The Silent War

To the people of the empire, the term "West" immediately conjured images of Arahan.

Similarly, Rachel represented the North during that time.

The monsters she had frozen on the front lines remained encased in ice, standing as statues to this day.

The noble houses protecting the North often recounted tales of Rachel's exploits while gazing at the statues of high-ranking beasts.

This is a disaster…!

Martisa trembled like a aspen tree.

She felt an overwhelming fear upon seeing Rachel's furious expression.

Even if the elders waiting in the annex came to her aid, they would not be able to protect her now.

All she could do was plead for forgiveness.

"Oh, my dear! I'm so sorry…! I must have lost my mind for a moment! I promise it won't happen again!"

"…You must pay the price for breaking your promise."

Rachel's voice held no warmth; it was a stark contrast to her usual calm and gentle demeanor.

Sssssss!

Ice crystals began to gather around her, quickly forming into a long sword.

The sharpened blade now pointed menacingly at Martisa's heart.

"Oh, my dear! Just forgive me this once! I was wrong!"

"...It's too late, Mother."

What stood before her was no longer her mother-in-law but rather an enemy who had attempted to kill her own child.

A fierce beast was ready to unsheathe its claws for its young.

Whoosh.

"?!"

At that moment, black smoke billowed from behind Rachel.

The smoke morphed into a human shape and knelt behind her, recognizing it could not step forward.

"Lady Rachel, it is Robin, captain of the Black Knights."

"...!"

"The Head of Household has instructed you to restrain yourself."

"What?! Restrain?!"

"That person is not only your mother but also an elder of this house."

"No! Right now, she is merely someone who broke her promise with me! She is my enemy who tried to kill my child!"

Despite Robin's words, Rachel did not cease her actions. Instead, the ice swords tightened their grip around Martisa even further.

"...Lady Rachel, I implore you to heed the Head of Household's message."

"Ugh…!"

The ice swords trembled as if reflecting her inner turmoil.

Robin could not physically restrain Rachel; he could only hope she would calm down on her own.

"The Head of Household's intentions are something you understand better than anyone else. So please stop here. It would not be beneficial for the house or for the sub-leaders."

"Tch…!"

It seemed that reason had returned to Rachel as thoughts of her children crept back into focus.

As the leader of the moderates, if she were to falter now, there would be no one left to protect the sub-leaders.

Clenching her fists tightly, Rachel retracted her energy.

Robin swallowed a sigh of relief inwardly as he glanced at Martisa.

"...Lady Martisa has been instructed to refrain from activities for a while. This includes both elder meetings and any external engagements."

"Th-thank you…!"

"Please return now. I will handle the rest."

Before Robin finished speaking, Martisa fled the meeting room in haste.

It was a pitiful sight to see her run away like that, yet those left in the meeting room wore heavy expressions.

Rachel broke the long silence that followed.

"...Robin, you truly are one of the Head of Household's people now."

"I have always been loyal to the Head of Household since joining Arahan."

"Hah! Anyone would think you're a great loyalist. But isn't your current loyalty a betrayal to your former master? How can you serve two masters?"

Faced with Rachel's sharp words, Robin bowed his head silently.

"...The memories I share with Lady Rachel from our time in the North remain in my heart. However, I believe this path is necessary for both Arahan and Lady Rachel."

At his words, Rachel's eyes grew wistful.

Looking at her once-loyal subordinate brought forth a hint of sadness in her tone as she asked,

"So you won't tell me? The Black Knights must know everything about this incident."

"...I'm sorry, Lady Rachel."

"If you still have even a shred of loyalty left for me, please tell me. Or should I ask the Head of Household directly?"

Robin found himself in a difficult position as he lowered his head further.

His first master had been Rachel.

After she saved him from near death on the Northern frontlines, he vowed to serve her—until she became Arahan's matriarch.

"Are you lying? Saying that memories with me still linger?"

"...I believe you know there is no falsehood in my words."

"Then tell me. Shouldn't a mother know about matters concerning her children? You can't even share that with your former master?"

Faced with Rachel's unwavering demeanor, Robin wrestled with deep conflict within himself.

Though he currently served Arahan as captain of the Black Knights, before him stood the sorceress who had once saved his life—his former master.

Knowing how much she cared for her children only made his dilemma worse.

I must report this to the Head of Household.

Even if he faced reprimands for doing so, there was no other choice this time.

His loyalty and gratitude toward his former master still resided deep within him.

He thought of it as a small repayment toward Rachel and slowly began to speak.

"...As you have surmised, Lady Martisa attempted to assassinate Sub-Leader Seven. There were no casualties; however, her mansion was partially destroyed and is currently under repair. The attack on Lady Martisa was indeed orchestrated by Sub-Leader Seven."

Hearing what she had only suspected before confirmed as truth made it difficult for Rachel to hide her concern.

"Then where is Jed right now?!"

"…I do not know either."

"What do you mean? The Black Knights don't know where a sub-leader is located?"

"In fact, he is with Krang Gutra… As you know, it's beyond our means to find him."

"Wait a moment. You said Krang? Why is he…?"

"He is currently Sub-Leader Seven's mentor."

"Huh…!"

What kind of cruel twist of fate was this?

Rachel sighed deeply at hearing that familiar name after so long.

However, her expression began to brighten slightly thereafter.

If it was Krang, he would surely take good care of her son.

"...I see now."

"That's all I have gathered so far."

"Why would that child… such a frail and gentle boy…"

As Rachel trailed off, Robin responded seriously,

"Lady Rachel, Sub-Leader Seven is not weak at all."

"I heard he blocked investigators. At that time I thought it was just coincidence…"

"It was no coincidence. Sub-Leader Seven shows remarkable growth and possesses excellent insight."

"...I can't believe it. How could I not know my own child?"

"At first, I couldn't believe it either. It felt like his very soul had changed somehow."

"Oh…"

Could this also be attributed to the power of bloodlines?

Rachel closed her eyes quietly as memories of her youngest son surfaced in her mind.

She had suffered lifelong guilt over giving birth without mana.

When Jed was sent to a detention center, she wept helplessly for days on end due to feeling powerless to help him.

I was just grateful he was alive…

In Arahan's family line, being considered "useless" could lead one's death at any time.

Jed could easily become a scapegoat if one of his siblings sought to display their power over him.

In truth, sending him away wasn't out of shame but rather Genedine's consideration for his life—hoping he might survive despite everything else going on around them at home.

Knowing these circumstances made Rachel harbor special feelings toward her youngest son.

To think he returned on his own and has grown so strong… I'm truly proud.

Despite having such affection for him, she hadn't been able to meet Jed due solely because she was head of moderates herself; wanting nothing more than seeing him again felt like an impossible dream given how others might perceive their encounter through lenses clouded by politics surrounding their family dynamics instead!

"I want to meet Jed. I want us to meet secretly without anyone noticing."

"There are several potential locations; however, there seems to be some sort of barrier set up there."

"Please tell me where they are; I will go myself."

"…Yes, understood."

Robin could only respond thusly while watching those trembling eyes filled with desperation before him now pleading earnestly for help once again!

Krang's training ground had transformed into what resembled a tent village over time.

Though referred to as such—it looked more like a beggar's camp upon closer inspection!

Still though—Lacto managed setting up makeshift workshop space along with basic necessities like toilets or sinks which civilized folk deemed essential nowadays too!

"Let's call it quits here for today; I'm tired too."

"You've worked hard today Master."

"You're learning quickly; makes teaching enjoyable!"

"It's all thanks to your guidance!"

Having spent 24 hours alongside Krang—the intensity level during Jed's training had skyrocketed significantly!

Currently undergoing lessons focused on transforming magical forms—Krang claimed this method surpassed limitations inherent within traditional magic itself!

"It may just be altering thickness or size right now—but keep practicing and soon enough—you'll create various shapes too! Curved ones or spiral forms even! Once mastered—the potential applications will increase tremendously!"

"I'm always grateful for your teachings."

The other members were astonished by how drastically different this training compared with what typical mages underwent elsewhere too!

Not only did they run around jumping but also struggled under multiple layers worth sandbags strapped onto them making movement nearly impossible!

One might argue such treatment bordered on child abuse levels honestly speaking…

Thud!

As Jed finally removed sandbags—a heavy thud echoed throughout surroundings indicating just how much weight they'd carried earlier too!

While cleaning up training grounds—members chimed in their thoughts regarding intense regimen endured recently together:

"That old man really is Krang Gutra? The hero from that famous Mage Wars?"

"That's right—but honestly—I think he might've lost his marbles!"

"To me—it seems our sub-leader shows more fortitude than any other person here!"

"You're both insane… Oh wait—didn't mean what I said there haha…"

Once training concluded—Krang would inevitably retreat into Lacto's workshop space where they'd engage casually discussing various topics together afterward!

"What are you making this time?"

"They requested magical scrolls capable storing 7th circle level spells."

"A 7th circle spell? Isn't that top-notch? How can you create something like that without using magical tools?"

"Hah—Cherubill can make anything really—it just takes longer given current state workshop setup!"

"Seems like lately—you've become busier than even myself!"

"Haha—being busy during old age isn't such bad fortune after all!"

Tools floated around Lacto in mid-air thanks largely due Krang attempting lend assistance using telekinesis powers while working diligently away nearby!

Yet despite intentions—craftsman remained quite particular about maintaining focus uninterrupted throughout process itself nonetheless:

"Hah—what gives?! Stop bothering me already—and go outside instead!"

"Aww come on—I'm just trying help out!"

"No help needed! If things aren't exactly where they belong—it drives me nuts okay?! Just leave already!"

"Tch."

Krang sighed slightly disappointedly hearing those words spoken towards him earlier today…

At that moment—his gaze shifted towards entrance noticing unusual energy approaching nearby vicinity drawing closer rapidly now…