Chapter 17

“He wakes up once in the afternoon but he isn’t in a good condition. It will be difficult to see him for a long time.”

“We’re only giving our greetings anyways.”

“Let’s go in first and wait.”

Eugene, Galfredik, and Felid entered Lord Tywin’s bedroom, located in the main building of the Rose Castle, along with Camara. A few maids were situated inside the room, and they bowed their heads as the group entered. The room was dim.

‘The smell... ‘

Eugene frowned involuntarily. It wasn’t only due to the horrible stench. As a vampire, Eugene instinctively sensed the scent of ‘death’ that originated from Lord Tywin’s bed. As the rumors had it, it appeared Lord Tywin was not long for this world.

“How is Father doing?”

Camara asked, and the Rose Castle’s doctor responded with a grim expression. It was the same doctor who had bandaged Eugene’s arm.

“He will wake up in a moment since we administered the medication. And ... as I said before, you must prepare yourselves. Even if he continues to consume mana stones, we are only delaying the inevitable. We should allow him to ascend to God’s arms peacefully.”

“Tsk. I understand.”

Camara answered, and the doctor bowed before leaving the room.

Eugene shifted his gaze towards Lord Tywin. The old man was lying on the bed, and his pale, blue face was covered with black spots. He already looked like a corpse.

It was hard to believe that he had been one of the five strongest knights of the region until only twenty years ago.

“Do you know why I gave up on becoming a knight, aside from my lack of talent?”

Camara spoke in a soft voice, and Eugene shifted his gaze.

“I did not want to become like this. And I still share the same sentiment, as I will in the future. I will never become like this.”

Flames seemed to flicker in Camara’s eyes as he observed Lord Tywin. Eugene was a little surprised at Camara’s expression. It seemed he wasn’t simply an arrogant successor to a small territory.

“You may not know, sirs, but my father had displayed signs earlier on, even when I was but a child. He lived a life full of alcohol and violence under the guise of knighthood, so perhaps it’s only the natural outcome. All he ever knew was to wear his armor, ride his horse, and fight.”

“And that is the life that all knights live.”

At Galfredik’s response, Camara turned his head towards the burly knight and grinned.

“Yes. And I am not criticizing it. Our territory was formed from the money my father earned from various expeditions and wars. But here’s the catch.”

Camara’s tone turned serious.

“Even our small, little territory never functioned properly. Even putting aside the aristocrats who always coveted this place, the man who always ordered our father around employed various tricks as soon as the dungeon was discovered. If you sirs had not succeeded in opening the dungeon, we would have gone bankrupt in a few months. Do you know what this means?”

Camara’s smile deepened.

“Although my father was the one who founded our territory, he is also the one who ruined it. Our very own Lord Tywin. Well, I guess he held on for 20 years. It could be considered long.”

“And is it not the role of the eldest son to overcome the crisis? Since we succeeded in opening the dungeon, you should be able to properly manage the territory, sir. Right?”

“Heuheu! I would love to. And I will do my best to do just that. But it is easier said than done. Why else would small territories similar to ours change their masters so often?”

“...”

“I’m saying that everything is useless unless you have strength. The materials and the mana stones from the expedition? After paying you sirs for succeeding in the expedition, I will only have a few pennies left. Then it’s back to debt. But since we succeeded in the dungeon opening, maybe the Palin Association will lend us some without as much hassle, hmm? Keukeu.”