CHAPTER 585: THE SWEET SOUND

Duke Leander’s automatic response was to tell him it was nothing. And he did just that.

But then he realized... if he kept quiet, he might not have a home to return to.

Only, in the end, he didn’t get the chance to break anything himself, because apparently, they had all forgotten about someone whose "loyalties" were terrifyingly strict.

D-29.

Even Luca was surprised when the little system suddenly asked for permission to focus on a "momentary task."

At first, the dungeon owner did not think much of it. But when D-29 had gone quiet—completely quiet—even after he had finished building a biomecha, and even after he had tinkered with his ultra-private project, Luca started to worry.

When the missing system finally returned, proudly reporting a "successful field trip," Luca immediately felt compelled to dig deeper.

That was when he learned the truth.

A system infiltration. Requested by Xavier. Approved not only by the benefactor but by Sid himself, who had marked it as a major threat.

So Luca asked, point-blank, "Are we facing a major threat?"

Every adult in the room froze. For a heartbeat, no one dared to breathe. Then, as if passing the responsibility like a hot potato, Xavier looked at the Duke for permission.

And shockingly, permission was granted.

Because honestly, Duke Leander wasn’t sure how he would explain this to his precious son without accidentally burning the entire medical bay down in his fury.

Xavier then called Luca over, and every soldier stiffened nervously. How was the stoic cadet planning to handle this?

But then—

The moment Luca came to stand beside him, they all witnessed the change.

That murderous boy who had just been plotting the complete annihilation of House Holt suddenly softened. His entire face transformed, the edge in his gaze dissolving into something warm as he looked down at the nervous heir.

It was like watching someone swap personalities in real time.

The soldiers blinked once. Then twice. Some even rubbed their eyes. Was this still the same person?

And then they heard him speak.

"Luca," Xavier said gently, "we’d like to apologize for taking care of it in ways we saw fit. It would’ve been better if we had a chance to consult with you, but I personally couldn’t stand the thought of him walking out of there without consequence."

The now bedridden soldiers almost keeled over again. No wonder some of them were still single. Because upon hearing his entire spiel, they’d come to ask themselves, who in the galaxy spoke like that?

Well, apparently, that boy.

"Oh no! What really happened?! And why are you apologizing for it?" Luca asked worriedly.

"Remember the threats we long expected to come?" Xavier’s voice remained steady, calm in a way that only made the soldiers feel more unsteady. "It seems we’ve ruffled a few feathers. Those who aren’t happy about sharing business."

"!"

"And they’ve come up with tactics that include defamation to appeal to the public."

When Xavier explained exactly what Holt had done, Luca’s eyes trembled in shock. His expression faltered, taken aback by the sheer audacity of it.

Duke Leander’s chest heaved as he watched his son’s face pale.

This—this was exactly what he had not wanted to see.

And now he was more certain than ever. He was going to find that monster Holt. And when he did, there would be nothing left but dust.

However, Duke Leander did not expect Luca’s first words to be, "I’m sorry! Did they hurt you?"

Ehh???

The Duke almost swallowed his tongue. Everyone else froze in the same shock.

What in the stars was this? After all the filth Holt pulled, his son was not furious, not in despair, but worried—worried!—about Xavier?

The soldiers stared as their Young Lord gently cradled the stoic cadet’s face like he was something fragile. Fragile! As if that boy had not just fought through Holt’s men without so much as a scratch.

Leander nearly fell off the bed. Truly, he could no longer tell whether his son was a saint or if he himself was just unable to see what Luca saw in everyone.

Xavier, however, had expected this. Because knowing his little chipmunk, he would always be more concerned about others being hurt on his behalf.

"We’re all doing fine," Xavier reassured softly, his hand lifting to cup Luca’s worried face in return.

"But what they did was wrong," Xavier continued, his voice calm yet edged with steel. "So we must make sure to take appropriate compensation."

"Compensation?" Luca gasped, his golden eyes rounding.

"Of course. Everyone, including D-29, was instrumental in gathering evidence to secure the rightful compensation you deserve."

Everyone else: "???"

What on Solaris was this compensation he was talking about??? And how come they were not aware of being instrumental to anything???

Then they watched as the wolfish boy leaned in slightly and said with quiet certainty, "Considering their crimes, this is roughly the amount you stand to make from this. It will take some time, but it should amount to this."

"!!!"

The soldiers, including Duke Leander himself, were floored when their heir practically launched himself into Xavier’s arms.

"Th-that much?!" Luca cried, his voice trembling with excitement. "Is that what people pay for defamation?!"

The room tilted. The Duke actually pressed a hand to his chest to check if his heart was still beating.

"It depends on the damage and the assets of the criminal," Xavier explained smoothly, "but on this scale, yes. They must pay appropriately for their crimes."

Luca’s eyes glittered like twin stars as he clung to Xavier for dear life.

Because who would have known? Defamation was not just slander. It was profitable. And to think, he had been defamed so many times before—yet for free! Now that it could actually be paid for, was this not a win-win situation?

It was. And even D-29 triggered little celebratory poppers overhead as if to confirm this glorious revelation.

Meanwhile, Duke Leander was spiraling. His son, who had been close to tears earlier, now looked like he was ready to break out alcohol.

"Son, are you sure you’re all right?" the Duke asked weakly.

It was, honestly, a fair question.

But Luca looked at his father, then at Xavier, then at the room full of people who had fought tooth and nail for his honor. And his heart swelled.

"Yes, Papa. I’m alright. More than alright. Because I have all of you who believe in me. Who protect me this much." Luca smiled brightly, and his radiance nearly blinded the room.

The Duke staggered again, undone by the sight.

Luca continued, his voice steady. "Having all of you is more than enough for me."

Then, his lips curved in glee. "And hearing that we even made a profit from something like this? How can I possibly not be okay?"

With that, Luca stood, straightened, and bowed deeply to the stunned audience.

"Thank you very much for all your hard work! May we have more money as the days pass by!"

"!!!"

The soldiers choked on their own spit. Duke Leander clutched his head. Butler Gary prayed for strength.

Meanwhile, Xavier only sighed, resigned but secretly amused. He knew it was now impossible to wake his little money grubber from his dreams. His precious wife was probably celebrating already, the sound of Ka-ching! Ka-ching! ringing in his ears like wedding bells.