CH 36

In the history of the Four Great Families, spanning a thousand years, the rivalry between the Taylors and the Winchesters began 300 years ago.

It was said that the discord ignited when the Duchess of Taylor, who had visited Winchester, was assassinated by an assailant, leading to a gradual deterioration of relations and growing animosity between the two houses.

In the meantime, even the families of Akada and Halo got involved and took sides in the Cold War……

A hundred years ago, the conflict reached its peak, and Winchester, on the verge of extinction, faced a precarious situation, rejected and ignored by Akada and Halo. It was a time of great vulnerability.

Then came Kaisa, a curse unleashed by the Taylors to cement their victory. It changed the fate of the empire.

With its astonishing power and cruelty, it claimed the lives of many imperial subjects, and Halo and Akada condemned Taylor’s actions.

Halo, in particular, actively sided with the Winchesters in their fight against the Kaisa curse. This event marked the beginning of Winchester’s revival and Taylor’s downfall.

After countless power struggles, the strength of the four houses was now rebalanced.

“I understand.”

[Acquired Trait: Curious Explorer!]

As Grandpa Hector finished telling the tale of a hundred years ago, something appeared before my eyes.

[Congratulations on becoming a Curious Explorer through your persistent efforts.]

[Continue to pave your way unwaveringly and earn various traits.]

[*You can check the applied traits in your profile.]

[Name: Sasha Winchester (LV.3)]

[Occupation: Unemployed]

[Traits: Rattle Master (Strength +3) , Curious Explorer (Intelligence +3)]

It seemed like multiple traits could be applied at once.

Feeling delighted about the increase in intelligence, I exclaimed, “Grandpa! Amazing!”

I gave Hector a thumbs-up and grinned at him.

He looked at me with a blank stare, and then he coughed. He then opened his mouth to mutter, “I can see why he’s so protective of you,” to himself.

And then a familiar low voice drifted into my ears.

“What are you doing here?”

I turned my head to see Recardo and Rowen in their official blue uniforms.

~ Translations by Lurelia | Editing by Valpal | Read only at moonlightnovels.com ~

Unlike me, who was startled, Grandfather Hector replied in a nonchalant voice, as if he had already sensed their presence.

“We were having a conversation.”

Rowen looked slightly surprised at Hector’s response.

“……How was it?” Recardo, referring to me as the subject, asked Hector for his evaluation.

There was a moment of silence, and I felt a little nervous; we were just talking about something I was curious about and suddenly I felt like I was waiting for my test report.

Hector’s lips parted.

“It’s not much different from when Jin was as big as this.”

Rowen’s expression became even more astonished. One could guess the family’s assessment of Jin.

“Start giving her an education.”

I was taken aback by the unexpected comment. As far as I knew, the Winchester children usually begin their “education” around the age of five.

Education includes physical training, studying various fields, and learning how to handle the black flame.

The seventh generation of the family codified this method of education, which had been scattered throughout the immediate and extended family, and Jin and Othello were being educated according to that curriculum.

“…… still young.”

As Recardo said, I had not yet reached the age threshold.

Hector clicked his tongue and licked his lips.

“When you’re ready to accept it, that’s the appropriate time. It’s not right to just leave writing and understanding history untouched at this age.”

It was a moment when I regretted giving it my all. If I were to receive education, would my leisurely free time disappear?

“…….”

Recardo stared at me with intense eyes. I felt unnecessarily intimidated by his gaze.

After a moment, Recardo furrowed his eyebrows and spoke up.

“Do you accept?”

Hmm, what to do. I should absolutely say no. Crying wouldn’t work in the current atmosphere.

However, I didn’t want to attract attention by being labeled as a prodigy who started education early.

After all, Jin already held that position.

“Just…….”

So I decided to take a different approach to the predicament.

“I prefer playing with Grandfather over studying!”

I smiled mischievously as I expressed my opinion, and Recardo’s eyebrows twitched.

“Let me talk and play with Grandfather.”

I twinkled my eyes at Hector.

After an awkwardly long silence, a small sigh escaped Hector’s mouth. Though Grandfather was a bit eccentric, the stories he shared were quite interesting.

After a moment, Hector spoke up.

“If the party involved dislikes it, there’s nothing we can do.”

Then he turned to Recardo.

“Come to think of it, I don’t have much going on, and I’ll be spending some time here for the time being.”

At that, Rowen’s eyes widened in surprise.

Hector Winchester, the former head of the Winchester family and the only person who could rival Recardo in terms of dark flames.  He had given the position to Recardo because he was old and wanted to live out his days in peace, and Recardo had led the house for twelve years.

However, there were those who feared Recardo and still resented him for rising to the occasion.

Sure, Recardo could have used his power to overpower them, but that would have been like cutting off a sore arm, and Rowen would have to deal with the nerves for quite some time.

“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to delay my next trip,” Hector continued bemusedly. 

If the former lord were to stay in the Winchester Manor under these circumstances, it would be a source of strength for Recardo.

‘I wonder if the young lady has won his favor.’

Hector’s positive influence would extend not only within the family but also beyond.

“Isn’t that right, Sasha?”

“Yes, Grandpa!”

The mere rumor of Hector Winchester’s stay at Winchester Manor, the gray-haired old man who had led the Winchesters for decades and revived the family name, was sure to have an impact on the Taylors.

After watching Sasha for a moment, Recardo pursed his lips.

“Do as you please.”

* * *

“…….”

Evan frowned upon discovering the prominently drawn figure in his notebook.

‘ㅗ’

It was a symbol depicting the profile of a flying dragon, representing “emergency” or “taking flight.”

And…… “hope”.

‘Quenne.’

Evan tore the paper and crumpled it.

~ Translations by Lurelia | Editing by Valpal | Read only at moonlightnovels.com ~

To infiltrate such a highly complex space so easily, the intruder must be an exceptional individual. A silver-haired individual, one who wishes to reveal his true identity.

Who would this be if not Phersetos, the cause of this damned regression. Who would attempt to interfere with his fate with such clarity?

Evan’s azure eyes were filled with suppressed anger.

‘Even the worthless second child of their family, awakened the Black Flame at the age of seven, and you, the heir to the Taylor family, are still this way at the age of eight.’

This regression was different. The clarity that always awakened on his fourth birthday had not yet manifested.

The conflict with the Winchesters after the hunting competition.

It became the catalyst for Winchester to once again face a downturn, while the other two families gradually aligned themselves with Taylor.

But this time, everyone was wary of the Taylors.

Thanks to that, Duke Chenoa, Evan’s father, showed signs of hysteria.

He, who always became hysterical in the end, had even killed two servants yesterday.

“…….”

Taylor looked at the crumpled paper in his hand. This was a process that hadn’t happened in the twenty-seven previous regressions.

Someone had invaded his space so casually, like a joke sent by fate.

Evan Taylors, a boy with deep blue eyes, extended his hand and spoke.

“Whoever you are.”

The mind and body were not as infinite as time.

He thought that he was worn down and exhausted by the years of giving up and repeating his own death, that he had abandoned even his name.

So, when he wrote that last message, he had meant it.

When a sprout that he had buried in the soil resurfaced in his thoughts, he was forced to admit that he was still alive, albeit painfully so.

The most cruel thing – the word “hope”.

“……Whatever this is, you’re going to have to answer for it.”

Blue light flashed between his fingers.

“Giving me a reason for me to live.”