Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Paragon Forest and Origins
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A month had passed since returning to the academy after ending the war.
I headed to Paragon Forest in the northern part of Caliper with Ymir.
This place faced Crossing and the border much like Rainpole, but it was rarely used as a road or visited by lumberjacks to fell trees. No one lived here.
It was here that I felt a strange stirring in my gut.
"Yes... this is the place."
"Indeed, Young Master. This is where you were born."
Even Ymir, who usually showed no emotion, couldn't hide the melancholy in her voice.
"Lady Lizna Almain, who was carrying you... felt labor pains while passing through here. It was too far to reach the village, so after discussion, the group decided to have the birth right here."
"And that group was...?"
"Yes, the Penzilon revival faction I told you about before. The one I belonged to."
"What exactly were they trying to do? I know they wanted to restore the Penzilon Empire."
"I don't know the specifics of their activities. At the time, I was just a young slave girl rescued from the gladiator arena by Lady Lizna's grace."
"That makes sense. Keep going."
As if retracing the footsteps of that fateful day, Ymir led me onward, entranced.
"Lady Lizna's labor lasted a long time. By the time the midwife, who had prepared in advance, delivered you, a full day had passed, and night had fallen."
The group was in a festive mood because of this birth.
"And well they should be, since another imperial bloodline had been born. Myos Almain, Lady Lizna's husband, was the leader of the Penzilon revival faction and the last surviving prince of Penzilon."
"Another one means... there was already one before?"
"Yes, Arios Young Master, the son of Madam Euphemia."
He was the protagonist, Cassius Lloyd.
In other words, the protagonist and I were half-brothers sharing the same father.
"That night, they held a small party. Everyone blessed your birth. Even Arios Young Master, who was only three years old, held his baby brother in his arms, looking amazed."
But the tragedy began then.
"That very night, a group suddenly attacked us. Bandits? Soldiers? We couldn't tell. Chaos ensued, and everyone started fleeing."
But the mother couldn't escape.
"Lady Lizna was weakened from the birth. The guards who should have been by her side were nowhere to be seen, fighting elsewhere. She knew she'd be caught immediately if she tried to run, so she asked me, her maid, to take the baby and flee."
"I see..."
It didn't hit me with great sadness, but a bittersweet feeling was inevitable.
"I didn't run right away. I thought we'd be caught by pursuers if we just bolted. So I hid in a hole we'd dug to bury food scraps, praying they'd pass by and that you wouldn't cry, for hours. When things quieted down and I emerged... nothing was left."
"Nothing?"
"They'd burned all the bodies and traces."
"That's..."
It was the work of bandits or outlaws.
That's how they concealed the scale of the raid and the victims' origins.
"You don't know who the attackers were?"
"No. I was huddled in the pit, holding my breath, so I couldn't properly identify them."
The annihilation of the Penzilon revival faction was a huge issue at the time. Nations buzzed with speculation about who had attacked them.
"No helping it. Go on."
"Yes... I searched the wreckage desperately for any trace of Lady Lizna. If there was no sign of her in the ruins, maybe she had survived."
"..."
"But even that faint hope betrayed me soon enough. I found her hairpin amid the charred remains."
Step by step. We'd reached the heart of the forest. Atop this hillock was the grave Ymir had made.
"I buried it here. Hoping Lady Lizna finds peace."
It wasn't much of a grave. Just a symbolic tree standing tall. Since there was no body recovered, this seemed to satisfy her.
Lost in reminiscence, Ymir smiled warmly.
She stroked the tree.
"Lady Lizna. This is your son, Als. He's grown into a fine young man, just like you."
"It's awkward to say this now, but when I think of 'mother,' my current one comes to mind first."
"That's only natural."
"By the way, how did we end up at the Ilrain barony?"
"Well..."
After leaving Paragon Forest, Ymir had wandered Caliper with me. She tried various places for shelter, but none would take her.
"Beastkin are despised on the continent. Plus, I looked ragged and was so young—no one wanted the trouble. Then you started running a fever, Young Master. It was a harsh journey for a newborn."
Desperate, Ymir begged for help by any means.
In the process, the Ilrain barony, which ruled Libel, offered aid.
"It must have been heaven's grace, letting us meet such kind people."
"I agree."
"Baron Berial gave medicine and let us rest in the mansion. I planned to leave as soon as you recovered, since we couldn't impose forever. But then Lady Yulia suddenly threw a tantrum."
"Sister Yulia?"
"Yes, she insisted on adopting you as her little brother. As the youngest, she'd always wanted a sibling."
"I see."
Sister Yulia always doted on me as the baby of the family. Who knew there was this backstory.
"Maybe that sparked it, or perhaps Madam just pitied us, but she suggested adoption. Including me."
"You too?"
"They were too good-hearted. A noble adopting a beastkin? Impossible... So only you became adopted, and I became a servant of the Ilrain barony."
The hidden secret of Als Ilrain's birth.
I held up the necklace I was wearing.
"Ymir, this necklace you gave me... is it...?"
"Yes, it belonged to Lady Lizna. She said it was a gift from her father for her coming-of-age ceremony. She wanted you to have it when you came of age. She said it would protect you someday."
"This necklace protects me? What does that mean?"
"I don't know the exact meaning."
The sapphire gleamed purely in the light, evoking an inexplicable warmth. As if promising to always watch over me.
I sensed this necklace held great significance.
After all, King Parline had recognized my identity upon seeing it.
'Maybe it's proof of the imperial heir?'
If it marked the primary successor to the throne, it made sense—but Penzilon had already fallen. No emperor remained.
Plus, there was already the firstborn protagonist.
'I'd love to hear the truth from King Parline.'
For some reason, he kept silent on that point.
"So I'm of Penzilon imperial blood..."
I'd heard the secret of my birth, but it wasn't a huge shock. King Parline had given me the gist already, making it easy to accept.
The issue was what it meant.
Two children bearing the emperor's blood: Cassius Lloyd and Als Ilrain.
In the game, they met fatefully and allied, but eventually one was branded a traitor and exiled.
'The main story might revolve around their conflict.'
In other words, I was likely the protagonist's true rival. The main villain.
That's why I'd shifted course, earning loyalty from the Seven Retainers. The future was unpredictable.
'So the answer is to avoid following the story.'
Sticking to it would lead to my defeat as the villain.
'No, it's not confirmed yet.'
Reconciliation between Als and the protagonist wasn't impossible. If I chose not to antagonize him, it could happen.
The key would be what the protagonist thought.
Even if I sought alliance, he—knowing my status—might see me as a threat to his position and eliminate me.
'Maybe that's what happened in the game.'
Perhaps when moves formed against me, Ymir preemptively targeted the protagonist.
'Damn, it's complicated.'
The story remained murky. Even more tangled now.
But then Ymir spoke.
"Young Master."
"Yeah?"
"If you're seriously pondering the imperial bloodline, don't. Lady Lizna wouldn't have wanted that."
"My mother?"
"Yes. While pregnant with you, she often said: May this child live happily and freely, unbound by any yoke. Forget the fallen Penzilon if you wish. You're not imperial Als Almain—you're Als Ilrain. Live as you please, following your heart."
"..."
It pierced straight through me.
Not Als Ilrain, not Als Almain.
Me.
"What I want...?"
I'd never considered it. Transported into this game mysteriously, I assumed some purpose was given and aimed to fulfill it.
That's who I was. The fallen prodigy. The fake genius mocked by all.
Family shattered, scattered. No real friends. My world empty inside and out, obsessed only with a mobile game.
Als's soul had breathed life into me here.
'Then I've wronged Als.'
Fusing with my barren soul must have tarnished him.
In the game, Als had a subtle hot-blooded streak. A passion different from my current self.
That realization made me want to make Als—me here now—happy.
"My happiness..."
Money and fame held no desperate pull. I knew their futility too well.
"If possible, I'd like children."
"...Pardon?"
Even Ymir gasped in surprise.
"A wife, kids. Playing leisurely with them. That simple life."
It was the shared happiness I and Als desired.
Only then did I truly feel one with Als.
As Ymir said, not Als Almain, not my hollow self—but truly Als Ilrain.
"A goal for my happiness... Nice. It fires me up."
How long since I'd felt this refreshing motivation?
Of course, achieving it meant navigating the crises ahead. Failing to pacify this chaos would make even that simple joy impossible amid continental turmoil.
For now, I'd press forward.
*
*
*
Academy life resumed its languid flow.
The daily routine repeated.
Well, only I felt that way. Others didn't.
Eo busied himself under Bisceta, Lutger and Anton faithfully handled their duties. Surprisingly, Gaspar threw himself into policing, sweeping Rainpole's thugs.
'The academy atmosphere has changed.'
With intermediate academy ending this year, things felt adrift.
Those skipping advanced academy started slacking off properly, while aspirants crammed, splitting into factions.
'Not much time left to relax.'
Advanced academy kicked off the game's main story. I'd savor this breather.
"Um... Ilrain?"
Lost gazing out the window, a girl timidly approached.
"Would you mind tutoring me?"
"Uh..."
Lately, such requests surged. Top grades, plus distancing from Estelle.
Estelle chatted smilingly with Beril and other girls. Heartwarming for her old buddy.
"Ah!"
Spotting me with the girl, her eyes changed; she started toward us.
"Shall we move somewhere else?"
"Y-Yeah!"
I quickly led the girl out. Estelle froze in surprise, gazing wistfully at my back.
'It hurts, but... this is right.'
We had to part anyway. I'd go to Caliper Advanced Academy; she'd head to Crossing's.
Reducing her dependence was best.
Thus passing days tutoring, my master returned from the west after two months.
No tasks, so I went with Eo to greet her—and froze.
"Master! What happened to those wounds?"
Ilya Master had scars from rough mercenary work, but these were worse. Especially the gash across her face—it instilled fear.
Yet she laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! I went on a mission with Master Guderian after ages. Mostly bandit hunts, though. Got this then. Even I can't handle 30 bandits at once easily."
" Straight to the priest."
Like erasing Estelle's scar, it could be removed.
But Master dismissed it.
"Why bother? Just more character."
Eo chimed in.
"Typical mercenary thinking. Parading like that could tarnish Als's reputation!"
Master brushed off Eo's jab.
"No need to worry. Scars like these are badges of honor. Well, not without regrets."
"Regrets?"
"No man will take me looking like this."
Her body covered in scars, now her face too.
She was often mistaken for a man due to build and looks.
With added scars, strangers—young or old—froze like seeing a ghost.
"Guys who liked me before? Now they freak out."
"They lacked vision. You're a respectable, beautiful woman."
"Heh, if no one claims me, Als, will you?"
"My honor."
"Hahaha! Good. Count on you then."
Pure banter, but Eo barged in frantically.
"Ah, Als! M-Me too... please!"
"Sure, sure. I'll take Eo too, no worries."
"Huh...! Thank you!"
This felt different in nuance...?
Mid-thought, Anton approached, seeking me on business.
"My lord, I must go to Cross Hon for academy construction matters. Forgive my absence at your side."
"No need to be so formal. Since you're going to Cross Hon... why not take Master? Didn't you need the mercenary guild in the capital?"
Master nodded.
"If I can hitch a ride, perfect. All right?"
"..."
Anton stared piercingly at Master.
Thinking him shocked by her looks, she laughed self-deprecatingly.
Anton was a handsome youth in his own way—manly, unlike my delicate features.
With Eo, they looked like a perfect pair. I secretly thought the same-age duo matched well, but...
Eo growled rivalrously at Anton. Anton scorned Eo's Erevonian sycophant vibe, always criticizing.
Still, fights breed affection—who knows when they'd kiss.
"...My apologies. Of course, the carriage is yours. Miss Anpei. Tell me when departing."
"Yes, I'll prepare."
Ilya Master packed and left for Crossing with Anton. I saw her again weeks later.
*
*
*
Formally granted Rainpole, our family busily renovated the territory.
Brother Max met every resident personally, dashing about, but inexperience showed as new baron.
Father summoned all siblings to aid management.
Military sisters Yulia and Fudge were no exception.
Leveraging army experience, they greatly helped. Rainpole folk were gradually accepting House Ilrain.
"Been a while since the mansion..."
Libel's mansion in my memories evoked no nostalgia.
Back at Ilrain mansion, I caught the toddling twin youngest at the entrance.
Drooling newborns clung to my legs.
Watching Mother smiled warmly.
"Hold them. You rarely visit, Als. Worry they'll forget you."
"Haha... Yes, I'll come more. Up we go! Chelsea, Elsie. I'm your fourth brother."
But uncomfortable in my arms, they wailed.
I hastily passed to Ymir, who soothed them expertly.
"Whew, loud cries. Ymir, mind the kids. I'll head to my room."
I'd moved essentials to my new place, but some books remained. Needed them today.
Unlocking my room—but the door was open.
"Huh? Brother Fudge?"
He was deep in my transcribed strategy tomes, stacked high.
"Organizing?"
"Yes. Grabbing some books."
I'd allowed him to read them days ago; now he practically lived here.
"Figured I need skills to support you later. Sorry... messed it up. Shelves all jumbled."
"It's fine. Not much."
"No. I'll sort them. Rest easy."
Fudge was stubborn then.
Taskless, I lounged in the garden.
"Move faster!"
"Where does this go!?"
Servants bustled. Brother Max sweated, directing.
Among them, Master back from Crossing with hired laborers.
"Ah, Master. Back?"
"..."
I waved; she'd been seeking me, rushing over breathlessly.
"Als. Need to talk privately."
"...?"
She seemed unusually flustered.
"Serious?"
"Very! Somewhere alone. Your room."
"Brother Fudge is there. Not here?"
"No! Wine cellar then. Empty."
In the cellar, she gulped.
"Als, you seem savvy on romance, so..."
"Not really."
Just looks drawing unwanted attention.
"A-Anyway...!"
"What's up?"
She broached cautiously—unexpected.
"Anton!?"
"Yeah. Asked to court me. Says he likes me..."
They'd first synced during the Three Lions War.
Eo shunned Crossing officers, so I'd tasked Master; she spent time with leader Anton.
Natural for feelings to spark.
At the merit awards, when Master yielded second to Eo, Anton admired her respectfully.
"Weird. No way he'd like someone like me. Must be a prank. Or Crossing scheme!"
"No. No need for pessimism. I said before: you're beautiful."
"Th-That was just..."
"I meant it. Great chance. If you don't dislike him, try dating."
"Ugh... Really okay?"
"Why not."
"I-It's my first time with that stuff."
"Everyone starts somewhere."
Blushing—secretly pleased?—she nodded.
My advice worked; she accepted Anton's proposal.
Then it snowballed.
Compatible or soulmates, two months later Anton proposed—they got engaged.
'The quiet cat climbs the stove first, huh.'
I'd bet on Eo among Eo, Ymir, Master trio marrying first—but Master beat them.
Thought it'd stir Eo seeing Master's engagement, but...
"Me and Als... Hehe!"
Lately, Eo seemed perpetually cheerful.