TSMRG 20

Chapter 20

Pigon Kaftalen.

One of the Four Heavens and Nine Pillars, the direct second son of the prestigious Kaftalen family—an ancient and renowned household of magic.

He was Daisy’s older brother and also the head of the famed Myunghwan Hall, a magician who had earned a formidable reputation across the entire continent with countless military achievements.

Unlike Linegrime of the Four Heavens, who had already built an unshakable, mountain-like foundation of power, the Kaftalen family of the Nine Pillars could be considered a relatively younger force. To preserve their influence and prestige, the Kaftalens had thrown themselves onto nearly every battlefield over the past hundred years.

And thus—

“A maestro of war, who triumphed with overwhelming power in countless battles, even gaining the nickname ‘Lord of Blood.’”

That was the reputation attached to Pigon Kaftalen.

Yet he himself never cared about such evaluations whispered around him.

If anything, Pigon belonged to that peculiar breed who would do anything in pursuit of immediate amusement and interest.

In fact, it was an open secret within the Kaftalen family that the very reason he had piled up such great achievements and feats was simply to escape the suffocating control of the clan.

And now—

“That child… is Daisy’s son?”

From Pigon’s unique perspective, the boy named Ruin seemed to have failed to inherit the explosive talent his younger sister Daisy once possessed.

But one thing did catch his eye—

“I like those eyes.”

The kind of gaze only those with deep emptiness and hunger could carry.

The fact that a boy not even in his mid-teens bore such eyes fascinated him deeply.

“I thought this was going to be a bothersome order, but maybe it will turn out interesting after all.”

Thinking so, he nodded and called out his sister’s name.

“Daisy.”

“…What?”

“It’s the patriarch’s command. Return to the clan.”

“What?”

Delivering the order to return home without warning, Pigon then crouched down to meet the eyes of his nephew.

“Of course, my lovely nephew Ruin will be coming along as well. And your husband…”

His gaze shifted briefly toward Kavel. With a shrug, he offered a faint smile.

“You may do as you please. Go or stay, it doesn’t matter.”

“…”

At his sudden words, most—including Kavel—wore troubled expressions.

When they had first heard that someone from the Kaftalen family had been dispatched, they had suspected something like this.

But to receive such a blunt, direct order to return… that was beyond expectation.

Yet Daisy’s expression alone was colder than ever.

“And if I refuse?”

“Then you mean to defy the patriarch’s command?”

Pigon asked curtly, to which Daisy answered even more firmly.

“I left that family on my own two feet. And now you’re telling me to come back? Logically, there’s no reason for me to return.”

“Well, you’re not wrong.”

Pigon nodded, respecting his sister’s words.

Then he turned to his young nephew with a sly grin.

“So, my dear nephew—don’t you want to see your grandfather?”

“Grandfather?”

“Yes. The patriarch, your mother’s father, said he would very much like to see your face, Ruin.”

In a soft tone, Pigon relayed what he had heard.

The truth was simple: the reason he, the head of Myunghwan Hall, had been urgently dispatched here—

“Daisy’s son has participated in Linegrime’s Sword Ceremony.”

When that news reached the Kaftalen family, the patriarch flew into a rage.

And then immediately—

“Summon Pigon!”

Those nearby had tried desperately to dissuade the patriarch, but their words had no effect.

Soon after, Pigon faced his father, the patriarch, Jade Kaftalen, for the first time in a while—only to find him in rare, fierce agitation.

“Bring me my grandson Ruin at once! No matter what happens, the blood of Kaftalen cannot fall under Linegrime’s banner!”

To this weighty, absolute order, Pigon could only respond with a look of annoyance.

“Me?”
“Who else? You expect me to go?”
“Is it even necessary? The boy already bears the Linegrime name, doesn’t he?”
“He carries Daisy’s blood as well.”
“…Ugh, what a hassle.”

At that, Jade Kaftalen, patriarch of the family and Ruin’s maternal grandfather, snapped.

“This is an order, Pigon.”
“…Tch. Very well. I’ll obey.”

Thus, though reluctant, Pigon had no choice but to obey the command.

And now, having finally met Ruin in person, Pigon thought to himself with a curious grin that perhaps it wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

“Hmph… I’d really like to raise him properly.”

Those hollow yet determined eyes—such a gaze was the most attractive and compelling to a man who had survived countless battlefields.

Just as Ruin’s lips began to part—

“Then, I’ll go see Grandfather…”

“No. Absolutely not.”

Daisy cut in sharply, her voice firm and cold as her eyes.

“Listen well, Pigon. Neither I nor Ruin will ever return there.”

“Is that so?”

At Daisy’s unwavering defiance, Pigon rose back to his feet, shrugging his shoulders.

“If that’s your will, I’d like to respect it. But Daisy, as you know, I too have my circumstances.”

“…”

“If I simply retreat like this, the patriarch will tear into me. And I can’t deal with that old man’s temper.”

“So what?”

“Sorry, but this time you’ll have to yield. Come with me.”

“I said no!”

Her eyes sharpened, glaring fiercely at Pigon as Daisy’s resolve blazed.

He sighed deeply, shaking his head.

“Haah… don’t make this harder than it needs to be. Let’s just take the easy way.”

“I already told you. I’m not going. And if you try to take us by force…”

Fwoosh!

In an instant, blazing fireballs appeared in the air—equal in number to the Kaftalen mages present.

“…I won’t go down without a fight.”

“Ohh, Daisy.”

Pigon quickly raised both hands, waving frantically.

“Whoa, whoa! Calm down. No need for this. Come on, we’re siblings—don’t tell me we’re really going to fight?”

“Then leave. Now!”

Her fierce shout rang out.

Beside her, Kavel opened his eyes with determination and stepped forward.

“My wife has spoken. I too cannot follow your will, brother-in-law.”

Then—

Shiiing!

“The swords of Linegrime shall also stand with Lady Daisy’s will.”

Preon, head of Seolam Division, along with the other swordsmen, drew their blades in unison.

Vmmm.

In response, the Kaftalen magicians began hurriedly preparing spells—

“Stand down, all of you.”

Pigon’s sharp command halted his subordinates mid-action, his expression one of exasperation.

“Honestly… you’re all impossible.”

Lowering his head briefly, Pigon then raised it with a grin and a shrug.

“Well, if you insist on opposing me to the end… so be it. Let me propose something.”

“…What?”

“You don’t want to come? Fine. I won’t drag you by force. Instead, how about a little wager?”

Maintaining his faint smile, Pigon glanced between Ruin and Daisy as he continued.

“I don’t want to subdue my own blood by force. And fighting those Linegrime swordsmen over there? Ugh, that’s far too costly.”

He shook his head strongly, muttering.

At his words, Daisy and the others gave him skeptical stares, finding it hard to believe.

Still smiling, Pigon turned back to his own mages.

“Drop your battle stance. You look like you’re facing sworn enemies.”

“B-but, Lord Pigon?”

“Do I need to repeat myself?”

“…Understood.”

With that, the mages of Myunghwan Hall reluctantly released their spells.

Satisfied with their disarmament, Pigon turned toward Preon with a sly look.

“We’ve stood down. Are you really going to keep your blades drawn?”

“….”

Preon exchanged a silent glance with Kavel and Daisy, then gave a nod before shouting firmly—

“Put away your swords!”

Shiiing, clack!

The swords were sheathed at once.

“Good. That’s better!”

Clap!

Pleased, Pigon clapped his hands.

And then—

“Palton.”

He called out a name.

From among the Kaftalen mages stepped a rather youthful-looking man.

“…Me?”

“Yes, Palton. My one and only son.”

Nodding firmly, Pigon pulled the young mage forward and addressed Daisy and Kavel.

“Daisy, brother-in-law—allow me to introduce Palton. I adopted him not long ago. He hasn’t received the Kaftalen surname yet, but that will change soon enough.”

With a proud smile, Pigon presented his foster son.

“….”

Everyone present stared in silence, unable to understand what he was doing.

Finally—

“What kind of nonsense is this?” Daisy demanded coldly.

“Now, now, Daisy. Is that any way to speak to your brother?”

“Do you really think what you’re doing is normal, Pigon?”

Her incredulous tone made him shrug.

“Is it that strange?”

“You barged in here, demanded we return to the family, threatened us, then suddenly talk about some wager—and now you’re parading around some foster son we’ve never even seen? If this isn’t nonsense, then what is?”

“…Hmm.”

At Daisy’s icy words, Pigon nodded lightly.

“You’re not wrong.”

“…What?”

Her face went blank at how easily he admitted it.

Still smiling gently, Pigon went on.

“Listening to you, I suppose it does sound strange. But think carefully, Daisy. What options do I even have here? I’d appreciate it if you’d see things from my perspective.”

“Ha! As if I’d bother…”

Daisy sighed in exasperation, preparing to retort again—

But then Pigon’s expression hardened into one of rare seriousness, his voice lowering to a murmur.

“Let’s hold a duel.”

“…What?”

“Your son against my son. A duel.”