The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

A long time ago, the Grand Duchy Krassium had two brothers.

The eldest son, Jurgen, was truly a man worthy of the name ‘Krassium’.

With his jet black hair and golden eyes that were inborn traits, as well as his innate martial prowess and commanding presence that inspired those around him, he embodied all the expectations placed upon him.

The younger son, Rubenta, was the polar opposite of his elder brother Jurgen.

Rubenta was born with black hair and brown eyes, and a weak physique. His birth had caused an uproar in the Krassium family.

As many had worried, Rubenta didn’t inherit the martial prowess that was a characteristic of the Black Wolf clan.

Fortunately, however, he was exceptionally intelligent, especially gifted in the arts.

“You are an undeniable Black Wolf. Take pride in that.”

Rubenta’s parents didn’t discriminate between their eldest and youngest sons. However, they did make a distinction.

“You wish to join the war?”

“I have come of age to participate.”

It was considered normal for members of the wolf clan to participate in wars even before reaching adulthood.

However, despite reaching that age, Rubenta was never permitted to join the fray. He could only see off his father and brother whenever they went to war.

“I may not be as capable as my brother, but I can certainly be of help.”

Rubenta idolized his brother, who was said to be the strongest of the current generation.

Hoping that with enough effort he could catch up, even slightly, Rubenta devoted himself to the way of the sword for a very long time.

He was confident that his efforts would bear fruit.

“…Once you become an adult, I’ll take you with me.”

Unable to dissuade Rubenta’s stubbornness, the Grand Duke reluctantly made this promise.

Having obtained this vow, Rubenta devoted himself even more fervently to swordsmanship, and finally earned his first opportunity to participate.

At last, he had a chance to show his prowess to the clan members who pitied him.

“Don’t overexert yourself.”

When Jurgen expressed concern, Rubenta took offense.

“You’ll see. I will certainly make a great achievement.”

Having arrived at the northern border, Rubenta stood on the desolate, snowy plains. On the opposing side, armed barbarians swarmed like a horde of insects.

“Charge!”

At Jurgen’s thunderous voice echoing across the battlefield, the two forces clashed.

The war Rubenta experienced for the first time was nothing like he had imagined.

He had thought that being outnumbered would lead to an intense battle.

However, the barbarians were no match at all for the Krassium knights.

Jurgen, who led the vanguard, was on an entirely different level from the rest. His overwhelming power naturally inspired awe.

While Rubenta had aspired for such prowess, he found himself desperately struggling just to survive.

Unable to evade an attack from the barbarians, Rubenta tightly shut his eyes.

“Are you alright!”

A knight guarding the rear came to Rubenta’s rescue.

Judging from his insignia, he was of low rank.

Witnessing how effortlessly this knight dealt with an opponent Rubenta himself had struggled against, he realized the futility of his efforts – no amount of training could overcome the innate disparity between them.

Rubenta was merely a Krassium in name alone.

‘Why was I born so weak?’

Faced with an insurmountable wall, Rubenta fell into despair.

A quagmire of powerlessness dragged him down to the depths.

What followed was a bitterness rooted in a sense of inferiority.

‘My brother has taken even that which should have been mine.’

Despite sharing the bloodline of Krassium, how could the disparity be so great?

Jurgen was the very embodiment of the Krassium ideal that everyone spoke of.

Rubenta, in contrast, was a disgrace to the Krassium name.

He wished he could be Jurgen.

Abandoning the sword training he had undertaken his whole life, Rubenta began searching for another way to catch up to Jurgen.

In the midst of this, he recalled his father’s words:

-There is a treasure kept there that will protect our family.

In the deepest part of the castle, there was a room sealed by chains.

As a child, Rubenta had stumbled upon it by chance when he got lost, and his father, who found him belatedly, explained its purpose.

-Only the one who will inherit the title of great lord can enter. Never go in there alone.

If it was a treasure meant to protect the family, perhaps it could offer some power.

It was unfair for Jurgen to monopolize everything.

Ultimately, Rubenta broke the prohibition and opened the door.

He had expected to find something formidable hidden within, but the spacious room contained only a small box. Opening the lid, he found a single white orb with a faint black hue.

Entranced, Rubenta reached out and touched the orb.

In that instant, he felt an excruciating pain, as if the blood flowing through his veins were boiling.

Reflexively withdrawing his hand, he saw that the orb had become more turbid than before. Hastily fleeing, he acted as if nothing had happened while secretly disposing of the evidence.

However, from that day onward, those around him began to change.

“Your words are correct, young master.”

“Then shall we do as you say?”

Whenever Rubenta voiced an opinion or assertion, people would nod in agreement, treating even his nonsensical ramblings as gospel truth. Sensing something amiss, Rubenta investigated further.

It was clear that after coming into contact with the treasure, he had acquired a strange ability.

After extensive research through ancient texts, Rubenta finally learned that this ability was called ‘Power of Words’.

It was a power once possessed by the ancient Black Wolf clan that allowed one to sway the hearts of others through speech, and was the reason the Wolf clan was so cohesive in the past.

Though Rubenta may not have been born with martial might, he had gained the ability to command even the mightiest of warriors.

However, a problem arose – he began suffering from the hereditary insanity that had plagued the Krassium family.

Sensing the severity of the situation, the Grand Duke summoned his two sons. In his hands was the very bead Rubenta had touched.

“This is the fox orb that has been passed down in our family for generations.”

“…”

“It helped suppress the insanity, but it seems the orb has been damaged.”

The Grand Duke instructed Rubenta to regularly make contact with the fox orb, as doing so would at least help suppress the insanity to some degree.

“Does it have no other abilities besides suppressing the insanity?”

Just in case, Rubenta asked the Grand Duke, who shook his head.

This meant that no one else was aware of the new ability Rubenta had acquired.

From then on, Rubenta began plotting anew.

While others might have dreamed of ousting the eldest son to become the head of the family, Rubenta had different ambitions.

The Power of Words was best utilized from behind the scenes.

Why become a mere chess piece on the board when one could manipulate all the pieces from beyond it?

‘With the martial might of the wolf clan, I could devour the world.’

Unlike his father and brother, who were content ruling only the northern region, Rubenta’s ambitions had already expanded toward the entire Empire.

Compared to the Krassium family, the current imperial family had no redeeming qualities whatsoever. For hundreds of years, they had held the Empire solely by virtue of their foresight ability. They were even hiding in safety, protected by the Krassiums.

From then on, Rubenta fervently tried to persuade Jurgen.

With his renowned martial prowess, his brother could easily swallow up the imperial family.

Using Power of Words, Rubenta incited rebellion, but Jurgen didn’t easily fall for it.

It was then that Rubenta realized Power of Words had limited effect on direct descendants of Krassium blood.

Instead, Jurgen defiantly announced his intention to become engaged to the imperial princess.

‘So he wishes to become the Empire’s dog.’

Rubenta was consumed by a sense of betrayal.

The brother he had once admired had chosen the path of submission to the Empire, despite possessing such immense power.

He incited others to oppose the marriage, but Jurgen’s resolve didn’t waver.

It was clear he had fallen into the Empire’s trap.

Ultimately, Jurgen married the princess, and the following year, they had a son.

A son who took on the perfect appearance of a Black Wolf, something no pure-blooded wolf had been able to achieve for centuries.

Current pure-bloods had become more human-like, so this was a true anomaly.

Believing she had given birth to a beast, the princess fainted with a scream.

Jurgen remained silent, only commanding that the truth be kept secret.

Only those of direct lineage knew the heir had been born in wolf form.

Amidst the turmoil felt by all, only Rubenta felt elated.

It was said that the very first Krassium patriarch had also been born in beast form.

This child would grow into the strongest warrior, surpassing even Jurgen. He was the perfect chess piece heaven had bestowed upon Rubenta.

“Zenox Krassium.”

Rubenta uttered the infant’s name with affection.

“Grow up quickly.”

For my sake.

Fortunately, within a few days, Zenox was able to transform into human form.

As Zenox grew rapidly, even from a young age his prowess became apparent, leaving even his father Jurgen speechless.

Playing the role of a kind, affectionate uncle, Rubenta waited patiently for his chance.

And finally:

“Rely on your uncle. I will protect you.”

After slaying his brother and sister-in-law, Rubenta took Zenox into his custody.