Weapon-Eating Bastard [EN]: Chapter 22

Weapon-Eating Bastard – Episode 22

Originally, the Sungmoo Yi family rarely invited outsiders to hold banquets or participate in events for friendship.

However, such rare occurrences were not entirely nonexistent.

A banquet to bless the new blood of the Sungmoo Yi family after the naming ceremony.

The day the children of the Sungmoo Yi family, who would discard their childhood names and receive new ones, revealed themselves to the world.

As it was the true final event of the naming ceremony, the banquet was held grandly.

‘This is incredible.’

The vast estate of the Sungmoo Yi family’s main residence, which was always filled with the sounds of sparring and training, was bustling with visits from various figures from all walks of life.

‘That person is famous as the youngest Master of the Magic Tower. The head of the Bureau of Onmyo… or rather, the deputy head now, perhaps.’

I couldn’t recognize everyone, but I could identify some prominent figures who would still be active in the future.

“Impressive, isn’t it, Young Master?”

The nanny said, sticking close to my side.

The nanny was also beautifully made up and dressed in an elegant dress for the first time in a while.

“Yes, you can see the family’s power.”

The nanny made a dubious expression at my answer.

“I didn’t mean it that way; I meant it’s amazing that so many outsiders came. You really are something, Young Master.”

The place where the nanny and I were headed was the waiting room behind the banquet hall.

As the main character of the banquet, I had to wait for my turn in the event.

However, an unexpected person was waiting for me there.

“Butler Choi?”

The old butler who served as my father’s personal secretary.

He bowed to me.

“Youngest Young Master. The Lord wishes to see you.”

* * *

Behind the banquet hall, where the noise of the bustling banquet could be heard from afar, my father stood bathed in the moonlight.

“You called, Father.”

“The uniform suits you quite well.”

“Thank you. I was a little awkward because it was my first time wearing it, but I’m glad it suits me.”

It wasn’t wrong to say it was my first time wearing it since my regression [reincarnation or rebirth into a past life].

My father’s gaze, which had been slowly examining me, soon fell on the sword at my waist.

“You brought a sword.”

“I have learned that as a warrior, one must always keep a weapon close at hand.”

“That’s right. But today is a day to welcome the family’s guests. Leave the sword with the warriors for a while and go up to the platform.”

“Yes, I understand.”

I felt a somewhat awkward feeling in my conversation with my father.

The image of an ordinary father giving advice to his children. But the awkward thing was that the father was the head of the family, Lee Tae-shin.

‘No, we were just nervous, but Father sometimes said things like that.’

In my past life, I was always nervous and shrank in front of my father. I used to feel like I was being severely scolded even for such a word.

I’m still nervous now, but it’s a little different from then.

‘I have changed.’

I have gained composure.

Confidence in myself has changed my behavior and opened my eyes.

This awkward atmosphere didn’t feel entirely uncomfortable.

“What did you feel when you saw them?”

My father said, looking at the banquet hall.

Inside the window, a crowd of people could be seen. Each one was a famous figure who made up the world.

“Despite canceling the schedule once due to the incident at the naming ceremony and reopening it, most of them responded to the invitation. Even though we contacted them saying we would understand if they didn’t attend, they came like this.”

Lee Tae-shin waited for his son’s answer.

Lee Tae-shin used to ask his children such questions every time.

This time it was the youngest son. Even though he was only 11 years old, he was always curious about his son’s answers that exceeded expectations.

“I was looking forward to it.”

Expectation.

That was an unexpected answer.

“What are you looking forward to?”

“The day when they will gather under my name, not the Sungmoo Yi family.”

It might sound a bit presumptuous, but I answered deliberately exaggeratedly, like a child.

“Your name.”

Lee Tae-shin pondered the answer.

He would have been disappointed if he had given a foolish answer like his other children, saying it was great or that he understood the family’s power.

“It sounds a bit presumptuous.”

“I apologize if I was being presumptuous.”

“No. As a descendant of the Lee family, that level of ambition is good to see.”

The child might have had his seeds of ambition crushed like a loser in the shackles of a bastard.

But for this child, such external pressure from the family seemed to have become good nourishment.

‘If he had been born in the same generation as the first, it would have been a good match.’

It was then.

Another presence approached the backyard of the banquet hall.

“Father, you called?”

I widened my eyes as I looked at my eldest brother.

‘My eldest brother? Why?’

Since my eldest brother was in charge of duties until this banquet, he should have been guiding the guests.

There was only one thing that would make Father call us at the same time.

‘Could it be.’

When I turned to look at my father, he opened his mouth in his usual indifferent tone.

“I called you to hear about this matter. This matter must have come from your head, right?”

My father’s gaze turned to me.

My eldest brother’s expression immediately hardened.

I also held my breath.

‘I knew it.’

I had to choose my words carefully.

As a result, I deceived my father.

I chose to tell the truth.

“Yes, that’s right. May I ask how you knew?”

“The matter started through a route that Myung-jung could not have noticed. Moreover, the way of taking credit for your younger brother’s achievements is not the way Myung-jung does things.”

My father knew about this matter. Yes, he knew but didn’t try to stop it.

It was harsh, or perhaps it was like my father.

“I’ll give you a chance. Tell me the truth.”

“I offered my eldest brother a deal. The condition was the right to enter the Janggyeonggak [a library or archive] for three days and to prevent the backlash from this matter.”

My father stared at me for a moment.

Then, as if he had made a decision, he nodded briefly.

“Considering your contribution to this matter, I will forgive you only once. If you lie in front of me again, you will have to stick out your tongue.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Conversely, Myung-jung, you will need punishment. Considering that you have faithfully performed your duties as acting head of the family, return the Cheonmyeong Armor that was previously bestowed and hand over a suitable business to the administration.”

“I will do so.”

My eldest brother bowed his head.

“This banquet is your responsibility, so you should return to your seat.”

“Yes, Father.”

My eldest brother glanced at me. I slowly nodded my head.

My eldest brother also made eye contact and moved his steps.

“Aside from lying to me, this matter is clearly your contribution. You will be able to receive the reward that Myung-jung promised. Lastly. Finding out about the 관 [kwan, a unit of measure or official title] of Struggle is clearly your own achievement. I will give you what you want. Tell me your reward.”

I opened my mouth slowly, my eyes shining.

* * *

The lights in the banquet hall went out, and only the light shone on the platform.

The moment my father, I, and Hwa entered the banquet hall, everyone’s eyes turned to my father on the platform.

“We will now have the opening remarks from the host of this banquet, Lord Lee Tae-shin.”

The host announced the start in a pleasant voice.

Amid the silence, my father’s voice flowed leisurely.

“First of all, I would like to express my gratitude for coming from afar despite the confusion in the banquet schedule due to family matters.”

The guests applauded the simple expression of gratitude.

Originally, it would have been a tremendous diplomatic disgrace. It is not polite to cancel the schedule arbitrarily a few days ago and then send out invitations again a few days ago.

However, all those things seemed to be dispelled by the short words of gratitude from my father, who is called the giant of the era.

“The main characters of this banquet are these two children, so I hope you will bless their future.”

After the short greeting, a loud applause was heard again.

“Next, the naming ceremony will proceed.”

For family members, the naming ceremony would mean a month-long test at 적청도 [Jeokcheongdo, a fictional or specific location], but for outsiders, this moment would be the naming ceremony.

“Eighth, Hwa. Come forward.”

Hwa was somewhat stiff, perhaps because it was the first time in her life that she was in front of so many foreigners.

She stood in front of her father with an awkward gait like a wooden doll.

“You, who have been chosen by the 성검 [Seonggeom, a sacred sword], have always illuminated your surroundings with a bright energy. I will give you the name Seo-hyun (瑞炫) with the meaning of always shining brightly on the path under the unwavering light.”

In the paper scroll piled with silk, the three letters Lee Seo-hyun were written in powerful brushstrokes.

“Thank you……!”

Perhaps she liked the name quite a bit, Hwa, no, Lee Seo-hyun smiled with a bright expression.

I smiled as I watched Lee Seo-hyun smiling brightly. It was a very fitting name.

“Next, Ninth, Young. Come forward.”

I also slowly stood up and headed under the light.

The eyes of many people gathered.

“You are твердый [Tverdyy, meaning solid or firm in Russian] yet sharp, flexible yet unbending. Just as a craftsman gathers 사철 [sacheol, iron sand or iron ore] and forges them into one mass, you have trained yourself. I could not find a word more suitable to express you, so I will give you the name Cheol (鐵) [meaning iron].”

Lee Cheol.

My name has not changed.

The name that was given in the past with the meaning of living твердый [Tverdyy, meaning solid or firm in Russian] like 철 [Cheol, meaning iron].

It is different now.

As my father said, I will constantly train myself and take shape.

Using the memories of the past, where I lost people who were like family, the place where I lived, and even my life, as a stepping stone, I will train myself even more твердый [Tverdyy, meaning solid or firm in Russian].

Until I reach the peak.

Until no one in the world can touch my people and myself.

“Thank you.”

I looked around the audience.

Those eyes still full of doubt and questions.

Those eyes will change to awe towards me.

My name is, Lee Cheol.

* * *

One corner of the banquet hall.

A person was leaning against the wall, looking at the platform.

Because the distance from the lighting was far, the shadows that fell around that person were even darker. It was difficult to tell the person’s gender or appearance easily.

“A single character. A vulgar name befitting a bastard.”

Lee Cheol.

I put that name in my mouth and rolled it around.

Because of the rough affricate, it felt as if the letters were rolling around between my teeth.

“Shall we go now?”

A black figure appeared like a ghost next to him.

He silently looked at the young child standing on the platform.

In his eyes, a strong will like 철 [Cheol, meaning iron] could be seen.

“Yes, let’s go. I’ve seen what I needed to see.”

He turned his body and walked out.

The dark black hair and light-colored brown eyes shone in the moonlight that fell outside the banquet hall.

* * *

The isolation room of the 집법부 [Jipbeopbu, a law enforcement agency or tribunal].

Lee Kyung-hwa was bored and sitting on the bed, shaking her head from side to side.

“으아아아악! [Euaaaaaak! An onomatopoeic scream]”

And in an instant, she screamed and struck the iron bars.

“I want to go out! It’s stuffy! It’s annoying! 으아아앙 [Euaaaang! An onomatopoeic wail] I didn’t even see my baby’s name being made……! And he said he would take me out, but why isn’t he coming-!”

The 경무사들 [gyeongmusadeul, guards or officers] of the 집법부 [Jipbeopbu, a law enforcement agency or tribunal] were wearing earplugs to block out Lee Kyung-hwa’s 목청 [mokcheong, vocal cords or loud voice], who was 괴성을 [goeseong-eul, screaming] every other day.

The 경무사들 [gyeongmusadeul, guards or officers] glanced at the direct line phone.

They had already received the official document. Once that phone rang and they confirmed the contents, this painful time would be over.

띠리리링-! [Ttiririring! An onomatopoeic ring]

And the waiting time had come.

The 경무사 [gyeongmusa, guard or officer] who was on duty answered the phone and stood up from his seat as if jumping up.

끼익- [Kkieok! An onomatopoeic creak]

He opened the iron bars and knocked on the door. Soon, the voice that had been heard from inside the door stopped.

“I want to go out…… Huh? Why! Why again! It’s not meal time!”

“You can come out.”

“Huh?”

“The order has arrived. They said that you will be contacted separately regarding the disciplinary action, so for now, release the isolation.”

The 경무사 [gyeongmusa, guard or officer] completely released the restraints that had been suppressing Lee Kyung-hwa’s magic.

“Yahoo!”

콰앙- [Kkwang! An onomatopoeic bang]

She never left quietly. Lee Kyung-hwa kicked the door open and ran down the 집법부 [Jipbeopbu, a law enforcement agency or tribunal] in a hurry.

“Wait a minute. Wait.”

At that time, a familiar voice was heard in Lee Kyung-hwa’s ear.

“Oh! Baby!”

It was her young nephew. He was 허탈하다 [heotalhada, feeling empty or dumbfounded] as if he was dumbfounded.

“Don’t tell me you really got me out?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Oh, how?!”

Even though Lee Kyung-hwa didn’t know much about the world, she knew that what she had done was quite serious. She also knew that she might receive severe disciplinary action.

“Aunt. You owe me.”

Her nephew handed over a piece of paper.

Lee Kyung-hwa calmly read the paper.

“Lee Kyung-hwa is appointed to the position of 원로 [wonro, elder or senior advisor]……?”

There were several sentences, but her eyes widened at that passage.

“It’s not over.”

“Appointed as the teacher of the 9th Young Master Lee Cheol……?”

Lee Kyung-hwa looked at her nephew with her eyes wide like a puppy.

Her nephew, as always, was just smiling with an expression that seemed to hide a hundred snakes in his stomach.