Chapter 237

Chapter 237

TL/Editor: raei

Status: 5/week mon-fri

Illustrations: none

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Warrior Bjorn fled with House Dufel's treasure, the [Goddess's Picture Book].

Bjorn was Count Dufel's bastard son at the time.

[Back then, words like 'bastard' weren't so common. Most Holy Empire people were northerners who'd come down seeking new hope, and having multiple women was considered a warrior's virtue.]

However, northern customs weren't accepted in the Holy Empire.

The priests didn't want Holy Empire people becoming barbarians occupying civilized lands.

Their logic was that settling in a new land meant accepting new rules.

[I was the best warrior among my brothers. No matter what anyone said, I should have been the next count.]

"[So that's why you stole the picture book?]"

Count Dufel at the time struggled with the decision.

Whether to pass the title to his legitimate child according to Holy Empire law, or to his most capable child following northern custom.

Count Dufel sided with the Holy Empire.

He decided to pass the title to his legitimate wife's child instead of his talented son.

Warrior Bjorn couldn't accept his father's decision.

[The Goddess's Picture Book would have given me legitimacy as a northern warrior. I planned to gather excellent warriors with its reputation and develop my own territory.]

Junken chimed in from the side.

[This guy actually found and occupied an abandoned Golden Empire fortress. Though it wasn't suitable for living, it was perfect for defense.]

Bjorn burst into laughter.

[Yeah. I really gave you trouble.]

However, Bjorn's sudden action was taken as a challenge by Count Dufel.

Count Dufel wouldn't forgive Bjorn for fleeing with the treasure brought from the north.

A pursuit team was assembled, led by Warrior Junken.

And right here in this abandoned Golden Empire fortress.

The two warriors fought to the death.

[But neither of us knew.]

[... The Goddess's Picture Book had the power to bind human souls.]

Ian nodded.

Hrundal was not only a goddess who loved art, but also the warden who guarded hell.

For Hrundal who gathered dead warriors' souls to build armies, having the power to bind souls was entirely possible.

[Having died near the book, our souls were bound and couldn't leave this room.]

[But... it has the power to keep our minds clear, so we didn't become evil spirits like the other undead outside.]

Ian understood how everything fit together.

"[Are the undead here because of that picture book?]"

[That's right! Countless explorers have come trying to retrieve the picture book, but they all fell to the undead and became part of them! Hahaha!]

"..."

That didn't seem like something to laugh about.

As search parties kept dying and it became an undead nest, interest in the fortress naturally faded.

Though Count Dufel wanted to recover the treasure, he too naturally lost his passion as time passed.

To them, the [Goddess's Picture Book] might not have been worth recovering at such cost.

In the end, it was just a painting... they might have decided warriors' lives were more precious.

[That's why we were surprised to see you. Ian the wizard, was it? How did you break through this undead-infested place?]

"[I mostly fooled their eyes with darkness. As for the ghosts, my friends over there blocked them with their bodies.]"

Ian pointed at the possessed thieves.

Without their sacrifice(?), Ian, Baron Mud, or Belenka might have fallen to the ghosts' tricks.

"[You two must have had it rough all this time.]"

[Well... it wasn't that bad.]

Though he said that, Bjorn's expression wasn't bad.

He was pleased that Ian acknowledged his suffering.

"[Then let me retrieve the picture book and free the undead...]"

[Wait.]

Ian was about to collect the treasure, but Bjorn stopped him.

[Though I stole the family treasure, I never resented my father. If I were head of the family, I would have made the same decision.]

"..."

[While I highly value your courage in coming here, I cannot give up the treasure to someone not of House Dufel.]

Was this blood running thicker than water?

Even in death, Bjorn looked after the family.

"[Are you fine staying like this forever?]"

[I think you misunderstood? I said bring someone from House Dufel, not give up forever. With your skills, surely you could return to find me?]

Bjorn said with a smile.

[Or have I overestimated you? Wizard Ian.]

If Ian ignored Bjorn's decision, those spirits would attack him.

Ian didn't want to fight the spirits.

[If you know that then please just meet your descendant.]

Before Ian got more annoyed, Bjorn called Baron Mud over.

"Come closer, my descendant."

"..."

"Why hesitate? Are you afraid? I won't harm you, be at ease."

Baron Mud felt an uncanny dissonance hearing Ian's kind voice.

'Ian being... gentle?!'

The cognitive dissonance of seeing that face that looked ready to kick someone speaking kindly!

Ian had an even worse reputation than a warrior who lived with violence his whole life...

Baron Mud approached as ordered by Ian(?).

Ian, no, Bjorn spoke:

"Though Sand Empire blood flows in you, you are my descendant. The thickness or thinness of a descendant's blood matters not."

"..."

"Speak, my descendant. Why do you seek the lost family treasure?"

Baron Mud hesitated for a moment.

The reason Baron Mud joined the treasure hunt.

"... Actually, if I retrieve the family treasure... I'll gain the right to inherit the count's title. It's a perfect condition for me, a count's bastard son."

"Hmm. I see. I understand, descendant."

As a former bastard himself, Bjorn understood Baron Mud's situation better than anyone.

After all, someone born a bastard couldn't help but desire recognition from those around them.

"So you too want to become count. Good spirit! Descendant!"

"..."

"Hm? Why don't you answer?"

Baron Mud hesitated.

... Because he wasn't sure if he truly desired to become count.

'Why did I set out to find the treasure?'

His inner 'Arc' whispered.

'To become count.'

'For wealth and power.'

'... To take revenge on the family!'

Then 'Baron Mud' asked back.

'Really?'

Becoming count would flip his life around, opening up a completely new existence.

Goodbye to his squalid life forever. He could obtain a luxurious lifestyle commanding servants.

But.

Baron Mud couldn't imagine himself sitting in a grand castle eating fine food.

Because...

He wasn't House Dufel's 'Arc', but the thief 'Baron Mud'.

"Ancestor. I... actually don't want to become count."

"What?!"

Bjorn shouted in surprise.

At the same time, Bjorn kicked Baron Mud!

"Ow!"

Baron Mud was so wronged he almost cried!

Hey, you said you wouldn't hit me!!!

"Wh-Why did you hit me?!"

"Just felt like it. You really won't be count?"

"... Are you Ian right now?"

"Want another kick?"

Baron Mud marveled at solving the mystery.

Aha! He kicked me because he's that bastard Ian!

So my ancestor wasn't lying!

"Don't worry! I'll properly hand over the treasure once I get the title!"

"Then what about you?"

"I'll run! By the way, I'm confident in escaping."

Ian smirked.

"You crazy bastard."

Ian had never seen someone kick away a count's title with their own feet before.

Still not hungry enough?

Ian didn't really care whether Baron Mud became count or not.

As long as he properly handed over the treasure, that was enough.

But Bjorn cared deeply.

"Why? You, a bastard, could become head of the family! Why would you kick away such an opportunity?"

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