The Mad Dog of the Duke's Estate-Chapter 399. Side Story 4. Epilogue (2)

The schedule in the New Continent turned out to be wildly hectic.

"Your Majesty!"

"Please accept our humble offerings!"

Wherever they went, demons rushed toward Caron, shouting his name as if calling for salvation. Their arms were stacked with enormous gifts, so much so that Caron's butler, Urhan, nearly collapsed from trying to gather them all.

Caron accepted each gift gladly. Rather than treating them as tributes, he stored them as voluntary donations, planning to distribute them to the needy as soon as they returned to the continent.

In that process, Aqua's magic shone brilliantly.

"The magic of dimensional space is a bit complicated, but as long as there's plenty of material, I can cast it however much I want," she said.

"This is why one's daughter has to be a dragon," Caron said proudly. "Aqua, I'm overjoyed."

"You're only happy at times like this," Aqua muttered.

The magic of a dragon nearing adulthood truly lived up to the name of the greatest magical race. While human archmages struggled to cast magic of dimensional space, Aqua used draconic incantations to deploy it with a flick of her wrist.

After ruffling Aqua's hair, Caron turned to look out the window of the slowly moving automobile as bustling cities passed by.

The Arcane Civilization, which had once forged a brilliant era through magic, was now being rapidly rebuilt by its descendants.

The land is huge, and it has far more resources than I imagined, Caron thought.

During the long period of three hundred years tainted by dark mana, immense quantities of mana stones had formed beneath the New Continent. Originally, they had been corrupted by dark mana. But when the Demon King of Void perished, the dark mana had vanished along with him—leaving behind only pristine, high-purity mana stones.

Naturally, the greatest merchant guilds across the continent had turned their eyes toward this new opportunity. With civilization advancing, the consumption of mana stones had skyrocketed.

"Father," Bren said.

"What is it, Bren?" Caron asked.

"They really seem to respect you from the bottom of their hearts," Bren remarked.

His gaze was fixed on the masses of demons outside the carriage—faces glowing with near-fanatical fervor. If anything, they seemed to revere his father far more here than back in the empire.

This is incredible, Bren thought.

He'd heard since childhood that his father was a hero. His father was a man others feared—yet someone gentler, warmer, and kinder than anyone else he knew.

To Bren, Caron wasn't some distant hero, but a father he admired with his whole heart. Coming here strengthened a thought he had been carrying quietly: He wanted to become someone like his father.

Bren wondered to himself, if he trained hard in swordsmanship and studied diligently... Could he someday reach the same heights as his father?

Instead, Caron gave him a slightly complicated smile and said, "Rather than respect... Hmm, this might be a bit difficult for you to understand, Bren."

"I'll try hard to understand, Father," Bren said earnestly.

Caron laughed softly and thought, Who did he get this bright mind from?

Then he affectionately patted Bren's shoulder and began, "You get tired when you run for a long time, right?"

"Yes, I do," Bren answered.

"And when people grow tired or worn out, they need a place to rest. Everyone does," Caron continued.

Bren didn't need to become a great knight. It would be nice if he had enough strength to protect himself, but Caron never wanted his son to become obsessed with power.

There were already so many people in this world who would protect Bren. Caron would. So would Seria. And beyond that—every elder at Azureocean Castle, Halo, and many others would safeguard the children's futures.

So Caron softly said, "I want you to become a place of rest for someone, Bren. That's what your father hopes for."

Maybe the words were too difficult. Bren fell quiet, thinking deeply. Then he tilted his head and asked, "If I train hard in swordsmanship... Will that make me one?"

"Swordsmanship is one path," Caron said with a warm laugh. "With it, you can protect the people most precious to you. But, Bren, there's more than one way to protect others."

"Then... What should I do?" Bren asked.

"That's something my smart son will discover on his own. Study well, experience different things... and then you'll understand what I meant. I believe in you," Caron said.

Bren could choose anything. He had a future wide open before him—a future Caron and Seria were determined to support.

Though... He certainly was born with talent, Caron thought.

Bren's swordsmanship was so outstanding that it was difficult to find a rival among children his age. And that was without parental bias.

To make matters worse—or better—Halo often stopped by to give him private lessons whenever he was bored. There was no reason for Bren's sword skills not to skyrocket.

Physical ability, wit, reflexes... Bren was a child overflowing with dazzling talent. But Caron would never force him to become a knight. In this new age, countless paths were open.

"Daddy! What about me? What about me?" Luina asked, raising her hand.

Caron scooped her into a quick hug and replied, "Of course I believe in you too."

"Then I'll protect you and Mommy!" Luina declared proudly.

"You can't protect anyone if you keep picking out the carrots in your food," Aqua cut in.

Luina scrunched her face adorably, and replied, "Uuuugh... I have to eat carrots to protect you and Mom? Fiiiine! Then I'll try eating them!"

If this wasn't happiness, nothing else could be. Caron smiled blissfully at his lovable children.

Soon, the automobile left the city behind.

Their destination was Carpe Diem—the former stronghold of the Demon King of Sloth, and now the capital of Piamen. Caron had visited once with the army, but coming here with his family felt like an entirely different world.

It was a changed era, a changed land.

Their journey through the New Continent began on a wonderful note.

***

Carpe Diem was the capital of Piamen. The city, which had once been gloomy and desolate, had transformed into something else entirely.

"This is where our King slew the vile Demon King of Sloth!"

"Master dwarf sculptors! Could you make the Warrior's statue even more magnificent?"

"Aaaah! O Light! I have finally set foot upon this blessed ground!"

It had become, quite simply, a city of fanaticism.

The situation here was even more intense than at the port. Statues of Caron stood at every corner—grand, overwhelming monuments carved in his likeness. They were even constructing a temple.

Caron pointed toward the temple rising near the old Demon King's fortress and asked Judas dryly, "Who approved that? Even if the world changed... Are we really building a temple here?"

For ages, the demons and the Holy Kingdom had nursed deep mutual hatred. Though the two sides had reconciled, Caron had never expected this level of zeal. It was to the point that he wondered if rebellion could break out from internal backlash—but the reality was quite the opposite.

"I approved it," Judas said.

"You think that temple will function properly?" Caron asked skeptically.

"We built it in hopes that even a symbolic gesture like this might soften the continentals' hostility. No one opposed it. In fact, the citizens petitioned for it first. And the Holy Kingdom accepted it gladly," Judas explained.

The Holy Kingdom was no longer the blindly extremist nation it had once been. The moment it stepped into the system built by the empire, it had begun to transform into a far more pragmatic state.

A nation needed money to function—everyone understood that. And the Holy Kingdom had no reason to refuse a project drenched in profit like this.

"This really is the end times, isn't it? Don't you think the Light might get angry over this?" Caron muttered.

Seria was the one who answered him. "Think of how many more people they can help with the money they earn. Isn't that exactly what following the will of the Light means?"

"That's... a pretty solid argument," Caron admitted.

"Even clergy can't survive on holy water alone," Seria added. "You know that better than anyone."

All in all, these changes were good. If they kept attracting tourists and strengthening cultural exchange, the New Continent would eventually blend naturally with the continent.

Caron found himself thinking that sparing the demons long ago had been the right decision after all.

Going forward, the New Continent had two roles to play. To give the continent a healthy sense of tension, and to lead it toward new paths of progress.

It had been a gamble, but the results pleased him.

"Though this level of worship still feels like too much," Caron said.

"You are our god, Your Majesty. Of course we should revere you," Judas said as if it were obvious.

"Hmm," Caron responded as he looked around at the countless statues of himself, unable to hide his discomfort.

While Caron's family enjoyed their time in Carpe Diem, Revelio approached with Halo trailing behind him.

"Caron," Revelio said, "Halo has a favor to ask you."

"Halo?" Caron asked, glancing lazily at his nephew.

Halo shrugged and asked, "Can you come with me somewhere?"

"Let me hear it first," Caron replied.

"Since we're already in the New Continent, I want to visit the old Realm of Void. I can't take Father with me, so Uncle, you should come instead."

"Which part of the Realm of Void?" Caron asked.

"The Core of Sin," Halo answered. "Where you fought your final battle."

"Hmmm," Caron turned to Judas and asked, "Is entry into the Core of Sin allowed yet?"

Judas made a troubled face and answered, "It is still under restricted access. The area is not dangerous, according to our investigations, but because of its history we are approaching it cautiously. However, Your Majesty may go wherever you wish."

If even the slightest trace of the Void remained, it could trigger disaster once again.

Caron stroked his chin, then asked Halo, "Why exactly do you need me to go with you?"

"I can't drag Father into a dangerous place. He's the emperor of the Orias Empire. What if something happened to him?" Halo replied.

"...Halo! I didn't know you cared about me that much. I am very happy to—" Revelio began, getting emotional.

"Honestly, if he comes, he'll just get in the way. So it's better if it's just the two of us, Uncle," Halo interrupted.

"Ugh—!" Revelio responded.

So it turned out he was still considered baggage.

What breeze blew through this brat today? Caron wondered.

After a moment of thought, he glanced at Seria and asked, "Mind if I take my nephew for a little trip?"

Seria laughed softly and nodded. "Go ahead. Halo must be curious about a lot."

"I'll be back soon," Caron said.

"Enjoy some quality time with your nephew," Seria added.

That phrase made Caron grimace. Quality time with Halo... The mere thought made him shudder.

But Halo, shameless as always, bent down to Bren and Luina and said, "I'm borrowing your daddy for a bit, okay?"

"For free?" Luina asked.

"I'll bring you candy when I get back, Luina," Halo said with a chuckle.

"Deal!" Luina answered excitedly.

And so Caron was sold off for the price of a single piece of candy.

Caron exchanged a quick farewell with his family before climbing into the automobile with Halo.

"The road to the Realm of Void has already been refurbished. Please enjoy a comfortable trip."

It was a self-driving vehicle—an incredibly convenient way to travel.

Whoosh!

As the mana engine hummed to life, Caron settled back into his seat. Judas, ever the loyal retainer, had even prepared a polished little table with drinks already set out.

Caron popped open the bottle's cork, poured a drink into a glass, and asked, "Halo, want a drink?"

"I'd love one," Halo answered.

"You're still wet behind the ears," Caron grumbled.

"You don't actually think of me that way, Uncle," Halo snapped.

"Well, that's true. But don't tell your mother," Caron requested.

"They basically gave up on me anyway, so it's fine," Halo reassured.

"Wow. What a thing to brag about," Caron said.

"Your parents also gave up on you too, Uncle," Halo continued.

"Who said that? I lived a perfectly upright life," Caron corrected Halo.

"Oh please," Halo said with a sigh. "Every time you open your mouth it's lies, lies, lies... How are you exactly the same even after all these years?"

He took a small sip of his drink and gazed out the window. The sky was blue. There was no longer any ash-colored sky in this land—only stretches of newly developing earth and an impossibly blue horizon.

"So," Caron said lazily, "has my annoying nephew finally decided to tell the truth? There's nothing in the Core of Sin anymore."

"That's why I want to check it out," Halo replied. "Who knows? Maybe the Demon King of Void left behind a seed or something."

"...Halo," Caron said, narrowing his eyes, "I'm really starting to wonder what's going on inside your head these days."

"I'm just living however life comes at me," Halo answered.

The automobile sped along, eventually reaching the outskirts of the Realm of Void.

Armed demons stood guard at the entrance, and the moment they spotted Caron, they saluted sharply.

"We greet the King!"

"We greet the King!"

Caron leaned halfway out the window and waved, then said, "My nephew and I want to look around for a bit. Mind letting us through?"

"Yes, Your Majesty! Please wait one moment!"

Fwoooosh!

The magical barrier blocking the road dissolved, and the path opened. They entered the Realm of Void.

There was nothing particularly special there now—just blue skies and land where life had begun to grow again.

As the automobile rolled along, Caron cast a sidelong glance at Halo and asked, "So what are you really planning to do?"

"At the Core of Sin—where the Demon King of Void died—there's something I need to do," Halo said. "I made a contract."

"...A contract?" Caron asked.

"It's related to the World Tree. Don't worry about it and just follow me. Why're you so talkative today?" Halo replied.

"I'm your uncle, you brat," Caron snapped.

"Did I deny it?" Halo asked with a smirk.

Caron wondered what in the world his lunatic nephew was planning. He stared into Halo's eyes, a frown deepening across his brow.

Caron sensed something ominous. Something very, very troublesome.