BXBX NOVEL Chapter 49 – At Linus’ House (3)
As Linus greeted Hindrasta, she rolled her eyes and fainted.
It was a good thing I caught her; otherwise, she would have fallen into the puddle of her own urine.
“Sorry about this, Linus. I didn’t mention I was bringing her. Things got complicated after I sent you that letter.”
“It’s fine. Let’s get the dragon inside first. I’ll call the maids.”
Linus summoned the maids, who came and carefully carried Hindrasta into the mansion.
Watching them worriedly, Celine asked.
“Is that the dragon? The White Dragon you two chased away?”
“Yeah. Somehow, she ended up at our academy. But Linus, how did you recognize her?”
“A girl trembling and peeing herself at the sight of me? Who else could it be but a polymorphed Hindrasta?”
Good point.
“Let’s go inside. We have a lot to discuss.”
“Shouldn’t we meet the baby first?”
Celine nudged me towards Linus.
Linus, smiling, showed me the baby in his arms.
The baby had blonde hair and large, clear blue eyes.
Those eyes were as clear and transparent as the sky, curiously observing the surroundings.
Soft downy hair covered the small face, and the pink cheeks radiated healthy vitality.
A pure smile spread across the slightly parted lips.
The tiny, delicate hands lightly grasped as if trying to hold onto something, with clean, transparent fingertips.
The baby’s pure appearance naturally brought a smile to anyone who saw it, exuding a beauty that was innocence itself.
The overall features resembled Linus, while the smile and aura were reminiscent of Celine.
“You said it’s a boy? Named Lumien, right?”
“Yeah. Look at this, Dian.”
Linus pulled a well-dried walnut from his pocket and placed it in the baby’s hand.
The baby promptly crushed the walnut with a loud crack.
“What the…?”
“We only found out recently. He broke the crib’s railing with his foot one night.”
“Wow, he’s already showing signs of being a hero.”
We laughed and entered the mansion.
“Holy…”
I couldn’t help but gape at the interior.
This wasn’t a house; it was a palace.
The entrance hall had an impressive high, arched ceiling with a magnificent chandelier in the center.
The chandelier’s numerous crystals reflected light, casting beautiful patterns on the walls and floor.
The walls were adorned with intricate gold leaf decorations and delicate carvings, making it truly look like part of a palace.
The floor was finished with luxurious marble, and an intricately patterned rug softened footsteps, providing a pleasant sensation with each step.
On either side of the hall, various artworks were displayed.
One wall had paintings by famous artists, while the other featured antique furniture and artifacts.
In a corner, there was a small museum-like space displaying ancient armor and weapons.
“Linus, have you changed after tasting wealth? Isn’t this a bit too extravagant?”
“I didn’t want to live like this, but the Second Princess insisted. I couldn’t refuse.”
According to Linus, he initially planned to build a small, modest house, but the Second Princess insisted that the hero of the continent shouldn’t live in such a place, practically forcing this grand mansion on him.
“She probably wanted to keep up appearances. If the person who killed the Demon King isn’t treated well, who would volunteer next time?”
“You’re right, Dian. And there’s another reason.”
Linus alluded to the Second Princess’s political maneuvering to keep him under her control.
Despite being the child of a concubine, the Second Princess wielded immense political power post-war, monopolizing key positions in the Palace. She even managed to draw Linus, the hero, into her fold.
I later learned that during her rise to power, many mysterious deaths occurred.
Some official died vomiting blood after drinking, a general was stabbed by their subordinate, and some minister collapsed clutching their chests on their way to work….
They all had one thing in common: they opposed the Second Princess and her post-war faction.
It was clear that these were assassinations orchestrated by the Second Princess’s side, but no evidence could ever be found.
The Imperial Palace became known for its saying: “Oppose the Second Princess, and you’ll disappear without a trace.” After a series of such assassinations, she secured the most important position as the Head of Imperial Security.
It was baffling how a concubine’s child could become the Head of Imperial Security, but the stories explained it.
While she was cunning and capable, she lacked legitimacy due to her origins, so the Princess needed Linus firmly under her control.
She had tried to make him the academy’s headmaster to keep him close.
And to ensure he didn’t ally with other factions, she lavished him with rewards.
She even gave him a decade-long paid parental leave and a prime estate near the capital, building this grand mansion.
It was all too complex. Leaving the Imperial Palace and everything behind ten years ago was the best decision I ever made.
Sitting in the opulent drawing room, I looked around and asked.
“Where are the medals and awards we received? Aren’t they displayed?”
“What’s the point of displaying them at home?”
“You could show them to guests.”
“I didn’t walk this path to boast to others.”
“Really? I wanted to look at them and reminisce.”
“In that case, I welcome it.”
Linus instructed a servant bringing tea.
“Please bring the box stored in the inner part of the storage room.”
Most people wouldn’t receive one medal in their lifetime, and Linus had stashed away his in a storage box. Typical Linus.
“By the way, Dian. What’s the deal with Hindrasta? I saw her in a school uniform. Is she a student at your academy?”
“Yeah. Do you know about the special student selection we did recently?”
“I heard. It was a big deal even outside.”
“She applied in that. Not to become a special student, but to protect someone who did. She’s been with the Revlon Mercenary Mercenary Corps since the war.”
I told Linus about Hindrasta’s circumstances.
Initially, she joined the war for the thrill of causing chaos, but after we beat her soundly and she fled, the Dragon Elders bound her in a human form and cast her out. Needing to survive, she joined a mercenary band.
“She joined the war just to cause chaos? What a troublesome dragon. But her recent situation is quite pitiful.”
Linus said, nodding slowly.
“So, has Hindrasta agreed to continue studying at the academy?”
“Not exactly agreed. I’ve just kept her there by force. I’m trying to raise the overall level of our graduates.”
“I see. The Imperial Palace would also appreciate having a polymorphed dragon as an operative. But if you forced her, she might run away someday. That would be worse than letting her go.”
“That’s why I used your name.”
Linus watched me for a moment before understanding and laughing softly.
“You told her we’d come after her if she ran, didn’t you?”
“There’s no other way to keep her in check. So when she wakes up, give her a scare, would you?”
“Got it. Don’t worry about that.”
“So, Dian, what have you been up to all this time?”
Celine asked once we had finished discussing Hindrasta.
“I really wanted to invite you to our wedding, but we couldn’t find you despite searching everywhere. Linus said you were in Brunswell.”
“Not much. Just lived a carefree life with the reward money. Oh, by the way, I have a question…”
I lowered my voice, speaking in a hushed voice.
“Is… Lormane coming today?”
“Lormane? No, she said she had something urgent to attend to and couldn’t make it.”
“Haa, thank goodness.”
“You’re still not over that?”
Celine laughed at my relief.
“How could I forget in just ten years?”
“Ahaha, true… But do tell us about your life. We heard you single-handedly took down a gang in Brunswell. That was you, right?”
“Yeah, that was me.”
I shivered at the memory of Lormane and began recounting my story, from the night I crossed the drawbridge out of the Imperial Palace to Brunswell and up until now.
# # # # # #
“So you really lived a carefree life, huh?”
Celine marveled when I finished.
“I wish Linus could have done the same. He’s had a rough ten years in the Imperial Palace.”
Celine laid a hand on Linus’s back, looking at him with concern.
“Being a hero, he didn’t have much choice. I was free to leave because I’m nobody.”
“Don’t say that, Dian.”
Linus rebuked gently.
“If it weren’t for you, neither Celine nor I would be here. We wouldn’t have made it out of the Demon King’s castle alive.”
“It’s the truth. As I always say, you’re the real protagonist of this world, Linus. You were then, and you are now.”
“What exactly do you mean by ‘this world’… Uh, thank you.”
The servant returned with a worn cardboard box.
Linus took the box and casually dumped its contents onto the table.
A pile of medals, all gleaming in various colors, spilled out, filling the table.
Linus sorted through them as if sorting fish at a market.
“These are the ones we received after the war…”
Medals clattered into the box.
“Here are the ones from the beginning. And the medals you left, I kept them with mine.”
Linus gathered about forty medals into the center of the table.
“This is the first medal we received.”
Among them, Linus held up a medal.
It was a Third Class Meritorious Service Medal, awarded to us for capturing enemy prisoners during the Battle of Camel Ridge.
“Ah, that one. That was a fun time.”
The memories came flooding back.
# # # # # #
“Finally found you.”
Linus, who was sitting in the corner of the trench eating a potato, looked up.
A brown-haired soldier grinned down at him.
“You’re that hick, Linus, right?”
“Yes. What do you want?”
“Potatoes taste better with salt.”
The soldier plopped down next to Linus and handed him a small pouch filled with salt.
“Where’d you get this? I don’t recall salt being in today’s rations.”
“Found it in the lieutenant’s private stash. Don’t worry, it was supposed to be shared with the men, but he was hoarding it.”
“But this is stealing.”
“Isn’t it stealing when he hoards the rations? This is just reclaiming what’s ours.”
“That may be true, but…”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Dian. Same rookie batch as you.”
Dian extended his hand to Linus.
“Let’s stick together as rookies.”