115 — Following the Footsteps

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The Caeser Principality was as peaceful as ever, even after such a long time.

The citizens’ faces were bright, and their steps were light.

Perhaps it was because the original Manus had always considered this place his home, but Manus felt more at ease here than he did at the academy.

Home.

For him, home was just a word that meant the place where he was born.

But sitting inside the carriage, watching the people, he felt a sense of warmth washing over him.

A new home, a new family.

He had thought he wouldn’t get used to it, yet here he was, treating them as if they were his real family.

‘What’s causing this?’

Was it the “Caeser’s Mindset”?

Or was it Manus’s own heart?

He didn’t know, he really didn’t.

Just resting his chin in his hand and losing himself in the scenery brought peace to his mind and body. Whatever it was, it felt good.

“We have arrived, my lord.”

The voice coming through the partition stirred Manus from his thoughts, prompting him to rise from his seat.

The manor was already prepared to welcome him.

Servants, maids, knights, mages, and guardians stood in orderly rows, waiting for Manus.

It felt a bit overwhelming.

Even though he thought so, Manus still enjoyed the welcome.

It’s best to accept hospitality when it’s offered, and to take pleasure in it when you can.

“Welcome home, my lord.”

“Am I visiting too often?”

“Not at all. Everyone’s been eagerly waiting for you.”

Wei Zhan, the secretary in charge of overseeing the affairs of the Caeser family, greeted him.

It was unusual for her to be here instead of other family members. Typically, it would be his mother or the head of the family welcoming him.

From the main gate through the expansive garden to the dining hall was quite a distance.

Manus walked casually, almost like he was heading to school, when Wei cautiously spoke.

“How are your studies going? Are they progressing well?”

“So-so.”

“That’s good to hear. The head and the lady are always worried about you.”

Manus simply nodded and continued walking.

Watching his back, Wei wore a gentle smile.

It might be inconsiderate to say this to the other siblings, but Manus was the one who most resembled the current head of the family.

The irony was that he didn’t desire to hold this immense power but preferred to live freely.

He was a truly enigmatic person.

So much so that even Wei, who had seen countless people, constantly found herself questioning him.

“If my words were out of place, I apologize.”

“It’s natural for parents to worry about their children. I’m doing my best not to disappoint them with their concerns and expectations.”

“…I understand. The head of the family will be very pleased.”

They fell silent after that.

Every now and then, a servant they passed would bow deeply.

Eventually, they reached the grand dining hall, where everyone was already seated.

“Come in, my son.”

“I greet the head of the family.”

“Be at ease when you’re among family. I don’t want to raise you all as people bound by rigid etiquette.”

Caeser Labeth.

He was the epitome of a kind father, smiling warmly.

It was clear from the lack of food on the table that they had been waiting for Manus.

Manus smiled slightly and nodded.

He seemed to understand what his father wanted to hear and what expression he should have as he sat down.

He spoke clearly and firmly.

“Yes, Father.”

“Bring in the meal.”

Though Labeth’s words were soft, everyone heard them.

Every breath, every word was infused with mana.

There was a reason people called Labeth the greatest archmage of this era.

With Manus seated, the family meal began.

“It seems Mother is not here today.”

“Your mother is in the capital at the moment. She’s uncovered some interesting information.”

“Is it something that can be discussed here?”

Labeth nodded as he took a bite of the appetizer.

A salad garnished with a fragrant dressing.

A dish made from a rare creature.

Everything was made with only the highest quality ingredients.

Manus took a bite as well, marveling inwardly.

In his past life, he mostly ate convenience store lunches or soup at local eateries.

The only time he had buffet food was at a superior’s wedding.

‘This is really good. Better than the academy food.’

Naturally, this was far superior to mass-produced meals.

Lost in these trivial thoughts, Manus heard Labeth’s voice.

“The Abrel family seems to be investigating something and is moving on a large scale. Their investigation scope includes us, the Caeser family.”

“Do those who are on the verge of ruin dare to investigate us?”

Tyrannis, who had been silent, asked with a deeply displeased expression.

The Abrel family.

Weren’t they a mage family in the southern empire whose prestige had been overshadowed by the Caesers?

“On the verge of ruin… My son, the blood of dragons never truly fades.”

“…But I’ve heard that no one has strongly inherited the blood of dragons for centuries.”

“That remains to be seen. The fact that they’re taking action means they have a solid reason to do so.”

Tyrannis could only nod.

His father’s foresight had always brought peace and prosperity to the family.

His insight was not something Tyrannis could dismiss out of defiance, so he simply held back and waited for his father’s next words.

The quiet voice of the head of the family carried an undeniable power.

“During their investigation, they found something strange. Disappearances in villages along the southern empire, near the Ardin Kingdom.”

“If it’s the southern empire… Are you talking about the tropical rainforest?”

“Yes. An ideal place for someone to stage an attack.”

A dense forest.

It formed a natural border, a massive expanse known as the Sea of Trees.

Various independent tribes lived there.

For the kingdom, it was a natural fortress, with the tribes forming a human barrier.

For the empire, it was an information source that provided insight into the unexplored ecosystem within the tropical rainforest.

Forests, valleys, gorges, cliffs, and caves.

If these scattered tribes were being quietly eliminated, who would notice the change?

By the time they did, things had already escalated significantly.

“Dire Order—”

This time, it was Invidea who spoke.

The Dire Order was known for using human sacrifices to summon demons.

The conditions seemed to align perfectly.

Manus had also identified the Dire Order as the likely suspect.

If not them, then—

‘The Wanderer was there. If Eresis and the Dire Order have a deep connection…’

A connection that wasn’t revealed in the original story.

Or perhaps their regions of operation never overlapped, and that’s why their paths didn’t cross.

But the Wanderer had been at the Dire Order’s ritual site, and once again, Manus couldn’t shake the feeling that they were somehow connected.

Especially when considering the Wanderer’s summoned creatures…

‘There was that, after all.’

A spark of knowledge flashed through Manus’s mind.

The Wanderer.

His second summoned creature was known as the ‘Soul Eater.’

Abomination, Soul Eater, Soul Reaper…

The creature had many names.

They all shared one commonality.

‘It consumes human souls.’

This was happening much faster than Manus had anticipated.

‘If he decides to make a move on this full moon…’

It would be difficult.

Even with the forces he had built up so far, it might not be enough.

His expression hardened as he thought about it.

“Do you think the academy will be affected?”

“…It’s possible.”

“What reason would that order have to come all the way to the academy?”

Invidea asked, and Manus nodded without hesitation.

Then, setting down his utensils, he pointed to himself.

Everyone looked momentarily puzzled.

Except for Labeth, everyone blinked.

Manus calmly explained.

“I’ve already interfered with the Dire Order twice. The entire continent knows that a little Caeser is attending the academy.”

“…No way.”

“Who in their right mind would dare target me within the Caeser Principality?”

Manus’s tone was casual as he stated he might be a target.

His demeanor was so composed that it felt like he was forecasting events from another world.

Labeth’s eyes closed slightly.

He had heard all the reports, but only Invidea and Manus knew the full details.

“How strong was the demon, my son?”

“If I hadn’t used triple casting, I would have died.”

“Having failed once, they’ll likely prepare a stronger demon.”

Those who have tasted failure will strive not to fail again.

Throughout history, humans have always sought progress.

By that logic, it was only natural for the Dire Order to summon stronger, larger demons.

“You’ll be given an official mission. Once we finish the meal and you’ve rested, come to my study, Manus, Tyrannis.”

“But Father, wasn’t it agreed that I would handle the demons?”

Invidea protested.

Tyrannis’s expression also wasn’t pleasant.

He was uneasy about being involved with Manus.

A personal trauma that Manus was unaware of.

Anticipating his daughter’s reaction, Labeth mentioned the friction between the two siblings.

Manus had spoken before.

[I’m ready to make amends.]

He had declared this in front of everyone.

What was declared by a Caeser must be fulfilled.

An old friend had just sent a message, making the timing perfect.

“An important duty of a father is to help resolve conflicts between siblings. There’s no room for discord within the Caesers. We must unite and overcome adversity with our combined strength.”

Minor conflicts could happen.

If those conflicts were necessary for progress, then so be it.

But hatred, disdain, and the intent to kill—such things had no place among the Caesers.

A conqueror does not destroy everything.

A true conqueror spreads what is theirs far and wide.

Labeth had lived by this principle, replaying it in his mind countless times.

“If siblings ever draw swords against each other, they should be prepared to face this father’s wrath first.”

“I will follow your will, Father.”

Understanding his intentions, Invidea sat back down quietly.

Tyrannis shot a glare at Manus before letting out a small sigh.

If it was his father’s will, there was no choice.

And recently, rumors about his younger brother had been unusual.

If Manus truly had the qualifications of a Caeser… then perhaps this time he would show it.

Not in a disgraceful way, but as a true conqueror.

Just once.

He decided to give him one chance, to close his eyes and trust him.

“…Understood, Father. I will follow your will.”

“Good.”

Manus also glanced briefly at Tyrannis.

The opportunity to mend their strained relationship had come sooner than expected.

His blue eyes shone.

In his pupils, the determination to settle their twisted past shimmered beautifully.

–TL Notes–
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