Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight-Chapter 208

208. The Successor [1]

After the third episode concluded.

I quickly returned to Eldain Academy.

Not for any other reason, but because the fourth episode was about to follow.

‘The third episode, 'The Imperial Throne Struggle’ and the fourth episode, 'The Knight of White Flame’ are connected. Moreover, it’s finally the part where the main story crosses the midpoint and heads toward its conclusion.’

While the intervals between the first and third episodes were quite long, from the third episode onward, the story continues uninterrupted until the fifth episode, which marks the end of Part 1 of Inner Lunatic.

As is often the case with stories, the closer it gets to the end, the more intense it becomes.

For example, if we divide the progression of a novel into five stages. Introduction, development, crisis, climax, and conclusion. This would correspond to the crisis-to-climax stage.

Inner Lunatic was no exception to this.

“Young master, I’ve prepared the tea.”

“…Alright.”

“You seem deep in thought again today. Are you still concerned about the Rovelia family matter?”

At Zitri’s words, I unintentionally shot her a slightly sharp glance. Being kind is one thing, but there’s a limit. How could anyone refuse an opportunity to reclaim their family’s position?

At least, I would never have refused.

“Of course. Isn’t it a hard-earned position? Even though Reinhaver and I are protecting your family… I don’t understand why you made that choice. It was a perfect chance to return to nobility.”

No matter how I thought about it, it was hard to comprehend. Zitri had finally gotten the chance to return to the position she had longed for.

The position her uncle had taken from her. She could have returned to her rightful home, the one her parents had left her.

But why didn’t she?

Even I couldn’t figure it out.

Since Zitri was just an extra in the game from the start, there weren’t many lines dedicated to her, and I’m not particularly quick-witted, so I really couldn’t understand. Was this really the best choice? Even if it was a choice made for me, was it truly the wisest decision for Zitri?

Then.

Zitri spoke with a somewhat gloomy voice and expression.

“…Young master. Do you really not understand the reason?”

I didn’t answer and just tilted my head in confusion. Zitri let out a faint, regretful sigh.

“Please don’t worry too much. It’s my choice. As I’ve said before, I still believe I’m needed by your side. It might be an overestimation of my worth, but I’m simply fulfilling my duty as a maid. Please don’t dwell on it too much.”

“Well, it’s good for me…”

Only then did Zitri smile faintly.

Well, having Zitri, who is so devoted, by my side is better for me.

In Inner Lunatic, where there are few people I can trust, what is my position? I’m a spy for both the criminal organization Lunatic and the academy, which is the imperial family’s military training institution.

In short, I’m in a position where it’s easy to get killed.

Like the ticking hand of a bomb inside my heart right now.

Damn it.

'…Lunatic probably sees me as a despicable traitor, right? They assigned me as a spy to bring down the Arkheim Empire, but I ended up being appointed as the second emperor’s guard knight? What kind of situation is this?’

But there’s no way out.

Anyway, Luna is my master.

To master all the techniques of the Moonlight Sword and reach a higher position, I naturally need to spend more time with my teacher and learn more from her.

Therefore, I have the duty to convince Luna.

That I didn’t sit in that position because I wanted to.

That Emperor Penelope placed me there according to her own will.

If I explain it properly, she’ll probably beat me to near death and then forgive me. Fortunately, Luna is merciful, so I don’t have to worry too much.

Probably.

That’s the most ideal ending I can imagine.

'…Marin, that punk won’t egg her on to beat me more, will she?’

While I was lost in these trivial thoughts, Zitri pulled out a thick parchment sealed with wax, containing an official document from Eldain Academy.

It had arrived recently, but I hadn’t read it yet.

“You haven’t checked it yet? Shall I read it for you?”

“Please.”

…As expected, seeing how bothersome this is, it’s good that Zitri is staying with me.

She’s not bad at this sort of thing, either.

Zitri held the document and quickly summarized its contents.

“Eldain Academy has officially declared the end of the emergency caused by the terror attack by the first Prince Louis and has decided to return the academy to normal operations. Starting next week, everything will be back to normal.

It seems classes will resume.”

“Not bad.”

The sooner this incident is resolved, the better.

Even though the first Prince Louis was a damn trash and a bad ending maker. Anyway, he was the former emperor’s.

Esteban’s only son.

It’s true that many people followed him.

But…

If news spreads that he repeatedly attacked innocent civilians and caused numerous casualties?

This wouldn’t be good for the second emperor, Penelope. I don’t want another bad ending maker to emerge.

“Starting next week, school… I need to take care of some things before then.”

'The Imperial Throne Struggle’

The ripple effects of the third main episode are no joke.

Countless factions rose and fell.

Like moths to a flame, countless people left behind faint traces before disappearing.

Moreover, in such dire times, there are always those who profit.

For example, someone like me?

“Let’s go, Zitri.”

“Huh? Young master, where are you going…”

Visit freewebnoveℓ.com for the best novel reading exp𝒆rience.

“To make money. It’s time to reap the rewards.”

Zitri tilted her head in confusion. Though she looked puzzled, the smile on my lips didn’t fade.

Now, Chaders will reach a new peak of prosperity.

Of course, some underhanded methods will be necessary.

**********

“With Garen’s death, the Elder’s council will quiet down for a while. Patriarch, I think it’s time to make a decision. If not Young Master Nox, there may be no one left to protect the Reinhaver family.”

The Reinhaver family.

The conversation between the two echoed quietly in the family’s head chamber.

It was Rodwell and Theo.

They believed that after the death of Garen von Reinhaver, no, the first son who had lost the Reinhaver name, it was finally time to select a new candidate for the family head.

They could delay no longer.

That was Rodwell’s thought.

It wasn’t hard to understand.

Garen von Reinhaver.

If they didn’t quickly appoint the youngest, Nox, as the new successor while the faction supporting the eldest son was weakened, a rebellion within the family might break out. It was fortunate that Theo was still alive, but ultimately, Nox von Reinhaver would have to bear the brunt of this anger.

He was still a young and immature talent.

In this situation, the best Theo could do was to create the conditions to protect Nox until he could take over the family. If uncles who had supported Garen targeted Nox, whose political foundation was weak, his life could be in danger.

This was something Theo absolutely did not want.

Rodwell, as if reading his thoughts, continued.

“Your health continues to deteriorate, Patriarch. You haven’t been able to break free from the curse passed down from your ancestors. If you were to suddenly collapse, it would truly be a disaster.”

“Rodwell. I know. But I can’t help but wonder. The youngest, Nox. Will he even want to sit in this position? He’s the child who always said he hated me. The child who said he would kill me. Ironically, that’s why I can trust him, but isn’t it too much to burden him with this responsibility as well?”

Yet, the reason Theo still hadn’t publicly declared him as his successor.

That was precisely it.

The fear that Nox might not want to succeed him,

In addition, the anxiety that he might not be able to help him.

Because of this, Theo couldn’t declare him as his heir. His son.

Though he wasn’t a child cradled in the warmth of love, he was a bird that had broken out of its nest alone.

This position was too restrictive for someone who soared so high.

Surely, would Nox even want it?

Honestly, He’s not sure. Nox von Reinhaver.

‘A prodigy,’ ‘a genius’ the top student at an academy filled with such talents, and someone with once-in-a-generation talent.

He had even heard rumors that he’s begun to master magic. In his age group, there’s no one who can match him. That existence exactly is Nox.

But how much influence could his existence have?

A glory?

Even without something like that, his son could make a name for himself on the continent.

I became certain of that after this incident.

Even without the Reinhaver name, Nox. his child would ultimately be sung in the most beautiful verses of the continent’s epic.

“I believe the young master will someday understand your intentions, Patriarch”

“If I don’t die before then.”

“Isn’t he already a mature person? Forgive me for being presumptuous, but I’ve never imagined a future where the family was passed to any other young master. However, Young Master Nox was different. From the beginning, he sought to prove his own path.”

Rodwell bowed his head and continued.

“You once said that the strong are always lonely. I dare not claim to understand, but there’s no way the young master wouldn’t understand you, Patriarch. So… I think it’s best to confess before it’s too late. About Madam’s affairs and why you couldn’t protect everyone.”

“But there’s still one unresolved issue. His qualifications for management… The Elder’s council will likely want to verify whether young Nox has the ability to maintain the family’s prestige and even advance it further. No matter how talented Nox is, this won’t be easy.”

“Indeed, that part is difficult to predict, so I hesitate to speak of it…”

Rodwell had pondered the family’s future for a long time, but ultimately concluded there was only one answer.

Of course, Theo is also the same.

Rodwell spoke his thoughts in a measured tone.

“Nevertheless, if there is someone to succeed you, my lord… it must be Young Master Nox. Perhaps it would be best to discuss the family’s management and well-being with the young master in the near future…”

“…You’re right, Rodwell. I don’t have much time left.”

Theo nodded as if he had made up his mind.

“Summon Nox. In the name of the family. I will formally announce him as my official successor, the new head of Reinhaver, and that he will inherit the new Black Sword form. I will announce all of this at the Elder’s council.”

The rest can be explained to Nox later.

Theo made his decision after thinking this.

Rodwell immediately bowed.

“Yes. Understood.”

It had finally begun.

Rodwell clenched his fist as he thought this.

For the sake of his lord, he absolutely did not want the position of family head to fall into the hands of anyone else.

Nox von Reinhaver.

Not just because he was Theo’s youngest son and favored.

The position of the Reinhaver family head must be held by the most outstanding individual.

Only the strongest could save Reinhaver in this era of chaos where only the strong survive. In his humble opinion, there was only one person who could succeed Theo and even aspire to the position of Sword Emperor.

Also, though it was a personal wish.

'I want to serve Young Master Nox by his side. I don’t know how much time I have left, but I too want to see how far Young Master Nox can go.’

To say this in advance, the old man’s wish was about to come true.

Though in a way completely different from what they had imagined.