At Shion Lan's mansion, Rita Lan—Shion's mother—stood and said,
"Marie! When will Shion return?"
The maid Marie replied,
"The annual celebration should end before sunset, and only a short time has passed since nightfall, so please don't rush, my lady."
She thought to herself,
' This woman does everything she can to blend into noble society, but when it comes to the head of the family, she loses that composure and acts like a commoner… but… '
The maid smiled.
' This side of her brings warmth, I can't deny how it affects me. '
Suddenly, the guards shouted,
"Make way for the head of the family!"
Before Marie could explain how Rita should greet him properly, she found her running quickly toward the door.
' This woman!! '
Marie's thoughts halted for a moment before she followed to receive Shion, who entered calmly,
"Hello everyone, I'm back!"
Rita abandoned all noble decorum and pulled Shion into a tight embrace.
Shion said, feeling sharp pain spreading through his back—something Marie noticed,
"Mother, I didn't just come back from a battle or anything…"
"Be quiet and accept my hug without a word!"
"…"
Shion could only smile as he hugged her back.
"Alright, Mother. I'm exhausted today."
Rita looked at him worriedly.
"What happened, my dear?!"
"Nothing. I dropped off Lady Jewel and Mr. Grant before coming back, so I was delayed. I just need some sleep."
The maid said,
"My lord, would you like me to prepare a bath?"
Rita answered immediately,
"Yes! Do that, and then we'll have dinner together!"
Shion freed himself from his mother's grip, changed his clothes, and soon after the maid received him again,
"Do you need a body massage after the bath?"
Shion smiled.
"You're quite observant, Lady Marie."
Marie shook her head.
"You shouldn't call a maid 'Lady,' my lord. You can call me by my name."
Shion nodded.
"Then I'll take my bath now, Marie."
He stepped into the warm bath, cursing inwardly,
' Damn this royal family! A daughter whose intentions I can't understand—does she want to use me or love me? A son who invested in my foolish brother and wants me dead? And the father who gave me a cursed sword and interrogated me over his daughter's feelings?! '
He recalled what happened in the palace, when the king released immense pressure on him.
Shion resisted and stood firm, thinking,
' Why is the king doing this?! Mentally, I can resist this aura, but in terms of power, I can't endure it! Is he trying to kill me?! '
King Jord Joul said,
"I acknowledge your determination in resisting my aura, but are you truly resisting instead of submitting?"
Shion spoke through gritted teeth under the pressure,
"No, Your Majesty! Resistance comes when one's heart does not belong to the kingdom. But I truly belong to this kingdom and submit to your rule in heart and body. However, placing sudden pressure without explanation leaves me confused."
The king replied,
"You have a sharp tongue. Now answer my question."
Shion said,
"My relationship with Her Highness is of a lower level than mine with you as a subject and ruler. However, she wanted to recruit me to her side against The First Prince Jaiden Joul."
"And?"
"I refused."
This caught the king's attention.
"But didn't my son oppress you? Why wouldn't you seek revenge, especially when my daughter would support you?"
Shion replied, his muscles trembling but his voice steady,
"Your Majesty! As your subject, I don't have the right to object but I was sad as his Highness didn't explain my fault that made me confused but your majesty did be fair.
As for the prince, he was already punished by the king when he was confined to the palace. As for the second princess, she seeks to gather talents—she even invited Sol Hart after rewarding her with the necklace, trusting your judgment and believing Sol can reach the fifth level by graduation. I myself was honored twice, and she wanted to benefit from that."
The king found the answer reasonable.
Shion added, somewhat complaining,
"Your Majesty! Is it my fault for accepting your generosity? Now I'm suffering because of it!"
The king thought,
' What a greedy opportunist! He takes advantage of every situation. Is he a noble or a merchant?! '
"What do you want?" the king asked, increasing the pressure further.
Shion hurriedly replied as his body stiffened,
"Your Majesty! Her Highness asked me to join her team, and we agreed to train together. I only wanted you to know beforehand so you wouldn't misunderstand!"
The king smiled and released him.
"Don't worry. I've decided to monitor the situation from now on to avoid such misunderstandings."
...
After dinner, Shion returned to his room and stretched his body.
He looked at the sword that had been placed there. Touching it, he said,
"Since I made a contract with you, you haven't said a word. Did the cat get your tongue?"
"…."
No response.
Shion communicated with Shi Yun Lan,
"Do you think it's doing something?"
From his side, Shi Yun Lan replied,
"I guarantee this sword is absolute trash! No wonder weak-minded people are affected by it!"
Shion frowned.
"But your brother Shi Yun Erk is weak-minded too, isn't he? He even gambled his maid."
Shi Yun Lan responded irritably,
"Are you comparing my acquaintances to that useless brother?"
"Weren't you the one who started comparing?"
"I have the right to compare—but who do you think you are?!"
"I'm the one you can't survive without if you want to get rid of your curse, so bow and say 'Yes, my lord!'"
Shi Yun Lan smirked darkly,
"Yes, my ####!"
Before Shion could respond, he suddenly found himself transported to the Veins Domain.
"…."
He tried to leave, but Shi Yun Lan interrupted,
"Don't worry—even if you scream until next year, no one will hear you."
He smiled as he approached Shion—until a sudden voice interrupted them,
"So I was suppressed by two kids barely at level four?!"
They both turned. It was the spirit of the Sword of Sins, appearing like an old man with malice oozing from his features.
Shi Yun Lan ignored him,
"You brought him in without noticing when you connected to the sword, idiot."
Shion mocked,
"Don't act like you could've kept him out. Is the great Shi Yun Lan afraid of a useless emperor?"
The sword spirit grew furious.
"You bastards! I'll kill you both!"
He created a domain,
"(Domain of Sinful Land)!"
A dark aura spread—but Shion and Shi Yun Lan kept arguing, unaffected.
After a full minute, the spirit shouted in rage,
"Why aren't you submitting, you weaklings?!"
Shion sneered,
"Didn't I say a servant should stay silent?"
He summoned the Sword of Sins in the Vein Domain and commanded,
"Submit. Be silent."
The spirit fell to his knees, unable to speak.
Shi Yun Lan said,
"If you're wondering why your domain doesn't affect me—it's simple. You're weak."
Shion added mockingly,
"Say something more convincing."
Then Shi Yun Lan turned serious,
"You know the reason. Don't act like a teacher testing a student when you know nothing."
Shion smirked,
"Fine, corpse. The one who can't feel anything because he's dead."
Then Shi Yun Lan asked,
"What about you? Why aren't you affected?"
Shion raised his chin proudly.
"Because I'm great. Petty thoughts can't shake someone as noble as me!"
"…."
Shi Yun Lan sighed.
"Where did you learn this arrogance?"
"I have a great teacher… obsessed with killing me."
After a brief exchange, they looked at the kneeling old spirit.
"What should we do with him?" Shi Yun Lan asked.
Shion replied,
"I think we should erase his personality. He's terrible."
Shi Yun Lan shook his head.
"If we destroy the spirit, the sword becomes worthless."
"Then what do we do with this idiot?"
Shi Yun Lan raised his finger. The spirit's power dropped sharply.
"I'll place a mark on him. If he disobeys or reveals anything, he dies."
Shion asked,
"He's just a spirit—how would he die?"
The old man smirked—until Shi Yun Lan's dark gaze turned terrifying.
With a flick of his finger, unbearable pain struck the spirit. He couldn't scream—his soul tore apart, his body writhing like a fish on land.
Shi Yun Lan said calmly,
"I've experienced death many times. I can transmit that feeling to anyone—even a sword spirit."
The spirit submitted completely, thinking,
' These two are terrifying! '
Shion said,
"Old man, from now on you are my sword. Obey, or face the consequences."
The spirit nodded silently.
"Good," Shion concluded.
Shion woke up, opened his window, and looked at the sunrise.
"A new day… a new year… a new challenge."
He remembered everything from the past year—being cast out of his family, his relentless effort, meeting his friends, his battles with the Dark Crows, reclaiming his noble status, visiting the Neumann Province, meeting the beautiful yet obsessive Solan Neumann, and making a name for himself at the annual celebration.
He closed his eyes, thinking of the one person who had supported him through it all.
He murmured,
"Shi Yun Lan… thank you."
"What's with you?" Shi Yun Lan asked, sensing the change.
Shion smiled slightly.
"Let's start the new year."