Chapter 291: Chapter 291

A system message appeared stating that Hex had been defeated.

But contrary to the notification, Hex didn’t fall.

With an impassive expression, he stared at the blood sword impaled in his chest.

He blankly looked at it for a moment, then released the sword he had been holding.

The blade fell to the ground— or more precisely, it began to vanish before it even touched down, dissolving into teal-colored smoke, just like the blood sword.

— You truly are an extraordinary knight. Far superior to me.

“Thank you. Then... does that mean you acknowledge me now?”

— Of course I do. You defeated me—the greatest knight of the kingdom. Granted, had I been at full strength, the outcome might’ve been different... But as promised, I shall now pass on the power of the moon, which has only ever been inherited by members of the royal family. Before that, though... may I ask one favor?

— The power of the moon must only be passed down to those of royal blood. So... will you become a member of our royal family?

Hex was absolutely sincere.

Because he wanted to preserve the legitimacy of the power his bloodline held.

Su-ho was thrown off, but he composed himself and asked calmly.

“What exactly does it mean to become a member of the royal family?”

— Exactly what it sounds like. Become one of us and continue the royal line.

“How would I do that?”

— Then how about marrying the princess?

— By blood. That’s the surest way.

“Wait—what about the princess’s opinion?”

— Royal marriages are always decided by elders.

“You’re the elder in this case?”

— Of course. I’m the founder. Naturally, I outrank her.

“You’re the founder?”

— Indeed. I am the one who founded this nation—and the very first Knight of the Moon.

“...You’re not just a knight?”

He hadn’t expected that kind of secret to be hidden within the Full Moon Gate.

But... now he was being told to get married?

Am I really supposed to accept this?

This was a linked quest.

One that had unfolded over three entire phases.

And this latest one clearly promised a trait as a reward.

But the condition for receiving it... was marriage?

I’ve conquered countless gates, but this is a first...

Should he marry a woman whose name he didn’t even know just for a trait?

Of ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) course, this was still a gate—an artificial world—so marriage probably held no real meaning.

He had never even been in a real relationship, and now he was supposed to marry someone he didn’t know?

Even if this was a simulated world, and even if he had regressed to put an end to all gates—

I might be obsessed with power, but even I have my limits.

After wrestling with the idea, Su-ho finally decided to refuse.

Even if she was royalty, marrying someone he’d never met—who might not even exist outside this gate—felt no different from some creepy spiritual wedding.

As much as he wanted the unknown trait, this wasn’t it.

But just as he was about to refuse, a thought occurred to him.

Wait a second. I beat this guy, and I’m still getting treated ?

The quest had never mentioned anything about marriage.

Now all of a sudden, marriage?

This felt like a scam.

Then again, not exactly—Hex had clearly said it was a request.

After thinking it over, Su-ho replied.

— Yes, I knew you’d— Wait, what?!

“I said I’m not accepting. I understand that royalty often marry for political reasons. But I’m not royalty, and I have no intention of being part of a political marriage.”

— What are you saying?! Then what about the power of the moon, which is only passed down to royalty?!

“You still have to give it to me.”

“The condition was to be acknowledged by you. Marriage was never part of the deal. If you truly understand the value of honor, then please fulfill your original promise without adding extra conditions.”

Su-ho had spoken only the truth.

Still, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

After all, the rewards were still in Hex’s hands.

So he silently hoped that his argument would go through.

That unknown trait—he wanted it badly.

So he even made sure to speak politely.

If he acted like he’d never considered accepting to begin with, Hex might take offense.

I haven’t even gotten the reward yet—no need to stir things up.

Instead, he appealed to honor.

Knights lived and died by their honor, after all.

Hex looked at Su-ho with a stunned expression.

Then, after a long pause, he opened his mouth.

— ...Then how about this?

— I haven’t even said anything yet!

“A promise is a promise. Don’t try to tack on extras. You of all people should know better—what kind of knight does that?”

“Sir Hex, the kingdom stands on the brink of ruin. In such times, is the legitimacy of moon power truly more important? Just earlier, you said that if I couldn’t be acknowledged, the royal line would end—without even blinking.”

Huh. Didn’t think he was ... turns out he’s a bit much.

Again, Hex remained quiet for a long time.

Then, with effort, he finally spoke.

— Then just this one thing. Please.

Geez... the guy was persistent.

But this time, if he didn’t at least hear him out, it felt like Hex would actually be hurt.

— Is it the marriage that’s the problem?

“If we’re being technical—yes.”

— Do you already have a fiancée?

— Then is there someone you’re in love with?

“No. I just don’t want to marry someone I don’t love. And frankly, I don’t have the luxury to, right now.”

— I see. You’re more romantic than I thought. Then... how about becoming my adopted son?

— Yes. If you don’t want to marry into the family, become the adopted son of my deceased heir. That way, you won’t have to marry the princess, and the will of our royal line can still be preserved.

“...I thought bloodlines were important for things ?”

— Blood matters, but what truly counts is the moon power that’s been passed down our line. Besides, blood gets diluted over generations anyway.

“Wait, that’s how that works?”

— Sure. At least, that’s how I see it. And to me, power is purer and more legitimate than mere blood.

Su-ho mulled the term over for a while.

And the longer he thought about it, the more he found himself nodding.

Right. It’s not marriage—just adoption. I can live with that.

If his father were still alive, maybe he’d feel differently. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by novel⁂fire.net

But his real father had died long ago.

Not even regression had allowed him to see him again.

So what did it matter if he ended up with two dead fathers?

There are people in the real world with two dads—like when a mom remarries.

This felt like a pretty generous concession from Hex.

“Alright. That sounds acceptable.”

“Yes, but you can’t add any more conditions after this.”

— Of course. Then let’s proceed with the Oath Ritual immediately.

Hex stretched out his hand, and a regal, ornate longsword materialized in his grasp.

— You’ve done a knighting ceremony before, haven’t you?

— Hmm? Then how did you become a knight without one?

“I was just a regular soldier. But the princess appointed me a knight in a rush.”

— I see. Then you’ll skip the knighting and go straight to the ascension.

— Yes. The power of the moon can only be passed to a royal heir. Since you refused marriage and became my adopted son, you must now become the new king of our line. You’re not blood, but you are now heir by will.

Su-ho was speechless.

He thought it would end with adoption—but now, king?

Still, the logic checked out.

He had no room to argue.

— My name is Hex de Isis.

“I know Isis is your surname, but what does the ‘de’ mean?”

— It’s a middle name. Only royals are allowed one. Among House Isis, ‘de’ is for men. ‘Di’ is for women.

“I see. So I’ll be... Henry de Isis?”

Learning even this detail, Su-ho hesitated for a moment, then spoke.

“I have something to confess, Sir.”

— What is it? And still ‘Sir’? You’ve agreed to become my son, haven’t you?

“We haven’t done the Oath yet.”

— Then afterward, you’ll call me ‘Father.’

Su-ho didn’t know, but he went along with it.

“Alright. Anyway, here’s the truth.”

“My real name isn’t Henry. It’s Su-ho. An Su-ho.”

— What a strange name. Then why say Henry?

“It’s an alias I used for other work.”

— I see. Didn’t you use a fake surname too?

“No, I didn’t bother with that.”

— Then just go with Henry. You don’t have a surname. ‘Su-ho’ is probably a name inherited from your birth father. If you’re going to use my family name, Isis, then you need a name that suits it. New wine in new wineskins—so stick with Henry.

“Are you really okay with that?”

“That I lied about my name.”

— From the moment I accepted you as my son, none of that mattered anymore.

Wow. He’s surprisingly chill about this sort of thing.

Come to think of it—Henry was the English name he used at work.

But whatever. Things had come this far, so there was no point overthinking it.

— Then Henry—kneel on one knee and show proper respect.

Su-ho knelt on one knee like he’d seen in the movies.

Hex tapped his shoulder and head once each with the ornate longsword.

It was the classic knighting gesture.

— From this moment on, I, Hex de Isis, founder of House Isis, declare Henry a member of the family and final heir of our line.

And right after that declaration—

[You have been recognized by Hex de Isis, founder of House Isis. You are now a member of the Isis Family.]

[A new trait has been added.]

[You have become Royalty.]

[For achieving a great feat, the system has granted you 10 bonus stat points.]

System notifications appeared.

But they didn’t stop there—

[By recognition of the founder, you have inherited the will of House Isis and become its new head.]

[You have become the King of the Isis Kingdom.]

[Your existing trait information has been updated.]

[You have become the King of a Fallen Kingdom.]

[For achieving a great feat, the system has granted you 10 bonus stat points.]