The Story Of The Second Son Of The Baron Family [EN]: Chapter 43

Baron’s Family Second Son – Episode 43

Last winter, shortly after my nineteenth birthday, I reached the 4th Circle. The leap from the 3rd to the 4th Circle wasn’t just about casting slightly stronger magic or doing it a bit faster.

It was like gaining a third eye instead of two, or a third arm instead of two, allowing me to perceive and accomplish more. Naturally, to fully utilize this, I needed to adapt to the new eye and arm.

Frankly, even after nearly two years, I was still adjusting to the 4th Circle. This meant I hadn’t achieved mastery, and the 5th Circle remained out of reach. I was still getting used to the newly formed arm, and growing another one was simply impossible. Even if it were possible, rushing forward now would ultimately set me back.

“Life is full of ups and downs… There’s a silver lining here, but I’d rather have avoided the misfortune altogether.”

I’m unsure if it’s due to the dragon’s blood or because my body evolved to distance itself from death after that near-fatal experience.

My gut tells me it’s the dragon’s blood, but I can’t be certain. However, even if the cause was evolution triggered by dragon’s blood, if the price was the death of my teacher, seniors, and colleagues, it was a losing deal no matter how I looked at it. If I could go back, I’d overturn the negotiation table the moment I saw it.

‘In just a few more days, I’ll be able to perfectly control the four circles.’

Of course, I couldn’t dedicate nearly two years solely to training, so my progress could be considered decent. But since returning to the Terra Barrier, my growth had accelerated to a point where the term “genius” seemed inadequate. I was confident I could achieve in a few days what would take others months.

‘In the next ten years, I will tear that bastard’s throat out!’

#

Once my body had recovered sufficiently, I was able to leave the intensive care unit and recuperate in my own room. The first place I went after leaving the ICU was Illd’s room. Since his death wasn’t confirmed, his room remained untouched, preserved as it was. Knowing my relationship with Illd, no one questioned my entering his room.

“It’s just as I remember.”

It wasn’t my first time in Illd’s room, and the scene matched my memory perfectly. Bookshelves overflowing with books, a desk meticulously organized as if he’d only stepped out for a moment, and a neatly made bed. There was some dust from the lack of upkeep, but after a quick cleaning, it looked as if someone had been living there recently.

“This room will probably be cleared out in a few days.”

Rooms are cleared out in only two situations: when someone dies or when they survive for ten years and leave the Terra Barrier. Since I arrived at the Terra Barrier, no one’s room has been cleared out for the latter reason.

Illd, who would have been a 10-year veteran next year, is presumed dead, so it will be several more years before the latter scenario occurs. The reason his room hasn’t been cleared yet is because his death hasn’t been officially confirmed. It will likely be cleared out without ceremony once the rescue team returns. That’s the reality of the Terra Barrier.

Normally, the deceased’s belongings would be given to their family, and any remaining items would be sorted by whoever inherited the room or claimed them. But since Illd had no relatives, I, as his only disciple, decided to sort through the room myself. While doing so, I found a book on his desk that he seemed to have been writing.

“This is…”

The moment I opened the book, a sentence immediately caught my eye.

[I hope my experience helps your growth.]

I quickly read through about half of the book. At the same time, I fought to keep the tears from my eyes from falling onto the pages and smudging the ink.

The book contained Illd’s insights, explanations, experiences, and know-how regarding 4th and 5th Circle magic, leaving nothing out. Although it was unfinished, with the 5th Circle section incomplete, even the existing content was invaluable to magicians below that level – knowledge that most magicians wouldn’t even share with their own families.

I held the book to my chest for a long moment, until the tears in my eyes subsided, careful not to stain the pages.

#

Duke Zieg was drinking alone for the first time in a while. The news brought back by the returning rescue team had left a bitter taste in his mouth. Of course, his advanced abilities allowed him to instantly dispel any intoxication, but he chose not to today.

‘It feels like I’ve lost an arm.’

The composition of the investigation team had been impressive. It included two of the only six commanders, and the remaining members were seasoned veterans of the Terra Barrier. The magician contingent was even more exceptional, including two squad leaders. But the grim reality was that they had all become a handful of dust in the Monsterlands.

No matter how skilled a knight might be, the Terra Barrier is a place where death can strike at any moment, but it was unprecedented to lose so many veterans at once. They were called veterans because they had stubbornly survived, regardless of the circumstances.

Moreover, that wasn’t his only reason for drinking. Duke Zieg was troubled by external factors for the first time in a long while.

‘Should I report this?’

Once could be a coincidence, but not twice. This was the second confirmed sighting of a dragon. Furthermore, one sighting came from someone Duke Zieg trusted implicitly, leaving no room for doubt. The problem was that this wasn’t an issue he could resolve alone. Reporting it was the right thing to do, but the potential consequences were all too clear.

“Difficult.”

If he reported the truth, the Emperor would mobilize every resource to capture the dragon, regardless of the cost. Unless the damage was irreparable – such as the death of a Master – the benefits of capturing a dragon would inevitably outweigh the risks.

Beyond the material gains like the dragon’s skin, bones, heart, and blood, there was also the fame and prestige of shattering the legend of the dragon, and the morale boost it would provide for the entire empire. Intangible benefits like these were harder to come by than tangible ones, making this an opportunity that couldn’t be missed.

The problem was the countless lives that would be lost in the process. The cleanest approach would be to deploy the empire’s elite forces to capture the dragon, but they would never agree to such an uncertain method. They would want ordinary soldiers to weaken the dragon first, then have the Masters, including himself, deliver the final blow.

“Hmm.”

Normally, he wouldn’t have such concerns. He considered himself a sword, simply cutting down enemies according to his master’s will. But lately, he often wondered if that was truly enough. He had decided and vowed to think and act in that way, deep in his heart.

But what about the suffering of others caught up in his decisions? Even his own family had suffered greatly for years because of his unilateral choices.

Duke Zieg’s 고민이 깊어졌다 [Duke Zieg’s worries deepened].

#

“Are you okay?”

“You’ve worked hard. The others will be back soon, too. They’re not the type to die easily.”

Many people offered me comfort. The fact that the investigation team had been virtually wiped out by the dragon, except for me, was a secret between me and Duke Zieg. I could only tell them that they had been scattered by a sudden monster attack, as I had initially reported. Therefore, their words of comfort felt like sharp daggers twisting in my heart.

“Yes. They’ll be back. I came back, after all.”

“Maybe they’re delayed because they’re looking for you. Let’s wait a little longer.”

There had been quite a few changes while I was in the Monsterlands. The most significant, by far, was the massive tunnel being constructed from the rear of the Terra Barrier. I don’t know how they convinced Duke Zieg to allow it, but judging by its progress, it must have started shortly after the investigation team departed.

“Is your body feeling better?”

“Evan.”

“My condolences. It’s a pity he’s gone.”

“Not yet, not yet.”

“…That’s right. Not yet. I’m sorry. I misspoke.”

I acknowledged it in my head: that everyone except me had died. But even after several weeks, I couldn’t accept it in my heart. Like the hope I clung to in the Monsterlands, I hadn’t seen their bodies.

What if, just maybe, they were still alive? What if they hadn’t returned yet for some reason? Evan had stayed here and worked closely with Illd, so he seemed to understand what I was feeling.

“When did you start this?”

“It hasn’t been long. It started in the summer, so it hasn’t even been half a year yet. But there’s still a long way to go. Even if we dig quickly to reach the mine, the magic stones underground will be completely destroyed if we continue like this. That’s why I need your help. We had decided in advance, but we need to reconfirm the location to create a base.”

The mine development seemed to be progressing smoothly. Well, there was little to hinder it. Unless there were monsters underground, the only obstacles would be water veins. Fortunately, the Monsterlands were quite arid, and even if there were any, the magicians could handle them sufficiently if they were dispatched.

“But what’s the matter? You wouldn’t have dragged that body here just to ask about the progress.”

“Ah, if it’s not too much trouble, could you contact the Tower Lord for me?”

“The Tower Lord?”

“Yes. Please ask him if the proposal he mentioned to me in the capital is still valid. The Tower Lord will know what I’m talking about.”

I want to become stronger. I had to become stronger. Ironically, I gained a starting point to become stronger from the person I intended to take revenge on, but a starting point wasn’t enough.

I could become strong enough with just a starting point, but if it was combined with excellent teaching, I could become even stronger, faster.

Fortunately, I had a connection to the world’s most outstanding magician, and I had also received an offer to become his disciple. In return, I would have to reveal my own secret, but it wouldn’t be a losing proposition if it allowed me to gain greater power more quickly.

“He will definitely reply.”

Baron’s Family Second Son – Episode 43 – End