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Chapter 28
If I didn’t comply and insisted on leaving, he would eventually reveal his true intentions.
“I want to go to my room.”
When I spoke firmly, he nodded with a hint of disappointment.
“Alright, if you insist. I’ll call the maids to escort you.”
So easily?
Was he really trying to give me a toy?
“But take this with you.”
Erashinus held out a doll.
I shook my head.
It didn’t feel like it had suspicious magic or anything, but something about it felt off.
“If you don’t like this one, you can take something else. I heard you’ve been bored in the main building.”
“I don’t need anything.”
When I kept refusing, Erashinus finally sighed.
“I can’t believe it! With all these toys here, there’s not a single one worth sending with you!”
…No matter how I look at it, he seems more like a toy shop owner than a noble.
Can a person really be this different from their first impression?
“Why are you being nice to me?”
Eventually, I couldn’t hold back my curiosity and asked.
“You hate me. You said I’m the child of a criminal. What do you want from me?”
As I kept speaking, Erashinus, who had been smiling at first as if amused, gradually stiffened.
“Just say it. I won’t fall for toys. I want to hear it directly and judge for myself.”
As I said that, I turned my head away from the toy that kept tugging at my instincts.
‘Don’t look at it. If I act like a child now, it’s all over.’
“…You remembered the day we first met. You’re much smarter than you look. That’s why you’ve been so wary of me.”
Soon, he straightened the posture he had deliberately lowered for me and spoke.
“I’m sorry, but it’s true. You may not understand it yet, but some problems in this world, even if they aren’t your fault, you have to carry them for the rest of your life.”
“Problems…”
“A little criminal.”
Erashinus said firmly.
“But that doesn’t mean it’s right to neglect you or trap you in a jar.”
“Liar. You don’t like Lord Abelnooth either.”
“I’ve never disliked him. Even if we have different opinions, I won’t say anything shameful.”
“Ankku too.”
“What’s that?”
“Ankkooth.”
Erashinus stifled a laugh when he understood.
“I’ve had some conflict with that guy. But that has nothing to do with you.”
I couldn’t tell whether he was being truthful, but one thing was certain: he saw me as a criminal.
I lowered my head in gloom.
“You look sad.”
Wouldn’t you be?
“Then what should I do?”
I asked, clinging to a shred of hope.
“Do about what?”
“Will the people of Ignitus keep hating me?”
They all disliked the idea of me being the successor.
I was ready to do anything for the family. Would I never get a chance?
“Am I not allowed to work for the family?”
“Well, it would be difficult, but there is a way.”
“…!”
I looked up, filled with hope.
“Devote your life to the glory of Ignitus and its flames. Then we will forever consider you family.”
“My life…?”
Erashinus nodded.
I smiled faintly.
That was my intention anyway.
“Okay!”
“You’re still too young. You probably don’t understand how frightening that sounds.”
“No, I do!”
At my confident tone, Erashinus looked at me in disbelief.
“I’ll do it. Because I’ve received the goddess’s grace. So for the sake of Ignitus, who serves her, I’ll do anything! I can give up my life without hesitation.”
“Ha!”
Erashinus gave a hollow laugh and reached out his hand.
A massive burst of magic spread instantly, and the temperature in the room began to rise.
Whoosh!
Flames burst up in the room, turning the wooden blocks on the floor to ashes in an instant.
‘What is this all of a sudden?’
Though startled by the sudden turn of events, I didn’t even blink and simply watched the flames.
‘The power of fire really is amazing. I wish I could use it that well too.’
—I thought, rather casually.
Erashinus seemed surprised.
“You’re not afraid?”
“Nope, not at all. Fire is warm.”
To prove it, I walked toward the flames, gathered a bundle of them with both hands, and offered it to Erashinus.
“This power was given by the goddess to protect people, right?”
He looked utterly stunned as he accepted the flames from me.
“You even know that?”
“Yup! I’m the successor. I know a lot.”
“At this point, you could say you know everything. Much more than my own children.”
I was bewildered. I didn’t expect to be praised this much.
Erashinus waved his hand, extinguishing all the flames in the room.
Except for the doll and a few metal cases that seemed to have been magically protected, all the toys had turned to ash, smoke curling from the wreckage.
Once he carefully put out the last ember, Erashinus turned back to me.
His eyes were shining, like someone who had discovered an unexpected treasure.
“Do you love Ignitus too?”
This time, I asked.
Of course, I didn’t expect to truly understand his feelings just from his words.
“More than anything.”
Erashinus answered without hesitation, as if he had never doubted it.
“By the way, I never introduced myself, did I?”
“I know. Erathinus.”
“…!”
He looked at me in surprise, not expecting me to know his name.
“Then why did you call me like that?”
“Hmm…”
Well, because calling you ancestor feels too unfamiliar, and using your name too casually would seem rude to an elder of the family.
After a moment of thought, I cautiously offered what seemed like a decent title.
“Uncle…?”
Erashinus smiled widely, satisfied.
Calling someone from a rival faction “uncle”… is this okay?
In the time I came from, it had been generations since the other branches of Ignitus were wiped out, so I had no idea how to deal with them.
And the fact that he didn’t get along with Ankus was also bothering me.
“Rat.”
That word I’d heard before had no trace of familial affection in it.
Still, I didn’t want to hastily doubt his desire to protect Ignitus.
Erashinus had left behind so many documents they filled an entire wall of the family library. At least from what I’d seen, he consistently expressed loyalty to Ignitus in every passage.
‘I’ll watch him for now. If he’s lying, I’ll gather evidence and report it directly to the family head.’
With that decision, I sat on the ashes and pulled Erashinus close.
“I have a question.”
“What is it?”
He leaned down and lent his ear.
“What would you do if someone messed up Ignitus?”
“Then I’d have to deal with that person somehow.”
“But what if that bad person was family?”
“There must be someone in this house you think is bad.”
“…What if it’s someone you raised yourself?”
I mumbled just barely loud enough to be heard.
But Erashinus, with his sharp ears, understood me clearly.
“I think it’s better if it’s someone I raised.”
He said coldly.
“Then I can get rid of them myself.”
His answer was so cold, it sent chills down my spine.
His loyalty to the family was no joke.
The more we talked, the more I was convinced: Erashinus was not someone who would allow Ignitus to fall into ruin.
Maybe he failed at raising his children? And that’s why, after his death, his kids and nephews went out of control?
Children.
That word reminded me of someone I’d forgotten.
Paulus…!
He’s still in this room.
And Erashinus hadn’t even lowered his voice!
I hurriedly turned to look at the desk where Paulus sat.
He was still calmly polishing a bunch of keys with a white cloth.
‘No, it’s different from earlier.’
His eyes were trembling uncontrollably.
