Chapter 12 - Damn Reincarnation

Bloodline Succession Ceremony

"We need to join forces."

That night, Dezra and Gargis came to Eugene's room.

Eugene was lying in bed. He had washed up, changed into fresh, soft pajamas, and was about to fall asleep, congratulating himself on a rather satisfying day.

"You woke someone who's trying to sleep just to tell him that?"

Eugene answered without sitting up.

"I want to hear your answer," Gargis insisted.

Beside him, Dezra looked thoroughly displeased. She knew exactly how skilled Eugene was, but his taunts about her failing to land even a single hit still rang in her ears.

"How exactly are we supposed to join forces? You heard what the family head said about the Bloodline Succession Ceremony. This time, we each enter through a different entrance and make our way through the labyrinth."

"But we're all heading to the same place. The center of the labyrinth. The bad boss monster."

A guy that huge, talking about a 'bad boss monster.'

"The boss monster will be really strong."

"Maybe it will."

"The family head and the Red Tower Master said there would be lots of traps and monsters in the labyrinth. But each of the three of us should be able to reach the center alone."

"We won't know until we try."

"I've never lost to a monster."

Gargis proudly puffed out his chest.

"They said the monsters in the labyrinth aren't real, just magical illusions. That means there's nothing to be afraid of."

"Then why do you want us to team up against the boss monster?"

"They said getting hit would hurt even if they're illusions."

"I thought you'd never lost to a monster."

"A boss monster is a boss monster because it's strong," Gargis answered confidently.

"That's why we need to join forces. The main family's twins will try to team up too, so we have to do the same."

"Meet in the center and take down the boss monster together?"

"Yes."

"I think I could take it down alone," Eugene replied with a grin.

"You're insufferable."

Dezra pouted. Gargis nodded in agreement.

"Then let's do this. Give it a try, and if you don't think you can beat it, team up with us."

"What if you're not there?"

"Run away and wait for us."

"Do we really need to go that far? There's already two of you. Leave me out and do it yourselves."

"We will, depending on the situation," Dezra answered.

"But three is more than two. You're insufferable, but... you're stronger than me. If you help us, we'll definitely be able to defeat the boss monster."

"Why do you want to beat it that badly?"

"Don't you want to beat the main family?" Dezra asked, narrowing her eyes.

"You've already beaten Cyan in a duel. But the family head said he'd give you a present if you won the Bloodline Succession Ceremony too."

"A collateral branch has never won a Bloodline Succession Ceremony when the main family participated," Gargis added.

"But I think we have a chance this time. There's me and Dezra, and there's you, who beat Cyan."

"Even if I beat it alone, that still means a collateral branch wins. Right?"

"If you take it on alone and win, I'll be really happy. One person from a collateral branch beating it is cooler than three doing it together."

Gargis nodded as he answered. His enormous bulk reminded Eugene of that idiot Moron, but listening to him, he seemed capable of thinking for himself and had a generous streak too.

"All right, now leave. I'm going to sleep."

Still lying down, Eugene waved them away. Dezra looked far from satisfied, but Gargis nodded and pulled her along by the wrist.

"I'm sleeping five hours again tonight."

"I'm sleeping six."

He could think for himself and had a generous streak, but he did seem to be an idiot after all.

"You idiot. What does sleeping a little less than him prove?"

"They say the early bird catches the worm."

"So you're catching worms tomorrow morning?"

"You're two whole years younger than me, so you don't understand metaphors."

"Get out!"

Eugene hurled his pillow as he shouted.

* * *

Anisilla spent the entire night lost in thought.

It was because of the Bloodline Succession Ceremony. She had expected the usual sparring matches between children, but a labyrinth, out of nowhere?

'And he personally invited Aroth's Red Tower Master for it?'

Senya the Wise had left an indelible mark on Aroth's magical world. As descendants of Vermouth the Great, the Lionheart main family maintained close ties with Aroth's archmages.

In particular, Lovellian, the current Red Tower Master, claimed to be a disciple of Senya the Wise and had attended the main family's events several times.

'Though he's never once come to my children's birthdays.'

Anisilla chewed her lip. Of course, the Bloodline Succession Ceremony was a traditional Lionheart event... but however she thought about it, she doubted that alone had brought him here.

She had seen the principal wife, Theonis, smiling.

'... Perhaps he's come to take Eward as his disciple.'

It was a plausible idea. Since childhood, Eward had preferred reading to physical activity. He was particularly interested in magic and had been practicing various kinds for quite some time.

But he had never had a teacher. Vermouth the Great's epithet, 'All-Master,' had been bestowed on him for his mastery of magic as well as martial arts.

Since Vermouth, however, few members of the Lionheart main family had seriously devoted themselves to magic. The reason was simple: attaining mastery in magic was difficult.

The competition to succeed the main family's head began at a young age. Even if one started learning magic then, the chances of becoming family head through magic in the full-fledged succession struggle were slim.

'Eward is fifteen... He may have studied magic since childhood... but he's only taught himself.'

Would becoming the tower master's disciple now really make Eward's skills improve by leaps and bounds? Anisilla pressed down on her cheeks, which were twitching with a smile.

'He's practically giving up on the succession. If Eward becomes the Red Tower Master's disciple, he'll have no choice but to leave the main family. Meanwhile, Cyan and Ciel will keep growing...'

Out of sight, out of mind. If Eward went to Aroth, Anisilla would make a determined effort to take control of the main family. Objectively speaking, Cyan and Ciel's potential was far from poor. In fact, it was exceptional.

Worthy of the Lionheart name.

'... The problem is the Bloodline Succession Ceremony...'

Anisilla could not decide whether to be pleased or dissatisfied with the format of this ceremony. They would enter through different entrances and make their way through the labyrinth? That meant Cyan and Ciel would not be able to help each other...

'If it were simply sparring... then naturally either Cyan or Ciel would win...'

She could not be certain of that. Eugene from a collateral branch had beaten Cyan in a duel. That fact complicated her feelings. A labyrinth with so many variables... The outcome of the duel would not necessarily carry over.

Should she be pleased about that? Or resent this unusual Bloodline Succession Ceremony, which stripped the main family of its advantages and prioritized fairness?

'... I must not interfere with the Bloodline Succession Ceremony under any circumstances.'

After agonizing over it all night, Anisilla let out a long sigh. She had considered discreetly bringing it up with her husband, but the husband she knew was strict even with his own children. If she so much as broached the subject, he would undoubtedly look at her with disgust.

"... They'll have to do well..."

Anisilla murmured, inclining her head toward the window. At most, only a few days remained until the ceremony. In that time, the twins needed to learn whatever information might help them in the labyrinth. As a result, instead of training with Hezar, Cyan and Ciel were buried in books about labyrinths procured from the capital.

Though she had slapped Cyan in a fit of anger, Anisilla loved her children.

Children who would have to carry the label of being born to a concubine all their lives. They had barely managed to come this far...

'Insults and humiliation only weaken our standing.'

Cyan and Ciel were still young. They could run wild throughout the main family's estate only because Anisilla stood proudly, never showing shame.

That was why her son's defeat hurt. To lose to a collateral branch when he carried the main family's direct bloodline...

'... Perhaps it would be better...'

Anisilla sighed, her expression conflicted.

'If that brat Eugene were the first to conquer the labyrinth.'

It was a disastrous move she should not even dare contemplate. If that happened, the entire main family would be humiliated. But Anisilla would not bear that humiliation alone. Gilead, the family head, and Theonis, the principal wife, would share it.

Looked at another way, Eugene conquering the labyrinth might overshadow Cyan's defeat. It would suggest that Cyan was not lacking, but that Eugene from the collateral branch was unusually gifted.

'... The best outcome would be for Cyan and Ciel to conquer the labyrinth.'

Anisilla sighed again and rose from her chair.

'But if they can't... then it's better for Eugene to do it than Eward or any of the other children.'

Of course, these were only thoughts. Anisilla had no desire to actually cheer Eugene on.

She was merely considering a fallback in case things went wrong.

* * *

Three days later, the children in the annex received a summons from the main family. Preparations for the labyrinth summoned in the forest were complete, and the Bloodline Succession Ceremony would begin that day.

Comfortable clothes. No personal supplies allowed. Then what about weapons? Most of the children wondered about that, but for the moment they did as instructed and followed the knights into the forest.

"I'll provide your weapons."

Lovellian and Gilead were waiting deep in the forest. Behind them loomed the entrance to a cave that looked suspicious and artificial at first glance.

"Tell me what weapons you need. I won't give them sharp edges, but your opponents will be illusions with no physical substance, children. A weapon with the right shape should be more than enough to fight them, shouldn't it?"

Lovellian spoke with a kindly smile. More than anything else, Eugene hated that 'children.' Wasn't he openly treating them like kids? But since his body actually was a child's, he couldn't openly complain.

"Are we limited to one kind of weapon?"

"Not at all. I'll provide as many as you need."

"How?"

Ciel asked with a bright smile. Lovellian gazed fondly at her large eyes and raised both hands.

"Like this."

WHOOSH!

Soil surged up from the ground and gathered between Lovellian's palms. A long sword took shape.

"Wow!"

Ciel caught the sword that flew toward her in both hands. Its weight was just right, and it felt good in her grip. Marveling at it, she gave it a few swings.

"What if it breaks?"

"Haha, little lady. You don't need to worry about that. I'm an incredible mage, you know. I summoned that labyrinth with magic too, so the sword you're holding will never break inside it."

"Can you make animals too, instead of swords?"

"I can make dolls. Golems too... though I can't create living things."

"Then can I take a golem you make into the labyrinth?"

"What a crafty idea."

Lovellian burst out laughing and turned to Gilead. Smiling at his daughter's clever scheme, Gilead slowly shook his head.

"That's not allowed. The golem would fight in your place, wouldn't it?"

"Then please make me a doll next time."

Ciel answered with a bright smile. Eward's eyes sparkled as he watched the light winding around Lovellian's hands.

"Why can't you create living things?"

Eward suddenly asked. Lovellian turned toward him with an interested expression.

"Because it's a taboo of magic."

"A taboo?"

"It's difficult to do, and even if you succeed, nothing good comes of it. Bringing forth life is a beautiful power that living beings possess."

"Oh..."

Eward nodded as though he understood.

"Sir, instead of this one, please make me a slightly longer, thinner sword."

"Now, now. Just a moment. I could make them one by one, but it's difficult for me to recreate the exact sword you have in mind, little lady."

Lovellian reached toward Ciel. The light wrapped around his hand passed over to her.

"So try making it yourself, young lady. The rest of you children too. It's not difficult. I'm the one casting the magic, after all. Just clearly picture what you want and mold the light."

Light passed to all nine children. Eward gazed at it with enraptured eyes, his fingertips trembling. Gilead silently watched his eldest son.

"Oh...!"

Gargis exclaimed. He had created the greatsword he favored back home. Amazingly, it was exactly as he had imagined it, even down to its familiar weight. Resting it on his shoulder, he continued to exclaim in wonder.

Dezra also made a spear like the one she usually used. Savoring its feel in both hands, she thrust it into the air several times before slinging it across her back with a satisfied expression.

Ciel and Cyan made swords. Ciel's was long and looked nimble, while Cyan's was about the same length but looked a little heavier.

Eward made an ordinary sword. He had molded the light with enraptured eyes, but the moment he held the sword, his eyes dulled to their usual lackluster state.

The other small fry made weapons too, but Eugene paid them no attention. They had lacked any enthusiasm even before coming here. Some would probably give up exploring as soon as they entered the labyrinth.

Eugene made a sword suited to the length of his arm and a small shield that strapped to his forearm.

"Why aren't you making a spear? You're good with one."

"I'm good with swords too."

"What's with the shield?"

"I'm good with shields too."

"Apparently you're good with everything," Dezra grumbled.

Ciel watched the two talking, then approached Eugene.

"What will you do if you run into me in the labyrinth?"

"What do you mean, what will I do?"

"Will you fight me?"

"Are we allowed to fight?" Eugene asked, turning to Gilead.

"There's no reason you can't. The Bloodline Succession Ceremony is fundamentally a competition."

Gilead answered with a smile. Ciel puffed out her cheeks at that.

"But we don't have to fight, do we?"

"That's right. In this ceremony, I intend to assess your judgment in different situations and your ability to cooperate, rather than simply having you compete at all costs. In the end, aren't we all family, sharing the Lionheart name?"

"He says we're family."

Ciel turned to Eugene with a sweet smile.

"When's your birthday?"

"September."

"Mine's in April. So I'm your big sister."

"What a load of bull..."

Shit. That was what he had been about to say, but then he remembered that Ciel's father, Gilead, was standing right there.

"...ish cheekiness."

"What?"

"Nothing."

Eugene cleared his throat and turned away.