Chapter 116: Head of the Family

“What do you want?”

I quietly asked the father standing before me.

“My son has risen to major general. Of course I would say a word or two. It’s the greatest honor. You’ve done well.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re now the first member of House Willard to become a major general.”

House Willard was much like a margravial house. Located in southern Lunoa along the border with the Austin Empire, it had long stood watch against the empire. Its territory was a little too small for the title of margrave, but its role was similar.

Its lands were fertile, and commerce flourished. Militarily and financially strong, House Willard was well-rounded enough to earn favors from ducal families.

Even so, no member of the family had ever risen to major general or higher. Members of House Willard usually stopped at brigadier general, exercising their power in the family’s own army rather than seeking advancement in the central military.

Although the army had been unified long ago, noble families still possessed their own forces. That system, however, was rapidly disappearing in the Great War.

“We must reconsider who should become the next head of the family.”

“…”

That was the point.

The age in which noble families possessed and displayed their own armed strength was ending. The war had lasted only six months, yet integration was progressing faster than ever. It was now necessary to demonstrate power within the central military.

“I’m a soldier.”

Father’s reasoning was rational and natural for the head of a noble family.

“Nothing more and nothing less.”

Whether I would agree to it was another matter.

I felt no affection for House Willard. I had never regarded my family in this world as my true family, not even those related to me by blood. I regarded Father as a stranger too.

For someone who wanted a peaceful life behind the lines, becoming the next head of House Willard was the last thing I wanted.

“Noah, I’m saying this for your sake.”

Father spoke plainly as I looked at him coldly.

“Even I can no longer stop those who support you as the next head. If Eisen awakens now, he won’t be able to stop the momentum either.”

“…”

“Change the heir while he sleeps, and I’ll support you. Then the matter can be settled without pointless conflict. I know that, unlike me, you don’t love House Willard, but it’s too late to turn the tide.”

“There’s no reason for me to remain with House Willard—”

“There is. However you live, the name of the house into which you were born will follow you and affect how others judge you. That applies not only to you, but also to Shia. It isn’t something you can easily discard.”

I ground my teeth.

“What do you say?”

“…”

After thinking for a while, I asked Father a fundamental question.

“Do you truly have no objection?”

“As long as House Willard prospers, I don’t care. I’m fortunate that you’re intelligent. Because you never exposed a weakness, I couldn’t bring myself to exile you. That has worked in my favor.”

His answer was much as I had expected.

Father bore no malice. He had merely tried to remove a clod of earth because it was in his way. That was all.

“We shouldn’t discuss this while Eisen-niisama is unconscious.”

“I think this is the best time.”

“It isn’t something you can decide unilaterally. I’m about to leave for a foreign country. There’s no need to rush this now, while no one knows what may happen.”

“Hmm… You escaped that well.”

“…”

“That will do for now, but prepare yourself. Becoming head of the family wouldn’t be entirely bad. What is it you want—a peaceful life with your sister? Your relationship seems to go beyond that of siblings, but I neglected you for years and won’t complain now. As head of the family, you could make that life a reality. And if you introduced democracy—that political system from the New Continent—you could even reduce your workload.”

“…Yes.”

“I’ll support you rather than Eisen. I won’t allow trouble to arise. All that remains is your resolve. I’ll contact you when Eisen wakes. Decide by then.”

“…Understood.”

“Goodbye.”

Speaking in the same detached tone throughout, Father left me.

He was right. Even if I became the head of the family, my future might not be so different from the one I wanted.

“…I resent them more than I thought.”

I had never dwelled on how House Willard had treated me, nor had I wanted revenge.

But I didn’t want to become one of them.