[Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]

    Chapter 54

    "Kaylen, you are no longer a part of the Starn family. Why are you curious about this?"

    Despite witnessing Kaylen’s prowess as he single-handedly subdued the dungeon, Alves maintained a clear line, distancing himself from Kaylen.

    Even in the face of such coldness from his father, Kaylen responded with a smile.

    "I realized something during my time in the capital."

    "And what would that be?"

    "Just how insignificant the Starn Barony really is as a background."

    "...I see. The provinces do tend to lose their value, thanks to the dungeons."

    The proliferation of dungeons led to the downfall of many provincial noble families.

    In the capital, or among noble houses with great power, private squads like the Civil Squad were formed to subjugate dungeons. However...

    Those without such strength were frequently overrun by the ever-emerging dungeons.

    While the central government occasionally organized subjugation forces to clean up the situation, their reach rarely extended beyond regions connected to the capital.

    As a result, outermost territories like Starn were left almost entirely neglected.

    "So, I started to wonder—why would Ruhos target a family as worthless as ours?"

    "...Kaylen. Let me repeat myself. You are no longer part of the Starn family. Do not concern yourself with this matter. This is also for your sake."

    "For my sake?"

    Even in the dungeon, Alves instinctively scanned his surroundings, as if it were second nature to be cautious.

    "Yes. Behind Ruhos stands the Baldur Countship. While your abilities are extraordinary, there’s no reason for you to go up against the Countship for the sake of a worthless family like Starn. Go your own way."

    "That aside, I have a question for you. Why did you use the name Meier?"

    Alves looked at Kaylen with a mixture of confusion and concern.

    "If it were in honor of Emperor Ernstine, that might make sense. But Meier, a name associated with demons, is a cursed one. Did you not think so too? Why go out of your way to choose it?"

    "Because I decided it was a name worth inheriting, more so than Starn."

    "...Why the change of heart?"

    Alves’ sharp gaze fixed on Kaylen.

    Kaylen, who once lamented being descended from Meier, questioning if his bloodline connected him to demons, had now decided to carry that very name.

    And seeing how much stronger he had become compared to before, Alves felt an unsettling suspicion.

    ‘He wouldn’t use the name Meier without reason. There must be something behind it.’

    But Kaylen met Alves’ piercing gaze with an air of nonchalance.

    "I have my reasons for the change in perspective. But as you said, I have severed ties with the Starn family. I can’t explain any further."

    "...I see."

    "However, if you resolve my curiosity first, I might consider sharing."

    The implication was clear: if Alves wanted to know why he chose the name Meier, he’d first have to answer Kaylen’s own question.

    Alves hesitated briefly before replying.

    "Never mind. It’s not something I need to know that badly."

    "Understood. Let’s head back then."

    It was a topic Alves decided to leave unanswered.

    ‘Kaylen has already left Starn behind. I have no intention of dragging him back into this mess.’

    From destroying the dungeon’s core to leaving its depths, Alves spoke as little as possible.

    Even as he watched Kaylen’s remarkable power, his astonishment and curiosity were forcibly suppressed.

    Kaylen, noticing this, thought to himself:

    ‘For someone who always seemed so weak-willed in front of his wife, he does have his moments of stubbornness.’

    Alves had insisted on accompanying Kaylen into the dungeon, knowing the risks.

    Though he had disowned his son, it seemed clear that wasn’t truly his intention.

    It must have been the work of Ruhos or the Baroness.

    “But... if they choose to remain silent even after seeing such power, I won’t push to find out.”

    If they didn’t bring it up, there was no need to inquire further. After all, he was no longer Kaylen Starn but Ernstine from 1,000 years ago.

    In this uneasy silence, the two returned to Starn Castle.

    “Dear!”

    As soon as they entered the castle, the Baroness approached them, visibly upset.

    Alves instinctively shrank back at her approach—it was a reflex.

    “Where in the world have you been?”

    “I went with Kaylen to subjugate a dungeon.”

    “Subjugate a dungeon...?”

    The Baroness briefly glanced at Kaylen before swiftly averting her gaze.

    It seemed she had received some kind of warning from Ruhos. Her earlier rudeness had completely vanished, and now she avoided looking at Kaylen altogether, addressing only Alves.

    “Please wait, Lord Kaylen,” the Baroness said, approaching with a smile.

    Her earlier loud and abrasive demeanor had disappeared entirely, replaced by an overly polite attitude.

    “And why the sudden formal tone?”

    “My brother told me about you, Lord Kaylen, and how exceptional a Meister you are. I must beg your forgiveness for my prior rudeness.”

    “I apologize for disturbing your appreciation of the painting, but our mansion is rather small. We need this space to prepare for the guest’s reception. Could you postpone your viewing for later?”

    Her request was polite yet firm. Since she was preparing to welcome a guest, it was hard to refuse.

    “Understood.”

    “Thank you. Please, take your rest in the meantime.”

    As she left, several maids entered, beginning to rearrange tables and prepare the hall.

    Kaylen watched them silently for a moment before heading to his room.

    “Sixth-circle talent, you say? I couldn’t believe it at first.”

    The Baroness spoke with an elegant laugh, her expression unchanged as she complimented Kaylen.

    “Thank you for your kind words, Baroness. The food is excellent.”

    “It must pale in comparison to the splendor of the capital, but I’m grateful you enjoy it.”

    “No, it has the same comforting taste of home.”

    Kaylen responded with a cordial smile, mirroring her polite demeanor.

    Outwardly, the meal appeared to be a warm and harmonious affair.

    However, as soon as the banquet ended, Myorn immediately grumbled.

    “Ugh... Watching that woman force herself to maintain a pleasant expression was exhausting.”

    “That’s what happens when you overeat,” Kaylen quipped.

    “Hey! I’m a dwarf! Indigestion is not in my vocabulary.”

    With that, Myorn swung the fur-covered door open and entered her room ahead of the others.

    “I’m going to rest.”

    “Alright. Alkas, I’ll head to my room as well.”

    “Yes, my lord. Sleep well.”

    The room assigned to Kaylen was a guest chamber.

    When asked about his original room, the Baroness had laughed and explained it was “under renovation.”

    “Her intentions are crystal clear,” Kaylen thought, smirking slightly as he lay on the bed and closed his eyes.

    “If Alves won’t speak, I’ll find out myself.”

    Summoning his mana, he amplified his hearing.

    He suspected that something significant would be discussed between Ruhos and the Baroness.

    The first sound he caught was from the adjacent room—Alkas’s voice.

    “Ah, Lady Myorn...”

    Still smitten by Myorn’s unmasked face, he seemed to be muttering words of admiration to himself.

    “I’ll have to ignore that.”

    Suppressing Alkas’s voice from his focus, Kaylen tuned into every sound within the manor.

    “Did you see that large man earlier? They said he’s Lord Kaylen.”

    “Why does he look so different? He used to be a complete pretty boy.”

    “Now he’s like some battle-hardened general.”

    The maids chatted about Kaylen.

    “The Starn barony is truly unimpressive.”

    “I don’t understand why Lord Ruhos is putting so much effort into this place.”

    “Is it that important to dominate a barony like this? If I were the Baron, I’d hand over the seal for a bit of gold.”

    The knights of Ruhos gossiped among themselves.

    “...Kaylen, with ‘sixth-circle talent’? Could it be related to using the name of Meier? But no matter how curious I am... I can’t involve him in family matters.”

    These were the musings of Baron Alves.

    Despite hearing all these scattered conversations, there were two voices he couldn’t catch: Ruhos and the Baroness.

    “Have they blocked their voices?”

    Kaylen focused his hearing further, amplifying it as much as he could. Still, the two voices remained silent.

    “Did they leave the manor?”

    It made sense; this decrepit house was hardly suitable for secretive discussions.

    Just as Kaylen was about to stop using his amplified hearing...

    “Brother! Brother! How could this happen?”

    “Yes... Ayla, it’s clear now.”

    Suddenly, voices echoed from the central hall.

    “This painting really is a ‘Demonic Relic’!”

    [Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]