Chapter 10: TBSL

Chapter 10

Raido's question had come completely out of nowhere.

What did he think about his own son?

Border Count Lichten fell into thought for a moment, trying to discern the intent behind the question.

Normally, he would have brushed it aside with a few words and naturally changed the subject.

This time, however, things were different.

He had personally witnessed the sudden change in Sion today.

“Did you happen to meet Sion?”

“I just came from talking with the brat.”

“What reason could there possibly be for that...?”

“I thought about taking him as my disciple.”

“…Excuse me?”

For a moment, Lichten wondered if he had misheard.

The Raido he had known for many years was not someone who let others get close to him.

Former Court Mage. Legendary martial artist.

Despite carrying countless titles, the number of people he could truly call close friends—including Lichten himself—did not even reach ten.

Raido avoided forming relationships with people to an extreme degree.

Yet that same man had offered discipleship to Lichten's eldest son, whom he had never met before?

“Are you pulling another prank because you're bored?”

“Bastard. No matter how crazy I am, I don't joke about things like this.”

“You really offered Sion a place as your disciple?”

“I did.”

“Why? What made you suddenly decide that?”

“I came here because I wanted to know if you knew the answer to that yourself.”

“Ah…”

“But something even funnier happened. Want to know what it was?”

Lichten shook his head.

As if expecting that answer, Raido leaned back deeply into the sofa and continued.

“The brat rejected me.”

“…What?”

“He refused to become my disciple. You know, I thought your son was exactly what the rumors said—a stupid little brat. Human trash who lives off his father's reputation. Ah, was that too harsh?”

“No. Those were the rumors going around. Even I can't deny that.”

“But the son I met today was nothing like those rumors.”

“Nothing like them?”

“He hid himself over and over again. Deceived people over and over again. That's how he's been living. Making sure nobody would ever suspect him. Even the family's retainers and his own relatives.”

At those words, Lichten recalled his earlier conversation with Sion.

For the first time, his eldest son had shown confidence.

He had carried himself like a true heir.

Lichten had been puzzled by the change, but inwardly relieved.

He had thought his son had simply matured a little later than most.

Could it really be something else entirely?

“Judging by your face, you had no idea either.”

“Are you saying Sion has been hiding his true self all this time?”

“At least, that's how it looked to me. Assuming my eyes haven't gone bad.”

“Why would he do something like that...?”

“Everyone has their reasons. If I had to guess, I'd say he's trying to hide some kind of weakness.”

“A weakness? What weakness could that child possibly have?”

Raido looked at Lichten for a moment.

Apparently deciding it was not his place to answer, he merely shrugged.

“Anyway, that concern you mentioned before? From what I've seen, it's nothing more than pointless worrying.”

“Is that so?”

“He tried to deceive even me, and he almost succeeded. If anything, the brat is too capable—not lacking.”

“But…”

“It's a good thing. At a time when the world is becoming more unstable, the last thing this territory needs is conflict over the succession. If your heir is as dependable as he seems, then both you and the royal palace can rest easier.”

As he spoke, Raido stretched his body and rolled his shoulders as if they had become stiff.

Lichten watched him for a moment before speaking carefully.

“How is that matter progressing?”

“Slowly. About as slowly as those bald ministers in the capital discussing state affairs. There's been no real progress at all. Damn it.”

If they had been anywhere other than the Count's castle, Raido would have already spat on the floor and ground it under his heel.

Scratching his head irritably, he continued.

“At least I've got one useful guy helping me these days, but finding another temple isn't easy. Those damned demon bastards make no sense no matter how hard I try to understand them.”

“The lack of progress is concerning.”

“Don't worry. I've maintained the barrier properly, so the territory won't suffer any harm.”

“I'll always be grateful for your help.”

“Forget it. I quit being Court Mage and came here because I found it interesting. Being able to throw punches without worrying about anyone's opinion makes me feel ten years younger.”

Judging by the smile on his face, he truly meant it.

Though he was nearly sixty years old, his temperament and movements were more fiery than those of most young men.

“Enough about me. How about you? Are you doing alright?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you trying to hide it? I heard things have been tense with the Kingdom of Nudia lately.”

At those words, Lichten bit his lip and nodded silently.

The neighboring territory under Nudia's control had suddenly blocked the water source that flowed into the borderlands.

Despite repeated requests for talks, they had remained silent.

Blocking the water supply during harvest season was practically a declaration of war.

Recently, Lichten had secretly dispatched spies to investigate Nudia's situation.

“So you already know about that as well, Lord Raido.”

“My daughter told me.”

“Ah, Miss Lucia…”

“And she heard it from your son.”

“From Sion?”

“That's right.”

How was that possible?

Lichten was no longer merely surprised.

He was bewildered.

Even he had only reached that conclusion after carefully reviewing numerous reports and circumstances.

Those reports had been delivered through secret channels meant for his eyes alone.

Sion Clausen had never shown the slightest interest in territorial affairs.

There was no way he should know about Nudia's movements or the blocked water supply.

So where had he learned it?

And how had he already begun seeking advice about the future consequences?

“Want to hear something even funnier? Your son already knew who I was.”

“You mean he knew you were living in the county?”

“Yeah. He pieced it together from a handful of tiny clues and laid out the whole thing so confidently that I couldn't even deny it. It was like he already knew the answer from the beginning. He was so certain that I ended up standing there like an idiot, stammering.”

That was true enough.

After all, Sion knew everything because he had read the novel.

Of course, neither Raido nor Lichten could possibly know that.

Instead, they could only marvel in amazement.

“Just how much does that child know...?”

“At the very least, he doesn't know about the eastern forest. If he did, he would have asked me how the investigation was going. Whether that's fortunate or unfortunate, I can't say.”

The massive forest east of the border territory.

The discovery of a mysterious temple there had been the decisive reason Raido came to this place.

After extensive investigation, they had determined that the temple had been built by demons for their god.

They suspected that the monsters occasionally appearing in the territory might be connected to the temple.

But further investigation revealed no evidence supporting that theory.

There was no direct link between the temple and the monster outbreaks.

Raido and Kim Yoohyun had searched every corner of the forest, suspecting the existence of another temple, but found nothing.

That meant there had to be another explanation.

Yet Raido still had not found it.

“In any case, I came here to tell you to stop worrying about your son. A capable brat like him... I don't know why he keeps lowering himself and hiding who he really is.”

Raido stood and began drawing an even more complex magic formula.

A return spell to take him back home.

Then suddenly, he let out a small sigh and glanced at Lichten.

“Let me ask you one thing, Lichten.”

“I'm listening.”

“What do you think of my daughter?”

“…Excuse me?”

It was only natural that Lichten could not answer immediately.

But Raido clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“Ha! Like father, like son. Why are you both so damn clueless?”

He grumbled impatiently, demanding an answer.

Lichten could only laugh awkwardly.

“I don't understand the intention behind your question.”

“Ah, damn it! I mean—Ahem! As a father with children—well, you only have sons, but still! Looking at her as an adult, what do you think of my daughter? Like, is she kind? A wonderful young woman? Something like that!”

Ah.

Only then did Lichten understand what he was asking.

He nodded and answered.

“She certainly takes after you in terms of intelligence and wisdom. Though forgive me for saying this, it's fortunate she doesn't resemble you physically.”

“Oh? What did you just say, bastard?”

“You know that's true yourself, don't you?”

“Ahem… Yeah, damn it. Thank goodness she looks like my late wife.”

Even Raido couldn't argue about that.

“In any case, no matter what man she marries, she would be far too good for him.”

“Really? Then there wouldn't be any problem arranging a marriage right away?”

“Of course not. Has someone proposed? You're hiding your identity right now, so how would that even… Ah. Have you already chosen someone?”

“……”

Is this idiot doing this on purpose? I practically spelled it out for him.

Raido considered smacking him on the head.

Surely then he'd understand.

But he restrained himself.

After all, Lichten was one of his few close acquaintances.

And soon enough, they would become in-laws.

“Anyway, both father and son are equally dense.”

“E-Excuse me?”

“Ugh… To think I'll have to call someone like you my in-law, and that brat my son-in-law. What rotten luck.”

Muttering to himself, Raido disappeared instantly.

As though he had never been there at all.

Staring at the empty space, Lichten carefully recalled everything Raido had said.

He was hiding himself. Deceiving others. Deliberately lowering himself while watching everyone around him…

He didn't know the exact reason.

But one thing was certain.

For Raido to praise someone so highly, his son must truly be exceptional.

But suddenly talking about in-laws and sons-in-law… Surely he doesn't mean…

Just as he was trying to dismiss the thought and return to work—

Knock, knock.

“My lord, it's Sebastian. May I come in?”

After receiving permission, the door slowly opened.

An elegant old gentleman in a perfectly tailored suit stepped inside.

Watching Sebastian offer a graceful bow, Lichten asked why he had come.

Sebastian glanced around cautiously before speaking.

“I came because I would like to talk about the Young Master. About Sion Clausen.”

“Hm?”

After Raido, now Sebastian was bringing up Sion as well.

As he listened, Lichten realized something.

He had believed he knew his son better than anyone else.

But that was not true.

It seemed he needed to have a proper conversation with Sion.