Translator: FenrirTL
Editor: Doodle
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< Chapter 193: Victory Ceremony (3) >
The surroundings became noisy in an instant.
-Wh, what did the family head just say…? What? Little, little lord?
-He said “young lord,” you idiot!
-Young lord?!
-So the rumor that the heir announcement would happen right here was true!
Everyone couldn’t help but be shocked.
Even if they had heard rumors that the issue of succession might be addressed, there was a big difference between hearing it as gossip and witnessing it in reality.
-Th, then… what happens to the other contenders for the succession who’ve been clashing until now? Even if Lord Torkel has passed away, what about Lord Kinkarnon? Lady Ansio?
-There’s also Lady Lezé and Lord Kishar!
-Exactly! It’s not like they all gathered in one place to compete, and now the decision is being made so suddenly…!
Inevitably, everyone’s gaze converged on one point.
“Haha. Truly. All this time, when the vassals begged him to stop leaving the heir’s position so precariously open, he didn’t even pretend to listen… And now, at a time like this, he’s stepping on the accelerator full force.”
Lezé alternated her gaze between her still unreadable father and Theo, who was facing him from a distance.
Although the family head hadn’t yet mentioned who was being designated as the young lord,
it was as clear as day where his heart was directed.
‘Recently, there’s been talk about the uncles actively supporting Theo. Did that make him change his mind?’
For Lezé and the other contenders for succession, winning the favor of Julius, the Black Dragon, and the Lord of the Plum Blossom Palace had been an uphill battle.
After all, they were the key figures who had made the House of Ragnar what it was today.
But then Theo had appeared like a comet, won their favor, and now, with their support, he was preparing to soar in grand style.
The one who had been at the bottom was now climbing to the very top.
‘He certainly has the qualifications… but still, it doesn’t feel right to just bow out like this.’
Troyban’s territory was among the most prominent in the empire.
If a place like that became Theo’s foundation, he would likely rise even higher than he already had.
The imperial family might interfere, but then again—would Kyle care about that?
As Lezé rested her chin on her hand and tried to sort through her thoughts, she suddenly thought of Ansio.
Always outwardly modest, but inwardly filled with relentless ambition—what would her reaction be?
“…This is too quick. What should I do? There must be a way. Somehow, there must be a way.”
Ansio was anxiously biting her nails, lost in thought.
Her incessant muttering made her appear more than a little unsettled.
‘She can’t stand it when things in the world don’t go her way.’
Lezé was well aware that Ansio had been trying to form a faction to keep Theo in check by rallying Torkel, several other contenders, or political adversaries.
But if an announcement came before that foundation was properly built, the game board would need to be redrawn entirely.
“Big brother. Big brother… What are you planning to do?”
Ansio cautiously turned to Kinkarnon, who was seated beside her, and asked.
Unlike the other siblings, who were only in their 20s or 30s, the man she addressed had stepped into middle age, just past his 40s. Slowly, he opened his closed eyes.
His face bore such a striking resemblance to a younger Kyle that it could almost have been his.
Throughout the entire victory ceremony, he had not spoken a single word.
-The Sword Emperor, Kinkarnon.
Even with Kyle and the Lord of the Plum Blossom Palace present, he had already earned the title of emperor in the realm of the sword alone.
Had it not been for the impassable wall that was Kyle, there was no doubt he would have long since claimed the throne of the family head.
Naturally, not only Lezé and Ansio but also all the other retainers were busy observing his reaction.
“It is a decision Father has reached after deep deliberation. I don’t think it’s our place to meddle with it.”
“Big brother!”
“Lower your voice.”
“….”
A quiet warning.
Ansio, clearly brimming with things she wanted to say, eventually took a deep breath and nodded.
“You’re right. It’s not our place to meddle.”
She then smiled faintly, her expression resembling that of a loyal retainer complying with the stern command of the family head.
But Lezé merely scoffed lightly.
‘Like those greedy foxes would just sit quietly? What a joke.’
Ansio would undoubtedly double down on building her faction. She would surely devise schemes to tear Theo apart.
Then, what about Kinkarnon?
‘I have no idea. I can’t read his thoughts at all.’
He had always seemed indifferent to the affairs of the world yet remained someone brimming with ambition.
Lezé quietly watched Theo and Kyle.
At that moment, Kyle spoke.
“Theo Ragnar, step forward.”
All eyes turned to Theo at once.
Without a word, Theo rose from his seat and walked up to the platform.
************************
*Thump, thump, thump!*
Theo's heart pounded madly as he climbed the stairs.
‘Am I really being designated as the young lord?’
Even though Julius and the Black Dragon had hinted at it, hearing the words "young lord" being spoken out loud felt entirely different.
Both in his previous life and this one, the position he had longed for so desperately was now right before his eyes.
The gazes directed at him could be categorized into only two types:
Admiration. Or jealousy.
Theo knew very well that this was the fate anyone aspiring to sit upon the throne must bear.
What mattered most was ensuring that even those who were jealous would have no choice but to "acknowledge" and "submit" to him.
*Tap!*
In the spot where the Conquering Dragon had stepped back, Theo Ragnar bowed his head slightly in gratitude and took his place.
From behind, he could feel the Conquering Dragon's fiery gaze fixed on him.
“The contributions Theo Ragnar has made this time are beyond praise, no matter how many times they are emphasized. From unearthing the spy hidden within the main household like a rat, to eliminating them, it’s no exaggeration to say that the entire war with Troyban began and ended in Theo’s hands.”
For a brief moment, Theo thought, *So Kyle can actually talk this much.*
“And his rate of growth has already surpassed the level of an Advanced Swordsman, reaching the rank of a Dragon Gate Swordsman. It’s only a matter of time before he surpasses even that.”
-Dragon Gate Swordsman?
-Wait, I heard he just completed the Advanced Swordsman test. What’s going on?
-Isn’t he just exaggerating to justify making him the young lord?
-Don’t say nonsense! When has the family head ever been that kind of person? He values the law of the strong above all else!
-I know that, but this still doesn’t make sense…
-Could it be that he’ll become one of the Nine Dragons before he even turns twenty…?
“Thus, taking into account all his accomplishments, growth, and potential, I hereby entrust Theo Ragnar with the position of young lord,”
At that moment, every murmuring voice abruptly stopped.
“And grant him the former territory of Troyban as his area,”
It felt as though time itself had frozen.
“Bestow upon him ‘Hrunti,’ the treasured blade of Granada Troyban, as his spoils of war,”
No one dared to make even the slightest sound.
“And authorize the creation of the 6th squad of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry, charging him with the security of the eastern territories and the oversight of the Demonic Sea region in the northeast.”
Kyle’s voice rang out clearly, not only to the Nine Dragons and the executives but also to those seated at the farthest corners of the victory ceremony.
“The Black Snow and Plum Blossom Palace are to provide all necessary support without holding back.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Yes, sir!”
The voices of the Black Dragon and the Lord of the Plum Blossom Palace, rising from their seats in unison, shattered the stillness in an instant.
-The young lord has been appointed!
That single piece of news hit everyone like a hammer to the back of the head.
“…….”
“…….”
Kyle’s gaze remained fixed on Theo, unwavering.
For a moment, Theo thought he glimpsed a faint smile on Kyle’s face.
---
**<Breaking News: Ragnar Appoints Young Lord in Surprise Announcement!>**
**<Who is Theo Ragnar? The Enigmatic Young Lord and His Bond with the ‘Incarnation of the Dragon.’>**
**<Theo Ragnar, Revealed as the Son of ‘Theodore.’>**
**<Vasque Workshop Declares, ‘Our Grandson is a Source of Pride,’ Flaunting Ties to Theo!>**
**<Rising Comet: Let’s Take a Closer Look at the Night Demon Star.>**
**<The Night Demon Star Heads East: How Will the World Order Change?>**
Countless newspapers rushed to publish features about Theo, while even more voices of concern and doubtful gazes were cast in his direction.
Some openly proposed conspiracy theories.
-There’s Kinkarnon, who’s represented Ragnar for so long, yet they’re suddenly putting a mere 16-year-old kid in that seat?
-You don’t think all these feature articles about Theo Ragnar and the way public opinion’s been building up were just a coincidence, do you?
-Coincidence? No way. It’s the truth. This was all groundwork to make him out to be a hero.
-Wow, that’s terrifying.
-What’s scarier is that Theo Ragnar is supposedly Cecilia’s son.
-Cecilia? Who’s that?
-You know, that stunning actress who was incredibly famous in the theater scene 20 years ago. She suddenly retired when she married into Ragnar, causing a huge uproar. Now she’s the head of ‘Theodore.’
-So, what you’re saying is…?
-Exactly. That’s it. The ‘Incarnation of the Dragon’ must’ve finally gotten swayed by pillow talk in his old age. Of course, he’d dote on his youngest son.
-That’s insane. Unreal.
Rumors that Cecilia had orchestrated the situation or that Kyle, aging as he was, had lost his edge dominated people’s thoughts, even if they didn’t dare to voice them openly.
After all, the idea of entrusting such a critical position to a mere 16-year-old boy like Theo was beyond comprehension.
Especially with Kinkarnon, whose stature dwarfed all other contenders for succession, still alive and well.
“You must already know how great the concerns surrounding you are, don’t you?”
In the room, only Theo and Kyle remained.
Kyle tapped his fingers lightly on the newspapers, a faint smile playing on his lips.
That smile.
It was so unlike Kyle, who was always either expressionless or exuding savagery. The awkwardness of it stood out.
“Yes, I believe the concerns are inevitable given the suddenness of it all. But if I can’t handle such things, I wouldn’t be worthy of being called a member of Ragnar.”
Was Theo’s response the right one?
The smile deepened.
“Then you must understand why I chose you over Kinkarnon or Lezé, both of whom had already established their positions.”
“Yes.”
Theo nodded silently, his gaze sinking into seriousness.
“It’s to use me as bait to draw out the Sacred Demon Church from the shadows, isn’t it?”
“Correct.”
The smile grew even sharper.
“With Troyban, their pawn, destroyed, the Mad Dragon Emperor won’t be able to sit still. Just as before, you’ll serve as the bait.”
“Do you want me to play the role of an occupying force?”
“Exactly. Everything that Troyban possessed will be handed over to you as spoils of war. But.”
“I’ll have to bear the grudge that comes with it, won’t I?”
Theo nodded.
He had already anticipated that Kyle wouldn’t have given him the position of young lord without a reason.
From the very beginning, his father was such a man—one who wouldn’t hesitate to use even his own children as tools for the family’s benefit.
For that very reason, Theo found himself at ease with Kyle’s decision.
The Mad Dragon Emperor, the Sacred Demon Church, and the *Nameless Sovereign* were all targets Theo desperately wanted to confront and eliminate himself.
‘Just as Father uses me, I’ll use him as well. In the end, it’s the same.’
“You haven’t asked why I gave you the sword of the Mad Dragon Emperor, have you?”
“I thought you must have had your reasons. And… it’s also true that I’ve received a lot of help from it during critical moments.”
“Normally, one would resent being used as bait without explanation. But you’re a bit different.”
…Different from the others.
Theo pretended not to hear Kyle’s muttered words.
For a moment, he wondered if even his seemingly unshakable father might have his own burdens to bear.
“The Mad Dragon Emperor will eventually seek you out himself. He’s not only after the power of the Deluded God but also the power of the Chosen One.”
Theo’s eyes widened slightly.
Was the Mad Dragon Emperor aiming to restore the stopped regression ability?
“As you’ve seen with Torkel, his madness has a strange allure that captivates people. Those without immunity are easily ensnared. That’s why I gave you the sword of the Mad Dragon Emperor.”
Kyle had prepared Theo to develop immunity as a precaution.
“But the ‘real deal’ is far beyond such simple allure. So, you must continue to strengthen your immunity.”
Theo realized what Kyle intended to do next.
“The Sword Sphere, combined with the aura of the Deluded God, must have become even stronger, correct?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Theo nodded.
Kyle was about to completely unseal the Sword Sphere, which had been tightly restrained until now.