Chapter 31: It's Better This Way
Yo, Young Master. Just a moment.
Encia tried to call Shiron, but he kept walking silently through the corridor. He was heading towards the private bathroom he always used. Sand had gotten into his clothes, making him uncomfortable. He wanted to wash it off as soon as possible.
Young Master!
By the time they reached the bathroom, Encia was blocking his way, so he couldnt enter. Shiron squinted at her and commanded,
Move aside.
Young Master, did I mishear? You dont want the seat of the family head?
Her voice was urgent. Right now, Encia spoke to Shiron with a flustered expression. Her eyebrows twitched, and her tone was strangely stiff.
Didnt you hear?
However, Shiron didnt care about her reaction. Rather, he repeated firmly,
Even if you give me the position of the family head, I wont take it.
Shiron confidently expressed his opinion.
If you understood, then move. I want to shower.
I cant move aside!
Encia, whats the problem? You said you had prepared a bath for me. It will get cold like this.
I have so many complaints!
Shiron tried to pass Encia, but he couldnt move due to her grabbing his shoulder.
Young Master, Im very serious right now. Im not joking as usual.
Encia bent her knees to meet Shirons eyes. Did this mischievous Young Master even realize what he had just said? Worry began to frost over Encias eyes.
Its fortunate that I arrived first.
Encia was relieved, but at the same time, she grew anxious. Arriving first meant she didnt know when the other kids would arrive.
Young Master, you are taking the position of the family head too lightly. Luckily, I have a good temper, but the others wouldnt let it slide!
The other kids?
Yes!
Encia nodded with a stern face. Usually, she might have behaved jokingly, but given the situation, she wore an uncharacteristically serious expression.
Its not a joke. Compared to the others, I have a better temperament, you know? Ophilias fluffy attitude toward you isnt everything. If the others heard, I cant guarantee how the situation will unfold.
Therefore, she had to advise the Young Master before the other kids arrived at the castle. Even if he wouldnt change his decision of not becoming the head, declaring it so lightly could be problematic.
The importance and value of the Prient family head position was vital. But what worried her most was how the others would react to Shirons recent statement. Demons, who were devoid of human emotions, were something Encia knew too well.
However, Shiron chuckled in response to Encias concerns.
Its actually a good thing.
What?
Its not just for you. I should tell everyone. Its better to be clear about it. While I shower, gather everyone in the bedroom. This includes Yuma.
Saying that Shiron passed by Encia and entered the bathroom.
Clink.
Young Master? Young Master!
Encia, with a gloomy face, tried to open the bathroom door, but Shiron locked it faster than she could react.
Ugh, itd be great to become the family head. Does anyone even realize how much I dont want to do it?
Shiron sighed deeply as he immersed himself in the hot bath. It wasnt surprising that Encia reacted so strongly. Shiron knew very well that the position of the family head brought immense benefits that everyone desired.
As the family head, one could freely access centuries of accumulated wealth and treasures. Without anyones interference, they could enter private lands hidden throughout the continent, like the Dawn Castle. Dozens of reasons popped up in his mind to become the family head.
However, there was one reason that made Shiron refuse the position.
Its such a pity. If it werent for the death flag, I couldve had everything.
Being the family head undoubtedly brought numerous benefits, but even all those perks combined were not as valuable as Shirons life.
Various clear death flags come to mind.
For the apostles of the devil, the family head of Prient was the top target for elimination. It wasnt without reason that Glen didnt want to see his kids and didnt come to Dawn Castle.
The giant whale character, Siriel, was also obsessed with the position of the family head. Whether it was because of Hugo or for some personal reasons, the original Siriel had always wanted to become the family head of Prient .
Lucia Prient would definitely kill the young family head Shiron. Regardless of the obsession or the madness that appeared in the original work, if a player played as Shiron and did not claim the title of the young family head, they could survive against Lucia. Of course, even so, Shiron could not clear the game.
In fact, apart from one other character, the others werent immediate concerns.
The apostles would find and kill him first, and since Shiron was the possessor of the holy sword, the chances of fighting with Lucia, compared to the original game, would be significantly lower.
But Siriel is different.
Even if he tried his best now, if there was a rebellion in the future, it would become quite complicated. Shiron felt that his emotions were becoming more intense lately, which was evidence that his new bodys actions had some influence.
I dont even understand how that naive Siriel became so damn annoying.
Shiron looked at his hand, wrapped tightly in bandages.
This was the result of his efforts to show his best side to others. He didnt know how others perceived him, but he felt he had made some significant impact, be it positive or negative.
The original Shiron was also a tough guy.
Sigh
Shiron let out a light sigh.
In the original, Shiron could attain the title of the young family head based on certain choices.
That meant Shiron had passed todays succession ceremony regardless of how it happened. There was absolutely no chance for a loser who failed the succession ceremony to get the title of young family head.
The original Shiron didnt break the ice. It was said that he climbed back on the ice multiple times, and even though he was pulled under the ice dozens of times, he safely completed the succession ceremony.
That method didnt seem so bad either.
But he had no regrets. Although that was a safer method No, no matter how he thought about it, his method was better.
I might only know this method but Im right.
Shiron chuckled faintly, feeling a slight dizziness.
Shirons Room.
As commanded by Shiron, all the servants in the mansion gathered in one place.
Did you see that? I mean, the look in the young masters eyes earlier.
Perhaps it was because Yuma, the head maid, left her place to change Shirons bandage. The room, filled with about thirty people, was somewhat noisy.
Did you notice? Even though hes young, it felt like there was a fierce aura emanating from his eyes.
I, Ill never forget what happened today.
Isnt it obvious? When I saw the young masters face at that moment, I was totally taken aback. I was so flustered that I tried to pretend like nothing happened.
The young girls, all looking around the same age, were discussing the events of the day. While they were distinct in their speech, looks, and voice, they all shared the same interest the succession ceremony was a hot topic among them.
To be honest, I was a bit taken aback then.
I was, just a bit.
The shocking declaration from one of them caught everyones attention, but everyone quickly realized it wasnt such a big deal and resumed their places.
But.
Dorothy, a maid with black hair cut at the shoulders, shifted her gaze from her colleagues.
Why is she like that?
Where she looked, there was a blonde maid with slouched shoulders. It was Encia who excused herself early for some urgent matter. Since she left, she hadnt seemed quite right.
Encia. Whats wrong? Are you hurt?
No. Im not hurt anywhere.
Encia lowered her head in response to Ophilias question. Quite some time had passed, yet she couldnt calm herself down.
Her colleagues anticipation for the potential future head, the young master, was genuine and not merely borne out of duty. The more her colleagues expressed hope in the young master, the heavier the burden felt on Encias shoulders.
What could he possibly be thinking
Sigh
Encia sighed deeply.
Having lived for a long time, she could read the emotions hidden in Shirons face. From what she judged, it wasnt mere childlike arrogance or rebellion. The young master genuinely didnt want to become the head of the house.
Why?
A question that naturally arose within her. As a guardian of Dawn Castle and a loyal servant to the Prient family for hundreds of years, Encia had seen many descendants of Prient. While her friend and colleague, Ophilia, looked down on those who didnt become heads of the house, Encia saw them all as having achieved greatness.
And they all had, at some point, wanted to become the head of the family. This sentiment was even more shocking since it had been that way for hundreds of years.
If he didnt want to become the head, there was no need to attend the succession ceremony in the first place
Sigh
Encia. The young master said that if you sigh, your luck will run away.
That young master sighs every day, doesnt he?
Hehe. Thats true.
Ophilia chuckled as if amused, but Encia couldnt bring herself to laugh. She feared the moment when her straightforward friend might change her attitude.
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