015. The Foreseen Heir
With his long hair disheveled and his head slammed into the ground, Willie couldn't utter a word. Even without Moden lifting a finger, the pressure felt like it would crush his bones. In front of Moden, a 4th Class knight was nothing more than a mere classification.
"……."
Willie hadn't been entirely unprepared for this situation. He'd half-expected it upon entering Plentel Castle. If he cut off Bin's arm and avenged his younger siblings, he knew he'd face Moden's punishment. But this was his chance to clearly show what happened when someone touched his bloodline within the family. The Bascon family was already short on numbers compared to rival houses, and with the family unstable, he was confident they wouldn't kill him. Besides, Bin was a useless existence who contributed nothing to the Bascon family.
However, Willie realized his thinking was wrong. The kid's movements had anticipated his attack with unbelievable precision for a ten-year-old, and he'd even shown ruthless boldness. It was obvious he'd threaten the heir position someday, so Willie had tried to nip it in the bud early. But the sprout had already bloomed into a flower.
'Too late…….'
Blood trickled from his forehead as Willie's despondent expression twisted. He gritted his teeth and cried out.
"Ughhh……!"
The pain felt like his bones were twisting and his organs crushing. Frowning, Willie writhed in agony. Moden had increased the pressure. At this rate, Willie would be crushed to death.
Seeing this, Billy and Shirley shouted.
"F-Father! No……!"
Ignoring them completely, Moden didn't stop. It was then, as Willie convulsed all over, that someone appeared before Moden. White beard, sturdy build, and a tattoo of '4' on one arm—4th Knight Division Captain Herion bellowed.
"Family head, I beg you. Please calm down."
"……."
Division Captain. The Bascon family's knight commanders were divided into three main ranks: 'decurions' commanding ten, 'centurions' fifty, and 'division captains' over a hundred. The Bascon family had the Black Wolf Knights divided into Divisions 1 through 7, each led by one of seven division captains. The 4th Knight Division Captain was the veteran Herion.
He was a knight who'd served as a mercenary for the Bascon family for years, sometimes called the 'White Dog' by some.
Even with Herion's appearance, Moden didn't yield. He tried to punish Willie further. In that moment, Herion drew his thick sword. Without hesitation, he raised it and brought it down on himself.
Thud!
Everyone in the arena fell silent, unable to speak.
"……!"
Even Bin's eyes flashed. Herion's sword was stained with blood. He knelt on one knee. Moden halted and looked at him.
Herion stared at Moden with wide eyes, kneeling on one knee. Blood poured from his abdomen, yet his posture didn't waver an inch. Impressive mental fortitude.
Herion bowed his head politely and addressed Moden.
"This old fool has overstepped in this sacred arena. My apologies."
Moden silently stared at Herion.
"……."
Having spent years as a mercenary, Herion could read Moden's intentions from his eyes alone. Understanding, he spoke.
"The Bascon family currently lacks talent compared to our rival houses. But if we can protect this growing sprout… even if it costs this old body, what is there to regret?"
Moden sighed, looking down at him.
"Hoo……."
Drip. Drip.
Blood splattered onto the floor. Herion had stabbed near his solar plexus, conveying his genuine resolve to die. His earnest gaze spoke of the path that would truly benefit the Bascon family.
In the end, Moden accepted Herion's plea, sheathed his greatsword, and walked out of the arena.
Only after Moden left the arena and vanished from sight could Herion collapse there.
Thud!
"……."
After finishing his duel with Willie, Bin headed to Danel's mansion. Midway, his legs began to weaken. With the entire family watching, it was only natural.
'What an inauguration ceremony.'
His shoulder throbbed, but he felt refreshed.
'No regrets, anyway.'
The duel with Willie had firmly established his hierarchy among the other siblings. This incident etched into their minds that he was not to be trifled with. It wasn't just Bin's thought. Most spectators in the arena now saw him differently. He'd overturned everyone's expectations—against Willie, the fastest among the seven siblings, no less.
"And take this."
Bin looked at the 1st place reward in his hand, the Hundred-Year Herb.
Hundred-Year Herb. As the name implied, it was a plant whose effects only manifested after a hundred years, making it incredibly rare. A mystical herb that could raise a knight's rank by one full grade. However, it had no effect on 5th Class knights or higher.
Bin eyed the cactus-like plant intently.
"Probably doesn't taste great……."
Even if it tasted bad, Bin wasn't one to complain if it made him stronger. He opened his mouth wide and bit into the Hundred-Year Herb.
It was bland yet sour.
"Urp……!"
It tasted like cactus too. As Bin grimaced at the slimy, bitter flavor, Codic at his waist shouted.
"My lord! Are you alright? How dare this mere hundred-year sapling harm you! I won't forgive you!"
Codic leaped high from Bin's waist and headbutted the herb.
Thud.
Bin stared blankly at Codic's incomprehensible action.
"……Just stay quiet."
"Yes, my lord!"
Codic bowed on the ground but soon looked up at Bin, eyes gleaming.
"My lord, is there something around by chance?"
His puzzling words made Bin tilt his head.
"What're you talking about all of a sudden?"
"If not, why are you emitting so much more mana?"
"……?"
Ignoring Codic, who wasn't worth answering, Bin continued on his way. Even without Codic saying it, Bin knew. The mana flowing into his dantian was different now.
This was the moment when the former 8th Class knight Bin became a 7th Class knight.
Even if Willie recovered and came at him full force, Bin was confident he wouldn't lose. Having risen another rank, he now had the foundation to showcase more of Shabest's power.
Smiling incredulously at his regressed body, so different from before.
"Ha, even if others called my past life worthless, already……."
In the past, he'd faced 4th Class knights using weapons. Now, at ten years old, he matched that level. Thinking of the past brought them to mind—the Gana Imperial Guard. Those who'd mocked and used him.
He couldn't face Helden yet, but their underlings were just a few steps away. He could sense it.
'I'll chew them up one by one.'
Bin gripped his bandaged right arm.
Days later. In Moden's room within Plentel Castle, Moden and 4th Knight Division Captain Herion were visible. Surrounding them were numerous taxidermied beasts. But one thing was different: the Erymanthian boar Bin had caught was now added among them.
Gazing at it, Moden recalled Bin's duel with Willie. A faint smile tugged at his lips at the bold gamble.
Herion watched Moden and spoke.
"Even this old man's eyes can see it. Were you thinking of young master Bin?"
True to someone who'd watched Moden for years in the family, he read his thoughts.
"Hm. 'White Fox' suits you better than 'White Dog'."
Having served the Bascon family for ages, they were on familiar terms.
Herion burst into laughter at the nickname.
"Hahaha! A fine title, but I'll pass. A dog is happiest living its whole life with one name. This old man hasn't overstepped, has he……?"
"As if it's the first time? Hahaha."
Recalling the previous incident, Herion bowed deeply—ninety degrees, a glimpse of his unwavering loyalty regardless of age.
Moden frowned at Herion's formality.
"You'll reopen your wound. Ease up."
Herion nodded in agreement but bent at the waist again, deeply though not fully ninety degrees.
"Heh, I said ease up."
"Yes, family head."
Moments later, Moden asked Herion in a meaningful tone.
"You've spent the longest time here in the Bascon family. There's something I've wanted to ask you for a while."
"Yes, family head. Anything."
"If it were you, which of the siblings would you choose as heir?"
Herion was startled by the unexpected question.
"……!"
He'd thought it might come someday, but not so soon. Likely tied to the youngest sibling Bin's recent growth.
Hesitating, Herion began.
"The top candidates narrow to three. But as you know, family head, one is still too young. Choosing him would invite massive backlash."
"Hahaha, true."
"Like many families, I only hope my concerns prove unfounded."
Moden nodded at Herion's words.
"Your concerns mustn't come to pass. But it's not without ways."
Herion focused, wondering if that way could convince the seven siblings and retainers.
"Hm…… What method do you mean?"
"Achieve what others couldn't—an undeniable feat. Of course, it'll take time."
Herion's pupils shook at Moden's purposeful demeanor.
"……!"
Five years later. A massive monster rammed its horn into Plentel Castle's walls.
Boom!!
With a huge crash, the stone wall crumbled.
Crash!
It demonstrated monstrous strength crumbling the ramparts. A 4th Class monster with a human body and a hippopotamus head: the Minotaur.
Minotaur. Known for carnivory, especially enjoying human flesh. Fierce temperament, wielding weapons like a human.
A knight, fed up with its rampage, charged.
"You bastard, do you know where this is?!"
As the sword-and-shield knight approached, the Minotaur drew a massive club from behind and smashed down.
The heavy club descended; the knight raised his shield.
"What can a toy like that do?!"
The knight's judgment was wrong, as the Minotaur said. The club crushed the shield.
Splat!!
With a loud crack, the shield split, blood streaming from the knight's head.
The Minotaur licked its lips at the fallen knight.
"Humans who die instantly smell different, as expected!"
As it lifted the knight with one hand, it dropped him. A man had closed in instantly, swinging an icicle-like sword. Before the Minotaur could react, freezing cold gripped it.
Crack. Crack.
The knights watching from Plentel Castle trembled.
"A 4th Class monster Minotaur…… in, in one strike!"
Unlike the shocked knights, the calm-headed man stood as if nothing happened. His face looked young, but his height matched an adult's.
As he rose, the skull at his waist opened its mouth.
"My lord! Splendid as always. What masterpiece will you craft from this one today?"
Indeed. That calm-headed man was none other than Bin.
Bin replied expressionlessly to Codic.
"No, I won't make anything. It's this guy's turn—I've waited a long time."
Bin smiled, recalling Luminare, the supreme weapon he'd crafted before regression.