Chapter 25
Clatter.
Bernard set down his teacup and looked at the man before him, sharp as a well-honed sword.
Though he bore the appearance of a middle-aged man, his spirit and presence were no different from that of a king ruling a nation.
The Hegemon of the North.
Elberton von Zervan.
It was Count Zervan.
"I appreciate it. That you would comply with my wishes."
"Not at all. When the master of the North requests it, how could I not grant at least that much?"
However.
"What I don't understand is why you insist on keeping me at Jaybarsh..."
"The Wheel of Fatalite, under the guise of a hunting tournament, brings much profit to Zervan. But that doesn't always work to our advantage, does it?"
"...You have something in mind."
"It's merely an old man's worry."
The Count fell silent.
But Bernard seemed to understand what was weighing on his mind.
"Are you suspecting Killavan?"
"The weight of the name Zervan demands as much. If one brings disgrace to the family, even my own child must be cast out. If it threatens the North's survival, I must take up my sword and cut it away myself."
No matter what it may be.
Only then can he protect the family, protect the North, and protect the nation.
Such is the lord of Zervan.
Since the old days when Karpe was founded, Zervan has always been thus, and will continue to maintain its existence in the same way.
"I drove one out, and another left of his own accord. Yet still, I must protect Zervan, and I must protect the North. Therefore, I cannot help but be cautious."
He suspects Killavan.
Though he didn't know what exactly he suspected, Bernard guessed it was not for the sake of Zervan and the North.
"Then what about Emily..."
At the mention of Emily, the Count's brow deeply furrowed.
"...That child also carries Zervan's blood. It cannot be helped."
"Will you leave her be? A child whose sacred blood is blocked, unable to properly wield Zervan's power."
"Even so. It is still Zervan's blood, is it not? Emily's hair and eyes are entirely Zervan's. I cannot lean toward either side."
At the stubborn Count's words, Bernard let out a deep sigh.
"Emily will die. Without ever having bloomed. Won't he leave alone the only remaining direct legitimate heir of Zervan? Even though you know this fact as well, Count...!"
"Death is unexpectedly fair and natural. One dies at ten, and one dies at twenty. Death is merely a common natural law. The weak die, and the strong live long."
Though it might sound cold-hearted, he and Bernard had rolled through the harsh battlefield of blades for far too long.
Thus, deeply understanding the Count's words, he could not refute them.
So he chose a different path.
"...Kallias is in the North."
The Count's hand, reaching for his teacup, trembled. A drop of black tea sloshed like a wave and fell, drip, along the cup.
"That one is no longer Zervan."
"But that blood cannot be deceived. I have entrusted him with Emily's escort."
"You've done something pointless."
He had heard that he became a Pilgrim.
But even if that ruffian became a Pilgrim, what had changed?
"It would be fortunate if he doesn't get caught up in the North's wheel and die."
A genius who cannot use divine power and a ruffian swordsmanship dunce meeting.
At such an absurd combination, Count Zervan could not help but let out a hollow laugh.
Shaking his head, the Count stood up and walked to the window with his hands behind his back.
It was a sign to leave.
Bernard stood up and added a parting request.
"Your son has changed quite a bit. It won't be long before my sword is taken from me. This Wheel will change many things in the North."
Creak—Thud.
Confirming that Bernard had withdrawn, the Count looked fondly at an old, small sword hung next to his bookshelf, the kind a child would use, and muttered.
"...Why did you come."
This winter.
It seemed unusually cold and bone-chilling.
* * *
Having finished his meeting with the Count, Bernard headed toward the chapel but turned his steps upon seeing the fading red sunset.
Many thoughts collided and interlocked in his mind, making his head heavy of its own accord.
Staring endlessly at the ground, when he came to his senses, night had already deepened.
Yet his feet had reached the inn where he was.
"Isn't that Lord Bernard?"
"Hmm, do you know me?"
"You're the one who smashed my inn, how could I not know? Hahaha!"
"Ah, right. Come to think of it, I haven't compensated you for that. My, this is..."
"No need. Your disciple has already compensated for everything."
Has he now.
Bernard let out a small laugh at the thought of Kallias.
"Have you come to see your disciple?"
"I have. If that's the case."
"Yes, please go up. I saw him buy various things from outside, eat dinner, and go upstairs."
"Thank you."
Bernard's feet climbed the stairs and reached the door of Kallias's room.
Knock knock—
When he knocked on the door, it opened as if he had been waiting, and brusque gray eyes looked down at him.
"What is it?"
"You leave the door open as if you've been waiting, yet you put on such a sullen face."
"If you've gone senile, wouldn't it be better to just quietly leave your sword behind and go?"
"You brat! I've still got ten good years left in me!"
Bernard entered the room with a pleasant smile and sat down on a chair.
"So, are you well prepared?"
"I'm taking care of it myself."
The Wheel of Fatalite.
The hunting tournament lasts for 7 days.
There would be much to prepare.
Food and supplies for camping would need to be packed as well.
"With Emily..."
"That insolent brat came earlier and swung her sword at me under the pretense of testing me."
At Kallias's expression of disbelief, Bernard let out a laugh that filled his face.
"Hehehe! That child does have a rather bold side. Isn't she quite similar to you?"
"Nonsense."
"True, she can't compare to Zervan's ruffian. I suddenly feel sorry for Emily. To be told she resembles the greatest scum under heaven... My. I should apologize first thing tomorrow."
Bernard chuckled continuously as if teasing his disciple was endlessly entertaining.
Of course, Kallias faced him with a sullen expression, clearly displeased.
"If you came to talk about such inconsequential matters, then please leave. I'm quite busy as it is."
"Hehe, how about you understand the heart of a master who wishes to spend even a little time with his disciple who's about to depart on a long journey?"
"You're the very person who sent me on that long journey, so what nonsense are you spouting?"
"Always talking back. So stubborn, exactly like the Count."
Saying that his ill-fortune was identical, Bernard subtly insulted Count Zervan.
"The door is open."
"My, can't even take a joke."
Bernard wiped the smile from his face, pressed his knees firmly, and opened his mouth.
"I won't be able to take a single step out of Jaybarsh. For the duration that the Wheel turns."
"What am I supposed to do about that."
It was an attitude of complete indifference.
"It was the Count's request."
Kallias's eyebrow twitched.
Guarding the castle at the Count's request.
During the period when the Wheel of Fatalite turns? Something was going on.
He could only think that.
"The Count seems unable to fully trust Killavan, whom he took in as an adopted son. Moreover, he saw some ominous signs and asked me to guard the castle."
"That has nothing to do with me."
"Why would it have nothing to do with you! You are the eldest son who carries Zervan's blood thickly!"
Bernard raised his voice almost spasmodically and stared intensely into Kallias's gray pupils.
"Are you still unable to forgive your father? What happened then..."
Bernard's hesitating mouth twitched and then stopped.
"It doesn't matter."
"Ahem... The Count fulfilled his duty in his own way. He carries a fate that leaves him no choice."
"It has nothing to do with me."
Ugh. At his stubborn attitude, Bernard shook his head slowly.
Three years ago.
Bernard and Kallias wandered around the North. They spent most of their time in the White Forest hunting demonic beasts, but they didn't only stay there.
It was because he wanted Kallias to gain diverse experiences.
'It's my fault.'
But because of that greed, Kallias met someone he shouldn't have met and was severely injured.
'He must have been angry to see the son he drove out wandering around the North. Still, the Count went too far that time.'
Bernard let out a sigh and clicked his tongue as he recalled Kallias and the Count.
He carried a sense of guilt because that incident was caused by his own greed.
After that, Kallias left on his pilgrimage alone, and Bernard voluntarily entered Jaybarsh Castle. This from the man who had never left the White Forest for even a moment.
"...Then at least watch over Emily."
"Why should I protect the Count's hidden child?"
"Isn't she your younger sister?"
"I am not a person of Zervan."
Bernard let out a groan.
But this time, he was the stubborn one.
"Consider this too as a connection of fate. Has your master ever made you do something for no reason? It will all be to your benefit, so try to get along with that child."
"...What is that child anyway."
"She will become an important child to you as well. So don't argue and just follow."
Rattle.
Kallias stared blankly as Bernard rose from his chair.
"Are you leaving?"
"I've said all I came to say."
Bernard, holding the doorknob, looked at him and smirked before leaving.
Then, letting out a deep sigh, he shook his head involuntarily.
"I'm leaving. Consider yourself seen off."
"I never intended to."
"You lightning-struck brat."
Snort! Bernard snorted and walked out of the inn.
Outside, heavy snow was already falling.
Cough, cough.
Bernard's mouth grew moist as he coughed violently.
Gathering the accumulated snow with both hands, he wiped his mouth and hurried his steps.
Where he had coughed, the pure white snow was strangely stained red.
* * *
Boooooom—
The horn trumpet shakes the North.
Wandering knights who crossed the border and Zervan's troops headed toward the White Forest one after another.
Their numbers easily exceeded six hundred.
Truly a grand number and procession.
It wasn't for any particular reason.
Today was the Wheel of Fatalite.
Because it was the day the hunting tournament began.
"So they said you hunt demonic beasts, bring back proof, and they count the number. The period is a total of one week."
Brans, who had come running out of breath, explained the tournament rules.
The period is 7 days.
During that time, camping in the White Forest and hunting as many demonic beasts as possible is what determines the winner of this tournament.
"To the one who hunts the most demonic beasts, the Zervan family will bestow both honor and reward."
The honor is a knight's title.
The reward was a divine power cultivation method passed down through the Zervan family.
'Both are useless.'
Of course, neither reward appealed much to Kallias.
He was a Pilgrim who didn't need a knight's title, and he had long since mastered the Manhwabongyuk that was passed down as legend, making the divine power cultivation method unnecessary.
"If you want, I'll even make you a sword."
It was Emily.
She had three swords tucked at her waist. Her attire was not the usual flowing dress, but clothing that was easy to move in while also providing warmth.
Over it she wore light armor, giving her quite a cute appearance.
"Even so, wouldn't it just be a sword ordered from the religious order? At best, it would be at the level of a renowned sword."
Kallias snorted.
He didn't need something of that level.
He already possessed two renowned swords, so why would he need more?
"I'll give you an artifact too. It's something hard for a ruffian like you to get their hands on. I heard they put quite a lot of effort into making it this time."
"Are you hoping to win?"
"I'm not thinking about winning. People with Zervan's bloodline are excluded, but even so, the one everyone thinks will hunt the most demonic beasts is the next head of the family, Killavan."
And so, that Killavan is targeting both the demonic beasts and Emily's life?
"Perfect way to die while hunting demonic beasts."
"Ruffian, you'd better not die either. I don't have the loyalty to set up something like a gravestone for you."
"The feeling is mutual."
And a short while later.
"What's this, a half-wit who can't even use divine power came here with what kind of nerve?"
"Right, right? But at least she has a knight with her, eh? Who are you? Don't you know that the knight accompanying Emily will be out of favor once our father becomes the head of the family?"
Before them, rather than demonic beasts, the annoying gray-eyed twins were chattering.