Chapter 213 — The Second Minion Will Come

1

The Caesar family’s day always began the same way.

After the envoy from the Abrel family came, things changed slightly, but the basic framework remained the same.

Meals were taken separately to avoid outsiders’ discomfort.

The dining hall was where they handled information that circulated only within the family.

Invidea was walking cheerfully toward the massive dining hall.

As it was a place where all retainers occasionally gathered to dine, it boasted quite a large size.

Direct family members all had their own separate buildings.

Checking each person’s condition through their own routes.

This was a long-standing Caesar tradition.

“Sister.”

“Did you sleep well, Eres?”

“Yes. I heard we have a guest.”

“You’re already so interested in family affairs. Yes, someone from the Abrel family has come.”

They had heard the news too.

Though news sometimes failed to reach everyone in such a vast mansion, this was quite important information.

Invidea naturally thought of Manus at the Academy.

At the same time, she looked at Eres, who would enter the Academy next year.

“Sister. Will I be able to do as well as brother?”

“Caesar family members are destined to awaken their talents, whether early or late. So don’t rush, just move forward at your own pace.”

“…Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Invidea chatted with the youngest, Eres, whom she had met midway.

Fourteen this year.

The youngest Eres, still showing many traces of youth.

Unusually quiet and introverted for a Caesar, she always lived with worry.

More precisely, anxiety.

With siblings already called the strongest of their generation, how could she not?

She always worried about possibly disappointing father and mother.

Invidea placed her hand on Eres’s head.

‘This child grew up watching Manus too.’

How much contempt her brother had received.

Though she was fortunate to inherit natural talent, the anxiety that it could disappear at any time must have remained unchanged.

She opened her mouth in a quiet voice.

“Your brother Manus was also thought to lack talent at first. All of us thought so.”

“…I’m still afraid I might end up like brother.”

“Huhu, now our whole family has realized. Just as there are flowers that bloom in winter, everyone has their own time to bloom.”

Eres quietly nodded.

The anxiety in her eyes diluted slightly.

“Have confidence. If you keep putting in effort, that time will come to reward you.”

“Yes, sister.”

“Huhu, it’s fortunate that Manus is at the Academy together. Having such a reliable brother there.”

Eres smiled softly.

She didn’t think her brother was unreliable.

She just felt sorry for him.

Perhaps one could say it was fortunate that he finally saw the light.

Though she still struggled to approach her siblings, maybe things would be alright once they attended the Academy together.

The two entered the dining hall for their meal.

Mother and father were already there first, as always.

“You’ve come.”

“Welcome, my children.”

Parents who calmly greeted them.

Invidea and Eres returned the greeting and took their seats.

The meal began once all family members gathered.

In truth, it could be called a morning meeting with meals.

Invidea opened her mouth to speak about important business.

She had checked the calendar this morning.

It was about time to visit the Academy to fulfill Manus’s request.

“Master.”

“Speak.”

“I would like to visit the Academy. I request your permission.”

“The Academy? It’s quite a sensitive time right now.”

“I am aware. However… there was a support request from Manus.”

Labeth’s hand paused briefly.

A support request from Manus.

Indeed, it was a matter that couldn’t be overlooked.

So he asked the reason.

“Do you know why Manus made this support request?”

“I believe it’s related to the abnormal phenomena. Though I haven’t heard the details, he did earnestly ask me to come.”

“How coincidental.”

Called at the same time others are catching the scent…

Labeth thought about what to do.

Then he nodded.

“There shouldn’t be any problems. The justification is sufficient. Just be careful.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Not catching others’ attention was most important.

No need to create unnecessary justifications.

Eres offered her opinion on this.

“Um…”

“Speak, youngest.”

“I heard there’s been commotion lately because of something called the Order. If there’s a messenger to deliver something to brother… wouldn’t that work?”

“Huhu… Yes. Good thinking.”

Labeth had similar thoughts.

Even the smallest actions could provide political justification.

Particular caution was needed since major powers like the Abrel family were watching.

Labeth disliked wasting power on unnecessary things.

The Caesar family’s main enemy now was the Dire Order.

The Academy’s matters should be resolved internally.

For now.

“Then go as a messenger. Don’t forget to report back.”

“Thank you, Master.”

Invidea smiled slightly and resumed eating.

Watching this, Tyrannis became curious.

Lately, Invidea and Manus seemed to be getting strangely close.

‘Perhaps I should look into it.’

If Manus and Invidea allied, he might lose his position as heir.

The situation was very different from before.

Manus was now rapidly rising as one of Caesar’s strongest forces.

He even thought that whoever gained Manus might be able to fully control Caesar.

In any case, there was a need to investigate their relationship in detail.

“Eres and Tyrannis, both come to my office after the meal.”

Labeth’s words cut through Tyrannis’s thoughts.

He nodded in response.

Eres as well.

As the meal was ending, the head looked at Eres and spoke.

“Now it’s time for the youngest to experience actual combat too.”

“…”

Eres was stunned.

Ah, this…

This was an issue Manus had faced too.

Tyrannis’s face also hardened.

The nightmare from back then was trying to resurface.

But he soon shook his head to clear the bad memories.

‘Perfect people don’t exist… right.’

This would be Eres’s first real combat.

She was still like a greenhouse flower.

Logically, expecting perfection from such a young child was nonsense.

“Eres.”

“Yes, brother.”

“Come without pressure.”

“…Yes.”

Surprise filled Eres’s eyes.

Tyrannis was rumored to be more heartless than Labeth, the eldest son.

She hadn’t expected such words from him.

Tyrannis followed Labeth toward the office.

Eres quickly finished her meal and followed her eldest brother.

2

“You mean the Acre territory?”

“Yes. Now it could be called Caesar’s vassal state. However, information has come in that the Order is still there.”

“Which means…”

Labeth explained the task to Eres and Tyrannis.

Though it could be a dangerous mission, they only needed to handle reconnaissance.

“It’s not a dangerous mission. Just need to observe enemy movements. Your mere presence there will force the Order to take one of two actions.”

“Either lay low or target us.”

“Correct.”

They would need to prepare countermeasures accordingly.

Gulp, the youngest Eres swallowed dry.

Seeing her, Labeth showed a warm smile.

“Everyone fears their first time. Having no power means living with such fear.”

“I…”

“It’s alright. Your brothers and sisters all trembled like you at first.”

Eres nodded slightly.

Then he gave advice and counsel to his daughter who was just becoming an adult.

“You must know fear to overcome it. Humans are creatures that can adapt, so only those who endure can overcome pressure.”

“I will remember.”

“Good. And this time, I will go personally to judge the Order.”

It was about ownership of the Acre territory.

They had gained official ownership under the Emperor’s approval.

The Order running wild in such a place was absolutely unacceptable.

They would have to face Duke Caesar’s direct wrath.

Tyrannis and Eres bowed their heads heavily.

Having received orders, it was now time for real combat.

“Then, we will prepare to depart.”

“Work hard.”

The two daughters left.

Right after, Labeth secretly summoned his daughter Invidea.

Meeting Invidea somewhere other than the office, Labeth handed her a letter.

“This is…?”

“A mission to do with Manus. When vacation starts, go to the Buckley family.”

“The Buckley family…”

“News has come that the Order has appeared there too.”

Invidea’s expression hardened.

The Buckley family was memorable.

They were known for having an upright and solid head, but how…

Labeth added his thoughts.

His words were quite reasonable speculation.

“Originally, those who know nothing are easier to taint. And the Buckley people are pure.”

“Isn’t the Buckley family allied with Caesar?”

“Yes. That’s why we’re helping them. We needed to improve relations with them.”

Invidea nodded.

Sending Manus must be related to that too.

It was still at the seed stage, so they must have thought two people would be enough to cut the sprout.

“I will obey your command.”

“Be careful.”

“Don’t worry.”

She smiled brightly and slowly left her seat.

Labeth looked at the sky.

There, two full moons were nearing completion.

3

At a place overlooking the Academy.

Someone wearing a hood stared intently at it.

Soon it would be time for the Death Minion to descend.

The target would likely be the Academy with its sacred tower.

Sacred ground.

Now occupied by heretics.

They had made many preparations to reclaim it.

‘It will be different from last time.’

They strengthened their summons with demonic power.

Accumulated massive power through human sacrifices.

Now the time had come.

“Look forward to it.”

Not long until the holy war begins.

The Wanderer took in the Academy’s scenery for a long time.

This time they would surely reclaim the sacred ground and bring forth the God of Death.

“Now, as He comes, the heretics must pay for their sins with death.”

Grrrr-

A strange sound came from behind him.

The Wanderer lovingly stroked the source of the strange sound while mumbling.

“Wait just a little longer. Soon, calamity will befall the living.”

Huhu.

His laughter was chilling.

–TL Notes–
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