The Terminally Ill Young Master is the Mad Dog of the Underworld
Chapter 282

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]

Chapter 282: The Council of Elders and the 8th Prince

"Welcome."

Father greeted us dressed in ceremonial robes with his sword at his side.

"We greet you, Father."

We bowed like knights paying respects to their lord.

"Everyone has gathered, I see?"

I looked at Father's retainer group.

From the Grand Commander of the Royal Guard and the Special Operations Division Grand Commander, to the Knight Grand Commander and the Grand Commander of Security Guard, even including the Head Butler and the Intelligence Director...

The sight of all of them standing as if protecting Father was truly spectacular.

'Even Head Butler Aiden, who isn't part of the military, is a master beyond the 6th tier.'

Not to mention the aura emanating from the four military personnel.

Whether it was Gelberich or Schelde, if anyone dared to bare their teeth recklessly in front of these people, it felt like their limbs would be torn off and hung at the castle gates.

'The most absurd thing is...'

Among them all, the one whose presence was 'most unreadable' was none other than Venion.

In other words, Venion had been the second-in-command of the retainer group from the beginning.

"Since I first held my eldest son, Karl, in my arms..."

Father looked at both of us with a face full of emotion.

"More than 20 years have passed by like clouds. To face once again the hardships and trials I had to endure to sit in this position, my two sons who have grown into men now stand before me."

Father gestured to us.

"You must have many things you couldn't say to your father. It would be good to take this opportunity to speak."

"Father."

Verdzig bowed his head with an emotionless expression.

"I never imagined that the position I naturally assumed would be mine would face a challenge from someone I never considered."

"Do you resent me greatly?"

"I did resent you."

However, Verdzig continued.

"Only after learning the full truth did I realize that most of that resentment stemmed from misunderstandings."

"..."

I recalled my conversation with Skella.

Though Verdzig's eyes were still sharp and resolute, the snake-like venom I had felt before had largely disappeared.

"To be honest, the fact that such anger accumulated in your heart is largely due to my being an inadequate father."

Father looked at Verdzig with a faint smile.

"I'm sorry. Because I had to live as the clan head, I created many situations that would disappoint you."

"That's not true. If I had been in your position as father, it would have been difficult to show such mercy to my own child."

"That's wrong, Verdzig."

Father smiled softly.

"Someday when you too hold your child in your arms, you will truly understand the meaning of this father's words."

"...!"

"However, since you've become a dignified man who can understand a father's heart, truly children are beings who constantly exceed their parents' expectations."

Father turned his head toward me.

"Allen, do you have something to say as well?"

I answered simply.

"I would like to speak after everything is finished."

Father chuckled.

"Do as you wish."

"Yes."

Verdzig looked at us conversing comfortably with somewhat surprised eyes.

"I'm a bit thick-skinned, you see."

"So it seems."

Verdzig turned his head as if he understood.

"Now let's get to the main point."

Father's voice changed.

"Since both of your levels have surpassed the 7th tier, you have sufficient qualification to receive the one-person transmission martial arts that are passed down only to the clan head."

The qualification of the 7th tier meant unity of spirit and sword.

If wielding a spear, it would be unity of spirit and spear, and for a mage, it would be the level where they could cast magic at will.

"Have you both mastered all the martial arts you've learned so far?"

"I have mastered them."

Verdzig answered.

"I haven't yet reached the 8th stage of the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique. I didn't have enough time."

I said apologetically.

"Considering the time you've spent learning it, that's an outstanding achievement. Moreover, breaking through the 7th tier barrier without full mastery is also remarkable."

Father nodded.

"As you know, only one of you can inherit the position of clan head and subsequently learn the one-person transmission martial arts passed down from our ancestor, Lord Vitenfeld."

The one-person transmission martial arts left by the great hero who crushed the ambitions of the Black Society, the continent's greatest master of his time.

If we learned that, we too would someday surpass the 8th tier barrier.

"I am a blessed father. While some worry about not having even one decent child, I have several outstanding sons."

As Father rose from his seat, his retainers spread out to the sides, creating a path.

'What's this?'

My question was soon answered by Father's words.

"Follow me. The five elders will personally test you both."

***

The Grunewald Council of Elders is a decision-making body composed of five elders.

They were the highest authority responsible for the clan's various affairs and providing advice, oversight, and checks on the clan head's decisions.

No matter how high the clan head's authority, one cannot ignore the influence of elders who are uncles or even grandfathers.

"Children, we've been waiting."

In the center of the annex prepared exclusively for the Council of Elders, five chairs were placed on a high platform.

"We greet the elders."

We paid our respects to the clan's greatest elders.

"Raise your heads."

Standing in the center was the Elder of the Sword, Leszek Grunewald.

Beside him stood the Elder of Magic, Geninghen Grunewald, and the other three old men were ones I was seeing for the first time.

'Each one of them has an extraordinary presence.'

Their presence was impressive.

"This must be Allen's first time meeting us? Since you lost your memory."

"Yes, that's correct."

A calm, gentle-faced old man spoke.

"Have you forgotten my face too? I doted on you quite a bit when you were young."

At the question from the only female elder, I bowed my head.

"I'm sorry, but I don't remember."

"I see. It's not your fault to be sorry about."

She smiled and pointed to the most stern-looking man.

"This is the 'Elder of Military Strategy,' Lorentius Grunewald."

He had austere, dry eyes like a soldier.

"Hmm, I'm Lorentius. To become a clan head, one must possess strategic vision and military talent."

Lorentius stared at both of us.

"This trial will be a stage to confirm your military talents."

"Understood."

"Of course, both of you showed impressive performance this time. Especially the fourth son."

"Yes."

Lorentius pointed at me.

"The Webern County is not only a trade hub but also an unparalleled strategic stronghold. Recapturing it was a great achievement."

"Thank you."

Then the gentle-faced old man spoke.

"I'm Riesling Grunewald. I'm called the 'Elder of Internal Affairs.'"

He also looked at me and said.

"Thanks to that, logistics costs will be greatly reduced. Whichever of you becomes the next clan head, Grunewald's wealth will be abundant."

I bowed slightly to express my gratitude, then rolled my eyes to look at Verdzig.

He seemed slightly uncomfortable, perhaps because everyone was only talking about me.

"Lastly, I'm Astella Grunewald. I'm the Elder of Political Strategy."

Astella, the only female elder, also looked at me.

"I put quite a bit of effort behind the scenes so you could coordinate with Valkenhain to attack Webern County."

Then Geninghen snorted.

"Old lady, are you showing off now?"

Astella sighed.

"You old fool, maintain some dignity, will you? Must you speak like that even on a day like this?"

"..."

It was clear that these two had been rivals since their youth.

"Anyway, we three are more concerned with the duchy's internal affairs, management, and governance rather than martial prowess."

"Hmph. If it weren't for Leszek, the position of Elder of the Sword would have been mine."

Indeed, Lorentius seemed to possess martial prowess even stronger than the Special Operations Division Grand Commander or Knighthood Grand Commander.

Well, if he's the Elder of Military Strategy, he would have spent his life in the military.

His personal martial arts couldn't be weak.

"Verdzig, don't be too disappointed."

Astella thoughtfully looked after Verdzig.

"That child has no memory of us, doesn't he? You've met us several times."

When an elder of such stature speaks like this, what can one do? Verdzig could only smile faintly and bow his head.

"Of course, Elder."

"Now then."

When the Elder of the Sword, Leszek, who had been saving his words, opened his mouth, the atmosphere changed instantly.

"I'll tell you the final test to determine the next generation's clan head."

"...!"

Even I had to swallow dry saliva at this moment.

"But before that."

"?"

Just when the words ‘What now?’ were about to rise to my throat.

"A very important guest has come to this place."

A guest? Verdzig and I looked at each other with puzzled faces.

'Have you heard about this?'

'This is news to me too.'

That was roughly the feeling conveyed by our eye contact.

"Stand immediately. His Highness the 8th Prince, Leonidas Litvaleur."

"?!"

The door opened, and a man who appeared to be about Verdzig's age quietly walked in.

'This is ridiculous. What the hell is going on today?'

As if having the Council of Five Elders wasn't enough, what's with the sudden appearance of the 8th Prince?

"Sit down, there's much to explain."

Father said.

***

"First, I apologize for intruding on this honorable and private occasion of determining the Duke of Grunewald."

The 8th Prince Leonidas politely bowed.

"It's quite alright, Your Highness."

Leonidas's appearance was ordinary.

If you removed the authority of being a prince, he had an unremarkable face that was neither particularly handsome nor ugly.

However, due to his natural dignity and mysteriously sharp eyes, it seemed no one would take this man lightly.

'But the 8th Prince?'

I remembered what I heard from Olivier before.

'Among the brothers, his status is relatively low, but perhaps because he's so intelligent, instead of joining the succession struggle, he's been handling various practical affairs.'

Then did the king send him here as an envoy?

'According to Karl's information, the Black Society has infiltrated the royal family as well.'

When I looked at Verdzig's face at this point, he nodded slightly as if he had similar thoughts.

'I'm curious what story will unfold.'

"I heard you both achieved great merit against the Black Society."

Leonidas first offered praise to us.

"You're too kind, Your Highness."

"We were fortunate."

"No, from what I've heard, you both displayed truly remarkable martial prowess. To defeat the Black Society's branch chief and executive officer."

Seeing the Black Society's name come from the prince's mouth made me realize that their influence had long since transcended the framework of the underworld.

'By the way.'

I was actually the one who first defeated Schelde.

'But that was Karzan's achievement.'

It wasn't a merit to be attached to Allen's name.

"This will be a long story, but let me begin slowly."

Is this finally the main point?

I naturally straightened my back and waited for the prince's words to follow.

"The royal family has split. His Majesty has fallen critically ill, and my third brother, who has the qualities of a cruel tyrant, has joined hands with Duke Montera who guards the north and is trying to sell the kingdom to the Dark King."

"...!"

The Dark King had once again exceeded my imagination.

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]