The Duke's Son :Re

-Do-Loren... No, Loren. If you thought of me as your father for just a moment, please, smile. See us off with a smile.

-I hope you will cherish and love Do-Jin to the end, just as we did with you. You are like brothers.

***

Does White Night really want this development? 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

From the moment he’d entered the forest, Loren became aware of Seol Su-Ah’s intentions. During his preliminary investigation of the forest path, it had been filled with illusions and traps meant to keep out monsters and intruders. Now, they wee gone, as if an invisible hand was encouraging him along this path.

I expected her to hate South Korea for abandoning the Yaksha, but this... Unexpectedly, she wanted all of South Korea to be dragged into the abyss of a war.

And it seems the White Night isn’t alone in her desire. Loren stared silently at the hand that Shinra Kyeong held out before saying slowly, “Is deteriorating the relationship between my homeland and yours really what’s best for your nation?”

Lion’s Castle was one of South Korea’s few points of pride. If a foreign aristocrat succeeded in kidnapping a student, the humiliation would be too great for South Korea to sit idly by. To save face and to warn off other nations from acting brazenly, South Korea would have no choice but to strongly protest to Austria.

However, Austria was a superpower vying for hegemony in Europe. And since Loren was involved, Austria might not back down, instead threatening war in return.

Loren said, “Wars between nations often start over minor conflicts, with repeated clashes leading to wars. Even if your homeland lies far East, you won’t be safe from my country’s reach. I know it from the history of Europe.”

On the side, Do-Jin tilted his head. What is this bastard saying right now? Could there be a war between South Korea and Austria, just because he was kidnapped?

Was this a joke? Do-Jin wasn’t convinced at all. Loren’s argument sounded completely blown out of proportion.

However, Loren’s concern about the repercussions in foreign affairs was real. Do-Jin could not predict the European mindset.

While Asia had maintained order because of the China–Japan power balance, Europe was not so lucky and was in constant turmoil. The Europeans lived and breathed war, so their mindset was naturally different.

The Baus family’s vassals were a clear example—they obeyed their master’s order to kidnap a friend and clashed with the armed forces, murdering without any qualms.

For Europeans, these were natural means to an end. Such a mindset was completely foreign to the boys and girls raised in South Korea.

“I’m well aware of that,” Shinra Kyeong said, still holding out his hand to Loren. “But Europe’s troubled history made Austria what it is today... ”

Shinra Kyeong mobilized a trace of his Bloodline Skill. His blue eyes turned gold—shining with a luminescence that repelled the surrounding darkness, just as Loren’s had earlier.

“...And your presence proves all the more why South Korea needs a war.”

After the Yaksha fell, South Korea gained peace by surrendering to Japan and China, but it was a peace that could end at any time. Without strength, South Korea was ultimately subject to the whim of other countries, which made the present peace time all the more dangerous. Far too many people remained unaware of the rude future awaiting them. The government and the Association, who should be preparing for the end of peace, were instead fighting over Lion’s Castle.

“War is the best means to raise awareness among the people. With a little suffering, public sentiment will change and provide an opportunity to purge the rot from the government and Association.”

“I see. Now I understand why you didn’t help the others during the Leech King raid,” Loren muttered.

Do-Jin’s face turned red. “You disgusting bastard!” Shinra Kyeong might be an aristocrat like Jae-Hyeok, but he had a completely different personality. The impressions the two gave off were completely different.

“There are still patriots in a declining country,” Loren concluded.

“Patriots my ass! Damn! This is what people call psychopaths!”

Do-Jin got so angry that he foamed at the mouth, but Loren acted as if he were invisible and grabbed Shinra Kyeong’s hand. “Okay. I trust you to help me sincerely.”

He had no reason to refuse to cooperate with the heir of South Korea’s greatest aristocratic family.

But... How did he find me? Did he notice me following him earlier and secretly track me? Loren felt uncomfortable when he thought of this.

Loren and Shinra Kyeong were both the son of a duke, both the same age, and both had awakened their Bloodline Skill. Their standings were the same, so any inferiority in Loren’s abilities was bound to chafe his pride. Moreover,

Moreover, the Shinra family was a family that dealt with divinity, a power that was fatal to the Baus family. That fact made Loren’s eyes narrow further.

Shinra Kyeong felt Loren’s grip tighten and said, “It is a coincidence that I met you here.” His attempt to comfort Loren made Loren’s face twist more.

Loren threw off Shinra Kyeong’s hand. “Enough of that. We need to hurry now.’

“I agree.”

The group quickened their pace. Although they were able to cross the trail safely thanks to Seol Su-Ah’s secret aid, they couldn’t relax yet. The Pearl Island gateway was protected by guards on the inside and gatekeepers on the outside. How quickly they were dealt with would determine the success or failure of this operation.

Loren glanced at Shinra Kyeong. Above all, I don’t know what other variables might come up.

Plans could never keep up with changes. Even Loren had only survived the battlefields of Europe partly due to luck. He knew well how hard it was to plan for the future. That reminds me. Loren made a skeleton bone to block Do-Jin’s mouth, who was growling incessantly.

Things became quieter.

But soon, Loren noticed something strange. Why was Shinra Kyeong alone? The twins and that girl with the glasses had always followed him around like shadows, but now they were nowhere to be seen.

Loren’s caution rose once again. People who appeared different from usual were always suspicious. Loren was about to question Shinra Kyeong when—

“Hah, what is this?” Wasn’t the report real?”

Fifteen players stepped out from the surrounding trees, surrounding Loren’s group. They wore gorgeous white uniforms, and whether it was the men or the women, they all looked outstanding.

These were the gatekeepers, the face of Lion’s Castle charged with protecting the gate from the outside.

In other words...

“Why are the gatekeepers inside the gate?”

“Haha. Curious? I got a report from a friend. Come, Student Loren. We don’t want things to become serious. Step down. As for that behemoth over there, you’re under arrest.” The captain of the gatekeepers motioned to Wolfgang.

The gatekeepers had learned of the incident inside the school after receiving a message from Cho Seong-Hyeon of Jaegyeong Pharmaceuticals.

Having faced several assassination attempts, Cho Seong-Hyeon regarded Jae-Hyeok and Song Se-Yeong as his benefactors and had established an emergency communication network with the two of them through the Community. Thanks to that, Song Se-Yeong had been able to contact Cho Seong-Hyeon even while trapped inside the library. And from there, Cho Seong-Hyeon immediately reported the incident to both the gatekeepers and Lee So-Yeong, whom he was close with.

The same gatekeeper continued, “I don’t know the details, but you can only blame your luck that we found out.”

Wolfgang sighed dramatically. “No, it’s you who’s unlucky. I’m not sure how you found out, but it’s a shame you did.”

Then, with a speed unfitting of his huge bulk, Wolfgang stepped forward and grabbed the heads of two gatekeepers. The man and woman were slammed unconscious against rocks and trees before they even registered what happened.

“...An S-class player?”

The gatekeepers had been confident in their numbers, but their expressions stiffened then.

The gatekeepers had been cautious, knowing the kidnapper was Austria’s National Treasure candidate, but they hadn’t expected him to be accompanied by a superhuman.

“This is the worst development imaginable.”

“Keep your spirits up! I’ve sent a request for reinforcements to headquarters. We just have to hold on a bit longer.”

Even if they were bitten by a tiger, there was a chance to survive as long as they kept their wits about them.

The gatekeepers swallowed nervously, but they forced themselves to stay focused and fell into a formation that they practiced daily.

Wolfgang was a bit impressed.

However, the situation was worse than the gatekeepers realized.

“Young Master Shinra Kyeong?”

The gatekeepers’ faces brightened when one of them recognized the silver-haired boy beside Loren. But their hope was short-lived.

“That little boy is one of us!” Wolfgang laughed.

Shocked, the gatekeepers went pale. A part of their formation lost cohesion, and Wolfgang easily broke through.

Chaos erupted.

Baaaaang!

With every swing of Wolfgang’s mana-infused hand, which was as big as a pot lid, the gatekeepers’ shoulders were smashed or holes were punched through their chests.

Some of them barely managed to fight back, but their hesitant attacks were no better than a blind man’s to Wolfgang.”

“You’re crazy...! Stop! Stop it! What the hell are you doing?” Disgusted by the terrible scene of flying flesh and blood, Do-Jin shouted while veins burst in his eyes. “Hey! Shinra Kyeong! Why are you staying still? An aristocrat...! No! Why is a human being just watching silently? Why don’t you help them?”

Shinra Kyeong tilted his head, his blue eyes looking especially cold. “That’s a stupid question. Why would I help witnesses who could trouble me later?”

“That is what a fucking bastard would say!”

“In the first place, they are fools. How can they be gatekeepers if they can’t even gauge their opponent’s skills? They don’t deserve to protect the students.”

South Korea, which I will lead, doesn’t need such people...

Shinra Kyeong recalled the crowds surrounding the Yaksha’s mansion and hurling hateful insults, and his calm heart cooled further.

Just then, the ensuing battle could no longer drown out the rumble of an engine. A voice reached Shinra Kyeong and Loren’s ears.

“You don’t deserve to be an aristocrat.”

Sinra Kyeong and Loren recognized the voice immediately.

“Kang Jae-Hyeok?”