Chapter 14: Solitary (1)
Practical evaluation was over.
As the hounds came back.
Usually, hounds receive the monster corpse as a spoil.
The same was true of the children of the Baskevilles.
They acquired shields, swords, necklaces, etc. made from the parts of the corpses of the monsters.
Through this opportunity, the young hounds would grow stronger.
The exam that had been tense until the written test was over disappeared as if it had been washed after the ranks were set.
Perhaps because of the experience of rolling together in extreme conditions for a long time, an unknown and strange brotherly love was emerging throughout the class.
Of course, despite this, there were still some siblings who didn't get along well, but most of them solved their problems during the practical exam or died, so unexpectedly, infighting rarely occurred in the class.
In this way, for a few days a year, a relaxed atmosphere pervaded the Baskevilles after the practical exam.
* * *
Hugo Baskeville, head of the Baskeville family, was receiving a report from Butler Barrymore.
"... ... Who caught what?"
It is almost unheard of for a superhuman who has risen to the level of a sword master to doubt his own body.
But at this moment, Hugo was clearly doubting his ears.
Deacon Barrymore read the report again in a clear, excited voice.
"Vikir van Baskeville in the class of 8. Crossed the boundary line and entered the forbidden zone during practical evaluation. Successfully hunted down Cerberus, a monster of danger grade A+. That is all."
It's the second time he talking about, but it still sounded ridiculous.
An 8-year-old child went out to the forbidden area and came back alive.
Actually, this alone is great enough.
Just being able to draw a map or listen to testimonies that help them guess the topography and ecosystem outside the Unsealed Zone is a tremendous achievement.
However, this unprecedented 8-year-old child went into hell and returned to life unharmed, and even brought back Cerberus, the guard dog of hell!
"... ... Cerberus is a high-ranking monster that even the family guardian knights feel burdened to deal with."
Hugo stroked his beard with a puzzled expression.
However, the detailed report that followed was even more absurd.
Hugo reread the report once and put down his reading glasses.
"He lured Cerberus into a trap and stabbed him with his throat spear? Do you think this makes sense?"
"Originally, it was an object that was injured by barbarians, and there is also information that poison was applied to the throat, Lord."
"No matter how injured it is, it is the same. What poison was strong enough to send Cerberus away? Where else did he say?"
"that is... ... Nothing else was recorded in the hunting log. I was going to ask the young master, but he said he was tired and went right back to the dorm."
At Barrymore's words, Hugo put on a dazed expression for a moment, then chuckled.
"The young man is already puzzled but information is power, and power is value. Self-worth is what you have to raise and protect."
Hugo turned his gaze back to the report.
It is admirable that Vikir did not immediately reveal the poison that caught Cerberus, but it is also admirable that he did not take Cerberus' corpse directly to the guide dogs, but covered it with soil and concealed it until the practical evaluation was over.
Deacon Barrymore admired.
"His patience is truly amazing. When I was an eight-year-old, I would do anything to be praised by adults and respected by my siblings. If I had caught Cerberus at the age of 8, I would have turned it over to the Guardian Knights right away. To get praise and attention."
"Ha. If I did, I would end up looking like old Santiago."
Hugo refering to a fisherman from a legend of the distant past.
He went out to sea and caught a huge monster fish, but while he was tying the fish to a boat and dragging it, he met a group of sharks, took all his flesh, and returned home with only a huge bone.
"If Vikir had caught Cerberus and started dragging that huge corpse around, he would have been the target of many brothers. He could have been killed if it wasn't enough that he was deprived of all his achievements."
After hearing Hugo's words, Barrymore felt a chill running down his spine at the bloody family customs of the Baskevilles.
"To be honest, I was very surprised. It is not a middle name of 'le' or 'la', but a talented person like this is born among the youngsters who have a middle name of Van."
"I'm different from the previous family heads. Bloodline should not be considered important when raising hounds. There are ugly dogs of good blood, and there are good dogs of poor blood. I don't care if it's a son from an imperial woman or a son from a street prostitute. As long as you have enough talent and courage."
Hugo's eyes, muttering in a low voice, are looking out the window at the distant spire.
His second son.
Barrymore noticed what Hugo was thinking when he looked at the spire, who was in training at the top of the spire.
"It is said that even among dogs of good blood, there are ugly ones. Will you understand?"
"... ... I'm sorry."
Hugo waved his hand.
"It fine. I'm the only one who loses if I have to be upset because of my stupid son. I just need a diversion."
His gaze fell out of the window, this time to the report.
Barrymore nodded his head when he realized his master's intentions.
"I'll call the Master Vikir."
* * *
It was several hours later that Vikir stood in front of Hugo.
Hugo still did not beat around the bush.
He just asked it.
"How did you catch Cerberus?"
"I put chocolate on his throat."
It was the same with Vikir.
Single sentence and an immediate answer.
There was no flab or grease in Hugo's conversation with Vikir.
Hugo's eyes widened.
"Is it chocolate?"
"Chocolate is poison to canine monsters."
"Huh. Is that why you asked for chocolate the other day?"
"yes."
Vikir gave a short answer.
After thinking for a while, Hugo opened his mouth again.
"If true, the value of the information is quite great. It will be useful when subjugating canine monsters. There will be many advantages in trade with the information guild when raising dispatch results."
"I think so too."
The corner of Hugo's mouth went up slightly at Vikir's nonchalant reply.
Hugo asked in a presumably cold voice.
He said, "I heard that when the butler asked, he did not answer properly about hunting Cerberus."
"you're right. Because he is not my master."
"Then who is your master?"
To Hugo's question, Vikir answered again calmly.
"I belong to a family, so wouldn't the owner of the family be you?"
At that, Hugo finally nodded his head and smiled contentedly.
"You learned well. As a reward, the carcass of the monster you caught will belong to you in its entirety."
Cerberus, a monster of danger grade A+. Its corpse was worth the cost.
Teeth and claws were used as weapons, organs and flesh as health food, and bones and hide as armor.
There is nothing to throw away from the corpses of high-ranking monsters.
It was a great reward to receive all of this in its entirety.
Furthermore, Hugo gave Vikir another prize.
"Since you ranked first in both writing and practical skills, the expectations of your family are high. If there is anything you want, tell me."
"Didn't you already hand over the corpse of Cerberus?"
"That is my idea. I want to hear what you want."
Vikir opened his eyes a little wide.
Hugo's words were somewhat surprising.
This is because he never had a history of asking his children for their thoughts.
He just give orders. Who would ask a dogs what they thought?
But these variables are always welcome.
Thinking it would make things easier, Vikir voiced his opinion.
"I want to go into the Inner Library."
"... ... !"
At those words, Hugo's eyes narrowed.
The Inner Library is a huge library located deep inside the fortress of the Baskeville family, and it is large enough to rival the largest library in the world, the House of Morgue.
Hugo put his chin on his chin and pondered for a moment. It's rare for him.
"... ... Hmm. Go all the way. It is a place that only those of the pure blood can enter. Did you know and ask?"
At those words, Vikir widened his eyes.
A look that he didn't know at all.
'I didn't know about it because I didn't have anything to go into the library in my previous life.'
Culture, swordsmanship, and other knowledge were enough to be provided in classes within the family.
He lived content with the reality and did not show any desire to learn more.
That was the dog's virtue and was tamed that way.
'... ... I didn't know. If it doesn't work, I'll just do it another way.'
Vikir quickly bit his foot. Well, it doesn't matter. It's enough to sneak in under cover of night.
But things turned out easier than expected.
"You may go."
Hugo's judgment was quick.
Before Vikir could put on a dazed expression, Hugo continued.
"I can't give you too much time. Will ten days be enough?"
"All it takes is one day."
There is no need alert Hugo by staying in the library for a long time.
Hugo looked down at Vikir with a faint smile.
"What book do you want to read in just one day?"
"I learned about 'family history' during a liberal arts class and just wanted to know more about it."
He just mentioned any book in moderation,
but Hugo must have liked Vikir's answer quite a bit.
"Family history. Feel so good. It's good to be proud by studying the honorable history of your family."
If you see him talking about pride that he didn't even mention.
Hugo even recommended a book for Vikir to read.
"The depths of the Inner Library , If you look in the middle row of the library in the 6th control area, there is a swordsmanship manual called 'Baskeville 6th Form'. Read it."
Vikir couldn't believe his ears when he heard that.
The world's Hugo recommends a swordsmanship textbook?
4 forms, which is the limit that Van's surname can go up to, how many 6 meals?
Baskeville sword forms.
This swordsmanship, which allowed him to draw six teeth, could only be mastered by the elite among executives and direct descendants within the family.
Hugo has now allowed it to Vikir. Even if it's a very brief reading.
Considering that the current Hugo had seven teeth, and the Hugo before the return knew how to produce nine teeth, Hugo's current treatment was truly unconventional.
Compared to the four forms Vikir had learned before returning, 6th was a powerful swordsmanship that was on a different level.
But.
Vikir, was aiming for something else, would not be very impressed.
'... ... It's just meat.'
A foolish idea that would make others faint if they heard it.
But I'm not stupid enough to go out of the way to show it off.
"thank you. I will definitely read it and live up to your expectations."
Vikir bowed his head and thanked Hugo.
He was a very humble and polite greeting, seemingly impeccable.
Of course, if he had known what kind of evil lurked inside him, Hugo would have stopped Vikir even if he had to burn the library.
"... ... ."
Thinking that he has finished all his business, Hugo just indifferently turned his head away.
Having obtained access to the Inner Library, Vikir greeted politely until the end and then turned around and left the room.
And.
He set out on his way to the most precious treasure in all of the Baskevilles.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel