Chapter 195 - Ronan (1)
"Uh... Sir Bilton?”
"What?”
“Was there any country in the empire that had a flag like that?”
“What flag? Let me see.”
Bilton, a senior soldier guarding the gates of Caliburn Fortress, snatched the binoculars from the deputy gunner and looked ahead. After adjusting his sight on it, he saw a flag that he had never seen before, just as the deputy gunner had mentioned. It was waving its way toward Caliburn.
"What’s that?"
Fortunately, there weren’t that many of them. However, the person standing in front of the flag, although a bit lacking in appearance, was dressed nobly.
“Go get the Chief of Guards.”
"Right on it!”
It was best to call someone of a higher rank in cases like this, so Bilton decided to bring in Herbant, the person in charge of guarding the castle gates.
"What? A flag you’ve never seen before?”
As soon as Herbant, who had been playing chess by himself in his room, received news of a strange, unfamiliar flag, he flipped the chessboard and slammed his face against the window.
"What’s that?"
“I’m not sure myself, sir. This is my first time seeing that flag...”
“Based on its rectangular shape, it doesn’t seem like the emblem of a family... It’d be triangular in that case... From my experience, only the official flag of a country has that shape.”
It was even more suspicious that it looked like the official flag of a country. As the flag got closer, everyone held their breath. The security forces prepared themselves under Herbant’s commands so that they could fight back at any moment.
Soon, the group of people holding the unfamiliar flag arrived in front of the castle gate. Then, Herbant shouted, his voice echoing throughout the area, “Stop! Where are you from and who sent you?”
“Ha, did he ask who sent us here?”
Hearing Herbant’s question, the mysterious man burst into laughter. He then raised his chin high and shouted at the top of his lungs, “My name is Hamilton Foram! I am the son of Kington Foram, the Knight King of the empire!”
“What? Kington’s son?”
Kington Foram.
He was the Knight King of the previous empire and one of the former Grand Masters. He was also the first to join the Imperial Ten Swords, the group that consisted of the ten most powerful Sword Masters in the empire. Hamilton Foram was his only biological son.
“Well, what are you waiting for? Quickly open the gates!”
At his demand, Herbant quickly opened the gates and welcomed Hamilton in.
* * *
“...And why should I believe you?”
"If you don’t trust me, you can check for yourself.”
It had only been two days since the Eurasian Empire had fallen. Because of that, the news had not reached Caliburn Fortress yet, making Hamilton the first one to tell them what had happened. Hearing the shocking news, the two leaders of Caliburn Fortress, the commander and the deputy commander, couldn’t help but frown. Iselan, the deputy commander, looked the most shocked.
“I... Wow... I... I mean, I did have a rather strange dream, but what...? The Eurasian Empire collapsed overnight? You’re not making any sense right now.”
“I can assure you that it’s true. Everything I’ve said so far has actually happened, and the wizards from the Magical Spire are suspected to be the ones behind the emperor’s death. It seems that they killed the emperor and disappeared right after burning the imperial palace to the ground.”
Hamilton kept on sharing unbelievable stories, some of them on the level of absurdity. Apart from the fact that the Eurasian Empire had fallen, he also stated that the wizards collectively rebelled and disappeared and that Arthus took over the emperor’s legacy and founded a new empire.
Hearing all of that, Iselan asked, "So? What brings you here, huh?”
“What do you mean by you, Sir Iselan?! I understand that the news I have delivered must be very shocking to you, but please watch your tone!”
Hamilton warned Iselan not to speak to him informally, but Iselan merely burst into laughter as if he found the whole situation hilarious.
“HAHAHA!”
“Why are you laughing?”
“What a fucking joke.”
“Excuse me?”
“You fucking bastard... You think you’re my boss? How dare you question the manners of a soldier who has just lost his empire?”
“Excuse me? Sir Iselan, what on earth are you talking about...?”
“Sir my ass! Why do you keep on saying Sir?! What meaning does that word have to a soldier who has just lost the empire they’re supposed to protect? Sir this, sir that, damn it! Besides, I never said I wanted to serve Arthus. What makes you think you can tell me what to do?”
Iselan was going berserk, and it really seemed like he was about to murder Hamilton. Within Caliburn Fortress, Iselan was known to have the best military abilities. He was fundamentally different from his superior, who had climbed up the ranks just by being in the military for a long time.
The Eurasian Empire had collapsed.
Iselan had been suppressing his wild and rough personality because of his being a soldier of the Eurasian Empire. However, since the empire that had made him a soldier no longer existed, he no longer had to contain himself. In other words, it wouldn’t be surprising if he lost his sanity and wreaked havoc any moment from then.
Soon, Iselan felt his head throbbing, veins bulging. He brought his hand to his forehead, and after a while, he asked in an irritated tone, "So? Why did you come all the way out here? Are you really asking me to go under this Aenia or whatever the hell it’s called?”
“We-well... That too... But actually...”
“Come on! Quick, quick! Don’t mumble!”
“Gasp!”
Seeing Iselan genuinely venting his anger on him, Hamilton adopted a more tactful attitude. Not wanting to anger him any further, Hamilton quickly got to the point.
“I-I-I’m here to ta-take back my younger brother, Ronan!”
"What? Ronan? Why?"
“The-there’s currently an empty spot among the Imperial Ten Swords, and so my father is trying to recommend Ronan...”
“Kington, that guy?”
“Yes...!”
“Ha, good luck with that!”
“Yes...?
“Ronan’s mine. He’s my assistant. No one can just take Ronan away from me.”
“B-but my father and His Majesty...”
“Hey, let’s make some things clear. Kington’s your father, and the emperor is your emperor, not mine. How dare you pricks tell me what to do with my assistant?”
“...”
Hamilton decided against answering any further questions. He knew it was impossible to communicate with Iselan as long as he was outraged.
"Shit...” Iselan cursed under his breath. He had already been under a lot of stress from dealing with the difficult situation in the Demonic Beast Forest. It was only natural for him to act this way, because, on top of the fact that the empire he had served no longer existed, Hamilton was trying to take Ronan away, one of the few men he genuinely trusted.
However, Hamilton also had a point. Iselan didn’t have to follow anyone's orders, but Ronan was different.
Commander Nichel finally broke the silence.
"Hey... Iselan. The two of us... I mean, we’re off the hook, but isn’t Ronan basically part of the Foram family?”
“So what, commander?”
“What do you mean, so what? If his family wants him back, then we should obviously let them do that. And to be frank, with the empire gone, Ronan no longer has the obligation to serve at Caliban Fortress, am I wrong?”
Commander Nichel was right. The Eurasian Empire no longer existed, which meant that nobody had any obligations to serve the fortress anymore. That was a serious problem.
When it came to the Demonic Beast Forest, the empire barely recruited enough soldiers to keep the demonic beasts in check. However, once the soldiers here found out that the Eurasian Empire no longer existed, it was clear as day that they would try to desert.
‘Fuck.'
The bitterness brought on by the situation was so overwhelming that Iselan could almost physically taste it in his mouth. However, the soldiers deserting wouldn’t be the only problem. Since the empire that used to supply the fortress had collapsed, Caliburn Fortress wouldn’t be able to operate at all.
The Eurasian Empire had created the Caliburn Fortress for the sole purpose of suppressing the demonic beasts. It wasn’t an independent entity, and it hadn’t been created for the purpose of production.
As Nichel tried to console Iselan, Hamilton, who had been tactful of Iselan, said tentatively, “Hmm, at any rate, for that reason, I need to take Ronan back with me.”
Everyone was silent. After a while, Iselan finally broke the silence.
"Alright! He’s someone’s son, after all! The family should have all the right to do what they want with their son. However...!"
Gulp.
Nichel knew Iselan had something else on his mind the moment he made it seem like he was going to yield. Just as he expected, Iselan came up with a condition.
Iselan smirked, then burst into laughter. Finally, he said, “Do you think he’ll value his family without the empire?”
"Pardon?"
"Hey! Go outside and get Ronan!”
“Yes, sir!”
Iselan asked for Ronan before Hamilton and Nichel could do anything. Hamilton looked at the two commanders back and forth with a bewildered face. However, nobody said anything. As the awkward silence continued, Ronan arrived and greeted the three men.
“Were you looking for me, sir?”
“Uh, yeah. Come, have a seat here.”
Iselan gave Ronan a warm welcome. As Ronan took his seat, he glanced at Hamilton in front of him and bowed his head.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, big brother.”
“Who are you calling...! Hmm, yes, it’s nice to see my younger brother’s face after such a long time.”
Hamilton almost acted like he normally would with his family, but fortunately for him, he managed to restrain himself and welcome Ronan with a warm smile.
Iselan looked at the two brothers and thought to himself, ‘Ha, I bet no one could tell who’s the legitimate son and who’s the adopted one!’
Hamilton looked exactly like Kington, which was why he had an angular face with a nose that was the size of a fist. Moreover, he sported some kind of aristocratic hairstyle that didn’t suit him at all, and his uneven teeth only made him seem less like a noble. On the other hand, Ronan had fair white skin, blonde hair, and golden eyes.
Even among the nobles, there were few individuals with eyes and hair matching in color, so Ronan’s features were rather unique for a mere commoner. However, Iselan decided not to make fun of Hamilton for his rather unsightly appearance. He knew that rubbing it in his face would only upset him.
As Iselan had his mind filled up with trivial thoughts, Nichel spoke up.
“Ronan, you might find this hard to believe, but Hamilton here is saying that the Eurasian Empire has collapsed.”
“What...?”
“You heard me right. Also, Grand Duke Arthus has apparently founded a new empire called the Aenian Empire. The emperor died, and the imperial palace collapsed. They believe that the wizards from the former Magical Spire were the ones behind his death.”
“I-is this all true..?”
"Yeah. At first, I also thought it was bullshit. Most of the nobles of the Eurasian Empire decided to go under the Aenian Empire, and the Foram family is among the ones that did so. So, since you’re part of the Foram family, from now on, you’re also part of the Aenian Empire.”
“...!”
Ronan’s nationality had changed without him even knowing. Soon, his pupils dilated at all the shocking news he had received.
Seeing Ronan dazed like that, Hamilton took the opportunity to rally him.
“Listen, Ronan! His Majesty is giving you a chance to let the world know who you are!” said Hamilton proudly.
However, in stark contrast to Hamilton’s enthusiasm, Ronan seemed aloof as he replied, “Letting the world know who I am...?”
“Exactly! There are many vacant slots in the newly established Imperial Ten Swords, and Father has recommended you for one of those positions. Ronan, come join me as one of the Imperial Ten Swords and let the world know who we are! Bring honor to the Foram name!”
“The Imperial Ten Swords...!” murmured Ronan, still somewhat in disbelief.
Only the ten most powerful swordsmen in the entire empire could be part of the Imperial Ten Swords, and Ronan had been recommended for one of those honorable positions.
At that moment, Ronan met Iselan’s eyes. The latter held an unyielding gaze, his countenance expressionless.
“I don’t want to,” replied Ronan as he maintained eye contact with the deputy commander.
“There we go, I knew that you would definitely say ‘yes’... Wait, what?”
“I’d rather be here to help my superior, Deputy Commander Iselan, keep the continent safe than be part of the Imperial Ten Swords.”
“You bastard! Are you going to disobey Father’s orders now?!
“Gahahaha!”
Iselan couldn’t hold in his laughter after he heard Ronan’s answer. He eventually wiped his tears and continued, “Haha, I knew it! I sure got one hell of an assistant! I knew it! I knew it!”
“...”
Hamilton had been certain that Ronan would obediently follow his father’s orders because he knew that there would be no way for Ronan, an adopted son, to secure his spot within the family for the rest of his life unless he took this opportunity.
Iselan twitched his eyebrows and asked in a cheerful tone, “Okay, kid, Ronan said what he wanted. What are you going to do now?”
Hearing that, Hamilton flushed with anger, his whole body trembling.
"Tsch...! This can’t be happening! Ronan is part of the Foram family! And you! Even though you’re incapable of repaying the noble blessings Father has given you, you dare turn this opportunity down and dishonor the family like this?”
“I didn’t dishonor anything.”
"Huh? What did you say?”
“I’m just not interested in being part of the Imperial Ten Swords. To be part of something like that as an adopted son... That’s too much for me.”
“If you think that, then that’s double the reason why you should be thankful for such an opportunity!”
Bang!
At that moment, Iselan slammed the desk and intervened.
"Enough!"
Even though there was nothing more entertaining than to see others fight, too much of anything was troublesome.
“Ronan.”
“Yes, Deputy Commander Iselan.”
“I am more than proud of your answer, but as the Foram family was naturalized into the Aenian Empire, you, too, are undoubtedly an Aenian. So, whether you like it or not, it’s right for you to follow Aenian law from now.”
"But..!”
“Yes, I know. Of course, you won’t like hearing what I’m saying. There's an old saying that if you don't want to be the Grand Earl, you can refuse it. You think you wouldn’t be able to do the same with something like the position of the Imperial Ten Swords?”
“...”
Ronan remained silent. He then lowered his eyes and bowed. Iselan laughed as he saw the way he acted.
“Ronan.”
“Yes, Deputy Commander.”
“With the Eurasian Empire gone, I lost the country I’m supposed to protect and the emperor I’m supposed to serve.”
“Deputy Commander...”
“And because of this, there’s a suggestion I want to make for you.”
"Suggestion as in...?”
“Ronan, abandon Foram name.”
“What?”
“Sir Iselan! What nonsense are you talking about!”
“Like I said, Ronan, abandon the Foram name and become like me.”
This was the method Iselan had come up with to prevent Ronan from returning to the empire. It was simple, really. Ronan just had to forfeit his surname, Foram. Simple as it was, it was, in fact, his only chance to get out of this situation.
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