Be my Successor

The summit ended earlier than expected. In only two days, the reports of the various countries had been completed.

The buffet would also be held earlier than planned and be done tomorrow.

Today as well, Sebastian was swinging his spear without rest and at the same time, expending the stigma's energy by manipulating shadows from afar.

Nothing noteworthy happened today other than Gilbert and Damian trying to provoke Sebastian. However, he ignored their attempts and decided to continue training.

"Father."

Sebastian saw Jonathan approach him.

"Return with me on the last day."

"...? If father says so."

They were all riding the same airship so what was the point? Then again, Sebastian heard that the order of the carriages returning was different.

It was a lot faster to go down than to go up the mountain. It would take all of them a day to go down and it would start from the Walt House and end with the House of Luna.

Without saying anything else, Jonathan left Sebastian alone so he could continue training.

"Lord Sebastian."

"Ah, is it time?"

Sebastian wiped off his sweat and then strapped the spear onto his back. Yesterday, he had a promise with Fae for another talk today. Though there should be plenty of time for Sebastian and Fae to talk because the House of Luna and Sol would leave the peak last. Unfortunately, Fae was going to be busy after today. She would only be able to attend the buffet for a few minutes.

Today, they planned to talk about even more secret matters. While everyone will be aware that Sebastian is going to meet Fae, they wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

"You're here."

"Yes, is this where we're going to talk?"

"Wait a moment."

Fae raised her hand slightly and the ground began shaking. The trees in the surroundings began moving and built up a wall surrounding their area.

"With this, we should be safe. The trees will attack anyone that come into the vicinity."

—It seems she holds more of Karya's power than I thought.

Balanos voiced her admiration.

She had said it before, they all held equal power but had different specialties. Since Balanos was a Magus at her peak, then Karya was the same. Though she may be slumbering, she wasn't in any way inferior to a Caster.

"The Sages are all after you, aren't they?"

"...Yes, they are."

"Do you have any idea as to why? Very few can stimulate a Sage's greed as the world's riches are at their fingertips."

"I do."

"But it isn't possible for you to tell me, is it?"

Sebastian nodded.

"I understand. I don't want you who is housing a hamadryad who is Karya's sister in you to die. On the final day, you need to leave through some other means. I have a way to transport you from here to Aurum in just a few minutes, you will take that."

Meaning that the Sages will make a move if he were to board any of the carriages.

"Don't worry. They won't persecute you. While I can't reveal the means of how I wish to transport you, I can guarantee that only a few know about it. Not even the other Sages are able to do so."

Fae plucked a leaf from the trees that had created roots to block off their area and handed it to Sebastian.

"Whisper to this leaf when you are about to depart. Make an excuse with the House of Sol and Luna for you to depart alone, use my name if need be. As long as we're on this mountain peak, not even the Sages are able to do anything against me."

—Such confidence… Do you have any knowledge of her ability? As they've changed their names to Luthien, I haven't a clue as to what their ability is."

'Neither do I…'

Though Sebastian had heard of the tales of how she matched the Conqueror or how her strength was enough to even make the house heads bow in reverence, there weren't any specific details about her ability.

The tales sometimes were boasting of her overwhelming strength and at times, her domineering will. There were also tales of her being able to manipulate life and death, light and darkness, and many other various powers.

Nobody had a good grasp of her abilities but there was an undeniable truth, that she was strong. Even the Sages didn't dare cause trouble with her lightly.

'It's a wonder why she isn't a Sage with her capabilities.'

Unlike Apprentices, Adepts, and the other ranks that require examinations and assessments to determine if they are worthy of their ranks, Sages were ranks that were given without regard for the person's will.

So long as a Magus reaches the threshold set by the Sages of the past, then they will be branded a Sage.

"Is there anything else that you would like to consult to me about?"

"No, there's nothing else on my mind."

"Very well."

Fae raised her hand and then lowered it, the roots and trees that covered the area returned back to their original forms and turned the area serene once more.

—She most likely has a sorcerer under her wing as well.

"Eh? You mean that's how she's going to transport me?"

—EIther that or the bloodline of the ones who can manipulate space works under her. Though, it'd be unlikely as the Sages would be able to find out.

During the meeting, Jonathan had reported about the attack on the academy and how a Valian and possibly, a sorcerer were working for the enemy. Needless to say, it was met by alarm by most of the countries.

A sorcerer hasn't been seen in decades yet the first time one shows up, it was as an enemy working under an unknown threat? How could everyone not be alarmed?

A sorcerer's fighting abilities weren't anything to boast about, but what made them terrifying to Inheritors is the number of things they can do. In one instant, they could teleport from one country to another and the next instant, they could turn an entire battlefield into quicksand.

On top of that, a Valian at the level of a Caster? The two working together was a recipe for disaster.

In the end, Markus submitted a description of the two and wanted posters of them to be scattered throughout the entire continent.

"And that is your decision?"

"Yes. I will leave after the House of Luna."

"Hm…"

Sebastian had explained what Fae told him to Jonathan. Though he hid many details, it was enough to give Jonathan a grasp of what was happening.

It was the night of the second day of the summit, Sebastian and Jonathan confronted each other in Jonathan's quarters. The two sat parallel to each other both with a cup of tea in their hands.

"Alright. I wanted to save this talk for later, but we will have this now."

Jonathan extended his energy and made sure that nobody was able to listen to them.

"I plan to make you the House of Sol's successor."

"Eh?!"

Sebastian stood up and accidentally dropped his cup in shock. Jonathan caught it with his flames without burning the cup and placed it on the table.

"But, why?"

"Of your siblings, only your older brother is qualified in terms of power. However, you should know it yourself, that he is not my ally."

"..."

"What he wants is power, and to do that, he plans to become the House of Sol's head. When that happens, you won't just be banished from the house, there's a huge possibility that you will also be sent to death."

Sebastian's head spun.

"W-wait… If I become the successor, wouldn't I have to do a lot of things?"

"If you don't wish to hold the responsibilities of the house head, you will simply inherit the name and hire someone to manage the house for you. I have several vassals under me that are trustworthy and capable enough to do so."

It appears that Jonathan was set on making Sebastian the house head. He had thought of everything beforehand.

"Then, how will I be able to contend against brother?"

"I'm aware of your brother's strength, he might even be as strong as the Valian. However, that's his limit."

Sebastian knew that Damian wasn't just a simple Adept but with Jonathan's words, it seemed like he was a Caster. How was he able to hide that from the assessments?

"Now, he may be superior to you in terms of power and one day, he might be able to surpass me. But, you're different from me. Unlike me, you are still in the right age, you will continue to grow and eventually, you will surpass your brother. I don't intend to announce my decision to anyone, only you will know this."

Sebastian looked into Jonathan's eyes. His expression was solemn and the will behind his eyes was clear. He wasn't under any influence, he truly wanted Sebastian to become his successor.

"...Then, if I were to accept, what would you do?"

"Simple. I will provide anything you need. Money, facilities, influence, anything that will help you grow will be provided. You are the only one of my children who can surpass Damian and have a heart devoid of malice."

Jonathan brushed his hair that had been attempting to block his eyes upwards and talked to Sebastian with a firm voice.

"I've considered your marriage with the House of Luna and while I originally intended to allow you to marry into their house, I changed my mind. You are the only one capable of succeeding me so once you two are to marry, even if you have yet to become the house head, you will not take on their name.

"I will keep my seat to help you for as long as I can once you accept this.

"Though, in the end, I've no intention to force you to do anything. If you were to deny this selfish request of mine, then you and your mother will have to go into the House of Luna for protection against Damian and his faction."

Sebastian held his breath and tried to calm himself down. What Jonathan had told him was hard to believe.

Just a little more than a year ago, he wasn't able to use his ability. While Jonathan hadn't scorned him for being powerless, the House of Sol as a whole did.

Now, the house head, his own father, was requesting him to become the successor to the House of Sol.

"G-give me some time to think about all this."

"I intend to do so."

Sebastian stood up and Jonathan sent him on his way. He closed the door and sat on the chair once again before coughing. He covered his mouth and when he looked at his hand, there was blood.

He didn't say anything, he just burned the blood on his hand without leaving a trace behind.

"I can't even talk for too long, hah!"

Jonathan gave a self-deprecating laugh and decided to rest.

To help Sebastian, he needed his seat and to keep his seat, he had to be alive. That's why he decided to rest early.