"Hyah!"
A hunting ground on the outskirts of the estate, densely packed with lush old trees.
Father mounted a sturdy black horse and took the reins.
He was in hunting gear, with a huge great bow and a thick quiver slung over his back.
'What kind of outing is this, coming to a hunting ground?'
I swallowed a laugh as I looked at Father's back ahead of me.
Even between father and son, it seems awkward for two men to walk together so intimately.
"Let's go together, Father."
I pulled the reins tight and spurred the horse's flank.
I quickly dashed up beside Father.
Father glanced at me sideways, then looked straight ahead again.
"You ride quite well."
"It's basic."
"You were the one who couldn't even manage that basic."
"Good grief. Bringing up the past."
If I couldn't ride, I would have walked alongside you or climbed on behind you.
No matter how much I missed you, the latter would be a bit awkward. Like father, like son, I suppose.
"I didn't know you had that side to you. Until recently, you couldn't even hold a sword properly."
Father remained expressionless the whole time.
"You've grown a lot in a short time. Did something happen?"
"I'm a Kardenos too. I was always a sprout destined to become a great tree. Talent can arrive late."
Father had a legendary story of winning against ten official knights before even coming of age.
It's not for nothing that he's called one of the Empire's top single combatants.
I inherited that bloodline of Father's intact.
If it's this, I think I've secured some justification for my sudden improvement.
Father still looked at me with doubtful eyes.
"The swordsmanship you showed can't be explained that way. It carries experience and time. It's not something achievable in a short period."
"I just loosened up alone in secret. A bit intensely."
"Is it to look good to Azelin?"
Azelin harbored fantasies of becoming a knight's official mistress.
Was it Julian? I remember the adulterer was also an officially appointed knight.
"No way. If there's someone I want to look good to."
I curled the corners of my mouth like a sly snake.
"It would be you, Father, not Azelin."
"...."
Father didn't say much, only let out a faint sigh.
Wouldn't he at least give a word of praise for his changed son?
If I were the old me, I would have grumbled like that.
Valdemar von Kardenos.
My father was always that kind of person.
A stubborn man, blunt as a boulder, who never revealed his true feelings.
Because he was poor at expressing himself, I misunderstood that Father had completely given up on me.
That was also why I left the family. Because Father's coldness hurt my heart.
When I returned to the family several years later, it was already after it had become a sea of blood.
There, I had to face Father's body split in half.
Father's right hand, left with only his upper body, was tightly clutching something. Even in death, he didn't let go of it.
When I opened Father's clenched hand and confirmed it was a locket.
When I saw the childhood portrait of me inside it.
I felt a sense of guilt.
I stayed by Father's side for a night without leaving. It was a meager atonement.
'I'm glad I came back.'
The reason I returned isn't only to save the world.
To correct the mistakes I sent away. To protect my people and give them peace.
I believe that without a doubt.
"It's not just your swordsmanship. Your mindset has changed."
Father quietly opened his mouth.
"Becoming a lord to knights isn't something formed only through appointment. Knights have the duty to protect their lord with their lives, and the lord has the duty to uphold a dignity worthy of respect. Through that, one must be able to earn the knights' respect and favor."
Pat.
A rough palm wrapped around my shoulder.
"That's what you were like today."
"...."
"You are also a Kardenos. I am proud of you, son."
It was the first time.
That Father had revealed his true feelings.
I tried to reply, then firmly shut my lips.
Usually, men understand each other through their hearts rather than words.
I brought out the main point I had saved, as a way to change the subject.
"Father. I intend to discard my Core."
Father's silent eyes went round.
"Discard your Core? What are you suddenly talking about?"
A Core is something like a Mana Heart or Dantian.
Knights open their Mana Circuits through the Core and store Aura.
I, too, had built a Core and opened two Mana Circuits. Thanks to having gulped down elixirs like water since childhood.
But now I was trying to smash a path already fully honed. Anyone could see it was madness.
Father, who had been looking at me warmly, was now looking at me like I was insane.
"More precisely, I intend to rebuild the Core from scratch."
A knight's Aura is divided into two kinds.
Solar of the sun.
Luna of the full moon.
"Don't tell me you intend to weave a Solar Ring?"
"That's right. I will weave a Solar Ring."
"Hah."
I thought he naturally wouldn't understand.
It was roughly 20 years ago, I think.
The brilliant sunlight had faded by the current generation.
More than ninety percent of knights accepted Luna into their Cores, and in today's reality, Solar Ring knights are treated like old men in the back room.
Solar has a higher peak than Luna. That's all.
Each time you try to weave a Solar Ring, you must risk your life.
You must endure the pain of your whole body burning, and keep an unquenchable flame locked in your heart, guarding the ember at every moment.
It is dangerous, inefficient, and the flame you've cultivated can fade in an instant.
Luna, on the other hand, is safe, efficient, and the Mana Circuit you've built doesn't turn to bubbles.
For a young knight to abandon Luna and choose Solar was close to suicide.
'In reality, it's the opposite.'
They call her the mad Goddess of the Moon, but goddess my foot.
Planet Devourer Outer God is the right description.
The Moon Cult and Luna appeared suddenly 20 years ago and expanded their influence.
Building on the existing Solar Church while offering a much freer doctrine, Luna, which allowed growth without trials, was an innovation.
But the ones who first preached the Moon Cult and Luna? They were all pawns of the Outer Gods.
Luna is an invisible thread planted to make humanity into puppets.
A game I enjoyed in my past life is a clear example.
A race that worships Kala. The nerve cord that is the source of Kala. The nerve cord is an impure organ that places one under the Evil God's mental domination.
Luna is the same.
As long as you hold Luna in your body, you fall under the Outer Gods' domination.
Just as Celine became that way.
"What is the reason you choose the difficult path over the easy one?"
My ultimate ambition is to save the world.
In that process, I must certainly sever Luna. So that not just I, but everyone can weave a Solar Ring.
"If I take the easy path, I'll only become an easy knight. I have to take the difficult path."
A knight is a stone. A stone that becomes harder the more it is broken and chipped.
If one is a true knight, they will gladly walk the path I walk.
"I think growing stronger without trials is a shortcut. Flowers bloom only with the right stimulus. The stem of a flower that blooms that way is much stronger."
"I thought it was bluffing, but it seems you're sincere. You've changed a lot."
Father paused in his words, then continued.
"It's certainly a commendable thought, but dangerous. Most knights in my day died from burning out. There's no guarantee you won't end up the same."
"Thank you for your concern. But since you're trusting me, please trust me to the end."
Father looked into my eyes in silence. I also held my head high and met his gaze.
The current Father had accepted Luna and opened his Mana Circuit.
Before long, he will change his mind.
"Do as you see fit. As your father, I will not suppress your freedom."
"Thank you, Father."
Father is of a generation that remembers past glory.
He clearly cannot forget that era.
It was obvious that was also why he approved without interfering with my resolve.
At this point, I changed the subject and pointed to a side path.
"Father. Let's make a path this way."
"The path where the gamekeeper scattered feed is over there. If you go that way, animals won't come out."
"I know. That's why I'm saying we should go this way."
"You really like difficult paths. Fine. I'll join you."
Father turned his horse toward me.
Father's interpretation was wrong, but I didn't feel the need to correct it.
I just wanted to hunt longer. Alone with Father.
How could I say that out loud?
***
Three or four hours passed in a flash.
On the way back, dusk settled and the sky dyed scarlet.
The hunt was quite successful.
We loaded a house-sized Horned Boar onto a cart, and three or four attendants struggled to pull it.
"You shoot well with a bow. I should have given you a great bow instead of a Crossbow."
"This is nothing. It wasn't even a moving target. It was distracted by grain scraps and just wiggling its rear."
I rode beside Father and chatted.
It wasn't a particularly meaningful conversation.
Trivial talk about how my archery form was and how tough the beast's hide was.
Even that alone made my heart swell.
In my entire past life, I had never conversed with Father so comfortably.
It was when we had reached the estate's outer gate before we knew it.
"Huh?"
A familiar figure was pacing in front of the outer gate.
A young girl with soft platinum blonde hair braided in two tails. It was Celine.
"Oh, you're back, Head of Household. Brother."
As I stared blankly, Celine timidly approached.
She was holding a silver tray with cool water.
"Were you waiting here all this time?"
How long had she been under the sun?
Beads of sweat had formed on Celine's forehead, and her cheeks were bright red.
"Here, have some ice water, Brother."
"The ice has all melted, though?"
"...What? Ah! I just changed it, but already!"
Pfft. I laughed without realizing.
Normally, this would be the maids' job.
She had volunteered herself, wanting to do something commendable after hearing about the father and son's hunt.
"A-and I have more to give you...."
Celine was that kind of child.
A gentle little sister who feared me but crept closer wanting to be friendly. She was commendable and pitiful.
I lightly placed my hand on Celine's head to mean good job.
"......!"
Celine flinched in surprise and hunched her shoulders.
Given the tyranny I had inflicted until now, it was a natural reaction.
"Um, Brother."
Celine made a voice as small as an ant crawling.
"Yeah. Tell me."
"Is my head that much of a rock head?"
"What?"
Suddenly?
I couldn't understand if I just accepted it. Why bring up rock head in this situation?
"Head of Household! Did you return safely!"
The Butler who appeared just then bowed politely.
He straightened his back and smiled brightly at me.
Why is his expression like that. Disgusting.
"I have good news for the Young Master."
"What is it?"
"A guest has arrived. It seems they came to congratulate the Young Master on his birthday."
"Who came?"
"Young Lady Azelin of the Rosenthal family is here. She is waiting in the reception room now, saying she wishes to meet the Young Master."
My facial muscles twitched into a frown for a moment.
A carefree hunt with Father. My little sister's commendable welcome.
It was the perfect, warm everyday life I had tasted for the first time since returning.
Everything had been good until now, really.
'And now my mood's ruined at the end, damn it.'
***
Creak—
The reception room door opened.
Valdemar and Astin entered.
Rustle—
There was already a guest inside.
Azelin sat on the sofa sipping tea.
Soon, seeing the two, she rose with an elegant posture.
"I greet the Black Lion of Kardenos. Have you been well?"
A smile like sunlight, without a single flaw. Even the way she politely lifted the hem of her dress was perfectly mannered.
She truly was the Young Lady who monopolized the love of many men.
"Yes."
Duke Valdemar gestured bluntly for her to sit.
Azelin calmly took a seat.
It was a visit from his fiancée to celebrate his birthday, but deep furrows formed between Valdemar's brows.
He felt as miserable as if a stone had been placed on his chest.
'How foolishly will my child wag his tail again?'
And how will that unknowable Young Lady coax my son and make unreasonable demands this time?
Valdemar hid his feelings and sat in the seat of honor.
"What brings you here without notice?"
"I only heard about Astin's birthday on the day itself. I felt I had been too neglectful as his betrothed, so I overcame my shame and ran here at once."
Her emerald eyes curved like a crescent moon.
Azelin set down her teacup and continued softly.
"If it's not rude, may we move elsewhere? I have something to discuss with Astin alone for a moment."
It sounded like a polite request, but it carried a different meaning.
It was a roundabout way of asking Valdemar to leave.
Valdemar rose with a bitter expression.
If he followed his heart, he wanted to end the meeting right away.
Because he didn't like that his child was so bewitched by a woman that he couldn't live without her.
But what could he do now? It was a political marriage promised between families.
Moreover, now Astin would not let go of Azelin even if he died.
"Why move seats?"
Astin opened his mouth for the first time.
That brief tone felt unfamiliar to Azelin.
"Astin?"
"Let's do it here. There's no need to drag it out."
At his attitude, the air in the reception room froze.
Azelin's eyes wavered finely with confusion.
"What's wrong, Astin? Is it because of yesterday?"
Astin sometimes showed an arrogant and indifferent attitude in front of Azelin.
It was nothing. He was sulking and throwing his own kind of tantrum.
Before long, he'd be anxiously watching her mood and trying to win her favor again.
"You came to talk about breaking the engagement anyway. It's what we both want, so let's finish it quickly."
"......!"
Azelin's eyes grew abnormally wide, and even Valdemar gasped.
But in an instant, Azelin clicked her tongue inwardly.
"What is it now, Astin?"
It wasn't the first time Astin had brought up breaking the engagement to her face.
"I didn't come here for that. I came to celebrate your birthday. I even prepared a gift!"
When Azelin smiled and talked with other men, when she met him without wearing the jewelry he gave her.
Astin would shout that they should break the engagement in a fit of anger.
And then, not even half a day later, he'd run over, crying and sniffling, begging for forgiveness.
It was an obvious pattern.
'Something must have happened yesterday.'
Valdemar didn't show much change in emotion either.
Having watched from the side, he knew all the principles behind Astin's behavior.
In a situation both of them had casually guessed at.
Astin crossed his legs as if utterly calm.
"Did you prepare an engagement termination paper as a birthday gift? Good, it's what we both wanted."
"Astin!"
"You've already been intimate with Julian. Why keep an engagement with an adulteress? Break it off right now."
"...What?"
As if time had stopped, Azelin's movements halted.
Valdemar flinched and stared at Astin.
"H-how could you make such a false accusation...."
Azelin's head dropped downward.
Her face, lifted with difficulty, was wet with tears.
Azelin forced herself to act out a wounded expression.
"Julian and I are merely friends! How can you harbor such resentment just because I declined a date with you.... Can you really insult my honor like this? Apologize formally, Astin!"
"Oh. Your mask is thicker than your makeup."