TYHL 161

~Chapter 161~

“Otherwise, I was about to die, and there was no other way.”

“Ah… yes.”

“If my father hadn’t rushed back from the capital, I would’ve destroyed two more monster nests near there…”

“But what does that have to do with this?”

Leviathan suddenly laughed loudly.

“I’m telling you I had a really miserable childhood, you brat.”

“…?”

Their eyes met.

“No adult wants to pass their misfortune onto a child.”

That sentence made Khalid stop and think for a moment.

Was Leviathan Zebert—who held a sword at twelve—unhappy?
Was it because he saw too many deaths and too much blood?

Khalid bit his lip.

He was strong, mature, and fearless.
Many adults welcomed him for that.
They said even his silent and cold personality was perfect for mercenary work.

“I don’t know how you lived before… but those clothes you’re wearing.”

“…”

“For your information, I’m the commander of that unit.”

Khalid frowned slightly.

“It’s an order from your commander. For now, just relax and go play.”

“…”

“Do nothing difficult. Just fool around all you want. That’s the rule in my house.”

Khalid listened silently and finally answered:

“I don’t understand anything you’re saying.”

Leviathan muttered, “You understood everything… damn kid,” then placed the apple he was holding right on top of Khalid’s head.

“I’m leaving. Lock the window.”

Khalid turned his head sharply.

A cool autumn breeze blew through the slightly open window.

The apple rolled across his head and into his hands.

He hesitated for a moment, then took a bite of the apple and closed the window.

The palace attendant filled Leviathan’s teacup.

“That’s enough. Everyone leave.”

The Emperor waved his hand lightly. After clearing the room, he personally opened a cabinet, took out a bottle of liquor, and filled an empty glass.

Tap.

He took a sip, then sat down. His face looked extremely tired.

“You already know this, but… at next year’s Round Table meeting, I’ll submit a motion to remove the Magic Kingdom from the continental alliance.”

“You should. That is the right decision.”

Leviathan spun the glass slowly and answered.

“Honestly, I expected strong opposition from the elder nobles at today’s meeting…”

“…”

“But now, I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”

The Emperor shrugged and laughed quietly, as if the whole situation felt strange.

“I mean, even old Balok Zebert suddenly showed up.”

The old duke, who had been in seclusion for about ten years, suddenly appeared at the noble meeting today.

He showed up with his signature fierce glare and immediately knelt before the Emperor without hesitation.

“If this old man is needed anywhere, call me anytime!”

His booming voice.
The large sword he held tightly.
Everyone in that room knew it was the vow of a knight ready to go to war.

It was a blow that instantly silenced the elder nobles who insisted confronting the Magic Kingdom was reckless.
Most of them had once followed Balok loyally.

“Thanks to him, I can now focus on next year’s Round Table. But… well, things ended exactly the way you wanted, Duke.”

The Emperor smiled bitterly and drank again.

“…War might break out again. This time, with the Magic Kingdom. With the mages.”

“No, Your Majesty.”

Leviathan answered shortly.

“I already told you.”

“Told me what?”

“Once the leader falls, everything ends. I will personally bring you that bastard’s head.”

The killing intent in his dark gaze was impossible to hide.

“So, Your Majesty, just prepare the justification to blame the Magic King properly.”

So innocent mages won’t be attacked unfairly.

“You speak easily,” the Emperor laughed helplessly.

Leviathan clenched and relaxed his fist on his thigh.

The time for grief and regret was over.
It was time to pick up his sword again.

But this time, it was to protect his precious daughter.

His heart beat fast—not from fear or nervousness, but something close to excitement.

The enemy who terrified Rubian was finally clear.
If he could destroy that threat, she could live peacefully and happily.

He wanted to eliminate the enemy as soon as possible.

‘…But first, I must keep Rubian safe.’

The Magic Kingdom’s movements were unclear.

He couldn’t move carelessly while Rubian was close by.

For now, he needed to build defenses and prepare for attack.

“You’re returning to the north in a few days?”

“Yes.”

“And… you’re still not planning to tell me what happened at the academy with the young lady?”

Leviathan smiled faintly.

“Why ask twice?”

“…”

“If there was something I needed to say, I would have.”

The Emperor drank again and grumbled that Leviathan was rude, annoying, and impossible.

But Leviathan had no choice.

Now that the Magic Kingdom was the enemy, it was better for Rubian’s identity to stay hidden for a while.

‘If you were still my friend… I might have told you everything, Dietrian.’

He was a good Emperor.

And because he was a good Emperor, if the Empire and Rubian were ever put on a scale, he would choose the Empire without hesitation.

So Leviathan would not reveal Rubian’s secrets unless absolutely necessary.

“Still, before you leave, at least show your face to the young lady.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“You really act expensive. Oh—by the way, I heard she won’t enter the academy next year… is that true?”

“Yes.”

Leviathan answered casually as he lifted his glass.

It was a decision he made with Rubian.

With the capital’s unstable magical energy and the uncertain situation of neighboring countries, it was safer for Rubian to stay in the north.

But only for now.

‘I’m not going to lock Rubi up and raise her.’

Rosetta agreed as well.

Of course.

Instead, he planned to build a safe environment for her, no matter where she lived.

After finishing the liquor, Leviathan stood up.

“Then, I’ll go. My daughter is waiting at home with her neck stretched long for me.”

“Hah—seriously! Bring her with you when you come to the palace! You drag her everywhere, but every time you come here, you’re alone!”

Leviathan completely ignored him and walked away.

The Emperor smiled faintly and scribbled wildly on a document.

“Fine. Next year’s New Leaf Festival will be held in Zelox instead…”

Tap.

The palace door closed.

A few days later.

“Ruuubi!”

While walking in the townhouse garden, I flinched at the familiar voice.

“Ugh—hide.”

“Where are you going! Were you really not hurt? Why didn’t you come out of your room! I was shocked!”

Void zoomed toward me with a gust of wind, circling around me.

“I was just busy…”

“Busy with what!”

“It’s personal!”

I yelled back, and Void stepped away looking betrayed.

“…Is my little sister going through puberty?”

He hasn’t even gone through puberty himself, and he’s accusing me first?

I snorted and ran across the middle of the garden.

Actually… while resting, I was busy with several things and checking on the academy’s recovery after the incident.

“For now, don’t tell Liam or Void about your identity. Once the Magic Kingdom’s movements are clear, we can tell them together.”
“Okay…”
“You’re not lying to them, so don’t feel guilty.”

The Magic Kingdom was suspiciously quiet.

‘Probably… the Magic King was seriously injured.’

When Dad cut down Second, I moved my magic and shattered her magic core.

Because of that, the Magic King’s magic stored in her body evaporated with her own magic.

To be honest…

Destroying a mage’s magic core is the most certain way to break the stigma.

But…

It could shorten your lifespan drastically—maybe even kill you within a minute.

Anyway…

Since the Magic King ended up like that, and Bamilon turned their back on him, no one knew when he would explode again.

I sighed shortly and ran along the path.
The blooming cosmos flowers swayed gently.

“Rubi! Wait—ah, Liam hyung! Over here!”

Void waved wildly.

A tall boy walked toward us with a serious face after stepping out of the lobby.

Seeing him made me pause.

To see him like this…

“Wow… seeing the real Egleius. Egleius…”

“Is Liam okay?”