IPUAVNP Chapter 116

Episode 116

 

The news that Fabian and his wolves, who had helped rebuild Roden, had departed quickly reached the southern plains of the Lions.

A messenger from Baldwin sped across the arid southern plains toward the fortress where Ascal Baldwin and his clan resided.

Baldwin’s Plains, the land of the Lion Tribe, bordered Roden’s valley to the north and the Alcamon Mountains to the west. It was a hot and dry region.

In the middle of this vast, sun-scorched expanse, where all vegetation had withered under the relentless heat, stood Baldwin’s fortress, a structure of solid rock and stone.

The messenger entered the fortress and made his way to the central courtyard to seek an audience with the leader.

This roofless courtyard, surrounded by colonnades, remained cool even during the day.

There, Leader Ascal Baldwin and his sons were lounging near a fountain, enjoying wine and food. Reclining leisurely, fanned by palm fronds, they exuded the air of carefree aristocrats.

The messenger approached the eldest man, dressed in a red tunic, bowed his head, and reported.

“Leader, Fabian Erbe and his wolves all returned to the highlands this morning. It has been confirmed they crossed the border.”

“Is that so?”

Ascal Baldwin raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased with the news.

He had been keeping a close watch on Roden ever since refusing their request for support during the last war. He had been anxious about the possibility of Roden’s wolves rallying with Erbe to seek revenge.

The wolves, having made peace with Erbe, no longer needed an alliance with the lions.

Given that they had been holding back their resentment while maintaining the alliance, it wouldn’t have been surprising if they decided to attack now that the alliance was dissolved.

Of course, it seemed laughable for the lions to fear the wolves. However, the wolves of Roden were no ordinary wolves; they were powerful beings.

When united, their exceptional hunting skills and sheer numbers made them formidable opponents, even for the lions.

Ascal Baldwin, aware of their strength, had been tense about the possibility of retaliation. But hearing that Erbe’s wolves had returned eased his concerns.

With most of Roden’s wolves injured from the war, a second war was unthinkable.

The youngest of Baldwin’s sons, who shared a slight friendship with Abel, Roden’s successor, marveled aloud.

“Peace between Roden and Erbe? Who could have predicted such a thing? And for that scoundrel Kyle to act as a bridge for peace—it’s unbelievable.”

The eldest son, Leonit Baldwin, who harbored deep hostility toward Kyle, sneered.

“Hmph, it’s the first useful thing that arrogant bastard has done for his country.”

“Indeed,” another son added.

“I heard he was exiled through a magical gate. Perhaps he hit his head somewhere and came back changed.”

The Baldwin sons all shared a deep hatred for Kyle.

While animosity between Roden’s wolves and Baldwin’s lions was longstanding, the current generation’s hatred was fueled by Kyle’s actions.

Twenty years ago, Roden’s Alexander had allied with Baldwin to counter Erbe.

The alliance came with humiliating terms for Roden, such as lowering tariffs and ceding cool lands in the west during hot seasons.

This further fueled the lions’ disdain for the wolves, who endured the insults in silence, hoping for Baldwin’s help if Erbe attacked.

But Kyle was the exception. He saw through the lions’ intentions and refused to endure their treatment.

Kyle clashed violently with the lions whenever they met, causing injuries and even severing a lion’s tongue after being mocked. His defiance escalated tensions to the point where war seemed inevitable.

The Baldwin family had long awaited the chance to crush Kyle.

When news broke that Kyle had been exiled after losing his position to his brother Abel, the Baldwin clan rejoiced.

They never expected him to return triumphantly.

As the Baldwin men brooded over Kyle, the messenger, still standing nearby, spoke again.

“Leader, I have another piece of news regarding Kyle Roden.”

“What is it?”

Ascal Baldwin asked, and all the men leaned in.

“It’s about the rabbit beastwoman Kyle brought with him. They say she’s truly Kyle’s lover.”

“What nonsense is that?”

Leonit Baldwin scowled, annoyed by the absurd claim.

The others reacted similarly, doubting the messenger’s words. But the messenger, confident in his information, insisted.

“It’s true. At a party hosted by Alexander yesterday, Kyle Roden publicly declared before his family that the rabbit beastman was his lover. The rumor is already spreading across Roden.”

The sincerity in the messenger’s voice made the Baldwin men exchange uneasy glances. After a moment, Ascal Baldwin asked again.

“Is that really true?”

“Yes, I am certain of it,” the messenger affirmed.

After his resolute answer fell, about a minute of silence passed.

“Puhahaha!”

Laughter erupted here and there, quickly followed by mockery aimed at Kyle Roden, who had taken a mere herbivore as a lover.

“A rabbit beastwoman? Isn’t that just a snack for him? He must be keeping it around to eat when he gets hungry.”

“He’s so desperate to lower his own standing.”

“No, Father. He’s finally chosen someone who matches his level.”

After Leonit’s sneering remark, the messenger, as if to further stoke their excitement, continued his report.

“I’ve heard that Kyle Roden deeply cherishes that rabbit. It seems he’s fallen hard in love.”

The lions, who had assumed the rabbit was merely a passing amusement, frowned at this unexpected news.

“…Cherishes it?”

The Baldwins knew well that Kyle Roden was not someone who cared for anything, whether human or beast.

He was always ruthless and cruel, his nature most evident when trampling the weak.

Yet now, they heard he cherished something? And that something was a rabbit, one of the weakest beastmen in existence?

Realizing that Kyle Roden now had his first vulnerability, a crazed gleam lit up in Leonit Baldwin’s eyes.

“Father.”

He said, raising his head with an expression of twisted delight, as if struck by a brilliant idea.

“I believe I’ve finally found a way to truly humiliate that arrogant mutt.”

 

***

 

After Fabian and his people departed, Kyle attended a senate meeting summoned by Alexander that afternoon.

As he walked out, he recalled his father’s words:

‘Kyle. The senate is commending your achievements and discussing your future role. If there’s a position or task you wish to take on, let me know. I’ll bring it up with the elders.’

Being commended and having his opinions considered in decisions about his future—this was a heartening change, especially compared to the days when he was treated as a nuisance.

But even though he had finally achieved what he once wanted, Kyle felt no joy.

Was it because he was still bitter about the elders who had ignored the past? Or was it some revived rebelliousness?

He couldn’t tell. All he knew was that something felt off.

The entire process of reclaiming his place in Roden felt meaningless. The people of Roden had already abandoned him.

They were Abel’s people now, having chosen Abel over him.

‘Even if I were to dethrone Abel and reclaim the position of successor, could I ever live as before with people who already cast me aside?’

In the past, all he needed was strength. He didn’t care who stood by him because he could suppress them with power and rule alone. But now, things were different.

Through his long journey home, he had met people like Brody and his uncle, who had helped him. He had learned the value of working with others and realized that unity brought greater strength.

In the end, Abel had gained everything because he gained people. Kyle now wanted the same—people who would stand by him, trust him, and support him.

But the people of Roden… they were no longer his. That was why, at the gathering of elders and kin yesterday, he felt so alien, so out of place.

Kyle believed he no longer belonged here. It was a bitter truth, but one he had to face.

‘Should I just give it all up and leave with Brody?’

The thought slipped out alongside a sigh deep enough to crack the earth.

Kyle was startled by his own impulsiveness.

The fact that leaving came to mind so easily meant he no longer felt any attachment to this place.

What surprised him even more was that he instinctively thought of taking Brody with him.

Realizing how naturally he considered her part of his future journey, he felt awkward and self-conscious.

But he couldn’t help it. When he thought about the road ahead, the only person who came to mind as his companion was her.