NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7
007.
Given these circumstances, it’s only natural that Sitram’s current state of mind is difficult to fathom, even two years or more after the events that transpired.
Just because someone is a grandfather doesn’t mean they can see into their grandchild’s soul, does it?
And it’s also quite obvious Kalen’s bandages are changed daily by his own hand.
Of course, Blamia felt like her head was about to split open.
She has grown increasingly restless now that her mistakes are haunting her even in her dreams, and she finds herself wanting Kalen to leave as soon as possible.
Past mistakes…
Though personal, for someone like Blamia, it’s not quite that simple.
Who is without a past or some baggage?
Everyone carries their share of scars, after all.
For Blamia, it was her grandson.
More precisely, Sitram, Sitna’s older brother.
Sitram was a genius.
Compared to Kalen… though it appears Sitram may have been slightly weaker than Kalen, that’s only because Kalen is an absurdly gifted monster.
How often do you hear about someone mastering Second-Rank magic at the age of thirteen?
In any case, Sitram was a genius.
A year before his coming-of-age ceremony, he had become moderately proficient with First-Rank magic.
Back then, the Dranunus Family was still intact.
Both Sitna’s parents were alive, and to put it plainly, it was a harmonious time.
Blamia grew greedy.
Calling herself a Great Magician, she saw talent in her grandson, though her son lacked the same brilliance.
With proper conditions and resources, why wouldn’t she nurture that talent?
The education Sitram received was unimaginably arduous.
Perhaps the mistake was that Sitram gritted his teeth and endured it all.
Blamia at the time had already crossed all lines of moderation.
What followed…
was something she didn’t like to dwell upon.
From then on, Blamia took Sitna and went into seclusion.
Though she hadn’t completely parted ways with the Dranunus Family, neither did she have the audacity to show her face.
Even looking at Kalen triggered painful memories of those days.
Though she tried her best to suppress them, certain aspects of Kalen’s talent reminded her of the past.
Sometimes, she caught herself explaining excessively advanced magical theories to Kalen and would be startled by the parallels.
That’s why she was preparing to bid Kalen farewell, although Sitna opposed it.
Without a way to counter Sitna’s objections, she was stuck.
“This matter, I hope it goes well…”
Just then, a request came her way.
Originally, it was something Blamia hadn’t intended to get involved in and had thus far ignored.
But now needing an excuse to send Kalen away, she decided to accept it.
Could this help alleviate Sitna’s attachment?
Blamia rose from her seat holding a vial given to her by a friend.
*
“Does it hurt?”
“No.”
“Liar.”
“…”
Kalen was perplexed.
It was because Sitna was too close.
Not that he minded particularly, but he was certainly aware that the distance between them was too intimate.
Ever since then, it felt like the distance had only closed further.
Sitna would ask every chance she got if his chest still hurt.
The initial shock had so deeply entrenched itself that it almost resembled a kind of illness.
Even sitting behind Kalen was due to the same reason—her unconscious way of attempting to cover the darkened area near his heart with her head.
On cue, one such moment unfolded:
A small vial flew Kalen’s way.
“Shouldn’t I be the one fetching your medication?”
“Thank you.”
The elderly man beside Kalen when he regained consciousness was none other than Blamia’s old friend and another Great Magician who reportedly had vanished long ago.
Kalen was surprised by his revelation to the extent that Sitna herself was caught off guard.
How could the renowned manufacturing-attributed Great Magician Austio Tide, famed for his unmatched expertise in healing and potion creation, be this old man?
Though unclear whether this impression of Kalen left any significant mark, he had been sending specially crafted medicines that countered the antitheses of spirit magic.
Although they had little effect, they were better than nothing.
Kalen consumed the medication.
As the bitter taste lingered and his eyebrows furrowed, Blamia took a seat.
“Boy.”
“Yes.”
“I have a small favor to ask of you before you leave.”
“Grandfather!!”
It was Sitna who immediately called out.
However, even though she normally would have compromised on such matters, Blamia stood her ground this time.
“I understand your feelings, Sitna. But how long do you plan to live in fear just because Kalen isn’t around? It doesn’t befit the granddaughter of this Blamia.”
“But still!”
“It’s not about getting rid of Kalen. I’m busy, so I’m simply asking you to handle this one small task.”
Blamia is one of only three Great Magicians.
There’s an endless supply of people seeking her out—those wanting her favor, others trying to use her for their own benefit. Naturally, she receives countless personal requests.
Blamia, far from selfless, has no obligation to fulfill anyone’s request. Kalen had already accompanied her on a few of these tasks.
“Sitna. This is something even you cannot refuse. It’s related to your taking over your duties as the head of the house.”
Blamia’s son, the former head of the Dranunus Family, had passed away, necessitating an heir. However, Sittram—though higher in the line of succession than Sitna—is no longer around.
Naturally, Sitna, as the next bloodline, should inherit the vacant position of family head.
At the same time, this was also something Sitna wanted.
She believed it her duty to eventually restore the Dranunus Family’s lost legacy.
“How…?”
It was, as the question implied.
When Blamia, the family’s primary support pillar, retreated into seclusion, the Dranunus Family lost much of its power.
Attempting now to reclaim their former glory would undoubtedly put them at odds with the numerous predators lurking in the shadows.
“This has to do with the promise made by Duke Lacatus.”
If you were to point out the most crucial locations in the Claire Empire, they could be broadly categorized into southern, southwestern, southeastern, and northern areas.
Of these, the southeastern region is under the responsibility of the Lacatus Dukedom.
It’s so vast that riding for an entire day wouldn’t cover the entirety of their territory.
Reflecting on this, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable.
Though not at her height of power, Blamia is still a Great Magician. And with the additional influence of the Lacatus Dukedom, opposing forces would inevitably take a step back.
“What do you need me to do, Master?”
“It’s nothing much. They’ll send a few individuals; just accompany them and help clean up the borders and the monsters a bit, and that’ll be it.”
This statement, however, sparked questions.
Duke Lacatus’s house and Great Magician Blamia—considering the weight of their names, the favor seemed rather trivial.
It could be due to manpower shortages, but Blamia’s involvement seemed unnecessary when a skilled mercenary group could have handled it quickly. Moreover, the Lacatus family included members skilled in magic; dealing with monsters in their territory should have been simple enough.
“Why such an easy task…”
“Would you prefer I give you a difficult one, boy? I’m just asking for a favor because I’m busy.”
Whether to accept or decline is entirely Blamia’s decision, but Kalen’s doubts remained.
It seemed odd that someone of Blamia’s caliber would be asked to take on such trivial work. Even more perplexing was the notion that this was how the Dranunus family would receive support.
It felt like an unjust trade—pocket money for a pouch of jewels.
Kalen couldn’t shake the feeling there was some kind of trap.
“If you truly dislike it, consider it repayment for everything I’ve done for you so far. It’ll be a favor to me, not them.”
“I understand, but wouldn’t it be quicker if you deal with it yourself, Master?”
“I’m busy, you brat.”
With that, Blamia stood, signaling the end of the conversation.
Kalen didn’t stop her, but his doubts remained.
Why delegate a task related to the Dranunus Family, especially under the guise of being too busy?
This point, at least, was incomprehensible.
*
Several days later, someone from the Lacatus Dukedom arrived.
Given it was a humble cottage, there wasn’t even a proper place to receive guests.
With such an informal setting, the disparity between the plain wooden furniture and the elegant, high-class attire of the visitors stood out all the more.
There were three people from the Lacatus family: an elderly man with a distinguished air, a middle-aged man with a sword at his left hip, and a young boy who appeared to be the attendant of the middle-aged man.
The elderly man with white streaks in his hair seemed to be their spokesperson, engaging directly in conversation with Blamia.
“Has it been well, Duke Dranunus?”
The old man spoke to Blamia with the utmost courtesy.
His mannerisms exuded the air of nobility, a clear reflection of Blamia’s standing.
“That title is long behind me.”
“Still, one’s true capabilities are not so easily diminished.”
The tea Kalen had served arrived at their respective places.
The elderly man made the first move to sip it.
“I am Eban, the administrative manager responsible for the external affairs of the Lacatus Dukedom. This is the knight captain, Brussel.”
The servant was not introduced.
Kalen, noticing this, glanced at the middle-aged man with the sword. The sword was intricately engraved, presumably the crest of the Lacatus family.
Kalen thought it was unusual to see swordsmen in high-ranking noble houses like this, though perhaps due to their stature, they maintained skilled swordsmen.
“Brussel? Isn’t that the restless fellow?”
“Ho ho… now that you mention it, it has been a while since we’ve seen Your Grace.”
“You lot must have been lying low because my scrutiny made you uneasy. Anyway, let’s get to the point. What about the heir you mentioned?”
“Heir? You’ve only taught him a few magics.”
Just then, Kalen, who had been standing by the side, stepped forward and offered a formal bow.
Seeing his face, the guests were clearly taken aback.
“Isn’t he the servant…?”
“I told you, I’ve merely taught him a few magics. He’s not the heir.”
“Ah, my apologies.”
This arrangement had been pre-planned between Kalen and Blamia.
Given they had many enemies, Blamia didn’t want to create unnecessary vulnerabilities. Until Kalen was fully independent, it was better if he didn’t advertise his connection too much, even if Blamia was responsible for him in the interim.
Such reactions were entirely within their expectations.
Kalen calmly introduced himself.