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Chapter 31
Galahad recalled his first meeting with Ronin Alistair.
“I bought their labor. You have to pay the proper price if you don’t want trouble later—that’s what I learned from the Alistairs.”
“Lastly, I would like to correct the way you address me. I am not a child of the Alistair family. I am the Grand Duchess of House Leofric. I sincerely ask that you address me by my proper title.”
No matter how many times he thought back on it, it was an unpleasant memory.
And even stronger than that unpleasantness was a sense of helpless frustration.
Most people freeze the moment they see me. Alphas and Omegas who can sense traits, of course—but even Betas do.
His opponent had been waiting for every opportunity to cut off his life. When one’s weapon was inadequate, the only thing that could tip the situation in one’s favor was fear.
But that little rat from Alistair had not been frightened in the slightest.
Instead, they had kept coming closer.
Slowly, yet unmistakably.
Even if his life ended there, he would not have regretted it.
Originally, his life should have ended back then. Everything since then had merely been borrowed time.
The only thing weighing on his heart was his godson.
He could not close his eyes and leave his godson alone in such a dangerous situation.
At the very least, he had to buy enough time until the boy finished sharpening his weapon.
Please… let this be nothing more than my needless worry.
Suppressing his concern, Galahad spoke.
“Callion, I summoned you to the castle because there’s urgent news you need to hear.”
At those words, Callion straightened his posture.
“Yes. Please tell me.”
“Richard Alistair is coming to the North. How dare he…”
Richard Alistair.
Who was he?
He was none other than Ronin Alistair’s biological father.
At the same time, he was so cunning and venomous that it seemed as though he had been born an Alistair from the very beginning.
After abandoning his original surname, Fitzroy, and becoming an Alistair, he was no longer someone people could dismiss as merely a live-in son-in-law.
And now that man was coming to the North?
There was no way this could be good news.
With a hardened expression, Callion asked,
“What’s his excuse?”
“His concubine gave birth. Unfortunately, it’s a daughter, and she’s perfectly healthy. The child hasn’t even opened her eyes yet, and they’re already making a commotion over arranging her future marriage.”
That brief explanation alone was enough for Callion to understand the situation.
“So Ronin Alistair has a younger sister now. She may even become the Omega who carries on the Alistair bloodline.”
“Exactly. That’s why those Alistair bastards will become even more persistent. They’ll try to buy time until the newborn Alistair grows up—until they gain a new Omega to use as their trump card. And to achieve that, they won’t hesitate to use any means necessary.”
Silence settled over the room.
Both Callion and Galahad were lost in their own thoughts.
Galahad was the first to break the silence.
“Callion, my godson. You must pull yourself together. As the master of the North, you have to become stronger. You cannot allow yourself to be shaken by even the smallest thing. Because one day, that very thing may come to tear you apart.”
Despite his rough appearance, Galahad was remarkably perceptive when it came to reading people’s hearts.
And when it came to the godson he cherished more than anyone, it was even easier.
Callion was not a hard-hearted man.
He had wandered countless battlefields and slain monsters, but one’s innate nature did not change so easily.
His warm heart was something worthy of respect.
But this was not the time for it.
“You must never let your guard down. Doubt everything. Yes… even me.”
“Godfather…”
“Three. That’s how many spies we’ve caught this month.”
Even knowing how much those words would pain his godson, Galahad had no choice but to say them.
“All three had thoroughly verified backgrounds. One of them even had parents who had faithfully served this castle for many years. And yet, for a handful of gold coins, he betrayed the castle… betrayed us. Never forget that this can happen with anyone, at any time.”
Just as Galahad had expected, Callion stiffened.
He had known there were spies.
But apparently, he had not known who they were.
Silence once again filled the room.
This time it was far heavier and more suffocating than before.
As he entered the castle earlier, he had seen it with his own eyes.
In such a short time, the castle had become so well managed.
The servants bustled about with newfound energy.
Ronin Alistair had accomplished all of it.
In the name of the Grand Duchess.
Of course, Ronin Alistair had not done it out of kindness.
Richard Alistair’s impending visit alone was proof that there had to be some hidden scheme.
Even so, that did not erase Ronin Alistair’s achievements.
Use whatever can be used.
That had always been Callion’s way of thinking.
But his godfather thought differently.
If even those who were practically family could betray them, then there was no reason to trust someone called Ronin Alistair.
Callion’s thoughts were tangled.
There was so much he wanted to say.
Yet he could not ignore the warning of the man who had raised him like a father.
“…I understand, Godfather. I’ll do as you say.”
Seeing his godfather again after so long, he noticed how deeply the wrinkles had etched themselves into his face.
Even the balance of his body seemed off.
It’s probably because of the pain in his back.
His godfather’s health was undeniably worsening.
The daily training merely delayed the inevitable.
And the person who feels that most keenly is probably Godfather himself.
Knowing that, there was nothing Callion could do except agree.
Watching the relieved expression on Galahad’s face, he added,
“Please don’t worry about Richard Alistair either. I’ll investigate him myself.”
At the concise reply, Galahad nodded.
After bidding his godfather farewell, Callion left the room, steadying his resolve.
It was true that seeing how much the castle had changed had made him lower his guard.
But thanks to his godfather, he realized this was no time for complacency.
He needed to focus on what had to be done.
And, as luck would have it, the perfect person to extract information from was right nearby.
Standing before the bedchamber, Callion let out a slow breath.
Beyond this door was Alistair.
Ronin Alistair… I’ll draw every last piece of information out of you.
After hardening his resolve, Callion placed his hand on the doorknob.
Even that tiny sound made the presence inside the room flinch.
Realizing that the other person was just as tense as he was sharpened his own focus.
With a heart that had turned cold, Callion slowly pushed the door open with a creak.
