Chapter 157
“Noona.”
“Yeah?”
“You can let go now.”
“…You’re not going to rush into the arena, right?”
“Yeah, the match is already over.”
At my words, Lisa nodded.
Then she released my arm, which she had been gripping tightly.
“Sorry for grabbing you so suddenly. But… it was my instinct. My instinct told me I had to stop you from going.”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize, Noona.”
A moment ago, when Eisen had taken that blow to the shoulder and suddenly summoned lava—
I had stood up without even realizing it, ready to jump into the arena.
My body had moved before my mind.
It felt like… I had to fight that power, that I had to confirm with my own eyes what it was.
But Lisa had stopped me with all her strength.
“You said you felt like you shouldn’t let me fight that power… right?”
Just as I had acted on instinct, Lisa had acted on hers.
So, I’d listened to her and hadn’t charged into the arena.
But when Eisen kicked Sara, forcing her arm into the lava, and then tried to cut her right arm—
In that instant, I almost shook Lisa off and jumped in.
Fortunately, that didn’t happen.
Because Luke had entered the arena first and stopped Eisen.
“Sara… doesn’t look good.”
“Yeah, her right arm’s in bad shape.”
Luke was carrying Sara and quickly leaving the arena.
And even from afar, I could see clearly—
The state of her right arm.
“Thanks to her aura, her arm’s shape is still intact… but can burns that severe really be healed completely?”
“I don’t know either. But with burns like that… she might never be able to use her right arm properly again.”
At Lisa’s words, I nodded.
That burn would likely torment Sara’s right arm forever.
And that was especially cruel for her.
“Sara’s right-handed, and precision is everything in the Isrinbloom Family’s swordsmanship.”
But now, her right arm was ruined.
Unless it could be perfectly healed… Sara would never be able to use her family’s swordsmanship properly again.
For someone who had walked the path of the sword all this time, that was unbearably cruel.
“Anyway, Noona. Have you ever seen anyone control lava before?”
“No. Not that I’ve seen. Not even heard of.”
“Same here.”
In the game, using lava as a skill… wasn’t impossible.
But that was only if you had raised a magician character—specifically, one specializing in the fire element—to the absolute maximum.
In other words, even in the game, controlling lava was extremely difficult.
In this world’s setting, those who used lava in battle were so few they could be counted on one hand.
“No matter how strong Eisen is, or how talented in fire magic… there’s no way a student could summon and manipulate lava like that. Even someone as skilled as Kara would struggle with that.”
Besides, that hadn’t been magic.
I wasn’t a magic expert, but I’d learned enough to tell.
The power Eisen used—it wasn’t magic.
That unique current of mana, the consumption of magical energy—I hadn’t felt any of it.
“And more than that… the fact that he manipulated lava itself bothers me.”
The ancient evil god I was currently tracking—Bedir.
It was said Bedir was an ancient being who once dwelled in Muktaba and controlled lava.
“Rage too… and Eisen seemed to be hiding something as well. For Eisen to use lava in a situation like this… there’s no way that’s coincidence.”
Centuries ago, the ancient evil god who had clashed with my family and the other races—
It wouldn’t be wrong to confirm that god’s identity as Bedir now.
“I’ll have to contact Jason tonight. But for now…”
I turned my gaze back to the arena.
Eisen still stood there, rapier raised high.
And Sara, held in Luke’s arms, disappeared beyond the arena.
It looked like she was being taken straight for treatment.
“Gideon, I’m going to check on Sara’s condition. Will you come with me?”
“…Go on ahead, Noona. I’ll follow a bit later.”
“Why? Got somewhere else to go?”
“Yeah, there’s something I need to check.”
Up in the highest seats of the arena—the place where His Majesty the Emperor sat.
All three dukes were seated around him, but just moments ago, Dilug had stood and left his seat.
Almost at the same time, Eisen lowered his rapier and began to move.
“Rage too… he just got up.”
Rage, who had been on the opposite stands from Lisa and me.
He was moving as well.
All three men of the Isrinbloom Family moving at once…
Something was definitely off.
“You don’t need me to come with you?”
“No. For now, it’s probably better if I move alone.”
“…Gideon. I already know you’re hiding something from me. I’m waiting because I trust you—to tell me when you’re ready.”
“…Yeah. Thanks for trusting me, Noona.”
Lisa looked at me for a long moment.
I scratched my head and spoke.
“I’ll tell you everything soon, Noona. Really. Honestly, I think I’ll have to tell you everything pretty soon.”
“When do you think that’ll be?”
“Umm… at the latest, once the Tournament’s over, I’ll explain everything.”
“Is what you’re hiding… related to Eisen using lava and Jason disappearing recently?”
“Well, yeah, it is.”
I replied while still watching the arena.
All three men of the Isrinbloom Family had vanished from sight.
I could guess a few places they might’ve gone.
“Anyway, Noona, please go check on Lady Sara first. I’ll catch up soon.”
“Eisen, explain yourself.”
Inside Muktaba Academy’s waiting room.
Dilug, Eisen, and Rage.
The three men of the Isrinbloom Family were gathered there.
“Explain every detail about the power you displayed. And… you’ll also have to explain why you dared to call it a new power of the Isrinbloom Family without my knowledge.”
“……”
Eisen said nothing.
Dilug didn’t react, as if he had expected that.
Then he turned toward Rage, who stood beside Eisen.
“Then Rage, you explain.”
“Why are you asking me to explain, Father?”
“I never interfered in your education, but as your father, I know my children’s temperaments. Eisen… that boy isn’t the type to scheme alone. He may be the strongest of you, but he’s not one to push something forward on his own.”
“And what about me, Father?”
“You’ve enjoyed planning things ever since you were a child.”
Dilug replied without a moment’s hesitation.
“You liked being the leader—coming up with plans and executing them. And with that drive, you’ve done much for Muktaba’s prosperity.”
“And thanks to me, Muktaba’s economy has doubled over the past decade.”
“That’s why I decided to pass down the title of head to you. I believed that if you kept growing as you are, you’d lead Muktaba—and the Isrinbloom Family—better than I ever could.”
Dilug’s eyes sharpened as he glared at Rage.
But Rage simply smiled as he listened to his father.
For some reason, that smile unsettled Dilug.
No—made him anxious.
“I see. Then, Father, do you still intend to pass the position of head to me?”
“There’s no better candidate than you yet. But… if you’re scheming something dangerous, that changes everything.”
“Do you think I’m plotting something, Father?”
“I don’t know exactly what you’re planning. But that lava Eisen showed— it was something unfamiliar and ominous. Even among the ancestors of the Isrinbloom Family, not one had ever summoned lava. And Eisen.”
When Dilug turned his gaze back to Eisen, Eisen flinched slightly.
Yet his face remained expressionless.
“I never interfered in what you three did growing up. I believed it was better that way. But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t paying attention. And that’s why I know you’re not the kind of child to do something like that.”
“…What do you mean, Father?”
“Throwing Sara’s arm into lava. And trying to sever her wrist. You’re strong, but you’re also soft-hearted. You’d never commit something so cruel.”
Eisen again said nothing, keeping the same empty face.
But Dilug could read his second son’s eyes.
Regret and pain flickered there.
That was enough for Dilug to be sure.
Eisen had been dragged into something against his will.
“Eisen.”
“Yes… Father.”
“Speak. I’ll take care of it. What in the world is going on here?”
Dilug’s tone wasn’t as cold as usual— it carried warmth.
Eisen hesitated, shaken by that tone.
For a moment, he almost confessed everything.
But at that very instant, Rage interrupted.
“Don’t falter, Eisen. This situation was written in his script as well. You know that, right?”
“…Yeah, I know.”
“Rage Isrinbloom. As head of the family, I demand an explanation.”
Dilug’s voice was cold, his eyes sharp and menacing.
His hand reached for his rapier, but Rage remained composed.
“Father. For someone who has never shown any real interest in us to suddenly act this way… it’s only natural that we’d be confused.”
“Stop talking nonsense and answer me. Who is this ‘one’ you mentioned? And what exactly are you plotting?”
“Well, it’s nothing special. I’ve always believed Muktaba—and the Isrinbloom Family—had immense potential. Without our steel, the Empire wouldn’t even function. No—forget the Empire. Without us, the entire continent’s economy would collapse.”
“…What are you trying to say?”
Dilug’s grip on the rapier’s hilt tightened.
He was ready to draw it at any moment.
But Rage continued, unconcerned.
“So I started thinking. What if Isrinbloom could take the Empire? No—what if we could unify the entire continent?”
“…Raising a rebellion against the Empire is something I cannot forgive, even from my own son. Choose your words carefully, Rage. There will not be a next time.”
“I knew you’d say that, Father. And honestly… I only ever thought about it. Overturning the Empire with just my own strength would’ve been impossible. At least, that’s what I believed—until two years ago.”
Rage suddenly laughed.
It was a chilling, maddened laugh—one that made Dilug draw his rapier.
“Two years ago?”
“While developing the northern region of Muktaba, I discovered traces of him. That was when I first made contact with—”
“I’ll hear the rest of this in prison.”
Dilug aimed his rapier at Rage’s throat.
“As head of the Isrinbloom Family, I, Dilug Isrinbloom, hereby—huh?”
“That dragon’s gift really is convenient.”
A small magic circle appeared above Rage’s hand.
And suddenly, Dilug couldn’t move.
Not only that—he couldn’t even speak.
“It’s called ancient Dragon Tongue Magic, right? It’s quite a handy spell. Once I take power, I’ll have the Imperial magicians study it.”
Dilug glared at his son silently, unable to do anything.
Rage only smiled wider and continued casting.
“Father. Forget everything that happened just now. And like before—don’t take an interest in your children. Just live as you always have. Keep your distance from us… like you always did.”
“…Understood. My son.”
With those words, Dilug lowered his rapier.
Outwardly, he looked the same as always—just the usual Dilug Isrinbloom.
Rage chuckled softly.
“Heh, so convenient. Of course, this mental manipulation won’t last forever… but by the time Father wakes up, everything will already be over. Anyway, Eisen, you did well today. You may have gone a bit overboard, but it’s fine. It still fits within his script—hmm?”
Rage suddenly turned toward the door.
“…Eisen, did you just hear something from the door?”
“Sound? No, I didn’t hear anything.”
“Re…ally? Must’ve been my imagination. I guess I’m getting jumpy lately.”
Rage turned his head back from the door.
Eisen quietly exhaled.
In truth, he had heard the sound too.
Someone had been eavesdropping on their conversation.
He only hoped that person was who he thought it was.
“Anyway, Eisen. You should finish your match in the Swordsmanship Tournament. As for Father, go back to His Majesty the Emperor. Tell him everything’s fine, and the match can continue as if nothing happened.”
“Understood, Rage.”
“I’m counting on you, Father.”
About thirty minutes after Eisen and Sara’s match ended—
Dilug returned to his seat beside the Emperor and the other dukes.
“Dilug, how did it go? If you wish, we can disqualify Eisen and halt the tournament…”
“That won’t be necessary, Your Majesty.”
“Hm?”
“I spoke with my sons and resolved everything. There’s no need to disqualify Eisen. The tournament can continue as planned.”
Nazar, Andrew, and Kafka all tilted their heads in confusion.
The Dilug they knew… wasn’t the type to handle things like this.
“If you say so, I won’t stop you, but still… how should I put it…”
Nazar trailed off, unable to find the right words.
Then Andrew spoke up.
“Dilug, did you see Sara?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“…Didn’t?”
“I don’t really involve myself in my children’s affairs, Andrew. You know that.”
“…Yeah, that’s true.”
Andrew knew Dilug well.
As he’d just said, Dilug rarely involved himself in his children’s education.
But that didn’t mean he didn’t care.
In fact, he was usually quite attentive.
Whenever his involvement was needed—directly or indirectly—he always stepped in.
‘Even back when Rage pushed Sara too far, he intervened. And now… he should have. Sara’s arm was clearly in terrible shape. But this reaction of his…’
Andrew glanced at Kafka.
Kafka met his gaze and gave a small nod.
She too had noticed—something was wrong with Dilug.