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[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
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Chapter 199: Dragging Father into a Sibling Fight
"I'm here to see Father."
Father was waiting for me in his office. The gray streaks in his slicked-back golden hair reminded me of the mane of a seasoned lion leading his pride.
His warrior's physique was immaculately maintained, perfect as always.
"Allen, it's been a while."
Father looked at me with a composed face, as if he knew everything already.
"Have you been well?"
"The same as always. Overworked, trying to find time to train in martial arts, and lacking sleep."
"You should get more sleep. There's nothing better than rest."
"I'll consider it when you start practicing what you preach."
A pointed remark.
I studied Father's expression.
...A very subtle smile. He seemed to be in a good mood.
"So, what brings you here?"
"...Well."
I carefully began the speech I had prepared on my way here.
"Father, since you probably know everything already, I'll be honest with you."
Father laughed.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. But go ahead, let's hear it."
I took out the Mask of Aminicrus from my pocket.
"Ah, that is—"
Father laughed with amusement.
"The mask your brother gave you."
"Yes."
"What have you been doing with it all this time?"
Instead of answering, I put on the mask.
"Ho."
Father's eyes gleamed with interest.
"This is the appearance of Karzan, the man who has been secretly active in Grunewald's underworld recently."
"Karzan. Karzan."
Father rolled the name on his tongue as if it wasn't entirely unfamiliar.
"...Why that name, and that face specifically? Is there a reason?"
That's the one thing I can't tell. It's a secret no one should know.
"Well, I simply imagined the most quintessential underworld figure with a touch of mystery, and this is what I came up with."
"For something created purely from imagination, it's remarkably intense and unique."
"..."
"To think that your fairy-like face could transform into such a fierce underworld figure. It must have been difficult for anyone to connect you with the man called Karzan."
Feeling somewhat hurt, I asked:
"...Do I look that frightening?"
"You look frightening, and above all, ugly."
"..."
"Why do you care? It's not even your real face."
"..."
I struggled to answer.
"That's true, I suppose."
I suddenly realized how my previous life's appearance must have looked to others.
'Adeline, you really never looked at men's faces properly.'
Suppressing a slight twinge of sadness, I got to the point.
"As you already know, Father, I've been building my influence in the underworld as Karzan."
"That would be Zizek, I presume."
"...Since when have you known?"
"Well. But I started taking notice when you dismantled the fifth rate organization Night Cloud Gate in the blink of an eye."
"..."
To be honest, I felt a chill. It was astonishing that Father knew so thoroughly about events occurring between mere fifth rate organizations in the underworld.
"Father."
"Speak."
I asked what I truly wanted to know.
"If you knew everything, why did you just watch?"
Father countered:
"Should I have stopped you instead?"
"...That's not what I meant."
Then my question should move to the next level.
"Is there something you want from me?"
"Do you want me to tell you directly?"
It sounded like he was asking if I was already giving up on solving the puzzle.
"..."
There's no easy way, is there?
I sighed and answered.
"I suppose not."
Father smiled enigmatically.
"The Huten poison that had taken root within the Bisakino Brotherhood revealed itself much faster partly due to your influence."
"!"
"Above all, your decision to help Nagan by preventing the diversionary attack was excellent. The martial prowess you demonstrated was already remarkable."
Father had seen through exactly what had happened, with such precision that denying or evading would be futile.
"I'm curious. How were you able to help Nagan at such a perfect time?"
I responded candidly.
"I was lucky. Thanks to an information broker—"
"Would that information broker's name be Damien?"
I asked in genuine surprise.
"Father, how did you know that?"
"I do business with them myself. They're trustworthy."
"!"
"Of course, they don't know it's Grunewald."
"Huh."
Truly, everything is in this man's palm.
"To think an information broker doesn't even know who they're dealing with—Damien must be disappointing."
But I feigned nonchalance to hide my shock.
"Don't be too harsh. The fellow is quite reliable in that world."
"If you say so, Father."
This time, I asked the question.
"Then was your deployment of the royal guard to control security in the area also a pre-emptive measure, knowing what would happen?"
"Of course."
At this point, I wondered—
Could even the current situation be exactly what Father wanted?
'But is that really possible? To anticipate all these situations caused by the variable that is me.'
Predicting everything from the beginning would be impossible.
But responding to small, sequential changes within the greater flow is truly what strategic thinking is about.
Father was clearly governing this duchy from a much higher vantage point than others, seeing further through his silence and apparent non-intervention.
'If that's the case, Father is even more extraordinary than I thought.'
To an immeasurable degree.
Moreover, I know Father is already tacitly accepting the existence of Haglandere.
'...But I won't mention that name yet.'
Because Father hasn't brought it up. And because I haven't yet met Mother and received her handwritten letter.
"Allen, for now."
"Yes."
When Father spoke, I straightened my back instinctively.
"Proceed as you wish. I'll observe the results and make my judgment."
"..."
After organizing my thoughts briefly, I seized what might be my only chance to ask:
"Should I consider this as a deed for my coming-of-age ceremony?"
"No. This is different."
Father shook his head.
"Hmm, I'm even more confused now."
What judgment Father would make.
How that judgment would affect me.
Everything remained ambiguous to me.
"Isn't it said that children create secrets from their parents?"
Father asked somewhat playfully.
"Parents do the same."
"Well, I'm getting my own words thrown back at me."
I shook my head.
'But this is enough.'
I've confirmed that Father is watching me and tacitly approving.
In other words...
'No matter how much Verdzig tries to interfere with me, I can counter it by invoking Father's name.'
That was actually the biggest gain from today's meeting.
"...Talk to your brother properly."
Father's words seemed to pierce through even these thoughts of mine, and I couldn't help but voice my frustration.
"Really, just how much do you know?"
Father replied with an even more playful smile.
"Probably a bit more than you think."
* * *
After finishing my meeting with Father, I returned to the annex.
'As much as I'd like to go straight to Verdzig...'
I had already used quite a bit of mental energy meeting with Father and returning. I felt I needed to eat a good meal and rest before having the strength to engage in a battle of wills with Verdzig.
'I must meet him in peak condition.'
Each private meeting with Verdzig was always unbearably tense.
Conversations with him were like walking across a narrow log bridge—one wrong step and you'd fall.
"Young master, you've returned."
However, seeing Olivier approaching with a serious face, I sensed that now was not the time for a restful breather.
"Olivier, what's wrong? Your expression is quite grave."
"Yes, actually—"
Olivier answered.
"Lady Lusatia has contacted us."
"!!!"
I was so surprised I almost felt my heart drop.
"Is that true? Mother?"
"Yes. She asks to be informed when you wish to meet."
Olivier spoke with a face that seemed to understand my feelings.
"However, she also sent word that if you have urgent matters to attend to, she would prefer to meet after you've handled them."
"...Does Mother know about this situation too?"
"Perhaps. Or it could simply be that she doesn't wish to interfere with your preparations for the confrontation with Valkenhain."
That makes sense. But if it's the former, I thought Father might have provided her with information in some way.
'Either way.'
I also know that now is not an appropriate time to meet Mother.
The moment I thought this, I could feel the heart of the boy crouched in a corner of my chest greatly stirred.
'No, let's stop playing with words.'
I sometimes acted as if Allenvert and Karzan had separate souls, but I know it's really just the unfamiliarity of two intersecting lives.
'In other words.'
What's stirring is not the boy's heart, but simply my own. The heart of the man called Karzan in his previous life and Allenvert in this one.
'And that man's heart is telling me.'
As much as I miss her and desperately want to see her—
Now is not the time for our reunion.
'Then I should gratefully accept Mother's consideration.'
Now is not the time. What's most important to me is understanding Verdzig's intentions and coming to an agreement.
And then returning to successfully execute the operation to capture Huten.
'This is a mother-son reunion after seven years apart.'
So I should clean up my messy house, compose myself, and meet Mother with dignity.
'And then freely share the accumulated feelings of the past years, and unravel the secrets tied to our time-limited fate.'
And finally complete preparations to connect with the survivors of Eisenach.
'But I never thought I'd be the one postponing our meeting.'
Meeting my mother just once is proving to be so difficult.
'But it's alright.'
Compared to Karzan, the orphan who lost his parents early and then his grandfather, having to wait a little longer is something to be grateful for.
And above all—
"The necklace I ordered earlier isn't finished yet, is it?"
"It's practically complete, but the craftsman insists on having a few more days for the final touches. He's stubborn no matter what I say."
Olivier answered with an exasperated face.
"Like a true master craftsman."
I clicked my tongue.
"That works out well. I'll meet Mother when the situation is resolved and the necklace is complete."
"Yes, I'll convey that message."
Olivier bowed his head.
"Young master... Even if you're burning up inside, the rewards of patience will surely come."
I knew this was the best consolation this man could offer.
"Thank you as always, Olivier."
"...I'll take my leave."
As I watched Olivier's retreating figure, sensing his complicated feelings and sympathy, I suddenly turned toward the window.
'Wow, the wind...'
My hair fluttering in the sea breeze was like a flag billowing in a favorable wind.
If I had wings, I would ride that wind and fly anywhere.
'But that would just be running away, Allenvert.'
Now is the time to fold my wings, keep my feet firmly on the ground, and overcome the trial before me. The trial named Verdzig.
'If that person interferes at the crucial moment, everything will be over.'
It's very easy to destroy a carefully built house. Just set it on fire, right?
'Then this is a kind of preventative work, finding and controlling the arsonist.'
* * *
Back at the headquarters, Zizek was busy preparing to move as per Karzan's instructions.
"Fortunately, it looks like we can contract with three mercenary groups."
Zizek let out a sigh of relief at Rob's report.
"Tell them I'll pay extra for quality fighters."
"Understood."
"If they're too demanding, tell them to get lost."
"Of course."
"Anyway, I'm leaving that to you. I'm too busy."
"Don't worry, boss."
Zizek exhaled deeply, looking a few years older.
"By the way, old man."
"What is it, boss?"
Zizek asked Gareth.
"What should we do about the prisoners? Especially that brat from the Cardovan barony—I think we should release him soon..."
In any case, if he were to die in the upcoming chaos, it would be an unmanageable incident.
"Has he been rehabilitated at all?"
"See for yourself. His eyes have become completely docile like a good dog..."
"Really, that much?"
What on earth have they been doing all this time?
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[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
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