I Woke Up from Hibernation and Found a Husband - Chapter 57

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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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Chapter 57
Arcadia—a colossal Guild unparalleled throughout the entire continent, let alone the Empire itself.
It was none other than the man standing before me who had elevated Arcadia’s position to such heights that even the Emperor could not treat it carelessly.
“What troubles you so, our young master?”
“Please don’t call me that while I’m in this child’s form. It feels strange.”
At Kenneth’s grumbling, Sio’s eyes crinkled with delight.
“So you do that even though you know appearances aren’t everything.”
The moment the white-haired boy lowered his head and set down the fountain pen he’d been holding—
“Ugh.”
Small limbs were instantly engulfed in radiance. When Kenneth reflexively squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them again, he found himself looking at a young man of his own age.
Peculiarly luminous violet eyes gazed directly at Kenneth.
“Hmm, this age range appears to be my limit for now. Does it suit you?”
“What sort of contract have you made this time?”
At those words, Sio merely smiled silently. Kenneth rolled his eyes in displeasure.
Kenneth’s godfather and Guild Master of Arcadia—Sio.
A man whose exact age, lineage, and abilities were all shrouded in mystery.
‘The abilities known to the world are surely only the tip of the iceberg.’
His publicly known ability was “Contract”—a power that absolutely ensures the fulfillment of any agreement made with another party, provided a price is wagered. The ability had seemed deceptively simple until it began to layer upon itself.
‘I never imagined that the price of a contract could encompass abstract things like lifespan or youth.’
Decades had passed since the great Guild’s establishment. Most people of means had experienced using Arcadia at least once.
‘Now the price accumulates without me even needing to act directly.’
The more patrons utilized the Guild, the more his influence expanded—a power that even the mightiest authorities could no longer challenge.
“When I made the contract with the previous Emperor to have no biological children, I harbored not the slightest regret.”
Of course, the Imperial Family had not simply suffered these arrangements passively.
The Emperor before last had permitted the Guild’s growth during its nascent phase and established two contracts.
First, the Guild could not bind the Imperial bloodline through contracts and must remain favorably disposed toward the Imperial Family.
Second, Sio, the Master of Arcadia, could not have biological children.
‘My godfather’s ability has transcended the bounds of humanity itself. He likely has no desire to create similar beings.’
Sio had accepted the terms without hesitation. He had never harbored any desire for children in the first place, so there was nothing to object to. Yet when he met Kenneth years ago, he experienced for the first time the thought that caring for a child might not be so bad.
“But Kenneth, when I first laid eyes on you, I thought perhaps taking in one child would be acceptable.”
A small boy with violet eyes like my own, arriving at the Guild while holding Veronica’s hand. Despite the forcibly implanted ability that had scarred his soul, the child still shone brightly.
“Your transformation from quietly attending to your duties came about thanks to Veronica’s child, I suspect.”
At that remark, Kenneth clicked his tongue as if fed up.
“You know the truth, yet you always speak in riddles. Break that habit.”
“But you react so amusingly to it. How could I resist?”
A brief silence fell. Kenneth gazed steadily at Sio, who continued smiling contentedly, and spoke.
“I wish to see the information regarding Veronica and Ian.”
“You don’t have access clearance for that, do you?”
“If even the Branch Director lacks authorization, then whoever restricted that information must be someone of even greater standing?”
When younger, I had believed that as I grew and my position within the Guild rose, I would eventually gain access to that information. But reality proved otherwise.
“Could it be the Imperial Family?”
“Enough.”
Sio raised one hand and cut off his words with firm resolve.
“Both you and Claire—why must you complicate matters when you could simply remain still?”
“The Illusionist Sisters who left the Guild. Do you know what became of them?”
“I haven’t the capacity to concern myself with those who depart.”
“You know of Umbra, don’t you?”
Their eyes met directly.
Both possessed vivid violet irises, yet Sio’s eyes carried a certain languor within them.
“I do.”
“Then you must know of all their misdeeds as well.”
Sio slowly closed and opened his eyes repeatedly. Rather than being at a loss for words, he appeared to be contemplating how best to explain matters to a child.
“To some extent.”
“Then why did you allow the Sisters’ downfall to occur?”
“Because they chose to leave the Guild. The Guild cannot protect everyone. And above all, the Guild can never be ‘absolute good.'”
The Market.
They were the archetypal embodiment of evil, conducting all manner of illicit dealings in this world. Yet that did not mean the Guild stood as their antithesis.
“I can offer moral counsel, nothing more. The Guild simply exists. The moment will enters our actions, this vast body will crumble in an instant.”
Sio, who lived longer than ordinary humans through countless contracts, regarded Kenneth’s sense of justice and obsession with his benefactor as merely fleeting, trivial emotions.
“Why not you and Claire both let go of past tragedies and find contentment in the present? You have me, and Claire has House Voltier—you could live your entire lives without suffering injustice.”
It was a kind warning, yet one that left no escape.
Umbra, obsessed with ability and continuing cruel research. Veronica and Ian, who seemed to share some connection with them. Even their fates, which the Imperial Family appeared to have concealed.
There was an unmistakable firmness in his words—withdraw your hand now if you wish to live comfortably and naturally. Certainly, if I abandoned all of this as he suggested, I could live peacefully for now.
‘But could I tell Claire to do the same?’
Something caught in my throat, an uncomfortable sensation.
The Kenneth from before meeting Claire would have withdrawn without the slightest hesitation.
But I had encountered Claire, who threw herself into danger as naturally as breathing to save Theodore and Angela.
From the moment I saw Veronica’s silhouette overlapping with Claire’s—standing firm and unyielding against the gazes and pressures of those around her, walking her righteous path—I could not turn back.
“If I ignore your words and one day leave the Guild to pursue them, you will release me, won’t you?”
“What painful words you speak.”
His face was sorrowful, yet he did not deny it. That alone was answer enough for me.
“I understand. I shall take my leave for today.”
As I rose to turn away, Sio made no move to stop me. He merely uttered my name as I departed.
“Kenneth. Refrain from coming to work for a time and reflect upon yourself. The duration will be determined when I give further instruction.”
“Yes…”
“And.”
The moment I turned to acknowledge him, a letter flew through the air. Within the envelope lay an invitation to a ball being held at the Imperial Palace in preparation for the Hunting Festival.
“An invitation that came addressed to me. Since they say a proxy may attend, you shall go in my stead.”
“Me?”
At that question, Sio shrugged his shoulders and spoke with casual nonchalance.
“Claire is coming to the Convent as well. If you wish to see her, this would be an opportune moment. After all, she’s a child whose heart you care for enough to stake your entire future on.”
Kenneth’s face flushed crimson at those words.
“What! I’m not helping Claire for any such reason.”
“Oh. It is only natural to feel romantic affection at your age.”
“No! Stop!”
Kenneth bolted from the room as if fleeing, slamming the door shut with a resounding bang. Yet even in his haste, he clutched the invitation firmly in hand.
“Aha ha.”
Sio burst into refreshing laughter. It was amusing how the child, who in society mimicked Sio’s mannerisms and affected an adult’s composure, would revert to youthful innocence with the slightest provocation.
“Perhaps this is why people bother raising children.”
After the laughter subsided, a subtle smile lingered on his face as he tapped the desk rhythmically with his fingertips, as if weighing something.
‘If I ever leave the Guild to pursue them, my patron will release me without hesitation.’
It felt as though I had finally heard the foreshadowing of a resolve I had made long ago.
“Perhaps. It may come to pass.”
Old rules held importance. Yet that did not mean I had lost all human sentiment. Should the time come when I must cast out with my own hands the child I have nurtured so carefully, then…
Sio smiled wearily and opened the desk drawer.
“Veronica and Ian were right. We cannot prevent those children from making their choices.”
A locked box sealed with a lock set with a blue gemstone. Sio gazed upon it and murmured as though speaking to a person.
“It will end soon, one way or another. Whether that conclusion aligns with what you desired, I cannot say.”

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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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