Noel smiled. "Well, I want to help you in your work. Is it possible, Father?"
"Of course, of course. You're a smart kid, so you should understand at least half of the work already. You're just lacking in experience, so your father here will help you experience everything." Luke bumped his chest with his fist as if he was fired up. "Though, are you sure you want to do it? The usual you will always ask me to leave you alone."
"Mhm." Noel looked down with a sad smile. "It's just… not all dreams end in a happy ending."
When they heard those words, they understood Noel's meaning. It seemed the reason why Noel wanted to work hard because he saw that bad ending.
Noel scratched the back of his head, hesitating to say it. However, knowing this was the right time to get some information, Noel asked, "Is it possible for Marquis Stargaze to betray you?"
"Kevin betraying me?" Luke looked at his son's serious face. It seemed that he had to tell the truth instead of a white lie. Luke confirmed it with a nod.
Noel's face became pale. "Then…"
"Kevin and I have gone all the way back… We're like brothers related by blood, helping each other to go through fire and water. So, I can't imagine Kevin betraying me except for one occasion." Luke raised a finger.
"Really? And that is?"
"If I request him." Luke pointed at himself proudly.
"Huh?" Noel was confused. This was exactly what his grandfather said in his dream. "Request him to betray you? Why would you do such a thing?"
"Did Kevin betray me in your dream? Do you mind telling me about it?"
Noel hesitated because the dream felt so real that he couldn't believe it either. "Well, in my dream, he betrayed you and we lost everything except for one thing. Ardagan Sword. You gave me Ardagan."
"I gave you Ardagan?" Luke was surprised because he never intended to do it. "To be honest, I never want you to wield a sword. I just want you to enjoy your life from behind the scene through our business."
"Then, if that's the case, why would you ask Marquis Stargaze to betray you?" Noel asked.
"Let's see…" Luke was thinking hard about it and said, "I'm not very sure about the details since I can't come up with something concrete. But if I were to give you Ardagan, it meant your ancestor wanted it to be that way. As you know, Ardagan Sword has been our family heirloom this whole time, but no one has ever been acknowledged by him, even me. Seeing you have such a dream, that means Ardagan is creating an opportunity for you.
"I don't know how to say this, but Ardagan Sword is said to be alive. But no one has ever made any reaction. Maybe… do you want to see Ardagan? I can take you there." Luke asked.
"Really? Then, I'd like to see Ardagan!" Noel nodded with a smile.
"Alright, but…" Luke paused for a moment while staring at Noel's feet that was covered by the blanket. "After you can walk again, alright?"
"Ah!" Noel looked at his legs that had become significantly smaller. Even his body barely had any flesh left. He was truly too thin for a normal human. "I understand. I'll be sure to recover."
"Good." Luke smiled and stroke his hair. "If that's the case, I'll leave you with your mother."
"Yes. Thank you so much for listening to your child's nonsense, Father."
"What nonsense? I know that you never say anything meaningless to me. How can I, your father, not believe you?" Luke smiled and waved his hand until he left the room.
Noel then turned to his mother and asked, "Mother. Do you mind if you help me with my recovery? I also want to learn a lot from you."
"Really? Did grandfather tell you something?"
"Not really, but I know that mother is a good Spirit Magician."
"Well… Mother will do her best then."
"Yes, let's do many things together now."
Seeing this smile truly made her heart melt. Noel had always been alone, so she felt a bit sad that they didn't have many memories in the past. But it seemed Noel had changed. She would certainly take this opportunity to do many things together.
After that discussion, Noel immediately began his rehabilitation, trying to walk again. His mother was always beside him, helping him. Meanwhile, his father didn't show up so often, but he loved to watch him from his study room whenever he was on a break.
It didn't take too long for Noel to recover. Noel had been working hard without a break for eight months, so this kind of suffering couldn't be compared to what he had experienced.
After two months, Noel finally looked like a normal person again. He could do many things and surprisingly, his swordsmanship became good. He still couldn't call upon his spirit, but it seemed to be affected by his goal that seemed to have changed after this abrupt situation.
And the time for his father to show Ardagan had arrived. He was walking in the hallway with his mother to meet Luke.
On the way, Noel suddenly brought up a matter. "That's right. Mother, do you know anything about this?"
Noel took out a paper and showed it to Leysha.
"This is…" Leysha squinted her eyes, looking at the drawing in the paper. "Spirit Enchantment? But this is more complex than that… Is this the complete version of Spirit Enchantment? I don't know what it's called but the Ardagan Family's ancestor should be the one… Ardagan? Ah, it seems that Ardagan has truly chosen you as its master."
Leysha let out a long sigh, knowing the time had come. She didn't know what would happen to Noel after this and saddened with the fact that she couldn't spend more time with her son anymore.
"Don't worry, Mother." Noel gently held her hand and said, "I love to spend time with you."
Leysha patted his head and smiled. "Right? Let's spend more time then. Mom will do everything with you."
"En."
"Then, let's go to your father then."
"Yes."
The mansion had been filled with peaceful atmosphere, not knowing that there was a danger that was about to come.
In another place, Anna Stargaze was standing in front of many soldiers. "Count Ardagan has been embezzling money for the Greenwood Kingdom. General Helzen, I'm going with you to deal with the Ardagan Family."
A middle-aged man nodded with a serious expression. "It's an honor to meet you, Anna Stargaze."
