The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family - Chapter 49

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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 49
“A rumor?”
“A rumor?”
Olivie and Ludian, who had been bickering the entire time, grew serious as they fixed their eyes on Iandros. Perdi went without saying. The children waited calmly for Iandros’s answer.
Iandros glanced at Tiel. She too was looking at him with an expression of incomprehension.
“To be precise, it’s a rumor about your house.”
“Tell us properly.”
“There’s a rumor that another hidden legend related to the Light Ability exists.”
…….
…….
Perdi and Ludian fell silent simultaneously.
How could that be?
The fact that such a legend existed was a closely guarded secret known only to the house lord and his direct line even within Asterian. It couldn’t possibly have leaked.
‘Ah.’
Only then did Perdi, having grasped something, nod his head.
The house that knew of this legend was not Asterian alone.
Asterian and Nestian—the two houses representing the leopard clan.
Then surely…….
“……From Nestian?”
“I don’t know. All I know is that it leaked. It’s either Asterian or Nestian. It’s the legend of both houses, after all.”
Iandros shrugged. Perdi and Ludian exchanged looks. It was certain the leak came from Nestian. But why…….
“Why? What good does it do them for this to leak?”
Ludian slammed the table with a bang! Tiel jumped in surprise and looked at Ludian. Ludian soon realized his mistake and apologized to Tiel.
“Sorry, did I startle you?”
“I’m fine. I wasn’t too frightened.”
Tiel nodded. Then she looked at Iandros. He was regarding her with a subtle expression. Tiel couldn’t decipher what his expression meant.
But one thing was certain.
Something about the legend of light had leaked.
‘Asterian and Nestian shall reclaim their true power alongside the glorious light.’
That meant Tiel’s existence had become a threat to the other houses.
Asterian and Nestian—the two dukedoms that guarded the empire. The two houses among six that possessed the strongest abilities.
Even bearing the Madness of Light that flowed through their bloodlines, their abilities surpassed those of other houses. But now a child had appeared who could even resolve that madness.
‘There’s no way it couldn’t become a threat…….’
Perdi harbored the same thought. Until now, Tiel’s existence had amounted to merely ‘a child with a legendary ability’ or ‘a child blessed by the Blessing of Luyset’…….
‘But not anymore.’
Countless houses seeking to check Asterian would now target Tiel. Including Nestian!
Grind-grind——.
Perdi ground his teeth. He thought he understood why Nestian had leaked that legend.
Since Nestian lacked the power to bring Tiel to them, if they couldn’t have her, they would ensure no one else could either. By making all the houses check Asterian.
If they couldn’t possess her, they would ruin her. It was a base, contemptible scheme—typical of Nestian. Perdi’s pale golden eyes turned toward Iandros.
“How quickly is it spreading?”
“All five houses, including Asterian and Nestian, must know by now.”
Iandros replied matter-of-factly.
Five houses.
Originally, the Craysion Empire had six houses with abilities, excluding the imperial family.
Asterian of flame and Nestian of frost, Wolfang of wind and Iker of lightning. Arne of verdant green.
And the house of water, Everard, which had long since been annihilated and vanished.
But Everard had been purged by the imperial family long ago, and now only five houses remained to guard the empire.
And the fact that all five of those houses now knew of this legend meant——
“Including the temple, everyone will begin to target that child.”
…….
“Then Asterian will become a public enemy. So long as they harbor Tiel.”
Gulp.
Tiel swallowed hard.
Why? How? How had things come to this?
‘Could it be……that I did something wrong?’
Had there been mistakes in what I’ve done since coming to Asterian?
I only wanted to be of help to Asterian.
I didn’t want to live like my past self, killed for being useless. So I tried. But if that effort…….
Were wrong.
If that’s what made Asterian a public enemy…….
Then Ludian’s laughter cut through the silence, breaking Tiel’s reverie.
“That’s hilarious! A public enemy? Those weaklings aren’t worth being called enemies!”
“You’re right about that. The other four houses wouldn’t stand a chance unless they all allied together and came at us.”
Perdi nodded composedly. He looked at Ludian with an expression that seemed to say ‘For once you’re talking sense.’
Tiel, watching her two older brothers quietly, clamped her mouth shut and nodded.
Right. There was nothing wrong.
Nothing had gone amiss. Tiel had fought to survive. To avoid dying miserably in Nestian as she had in her past life.
To stay alive. She had tried. No one could say her actions were wrong.
So.
‘I won’t blame myself.’
Tiel had manifested the Light Ability. And for possessing that ability alone, she had become the target of all the houses, and her family had become a public enemy.
Yet none of it was Tiel’s fault.
‘Hmm.’
Iandros narrowed his eyes. Tiel’s reaction was unexpected.
No matter how much Tiel had grown more spirited of late, she was still barely seven years old.
At seven, one burrows into their parents’ blankets at the first thunder, terrified.
And yet when told that all the houses would now target her——
Instead of cowering and trembling with fear, the girl bore an expression of firm resolve.
No matter how much abuse had raised her, a beast remains a beast.
The bloodline of the beast flowed through Tiel’s veins unchanged. Realizing this, Iandros smiled faintly.
“Yes, you’re both right.”
“Those worthless things——”
“Realistically, all those houses wouldn’t unite over a single small child.”
So ‘minor’ threats could be handled by Asterian and Crown Prince Iandros alone.
Of course, if the emperor himself began to covet Tiel, that would be another matter…….
“Wait! I don’t understand what you mean, but does that mean other houses will target our child from now on?”
“Our child? Why yours?”
Olivie casually dismissed Ludian’s words.
“Then we shouldn’t just sit here! Let’s hurry and tell Uncle!”
“He probably knows already.”
“Knowing and us going to tell him are two different things!”
Olivie thumped his tiny chest with frustration.
“Listen, you idiot. There’s a difference between him simply knowing and all of us running over together, grabbing Uncle by the hem of his trousers, and squeezing out tears in fear!”
…….
“Obviously! The latter is much more pitiful! And only then will Uncle be vigilant enough to truly protect our child!”
Why is it your child?
Besides, even without that, father and grandfather will surely be vigilant. They both dote on the youngest.
Yet Olivie and Ludian seemed to have no intention of listening to Perdi’s words.
Ludian, growing keen on the idea, quietly nodded.
“Now that you mention it, that does seem right.”
“See! So let’s go back at once. I’ll have to write a letter to Father once we’re home. Don’t worry, Tiel! I stake the name of Wolfang—I’ll protect you!”
Tiel looked at Olivie with bewilderment. Wasn’t that……something Wolfang should have a say in?
But Olivie was being so forceful that she could only nod.
“Let’s go, let’s head back!”
“Michel! Please wrap some cake for us! Plenty!”
***
“Yes, I already know.”
Cassius nodded. Olivie and Ludian bounded up.
“Then we must resolve this quickly! Let’s crush Nestian right away…….”
“Olivie……, mind your language.”
Cassius sighed.
The nephew who had grown up with his sons from childhood was often rougher than Perdi and Ludian when moments like this arose.
“Oh right, that’s true. Anyway!”
“And crushing Nestian won’t solve this. How shall we address it? Should we march into Nestian and demand they immediately retract that the legend is all a lie?”
“That is…….”
“It won’t solve anything that way. The rumor has already spread. What we can do is——”
Cassius’s clear golden eyes fully encompassed his small daughter.
In that warm and responsible gaze, Tiel regarded him quietly.
“Do our utmost to protect Tiel. And fortunately, Asterian…….”
…….
“……has the experience of losing someone.”
His voice was firm and heavy. Everyone present fell silent. Cassius felt their gazes upon him as he looked at Tiel.
“Don’t worry, Tiel. Someone who has lost knows how frightening loss is.”
“……Father.”
“We will not lose you.”

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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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