Chapter 328: A Calm Conversation
“……”
Haulon returned with Karn. No, to be precise, it was Karn who brought Haulon back.
Haulon wore a complex expression that seemed to mix exhaustion, frustration, and disbelief. He wobbled slightly and, without a word, collapsed into a chair, burying his face on the table.
“Good work,” Dinoss said, breaking the silence.
“……Can I cry?” Haulon murmured weakly, still face down.
“A touching reunion… ugh!”
“Stop piling on!” I was silenced by Retze.
Why!?
“Here you go,” the Butler placed a fresh cup of tea in front of Haulon.
“Thank you. My mind is overwhelmed with information and emotions,” he said, pressing his fingers against his temples, deep lines etched on his forehead. He held the cup with one hand while the other pressed against his brow.
“May I ask what kind of encounter you had?” the Butler inquired, taking a seat.
“I met King Tildonai once as a child, when my father took me, and again when I succeeded him. My great ancestor sought the secret of teleportation in that uninhabitable land of sand, and although it was already in ruins, he made a promise to find the one who possesses the ‘King’s Branch’ and was allowed to investigate the teleportation circle,” Haulon began, adjusting himself in his seat.
By the way, Karn had dragged a chair in front of the fireplace and settled down. He also requested that I turn the meat while it cooked.
“……”
Since it seemed like I shouldn’t speak now, I silently skewered the whole chicken onto a spit. The area by the fireplace was Karn’s spot, and once I set the meat on the spit with a handle, he would turn it for me.
I arranged three birds on two levels. The Butler, Retze, and I were satisfied with half a bird each, while Karn could manage two. Since I had the spirits poke at the meat while it rested, I figured it would taste good even for Karn, who was probably half-spirit by now.
At least, I hoped so. If it turned out bad, I could just give Karn some alcohol and let Dean have the meat later. By the time Haulon finished his story, it should be perfectly roasted.
“……Once the ‘King’s Branch’ is established in a country, and spirits begin to gather, it cannot be moved. I have helped those who sought the ‘King’s Branch’ for generations,” Haulon sighed, shifting his position. He began to turn the spit with the birds on it.
It was surreal to see a Great Mage roasting birds. Oh, and Retze, don’t forget that cheeks deserve their rights too! I was forced to take a seat.
“After failing the first trial to seek the ‘King’s Branch,’ I was forbidden by my father to investigate the trials, yet I did so anyway. I became unable to obtain the ‘King’s Branch’ myself. It seems the pursuit of knowledge runs in the bloodline, so perhaps my father made the same mistake,” Haulon shrugged.
“Still, I never expected Emii to embark on a journey to seek the ‘King’s Branch’ after whimsically keeping it for three years,” he said, now addressing the Butler.
Who is Emii? Since he looked at the Butler, could she be Ash’s grandmother?
“You could have brought it back, but what a shame,” the Butler lowered his gaze.
“Oh? Has the royal family’s—no, the Duke’s Household’s restrictions been lifted? I thought the Duke had silenced you? Losing the ‘King’s Branch’ to a family feud would be nothing short of scandalous.”
“Thanks to you,” the Butler smiled brightly.
“So, you finally wiped out the Duke’s Household. I thought you would preserve Emii’s bloodline. Well, that son looked just like the Duke, after all. Foolish too,” Haulon said, resting his chin on his hand.
This conversation feels ominous!
“With the change in leadership, that son is now the current Duke. The current Duke is also the grandson of Emii, and both Emil and Leora are safe,” the Butler stated, his expression oddly grim.
So, Emii and Emil are the same person?
“Oh, I thought you had someone else do the dirty work for you instead of getting your hands dirty!”
“Hoh hoh,” Haulon said dramatically, and the Butler chuckled in response.
I could feel sparks flying between them. They don’t seem to be on friendly terms!
“Wow. I thought the Duke’s Household was being taken over by Lady Lilith’s machinations, but it seems the groundwork was laid by Note… I don’t know what the restrictions are, but are they bound by some sort of oath? Were you forbidden from directly interfering with the Duke?” Retze muttered beside me.
So, the Butler must have been under some sort of restrictions from the Duke’s Household and was dissatisfied with it? Well, if it were me, I wouldn’t want to be bound by someone else’s rules without consent.
The fact that he referred to the current Duke’s child as Emil’s grandson suggests he doesn’t harbor any ill feelings toward Ash; in fact, he might even like him.
Nobility is terrifying! Or is it just the nobility? It’s all so mysterious.