The Hero Becomes the Duke’s Eldest Son

Translator: Marctempest
Editor: Rynfinity

Chapter 49

Joseph felt a mix of gratitude and complex emotions towards Aden. His daughter, who had been in a state of panic whenever he called her, quickly regained her composure at the sound of Aden’s voice.

This unconsciously indicated that she relied more on Aden than her own father, Joseph. Perhaps it was because Aden had saved her from the Cerberus Guild and avenged her.

That’s likely why she wanted to have a private conversation with Aden.

There were things she couldn’t say to her parents, or rather, things she couldn’t say because they were her parents.

Although it was somewhat bitter, Joseph soon changed his thoughts.

‘No, perhaps I should be grateful just for having someone she can rely on.’

For that reason, Joseph was sincerely grateful to Aden.

“I’m always indebted to you, Lord Aden.”

“Well, if you feel that way, just don’t run away to the Order when everything is over. You are still my exclusive alchemist of the Remes Duchy.”

Despite knowing that Joseph was a member of the Seven Star Council, Aden’s attitude towards him hadn’t changed.

Therefore, Joseph could face Aden with a more comfortable heart. He smiled slightly.

“Of course. As long as my daughter Elise is safe, my soul belongs to you, my lord.”

When trading with Aden in Makellan’s black market, he had said that he was willing to sell his soul to save his daughter. Joseph hadn’t forgotten that. Aden chuckled at the absurdity of it.

“Is it right for a member of the Seven Star Council to sell his soul?”

At Aden’s joking words, Joseph’s face turned serious as he replied.

“Yes, I am a member of the Seven Star Council. My faith remains unchanged, but what is more important is my daughter’s safety and happiness. I would sell my soul for that.”

Those words carried significant meaning.

It was as if he was saying he would pledge his loyalty to Aden in exchange for Elise’s protection. Protecting one’s own was the duty of the one who owned them.

‘Joseph knows as well.’

He must be anxious.

Ten years ago, the Holy Mark Hunter incident left the perpetrator uncaught, making it likely that Elise would be targeted again. Except for Elise, whom Joseph had taken away during his escape from the Order, all other Holy Mark holders had died.

This indicated that the perpetrator was within the Order.

Joseph must have known this and was asking Aden to protect Elise.

There was only one thing Aden could say to Joseph.

“Both Joseph and Elise are my people. And I always protect what is mine.”

Joseph’s face showed trust as if those words were enough.

“Thank you.”

Aden turned around and walked away. As he walked alone down the corridor, he mulled over the words he had said to Elise.

‘Home…’
Aden had never had a proper home in his previous life.

For a mercenary, a building was just a place to shelter from the wind and rain, eat, drink, and enjoy, and then leave after a few days.

Mercenaries had no home, so they wandered the world aimlessly.

Until he entered the body of Aden Rem
es, he had never stayed in one place for so long.

Aden had obtained a “home” called the Remes Duchy. It felt strange and unfamiliar. But…

‘It’s not bad.’

The existence of a home didn’t feel bad.

Although he felt it was a bit luxurious for someone who should be solely focused on revenge, it was a fresh feeling to have something he didn’t have in his previous life.

Aden chuckled to himself.

“Well, since I have a home, I should return to it.”

For that, he needed to uncover and resolve the conspiracy lurking within the Order.

Waking up the High Priest was naturally part of that. As he was lost in thought, Aden ran into someone.

“Greetings, Lord Remes.”

“…Bishop Hakel.”

Bishop Hakel smiled kindly but soon wore a worried expression.

“I heard there was a little commotion. How is the Saintess?”

“She’s fine. With Joseph by her side, there shouldn’t be any major issues.”

Aden didn’t like Bishop Hakel, but he didn’t show it.

Although Hakel would ruin the Order in the future, he hadn’t done anything yet. Without his clerical robes, Hakel was like an old man from the neighborhood.

In the Order, he was well-regarded.

‘To think such a person would ruin the Order in the future.’

Hakel extended his hand for a handshake and spoke.

“If you hadn’t rescued Saintess Elise from the insurgents, our Order would have lost hope. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Ha ha, it is something. You are a benefactor to our Order.”

Aden shook his hand out of courtesy, but he was taken aback by the sudden voice of Curse.

– Aden Albireo, this man is a warlock. And a strong one at that.

“…”

The unexpected identity of Bishop Hakel was revealed.

* * *

Aden sat in his room with a serious expression, lost in thought.

“Say it again.”

– It seems he tried to hide it, but I sensed dark magic energy from that bishop. He’s a warlock. Strong for a human. Not as strong as the leader of the warlocks we saw before, but still.

Aden clicked his tongue.

A warlock as a bishop of the Sacred Fire Order.

It was absurd. However, if the bishop was the culprit, everything made sense.

The Holy Mark Hunter incident. With his rank, it would be possible to kill the children under the protection of the Sacred Fire Order.

“The reason must be to become the High Priest.”

The saint is the next High Priest and the future of the Order.

Without the High Priest and the saint, the authority of the Order would naturally fall to the bishop.

Bishop Hakel had indeed become the next High Priest in the future, ruining the venerable Order. But Aden hadn’t realized that the bishop himself was a warlock in his past life.

If his goal was to become the High Priest and the highest authority of the Order…

‘He will target Elise before the awakening ceremony.’

The awakening ceremony was scheduled for two days later, on the night of the full moon. Before that, he would likely cause a major incident. Aden gritted his teeth.

“Damn warlocks. They’re like cockroaches.”

Aden hadn’t liked the bishop from the start. Preventing the corruption of the Order was a must, even if it wasn’t just for Elise’s sake.

‘The Grand Alchemist Kalsis. That bastard advanced the field of alchemy by incorporating the Order’s alchemy into traditional alchemy.’

He created more diverse and superior alchemical theories and outcomes.

Originally, this knowledge should have been strictly managed by the Order, but as it became corrupt, the essential alchemical knowledge was sold for bribes and private gain.

If the bishop remained unchecked, it would only result in Kalsis’s power growing stronger in the future.

“I can’t let that happen.”

Seeing Aden’s reaction, Curse spoke.

– It seems unusual for the priests of the Order to practice dark magic.

“Are you kidding? It’s unthinkable.”

The three great Holy Orders despised the sinister powers of the underworld.

Excluding Talos and the warlocks was fundamental. Priests practicing dark magic?

Execution would be the least of their worries; they’d be put on trial and displayed as a warning.

– Hmm, I momentarily forgot because there are so many practitioners of dark magic.

Wait, what?

“Hey, wait. What do you mean? Are there more warlocks besides the bishop?”

– Indeed.

“Are you sure you didn’t see it wrong?”

Curse scoffed at Aden’s suspicious gaze.

– Dragon Slayer, though this body is not my true form, I am the Lord of all that is unclean, the Underlord. No one can deceive my eyes.

No one could surpass the Underlord, who ruled over all dark magic energy.

It made sense that it would be easier for warlocks to infiltrate the Order under the guise of priests. This meant there were numerous enemies within the Order.

– So, what will you do?

“What do you mean? I’ll have to catch them all.”

The warlocks were hiding among the Order’s priests.

To do that, he needed to accurately identify all the warlocks, and fortunately, he had a good method.

“I have a ‘super powerful dark magic detector’ named Curse.”

– I find that term unpleasant, Aden Albireo.

Aden ignored Curse’s complaint. The Underlord, ruling over all dark magic, would not be deceived by any warlock.

– However, Dragon Slayer, there is a flaw in your plan.

Curse’s voice carried a mocking tone, as if he had caught Aden off guard. His laughter held the arrogance of someone in control.

– You need my full cooperation to find the warlocks. But I have no reason to help you…

“I’ll cut off your Holy Potion intake for two days.”

– …Of course, there is every reason to help you. Ask me anything, no warlock can deceive my eyes.

Aden was impressed by how quickly Curse maintained his haughty tone while being so compliant.

Then Curse hesitantly asked Aden.

– But… can’t we make it three days?

“…”

* * *

Bishop Hakel of the Sacred Fire Order. He was known as a well-liked and influential figure within the Order.

Crash!

In his room, he threw a vase to the ground in a fit of rage.

“Damn it!”

His face contorted with anger, far from his usual kindness.

The twisted, rage-filled expression was his true self. He was in a basement room accessible only through a secret passage from his quarters. Only the bishop and his aide could enter, allowing him to reveal his true self without worry.

His face showed intense jealousy and greed, with a hint of fear.

“If that wretched girl Elise becomes the saint, and the High Priest awakens, it’s all over!”

Because he was the one who had caused the High Priest to fall. He had cast a curse on the High Priest and mocked him, confident that the Order would become his.

He believed no one could cure the High Priest since he had killed all the Holy Mark holders.

The Holy Mark Hunter.

That was Bishop Hakel. But he hadn’t expected Elise, the last surviving Holy Mark holder of this generation, to be found. His eyes showed envy and inferiority as he thought of Elise.

His aide, Kabeton, also a warlock, tried to calm him down.

“Bishop, please calm down.”

“How can I calm down!”

Tearing at his robes and nearly ripping his chest apart, he revealed a faint scar resembling a flame. It was the mark of a weakened Holy Mark.

“I must become the master of this Order… I should have been the saint, the chosen one!”

Madness gleamed in his eyes.