[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-advent-of-the-three-calamities":3,"chapter-advent-of-the-three-calamities-advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-380":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Advent of the Three Calamities",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},758715,1005,"Chapter 380: The Head of the Household [1]","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-380",380,"\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the faint breeze coming from the open window and stretching my body, I felt weird.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'.... Yeah, this is weird.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time in a very long time, I woke up without any worries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't need to think about my next fight nor did I have to think about some stupid quest that was hanging on my head like a reaper's scythe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt strangely comforting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First thing in the morning, my mood was great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I wish every day is like this.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huam.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stretching my body again, I yawned and got out of bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I did I was surprised to see a metal tray resting on the table opposite the bed. I could see fruits, eggs, and several other interesting food choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I walked closer to it and saw a small letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Enjoy your breakfast, Young Master.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hoho~?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart squeezed, and the joy I felt increased further as I suddenly started appreciating the decision to come here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I guess there's perks to being a noble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I picked up the fork and knife that were by the side and prepared to indulge myself in the wonderful breakfast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....Where should I start?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were so many choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eggs, the sweets, the bacon, the...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I guess I'll start with the milk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was feeling a little thirsty. Smacking my lips, I brought the cup to my mouth and drank the milk. Ah~ It was so fresh. I fel-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clank!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door abruptly opened, revealing a familiar figure as he walked in my direction with a paper in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without giving me a chance to understand what was going on, he smacked the paper on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plack-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Read it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was so taken aback that I didn't know what to do and just lowered my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Breaking] —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfttt!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The milk spilled out from my mouth and onto Leon who stood frozen on the spot. \"Ukeh...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn't care less as I took another sip of the milk, and...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfttt-!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Made sure to spit it out again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ukh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My toes curled inwardly as I read the title of the newspaper again. I tried to drink the milk again, but Leon snatched it away before I could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>|||||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>11\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We looked at each other for a brief moment before shuddering on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ukh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Euhkh....!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We couldn't help it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a natural reaction after seeing what was written on the paper. The Twin Stars of the Evenus Household...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ukehh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gagged, secretly rejoicing at the fact that I hadn't eating my breakfast just yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...There was the very real possibility of me throwing it all up in one go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a few deep breaths, I grabbed the newspaper and took a closer look at it. In there, I could see a picture of me and Leon standing together, crossing fists and swords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shot was nice, but... the title wasn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kh... Where did you get this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... Kh... found it downstairs. E-Evelyn gave it to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"S-she.. kh... did?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ukh... yeah. She has s-several copies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"R-really? Should we get rid of her?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe, b-ut wipe your saliva first. You l-look stupid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y-ou've got milk all over you.. kh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kh... You're right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was a lot more dire than anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...And if things couldn't get any worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Umm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft voice echoed from the entrance of the room, gathering our attention. As both of our heads flicked to face the door, a familiar shy-looking maid appeared, her head lowered as her\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>voice came out in a whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...T-the master has asked for you two.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally raising her head, she looked at the state of the two of us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should... I tell him you're coming soon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon and I quickly sobered up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head of the household was calling for us?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon didn't waste a second and directly left the room, wiping his face as he hurriedly went to change. I did the same, telling the maid to buy us some time before changing into a new set of\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, my clothes weren't dirty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I still needed to change. I slipped into a dark blue blazer and a pair of matching pants, the fabric sleek and well-fitted. A crisp white T-shirt completed the look, its simplicity perfectly\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>complementing the blazer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, not bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn't one to care much about style, but as a noble, appearances mattered. One had to dress\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>appropriately, like it or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, my looks made up for the imperfections in my clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fixing my collar and hair, I eventually headed for the Household Head's Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was located on the same floor as Julien's room-the second floor-and it took no longer\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>than a couple of minutes to reach the space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon was already waiting for me at the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He's quick.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was someone else waiting alongside him at the entrance. It was Evelyn who soon\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>noticed my presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her, I was once again reminded of the words she previously told me and my face tensed\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>subtly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.... It was a good thing that she didn't notice a thing as the door opened to reveal an older man wearing a butler attire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His disposition seemed calm as he scanned the surroundings, his gaze settling over me by the\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You may come in. The Head is waiting for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened the door wide, displaying the insides of a wide office where a large wooden table\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>sat at the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at Leon for a brief moment before stepping into the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He, alongside Evelyn, followed right after me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clank-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange silence ensued as we entered the office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elegantly seated on one of the sofas positioned opposite the desk, where a gray carpet lay\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>beneath, Aldric glanced in our direction. His movements were calm, almost regal, as he took a\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>small sip of the tea in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You're here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed the cup down, setting it aside and gesturing toward the seats opposite him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have a seat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some strange reason, I obeyed his words without a question and sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was just standing there, and yet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Why does he give a familiar sensation to Delilah?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it wasn't quite the same. Delilah's presence was overwhelming, driven by the sheer\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>intensity of her power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, his oppression came from something subtler. It was his casual demeanor,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the way he carried himself without effort, yet somehow made everything around him feel\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>small and insignificant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'....So strange.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chair felt snug, gently hugging my body and slowly pulling me towards it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was quiet, all eyes on the Head who took another sip of his tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I grew curious, pursing my lips faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did he bring us here for...? He did mention he wanted to talk to us about something\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, my gaze fell on Evelyn. A thought struck me and my face fell. It couldn't\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>be...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if she had similar thoughts as me, she turned her head and met my gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face was a little pale, and her lips were trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight took me aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'....I get not wanting to be married to me, but you don't have to look so pitiful.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It almost felt as though I was the one wronging her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tak-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of the cup hitting the plate woke all of us up as I once again turned my attention\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>towards the Head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips parted open, and my body grew tense at the inevitable talk that I didn't want to have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We will be attacked soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I re-uh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halfway through my rejection, I realized that something was wrong and froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he just...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blinking my eyes a couple of times, I shifted my attention towards Leon and Evelyn. They\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>both wore surprised looks as they stared at the Head with looks of disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What's going on...?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'We will be attacked?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could practically see their thoughts from their expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Just when I thought things couldn't get any more confusing, he lifted his gaze to look at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's about time you take on official duties. I want you to lead a team alongside Leon to get rid\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>of them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did he just say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn't the only one shocked. Leon was as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had more or less filled me up on the history of the Household, and so I had an idea of who\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>we were dealing with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...And that was the problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew who we were dealing with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was simply no way for me and Leon to beat them. We were strong, but not enough to\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>beat the soldiers belonging to multiple Noble Households.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The Head probably doesn't expect me to fight but lead, but even then, there's so many better\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>people...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched my teeth and felt my head throb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could even voice out my complaint, the Head took another sip, his demenour as calm\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is a chance for you to change your reputation amongst the people and the soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You're the next Head, Julien. It is about time you fulfill your duties.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tak-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, for the first time in a while, he finally properly looked at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were intense and staring into them, I struggled to find the right words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was only momentary as I cooled my mind and emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn't going to be forced into a situation I didn't want to be a part of. And for that reason, I\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>rejected his offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thank you for the offer, but I'll decline.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room grew tense at my rejection as the Head's gaze became more intense. I couldn't tell\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>what he was thinking. Was he surprised by my rejection, or did he expect it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, his lips parted open as he asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".... Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why else? I want to practice my swordsmanship. I've already fulfilled your previous\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>requests. I don't have time to waste.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I made sure to emphasize this last part and prepared to leave when his voice stopped me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You won't have to waste much time\".\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Um?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I paused, shifting my attention back to the Head who leaned back on his chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Alliance will probably attack in the next few days. The target will be the gold mine in\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Westernborn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew all about the mine. It was apparently very ric-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's been several years since the mine has been depleted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't just me who was surprised, but so were Leon and Evelyn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Been years?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For the past several years I bought raw gold in secret and pretended that it came from us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would he do that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it became clear to me rather quickly why he would do that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...And the thought made me shudder as I suddenly realized why he was so adamant about\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>bringing Leon and me back to the Household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you planning on using the mine to bury the army of all the Alliance members?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>|| ||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Head didn't answer, but the faint smile on his face made the answer all too clear as he\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>took a gentle sip of his tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's an easy job. I'll take care of the aftermath. By the time we're done, we'll have absorbed over a dozen territories at once.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1901,"2026-06-02T12:40:56.142Z",1,"novelbin.me","4cba3470834fca9b73737c207d78780cabe84e8e40f1a22c68b16f3713e04717","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-381","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-379",876,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fadvent-of-the-three-calamities-cover.jpg"]