180. Change of Perception [2]
Shwaaaa———!
Theo von Reinhaver.
The head of the Reinhaver family was gazing out at the pouring rain, lost in thought.
Of course, it wasn’t the leisurely contemplation of the scenery. His current position demanded he deliberate over the serious matters unfolding before him. He simply couldn’t afford to stop thinking.
‘The next emperor of the imperial family is about to be decided.’
If there aren’t any major surprises, the regent, first Prince Louis would undoubtedly dominate the stage.
Unlike his usual self, he had meticulously built his power base, using his characteristic silver tongue and extravagant proposals to draw the nobles to his side.
Besides, recently, he had heard a report of collusion between the first Prince Louis and demons reported by the Black Sword Knights. Though it’s unconfirmed, it was almost certain that the first Prince was preparing a dangerous plan with the potential to shake the entire continent.
'If the First Prince consolidates his power and ascends to the throne? it will naturally magnify the forces that threaten the Reinhaver family. The survival of the family itself might hang in the balance. I have to set up the countermeasures.’It was a natural conclusion.
Even though Nox had recently broken off his engagement with the princess, it didn’t change the reality that he had once been her betrothed, and he still hadn’t aligned himself with the first Prince’s faction.
Moreover, Nox had already informed Theo, his father, and the head of the family. He would not support the first Prince and planned to align himself with the princess’s faction.
Even though this decision might have been calculated based on Nox’s own interests, for Theo, he couldn’t help but be suspicious of his son’s motives.
'There’s no way that sharp-minded boy didn’t know that he is the most legitimate heir to the Reinhaver family. Yet, despite that, he has made such a choice…’
As expected, did this mean that Nox’s going to abandon the Reinhaver name?
In the end, the problems he didn’t want to think about kept swirling in his mind.
It was a decision difficult to made, and yet, for a moment, Theo found himself darkened by the notion that his son’s going so easily cast his family aside.
Along with this, a memory from the past resurfaced, the fragment that continued to haunt Theo.
— Nox von Reinhaver to Theo von Reinhaver…
— He will kill you if necessary.
Demon’s whisper. A story you would hear once.
He knew it was inevitable. Theo continued his thought.
'Either way, that boy had to kill me. It’s not different now. It’s better for him to want to kill me than to hesitate simply because of blood ties.’
…And yet, why?
Why did a part of his heart ache?
Theo believed that he had buried such petty emotions along with the loss of his wife. But it seemed he was wrong.
It seems he was still live and trapped in the past.
It might be a futile sentiment, but he doesn’t have much time left.
Even if he could never fully convey his true feelings, Theo von Reinhaver still had things to do as the head of the family.
“Family head, the council of elders has assembled.”
“I’ll go.”
After answering, Theo donned his heavy coat and rose from his seat.
He didn’t forget to fasten his treasured black blade to his waist.
It’s called [Twilight], the black sword was an artifact revered across the continent for its 'mysterious’ and awe-inspiring capabilities.
He stepped out of his office, reaching the conference room before long.
The room was packed with familiar faces, mostly those not aligned closely with Theo.
These were individuals who would seize any opportunity to take his position if they could.
“The head of the family has arrived.”
The Black Sword Knights, who had been waiting in perfect formation, announced his presence with a sword ceremony. Theo took his seat at the head of the long rectangular table and briefly surveyed the room.
They were all, at one time or another, had itched to sever his throat. The faces of those who potentially become the darkness of the Reinhaver family were etched vividly into Theo’s memory.
“I trust you all understand the reason for this council’s assembly.”
Theo opened like that, even though he didn’t particularly put weight into his words, an overwhelming and tyrannical intangible aura unknowingly filled the meeting room
Anyone else might have found it difficult even to breathe.
But this place wasn’t any ordinary, low-ranking noble family.
This was the Reinhaver family, one of the three great dark families.
…. In addition, a council is limited only to those of the highest rank and skilled.
The Council of Elders.
In this place, the only thing you have to prove is your power. That’s everything.
So, not a single person in the room was startled or intimidated by Theo’s aura.
“I understand that the family head has reached a point where a significant decision must be made. The issue between the Imperial Family and the Reinhaver family… no matter how one tries to simplify it, it’s not an issue that can be easily resolved”
It was Beryl von Reinhaver, Theo’s half-brother, who brought up the topic
he was the one who had established the strongest influence after Theo
He continued speaking.
“Family head’s youngest son… the incident involving Nox von Reinhaver and the marriage proposal with the imperial princess has already pushed relations between the First Prince, Louis, and the Reinhaver family to their worst state! A decision must be made.”
“What my elder brother says is true. As the head of the Reinhaver family, this matter cannot be ignored. The Imperial Family’s recent favoritism toward the Holy Family has already gone too far.”
This time, it was Tas von Reinhaver, Theo’s younger brother, who spoke.
Theo had a total of four siblings, with himself being the second eldest.
“There is a way to resolve this without bloodshed.”
The one who spoke last was their youngest sister, Alice von Reinhaver.
She brushed her hair back with a nonchalant expression and continued.
“Speak.”
As Theo spoke, Alice, as if waiting for her turn, opened her mouth.
“How about declaring support for the First Prince in exchange for renouncing Nox von Reinhaver, your youngest son?”
“Alice-nim!”
Christopher, who had been listening nearby interjected, unintentionally raising his voice slightly.
The expressions of Alice and the other siblings instantly turned icy.
"Does an uninvited retainer recklessly speak out in the Council of Elders?”
Beryl began to suppress Christopher with an invisible force.
His mana surged, wrapping tightly around Christopher’s neck in an instant.
“Gah…!”
Theo intervened at that very moment.
“That’s enough, Beryl von Reinhaver. The one disrupting the elders council’s atmosphere now is you.”
His ominous eyes glowed. Theo’s mana overwhelmed Beryl’s, instantly breaking the oppressive grip on Christopher.
“…Ha, isn’t it because of your habit of shielding family members that Nox pulled off such a disgraceful act? I apologize for speaking so boldly to the family head, but isn’t it only natural that the family should be inherited by the eldest, Garen?”
Beryl von Reinhaver said this while placing a hand on Garen’s shoulder, who was seated beside him. A faint smile spread across Priscilla’s lips next to them. It was typical of her, someone who didn’t care in the slightest if her husband’s power structure crumbled, as long as it benefited her own interests.
It seemed that Beryl von Reinhaver, Theo’s elder brother, had decided to side with them.
“Attempting to renounce Nox von Reinhaver.”
Theo abruptly spoke up.
His voice was devoid of any discernible tone.
The retainers of the elder council were collectively taken aback.
This was a habit of Theo’s when his emotions were in turmoil.
But naturally, none present would dare point it out.
No matter how accomplished they might be in the outside world, within the Reinhaver family, they understood that an insurmountable wall of absolute power existed.
Theo von Reinhaver, one of the three sword emperors.
Though rumors circulated that he had grown weaker, these remained unverified. Even if they weren’t overwhelmed by his presence, they still regarded him as a figure of genuine terror.
In some ways, he was considered more frightening than the Emperor himself.
Such was the man Theo von Reinhaver.
However, the other siblings started from Beryl von Reinhaver.
along with Priscilla and Garen, still refused to abandon their thoughts regarding Nox.
Moreover, Garen, almost as if it were natural, went so far as to mention existence that should never be uttered within the Reinhaver family.
“Why do you think making a pact with demons is a problem for the Dark family?”
Garen spoke. Theo’s expression wasn’t changing slightest, but ominous mana and pitch-black aura radiated from him, chilling the surroundings with an icy intensity like ice needles. This was a topic that should never have been broached.
Christopher could see the contrasting reactions of the retainers. On one side were those who seemed to have expected this, while on the other were those whose expressions clearly indicated that this was utterly unacceptable.
Naturally, Christopher was in the latter camp.
To speak of those vile beings in front of none other than Theo, a man who had lost his wife to demons.
This was an act of insanity. And yet, for some reason, Garen spoke with unshaken confidence.
“I believe we have no reason to reject them now.”
“That’s sophistry,”
Theo retorted coldly, but Garen did not back down.
“Surely the family head already knows? When Emperor Esteban unified the central, he promised to guarantee the Dark family equal rights without discrimination, yet he broke that promise and only pursued his own gains.”
“That much is true…”
Some of the retainers showed agreement, but not all of them.
“No matter how true that may be, how dare the heir of Reinhaver suggest borrowing the power of those who killed his own mother?”
“My only mother is the one who stands by my side.”
At Garen’s outburst, the elder council’s atmosphere turned frigid, almost to the point of overturning.
A cold war.
It should be described as an excessively cold war between two factions.
The life drained from Theo’s eyes. For the first time in a long while, bloodshot veins surfaced in his eyes as he stared at his eldest son.
“Continue.”
“No matter how much Esteban is now called a fool, we cannot deal with them with just our own power. Even if the three great Dark families gather together, it will not be an easy task. That is why the idea is simply to 'use’ their power”
“Demons are demons. Do you truly believe they can be trusted?”
“Humans themselves cannot trust one another. I think there’s no difference between them and humans.”
The exchange between Theo and Garen, neither side is willing to yield even an inch.
The climax of their discussion came with Garen’s final question and Theo’s response.
“Do you want Nox von Reinhaver seated as the family head? Is it because he is the child of the woman you loved? Was I cast aside because I am not?”
An intangible, explosive energy radiated from Theo, filling the meeting room.
No matter how composed Theo usually was, this was one moment he could not endure. Garen had blatantly crossed a line Theo had drawn.
“Garen von Reinhaver. I hereby strip you, my eldest son, of the honor of bearing the name Reinhaver. Take those who follow you and leave this place immediately. It would be wise for you to disappear quickly.”
At last, Theo unsheathed his sword.
“If not, I will cut you all down right here.”
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