3 Underground Prison

"Elmer refused the Viscount title"

Conor was in the study room with his father, Viscount Marcel. He was here just to retrieve his pocket money, but Viscount Marcel made a statement that would surely shock anybody in Tandefelt territory. However, Conor already knew about it. His older brother wanted to pursue his swordsmanship and neglected his right as the heir, just like in the novel. Honestly Conor wasn't worried at all, as Elmer was easy to influence. He definitely didn't want to be the heir, hence he would scheme about Elmer at later time. He was busy enough thinking about Ren. Right now he was rather worried for the Viscount's piercing gaze though. It was so intense that he could make a hole in Conor's face.

His father was definitely in a bad mood. After all, Viscount Marcel had always wanted Elmer to inherit his title. Conor secretly wished that he could tell Viscount Marcel to not worry. Elmer would become a Viscount in the future after all. Only, it would be after Viscount Marcel died. There was no one else to inherit the household after Conor and Marcel death except for Elmer. Conor was trying to change the cruel fate, but not planning to change anything about Elmer inheriting their father's title.

Conor furrowed his brow in response, as if he never heard about it before.

"Did he tell the reason why?" Conor asked.

Viscount Marcel let out a small sigh.

"He said that he wants to be a swordsmaster. That foolish son..."

He replied stiffly. Conor was sure his father regretted the decision to hire a Master for Elmer. Well to be fair, he was sure Viscount Marcel was happy because it was the first time Elmer requested something from him. Plus, Elmer adorable look when he was young might be overkill. Imagining it, Conor would love to see the small adorable Elmer.

But he was a bit in a pinch now. He had no idea what to say to Viscount Marcel. Viscount Marcel definitely going to dump the title to Conor, and taking up that job was too troublesome. Even if the original Conor would be elated that he had a chance to snatch the Viscount title from his brother, Conor didn't want to act like he was interested. Because he definitely didn't. So he was pondering what should he say in that regard.

"You can inherit the title of Viscount" He paused for a while, probably observing Conor's reaction. However there wasn't even a hint of joy in his face. The Viscount didn't have any other choice. He knew that Conor was the worst person for him to choose as the heir, as he only played around drinking all the time. But he hated to force Elmer to do something he didn't wish for.

He continued in a strong demanding voice.

"But I'm hoping that you could start to study about the management of the territory"

Conor almost cringed when he heard the word 'study'. He went to school for nine years, and four years of college. It would be a whopping thirteen years! There was no way he wanted to busy himself with studying and taking care of a Viscounty.

"Father"

Conor addressed his Father strongly. He had decided from the start that he would live in leisure. So his answer was obvious.

"I don't want to be a Viscount"

That words froze Viscount Marcel. He knew well that his son Conor would cry in joy to inherit his wealth, as he remembered the jealous and dejected gaze Conor had every time Conor saw the older brother, Elmer. Therefore, that statement shocked him.

"That title suit Elmer better more than me, right Father?" Conor let out a small smile, enough to show that he was sincere.

"Elmer might not realize his potential now, so just take it easy and there's no need to be hasty" He continued.

Hearing that, Viscount Marcel truly surprised. Since when Conor was so compassionate towards Elmer, to the point of rejecting being the heir? Viscount Marcel wasn't blind. He knew the history between Conor and Elmer and what made them drift apart like now. That's why he could not believe his ears right now.

"You..."

It was then that both Viscount Marcel and Conor heard a loud steps drawing near. The door of the room was opened brutally, that Conor almost dropped his pouch of gold coins that he received in shock.

"My Lord!! Th- there's a demonic beast spotted near the Mountain Range of Death!!"

Viscount Marcel's servant was breathing heavily, huge drops of sweat slowly made its way to the floor from his face. He was pale, and his hands were trembling. his reaction was normal, even Viscount marcel who never showed any expression widened his eyes from shock. The last report of Demonic Beast was from an ancient document, which the full content wasn't even completely deciphered yet.

"Send the Knights immediately!"

Viscount Marcel quickly regain his composure. But Conor knew he was extremely nervous from his stiff voice. His worries were normal, as the ancient record said that one Demonic Beast could annihilate a whole village in minutes, even though the scholars weren't able to prove its legitimacy yet.

But Conor didn't have any time to be concerned about that. He didn't expect Ren to be arrived at Tandefelt territory this fast.

He was sure that Ren would come a little bit later, but to be fair it had been years since he read the novel series. There bound to be a couple things or two details he forgot.

'Damn it, I shouldn't have wasted those three days doing nothing'

He truly regretted slacking around. Now that people misunderstood Ren as Demonic Beast, he had two options. The safest one was to hand Ren to the Royal family. He was sure that the news would reach the Royal family in less than three days. And the second option...

Conor sighed. He truly didn't want to meet the Main Character when he didn't know for sure he would be safe. He valued his life more than anything, but he wasn't that ruthless to hand the naïve and innocent Ren to the Royal family. He knew how rotten the royals were.

Conor finally made his choice. He faced his father who looked more stern than ever. Noticing his gaze, Viscount Marcel was about to open his mouth, but Conor made it first.

"Father, I have a request"

Viscount Marcel was unable to utter a word seeing his son determined gaze for the first time.

---

It was a difficult and long journey to get Viscount Marcel permission to visit the Demonic Beast. Conor didn't expect Viscount Marcel to be such a worrywart. He thought it would be easy for him to grant his request, but the the Viscount was really concerned about his safety. Maybe that's why the original Conor didn't even ask for his father permission and snuck in to see Ren with only a couple of his servants. He had a little bit of regret going the difficult way, but he didn't want to lower the trust of Viscount Marcel. He also understood where Viscount Marcel coming from, since it was about the legendary Demonic Beast.

So, here he was. Finally in front of the entrance of Tandefelt territory's underground prison. He felt like a week of appealing to his father finally paid off. He even promised Viscount Marcel to show up more often at dinner table. Conor didn't feel that comfortable meeting Viscountess Nadia and Elmer, but he would hold out as long as he could savor delicious meals.

He also tried his best to stop rumors from spreading around. Well he didn't do anything, his father subordinates did it while he was slacking around. But anyways, the news might reach the capital later than in the novel. He predicted it to be a few weeks late.

"Young Master Conor, we would see it from afar and then come back. That's the instruction the Lord gave me"

Conor looked up to see the familiar features. Knight Captain Joren had a short red hair, and huge figure. That was normal as he trained every single day as a Knight. But what made Conor uncomfortable was his gaze that clearly looking down at Conor. Conor knew he didn't have any good reputation to his name, but to be belittled by a Knight was a little pathetic. But it was perhaps due to his bizarre request to visit the Demonic Beast. The Knight Captain Joren must have thought that Conor was here to do something audacious.

Paying it no mind, Conor just nodded at the information Joren gave. He wasn't going to obey to it anyways.

"I understand. Just lead the way" He said, ordered Joren.

Led by the Knight Captain Joren and three more Knights, Conor headed down to the underground cell. The moment he stepped in, an uncomfortable pungent smell was dominating his sense. But it wasn't that bad, as he put his handkerchief to his nose. The more he walked inside, the more eerie the path was. It was getting darker and darker, and his eyes could only rely on dim oil lamps tucked on the walls. He could barely see Joren who walked in front of him.

After walking for a while, Conor saw a couple of cells lined up on the corner of his eyes. By this time, he already got used to the smell that he didn't need his handkerchief anymore.

"Is that where you keep him?" He asked, trying to see inside the cell.

But he got an unexpected answer.

"Not there, Young Master. He is in the largest cell downstairs" Joren answered, slightly turned towards Conor while still walking.

'Downstairs?'

Conor furrowed his brows, baffled. He wanted to ask what did he meant, but decided to just go along and see it for himself. And a moment later, he saw a huge hole gnawing in front of them. Its size was at least ten times his size. Curious about the hole, Conor peeked past Joren's shoulder which covered half of his sight due to Joren's huge built. But, Conor could only see darkness.

Joren took the one oil lamp which attached to the wall and started heading towards the hole. With lights emanating from the lamp, Conor could se stairs leading downstairs. He instantly understood why the Knight Captain said it was downstairs.

However, the pungent smell kept getting stronger in this particular area. Conor could still holding on, but he thought about Ren who was being locked here for a week.

'They keep the Main Character in here? Are they trying to die early??'

About ten steps later he could see huge iron bars lined up neatly. Two oil lamps inside the cell emanating dim lights, enough to vaguely see what was inside. There, inside the dark damp cell was the Main Character,

Ren.