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Chapter 111

Kane\'s heart raced.

It was a feeling he experienced every time he saw Duke Carl.

When he was Ray, all he felt was anger, but now... worry, relief, and a mix of other emotions surged up.

‘I still can’t get used to this,’ he thought.

These were the emotions of the character, Kane Rehinar. It was feelings beyond his own will. Shaking off the awkwardness, he stepped into the room.

“You’re here,” Duke Carl greeted him warmly.

“You’ve really brightened up while I was asleep.”

“That’s the result of being diligent. How are you feeling?”

Duke Carl showed a hint of disappointment at Kane’s formal tone.

“I feel like I’ve lost my cute son. Don’t you think so, Cedric?”

“He’s become much more dependable, hasn’t he?”

“I miss the cute Kane. Now he feels like an old man who’s seen all the hardships of the world.”

“The Young master is already twenty-one years old. It’s past the time to be merely cute.”

“He’s still very young, isn’t he?”

“Other heirs of noble families are already married or at least engaged at his age.”

Cedric didn’t back down from Duke Carl’s words.

The Duke’s pale face scrunched up.

“Another boring person. What am I supposed to look forward to now?”

“When you fully recover, Your Excellency will have plenty to do. You needn’t worry about such trivial things.”

Cedric cut the conversation off sharply, making it clear there would be no more pointless chatter. While he showed utmost respect to Duke Carl in public, this was something that often happened when it was just the two of them. Their relationship had evolved beyond that of lord and servant; they were almost like friends.

“You still have a habit of putting people in their place, Cedric,” Duke Carl coughed and changed the topic.

“Ahem. So, I’ve heard there have been many changes in Rehinar. Did you accomplish all that, son?”

Kane’s brows furrowed.

His heart, which had been calm, pounded again at the word ‘son.’ What was this feeling? Was he missing his parents?

He quietly gathered his mana to maintain his composure.

“Phew.”

After taking a deep breath, he responded immediately.

“It’s nothing special.”

“Nothing special? I heard you turned Rehinar into a city of water! That’s incredible! Did you teach yourself high-level construction magic? Did you find the book in the family’s library?”

Kane turned his head aside. Cedric’s eyes were sparkling, clearly waiting for his answer.

‘Is he still seriously believing that? And why is he more interested in high-level construction magic than the war with Tegelo?’

He couldn’t understand it. Sure, high-level construction magic was impressive, but the war with Tegelo was far more important. Lives were at stake. Even if they won, the damage must have been significant… yet Duke Carl seemed completely uninterested in that.

“Are you perhaps interested in construction magic, Father?” Kane asked.

“I’m only interested because my son used it. How did you learn it?”

“It just... happened.”

Kane’s answer was vague.

Duke Carl burst out laughing in response.

“Cedric! Did you hear that? It just happened. Haha!”

“I always thought you were a late bloomer, but it turns out you’re a genius beyond the understanding of common folk.”

Cedric referred to himself as common, which was a high compliment for Kane.

He gripped the book tightly in his hand.

The passion for learning was evident in his eyes. It was as if he was determined to read every single book in the family’s library from cover to cover.

As time passed, the misunderstandings only piled up.

Seeing Kane’s discomfort, Duke Carl smirked and changed the subject.

“Why are you here during such a busy time? It seems you didn’t know I had woken up, so did you come here to see Cedric?”

“Ah, yes.”

“What business do you have with Cedric?”

Duke Carl looked intently at Kane. He had already heard about his eldest son’s actions shortly after waking up. He knew all about it—about the handling of Dyer family and the Tegelo family, leaving no future threats behind.

He had heard everything.

The bold decisions his son had made filled him with admiration. At the same time, he felt a twinge of sadness.

‘You must have been carrying so many burdens... enough to get your hands bloody yourself.’

He didn’t know what hardships his eldest son had endured, but as a parent, he knew one thing: his eyes.

They seemed clear on the surface, but storms always raged beneath. His eyes were rough and dry—such a contrast to his bright exterior. His eldest son was still living in a world of struggle, yet he kept his true feelings hidden.

It wasn’t time to talk about it yet.

“The ones who poisoned you with the mana crystal herb and delivered it to Hatzfeld will be coming to Rehinar,” Kane said.

Duke Carl’s expression remained unchanged. Instead, Cedric’s eyebrows twitched. The man, usually the epitome of calm, showed a reaction.

“The mysterious group you mentioned before?” Cedric asked.

“Yes. They’re coming to capture me.”

“You wouldn’t be telling me this unless you needed help.”

“No. I’m here to ask that you never leave my father’s side, no matter what.”

Cedric tilted his head, puzzled by the unexpected request.

Kane continued, “They will try to kill both me and my father. Please protect him with all your might.”

“That goes without saying,” Cedric replied.

“Even if the royal family comes, do not let them through.”

“I wouldn’t open the way even if the Emperor himself showed up.”

“Please keep that promise.”

With that, Kane’s business was finished. As he seemed ready to leave the room, Duke Carl called out to him.

“You’re not going to stay and chat a bit longer?”

The Duke looked disappointed. He had been awake longer than usual, and while he was awake, he wanted to speak more with his son.

“There are troubling movements in the Demon forest. I must go check on it.”

It was a signal that the territory could be in danger, and since Duke Carl cared deeply for the people of his land, he had no choice but to let Kane go.

“I can’t keep my busy son here any longer, can I?”

“I’ll take my leave.”

Kane bowed his head. Just as he was about to open the door and step out, Duke Carl called out to him.

“Son.”

His voice was so warm, filled with paternal love.

“Is there something you wanted to say…?” Kane asked.

“Always take care of yourself. And if someone hits you, come tell your father.”

Kane couldn’t help but laugh at the undignified comment.

“As Uncle Cedric said, I’m twenty-one years old now. And I’m not weak enough to get beaten up.”

“I know. But there are countless strong people in this world who aren’t well-known. Some might be as strong or even stronger than the Twelve Star Lords.”

Kane’s gaze wavered slightly.

Sensing this, Duke Carl wrapped up the conversation.

“Facing such opponents might be too much for you right now. So, if you meet someone like that, just write their name down and tell me. I’ll take care of them.”

It was his way of saying he’d be on his side. The reassurance was overwhelming.

“I’ll do that.”

Kane felt like he had someone to always back him up. It wasn’t a bad feeling.

Actually, it was a good one.

In the past, he’d been anxious, afraid of being abandoned… but now, he felt a sense of relief.

* * *

For the past few days, a thick fog had settled in front of the gates of Rehinar Territory.

The once white fog had turned black.

Could it be an ominous sign?

The soldiers were on edge, trembling with unease.

Kane climbed up above them.

“Sir!”

The guards saluted Kane in unison.

“Don’t be scared. You’ve already beaten Tegelo; are you going to get scared of a little black magic?”

At his words, the tension in the soldiers’ faces eased slightly.

The victory against Tegelo had given them confidence.

Perhaps that’s why Kane’s voice seemed to comfort them.

“No, sir!”

“Rehinar soldiers are invincible.”

“We won’t lose to any mutated monsters!”

Kane patted one of the soldiers on the shoulder.

“It’s okay to be scared. But remember, your weapons and armor will protect you. They were made by the finest blacksmith in Rehinar. Don’t forget that.”

In any battle, soldiers needed something to rely on. For these men, it was their equipment—crafted by Mikhail, Rehinar’s master blacksmith.

His weapons and armor had proven their worth in the battle against Tegelo, where not a single life had been lost, even when facing the Wind Fox Magic Squad.

That alone showed how extraordinary the equipment was.

Gear of that quality wasn’t something ordinary soldiers could afford to use. The weapons likely cost tens, maybe even hundreds of thousands of gold. It was unimaginable that the Young Duke had provided such high-grade equipment to them.

It was a testament to how much Kane valued his soldiers.

With newfound determination, the soldiers shouted in unison.

“We’ll protect it like it’s our very lives!”

“Keep that energy and stay vigilant.”

“Yes, sir!”

Kane boosted the soldiers’ morale, but he could feel a dark presence ahead.

“It’s the aura of a Blood Orc… but it feels like it’s terrified.”

The fear flowed through the aura, as if the Blood Orc had been scared by someone or something, and had fled from its hiding place.

“Blata, what do you think?” Kane asked.

“They were forced out, provoked by something or someone,” Blata replied.

“Is that your conclusion as well?” Kane inquired further.

“Whoever it is, they possess mana opposite to mine. Which means it’s also opposite to yours,” Blata said, sensing the enemy’s nature.

The force opposing them had a power that was the complete opposite of Kane\'s. Blata suspected it was from the Solar Clan.

“There’s also a hint of the Hatzfeld’s Fire Rune mixed in, which you hate. Seems like they’ve teamed up,” Blata added.

“Hatzfeld is just being foolishly used,” Kane said dismissively.

“Hehe, idiots, right? Earning Kane’s wrath was already a stupid move,” Blata giggled. “Right?”

Kane pondered for a moment. “I’m debating which one we should deal with first.”

The second wave of the enemy carried high stakes.

The first wave consisted of Blood Orcs. They were easy to handle. The real problem would come with the second wave: Undead Knights.

If it were just the Undead Knights, Kane wouldn’t be worried, but there was a wildcard.

Before long, one of the executioners from the House of the Sun would arrive at Rehinar. If those Meyer family members saw the Undead Knights, especially the red banner carried by the Undead Knight King, they’d react strongly.

The Undead Knight King held a relic from the House of the True Dragon (The Pervartz Family): the Flame Emperor’s Spear.

The moment the Meyer family saw that banner, they’d recognize it instantly and would stop at nothing to block Kane’s movements.

“Let’s just kill them all!” Blata exclaimed eagerly.

“I’ve only got one body,” Kane responded, dryly.

“Why not attack first, just like when you woke me up?” Blata suggested.

“There’s no time to search through every hidden territory. ‘He’ will show up soon.”

The rumor that Kane possessed the Blood Star had spread. Without a doubt, that would prompt a seat to make a move.

Kane had a prime suspect in mind.

“Who?” Blata asked.

“The Second Seat of the Meyer Family.”

A man who wore a tiger mask. The Meyer Family called him the Enforcer of Jealousy.

And he had a deep connection to Rehinar.