Chapter 120. Familiar Miscalculation

Joshua could not understand it, no matter how hard he thought about it.

It didn't matter much what happened to Herand.

'... Damn, why did I lie?'

The sharpness that usually resided in Ornn's eyes had been replaced by a chilling sensation. A powerful intent to kill.

Joshua instinctively lied, sensing that this ominous feeling was directed toward 'Herand.'

'Grandfather especially hated Herand...'

Ornn wielded more power than the current family head,Joshua's father.

As the de facto family head and also the chairman of the Noble Assembly, his influence was so overwhelming that even high-ranking nobles bowed before it.

Such an Ornn had undoubtedly overlooked Herand, and thus, defending Herand was strictly off-limits.

Joshua knew this. He knew but...

"I thought I saw him just a while ago, but now I'm not sure. Maybe he went out."

"Is that so? Hmm..."

Ornn sighed at Joshua's words, feigning uncertainty about Herand's whereabouts.

"If he comes to the mansion, I'll contact you directly. Grandfather."

With a gentle smile, Joshua resolved to continue lying to send Ornn away.

Even if Grandfather found Herand upon entering the mansion, he could always deny knowledge of it.

"Haha, my dear little puppy."

Ornn placed his massive hand on Joshua's shoulder, a hand twice the size of his own, shaped by a celebrated career as a knight.

"So, Herand is indeed inside the mansion, isn't he?"

Ornn's eyes glinted as he intensified his grip on Joshua's shoulder.

"Urgh."

The excruciating pain felt as if it would crush him instantly, but Joshua maintained a neutral expression, casting a 'I don't know' look toward Ornn.

"You never referred to the first or the second as your brother, but you've always addressed Herand as 'older brother', haven't you?"

Joshua flinched at Ornn's sharp observation.

'Damn. Did he catch on?'

He knew it.

If Herand hadn't helped him with a certain matter when he was younger, Joshua wouldn't have received Ornn's favor as he did now.

"Heher... Heher..."

The pain grew even more intense, leading Joshua to involuntarily groan.

However, Ornn's grip on his shoulder only tightened, paying no mind to Joshua's discomfort.

"He proposed Yulian's acceptance as a legitimate member of the family at the recent meeting, suggesting the removal of the 'Frason' title, didn't he?"

Joshua knew. He was present at that meeting.

"That's absolutely unacceptable. The mere thought and declaration of it in an official setting are outrageous."

In truth, it was Joshua who had broached the subject.

He wanted to voice that, but Ornn's grip silenced him, like an unspoken pressure to keep his mouth shut.

"Oh, chairman Ornn."

Herand had appeared, calling out to Ornn.

Despite being his grandfather, Herand still addressed him by his title, and Joshua felt a pang of sadness at the sight.

But as Ornn's oppressive weight lifted, Joshua sighed in relief. If his brother hadn't arrived, his shoulder might have been crushed.

Though it was unlikely, given Ornn's demeanor towards Joshua.

The glance Ornn threw Herand was as sharp as it could be.

"Herand, I've heard about what happened at the family meeting."

"... Yes."

"You spoke such words, knowing full well how I, and the council, regard Yulian?"

Herand hesitated at Ornn's domineering tone.

Already lacking confidence to assert his ideas, and often hearing whispers questioning if 'Herand was the true half-blood, not Yulian,' he couldn't escape feeling like a powerless animal standing before Ornn.

"But, chairman Ornn, Yulian hasn't been causing indiscriminate issues or disgracing the family name..."

"Herand!"

Herand flinched at the thunderous voice. Joshua, nearby, did as well.

"I never intended to resolve this with words, but I can't tolerate your conduct any longer!"

Fire flickered in Ornn's eyes.

"Herand, you will now undergo the 'Advancement Test'. Follow me to the training ground immediately!"

***

The 'Advancement Test'.

In the past, it was a form of education implemented by Ornn Cryphart during his time as the family head, with the aim of identifying the official successor through a combat evaluation disguised as a duel.

Even now, Ornn had no authority over such matters, but no one could interfere.

Even if the current family head, Oben, arrived, Ornn's momentum couldn't be stopped.

It was, in essence, a grandfather's discipline for a grandson who tarnished the family's honor.

Joshua sensed that this wasn't merely an 'exam' but a 'warning' and 'lesson.'

A lesson accompanied by the agony of breaking bones and tearing flesh.

Thud! Thud!

"Ugh...!"

The groans of a pained Herand echoed throughout the training ground.

"Stand up."

Ornn's eyes remained cold as he watched Herand writhe in pain on the ground.

Before he became the family head, Ornn had been a renowned knight, even if not quite a Sword Saint, famed for his prowess.

A grand general who etched his mark on the history of the northern frontlines, his aging frame hadn't succumbed to the harsh seasons of time.

"Ugh, ugh..."

"I told you to stand up!"

Thud!

When Ornn's kick landed on Herand's solar plexus, the sound of air escaping his lungs could be heard.

Seeing Herand spitting blood, Joshua squeezed his eyes shut.

Even with all the Cryphart family's characteristic robust physique, Herand's fragile soul, who never held a sword due to fear, wasn't enough to withstand Ornn's might.

'Elder brother Herand...'

The test used a blunt wooden sword instead of a sharp blade, but a wooden sword could still be deadly.

Moreover, Herand couldn't wield even an aura, making every strike from the wooden sword all the more lethal.

"I told you to stand up!"

Thud!

Despite that, Ornn mercilessly swung his wooden sword at Herand.

'I must stop this.'

Herand's battered form had crossed the threshold of what's bearable to witness with open eyes.

Joshua intended to intervene, but...

'... Ugh.'

His feet refused to move.

The core of Cryphart's familial power, stronger even than a current patriarch, was being defied.

'To contradict Grandfather...'

That decision meant turning one's back on the family's protection.

As conflicting emotions churned within, he heard Ornn speak.

"Herand, I was never fond of your demeanor. Afraid of the sword, failing to perform proper sociability with other nobles, you're a stupid fool!"

Joshua bit his lip.

"While the first and second were unfit to be the family head, at least they weren't incompetent like you!"

Ornn ceased his storm-like violence and gazed down at the groaning Herand.

"So, has your perspective changed now? Do you still believe Yulian's 'Frason' designation should be removed?"

The violence intended to extract desired responses.

How could this be called a 'test'?

Yet Joshua remained silent.

'Elder brother Herand, just utter one word.'

Deny it.

"Ch-chairman Ornn..."

Trembling, Herand barely managed to speak.

Covered in blood and sweat, his battered body was bruised everywhere.

'Simply say it. Brother.'

Say that Yulian remains a tumor of the family.

"I-I still recall the day Lady Milena was buried..."

Contrary to Joshua's expectations, Herand continued, his voice shaking with difficulty.

Though his body seemed on the verge of breaking, his voice and eyes held more power than they'd ever shown before.

"You made her dig the grave with those small hands and made her place Lady Milena's body into the coffin alone!"

"Who'd desire to see or touch a barbarian from the north?"

"They were subjects of the Empire... just from the north..."

Keheuk, cough.

The training ground fell silent.

Everyone, from Ornn's guards to the mansion's servants and even Joshua, sensed it.

Something terrible would happen.

"I considered letting this go, but there's no choice."

The veins bulged in Ornn's hand, gripping the wooden sword.

Simultaneously, a bluish energy began to wrap around the end of the sword.

Though faint, an aura began to cover the sword.

"Ha, ha, grandfather! How about stopping this now?"

Joshua shouted unwittingly, but still, Ornn did not cease his advance toward Herand.

'I must stop this.'

If left unchecked, surely there would be an occasion for regret.

But despite his resolve, Joshua's feet stubbornly refused to move.

Ornn's imposing demeanor seemed as daunting as a mountain, suggesting that any interference might result in his own destruction.

"If taking an arm or leg isn't enough to make you come to your senses..."

"Kyaaaa!"

A screech from outside the door drew the attention of everyone present.

"What is it?"

It was Ornn who first voiced the question.

Before any of the surrounding servants could investigate, the entrance to the training ground began to open.

Step, step.

An uninvited guest entered.

A man notorious for his sinister reputation, wearing a serene and noble air, surveyed his surroundings.

"I came to see Elder brother Herand, but it seems there's already company."

The man with the slit eyes spoke softly, wearing a smile.

His small smile seemed to mock the Cryphart family, who upheld appearances and decorum, hypocritically branding him with the 'Frason' label on his nameplate.

***

'What on earth is going on here?'

I looked on with dismay at Herand, who was being kicked around the training ground.

Something felt off.

When I heard that elder brother Herand was in the training grounds and was on my way to see him, a guard had tried to block my path.

Typically, they wouldn't have overreacted like this.

'Shouldn't have overpowered him?'

I regretted not just leaving when told. But water under the bridge, I had to handle this 'as myself'.

An awkward silence had enveloped the training ground.

Noticeable impact was needed for my exit, with so many eyes.

After all, Joshua was watching me. Though holding his weakness, I didn't wish to create hierarchical disorder.

'As the approaching knight engages with me, I'll graciously leave.'

Just as that thought finished, the knight spoke.

"Get out. This isn't a place for lowlifes like you..."

He didn't just stop there. As he reached out to push me, I sensed something amiss.

===

⇒ 〈Sombra〉 reacts to hostility.

⇒ Initiating counterattack to protect you.

===

Even though I hadn't commanded it, 'Sombra' was ready to attack the approaching knight.

'Crap! Why is this happening!?'

Having absorbed 'residual resentment' below the aqueduct, the weakened 'Sombra' had become sensitive to hostility directed toward me.

Presumably driven by the notion it couldn't afford further weakening.

Though not yet healed, and lacking its usual explosive speed, 'Sombra' would reveal itself in this crowded space if left unchecked.

'If that happens...'

The secret of the Black Knight being 'me' would leak out.

That mustn't happen.

I still had too much to accomplish.

Quick-thinking, I twisted the knight's outstretched arm.

Snap.

"Arghh! Arghhh!"

Suddenly twisting his arm caught the knight off guard. But swiftly, he readied to draw his sword with his other hand.

'Not happening, punk!'

A swift kick sent the sheathed sword tumbling from his grasp.

To prevent further rash acts, I pulled him close, choking him.

"Grr, grr..."

The knight struggled, desperate to escape strangulation.

In response to 'Sombra's perception of resistance, it still maintained action readiness.

'Eh, damn it it...'

With no choice left, I had to proceed.

Once I unsheathed the sword and aimed it at the knight's throat, he finally ceased his violent struggle.

The energy simmering within me subsided with it.

'Phew.'

'Seems like 'Sombra' is finally reassured.'

"Wh-what are you doing, exactly?"

Amidst the bewildered stares, all eyes fell upon me.

Starting from Ornn to Joshua.

Excluding the lower household staff, everyone was looking at me like that.

Why? Was subduing this knight truly that astonishing?

Being unable to see well, I squinted further, surveying the surroundings before finally focusing on the captive knight.

'Wait... doesn't he look familiar?'

Emblazoned on the knight's shoulder plate was an emblem all too recognizable.

Not just any: it bore the insignia symbolizing the 'Godricht' family, one of the four great houses alongside the Cryphart family.

Wait, wait.

Names associated with the Godricht family flashed through my mind.

From figures rivaling the Sword Saint to those at the current level of Yulian, given the prestige and reverence of the four great houses,

'Now that it's known I've threatened the life of a Godricht-knight...'

I'm screwed.

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