Reset Life – Chapter 125

Chapter 125: Time to Grant the Request 3

“And you’re saying he’ll clearly become the dew on the execution stand? Or become a single line in the historical annals. Hmm, depending on how you think about it, the perspective will be slightly different, Father. Are there any magnanimous leaders who protect the honor of a traitor?”

“If I am clear with myself, I fear nothing.”

“I understand that Father is prepared for death. But what sin have Mother and Sera committed? Just because they lost in the power game, the principle of guilt by association will be applied, and they will die without leaving behind any honor or anything.”

“As nobles, shouldn’t they be prepared for such things? I don’t know since I haven’t met them yet, but they must have already prepared themselves mentally.”

I crossed my arms and looked at my father who was silent.

It’s not that I don’t understand his feelings.

The Imperial Family, to which he has devoted his entire life, is on the verge of collapse, and he has been accused of treason after losing in a power struggle, but he will not lose the noble attitude he has maintained throughout his life.

Because that is how you protect your honor.

I scratched my head. I’ll say just one word, no more, no less.

“Restore honor that has been insulted with your sword.”

It’s the same thing I said when I challenged Pilledvan Salain to a duel.

It’s our family’s law.

There are no preconditions attached to those words. It’s something that can be applied to anyone.

“However, we cannot point our swords towards the Imperial Family, towards the Empire. As you know, our family is a family of founders of the nation. Our fate is tied to the Empire.”

“It’s like being betrayed after being used. Since you keep talking about the family, I’ll tell you a story about the family as well. Why should the Imperial Family be excluded from the family’s law? It’s not as if the family doesn’t exist without the Imperial Family. As Father knows better than anyone, the founder of our family took the initiative to defend the Gray Forest. There were no orders from the Emperor.”

Above all, the first Duke of Orknesia was not a subordinate of the Emperor, but the Emperor’s advisor and shield.

From the beginning, the Imperial Family and the Herduke Family are not in a superior-subordinate relationship.

Moreover, isn’t it an insult to our ancestors that the family will be erased from this land because of the schemes of those who are not even the Imperial Family, but merely riding on the coattails of the Imperial Family?

On top of that, I don’t like the fact that the conversation is going in circles.

“What exactly is bothering you that makes you so afraid to resist the Imperial Family? They are the ones who said they don’t need us and cast us aside. On top of that, they have tarnished our honor. Even if Father goes to Orknesia, takes control of it, and raises a rebellion, they won’t be able to say anything.”

“Then why are you recommending this path to me? You’re old enough to know that everyone has their own way of life, so what’s the reason you’re trying to lead it in your own way?”

“Are you perhaps…… trying to become the Emperor yourself?”

Hyung-nim looked at me with fire in his eyes. And I looked at Hyung-nim with an almost chilling sense of disappointment. Seriously, why did he become so stupid after getting married?

“Didn’t I say it before? What sin have Mother and Sera committed? The sin of being blood-related. And what about Sister-in-law, who is a foreigner? To put it bluntly, her family will also be devastated. To be honest, if they were plotting treason and this happened, I wouldn’t have anything to say, but isn’t it unfair?”

“Are you saying you’re doing this because you can’t stand to see that?”

“Yes. That’s right. Because I’m also family.”

I’m being sincere. No matter how much they disapprove of me, I can’t help but be family. If a blood relative dies, anyone would feel sadness.

I don’t want to feel that kind of sadness yet. I don’t want to make others feel it either.

However, regardless of my thoughts, there are annoying cases in the world where sincerity is distorted no matter how much you explain.

“Humph. Easy for you to say. Aren’t you trying to drag us all down because you’re also going to be disadvantaged? To put it so nicely, are you saying that because we’ve been accused of treason, we should actually become traitors? And family? Don’t make me laugh.”

“If you’re only going to say things that aren’t helpful, I told you to shut up. I know very well that I’m not Mother’s biological child.”

“Wh, what……!?”

“……!”

Father and Hyung-nim were both surprised at the same time. Especially Father, who was showing undeniable astonishment despite his stern expression.

I said to Father.

“I know very well that I’m not Mother’s biological child, and yet Mother treated me as her own. That’s why Hyung-nim and Father disapprove of me. To be honest, I don’t care if you two become the dew on the execution stand or the flower of the execution ground or whatever. However, I absolutely do not want to see the people who will be saddened by it.”

“How did you know?”

I covered one eye and muttered softly. I temporarily undid the magic permanently cast on my eye and spoke as I watched the two of them become surprised once again.

“As Father said, I’ve met a lot of people outside the house. And among them were mages and priests. Recently, I even met the most impressive being. Among the people I met like that, there was my real maternal grandmother.”

“Hmm……”

Father groaned, crossing his arms. This is my wild card. To convey my sincerity, it’s important to show that I accept everything, rather than some awkward family love.

“If you think about it, it can’t help but be strange. Theron, Risel, Sera. The nicknames of the three siblings seem unrelated, but I’m the only one with a different first syllable. And Hyung-nim’s peculiarity that’s almost strange. Different eyes. There’s more than enough material to think about. Yes. I am a bastard treated as a legitimate child. However, I cannot stand to see Mother and Sera, who cherished and loved me without knowing anything, being sacrificed because of Father’s arbitrary decision.”

I stood up from my seat.

Not all plans go according to plan.

However, humans have the improvisation bestowed upon them by God.

Even if I can’t get their cooperation, I’m going to achieve the goal of the plan.

“I’ll be leaving now. I originally intended to ask for your cooperation, but I’ve changed my mind. There are plenty of people I can ask for cooperation besides the two of you. I’ll go see Mother and Sera. And I’ll also meet some of the servants.”

This is not a request, but a notification. After deciding everything, it’s a stubborn action with no intention of listening to dissuasion.

“The date of execution is the night of the 5th. I’ll see you again then. I’m also planning to inform my maternal family. I don’t think they’ll be as stubborn as Father. If you don’t intend to go, there’s nothing I can do. But I don’t think you’ll be able to resist.”

I smiled faintly.

If they don’t come quietly, I’ll have to kidnap them.

In this case, resistance from the abductees is expected, but I haven’t revealed my hidden card yet.

Leaving the two men of the Herduke Family speechless, I turned my back.

November 5th, Imperial Year 375.

The day of execution dawned.

Except for the fact that I almost got beaten to death by my maternal grandfather, the rescue operation was proceeding smoothly. Why is that old man taking his anger out on me, seriously……

Anyway, there’s a lot to do today, but I was focusing on the immediate conversation.

「The situation in the Imperial Capital is a mess. I expected it, but it feels like it’s getting more intense than I thought.」

「We’re fine here, so worry about yourself first.」

It had been a long time since I had a conversation with Lime-hyung.

When I was in the Gray Forest, I was out of range of magic and completely out of contact, and afterward, I passed through the Spirit’s Path, so communication was not properly established.

Well, I wouldn’t put the Gray Forest within communication range either.

The situation in Azot was better than expected. However, the movements of the dark forces there are suspicious. Since Silvan Harcian went there, something must have happened.

「How’s the succession to the throne going? Isn’t it about time you became king?」

「Father is also saying the same thing. I think I’ll become king soon. Honestly, it’s not a position I want to occupy. There’s a lot of work, it’s annoying. Being a king is such a nuisance.」

「The people of Azot would be frustrated if they heard that. The next king is saying such things.」

「Do you think that’s something the person who will lead the rebellion in the Empire should say? If a war breaks out there, there’s bound to be refugees here. Just thinking about that gives me a headache.」

「You’re being noisy. Even if a war breaks out, it will happen between the central part of the Empire and Orknesia, so there won’t be any damage to you.」

The civil war in the Empire will be beneficial to Azot in many ways. While the Empire is busy, they can focus their energy elsewhere.

Considering the time it will take for post-war recovery, Azot would want to welcome it with open arms. They will be able to buy a lot of time.

「Are you saying that to make me feel good? Do you think I don’t know your intentions? You’re thinking of shifting as much of the burden as possible to this side. For example, pressuring Narvilt.」

「Oh, as expected of a father. Your scope of thinking has broadened.」

「I think that has nothing to do with being a father.」

「Ah, right. Is Daisy doing well?」

「Don’t even get me started. I’m losing sleep worrying about where to marry her off to. So why didn’t you just take her? That would have been much better. The offer I made back then is still valid.」

「Hey, hey, it was like that back then, but now I’d be a dead man if I did that. And you wouldn’t be safe either.」

Imagine if I were to take Daisy as my wife now. I’d be a dead man that day, and the King of Azot would be designated as the Black New Moon’s top priority target.

Of course, there’s no fool who would marry off a princess to a place where a civil war is about to break out, so it’s nothing more than a joke.

Lime-hyung laughed heartily at my joke and said.

「If it’s Ibi, it’s understandable. The future hardships are clear. Oh, right. I have some advice for you. If you want to have beautiful children, now’s your chance.」

「What are you trying to say now?」

「I hear that women have trouble getting pregnant after they turn thirty. Their twenties are the perfect time. So hurry up and make it happen before the year ends.」

「Sorry, but I haven’t even kissed her yet.」

「Are you even a man? Go find a mage and get a sex change right now. I’m ashamed that you and I are the same gender! You idiot!」

「Mr. Married Man, please shut up. Okay?」

If I grimace while holding the necklace, what will others think? I had to work hard to avoid being labeled as crazy.

No, no matter how much I try to create a mood with Levidian, I doubt if that lady, who has fallen for that sword, will go along with it, and there’s this strange disconnect between us.

Hmm. For now, I should be grateful that she even accepted the ring. Actually, the ring was naturally put on her finger somehow.

And there’s no time to progress, lately.

「Hey, hey, Risel, just listening to you, it’s obvious that you’re going to be very busy in the future, so if you don’t make progress now, when will you? It’s good that you and Ibi fought back to back and all that. But that’s possible even between comrades.」

「Hmm, Hyung-nim, I think you’ve become very similar to someone I know.」

「Hmm. I got a little excited. It’s because I want my first love to be happy.」

「First love?! Wow! You have quite unique tastes, Your Majesty, the next King of Azot.」

「The rebel of tomorrow is even more unique. Let’s stop the small talk and I’ll be careful about that Silvan Harcian guy. While you’re attracting talent near the Empire, I’ve been doing the same.」

Lime-hyung said confidently. Well, he’s in a similar situation to mine, so he must have been making his own preparations.

I can be relatively relieved.

「Then I’ll keep an ear out and tie up the Western Army at the right time. Just a little provocation will do.」

「Hmm, usually revolutionaries promise something in this kind of situation, right? If an Emperor emerges from your family, shouldn’t you give me something later?」

「If you want something, officially join the alliance. Why are you acting like that when you know better? Our current cooperative relationship is unofficial.」

「You’re using me as you please. Alright. Thanks for the information. And be careful in the future. Don’t make Ibi cry.」

「Unnecessary interference.」

I replied curtly and cut off the communication.

Hmm. For now, I can be relieved that nothing special is happening in Azot. Silvan Harcian went there, but it seems he hasn’t made a move yet.

Now that the safety of my collaborator has been confirmed, I should start properly on this side as well, right?

Jay and Old Man were busy running around, preparing for today. Aila seemed to be making thorough preparations in her own way, being away from her post for several hours a day.

After visiting home, I had finished everything I needed to do by visiting my maternal family once. I spent the remaining time discussing with Jay, Old Man, and Aila, determining the rescue operation and escape route.

Lucy and Levidian had nothing to do until the day of the operation, so they rested.

Security in the Imperial Capital Nek had been tightened considerably lately, so AJOR’s cheerful friends – Jay’s expression – were having very unpleasant days.

So, as the head of the organization, I had to prepare a ‘small festival’ to relieve their stress.

My instructions were carried out in randomly selected locations throughout the Imperial Capital. A considerable amount of money was spent, but I’m unexpectedly a big shot, you know.

“Master, it’s time.”

“Boss, let’s go.”

At the call of Jay and Old Man, I nodded.

Imperial Capital, wait for me.

I’ll make today an unforgettable night!

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