Chapter 382: Chapter 382

“Hans, and Eric. Working hard again today, I see.”

“Haha! This is nothing. We’re watching so carefully that not even an ant could slip through, so don’t you worry.”

“Good, I’m counting on you.”

Lucas patted both their shoulders before moving on.

Were they moved? The eyes following Lucas brimmed with deep emotion.

Lowell quickly slipped between them, chasing after Lucas.

‘He even knows the soldiers’ names. Incredible.’

This was a border region facing the Redrum Kingdom.

Thousands of soldiers occupied this castle alone. Remembering all their names should have been impossible.

But the person before her was Lucas, called a prodigy of the age. It was only natural for the thought ‘Could it be?’ to cross her mind.

“Don’t tell me you’ve memorized all the soldiers’ names?”

“I have. Hans, whom we just met, recently had his second child. Her name is Margaret. And Eric, who was beside him, is about to be married. He’s the son of Hedrick, the castle blacksmith.”

He even knew about their families?

She knew he was brilliant, but this transcended normal ability.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’ve only memorized half of them.”

“That alone is incredible, you know? And you said ‘only.’ You’re planning to memorize them all, aren’t you!”

“It’s to increase military command efficiency. This much is necessary.”

But when the person who knew your name was a distinguished noble, it carried different weight entirely.

‘If that person becomes family head, loyalty will skyrocket.’

However, there was one problem.

“Brother, you’re really… making things difficult for yourself.”

“You’re doing something that doesn’t suit your personality. When you prefer reading books quietly by yourself above all else.”

Not only that—he didn’t particularly enjoy interacting with people.

He dealt with others by maintaining distance, as if suffering from some form of social phobia.

‘For someone like that to become so personable.’

Was the position of family head that desirable? Enough to transform one’s entire personality and lifestyle?

“…If you’ve decided to do something, you have to commit fully. That’s all.”

It meant he had resolved to become family head, and that he would compete directly with Lucia.

Lowell gazed beyond the castle wall and spoke.

“You really are remarkable. To even consider surpassing Sister Lucia… I find it hard to imagine.”

“She was a wall I’d have to overcome eventually. It just happened sooner than expected.”

He said that, but Lucas probably understood better than anyone that it wouldn’t be easy.

‘Sister Lucia is a genuine monster.’

Lucas was perhaps attempting the impossible.

And he was admirable for it. The thought struck Lowell before she realized it.

“Perfect timing. Since we’re on the subject, let me be direct. Lowell, support me.”

“Aha, so you don’t even consider me a competitor to begin with?”

“You’re stating the obvious.”

An answer without the slightest hesitation. At that, Lowell’s head drooped.

He was right. There was no reason to view her as competition.

A being with no ability, no faction, not even recognized as a lion.

She should be grateful he was extending a hand to someone like her at all.

“Jack, Mavil. You’re both working hard. Anything to report?”

“It looks like snow is coming soon. Tomorrow will be another chaotic day of snow removal.”

After greeting another pair of soldiers standing guard on the wall, Lucas spoke to Lowell, who was trudging toward him.

“Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t say that to dismiss you.”

“I was simply stating fact.”

Ah, so he’s aware he’s a monster? Should I consider this encouraging?

“I’ll treat you well. If there’s anything you want, I’ll grant that too. So stand by my side.”

Normally, she wouldn’t have made any requests. But today was different.

An incident from the afternoon came to mind.

“Can you prevent my arranged marriage?”

“Marriage? As far as I know, there have been no marriage proposals for you… Where did you hear such a thing?” Read complete versıon only at n0velfire.net

“It’s not like that. But it’s inevitable, isn’t it? I’m the third child of the family with no particular talents. What other use would they have for someone like me besides an arranged marriage?”

Lucas remained silent.

He only spoke after they’d passed another group of soldiers.

“If no one’s mentioned it yet, then it shouldn’t be an issue. Fine, I’ll prevent your arranged marriage. So, support me.”

“You’re not going to change your mind later, are you?”

“If you’re concerned, I’ll have a notarized document prepared. I’ll guarantee the other basics as well.”

Money, housing, employment, even privacy.

It meant he would let her continue enjoying all the benefits she currently had as a member of the Lucid family.

Was this issue really so simple to resolve?

“Are you certain? I can’t do anything for you.”

“Just standing by my side is sufficient. Receiving family support is also a virtue a family head must possess.”

I see. He can’t surpass Sister Lucia in reputation and skill, so he plans to compete through intelligence and popularity?

It wasn’t a poor strategy.

His goal was to secure family support, excluding Sister Lucia. If so….

“Delin is family too. What are you going to do about her?”

“…Is that child already at a level to understand such complex matters? If so, she must be a genius destined to succeed me.”

Of course not. Rodelin was still a child who valued the candy in front of her over future wealth.

So Lowell had a duty to protect her.

Because even if she survived, it would be meaningless if she lost Rodelin.

“The same applies to her. If she supports me, I promise her the same freedom as you.”

“I’ll forfeit my share instead. Give everything of mine to Delin.”

It didn’t matter if she was sold off in marriage.

As long as Delin could eat well and live well. As long as that child could lead a happy life.

She didn’t care what became of herself.

Snowflakes began drifting from the sky.

A snowflake settled on Lowell’s forehead, and Lucas, watching her, released a sigh.

“I have no idea what you’ve been talking about this entire time.”

“First, let me correct your misunderstanding. I never intended to cast you two out in the first place.”

No matter how powerless the children were, if they remained in the territory, discord was inevitable.

And yet he would guarantee both her and Rodelin’s freedom. Don’t tell me….

“A devious scheme to live with two beautiful girls on either side of you!?”

“…If you want to be thrown off the castle wall, just say so.”

Then again, she wasn’t even worth keeping by his side. Perhaps the adorable and lovable Delin, but not her.

“No, it’s just strange. For you to offer such generous terms to me, who hasn’t even been recognized as a lion….”

Lowell mumbled with her head bowed. A shadow fell across her vision.

Lucas now stood directly in front of her.

“You overthink things. But deciding on a conclusion and then forcing everything to fit it is a dangerous habit.”

“Do you know why we remain here?”

“To protect the Empire.”

The Lucid family ruled the north—a powerful house that occupied fully thirty percent of the Empire’s northern territories.

But the people of the Lucid family always lived here, in Lionheart Castle.

The very edge of the north, on the front lines.

Moreover, the weather was harsh, making it far from desirable land.

They had received proposals from the Emperor to relocate to better territories within the Empire, but the Lucid family always refused.

To protect this place.

“Because that is the honor of the Lucid family, and my honor.”

Lucas removed his overcoat and draped it over Lowell’s shoulders. As he fastened the buttons, he continued.

“And that includes you two. The reason I intend to care for you… is simply that.”

Lowell raised her head and met Lucas’s gaze.

Eyes filled with concern—directed at her.

“I understand what you’re thinking, brother. But… it’s too sudden. How can I easily agree when you’re about to engage in a power struggle with sister?”

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of eliminating my older sister. No, in the first place, my sister….”

Lucas’s mouth suddenly snapped shut.

Lowell didn’t bother asking what he’d been about to say.

Lucas looked as if he might collapse.

The snow that had been falling lightly began to pour down heavily.

Was it the cold snow’s effect? Lucas, having collected himself, continued.

“Well, wanting you by my side isn’t simply to oppose my sister.”

“It’s because you have value too.”

“My value? I don’t possess any talent.”

“I believe everyone has talent. If you feel you lack talent, it’s probably because you haven’t discovered the talent you possess yet.”

Could that be true? Does someone like me really have talent?

“Don’t lock yourself in the cage you’ve created.”

Because that’s how even the most exceptional talent becomes ordinary.

A lion trapped in a cage of its own making.

That was how Lowell appeared from Lucas’s perspective.

“This snow never tires of falling. I should either demolish this cursed castle or expand our borders.”

“Didn’t you just call it your honor?”

Lowell chuckled softly.

She wasn’t certain whether she possessed talent or not. But she thought she should at least try to make an effort, like Lucas.

“Alright, then won’t you tell me the truth now?”

“The reason you’re disturbing the castle late at night.”

Why was she wandering outside? Well….

“…I suppose I’ll have to reopen the torture chamber after all this time.”

But she couldn’t reveal the truth.

If she said, ‘I’m wandering around because something feels wrong,’ she would obviously be treated like a madwoman.

Especially to Lucas, a person governed by logic and reason.

“It’s fine, just tell me. If you’re a genuine spy, then tell me whose orders you’re following.”

Hearing Lucas jest like that eased Lowell’s concerns slightly.

Right, so what if I’m treated like a madwoman. It’s better than being arrested as a spy.

Lowell scratched her cheek and spoke.

“Because I sense something strange.”

“Strange? What exactly is strange, and how?”

“I feel an odd anxiety, you could say? So I was wandering around.”

“…And the reason you came up to the castle wall?”

“It wasn’t originating from inside. So I climbed to a high place.”

“I see. So, now that you’re up here? Do you sense anything new?”

Lowell closed her eyes and concentrated.

It was the same as before. No, the anxiety had intensified beyond earlier.

To the point where she could hear her own heartbeat echoing outside her body.

“Yes, I sense it from all directions.”

“Wait a moment. Hey! Anyone there!”

At Lucas’s call, soldiers rushed over from both sides.

“Tell them to fire a flare. As far out as possible.”

“…In the middle of the night?”

At Lucas’s firm response, two soldiers dashed off.

Lowell couldn’t help but panic.

“W-what are you doing right now?”

A special flare crafted by the Magic Tower.

One shot lasted a full thirty minutes. It was weaker than the sun, but still bright enough to hurt the eyes.

To fire such a flare in the dead of night—most people in the territory would wake up.

But Lucas remained perfectly calm.

“That’s why I said to shoot it as far out as possible. At most, only about half will wake up, so don’t worry.”

“If that half just flicks me on the head, I’ll die!”

Not only that—if this became known, she would receive a tremendous scolding from her father.

As Lowell was shrinking back in dread.

“I told you earlier. Everyone in the world possesses their own talent. And that applies to you as well.”

“Why are you bringing that up now? I’m about to die before I can even discover this so-called talent.”

“You truly didn’t realize? Your intuition is sharper than you think. Something like… a power that transcends common sense and perception?”

A transcendent power? There was no way she possessed something like that. This was just simple gut instinct….

At that moment, a flare shot into the sky with a thunderous roar.

A flare fired toward the northern mountain range to minimize damage.

Lowell, who had been thinking, ‘I’ve caused a massive incident,’ couldn’t help but freeze in shock.

“The mountain… what’s wrong with it?”

A famous landmark of the Empire, called the ‘Snowless Snow Mountain’ because of its unusually white rock formations.

That mountain range was stained entirely black.

The reason Lowell described it that way—the black mass was writhing slightly.

And soon, both Lowell’s and Lucas’s faces turned deathly pale.

The black things weren’t specks. They were ‘demons’ and ‘beasts.’

An incredible number, so vast they resembled specks of dust.

That wasn’t all. Inverted pentagrams, the symbol of high-grade demons, floated up throughout the mass.

Lowell, who had been counting, soon abandoned the effort.

At a rough estimate, there were dozens. A number too meaningless to tally.

Lucas shouted louder than ever before.

“Activate the defensive magic circle!!”

Tired of seeing Ads? Then please support me on ! Any tier of subscription will make it so you won’t get any ads!

If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /InsanityTheGame

Join my Discord! .gg/BWaP3AHHpt