Chapter 34

The next morning, the news that Rian had woken up threw the imperial palace into an uproar. From the Emperor and the Crown Prince to Archmage Velleius and the high clerics of the holy state, the empire’s top leaders came to his infirmary early in the morning.
They could not hide their awe and curiosity toward the hero who had prevented the catastrophe and the mysterious being with incomprehensible power.

“How is your condition, Rian Aster?”

To the Emperor’s solemn question, Rian rose from the bed and tried to show his respects. Kaion hurriedly stopped him, but Rian gently pushed his brother’s hand away as if to say he was fine and bowed his head.

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s grace, I have improved greatly.”

The adults in the room were once again surprised by his calm and mature demeanor.
Archmage Velleius, unable to contain himself, stepped forward.

“If I may be so bold enough to ask, may I examine your mana circuits once more? That phenomenon last time shakes the very foundations of my lifetime of Magic research…”

Velleius’s eyes burned with scholarly curiosity. Rian looked at him for a moment and then faintly smiled as if embarrassed.

“I respect the Archmage’s curiosity, but my body’s mana are very sensitive right now, so I must politely decline external contact. It’s like having barely calmed down a pack of vicious dogs.”

The metaphor and tone were like a child scolding an adult. Velleius was momentarily at a loss for words and blushed. Seeing the empire’s tower master being politely refused by a thirteen-year-old boy, the Crown Prince Julian tried to stifle a laugh. The heavy atmosphere in the room softened just a little.

At that moment, his father, Count Aaron, entered the room after asking permission. With a pale face as if he had stayed up for nights, he ran to his son’s bedside and gripped his shoulder.

“Rian! My son! Are you really… really alright?!”

“Yes, Father. I’m sorry for causing you worry.”

“Don’t apologize! As long as you’re safe, that’s enough…”

Aaron’s eyes reddened as he looked at his son’s gaunt body. He still saw Rian as the frail second son he worried would be blown away by the wind or break if gripped too hard.

“Yes, you must rest well now. I’ll have them bring all the good foods from the capital. You’ve lost too much weight. Tsk tsk…”

At his father’s unchanging demeanor, a warm smile crossed Rian’s lips. In this moment, Rian was just someone’s son.

After the Emperor and the leadership departed, the three men of the Aster family gathered together for the first time in a long while. Rian cautiously expressed his desire to return to the estate.

“I want to recover properly, and above all I miss Mother and Lily so much.”

Aaron and Kaion respected his wishes. Kaion formally requested permission from the Emperor, who granted the return, calling him ‘a treasure of the empire’ and assigning top royal physicians and a guard squad from the imperial household as extraordinary measures.

The night before leaving the capital, Rian and Kaion stood side by side on the manor’s balcony and looked at the moon.

“Brother, I’ll leave the capital to you while I’m gone. Remnants of Valua and other nobles will surely try to test you. But don’t worry too much. I’ve planted seeds. You just need to walk your path in the place of light.”

There were no orders or commands in Rian’s words anymore. They contained absolute trust in his brother and a firm promise to shoulder the burden together.

“Don’t worry. Until you return, I’ll keep our home perfectly. You, go to the estate and don’t cause trouble—get plenty of rest.”

Kaion ruffled his younger brother’s hair and said teasingly. Rian snorted and dodged his brother’s hand with a smile. It was a boyish sight not seen in a long time.

The next morning.

A luxurious carriage bearing the imperial crest stood before Aster Manor.
Father Aaron and his son Rian boarded the carriage.
Kaion saw them off and called out to his departing brother.

“Don’t forget to buy the gift for Lily!”

“Got it, nagging brother!”

Rian’s laughter-tinged voice could be heard from inside the carriage.

The carriage began to move slowly. As the capital’s scenery receded outside the window, Rian’s gaze grew deep and cold again. In his hand was the latest report on the monster forest, secretly delivered by Kael.

‘The vacation is over. Now it’s time to catch the stray dogs that trespassed into my hunting grounds.’