Pigeon Caphtalen.
A member of the Four Heavens and Nine Pillars (Sacheonguju), and the second son of the direct line of the Caphtalen family, a renowned magical lineage with a storied history.
He was Daisy's older brother and the head of the Illustrious Hall, a mage who had built considerable fame across the continent through countless achievements.
Unlike the Linegrime family of the Four Heavens, which had already established an unshakable foundation akin to an immovable mountain, the Caphtalen family, considered a relatively new power among the Nine Pillars, had made a point of showcasing their prestige and honor on countless battlefields over the past century to maintain their influence.
And then…
"A maestro of the battlefield, who secured victory with overwhelming might in countless battles, earning the moniker 'Lord of Blood.'"
That was the public's assessment of Pigeon Caphtalen.
However, he was the sort of person who paid no mind to such evaluations. In fact, he belonged to a peculiar breed of eccentrics who would do just about anything for the sake of immediate amusement or intrigue.
The very reason he had amassed such remarkable achievements and accolades was, in truth, to escape the bothersome constraints of the Caphtalen family—a fact that was an open secret within the household.
And then…
"That child is Daisy's son?"
From Pigeon's unique perspective, the boy named Ruin didn't seem to have fully inherited the explosive talent of his younger sister, Daisy, who had once been a prodigy in her own right.
But there was one thing that caught his eye.
"I like the look in his eyes."
A gaze that only someone with a deep, burning deficiency could possess. The fact that a boy not even in his mid-teens could have such a look in his eyes couldn't help but pique Pigeon's interest.
"I thought this was just another tedious order, but it might actually be fun."
With that thought, he nodded to himself and called out his sister's name.
"Daisy."
"…What?"
"It's the Patriarch's command. Return to the family."
"What?"
Delivering the abrupt order to return to the family, Pigeon crouched down to meet his nephew's eye level.
"Of course, my dear nephew Ruin comes too. As for your husband…"
He glanced up at Kabel, shrugged, and gave a faint smile.
"Do whatever you want. Come along, or don't. It's up to you."
"…"
The suddenness of his words left a look of discomfort on the faces of Kabel and most others present. They had anticipated something like this when they heard the Caphtalen family had sent someone, but they hadn't expected such a blunt command to return.
Daisy's expression, however, was colder and more resolute than ever.
"And if I refuse?"
"Are you saying you'd defy the Patriarch's orders?"
Pigeon's curt question was met with an even firmer response from Daisy.
"I already left the family of my own accord. And now you're telling me to go back? By what logic do I have any reason to return?"
"Well, your opinion isn't exactly wrong."
Pigeon nodded, seemingly respecting his sister's stance.
Then, looking at his young nephew, he flashed a sly smile.
"So, don't you want to meet your grandfather, little nephew?"
"Grandfather?"
"Yes, your mother's father—your grandfather, the Patriarch. He said he desperately wants to see your face, Ruin."
Pigeon relayed the message in a gentle tone.
The reason he, the head of the Illustrious Hall, had been urgently dispatched here was simple.
"Daisy's child participated in Linegrime's Sword Ceremony."
When that news reached the Caphtalen family, the Patriarch flew into a rage.
And then…
"Summon Pigeon!"
Despite attempts by those around him to calm the Patriarch, their efforts were futile. When Pigeon finally faced his father, he found the man in a rare state of intense agitation.
"Bring my grandson Ruin here at once! No matter what, the blood of Caphtalen cannot be allowed to fall under Linegrime's banner!"
Faced with the Patriarch's resolute and solemn command, Pigeon responded with a look of utter reluctance.
"Me?"
"If not you, then who? Should I go myself?"
"Is it really necessary to go that far? Isn't the boy already carrying the Linegrime name?"
"He also carries Daisy's blood."
"Ugh, what a hassle…"
At his reaction, Jade Caphtalen—the current Patriarch of the Caphtalen family and Ruin's grandfather—nearly lost his temper.
"This is an order, Pigeon."
"Tch, fine. I'll follow your command."
Though reluctant, Pigeon bowed his head at the word "order" and set out.
Now, standing before Ruin, he wore a peculiar smile, thinking to himself that he was glad he'd followed his father's command.
"Tch, I want to raise this one properly."
That hollow yet resolute gaze, filled with a burning sense of purpose—it was the most captivating and intriguing sight for Pigeon, a man who had weathered countless battlefields.
Just as Ruin was about to open his mouth to respond…
"Then my grandfather…"
"No, absolutely not."
Daisy cut Ruin off with a firm tone, her eyes colder and more resolute than ever as she continued.
"Listen clearly, Pigeon. Neither I nor Ruin are going back there."
"Is that so?"
Faced with Daisy's unyielding stance, Pigeon stood up from his crouch and shrugged.
"If that's your will, I'd like to respect it. But, Daisy, you know I have my own circumstances and position, don't you?"
"…"
"If I just turn back now, the Patriarch will have my head. Ugh, I can't handle that old man's temper."
"So?"
"Sorry, but you'll have to compromise this time. Come with me."
"No!"
Daisy glared at Pigeon with sharp eyes, her resolve unwavering.
With a deep sigh, Pigeon shook his head.
"Ha, let's not make this harder than it needs to be. We can do this the easy way."
"I told you clearly—I'm not going. If you try to take us by force…"
Whoosh!
In an instant, as many blazing fireballs as there were Caphtalen members appeared around them.
"I won't go down quietly."
"Whoa, Daisy."
Pigeon quickly raised both hands, waving them in a calming gesture.
"Easy, easy. Let's not do this. Come on, siblings fighting? That's just not right."
"Then get lost!"
Daisy's sharp shout echoed, and Kabel, standing beside her, closed and opened his eyes, reluctantly taking her side.
"My wife's will is clear, so I, too, must oppose you, brother-in-law."
Then…
Shing.
"The swords of Linegrime also stand with Lady Daisy," declared Freon, the leader of the Snow Tiger Corps, as he and the other swordsmen drew their blades.
Ziiing.
As the Caphtalen mages began to prepare their spells in response…
"Hey, everyone, stop."
Pigeon halted his subordinates with a firm tone, his expression one of exasperation.
"Ugh, you're all impossible."
Muttering under his breath, he lowered his head for a moment before looking up with a shrug and a sly smile.
"Well, if you're all going to be like this, I guess I have no choice. Alright, I'll make a proposal."
"What?"
"I can't exactly drag someone who doesn't want to come, right? So how about a little wager?"
With a faint smile, Pigeon alternated his gaze between Ruin and Daisy as he continued.
"I don't particularly want to subdue my own kin by force and drag them back. Plus, fighting those Linegrime swordsmen over there? Ugh, that's way too much hassle for too little gain."
He shook his head vigorously, muttering to himself.
Daisy and the others looked at him with skeptical eyes, unable to fully trust his words. Still wearing his smile, Pigeon turned to the Caphtalen mages.
"Hey, everyone, stand down. People might think we're facing mortal enemies or something."
"Lord?"
"Do I need to say it twice?"
"…"
At his firm command, the mages of the Illustrious Hall lowered their heads and disengaged from their battle stances.
Satisfied with their compliance, Pigeon turned to Freon, the leader of the Snow Tiger Corps.
"We've stood down. Are you going to keep those swords drawn?"
"…"
Freon glanced silently at Kabel and Daisy, exchanging looks. With a nod, he called out in a resolute tone.
"Everyone, sheathe your swords."
Shing, clank!
At Freon's command, the swordsmen promptly sheathed their blades.
"That's more like it!"
Clap!
Pigeon clapped his hands, clearly pleased with Freon and the Linegrime swordsmen's response.
Then…
"Palton."
He called out a name.
At his call, a young man with a youthful face stepped forward from among the Caphtalen mages.
"…Me?"
"Yes, Palton. My one and only son."
Nodding firmly, Pigeon pulled the young mage named Palton forward and turned to Kabel and Daisy.
"Daisy, brother-in-law, meet Palton. I recently adopted him. He hasn't taken the Caphtalen name yet, but that'll happen soon enough."
Pigeon introduced his adopted son with evident pride.
"…"
Everyone present stared at him, baffled by his incomprehensible actions, and fell silent.
Then…
"What kind of trick is this?"
"Oh, Daisy. Is that any way to talk to your big brother?"
"Do you think what you're doing right now is normal, Pigeon?"
Daisy's incredulous tone prompted Pigeon to shrug lightly and retort.
"Is it that strange?"
"You barge in out of nowhere, demand we return to the family, and then what? A proposal? A wager? And now you're introducing some adopted son we've never met? If that's not a trick, then what is it?"
"Hmm."
Pigeon nodded lightly at Daisy's icy rebuke.
"You're not entirely wrong."
"Huh?"
Daisy blinked, caught off guard by how easily he admitted it.
With a calm smile, Pigeon continued.
"Listening to you, I suppose it does seem a bit odd. But Daisy, think about it. What options do I really have here? I'd appreciate it if you could try seeing things from my perspective."
"Ugh, shut up. Why should I care about your—"
Daisy let out an exasperated sigh, ready to counter him, but Pigeon cut her off with an unusually serious expression and a low voice.
"Let's have a duel."
"…What?"
"Your son and my son. Let's have them face off."
----------
T/N:
You'll also get 5 extra chapters just for being a free member!
Access 30 chapters in advance on my Patreon: [email protected]//SwordProdigyexe