Ch.577577. Unhindered Succession (1)

The Status Window referred to the monster guarding the collapsed sanctuary as a Guardian.

‘If it’s a beast guarding a divine sanctuary.’

It wouldn’t be appropriate to consider them merely as magical beasts or animals, as they were divine servants. They must be beings beyond spiritual creatures, possessing intelligence and justice comparable to humans. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been called guardians of the massive sanctuaries located around the holy city.

‘As expected from creatures that can even handle Divine Power.’

To borrow the church’s terminology, these Guardians possessed Divine Power, which could only be awakened through divine attention and favor. They were inevitably special beings.

‘The previous Guardian, well, didn’t look in good condition.’

After the battle with the Demon. Perhaps it was because it had spent too much time in this place that had become a magical boundary. Unlike that Guardian who had lost its cold rationality and bared its sharp teeth at us with only the instinct to protect the sanctuary remaining.

The wolf before my eyes, perhaps due to its advanced age, didn’t display the beautiful fur condition of a young wolf, nor the bold and agile movements characteristic of wolves.

But in those two pupils I could sense deep intelligence and conviction different from a beast driven by instinct, making it difficult to easily discern its true intentions.

‘The proposal for a succession test…’

Without difficulty, it seemed the creature wanted to directly confirm the Divine Power residing within me.

As the wolf’s gaze turned toward me, I first calmed our Baronial troops who had raised their combat readiness.

“Baronial troops, defensive posture rather than combat.”

“I don’t sense hostility… but this was an enemy we were fighting with the Beastkin Special Forces until just now. Do you intend to approach that wolf?”

“If my judgment is correct, this approach is closer to the right answer than killing it. Lord Hanelrn, Lord Trisha, please provide escort.”

“I’ll cast protective magic for you.”

Though they seemed displeased, what more could they say when I was so adamant?

Even my wife and the mistress of our house, Sione:

“That wolf keeps looking at me whenever I use Divine Power, not just at you, Ray. Ray, are you planning to go to that wolf?”

At my affirmation, far from stopping me:

“I’ll go with you. Seeing how it’s just sitting there watching, it doesn’t seem to want to fight. It was guarding the collapsed sanctuary, right? It wouldn’t hurt to show it what I have as well as what you have.”

She even showed signs of wanting to follow me.

As two Masters with more than enough destructive power to not only evade but counter-attack and subjugate even if the wolf ambushed us, the unit commanders ultimately had to step back from their concerns and follow our wishes.

Under the sharp vigilance and escort of numerous soldiers, Sione and I finally approached the wolf.

‘Why are all these Guardians so large?’

The old wolf I encountered up close exuded its own dignity.

It lowered its head to meet my eyes. With my reflection visible in its brilliant amber eyes, I could naturally sense what it wanted.

‘The proposal for a test must mean…’

It wanted to closely and clearly confirm the Divine Power I possessed as a test.

In response, Sione and I briefly exchanged glances before beginning to utilize Divine Power.

The sensation of using Divine Power was both similar to and different from Mana in many ways. Unlike Mana, which surges from the heart and spreads throughout the body, Divine Power slowly permeates the entire body like a blessing. At that moment when we enveloped ourselves with Divine Power:

The wolf slowly closed its eyes and extended its head toward us.

“…Knights!”

“Magic Corps, ready!”

Just before Diolia and Hanelrn led the entire army to launch a full attack, maintaining intense tension.

The wolf, in contrast, calmly nudged me with the tip of its long snout, then slowly opened its eyes to gaze at me again with those deep pupils. After checking Sione as well, the wolf rose from its spot.

[＆＃ has acknowledged you as the successor.]

[＆＃ is granted eternal rest.]

Thanks to the Status Window that revealed everything in detail, I could see what the creature would do next.

The wolf slowly turned around and curled up in front of the ruins, at the foot of a large tree where sunlight and shade blended well—perhaps a spot it had always favored.

With increasingly labored breathing, it finally began to gaze at Sharenne without reservation. In that attention directed solely toward Sharenne until the very end, with eyes gradually closing:

‘Something has happened.’

As if hearing a voice, I could see Sharenne unable to take her eyes off the wolf, just like the Guardian. Along with a reaction suggesting she had realized something.

[The Guardian’s power is being inherited.]

[The divinity remaining in the body falling into eternal rest is being reclaimed.]

Unlike the previous Guardian, with a creature that retained its sanity like this, there was no need for unnecessary combat between allies. The power was inherited so simply it almost seemed too easy.

[‘Fate-Return’ ability has awakened.]

Yet another new skill.

Beyond the power to rewrite fate, I now gained the ability to revert altered fate back to its original state. I couldn’t help but smile.

‘If I use this well—’

There were so many things interfering with us before we could hunt the Demon.

Literally, if used well, this could be the ultimate tool to secure victory against potential enemies even before fighting.

* * *

If the County of Sianella is undisputedly the number one power in the western kingdom, then the people unanimously agree that the County of Velleia is the undisputed second.

While the Velleia family might lack the elite soldiers of the County, they maintain an above-average army for their role as checkpoint and mediator at the boundary between the west and north.

Unlike other families with special specialties or unique advantages, through hundreds of years of solid internal governance and reinvestment in their territory, they possess a large and stable market comparable to the wealthiest noble families of the south.

They are known as a quiet but never-to-be-underestimated family, and the moment the royal family brings them into their faction, they become one of the few certain families that will gain even more powerful influence.

Noah Velleia, the heir of such a Velleia family, was conversing with his mother, the head of the family.

“Noah. Would you tell me how things are progressing with Princess Amelie?”

“It’s going smoothly. I heard last night that you succeeded in bringing in the Viscounty of Cantina from the south. It seems the Viscounty of Cantina will soon attempt to contact our County as well.”

A gentle curve formed on the Countess of Velleia’s lips.

A face that made viewers unconsciously smile at its soft atmosphere.

“The Viscounty of Cantina. They operate a large merchant guild. I’ve heard they’re frequently used by nobles and the Royal Academy for their distinctive luxury. They could bring in significant funds.”

But Noah Velleia couldn’t wear a bright expression despite his mother’s smile that cherished him so.

“Noah, I have high expectations for you. You’ve been sharp with negotiations and money flows since you were young. You’ll be able to complete this task splendidly.”

“I wonder… if I can really proceed well.”

“Of course. You’re my son after all. The son I’ve watched grow will not only solve our territory’s persistent problems but also build connections with the royal family.”

The more the Countess’s trust and smile brightened, the more pronounced the dark shadows under Noah’s eyes appeared.

After hesitating for a while without responding to his mother’s words, Noah Velleia finally voiced the concern that had been lingering in his mind.

“…Is it really right to work with Princess Amelie?”

“Noah.”

“Princess Amelie is a pro-imperial royal. But… the kingdom is unsettled with families like the Viscounty of Akion being revealed to have colluded with the Empire. Princess Amelie is quite subdued now, and the Third Princess is somewhat—”

“Conversely, the kingdom is also showing movements to make peace with the Empire. Even the First Princess herself visited the Empire, making it quite certain.”

“……”

“I understand what you’re still worried about, but don’t worry so much. Do I look that easy to deal with?”

At this, as if the matter was settled.

Despite wearing the same expression as before, Noah Velleia closed his mouth tightly at his mother’s suddenly cold demeanor.

When his mother was in such a mood, she wouldn’t really listen to his words anyway.

“You seem to have been having a hard time lately. Go to bed early today and get some rest. I’ll take care of the matters with Princess Amelie.”

With that dismissal:

“I love you, son.”

“…Me too.”

Noah Velleia ultimately had to suppress his own intentions and simply follow his mother’s words.