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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: What Must Not Be Forgotten (2)
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3.
Karron quietly looked at Halos face.
He had expected this.
Though Halo usually seemed to have little interest in him, Karron could tell by looking into his eyes.
The consideration hidden behind his solemnity.
That consideration wasnt entirely unfamiliar.
He remembered the words Halo, who had always been full of mischief, had given him in his final moments.
Survive.
Please, run away.
The consideration now was no different from back then. On the surface, his tone was reprimanding, but what lay hidden within was the desire to save his grandson.
Are you dissatisfied?
Halo asked Karron in a low voice. But Karron shook his head.
No, Family Head. I will follow your orders.
His tone had grown much more serious.
His title for Halo had also changed from grandfather to Family Head.
Are you truly without a single shred of dissatisfaction?
Yes.
It was a firm answer.
Halo quietly gazed at his grandsons face.
Karron was still young. An age where it would be natural to feel wronged by the decision just made.
But there was no sign of it from the grandson before him.
The boy who would normally be throwing a fit was now accepting the command with a placid expression.
You completed this journey splendidly. You even made a distinguished contribution in stopping the succubus that attacked the Imperial Palace. Did you not secretly hope for a reward?
I believe there is a reason for all of your commands, Family Head. To defy such commands is something a member of the ducal family must not do.
He was a grandson who was always full of mischief.
But in this moment, he was answering not as a little kid, but as a proper member of the ducal family.
Youve had a realization.
Something had undoubtedly changed his grandsons heart.
Tell me what you felt during this journey.
And so, he asked his grandson.
Karron answered as if he had been waiting.
I have keenly realized that I am lacking. That is all.
You opened your fifth ocean at thirteen. And yet you think you are lacking? Excessive greed always invites disaster.
Even so, I am lacking.
In Karrons eyes, Halo saw a powerful desire he had never seen before.
The eyes of someone who had found a firm motivation.
An incredibly strong sense of purpose, something he had never felt from Karron until now.
A new goal had certainly taken root within Karron.
Before the succubus disappeared, it said something to me.
Speak.
That it would be waiting for me beyond the North Sea. That the king is waiting. So, I dare to ask, Family Head.
Karron looked directly at Halo.
What exactly is beyond the North Sea?
The frigid North Sea.
The sea that touched the end of the world.
It was a sea with many such descriptions, but for the Leston ducal family, it held another meaning.
The origin of the family.
The place where the familys guardian dragon resided.
Karron had never once in his life heard about the secrets of the North Sea.
Halo studied the face of his grandson, who had so boldly thrown the question at him. Then he answered in a low voice.
You will find out in due time.
You cannot tell me?
You are not yet qualified.
It was the fate that the master of Guillotine would face.
Guillotine was a sword that had beheaded countless demons.
To be chosen by that sword meant that one day, Karron, too, would have no choice but to accept that fate.
There was only one thing he could do for such a Karron.
To sharpen Karron further in the Azure Castlethat is, under his protection.
That is what I must do for you, and by extension, for our family.
Halo quietly looked down at Karron.
Is there anything else you wish to say?
Ah, I have one request.
What is it?
The 6th Prince was a great help to me. To heal my internal injuries, the 6th Prince gave me Dew of the World Tree to drink. I wish to repay him for this.
At Karrons words, Halo slowly nodded.
I have already taken care of that matter. The 6th Prince is currently resting in his palace. No suspicions related to this incident were found against him. However, because he violated the pact between the imperial family and our house, he will face due punishment.
A pact?
Those of imperial blood cannot learn magic. It was one of the conditions we put forth when the Evil Emperor was deposed. The 6th Prince ignored that long-standing pact. Therefore, we have decided to assign a squad from the Sea Wolf Knights to monitor him. This has already been discussed with His Majesty, so you should be aware of it.
It was called monitoring, but it wasn't really monitoring at all.
Having the Sea Wolf Knights attached to the 6th Prince was as good as saying the Leston ducal family was backing him.
It seemed Rebellios gamble had paid off.
His plan to ensure his survival by securing the Leston ducal family as his patrons.
Halo, too, had extended the greatest courtesy he could to the 6th Prince.
Only then did Karron smile and nod.
Thats a relief.
We have not yet found the culprit behind this incident. We will be staying at the Imperial Palace for the time being, so you all are to stay with Jeras. As soon as youve recovered, manage your internal injuries through mana cultivation.
There isnt a suitable place to practice mana cultivation
I have requested cooperation from the Imperial Guard, so you can borrow a space there. Understand?
It seemed Halo also remembered the Imperial Guard tour he had requested.
At his grandfathers gruff consideration, Karron bowed his head in gratitude.
Thank you, Family Head.
Rest. Jeras. I leave the children to you.
Yes, Family Head.
Having quickly settled matters, Halo left the hospital room. Those who remained stared silently at the door he had exited.
After a long silence, Karron spoke to Jeras.
He said to take good care of us.
And?
With Sir Jeras by our side, I dont think we have to worry. Can I go outside the palace later? I need to tell my maternal grandparents Oh, right, Hugo is outside, too.
Sir Hugo is currently on his way to the Imperial Palace. As for Sir Karrons maternal grandparents I will speak to the Family Head and try to make time for it.
Sir Jeras, youre the best. Then shall we sleep a bit more and go play at the Imperial Guard in the evening?
The mana that had entered his body through the Dew of the World Tree was still circulating, unabsorbed.
It was fine for now, but if too much time passed, it was likely to dissipate naturally.
He could do it in the hospital room, but it was more efficient to do it in a place where mana was concentrated.
The Imperial Guards cultivation room that Halo mentioned, while not as good as the Azure Castle where Azure Mana flowed, should still be quite effective.
Eimi.
Karron said to Eimi as he lay down on the bed.
Yes, Sir Karron.
Give me a tour of the Imperial Guard headquarters later. To be honest, Im a little curious.
How much had it changed over the past years?
Were there any traces of 50 years ago left?
At Karrons question, Eimi smiled and nodded.
Of course.
I should at least get a proper look around before I go. Oh, right. Sir Jeras. I have something to ask you.
Please, speak freely.
Karron approached Jeras and whispered something in a low voice.
Hearing his words, Jeras readily nodded.
That much should be fine.
Right?
However, I will check your condition after your cultivation. I will decide whether or not to grant Sir Karrons request after that.
Sounds good.
Having received Jerass permission, Karron grinned and looked at Eimi.
At his smile, Eimi asked cautiously.
Is something the matter?
Its nothing. Eimi, you should get some rest, too.
Was it just her imagination?
A chill ran down Eimis spine.
4.
The atmosphere within the Imperial Palace was about as bad as it could get.
The fact that a demon had appeared in the palace, which had been impervious to the invasion of black magic for 50 years. And the fact that Grand Duke Halo himself had stepped in to resolve the issue.
Those two facts alone were enough to make the atmosphere in the palace grim.
Entry to the palace was sealed, and everyone, regardless of status, had to undergo investigation by the Leston ducal family.
Those who had long resided in the palace recalled the tragedy of 50 years ago.
Those who did not know of that time came to realize just what kind of power the Leston ducal family possessed.
To be precise, the power of Halo Leston, the man called the strongest on the continent.
And at that moment, in the Azure Castle, Halos sons had gathered to discuss the incident.
No, to be precise, they were discussing Karron.
The rumors about Karron are rampant. That Karron is Grand Duke Halos true successor, that hes the greatest talent on the continent Its all rumors like that. Peil, you must be pleased.
Halos first son, Teils, smiled as he looked at his youngest brother.
But Peils expression was grave.
Karron nearly died, brother. Whats important right now isnt some damn rumors.
In the end, it turned out well, did it not?
The end? What infuriates me is that my son was exposed to such a situation!
And that is why Father went himself. This is
The Sea Wolf Knights, our familywhat in the world have we been doing all this time? While a succubus was crawling out of the woodwork in the Imperial Palace, what have we done?
Peil expressed his anger, looking at his two older brothers.
Not only was the train attacked, but he was attacked in the Imperial Palace as well. Twice. We missed the danger signals a total of two times. Isnt this too much to dismiss as a mistake?
His son had almost died.
Twice, at that.
Overcoming the danger?
That was something Karron had managed on his own. The guilt of not being able to protect Karron as a parent was overwhelming.
Not exposing ones child to danger.
That was a parents duty, after all.
As Peil was fuming, Halos second son, Raphael, gritted his teeth and spoke up.
Peil is right, brother. This is not a situation to be taken lightly.
Raphael.
What have those informants you were so proud of been doing all this time, brother?
Raphael sided with Peil.
Faced with their rebukes, Teils could only look at them in silence.
He could understand Peils anger.
Ever since Peil had left the Azure Castle, his role within the family had been to manage their profitable businesses.
Detecting danger in advancethat is, managing the informantswas Teilss role.
Therefore, it was only natural for Peil to confront him.
The same went for Raphael.
However, unlike Peil, Raphael surely had another motive.
You fool.
It seemed he was trying to use this opportunity to pin the blame on Teils.
What the man wanted was to gain an advantage in the selection of the heir through this incident.
And yet I am not the one you should be tearing into right now.
The situation was not good. No, to be precise, it was the worst it could be.
Karron, that insolent nephew of his, had proven far too much on this trip to the capital.
Now, Karron was no longer a vague threat like in the old days.
He was an imminent threat.
Perhaps.
He might be more dangerous than Raphael.
He could shake the line of succession to its very core.
He had gained far too great a reputation at such a young age.
Teils still couldnt forget the expression his father had worn yesterday.
His fathers face, contorted with great fury at the news that Karron had been attacked.
It was his father who, despite the family elders trying to stop him, had insisted on activating the magic circle connected to the Imperial Palace.
It was a chance to see just how much his father cherished Karron.
I will be taking my leave. Someone will surely have to take responsibility.
Peil left the meeting room with those chilling words, and Raphael followed him out.
And so, Teils was left alone in the meeting room.
Teils briefly placed the glasses he was wearing on the desk. Then, he wiped his face with both hands.
Hoo.
After being lost in thought for a long while, he gripped the communication device that was on the desk.
Wooooong.
The device vibrated softly, and soon, a voice came from the other side.
What is it?
At the voice, Teils replied in a low tone.
It is I, Elder. There is something I must urgently request of you in person.
The timing is not good.
It is for the sake of the family.
I understand. I will come to you shortly. Be waiting.
Ending the short communication, Teils leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. Then, he thought of his youngest nephew.
From now on, the choice is yours, Karron.
Soon, Karron would have to make a choice.
Whether he would enter the embrace of his merciful eldest uncle.
Or.
Become my enemy.
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