I’ve Already Cast Aside Both Family And Name

“Th-then… what was that noble’s name…?”

“House Langheim. The Duke himself.”

“Wha…!?”

The name “Langheim” burst from Carlo’s mouth.

The shock was so great that Jonah was momentarily speechless.

He never imagined his former family would be involved in something like this.

“There. I’ve told you everything.”

Carlo looked at the flustered Jonah and spoke.

As if demanding Jonah reveal his own identity in return.

He was right.

It wouldn’t be fair to let Carlo bare everything while he stayed silent.

Jonah made up his mind and lifted his face.

“…My former name was Jonatan Gerhard Langheim. I was the eldest son of House Langheim.”

“…………………………”

Carlo showed no surprise and simply stared at Jonah in silence.

Carlo had already seen Jonah’s childlike excitement, his impeccable manners, his calm courage in front of wolf beasts, and a mind sharper than most adults—far sharper, in fact. So this answer only made sense.

However—

“The way you phrased it, it sounds like you’re saying you have nothing to do with Duke Langheim anymore.”

“That’s exactly right. I’ve already abandoned both House Langheim and the name ‘Langheim’.”

Saying that, Jonah gently lowered his eyes.

The eleven years spent in House Langheim—until he received his death sentence—held not a single good memory.

The past month and a half filled with memories of Marguerite, Count Hagenberg, and the others shone far brighter than those eleven dark years and still filled Jonah with happiness.

That’s why—

“My name is Jonah. I’m no longer a Langheim.”

He raised his face and declared it clearly, staring straight at Carlo.

In his onyx eyes there was no hesitation, confusion, sadness, or anger—nothing negative.

Only determination and conviction remained.

“…I see. Sorry for doubting you. For a moment I thought you might be an Imperial spy.”

“B-but, Your Highness—this child’s words, do you truly believe- …eh!?”

“Take that back. This person’s name is Jonah. He is not a child.”

The twin maids, who had been silent until now, unleashed murderous intent toward the technician.

Seeing them, Carlo gave a wry smile.

“Man, Jonah’s gonna be real popular with girls when he grows up.”

“W-W-W-WHAT!?”

At Carlo’s sudden remark, Jonah’s face turned bright red.

Yet the tense atmosphere from moments ago instantly vanished—along with Aurora and Priscilla’s killing intent.

“With all due respect, Your Highness, Young Master Jonah will not merely ‘become’ popular in the future—”

“—he is already extremely popular.”

The two stepped forward and declared emphatically.

Carlo looked at them with an indescribable expression.

Still, now that he knew the truth, Jonah could no longer stay uninvolved.

He had cut ties with House Langheim in his heart, but until a month and a half ago he had still borne that name—an Imperial citizen.

Besides, his journey’s purpose was to witness every legend in the world with his own eyes.

He could not back down from the legend of the Guardian Deity of the Central Sea.

Then—

“Mr. Carlo, please let me join the expedition to subjugate the Guardian Deity of the Central Sea.”

“WHAT!? Do you even understand what you’re saying!?”

Carlo raised his voice at Jonah’s offer.

“Listen! That monster wiped out our entire navy without breaking a sweat! For a kid like you, it’d be suicide!”

Having experienced the previous battle, Carlo knew all too well the terror and overwhelming power of the guardian deity.

That’s precisely why he had no intention of bringing a child like Jonah into such danger.

“Please! I’ll do anything I can!”

Jonah bowed deeply and pleaded desperately.

Because he believed he might be the only one capable of opposing the deity.

He didn’t know how powerful Imperial magitech was, but it surely wasn’t enough to fight something of that scale.

Charging in with only those weapons would be suicide.

Ever since picking him up in the forest, Carlo had cared for him, taught him many things, and given him tasks he could handle.

Even now, after learning his true identity, Carlo treated him the same.

Jonah didn’t want Carlo to die.

However—

“No. …Anyway, you must be exhausted from your journey. Get some rest tonight.”

“…Young Master Jonah, let us return.”

“…………………………”

Clearly rejected by Carlo, Jonah was escorted back to his room by Aurora and Priscilla.

Still—

‘I knew Mr. Carlo would never agree.’

He had anticipated this exact response from the start.

As long as he knew when the battle would take place, he could simply teleport onto Carlo’s ship when the time came.

Therefore—

“I’ll definitely save you.”

Jonah clenched his fist and whispered so quietly that neither Aurora nor Priscilla could hear.