A Brighter Future (Kuroinu)

Even though Rhodes had recently been a basic physical fitness trainee who would exhaust his energy just like a rookie, he now looked like a seasoned warrior when he picked up a weapon and fought back against his father. Klaus was astonished by this situation.

After all, he was very certain that Rhodes had not undergone professional training and had never been on a battlefield. Yet, to see this kind of change in him in an instant, there were only two possible explanations. Either he was disguising his abilities, which seemed unnecessary, or the other explanation was that he was a natural-born warrior. His talent made him so strong that he gained the results that others needed rigorous training and battles to achieve.

‘Is this the reason my father values him so much?’

Klaus understood that his father, upon seeing such talent, must have had a strong desire to pass it down within the family, especially considering the recent increase in conflicts at the border.

Klaus watched the fight between Grave and Rhodes, and the smile on his father’s face couldn’t be restrained. His expression became much more bitter because he had never seen his father show this kind of smile since he could remember. His father had always been strict in training and had a serious demeanor.

Compared to him, it seemed as if the other person was his biological son, and he was just someone picked up on the street.

Klaus couldn’t help but smile wryly. Even though it had been so long, he had thought he had gotten over it, but now it seemed that he still cared about this.

“Lord Rhodes, have you considered yesterday’s proposal?”

After the live combat training, Grave and Rhodes sat together to rest, and Grave inquired about Rhodes’s decision regarding the proposal made yesterday. His eyes were filled with anticipation, hoping to hear Rhodes’s acceptance, as he intended to return to the family and announce it to everyone.

Cough, cough, cough!

Rhodes, who was drinking water heavily, suddenly choked upon hearing the question. Claudia, seeing this, immediately took care of him.

“Well… about this matter, I’d like to know why General Grave is so eager for me to become your adopted son?”

Rhodes had inquired about this with Celestine, but she had no knowledge of it. While her status in the Seven Shields Alliance was very prestigious, it didn’t mean she was the superior of everyone, and she was aware of each person’s matters.

“It’s because among the descendants of the Levantine family, there’s no one capable of bearing the family’s responsibilities, which has been a great concern for my father. So he’s been searching for a solution.”

Claudia explained to avoid Grave getting agitated by thinking about Klaus’s situation and saying something hurtful.

“Is that so? By the way, General Grave, what about your children? After all, someone like you should have very talented descendants, right?”

“I have no children.”

Although Grave tried to control his emotions, there was still a hint of disgust in his tone, which Rhodes could sense. He found it rather strange. If Grave had no children, why would he feel such aversion, as if he despised someone’s existence?

Realizing that there was some hidden story behind this, Rhodes decided not to pursue the topic further. Continuing on this subject would only worsen the atmosphere.

“If Lord Rhodes has no intention of becoming my adopted son, that’s alright. However, I still hope that you can marry a member of the Levantine family. At the very least, it will prevent the family from falling apart under my watch.”

In the end, after the marriage, considering their relationship, Rhodes would be considered a member of his family. Grave wasn’t too concerned about the specifics; he just needed Rhodes to agree to marry a member of his family.

“If there are no issues in this regard, you can take Claudia home with you today.”

Rhodes was taken aback by the directness of this statement. He instinctively turned to look at Claudia, who had a slightly blushing face but didn’t seem to object, indicating that she had already made her choice in this matter.

Rhodes couldn’t deny that he was tempted. After all, Claudia was exceptional in terms of both her figure and appearance. Faced with such a situation, any normal man wouldn’t refuse.

Grave observed Rhodes’s expression and realized that he did indeed have feelings for Claudia.

This was the outcome he wanted to see.

“Rhodes.”

Just as Rhodes was about to give his consent, Celestine arrived and called out to him. This forced Rhodes to swallow his response and turn to answer Celestine.

“Is there something you need, Celestine?”

Although he didn’t quite understand why Celestine had suddenly come over, especially at this moment, Rhodes walked over, as she was the first person he had encountered in this world, and he subconsciously regarded her as a priority.

“I saw that your training was over, so I came to help you recover.”

Celestine provided her reason for coming over, and she discreetly glanced at Claudia’s position while lightly squeezing her own hand.

In reality, she had used the eavesdropping magic previously placed on Rhodes to listen to his conversation with Grave and immediately appeared here after hearing their dialogue. When she learned yesterday that Grave wanted Rhodes to marry a member of the Levantine family, she had started feeling nervous and uneasy.

Although she knew that this situation would be very beneficial for Rhodes and would quickly help him establish himself in this world, giving him a stable opportunity to live here, her rational side wanted this. But her personal feelings didn’t want this situation to happen. She wanted Rhodes to stay by her side and not go off with another woman, so her role wouldn’t be replaced by someone else.

After thinking about this situation occurring, she couldn’t restrain herself from showing up and interrupting the conversation.