Children of the Rune – Winterer - Chapter 235

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 5.
Not Every Child Is an Angel (5)
“I can accept most things, but Elza… I may survive until then, but I cannot guarantee that Elza, already weakened in both body and spirit, will endure being separated from her child like that. No, she certainly won’t last more than a few years.”
Hispanie came to the rail and leaned against it.
“Since the future is uncertain, you cannot trade it for your mother’s life—is that what you’re saying? Then there’s nothing to be done.”
“I am truly sorry. Is there perhaps another way?”
Hispanie sucked on his pipe irritably before spitting it out.
“You’re going about this like choosing dessert at a dining hall. Fine, a second method. Have your entire family leave Keltika and move to some suitable countryside. Somewhere where no one will gossip about your House. Let the child grow up quietly there. Don’t teach him anything—just let him play. Don’t bring in tutors or anything like that. They’re all breeding grounds for rumors. Can you manage that?”
Franz could not answer easily this time either. Hispanie understood the reason. He knew what would happen if they left the Capital of Keltika. They would lose the King’s favor.
King Elbant III was capricious and prideful, dismissing any nobleman who skipped his banquets or failed to pay respects on holidays, regardless of their House’s standing. The gatherings he held on a whim, at any time, were particularly troublesome. Those who could not respond to a sudden summons were immediately relegated to a position of no longer being invited. That was why even provincial nobles maintained temporary residences in Keltika, unable to return to their territories, living in constant anxiety. Some entrusted the management of their lands entirely to their brothers and remained in Keltika, waiting only for the King’s gesture.
The House of Arnim didn’t even have provincial territories. Jade Ring Castle in Keltika was officially their only foothold. Though they were said to be one of two non-royal Dukes among the founding contributors, compared to Duke Fontina, the other Duke, who possessed vast provincial lands, Duke Arnim had only a single castle.
Duke Fontina could ignore the King’s summons without his livelihood being threatened. Indeed, he still remained in his own territory. But for Duke Arnim to leave Keltika would mean resigning himself to becoming a Duke in name only.
As Franz’s silence lengthened, Hispanie’s mouth twisted.
“So you can’t do either? Can’t send the child alone, can’t do it with his parents, so then just sit there and wait to see what happens? But from what I’ve seen recently, Keltika isn’t such a safe place. The more nobles from across the Continent gather there, the less safe it becomes.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said. It’s dangerous. Too many jewels in a silk purse. No, forget it. Forget that remark. There’s no evidence yet anyway. In any case, I know the methods I’ve suggested require you to choose between your House and your heir. The choice is yours. But don’t forget this.”
Since he could choose neither, Franz could not answer immediately, and eventually asked.
“What must I not forget?”
“Who founded our House. Who was the first ‘Duke of Arnim.'”
Those words were true. The founding Duke of Arnim, Icabon von Arnim, was a Demonic. The very first Demonic to appear in this world. Yet every Demonic born after him had perished. They died young, succumbed to madness, or fled their homes and disappeared.
Franz spoke.
“The first Duke was a great man. How could I wish for my son to become like him? I merely…”
“Not wish for it? Why not? Since he was born a Demonic anyway, what’s to stop him from becoming like Demonic Icabon? Shouldn’t you be thinking of surpassing him instead?”
At this unexpected remark, Franz’s expression grew bewildered, and then a bitter smile crossed his face.
“Those are kind words, but…”
Hispanie tapped the rail with his stick again. Dawn was just breaking in the east. The black silhouette of the cliff was becoming visible beneath the reddening sky.
“This is why talking to non-Demonic is such a headache. They never truly understand what it means. I thought I’d meet one someday, but I never did. Now that I’m old, one finally appears as an infant. Very well, Franz. What is the child’s name?”
“Joshua.”
“Joshua.”
Hispanie rolled the name around in his mouth once, then his lips twitched faintly. He liked the name. It followed the southern tradition. From before the House came north, from where the Sea of Origin lay. The House of Arnim had not given their descendants such names for a long time. I could sense what Franz must have been thinking when he named the child.
“Will you make a wager with me?”
“Pardon?”
Hispanie tucked the stick between his arms and extended his hand to Franz.
“I need a living Demonic to talk to. But you have no intention of helping me. Well, like your brother before you. But in the end, he’s your son, not mine. So you raise him for ten years on your own. By then, you’ll come to your senses and realize it won’t work, and you’ll send him to me. In exchange, from the day you send him, the future of the child, Demonic Joshua, will be decided by me.”
It was less a wager than a reprieve, but Franz understood his uncle’s heart well enough. Though he had never even seen the face of this young child, his uncle had a genuine interest in Joshua’s future. Of course, they shared blood, but perhaps there was also another, indescribable bond. As one of only two Demonic in this world, his uncle had resolved to protect Joshua. No one else could have made Demonic Hispanie reach such a resolve. No one but the young Demonic Joshua.
“Thank you, Uncle.”
Franz placed his hand upon the one his uncle extended. And he bowed.
At the same moment, a whisper reached my heart. Perhaps my uncle had been waiting for this child’s birth.
As far as Franz knew, his uncle had no children. Joshua might need a second father to fill the parts that his ordinary self could not provide.
“Enough with the pleasantries. Don’t say anything strange later.”
Hispanie withdrew a square object from inside his jacket and handed it to Franz. Upon receiving it, Franz realized it was an envelope. The front bore no inscription whatsoever, while the back was stamped with a single crimson seal—the sigil of House of Arnim, a key entwined with chains.
“I shall depart this place shortly. After that, you will find it difficult to locate me. Before Joshua’s tenth birthday arrives, write a letter detailing your decision on this parchment envelope and send it to the Evelland Harbor Guild. It will take time, certainly, but it will eventually reach me.”
“Understood, sir.”
Franz asked no further questions and tucked the envelope into his breast. Hispanie then posed his question as if testing the waters.
“For ten years, you intend to conceal the fact that Joshua is a Demonic, do you not?”
Franz nodded readily.
“That is my intention.”
“It is not a wise course of action, but you will not heed my objections regardless.”
“On the contrary, Uncle. I am prepared to give careful consideration to any counsel you offer.”
“Indeed, I expect as much. Yet the moment you hear the word ‘Demonic’ spoken aloud, you will see the expressions people make—three or four of them—and your resolve will waver. But know this with certainty: even if you hide the truth to evade the enemies before your eyes, those who hate will still emerge. They are ordinary humans, yet the power of their hatred alone has often brought Demonics to ruin.”
Franz fell silent, lost in contemplation. Should I raise Joshua while concealing his nature as a Demonic, or should I reveal it?
Hispanie entrusted the decision to Franz, yet he sensed that Franz would ultimately proceed as he had first stated. An ordinary human could choose no other path.
Because Demonics were born only once every four generations, there had never been an instance where parent and child were simultaneously Demonic. And since many Demonics had died young or abandoned their families, there was no precedent of a newly born Demonic receiving aid from another Demonic.
Joshua was truly an exceptional case. A Demonic who had survived—Hispanie—existed. Would this change Joshua’s future?
Hispanie soon added further words.
“And if you are able, raise Joshua outside the Castle. Sending him to a boarding school or similar institution would be acceptable. There has never been a Demonic raised within that Castle who fared well.”
“Why is that, sir?”
“It is difficult to explain, but such is the case nonetheless. What is certain is that those Demonics who departed that Castle early lived longer. And one more thing—when you return, remove all the old paintings from the Warehouse and hang them in the Hall. Choose those that are as ancient as possible and depict many people.”
“For what reason, sir?”
“Simply do as I say. There is no harm in employing many precautions.”
When Hispanie and Franz descended from the Bow Cabin, a drinking celebration was already underway on the Deck. Timil lay fast asleep in a corner, thoroughly intoxicated. When Franz shook him awake, Timil muttered incoherently.
“Please, have mercy… You’ve searched through everything I have and don’t have… I beg you, just send me home…”
“Do you mean that sincerely? Ah, did you leave everything behind?”
Timil’s eyes flew open. Upon seeing Franz’s face, he scrambled to his feet and clutched at his arm, speaking rapidly.
“Now I understand where I am. Such an extraordinary pirate’s den… no, rather a gathering place of distinguished gentlemen where the true meaning of honorable commerce is discussed—not a den, but a forum where such esteemed individuals engage in discourse, and for someone like me to dare… what am I even saying? I don’t understand myself, but in any case, I must return home. Please, I beg you, have mercy, sir. I don’t know why I was the one caught up in this, or rather, I am truly grateful for your invitation, but… I cannot possibly remain here for a month. My daughter at home is headstrong, and if I don’t return for so long, her father will think I’ve drowned and will sell off the house and all our possessions. Then my wife will abandon me to find her own way, and I’ll be left alone with nothing but a single ship, the two of us in solitary sorrow… no, wait, that ship is already lodged in the demon’s throat.”
Franz smiled broadly and spoke.
“About that headstrong daughter you mentioned—how old is she?”
“What’s that… she’s ten years old, sir.”
How a ten-year-old could possibly sell off a house and possessions was something even the speaker himself did not know, so Timil soon began scratching the back of his head.
“If that is the case, your daughter possesses remarkable talents. If you have no objection, I would like to offer her employment. What say you?”
“Yes, of course… wait, hold on—what did you just say?”
Children of Rune – Winterer
Author: Jeon Min-hee
Publisher: Books of the 14th Month
The copyright to this book belongs to the author and Books of the 14th Month.
To reuse all or part of the contents of this book, written consent from both parties is required.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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