Chapter 52: Cryphart Family (2)
After wiping the sweat from my training, I turned my head to Herand.
"By the way, it's been a long ti since I last saw you at the imperial palace. Elder brother Herand, is there any particular reason for your visit?"
"Oh, just ca by the order of Chairman Ornn to the secretariat for a bit."
Chairman Ornn, huh?
At the ntion of his na, I stared intently at Herand.
The forr head of the Cryphart family and the chairman of the Elder Council.
He disliked Yulian to the extent that the word 'hatred' seed fitting.
It made sense.
Chairman Ornn, a pureblood fanatic, despised Yulian, who despite being of a collateral line, beca a dog of the imperial family as part of 'Blind Eyes', an agency directly under the imperial family, and his fa surpassed that of the four great families.
Well, if you consider infamy as fa, that is.
But still.
'Ornn at the secretariat... What's the deal?'
I found myself intrigued without realizing it.
"Don't worry. It wasn't anything related to you."
Seeming to have caught on to my thoughts to so extent, Herand waved his hand dismissively, speaking with a hint of nervousness.
There was no trace of deceit in his expression.
"By the way, Yulian."
"Yes, elder brother."
"That... regarding Milena's keepsake."
Milena's keepsake?
Ah, he must be talking about the 'Soul Stone necklace' that I obtained and entrusted to Herand previously.
"Are you sure you're okay with
holding onto it? Isn't it sothing precious to you?"
Herand stroked his beard, looking embarrassed.
He seed eager to return it, perhaps suspecting I might use it against him.
But I couldn't accept it back.
I had no place to store it securely, and if the Dawn Society discovered that I secretly acquired a 'Soul Stone', they wouldn't leave
be.
"Please hold onto it a bit longer. Once I finish what I'm working on, I'll co to retrieve it myself."
"Is that so?"
At the ntion of things being settled, Herand's body shivered slightly.
I couldn't quite grasp his thoughts.
"Well, I'll be going now, elder brother. I heard there's a family eting, please give my regards to the head."
I concluded that there was no more to discuss and turned to leave.
After the trial in the training ground with the 'spear', I realized my talents extended beyond just the 'sword' to other weapons as well.
This discovery sparked an eager desire to experint with different weapons.
"Wouldn't you consider coming to the family eting, Yulian?"
Herand's sudden suggestion made
turn back to him. When our eyes t, the 'color of fear' hovered over his head.
"Aren't you a mber of the Cryphart family as well?"
"I'm from a collateral line, brother. Wasn't it you who attached the 'Frason' label to ?"
If I knew 'Yulian' well, he would have seamlessly laughed it off.
But what was this seething emotion rising in my chest... Is it anger?
"I understand you harbor a deep resentnt for the Cryphart family."
This emotion naturally emanated from my body.
'Yulian's' intense wrath, while Herand, visibly struggling under it, continued to speak.
"Your environnt and treatnt must have been terrible. Even Lady Milena's funeral was poorly handled, and they didn't even allow a grieving child to attend, claiming they couldn't bear the sound of your cries."
Though I have no mory of it, the re ntion of 'Milena' again stirred an inexplicable ache in a corner of my heart.
But it wasn't enough to impede the conversation. It was just a montary settling of the simring rage.
"I'm not telling you to forget the past. However..."
"Elder brother, I appreciate your concern, but I have no intention of attending the family eting."
I cut off his continuing words and firmly stated my position.
"Is that so..."
"Yes."
I nodded calmly at his wavering response.
In fact, I knew logically that opposing a family like Cryphart wouldn't bring any benefits.
However, Yulian's instinct refused the reconciliation with the Cryphart family, which was beyond repair, unlike the rational ''.
'That's not all.'
A stronger sense of wanting to avoid unnecessary entanglents existed.
Surely, the high-nosed direct line of the Cryphart family would expect my unconditional obedience.
"If that's your decision, I won't push any further."
With a troubled expression that revealed his honest intentions, Herand stroked his beard once more.
Unlike the other bitter Cryphart family mbers, it seed that this timid third son was indeed quite affectionate.
That thought crossed my mind.
Perhaps that's why I don't feel any particular aversion toward him despite being from the Cryphart family.
"Regarding Lady Milena's matter... I am truly sorry. I know this apology may not an much to you, but I wanted to say it nonetheless..."
"It's alright. It's a distant mory."
Though, in truth, I've never experienced it.
"... But, are you really okay with this? Joshua will be attending the family eting as well. Recently, he got himself into trouble with you."
Ah, so that was why he wanted
to attend the family eting.
Joshua Cryphart.
Within the ga's storyline, this individual, fully indulging in the affection of the current head and the right-hand man in the Elder Council, eventually excels both internally and externally within the family and even hears talk about being the 'next head'.
"Since it's Joshua's first ti attending the family eting, it's inevitable the elders and many retainers will focus their attention on him. Surely, they might request sanctions against you for what happened before..."
"Please don't worry, elder brother."
I replied with a smile to his concern.
Though I wasn't aware of my expression, seeing Herand sweat profusely suggested it wasn't very reassuring.
"Recently, Joshua and I had an opportunity to build a stronger bond."
***
"Damn that guy..."
Arriving at the venue for the family eting, Joshua muttered under his breath with a heavily frowning face.
Fiddling with the tie of his ceremonial attire, he moved his gaze toward the clock hanging on the wall, revealing his discomfort.
'... The eting is about to start.'
Though it was his first family eting, if it were his usual self, he wouldn't have been this tense.
To Joshua, who was always full of self-confidence as much as his rampant pride, the emotion of 'nervousness' was an unfamiliar territory.
― Let's start negotiating, Joshua. This matter is too significant to let slide under the rug.
But things were different now.
Joshua bit his lip as he recalled the 'negotiation' he had with Yulian on the day he assaulted Yulian's estate.
― Firstly, hand over Alphas Mayend's identity to Blind Eyes. Additionally, I'd like you to handle all compensations resulting from this incident.
Up to this point, the content of the 'negotiation' wasn't problematic. However, the subsequent words were enough to throw Joshua into confusion.
― In the upcoming family eting, I'd like you to support
stepping up as the head.
Due to Yulian's actions so far, both the Elder Council of Nobles and the Cryphart family had a bone to pick with him.
Moreover, did they not send a 'warning' through the secretariat recently?
The Cryphart family, whose pride was hurt by this unprecedented event, was eagerly searching for a pretext to send him back to the Northern Front.
The incident at the banquet was a perfect opportunity.
A re 'collateral' mber disgraced the honor of a 'direct descendant' official in a public setting.
'Interfering was a mistake... Getting swept up in emotions...!'
Joshua's reckless attack on Yulian's estate out of anger due to the humiliating event at the banquet turned into a self-defeating move.
He had squandered the perfect chance to expel Yulian by taking the bait.
"Master Joshua, Sir Herand has arrived at the eting venue. Please proceed inside as the eting is about to comnce."
Lost in thought, Joshua raised his head at the sudden call of an attendant.
He nodded and started moving his feet after that.
The closer he got to the eting venue, the heavier Joshua's steps beca.
'... Damn it.'
Nonetheless, shaking off his nervousness, Joshua opened the door and stepped inside. The gazes of the retainers focused on him.
"You're here, Joshua."
Among them, Oben Cryphart, the current head of the Cryphart family and Joshua's father, directed a neutral gaze at him.
Joshua responded with a slight nod before taking his seat.
Glancing around, Joshua observed the familiar faces of the retainers.
First to catch his eye was Herand, visibly sweating. Behind him, the head butler, lahart, maintained a relatively calm deanor.
"Now, let's begin the eting."
With Oben's words, the family eting comnced. The first topic on the agenda was the movents of 'Sword Saint' Hayden Reich.
"The fact that the Sword Saint has a close relationship with the second prince is known to everyone. If he supports the second prince, the succession to the throne might lean in that direction."
"However, Sir Caldrag, the third prince who has made his mark on the Northern Front, can't be overlooked, can he? Since a majority of the military supports him..."
"I also believe the fourth princess, endorsed by the Magic Tower, cannot be dismissed."
"It's understood that her prominence doesn't compare to the Sword Saint. The only person whose honor might co close..."
The speaker trailed off, for although infamy overshadowed his reputation, there was only one person who could asure up to the prestige of the 'Sword Saint'.
"However, I don't think Yulian is very interested in the throne succession."
"It's better that way. Should Yulian express interest, the situation could beco even more complicated."
"What are your thoughts, Joshua?"
As the discussion progressed, a sudden ntion by Oben brought silence to the eting room and all eyes turned to Joshua.
"Being your first participation in a family eting, you might be hesitant. So, speak your mind calmly."
"Yes, understood."
Responding formally to Oben's words, Joshua slowly rose from his seat.
Although he could reveal his distaste for Yulian openly, that would be problematic.
― Don't entertain any foolish thoughts. If you report this incident to Blind Eyes and the secretariat, an investigation will begin.
The leash in the negotiation was in Yulian's hands.
'In that case...'
I'll play along with your wishes.
"Greetings, I am Joshua Cryphart."
As Joshua addressed the retainers around him, most looked on with satisfied expressions.
"How about formally acknowledging Yulian as a mber of the family?"
Those expressions didn't last long.
Astonishnt briefly replaced the retainers' expressions following Joshua's shocking proposal, soon followed by most of them expressing outrage.
"What...?"
"Are you calling that a statent?"
"Acknowledging that scoundrel would tarnish the Cryphart na!"
Joshua resolved to take an aggressive stance.
Due to his agreent with Yulian, he couldn't demand that the latter be exiled to the Northern Front. Hence, Joshua decided to provoke further.
Rebel.
Rebel even more.
"But isn't Yulian's reputation comparable to that of the 'Sword Saint'? Therefore, I believe..."
Joshua twisted his lips as he watched the retainers' raised voices.
"Yulian is a fitting candidate for the next head."
I'll support you as pledged.
Strongly enough to provoke inevitable objections.
"T-The next head...!?"
"A-Are you seriously saying that?"
"No matter how young you might be, such a statent is hard to justify, Joshua!"
As Joshua anticipated, the retainers' backlash was intense. This prompted so mbers to stand firmly in disagreent.
"Perhaps Joshua is still young and easily swayed by rumors."
"I find it absurd that such rumors circulate within the capital."
"I agree. Exiling him to the Northern Front imdiately serves both the family's interests and those of the imperial family..."
Yes, that's it.
Joshua smirked inwardly at the sight of the outraged attendees.
'The events of today can be conveniently dismissed after kicking him out.'
He thought they served their purpose, thinking he wasn't serious.
'Then there shouldn't be anyone opposing.'
As the course of the conversation increasingly leaned toward exiling Yulian to the Northern Front, "However... I must say I find Joshua's argunt reasonable."
Herand intervened in the discussion.
An astounded Joshua slowly turned his head to check Herand's expression.
'Elder brother Herand?'
He had believed Herand disliked and feared Yulian.
What are you trying to say, brother?
"Even soone like Joshua, who once held significant disdain for Yulian, has altered his view. Surely, this reflects Yulian's recent actions becoming more humane?"
No.
Absolutely not, elder brother Herand!
Joshua wanted to counter Herand's sudden statent but couldn't.
sss
Were he to take back his earlier defense of Yulian now, his reputation as indecisive would worsen.
"Indeed, considering the current dynamics within the imperial court, Yulian's stature is formidable."
"That's correct. Infamy is also a form of fa, after all."
It was as if they had been waiting for this opportunity.
Beginning with Herand, those retainers with lesser animosity towards Yulian, especially those who reached their current positions based solely on their talents, started voicing support.
'Did I... ignite this, unintentionally?'
Glancing sidelong at Herand, Joshua brooded.
'D-Damn it...!'
Clacky's Corner:
What was Joshua thinking?
Also, his plan to get his ass kicked out of the eting backfired hard.
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