The Academy’s Ankle Reaper – Chapter 238

Until now, the power structure of the Blade Mountain had remained solid.

The Titans and their six allied families exercised dominion over the entire mountain range, carving it up for joint governance.

All six families under the Titan’s influence had one thing in common.

They all had a history of fighting against the Titan long ago, only to face defeat.

Since then, there had been no formal hierarchy established among them, but the Titan helped out the struggling families, reinforcing their alliance.

The main reason such a relationship could persist was that the Titan family was like an impregnable fortress that wouldn’t even allow a challenge.

It wasn’t that they all got along exceptionally well.

Thus, the Titan had no choice but to focus all efforts on raising the heir.

“Calling them ‘lower beings’ seems a bit harsh.”

Metios’s eyes widened at the notion that the lower beings shouldn’t dare to challenge.

“You need to think that way. In this meeting, we need to capture them all. Listen, younger sibling, don’t get it twisted. The six families you’ll be dealing with are not your family. Although Nemya’s uncle might be an exception, the other five will try to snatch your position at every opportunity.”

Time will tell, they say, but there’s a limit to that.

They won’t wait for you.

If they catch a whiff of weakness, they’ll stab at you, eager to devour what they can. You need to show that you are strong enough to withstand any attack.

“Are you up to date on the situation with Richmond, Coventry, Oneiroi, and Anemoi?”

“… I’ve received some reports so far.”

Metios subtly revealed the documents he received.

“….”

I read the report and found it nonsensical.

It wasn’t a proper report.

“I’ve heard that the vigilance has increased lately… but it seems we aren’t getting reliable information.”

Before dealing with the six families, Metios was still being disregarded by the organizations under the Titan.

“First… we need to check the weapons you have.”

Upon hearing we needed to check the weapons, Metios hung his head low.

“I’m sorry to trouble you during the rare vacation, brother.”

“What? When you were leaving last time, you asked if you could tie a chain around my neck. I permitted that. I’m just holding you to your word.”

He probably didn’t have his sword yet, which raised my suspicions.

After all, he used to work under an old codger that would smash heads if you didn’t obey.

So, I had no choice but to show them what sword Metios was wielding.

The sword’s name is Atlas.

It’s a supreme weapon capable of slicing anyone who displeases him, and those who had been merely eying it would soon witness its true might.

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The first issue I raised was about a few minor incidents happening across the region.

Problems tend to breed more problems.

After Kronos’s death, we were late responding to the thieves, and due to their concentrated presence, monsters appeared in sparsely populated areas.

The corpses left behind by the two generated undead, and the land where the undead arose became tainted.

If the contaminated land isn’t purified, people can’t live there.

Once a new vicious cycle starts, even if you deal with one issue, another will quickly follow, causing significant stress for the head of the house who needs to manage everything.

The region of Narni, where the Titan is established, is more prosperous compared to other areas of the Blade Mountain.

The Blade Mountain is harsh, but the vast lands below are blessed by the mountain.

To possess an area of this scale, it’s natural to require a formidable military might that other regions wouldn’t dare to contest.

This was also the primary reason the Titan became known as the ruler of the Blade Mountain.

The Titan possesses a stronger military force and authority than any family bordering the Blade Mountain.

So under normal circumstances, such a vicious cycle shouldn’t even be able to start.

While it is impossible for the Titan’s elite knights and garrison to manage the entire Blade Mountain, they were sufficient to maintain order throughout Narni.

The commander of the elite knights, while not as strong as Kronos, certainly had no lack of power.

Yeah, one of the weapons held by the Titan is these knights.

Just a change of one head is causing such a chain reaction; one might wonder why… and the reason is simple.

Metios hasn’t fully taken control of the Titan yet, meaning that the vassals under Kronos still don’t serve Metios as their master.

Among them, the knight commander responsible for military power is likely still planning something behind the scenes.

He’s always been someone I didn’t like.

John Hofston, the commander of the elite knights, comes from a family that has served the Titan for generations.

While titles aren’t hereditary for knights, he has made it a point to be the sharpest sword and shield of the Titan, who has valued them in return.

Not every Hofston is an elite expert, but they have been loyal to the Titan regardless.

The reason I despise this guy is simple.

He was the one who trained me alongside Kronos.

I still can’t forget how, at ten years old, I was struck with a wooden sword during sparring.

If I offend him, I’ll have to take the opportunity to get my revenge on him.

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The garrison’s barracks are located not far from the mansion.

I had two reasons to find him.

First, I needed more detailed information about the incidents happening in the territory, and second, I wanted to hold him accountable for what had been neglected all this time.

“Outsiders aren’t allowed entry.”

Again, I was stopped at the main gate, but that was okay.

After all, I hadn’t been in Narni for over ten years, so it wasn’t weird if no one remembered my face.

Instead, I pulled out a ring.

It was the ring that bore the Titan’s emblem, which Kronos had passed down to me as proof when I was the Titan’s small house head.

“Is this enough?”

“…Where did you obtain this?”

He seemed to recognize it but eyed me suspiciously.

Well, if someone entirely unfamiliar showed something like this, they would definitely be suspicious.

It seems there has been quite a turnover.

Still, it irked me that as the only legitimate son of the Titan, aside from a few who worked in the mansion, no one even remembered me.

“…”

I put the ring back away.

My hand instinctively went to the Squirette at my back.

This was hardly the time to bicker… Wouldn’t it be easier just to turn all these incompetent fools into fools?

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

What sentimental memories could I have to waste time on? I gripped the Squirette tightly.

“I’m sorry, young master! These guys are new… I’m really sorry!!”

Then, the officer rushed over and bowed to me.

It felt somewhat like a déjà vu of my time in the mansion.

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Most of the guys in the barracks didn’t even know who I was.

It seems many people have come in.

I mean, there’s not even a single portrait of me hanging in the mansion, so what could the knights possibly know about me?

They kept glancing at me, as if wondering who I was, and it gave me an unsettling feeling.

Since I had hardly stepped out of the Titan’s mansion, this was my first glimpse of what the barracks looked like.

It wasn’t as pristine as the Royal Knight Order but was a tidy and well-kept barracks nonetheless.

The members appeared to be in good shape, likely due to their diligent training.

After walking a little further, I arrived at the knight commander’s office.

There stood a neatly dressed, white-haired knight, who welcomed me with a bow. Despite the deep wrinkles on his face, he didn’t seem like a frail old man.

With a broad chest and arms that seemed ready to burst out of his clothing, he was a colossal knight befitting the name of the elite knight order, though he wasn’t as impressive as Kronos.

“Well, I didn’t believe it would be this many years since we last met, young master. I’m glad to see you well!”

The commander of the elite knights, John Hofston, bowed deeply upon seeing me.

“Have you finally decided to return after dashing away from the mansion?”

“I came to confirm a few things.”

“You have questions already upon your return… what brings you here?”

“You wouldn’t happen to have something to say regarding the bandits on the ridges, the direwolves on the plains, and the skeletons, would you?”

Upon hearing my words, John smiled.

“If that’s the case, you surely shouldn’t need to come all the way here… Please tell me your true reason for coming.”

“Don’t pretend you don’t understand. I’m asking why those issues haven’t been resolved yet.”

My expression automatically soured.

“You’ve changed quite a bit, young master. Before you left, looking someone in the eye was challenging for you, and now you’ve grown so direct. Kronos would have been pleased to see this.”

Seemingly satisfied, John stepped closer to me.

As the massive figure approached, a shadow fell over me.

John then knelt before me.

“Master, I’ve just been waiting for your return. Have you ever thought about reclaiming what is rightfully yours?”

“Isn’t Metios doing just fine?”

“She’s a good person; very capable. But… compared to you, the ‘true’ heir of Kronos, it’s a bit lacking.”

A vein throbbed on my forehead.

He referred to the current head, Metios, as ‘the lady,’ lowering her status.

“While you may not possess the greatest virtue all previous Titan heads have—the giant-like physique… you have everything else. What do you say? That position was originally yours. Kronos arranged it that way, and she knows this well. If you wish….”

“Hey.”

I cut off John’s long-winded praise.

I didn’t care about all this nonsense; why was he even talking about the position of the head?

I didn’t want to hear anymore.

“Do you still see Metios as an easy target?”

Since a dog can’t recognize its master, it’d be better to give it a beating first.

“An easy target? I harbor no such impure thoughts. I’m merely a bit disappointed. Kronos’s passing was so sudden that she hasn’t learned enough yet.”

“Well then, shouldn’t her vassals be helping her out?”

“First… to prove worth as the head of the ‘Titan,’ the head must also have us obey. The previous head did it that way.”

As soon as John finished speaking, my body moved.

If that’s what they want, so be it.

It was me who passed that position onto Metios, so I should at least do this much.