Little Tyrant Doesn’t Want to Meet with a Bad End

escendants of the Ardes, which is our Ascart House.

“What I found was a handwritten letter from him that contained the following sentence, ‘When the bloodlines of the Twin Eagles converge, the gates will open and glory shall return to the world.’,” explained Ro solemnly.

Roel widened his eyes in astonishment.
The content of the latter might sound abstract to the layman, but those who were well-versed in history like Roel would be able to interpret the meaning of those words right away.

The Twin Eagles referred to the ‘Twinheaded Eagle’ insignia of the Austine Empire, but what was interesting to note was that this insignia had changed a little over time.

Back in the Second Epoch, the ‘Twinheaded Eagle’ insignia of the Ancient Austine Empire didn’t exactly have two heads.
To be more precise, the eagle head on the left was brighter than the eagle head on the right, and this was a commonly used painting technique in that era to express ‘overlapping objects’.
To put it in other words, the ‘Twinheaded Eagle’ of the Ancient Austine Empire was actually two eagles overlapping over one another, just that the one below only had its head revealed.

Many historians thought that the fact that one eagle was hidden behind the shadows of another had some hidden meaning to it, just that they weren’t able to come to a conclusion on the matter.
At the inception of the Third Epoch, the Ackermanns equalized the color tones on the two eagles and created the current ‘Twinheaded Eagle’ insignia, an act which many historians viewed as an attempt to bury some sort of secret.

Roel was also rather perplexed about this prior to his trip to the Karon Forest, but learning about the existence of the Arde House from ‘Chronicler’ answered many of his doubts.

The eagle beneath likely referred to the Arde House, which sought to protect the Ancient Austine Empire from the shadows.
Looking at it from such an angle, the content of the letter left behind by Charles Ackermann was indeed pushing for the union of the Ascarts and the Ackermanns.

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That being said, there were still many questions here that hadn’t been answered yet.

What did the ‘gates’ refer to? Was it a real gate or just a metaphor? And what did ‘glory shall return to the world’ mean too?

“In any case, the Ackermanns is vital to the resurgence of the Ascart House, but the problem is that the Austine Empire is at loggerheads with the Theocracy, making it nigh impossible for the two houses to come together.
As someone who has awakened the Ascart Bloodline, it’s your responsibility to find a way to obtain their blood!

“However, you should pay careful heed not to allow the Ackermanns to find out about this matter.
The Ackermanns of this era is not the same as that of the previous era.
Much can be seen from how they changed their insignia.
There must be something amiss with them, so by no means should you trust them.”

“…”

Roel fell silent listening to those words.

You want me to somehow win Lilian over and quietly take her away without alarming the Austine Empire? Isn’t this practically elopement?! 

Just what in the world made you think that I would be able to charm an esteemed princess of the Austine Empire into abandoning her glory to elope with me?!

Roel was feeling utterly exasperated by the absurdly high expectations that were being heaped on him here.
In the first place, he was already greatly disadvantaged in this race coming from the Theocracy, so how could he compete with the countless other suitors Lilian had back in the Austine Empire? That was practically asking for the impossible!

“Keep this matter in mind and make sure you accomplish it no matter what, alright? Other than that, I need to talk to you about ‘Academic’ too.”

“!”

Roel’s wandering thoughts were immediately pulled back on track upon the mention of ‘Academic’.
Ro took some time to gather his thoughts before he began speaking.

“My consciousness only traces back to my third year in the Saint Freya Academy, when I’m sixteen.
Back then, I haven’t managed to find ‘Academic’s’ trail yet, but I’m certain that he’s a survivor of the Second Epoch who knows of many secrets.
That’s the only clue I have right now.”

Ro raised his hand and took off the ring on his finger.
It was a familiar looking ring to Roel, just that its color was slightly off.

Blackrose Ring?

Roel stared at the black gemstone on the ring and frowned in confusion.
Based on what he knew, the Nine Rose Rings didn’t consist of black color.

“This is the very first Rose Ring, and it used to be in ‘Academic’s’ possession.
Its unique nature allowed for the retention of my consciousness, which is why I’m able to speak to you right now.
Rumors have it that the Blackrose Ring has the ability to guide, but it has never reacted while it was in my possession.
Our meeting is a sign that the Blackrose Ring has chosen you, and your victory against me proves that you’re worthy of it.”

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Ro watched enviously as the Blackrose Ring automatically flew into Roel’s hand.
The moment the two came into contact, the ring emanated a glow that receded Roel’s injuries and the afflictions he was suffering from.

“This is…”

“It looks like you won’t have to return as a crippled man,” remarked Ro with a smile.

At the same time, Ro started emanating a faint light as his body began dissipating.

“Ro, you…” exclaimed Roel in horror.

“I already told you that my consciousness is merely retained inside the Blackrose Ring.
It’s time to bid each other farewell.”

“…”

Ro’s words carried a hint of regret.
He looked at the sorrowful eyes of his descendant and found his emotions suddenly pouring forth.

He’s even younger than me, but his life is destined to be fraught with troubles and dangers.
Still, there’s always a tinge of hope in the face of despair.
All inheritors of the Ascart Bloodline grow up amidst difficulties.
Such is the fate of our people.

It’s the same for me, Winstor, and even our ancestors back in the Second Epoch.
Even when it’s getting harder and harder for us to awaken our bloodline, the Ascart House still continues to forge its way forward, and that’s enough.

He was pessimistic about the future because he had an idea of the horrors Roel could possibly face in his life, but even so, he couldn’t help but feel anticipation.

… As long as fellows like him continue to appear, it’s only a matter of time before we seize back our previous glory.

With such thoughts in mind, Ro pulled out the short sword in his chest and tidied up his clothes and his hair.
He wanted to put on his most dignified appearance before his descendant.

“I guess this concludes my will then.
There’s no need to grieve.
It’s a miracle that someone from the past like me is able to come into contact with someone in the future.
You’ve been here for a long time now, and it’s time for you to return to where you belong.”

Amidst scattering fragments of light, Ro directed his most brilliant smile toward his descendant.

“It has been a pleasant meeting.
Farewell, Roel Ascart.”