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“I’ll get straight to the point. What do you want in exchange for returning the upper stream of the Alexandrite River?”
Unlike the lively atmosphere in the children’s area, the adults’ side was filled with cold tension.
Particularly around the two heads of the families, the air was heavy, almost ominous.
“Well, that’s something you’d have to ask my son, not me. I didn’t order it.”
“Isn’t it the father’s duty to take responsibility?”
“That may be true, but my son is unbelievably stubborn. Haha.”
In truth, the head of the Pashayen family, Galizard, had already planned to resolve the issue by today.
Retaliation for threatening the children had gone far enough.
If they pushed any further, it would escalate into an actual war—so it was time to settle things.
Still, he wasn’t going to return the water right away.
It wasn’t about strategy; it was simply a matter of pride.
And the head of the Velarion family, Exid, understood that well.
‘That old whale… The only thing left for him in his old age is petty scheming.’
‘That brat of a snake… The way he half-respectfully talks down to me is irritating.’
Exid and Galizard exchanged knowing smiles.
“With the current state of affairs, shouldn’t neighboring families strengthen their bonds?”
Galizard spoke first, offering a drink.
Exid accepted without hesitation, his thin lips curling into a smile.
“I completely agree. I apologize on behalf of my reckless son for his rudeness.”
“Has he received proper punishment? I don’t see him here today.”
This was a roundabout way of saying that Goliath should personally apologize.
But Exid could only repeat his own words from earlier.
“The father takes responsibility.”
Feeling like he had been made a fool, Exid furrowed his brows.
Galizard, watching him, chuckled internally but maintained a dignified expression on the outside.
“Well then, let’s shake hands as fathers. That should clear up any lingering resentment between us. What do you say?”
“Very well.”
Galizard, known as the Fist King, had an iron grip.
This handshake was clearly meant to be a final jab at Exid.
Exid understood this well but accepted nonetheless.
Politics sometimes required yielding a step.
Besides, the ‘gift’ he had prepared for today was already a powerful strike in itself.
‘The most amusing sight is watching someone who thinks they’ve won twist their face in frustration… so I’ll let it slide for now.’
As the two family heads clasped hands, the surrounding onlookers swallowed dryly.
Pashayen and Velarion were evenly matched in power.
Having lived as rivals for generations, it was natural.
That meant neither side should wage war unless they were certain they could eradicate the other completely.
And if they did choose to bare their fangs, they would have to eliminate even the youngest child of the opposing family to prevent future retaliation.
“Goliath has been cast out, so he is no longer a Velarion. Is that enough for you?”
“Well, I have nothing more to gain, so that should suffice.”
Crack.
Galizard squeezed Exid’s hand so hard it seemed his bones might shatter.
Exid, without changing his expression, simply nodded in response—though he couldn’t stop his hand from turning blue.
“The Alexandrite River will be back to normal in a few days.”
“I won’t bother thanking you.”
And just like that, the minor conflict came to an end.
If one were to measure the losses, Velarion had suffered more.
After all, they had to cast aside a fully grown son.
‘I thought he was a decent piece and gave him the second-in-command position… What a shame.’
Galizard muttered internally, though he didn’t look the least bit regretful.
From what he had been informed, Goliath Velarion had always been a brute by nature.
A man like that wouldn’t normally pose much of a threat, but he had a habit of causing trouble in the most unexpected ways.
With a temperament like a magical bomb, it was best to eliminate him early.
For the safety of Pashayen, now that he was dead.
‘Anyway, Shupetty truly is a blessing to Pashayen.’
After all, wasn’t it thanks to Shupetty that they had managed to get rid of him?
“You must be grieving the loss of your son. Would you care for a drink of strong liquor?”
“No need. I don’t enjoy intoxication.”
“Haha, here in Pashayen, we can drink barrels of liquor without getting drunk. What a pity.”
It was a satisfying banquet.
At Galizard’s snap of his fingers, a waiting servant hurried forward, carrying a strong drink.
As he savored the taste of the honey-colored liquor, basking in the afterglow of victory, Exid finally broke his silence.
“I suppose I should thank you for returning the water that was ours to begin with.”
“Oh? Do you have something prepared for that occasion?”
There was a sharp glint in Galizard’s eyes, sensing the deeper meaning behind Exid’s words.
“A year ago, while traveling abroad, I ‘happened’ to come across a certain child.”
“A child?”
“I took in a mute child and raised them with care. Then, not long ago, they revealed their name to me.”
As Exid spoke languidly, his crimson eyes shimmered with an enigmatic glow.
The eerie, foreboding look in his gaze made Galizard let out a low grunt.
Whatever it was, he had been secretly preparing a devastating blow.
“I haven’t received any reports about this.”
This was proof that the head of the Velarion family had taken personal measures to strictly control the information.
“What is that name you keep mentioning?”
“Well, you’ll hear it for yourself soon enough.”
No way…
A name flashed through Gallizard’s mind. He chuckled, stroking his beard.
It was impossible. But if his guess was right—
This was the worst birthday present imaginable.
Especially for his son, who had only just begun to find stability.
There was nothing he could do to stop it.
All he could do was watch with a forced smile.
“For the sake of the bond between our two families.”
Exid muttered ominously as his shadow moved.
His slender, pale fingers stretched out, and the shadow extended toward the doorknob. As soon as it grasped and flung the door open—
Gallizard finally let out a sigh at the sight of the child standing nervously at the doorway, unable to move.
“That is…”
“Not ‘that.’ You should say ‘that child.'”
Exid responded dryly and strode forward.
Caught off guard by the sudden attention, the child flinched and shrank back.
It was far from the behavior of a noble.
But given that the child had lost their home, mother, and even their ability to speak, struggling to survive in a faraway place, such hesitation was understandable.
“Come here. I promised I’d find your family.”
“….…!”
“Your grandfather is right there.”
The child’s tangled, deep pink hair barely reached their shoulders.
Their large eyes were undoubtedly a striking shade of magenta, and their sharp nose and lips bore an uncanny resemblance to Diegon.
They were smaller than others their age, malnourished, and walked with noticeable hesitation.
Shaa…
The room fell completely silent, as if even the sound of breathing had vanished.
Only the child’s uncertain footsteps echoed loudly.
“What is the meaning of this?”
The silence was broken by Diegon’s low, growling voice.
“Surely you’re not trying to claim that child is from Pashayen?”
Rejection.
The intent was clear from his very first words.
The girl’s face twisted, as if she were about to cry.
“Oh dear, isn’t the kid listening? I didn’t expect it, but he lacks sensitivity.”
Unexpectedly, it was the head of the Velarion family who covered the girl’s ears.
Exid gently pushed her forward.
“That man is your father.”
The girl staggered a few steps and looked up at Diegon.
“….…”
With her eyes far below his, unable to meet his gaze, she hesitated nervously.
Then, after a moment—
She tightly shut her eyes and whispered.
“…Dad.”
Right at that moment—
Shupetty pushed through the crowd, and her gaze locked with Diegon’s.
