**Chapter- 9**
—
Yonel asked in surprise.
“…Brother, what do you mean by that? You want to take Arthur to the North?”
“Exactly as I said. I want to take Arthur and raise him myself.”
Yonel blinked in disbelief at his reply.
He was a friend of her late husband and a senior from the academy they once attended together.
A man hailed as the knight among knights, and one who never spoke carelessly.
Which is why she couldn’t understand.
Why would a man revered as the idol of all knights in the Empire suddenly want to take Arthur and raise him?
‘Even if His Majesty gave a command… if it didn’t suit him, Brother Holan would never take someone as a disciple.’
As her thoughts piled up and she couldn’t respond, Holan opened his mouth to explain.
“Leo. It’s not just because of my friendship with him. I’ve discovered talent for swordsmanship in Arthur—and not ordinary talent. That’s why I’m making this offer.”
“…Talent for swordsmanship? You mean he has the makings of a knight?”
Holan nodded.
“Yes. And it’s no ordinary talent. If left unchecked… he might end up hurting himself.”
Yonel gasped once again.
Talent for swordsmanship? In Arthur, who had only just recovered?
It was hard to believe. But considering the man before her hated exaggeration, she couldn’t doubt him either.
‘Then Arthur really does… have the talent to be a knight?’
At the thought, a wide smile spread across Yonel’s face.
If the Empire’s greatest knight acknowledged his talent, it was an honor—even for the son of a ducal family.
And even more so if that gifted child was her own son, once so frail.
‘I’ve been thinking his health had improved lately… I didn’t realize it would lead to something like this.’
Just as she opened her mouth to respond, a flicker of hesitation crossed her heart.
“…It’s a wonderful offer, Brother. But… could you give me just a little time?”
“Time? Is there a reason?”
“If it were just up to me, I’d entrust Arthur to you this very moment. But… I’ve always prioritized the children’s wishes first.”
Holan nodded.
“You mean you want to ask Arthur himself.”
“Yes. He’s only just now gotten healthy. Perhaps because of that, I still feel uneasy. I don’t know when his condition might worsen again.”
Her expression became sincerely apologetic.
“So I’ll speak with Arthur. If he says he wants to walk the path of a knight… could I leave him in your care then?”
Holan rose from his seat.
He gave a respectful bow and answered.
“I’ll remain in the capital for two more days. Take your time with your answer. But you should keep this in mind, Yonel—”
With a low, warning gaze, he continued,
“Arthur’s talent… deviates greatly from what we consider normal.”
—
—
After hearing Holan’s offer, Yonel called for Arthur right away.
“Mommyyy—!”
Arthur came running with a bright, beaming smile.
Yonel smiled as well at the sight of his innocent joy.
“My dear. Isn’t it bedtime?”
“It’s okay ‘cause you called meee!”
“Oh dear, I kept you up. Then I’ll talk quickly and send you off to sleep.”
She gently patted his head, choosing her words carefully.
Sensing something, Arthur instinctively realized something was up.
‘What is it? Don’t tell me… Lord Holan broke his promise?’
As his gaze lowered with worry, an unexpected question came from Yonel’s lips.
“Arthur, what’s your dream?”
“My… dream?”
“Yes, your dream. What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Arthur blinked.
A dream? Out of nowhere?
He murmured internally and began to think.
Did he even have a dream?
‘Well… I guess I do. Starting with the Empire’s Second Prince, I want to kill every bastard who threatens our family.’
But of course, he couldn’t say that aloud.
So Arthur answered vaguely.
“I’m not sure yet…”
“Is that so? Then… how about being a knight?”
“A knight?”
“A knight who upholds honor. Doesn’t that sound cool?”
Arthur tilted his head.
Yonel hesitated, then explained.
“Actually, your godfather—Lord Holan—made an offer. He said he wants to teach you himself.”
“Godfather?”
“Yes. And knowing him, who never says anything lightly… this is an incredible opportunity. He’s never taken a student without talent, no matter how noble their background.”
Arthur gasped.
Or rather, he pretended to gasp.
‘So that’s why Mother asked about my dream. She’s trying to see if I’d accept being taught by Lord Holan.’
He clicked his tongue internally.
An unexpected obstacle had appeared out of nowhere.
‘This wasn’t part of the plan.’
Swordmaster Holan Leverkusen.
Learning under him would undoubtedly be a great opportunity—under normal circumstances.
‘But for me, there’s no merit. I already swung a sword endlessly in my past life. I’ve long surpassed the level of needing a teacher.’
It felt arrogant to say it aloud, but since awakening the bloodline of House Bayern, he hadn’t once imagined losing in pure swordsmanship.
From that standpoint, Holan’s offer held no merit.
If he were offering some of Leverkusen’s blood to drink, Arthur might have considered it—briefly.
‘Though even that’s not ideal… And what if Count Dormund makes a move while I’m away in the North?’
So as Arthur tried to figure out how to decline gracefully, Yonel spoke up.
“But… I wish my son could stay with me just a little longer.”
Arthur’s eyes widened.
He hadn’t expected that answer at all.
Yonel continued, stumbling a little over her words.
“You’ve only just recovered… and I don’t know how long it’s been since we’ve had such happy days together.”
“….”
“So I want to spend this time… with you, Arthur. As a mother, I know it might not be the best decision… but still…”
She turned her head, as if embarrassed.
Arthur, staring at her quietly, smiled.
“I’ll stay, Mom!”
Yonel looked startled at his quick embrace and reply.
“Arthur? But this is really an amazing chance. If you’re just saying this because of what I—”
“Nope! I want to stay with you more toooo!”
At his firm response, Yonel fell silent.
Then, eyes glistening with tears, she murmured,
“I’m sorry, my son… for being such a weak mother…”
Not at all.
Because you’re like this, I’m the happiest in the world.
Arthur said this only in his heart, then spent the night by Yonel’s side instead of returning to his room.
The next day.
Upon hearing Yonel’s answer, Holan let out a small chuckle.
“…So that’s how it turned out.”
Turning his gaze, Holan looked at Arthur.
“Are you sure you won’t regret it?”
“Yeeep!”
At the drawn-out reply, Holan chuckled again.
‘Still acting, huh. Seems he really doesn’t intend to reveal the truth.’
With that, Holan folded his arms.
Arthur looked curiously at him, when Holan suddenly spoke.
“I kept my promise, Arthur.”
“…?”
“Soon, everything will be resolved.”
An out-of-the-blue comment.
No one in the room understood, and they all tilted their heads in confusion.
Only Arthur smiled brightly and bowed.
“Thank youuu, Godfatherrr!”
Holan laughed again and handed something over.
“Take it.”
Arthur tilted his head.
“A sword?”
“Yes. An old one, but meaningful to you.”
Arthur’s eyes widened.
“This sword belonged to your father, Leo Bayern, when he was young.”
—
Holan explained,
“I always intended to give it to you someday… and now seems like the right time. Take it.”
Arthur carefully reached out and grasped the sword.
The handle, carved with wave-like patterns, fit perfectly into his hand.
The grip was so good that Arthur’s eyes widened. Holan added,
“It’s not an artifact, but it’s a fine blade. A meteoric iron sword—made from a star that fell from space.”
Meteoric iron?
A name he’d never heard before.
But the strange energy radiating from the blade was enough to make the unfamiliar name feel weighty.
Arthur stared at the sword, then bowed deeply.
“…Thank you, Godfather!”
“It was always yours. No need to thank me. Just use it well.”
“Okay!”
Holan turned his gaze to Yonel.
“I’ll be leaving now, but please steel yourself in both body and mind. I’ll help with that matter, so don’t worry too much.”
Yonel smiled.
Arthur, watching both of them, murmured to himself.
‘Holan… no, Godfather. You’re a better man than I expected. You kept your promise and even gave me a gift.’
And he’d likely continue to be helpful in the future.
Which meant a lot.
If someone of Holan Leverkusen’s caliber was on his side, he’d be an invaluable ally in the current situation.
As Arthur smiled, he felt a sharp gaze prick his back.
Turning his head, he saw the girl who had fainted during the last sparring match.
Holan’s granddaughter—Elin Leverkusen.
“Hmph!”
She snorted and stepped forward.
While Arthur blinked at her, Holan and his retainers all bowed to Yonel.
Yonel and the Bayern retainers bowed in return.
“We wish to see you again in better days, Your Grace.”
As Holan straightened from the bow, he turned again to Arthur.
And suddenly asked,
“Next time we meet, I hope we’ll be a little closer. Would that be alright?”
“Sureee!”
“I’m glad. Then, once we’re closer, would you tell me your secret?”
“That’s a noooo!”
Holan burst into hearty laughter.
Then slowly turned and left the Bayern estate.
And so, the Lion of the North—Holan Leverkusen—returned to his battlefield.
At that very moment—
“I’m innocent! Why am I being accused of treason—!”
Holan Leverkusen.
He had kept his word.
Including the knight Cadillac, every traitor who had been eating away at House Bayern…
They were all, slowly but surely, being driven out of the family.
The evidence was overwhelming—none could deny it.
As disorder spread through the estate, Arthur smacked his lips and murmured,
‘I should’ve taken care of it myself… but I guess this’ll do for now.’
It was still too early to step out openly.
With his current body, the risks far outweighed the benefits.
So Arthur focused on training.
Gathering mana and forging his first ring—he gave it everything he had.
And just like that, six months flew by.
Arthur opened his eyes.
*Whoooom—!*
A vivid blue ring glowed on his chest.
Feeling that strange sensation, Arthur grinned.
“I finally did it. First Circle.”
The stages that divide swordsmen by rank—
He had finally formed the very first ring, the beginning of that path.
Which meant Arthur felt the time had come.
‘I can’t keep pretending now. The ring has been engraved.’
While he could hide it before, now that a ring existed, the knights guarding the family would eventually notice the change in his body.
Having reached that thought, Arthur stood up.
Then slowly walked the halls of House Bayern.
The newly appointed servants greeted him with deep bows.
Arthur acknowledged each greeting as he walked, eventually stopping at Yonel’s door.
After a deep breath, he knocked gently.
“Come in.”
With her permission, Arthur opened the door and stepped in.
Yonel, looking over documents, jumped in surprise and rushed to him.
Arthur, standing a little distance away, spoke up.
Wearing the biggest smile he could muster—
“Hello, Mother.”
Thirty-two years across two lives—
It was the first time he had ever greeted his mother without stuttering.
