The Guardian's Resolve
I left my father's study in the ducal residence and had a simple meal. Afterward, I attended my lesson with Xavier Rector and then called for Annie.
"Where is Ian Servbo staying?"
"Yeah. It's probably not the servants' quarters—he's in one of the guest rooms."
"Yes, that's right. But why...?"
Annie looked at me with puzzled eyes. I met her gaze and grinned.
"Where exactly?"
"If you want to summon Ian, I can bring him to you."
"No, I'll go myself."
Annie's expression turned troubled, as if to say, Why go to a place like that yourself? As I'd expected, Ian's position in the estate was a bit ambiguous. Then again, I still hadn't been officially recognized as the heir—I was just going through trials and tests. And Ian, sent from the temple to serve such an unproven successor, had no proper position in the household. My status would have to rise before his did. Until then, he wouldn't be treated well.
"Miss, please wait here. I'll fetch him right away."
"I have something to say to him in person, so show me the way."
Ian had been confined to his room as punishment for what he'd done to Henry. It had only been a few days, and I was already calling for him because I needed him—but that fanatic boy probably hadn't reflected on it properly anyway. Still, he was a necessary asset right now. No, he'd definitely be a useful card in the future too. The key was to train him properly from here on out.
"Come on, lead the way."
"Sigh... Understood."
Annie took the lead, guiding me along. Of course, I could have just summoned him to my room. But that would ruin my plan. My room was protected by a barrier meticulously crafted by the Magic Tower Master himself—to keep our nightly plotting with Ren and the Master from being discovered. But to draw out the Ater Marquis, I couldn't just hide everything away. I planned to pretend I was casually stopping by Ian's room and drop a hint. Even if he saw through it as an obvious trap, the marquis would take the bait. He was probably getting impatient by now.
"I'll wait outside the door."
"It won't take long."
Annie knew better than to try breaking my stubbornness, so she let me enter alone without protest. It was a part of the estate where servants rarely passed, so there was no need to worry about prying eyes. I knocked and opened the door.
"Ian Servbo, it's me. I'm coming in."
There was no reply, but I flung the door open anyway. I was still the tyrannical troublemaker of the Carpoem family, Abigail Carpoem. It was unseemly for a duke's daughter to barge into a guest room, but today I was pasting a thick layer of brass over my face.
"...!"
"...!"
The moment I stepped inside, my eyes met Ian's. We both froze in shock. He was startled by my sudden visit, and I was stunned to see him kneeling on the floor. I barely regained my composure and spoke.
"Why are you like this?"
"M-my lord."
Ian scrambled to his feet in panic. But he'd clearly been like that for hours—his body swayed unsteadily.
"What brings you here?"
Ian's face was unnaturally pale. It wasn't just from my surprise visit. I stepped closer and frowned.
"Have you eaten anything?"
"...".
Ian didn't answer. But I didn't need to press him further. The food on the table—left by a maid, by the look of it—had gone completely cold.
"You...".
I bit my lip without thinking. At this point, it went beyond not understanding Ian—it made me furious. Why on earth did he do this to himself? I couldn't comprehend it. But I forced myself to calm down. Memories from my Korean life helped a little. As a team leader, I'd pushed my patience to the limit. Right, think of Ian as a fresh college grad, straight out of school. Like that subordinate Mr. Mo I wanted to smack upside the head a million times. Deep breaths. Compared to him, Ian was still manageable. He only abused himself, not others. But seeing a young boy torment himself like this was far from pleasant.
"Looks like you've been reflecting even more harshly than I expected."
"...".
"But you don't think I'd be happy to see you like this, do you?"
Ian bowed his head at my question.
"I have no excuses, my lord."
I looked down at him. He was bowing because I seemed angry, but he probably wasn't truly repentant. I doubted I'd ever understand him, and he wouldn't grasp my feelings either. We'd remain parallel lines that never touched. But I still needed him. So what if I couldn't understand? I'd have to deal with countless incomprehensible people and build relationships with them. I couldn't falter over one subordinate.
"Ian, I don't want someone who mistreats themselves by my side."
"...".
"So if you want to stay with me, take better care of yourself than I do. Got it?"
Ian hesitated to reply. What he knew and what I demanded were worlds apart, leaving him confused. How had past generations of dukes treated their guardians? Like objects, unlike me? Did they see it as normal to starve all day, skip sleep, and self-flagellate?
I spoke heavily after a moment's thought.
"Choose, Ian. Obey me, or leave my side."
But I couldn't allow child abuse like that. So I'd force him to follow me if I had to.
"...I will obey your command, my lord."
"Good."
Even if it was just words for now, I smiled brightly. I glanced around the room. As one of the Carpoem estate's guest rooms, it wasn't bad—but it felt too sparse. Just a bed, table, and a few chairs. Exactly like a room for short-term visitors. Ian was still wearing the same clothes he'd arrived in. I'd clearly neglected him too much.
"First things first—let's get you some food. This is cold and tasteless, so we'll have fresh brought in."
I called Annie and ordered a new meal. Then I summoned more maids to switch Ian to a better room and stuff his wardrobe with new clothes. Ian just stood blankly in the corner, staring at me.
"And there's something you need to do for me tonight. Think you can handle it?"
Once the tidying was mostly done, I turned back to him. Ian nodded with a resolute expression.
"Yes, my lord."
* * *
A chill wind blew. Ian and I rode hard. Thanks to the magic on the pendant, I instinctively knew where to go. We galloped along a narrow path behind the estate. The ducal lands were so vast that no matter how fast we rode, the end wasn't in sight. I glanced at the pendant dangling from my neck. The jet-black gem scattered iridescent light under the moonlight.
All the Lupus Count wanted was for me to bring back a pendant just like this. He hadn't said anything else. But I could guess. He was someone who'd do anything to keep Abigail from becoming heir. He wouldn't have handed me this and sent me out just to do nighttime exercises. Clearly, something was waiting.
"...My lord."
Ian called quietly from behind. The pendant's guidance ended, so we reined in our horses. The surroundings were pitch dark, but ever since awakening the Dragon's Mana, my physical abilities matched those of an upper-tier Sword Expert knight—everything looked as bright as day to me.
"Looks like our welcoming committee's here."
I dismounted and spoke in a leisurely tone. I couldn't see them hiding in the woods, but I could sense them. Besides Ian and me, there were others—and not just one or two.
"Wonder how much the count paid them for this."
My mocking words drew an indignant reaction; several figures emerged. Their clothes were shabby, but I could tell they were knights sent by the count. The way they gripped their swords marked them as no ordinary thugs. The count really intended to crush me here thoroughly. Sending knights after his barely-trained-in-swordsmanship niece out of frustration.
I sighed deeply.
"I'll handle them, my lord."
"You sure you can take them alone?"
"Yes."
Ian stepped in front of me. There were three knights from the count. Too many for Ian to handle solo. But he seemed confident. Facing three knights without a hint of fear. The Servo clan were priests who worshipped the Dragon God, but they valued martial prowess more than any northern tribe. The children sent as guardians to protect the Carpoem heir underwent even harsher training. And they inherited a special power through their bloodline. That's what I'd brought Ian along for.
Berserker Servo. That was another name for his clan.
"Ha!"
The count's knights snorted derisively at Ian boldly blocking my path. From their view, we probably looked like fools playacting seriously. If I'd brought Commander Serrian or the advanced knight Jade, their eyes would have changed. Ian calmly raised his sword. In front of him stood a tall man in a black robe. The other two hung back with arms crossed, clearly planning to watch.
And I watched from behind as they fought.
Ian moved first, swinging straight at the front knight. The man was completely off-guard. He'd been sneering since Ian drew his sword and stepped forward. He managed to draw his own blade, but his stance was a mess. And that was his downfall.
"Kuhk!"
Ian's sword pierced his vital point in one stroke. The knight's eyes widened in disbelief. Even to my eyes, Ian's movement was a blur. The knight's body slowly crumpled after the instant strike.
"I-impossible!"
"So fast, in the blink of an eye...!"
The knights in the back panicked and muttered. This was my first time seeing Ian's skill, so I was a bit surprised too. Both he and I were still young—physically weaker than full knights. Even in spars with Jade, I relied on speed to win. But Ian exceeded expectations. He closed in so fast he made no sound, then struck a vital spot hidden by the man's cloak with pinpoint accuracy. No average fighter could pull that off.
"You brat!"