Chapter 153 : Chapter 153
Chapter 153
The house looked dark from outside. It was midnight, so everyone should be asleep. But when I opened the door.
“Master?”
Lilac was waiting for me, with the moon and stars shining through the window as companions.
“You’re back.”
“…You weren’t sleeping.”
“I received a letter saying Master was called for an urgent academy mission and would return late, so I waited.”
She smiled brightly without showing fatigue.
Lilac must have been tired from running the coffee cart all day and preparing for the first-floor café opening.
“You should have rested. Sorry for making you wait.”
“No!”
Lilac waved her hands.
“Serving Master is my utmost priority.”
“Yeah.”
She was so endearing that I smiled without realizing. Lilac’s expression brightened too. Seeing that, I felt so good that I spoke without filter.
“Lilac, you’re always consistent.”
But the same went for Lilac.
“When Master is tired, I’ll always wait here unchanging, so you can rest anytime.”
An awkward silence fell. The moonlight and starlight paused. Thank you, moonlight. My flushed cheeks wouldn’t show. Lilac turned her head slightly in embarrassment, twirling her hair with her fingers. After a while, she asked in a small voice.
“M-Master, would you like to wash first? If you haven’t eaten, I can quickly prepare a simple midnight snack.”
“I’m fine with the snack. But I do need to wash.”
Matthew’s image lingered. Today, I wanted to soak in warm water. It was a day with many thoughts.
“Yes, I’ll prepare it right away.”
It was ready in no time. As I entered, the warm water scented with fine oils relaxed my body.
***
Arriving at the academy as usual, I witnessed a rather puzzling scene.
“Phew, it’s starting soon.”
“Yeah, looking forward to this year.”
Normally, they’d be self-studying or playing the trending board game Nine Kingdoms, but they were passionately discussing one topic.
“Founding Day!”
“Yeah, next month!”
“It’s countdown time.”
It was the Imperium Empire’s founding anniversary. A grand festival drawing people from across the continent, when the imperial capital buzzed more than any day.
‘Founding Day.’
A common episode. A healing event where the protagonist party rested their weary bodies and minds from battles and training.
‘It’s happening after all.’
The empire suffered from the Brahmus terror incident. Many events were canceled, but Founding Day seemed too prideful for the empire to skip.
‘It’s a way to show they’re still strong.’
But to me, it was neither healing nor politics.
To a merchant, a festival was peak time to row the hardest.
‘I need to develop new menus. With the move and café opening prep, I should earn now.’
Unlike the grand festival, there were no academy obligations, so no club schedules.
‘Good.’
Through various incidents, Trash Martin’s infamy had been somewhat neutralized. Operating the café myself should be fine now.
‘It took so long.’
It had been half a year since possessing this body. Looking back, nothing was easy.
‘I can enjoy this Founding Day.’
No sudden demon lord descent like during the grand festival.
“Alright, before Founding Day!”
Teacher Hailey, who had entered unnoticed, announced with a beaming smile.
“Midterms first, right?”
“Ah, no way.”
“This isn’t it!”
The cadets groaned, but it couldn’t be helped.
About 40 days until Founding Day. Until then, we led busy lives. Balancing academy life, preparing for Founding Day with Lilac on new recipes, and spurring my personal training.
Skill, Saint Gunner’s Dual Pistols (Temporary) level rose from 1 to 2.
Skill, Firearm Proficiency level rose from 6 to 7.
I wiped the flowing sweat.
‘Finally up.’
Thanks to the technique Star Child taught and the martial arts book from the nameless revolutionary. It was frustrating that it only rose by 1 despite the effort, but saving points made it decent.
“….”
Staring made me ponder.
‘Should I raise Firearm Proficiency to master level?’
Master level was the minimum for heading to platinum knight realm.
‘Not yet.’
First, sublimate the unique skill Saint Gunner’s Dual Pistols into my own. Unique skills couldn’t be handled by the system; real enlightenment was needed. Borrowing the system’s power at a crucial timing might scare away incoming insight.
‘At least four diamond knights needed to stop the end.’
Candidates like Gilbert, Hectia, but uncertain.
‘I need to become a diamond knight too.’
With system aid, I was a candidate. To survive the end, I needed to be much stronger.
[Woof!]
Sebastian ran over, noticing my training ended. I tossed a piece of jerky from my waist pouch, and he caught it, chewing delightfully.
‘Anyway.’
I had to get stronger. Unique skills and firearm proficiency were important, but I also needed to level up Know-It-All and Wild Instinct. So, after deep consideration, I decided.
“Let’s go.”
[Woof!]
Today.
“…To the Ulvhadin County.”
The day to head to Martin’s origin.
I walked boldly along the avenue from the academy. Entering the city, I didn’t stop. Ignoring people’s gazes. Thus, I arrived. Before the Ulvhadin County’s mansion.
‘Look at this.’
Without notice, yet as if knowing I’d come, maids and butlers poured out, lining up left and right.
‘It feels different.’
Ulvhadin knights armed with firearms appeared. Hounds emerged one by one from all sides, bowing to the Ulvhadin bloodline.
‘Mix of vigilance and hospitality?’
Blood of the family, with good rumors spreading, so some wanted to host, while others still hurt from Martin’s atrocities. Wild Instinct sensitively picked up each emotion, but… sorry, no time to care now.
“I’ll see the patriarch.”
At my declaration, the gates swung wide, opening the path to the mansion. As I walked in, gazes felt from everywhere.
“….”
Where to go. I asked no one. No guidance. But I knew. Wild Instinct tracked the man with the same blood. Know-It-All recalled the mansion structure embedded in Martin’s body.
A vast training ground. Place for Ulvhadin direct line only. To train body and mind. Hone senses. Aim the muzzle.
There stood the Ulvhadin County’s patriarch with a hunting rifle. Martin’s father. William von Dubon Ulvhadin. Behind him, a house-sized giant Ulvhadin hound guarded him.
‘Martin’s, this body’s father.’
The long-dormant remnants of Martin’s emotions stirred. I suppressed them with my vastly grown self, silencing them.
[Grrr….]
Shadows loomed from behind. Sebastian’s body enlarged, growing as huge as William’s hound. Then, mimicking, he stood behind me, guarding.
“….”
“….”
Father and son said nothing.
Wild Instinct (Lv 4) heralds the start. From now, a serious conversation between father and son will begin.
William silently removed his top. In a tunic and pants for easy movement, he held the hunting rifle. His sleek, muscular build belied his middle age.
Know-It-All (Lv 4) calculates but can’t predict the end of the intense conversation about to start.
I discarded my robe and cadet uniform too. Just deep green pants and a light tunic. That was it. And… I grabbed a rolling hunting rifle and attached an ammo pouch to my belt.
“….”
“….”
Father and son, with no protective gear, holding sparring hunting rifles, faced each other.
“….”
“….”
Without a word.
Without who first.
They raised rifles, loading bullets.
Then.
Bang! Gunshots rang. Almost simultaneous blasts as I leaped, bullets’ trajectories grazing cheeks. If hit, at least fracture or concussion.
But the same for William.
“….”
“….”
In the instant William and Martin reloaded.
[Bark!]
[Grrrr!]
William’s hound and Sebastian clashed. Biting necks, clawing bodies to tear.
“I waited.”
Finally, Words opened between father and son.
“How was it leaving home.”
Bullet fired with the question. Father’s query was heavy. I shot back, aiming to intercept.
“Better than expected.”
Father’s question and son’s answer clashed in midair. With a heavy sound.
“I managed.”
Two bullets fell to the ground.
“Managed?”
Sharp voice. William’s hound pushed Sebastian back in anger. As Sebastian retreated, a bullet flew—when loaded unknown.
“You think they managed, the people you tormented?”
Anger-laden bullet was powerful. I fired an intercept, bullets collided, yet.
“That’s…”
My bullet bounced weakly, William’s embedding in my side. Dull pain rippled from the side. Frowning, I slapped the sparring bullet out. No wound. Only pain remained.
‘What do I know…'
Childhood Martin’s atrocities on Ulvhadin people—what did I know? I didn’t do it.
…But one thing was certain. Load bullet, fire at William. Because my faults existed too.
“Yes.”
I severed Martin from the family, placing him at chaotic events’ center—that was me.
“I won’t deny it.”
Deliberately heroic actions rotting the guts of Martin’s childhood victims—that was me too.
“My fault.”
Ruining father William’s mood was clearly Kim An-hyun’s fault.
Bullet fired, William snorted, swinging rifle to deflect. How proficient with firearms to reach that level.
Heavy was my sin. As much, William’s shoulders tensed.
‘But I didn’t know.’
This world was reality!
‘I thought you were novel extras!’
Reload and fire again. But hesitation lingered. World Tree said this world was reality like Earth, but no proof. I acted thinking it was obviously a novel.
Unbelievable reality, hard to believe. If truly real, my atrocities weren’t few.
Adela’s love.
Luri’s love.
Knowing their feelings, ignoring and using them.
Nerjin’s salvation.
Savo’s salvation.
Taking their loyalty for granted.
All emotions toward others, including Gilbert’s party! All!
“I was young then!”
“Is that a simple end?!”
But again, swung rifle deflected the bullet. Followed by William’s counter, hitting shoulder. Dizzying pain sparked lightning illusion.
“So your action was!”
William’s hound struck Sebastian. Sebastian’s body tilted.
William charged through with rifle, swinging.
“Hero play?!”