------------------
HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
------------------
Chapter 150. The Garden at Night
Emmengarde Grunewald, the second wife, narrowed her eyes as she watched the two return with enigmatic smiles.
“What did you two talk about?”
Verdzig answered with a smile.
“I’ll tell you separately once the gathering is over.”
“Then just tell me one thing.”
Emmengarde lowered her voice.
“Was it satisfactory?”
“In my own way, yes.”
Emmengarde nodded slightly.
“Seems like you gave him a good blow.”
“You could say that.”
But considering that, Allenvert’s mood didn’t seem all that bad. What could have happened? Did that cunning tongue of his manage to counterattack somehow?
‘That sly little monkey.’
She recalled how underestimating his cunning had given him an unnecessary advantage.
‘By the way—’
She glanced at her husband and thought.
‘Today, your favoritism was excessive.’
To anyone watching, today’s gathering was clearly for Allenvert. It was for the son of that lowborn barbarian woman, whose clan had now vanished.
‘You even used Elder Geninghen’s name to elevate his honor, yet you didn’t spare a single word of praise for Verdzig.’
From her perspective, this was utterly unfair.
‘A warning against external interference? That must also be a warning to us, the Bergens.’
Of course, considering the past between the Bergens and Georg, she could understand why he was so cautious.
Nevertheless.
‘If that’s how it’s going to be, we Bergens will have no choice but to align more closely with Agrippa.’
Because.
‘They, like the Bergens, are remnants defeated by the current head, Georg, and now have their leashes held tight.’
Emmengarde watched Allenvert, who was casually conversing with Barclava, with a cold gaze for a long time.
* * *
“Barclava, do you have any confidence?”
At my question, Barclava retorted sharply.
“In what?”
“You’ll have to face the youngest of the Valkenhain dukedom in a month.”
“...If the opponent is around my age, I won’t be completely outmatched.”
Despite his words, there was a slight lack of confidence in Barclava’s voice.
“Really? You can’t fight like you did when you picked a fight with me.”
As if tired of being teased, Barclava sighed and replied.
“I was careless back then.”
“How careless do you have to be to punch a wall and hurt your hand? If you’re careless twice, you’re in big trouble, kid.”
“Damn it. Stop messing around.”
“Messing around? You little brat, talking to your elder like that.”
I lowered my voice and made a sweet offer.
“Barclava. If you’re honest, I might be willing to help you a bit.”
“...What are you talking about?”
“If you admit you’re a bit out of your depth and ask for my help, I might let you join my training sessions starting tomorrow.”
“!”
Seeing the hesitation in Barclava’s eyes, I added.
“Wait, I thought of one more condition.”
“Another condition?”
“Call me elder brother, and I’ll help you.”
“Forget it.”
Barclava, who had initially seemed tempted, suddenly recoiled.
“I’ll just do it on my own.”
“You ungrateful brat.”
I clicked my tongue.
“Since when do younger brothers in noble clans speak so rudely and refuse to call their elders properly? Shouldn’t you clean up your act and address me correctly?”
Unable to refute but clearly unwilling, Barclava averted his gaze.
‘This stubborn brat.’
He’s clearly still full of himself.
But I didn’t push further.
‘He’ll come crawling when he’s desperate.’
After all, Barclava had no one else to rely on but me. He wasn’t bold enough to go to Ulbhild for help.
‘A thirsty man digs his own well.’
The one who’ll regret it isn’t me. I could already picture Barclava, struggling on his own, coming to me with a pitiful look, begging for help.
‘If I can pull Barclava to my side in the process, that wouldn’t be a bad thing either.’
Though Verdzig won’t just sit back and let that happen...
Look at this guy, sitting next to me even after the humiliation I put him through. If I hadn’t grilled him enough, would he be acting like this?
‘You’re the kind of person who can’t even win the loyalty of a subordinate or a younger brother without force or fear.’
I know that the crude loyalty of underworld men, though unrefined, is far more effective in winning hearts than the sophisticated schemes and kingly arts of nobles.
‘By the way—’
Even as I enjoyed the peaceful dinner, I occasionally made eye contact with Father.
- Stay back after the dinner.
A private meeting with Father awaited me.
.
.
.
The dinner concluded without incident.
Karl left with Lady Isabella, the first wife, while Ulbhild exchanged a few words with Allenvert before heading home. Finally, Barclava scurried away, as if afraid his name might be called by his elder brother.
And Verdzig—
“Father, why is Brother Verdzig staring at us like that?”
He was staring intently as Father and I left the dining hall side by side.
“I see.”
Father’s reaction was indifferent.
‘That man’s gaze is a bit unsettling.’
I pondered what to call that look and soon came up with the perfect word.
‘Jealousy.’
Surprisingly, his gaze carried a hint of jealousy.
‘How absurd.’
Verdzig, of all people, feeling jealous? Of me and Father?
‘...Well.’
Lately, Father had been showing me an unusual amount of attention, as if making up for seven years of neglect.
‘From Verdzig’s perspective, it must feel like Father is trying to keep him in check.’
Why wouldn’t it?
Compared to Verdzig, who excels in talent, skill, and influence, I’m still just a sprouting seedling. Yet, I’m the only one who gets to have private audiences with Father.
‘If even the serpent of the apocalypse has a human heart.’
That heart might be filled with love-hate, obsession, jealousy, possessiveness, or even destructive impulses...
‘It sends shivers down my spine.’
Feeling the back of my neck prickle, I asked Father again.
“Where are we going? The vineyard again today?”
“Today, I’ll show you a different place.”
“A different place?”
Father smiled faintly.
“The secret garden of Grunewald.”
* * *
I walked quietly through the night garden, guarded by the royal guards, alongside Father.
As we strolled among the beautifully arranged landscape trees, crafted by the most skilled gardeners, a fountain rising above an elegant pond came into view.
“What do you think?”
“It’s beautiful.”
I didn’t have much of an eye for gardens, so that was all I could say.
“This was your mother’s favorite garden.”
“...!”
I glanced at Father, then turned my gaze forward again.
“You must have walked here often with Mother.”
“She found it fascinating, how this ‘man-made landscape’ contrasted so dramatically with the natural beauty of the mountains, waterfalls, and valleys where she grew up.”
“...I see.”
I imagined my mother, born and raised in the mountains, yearning for the civilization of the city. The jewel of her clan, sent to the city to unite two clans. In my mind, she walked somewhere in this garden, her eyes tinged with loneliness.
“You must think of Mother when you come here.”
“That’s true.”
Father’s voice remained as calm and unreadable as ever. Yet, I could sense that he missed her in some way.
“These are ornamental fish imported with great difficulty from foreign lands.”
Father pointed to the fish in the pond, their scales shimmering faintly under the moonlight.
“They’re harder to obtain than their weight in gold.”
“Oh.”
Hearing that, they suddenly seemed even more beautiful.
I studied the fish, whose extravagant colors seemed utterly impractical for survival in the wild.
“Do they seem worth their price to you?”
“Well, I suppose so...”
As I scratched my head and answered, Father chuckled and flicked his finger upward.
“Wow.”
A droplet of water rose into the air, as if it had turned into a transparent gemstone.
‘How absurd. Lifting water like that?’
It was a feat of mana control bordering on the miraculous. A single ornamental fish swam comfortably within the transparent prison of water.
“That’s incredible.”
I gaped, unable to fathom the extent of this man’s abilities.
“If this is possible, then wielding and firing a sword with just mana must also be possible.”
Father answered as if it were obvious.
“It’s a technique I researched long before you were born.”
“Huh.”
Father smirked and pointed at the fish floating in midair.
“Actually, in the homeland of this fish, they import fish native to Grunewald as ornamental pets.”
“I see.”
I pondered Father’s words and replied.
“It’s all about the meaning we assign to things, isn’t it?”
“Exactly. We indulge in luxury by importing things from far away.”
Father pointed to the landscaped trees.
“If gold were as common as trees, no one would admire its luster or use it as a measure of wealth.”
What was Father trying to tell me through this anecdote?
Perhaps it was just the heart of an ordinary father, wanting to share something with his son to fill the awkward silence.
“Allen.”
After returning the fish to the pond, Father spoke.
“Before we get to the main point, let’s talk about something else first.”
“I’m listening.”
Father clasped his hands behind his back and gazed at the pond.
“As Elder Geninghen explained, Valkenhain has long been our sworn enemy.”
Ah, that topic.
I had momentarily forgotten due to my conversation with Verdzig, but the confrontation with Valkenhain was undoubtedly a crucial task.
“If I had to rank them, Grunewald is first, and Valkenhain is second.”
Father nodded.
“You’re right. But don’t underestimate them. Those who have spent a long time chasing from behind often possess a determination beyond the imagination of ordinary people.”
“Hmm.”
“If they’ve declared that this generation will finally avenge themselves against Grunewald, and if they’re willing to endure humiliation to prove it—”
“Then they must have a good reason for such confidence.”
I didn’t take Father’s warning lightly.
“What do you think? You must have gathered intelligence, of course.”
“Rumors say that Lady Siena of Valkenhain is not only a rare genius but also the cherished prodigy of Valkenhain, raised on precious spirit medicines and teachings. She’s your age but already far ahead of you.”
Father continued.
“I believe she has reached the latter stages of the 5th tier, or perhaps even the early stages of the 6th.”
“Huh. At 17 years old?”
“Yes.”
“That’s absurd.”
The 5th tier isn’t simply the next step after the 4th. It’s not a tier one reaches as a natural reward for living or swinging a sword.
To summarize the difficulty of that tier in one sentence...
‘The maximum level that martial artists with exceptional talent and willpower can reach after a lifetime of training.’
In the underworld, even the most talented street fighters, who haven’t properly trained in martial arts or mental techniques, barely reach this tier.
‘The fact that Jeffrey reached the 5th tier at such a young age and became a captain of the royal guard speaks volumes about how highly he’s regarded.’
And this girl has surpassed that tier at almost 10 years younger than Jeffrey?
“She must be quite the genius.”
“In terms of talent alone, she’s nearly on par with your sister, Ulbhild.”
“Huh.”
I had already confirmed during my spar with Ulbhild that she had completed her own path as a martial artist.
‘Back then, I couldn’t even touch her.’
In other words, I’m now facing Ulbhild’s 17-year-old self.
Even with Karzan’s experience and talent, if I were to face her in my current state, my chances of winning would be less than half.
“Even if a miracle were to happen and you reached the 5th tier by tomorrow morning—”
Father stated firmly.
“She’s an opponent you could never defeat under normal circumstances.”
“And yet, you agreed to this duel, which is practically a trap set by them.”
“That’s why this is a great adventure for both you and me.”
Father pointed at me.
“If you lose, it means Grunewald has fallen to Valkenhain’s schemes.”
“...”
Father had placed his trust in me, willing to risk the clan’s loss for the sake of my potential.
“Victory over Valkenhain. That will be your first task as an adult.”
Father declared.
“Overcome the seven-year gap and prove who the true genius is.”
------------------
HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
------------------
