novelraw Chapter 85 : Chapter 85
Chapter 85 : Chapter 85
Chapter 85. Father and Son (1)
To depart for the royal capital, much preparation was needed.
First of all, someone had to manage the territory in Yohan’s stead.
Until now, Gaf and Ilea had taken on that role.
From now on, he could not entrust it to the two of them.
They would be accompanying Yohan to the capital.
For some time, the territory would be left empty.
Someone had to replace them.
Who would be suitable? Only one person came to mind.
It was Raguel.
Though still young, Raguel was meticulous and intelligent. His level of knowledge was fairly high as well. That was thanks to his wide reading. If the territory was entrusted to him, he would manage it with considerable competence.
He was more than qualified to be Yohan’s proxy.
There was just one flaw.
Raguel was a High Elf. Though Ilea’s disguise magic made him appear human, it could not completely conceal the subtle disharmony.
Someone perceptive enough would notice Raguel’s peculiarity.
That would hinder external affairs.
A fatal weakness.
The lord’s proxy had to meet with countless people—serfs, village chiefs, priests of nearby parishes, other lords of the South, and so on. He would inevitably have to interact with an indefinite number of people.
For Raguel, such a task was impossible.
A High Elf still had to remain hidden.
Yohan sank into thought.
‘What a pity. Raguel would be just right.’
It was not easy to find another person.
There was no one he could truly trust.
Which was only natural.
To govern the territory in Yohan’s stead, one had to know all the secrets of the Forbidden Archive and Yohan’s true identity.
How many humans met those conditions and would side with Yohan?
One could count them on a single hand.
And Raguel was one of them.
“Hrmm.”
He wanted, somehow, to make use of Raguel.
After pondering for quite some time, Yohan finally opened his mouth.
“We will be staying in the royal capital for a while.”
Everyone in the underground library turned to look at Yohan.
Ilea spoke.
“I’ve already started preparing the necessities. I sent word to the Count, so our residence will soon be arranged.”
They could not simply leave for the capital with nothing.
There were many things to prepare—servants, carriages, furniture, clothing, a house, and so on. To live in the capital, they needed to at least look the part.
The nobles of the capital valued dignity and decorum.
Appearing like a shabby country mouse would leave them with a poor first impression.
Since Yohan needed to build power, he had no choice but to care somewhat about appearances.
He had to give the impression of being frugal yet not shabby, splendid yet not ostentatious.
Gaf spoke.
“How long do you plan to stay in the capital?”
Yohan answered.
“For quite a long time. There is no definite promise of return.”
“If you’re planning to be gone that long, then you’ll have to find someone else to manage the territory. As you know, the domain has neither a treasurer nor an administrator. I can’t handle everything alone.”
In truth, the internal affairs of the territory were in dire straits.
Bandits swarmed the outskirts, and low demons continued to appear.
Groups of slash-and-burn farmers were secretly flowing into the territory as well.
The exact population count of the territory was not even known.
Taxes had not been collected this year, but starting next year, levies would have to be enforced.
To resolve all of these problems, in the end, people were needed.
Yohan spoke.
“I was already planning to appoint an official proxy.”
Gaf said.
“Don’t tell me it’s me? I’ll say it now—I’m not specialized for that. If the territory is run haphazardly like now, it’ll eventually collapse.”
In truth, there was no fear of collapse. The Miyatro lands were a treasury of the kingdom. If he sold off the mountain of treasures piled in the Forbidden Archive, Miyatro would become the wealthiest domain in the realm.
Of course, Yohan had no intention of disposing of those treasures.
The Archive’s inheritance was as precious as life itself. The further the world advanced toward the latter half, the more valuable it would become. It must never be wasted on mere silver or gold.
Yohan looked at Gaf.
“I know. The position of proxy is beyond you. We need someone else to manage the territory.”
Ilea asked.
“Do you have someone in mind?”
Yohan’s gaze turned to Raguel.
“Raguel.”
Everyone nodded as if in agreement.
“If it’s the young master, it should be fine.”
“Not a bad choice.”
“O Great End, a rational decision indeed!”
Only Raguel was flustered.
“Y-Yohan. What are you suddenly saying?”
Yohan spoke.
“Exactly what I said. You will serve as the lord’s proxy.”
“With what ability could I possibly…?”
“You’re far smarter than you think. You can do this better than anyone.”
At the sudden praise, Raguel bowed his head shyly.
Ilea chimed in.
“He’s right. You’re really sharp. I noticed it when we played chess the other day.”
She had once played chess with blind Raguel.
Even without sight, Raguel played chess quite well.
He memorized the entire game record while playing.
It was proof of his high intelligence.
With both Yohan and Ilea praising him, Raguel did not know where to put himself.
His head dropped even lower.
“P-please stop. I’m not that good.”
Hakain, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth.
“He seems to have considerable trust, but isn’t there one problem?”
Ilea answered.
“The young master is a High Elf, after all.”
Hakain already knew most of the secrets and circumstances within the territory.
Yohan had hidden nothing from him.
Instead, a contract had been placed.
Hakain could not speak a word about Miyatro or Yohan to anyone.
Hakain said.
“Indeed. Moreover, until recently he had suffered from a disability. If he suddenly appears like this, someone will surely find it suspicious.”
Yohan replied.
“There’s a way to solve that. We’ll use Grian.”
Ilea said.
“You mean to make Grian the young master’s puppet?”
Yohan nodded.
All decisions regarding the territory would be made by Raguel, while Grian would only carry out his son’s commands outwardly.
As long as this rule was kept, Raguel’s identity would never be exposed.
It was not a bad solution.
Yohan looked at Raguel.
“Well? Raguel, can you do it?”
Raguel carried deep trauma regarding Grian.
He had been abused since childhood.
That fear had been carved into his bones.
Could the son who had suffered under violence now suppress and control his own father? For most, it would be impossible.
Raguel said with an unconfident expression.
“Do you mean… I would be ordering Father around, like you do?”
“Exactly. Grian will be your underling.”
Doubt flickered across Raguel’s face.
“…I want to help you however I can, Yohan. If it’s something you ask of me, I intend to do it. But I don’t have confidence that I can handle everything well. Since you’re asking, I won’t refuse—but don’t trust me too much.”
He was speaking his thoughts with complete honesty.
Yohan said.
“Why don’t you try meeting Grian first? You’ll see he’s a far smaller man than you remember.”
Raguel had not faced his father even once in recent times.
Just imagining him made his whole body tremble.
Raguel said.
“M-my father?”
“Yes. Go meet him. If, after that, you still lack confidence, then I won’t force you.”
Yohan was certain.
Raguel would overcome his fear of his father.
Even in the Abyss, he had looked Grian straight in the eye. He had not surrendered to fear.
Raguel’s mind and spirit were no longer what they once were.
He had grown much.
Raguel said.
“I’ll try, but please don’t expect too much. Still, I’ll do my best.”
Yohan gave a small smile.
“That’s enough. Go on.”
Raguel looked a bit flustered.
“R-right now?”
“Why wait? Strike while the iron’s hot.”
Raguel’s shoulders sagged.
“…Alright. I’ll go.”
He trudged away with heavy steps.
His back looked terribly pitiful.
Yohan felt a little sorry, but there was no helping it.
There was no substitute for Raguel.
And no way to help him, either.
All he could do was silently cheer for him.
Raguel finally left the library completely.
***
Grian sat blankly staring out the window.
Extreme emptiness was written on his face and in his eyes.
He had no will to live.
Everything had been taken from him.
Within this castle, not a single thing belonged to him.
He did not even know what was happening inside it.
He was a man who did not exist.
No one sought him out or cared for him.
Even if he went days without eating, no one noticed.
He had grown gaunt.
His belly had sunken in, his cheekbones jutted out.
He was shriveling away.
No one noticed his change.
If he died like this, his corpse might not be found for weeks.
Perhaps he would be forgotten forever.
Grian struck the bed hard.
“…How did it come to this, how!”
It was all because of Yohan, that demon brat.
That wretch had trampled on Grian’s life.
He wanted to report him directly to the Order.
Tell them that a demon dwelled in this land.
But he could not put thought into action.
The instant he harbored ill will toward Yohan, pain stabbed his left chest.
The binding contract restrained him.
“Damn it, curse it all!”
The unresolved rage naturally turned elsewhere.
This time, toward Raguel.
That wretch lower than vermin had dragged a demon into the land.
As if being born disabled was not enough, he had even cut off his father’s limbs.
“I should have killed him then!”
There were so many regrets.
He should not have beaten him—he should have cut him down.
Keeping him alive as a son had brought this calamity.
Bloodshot veins rose in Grian’s eyes.
He grabbed a water jug and hurled it against the wall.
It shattered into pieces.
The noise rang out.
At the same time, he heard movement.
From beyond the door, a scream broke forth.
“Heoohhh!”
A heavy thud followed, like something hitting the floor.
Thump!
Grian shot up to his feet.
“W-who’s out there!”
No one had come looking for him lately.
He strode quickly to the door and flung it open wide.
His face twisted violently.
“Y-you!”
Raguel was sitting collapsed on the floor, looking up at Grian.
It was his son, whom he had not seen in months.
With a trembling voice, Raguel stammered.
“F-Father, I was only…”
Grian knew that foolish expression well.
That was the face his son always wore when looking at him.
Grian’s hand rose instinctively.
Almost like a reflex.
Raguel immediately curled up his body.
Grian, though enraged, felt a strange thrill.
Old memories resurfaced.
In the past, everyone in the castle had treated him like that.
They had trembled before him in fear.
For the first time in a long while, Grian’s expression showed life.
He felt alive.
He surrendered himself to the pleasure. He trampled down and struck his son.
He spewed out curses.
Grian’s face became drenched in ecstasy.