Lord of the Time: I Can Reincarnate Infinitely

Chapter 368: 368: 30 Years in Heidong!



In the weeks following the tumultuous events surrounding Rose's death, a noticeable calm settled over the De Vera mansion. The legal aftermath, however, carried its own share of surprises and consequences.

Rihanna, in her attempt to shield Caleb from the repercussions of their coerced actions, found herself handed a severe 50-year prison sentence. The legal proceedings were less than thorough, and Rihanna's well-intentioned but misguided confession ultimately worked against her.
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As the trial concluded and the legal system rendered its judgment, the mansion adjusted to a new normal. Caleb, on the surface, maintained a semblance of regularity. Excelling in exams and spending time with Mei and Fatty in their haven, the forest of lone wolves, he appeared unaffected by the recent turmoil.

Yet, behind this facade, Caleb's actions took a morally ambiguous turn. Using his unique abilities, he orchestrated a subtle transfer of consequences, redirecting diseases and injuries away from his grandfather's subordinates to prisoner. This maneuver raised questions about the ethical implications of Caleb's choices, blurring the lines between right and wrong. But he doesn't give a fuck.

...

Jeff, Caleb's grandfather and patriarch of the De Vera family, stood before Caleb, a glint of pride in his eyes. "Caleb," he said in a direct tone, "for your exceptional efforts and the unique skills you've displayed, I've decided to reward you with two A-rank swords and one S-rank technique. Consider it recognition of your abilities."

Caleb's eyes widened at the generous reward. Two A-rank swords and an S-rank technique were considered top-tier in the realm of martial prowess. He accepted the swords with gratitude, knowing the value they held in his growing arsenal.

However, the generous reward stirred a heated debate within the De Vera family. Caleb's father, Richard, expressed his concerns. "Dad, this reward seems too rich. We should be cautious about setting such precedents. It might create expectations that are hard to meet in the future."

Jeff, leaning on his cane, responded with a wry smile. "Richard, my boy, don't underestimate the significance of your son's actions. He cured my subordinates of diseases and injuries that would have cost me fifty times more than this reward. Consider it a fair exchange for services rendered."

The argument echoed through the corridors of the mansion, reaching the ears of the maids who couldn't help but share their opinions. One of the maids, outspoken and resolute, confronted Richard. "Transferring diseases to others is just plain wrong. It goes against all moral principles."

Caleb's father, unyielding in his stance, retorted, "Maid, your place is not to question matters beyond your understanding. The De Vera family operates in a world where moral ambiguity often prevails. My son's actions, while unconventional, served a purpose."

Caleb, caught in the crossfire, interjected, "There's a gray area here. Not everyone deserves the same consequences. It's a Machiavellian philosophy – the ends justify the means. Some people deserve to suffer more than lesser evils and that's what I provided."

The tension in the De Vera mansion hung thick as the debate over Caleb's actions continued, each participant adamant in their stance. Caleb, not one to back down, stepped into the verbal arena armed with his own perspective.

"Look," Caleb began, his tone firm, "let me give you three real-world examples. Imagine a corrupt politician, a criminal mastermind, and a tyrant who causes suffering to countless innocent lives. Don't they deserve harsher consequences than a regular person?"

His argument aimed to establish a moral gray area, where the severity of actions warranted proportional consequences. Yet, the maid, driven by a strong sense of morality, countered with three emotionally charged arguments.

"But Mr. Adam," she implored, "what if someone is forced into wrongdoing due to circumstances beyond their control? What if they're desperate or manipulated? Is it fair to meet the same punishment to those who may not have a choice?"

Her emotional counterarguments sought to appeal to empathy and compassion, challenging the notion of a one-size-fits-all approach to consequences.

Jeff, chimed in with his own perspective, leaning heavily on the concept of absolute power. "Look," he said, his voice resonating with authority, "In the grand scheme of things, the powerful are akin to gods. The weak are like ants before them. Absolute power allows for absolute decisions. If my grandson possesses such power, he has the right to do as he pleases with those weaker than him."

Jeff's argument leaned towards the belief in the supremacy of power, dismissing the concerns of morality in favor of a hierarchical view where strength justified actions.

"I apologize if my words seemed audacious, sir," Anica said, her tone softened. "I understand my place and shouldn't question matters beyond my station."

Richard, though unwavering in his beliefs, appreciated Anica's humility. "No need to apologize, Anica. Everyone's entitled to their opinions."

Before Anica left, she couldn't resist one final argument, a plea grounded in principles that transcended their immediate context. "Mr. Adam, remember the words of the protagonist from 'Battle Through the Heavens.' He said, '30 years on the river's east, 30 years on the river's west, don't bully the young for being poor and weak!'"

Caleb nodded speechlessly. Inwardly, he couldn't help but complain. "This world still knew Xio Yan's words?"

Anica, having delivered her final point, left the room with a respectful bow, leaving the De Vera family in contemplative silence. The weight of her words lingered, a reminder that even in a world where power held sway, principles of fairness and compassion should endure.

Caleb turned his gaze towards Jeff, his grandfather, and Richard, his father, a curious glint in his eyes. "Have Xiao Yan's words touched you as well?" he asked.

Jeff, leaning on his cane, smiled wistfully. "I read that when I was young. It brings back memories." He shifted his attention to Caleb and Richard. "You see, Adam, the world is like a delicate balance. It's made up of 70% weaklings and 30% strong individuals. While the strong rules, the weak are the foundation of society."

He continued his argument, providing real-world examples to illustrate his point. "Consider weapons. Even the strongest warriors need well-crafted weapons made by skilled craftsmen, who may not possess the physical prowess but contribute significantly. Knowledge, science, small inconvenient matters, and different skills – all these aspects rely on the contributions of the seemingly 'weak' to support the 'strong.'"

Jeff's perspective emphasized the interdependence of strengths and weaknesses, highlighting that even those in powerful positions are reliant on the collective efforts of the seemingly less potent.

Richard nodded in agreement. "He's right, son. Strength doesn't mean superiority in every aspect. We all have our roles and contributions, creating a harmonious balance in the grand scheme of things."

Caleb, absorbing their words, pondered the significance of Xiao Yan's line in a broader context. 'Deep...'


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