Chapter 135: Inheritance

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Translator: Soafp

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We arrived at the Blue Ring mansion in the capital amidst swirling snow. As we brushed off the snow and unloaded our belongings from the horses, Grandpa, Dad, Clara, Marl, Faristea, Anna-sensei, and Yuri came rushing out to greet us.

It seemed they were in the middle of a meal, as Clara clutched a piece of white bread in one hand.

“Rafi, Al, El, Ashera, I’m glad you’re… back… safely…”

Dad was about to express relief at our safety when he must have caught sight of Ashera’s left arm, which looked terribly painful.

“…I’ve heard a rough overview of what happened, but there are things I want to hear more about. Let’s talk while we eat.”

“Yes, understood.”

Our dinner was quickly arranged, and we all took our seats. I sat beside Ashera and helped her with her meal since she couldn’t manage with just one hand.

Mom was the one who gave the report. We were mostly silent, only speaking when asked. As for me, I had been acting as Ashera’s left arm for the past week.

I pierced meat with a fork and brought it to her mouth. For the salad, I used chopsticks I had made to help her eat. Of course, I also ate my own meal in between.

Clara, in particular, seemed more interested in our meal than Mom’s report. Mom had omitted the part about the “Apostles.” There were too many people here for that discussion. We would probably talk about it separately later.

Mom finished her report in about 30 minutes. It seemed we were going to move to the study now.

Ashera and I followed along. I stopped El from coming along.

“El, you stay. There’s something important you need to discuss with Marl.”

Grandpa and Dad seemed to understand something as they glanced at us but didn’t say anything, just heading to the study.

“…Understood.”

El turned to Marl with a determined expression.

“Marl… there’s something I need to talk to you about. Could you come to my room?”

“Yes…”

Perhaps sensing the different atmosphere, Marl responded with a stiff expression.

“Then, we’ll go.”

Ashera, Mom, and I headed to the study where Grandpa and Dad were already seated with stern expressions.

“Thank you for your hard work once again. Especially you, Ashera, with… that arm… We, as the Blue Ring family, will take responsibility for treating it.”

Grandpa addressed us and promised to take care of Ashera’s arm.

“My lord, this arm is supposed to be healed by Aldo. I appreciate your sentiment, however.”

Ashera gracefully replied to Grandpa.

“…I see. Understood. Aldo, I leave it to you.”

“Yes, please leave it to me.”

Once the formalities were over, all eyes turned to Mom.

“There’s something I didn’t mention in the earlier report…”

From there, I revealed that I had become an Apostle, as had El. I explained about the Apostle’s children becoming a new race, Mana Spots, Mana Streams, the Lord, the Proof, the Labyrinth, and the Magic Stone of Corruption, hiding nothing.

Grandpa and Dad listened with furrowed brows throughout.

“…So that’s it. We need to quickly clear the ‘Claw Fang’s Labyrinth’ and establish a temporary territory here, or we’ll have to send either Al or El back to the Blue Ring.”

Mom’s words made Grandpa and Dad look even more troubled.

“Rafina, is there no way to send either Aldo or Elphus back to Blue Ring without risking danger?”

Grandpa’s words were what she had anticipated.

“Al, your father is saying this, but what do you think?”

“Yes. Both El and I want to study at the academy for another two and a half years. Besides, we’ll need a lot of magic stones to establish a territory. I want to gather as many magic stones as possible while we can.”

Grandpa let out a conspicuous sigh.

“Understood… I’ll leave the matter of the labyrinth to you. But not just Aldo, even Elphus has become an ‘Apostle’… It seems this is the end for the Blue Ring barony…”

“Father, we still have Clara.”

Grandpa shook his head with a weary expression.

“There is a ring in the basement of the Blue Ring mansion. That place will likely become the ‘Birthplace’ for the new race…”

“That is…”

“From the Blue Ring territory to the Demon Forest. We’ll build a new country there…”

“…”

“…”

After thinking for a while, Grandpa began speaking to Dad.

“Joshua, this matter must be kept absolutely secret. Only those we can trust should be involved…”

“…”

“In 10 years… no, 15 years, the Blue Ring territory will aim to become independent from the Kingdom of Fostark. This is final.”

“I understand… Father…”

“The people of Blue Ring will be reborn as a new race.”

“…Do you think the kingdom will allow independence?”

“Probably not. It will likely lead to war. But if we can showcase the power of Aldo or Elphus as ‘Apostles’ before that… perhaps…”

“The power of the ‘Apostles’…”

Grandpa turned to Mom.

“Rafina, what is the reputation of Aldo and Elphus among the knights and mages after this battle?”

“Yes. Many knights and mages, including Commander Miroku and Commander Grano, know that Blue Ring was saved by Al and El’s magic. Many hold them in near ‘heroic’ regard.”

“I see… What about the common people?”

“I don’t know for sure, but the enthusiasm when we repelled the goblin army wasn’t just among the knights and mages. At the very least, I don’t think there is any negative reputation.”

“I see. Thank you.”

Grandpa rubbed his eyes and let out a sigh.

“Aldo.”

“Yes.”

“Can you summon the spirit?”

“Yes.”

I gathered my magic power into my ring and summoned Aoi.

“What’s up? It’s a bit early for a check-in. I haven’t heard back from Halva yet.”

“This time is a bit different. I want to introduce you to my grandfather and father.”

When I introduced Grandpa and Dad, Aoi started introducing himself.

“Hmm. Aldo’s, huh? Well, whatever. I’m Aoi, Aldo’s spirit. Nice to meet you.”

“Yes, I am Balza von Blue Ring, Aldo’s grandfather. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Joshua von Blue Ring, Aldo and Elphus’s father.”

“Is that all you need?”

“Ah, I have a few questions for Aoi-sama. May I ask them?”

“You’re more polite than Aldo. Aldo, you should take a lesson from him.”

Aoi said, tapping my forehead lightly.

“You have a question? What is it?”

“Is it possible to return either Aldo or Elphus to being human?”

“Are you asking if they can stop being Apostles?”

“Yes…”

“It’s impossible. The contract is already sealed.”

“Even if they cut off the finger with the ring, the ‘Proof’?”

“Impossible. An Apostle’s bond is much stronger than that of a mere ‘Lord’ who has only contracted with a Mana Spot.”

“So there’s absolutely no way?”

“As I said, the only time Aldo and Elphus will stop being Apostles is when they die.”

“…I see.”

“Is that all you wanted to ask?”

“One more thing. Is it possible to make a human an Apostle?”

“That’s also impossible. The contract isn’t something that can be done so easily.”

“Even if it’s Aldo or Elphus’s blood-related sister?”

“Blood doesn’t matter. It’s about magic power and the contract.”

“I see… Thank you.”

Aoi turned from Grandpa to me and spoke.

“Well, I’ll come back when I have a report from Halva. Aldo, just make sure to keep your ring charged with enough magic power for me to come out.”

“Got it.”

With that, Aoi disappeared. I followed his instructions and infused the ring with enough magic power for him to emerge.

“Father… about what you just said…”

“I’m sorry. If Elphus could return to being human… I thought we could just develop the Demon Forest and keep the Blue Ring territory as it is. As for Clara, if all three of them became Apostles, it would put my mind at ease… It’s just the ramblings of a weak old man.”

Grandpa said with a sorrowful smile.

I don’t place much value on nobility, but I understand the difficulty of passing down what our ancestors have built to future generations.

By becoming Apostles, El and I have transformed the Blue Ring family into something different. This must feel like a fundamental denial of Grandpa’s entire life.

With the atmosphere remaining tense, we left the study for the day.

Ashera and I headed to El’s room. Mom seemed like she wanted to come along but decided to give us some space. If we are truly going to build a nation for this new race, the four of us are bound by fate.

Ashera and I nodded to each other and headed to El’s room.