Chapter 169
Chapter 169
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 169
Chapter Title: Oath of the Titan Family
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‘How should I go about this?’
It pained Daimor deeply that to save his family and the territory’s people, he had to abandon everything and relocate.
A sense of guilt washed over him, as if he were tarnishing the proud history of his house.
But as Arthur had said, if the family was wiped out, it would all be over.
The family’s history could be rebuilt.
Hadn’t the Titan family nearly been exterminated in the war against the Demon King?
They had risen from nothing to create the current Valkan Territory.
If he and his children followed the path blazed by his grandfather and father, his mind felt at ease.
Daimor rose from his seat and walked to the throne, standing before Arthur.
He met Arthur’s eyes and asked one final question.
“To the king, what are the Titan family and the people of Valkan Territory? Are we mere consumables bound together out of necessity? That’s why I ask, since there’s no real need to go this far.”
“It’s true that we’re together out of necessity. But the moment you join me, the Titan family and Valkan’s people become my own.”
“Your people…?”
“Family.”
Arthur continued, gazing at Daimor with sincere eyes.
“I’ll pour everything into ensuring my family lives happy lives. Of course, I’ll do it my way.”
“Family…”
Daimor still remembered the words Ruan the Emperor had spoken when they first met.
-Serve the Oscar Empire loyally. In return, the Titan family will receive eternal glory.
It was what one would expect from an emperor.
Even if Arthur had said the same, Daimor wouldn’t have thought it strange and would have accepted it as natural.
But hearing something so unexpected left him at a loss.
Arthur’s eyes were too earnest to dismiss it as mere sweet talk to win him over, and the vivid memories of the territory he’d witnessed flashed before him.
‘All right, I’ll protect what’s mine and see.’
Daimor dropped to one knee and looked up at Arthur, as if resolved.
“I, Daimor Titan, pledge my loyalty to Arthur Julius.”
Arthur nodded from his throne.
“I welcome you aboard.”
Daimor bowed his head and continued.
“I pray every day that our blood and sweat will mean something.”
Arthur added with a meaningful smile.
“I pray we become true family.”
***
“It’ll work out fine, right?”
“The moment you showed them Stella, the answer was already there.”
Ban replied triumphantly as he climbed to the western wall.
Arthur was waiting there.
Arthur greeted Ban and Rasety with a smile as they approached.
“You two must be tired from the long trip.”
“Did things go well with Count Daimor?”
“We’re joining forces.”
“That’s great! They’ll be a huge help!”
“The reason I called you both…”
Arthur relayed the conversation about relocating the territory.
“You’re moving the territory?”
Ban’s eyes widened.
Rasety’s face hardened.
“This isn’t a small matter. And have you decided where to relocate them?”
“I plan to move them to Shangrni Territory.”
“Hmm.”
“Daban Count is dead, and it’s the farthest from Grada Territory, practically abandoned. Plus, there’s a coast nearby, making it easy to transport by ship.”
“The territory is spacious, which is good, but the walls haven’t even started construction yet.”
“That’s why I’m suggesting we start building walls there first.”
“That’ll take quite some time.”
“With Valkan’s support, couldn’t we speed it up?”
“It would help, but we don’t know how much support they can provide. Things are just gaining momentum here; stopping now doesn’t make sense.”
“We can’t just leave Valkan as is. The Emperor will find out eventually. Even producing Stella for defense is only temporary; it’ll be breached in the end.”
“I’ll consult with the workers. It’s not something I can decide alone.”
“Find a way if you can.”
Arthur patted Ban’s shoulder encouragingly before turning to Rasety.
“How many ships does the Ventarr Merchant Group have?”
***
“Hmm, nice place to live.”
Natasha, entering Grada Territory, wore a very satisfied expression.
Lord and Meteor also envied the bustling village scene.
“This is what human life looks like.”
“Jealous. So jealous.”
The group from Selom following them gaped through the gaps in their hoods.
‘Whoa~ Awesome.’
‘What’s got the kids so excited?’
‘That’s cotton candy, right? I wanna eat some.’
They were overwhelmed by the village atmosphere, something entirely new.
They had ventured out of Selom on a few commissions, but only under cover of dark nights without people around.
This was all they remembered from before joining the Magic Tower as children, so it felt novel and wondrous.
Unlike them, a group in somber robes drew stares as they entered the village.
‘Who are they?’
‘What’s that?’
‘They look suspicious. Should I tell the vigilantes?’
As people murmured, they spotted Millerph following Natasha’s group.
Seeing Millerph on his white horse, the people broke into broad smiles.
“Hey! It’s Millerph!”
“They’re with Millerph. I was worried for nothing.”
“You half-grown punk.”
“What? I made it to the third round applying for the vigilantes!”
“So what? You still got rejected!”
“Uwahahaha!”
The man’s words sparked roaring laughter from the crowd.
The lively bustle was the essence of village life.
It was a heartwarming sight.
Natasha approached Millerph.
“Let me ask one thing. Are all places where people live like this?”
She sidled up innocently, and Millerph chuckled.
“Not sure what you mean.”
“The people don’t seem drunk or anything, so why are they grinning like idiots all of a sudden?”
Millerph replied with a smile.
“They’re happy. That’s why their faces are full of smiles.”
“We’re at war, and they’re happy?”
“I don’t know about elsewhere, but Julius Kingdom is at peace right now.”
“Strange place.”
Natasha tilted her head, looking around.
Everyone seemed so joyful, a stark contrast to Selom’s children.
She suddenly couldn’t recall those kids ever smiling innocently.
Thinking back, she’d never seen them laugh purely.
Well, there was one time.
The image of children playing with a dead cat’s corpse and bursting into laughter came to mind.
That wasn’t normal child’s play.
‘As expected.’
Natasha resolved to escape Selom this time.
If Arthur Julius offered reasonable terms, she’d accept.
Soon, they left the village, and a massive castle loomed ahead.
A large flag fluttered vigorously at the entrance.
Red background with a golden dragon!
It exuded powerful majesty.
“Hmm.”
Just seeing the flag, Natasha sensed Arthur Julius was no pushover.
As they neared Grada Castle, a trumpet blared majestically.
Moments later, the huge gates opened.
There stood Guard Captain Barson with his guards, saluting crisply.
Snap-.
Millerph nodded and passed through the gates with Natasha’s group.
The first to greet Natasha was Ron.
Ron, near the gates, charged at her with a growl.
“What’s this giant mutt?”
Natasha dismounted lightly, radiating killing intent.
Ron bristled further, baring sharp fangs.
“Starting trouble right away.”
As red light gathered in Natasha’s hand.
Whoosh-.
A whistle sounded, and Ron swiftly retreated.
Drakan approached, glanced at Ron, then turned to Natasha.
“Drop the killing intent.”
“That mutt started it.”
“It’s Ron. Call it mutt again, and you’ll answer for it.”
Drakan warned firmly, then bowed politely to Millerph.
“You’ve had a hard journey.”
“No trouble. He’s a bit rough around the edges, but a good person.”
Millerph smiled at Natasha before continuing.
“Where’s His Majesty?”
“In his office, waiting. I’ll guide your group. Duke, go to Jackal. His Majesty’s orders.”
“Understood.”
Millerph gave a faint smile to Natasha and Lord.
“Marquis Drakan will escort you to His Majesty.”
Natasha nodded, glancing at Ron before following Drakan with her group.
Before leaving, Lord asked Millerph.
“This isn’t the end, right?”
“Of course not. Meet His Majesty, and everything will be resolved.”
“Resolved how?”
“You’ll see.”
Millerph left with a cryptic remark.
Moments later.
Drakan led the Selom group into the office.
Arthur sat on the throne, with Skevin standing steadfast beside him.
Arthur welcomed them warmly.
“Welcome to Julius Kingdom.”
Lord greeted him on their behalf.
“I am ‘Lord,’ leader of the Recluses. It’s an honor to meet the master of the Golden Family.”
“Never heard that greeting before.”
“The Julius family has long been called the Golden Family, so I phrased it thus. Forgive me if improper.”
“No, it was fine. Not bad at all.”
Arthur smiled affably, studying them.
All but the burly one-armed man hid their faces completely under robes.
“Show your faces. Remove the robes.”
“Our appearances are grotesque; we fear startling Your Majesty. Is that all right?”
Arthur shook his head.
“No need to worry. Take them off comfortably.”
“Very well.”
Lord removed his hood.
His face was gaunt as a skull, bloodless, with deeply sunken eye sockets—like an undead.
Next, Meteor beside the burly man shed his robe entirely.
His body was covered in fur.
‘What the hell are these?’
Drakan grimaced, gripping his black spear tightly without thinking.
Soon, the group behind them removed their robes in unison.
Grotesque forms emerged—monstrous, no different from beasts.
“What is this!”
Drakan swiftly positioned himself between Arthur and them, aiming his black spear.
Their faces hardened, and Natasha declared boldly.
“We obeyed His Majesty’s command. Is this how you respond with a spear?”
“Mm…”
Drakan, knowing she was right, lowered his spear, bowed deeply, and apologized.
“My apologies. I acted without thinking. Forgive me.”
“We’ll let it slide today since it’s a good day.”
Natasha grinned, turning to Arthur.
“What do you think of our looks?”
“What about them?”
“Aren’t we hideous? Can you accept us like this? I saw children on the way; they’d faint at the sight. Can we really fit in…?”
“Honestly, others won’t approach easily. But being born human means everyone deserves respect.”
“Deserves respect… Millerph said the same.”
“Did he?”
Arthur smiled and continued.
“You’re people just like us. Recognizing differences and learning from them is the most valuable thing only humans can do.”
‘Recognize differences and learn from them?’
Natasha’s eyes wavered slightly.
Arthur walked to them, stopping before Yubra, whose skin was melting like ice.
“What’s your name?”
“Y-Yubra…”
He asked each one’s name in turn.
Finally, before Natasha.
She met Arthur’s eyes and declared.
“Don’t ask my name.”
Arthur nodded with a faint smile.
“You can become citizens of Julius Kingdom. I’ll help you live like people.”
“How? People won’t come near us.”
“Time will handle it.”
Arthur continued firmly.
“In Julius Kingdom, no one has the right to curse or condemn another for being different. Violators have no place with me.”
“...!”
Natasha’s eyes shook.
Meteor and Yubra’s group looked stunned.
Arthur drove the point home.
“I’ll give you new lives. Trust me.”