I Became God of War’s Youngest Disciple - Chapter 320



Only Krnovel

Episode 320

It is rare for the entire Badniker Council to gather in one place.

In the midst of an unprecedented situation where the Iron Blood Corps is in critical condition, even the heavy-handed elders had no choice but to gather together.

The elders who had gathered together were conversing without revealing their faces in the darkest and most secret place in the main house.

“Something happened in Badnikker that should never have happened.”

As always, it was Agenor Badnicker who opened the door.

The blood relative of the previous head of the family and the de facto chairman of the council of elders.

The man with the most say among the elders continued speaking.

“Traces of musical instruments were found in the main house. Judging by the density, it would be reasonable to assume that it was at least an intrusion by a priest.”

“Are you sure?”

Phyllis Roandel.

A man who was the commander of the Fang Knights.

This man, who had risen to the position of Elder through his merits as a knight and his loyalty to Badniker, was the youngest and shortest-serving of the Elders.

Naturally, his attitude and speech were also more polite and cautious than others.

“I do not doubt what Lord Agenor said, but… I think it is too early to be certain of the existence of an intruder.”

“You can elaborate.”

“thank you.”

Phyllis bowed her head once and continued speaking.

“As you all can see, the Master has regained consciousness. He has also completely expelled the musical instrument inside his body. What I mean is that the Master may have unconsciously activated a defense mechanism to protect his body, and in the process, the musical instrument that was expelled may have been naturally released to the outside… … .”

“Phyllis, you are short-sighted.”

A cold voice intervened.

Calliope Badnikker.

He is eighty-one this year, but he has accomplished a lot in three years, so he only looks like he is in his mid-thirties.

Phyllis stung.

This female warrior, who was the older sister of the previous head of the clan, is a figure with a fairly strong position in the current council of elders.

Over time, a strong foundation of power, connections, and even money were formed… there was no element that did not become the backbone of the family.

The pre- and post-war period of the Badniker was a dark time, and it is no small feat for the Council of Elders to have survived that time.

Naturally, Calliope, who had been active in the Council of Elders since then, was also respected by the other elders.

Calliope spoke in a feminine tone.

“The instrument is clearly an unidentified power, but if you look at only its characteristics, it has a lot in common with mana. After all, it is an energy that can be artificially manipulated. The difference between the qi distributed in nature and the mana accepted within the body is not small, and it is the same for instruments. For example, the instrument that ate away at the head of the household was unrefined and raw, even if it existed within the body. However, the instrument found at the scene had traces of being polished. The only people in the world who can polish instruments are the followers-.”

“… … .”

“… The instrument inside the lord was so thick that it made your teeth chatter. Even the doctor who tried to treat him had his hand rot black immediately after touching it. If he had been even a little late, he would have had to amputate the part he had touched. It was a density that only a priest could handle.”

Immediately after Calliope finished speaking, one of the elders muttered in a pitiful voice.

“…I never thought the nightmare of Juan’s time would happen again.”

Badniker.

A family that symbolizes the eradication of religious sects and the hunting of demons.

Such a symbolic location was allowed to have priests enter not once, but twice.

It’s not just a matter of hurting my pride. The situation now is much more serious than it was then.

That means that he didn’t notice the intruder approaching the bedroom of the Iron Blood Knight, who was on the verge of death, unconscious.

“… Then what is the purpose of the believers?”

Phyllis said in a cautious voice.

“There are more than one or two points that I don’t understand. It’s clear that the believer came close to the head of the household. If he wanted, he could have taken his life. Why didn’t he? As a result, the head of the household woke up. It may have been a hasty judgment, but there were no aftereffects. Judging from his actions, it seems that he did not aim for the head of the household’s life, but rather… … .”

“Watch what you say.”

When Agenor interrupted, Phyllis closed her mouth.

“Does that mean there are good believers?”

“That’s not it, but… … .”

“I don’t intend to completely deny that speculation. The lord regained consciousness through the trickery of the believers. However, in the world, there are many times when the results turn out completely differently from what was intended.”

Phyllis said, thinking deeply.

“… The believer stretched out his hand with the intention of harming the lord, but the opposite result occurred. Is that what you are saying, Agenor?”

“The worst thing for us is not the death of our lord.”

“yes?”

“The worst thing would be for the revived Lord to side with the religious order and point his sword at the empire.”

“… … !”

The betrayal of the Iron Blood.

Phyllis came to her senses at the words she didn’t even want to imagine.

That doesn’t just mean a loss of power.

The symbolic figure of the Iron Blooded One betrays the empire and joins the cult.

It will have a huge negative impact not only on the world, but also on the morale of the people of the empire. The downfall of Badniker will be certain.

“Of course, we, as non-believers, have no way of knowing the details. In fact, it’s not that important.”

Agenor said this and then looked into the void.

“Benga.”

“yes.”

In the darkness, the collector Benga appeared, but most of the elders had noticed his presence, so no one was surprised.

“How about identification?”

“It’s over.”

Benga looked around with a blank expression and continued speaking as if explaining.

“I investigated all the people who stayed at the main building of Badniker today or stopped by briefly. I selected those who could enter the 4th floor, and I also selected those who could approach the master’s bedroom at that time. Among them, there is one person who is the most suspicious. He is also the only person whose whereabouts are currently unknown.”

“Speak.”

“… … .”

When Benga hesitated for a rare moment, the elders looked slightly embarrassed.

It was very surprising that the strongest collector, who was thought to be emotionless, showed any emotion.

‘Who the hell are you?’

The moment Phyllis tilted her head, Benga said.

“… Sogaju Luan Badniker.”

“… … !”

“As of now, the person who has invaded the sect is the Sogaju Lord – in other words, the most powerful person to become a priest.”

“Are you sure?”

“We are not aware of the circumstances, and we are still tracking the traces, but that is the case.”

As Benga finished speaking, there was an unusual amount of noise in the surroundings.

“Luan Badnikerani?”

“Isn’t he the one who is currently showing the most prominence among the lord’s children?”

“I thought you had the qualities to succeed Delak… … .”

“Be quiet, be quiet.”

Agenor silenced the commotion with a low voice.

Then he continues in a subdued voice.

“Sogaju Luan Badniker has definitely shown impressive performance since the end of last year. At first, it was just a long-term wait, but we all remember that some people said, ‘It seems like he’s changed.’”

“But didn’t Luan already finish her testimony in the [Trial Room]? I heard that she also had a private meeting with the lord later.”

“The equipment in that room isn’t perfect. The same goes for the protection of the lord.”

“… … .”

“Benga, is it true that Luan’s whereabouts are unknown?”

“I searched the entire house thoroughly before coming here, but there wasn’t a single witness, and the belongings in the Socheoldang were also gone. So I think they disappeared intentionally.”

Agenor sighed and said.

“This is the most certain evidence.”

“… … .”

“If she was truly upright, there would be no reason to run away. Luan Badniker left her family home without saying a word. She erased all traces, and took only her belongings… … . All of this points to something clear.”

Agenor declared in a solemn voice.

“From now on, Badniker will treat Luan Badniker as a believer.”

“That means… … .”

“Organize a pursuit party.”

“Pursuit… … If you’re a priest, can’t you use the Ghost Route?”

“Normally, yes. According to Hana Benga’s report, Luan Badniker’s trail led to the Butterfly Forest.”

As attention turned to him, Benga Organ nodded quietly.

“I’m not sure, but he may have suffered internal injuries while making contact with the lord. If so, he probably couldn’t have gone far.”

“… … .”

“Remember, Luan Badnikker’s presence is now a taboo for us Badnikkers. He must never be allowed out of the forest.”

Phyllis asked after a moment of silence.

“I will take command of the pursuit party, Lord Agenor. The purpose of this pursuit is… to capture Luan Badniker?”

“no.”

Agenor spoke briefly.

“Kill him.”

***

“… … .”

Hector blinked.

It seemed like he couldn’t readily accept what he had just heard.

Hector’s grandfather, a member of the Council of Elders, sighed as he watched the ripples spread across his grandson’s face.

“I’m just letting you know in advance, so keep quiet.”

“… What is that? Are you saying that everything you just said is true?”

“I don’t lie about things like this.”

“but-.”

“Stop. Don’t say anything else. This is a matter that has already been decided by the council of elders. Even if you are the head of the household, you cannot change it.”

“… … .”

Hector said, clenching his fist.

“That doesn’t make sense. Luan, that guy is a believer? He sometimes acts strangely, but you can’t assume he’s a believer just because of that-.”

“That’s not all. Didn’t I just say that? The fact that he was able to enter the master’s bedroom in the middle of the night, the fact that he disappeared with his belongings, and the fact that he didn’t show himself to anyone during the process… … All of these factors point to him being a believer.”

“… That can’t be true.”

“I don’t understand. Why are you denying it so much? Isn’t it you who hated and loathed that child more than anyone else?”

“… … .”

Hector closed his mouth at Zeno’s words.

“Of course I know that you’ve been close to Luan. So I’d like to ask you something in return. While dealing with him, or talking to him… have you ever felt like he’s changed?”

“…that.”

“The personality that seemed to change overnight, and the skills, growth, and activities that were shown afterward. And strangely, he became deeply intertwined with the religious order. It was as if he had known the religious order’s plans in advance… … .”

“… … .”

“… What if all of this was the Dark Cult’s plan? What if they were going to infiltrate Luan and take control of Badnikker from within?”

Hector said, cursing.

“… Then why did you reveal your true colors only now? Now, Luan has achieved the position of Sogaju. He is the most likely candidate to become the next head of the household. Even if he just stayed still, he could have swallowed Badnikker.”

“Because something much more delicious has appeared.”

“yes?”

“Controlling the Iron Blood Corps.”

“… … !”

“The guy disappeared because his plan failed.”

Hector bit his lip.

“… That’s forced.”

“Yes. I know it’s a guess with a lot of flaws. But if everything was a misunderstanding like you said, it could have been resolved through conversation. But why did Luan disappear?”

“… … .”

“To prove complete innocence, you would have to allow someone else to observe the inside of your body. Luan didn’t have the confidence to handle that kind of investigation.”

Zeno said with a stern face.

“… I know it’s not comfortable for you either. But from now on, watch your mouth. Forget about that guy, and even if the topic comes up, don’t show it. The more you defend that guy, the more your position in Badniker will be shaken.”

“… If you’re going to be shaken by something like that, then shake it as much as you want.”

“what?”

Hector said, glaring at Zeno.

“I am not a child anymore. I don’t care how you treat me. You can treat me like a child. But don’t you dare try to control me. I have decided. From now on, I will only judge what I see with my own eyes.”

“What are you talking about now… … .”

“Luan is a bit arrogant and rude. He has a fiery personality, is self-centered, and sometimes has a weird side that you can’t figure out what he’s thinking. To be honest, it’s exhausting to be around him. When we talk, I get annoyed, and I wonder if he thinks of me as his older brother… … .”

“… … .”

“But… that doesn’t mean he’s the kind of guy who would fall into the trap of becoming a believer.”

Hector recalled.

Luan’s performance in a world dyed in blood.

He prevented a disaster that could have killed tens or hundreds of people with his brilliant performance.

I couldn’t believe that the appearance was fake.

“I trust Luan. There must be something going on.”

“… … .”

Zeno closed his mouth.

Today was the first time Hector had confronted him directly.

As this child’s sponsor, as his teacher, and above all, as his maternal grandfather… … .

I was hoping for this moment.

I hoped that they would have clear opinions and convictions that would even allow them to rebel against their parents.

But today wasn’t that day.

“… What happened to your father?”

“I joined Luan Badniker’s pursuit team.

“Huh? In that physical condition?”

“okay.”

Hector asked with slight hesitation.

“Father’s reaction was… … .”

“What do you think it would have been like? He was none other than the Iron Blood Lord. How could he possibly tolerate the fact that a believer came from his own bloodline?”

“… … .”

“I have also never seen the lord make such an expression. With a stiff face and a body that is not yet fully grown, he joined the pursuit party himself. He probably has no other intention than to personally kill Luan Badniker.”

Hector looked out the window at those words.

The rain that has been pouring down since yesterday showed no sign of stopping.

Urrrrrr… … !

Instead, even thunder and lightning began to strike, and Hector looked up at the night sky where white cracks occasionally spread.

‘Luan.’

His clenched fist trembled slightly.

Hector wishes for the eternal success of the Iron Duke. He wishes for him to reign as the strongest and lead the Badnikers forever.

I never wanted to see or think about his failures while I was alive.

but…….

Why is that?

At this moment, for the first time, Hector desperately hoped for the Iron Blood to fail.

I sincerely hoped that the pursuit party, including the Iron Blood Corps, would miss Luan.

Kurururur… … !

The sky beyond the dark clouds trembled.

… a storm was coming.

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