The Kingdom of Tahalin (1)

If you look around community sites in the real world, there's a little trick (?) that says if you want to get a good look at a guy, see how he behaves in two situations.

One is when they're driving, and the second is when they're playing a game.

Usually, when you're playing a game, there are two types of anger.

The first is when you're enhancing an item and it breaks. I'm not going to explain this one.

It's like bullsh*t.

(Xgat)

The second is situations like this one.

In layman's terms, when a character has no idea what they're doing, and they're not even aware of their powers?

I hate this with a passion.

Let me be clear.

At this point in time, there is no other unit in the same age bracket with the talent and destructive power of me, Nox von Reinhafer.

So.

Sit down, you son of a bitch.

(Gaesaekki)

* * *

There is a moment of silence.

I can see the shocked looks on the faces of those around me.

But there are those who take it in stride.

Especially those who are familiar with the relationship between House Reinhafer and Tahalin.

Christopher, for one, has a history of participating in the destruction of Tahalin as a member of the Black Sword Knights.

'Young Master is now the Prince of Tahalin. He's trying to kill Kushan Adrian's momentum once and for all. Moreover… The provocation is the same as if it came from the other side first. Even though the young master arrived first, he didn't come forward and sat and waited.'

Christopher thought.

Kushan Adrian. That red-haired, dark-skinned fellow was as cunning as his father.

He blatantly tried to disrespect Nox, the youngest member of House Reinhafer. No matter how much of a prince Kushan is, he's still in a master-servant relationship with the Reinhafers.

Esteban may have absorbed them, but Theo was the one who actually conquered them.

Under the circumstances, this was akin to a dog biting its master.

It was no more or less than that.

"It must have been very uncomfortable for you to have me sitting in your presence."

Kushan Adrian looked as if he hadn't expected Nox to react this way, but he managed to keep his face as calm as possible.

Nox, however, did not blink.

"Are you going to make me say it twice?"

"I will kneel."

Kushan Adrian.

The Prince of Tahalin rose from his seat and obediently placed his knees on the floor.

It wasn't a full prostration, but it was enough to show the disparity in their status.

Knox didn't care anymore.

He had his reasons, after all.

He just needed to prove his place in the process, and his overwhelming talent, so he'd cut off the beginning.

"Sit."

Nox said as he took a seat on the terrace.

Outside, the window was filled with snakes and urns and all sorts of fantasy world animals. The desert was a common sight in other fantasy settings.

It was familiar to Nox.

'Well… let's see, first of all, what we need to get here....'

* * *

"Is there a reason you didn't stop the Young Master from going to Tahalin?"

Lord Patriarch.

A chorus of voices came from the darkened room.

Rodwell. The loyalist of House Rainhafer speaks calmly to Theo.

Theo opens his eyes, which have been closed for a moment.

"What do you mean?"

"You have already chosen Young Master Knox as a worthy successor. However, Tahalin has animosity toward House Reinhafer. You may find yourself in a dangerous situation."

If the others had heard, they would have been horrified.

The vassals, too.

Nox von Reinhafer. The youngest and most knowledgeable of the Supreme Black Sword, still a few months out of the gutter, and the heir apparent to Reinhafer?

How many would believe it so easily?

But Rodwell was convinced.

Theo had already made his decision.

'Young Master Knox's demonstration of the Second Form of the Supreme Black Sword [Black Island Crescendo]… it's not an easy technique for someone who has seen it once to follow.'

[Ebony Dawn] itself is a very difficult technique.

The black sword draws a single blow-.

Its destructive power is worthy of its name, but many people face a huge barrier when it comes to dealing with the dark element.

But Knox made light work of it.

The Knight of the House who watched over him once said.

-On one occasion… Young Master Nox took one look at my swordmanship and copied it, and even if it was not yet perfect, his mastery and understanding were already awe-inspiring.

-I don't know if it's right to say this, but… in my opinion, this is the greatest talent among the young masters.

The vassal was the knight who tutored everyone from Garen, the eldest, to Nox, the youngest, in basic swordsmanship. He was quite famous and talented.

As one of the vassals of House Reinhafer, he was a knight so skilled at teaching that even Theo recognized him.

'Even he admitted it. Young Master Nox's talent is overwhelming.'

Moreover, Rodwell is also a knight.

He, too, had seen the recent duel between Nox and Theo.

The overwhelming horsepower that flowed from the octagonal training grounds, the strange currents of air. The black and white energy that flowed between them was enough to make even I gasp.

Was that all?

Nox was even able to complete the second form of the first half, the [Black Island Crescendo]. It would be disingenuous to categorize such a feat as mere talent after only one viewing.

So Rodwell steeled himself and thought.

That Nox was a possibility. That, with Garen as his de facto enemy, there were no other candidates.

'If they don't make Young Master Nox the candidate for Patriarch under these circumstances, then who do they make?'

Rodwell finally managed to get the disturbing thought out of his head.

There was Grine, the second, of course, but he wasn't exactly a force to be reckoned with, and the same could be said for the twins.

Sons of Five.

And the brightest of them all, Nox von Reinhafer.

He was once a pariah, a disgrace to his family.

His youngest son's talents are a ray of sunshine for Theo, who has an eye for insight even greater than his own.

Therefore, Rodwell said so to alleviate the troubled thoughts of the family head. He said that hadn't he already made up his mind in his heart.

Youngest Master. Now he would be the one to usher in a new era of Reinhafer.

"Because I thought it was a talent I could live with. By the way, Rodwell..., I'm afraid I won't be able to match your insight. I'm surprised you can read my mind so well already."

There was a moment of silence, and then the words trailed off.

Theo was forced to admit it.

"You're right. I have decided on Nox as my successor, and I intend to place him in this position. House Reinhafer, the pinnacle of the Great Dark Houses, and I intend to place him in the most powerful seat in the house."

Theo was dumbfounded.

Of one thing he was certain.

His son's talent surpassed that of anyone he'd ever seen, and it surpassed that of Celsus, the only other swordsman of the Three who had ever called Theo his own caliber.

'But we must be careful. How did that man, Celsus, end up?'

Theo had a hunch.

There must have been someone from the imperial family involved in Celsus's death, perhaps a demon worshipper.

And that he had a target on his back not too far away.

"It's dangerous for Nox to become the continent's loser by drawing more attention than necessary. If I don't at least reach a level similar to or below his, I won't be able to defend myself."

"Yes. Perhaps that's why you had the Black Sword Knights escort him to the desert this time. You've always liked to be sure of things."

Theo nodded.

Rodwell was right, this time the Chasers of Nox. Moreover, he was to be accompanied on his journey to the Kingdom of Tahalin by Knights of the Black Sword, who would follow him in secret.

Nox's skills were now more than adequate to be his successor.

There is nothing more damaging to a family than to lose such a resource to a frivolous occasion. So Theo would keep Nox as safe as possible.

Until the last possible moment.

Even if he is facing the tragedy of having to kill himself.

"The Black Sword Knights are good at covering their tracks, and each one of them is highly skilled. There shouldn't be too much trouble."

"I think so, too."

Rodwell nods in agreement.

Theo thought about it for a moment, then added, looking out the now-darkened car window.

"If the House Council finds out that I taught him the first half of the second swordsmanship, I will not escape censure. I have, after all, broken one of the rules of House Reinhafer, but… I doubt any of them will be bold enough to voice their displeasure directly to me. Such is the weight of power."

Theo grinned wryly.

"I'll grow Nox to his peak as fast as I can, and then Reinhafer will have whatever he wants."

"Whether or not that is the case, I serve you, Theo von Reinhafer, as a faithful servant to my lord and to House Reinhafer."

Rodwell bowed his head.

A faithful servant, indeed. Theo nodded with satisfaction.

It was a rare expression of emotion for him.

Theo closed his eyes for a moment, thinking.

Terrible moment. The moment when you know you've lost and you can't move any further. My son said.

[Where are you going now?]

[This unruly bastard hasn't learned a damn thing yet].

Theo looked there.

A fiery, blazing sense of honor....

Sometimes it feeds off of human talent, molding it in the name of the game, but he sensed none of that in Nox.

Theo was content to marvel that it was his youngest. The corner of his mouth, still slightly upturned, was proof of that.

Of course, only Rodwell had noticed, and it would have to be kept a secret for the rest of his life for the sake of the family.

Anyway.

Nox von Reinhafer. The youngest of the family, and now beyond the pale, his power was slowly beginning to touch awe.

Even Theo had to admit it.

Which brings us back to the question.

How long had Nox known how to handle his talent?

'Since the beginning.'

Theo was convinced now.

'He's been fooling me from the beginning. He wasn't an asshole, he was just putting on an act. Funny, Nox… he's my child, but I can't even read his mind.'

A talent that might even surpass him.

Theo couldn't help but be sincerely excited for Nox.

Even if he sees what he will do in the future, even if he cuts down Paimon, his future path will be full of blood. But I didn't think it was going to be a goal.

For that is what Reinhafer's restraint should be.

As he had been.

To wear the crown, one must bear its weight.

The weight of Esteban von Arkheim, the 'Foolish Emperor'.

The current king did not have it, and he was preparing to rebel.

"Rodwell. Me, not Reinhafer. You, too, know that the end of Theo von Reinhafer is near. So...."

"Don't be wistful. For I will always be with you, my lord. Even in death. Please accept my loyalty."

No one could hear the conversation between the two, but one thing was already certain.

The ironclad House of Reinhafer was slowly beginning to crumble.

And it had begun with... the Patriarch. It was would be Theo's death.