“Revan! I’m going to draw your blood. Is that okay?”
“Professor Merlin, Revan’s test papers...”
“Let’s communicate a little more before that, Revan!”
Wow. I've never seen such chaos...
The scene of a major disaster, where the name of the special monster is completely solidified as 'Revan'.
Nike approached quickly, glancing around nervously. Revan also moved closer, leaving Professor Schultz, who was standing nearby, behind.
Nike quietly asked.
“What is the plan? You should have told me in advance.”
"It is not a plan..."
“...”
Nike blinked. And nodded.
“...I see.”
Sensing a failure in communication, Nike hurriedly ran toward the professors who kept harping on about Revan.
“Stop! Just call ‘Ratan’!”
That's so funny…
“I would appreciate it if you didn’t act too familiar even during the research. It would be dangerous to unnecessarily disrupt the state of obedience and the master-servant relationship...”
The professors gathered around Nike, who was quickly resolving the situation.
That was a close call.
Revan muttered.
Far away, I saw Ryan holding his stomach and laughing, as if he had just given up trying to hold it in.
What is that guy laughing at again?
About fifteen days passed after the Western campaign ended.
This is Belzer, a deep cave created by drilling through a vein of magic stone.
This place became Ratan breeding ground.
“By the way, Vania, what happens to me once the subjugation is over? Since that monster has become the property of the Imperial Family, I won't be sent to some kind of underground prison in the palace, will I?”
"Oh, come on."
Merchen was worried about Ratan's whereabouts after the subjugation was over.
As he had feared, Ratan was the property of the imperial family, so they had to manage it.
However, it could not be kept within the capital. Even for a subjugated beast, a separate enclosure is necessary because one never knows what danger it might pose.
But search the entire empire; what insane lord would provide a breeding ground for a top-tier monster?
“The Insane Lord Appears!”
“Oh, you’re here?”
Just then, the crazy lord, Ryan, arrived. He looked around the nicely completed enclosure with satisfaction.
“Lord Ryan, thank you once again for readily offering your estate as a breeding ground for the monsters.”
"Oh, come on, don't worry."
I recall the performative conversation Nike had with Ryan while shaking hands on the day Ratan was being transported.
Well, it was a picture I had drawn from the beginning.
1. The Imperial Family, which had been seeking a suitable place to raise Ratan even before revealing him to the battlefield.
2. Proposed to Lord Ryan of Belzer, and Ryan accepted.
3. Ratan was revealed with everything prepared.
Belzer is the perfect land for raising Ratan.
Since there are no villagers who would object to the installation of the monster breeding grounds, there is no need to seek their permission, and there are minimal troops and administrators. As it is a border region of the Cursed Land, there are no people nearby.
Everything was perfect... but.
"Now I'm completely estranged from Wassenberg."
"I know."
I nodded at Ryan's muttering.
Up until now, even though we have vowed to strike Wassenberg, we have never taken the stance that we are not on their side.
Look.
“Professor Merlin, Revan’s test papers...”
“Let’s communicate a little more before that, Revan!”
Wow. I've never seen such chaos...
The scene of a major disaster, where the name of the special monster is completely solidified as 'Revan'.
Nike approached quickly, glancing around nervously. Revan also moved closer, leaving Professor Schultz, who was standing nearby, behind.
Nike quietly asked.
“What is the plan? You should have told me in advance.”
"It is not a plan..."
“...”
Nike blinked. And nodded.
“...I see.”
Sensing a failure in communication, Nike hurriedly ran toward the professors who kept harping on about Revan.
“Stop! Just call ‘Ratan’!”
That's so funny…
“I would appreciate it if you didn’t act too familiar even during the research. It would be dangerous to unnecessarily disrupt the state of obedience and the master-servant relationship...”
The professors gathered around Nike, who was quickly resolving the situation.
That was a close call.
Revan muttered.
Far away, I saw Ryan holding his stomach and laughing, as if he had just given up trying to hold it in.
What is that guy laughing at again?
***
About fifteen days passed after the Western campaign ended.
This is Belzer, a deep cave created by drilling through a vein of magic stone.
This place became Ratan breeding ground.
“By the way, Vania, what happens to me once the subjugation is over? Since that monster has become the property of the Imperial Family, I won't be sent to some kind of underground prison in the palace, will I?”
"Oh, come on."
Merchen was worried about Ratan's whereabouts after the subjugation was over.
As he had feared, Ratan was the property of the imperial family, so they had to manage it.
However, it could not be kept within the capital. Even for a subjugated beast, a separate enclosure is necessary because one never knows what danger it might pose.
But search the entire empire; what insane lord would provide a breeding ground for a top-tier monster?
“The Insane Lord Appears!”
“Oh, you’re here?”
Just then, the crazy lord, Ryan, arrived. He looked around the nicely completed enclosure with satisfaction.
“Lord Ryan, thank you once again for readily offering your estate as a breeding ground for the monsters.”
"Oh, come on, don't worry."
I recall the performative conversation Nike had with Ryan while shaking hands on the day Ratan was being transported.
Well, it was a picture I had drawn from the beginning.
1. The Imperial Family, which had been seeking a suitable place to raise Ratan even before revealing him to the battlefield.
2. Proposed to Lord Ryan of Belzer, and Ryan accepted.
3. Ratan was revealed with everything prepared.
Belzer is the perfect land for raising Ratan.
Since there are no villagers who would object to the installation of the monster breeding grounds, there is no need to seek their permission, and there are minimal troops and administrators. As it is a border region of the Cursed Land, there are no people nearby.
Everything was perfect... but.
"Now I'm completely estranged from Wassenberg."
"I know."
I nodded at Ryan's muttering.
Up until now, even though we have vowed to strike Wassenberg, we have never taken the stance that we are not on their side.
Look.
Even though Ryan served 12 years in prison for a wrongful crime, he took in his father's incapacitated illegitimate children for his father's sake.
He received a title from the Crown Prince, but it was thoroughly used in the political tug-of-war between the Imperial Family and Wassenberg.
He killed one person, Marina, with supernatural abilities, but left no evidence that it was our doing.
Although he had significantly hindered Elliott, the suspect Wassenberg had in mind was Nike.
As a result, we, who never once showed our claws to Wassenberg.
But not anymore.
Accepting Ratan was no different from clearly letting Father know which side we were on.
It’s going to get interesting from now on.
Ryan laughed.
I agree.
In any case, we had to start full-scale operations and expand our size. To do so, it was inevitable to reveal our direction.
By now, Wassenberg would have known.
The fact that Ryan 'grabbed the royal family's line'.
***
“…Belzer?”
Duke Edgar Wassenberg's eyes widened when David, the eldest son, who had found out about Ratan's whereabouts, submitted a sudden report.
It was predicted that the Imperial Family would struggle to secure a breeding ground for Ratan. What lord would want to bring a top-tier magical beast, whose safety had not even been proven, onto their land?
Even if they somehow managed to secure a breeding facility, they intended to wage a public relations campaign.
Under the semi-coercive threats of the imperial family, the powerless lord had no choice but to helplessly comply—in a manner like that.
But...
“Brother, what do you mean?”
Elliott, who was with him, was shocked.
“Belzer is where Ryan lives. Even if it’s trash land, he’s the owner. You have to get Ryan’s permission!”
Elliott, who had been excited, stood up from his seat with a sigh.
“No, Ryan must have just been blackmailed. The Imperial Family asked to use some of his land; how could a powerless kid like him have refused?”
Looking back at Edgar, Elliot added.
“This is the tyranny of the Imperial Family, Father. I will go to Belzer, tell them bluntly that it is absurd to intimidate a powerless landowner into raising a top-tier monster, and then go help Ryan.”
“Elliot, calm down.”
“There’s no need to worry about what others think! People might say I’m shielding a criminal, but is there really a problem? Still, since they are family, I can’t pretend to know—I just need to play the emotional game with public opinion!”
“Elliot.”
David, who was watching, intervened.
“It appears to be a matter that was discussed in advance. The Imperial Family proposed it, and Ryan must have accepted.”
“...?”
“Otherwise, there is no way Ratan would have been transported straight to Belzer as if by prior arrangement. Also, would they have revealed Ratan without a proper enclosure being prepared?”
"Tsk," David added, clicking his tongue.
The Imperial Family had already prepared everything and brought Ratan to the battlefield.
“What does that mean?”
Elliott, who had been blinking his eyes, tilted his head.
“Ryan met you during the last raid, didn’t he? So you’re saying he already knew about Ratan’s existence back then?”
“Of course. He couldn’t have been unaware. His life could be in danger if things went wrong, so would Ryan have readily agreed to bring a top-tier monster onto his land?”
“...”
“That fellow clearly saw Ratan’s condition with his own eyes. The Imperial Household had definitely subjugated that evil hand, and since he even judged that it was safe to bring it into his territory, he gave his consent.”
"For a moment!"
Elliott clutched his head.
“If you knew in advance, why didn’t you tell us?”
“...”
...How pathetic. David sighed and snapped his head away.
However, despite his brother's reaction, Elliott still seemed unable to understand Ryan.
“Isn’t it obvious that our house will be in trouble if Ratan comes out onto the battlefield? Is Ryan so stupid that he can’t even think of that?”
He wouldn't have grabbed the imperial family's lineage if he weren't a fool.
“...?”
***
“By the way, aren’t you curious about Elliott’s expression? He never imagined my dad would betray him, so he must have been a bit shocked.”
Our peaceful home. I was lying with my head on Ryan's thigh when I spoke.
Suddenly, I saw his arm with twelve scars etched on it, and Elliott naturally came to mind.
“What’s that sound?”
Ryan frowned.
“Why didn’t he think I might betray him? If I were to list all the reasons I have to hold a grudge against him, I wouldn’t even finish by morning.”
“I was framed, sent to prison, and just when I finally got out, they dumped an incompetent bastard on me. They turned me into a wronged single father whose women all ran away, and then that second little bastard set my hand on fire the moment we met. Just because I got some lowly title, they sent an assassin after me, and that first son of a bitch ruined my..."
“Hiiik! Stop, stop!”
I was horrified. It is truly the worst to nitpick every single detail like this.
Of course, when Father or the eldest brother finds out that Ryan betrayed them, they will understand and think, 'That makes sense.'
However, it seemed that Elliott would not be like that.
“Do you remember what Elliott said to Dad the last time we met?”
“What are you talking about?”
"You know those sayings about being grateful to your parents for giving birth to you, or that even if you can't be of help, you should at least be considerate and keep your mouth shut?"
"Ah."
“If you have a brain and are grateful to your parents who gave birth to you.”
“You should feel like your house is in shambles right now. I don’t even expect any help, but, huh? You should keep your mouth shut, Lion...”
“I was really dumbfounded when I heard that. It seems like he thinks Dad still considers the people with Wassenberg Castle family.”
"Ugh, you idiot."
“No matter how much he hates Ryan, he’ll still consider my birth father his father, right? He’ll worry if Wassenberg is driven out, right? He’ll feel much closer to us than to others, right? ...I’m telling you, that’s what he thinks.”
Even after doing that mean thing to Ryan, Elliott seemed to have some kind of belief that his younger brother would never turn his back on his bloodline.
“I’ve been thinking about why, and I think it’s because Elliott’s memory is stuck at the age of twelve.”
Boy Ryan.
I don't know Ryan from back then.
But I have a rough idea.
“What was it like when you were a lion cub?”
He was kind and cute.
He frowned sharply as he reminisced while stroking his chin.
“Damn it, why did I do that?”
"Whoa, whoa. Calm down."
“The eldest kid had a terrible habit of hitting people from when he was little, but even after getting beaten up, I would innocently follow him around the next day, calling him ‘brother, brother.’”
“Oh, like that.”
"I followed the second one around with my toy, begging him to play. That little brat was the best at keeping up with me, though."
“...”
“After Mother passed away, I missed her so much that I would go to my sister’s room and ask her to sleep with me at the drop of a hat. She looks exactly like Mom.”
“...”
"Since my powers weren't working, everyone ignored me, so I used to go find my father every day and cling to him. I thought maybe acting cute would make things better."
“...”
As expected, he was the gentle, cute youngest who loved the family and listened well.
It is hard to imagine that Ryan, who was like that, is sharpening his knife to slit his family's throats.
Everyone probably thinks that even if he went to prison unjustly, he isn't the type to hold a grudge and seek revenge.
"Now that I think about it, that idiot Elliott is probably the most shocked. He's the type of guy who easily feels that ridiculous bond of family and blood ties."
“Right. Even so, Ryan? We’re family, aren’t we? Really? You’re going to have your mental state completely shattered.”
Ryan laughed as if to say, "Serves you right." I laughed along, but I couldn't hide the bitterness.
The scar on his forearm is visible.
Twelve years have changed so much.
Because that cute baby lion is nowhere to be found now.
***
David turned his head away from Elliott, who was just blinking his eyes, and spoke to his father.
“He must have weighed the pros and cons in his own way. After all, the Imperial Family wouldn't have asked for Ratan enclosure to be provided for free.”
“...I guess so.”
“It is not just about money. Ratan is Imperial property, and if it continues to play an active role on the battlefield, it will be a highly valuable resource. Therefore, the level of the lord managing it must be matched as well. Naturally, a title must have been promised as well.”
“...”
For Edgar, it was a fact he saw right through without David having to recite it to him one by one.
Elliott was the only one surprised to hear it.
“So you’re saying... Ryan stabbed us in the back... because of money and the title?”
Elliott couldn't believe it.
If Ryan had just given him a heads-up about Ratan's existence, things wouldn't have escalated to this point.
Elliott slumped onto the sofa with a blank expression.
That makes no sense.
Still...
“But we’re still family, aren’t we? Even if he hates his father, we’re still father and son. He’s still our brother. How could he possibly do this to us...?”
Comments
Post a Comment