Chapter 161. Somehow, That’s What It Felt Like
Right, of course.
Because of a pointless impulse of justice, the topic had been pushed back a little, but from here on was the real subject.
Of course, it wasn’t as if everything said before this had been meaningless either.
‘It was something I had to say eventually anyway.’
In any case, I pulled out the thesis on Heavenly Origin Art I had carefully stored in my subspace and asked the question I had been holding back.
“You said I could get some kind of result if you looked at it yourself…”
“You’re in quite a hurry, aren’t you.”
“How could I not be?”
It was about obtaining the New Heavenly Origin Art I had longed for. Even if it was an incomplete intermediate result, its meaning to me was by no means small.
How could it be otherwise?
Paheren von Dekulan.
The secret art that raised that man to the rank of one of the strongest in history was precisely this New Heavenly Origin Art.
Of course, I never thought it was just that one art that made Paheren the strongest.
But, it was also undeniable that after acquiring the New Heavenly Origin Art, he had achieved astounding accomplishments that no one could ignore.
It was at that point that Henji opened his mouth.
“Aster, this is something I’ve been thinking for a while now.”
“…?”
“No, never mind. It’s not that important.”
I stared straight at Henji, who had brought up something only to pull back.
‘What’s with this bastard?’
If it wasn’t important, he shouldn’t have brought it up in the first place. Saying half of it only made me feel more irritated.
Normally, I’d have said, “Ah, fine, whatever,” and let it go, but seeing that meaningful look on Henji’s face, there was no way I could do that.
“What is it? Let’s hear it.”
“Really, it’s nothing.”
“…”
My fist trembled.
I was feeling justice coming on. And so, having succeeded in drawing my full attention, Henji smiled lightly, as if it truly was nothing, and spoke his mind.
“I don’t know if it’s just my imagination, but… your obsession with the New Heavenly Origin Art doesn’t seem normal.”
“…”
“Isn’t that right? Oh, and just to boast a bit, it really is an impressive art. But still, would you risk your life over it…? Hmm, I’m not sure.”
When I stayed silent, Henji’s eyes gleamed like a cat that had found a new toy.
“I thought maybe you were planning to discard all the techniques you’ve learned and start over with the New Heavenly Origin Art. You’re still young, after all. But according to Parun’s letters, your current mastery doesn’t seem shallow either.”
“So?”
“You’ve already achieved quite a bit. Most people wouldn’t risk everything to start anew. Is this… human curiosity, perhaps? Ah! Or maybe pure intellectual curiosity, like me or Parun? Hmm, that could be it. Intellectual curiosity. Very important, yes.”
While Henji nodded to himself, drumming up his own amusement, I could tell from his face that he had already half-confirmed a certain truth.
And what was that “certain truth”?
That I had already learned the Old Heavenly Origin Art.
“Well, that’s the thought that came to mind… not really much, right?”
Seeing his sly expression, my fist trembled again, but I forced a smile and pretended to stay calm.
“Rather than intellectual curiosity, it’s just… wouldn’t you be curious? They say the root of Dekulan’s art has been improved.”
“How many people would risk their lives just out of curiosity? Unless they’re insane.”
“…”
At that point, I had nothing to say.
Because he was right. There wasn’t a single sane person in the world who would burn their life over a curiosity like that.
Which meant…
‘He must think that I had to have learned the Old Heavenly Origin Art, otherwise I wouldn’t be this obsessed with the new one.’
Realizing that, I burst out laughing. It wasn’t that big a secret, after all. No, maybe it was something I couldn’t tell others, but to Henji and Parun, it was no longer something I needed to hide.
So, I was about to say, “Yes, your guess is right”…
When Henji spoke again.
“Oh dear, I’m rambling.”
“…”
“Ha ha, I guess meeting someone I can share secrets with loosened my tongue. Anyway, I’ll review your paper and get back to you. I can’t promise the results will come as quickly as Parun claimed, but I’ll do my best.”
So this was what it meant to be verbally beaten up. Beating me up with words and then casually ending the conversation, Henji was a master of it.
I forced a smile and clenched my teeth, slowly nodding while curling my fist tight.
‘I could just… punch him now.’
Of course, that was an impulse I wasn’t actually going to act on.
Well, maybe half of me wanted to, but still…
“Ah, by the way, you mentioned you had another question? The letter said you were researching a way to divide the Core.”
He changed the topic with incredible speed.
Suppressing my irritation, I nodded.
“Yeah. A way to split the Core.”
“Actually, the theory itself isn’t that complicated. The issue is the risk during the process and the efficiency afterward… hmm, but that’s strange. Dekulan’s Heavenly Origin Art doesn’t normally split the Core when it’s condensed…”
“Sigh.”
Past verse one, then two, then three, Henji just kept pressing my patience, so I glared daggers at him. And maybe because I hadn’t actually punched him yet, he laughed awkwardly and raised both hands in surrender, as if to say it was just a joke.
“I’ll select a few texts about division methods and send them to you. You shouldn’t have too much trouble understanding from those.”
“It’s not going to be another hundred volumes, is it?”
“Ha ha, of course not. Oh, and regarding the New Heavenly Origin Art, Parun said it only needs to be organized properly, but… still, it won’t be done in a day or two. How long are you planning to stay in Blando?”
How long would I stay in Blando…
I thought for a moment.
To be honest, I didn’t plan on staying long. Coming here hadn’t even been in my schedule; it was entirely for the Circle and the New Heavenly Origin Art. Once that was resolved, I’d return straight to the academy.
However…
“…Hmm, maybe it’s not a matter of how long I will stay, but how long I can stay.”
That was because of the Tulk family’s degenerate son. Depending on how they reacted, I might have to leave Blando sooner than I’d like.
Of course, that wouldn’t ruin my relationship with Blando, but still, assaulting the young heir of a vassal house wasn’t exactly something that could just be overlooked.
That aside…
‘Something about it still feels off.’
Who had provoked that idiot who couldn’t even think straight in front of matriarch?
It wasn’t an order from above. It must have been someone who knew that fool well, whispering in his ear.
Just as my thoughts began to spiral deeper…
“Is this about that Tulk family worm?”
“You know?”
“Everyone knows the Tulk family’s heir is a worm. In fact, his younger brother is the more capable one.”
“No, I mean, that’s not what I meant.”
There was something strange in Henji’s tone, almost as if he already knew about the “righteous punishment” earlier today.
“Oh, you mean the incident at the tailor shop? I don’t know the details, but I know the gist.”
“…How?”
“Wouldn’t it be strange if I didn’t know? Parun only has one life, but me… well, you know.”
So, he meant he was staying cautious, making sure no trouble spread to Blando.
“I didn’t think you were that loyal to your house.”
“I’m not. But my foolish younger brother is.”
Ah, right.
He did have a brother.
Our first meeting had been because of that idiot, but he was so forgettable that I had completely forgotten his existence.
“Was his name Stanley?”
Something like that.
“I don’t recall ever mentioning his name.”
Ah, maybe not then.
Then what was Stanley?
He just seemed like a guy who’d have that kind of forgettable name. If not, whatever.
Anyway, that unremarkable fool, well, since he’s a little better than the Tulk idiot, let’s call him the Half-Wit.
The Half-Wit wasn’t the point.
‘Right, why didn’t I think of this before?’
I could just ask Henji. Ask what Lancy meant by that “unusual vassal house.” And find out who it was that whispered in the Tulk heir’s ear.
Henji was the perfect person to ask, the one who could answer what matriarch and Lancy couldn’t, or what was too delicate to ask them.
Just as I reached that thought…
Henji smiled faintly and spoke.
“Well then, I think I can help you with that part. What do you say, Aster? I’d like to hear your opinion.”
“Help?”
I raised an eyebrow at the unexpected offer.
But Henji didn’t stop there.
“Yes. I can make it so the Tulk family can’t make an issue out of that worm incident. If you’d like, I can also resolve the matter with the vassal house that’s been raising a problem with you.”
“The vassal house issue too?”
“Yes. I don’t know if you’ve guessed, but in my opinion, the Tulk family and that vassal house are connected incidents. So if I’m going to fix it, I might as well take care of both.”
“…Hold on.”
I raised a hand to stop him.
Too much information was coming at once, I needed to organize it.
First off…
‘So it really was that unusual vassal house that provoked the Tulk idiot?’
And second…
‘And Henji can resolve all of this?’
“You look a little confused. Would you like me to explain?”
“Keep it brief.”
Henji nodded with his usual mild smile.
“First, the vassal house in question is Zilox. The thing is, they’re a rather… unusual vassal.”
“Lancy said that too. What’s so special about them?”
“Oh, you didn’t know? The current head of Zilox is our lord’s elder brother.”
“Sworn brother?”
“No, real brother.”
“…?”
Wait, so the head of Zilox was the uncle of the current head of Blando, meaning Demian’s uncle?
“How’s that possible? Did he found the house himself?”
But even that didn’t make sense. Even if a blood relative founded a separate house, it wouldn’t normally be accepted as a vassal unless it was strong enough. And it was rare for separated kin to create an entirely new house at all.
Henji smiled, clearly amused by my confusion.
“The previous head of Zilox had no sons. Of course, it wasn’t unheard of for a daughter to inherit the title… but unfortunately, none of the daughters were particularly gifted.”
“So…”
“It’s a common enough story. A house without an heir, and a man who couldn’t become the lord of Blando. Their interests aligned perfectly, don’t you think?”
What the hell, this was… unexpectedly entertaining.
Anyway, the reason Zilox was “special” was simple. Its head was the elder brother of the current lord.
Of course, the family law was strict, so even being the lord’s brother didn’t grant much power, but still, it made them difficult to treat like any other vassal.
Then, a scene like a tragicomedy flashed in my head.
“Is the lord of Blando currently away?”
“Yes, you’ve heard about the incident in the Hamern Great Forest, haven’t you? It disrupted the supply of magical materials, so he’s gone on another long expedition.”
Aha. So that was it.
“I see now.”
“What do you see?”
Henji looked at me with bright curiosity.
Matching his tone, I laid out the pieces that had just clicked perfectly in my mind.
“The house making trouble for me, the Zilox family, is doing so to reduce the matriarch family’s influence. I’m just a convenient excuse. They’re using this chance to assert their own power. With the lord away, this is their golden opportunity.”
Isn’t that a bit much for something so trivial, you ask? Well, power always falls that way.
‘Absolute power’ is only absolute because no one dares defy it. Once even a single exception appears, its authority begins to crumble.
“So then, what’s the Zilox family’s real goal?”
“Hmm, interesting. Go on.”
“Treason.”
Yes, there was no other answer.
“Seizing the throne.”
By gradually weakening the matriarch family’s hold while the lord was absent, and expanding their own influence within Blando bit by bit…
“The goal is to finally claim the seat of Blando’s lord that they couldn’t before.”
That was my conclusion about Zilox’s plan.
Henji began clapping.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Hearing that dry applause spread through the air, I smiled proudly. It really was a sharp deduction, even by my own standards.
‘Tsk, then what about Demian?’
I’d have to help him.
As I thought that, Henji’s voice rang in my ear.
“Impressive. In an instant, you’ve made the head of Zilox out to be a patricidal traitor plotting to kill his own brother.”
“…?”
Wait, so that wasn’t it? Then what?
“Well, since you seem to be under a grave misunderstanding, I’ll clarify. But first…”
“First?”
“I’d like to express my deepest respect for your boundless distrust of mankind.”
“…”
Of all people, I hadn’t expected Henji to be the one saying that to me.
Maybe… maybe I really had strayed just a little from the side of the good.
Somehow, that’s what it felt like.
