* * *
After an emotional breakdown, I learned a great deal about the Kreveta family through Arthur—things that were never even mentioned in the novel.
The Marquisate of Kreveta.
A family tasked with safeguarding the border for generations, they were what you’d call frontier lords.
The western regions of the continent were infamous for their harsh and barren climate, but what made them truly inhospitable was their proximity to the border shared with the Kingdom of Roite.
Being a border territory, the Kreveta family had endured numerous skirmishes with Roite.
It was said that thanks to their efforts, these conflicts never escalated into full-scale wars.
Moreover, they had played a significant role during the Continental Unification War.
Naturally, after the war ended, efforts were made to undermine the frontier lords.
The Emperor of the Sinoa Empire, who had achieved continental unification, seemed to particularly target the Marquisate of Kreveta and the Duchy of Pantheon.
Many injustices were inflicted upon them, which led the two families—already on friendly terms—to forge even stronger ties.
As a result, the central powers of the Empire now argued that the authority granted to the frontier lords should be further diminished.
But such arguments showed a lack of understanding.
Nearly 200 years had passed since the continent’s unification, yet remnants of the Kingdom of Roite stubbornly clung to life, loitering at the border.
In fact, just 50 years ago, there had even been a war with a rebellion led by Roite’s surviving royalty.
This hidden history had never been revealed in the novel.
“But at this point, the Marquis and his wife died in an unexpected carriage accident?”
Anyone could tell it wasn’t an accident but an incident.
Whether or not the remnants of Roite were behind it, it seemed suspicious that Sean’s biological parents entrusted so much to the Duke and Duchess, as if they had foreseen everything.
I was also curious about how the current Marquisate, now without an heir, was managing things.
But I refrained from asking; it didn’t suit Sean’s current setting.
On top of that, I also learned that the Kreveta family was renowned for their magical prowess.
They were particularly skilled in large-scale area magic, possessing unique magical formulas passed down through their lineage.
“So that’s why Sean’s middle name includes Noir.”
For reference, Raizen’s middle name, Miel, meant lovely in an ancient tongue.
“Today’s lesson ends here,” Arthur announced.
“Yes! Thank you!”
When I responded, Arthur smiled, looking unusually wistful.
“Teacher…?”
“Young Master,” he said softly, approaching me and meeting my gaze.
“I’m truly sorry that I could only share information about the Kreveta family today. But one thing is certain: your parents loved you deeply.”
“…”
“And if you have questions or sadness in your heart, don’t hide it. Feel free to share those thoughts with your other parents. You don’t need to be mindful of anyone else’s opinion—it’s the most natural thing to do.”
‘What’s this? Why is he so kind all of a sudden?’
I was convinced that Arthur Sothes’ settings had been altered.
Otherwise, there was no way he’d act like this.
Hiding my startled thoughts, I forced a slightly sorrowful smile.
“Yes…! Thank you, Teacher!”
‘At least he’s stopped scrutinizing me so much.’
The grand assembly hall had an imposing atmosphere despite its somewhat rough design.
At the head seat, instead of the current Marquis Kreveta, sat the former Marquis, acting as the family’s representative.
His hair had turned white, and deep wrinkles lined his face.
Once called the Silver Lion of the Battlefield, even he had not escaped the ravages of time.
Still, his upright posture and the dignified gleam in his deep blue eyes ensured no one underestimated him, even after hours of sitting.
“Well then, onto the next item…”
As the former Marquis flipped through some documents, his brow furrowed.
The sudden surge of anger he exuded caused most of the attendees to hold their breath.
Of course, there were always a few who prioritized their own ambitions.
Among them was the one who had proposed adding the matter of heir designation to today’s agenda—and he was bold enough to raise his hand.
The former Marquis fixed his gaze on the man who had dared to speak up.
It was the head of the Anton branch of the Kreveta family.
“So, it’s you,” the Marquis said, his low voice heavy with an oppressive force that seemed to crush the man’s entire being.
Trembling, the head of the Anton family mustered all his strength to stand on his shaking legs.
“W-with all due respect… The Kreveta family, as frontier lords, has long…”
Though stuttering, he managed to recite the lines he had prepared, arguing that leaving the position of heir vacant for too long posed a danger to the family, given its precarious position since the continental unification.
“T-therefore… as a temporary measure… perhaps through a contest or…”
“Wouldn’t it be better to fill the position for now?”
Surprisingly, the former Marquis, who had been listening silently, spoke.
His single statement caused the others—who had been nervously exchanging glances—to widen their eyes in shock.
“Y-yes! Exactly!”
The former Marquis stroked his chin and nodded thoughtfully.
“That’s true.”
“Yes, for the sake of the family, we must quickly select an heir!”
“Indeed, it is clear how deeply you care for this family, acting head!”
With just one remark, the representatives of the branch families and retainers swarmed the Marquis with eager agreement.
He looked at them one by one, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Well then… when and how should we proceed…”
“However,” he interrupted, freezing the room with a single word.
Sweeping his gaze across the assembly, the former Marquis gave a sharp grin.
“We’ll discuss it after the body of Sean Noir Kreveta, our missing heir, is found.”
The head of the Anton family trembled at the utterly unexpected declaration.
For generations, the Marquisate of Kreveta had dealt with family matters with a clear-eyed focus, prioritizing the family’s welfare over personal bonds.
The former Marquis, known as the strongest Kreveta in history, had kept the family from collapsing entirely under his leadership.
“He was supposed to agree…!”
The head of the Anton family couldn’t hide his growing unease, while the Marquis let out a quiet chuckle.
“Why that expression? If something is amiss, speak freely.”
“T-that’s…”
“This seat is passed from father to son. From the moment Sean Noir Kreveta was born, he was the rightful heir of this family. Unless his death is confirmed by finding his body, it’s too soon to consider alternatives, don’t you think?”
The Marquis spoke of his grandson as if he were discussing someone else’s business.
Yet everyone present knew how much he loved Sean.
‘How much anguish he must be hiding. Yet he judges this matter with such clarity, prioritizing the family above all else!’
Some even discreetly wiped away tears.
Meanwhile, a group determined to resolve the heir matter exchanged covert glances.
‘The old lion still has tricks up his sleeve.’
If he had reacted emotionally and aggressively, it would have been possible to rally public criticism after the conference.
However, the former Marquis of Kreveta responded as if he had already discerned their intentions long ago.
Raising his voice here would only worsen public opinion.
At a subtle signal, a man tapped the table lightly twice—just enough for Anton, standing nearby, to notice. Anton shuddered slightly before nodding his head.
“Y-Yes, that’s correct!”
Having barely managed to get those words out, Anton collapsed into his chair.
“……”
A pair of deep blue eyes quietly observed him as he gasped for breath, covering his mouth with one hand.
Once the conference concluded, the former Marquis of Kreveta headed directly to the office.
It was a place that had once been his, but ever since he passed it down to his son with a relieved heart, he never thought he’d return.
Yet now, finding his feet naturally carrying him there, he felt a pang of sadness.
“You’ve worked hard today as well.”
His aide, who had silently followed him, finally broke the silence.
This was a longtime friend and subordinate who had retired with him, only to be dragged back into service.
The former Marquis let out a small sigh and laughed self-deprecatingly.
“Because of me, you’re suffering in your later years.”
“Well, now that you acknowledge it, it makes enduring it a bit easier.”
“What?”
The former Marquis glanced sideways at the aide before letting out a small chuckle.
“I feel the same.”
Before they knew it, they had reached the office.
As the aide opened the door, the former Marquis stepped inside.
No sooner had the sound of the door shutting echoed than he cast both soundproofing and detection spells.
“Seems no rats have snuck in during my absence.”
He muttered loudly enough for his own words to sound like a proclamation, then walked over and sat at the head seat.
His gaze turned to the man seated to his right—Duke Pantheon.
“Thank you for going through the trouble to come here discreetly, Duke.”
The deep blue eyes glimmered faintly.
“How is our little one doing?”
The Duke of Pantheon, who had entered the Marquis’ office without anyone’s knowledge, finally spoke.
“He’s in good health.”
* * *
