-Frey starlight POV -
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"Nothing."
A single word echoed in everyone's minds…
Frey Starlight had, without a doubt, just mocked Leonidas Starlight, the first elder of the family.
Before their eyes, an ant had dared to challenge a mighty dragon…
The atmosphere inside the hall was on the verge of exploding, especially under the terrifying glow emanating from Leonidas's eyes.
'I think I acted too hastily…'
Maybe I shouldn't have provoked him. After all, what's the point if he loses his mind and kills me now?
"Pffffftttt"
"Hahahahahaha!"
Suddenly, the sound of laughter echoed.
I followed the voice and saw a woman seated to Leonidas's right… She was laughing uncontrollably, her chest rising and falling with each chuckle.
'Ah, she's exactly as I imagined…'
I smiled as I looked at the woman. She appeared to be in her mid-twenties, with silver-gray hair and deep, black eyes. She was the very definition of an alluring woman…
Of course, one must not forget the fact that she was an elder who had maintained her youthful appearance until now.
"What do you find so amusing, Carmen?"
Leonidas exhaled sharply, restraining himself as Carmen's laughter lingered. Thanks to her, the suffocating tension in the room had dissipated.
Carmen Starlight… perhaps the only person who could laugh in Leonidas's face. After all, she was on the same level as him.
"Sorry, sorry, old man. I was just so bored that I couldn't help myself after hearing that! Hahaha!"
Leonidas clenched the armrest of his grand chair so tightly that it crumbled to dust. Then, in a commanding voice, he spoke.
"Compose yourself, Carmen. Do not forget your place."
"Alright, alright, my apologies~" Carmen finally stopped laughing, realizing she had crossed the line. With that, the attention shifted back to me.
"Frey Starlight, are you mocking this council… and me?"
At his question, I stepped forward.
"I would never mock you, sir . I meant every word—I have nothing to offer this family."
I took a deep breath before continuing.
"Because I will not be the next lord."
Leonidas raised an eyebrow, and the hall erupted in murmurs as people whispered among themselves.
"He won't be the next lord?"
"What does he mean by that?"
I sighed internally.
'Why did they have to bring such a large audience? They're going to comment on every single word I say… How annoying.'
Leonidas silenced the crowd before speaking again.
"What do you mean, Frey Starlight? Didn't you come here to claim the title of lord?"
I nodded.
"Correct… but not for myself"
Turning around, I extended my arm toward my sister.
"I am relinquishing my position and everything that comes with it to my sister, Ada Starlight—because she is the one most deserving of it."
Ada stepped forward, standing beside me.
The hall exploded into even louder chaos than before, and even the council members began discussing among themselves.
Leonides kept his eyes on me until the very last moment. I had no idea what he was thinking.
"I expected a dull meeting, but look at this… Things are getting interesting." Carmen laughed as she stretched out in her chair, enjoying the spectacle.
I braced myself for what was coming next.
"Stop this nonsense… Frey Starlight."
And there it was.
Leonides rose from his chair, standing before the rest of the elders.
"I don't understand… Why would you relinquish the title? As far as I know, you were desperate to obtain it."
"Then, sir , you do not know me. With all due respect, I never desired the position of lord, nor am I worthy of it."
"On the contrary, I took it from its rightful owner—Ada Starlight."
"Tell me, Elder Leonides, is there anyone in this family more deserving than her?"
I posed the question and looked around the hall. At first, many heads were raised, but they were quickly suppressed—including Emund, whom I had met just the day before.
Leonidas stroked his beard as he gazed at Ada. She was weak for her age, but that was not the measure of her worth. After all, her achievements spoke for themselves. Even better… if she became the lord, the despised Frey would not.
I took advantage of his silence to continue.
"She is the youngest person in history to manage the family's affairs and achieve such success. Her accomplishments speak for themselves. No one her age has accomplished even half of what she has. In fact, aside from the elders, I doubt anyone here has the courage to challenge her."
"She has dedicated her life to working for this family. And in comparison… what am I?"
I shrugged with a self-deprecating smile.
"As I said before… nothing."
"She is the one who should be lord."
I stepped back, waiting for their response.
In truth, I wasn't worried. I was confident they wouldn't refuse. After all, I was giving them exactly what they wanted…
"Frey."
I felt a tug from behind—it was Ada.
"Yes? What is it?"
"Didn't you exaggerate?"
"exaggerate? If anything, I don't think I said enough… Maybe you should have stepped forward and spoken for yourself."
"Mmm…" Ada lowered her head, her expression unreadable.
'What's this? Is she bad at handling praise? Or is she just happy to get the position?'
Well, that didn't matter. The important part was still ahead.
"Step forward, Frey Starlight."
Leonides called out to me once again. As expected, they didn't take long.
I had given them what they wanted. Now, it was time for them to give me what I wanted.
"Frey Starlight, I must ask you one last time—are you certain of your decision? By doing this, you are going against the wishes of your father, Abraham, who wanted you to be this family's lord."
"I am certain of my decision."
I had no interest in Abraham's wishes. He was Frey's father—not mine.
"Since this is your final decision, I am pleased to inform you that we have accepted your request. But tell me, what do you intend to do after relinquishing your title? Will you live under your sister's shadow for the rest of your life?"
I smiled.
"That doesn't sound too bad… living under my dear sister's protection."
"But unfortunately, I already have other plans."
"Oh? Let's hear them, then."
I couldn't afford to mess this up.
"After giving up my position, I wish to focus on my swordsmanship. I have realized that I am far too weak, so I intend to embark on a training journey. For that, I seek your approval, sir ."
"A training journey?"
"Yes… I want to go to the Eastern Nightmare Lands."
A flicker of surprise crossed Leonidas's otherwise calm face, and even Ada frowned at my words. Understandable—after all, I had never told her my destination.
"Frey Starlight… Did I hear you correctly? You said you want to go to the Eastern Nightmare Lands?"
"That's correct," I nodded.
Laughter erupted from the audience. They were probably starting to think I was insane…
"Do you even know what awaits you there?"
"I'm well aware of the dangers of the Nightmare Lands, but I'm still determined to go."
Leonides fell silent, trying to process the situation. He exchanged a meaningful glance with the elders seated beside him.
The gears turned in the old man's mind—perhaps this was the best way to get rid of Frey, who had been a thorn in his side for years.
Ironically, it seemed Frey intended to kill himself without any external intervention.
If it were up to him, he would have sent him off to the Nightmare Lands immediately. But first, he needed to hear everyone's opinions... and confirm Frey's true intentions.