The Mad Dog of the Dukes House - Chapter 61



Only Krnovel

Episode 61 18. Probation

One.

Two weeks later, in the conference room of Cheonghae Castle.

All of the direct blood relatives of the Duke’s family, excluding the elders, were gathered here.

“… … Therefore, I hereby order Charon Reston to be under house arrest for four years, starting today. This decision will not be reversed, and from today onwards, Charon Reston will be restricted from entering or leaving Cheonghae Castle.”

Halo, the head of the Reston Duke family, looked at Charon, who was standing quietly, and said.

“Caron Reston. If you have any complaints about this decision, speak up now.”

Everyone gathered there simultaneously turned their gaze to Charon.

Caron’s father, Pale, could only watch his son with a sad expression.

He is a son who survived the mysterious attack and achieved many things in the capital.

Such a son is subject to discipline.

But Pale couldn’t even complain on Caron’s behalf.

Because he also understood why his father made that decision.

By placing it in Cheonghae Castle, Caron’s safety is guaranteed.

That must be the deep meaning of the father’s decision.

“I will humbly accept the family’s decision.”

Charon lowered his head with a stern expression. Then Halo spoke in a low voice.

“During the four-year probation period, you will have to further refine yourself. When the probation period is over, we will observe what kind of achievements you have made. If you do not achieve enough, the probation period may be extended. Can you accept that as well?”

“Yes, my lord.”

Charon meekly accepted Halo’s decision.

Since there was no objection from the person subject to disciplinary action, the disciplinary process did not last very long.

“Then let’s go out now.”

“yes.”

Caron turned and walked out of the conference room.

Leo frowned slightly as he watched Charon’s back moving away.

‘… … I thought you laughed?’

Wouldn’t it be normal to look sullen when you’ve been disciplined?

Anyway, he was a guy that couldn’t be understood with a normal way of thinking.

Squeak.

After Charon closed the door and left, Halo slowly looked around the conference room.

“Hugo, Leon, Leo. You guys should also exit.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Following Halo’s instructions, the three men and women left the conference room, soon leaving only his sons in the room.

Halo began to speak in a somewhat heavy atmosphere.

“From today, Pale, you will be in charge of the family’s diplomacy. From establishing relationships with other families to bringing them over to our side. You will be in charge of everything and achieve results.”

The moment those words left Halo’s mouth, the second son, Raphael, who had been sitting quietly until then, raised his voice.

“My lord, Pale has not been able to open the magic of clarity. We cannot entrust Pale with the affairs of the family… … .”

“This has already been discussed with the elders, Raphael. This decision will not be reversed either.”

Woohoo.

The clear magical power flowing from Halo’s body instantly filled the entire conference room.

A presence that overwhelms everyone.

Raphael bit his lip and clenched his fist.

It is a very old tradition to expel from the family those who fail to awaken the magic of Cheongmyeong.

I heard that in the distant past, there were even cases where they were removed from the family register.

But is it right to entrust the important responsibility of the family to someone who was banished from Cheonghae Castle?

It was something unimaginable.

Raphael looked at Tails, who was sitting next to him, his fists clenched.

Tails, who received Raphael’s gaze, sighed and nodded.

“… … I also agree with Raphael, my lord. The position in charge of the family’s diplomacy is practically the face of our ducal family. I don’t think it’s appropriate for Pale, who can’t even hold a sword, to take on that position. There may be cases where others look down on our ducal family of Reston.”

Halo looked at his two sons with pity.

As I watched him worrying about his rice bowl being taken away, I naturally felt suffocated.

But rather than scolding the two, Halo chose to give Pale a chance.

“Pale, let me ask you what you think. Are you confident that you can take on the important responsibility of the family?”

At that question, Pale looked quietly at his father’s face.

He also knew that this decision was groundbreaking.

The contemptuous stares I received as a child after failing to awaken the magic of clarity.

The gazes of my older brothers who looked down on me were still vivid before my eyes.

If I were to accept my father’s offer and take on that important task, these were the gazes I would face countless times.

It was a suggestion that I would have given up on without even thinking about it in the past.

For him, Cheonghae Castle was a place of failure, full of bad memories.

“If that is the family’s decision, I will gladly follow it.”

But Pale nodded without hesitation.

How much helplessness have I felt since I sent Charon to the capital?

Just hearing the news that Caron was in danger of death was enough to make me sick to my stomach.

“This is a position where you will exercise great authority. You will also have to bear the responsibility that comes with it. Are you prepared?”

Pale answered Halo’s repeated questions firmly.

“yes.”

I never wanted to feel that helpless again.

The Blue Sea was no longer a safe place for Caron.

Now that Caron’s fame had grown, the two greedy brothers were sure to threaten Caron at any moment.

‘I will protect you.’

By any means, even at the cost of sacrificing everything.

“If you just leave it to me, I won’t disappoint you, my lord.”

Pale said so and looked into the eyes of his brothers.

Before I knew it, the gazes were filled with hostility.

But Pale faced those gazes confidently.

For Caron.

Ultimately, this is what a father should do for his son.

‘I will be your shade, Charon.’

That’s why Pale willingly accepted Halo’s offer.

That’s how the change in Cheonghae began.

2.

While the adults were talking in the conference room, the reception room of Cheonghae Castle located outside the conference room.

“… … I can’t believe it, Caron.”

Leon Reston, Charon’s cousin and Tails’ daughter, shook her head as she looked at her cousin.

For her, it was her first time seeing Caron in almost three years.

Not long after Charon entered Cheonghaesung, she went on a long-term mission.

Even though I occasionally stopped by Cheonghae Castle, I never had a chance to meet Caron. That’s because she was so focused on her mission.

Until three years ago, Caron was just a young boy who had just discovered the magic of Qingming.

But what about now?

A whopping 5 stars.

What she had reached only after she was twenty-one, her younger cousin had reached at the age of just thirteen.

Is it because it is such an overwhelming achievement?

She didn’t even feel jealous of Charon.

“You defeated the demon in the palace, and even fought and defeated the famous Lord Luke? I’m so proud that you’re my cousin.”

Just awe.

All I could feel was a sense of awe at being faced with such a great genius.

Caron scratched his cheek at his cousin’s sudden compliment.

“No… …. What should I do if you suddenly barge in like that?”

“Why? I just said something great was great. Isn’t that right, Hugo?”

She looked at her brother, Hugo, with a smile.

Then Hugo sighed deeply and nodded.

“He’s a great guy in many ways.”

“If I had known this would happen, I would have stayed with Caron instead of going on a mission. If I had, wouldn’t I have learned something? Isn’t that right, Caron?”

“Hey, what can you teach me, Sister? I’ve heard rumors about you already in the southern part of the empire.”

“really?”

“I see you’ve even earned nicknames. Bandit Slayer Leon Reston, Beautiful Judge… … How on earth do you get nicknames like that?”

Then Leon answered, winking his right eye.

“I just swept away all those who were harassing innocent people. And I didn’t do it alone… … . I had a lot of help from the other knights.”

“Be humble. Brother Leo. Learn from that. You need to be humble.”

Leo shook his head at Charon’s sudden attack.

“Please, be humble.”

“If I’m humble, I’ll be a nuisance, hyung. Isn’t that right, Sister Leon?”

“Oh, Leo. It’s a bit weird to see your little brother getting jealous because he’s so good.”

Unlike Hugo, who is a bit cold, Leon has a very bright personality.

‘He doesn’t look like my father at all.’

Bright, beautiful, and honest.

I think Leon will be loved wherever he goes.

Unlike Hugo, who had been openly wary of her since their first meeting, isn’t she looking at him without prejudice?

Moreover, his skills were also outstanding.

At the age of twenty-three, he reached the end of his five-star rank.

There was no doubt that she would break through 6 stars sooner or later.

“Caron. How are you? I heard you were badly injured in the capital.”

“Oh, I’m all better. I ate a lot of good things.”

“Really? That’s great. Then, if you have time, would you like to spar with me? I’m planning on staying in Cheonghae Castle for a while anyway. I asked Lord Jeras, and he said your swordsmanship is really great. I think it would be a good opportunity to spar with you.”

Her blue eyes sparkled.

Caron met Leon’s gaze and smiled faintly.

“As you saw earlier, I will be stuck in Cheonghae Castle for four years anyway. I will always be here, so I will be available to you whenever you want.”

“Would it be okay to spar with a real sword?”

“I think you’ll need to get permission from Lord Jeras first.”

“It’s difficult.”

“why.”

“Sir Jeras is heading to the North Sea right now. He is not in Cheonghae Castle.”

“Somehow. I didn’t see you today.”

“Then I’ll ask my grandfather for permission later. Is that okay?”

“Okay.”

Leon didn’t have anything in common with his older brother Hugo.

The sight of him purely delving into swordsmanship was very impressive.

‘Come to think of it, Sabina also liked Sister Leon, right?’

Caron remembered something Sabina had once said to him.

-The eldest daughter, Leon, is amazing. Maybe she can catch up to her brother someday. Leon may not be very talented in magical training, but she’s incredibly skilled in swordsmanship.

For Sabina, who is known for her harsh judgment of people, that could be considered high praise.

‘By the way, at this time, Lord Jeras suddenly went to the North Sea… … .’

I wonder if something happened to Sabina?

It was Caron who was secretly worried.

It was around that time that they were talking.

Squeak.

The conference room door opened, and soon the fathers appeared.

When their fathers appeared, all the children stood up from their seats.

Pale’s expression was relatively gentle, but the other two’s expressions were anything but.

“Hugo. Leon. Come here.”

Tails spoke to his children in a low voice, and Leon patted Charon on the back.

“Then, let’s fight swords later!”

“Yes, sister.”

Caron bowed his head slightly towards Leon.

At that moment, Caron’s eyes met Tails’.

“You have done a great job in the capital, Karon. Thanks to you, the reputation of the Duke’s family has grown. But keep in mind. A tower that has been built with great effort can collapse in an instant. If you do not act properly, your reputation will become a dagger and stab you.”

It was a remarkably barbed piece of advice for a nephew.

But Charon smiled brightly and bowed.

“Thank you for your generous advice as always.”

“… … I will watch.”

So Tails left, leading his children.

The ones left in the guest room were father and son Caron and Leo.

Raphael, who was watching Tails’ back disappear into the distance, said with a sly smile.

“You always pretend to be easygoing, but now that the fire has fallen on your instep, you seem to be in a hurry. Isn’t that right, Pale?”

Raphael turned his head and looked at Pale.

“I remember the time of Charon’s opening ceremony. My brother told me that there. Let’s take care of Charon in advance.”

“… …Why are you telling me that now?”

“Well.”

He smiled and placed a hand on the shoulder of his son, Leo.

“Aren’t Leo and Caron as close as real brothers? I think of Caron as my own son. It’s different from my older brother. It would be natural for the two of us to be close.”

“That doesn’t sound like something someone who belittled my talents in front of my father should say.”

“Haha! You’re still narrow-minded, little brother. But remember, the two of us will eventually join forces. Well then, let’s go now. Leo? Let’s go.”

“… … Yes, Father.”

With those words, Raphael also left the guest room.

In the end, only Caron and Pale were left in the guest room.

Pale smiled as he held his son’s hand.

“Don’t worry. My brothers won’t touch you. I will protect you.”

Words full of affection.

At those words, Caron nodded with a bright smile.

“I believe you, Father.”

Four years of hardship have just begun.

There’s a mad dog living in the duke’s house