Chapter 432: The Spark That Could Ignite an Age of Chaos!
"Even the current head of the Kurogane Family is interested in a student-level tournament like the Seven Star Sword Art Festival?"
"It's a major national event. As head of the League's Far East Branch, isn't it only natural for me to be here?"
"Besides, all three of my children competed."
"…You're actually serious?"
Luke stared at Kurogane Itsuki in surprise.
What sounded like an obvious official excuse was apparently exactly what the middle-aged man genuinely believed.
Luke could not detect even the slightest falsehood or empty politeness in his voice.
Ikki had spoken to Luke about his father before.
Based on those descriptions, Luke had always imagined Itsuki as something resembling a cold-blooded politician.
The original anime had only portrayed Itsuki briefly, seemingly using him as an antagonist meant to force Ikki to grow.
But after finally meeting the man himself, Luke realized things might not be so simple.
Because Itsuki truly cared about all three of his children.
That was right.
All three—Ouma, Ikki, and Shizuku.
In Itsuki's heart, they were treated equally. He really had come partly because he wanted to watch his children compete.
That made things strange.
Judging from everything Ikki had told him, Luke had assumed familial affection held little importance to Kurogane Itsuki.
While Luke was still surprised, Itsuki suddenly bowed deeply to him.
"My son has been in your care for a long time."
"I sincerely apologize that it has taken me until now to properly thank you."
Luke was genuinely stunned this time.
Itsuki's behavior was completely different from what Luke had expected.
He seemed like an unusually serious and responsible father.
Still, Luke's surprise lasted only briefly.
He soon calmed down.
At the same time, he began to vaguely understand the true nature of Kurogane Itsuki.
"I doubt the head of the Kurogane Family came looking for me simply to thank me for taking care of his son."
"…Indeed."
Itsuki straightened and released a long breath.
His entire demeanor immediately changed.
A moment ago, he had been a stern yet sincere father.
Now, Kurogane Itsuki had become a cold, emotionless machine.
"From this point onward, I will speak to you as the head of the Kurogane Family."
"As head of the family, I intend to formally sever the parent-child relationship between Ikki and myself."
His distinctive voice echoed through the grove, every word carrying the weight of lead.
It was a proposal that would resolve every problem binding Ikki to the Kurogane Family in one stroke.
However…
"Why are you discussing this with me?"
"Shouldn't this be an internal matter of the Kurogane Family?"
Luke rubbed his forehead and sighed helplessly.
"There is no need for us to dance around the issue."
"You should already understand why I sought you out specifically as the Falling Star Sword Emperor."
Itsuki's expression did not change.
Combined with his cold voice, he looked exceedingly severe.
"The Kurogane Family has no intention of creating hostility with your country."
"If this decision displeases you and causes any degree of diplomatic deterioration, the losses to the Kurogane Family would be considerable."
"With your current strength and position, you already possess enough influence to affect China's foreign decisions."
Hearing Itsuki state everything so openly, Luke sighed again.
He understood now.
The Kurogane Family had already made its decision.
As long as Luke nodded—or simply stated that he would not interfere in another family's internal affairs—Ikki would receive the formal notice by tomorrow at the latest.
"After winning repeatedly at the Seven Star Sword Art Festival, the Another One has become one of the final four."
"He already possesses considerable reputation and influence."
"This F-rank knight is known throughout the country now. His existence can no longer be hidden."
"So at the very least, the Kurogane Family needs to make sure he is no longer connected to you."
Luke looked directly at Itsuki.
"If unrest follows, then it becomes Ikki's responsibility alone."
"The Kurogane Family avoids most of the blame and criticism."
"That's basically what you're thinking, right?"
Itsuki nodded without hesitation, freely confirming Luke's analysis.
"Essentially."
"Since the age of the samurai, the Kurogane Family has represented this nation's Blazer community."
"Ikki's current achievements are effectively leading the charge in breaking the framework the League has long used to preserve order."
"Within the next few years, countless fools who overestimate themselves will undoubtedly begin challenging the world."
"They will look to Ikki as their goal."
"Those who admire him will attempt, one after another, to surpass their own limits."
"If every death among those people is blamed upon the Kurogane Family, our authority and prestige throughout the country will suffer greatly."
"The spark that ignites this unrest cannot be a direct descendant of the Kurogane main family."
"So that's it…"
Luke raised an eyebrow.
Now he finally understood how Itsuki could genuinely care about his children while still ruthlessly severing familial bonds without hesitation.
"I didn't expect to meet someone with such a similar experience here."
Luke sounded somewhat emotional.
Kurogane Itsuki resembled him.
Not in the same way Ouma had resembled Luke through conviction, but because their upbringing shared something fundamentally similar.
A single "principle" had been placed above his outlook on life, his values, and even his understanding of the world.
That was exactly like Luke.
And a distorted mentality like that could only be created one way.
Education during childhood.
The survival and prosperity of the family stood above everything else.
Clearly, this principle had been drilled into Itsuki as the foundation of his existence while he was still young.
Before he understood what parents were, what society was, or even what the world meant—
He had first learned that the survival and prosperity of the Kurogane Family stood above all else.
"Have you never realized it yourself?"
Luke looked at Itsuki with interest.
"And what would change if I did?"
Itsuki naturally understood what Luke meant.
"To me, there is nothing wrong with it."
"At the very least, for the Kurogane Family, the League, and perhaps even the world itself, everything I do serves to preserve order."
"There is no reason for me to change."
"I have always lived this way."
"Aren't you the same?"
Itsuki looked deeply at Luke.
Luke had seen through his abnormality.
But Itsuki had also seen through Luke's.
"Have you ever considered changing?"
Luke fell silent.
Itsuki's question struck directly at the core of the matter.
Because Luke himself had never once seriously considered changing the way he lived.
He gave a self-deprecating smile and pushed the meaningless thought aside.
Then he returned to the matter at hand.
"Let's make a deal."
…
…
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