Chapter 111

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Lucky]

Chapter 111

Kane's heart raced.

It was a feeling he experienced every time he saw Duke Carl.

When he was Ray, all he felt was anger, but now... worry, relief, and a mix of other emotions surged up.

‘I still can’t get used to this,’ he thought.

These were the emotions of the character, Kane Rehinar. It was feelings beyond his own will. Shaking off the awkwardness, he stepped into the room.

“You’re here,” Duke Carl greeted him warmly.

“You’ve really brightened up while I was asleep.”

“That’s the result of being diligent. How are you feeling?”

Duke Carl showed a hint of disappointment at Kane’s formal tone.

“I feel like I’ve lost my cute son. Don’t you think so, Cedric?”

“He’s become much more dependable, hasn’t he?”

“I miss the cute Kane. Now he feels like an old man who’s seen all the hardships of the world.”

“The Young master is already twenty-one years old. It’s past the time to be merely cute.”

“He’s still very young, isn’t he?”

“Other heirs of noble families are already married or at least engaged at his age.”

Cedric didn’t back down from Duke Carl’s words.

The Duke’s pale face scrunched up.

“Another boring person. What am I supposed to look forward to now?”

“When you fully recover, Your Excellency will have plenty to do. You needn’t worry about such trivial things.”

Cedric cut the conversation off sharply, making it clear there would be no more pointless chatter. While he showed utmost respect to Duke Carl in public, this was something that often happened when it was just the two of them. Their relationship had evolved beyond that of lord and servant; they were almost like friends.

“You still have a habit of putting people in their place, Cedric,” Duke Carl coughed and changed the topic.

“Ahem. So, I’ve heard there have been many changes in Rehinar. Did you accomplish all that, son?”

Kane’s brows furrowed.

His heart, which had been calm, pounded again at the word ‘son.’ What was this feeling? Was he missing his parents?

He quietly gathered his mana to maintain his composure.

“Phew.”

After taking a deep breath, he responded immediately.

“It’s nothing special.”

“Nothing special? I heard you turned Rehinar into a city of water! That’s incredible! Did you teach yourself high-level construction magic? Did you find the book in the family’s library?”

Kane turned his head aside. Cedric’s eyes were sparkling, clearly waiting for his answer.

‘Is he still seriously believing that? And why is he more interested in high-level construction magic than the war with Tegelo?’

He couldn’t understand it. Sure, high-level construction magic was impressive, but the war with Tegelo was far more important. Lives were at stake. Even if they won, the damage must have been significant... yet Duke Carl seemed completely uninterested in that.

“Are you perhaps interested in construction magic, Father?” Kane asked.

“I’m only interested because my son used it. How did you learn it?”

“It just... happened.”

Kane’s answer was vague.

Duke Carl burst out laughing in response.

“Cedric! Did you hear that? It just happened. Haha!”

“I always thought you were a late bloomer, but it turns out you’re a genius beyond the understanding of common folk.”

Cedric referred to himself as common, which was a high compliment for Kane.

He gripped the book tightly in his hand.

The passion for learning was evident in his eyes. It was as if he was determined to read every single book in the family’s library from cover to cover.

As time passed, the misunderstandings only piled up.

Seeing Kane’s discomfort, Duke Carl smirked and changed the subject.

“Why are you here during such a busy time? It seems you didn’t know I had woken up, so did you come here to see Cedric?”

“Ah, yes.”

The guards saluted Kane in unison.

“Don’t be scared. You’ve already beaten Tegelo; are you going to get scared of a little black magic?”

At his words, the tension in the soldiers’ faces eased slightly.

The victory against Tegelo had given them confidence.

Perhaps that’s why Kane’s voice seemed to comfort them.

“No, sir!”

“Rehinar soldiers are invincible.”

“We won’t lose to any mutated monsters!”

Kane patted one of the soldiers on the shoulder.

“It’s okay to be scared. But remember, your weapons and armor will protect you. They were made by the finest blacksmith in Rehinar. Don’t forget that.”

In any battle, soldiers needed something to rely on. For these men, it was their equipment—crafted by Mikhail, Rehinar’s master blacksmith.

His weapons and armor had proven their worth in the battle against Tegelo, where not a single life had been lost, even when facing the Wind Fox Magic Squad.

That alone showed how extraordinary the equipment was.

Gear of that quality wasn’t something ordinary soldiers could afford to use. The weapons likely cost tens, maybe even hundreds of thousands of gold. It was unimaginable that the Young Duke had provided such high-grade equipment to them.

It was a testament to how much Kane valued his soldiers.

With newfound determination, the soldiers shouted in unison.

“We’ll protect it like it’s our very lives!”

“Keep that energy and stay vigilant.”

“Yes, sir!”

Kane boosted the soldiers’ morale, but he could feel a dark presence ahead.

“It’s the aura of a Blood Orc... but it feels like it’s terrified.”

The fear flowed through the aura, as if the Blood Orc had been scared by someone or something, and had fled from its hiding place.

“Blata, what do you think?” Kane asked.

“They were forced out, provoked by something or someone,” Blata replied.

“Is that your conclusion as well?” Kane inquired further.

“Whoever it is, they possess mana opposite to mine. Which means it’s also opposite to yours,” Blata said, sensing the enemy’s nature.

The force opposing them had a power that was the complete opposite of Kane's. Blata suspected it was from the Solar Clan.

“There’s also a hint of the Hatzfeld’s Fire Rune mixed in, which you hate. Seems like they’ve teamed up,” Blata added.

“Hatzfeld is just being foolishly used,” Kane said dismissively.

“Hehe, idiots, right? Earning Kane’s wrath was already a stupid move,” Blata giggled. “Right?”

Kane pondered for a moment. “I’m debating which one we should deal with first.”

The second wave of the enemy carried high stakes.

The first wave consisted of Blood Orcs. They were easy to handle. The real problem would come with the second wave: Undead Knights.

If it were just the Undead Knights, Kane wouldn’t be worried, but there was a wildcard.

Before long, one of the executioners from the House of the Sun would arrive at Rehinar. If those Meyer family members saw the Undead Knights, especially the red banner carried by the Undead Knight King, they’d react strongly.

The Undead Knight King held a relic from the House of the True Dragon (The Pervartz Family): the Flame Emperor’s Spear.

The moment the Meyer family saw that banner, they’d recognize it instantly and would stop at nothing to block Kane’s movements.

“Let’s just kill them all!” Blata exclaimed eagerly.

“I’ve only got one body,” Kane responded, dryly.

“Why not attack first, just like when you woke me up?” Blata suggested.

“There’s no time to search through every hidden territory. ‘He’ will show up soon.”

The rumor that Kane possessed the Blood Star had spread. Without a doubt, that would prompt a seat to make a move.

Kane had a prime suspect in mind.

“Who?” Blata asked.

“The Second Seat of the Meyer Family.”

A man who wore a tiger mask. The Meyer Family called him the Enforcer of Jealousy.

And he had a deep connection to Rehinar.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Lucky]