CHAPTER 294: RESETTING GOALS

Duke Felix’s territory.

Wilas visited Duke Felix’s house with his retainers. Kai Felix greeted Wilas upon his arrival at the estate.

“Greetings, I am Kai Felix, Marquis.”

“That little boy has grown so much. You’ve grown up splendidly.”

“Thank you.”

“Is the head of the family inside?”

“Yes, I’ve already informed him of your arrival.”

Not long after, Wilas was able to have a private audience with Duke Felix.

“It’s been a while, Duke Felix.”

“Marquis Wilas, you’ve come. This recent incident was truly unfortunate.”

“That’s why I’m here. I have a favor to ask.”

“…A favor?”

“This recent incident, as you probably know, has a separate culprit. And it seems they have quite powerful backing.”

“…”

Duke Felix frowned. Information about the recent incident in Marquis Dren’s territory had already spread among the Twelve Families.

The Duke had also sent his representative to pay respects, so he was well aware of the details of the incident.

“Ethan Whiskers, he’s quite an extraordinary young man. There are many young people who suddenly rise to the top, but this young man is clearly different. That’s why I’m saying this.”

Wilas Dren took a long breath.

“I intend to avenge my son. Regardless of who his backers are. That’s why I need help. Can you lend me a hand?”

Ethan Whiskers was a pebble.

An unexpected stone that had rolled in. He was trying to push his way into the firmly established Twelve Families.

Duke Felix probably didn’t like Ethan Whiskers either.

Wilas thought that since he had come in person, Duke Felix would pretend not to be involved and secretly lend his support.

“I refuse.”

But the answer that came back was completely unexpected.

“…You refuse?”

“I have a friendly relationship with Count Ethan Whiskers. He’s not that kind of young man. He’s also a benefactor to my first and second sons. I can vouch for him.” Ꞧ𝘼Νö₿ЕŚ

“…”

Wilas Dren’s expression hardened.

A friendly relationship? Duke Felix is a quick-witted person. For such a duke to defend someone like this meant that Ethan Whiskers had enough value to warrant it.

Enough for the duke to take his side.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t listen to that story. Instead, I can listen to other stories. This incident was truly unfortunate.”

Wilas quickly left the Duke Felix household.

“What on earth…”

Even the great Wilas was surprised.

“Strader, how did that man manage to gain such favor? How on earth did he catch his eye?”

Wilas couldn’t understand this situation at all.

Who else had cared about the dignity of the Twelve Families as much as Duke Felix? For such a person to defend Ethan Whiskers, who had tarnished the name of the Twelve Families?

“This is worrying.”

Wilas muttered without realizing it.

***

Ramsdale territory.

The territory of the Ramsdale family, one of the pillars of the Twelve Families, was bustling with activity.

“Come at me! Come on!”

“Young master!”

“Not enough yet! Not yet! There’s not much time left. This isn’t enough if we’re going to stand shoulder to shoulder.”

The atmosphere was like a festival, and at the center of this festive atmosphere was Ciron Ramsdale.

“You’ve grown a lot, hmm.”

Ciron was sparring in the Ramsdale territory’s plaza.

Many strong individuals were waiting in the plaza, and it seemed he had already defeated about five of them. However, Ciron was also injured, making it difficult to continue sparring.

“Then I’ll have one last match with the strongest, so don’t try to stop me anymore.”

“This is the last one, young master. Really the last one.”

“Alright.”

A swordsman who looked strong at a glance stepped onto the sparring ground. Although the temporarily set up sparring ground was battered here and there, it was still sufficient for use.

“Ooh.”

“Isn’t that swordsman the one? The number one sword of Forel.”

“Young Master Ciron has already fought a lot. Unless he’s in perfect condition, it might be tough for him now.”

The local residents watching added their comments one by one.

Even to Wilas’s eyes, who had been watching the commotion for a while, the skill of the so-called number one sword of Forel seemed to be above Ciron’s. Ciron was visibly exhausted, while the Forel’s number one sword looked fine.

“Young master, it might be better to spar when you’re in a bit better condition.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m not fighting to win. I’m sure Teacher Ethan wouldn’t have cared about injuries of this level either.”

“…Ethan?”

Wilas, who was listening from afar, immediately frowned.

“Ciron Ramsdale and Ethan Whiskers are fellow teachers at Ivecar Academy.”

“Hmm…”

Wilas headed straight for the castle, leaving Ciron Ramsdale behind.

***

“Well, well, weren’t you retired? I thought I was still in my prime, so I wondered why you retired. But you’ve come back after all.”

Sword Saint Jed Ramsdale and Wilas had a private meeting.

Jed Ramsdale had a very bright expression. It was because quite a few interesting things had been happening lately.

“I heard you stepped down from the position of family head, but won’t it be difficult for the current head if you’re too prominent in the front?”

The Sword Saint and Wilas were acquainted. The two had run Twelve Families houses in the same era, and as a result, they had clashed a few times, especially with the particularly free-spirited Sword Saint. However, since there was nothing to hurt each other’s feelings, their relationship wasn’t particularly bad.

Of course, their paths had completely diverged in later generations, but even so, Wilas thought that the Sword Saint would respond correctly to the right things.

That’s why he came here in person.

“The family head asked me directly. He said he needed help. So I’m responding to that. But what brings you here?”

“My son has died.”

Wilas said.

“I’m truly grateful that the family head came to pay his respects in person.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t come. I had a lot of tasks to handle.”

“So I came to ask a favor. My son didn’t die from illness or accident. As you probably know, he was assassinated.”

“By whom?”

When Wilas spoke as if he already knew the culprit, the Sword Saint asked.

“A young man named Ethan Whiskers. I heard Yusta had some trouble with that young man. This is the result.”

Wilas didn’t know. He didn’t know that the Ramsdale family had a much deeper relationship with Ethan than the Felix family.

Especially, he didn’t know that the Sword Saint had a very good opinion of Ethan.

“Are you saying you want to kill him? Ethan Whiskers?”

“Of course.”

Wilas said.

“Would I let the one who killed my son live?”

Then he smiled coldly.

“That’s why I came to ask this favor. There are many great people behind that young man. If I receive your help, it would be much easier to deal with.”

“Please help me. I will definitely repay you for this. I’ve already come out of retirement once. I won’t step down from this position for at least 10 years. The rights we hold, what you need. I’ll give you everything I can give.”

From Wilas’s perspective, it was a radical proposal.

He’s not asking for active help. He’s just asking to temporarily stand behind Dren if the Imperial Princess and the Pope turn their attention this way.

Given that the reward is quite large compared to the request, he thought the Sword Saint would surely accept.

Although the Sword Saint is a person who acts on his own whims, Wilas needed the power of that whimsical Sword Saint right now.

“I refuse.”

Wilas frowned deeply.

Alright, the Duke Felix house, giving them the benefit of the doubt a hundred times over, one could say it’s possible.

One could say that Ethan Whiskers was quite skillful and had formed some kind of connection with the Duke Felix house.

But the Sword Saint is different.

“Why? Why is that?”

Wilas, who had become irritated, asked.

“Why are you refusing? This isn’t a simple matter. It’s a matter of the dignity of the Twelve Families.”

“You’re making it too grand. Isn’t this just a matter between Yusta and Ethan?”

“What?”

“Have we ever really joined forces within this fence we call the Twelve Families?”

The Sword Saint said as if it was ridiculous.

“I’ve never once thought that you, Marquis Dren’s house, were on my side. Have you ever directly erected even one pillar in Ramsdale territory?”

“Jed… Ramsdale.”

“Ethan is in a good cooperative relationship with our Ramsdale family. He’s also close with my grandson, Ciron.”

The Sword Saint emphasized.

“If Whiskers, led by Ethan, says they want to join the Twelve Families, I would lend my strength to that.”

Grind-.

Wilas gritted his teeth.

“It was nice talking after a long time. Would you please leave now? I’m busy.”

Faced with this clear dismissal, Wilas had no choice but to leave without saying anything more.

“Sir.”

“I didn’t expect it to be this bad. Just how far… how far did that bastard look ahead before he acted? There are no gaps. No room to dig in.”

It felt like all his limbs had been cut off.

It felt like being trapped in a maze with no exit, wandering around believing there must be an exit somewhere. Suddenly, Wilas’s body trembled slightly.

Following Felix, Ramsdale also came out in support of Ethan Whiskers.

There were still several families left, but after being treated like this at the first two places he visited, he felt humiliated and helpless.

“It’s been a long time, really.”

It had been a long time since he had to plead, since he was rejected, since he felt helpless.

No, it might be the first time.

“There’s still a way.”

Not all avenues are blocked.

“Ethan Whiskers’ plan includes revenge. Then, not just our family, but soon there will be trouble with other families as well. He might have already started working on it.”

Someone this thorough might have already finished all preparations.

“Contact the other nobles in the capital. Tell them Wilas Dren needs help.”

“Yes!”

***

“Can she do it alone? I can go and help if that’s okay.”

“That’s Yerica’s job. The biggest reason Yerica has become stronger is revenge. If someone else does that revenge for her, it will only be incomplete combustion. She needs to burn completely to ashes to be able to ignite again, Schudlen.”

“…You’re right, Lord Ethan. I’m sorry. I just got anxious for no reason.”

“It’s because you’re still not confident in your skills. Anyone would be like that when they suddenly become strong. Now, Schudlen.”

Ethan threw a wooden sword to Schudlen.

“I’ll get rid of that anxiety for you. Let’s practice while we head to the capital.”

“…I, I’m full of trust. I’m strong, Lord Ethan!”

“You need to prove that with your sword.”

Holy Empire capital.

Ethan, who had returned, headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

‘The academy vacation is almost over.’

Ethan had considered quitting the academy if necessary.

Originally, he wanted to become the youngest master for the sake of fame.

‘I’ve built up enough fame.’

He also found out where the Saintess who would be the answer to the Extinction treatment was.

‘Demon Empire.’

So there was no need to cling to the academy anymore.

‘But it’s not easy to enter the Demon Empire.’

The two empires of the continent were divided by a huge mountain range, and there was a large river in the middle of that mountain range.

‘That’s the border between the Holy Empire and the Demon Empire.’

It’s difficult to cross the mountain range. The possible routes are to cross the border through the northern end or the southern end.

But entering that way becomes illegal entry. You can’t do anything officially and have to do everything secretly.

If by any chance you get caught, it’s another problem. If that happens, the penalty you’d have to bear would be quite severe.

‘So I need to go to the Demon Empire officially.’

To go to the next destination, the Demon Empire, he needed the permission of the Holy Empire’s emperor.

“His Majesty says to come in.”

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