Chapter 81
Adolf.
He and I sat facing each other.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes. Have you been quite busy lately?”
“Since the succession ceremony isn’t far off, there’s no end to preparations. I only barely managed to find time to come here.”
“I see.”
Adolf soon looked at me.
“I noticed some unfamiliar faces. Are they newly recruited subordinates?”
“Are you referring to the ones at the training hall?”
“Yes. They looked to be nearly thirty in total.”
He must have seen the gladiators and Seron training. They were training in the training hall for more than four hours a day.
The number had increased drastically from fifteen to thirty. That was because, in addition to the ones who first approached me, one more high-tier gladiator had joined, along with thirteen mid-tier gladiators.
Including Seron, that meant all the high-tier and top-tier gladiators I had once released had returned.
“That’s correct. They’re the gladiators I met during my visit to Prinus.”
“Gladiators?”
“Yes.”
At my reply, Adolf tilted his head slightly.
“If they’re gladiators, their backgrounds probably aren’t great.”
“Yes. Most of them are slaves, and at best, commoners.”
“They seem reasonably capable, perhaps due to their experience, but is there really a need to include those with uncertain origins? If you’re lacking in guards, I can provide some support.”
“No, thank you. In fact, that’s precisely the point. Aren’t the soldiers of the 5th Legion quite similar to them? Yet they’ve become an elite force without much issue. I made a similar judgment here.”
Whether you organize criminals into a regular army, or use gladiators as guards.
Honestly, there’s not much difference.
To someone unfamiliar, it would all seem questionable.
They’d probably just click their tongue and think, “Why bother?”
“……Is that so?”
“Yes. Even though I gave them freedom, they came straight to me. That suggests they have nowhere else to go and no one else to turn to. You could say they’re half like prisoners.”
“So that’s why you brought them in as subordinates?”
“That’s right. You also did a splendid job reforming criminals and turning them into elite troops.”
At those words, Adolf went silent for a moment, then gave a slight smile.
“That’s an interesting way to think.”
The reason he said that was obvious.
He hadn’t brought criminals into the legion out of any noble intention of reforming them. It was because those people were closer to the nature of evil.
It wasn’t about rehabilitation—it was about using them.
Of course, since I had framed it nicely, he’d probably just go along with it, considering it a fortunate coincidence.
“Of course, I don’t intend to place them in my personal guard right away. I plan to observe them a bit longer.”
“Alright. I understand your intentions. By the way, I heard you took first place in the tournament. It’s a bit late, but congratulations, Kyle.”
“Thank you.”
“Actually, the reason I came today is because I wanted to talk to you about that.”
“What is it?”
At my question, Adolf smiled bitterly.
“To be honest, it was unexpected. I knew you had talent, but I didn’t think you’d win a tournament of that scale. So, let me ask—are you thinking of becoming independent?”
Oh?
Looks like he’s getting quite nervous.
Even if the 5th Legion was a strong force, they couldn’t swallow a Marquisate without paying a price.
Destroyed facilities, reduced troops, foreign diplomatic relationships, and so on.
There was always post-war cleanup.
Naturally, they’d have to pour gold into that cleanup.
And now, he was probably thinking of using me to handle that cost.
But what if I said I planned to go independent and leave the family?
That would be like setting fire to his feet.
‘He’ll try to stop me no matter what.’
He’d most likely come now to try and persuade me.
Sure, he could try to force me, but even he knew that wasn’t a good method.
“To be frank, yes. Isn’t the title of Magic Tower Master far better than being a retainer of the Marquisate?”
“Well, that may be true… but if possible, I’d like you to work for the family. Even though we’re known for swordsmanship, a talented mage is still essential. Our family still has plenty of room to rise.”
“I understand what you’re saying. But I don’t think I can spend my whole life looking only toward the family.”
“…Is that what you really think?”
“Unless the family offers me full support, I believe becoming a Magic Tower Master would be the better path for me.”
If I pushed too hard for independence here, I might end up eating only dumplings while doing research.
That’s why I left room for negotiation.
Adolf pondered for a moment at my words before asking lightly,
“If it’s support you want…”
“Research funds would be the most important, I think. Magic, after all, is an academic field that costs a great deal. Whether the head of the family becomes our eldest brother or you, if full support is promised, I may be willing to reconsider.”
“Research funds, huh… I’ll make it happen. Even if our eldest brother becomes head, I’ll push for it strongly. And if I become the next family head, there’s no need to even say it.”
“Then I’d be most grateful.”
“Good.”
With that, Adolf and I quietly sipped our tea for a while.
After a brief silence.
He casually asked, as if it wasn’t a big deal.
“How are things with Father and our eldest brother?”
“These days, we at least manage to exchange a few simple words. But for years, we were practically worse than strangers…”
My answer had already been decided.
Respond without warmth, as if it weren’t anything significant.
Wouldn’t showing this kind of attitude make him think there’s still room to persuade me later?
At that, Adolf slowly nodded.
“…Well. Honestly, if you hadn’t shown talent in magic, things probably would’ve stayed the same.”
I gave a bitter smile at his words.
“That’s true. Honestly, isn’t it the same for both our eldest brother and you? You’re more interested in me as a mage than in me as a person. Father’s no different, really.”
I took a quiet sip of tea before continuing.
“So there’s not much emotion left. Just… I hope they’ll support me well going forward, that’s all.”
To him, this kind of attitude—one that might seem heartless on the surface—would work best.
Whether I staged a rebellion or not.
I was subtly implying that I’d be willing to side with them, as long as they supported me.
Of course, I had no real intention of doing so.
‘Still, it’s better to say it this way.’
That way, he’d feel reassured about me and wouldn’t hesitate to draw his sword when the time came.
“…I’m sorry to hear that.”
Though he said he was sorry, he didn’t seem particularly upset.
“…It’s alright. I think I spoke too bluntly. If I made you uncomfortable, I apologize.”
I spoke with a faint look of apology, and he shook his head.
“No. Me, Father, and even Abel. We all came to you because of your talent—not because of any sense of family affection, let’s be honest.”
When I gave a small nod at that, he cheerfully continued.
“It’s not like there’s zero affection, but trying to solve everything with feelings isn’t a great idea either. In fact, rebuilding our relationship from scratch might be better. As a ‘transaction.’ I understand how you feel, Kyle.”
Of course he would understand.
For him, that was the best position to take.
A transaction, huh.
It was clear just from that—once he took over the family, he planned to make a deal with me.
Whether he’d actually be able to follow through on that deal remained to be seen.
“Thank you, Brother.”
“Right. Seems time’s flown. I’d best be going now.”
“Yes. Thank you for making time despite your busy schedule.”
“No need to thank me. Didn’t I say it? I’m interested in you, Kyle—the mage. That’s why I came. In truth, I came for both you and the family.”
It seemed Adolf had solidified his position through this conversation.
Rather than relying on sentiment, he was going to push through with clear gains.
‘Well, if he’s going to misunderstand things that way—’
It worked out just fine for me.
After Adolf left, Leonhardt quietly entered.
“Has the conversation ended?”
“Roughly.”
“…What did you think?”
“He’s definitely preparing.”
“…Preparing for rebellion, you mean?”
“Probably. He was trying to feel me out. From what I think of Father and our eldest brother, to whether I intend to go independent. Based on his actions so far, he should be acting indifferent about who becomes the head of the family—but he wasn’t.”
“…I see.”
Seeing the worry on Leonhardt’s face, I gave a small smile.
“We might not be able to prevent it entirely, but there’s no need to look so grim. I’m making preparations. So is our eldest brother.”
“…It won’t be easy to stop, will it? From what you’ve said, even the knights closest to him have already been tainted by his power…”
That was likely the case.
Adolf and the remaining eleven high-ranking knights.
He had already swallowed them all, including the soldiers and knights under them.
Our family still had the Marquis, a Swordmaster, and three knights at top Expert rank.
‘But even with them, it’ll be hard to hold him back.’
Once they unleashed their power, their strength would multiply. It was only natural.
Still, it wasn’t a hopeless situation.
There would be sacrifices.
But we stood to gain something just as valuable.
This incident would give us the chance to root out all the pawns who’d been dreaming of rebellion.
“It’s something we have to go through eventually. Our job is to stop it. So be prepared. Once it happens, we’ll be plenty busy.”
“…I’ll do everything I can to protect you, Young Master.”
“Good. That’s enough. By the way, how’s the Sword Demon Unit doing?”
The Sword Demon Unit.
A squad of thirty gladiators, named after Seron’s talent.
Two top-tier.
Twelve high-tier.
Sixteen mid-tier.
If trained well, they’d more than earn their keep.
That’s why I was putting effort into raising them.
“Not bad. They all seem to have a strong will. Once they formally learn swordsmanship and internal techniques, I think they’ll shape up quite well.”
From the sound of it, they were following the training well.
‘Soon, I’ll be able to separate the gems from the stones.’
Rebellion.
It was during bloodshed and clashing swords that loyalty could truly be tested.
Good pay.
Comfortable bedding.
Full meals.
Even without teaching them sword techniques, I was providing enough support for them to settle here.
And I’d shown them a future—that if they proved themselves, I might teach them swordsmanship and internal techniques.
Now I intended to see whether they would be willing to lay down their lives for me.
Those who passed the test would be properly rewarded.
Reward and punishment must be clear.
It was one of my mottos.
‘When everything goes down… how many will still be at my side?’
I’d find out when the time came.
There were eleven days left until the rebellion.
Even in this volatile situation, my steps continued to head toward the library, where the Magic Tomes awaited me.
—
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