Chapter 16. Ruler’s Prophecy
In the quiet communication room of the Caulem Dukedom manor, Duke Alric Caulem sat alone at the carved wooden desk. Leonhardt's portrait still lingered in his mind, the boy he thought he'd buried now alive, and apparently... different.
Alric's gaze fell on a letter lying before him, sent by the Ironholt guild leader.
Young Lord Leonhardt defeated a B-ranked adventurer barehanded. His grip on the parchment tightened.
The Leonhardt he knew—the timid boy who never fully grew into himself—couldn't have done that. But the Leonhardt who returned? Perhaps.
The rhythmic beeping of the communication machine pulled Alric from his thoughts. He stared at it briefly before activating the device. A flickering projection burst forth, revealing Principal Tavik Veymar, his old professor.
"Professor Veymar," Alric greeted.
"It's been a long time."
"It has indeed, Duke Caulem," Veymar replied, inclining his head respectfully.
Alric leaned forward, wasting no time on formalities. His sharp eyes locked onto Veymar's projection as he asked directly, "Is it true? Has my son returned?"
Veymar hesitated, his face betraying the briefest flicker of discomfort. The pause stretched for a moment before he nodded. "Yes," he said firmly, his tone grave. "Your son has returned to the academy. He is alive..and."
Alric's hands remained flat against the desk, his knuckles white from the pressure. Relief didn't come—not yet. "And?" he pressed, his voice tight but composed. "What aren't you telling me?"