HTNSA 90

Chapter 90

Debens suddenly recalled the first time he met Felix.

“Hand over God’s Footsteps, dragon.”

The courteous demeanor Felix now displayed was nowhere to be found back then. What he remembered was a brash, arrogant youth full of nerve.

Debens hadn’t exactly been fond of him, but the fact that he was the last descendant of the House of Agenta had softened his heart.

That was why he healed the wrecked boy who had staggered through the Forest of Darkness and even crafted the medicine Felix needed.

But in exchange for the cure, what kind of end had that child eventually faced?

The fire dragon slowly closed and opened his eyes.

“I’d rather not think about it.”

Dragons were transcendent beings who lived incredibly long lives.

Their existence was steeped in boredom and ennui, with few diversions throughout the centuries.

That’s why Debens had chosen to associate with humans.

Even though humans didn’t share their lifespan, observing the descendants of the people he’d once known offered occasional amusement over the ages.

Perhaps that’s why…

When he met this version of Felix again after such a long time, he found himself rather moved.

That was also the reason he’d deliberately used a forbidden spell to show Felix a “version of his future—and his past.”

He simply hoped that foolish child wouldn’t recklessly run into destruction again, cutting off his family line.

When Felix finally opened his eyes, Debens noticed a storm of emotions within them.

[How was it?]

Felix looked around, visibly disoriented, and soon realized that he had returned to his original body. In a confused voice, he asked:

“What… what just happened? Was that my future you showed me?”

[Yes and no. Nothing has happened yet, after all.]

“What about Eila and Princess Peony? What happened to them? Why weren’t they there in the future?”

[Because they no longer existed in that timeline.]

“So… they died?”

[Yes. That’s why you were so furious back then.]

Debens gave a deep smile.

Seeing it, Felix scowled.

“What happened to them? Did Darian and Rosia Blanche really have a hand in it?”

[Mm… My kindness ends here.]

Debens replied nonchalantly and slowly rose to his feet.

[From this point on, it’s up to you to act.]

With that, the dragon closed his eyes.

It was a clear sign that the conversation was over.

His body began to turn back into stone. The once-living divine beast returned to being a statue in mere moments.

Felix’s eyes wandered to the altar.

At some point, its lid had closed again, and atop it, a mithril sword had been solemnly placed.

“…He’s telling me to take it.”

Felix hesitated for a moment, but then tightly gripped the sword atop the altar.

Then, with a heavy but calm expression, he looked one last time at the now petrified dragon and turned to walk out—his steps full of newfound resolve.

✦✦✦

In front of the ruins’ entrance, the Duke of Agenta narrowed his eyes.

A subtle breeze had just stirred from within the long-dead silence of the ruins.

“He’s finally coming out.”

Just as he predicted, Felix eventually appeared from within the ruins.

As the Duke observed his son from a distance, a flicker of awe passed through his eyes.

“He’s changed.”

It was not uncommon for those blessed by a divine beast to return transformed.

Whether it was their mindset or skill with the sword—something always shifted.

And it was clear to the Duke that Felix had received something from the dragon.

Felix, upon stepping out of the ruins, had a completely different expression—like a raging fire had been lit in his eyes for the first time.

He bowed deeply toward the Duke.

With a calm voice, the Duke spoke:

“It seems you’ve been acknowledged by the divine beast.”

Felix did not answer. He simply gave a firm nod. The Duke placed a hand on Felix’s shoulder.

In that moment, Felix noticed a faint tremor in his father’s fingers.

With a steady voice, as if making a vow, the Duke said:

“From this moment on, remember that you are the sole heir of the House of Agenta. The sword of the Kistar Knights shall become your blade, and our house your shield.”

Even as Felix heard those solemn words, his mind was full of something else entirely.

“Darian Celestia. Rosia Blanche. You will both pay for your sins.”

Felix needed no more than those words to guess what had happened.

That Eila… had died because of those two.

Even if the dragon claimed that the events had already been undone, Felix couldn’t suppress his fury.

A future without Eila?

“Who gave you the right to decide that?”

Felix had never cared much for his future.

He believed that one carved their own fate—that it wasn’t set in stone.

But once he learned that Eila might be a casualty of that “future,” he could no longer look away.

He would stop it—no matter what.

“Rosia Blanche was mentioned too…”

Only now did he begin to understand why Eila had kept so many secrets.

She had always acted like someone being chased.

He remembered how she’d once nearly missed an exam because she had been locked in a storage room by someone.

Back then, he didn’t press her, thinking she must’ve had her reasons—but he’d guessed the culprit was likely from the academy.

Who else would sabotage her right before an exam?

“And that culprit… was Rosia Blanche?”

That was what she was hiding?

He had assumed those two had a bad relationship ever since Eila was cast out from her family because of that noble girl.

But if Rosia had even been involved in Eila’s death, it was far worse.

“There’s definitely more between them than I know.”

And that wasn’t the only strange thing.

When Eila met Crown Prince Darian at the royal ball, she had clearly been uneasy around him.

Others didn’t seem to notice, but Felix had.

He’d always kept a close eye on her.

“I don’t know if Eila saw all this coming… but if that’s what she was dealing with, it makes sense she couldn’t tell me everything.”

If his assumptions were correct—if he truly wanted to protect both her and Princess Peony—Felix would need more power.

Not just strength as an individual, but formal power and status—enough to stand against imperial royalty.

“Forgive me, Your Grace… I’ll need to borrow the might of House Agenta.”

Felix quietly turned to the Duke.

“When I return to the Academy… I’d like to publicly declare that I’m the heir of House Agenta.”

The Duke didn’t hesitate.

“All of us—myself included—will stand with you.”

✦✦✦

Time passed quickly, and soon it was the start of the new term at the Academy.

The main gate of Riod Academy was bustling with students arriving en masse.

But the crowd was larger than usual.

Even those who had arrived early and registered for the dorms were now pouring back outside at the noise.

“What’s going on? Why’s it so crowded today?”

“You didn’t hear? The Duke of Agenta’s long-lost son was found recently!”

“Wait, seriously? What’s that got to do with all this craziness?”

“What do you mean? That son’s apparently coming here today! It was all over the papers a few days ago!”

“No way—really?”

Students rushed toward the academy gates as a new carriage arrived.

Watching the commotion, Kadin frowned in irritation.

“So what if the Duke found his son? What’s the big deal…”