Chapter 83

Chapter 83

When crossing the Krasilov-Drovian border, one of the silent Huscals approached Einar and asked, “Brother, are you alright?”

“No matter how exhausted I’ve been lately, would I be this tired?” Einar replied with a smirk.

“Not about that...”

Huscal glanced sideways at Einar’s arm. The forearm, now with dried blood, had crimson lines drawn across it.

“If you had seen everything from the beginning to the end and only now have something to say. Oh well, I admit defeat.”

Einar chuckled and shook his head. He had fallen behind in skills, overwhelmed only by sheer strength in the battle.

There’s no shame in sparring. He used to teach every detail from holding an axe to cutting down a person, but now, he’s grown enough to challenge his skills.

“In a one-on-one duel, I now find myself trailing by about half a step. If only he possessed half the current level of magic, I’d be the one lying on the ground.”

His eyes are sharp. It’s a feeling he has sensed since old times but now honed sharper than before, likely refined by surviving the Seven Dragon. Impressive.

“No, brother. Even if Petrovich was quick, he couldn’t withstand your wrath, could he?”

“Simpleton. That’s my defeat.”

Einar turned to his dull-witted brother, tongue clicking.

“That rascal surely had a hidden move, didn’t he? Just didn’t use it until now. Overwhelmed me in the duel, claiming victory with full force. If that’s not my defeat, what is? And, brother, didn’t I tell you? That guy has a sharp eye.”

Until the final strike, Ivan’s eyes didn’t waver from the axe blade attacking him. So there won’t be a next time. He won’t fall for the same move twice.

“If we spar again, it won’t flow like today.”

“My blood is boiling.”

In close-quarters combat against a formidable army, Einar boasted superiority over Maximilian.

But does he still hold such confidence now? Can he truly claim to be the strongest among all of humanity?

Einar chuckled. Seems like I’ve aged, he thought.

Satisfactorily.

As long as there’s a record, a man’s skill doesn’t rust over time.

“So, that’s why I granted permission for the courtship.”

“Petrovich didn’t seem interested in Ecdysis, though...”

“I know. What matters isn’t his feelings. It’s the recognition of King Drovian. I wiped the slate clean first. Who dares to fish in troubled waters?”

According to the letter, Ecdysis is undoubtedly fond of Ivan. And quite actively so.

And Ivan, the man who defeated the Seven Dragon, is an achiever unlike any other in humanity, excluding the warriors.

So, there’s no lack of suitability as a prospective heir to Drovian’s throne.

Drovian values strength, Einar sensed. After his death, he was certain that his homeland would inevitably fracture.

It’s not the intricacy of the social system; it’s a kingdom formed solely by one person’s charisma. Without a robust force like Einar, there would be no way to restrain the ambitions within Drovian.

Therefore, his successor must be the strongest man in Drovian. Among his children, Ecdysis stood out, and if the man she chose happened to be so robust...

It’s reasonable to secure that in advance. It’s the conclusion drawn by a father, a king, and a warrior of Drovian.

Therefore, Ivan’s feelings are not important.

“About two more years until Ecdysis graduates? Good. It’s a good time to retire. Now I can relax, tease my grandchildren, and enjoy some drinks.”

Einar chuckled and quickened his pace.

If that’s the case, there was much to prepare.

The term “dedicated bureaucrat” is used as rarely as creatures like dragons or unicorns, meaning it’s almost impossible to find. (But it did exist.)

Therefore, Pavel, a dedicated Krasilov official (formerly part of the rebel forces until about half a month ago), was still stuck in this hospital room, managing his duties diligently.

He wasn’t injured. If he were injured during a mission, he wouldn’t be confined to a hospital bed; instead, he’d be lying in Elizaveta’s office, demanding additional allowances.

In this hospital room, his superior was currently hospitalized. Thus, Pavel’s commitment wasn’t just avoiding work or idleness but could be considered faithfully assisting his superior.

“So, what did I say there? ‘Come, Einar. Today my spear will taste the blood of a hero.’ Haha... You should’ve seen Einar’s terrified expression at that time.” (Pavel)

“Um.” (Ivan)

“Want more apples?” (Pavel)

Isabelle, having lost the bet, cheerfully exclaimed.

The fingers she secretly concealed wriggled energetically. She couldn’t hide her joy. It was because she had hidden this skill to reveal it first when she mastered it.

And one more thing.

‘He said Ivan’s soul got tainted.’

He claimed to have lost desire.

No, that was wrong. Einar might not have lied, but at least there was something he didn’t know.

‘Uncle, surely... cried back then.’

There were memories of shedding tears while eating a sinister dish.

There were times when he faintly smiled while looking at her.

In times of reminiscence and even faint moments of anger, there were emotions. That man’s emotions weren’t fading away. Even if the color had faded into a pale gray, Uncle still had the remains of emotions.

That was enough.

“Absolutely.”

She vowed never to face the same fate as her father.

With that determination, she learned the skill over the past few days. Despite attending Uncle’s classes every day, going to school during the day, and intensively training until dawn.

With the mindset of throwing even a straw into the fading embers of the faint desire that man holds.

“So, since my father approved, right?” (Ecdysis)

“This kid is quite audacious. What does a grown maiden want to achieve with this?” (Isabelle)

“Wow, really acting like an old man.” (Ecdysis)

“If you get hit by an old man, it hurts just the same.” (Isabelle)

As she promised not to let it be taken away, Isabelle tightly grasped her victorious hand.

There’s still one more thing.

“Uncle.” (Isabelle))

“Hmm.” (Ivan)

“When it’s all done. When you’re discharged. How about coming to our house to eat ‘kimchi’?”

“...!?”

Determined and upright. A culmination of life, solely forging his own experiences.

Hero’s secret techniques. Learning traditional cooking.

In the realm of acquiring knowledge, there’s no one superior to a hero.

Since the festival, Isabelle had prepared the “ultimate move” created with Yuri.

“I made a stew with that. It should be tastier than what you had last time.” (Isabelle)

Ignoring Ecdysis, who was pretending to gag, Isabelle smiled slyly.

Ivan nodded slowly with a stern expression.

“My judgment is strict.” (Ivan)

“As much as you want.” (Isabelle)

More reasons to leave the hospital.

Perhaps there are still good parts in this world.

Ivan closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Maximilian, you achieved many things, but...

Among the things you left behind, perhaps your daughter is the most splendid.

Well-raised, he thought.

Ivan left a brief reflection.

It was late summer.

Read Faloo Novels online at