The Genius Son-in-law of the Swordmaster Household—Blessed by Authority

Chapter 172 : Frozen Sea (1)

Frozen Sea (1)

The main estate of the Rubenstein family.

A man with his hood pulled down approached the grand castle gate, where a crimson flag fluttered.

"Halt!"

The gate guards crossed their spears, blocking his path.

― Swish.

The man silently pushed back his hood.

What was revealed was red hair and a beast-like impression.

Zakar Hisperion.

"... Y-young master Zakar!?"

The knights recoiled in shock, stumbling backward.

"I've come to see my mother. Open the way."

Zakar's voice was calm.

However, the knights did not lower their spears.

"We're sorry, young master. You are aware of the madam's orders as well. She strictly commanded us never to let you inside the castle."

"That's right."

Zakar let out a bitter smile.

It was rejection that he deserved.

He had tormented the servants and even pointed a sword at his siblings.

Given the atrocities he'd committed in the past, he had no right to complain about being turned away at the door.

But now, things were different.

'The beast within me is dead.'

The parasite attached to his heart was gone, and the anger that used to flood his mind had vanished as if washed away.

He was now ready to take responsibility for everything and set things right.

And he also needed a safe haven for his beloved Isabel and the village people.

"Well then..."

Zakar pulled out a brooch with a red jewel from within his chest.

"Let me show you this. This should be enough for a pass, right?"

"T-that's...!"

The gate guards' eyes nearly popped out.

A red jewel engraved with the Rubenstein family crest.

The highest order, only bestowed to heroes who have saved the family.

"H-how did you, young master..."

"Just let me through for now. I have something to discuss with mother."

"B-but..."

The gate guards exchanged bewildered looks.

There was an ironclad rule that anyone with that brooch must be treated as a top-rank guest of the family, no conditions attached.

But at the same time, Zakar was banned from entering.

In the end, this was not a decision the gate guards could make on their own.

"P-please wait for a moment! We'll go ask the madam!"

One of the knights dashed off into the castle in a hurry.

Soon after—

"Young master Zakar. It's been a long time."

The head maid appeared and led Zakar inside.

Zakar walked through the main gate with dignity.

* * *

The air in the reception room was cold.

Marceline set down her teacup and stared at her son with icy eyes.

"With what nerve have you returned...?"

There was a blade-like chill in her voice.

The monster she had birthed.

Her gaze was complex, mingling layers of disappointment and anger at him, and self-reproach at herself.

"Where did you steal that brooch from?"

"I didn't steal it."

Zakar sank into the sofa.

"I have a lot to talk about."

"..."

Marceline's eyebrow twitched.

In the past, at this point in a cold conversation, her son would've overturned the table and shouted.

The son before her now was different.

His bloodshot eyes were now as clear as a lake, and the killing intent he used to recklessly exude had been utterly wiped away.

"What do you want to talk about?"

Marceline showed some interest.

"It'll be hard to believe. I understand if you can't."

Zakar quietly told his story.

The parasite he had felt in his heart.

The Demon Cult's plot.

The incident where he nearly died.

And about the mysterious man who had saved him, cleansing him of his madness.

"... I also received this brooch from that man. He gave me this and told me to find you, mother."

Zakar placed the brooch on the table.

Marceline picked up the brooch with a confused expression.

Her fingers traced the gem delicately.

"It's definitely authentic."

Only three people in this era held this glorious order.

One was Kyle Wolfheart, a guest of Hisperion.

'Did she save Zakar?'

No, she's a woman. Zakar clearly said that a 'man' had saved him.

'Then...'

Another was Sir Balder, the guard knight of the Rubenstein family head.

'Did he rescue Zakar?'

No, he was the elder brother's guard knight.

He was at the elder brother's side all day, so he couldn't have saved Zakar.

'Then that leaves...'

The last was—

'Ian Greysel? It can't be anyone but that child...'

With a trembling voice, Marceline asked, "... That man. You don't know his name at all?"

Zakar slowly nodded.

"No. He never told me. He also covered his face with a robe. But..."

Zakar pointed above his head with his finger.

"He was quite tall. At least a handspan taller than me."

"Quite tall, you say...?"

Ian's image grew even clearer in Marceline's mind.

At the time he graduated the Sword Dragon Hall, he had been almost two meters tall.

She couldn't be sure yet, but all the clues pointed to Ian Greysel.

'Could it really be that child...?'

A shiver ran down Marceline's spine.

She clenched the brooch tightly and looked out the window.

Towards Sunshine Castle, where Ian was.

"I'll confirm it myself. And I'd like to see his face after a long time."

A faint smile flickered across her lips.

* * *

The morning at Sunshine Castle was peaceful.

"Young master! Ah~!"

Sophia pushed a freshly baked cookie to Ian's lips.

"Mmm. Nom."

Ian bit into the cookie in one bite.

Sweet butter aroma filled his mouth.

"This is delicious, Sophia. Did you bake them yourself?"

"Hehe! Yes! I used the finest butter that young lady Roti sent!"

Sophia beamed from his praise.

Next to them, sitting at the terrace table, Yuria had her nose buried in a thick book.

"Ian, could you take a look at this?"

She was reading a recently published swordsmanship theory book.

"Here, this section. It's a counterattack technique using the flow of mana. Doesn't it seem similar to a technique you often use?"

Ian put his teacup down and approached Yuria.

"Oh... You're right. But the movement of the joints is too uniform. Used like this, it lacks versatility and practicality in real combat."

"I knew it. Aah... There's nothing more to gain from this book, then."

—Thud.

Yuria closed the book.

"All right! Ian! Spar with me!"

"Of course. Let's head to the training ground."

"I'll come too!"

The three of them worked up a pleasant sweat under the warm sunlight.

A dreamlike peace, apart from the outside world rife with schemes and malice.

And after a passionate night, as dawn broke and the two women slept soundly in exhaustion—

Ian quietly rose from bed.

He wiped off the bodily fluids covering his body, donned a robe, and slipped quietly from the bedroom.

'Time to get to work.'

Ian headed to the office right next to the bedroom.

On the desk was a small glass vial, left in advance by Scarlet.

It was blood from Malus, the Archbishop of Wrath, captured alive during Zakar's rescue not long ago.

Ian sat down and took in the scent of the blood.

—Sss.

Bloodscent Mind Reading.

With the metallic scent of blood, Malus's memories poured into Ian's mind.

The plan to corrupt Zakar, the remaining strongholds of the Cult of Wrath, the Demon Cult's money sources...

And.

'... This is.'

A pitch-dark underground passage.

Malus was meeting someone in secret.

The other man was wearing a robe embroidered with ornate designs.

Judging by the outfit, he was an Archbishop-level officer of the Cult of Pride.

[Have you prepared the promised item? The vessel's condition is unstable. We need more high-purity drugs and stronger restraints.]

Malus desperately needed the Cult of Pride's support to complete Zakar as the Grand Duke's vessel.

The Archbishop of Pride laughed slyly and replied.

[Of course. In fact, we secured a large quantity this time. But... we must receive our due compensation, mustn't we?]

[I told you we'd pay enough, didn't I?]

[No, archbishop Malus. What we want is chaos.]

The Archbishop of Pride spread a map on the table.

It was the northern region of the empire.

[Our cult has picked up a big job this time. We plan to capture the second daughter of Hisperion, Veronica, who's been expanding her power in collusion with the third imperial princess.]

[Veronica Hisperion? Ho... so you're targeting Hisperion as well. Interesting.]

[Yes. We've gathered intelligence that they are heading north to subjugate the Whale of the Frozen Sea. We intend to capture Veronica there and use her as a sacrifice, while also sowing discord between Hisperion and the empire. If tension and confusion between the two nations grow, it will be of great benefit to achieving the cult's grand design.]

Malus nodded with interest.

[Not a bad plan. While they're fighting, we'll have time to complete the Grand Dukes' descent. So? What do you need from me?]

[Simple. Support us with the fierce demonic beasts of the Cult of Wrath. In exchange, we'll give you as much of the supplies you want.]

[Very well. Let's trade. But the expedition will include imperial soldiers and Hisperion knights—will capturing the second daughter really be possible?]

The Archbishop of Pride tapped his own chest.

[That's why I'll be going myself.]

[You?]

[Yes. I'll join the expedition disguised as a high-ranking priest sent by the empire. And... we already have generals on the inside who agreed to work with us.]

The Archbishop made a throat-slitting gesture.

[We'll isolate Veronica and cut off her retreat. The incident will be disguised as her falling heroically in battle with the demonic beast. It'll all be handled seamlessly.]

[Kuhuhu. Bold indeed. All right. If you're going personally, it can't fail. I look forward to seeing Hisperion thrown into chaos.]

That was as far as the useful memory went.

Ian slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze went cold.

'Right after the son, now the daughter.'

So, the Archbishop of Pride would infiltrate the expedition disguised as a priest...

And internal collaborators from the Demon Cult are involved as well.

'Did this happen in my previous life? I don't know.'

Ian was lost in thought for a moment.

'Veronica, huh...'

To be honest, she wasn't a character Ian was fond of.

During the civil war in his previous life, she had dragged the empire of Roderun into the fray, making things very troublesome for Ian.

But—

'That doesn't mean I can leave her in danger.'

If there was a chance she could become a sacrifice to the Demon Cult, he couldn't just stand by.

If she died, it would cause chaos throughout both the empire and Hisperion, which would only create more opportunities for the Demon Cult.

Besides, now she was the daughter of his benefactor, the Heavenly Sword Lord. He couldn't just sit back and watch her fall victim to the Demon Cult.

'I have to go save her.'

Ian reached a decision.

However, it wasn't a situation he could address openly.

If Yuria's knight suddenly joined in to help Veronica, it would draw unnecessary political attention, and the Demon Cult moles would scatter like cockroaches and become uncatchable.

'I'll join under a cover identity.'

They were apparently recruiting mercenaries in large numbers for this demonic beast subjugation expedition.

He could participate as a mercenary.

—Click.

Ian rose from his office chair.