Guest (3)

Dawn.

The Heavenly Sword Family's Lord's Palace where Darkan resided.

"What...!? An intruder entered Ian's annex?"

As soon as Heavenly Sword Lord, Darkan, received the report of the nighttime incident, he immediately rushed to the Lunabreeze estate.

Garden of the Lunabreeze estate.

At the scene, the family's knights and magicians had gathered and were in the midst of their investigation.

"H–huff! W–we greet the Heavenly Sword Lord!"

"We greet the Heavenly Sword Lord!"

The knights and magicians hastily paid their respects, kneeling as soon as they saw Darkan.

"Ian! Where is my Ian?!"

Darkan immediately looked for Ian first.

That gray-haired boy was a rough gem so pure and supreme that the Heavenly Sword Lord would count him among the best three talents he had ever met.

A seed of possibility, possessing limitless talent equal to his youngest daughter, Yuria.

A talent he never wanted to lose or have stolen by anyone.

For the always talent-hungry Heavenly Sword Lord, Ian was the happiest blessing from the heavens in recent years.

That being the case.

Who dared, so fearlessly, to tread with muddy feet into the annex of the gem cherished by the Heavenly Sword Lord?

If, by any chance, even a small injury had befallen Ian, the Lord was sure he would have let loose the wild instincts of Dominating Dragon Fang.

As soon as the culprit was found, he would skin them alive and boil them from their toes in wyvern digestive fluids.

A wild fire blazed in Darkan's eyes.

― Shiver, shiver, shiver, shiver...

All around, the knights and magicians involuntarily trembled at the fierce energy emanating from him.

"... We greet the Heavenly Sword Lord."

Ian came out of the Lunabreeze estate and paid his respects to Darkan.

"Ian!"

As soon as Darkan saw Ian, he rushed to him at once.

"I heard the story! There was an intruder in the estate? Let me see! Are you hurt anywhere?"

Darkan lifted Ian's arms, turned his body, and thoroughly checked him from head to toe.

"... No, I'm not. Not even a scratch."

Only then did Darkan let out a deep sigh of relief.

"Whew... What a relief."

Without delay, he walked over to the corpse lying in front of the armory.

"Who would dare...!"

The body, as shriveled as a mummy.

Darkan grabbed the mummy's hair and inspected the facial features closely.

"Haa... Charlotte."

He immediately grasped who was involved.

"Everyone, withdraw. The investigation is over."

Darkan ordered the surrounding knights and magicians to step back.

Though confused, they could not defy the Lord's command.

"By your command."

"We shall withdraw."

They bowed and retreated from the Lunabreeze garden.

"Is it someone you know?"

Ian approached the Lord and asked.

"There is no one in this Heavenly Sword Palace whom I do not know."

Darkan's expression looked rather bitter.

The corpse's name was Alex.

A hired assassin that Charlotte had contracted six months ago.

"It's still early to say conclusively, but it seems my daughter is involved in this incident. Have you ever met my daughter, Charlotte?"

"Ah..."

So it was Charlotte after all.

Ian thought "of course" inwardly but kept his expression neutral.

"I haven't met her. But I did decline a summons from her once."

"... And then the same night, this guy showed up?"

"... Yes."

"I see. Cause of death... Looks like he tried to steal your greatsword and was killed in the attempt."

A vein twitched on Darkan's temple.

"Ian. I will take full responsibility for this matter and resolve it thoroughly. I will make sure nothing like this happens again."

Ian bowed his head in respect.

"... It is an honor beyond my station."

Was he not going to ask why I refused Charlotte's summons?

The Heavenly Sword Lord only talked about resolving the incident and did not ask about any other topics.

"Don't worry about this. Was there anything else that made living here inconvenient?"

For Darkan, Ian was a talent he wanted to keep at his side no matter what.

It would be troublesome if today's incident made him want to leave the annex.

"No, not at all. Everything you have provided surprises me daily."

"That is good to hear. Still, after this incident, if you feel uneasy staying here, you are welcome to move into the Lord's Palace."

"...!"

W–what?

Not the annex, but the Lord's Palace?

Allowing a guest into the Lord's Palace was unheard of, whether in his previous or current life.

It wouldn't just make him a guest of Hisperion but practically an adopted son.

The Lord's Palace certainly had facilities far superior to the annex.

But Ian couldn't readily nod his agreement.

'If I move there, I won't be able to handle the political scrutiny.'

The Lord's Palace was a place where countless power holders, from Hisperion's dignitaries to overseas VIPs, came and went without rest.

If Ian went to live there, he was bound to draw all the more attention from these power holders.

Ian, who already had many secrets to keep, like his regression and Authority of Projection, found such intense attention only troublesome.

"I–It's too much for me. Just being able to stay here is already more than enough."

"Is that so. My offer stands at any time, so let me know if you change your mind. I'll make preparations in advance—just come along with Sophia if you wish."

"Th–thank you, as always."

"I'll also greatly increase the guards here. You'll never have to worry about something so unfortunate again."

"..."

Such sincere hospitality that Ian found himself at a loss for words.

'I think this is the first time ever—counting even my previous life—that I've been treated with such regard.'

Yuria in his previous life had treated Ian with sincerity as well, but that had been more of a feeling of shared hardship—not this one-sidedly generous relationship.

He couldn't figure it out.

Why was the Heavenly Sword Lord treating him so well?

'I hardly had any connection with the Lord in my previous life. But now...'

What in the world had changed the situation so much?

If he had to name the greatest difference between his present and past lives...

'I obtained Vladiark during the Sword Selection Ceremony. And I revealed some of my abilities in the fight with Hugo...'

But it couldn't be just his skills that drew him in.

For someone like the Lord, who commanded monsters capable of splitting cities and shattering buildings with a single sword, beating five knights at his age was remarkable but not unheard of.

'Or perhaps he's seen my potential?'

Just as Yuria had seen Ian's potential in his previous life and took him in.

Did the Heavenly Sword Lord also see some kind of possibility in him?

'Thinking about it alone won't give me the answer.'

To know the answer, he would have to ask directly.

"M–Heavenly Sword Lord!"

"Hm?"

Darkan, who was about to leave the Lunabreeze estate, turned as Ian called out to him.

"I have something I'd like to ask."

"As much as you wish."

Darkan nodded readily.

"Why are you treating me so well?"

"Hmm? Haha. You speak in such a candid way."

A warm smile spread across Darkan's lips.

"Why am I treating you this way...?"

Rather than incur suspicion by hiding his feelings, it was better to be honest.

Darkan stepped forward, knelt on one knee before Ian, and met his gaze.

"I'll be frank. I have very high expectations for your potential."

As expected.

Just like Yuria in his previous life, the Lord had brought him in upon perceiving his potential.

But what exactly was that potential?

"May I ask what kind of potential you see?"

"I saw you defeat five knights. Such accomplishment at your age is admirable. If you continue to grow, you could become a leading swordsman in Hisperion. But that isn't the only thing I see."

There were many strong people.

But there were very few strong people with a heart like Ian's.

Humans, as they grow stronger, tend to develop a stronger sense of individuality.

Most powerhouses burn their lives pursuing their ideals and causes.

For those causes and ideals, they would even sacrifice their loved ones.

But Ian was different.

"For you, the most important thing must be the people precious to you."

He could tell from Ian's aura.

At the Lord's level, one could tell roughly why a swordsman took up the sword just by sensing his aura.

One focused on revenge or malice bore an aura like the maw of a vicious wolf.

On the other hand, one who wielded the sword out of justice and protection bore an aura like a solid shield.

And Ian's aura...

'It's like... the mother facing a beast with her young protected behind her.'

It was truly a rare aura.

'The one he wants to protect... Is it that girl?'

The girl who was now fidgeting anxiously beside Ian.

Sophia Marygold.

'That girl's aura is also wonderful. She truly follows Ian with all her heart.'

Sophia's aura was like a sunflower in full bloom.

Both of their auras were those that could only be possessed by people who knew true loyalty for those precious to them.

'Outstanding skill...'

For someone that skilled, there was not an ounce of arrogance.

'And outstanding character.'

He was the kind of talent that made you want to keep him close just by watching.

"Ian, may I ask you a question as well? Why did you take up the sword? Do you pursue any great cause or dream?"

"..."

Ian was silent for a moment.

A cause or a dream.

Of course, he couldn't say he had none.

He did have a grand goal.

First, to become stronger than anyone else.

And then, to personally slay the seven grand dukes of the Demon Realm.

But if asked what all that was for...

He only had one answer.

"To protect the people precious to me."

Yuria, Sophia... and his companions from his past life.

As the Lord had said, Ian's guiding principle was 'to protect those he cherished'.

Darkan smiled as if he had expected this.

"Right? That's what I felt from you. I have a good sense for these things."

He presumed that the reason Ian had fought those larger knights at the Greysel estate was to protect Sophia.

"That's why I want to be included among your precious people."

"... Yes?"

"I want to become someone precious to you as well."

...?

... What?

Why?

Ian blinked in surprise, looking up at the Heavenly Sword Lord.

Darkan looked down at him, sporting a mischievous smile.

A smile resembling Yuria's.

To think a white-bearded, silver-haired uncle could make that kind of face.

"To be blunt. I want to raise you well and keep you by my side. If someone like you, who prioritizes your precious people above all, were by my side, you'd make a fine vassal. Am I wrong?"

"..."

Vassal.

To be a vassal...

Could I be one?

In his previous life, Ian was famous as Yuria's loyal retainer.

Just as much as his title 'Swordmaster', his nickname "Yuria's Faithful Dog" was widely known.

'But...'

Ian could not consider himself a true vassal.

He had failed to protect Yuria in the end.

What kind of knight who failed to protect his master could call himself loyal?

'Urgh...'

Thinking of the past, the tragedies of his previous life flashed by like a panorama.

With a painful expression, Ian spoke.

"I cannot be confident. There's so much I'm lacking."

Ian thought that the Lord would be disappointed in his answer.

"... Ho."

But the reaction was the opposite.

The Heavenly Sword Lord looked at Ian with surprise.

'At that age, he could easily claim confidence out of youthful pride... Yet, he's cautious. I'm pleased that he doesn't speak of loyalty lightly.'

And that expression.

'Self-reproach and anger. He is sincerely angry at his own shortcomings.'

The Lord knew that expression well.

Among his own knights, those who had been through all sorts of hardship and learned unwavering loyalty.

The boy's expression was exactly the one they wore when wallowing in regret.

'To think a boy of just fourteen could answer with that expression, just like those men. Ian, with such talent at your age, rather than arrogance, you genuinely feel your own shortcomings... What is it you are regretting?'

What on earth could he have experienced at such a young age?

He seemed as if he had lost someone precious due to his own mistake and fallen into despair.

'It seems he knows the pain of loss.'

But.

'Ironically, loss—the experience of failing to protect someone precious—is an essential experience to become a true knight.'

This was one of the many truths the Heavenly Sword Lord held.

Only a knight who has experienced heartbreaking loss can truly understand the meaning of loyalty and protection.

'Astounding.'

The Lord was genuinely impressed.

Not only swordsmanship talent and a pleasing temperament, but also having experienced the "loss" needed to become a true knight, all at such a young age.

'Amazing...! Perhaps this child really is a gift from the founder's spirit bestowed on the family...!'

A genius, beyond doubt.

A genius of swordsmanship.

And—

A genius of loyalty!

'He may be a talent beyond my wildest imagination...!'

The heart of the Heavenly Sword Lord, calm as a dormant volcano, now began to pound with excitement.

"If you lack something, I can provide it."

Darkan placed his hand on Ian's shoulder.

"I ask only one thing of you: Just grow well by my guidance and stand by my side. That is all I want. Ever since I first saw you, I thought of nothing else."

"... Then the reason you treat me so well is..."

"Because I want you. So I act accordingly."

Ian quietly met Darkan's gaze.

Eyes as red as Yuria's.

Red as freshly spilled blood, clear as sacred flame.

'This man... seems genuine.'

All the Lord wanted from Ian was this one thing.

Simply to stand by his side.

That seemed to be everything.

'The only condition is loyalty.'

If that was all the Lord truly wanted...

If he sought only that...

Ian answered resolutely.

"I must refuse. I cannot accept your favor."

He could not accept the Lord's favor.

He had always had only one lord, in the past and now—

It was Yuria Hisperion alone.

Ian let out a silent sigh.

'... Haa. I guess I'll be expelled now.'

He could have carelessly said yes and reaped the rewards.

But since the Lord had confessed his true feelings, it was only proper for Ian to face him with sincerity as well.

For Ian, loyalty and sincerity were never things to be taken lightly.

But there was no reply.

"..."

Was he angry?

Ian cautiously lifted his head and glanced.

The Heavenly Sword Lord was smiling wickedly, his wildness gleaming.

"You're misunderstanding something, Ian. You have no choice."

― Grabs!

The Heavenly Sword Lord seized Ian's cheeks and met his eyes.

"I've already chosen you and decided to make you mine."

"W–Wuh-wuh-wuh!?"

"I knew from the start this wouldn't be easy. Of course, it wouldn't be. People like you never lightly swear loyalty. I know it well—oh, yes, very well."

Having received oaths of loyalty from countless swordsmen, the Lord was an expert in this field.

"You understand the meaning and weight of loyalty, right? At your age, that impresses me even more. It makes me want you even more. Ian. The more I see you, the more you amaze me."

You were born with unlimited talent both as a swordsman and as a loyalist.

Such a talent could never be let go...!

Even if I have to make you my son-in-law and force responsibility on you—

I must keep you by my side!

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Father-in-law is forcing himself on Ian...

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