In the afternoon when Caron returned to Azureocean Castle, the sound of explosions echoed endlessly across Oceanwolf Island, the headquarters of the Oceanwolf Knight Order. In between the blasts, the desperate screams of two men rang out.
"You've got to be kidding me!"
"This is insane!"
Fayle, third son of Duke Halo and father of Caron Leston, stood with his mouth wide open, watching the disaster unfold in the training yard.
His two elder brothers, who were both vying for the position of next head of the house, were drenched in sweat as they swung their swords with everything they had.
...Unbelievable, Fayle thought.
Shockingly, the two brothers—who normally couldn't stand the sight of each other—were joining forces to take on a single young man. For once, their mutual hatred was set aside in pursuit of a common goal.
The problem, of course, was who they were up against.
Caron Leston—Fayle's beloved son—was handling both of his uncles at once and hardly looked to be struggling.
"Are they... going easy on him?" Fayle muttered under his breath.
But the Commander of the Oceanwolf Knight Order, Zerath, who stood beside him, shook his head firmly and said, "That's not the case. Both of them are giving it their all."
"It's just wooden sword sparring, but still... Something's not right. And what's with that technique? Why are there two Carons?" Fayle asked.
"Ah, I suppose you weren't aware. That's Caron using his doppelganger ability. I've heard he can summon up to ten at once," Zerath explained.
"That's horrifying," Fayle remarked.
It was just a sparring session, at least. No one was fighting with true killing intent—just a focus on swordsmanship.
Still, the moment Fayle imagined ten versions of Caron swarming the battlefield, he felt lightheaded.
One Caron was already more than anyone could handle. Ten would be ridiculous.
Fayle had heard the rumors, but seeing the reality with his own eyes was almost too much to believe.
Is that really my son? he thought.
He couldn't wrap his head around it.
When Fayle was young, he'd been driven out of Azureocean Castle for his complete lack of sword talent. He'd thought Caron would be no different—and not long ago, he'd worried the boy would follow in his footsteps. And yet now, Caron was holding his ground against two seasoned warriors—and from the outside, he even looked to be dominating them.
Boom!
Each time Caron's sword clashed against those of his uncles, a thunderous boom erupted.
He's... refined, Fayle thought.
Even with his own limited knowledge of swordsmanship, Fayle could see the polish in Caron's movements. He parried what needed parrying, deflected what needed deflecting—no wasted effort, no unnecessary flash.
It looked deceptively simple, but true masters often fought with such subtlety, where the tiniest details determined the outcome.
"He's definitely grown stronger through this recent journey," Zerath remarked.
"Do you see it too?" Fayle asked.
"Yes. For one, the amount of mana Caron has is absurd. Who could believe he's only seventeen years old?" Zerath answered.
Fayle recalled something Caron had said on their way back to Azureocean Castle...
"I got lucky. I devoured the power of the Demon King of Slaughter. That should make things a bit easier now."
Caron was a mad dog that even consumed Demon Kings. He wasn't just powerful. He was a calamity in human form. Fayle no longer doubted that.
"Still," Fayle said, "Shouldn't my brothers have the advantage? They've trained in the sword for far longer than Caron."
"It's a matter of experience," Zerath explained. "True growth for a warrior only comes when they face someone stronger. And when you think about the path Caron has walked, it's not so strange at all."This update is available on NoveI-Fire.ɴet
"What do you mean?" Fayle asked.
"The Pirate Queen, Demon King of Slaughter, Demon King of Sloth, Demon King of Havoc, and the Mercenary King... All of Caron's opponents so far have been monstrously powerful," Zerath replied.
Fayle couldn't help but think of Caron's long string of heroic feats.
Come to think of it, it had been that way since he was young. When he was first summoned to the capital by the royal family, Caron had drawn his blade without hesitation against the Queen of the Succubi. And that had just been the beginning.
As Caron grew older, he'd traveled across the continent, leaving chaos in his wake wherever he went.
"So all those experiences turned Caron into that kind of monster?" Fayle asked with a bitter chuckle.
But Zerath shook his head firmly and answered, "That's not it. He was probably born a monster. Don't you agree?"
"I... can't exactly deny it," Fayle said.
"He just grew into one faster than most," Zerath continued.
A father who couldn't deny that his own son was a monster—Fayle found the whole thing strangely amusing.
"Lord Fayle," Zerath said quietly.
Fayle turned to him and said, "Go on."
"Caron will no doubt surpass the current head of the house. I believe everyone in Azureocean Castle already thinks the same," Zerath said.
His gaze followed the tip of Caron's sword. Even though it was just a wooden blade, dark blue mana shimmered faintly at the tip.
"Caron is the future of Azureocean Castle," Zerath added in a calm voice.
He'd known it from the moment he first taught the boy swordsmanship. Caron was destined to lead this family. His talent was undeniable and radiant. And coupled with a ruthless determination to push himself beyond his limits, it was a terrifying combination.
It was a stroke of luck to have trained him, even for a short while. Just being part of the strongest warrior's childhood... That alone was enough to brag about for the rest of one's life over a few drinks.
Fayle nodded silently as he listened. He said quietly, "I just worry, that's all."
Heroes, after all, always lived under the weight of cruel destinies. And now, with Demon Kings extending their claws across the land, there were sure to be even more trials awaiting Caron down the road.
As a father, worrying was only natural. But just as always, Fayle was determined to support his son with everything he had. That, he believed, was the duty of a father who had raised such a brilliant child.
"The future of the house, huh..." Fayle murmured, nodding as he turned his eyes back toward the duel.
Smack!
"Argh!"
His brother, Raphael, who was sweating in the training yard, cried out as Caron's wooden sword slammed into him.
And in that moment...
"Uncle Raphael, this is all because you're out of practice," Caron said flatly. "If you're not doing any real combat and just playing politics, how do you expect to contribute anything when we go into the Demon Realm?"
"I just... let my guard down a bit..." Raphael trailed off.
"What's the point of having 8-Star mana if you never actually fight anyone strong? Your swordsmanship is going nowhere. No, this won't do. Starting from tomorrow, both of you have to have one match a day with me, got it?" Caron said.
Smack!
Dales, who had been fending off one of Caron's doppelgangers, lost his grip on his wooden sword and turned bright red. His excuse came flying out instantly. "Sparring with wooden swords—it's been too long! We're not used to it, Caron. This is clearly... unfair..."
"Uncle Dales," Caron sighed.
"...What?" Dales asked.
"You're kind of pathetic right now," Caron replied.
"You little brat!" Dales snapped.
Caron dismissed his doppelganger with a deep sigh, then shook his head and said, "Anyway, I'm going to be staying at Azureocean Castle for the next two years. I've already gotten Grandpa's permission."
"...Father agreed to that?" Dales asked.
"Yes. Oh, and I think I heard something about him choosing the next head based on who contributes most in the Demon Realm Conquest?" Caron said.
At that, the two middle-aged men's eyes lit up.
The next head of the house?
If it's based on actual accomplishments instead of politics... That would silence any opposition, wouldn't it?
As always, a clear, tangible goal made for powerful motivation.
Greed flickered in the eyes of the two brothers who had been coveting the position of head, and Fayle and Zerath both clicked their tongues in unison as they watched.
"They're caught," Fayle muttered. "They're usually so self-important, and now look at them..."
"Carrot and stick," Zerath said. "It's Caron's favorite tactic. I heard he learned it from you."
"I never taught him to manipulate people like that , " Fayle grumbled.
"Well, they say students often surpass their masters," Zerath said with a chuckle.
Caron was now casually manipulating his uncles as if they were subordinates.
Fayle looked on and let out a wry smile, then said, "This is the first time I've ever felt sorry for my brothers."
"I can't disagree," Zerath added.
"Well, maybe this is just karma catching up with them," Fayle said.
"...I'm afraid I can't fully agree with that part..." Zerath replied quietly.
Watching Caron mercilessly bully his uncles seemed to wash away years of old resentment. Before he knew it, Fayle was smiling in satisfaction as he watched his son's back.
You've done well, my son, he thought.
Just imagining his brothers' future suffering was enough to make him positively gleeful.
***
Meanwhile, at the Imperial Palace of the Orias Empire...
"So... You're really planning to hole yourself up in Azureocean Castle for two whole years?" Revelio, the young Emperor of the empire, asked, letting out a deep sigh.
"That's what I said," Caron answered.
"And why, pray tell, did you make such a major decision without consulting me first?" Revelio asked.
"Didn't Leon tell you?" Caron asked.
"She didn't say anything about two years," Revelio replied.
"Well, that's how it turned out. I took a big bite of a Demon King's power. It'll take some time to fully absorb it. And it's not like you need me for anything urgent right now, right?" Caron asked.
Revelio let out another long sigh as he listened to his troublesome younger brother speak through the crystal communication orb.
"Do you really have to rest?" he asked.
"It's not resting. It's training," Caron corrected him.
"We haven't even fully cleaned up the undead threat in the Free City Union," Revelio continued.
"Oh, come on. You can handle that just fine, can't you, Your Majesty? I doubt my showing up would make much difference. The Holy Kingdom said they're sending reinforcements too—it'll be wrapped up soon enough," Caron reassured.
Caron Leston was a young man who, no matter how much Revelio dealt with him, always felt impossible to predict.
And now, just as the emperor was preparing to host the Continental Peace Summit, Caron had chosen to retreat for seclusion training.
"Though I say seclusion, I'm not going to lock myself up in some training chamber this time. I'll stay in touch, so don't worry too much," Caron said.
"...Fine," Revelio replied at last.
"Then I leave it all in your capable hands, Your Majesty! I have full faith in you!" Caron said.
And with that, the transmission ended.
Revelio set down the communication orb and exhaled again. Then he slowly turned his head toward the person seated beside him, saying, "Caron says he won't be leaving Azureocean Castle for the next two years."
"Not much we can do, Your Majesty," Leon replied with a shrug. "Once Caron decides something, no one can really stop him."
"Not even an imperial decree?" Revelio asked.
"Perhaps Your Majesty would do well to remember how many times he's already rebelled. He's seventeen years old, and yet I think he's done it at least three times," Leon answered.
"One in the empire, another in the Pajar Sultanate, and yet another in the Holy Kingdom... Hmm... I guess that's true..." Revelio trailed off with a wry smile.
Leon's advice was hard to ignore. Forcing Caron would only end with someone getting bitten—and now that his power had grown beyond reckoning, no one could force him to do anything anymore.
"Well, we'll just have to accept it," Leon said.
Revelio gave a resigned nod and replied, "I can always host the conference again in two years. I never expected everything to be resolved in a single meeting anyway."
The nations of the continent—including the Orias Empire—had been fighting over their interests for a very long time. It was only natural that their conflicts wouldn't be settled overnight.
And once other races got involved, the situation became even more complicated. Especially the orcs of the Rahal Mountains, who had recently joined the talks—far too early, in most humans' eyes. Orcs were still considered a monster species by many.
"In a way, this might actually be for the best," Revelio continued, leaning back into his chair with a smile. "You know what they say—more haste, less speed."
"Didn't expect you to take it so positively," Leon remarked.
"Haha. It's one of my rare strengths. Still, I do wonder—can Caron really grow much stronger just by staying in Azureocean Castle for two years? Warriors usually need plenty of time, sure, but can someone actually grow that much in such a short period?" Revelio asked.
Leon nodded without hesitation. She explained, "Caron's already reached 8-Star mana at seventeen. He's insane. I doubt he'll break through to 9-Star in just two years, but... I'm sure he'll at least find the key to it. Trying to understand Caron with common sense is a mistake, Your Majesty."
"...That's a sobering piece of advice," Revelio said.
"When Caron comes back into the world, he's not going to be a bomb anymore," Leon said. "He'll be a natural disaster."
That made Revelio shiver.
Caron already had enough power to overturn an entire nation. If he got stronger...
I really need to step up my game, Revelio thought.
The idea of a stronger Caron nagging him about his leadership and looming over his shoulder was enough to make cold sweat break out on his back.
"I'd better have something to show him when he comes out of that castle," Revelio muttered with a dry laugh.
In truth, nothing had changed. The Continental Peace Summit would still serve as a proving ground—not just for peace, but for Revelio's own diplomatic skill.
Yes, Caron's absence would be deeply felt, but this was a matter that had to succeed for the sake of the royal family's long-held ambitions.
"Two years..." Revelio trailed off.
It was neither too long nor too short.
Revelio turned to gaze out the window, exhaling softly. "For some reason, I feel as if time will fly by."
Leon nodded slowly in agreement.
Two years would pass, in which the storm known as Caron would grow stronger within Azureocean Castle.
And in that time, much would change—perhaps the entire shape of the continent itself, even its future.
What direction Caron's unstoppable force would push the world toward... no one could say.
But time, as always, had already begun to race ahead.