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Chapter 26: A Stubborn Father, A Stubborn Son
🕑 Added 2025-10-19 10:32:00 +0000 UTCChapter 26: A Stubborn Father, A Stubborn Son
"Heh heh heh... the little bird's wings have gotten strong..."
In the dimly lit bedroom, Maha chuckled, his eyes glued to the cartoon playing on his small screen. For a split second, his ears seemed to stretch and grow to an impossible size, then shrink back just as quickly. On the screen, a cartoon father and son were having a screaming match over a toy, the argument escalating until the father reached for his belt.
Creeak... The door opened, and Zeno, his white hair a stark contrast to the shadows, pushed a small dining cart into the room.
"You seem to be in a good mood today, Grandfather."
He brought the cart to a stop and lifted the silver cloche. Alongside the usual beef bourguignon and a soup with torn bread, there was a small, fragrant plate of eggplant with minced meat.
"The kitchen staff developed a new recipe, based on something that boy Roy made," Zeno explained. "Since you enjoyed it so much, I brought you a plate." He had tried it himself in the kitchen; the flavor was complex and delicious, unlike anything he'd ever tasted.
"Heh heh... well, look at me," Maha rasped, not opening his eyes. "Getting a personal delivery from a busy man like you. How important I must be..."
Zeno didn't react to the sarcasm. He ladled out a bowl of soup, methodically tearing the bread into it. He moved behind the rocking chair and began to massage his grandfather's frail shoulders.
"Kikyo was poisoned," he said, his voice low. "It was one of the new butlers. Silva investigated. The man's background is clean, no grudge against the family. It was a complete accident."
He paused, his long, slender fingers working the knots in Maha's back. "As you know, Grandfather, our family doesn't fear targeted attacks. What we fear... are coincidences."
Maha grunted in contentment as Zeno's massage hit a particularly sore spot. "You're still worried about the 'curse,' aren't you?" he said, his voice a dry whisper. "If it's coming, it's coming. Worrying is a waste of energy."
"Your wisdom is profound, Grandfather."
"I'm not being wise. I'm just telling you that seeing your worried face annoys me."
"Does seeing Roy's face annoy you?"
"He's my pride and joy. How can you compare?"
"I'm your grandson, too."
"You?" The old man tilted his chin towards the door. "Get out."
And so, Zeno was once again ejected. Grandfather is still Grandfather, he thought, a faint smile on his lips. That was all he needed to know. He stood outside the door for a moment, then, with his hands clasped behind his back, he began to walk down the ancient corridor, his steps leading him, as if by instinct, towards Roy's room.
Roy had just finished speaking with Gotoh and was heading out, Snow-Walker in hand. As he rounded a corner, he came face to face with his grandfather. He immediately bowed his head. "Grandfather."
The morning sun caught in the boy's dark hair, making it shine. For a fleeting moment, Zeno was transported back in time, to his own youth. "Hmph," he grunted, his eyes scanning Roy from head to toe, lingering for a fraction of a second on the white-sheathed katana. He then walked past him without another word.
"That's a fine blade," Zeno's voice drifted back down the hall. "A shame its previous owner was a fool. He offered me a hundred million Jenny to kill his master. I decided killing him was better value. I hope it has found a better master this time."
With a flicker of movement, Zeno was gone.
Roy stood there for a moment, the sun warming the back of his neck. Then he turned and walked in the opposite direction, towards the training hall.
Luke, the butler in charge of electroshock training, was already waiting. Seeing Roy enter, he swapped the 500,000-volt prod in his hand for the one-million-volt model.
"The Master has ordered that the Young Master's training intensity be doubled, starting today," Luke said, bowing respectfully.
Roy looked at him, his face impassive. "I was told my morning training was cancelled." Gotoh had just said so. Luke had to know.
"Only Young Master Illumi's training was cancelled, sir. Yours is to proceed."
Roy stared at the butler for a long moment. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he sensed a presence. He whipped his head towards the window.
Silva was standing there, watching him. His massive frame was a dark silhouette against the rising sun, blocking out the light.
And in that instant, Roy understood. His father had overheard his conversation with Gotoh. This was his "punishment."
Roy met his father's gaze without flinching. For a moment, the air between them seemed to crackle with an unseen energy. Luke, caught in the middle, remained frozen in his bow, barely daring to breathe.
Finally, Silva spoke, his voice a low rumble. "What did you call me?"
"Father."
"That's not what you called me this morning."
"As you said, that was this morning," Roy replied, taking a slow breath. "This is now."
There was a long, heavy silence.
"Shock him," Silva said.
Luke straightened up, a quiet "My apologies" on his lips. He pressed the prod against Roy's chest.
A million volts of electricity surged through him. The world exploded into white-hot pain. His muscles spasmed, his body twitching violently, but he locked his knees, refusing to fall, his eyes still fixed on his father's silhouette.
He held the gaze until his world went black.
Nine in the morning.
Roy slowly came to. So, being electrocuted into unconsciousness doesn't trigger the 'deep sleep' mode, he noted clinically. He was still on the floor of the training hall, not in the shrine.
"How long was I out?" he rasped, his throat dry, as Luke helped him sip some water.
"Thirty minutes and three seconds, Young Master."
He looked towards the window. The sun was higher now, its heat baking the stone floor. Silva was gone. Roy tried to push himself up, but his limbs wouldn't obey. He staggered a few steps and collapsed back onto the floor.
"Young Master, please be careful not to crush Young Master Illumi," Luke said, rushing to his side.
Roy looked down. His rear end was cushioned by something soft. Lying on the floor beneath him, his long, straight hair now a frizzy, electrified mess, was Illumi.
"What is he doing here?"
"After Young Master Illumi completed his Nen-type test, he came directly to the training hall," Luke explained. "When he heard your training had been intensified, he insisted on receiving the same. I had no choice but to comply. And... well, you see the result."
