Weapon-Eating Bastard [EN]: Chapter 66

Weapon-Eating Bastard – Episode 66

Vigo was jointly managed by the administrative department and the Council of Elders of the Soongmoo Lee family.

Since the items stored in Vigo were the property of the Soongmoo Lee family, the administrative department was in charge of storage and maintenance.

The authority to research, bring in, and remove items ultimately rested with the Council of Elders.

In other words, taking anything out of Vigo required their permission.

That’s why I addressed the Council of Elders:

“I want the items I was chosen by during the Iron Thread Ceremony.”

The eyes of the Council of Elders flickered for a moment.

“Isn’t the weapon you were chosen by already at your side? While it’s true you were chosen by many weapons at that time, you selected and received one. Are you now claiming ownership of the others?”

“According to the family rules, I understand that all weapons chosen at the Iron Thread Ceremony are to be received, regardless of the number. Am I mistaken, Head Manager?”

I glanced at my uncle.

My uncle started to chuckle, but he cleared his throat and answered in a low voice.

“That’s correct. Looking at the precedents set by our ancestors, it has been passed down that they received the remaining weapons later. The head of the family also said he would follow that precedent.”

“Ahem… Come to think of it, that’s right.”

The Council of Elders clicked their tongues uncomfortably.

There were many weapons to choose from, but in the end, the weapons I could receive through this matter would be just enough to save face.

Even if they gave out those few weapons, the Council of Elders wouldn’t suffer any significant loss.

‘…That’s what you think.’

I took a deep breath.

I didn’t want this reward simply to acquire weapons to absorb into the Black ki [a type of internal energy].

‘If I really wanted weapons, I would have asked my father. What I want is the recognition of the Council of Elders.’

The moment the Council of Elders allowed me to have the weapons of Vigo, with everyone watching, I would not only receive the weapons but also gain a certain legitimacy.

That is, the justification that the weapons in Vigo are ultimately my property.

It was the same as gaining the right to take them at any time.

‘Now, if Father approves of this…’

I turned my gaze towards my father.

“Father, may I do so?”

My father was staring intently into my eyes.

As if intrigued, a different light dwelled in his eyes.

“I permit it. They were things that would eventually fall into your hands.”

“…Thank you.”

Okay.

I bowed my head and smiled.

At that moment,

“If you demonstrate reasonable achievements that prove you are worthy of those weapons, the elders will discuss it and hand over the remaining weapons to you.”

“…!”

At those words, a different light appeared in the eyes of the Council of Elders, and I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

As expected, it was Father.

To put it simply, it was like this:

‘I will acknowledge your ownership.’

‘And if you want to claim that ownership and receive items from Vigo, show reasonable achievements and get permission from the Council of Elders.’

My father already knew my intentions, which even the Council of Elders had not noticed, and while accepting it, he also sided with the Council of Elders so that the balance of power wouldn’t be disrupted.

“The Council of Elders should discuss with the elders to determine the grade and number of weapons to be taken out and deliver them to the youngest.”

“Yes, I will.”

That’s how the conversation ended.

Several days later, the details of my access to Vigo and the equipment removal were delivered from the Council of Elders.

I was allowed masterpiece-grade equipment.

Four of them.

This was a fairly generous reward.

Since this was a matter involving my father, it seemed that they couldn’t interfere as they had with the student group assignment or the sparring match.

That way, I was able to enter Vigo with only my own strength, without anyone’s help.

* * *

I headed to Vigo at the scheduled time.

Vigo was a tall building, a rarity in the Soongmoo Lee family, alongside the administrative department and Janggyeonggak [a library or archive].

And unlike other buildings that followed the Korean traditional house structure, it was built in a modern style.

I looked at Vigo and sank into thought again.

‘Four masterpieces.’

Along with being granted authority, I was also able to receive a list of weapons I had been chosen by at the Iron Thread Ceremony.

‘Which one should I choose?’

The newfound worry continued until just before entering Vigo.

Upon discovering Mujin’s ability, I began to consider the abilities contained within each weapon.

‘It would be wise to receive a weapon used by the family’s ancestors and gain clues such as secret skills or profound meanings in advance.’

I recently experienced the profound meaning, Meteor, unfolded by my sixth sister with a magic power level corresponding to the 5th stage.

Although it was easily defeated due to compatibility reasons, the profound meaning of the Soongmoo Lee family contained truly terrifying power.

It wouldn’t be a bad choice if I could learn it in advance.

‘But I won’t be able to use it freely.’

There are also restrictions that prevent me from openly revealing any profound meanings or secret skills I learn, because I have never been formally taught.

‘It would be nice to absorb weapons with decent power….’

Thanks to the memories of my past life, I know a lot, but I don’t know all the masterpiece-level weapons.

As a result, the worry continued until I arrived in front of the Kyungmu officers [guards or security personnel].

“Stop.”

Clang!

As I approached the outer gate of Vigo, the Kyungmu officers blocked me by crossing their long spears.

Then, they recognized my face and widened their eyes slightly.

“You are the youngest young master. May I ask the purpose of your visit?”

“I have permission to enter and remove equipment.”

I handed them the official document.

“Yes, I have confirmed it. You may pass.”

The Kyungmu officer gave a neat salute.

I widened my eyes.

‘Did they just salute me?’

The Kyungmu officers, of all people.

It was the first time I had ever been saluted.

Originally, this level of respect was a common expression for direct descendants, but I was a bastard.

As a result, there were even those among the staff who did odd jobs who treated me badly or ignored me.

“Aren’t you going in?”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

It was the moment I was about to take a step.

“Young master, I watched this sparring match. I was deeply impressed. I will also work hard like you, young master.”

The voice of the Kyungmu officer was heard.

I was a little surprised, but I soon smiled.

“Thank you.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for thinking that way. I will work harder to be respected by people like you.”

Not all Soongmoo Lee family members ignore me as a bastard.

If that were the case, I wouldn’t have received recognition from anyone in the student group or anywhere else.

I silently headed to Vigo.

Identity verification and baggage inspection were also carried out at Vigo’s inner gate.

“Chung! Everything has been confirmed, so you can go inside. You must have this amulet with you to avoid problems. Also, the equipment that has been approved is a total of four, and only masterpieces have been approved. The floors that can be accessed are from the 1st floor to the 3rd floor….”

After completing the confirmation of the official document and listening to the ear-splitting precautions, I was able to enter Vigo.

I went straight up.

There was nothing to get in the basement, and I passed the 1st floor where ordinary works were located and entered the 2nd floor.

As I started reading about the weapons one by one, I felt like my mind was getting a little more organized.

‘I have to choose things that will actually help with this warrior trip.’

Once I made up my mind, it wasn’t difficult to choose a weapon.

It took a little time to figure out the abilities through Black ki, but I was finally able to get what I wanted.

That way, I got four masterpiece-grade equipment.

* * *

My body was fully recovered, and I had secured the items necessary for the warrior trip that I had requested through my nanny.

Finally, all preparations were completed.

Before leaving for the warrior trip, I greeted my father and visited my first older brother.

I wanted to greet my uncle first, but I couldn’t meet him because he was on a business trip.

My first older brother greeted me with a strange smile.

“Are you thinking of leaving now?”

“Yes, I have finished preparing.”

“It’s spring. It’s not a bad season. There’s no better season to go on a long journey.”

The weather was already full spring.

Flowers were in full bloom everywhere, and although the nights were still a bit cold, the spring sunshine was warm during the day.

“Have you greeted the others?”

“Yes, I went to Father first. He scared me as usual.”

“Scared you?”

A look of doubt appeared on my first older brother’s face.

“He said that if I cause this much trouble in the family and leave for a warrior trip and don’t achieve satisfactory results, he will punish me.”

“That’s… a little scary.”

My first older brother smiled awkwardly. Then he gave me a strange smile and looked at me.

“Aren’t you afraid of Father?”

“Why would I be? He’s still my father.”

Lee Myung-jung looked at his younger brother with deep eyes.

He wondered how many of his brothers could say ‘still my father’.

“Okay, did you say hello to your aunt?”

“Yes, it was hard work trying to appease her.”

“Haha! I can see it in my mind.”

In addition, I had greeted the people I had to greet in advance, including the students.

I had greeted my seventh older brother, so I was wondering if I should greet my eighth brother, but I heard that he had entered seclusion as soon as he completed his second year in the student group.

I will probably see him again when the warrior trip is over.

Then my first older brother continued in a low voice.

“…Have you heard from your sixth sister?”

I paused for a moment and nodded.

“Yes, I heard she went into seclusion training.”

Immediately after the sparring match.

My sixth sister, who woke up from fainting, had to recuperate for a while.

And she sometimes caused a commotion during her recuperation, and as soon as she recovered her body, she was sent to the seclusion training center by Madam Baek.

“There will be no immediate retaliation from your sixth sister. In the first place, attacking a child on a warrior trip is not allowed, so don’t worry. So, I hope you don’t worry and have a good trip. I wanted to tell you that.”

My first older brother had a somewhat bitter expression.

As a Soongmoo Lee family bloodline, he valued the friendship between his brothers and sisters, so he seemed to feel sorry for the relationship between me and the other brothers.

But he didn’t say it in words.

My first older brother also knows.

Even though they are the same direct line, I am a bastard, and the other brothers are legitimate children.

In the Soongmoo Lee family, there is a big difference between the two.

And he hopes that I will break free from that shackle.

“So, I have a favor to ask. Brother.”

“A favor? What favor are you talking about?”

My first older brother’s eyes widened.

Because I can’t ask for any help on the warrior trip.

“It’s not because of the warrior trip. I have a favor to ask for my nanny.”

“….”

My first older brother quickly realized the meaning of my words.

It was not difficult to target someone related to me, even if they couldn’t directly target me.

I wondered if they would target a powerless ordinary person and a nanny who was just an employee, but I couldn’t be sure.

‘I lost my nanny that way in my previous life.’

I don’t want to go out of the family without thinking and lose my nanny.

“…Okay, I understand. I will have her stay here where I live while you are on your warrior trip. No one will dare to touch her.”

My first older brother didn’t say many words.

He was just giving me confidence.

“I would be so grateful if you could do that. I will definitely repay this debt.”

“It’s okay. What kind of brother would I be if I couldn’t do this?”

I bowed my head.

After that, I shared a short greeting and got up from my seat.

“Then I’ll be on my way.”

“Okay, have a good trip. I look forward to seeing you after you finish your warrior trip.”

I finished my greetings and turned around and walked out.

I have gained the freedom to be active outside the family for the first time in 15 years.

‘If I had left for the warrior trip at my age like the other brothers, the time would have been quite short, but I’m starting at 15. There’s plenty of time.’

There were so many places to visit, things to get, and people to meet.

That’s how the warrior trip began.