Chapter 136
Thirty minutes later, the conference room of Azureocean Castle was shrouded in a tense silence.
"...Drinking liquor in broad daylight and disrupting the discipline of Azureocean Castle. On top of that, making insulting remarks toward an elder of the family. I am giving you an opportunity to defend yourself," Halo said sternly, his piercing gaze fixed on Caron, who stood before him.
The room was filled with the most influential figures of the family. Representing the elder council was Third Elder Ulrich. Alongside him were Halo's three sons, all gathered to address the uproar caused by their youngest. The atmosphere was as fragile as thin ice.
Dales, the eldest son of Halo, glared at Caron with barely concealed fury. The second son, Raphael, failed to hide his displeasure. Lastly, the youngest, Fayle, looked at his son with a mixture of worry and exasperation. The weight of the incident pressed down on them all, threatening to escalate at any moment.
Hugo, now completely sober, broke the silence with a calm, steady voice. "Lord Halo, Caron didn't do this alone. We were all involved. If you intend to hold someone accountable, then include us as well."
Halo's brows furrowed as he responded, "I never expected you, who should set an example for your younger ones, to be swayed by them. And you still dare to call yourself the eldest?"
This was no mere drunken misadventure. Outwardly, it would have seemed like a case of youthful recklessness, but Halo knew better. He knew that this wasn't just an ordinary incident.
It's a revolt—an entire generation standing united against the one before it, Halo thought.
He had already been briefed on the details by the steward, Heinrich. His grandchildren had taken issue with Leon's marriage plans and stormed into Dales' office to make their opposition known.
"We deeply regret our actions," Hugo continued. "For disrupting the discipline of Azureocean Castle, we will accept any punishment you see fit."
Halo exhaled a quiet sigh as he listened to Hugo's words. The eldest grandson, who had never caused trouble and had always obeyed his father without question, now stood before him in defiance. Even Leon, who was much the same, had joined this rebellion.
Halo knew what had driven them to oppose their father's plans so openly.
Probably because of him, Caron, he thought as his gaze shifted to Caron, his youngest grandson.
Caron was the linchpin—the one who had brought this generation together in a united front.
This incident must be dealt with severely, Halo concluded. Insubordination could not be tolerated in any organization, especially not within a family bound by blood. A failure to respect one's elders would inevitably lead to the family's downfall.
Hugo lowered his head and said, "If someone must bear responsibility, let it be me for failing to guide them properly—"
Halo raised a hand, silencing Hugo mid-sentence. His gaze returned to Caron.
"Caron," he said firmly, "Speak for yourself."
Caron, who had kept his head lowered throughout the proceedings, finally lifted it. The weight of impending punishment hung heavily, yet Caron's face showed no fear.
"Are you aware of what you did wrong?" Halo asked.
Caron nodded slowly and replied, "Yes, I am."
"Confess your own sins," Halo commanded, his voice sharp and unwavering.
"As a noble of a ducal family and a member of a warrior lineage, we drank liquor when we should have been training and improving ourselves. That is our sin," Caron said steadily.
"You insulted your uncle, Dales, with disgraceful words. That is another of your sins," Halo added, his tone colder than before.
Caron inclined his head slightly and added, "I must have made a mistake under the influence of alcohol. Once again, I wish to offer my deepest apologies to my uncle."
Dales clenched his fists tightly at those words. He thought, A mistake made in drunkenness? Impossible!
He had no doubt that Caron had been fully conscious when he hurled those insults. The idea that a boy like Caron, who had spent his youth sneaking alcohol at every opportunity, could lose control after just one bottle of whiskey was absurd.
Caron's slurred words replayed in Dales' mind:
"No matter what... hic... a warrior, you say... hic... selling off your daughter just to secure your place as heir... hic... and what good will it do? Hic... Ah, this drink really gets to me. Can someone get me some water with honey in it?"
The memory of that humiliation, spoken in front of onlookers, burned in Dales' mind. It was unforgivable; he couldn't just let it slide.
"Lord Halo," Dales began, barely containing his anger as he prepared to step forward.
But Halo silenced him with a frosty glare and said, "Am I not questioning Caron's actions right now?" as he cut off Dales before he could say more.
Turning back to Caron, Halo's gaze sharpened further. He said, "Your sins are not erased just because you were drunk. Losing self-control and insulting an elder of this family is a grave offense. Surely you were prepared for the consequences before you acted."
As he spoke, a formidable aura of mana radiated from Halo. That immense mana exerted overwhelming pressure on Caron and the others.
Caron, however, stood unfazed under the immense pressure, his expression unyielding. Meeting Halo's eyes with equal defiance, he replied confidently, "Lord Halo, I have not insulted any elder."
"You still fail to grasp the severity of this situation," Halo said, his tone biting. "What you committed was insubordination. Prepare yourself for strict discipline."
"I am willing to accept punishment for drinking in broad daylight," Caron said firmly. "However, if you are accusing me of insubordination, then I must ask you something in return."
Turning his head, Caron directed his gaze toward Dales. His voice lowered, but it carried clearly across the room as he spoke. "Do you mean to say that protesting an unjust order from a family elder is considered insubordination?"
At those words, the already icy atmosphere in the conference room grew even colder, silence settling like a shroud.
"...You will bear the consequences of your claim," Halo said as he rose from his seat and slowly approached Caron.
"If you cannot convince me," he said gravely, "Your insolent attitude will weigh heavily on the severity of your punishment. So..."
Stopping just in front of Caron, Halo looked down at him with a piercing gaze and asked, "What unjust order are you referring to?"
Meeting his grandfather's gaze without hesitation, Caron answered steadily, "It is regarding the matter of Leon's marriage arrangement that is currently under discussion."
"That is a matter for the elders of the family, not something a boy who hasn't even had his Coming of Age should be talking about," Halo said, his voice heavy with authority.
The oppressive aura in the room felt suffocating, yet Caron responded with a faint smile as he looked up at his grandfather. "I was taught from a young age that the foundation of our family lies in the sword. Am I wrong?" he asked, his tone calm but firm.
The youngest grandson had turned the question back on Halo, challenging him to affirm the values the family had upheld for generations. The Ducal Family of Leston's legacy as a house of great knights was indisputable. It was a family defined by the sword, led by those who wielded it.
Halo nodded and said, "Continue speaking."
"Before we get entangled in complex political relationships, we are, first and foremost, a martial family," Caron said. "The reason my father was cast out of Azureocean Castle years ago was ultimately because he lacked talent with the sword."
He glanced toward his father, Fayle, who simply nodded, offering no objection to his son's statement.
"In contrast, Leon has unparalleled talent," Caron continued, his voice steady. "Soon, she will reach 7-Star. One day, she may even attain 8-Star—or perhaps something beyond that."
Turning back to Halo, Caron's expression hardened. He spoke with conviction, refusing to back down. "You cast my father out for his lack of talent, yet why are you now sending away Leon, who is overflowing with it?"
It was a simple but unassailable logic. Caron had invoked the family's very principles and backed his argument with past precedent.
Halo realized this was no impromptu outburst. Everything Caron said had been carefully thought out beforehand.
This impudent boy, Halo thought. He realized that Caron planned this confrontation from the start.
Caron, the family's reckless troublemaker, had come prepared to criticize the elders directly.
"Sending away a future 8-Star knight is not only foolish, but a grievous mistake that will harm the family's future. This is not just an unjust order—it is a disastrous one. We cannot stand idly by and watch it happen. That is all I have to say." Caron finished his argument and fell silent, standing tall and composed.
Halo gazed at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke in a low, measured voice. "Do you intend to continue defying the elders in the future?"
"If I find their orders unjust, then yes, I do," Caron replied without hesitation.
"There isn't a trace of remorse in you," Halo said, his voice colder than before.
He turned and walked back to his seat, lowering himself into his chair with deliberate calm. Sweeping his gaze over the gathered family members, he declared, "As the head of this family, I cannot allow its laws and order to crumble. Therefore, this matter will be brought to the Council of Elders as a formal case, and severe punishment will be decided."
A faint smile tugged at Dales' lips. If the Council of Elders was being summoned, Caron wouldn't escape with a light reprimand. He thought, Enjoy your defiance while you can, Caron. Your smile will end here.
But before Dales could revel in his satisfaction, Halo's next words froze the smile on his face.
"Furthermore, Dales, the marriage arrangement you are overseeing will be suspended," Halo said.
"...Lord Halo!" Dales exclaimed, his voice rising in shock.
"If you wish to convince me, you must thoroughly dismantle Caron's argument," Halo stated, his tone brooking no dissent.
"The marriage between the Sixth Prince and Leon will bring tremendous benefit to our family. Please reconsider—" Dales began, desperation creeping into his voice.
"Dales," Halo interrupted sharply. "Do you still not understand what truly matters?"
His gaze pierced Dales like a blade, and his voice dropped to a chilling tone as he said, "You are far from ready."
The cutting remark left Dales speechless, his head lowering in shame.
***
After the emergency meeting concluded, Halo left the conference room without a moment's hesitation.
As soon as Halo exited, Dales approached Caron directly, but had his path blocked by Fayle.
"What do you think you're doing, Dales?" Fayle asked, standing firmly in his way.
"Step aside," Dales ordered curtly.
"I cannot do that," Fayle responded calmly.
The exchange caught the attention of the second son, Raphael, who had been sipping tea. He burst into laughter and rose from his seat. "Haha! Dales, the look on your face is priceless. Are you that mad about being outmaneuvered by your nephew?"
Raphael strode toward Caron, stopping to look down at him with an amused smile. He remarked, "What you pulled off today was quite entertaining. That declaration of war? Impressive."
"You flatter me, Uncle Raphael," Caron replied humbly.
Raphael chuckled, lightly patting Caron on the back as he said, "I must be careful, or I might find myself bitten by your teeth one day."
Turning to his own son, Leo, Raphael added with a grin, "It's good to see you and your cousins banding together. And you're finally growing into a man."
"...Father," Leo murmured.
"Come with me," Raphael instructed. "We have much to discuss."
Leo glanced briefly at Caron.
Then, Caron gave a slow nod and said, "See you later, Leo."
"I'll go ahead," Leo replied, stepping beside his father.
Raphael placed a hand on Leo's shoulder and said, "We'll be heading out, Dales. I do hope you reach an amicable agreement with your nephew. Haha!"
With that, the two left the room.
Hugo and Leon followed suit, bowing toward Dales.
"We'll take our leave as well," Hugo said.
Dales clenched his fists, glaring at them as he said, "I didn't expect this from you two as well."
Hugo sighed and said, "I'll be waiting in your office."
As Hugo and Leo exited as well, the conference room was left with only three people: Caron, Fayle, and Dales.
Dales glared at Caron from over Fayle's shoulder. He asked, "This was all your doing, wasn't it? From the moment you set foot in Azureocean Castle, I knew you would stand in my way."
The boy he had once dismissed as a mere thorn in his side at ten years old had grown up, now baring his teeth at him.
But it wasn't Caron who responded.
"Dales," Fayle interjected.
"This is none of your concern, Fayle," Dales snapped.
"This is about my son," Fayle said firmly. "And let's set the record straight."
Despite Dales' menacing tone, Fayle didn't waver. He countered, "Weren't you the one who pushed for this unreasonable marriage proposal in the first place?"
"Now that your son has grown, your tongue has grown sharper as well," Dales sneered.
"No matter how Caron has grown, it doesn't change the fact that he is my son," Fayle declared, meeting Dales' glare directly. "That truth will remain unchanged, no matter how the world shifts."
"Are you lecturing me now—" Dales began.
"My point is," Fayle interrupted, "Caron is not my possession. His life belongs to him alone. Being a parent does not grant us the right to dictate a child's life as we please. And that includes you, Dales."
"Fayle!" Dales shouted.
"Tell me, Dales," Fayle pressed, his voice steady. "Is it truly us you should be having this conversation with?"
Dales fell silent, unable to respond. He stared at Caron and Fayle for a long moment.
"...I won't forget about what happened today," Dales muttered before turning sharply and leaving the room.
Bang!
The door slammed shut behind Dales; then, Fayle exhaled deeply.
"Not even a full day back, and you've already... Ha..." Fayle remarked, shaking his head.
"I'm sorry, Father," Caron said.
"This time, you've crossed the line too far. Even if I support you, it won't be a light punishment," Fayle warned. However, he knew Caron wouldn't act without reason. His son was too clever for that.
"Now, let me hear your reason. You can tell me, right?" Fayle prompted.
Caron smiled and nodded, then said, "Now that they know I'll bite on the elders as well, maybe they'll think twice before giving me a reason to. They'll work harder to avoid provoking me."
Just as Raphael had said, it certainly was a declaration of war. A declaration of intent to bite without mercy if things don't change properly.
"If they change for the better, that would be fortunate, but they might instead become even more blatant in their threats toward you," Fayle said worriedly.
"Then I'll just bite them without mercy every time it happens," Caron replied.
"Do you want to become the head of the family?" Fayle asked.
"Not a chance. Even for hundreds of millions of gold, I wouldn't take such a bothersome position," Caron replied.
"Then why bother with these bothersome things?" Fayle asked again.
"Because I want our family to grow stronger," Caron answered simply.
Fayle sensed that there was more behind his son's actions. He wondered what future Caron was envisioning.
"Perhaps Grandfather left the heir's position vacant for this very reason," Caron speculated.
Fayle tried to gauge the weight Caron carried on his young shoulders. But he soon shook his head and thought, There's no point.
He knew that Caron would share his plans when the time came. So until then, Fayle's role was to quietly support his son from behind.
With a resigned smile, Fayle said, "After causing this much trouble... You can forget about going out for a while, Caron."
Caron grinned and said, "I've already got plans for that, Father."
"Hm?" Fayle raised an eyebrow.
"I have a task from the elven regent. It's something only I can handle. Even Grandfather won't be able to say no," Caron explained.
After hearing Caron, Fayle recalled the words of the letter:
"Caron Leston carries the fate of the elves. He must undertake this mission to save the Mother. Please grant him the full cooperation of the Ducal Family of Leston."
"Son," Fayle said.
"Yes, Father?" Caron answered.
"...You really do have plans for everything, don't you?" Fayle remarked.
"Of course. I'm your son, aren't I?" Caron replied with a smile.
"What about the others? They won't be free from punishment," Fayle reminded him.
Caron laughed and said, "That's not my problem, is it? If they've done wrong, they should face the consequences. That's how things ought to work."
Fayle sighed, watching his son.