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Finally, I faced Gale, the head of the Wolfbert family.

The two great generals supporting the Meikhael Empire, Leon Peiriguris and Gale Wolfbert.

Unlike the cheerful Leon, Gale had a fiery and stormy personality.

In terms of ability alone, Gale was undoubtedly one of the top-tier powerhouses in this world.

To prepare for the upcoming invasion by players, it’s good to keep as many capable characters alive as possible. Gale is no exception, but honestly, I couldn’t guarantee I could save him.

“It’s been a long time, Father.”

Helga stepped between us. With one hand on her chest, she bowed politely, her etiquette impeccable.

In fact, her flawless demeanor made it clear how much she was hiding her emotions. And those emotions were undoubtedly intense anger.

“…Helga.”

Gale was momentarily surprised by the sight of his daughter after so long. But it was only for a moment.

“This is not a place for you to come so casually. Go back.”

“Is that the first thing you say to your daughter after so long?”

“Did you think I would welcome you?”

“No. I didn’t expect that. You’ve always been like that, Father.”

“Hmph… You’ve changed a lot since I last saw you. You’ve grown the guts to talk back to me like that.”

“Whether it’s guts or not, we’ll see.”

Helga shrugged. Gale, as if she wasn’t worth his time, spoke.

“Don’t even think about getting in my way. Leave now. You have no right to be here.”

“How amusing. You’re the one who has no right to say that to me.”

“No right… you say?”

“Father!”

Before the second son, Kenneth, could intervene, Gale grabbed Helga by the collar.

“Don’t mess with me, Helga. The blood flowing in your veins is mine. The reason you survived that magical accident when you were young is because of my strong blood. As long as you carry my blood, you cannot defy me.”

“…That’s really funny.”

“What?”

Despite Gale’s threat, Helga didn’t flinch. Instead, she mocked him.

“Does being your child mean you can do whatever you want? Just because you passed on some blood, you think you can act all high and mighty? Get a grip, Father.”

“Hmph… You don’t know your place, running your mouth like that.”

“You’re the one running your mouth, Gale.”

At my words, Gale turned his head to look at me.

“Count…”

“Let go of her.”

From the moment Gale grabbed Helga’s collar, ‘wrath’ had been boiling inside me.

I had no intention of controlling this boiling emotion with ‘patience.’ My opponent was Gale. Ordinary ‘wrath’ wouldn’t even make him react. Focusing on ‘wrath,’ I directed all my emotions toward him.

“…?!”

Gale releasing Helga was almost a reflex.

The effect was remarkable. His sharp senses, befitting a hero, detected my threatening ‘wrath.’

But ironically, that reflexive action made the lone wolf Gale obey my command.

“…What did you just do, Count?”

“I gave you an order, Baron Gale Wolfbert.”

“Playing games… Do I look like someone who cares about titles?”

“Coincidentally, neither do I.”

Gale was a noble who served only the Emperor, a staunch supporter of the Imperial family. It was only natural that he harbored open hostility toward Tristan, who stood against the Emperor.

That’s why, when Gale was killed by Helga, everyone suspected Tristan was behind it.

Honestly, I had no confidence in turning Gale into an ally. If I couldn’t make him an ally, I had to at least ensure he wouldn’t get in my way.

So, the card I chose was Helga.

“Let’s stop the pointless bickering, Father.”

“…Helga.”

“You once told me, if I want something, I should take it by force.”

Helga, adjusting her disheveled tie, declared to Gale.

“I came here today to take what I want.”

“Hmph… So, you suddenly want my position?”

“No. Not at all. I’ve never wanted the position of the Wolfbert family head, not even for a moment.”

“…Then what? Why should I accept your duel?”

“What I want is simple… to punish you, Father.”

“You… want to punish me?”

“Yes. With my own strength.”

“Kuhahahaha!”

Gale, who had been growling until then, suddenly burst into loud laughter.

“Why are you laughing, Father?”

“Truly, you are my daughter. I can hardly believe it’s the same girl who couldn’t even control her own power. Hahaha!”

Helga frowned.

Gale didn’t seem to consider her a worthy opponent. After all, even Gale’s three sons couldn’t match him, so his confidence was understandable.

“Fine. Facing one more won’t change the outcome. But you’d better be prepared, Helga. I don’t go easy on anyone, not even women.”

Gale’s massive upper body muscles twitched threateningly. He was completely underestimating her.

“Even if you’re my daughter, I’ll go all out. Keep that in mind before you challenge me. Understood?”

“Yes. You’d better be prepared too, Father.”

In response to Gale’s question, Helga clicked her knuckles and answered.

“I’ll make up for all the filial piety I couldn’t show you before.”

A smile reminiscent of my ‘pride’ hung on her lips.

“Then, I’ll begin the Wolfbert family head duel now.”

After Hildegarde’s brief speech, the time for the family head duel finally arrived.

The ‘Day of Beginning’ was the most important annual event in the Wolfbert family.

Among them, the ‘family head duel’ was the very essence of the ‘Day of Beginning.’

The Wolfbert family pursued the logic of strength. Therefore, the rule existed that the strongest would become the family head.

The family head duel was an opportunity to overthrow the current head by force and take the position, a chance to be recognized as the leader in front of the entire family.

However, no one had ever defeated Gale. Only Patrick, recognized as the strongest among his children, was considered for the next head position.

Until Gale was defeated, Patrick would remain the temporary head.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

After finishing her speech, Hildegarde came to sit next to me.

“With what?”

“Being alone at someone else’s family event.”

Of course, no one was sitting around me.

The fact that I wasn’t from the same family played a part, but more importantly, it was because I was from the Ruelberta family.

“It’s fine. Leave me be and go where your family is.”

“No. Even if I go, there’s nothing to talk about. Well.”

“You seemed quite close.”

“It was just an act. As the lady of the house, I have to maintain good relations with relatives, whether I like it or not.”

Her friendly demeanor toward her relatives was just a facade. Come to think of it, it must have been difficult for her, a foreigner, to adapt to the Wolfbert family.

Just as most citizens of the Empire supported the country’s isolationist policies, the people here were very wary of strangers.

In that sense, Hildegarde was a strong-willed woman. She had completely taken control of the Wolfbert family, which had no allies.

“I told Patrick. He didn’t like it because of his pride, but he eventually accepted it.”

Indeed, Patrick, sitting over there, looked determined. He was as ambitious as his mother, Hildegarde.

It was clear that he was determined to become the family head today.

“Honestly, even if all my sons combined their strength, they couldn’t defeat Gale.”

“Hmm.”

“Frankly, I don’t know if she’ll fight well… but I’ve decided not to expect much. At least exhaust Gale’s stamina. My sons will handle the rest.”

I was just as anxious as Hildegarde, though for entirely different reasons.

Unlike Hildegarde, I was worried that Helga might do too well. That is, I was afraid she might kill Gale.

But… the choice had already been made.

I silently stroked my chin and spoke.

“Don’t worry. Gale will step down as the head of the Wolfbert family today.”

“You seem to care for your subordinate. You must think highly of her abilities.”

I shook my head at Hildegarde’s words.

“No… I just assessed her accurately.”

After all, I could see Helga’s unique traits.

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Character Profile.

Name: Helga Wolfbert.

Age: 19.

Traits: Devotion, Battle Maniac, Thunder God.

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Among them, one trait stood out the most.

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Trait: Thunder God.

Rank: SS+.

Details: You can wield the power of lightning as if you were the god of thunder. This power has no limits and can even produce output beyond what a human body can handle.

Now, all that’s left for you is to choose.

Will you become a being who delivers divine punishment with the power of the thunder god? Or will you be destroyed by the uncontrollable power you wield?

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This trait is part of the Wolfbert family’s lineage of lightning magic.

It was indeed an outstanding trait, but its danger was also proven in the original story.

Helga losing her eye in a magical accident as a child wasn’t due to her inexperience. Her magic contained a much denser power of lightning than her siblings, causing it to go out of control.

Even after Helga became somewhat adept at controlling her magic, the Thunder God trait continued to consume her body. Every time she used magic, the wound on her left eye would reopen.

In this regard, the Thunder God trait was a blessing or a curse, but now it’s different.

What I asked Albert to do when transplanting Helga’s left eye.

That was to engrave a magic formula into her eye that could control the power of the Thunder God.

And the surgery was successful. I saw its effectiveness when Helga subdued Rian.

‘Now all that’s left is to watch…’

I sat in my chair with an arrogant expression, looking down at the sandy arena.

That place was now an arena where a fierce battle for the position of the Wolfbert family head would take place.

“…It’s starting.”

As Hildegarde said, the two people standing on the sandy arena began to close the distance.

Gale Wolfbert, the Imperial Navy Admiral, and Helga Wolfbert, the deputy commander of Aslan and my bodyguard knight.

The two clashed without a hint of compromise.

 

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