Episode 313
Aerts Badniker, the fourth son of the Badnikers, was very satisfied with his life. He had been born into a family that every citizen of the empire looked up to, even if that regard came more from fear than admiration. He also possessed outstanding looks and talent. People often said that a life in which one could obtain most desires would soon grow dull, but that was not the case for Aerts.
Of course, he was still too young to feel any mental weariness. He took pride in his family and in the Badniker name. It could even be said that he loved them.
Aerts clearly understood whose influence had granted him his power, wealth, and privileges: the Iron-Blooded Lord, Delac C. Badniker.
Like most of his siblings, Aerts admired the Iron-Blooded Lord. In fact, he revered him. When he heard that the Iron-Blooded Lord was gravely injured and on the verge of death, Aerts felt as though a devout believer had been told that his god was dead.
Inside a large meeting room on the first floor of the Badnikers' main building.
The space was bare of decoration. A single long table, the kind found in a large dining hall, occupied the room.
Five men and five women sat around it in a zigzag arrangement. The reason was simple. They did not want to face one another directly across the table.
Aerts liked this layout. Among those who shared Badniker blood, siblings were often an uncomfortable presence, and Aerts was no exception. This was true even for those born of the same mother.
I didn't think they would all come... Aerts gulped nervously without showing it.
Everyone in the empire knew that the Iron-Blooded Lord had devoted himself to raising his children. In return for that investment, they started to distinguish themselves at a young age. By adolescence, their extraordinary talents had fully emerged.
However, Aerts knew the truth. His talent was above average, but only when measured against ordinary people. Compared to true geniuses, it was insignificant.
Among those gathered here were monsters whose talents defied measurement.
One such example sat at the head of the table, wearing a lazy expression. Heero Badniker, the eldest son and one of the Youngbloods of the Hero Society, had the most overwhelming achievements. His skills and record placed him among the elite A-class heroes, a rank so rare that only a handful remained active. Known as Strong Sword Heero, his reputation had reached even the capital where Aerts lived.
Then what about Hector Badniker, sitting beside Heero with a somewhat stiff expression? He had chosen the imperial family over the Hero Society. Even so, his performance was said to be so exceptional that there was already talk of his joining the Imperial Knights.
If the Hero Society honed strength through real combat experience, then no organization could rival the imperial family's systematic training. The unique weapons and elixirs available only to them, along with their many secret martial arts, surpassed even the Badnikers' extensive library several times over.
Then there was Nero Badniker, the second daughter, who had made remarkable contributions within the Hero Society alongside Heero.
These three were the Iron-Blooded Lord's most renowned children. They alone had the privilege of private audiences with the family head and even shared meals with him once or twice a year.
From Aerts' perspective, they were no different from holy children who could hear the voice of God and occasionally meet him.
A chirping voice broke the silence in the meeting room. "By the way, is it true that the family head is sick?"
The speaker was Aquata Badniker, the eldest daughter. She was one of only two married siblings, and she wore eye-catching clothes.
To Aerts, her appearance felt out of place. This isn't a happy occasion, so why such a frivolous outfit?
"It was Sir Assad who said it. If so, wouldn't it be true?" The timid reply came from Dolber Badniker, the sixth son.
The boy had an unusually small build. Despite his appearance, he was the second among them to marry. His neat looks matched his sharp intellect, and he had already received an offer of a professorship at the academy. If it went through, he would be the youngest professor in its history. Of course, such talent drew little attention within the Badnikers. This was probably the reason he had gotten married at an early age.
Aquata laughed sarcastically. "Who knows? If it's the Badnikers, this could be another test."
"What do you mean?" Dolber asked.
Aquata scoffed. "Don't pretend to be naive. You know this family tests and evaluates us with all kinds of bizarre methods. We have to prove our worth at least once a year. It is already April, so it wouldn't be strange if something started soon."
"You aren't wrong, but if that were the case, they wouldn't have called you, Sister Aquata."
Hector spoke calmly, but Aquata understood the implication at once and shot him a sharp glare. "What do you mean by that, Hector Badniker?"
"Right now, you're practically an outsider to the Badniker family. If the test you mentioned were to take place, you would not even qualify to participate," Hector replied.
"You... Are you treating me as an outsider now?" Aquata demanded.
"Aquata Raspon," Hector said, enunciating each syllable. "That is your name now. It isn't exactly wrong."
"How rude!" Aquata shouted as she sprang to her feet, her hair fluttering wildly.
She was an accomplished mage, and her mana fluctuated with her emotions. Yet despite her open display of emotion, she suddenly flinched and trembled. The moment her eyes met Hector's indifferent gaze, an inexplicable chill ran down her spine.
When did this brat, whose only thought was the sword, become like this? she wondered.
If anyone were asked who in the family would be most deeply shaken by news of the Iron-Blooded Lord, all would point to Hector without hesitation. His feelings for the Iron-Blooded Lord ran so deep that even Aerts admitted he couldn't compare. Yet Hector remained cold even after learning about the family head.
I heard a disaster nearly struck the Imperial Academy, and only a handful of hero disciples managed to stop it. Is it because of that experience? she wondered.
The Hector she hadn't seen for a long time was no longer the immature child Aquata remembered.
"Stop it. Whatever the issue, the family head did not summon us here to argue." The calm voice belonged to the third daughter, Lina Badniker.
She was a renowned young genius in alchemy and spoke with composure, her distinctive purple Badniker eyes gleaming. "There must be a reason we have been gathered here. A message from the Council of Elders or Sir Assad will arrive soon."
At her words, the room fell silent once more.
Aerts felt he should make his presence known at least once. The timing seemed right, so he slowly opened his mouth. "Iā"
He never finished. Heero, silent until now, finally spoke. "You called her an outsider, right? Well said, Hector. I also see someone here who is clearly unqualified."
D-does he mean me? Aerts broke into a sweat.
Aquata pressed her lips together, her expression tense.
Heero's gaze swept the room.
Hector stiffened when their eyes met for a moment, but Heero said nothing further to him.
As Hector was slightly confused, Heero turned his attention to the person in the most scandalous outfit in the room. His sleeves were rolled past his elbows, and his shirt hung half open, exposing his chest.
Aerts had always felt uneasy about this man. As far as he knew, the owner of such a revealing outfit was someone who had been half-exiled from the family long ago.
Raizen Badniker, who had been snorting and trimming his nails, pointed at himself with mild amusement. "Eh? Are you talking about me?"
"It's good that you know your place. No. If you truly knew your place, you would not have dared to crawl back to the main house. I take that back," Heero said coldly.
Raizen burst out laughing. He blew on his freshly cleaned nails and said, "What do you mean by not knowing my place? Everyone here is a child of the Iron-Blooded Lord, Delac C. Badniker."
"His child? That is a surprisingly shameless claim. You are the one who chose to leave this family," Heero shot back.
"Leaving the family does not sever the bond between parent and child, does it? There is a reason people say blood is thicker than water. Even the family head said it. Potential lies dormant in the blood," Raizen replied.
"Then your blood must be thin. It is humiliating to have a businessman like you come from the Badnikers," Heero said.
At his words, several people shuddered, including Everan Badniker, the fifth daughter absorbed in her fashion business; and Aerts, who had been expanding his influence in high society.
"Oh, so you know what I've been doing. However, is it because the Hero Society only teaches you how to swing a sword? Our eldest brother is being very naive. Since ancient times, the force that moves the world has always been this." Raizen smirked and formed a circle with his fingers. "Money. In other words, merchants who chase gold and move funds. They could be called the true rulers of the world."
Heero nodded. "Money is certainly an important part of life. However, I've encountered people like you during my missions. They're fools who break the law and abandon human relationships in pursuit of profit. They said the same nonsense when my sword was at their throats. They must have believed that money would protect their lives. Raizen Badniker, what do you think happened to them?"
"You must have killed or crippled them, right? Well, among beasts, only crows understand the value of gold. If you wave a jewel in front of a vicious dog that knows only how to bite, it will see it as a provocation," Raizen replied.
"Haha." Heero laughed, causing the huge table to rattle.
Aerts felt a pressure that made his heart constrict. Heero was an A-class hero, one of the elites of the Hero Society. He had revealed only a fraction of his power, yet the atmosphere had already changed.
Heero said, "Well said. The mad dog inside me is speaking right now. It's telling me to bite the fool before me."
Raizen smiled equally fiercely. "I have many dogs around me these days, but their teeth have never touched me. Take this as a warning. It is better to stop now. You are still young, and you need to take care of your teeth."
As their energies clashed in midair, Aerts barely suppressed the urge to bolt from the meeting room.
Ugh. In fact, he wasn't even sure he could move. His entire body felt frozen. Before he realized it, sweat covered his forehead. S-somebody...!
At that moment, Hector, who had been silently observing, spoke. "You two, let's leave it at this."
This was more than an attempt to dissuade them. Hector's voice rang through the room and dispersed the clashing energy waves between them.
Aerts' eyes widened in astonishment. W-what amazing mana control.
It wasn't just control. The mana itself was exceptionally strong. That was no surprise. Hector had consumed expensive elixirs from a young age, a benefit of the Anatos family's power. He had only recently fully digested the mana he had accumulated since childhood, so his reserves were second to none among those present.
Heero turned his gaze to Hector. "Are you interfering, Hector Badniker?"
Hector met his gaze without flinching. There had been a time when he wouldn't have dared to look into those eyes, but not anymore. "I understand how you feel, Brother Heero. However, today isn't a gathering for us to fight or keep each other in check. As Lina said, there must be a reason we were brought together."
Raizen laughed. "Kukuk. Second Brother, you are impressive. Since when did you rise high enough to speak on behalf of the Badnikers?"
"Raizen, you should show some restraint as well," Nero interjected. "Heero is not the only one uncomfortable with your words and behavior."
"If you feel uncomfortable, adjust your posture. Don't just talk. It has been a while since I've been home. Shouldn't I be allowed to relax a little?"
At Raizen's words, Nero sighed. The atmosphere, which had briefly eased, tightened again.
Then the door opened with a rough push, and a casual voice that clashed with the tense silence rang out. "Ah, so this is the meeting room."
A platinum-gold-haired boy stepped in, his striking appearance standing out among the dark-haired figures in the room.
Is it a servant? If so, how could he be so rude? Aerts wondered in a daze. Huh?
Suddenly, Aerts realized the boy's face looked familiar. Luan Badniker? Now that I think about it, there's also this kid, someone even more forgettable than that of the missing Ludwig.
The Luan Badniker that Aerts remembered was a pathetic guy who was always alone and often scolded when the siblings gathered. Rumor claimed he had played a decisive role in saving the Imperial Academy, but Aerts did not believe it. The Luan he knew hadn't shown a single heroic trait.
He probably just showed up and gained some benefits from Brother Hector's achievements. Aerts' eyes widened. Courage surged through him, as if he had not been frozen moments ago. This was a rare opportunity. For the first time, he had a stage to assert himself among these exceptional siblings.
"What? You inferior bastard, did you come too?" Aerts said.
"Huh?" Luan's gaze shifted toward him, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Aerts?"
Aerts snorted. "Yes. I am your older brother, Aerts. Since the last time I saw you, you seem to have picked up the bad habit of speaking without manners."
"Ah."
"Ah? What do you mean, you idiot..." Aerts snapped. "Don't just stand there like a fool. Greet your siblings one by one, properly."
Aerts was so focused on Luan that he failed to notice his eldest, second, and third brothers flinch.
"Start with Brother Heero. Slowly and politely," Aerts instructed smugly. "Do you understand?"
Luan stood still for a moment before nodding with a hum. "You aren't wrong. I will do so. Hello, Brother Heero. Have you been well?"
Heero nodded awkwardly. "Yes..."
Aerts' eyes widened again. Who does this cheeky brat think he is, speaking so casually?
Luan continued, "Brother Hector, it seems you have grown taller."
"Yes, a bit taller," Hector replied.
Luan nodded. "As expected."
Hector subtly avoided Luan's gaze.
Luan went on, "Raizen, you are here too. Last time, you helped me with the contract. Because of that, I managed to save some face after joining the clan as the youngest member."
"That is good to hear," Raizen said.
"Was the loss significant?" Luan asked. "I reviewed the transaction details. It was nearly at cost."
Raizen nodded, his tone calm. "It was not insignificant, but it was worth the price of my life."
Each of the three men reacted differently. Yet after Luan finished greeting them, they all did the same thing. As if of one mind, they turned and glared at Aerts.