🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 94
Tyburn summoned Herden, Stanley, and Hilden with a grave expression.
“You’ve made sure no one is outside?”
Stanley nodded.
“I’ve already told Lady Ruella to clear the entire corridor. No one is to approach.”
That should be enough to ensure that not even a Sword Master could overhear what was spoken in this room.
Tyburn checked the window once more before taking a seat.
“Now that Hider is back, it’s time to decide on the successor. To put an end to the chaos Karte is causing, it would be best to resolve the issue quickly. Herden, what do you think?”
Herden’s dark, sunken eyes fixed on Tyburn. He was becoming more and more like an empty shell of a man. He tried to fulfill all his duties, but nothing beyond that.
“I’ll follow Father’s decision.”
Tyburn’s brow twitched, but he didn’t press him further.
“Wasn’t it already decided when Young Master Hider awakened? You took him to the battlefield with that very intention, didn’t you? To earn recognition for the position of successor through his achievements in the East. After all, Young Master Hider’s foundation is weak.”
Stanley’s logical words made Tyburn nod wearily.
“That was the plan, yes. I intended to name Hider as successor upon his return. Even Hilden judged that Hider had more than enough capability for it.”
“Then has something gone wrong?”
Herden asked quietly.
At the mention of Hider, a faint spark of life returned to his face. He added,
“If Aites is the problem, I’ll deal with it. If his weak foundation is the problem, I’ll be his foundation. Is that not enough?”
“That’s not the issue.”
Tyburn rubbed his temples. For days, only one concern plagued him.
“If Hider becomes the master of Katieron, do you think the children of Aites will survive? I mean Sornia and Karte. What troubles me is Hider’s character. I fear the resentment lingering in his heart. If he causes trouble, the criticism won’t just fall on Katieron but on all Sword Masters.”
To be a being beyond human was, as always, a double-edged sword. For now, he was a hero who purified corruption and slew monsters. But afterward?
What if Hider turned his vengeance upon Kiera, Sornia, or Karte? Would the people still stand by his side then?
Tyburn had watched Hider in the East.
“I fear I may be giving wings to a dangerous beast. Of course, there are no other choices. Karte is unfit, and Sornia has no interest to begin with. Karte is…”
Tyburn shook his head, as though even speaking the name disgusted him.
Stanley spoke up.
“But hasn’t Lani returned? With her around, won’t the Young Master be fine? She’d be a fine restraint.”
“That may be true. But that only makes her a glaring weakness as well. And that is what worries me.”
Tyburn’s burden deepened. But there was no turning back now.
“…We’ll need to increase surveillance within the manor. Make sure Karte can’t pull anything. And have someone shadow Princess Ciela as well, just in case.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to drive them out?”
Herden asked, his expression devoid of familial affection.
To him, Sornia and Karte were symbols of sin—the price paid for betraying Amy.
“No. Karte is dangerous precisely because of that. We can’t know what he’ll do, so it’s safer to keep him under our roof and watch him. You’ll all have a hard time for a while. Soon, we’ll hold a banquet to officially announce Hider as the successor.”
With a resolute face, Tyburn continued,
“And it would be good to introduce the Lady of the Schulz family then as well. Better to keep any unwanted flies from buzzing around Hider before they even get close. Lani and Lady Ruella can handle the preparations. They did well last time.”
“Yes, Father.”
Tyburn gave a short nod. Worries remained, but still—he had taken a step forward for Katieron and for Hider.
“And Stanley.”
“Yes, Lord Tyburn.”
“Mobilize all the informants still in the capital. Dig into Kiera Aites and Karte. Their awakening process is suspicious. I want every secret uncovered.”
Stanley bowed deeply.
Thus ended the secret council. Nothing was resolved, but the conclusion was clear.
The next Duke of Katieron would be Hider!
Late that night.
Hider met with Dania in private. He had waited for her while she finished working late in the herb garden.
During the day, Dania trailed after Lani constantly, so arranging a meeting like this wasn’t easy. And besides, they had to avoid Lani’s watchful eyes.
“Thank you for your letters.”
“I only did what I had to, my lord. There was no one else who could look after Lani…”
Dania spoke with a reluctant expression.
“After all, Lani truly cared for you. In a place where she had no one she could trust, she at least needed you.”
Dania was too honest, too bold. That was why she could even feign swinging a sickle at Karte’s hand.
Hider found that boldness of hers very much to his liking.
“It seems we share the same goal. To keep Lani here. To keep her from slipping away with that mysterious power of hers.”
“…So long as she stays within my sight.”
“Within mine as well.”
They spoke the same words at once, then exchanged a look and nodded.
“But there are still bothersome things.”
Hider glanced back toward the manor. He could still sense an unpleasant presence inside.
Karte.
“I want to stay at Lani’s side at all times, but I can’t. Not right now.”
Hider’s eyes shifted back to Dania.
“So you’ll have to take that role. Make sure no pest gets near her. If need be, you may use weapons, just as you did before. Whatever you do, I’ll be on your side.”
“Even if I sever Young Master Karte’s wrist?”
“If such a thing were to happen, I’d cover it up for you, by whatever means necessary.”
A strange gleam flickered in Dania’s eyes.
“Very well, my lord. Then I’ll take your hand.”
At that moment—
Dania’s status window updated.
[Name: Dania]
[Role: Hider’s Sharp Blade]
A new role had been added. Without realizing it, a powerful bond had formed between Hider and Dania.
[Updating…]
[Through their strong will, attributes are being transferred. Dania’s physical abilities have greatly increased.]
Only Lani noticed this.
While reading comfortably in her room, she suddenly toppled off her bed.
“…Wh-what the hell is going on? What are you two doing!?”
Lani jumped to her feet. This wouldn’t do. She had to separate Hider and Dania somehow! She had to reclaim the skill she had lost.
“What are you scheming, you damned status window!”
Grinding her teeth, Lani raged against the fate slipping from her grasp.
At the same time.
In front of a temple built of pure white marble, a woman with snowy white hair appeared.
Her eyes, as green as the most divine forest, blinked slowly.
“Purify the World Tree…”
She parted her cracked lips and whispered, stretching out her hand toward the temple.
Her trembling fingers rang the temple’s bells a moment later.
It was the entrance of the heroine—Saintess Teresha.
