Did he reveal so much? Kael was starting to realize the weight of what he just said. He was surprised that the Earl asked him an unusual question. Revenge was not in his mind anymore, but hearing the Earl ask, he was reminded of his previous objective.

Meanwhile, the Earl regretted what he just did, but seeing the surprise on Kael’s face, he felt that his question was already answered. However, he needed to know if he could really trust the child. He wanted to believe he could, but he was taught that Lucien was a very deceptive person. Only by learning more could he ensure what he should believe.

And so, the Earl tried dismissing what he just said. “I apologize, forget what I just said”

Kael became more confused. He wasn’t sure what to do next. The Earl’s question felt genuine to him, but now, the same person was trying to set aside what he just said. He was stumped, and the silence that came after bred even more uncertainty.

“Kael?”, the Earl asked, once again losing the patience game. The Earl wanted to bring back Kael to where he was before he was interrupted. But it’s not that easy for Kael to recover just like that.

“I truly apologize”, the Earl said once again after Kael didn’t respond.

Kael didn’t want to let the strange atmosphere continue, but he couldn’t think of words to say. His heart was beating fast, contributing more to his disordered mind.

The Earl sighed. Kael kept on being silent. He wanted to finish their discussion. What he asked was his greatest blunder that day. “It’s alright, let’s continue this for another time”

The Earl stood from his seat, and was about to go out of the room.

“Wait”, Kael said. He recovered just in time to stop Earl Gideon’s movement. “I will tell everything to you”

Hearing this, the Earl looked at Kael. The child seemed to be okay, and was eager to finally say something. He returned to his seat, and prepared himself to listen.

“As I said, I am Lucien”, Kael said. He knew he couldn’t continue without addressing what the Earl asked him. “But, before I tell you more, what do you know about me?”

The Earl tensed up. The question was obviously referring to the person “Lucien”, and not about the person he was talking to. It would be terrible if he offended such powerful figure, but he felt that he shouldn’t lie to Kael. He decided on telling some of what he knew, omitting information that could possibly anger Kael.

According to the Earl, there’s only one Lucien throughout the history of humanity. That’s why he knew some things right away the moment Kael introduced himself as Lucien. The reason why it’s the case was the prohibition made by the Rezelus church during ancient times. It’s not a recognized law anymore, but due to events associated to the name, no person with the right mind will name their child Lucien. As for the people unaffiliated with the church, they either respect the name so much, or they didn’t want to be involved in the chaos that the name bring about.

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Hearing all of this, Kael wanted to know what the world knew about him. However, when he asked for more information, the Earl was a bit hesitant to speak. He saw the fear in Earl Gideon’s eyes once again.

Kael was a bit saddened, as he knew the Earl feared him. He realized that the “Lucien” that the people knew was not at all like him. He knew because the people of his time celebrated him. He wondered, what lies were taught to the people to the point that they feared him so much.

“Your lordship?”, it was Kael’s turn to wake the Earl up.

The Earl apologized for no reason. He just felt the need to do so. What to do after was out of his mind. So he just sat there, silent and waiting.

Kael didn’t want to pressure the frightened Earl anymore. He had no choice, he will continue telling who he was. He hoped that after saying the truth, the Earl will see him in a new light.

Kael started explaining. He was Lucien, and he gained a second life out of vengeance. He looked at the Earl, trying to see how the noble would react, then he continued.

“Now, I am Kael”

Kael continued, explaining the promise he made to the owner of his current body. The Earl’s astonishment was evident, but he didn’t let it stop him. He declared that he will live as Kael, and that seeking revenge was not in his mind anymore.

“However,”, Kael continued. “As you know, demons still exist”

Kael told the Earl that he failed on his mission in his past life. The proof was experienced by the Earl. He said his new goal. He declared that he will eliminate all the remaining demons.

After saying all the things he wanted to say, Kael waited for the Earl to say something. The Earl was silent, but Kael already expected that the noble will say that he was lying. He understands even if it’s painful to him. But the Earl did something Kael didn’t expect.

Tears started flowing on the Earl’s face. He put both of his hands on his head, and grabbed his hair. “ I.. I don’t know what to believe”

The Earl was too conflicted. He saw Kael as his son, and the child saved his life from the dreadful demon he despised. But, he was also loyal to the church, and he managed to survive because of it. Kael seemed genuine and truthful to him, but he was taught that Lucien was the evil man that the Divine Emperor defeated.

Kael felt sympathy for the Earl. He regretted what he just said. He thought that it was better to be seen in a bad light than to let the Earl suffer. He walked towards the Earl to console him, but before he got to the Earl, a knock was heard outside the door.

“Earl Gideon?”

The voice alerted the Earl. By then he realized that he was crying. He wiped his tears quickly. He knew that the person outside should not see him like that. He opened the door after he was prepared.