Rudious and Jorald walked upstairs to a secluded room, leaving the noise of the manor behind.
The door clicked shut.
Rudious stood by the window, looking outside. "Tell me."
"My Lord." Jorald's voice was hard. "An Heir Duel challenge has arrived. For the Young Master."
Rudious's expression didn't change. "Who."
"Sarang Pellamio. Master of the Pellamio Merchant Company." Jorald's jaw tightened. "Greed for our iron mines brought him here — and now he's using this challenge to force our hand."
"Send someone to look into them." Rudious didn't turn around. "And how much time did they give us?"
Jorald's fists clenched. A faint, dark aura began leaking from his armor. "They said take as much time as we need." A pause. "They also added — 'what can a countryside merchant do anyway.'"
Rudious smiled quietly.
"Calm down, Jorald. Today is Drake's birthday. His Awakening Ceremony is the day after. Whether he takes this duel or not... that's up to him."
"I understand, My Lord." Jorald's expression stayed serious. "But... do not tell Young Master Drake that they looked down on us."
Rudious turned, slightly surprised. "Why?"
Jorald smiled. Slow. Knowing.
"Because... if you were in his place, and someone insulted your territory — what would you do?"
Rudious thought for a second. "...Point taken." He exhaled. "But Jorald — are you really comparing him to me? You know what I was like."
"I know." Jorald crossed his arms. "But his growth rate... and that craziness in battle? He matches you perfectly, My Lord — maybe even more than you did at his age. He might actually break that wall."
Rudious turned back to the window. A sharp, crooked smile cut across his face.
"Ohh, is that so. But does he share my crazy side — or was he calm like I used to pretend to be?"
Jorald burst out laughing.
"Hiyah ha ha ha ha!"
He wiped his eye. "Forgive me, My Lord — but you were never calm. Not even once." A pause. "And the day before yesterday, when Drake sparred with one of our soldiers — the more he got hit, the more he was enjoying it. His aura just kept spiking."
Hearing this, the crooked smile on Rudious's face deepened into something else.
Pure pride.
The exact look of a man thinking — that's exactly what I expected.
---
Then the room grew quiet.
"My Lord." Jorald's tone shifted. "Are you really going to let him go in this direction?"
Rudious looked down. He slowly turned the silver bracelet on his wrist.
"It's his choice. Lily only made me promise one thing — that I wouldn't drag him into my world. That I wouldn't force him to become like me."
His voice dropped. Cold. Absolute.
"But what Drake chooses to do... that is entirely up to him. Even if I have to destroy several countries again for his sake — I will."
Jorald watched him, a faint smirk on his lips.
Who would have thought... he said to Rudious . The man who always said no beauty could ever change his heart — softening up this much for someone—
PATT.
A fist drove straight into Jorald's stomach.
"Ugh—!"
He doubled over, coughing. Held his stomach. A pained smile on his face.
"Forgive me, My Lord."
Rudious pulled his hand back, an invisible, slightly embarrassed smile hidden beneath his stoic face. "Go prepare for the celebration."
"Yes, My Lord." Jorald straightened up slowly, rubbing his gut. "Ahh... these old bones still have strength in them."
He shuffled toward the door.
He had barely reached the gallery when Rudious's voice called out from inside.
"And that Pellamio — Fallamio — whatever his name is. Let's see who this new specimen is, trying to climb straight onto my head."
Jorald paused. Smiled. "Understood, My Lord."
He left.
Rudious blinked.
Remarkable ears.
He stood alone.
Pellamio, huh.
A grey aura — wrapped in deep, suffocating black — began bleeding slowly from his body.
Let's see who you are. And the moment I find out... I'll finish it.
---
By afternoon, the entire hall had been decorated.
Drake and Veil were both dressed and ready. Veil came running down and grabbed Drake's hand.
"Brother! So many village people came!"
"I know." Drake smiled. "Let's go."
As the two of them descended the stairs, the crowd cheered. Most of the faces were familiar — commoners and merchants from the town Drake had grown up around.
But all eyes kept drifting to Veil.
It was his first time appearing openly before so many people.
---
After the greetings, Rudious called both boys forward and stood them in front of everyone.
He placed a hand on Drake's shoulder and officially wished him a happy twelfth birthday.
Then Butler Hans stepped forward — carrying a beautifully crafted box that caught the light with a faint glow. He presented it to Drake.
Rudious took a long breath.
"Drake. This gift... is from your mother. She told me to give it to you when you were ready for your Awakening." A pause. "But how to open it — you'll have to figure that out yourself."
Then Jorald stepped forward, proudly presenting a custom-forged armor set and a finely balanced sword.
Rudious stared at him from the side.
Jorald cleared his throat. "Ahem." And quickly stepped back.
---
Veil had been watching all of this patiently.
And then his patience ran out entirely.
His face dropped. "And what about me?"
The entire hall erupted in laughter.
Rudious chuckled. "Your birthday is a few months away, Veil. You'll get yours then."
Veil crossed his arms. Fully committed to the pout.
Rudious caught Hans's eye and gave a small nod.
Hans disappeared. Returned a moment later with another wrapped box. Placed it directly into Veil's hands.
The pout was gone in an instant.
For the first time, it felt like two birthdays were being celebrated at once.
---
Clad and Leo arrived next — dressed surprisingly well, luxury clothes instead of their usual armor. Jack came too, and for the first time, the quiet nervousness that always seemed to follow him was gone. He smiled confidently as he handed over his gift.
One by one, people came forward — council members, friends, town merchants, commoners. All of them with gifts.
But not a single outsider. Not one noble from beyond Velrend.
---
Slowly, the evening set in.
People ate, sang, danced. The hall filled with warmth.
By the time it emptied, Drake and Veil were surrounded by a mountain of gifts — and Veil was falling asleep standing up.
At a quiet gesture from Rudious, the servants carried both boys upstairs.
The hall went quiet.
Rudious, Jorald, and two others stood in the stillness. Jorald still wore his party clothes.
"Veil was the star today," Arthur said, glancing toward the stairs. "Everyone thinks he's Madam Lily's second son."
"Drake introduced him that way himself," Rolan added.
"Good." Rudious nodded. "Party's over. Did you find out about our target?"
Rolan downed the last of his wine in one go. "Full report will be in your hands tonight, My Lord."
"Good. And the timeframe?"
"Whenever you decide," Jorald answered simply.
"Hmm."
Rudious's gaze moved across the room.
"Clad. Leo."
Both of them — who had been talking quietly in the corner — stopped immediately and walked over.
"Yes, My Lord?"
Rudious looked at them steadily.
"You two have somewhere to go."
---
[Chapter 25 — End]