Chapter 18
—
The words on the page came alive, seizing Arthur’s vision.
\[The origin of Bayern. Denian Bayern eventually married an angel—a woman of the most breathtaking beauty in the world. A fallen angel, cloaked in human skin.]
Arthur had never before found himself so absorbed in text that he lost his senses.
He wanted to savor this peculiar sensation a bit longer, but unfortunately, the words ended there.
Gazing at the blank page, Arthur snapped back to himself and muttered,
*Of all times, it cuts off right at the most important scene. Almost as if it was done on purpose…*
Closing the book, he stroked his chin, replaying the final line in his head.
*This book’s “angel”… Could it be the angel I know?*
He shook his head at his own question.
The angel described in the book was far from any angel in the conventional sense.
After all, the being Denian Bayern married was a human—
a woman of striking beauty.
Perhaps calling her an angel was merely a figurative expression.
*But still… would you call someone an “angel” just for being beautiful? Maybe she really was one.*
With that thought, Arthur pondered further.
Cain had said this book contained a secret tied to the Bayern bloodline—
a secret that hinted at his true reason for targeting the Bayerns.
*So… what he wants me to think is that Cain is after me because Bayern blood is angelic in origin?*
He gave a faint chuckle at the thought.
Arthur, who didn’t believe in God, naturally didn’t believe in angels either.
From his perspective, the idea was a massive leap in logic.
*Still, it’s worth considering… Cain Dormund is targeting the Bayerns because of our bloodline—that much seems fair.*
With that conclusion, Arthur nodded.
Even interpreting it that far was already a decent gain.
*In my previous life, I didn’t even manage to figure this much out.*
Leaning back into his rocking chair, Arthur glanced at the sleeping gnome and undine before turning his gaze away.
Above him, the round full moon lit the night sky, surrounded by countless constellations.
As he took in the overly beautiful sight, his thoughts drifted again—
until the chair’s creaking broke the silence, and he murmured,
“…I think it’s about time I leave.”
Cain Dormund’s appearance.
The duel with Jane Dormund.
These were variables that hadn’t existed in his previous life,
and Arthur could feel that because of them, the situation and flow were veering into completely unpredictable territory.
*It means the future’s been altered. And in a way where events are unfolding much faster than expected.*
In this altered flow, the coming events would leave no room for negotiation.
In the end, he would need to draw his sword—and strength was essential.
But right now, he was far too weak.
*Jane Dormund… truthfully, he’s not even worthy of being called an opponent. The real ones I’ll have to defeat are Cain Dormund and Khan Madrid.*
Not to mention the other factions that had once joined Khan Madrid in threatening the Bayern family—
Even compared to them, his current skills fell short.
For that reason, he didn’t celebrate today’s victory too much.
Yes, he had won—but he had also realized his limits and seen his many shortcomings.
Which only made him feel the need for power all the more—
power strong enough to overcome any danger.
*I could borrow the family’s strength… but there will be limits.*
Right now, he could ask Yonel for elixirs to increase his mana,
but that wouldn’t be a fundamental solution.
There was only so much mana that could be raised with potions.
In the end, if he wanted to grow as much as possible in the time he had,
he would have to make use of the Bayern bloodline.
*And to fully harness that bloodline… I’ll need good blood to consume—blood with foreign abilities in it.*
To obtain such “bloodlines,” he would need to leave the manor.
Meeting someone in the capital with abilities like Frakil’s would be nothing short of luck.
*The place where the most gifted bloodlines gather… is, of course, \[Arcane].*
A city teeming with rare bloodlines, all kinds of ability users—
and above all, the greatest gathering place of knights and mages in the world.
Going there would give him countless opportunities to consume new bloodlines,
just as his past self had once done.
*And maybe this time, I could acquire even better abilities than before.*
He had already learned from several incidents how crucial future knowledge was.
That wouldn’t change in Arcane.
Unlike before, he could grow much faster, and with a plan.
Which meant—the sooner he left the manor, the better.
The problem was *how* to leave.
*Hmm… running away outright is a bad idea. So, how should I…?*
Time passed in such thoughts—
And suddenly, it was May 13th.
His seventeenth birthday had arrived.
—
—
The imperial capital was abuzz once again.
“No way… Is it true? Jane Dormund actually lost to Arthur Bayern?”
“I’m telling you, it’s true! And it wasn’t even close—he toyed with him!”
“I heard he played with him, carving him up with cuts all over—and that the brat Jane Dormund even wet himself!”
The reason was none other than the duel between Arthur Bayern and Jane Dormund—
a match between two great houses.
Whichever side won, it was bound to make waves—
but no one had expected Arthur to win.
And for good reason: Jane Dormund’s swordsmanship was well-known.
At nineteen, he was already at the 2nd Circle,
perhaps even close to the 3rd—
while Arthur Bayern had been mute just months ago.
Without some miraculous twist, Arthur’s victory should have been impossible.
But that miracle *had* happened, and the unexpected result sent shockwaves through the entire empire.
From nobles to commoners—
everyone was talking about it, proof of how deep the impact ran.
Rumor even had it that the imperial family was taking an interest.
Most believed Cain Dormund—the man called the next true power of the realm—
would not take this lightly.
After all, this incident had shaken his position for the first time,
despite the near-absolute authority he wielded under the backing of the 2nd Prince,
the most likely next crown prince.
Yet, contrary to expectations, Cain made no move.
He even canceled the farewell banquet that had been planned,
keeping an uncharacteristically low profile.
Just as speculation was running wild over his surprising restraint—
Arthur woke in bed, staring blankly out the window.
\[Arthur, hello!]
\[…!]
The greetings of the undine and the gnome pulled him back to awareness.
The undine waved cheerfully.
\[I’ll wash you up, Arthur!]
A spray of water formed in the air,
washing his face clean.
Stretching, Arthur thought,
*Hm… I feel oddly clear-headed.*
Perhaps it was because he’d been losing sleep for days,
worrying over how to leave the manor—
but last night, for some reason, he had slept deeply,
and his condition was excellent.
He sat, basking in the morning sunlight,
when Anna’s voice came from the door.
“May I come in, young master?”
“Yeah, come in.”
Anna entered—holding a curious-looking box.
“What’s that, Anna?”
“…A gift, young master.”
“A gift?”
“Yes. Though… I’m not sure if you’ll like it. I tried my best to choose…”
Arthur raised a brow.
“…Is today my birthday?”
“Yes. That’s why I told you last night to put your training aside and go to bed early.”
Anna smiled softly.
“It’s embarrassing, so don’t open it now—open it later. It’s nothing special, so don’t expect too much.”
Arthur nodded, running his fingers over the box.
The strange texture of the paper gave him a curious feeling.
“Shall we head to the dining hall, young master?”
“…Sure, let’s go.”
They walked side by side—
But as they made their way through the vast Bayern estate,
Arthur noticed something unusual.
The manor was enormous from centuries of expansion,
so the walk to the dining hall was long,
and he normally passed many bustling servants.
But today, the numbers were far fewer.
*…?*
Sensing something odd, Arthur muttered,
*What is this? Don’t tell me something happened again.*
It felt much like the time Count Dormund had visited.
Just then, as Anna reached for the dining hall door handle, she said,
“Um… just so you know, young master—
don’t cry from being too happy, all right?”
“…? What do you mean, Anna?”
Anna smiled—
And the door opened.
“Surprise! Happy birthday, young master!”
—
—
Arthur blinked.
“Happy seventeenth birthday, young master!”
“It’s nothing grand, but—this watch should be useful. Seventeen makes you an adult, after all.”
“This is a necktie we all chipped in for, from the kitchen staff. We hope you like it.”
Gifts and congratulations came at him one after another.
Arthur, utterly unprepared for this, froze—
his mind unable to process the unfamiliar experience.
The Bayern retainers didn’t mind—
in fact, some chuckled warmly at the sight.
*Now he looks his age.*
*Yes… this is what seventeen should be like.*
*I was worried he was always so stiff, but it’s good to see this side of him.*
At last, Arthur managed a reply.
“Uh… thank you?”
The uncharacteristically flustered young master warmed the retainers’ hearts—
Just then, a young girl ran toward him.
“Brother!”
“Irene?”
“Mm-hm! Happy birthday!”
She held out a large teddy bear.
Useless from Arthur’s perspective—just a lump of cotton—
but from Irene, it felt entirely different.
“It’s a present! My favorite doll!”
Arthur patted her head and accepted it.
Inwardly, he murmured,
*Not bad… whether or not it’s useful.*
So this was why people liked getting gifts?
His lips curved upward into a smile—
and the retainers, seeing it, smiled too.
Then, the crowd parted.
Arthur looked up—
Yonel was there.
“Happy birthday, my son.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
“So… have you decided what gift you want?”
“I haven’t. And I’ve already received a gift from you.”
Yonel chuckled softly, handing him a sealed envelope.
“Then… this is something I want to give you personally.”
“Personally?”
“Yes. For the future of our Bayern… and for yours, Arthur.”
Arthur’s eyes narrowed.
Yonel’s gaze sharpened as she stroked his head.
“This gift… holds that future within it. Will you open it?”
Arthur looked down at the envelope.
He carefully broke the seal—
And muttered in surprise,
“…This is?”
