As I pondered, Henji’s voice rang in my ear.
“Impressive. You turned the Zilroksa patriarch into a fratricidal villain in an instant.”
“...?”
What? That’s not it?
Then what?
“First, you’ve got a big misunderstanding, so let me explain. But before that...”
“Before that?”
“I salute your distrust of humanity, Aster.”
“...”
I never dreamed of hearing that from Henji, of all people.
Maybe I’d strayed a bit from the realm of good.
Somehow, I had that feeling.