Kazas continued speaking.
"I don't usually take disciples. If I accepted every fool who came begging to be my disciple, they could line up hand in hand and surround the entire Kerim Mountain Range, twice over."
Even if the entire Herald Clan, their servants, and even the clergy of the King's Church were included, surrounding the Kerim Mountain Range like that would be impossible. Perhaps if they gathered every race in Hubris, it might be feasible?
"You were struck by your older sister, weren't you? Ah, was it not with a sword but with bare hands that she left such wounds? Terrifying. That's a frightening talent."
"…She's not my older sister."
"What?"
"She's my younger sister. I'm the older brother."
"Hmph. Well, whatever. Don't you want to put that arrogant brat, Arael, in her place?"
"...."
Azadin was at a loss for words. He had suffered so much that he had never even imagined retaliating. He didn't even have the mental space to entertain such thoughts.
That was why Kazas' simple notion of "If you get hit, you hit back" felt strangely refreshing. Seeing Azadin's stunned silence, Kazas must have taken it as rejection, as he suddenly grew irritated.
"Damn it. Why do I feel like I'm begging this kid to become my disciple? Forget it. I quit! Enough!"
All of a sudden, anger surged through Kazas, and he stomped his foot on the ground before spinning around and storming out of the hut.
"Ah, uh, wait…."
Azadin was flustered, but his body was too weak to follow. Then, a moment later, a head popped back in through the hut's door. Kazas had only stuck his head inside.
"Hey! This is the part where you're supposed to come running after me, crying and begging! Seriously. This kid is dense. Maybe I should just eat you up instead."
"Uh, um, please take care of me."
"What?"
"P-please take me as your disciple."
Only then did Kazas break into a satisfied smile.
"Good, Azadin. I am different from those foolish Aragasa. The torn Beauty of Nature within you, the impure mana emanating from that grimoire, all of it will serve as the foundation for Kazas Haeseo. You can become the strongest Herald."
"Could I… become a Knight of Salvation too?"
"A Knight of Salvation? Those idiots? Of course you could. I wouldn't recommend it, though."
Kazas smirked.
"If you help with my research, that is."
***
Azadin assisted Kazas with his research, and in return, he learned Kazas Haeseo. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that it was forcefully implanted into him and modified to suit him.
Kazas studied the remnants of Beauty of Nature within Azadin's body, searching for ways to extract the power of the formidable grimoire, however incomplete, and adjusted Azadin's physique to match it.
By now, calling it Kazas Haeseo might not even be correct—it had become uniquely Azadin's. Engrossed in such training, Azadin had been unable to see either his blood relative, Arael, or even Aldis.
And now, in this remote wilderness near Salasma, he had unexpectedly run into Aldis.
"You've truly grown splendidly, Azadin. Lord Kazas turned you into a Herald on his own whim, so I couldn't even see you during the Summer Solstice Festival. I've missed you so much."
Aldis smiled at Azadin.
She was now thirty-four years old, but with the purest blood of the Yaegas Divine Clan flowing through her veins, she still maintained the exact appearance of the girl Azadin remembered from his childhood.
"Ah, but this isn't the time to be smiling. Do you have any idea what Arael has done?"
"I wouldn't know. I haven't seen Arael since I became a Herald."
Azadin's relationship with Arael had completely broken down. Even after leaving a deep scar on his face, Arael never uttered a single word of apology. Instead, she had the audacity to tell him he should be grateful to her.
In the meantime, Azadin had become Kazas' disciple, left the village of the Herald Clan, mastered Kazas Haeseo, and then, out of nowhere, was appointed as a Herald and sent straight to the Margrave of Salasma in the Korasar Kingdom.
"Arael killed Elder Kenahan and stole all the copies that had been gathered over the years. The very knowledge that held the hopes and efforts of the entire clan. Just as your father did before her."
Regional Head Salem spoke in Arael's stead, exposing her atrocities.
"Elder Kenahan… he was in charge of the archive… Are you saying Arael killed him? Is that true? It's not a false accusation?"
"...."
When Azadin was younger, Aldis had been an absolute standard to him—the wisest, most intelligent, most compassionate, and most beautiful person in the world. The embodiment of all virtues and values.
But now, as an adult, he could see that Aldis was just another human, with weaknesses like anyone else.
For one, she openly favored Azadin and Arael. While Azadin appreciated being favored, seeing her defend Arael even after this incident made him feel a surge of frustration. The others seemed to feel the same.
"Arael lured Elder Kenahan out and killed him. Then, her loyal subordinates raided the archive. That is undeniable!"
"But why? There must be a motive, right?"
"Th-that… Perhaps she wanted to monopolize its power?"
Everyone fell silent. A motive?
Arael, with her towering skills, was as arrogant and volatile as a wildfire combined with a raging storm—unpredictable and uncontrollable. It was only after she had reduced everything to ashes that people could look back and discern the direction she had been heading all along.
That was why no one questioned her motives. No one except Aldis.
"Grimoires require interpretation, and interpretation is easier with more people. Arael holds the 2nd rank. Once the interpretation of the grimoires is complete, she would naturally receive its benefits. Even if she didn't monopolize them… Is there anyone who could surpass her with the same grimoire?"
Even if she didn't monopolize them, once the Book of Divine King's copy was interpreted, Arael would still gain its benefits. And just as she was already the strongest Herald, she would be the one who could wield the power of the Book of Divine King's copy most effectively.
For her to suddenly betray the clan and kill one of their own—her motive seemed weak.
That was what Aldis was arguing.
'I see. So it's not just simple favoritism. But she's only considering overly rational reasons.'
If people acted based solely on rationality, then the relationship between the Regional Head of Salasma and Azadin would have already been resolved by now.
"Even if she were to betray them, wouldn't it have been more beneficial to do so after obtaining everything first?"
However, the question Aldis raised was reasonable. It wasn't enough to prove that Arael wasn't a traitor, but it did make her motives questionable—that was Aldis' argument.
"Arael is ruthless and extreme. She would kill someone over even the slightest insult."
"Yes. She treats the lives of others as if they were nothing more than flies."
"So…."
Everyone assumed Arael was the culprit and tried to deduce her motives. But for an event of such gravity, their explanations felt somewhat flimsy, as if they were making weak excuses. That was because Aldis was observing each speaker calmly with the 'Eyes of Harconia.'
"I understand. In that case, I will move to oppose Arael's rebellion. Regional Head Salem, even though Azadin was dismissed for some reason, I ask that you still consider him a Herald. I will take responsibility for this."
"Then…."
"Please ensure that Azadin continues to have access to the assets of the Korasar Peddlers' Guild, and share all information immediately. Also, do not hesitate to provide support. Ah, of course, only within reasonable limits. And, put Azadin's assassination order on hold."
Azadin let out a small, bitter laugh at Aldis' words. The Korasar Peddlers' Guild had never really supported him before. They had only provided him with meals out of formality, and if Azadin demanded something persistently, they would reluctantly comply.
Everyone had despised him and treated him as insignificant, so they had always dismissed his requests lightly. But Aldis' request carried weight.
"A-alright."
"Then, Azadin, shall we talk about everything we've missed?"
Aldis still looked at Azadin with a radiant smile.
***
"So that's Aldis Jedaha, the current First Rank."
Midiam shrugged after meeting Aldis.
"She doesn't seem all that different from me."
"She's almost like a goddess."
Ishmael and Midiam spoke at the same time and then fell silent.
"Wow, Ishmael. That's the first time I've heard you say something like that. Do you have a thing for her? Well, I suppose there's no reason for a man not to like a beautiful woman. So, you're a man after all, huh?"
"It's not that. She simply embodies the characteristics of the Yaegas Divine Clan perfectly. There were rumors that the Emperor and Harconia had a child, and now it turns out that even among us Aragasa, there is Yaegas blood."
"But did you see Azadin's expression? That was, you know… I'm not the only one thinking it, right?"
"...."
Since Midiam's attention was entirely fixated on that, Ishmael figured there was no point in continuing the conversation.
"Young Lady."
"What?"
"Do you truly like Azadin? Or do you only like him because you lost to him in a duel and decided to do so?"
"You think I don't even know my own feelings?"
"Sometimes… people don't know their own hearts. In any case, continuing to serve Azadin like this is dangerous."
"Hmm? Why?"
"The Elder Council will most likely issue an assassination order on Arael for Azadin."
"An assassination order on Arael… wouldn't that be issued to the entire clan?"
"Yes, that's correct. But for Azadin, it will be even more severe. His own blood has betrayed them, so they will order him to execute her himself to prove his loyalty."
"Why?"
"Second rank Arael wouldn't have rebelled without a plan to counter her dismissal and the Curse of Service. If she has staged such an outright rebellion, then most likely…."
There must have been significant progress in the interpretation of the Book of the Divine King's copy.
That was what Ishmael believed.
"Then you have some idea of Arael's motives?"
"Yes. She likely intended to stop the interpretation process."
"Why?"
"That's…."
Ishmael trailed off.
The lower class of the Aragasa naturally harbored resentment toward the current system. They were persecuted by the people of Hubris, only to be oppressed further within their own society.
Becoming a Herald was the only way to be accepted into the mainstream, but how could those who were fed well and raised with affection be equal to those who had been forced to do menial labor before being thrown into the selection process? Status was inherited and perpetuated.
Even if a lower-class individual managed to become a Herald by sheer luck, they would only be absorbed into the mainstream. The hierarchy within the Herald Clan remained unchanged.
'Even if the Book of the Divine King's copy is interpreted and the Aragasa are freed from the Curse of Service, it would only strengthen the authority of the founding families. The Aragasa's caste system would become even more entrenched, and the ruling class would grow even more powerful. Unless the entire system is overturned, nothing will change.'
Ishmael had a rough idea of Arael's motives but chose not to voice them.
There was no reason to express the fury of the lower class in front of Aldis and Midiam, members of the founding families.