Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: The Patriarch's Suspicion
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Unlike when the Latent Dragon Squad and the Heavenly Flower Squad had set out for Megalovria on their mission, there were two major differences now.
First, the rumbling procession of endless supply wagons.
Clatter, clatter!
Unlike their austere departure for the mission, the squads' return was a triumphant homecoming, laden with an immense haul of goods.
Other strike teams brought back rewards from their missions too, but it was exceedingly rare for mid-level squads or below to return with spoils like these. That alone marked a significant change.
And the second difference was...
"......"
Slap.
She averted her gaze.
"......"
Slap.
His cheek stung, but he kept looking away.
"......"
Slap!
Under her ferocious glare—like she wanted to devour him—Ian finally gave up and let out a deep sigh.
"Haa... You're staring a hole through my face. Why do you keep looking at me like that? It's making me uncomfortable."
"Oh, you finally react. I thought maybe the squad leader couldn't see me."
She flashed a radiant smile, blooming like a flower. It was none other than Sophia Clonen.
One of the clan's stars, the treasure and pride of the shadowy Clonen family.
The woman who commanded the mid-level Heavenly Flower Squad.
Ian had no idea why she'd suddenly shifted her attention from Sylvia to him.
'Of course. Anyone aiming for succession in a clan like this would do the same.'
If she'd witnessed his prowess against the Black Rock tribe, it made perfect sense to want him as an ally.
He'd expected her to make subtle overtures behind the scenes.
Until this moment, anyway.
"Haa... Sophia, as I said yesterday..."
"I'm not so forgetful as to blank on our talk from yesterday. But come on. I just want to grab a meal and chat. Why are you brushing me off like this?"
He'd anticipated contact, but not this brazen approach.
Whatever Ian thought, Sophia pressed on relentlessly.
"I mean, a pretty girl like me asks to eat together, and you're scared? What's the big deal? Don't tell me, Squad Leader Ian... is there something wrong with you down there? You're young, too."
...Crack!
That magic line scraped at his pride as a man. Ian finally lost his patience and raised his voice.
"Argh! Who said anything about hating meals?!"
Ian hadn't refused outright without reason.
A meal wasn't bad. It was highly effective for opening up.
His refusal stemmed from elsewhere.
"Why does it have to be smack in the middle of Clonen territory?!"
The Clonen Shadow Clan.
One of the Lichtenauer Martial Clan's three great vassal houses, it was a den of poison-obsessed and hidden weapon fanatics.
And Dustin Clonen, the family head, was a supreme expert whom even the clan's elders deferred to.
One might think it irrelevant that a vassal clan's patriarch was strong.
Ian had even surpassed Dustin before, so he had no reason to fear that power.
The reason for his dismay at Sophia's invitation was different.
If Sophia was a hopeless little-sister obsessive...
Dustin was an even worse doting father.
He disregarded all propriety where his daughters were concerned, spraying poison at direct kin or elders alike if crossed—a half-mad maniac.
How bad was he? In the original Ian's memories before Lucas's possession, Dustin topped the list of people to avoid at all costs.
'That guy's capable of anything.'
He couldn't squander this precious second chance on some lovesick father's toxins.
"Fine, fine."
Perhaps due to Ian's firm refusal, Sophia relented with a gesture, wiping the smile from her face to ask seriously.
"So, if it's outside the family grounds... does that mean you'll accept?"
Ian knew full well this wasn't just a date invite.
"...Who'd refuse a meal from the Clonen family's prized daughter?"
Despite recent shifts in attention, Ian's support base in the clan remained thin.
He had no reason to turn down an alliance with one of the clan's stars, Sophia.
"Anywhere but inside Shadow Clan territory works."
He still didn't want to set foot there. No thanks to instant death.
At his acceptance, satisfaction lit Sophia's face.
"Great. Once we reach the clan, I'll contact you separately."
She waved and returned to her Heavenly Flower Squad. From afar, Ian's squad members swarmed him.
"What was that? Squad Leader, something with Lady Sophia?"
"...Nothing like that. More allies supporting us in the clan is always good."
"Tch, lame."
The squad grumbled in disappointment, but they all knew.
The Lichtenauer Martial Clan wasn't some lofty organization where one lorded over all from on high.
You had to push, pull, and draw people in.
Common folk imagined a Hegemon standing alone against trials and pressures, but that was nonsense from the ignorant.
A Hegemon was a title reached only with the support and aid of more people than anyone.
No human could do everything alone.
The more hands, eyes, swords, minds, and mouths at your side, the better.
'Sophia... should be more reasonable than the other clan stars.'
She was a severe sister obsessive, sure.
But compared to sword-obsessed perverts or those who exiled their own promising kin out of jealousy, she was leagues better.
"...This mission wasn't without gains."
Though opening his blood gates had left him battered.
He'd scored usable armor from the mage tower and secured a solid clan ally in Sophia.
That alone made the mission worthwhile.
'And the spoils, of course.'
The thought of forging his squad—er, strengthening them—with those items already excited him.
As his mind wandered, a massive city wall loomed in the distance.
Titan territory.
After the long mission, they'd finally returned to the Martial Clan's lands.
After the mission, the Latent Dragon Squad and Heavenly Flower Squad entered the clan grounds.
"Woooah! Home sweet home!"
"Leader, heading in first."
"Good work, Leader!"
The Latent Dragon Squad scattered like they were fleeing capture.
"Good work, Leader."
"We survived this mission thanks to you!"
In contrast, the Heavenly Flower Squad bid Sophia farewell with disciplined poise.
"Hmm, looks like your squad still doesn't fully trust you."
"...Damn ingrates."
This haul had no skimps.
Though the squads dispersed, Ian and Sophia couldn't.
As mission leaders, they had to report to Patriarch Paon Lichtenauer.
Step, step.
The long corridor to the audience chamber.
"......"
"......"
Silence hung between Ian and Sophia.
"Oh, right."
Perhaps the quiet felt awkward. As they walked, Sophia spoke up.
"You've been visiting the audience chamber a lot lately, Second Young Lord."
"...?"
"No offense. I'm not mocking or jeering. I'm just still curious."
She paused, staring straight at him.
"With that level of skill, why endure such harsh treatment and hide it until the Gate Opening Ceremony?"
Hiding strength to survive this brutal clan made sense—to a point.
But if he'd shown it from the start, far more squads would have courted him.
What reason could justify forgoing all those advantages to conceal his power?
'That's how normal people think, huh.'
Of course. It was the logical question.
Even Ian himself wouldn't believe he'd amassed this power so quickly.
'How many lunatics would think a soul swap happened?'
He'd bet—no delusional patients aside—you'd be hard-pressed to find even single digits across the continent.
"Since we're having that meal, tell me if you can. There must be a reason."
"Hm, a reason..."
Meeting her curious, intrigued gaze, Ian replied calmly.
"What was impossible no matter how I struggled before... is possible now. That's all."
"...?"
Her expression twisted at the vague, cloudy answer.
Of course she wouldn't understand.
The original Ian, sinking under the Solar Meridian Blockage curse, unable to learn even a shred of martial arts.
The Hegemon Lucas, fading futilely underground with his fallen kingdom's grudge.
Their fusion had seized this chance as the current Ian.
No one could fathom that sensation.
Step, step.
As footsteps echoed anew in the corridor, Sophia snapped back and hurried after him, busy pondering his words.
"W-Wait up!!"
Reaching the audience chamber, Ian and Sophia bowed to Paon and began their report.
"...And so, thanks to Squad Leader Ian's feats, we crushed the Black Rock tribe's plans and eased the mage tower's worries. This is the list of rewards from the tower."
Slide.
Sophia approached respectfully and handed over the list. Paon nodded.
"I see. I've heard of the Black Rock King. With a troll's innate magic resistance, leaving it be would've troubled the tower greatly. You two did well."
Slide.
Paon skimmed the list before lightly praising Sophia and Ian.
"A mid-level and a low-level squad pulling off something this big. I'll remember your merits on this mission. Go rest now."
"Yes, Patriarch. Then..."
Slide.
Sophia and Ian bowed to his dismissal.
As they turned to leave the chamber...
"Ah, Squad Leader Ian, stay a moment."
Paon stopped Ian.
"......"
"......"
Another suffocating silence stretched.
'Do all these South Continent powerhouses have a disease where they die if they speak first?'
Midas that old coot too—how did they all master this art of discomfort?
As if peering into Ian's thoughts, Paon finally spoke in the now-empty chamber.
"According to Sophia, you racked up impressive achievements. Good work."
"You're too kind. Sophia's just hyping me up."
Ian offered light thanks and continued.
"If there's nothing else, may I go? I need to reorganize the squad and rest."
"But this point must be addressed."
Paon's voice halted Ian mid-turn.
Step, step.
"Hiding your martial prowess is no issue. In fact, concealing yourself on this land is a great virtue. Not everyone can sheathe their claws until they're certain. No one will fault you for it."
Thud!
"However."
Paon approached Ian, hand on the door handle, and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Why Lucas is wearing my son's skin and pretending to be the clan's Second Young Lord... that's something I need to know."
"...!!"
Damn it.
-How many lunatics would think a soul swap happened?
-He'd bet—no delusional patients aside—you'd be hard-pressed to find even single digits across the continent.
To think one of that single-digit crew was right here, this close.