Chapter 206. The Glorious Return (3)
As soon as Caron and Leo returned, their report began without delay in the conference room within the main building of Azureocean Castle.
In Halo's absence, the true authority over Azureocean Castle lay with Yung Leston, the First Elder. Yung was a man who rarely showed himself, but he had personally made the journey to the conference room with heavy, deliberate steps.
There was a simple reason for his presence. That was because Caron's modification of the Ocean Dominance Arts had been discovered.
"Caron, are you aware that there's been a serious deviation in your mana cultivation method?" Yung asked, his voice solemn.
"Yes, First Elder," Caron replied calmly.
"For someone who has defied the family's legacy, your attitude is far too arrogant. Do you not realize the seriousness of your actions?" Yung's sharp gaze bore into Caron.
The Ocean Dominance Arts was the cornerstone of the Ducal Family of Leston. Altering it without permission was a grave offense—one that could result in expulsion from the family. That was why the First Elder had personally intervened.
Caron's two uncles exchanged covert smiles as they sat in the room, while Fayle glanced at his son with restless anxiety.
Oh, Caron, what in the world were you thinking? Fayle thought.
Despite lacking mana abilities himself, he understood how reckless it was to tamper with the Ocean Dominance Arts.
And yet, despite committing such a serious transgression, Caron's expression remained serenely composed. In fact, he even glanced at his uncles and smiled faintly.
He was a clever and calculating son, and clearly had something up his sleeve.
"First Elder, may I offer an explanation?" Caron asked, his tone unwavering.
"Go ahead," Yung replied, his expression grave.
Yung's gaze was stern as he watched Caron, but Caron spoke with unwavering confidence. "It's true that I modified the Ocean Dominance Arts without prior approval. However, I later obtained the head of the house's permission. I believe that he has already informed the Elder Council about this matter."
The moment those words left Caron's mouth, Raphael—Leo's father and Halo's second son—raised his voice, barely able to contain himself. "Caron! How dare you invoke the head of the house's name so carelessly? There's no way the he would have approved—"
"Silence!" Yung's voice cut sharply through Raphael's outburst. His tone was cold and unyielding as he continued, "Raphael, did I give you permission to speak?"
"First Elder, this is a matter that shakes the very foundation of the family. Caron has always disregarded the family's traditions and elders. I believe this is the perfect opportunity to impose a heavier punishment, not a mere probation," Raphael insisted, his voice filled with indignation.
"I agree with Raphael," Dales, the eldest son of Halo, chimed in.
Though they usually fought over the position of heir, they had no qualms about joining forces when it came to their mutual enemy—Caron, who had grown too powerful to ignore.
But it wasn't Caron who received the reprimand.
Yung clicked his tongue in disapproval and looked toward Dales and Raphael. He said in a tone dripping with disappointment, "Tsk tsk. You pathetic fools. You still don't understand the true meaning of this meeting. This is merely a formality."
Raphael's face contorted with confusion.
"I... I don't understand what you mean by that," Raphael mumbled.
"The head of the family has already granted Caron approval for modifying the Ocean Dominance Arts. What Caron said is true. This meeting is simply a ceremonial inquiry. The Elder Council will not pursue charges against Caron," Yung stated firmly.
"But, First Elder... This goes against the family's code—" Dales tried to object, desperate to salvage the situation, but Yung waved his hand dismissively as if he couldn't be bothered.
"Family code? And who are you to judge Caron? He's the one who thwarted the Demon King's plot in the Eastern Great Forest. You should be honoring him, not criticizing him. And yet, as his uncles, you dare to disparage him?" Yung's voice grew colder. "Truly, you two are beyond disgraceful."
As soon as the First Elder finished speaking, the Third Elder Ulrich clapped his hands, then said enthusiastically, "That's exactly what I was thinking. Why not take this opportunity to bestow another artifact upon Caron? He has brought great honor to our family through his recent journey."
"Hmm, that is a fine suggestion, Ulrich," Yung said, nodding thoughtfully.
The atmosphere in the conference room shifted in an instant. Moments ago, the elders had seemed poised to pass judgment on Caron. Now, they were looking at him with warmth and admiration.
The Elder Council had always held tradition and discipline in the highest regard. From that perspective, Caron had undoubtedly been a thorn in their side. Even Yung, the most conservative of the elders, had been less than pleased with Caron's actions before his return.
This doesn't make any sense, Dales thought, furrowing his brow as he looked at Caron.
Yung had always been the most traditional of the elders, and he was also the one who had secretly supported Dales as the rightful heir.
Dales wondered what had changed Yung's mind, but he didn't have to wonder for long. The answer came from Yung's next words.
"Caron will surpass the current head of the house one day," Yung declared firmly. "Dales, Raphael, Fayle—remember this well."
Even Yung, the most rigid of them all, had come to acknowledge Caron's talent. Modifying the Ocean Dominance Arts was no longer the issue.
"The Ocean Dominance Arts have indeed been altered," Yung continued, "but Caron's current method bears a striking resemblance to the ancient practices of old. Caron, remember—only you can wield this version of the art."
"Yes, First Elder. The head of the house told me the same thing," Caron replied with quiet confidence.
"Good. Does this modified art have a name?" Yung asked.
"Yes, the head of the house named it the Ocean Conquest Arts," Caron answered.
"The way to conquer the seas... an apt name," Yung murmured approvingly. "The Elder Council will formally recognize the Ocean Conquest Arts as a new cultivation method derived from the Ocean Dominance Arts."
It was only then that Fayle realized the true purpose of this gathering.
This meeting hadn't been about condemning Caron. It was a formal declaration of absolution. Even the strictest of the elders had come to recognize Caron's brilliance.
Caron... Fayle thought as he gazed at his son with pride, nodding slowly.
"Until the head of the house returns, take ample time to rest," Yung advised. "The North Sea is far more treacherous than any waters you've encountered before. You'll need to be fully prepared."
"I'll keep that in mind," Caron replied, his tone respectful but composed.
"Then this concludes the temporary meeting. Caron, when you have time later, visit my quarters. I'd like to hear more about the Demon King's schemes," Yung said.
"Hmm... First Elder, just asking like that is a bit..." Caron trailed off.
"I'll bring out some of my finest wine," Yung said.
"I'll visit you after dinner," Caron replied with a satisfied smile.
"Good. I'll be waiting. Ulrich, let's take our leave now," Yung said.
"Wait, what? But I still have things to discuss with Caron—" Ulrich said, but was cut off.
"Shh," Yung interrupted.
Ulrich looked disappointed, but eventually gave in. He turned toward Caron and waved dramatically and said, "My beloved Caron! I'll see you later!"
"Take care, Third Elder," Caron said with a chuckle.
With that, the elders finally left the conference room, leaving behind Caron, Leo, and the sons of Halo. A heavy silence settled over the room, thick with unspoken tension.
It was Dales, the eldest son, who finally shattered the silence. Rising slowly from his seat, he fixed his gaze on Caron and said, "I don't know how you managed to manipulate the elders... but things will not go as you wish."
"You're being quite direct now, aren't you?" Caron replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"And aren't you the same?" Dales shot back.
"I've always respected my elders, Uncle Dales," Caron replied smoothly, meeting Dales' piercing gaze head-on.
Since the moment Caron had arrived to Azureocean Castle and been chosen by Guillotine, Dales had never hidden his wariness.
But Caron knew better that if things continued like this, Dales and Raphael could make a foolish decision.
Power had a way of clouding judgment. The status of heir had blinded his uncles, which would lead them down a dangerous path.
Caron had no intention of standing by and letting that happen. He had no interest in such a thing as the position of head of the house.
In this life, his sole desire was revenge against the demons. Nothing else mattered. And after this most recent journey, one thing had become painfully clear—he would need the strength of many to bring down the Demon Kings.
That was why Caron had decided to take this opportunity to set things straight.
"Father? Leo?" Caron said, glancing toward them. "You two go on ahead. I need to have a word with my uncles."
As he spoke, Caron's gaze shifted back to Dales and Raphael, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. He added casually, "I have a proposal for the two of you."
Caron rose from his seat and approached his uncles with deliberate steps.
The young boy who had once entered Azureocean Castle was gone. In his place stood the most promising talent of the Ducal Family of Leston—a youth destined to surpass Halo.
Caron's voice rang out with unwavering confidence as he addressed his uncles, "Both of you have a lot you'd like to say to me, don't you? Well, I feel the same. So why don't you stay a little longer?"
If Caron wanted to roam freely outside, he first had to put his house in order.
Perhaps that was why Halo had been taking his time returning. Maybe he had left things unsettled on purpose—to give Caron this chance.
Caron's grin widened as he met the eyes of his uncles.
"Of course," he added, his tone laced with a hint of menace, "If you'd rather not have this conversation, you're free to leave. But! I can't promise I'll be responsible for what happens afterward. You know me... I do tend to bite anyone who crosses me. You understand, don't you?"
Caron was a nephew who openly threatened his uncles.
Dales and Raphael could feel the weight of Caron's return to Azureocean Castle bearing down on them.
***
After Fayle and Leo left, only three people remained in the meeting room—Dales, Raphael, and Caron.
Caron, ever the gracious host, retrieved a rare bottle of apple wine from his pouch of dimensional space.
"This is the famous apple wine that the elves of the Southern Great Forest take such pride in," he said with a grin. "I brought it along especially for this occasion, dear uncles."
He popped the cork and poured it into the glasses of Dales and Raphael, saying, "It's a precious drink, so just one glass each."
Then, with complete disregard for his own advice, Caron raised the whole bottle to his lips and took a long swig.
Dales and Raphael exchanged incredulous glances, shaking their heads in disbelief at Caron's audacity. Still, they each took a cautious sip from their glasses.
The sweet aroma of apples filled their senses, and the clean, crisp finish left no doubt. Caron hadn't been exaggerating. it was indeed a drink worthy of being called a masterpiece.
"Ahhh," Caron sighed, smacking his lips. "Apple wine tastes best straight from the bottle."
"Enough with the nonsense, Caron," Dales said, his tone still edged with irritation. "There's a limit to how much of your insolence I can tolerate."
But Caron merely shrugged, unfazed. "Come on, Uncle Dales. Doesn't sharing a drink before a serious conversation make everything a little easier? Isn't that right, Uncle Raphael?"
"Haha," Raphael chuckled, shaking his head. "Caron, I've always liked your personality. If only Leo had taken after you a little."
"Well, I'm just glad Leon didn't take after you, Uncle," Caron quipped with a smirk.
Unlike his insufferable uncles, their children had all managed to win Caron's favor. Normally, children were a reflection of their parents, but thankfully, that wasn't the case in this family.
Satisfied with that thought, Caron gave a small nod before cutting to the chase.
"What I really wanted to talk to you both about..." he began as he took another swig, draining the rest of the bottle, then wiped his lips with his sleeve. "...It's that I have no interest in the position of heir."
Dales narrowed his eyes suspiciously. He asked in a doubt-filled tone, "Are you being serious?"
If Caron truly had no interest in becoming the next head of the family, it meant he wasn't a threat to his uncles.
But Dales wasn't gullible enough to take Caron's words at face value. He thought, He's a cunning little bastard.
Caron had inherited his quick wit from his father, Fayle. He was someone who could say one thing and do the exact opposite without hesitation. There was no way Dales could simply take him at his word.
"And how exactly are we supposed to believe you?" Dales asked, his tone dripping with skepticism.
"Come on, Uncle Dales. What's so great about being the head of the family?" Caron said, leaning back lazily. "Being the head of the family means being stuck in Azureocean Castle all the time. You both know I could never live like that."
Caron had inherited the nickname Mad Dog from his grandaunt, Sabina—a title that suited him perfectly. Wherever he went, chaos followed.
Dales and Raphael knew all too well that Caron would look for any excuse to escape the confines of Azureocean Castle.
"So, what I'm saying," Caron continued, his tone light but his words pointed, "is that you don't need to consider me a competitor."
As he spoke, he pulled out another bottle from his pouch of dimensional space and casually popped the cork.
"Honestly," he said, pouring himself another drink, "I understand where you're both coming from. Other noble families have already transitioned to the next generation, but Grandfather is still going strong. Of course, it's only natural for frustrations to build."
Caron's tongue began to weave its magic, smooth and deadly as a snake's.
"And then, out of nowhere, a brat of a nephew shows up and steals all the attention? I'd be uncomfortable too if I were in your shoes," he said with enough empathy to soothe their bruised egos.
But that was as far as his sympathy extended. Now, it was time to bring out the whip.
"So, the fact that you've been trying to keep me in check all this time?" Caron said, his tone calm, but with an edge beneath it. "I let it slide. Honestly, it wasn't much of a threat to me anyway. But things are different now."
He set the bottle down on the table with a deliberate clink and flashed a disarming smile at his uncles.
"The Demon Kings are making their move. The age of peace? It's over," he added, his eyes gleaming coldly.
Chaos was on the horizon, and in the face of that looming disaster, these two fools were still busy fighting over a seat at the head of the family table.
This was ridiculous. Caron had had enough of their petty power struggle.
"Whether you two keep fighting over the position of the head of the house or not," Caron continued, his voice dropping just enough to send a chill through the air. "I really couldn't care less. I've ignored it so far, and I can keep ignoring it. But here's the one thing you need to remember."
Caron wrapped his fingers tightly around the neck of the bottle, his expression hardening.
"If either of you tries to get in my way... I'll side with the other," he said, his voice now barely above a whisper, sharper than any blade. His lips curled into a wicked grin, and a dangerous glint flickered in his eyes.
"Oh, and don't even think about joining forces to push me out. If you try that..." Caron paused.
Gulp. Gulp.
Caron took a few long swigs straight from the bottle, wiped his mouth, and flashed a bright, almost cheerful smile.
"...This family will be torn apart before you can even blink," Caron concluded, his grin widening.
"You both know my specialty, right? When I get mad, I don't care if you're my elder or not," he added.
"Damn lunatic..." Dales muttered under his breath, his expression darkening.
"Grrrr..." Raphael let out a low, guttural growl, as if barely containing his frustration.
They wondered if Caron had turned into a rabid dog because of the alcohol or if he had always been one.
Both uncles exchanged weary glances, their faces etched with exhaustion.
For now... Dales thought.
...Should we be relieved? Raphael thought.
Perhaps it was best to be grateful that this insane nephew wasn't interested in becoming their rival.
Dales and Raphael sighed almost simultaneously, their thoughts, for once, perfectly aligned.
It had been a long time since the two brothers had agreed on anything.