The Academy’s Ankle Reaper – Chapter 254

Metios suddenly received a surprising proposal from Count Anemoi, who was staying in the annex.

It was a request to move the meeting scheduled for two days later to an earlier date.

Since everyone was already gathered, there was no need to waste time, and the reason given was that there was an urgent matter.

The urgent matter was to find a better place for his son, who had been severely injured and was in a critical state.

Everyone understood the situation well, so they agreed, and the meeting was moved up to start a little earlier.

All the nobles who had settled in Blade Mountain gathered in one place.

Sitting in the highest position was Metios Titan, the head of the Titan family who hosted the meeting, and beside him, in one of the five pillars on his right, was Marquess Carlos Russell.

Across from him sat Count Partro Nemea, an expert swordsman who was also the uncle of Metios Titan. Up until this point, they were all powerful families well-known even in the capital, with the rest being nobles of similar standing.

They weren’t in a position where they’d be looked down upon, but if you were to ask what they did, it could leave you questioning.

Count Bruce Anemoi, Count Rupert Richmond, Viscount Walter Oneiroi, and Baron Davis Coventry—heads of the four families—were seated two by two next to Russell and Nemea.

The atmosphere in the conference room was incredibly heavy.

The main reason for this was undoubtedly the imposing presence of Carlos Russell, who, after Cronos’s death, had become the undisputed strongest in Blade Mountain, the actual powerhouse leading this meeting.

Despite his stature, Carlos always kept his words to a minimum during meetings.

Before the meeting began, Metios stood up from his seat.

“Before we start, I’d like to introduce myself as Metios Titan. Though I may still be unworthy, I will strive to meet your expectations.”

No one applauded or made a fuss, but Metios sat back down as if it didn’t faze him.

He thought the high seat at the table felt quite burdensome.

This meeting was, after all, a test.

A test of whether he truly belonged in this position.

‘I feel like I might have caught onto where the undead are coming from, so I’ll just wait.’

He recalled his brother, who had entered his office that morning, said a few words, and then disappeared.

Even in front of those who had lived more than twice as long as he had, Metios felt no tremor.

With the most reliable ally behind him, Metios had nothing to fear.

—————–

Outside the conference room, there were people as well.

Most were the ‘heirs’ of the families who had entered the conference room.

‘Why… why am I here…’

And of course, Lucia Russell had also attended.

Atlas had definitely said he would take her to the training grounds deep in the mountains that morning, but immediately after, she was summoned by Carlos.

She was told to wait in the annex because something felt off today.

Lucia wanted to ignore that and follow Atlas, but she ultimately decided to stay in the annex.

“By the way… this is your first time here, right.”

“Yes…”

Next to the timidly sitting Lucia was Hera.

This was to ensure that Lucia, who might not know anyone else, had some company.

“Make sure to keep an eye on everybody. You’re going to see them often from now on. Someday… you’ll have to step inside as well. But it’s a relief. Every time I came before, there were no other girls apart from Metios, but now there’s one more.”

“I’m also… glad to have you here, senpai.”

Hera looked quite calm, probably because she had attended this kind of gathering several times.

Lucia peeked around at the people sitting nearby.

Aside from her and Hera, there were three others sitting there.

Each had a very different build.

There was a very plump man, a robust young man, and a slightly taller little boy than Atlas.

The plump man seemed uncomfortable with social interaction like Lucia, as he had his head bowed low, while the young man glanced at Lucia and smiled.

And the little boy… seemed to be in a bad mood.

“That guy is Coventry, next to him is Richmond, and beside him is Oneiroi.”

It seemed they were most likely the heirs of Coventry, Richmond, and Oneiroi, respectively.

As Hera introduced them, the young man in the middle seized the opportunity and shot up.

“Are you the Russells? I’m Cassel Richmond, nice to meet you!”

“Uh… hello!”

Standing and reaching out his hand, Lucia shook it in a daze.

“I finally get to see Carlos’s treasured only daughter! I’ve heard so much about you.”

“My… story?”

“Yes. You might not know, but Richmond and Russell’s territories are neighboring, so Carlos often meets him at work. He would brag about how he wiped out the heir of Lemnos, but pretended it was nothing!”

“Ha… haha…”

Lucia felt a little uneasy knowing that what she had done at the academy had circulated all the way to Blade Mountain.

“Considering he has to deal with those people, Metios must be struggling. Like Hera just said, up until last year, Metios was here with us. To take on such a position… he must feel the weight on his shoulders.”

Lucia thought of Metios, Atlas’s younger brother, at Cassel’s words.

He seemed bigger and more composed than Atlas, giving off a mature vibe, but he must be younger.

In Lucia’s situation, who felt burdened just having a one-on-one with Carlos, he appeared remarkable.

“That person is a fake.”

At that moment, Oneiroi, who was standing there with his arms crossed, spoke up.

“What?”

“The real head of the Titan family is someone else. This meeting is to clarify that.”

Lucia was simply astonished by how absurd that statement was.

.

.

.

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“The first agenda is the most critical issue regarding the recent undead occurrences in the mountain range…”

“I have something to say before we start.”

Just as Metios was about to move the meeting forward, Anemoi suddenly interrupted him.

It was an extremely rude act, but Metios continued speaking nonchalantly.

“What is it?”

“Yesterday, my son was attacked by someone in the annex and is still in critical condition! What in the world are you managing that my son, a formal member of the Sky Knights, ended up like this?”

He was referring to Anemoi’s heir, Herbert.

Metios recalled that too.

He had introduced a doctor who could save anyone if they were still breathing, saying he had suddenly been injured.

“I sincerely regret the injury to your son. I’ve invited the best doctor in Narni, but his recovery is slow?”

“Yes! How can beasts even enter the annex?!”

Bruce protested, veins bulging in his neck as he directed his complaints toward Metios.

“However, we searched the entirety of the mansion grounds, and we found no trace of any monsters.”

“So are you saying my son got beaten up by a non-existent monster?!”

Once he was in the annex, being a guest implied safety, and getting attacked was indeed a failure.

However, for Metios, this was nothing short of perplexing.

They claimed the injured person was hurt by a monster like a bear, yet there were no signs of an invader or a beast anywhere.

In reality, it had been a girl who had beaten him up, but very few knew the truth.

“…So, after all, a monster entered the annex, yet the Titans were unaware. This latest incident with the undead only proves that the Titan’s management capabilities have declined.”

Richmond added a comment while listening.

The Titans held dominion over the entire mountain range, but they also managed it.

The Sky Knights and the intelligence department alongside the Rangers, who patrolled the entire mountain range, provided warnings whenever unusual events occurred, and if they couldn’t handle it, the knights would resolve it.

If that also fails, then the head would step in.

That was how the Titans historically managed the mountain range.

“With the recent undead occurrences, it might take some time, but the curse is too deep for the Rangers to search. We’re looking for the culprit in other ways, so please wait a little longer; we’ll identify the source and resolve it swiftly.”

However, in this case, he couldn’t pinpoint where the problem in the mountain range was.

The entire area was plagued with Wraiths and ghosts, and the curse was so strong that it drained vitality.

Things were further complicated because their eyes didn’t work properly.

At this point, Metios was convinced that they were plotting against him, as he had suspected all along.

Just then, Viscount Walter Oneiroi stood up and placed a thick stack of papers on the table.

“Isn’t it strange that you continue to waste time and resources on meaningless matters while claiming you’re unable to help?”

“Uh… What the hell is this?”

Many people sighed as they looked at the title on the pages.

It was a very familiar thesis to Metios.

The cover read, “On the Growth Promotion Using Orc Bone Marrow.”

“Do you have any idea how much money has gone into this useless research?”

“With so many people suffering from the undead, to think funds were frivolously wasted on such bizarre research… It’s impossible not to question your management capabilities.”

It seemed like the four had coordinated their words perfectly and were pressing Metios fiercely.

‘Uncle Walter…’

Seeing Oneiroi glare at him, Metios felt a pang in his heart.

He was one of those who had served his father, the former head of the Titan family, Cronos, with utmost sincerity.

One of those who cherished him, and he understood that attitudes had changed after he inherited the position of head.

It hurt to realize that even such individuals did not recognize him, but he had no time to mourn over that.

“Once you’ve said everything you need to, may I speak?”

Regardless of the reality, whether acknowledged or not, Metios was the Titan in this moment.

“First, let me address that research. It is a project that has been funded since my father’s time. It’s not just a meaningless study; it has yielded proper results. And as for the undead… I can only say we are currently searching for them. I express my regrets to those who are suffering; however, the Titans are sharing the same pain. It’s mutual suffering we must endure together.”

While it was clearly correct that Metios held responsibility as head of the Titans, he decided to be shameless about it.

What would they do even if they made a big fuss? The research funds came from the Titans’ treasury.

Yet, the four families attacking him like this didn’t seem strong enough to wage an all-out war with the Titans over such trivial matters.

The current Titan’s strongest force, the “Sky Knights,” had come under Atlas’s command.

For the time being, that was the case.

With their presence clear, the ones who could openly speak were merely experts of considerable skill.

Now, they really had nothing else to put on the table, which left Metios unfazed while Walter muttered.

“Indeed, a bold theft of the title of head. You’re extraordinarily shameless.”

The expressions of Russell and Nemea, who had been quietly listening, changed.

Russell merely tilted his head slightly, while Partro Nemea’s eyes widened in shock.

“…What did you just say?”

Seeing that reaction, Oneiroi seized the opportunity to push Metios even further.

“Don’t disgrace that position. It was never yours to begin with! Cronos had appointed someone else as the heir!!”

It looked like a crack might form in Metios’s expression.

It was a cowardly remark that targeted his knowledge of the Titans.

However, just that much wouldn’t bring Metios down.

“Can you take responsibility for what you just said? If you apologize, I’ll overlook it as a slip of the tongue.”

“Of course I can. I’ve spent my whole life serving beside Lord Cronos for forty years. I know well who he designated as the heir. The will should reflect that as well; shall I recite it? It undoubtedly stated, ‘The head of the Titan and the title shall be passed to the eldest son, Atlas Titan.’ Isn’t that right?”

Walter Oneiroi had a certain conviction.

Having seen Atlas Titan, the heir of Cronos who had grown to make even the head of the Sky Knights break out in a sweat while enduring Cronos’s harsh training, he recognized his capability.

He also remembered how Cronos had observed Atlas grow.

Nobody knew why the Titan disappeared.

Cronos had not spoken a single word about it.

Recently, Oneiroi had stumbled upon a shocking document.

“You know where Lord Atlas is, don’t you!”

Metios did not respond to Oneiroi’s words.

Seeing this, Oneiroi stood up and began pressing Metios even more fervently.

“Where did you imprison Lord Atlas so that you can take that position for yourself? I cannot accept this.”

“Walter, it seems there’s a misunderstanding… First, calm down and listen to what I have to say.”

“Misunderstanding? I’ve seen it clearly! The proof that Atlas was sent to the academy!”

Oneiroi was now getting closer to Metios, becoming increasingly agitated to the point that it felt like she might grab him by the collar.

-BOOM!!!

At that moment, an enormous explosion shook the entire mansion.

Everyone panicked when Partro was the first to open the window and survey the situation.

This was no ordinary explosion; it was a powerful blast infused with potent mana.

Looking ahead, there seemed to be no issues, but when they looked up, an unbelievable sight unfolded.

“A dragon…?”

A gigantic Black Dragon roared as it soared from the mountaintops.