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[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 151: Like an Ordinary Father and Son
Verdzig watched from a distance as Duke Georg and Allenvert stood in the moonlit garden, once beloved by the late 4th wife, Lusatia.
The sight of the father and son gazing at the pond under the moonlight stirred a quiet rage within him.
‘Father.’
Verdzig imagined their unheard conversation, simmering with silent anger.
‘You treat Allenvert so specially now.’
Wasn’t he the son you practically left for dead?
Verdzig had coldly observed the fall of Eisenach, a strategic decision that secured the submission of Angantyr instead.
‘Just as you crushed Bergen and put them on a leash.’
Back then and even now, Father wore the face of a ruler forged from steel. Wasn’t he supposed to be a man without blood or tears?
‘You even knew about Bergen’s desire for revenge, yet you brought them close as your in-laws.’
And then you let them dream of winning the succession battle and seizing the hegemony of Grunewald.
‘No, you made it so they had no choice but to dream of it.’
It was nothing short of the embodiment of political genius.
‘And then I was born.’
A prodigy of unparalleled talent, dazzling looks, cold rationality, and a ruthless disposition. That was Verdzig.
‘I gave them hope, and in return, I received their unwavering support.’
His grandfather and uncles, who had sought to control him, unknowingly became his loyal backers and partners in fate. And through cunning and thorough schemes, Verdzig seized most of Bergen’s power for himself.
‘This is the wisdom I inherited from you, Father.’
Yet, Verdzig often felt a chilling unease. Perhaps even this was part of Georg’s grand design. The level of intrigue and strategy Father had demonstrated was that profound.
‘And now, do you feel guilt?’
It was somewhat understandable that Father might feel pity for Allenvert. But what he showed today went far beyond that.
‘Am I so displeasing to you?’
To the point of creating this stage to groom Allenvert as my rival?
Of course, Verdzig knew Father was wary of his temperament. He knew how much people feared him.
‘If I had wanted an easy path, I could have acted the part of the obedient, diligent, and exemplary son.’
I could have played the role of a benevolent and righteous heir, climbing to this position with grace.
But he didn’t. This was his own form of stubbornness.
‘A strength that everyone fears yet cannot help but follow, and an incomprehensible mastery of intrigue.’
That was how he intended to inherit Father’s seat.
‘After all, didn’t you rise to that position the same way?’
The origin of the epithet “Black Serpent Duke.”
It came from the demeanor Georg showed when he quelled the chaos of Grunewald and ascended to the position of clan head.
‘And now, you seek affection and popularity among your children?’
To Verdzig, that was unreasonable.
‘Allenvert, unlike me, is affectionate yet capable of showing enough madness and aggression when needed.’
Isn’t he rallying those who fear me with his charisma?
‘Did that please you so much?’
Verdzig silently questioned his father.
‘Is that why you’re buying time and opportunities for Allenvert to grow into a vessel worthy of rivaling me?’
A quiet, cold flame of anger flickered in Verdzig’s eyes.
“Allenvert.”
Verdzig muttered.
“I acknowledge you. You’re an extraordinary one.”
The stone he had thrown had caused ripples in Verdzig’s once calm emotions.
* * *
“Win the duel against Lady Siena of Valkenhain.”
As I pondered the task Father had given me, I asked.
“This is my coming-of-age task?”
“The first one.”
Father reluctantly corrected.
“What were the tasks given to my brothers and sister?”
“They were all different.”
“I don’t know the details, but it seems like mine is the hardest.”
Father didn’t deny it.
“Harsh trials strengthen a person.”
“If you temper a blade too hard, it’ll break.”
“Then that’s all there is to it.”
Father shut it down firmly. How decisive.
“However, if you win, I’ll grant you the privilege of freely choosing which organization to join when you enlist.”
‘Oh?’
That was a tempting offer.
‘If I join the Special Operations Division and ally with Ulbhild and Rudgarda to take control of the organization, it could become a significant force in the future.’
“You’re plotting something again, I see.”
“That’s a misunderstanding.”
I wiped the smirk off my face and returned to a neutral expression.
“Normally, after the coming-of-age ceremony, your unit is assigned based on your achievements and abilities. But since your task is difficult, I thought this much of a benefit was warranted.”
“Won’t my siblings see this as favoritism?”
“It’s awkward for me to say this, but—”
Father shook his head.
“Compared to what you’ve missed out on for the past seven years, this isn’t such a grand benefit.”
“That’s true.”
After all, how many rare spirit medicines and opportunities had I missed out on during that time?
“By the way.”
Father lightly changed the subject.
“How was your conversation with Verdzig?”
“Well, I’d say I got the short end of the stick.”
Father nodded, not particularly surprised.
“Aren’t you resentful?”
“It’s fine. These things happen.”
“Haha!”
Father laughed at my nonchalant attitude.
“Father, you’re aware of the situation with Evan, right?”
“You caught me off guard quite well.”
So he did know. Should I be relieved that I don’t need to explain?
“Actually, I’ve reached an agreement with Verdzig. We’ve decided to let go of who the real culprit is and who was behind Evan.”
I wasn’t particularly curious. It was probably someone from Bergen.
“Instead, I plan to spare Evan and take him under my wing.”
“Do as you wish. I’ll inform the head butler.”
With Father’s approval, our agreement would now hold real weight.
“Thank you.”
This was an act of Father’s favor.
‘But don’t get arrogant just because you have your father’s favor, Allenvert.’
It’s true that Father has some expectations of my potential and is accommodating me.
However, if I lose in the sibling rivalry, he will place Verdzig on the throne. Personal feelings aside.
“What do you plan to do about Brother Somerset?”
Father dismissed my question with a wave of his hand.
“It wouldn’t be fair to tell you alone.”
I clicked my tongue. I had tried to sneak in a question, but it didn’t work.
‘I’m still curious why the Bisakino Brotherhood got involved in this.’
They were also an organization that paid tribute to Zizek.
“Now, let’s get to the real point.”
The air grew heavy as Father spoke.
“You said you had a request.”
“Yes.”
“Speak.”
From this moment on, I needed Father’s permission to meet my mother, Lusatia Grunewald.
‘But how much should I say, and how much should I hide?’
To be more precise, should I tell Father about my contact with the remnants of Eisenach, the people living under the name Haglandere?
This was a difficult question for me to answer.
‘Father is different from Ulbhild.’
He is the ruler of this duchy and the head of the clan. Whether he likes it or not, political pragmatism will always come before his personal feelings.
‘He’s the man who, knowing he would regret it, ultimately abandoned me and Mother.’
Yes, Allenvert. Think rationally. There’s no reason to reveal all my weaknesses without any special benefit.
‘Children are meant to keep secrets from their parents.’
But according to Zizek’s letter, Father already knows about Haglandere.
So if Father knows about the information Karl hinted at, or—
If he knows that Doctor Joseph told me about the medicines they produce…
‘Father would find it suspicious if I didn’t bring them up at all.’
Perhaps he already knows.
‘But this man isn’t a god.’
He can’t know everything.
‘There’s no need to overestimate him unnecessarily.’
That would be a kind of delusion.
“Father.”
After organizing my thoughts, I spoke.
“When you called me to the vineyard, you asked me if I wanted to meet Mother.”
Father looked at me with an inscrutable gaze.
“I did, Allen.”
“You must have refused my childish requests many times.”
Father asked, as if testing my insight.
“Why do you think that was?”
“Because you didn’t want a weak lion who, having achieved nothing, would throw a tantrum and seek his mother’s embrace.”
Father silently nodded in agreement.
“Of course, I want to see Mother. I’ve missed her terribly. But I knew the time wasn’t ripe, so I held back.”
“And now?”
“You and Elder Geninghen have acknowledged me, and I’ve achieved results worthy of that acknowledgment. Isn’t it time for me to indulge in a bit of ‘clan affection’?”
“That can’t be the only reason.”
His words sounded like a warning: ‘If there’s no other practical reason, I’ll deny this request.’
“Of course not. If I don’t rescue Mother’s heart from the abyss and avenge her as her son, how can I claim to be worthy of the throne of Grunewald?”
“Even if it means overturning my decisions?”
I mixed in a bit of humor as I countered.
“Didn’t you also not fully inherit the will of the previous clan head?”
“Hahaha!”
Father burst into laughter for a moment before returning to his stoic expression.
“You’re bold. That audacity is truly remarkable.”
I also smiled lightly, following Father’s lead.
“Very well. I’ll convey your wishes to Lusatia.”
But then Father added.
“She might refuse.”
“…I understand.”
If it were that easy, this wouldn’t have dragged on for so long.
“That’s enough for now.”
I had a trump card to bring her out.
“You’ll hear the news in a day or two.”
Father gazed at the moon reflected in the pond.
“Let me give you one more piece of advice.”
“I’m listening.”
“Don’t get too intoxicated by your current growth. The higher your tier, the slower your progress will become.”
“Of course.”
Even for me, the speed at which I reached the 4th tier was different from the 3rd, and the 5th will be different still.
“You have your own path. Competing with Verdzig is fine, but surpassing him by elevating yourself is the most desirable path.”
An ornamental fish from a foreign land rippled the surface of the water, distorting the reflection of the moon.
“What did you do, Father?”
“I couldn’t walk either path. I had to fight through difficult and harsh battles.”
If I said that the shimmering moon resembled Father’s anguish and regrets, would that be too sentimental?
“Allen. Humans are inevitably contradictory beings.”
Father seemed to be reflecting on his past as he gazed at the moon in the water.
“Every decision you make and its consequences become your karma. Regret, self-reproach, twisted obsessions, feelings of betrayal… When countless impurities mix into your sense of self—”
Father raised his head.
“What will you do?”
“…That’s too heavy a topic to answer on the spot.”
“Think deeply about it.”
Father turned his back. It was an unspoken dismissal.
“Father. There’s one more thing I want to ask.”
But I stubbornly pressed on.
“Ask.”
“Even if someone appears truly solid, steel-like, and sometimes ruthless, do you think they still hold a shred of humanity within them?”
Father’s expression was peculiar as he looked at me. He probably understood it as a question about himself or Verdzig.
But that was only half true. I was still thinking about the enigmatic figure known as the Dark King, whose motives and past remained a mystery.
“They do.”
“Why is that?”
“Because even I must appear as a solid, steel-like, and ruthless man to others.”
“…!”
Perhaps the number of people who understand this aspect of Father’s humanity… including me, is no more than a handful.
‘Then perhaps only I can truly succeed you.’
Because I am the only child who sees you not just as a duke or a clan head, but as a human being.
“It’s late. You should go now.”
I couldn’t ignore the second dismissal.
“I’ll take my leave.”
“…Have a good night.”
The ordinariness of his farewell made me smile.
“Good night, Father.”
In that moment, we felt like an ordinary father and son.
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[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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