Chapter 599

Book 1 Chapter 599

599.

“Pardon?”

Layna’s gaze intensified as she examined the paperwork Leo held.

“This lies beyond the borders of the empire, doesn’t it? The Resenthung region, no less? How on earth did Father acquire such a prime piece of real estate?”

“Indeed. Does this present from your father please you?”

“You must have managed things rather lucratively while serving as the patriarch, haven’t you? Just when did you amass such secret wealth?”

Hearing Layna’s accusation, Legas buried his face in his hands.

“Those words are bound to be misinterpreted by anyone listening. That estate was passed down from your mother.”

“Mother? She possessed that much property?!”

“That is because she was the princess of Tungkun, the Duchy of Swords that once governed the Resenthung region.”

“Mother belonged to a royal line?”

A look of utter shock crossed Layna’s face at this completely unfamiliar revelation.

“The Tungkun Kingdom? I can’t say I’ve ever encountered that title.”

When Leo showed his confusion with a tilt of his head, Legas explained,

“Naturally. It was a heroic kingdom that met its end before your mother’s birth.”

A heroic kingdom.

This designated realms spanning the size of a duchy, established by legendary figures of great power.

“The realm of your grandfather was overrun by Tartaros and collapsed when he was roughly the age Rhys is now.”

Hearing this, Leo looked perplexed.

“In that case, wouldn’t a different faction have taken control of the Resenthung region by now?”

“The faction currently controlling the Resenthung region happens to be the Tusen Knights, who once served as the elite vanguard of Tungkun. Steadfast in their allegiance to Tungkun, they continue to hunt for the royal bloodline, even after all these years.”

“For what reason did Mother hide her background from her own family? And considering her royal blood, why did she choose not to go back to Tungkun? Surely the Tusen Knights would have placed the crown upon her head without delay?”

Observing Layna’s bewildered look, Legas offered a bittersweet smile.

“True, had she made her way back to Tungkun, your mother would have ascended the throne. However, Nayla bore a heavy burden of remorse for being unable to stop the downfall of Tungkun. She steadfastly avoided her birthplace throughout her days, declaring that she had no right to govern a domain she could not safeguard.”

The prominent matriarch of the earlier Zerdinger generation.

Nayla Zerdinger had been widely celebrated as an honorable warrior.

“Is it truly appropriate for me to receive an inheritance of this magnitude?”

“I am well aware that your ultimate ambition as a hero is the total eradication of Erebus.”

It was a monumental objective shared by every living soul, yet it remained a dream that few had the courage to utter.

“Your mother was a mirror image of your grandmother.”

Legas turned his gaze toward his daughter, a gentle melancholy in his smile.

“She frequently remarked that individuals blessed with strength are undoubtedly given that strength for a purpose.”

“That was indeed her favorite phrase.”

Layna confirmed with a nod.

“Your grandmother firmly maintained that great strength ought to be dedicated to shielding the vulnerable and righteous. Some mocked her philosophy as mere self-sacrifice. Yet, in my eyes, it is precisely because of these honorable souls that our world has managed to withstand overwhelming malice until today. Moreover, Leo.”

The crimson gaze of Legas shifted onto Leo.

“You are a person who shows no reluctance whatsoever when it comes to sacrificing yourself for the greater good.”

Legas had closely monitored Leo’s conduct starting from his initial entrance test.

Witnessing the youth’s advancement had profoundly touched him.

This sentiment did not stem merely from pride in a remarkably gifted descendant.

Rather, it arose because he discerned the silhouette of an authentic savior within Leo.

He guides potential adversaries along with him, while occasionally offering them reinforcement from the rear.

Despite possessing the ability to outpace everyone effortlessly, he refused to sprint ahead by himself.

He lingers for those who stumble, ensuring they advance in unison.

Observing this behavior made one thing clear.

The seemingly impossible objective of wiping out Erebus was entirely sincere.

“I concluded that a person of your character deserved to receive the birthright of your grandmother.”

Legas lightly touched the locket resting against his chest.

Contained within was an image of his spouse, who had departed this life many years prior.

“Strength manifests in diverse ways. A single warrior’s martial prowess is a form of strength, but the factions one directs represent a formidable force that must not be overlooked.”

This rationale mirrored Layna’s own desire to bestow an expansive domain upon her offspring.

Such an estate would undoubtedly serve as the bedrock upon which Leo could establish his own faction.

The capabilities of a single person are inherently restricted.

Only with an army or loyal following behind Leo could he truly realize his full potential as a legendary figure.

‘After all, the journey Leo has chosen will be fraught with hardship.’

“Should the heritage of Tungkun contribute to establishing global tranquility, your grandmother would rejoice above all others. That is the true motive behind presenting this territory to you.”

In response, Leo offered a nod of comprehension.

“Father.”

“Have my parental sentiments managed to strike a chord within you?”

“You don’t intend to consider the matter settled with just this, do you? Since this belongs to Mother’s heritage, the compensation due from the Zerdinger family must be tallied independently and handed over to Leo. Is that clear?”

“…”

Staring at Layna, who was single-mindedly ensuring she secured her due, Legas inquired,

“Just whose traits did you inherit to act this way?”

“Mother’s.”

Standing vigil outside the Elder’s Hallway, Celia pressed for answers the moment Leo stepped into view.

“What was the verdict?”

Responding to Celia’s anxious inquiry, Leo remarked,

“We have provisionally agreed that I will take over the estates located in the northern parts of the empire.”

“Pardon me? The lands our house holds in the north consist almost entirely of desolate peaks!”

“I have resolved to take possession of a share of the territory designated for my mother once my graduation is complete.”

“This makes no sense! To receive anything less than the entirety of Aunt’s inheritance at this very moment is completely inadequate!”

Celia’s temper flared.

“You appear more incensed about this than I do.”

“It concerns how you are being valued! Did Aunt simply remain passive during all of this?”

“My lady, I implore you to compose yourself.”

“Yes, Lady.”

Niel and Martina stepped in to soothe Celia’s anger.

“Far from being passive, a major uproar ensued because there was an attempt to arrange a marriage between myself and Chelsea.”

“What did you say?!”

“Chelsea? You mean Chelsea Lwelyn?!”

Martina and Niel looked utterly appalled.

“What absolute nonsense! What possible reason is there for you to wed Chelsea Lwelyn! I completely oppose this!”

Celia ranted, her cheeks burning crimson with indignation.

The remaining retainers under Leo’s command likewise let out startled gasps.

Observing their panic, Leo noted,

“What is the reason for such shock? It is not as though this match will truly take place.”

“T-that’s true, isn’t it? Exactly! There is absolutely no chance you would ever take Chelsea Lwelyn as a spouse!”

Celia managed to steady her racing pulse.

“And then?”

“Grandfather intervened to negotiate a compromise.”

“In what manner?”

“To begin with, rather than adhering to the verdict of the Elder Council, he resolved to transfer ownership of the Resenthung region to me.”

“The Resenthung region? That lies outside imperial borders, does it not? Our household has absolutely no ties to it. Could there be an entirely different area bearing the name Resenthung inside the empire?”

“To the best of my knowledge, no such place exists.”

Niel replied while shaking his head.

“It is situated beyond the northern imperial rim. Apparently, that territory was the property of our grandmother.”

Leo proceeded to relate the account he had just gathered from Legas to Celia.

Celia’s face filled with astonishment as she absorbed the tale.

“What? In that case… are you implying you have been designated the true master of Tungkun?”

“Precisely.”

“Does that make you a monarch?”

“Is that how the title functions?”

“You truly are beyond belief.”

Faced with a scenario akin to gaining an entire sovereign state, his composure remained entirely unshaken.

‘His capacity to handle things is truly immense.’

“My plan is to depart for Resenthung in a couple of days.”

“Count me in as well. I am highly intrigued by a domain that once belonged to Grandmother.”

Celia’s gaze shone with excitement.

Leo let out a soft laugh at her enthusiasm before casting his eyes down toward his palm.

‘A monarch, is it?’

The memory of a past companion known as the King of Wisdom drifted into his mind.

‘It feels as though I am gradually resembling his path.’

A trio of individuals neared Rhys, who had successfully put down the Eastern insurgents.

“Magnificent work, Rhys. Subduing the uprising with such swiftness and zero fatalities is precisely what I expect from my true rival.”

Ultar gestured grandly with wide-open arms, making quite a scene.

Standing behind him, Torua clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“Had you relied upon my sorcery, the entire matter could have been settled with far greater precision and ease.”

“It would be inappropriate to burden visitors like yourselves with such tasks. Furthermore, it might provoke international complications.”

Jamua clicked his teeth, observing the mild expression on Rhys’s face.

“Occasions like this make me yearn for the unburdened days of our youth at school.”

“Too true. Back then, no matter what mischief we managed to stir up, the academy invariably smoothed things over afterward.”

Torua gave a nod of concurrence.

“Just which spell-slinging fool and brainless brute were responsible for such reckless antics anyway? From the perspective of an exemplary scholar, those troublemakers defy all logic.”

“Weren’t you the absolute worst offender among us?”

Torua prodded Ultar’s forehead using the tip of his staff.

Jamua, who had been expressing his disdain at the bickering duo, noticed the grave cast of Rhys’s features and inquired.

“What is troubling you? Has something occurred?”

“Nothing major, though a particular detail has left me somewhat unsettled.”

“What sort of detail?”

“As we were overwhelming the hostile forces, numerous adversaries shrieked about a ‘demon’s flame’ the moment they caught sight of my fire.”

“A demon’s flame?”

Jamua’s eyebrows knit together.

“Precisely. Their terror suggested they were reacting to an element they had encountered on a previous occasion.”

The signature Zerdinger flame manifests as a deep scarlet blaze carrying the divine essence of the Phoenix.

Whether compared to standard elemental aura or sorcerous fire, it possesses traits that distinctly separate it from common spirits or legendary creatures.

Any observer with basic knowledge would instantly identify it as the unique Zerdinger flame.

“The essence passed down through your lineage is the Phoenix’s flame, correct?”

“Indeed. Moreover, the Zerdinger clan stands alone within the borders of Rodren in commanding the authority of the Phoenix.”

“Is it not possible that they simply misidentified what they saw?”

“I would prefer to believe so, however…”

Their dread of the precise attributes of the Zerdinger flame was unmistakable.

These insurgents had clearly encountered the distinct Zerdinger flame on multiple occasions—an event a typical citizen might never glimpse throughout their entire existence.

‘The matter refuses to leave my mind.’

“Alternatively, Rhys, I have recently developed a novel enchantment for extracting information. Shall I offer my assistance?”

Torua inquired as he took a seat beside Rhys.

Jamua clicked his tongue, throwing a disapproving glance toward Torua.

“Have you managed to slip your mind so quickly that external parties are banned from meddling in these affairs?”

“Dear me, Jamua. As I have pointed out previously, your soul is utterly devoid of affection.”

“Where on earth is this coming from so suddenly?”

“Is it truly beyond your comprehension that Torua’s eagerness to aid Rhys stems from deep affection?”

“What sort of ridiculous claim are you making now?”

Ultar gestured broadly, observing the sour expression forming on Torua’s face.

“There is zero point in attempting to conceal it, Torua. It was witnessed by my own eyes. In the early hours of our graduation morning, your silhouette was seen climbing out of Rhys’s private quarters!”

“Pardon? Despite all your fervent protestations, the two of you actually maintained that sort of bond?”

A mischievous smirk broke across Jamua’s face upon catching Ultar’s revelation.

Torua adopted an exceedingly pleasant grin as he looked back at the pair.

“Correct. However, that piece of information remains a confidence shared exclusively by Rhys and myself.”

“It can hardly be classified as an exclusive confidence any longer, can it? Seeing as both Ultar and I are fully aware of it.”

“Incorrect. It shall remain an eternal confidence known only to the two of us.”

“And how do you propose to manage that?”

“By eliminating every single person who holds knowledge of it.”

The moment those words left his mouth, Ultar and Jamua bolted into the distance without a single backward glance.

Torua pursued them with a ferocity that made it seem as though he fully intended to carry out his threat.

Rhys let out a weary breath as he tracked their fleeing shapes.

“They appear completely unaltered even though our school days are behind us.”

“Did they manage to give me the slip?”

Torua clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“Even if I overlook Ultar, that blabbermouth Jamua must be handled through some means.”

Torua lightly rubbed his chin, deeply absorbed in contemplation.

‘Given that Jamua’s intellect seems entirely replaced by physical brawn, perhaps placing an intense compulsion enchantment over his mind would suffice?’

While processing these grim thoughts on his trek back to rejoin Rhys, he perceived a figure obstructing his advance and lifted his gaze.

An individual cloaked in a dark hood stood there, gripping a blade.

‘An insurgent?’

At that moment, a look of confusion spread across Torua’s features.

“Torua Yan?”

“Are you familiar with my identity?”

“Word has spread that you rank among the most renowned prospective saviors of this generation.”

Beneath the dark fabric of the hood, the stranger’s mouth twisted into a smirk.

“I shall be confiscating your internal mystic energy.”

Fwoosh—!

Deep red fire burst forth across the length of the stranger’s blade.

Torua’s gaze locked onto the sight in sheer astonishment.

It was an unmistakable display of pyrotechnics.

A specific manifestation of fire he had observed continuously from his initial days at Lumerne right up until the completion of his studies.

“The Zerdinger flame?”