I ordered the knights to change their training sessions. I had Micah make sure that no one would know me other than someone who has the blood of Ortiz.
Kiran was the name of the wraith.
I use his name to make sure that the knights are less wary. Of course, there are brighter people here who know me by my eyes alone. But my appearance made them hesitate on asking if I was the fat bloated pig that they talk about behind their backs.
I practiced the sword forms that the wraith knew. Most of his combat abilities were focused on using the sword to lunge deep and cut through any vital spots and counter with deadly efficiency. I had powers other than these yet I do not take fancy of them. They were nothing more than self-defense tools that I could use to protect myself.
My blood and body are naturally well-suited for battle. The House of Ortiz. Though my vassals barely tolerate my existence as the head of the state.
The Archduchy of Ortiz is big. There are many Counts who are under my rule and since my rule had been rather forgiving to them. They have not dared to overstep. Of course, these people have their own self-interest and have been growing their wealth.
Butler Micah, despite his position, is the one in charge of the affairs. Because of my wife's appearance, Archduchess Carwyn had a veto on the choices that Butler Micah does. I did not give her power and most of the funds would probably go to her own territory which is located in Eleklos.
She was the Marchioness of Eleklos.
She had many schemes that only ten years after that I realized how I had pushed her into putting my head into that guillotine.
I am garbage.
I do not deny that I was a lecherous and lustful bloated pig that wanted to be served by someone beautiful.
Who doesn't?
I had a lot of time to think about what I should have done. I ate like a pig, they treated me like a pig, and I lived like one when I was imprisoned by my vassals.
I could have taken my life. But the wraith and the appearance of my daughter kept me alive.
She would sneak into the prison bribing the wardens with ten silvers. She would carry me bread and feed me. I know that her mother doesn't want her to associate with me. But my daughter had a big heart. She was someone who saw me not as a pig, but as a person who was alive.
I kept throwing her away. Telling her to go away and leave me to die and yet she would keep coming back. If there was anything that I was proud of myself. Is that I never raised a hand against her.
I could never be like my father. I could never do that to anyone who had my blood.
She was my light in the darkest of hours. She stood up to me when no one was around to do so. The wraith was someone who had his own intentions, but she for some reason cherished someone like me. Maybe it was a scheme that made me lower my guard. Nonetheless, I was thankful for the salvation she brought me.
She's still young. I might be able to hold my daughter's hand and cherish her in this second chance of mine. Nonetheless, I still have a long way to go.
I stretched my body to its limits and swung my sword. The sacred sword of Ortiz was my weapon. It was bound to me and even though I was confident that it could protect me. I know that my strength was only superhuman compared to the monstrous people around me. There are people who are stronger than me and thought I was transformed. It wasn't enough to challenge those who have trained themselves to the peak.
The wraith will help me if it comes down to it. But I know that reliance on the wraith will end up in me making a huge mistake. I have lived long enough to understand that despite my arrogance in my noble lineage and bloodline. I was nothing more than someone who had the ability to do so but was still lacking in regards to the manipulation of prana.
If my prana was the size of a great lake before. Now it has become an emptied-out lake because of the essence of the wraith taking in all the prana inside of me. Think of it as the wraith using my prana as his own blood. Like how the heart is said to produce blood, my soul produces the prana which the wraith uses.
It was an exchange that benefited both of us. No, I shouldn't be thinking about the two of us being different when we have become one through the ritual.
There was only Kiran here who wanted to change. My name was spread throughout the continent. I was a recluse who knew nothing of the world and spent ten years wallowing in self-pity and taking things that were given to me.
I saw through their faces. I saw that all they wanted from me was nothing more than the power that my family had. But perhaps some wanted to extend their hand towards filth like me.
I found out that I couldn't judge them anymore. There was a profound sadness within me that could not be described.
I swing my sword to rid the thoughts.
The weightless movement that I felt is different from when I was bloated like a pig. I dance around with my new body.
I felt free. I felt like I was given the chance to smell the air.
The air was fresh and did not smell like feces.
I could hear the sounds of nature. The pain that I thought would be forever with me was gone.
Seven days of soul-scarring pain for this.
It was worth the price.
#
I practiced my sword swings until I got a hold of my body. The wraith gave me advantages in refining my body. Each swing was like a hammer that forged me.
Butler Micah appeared with a solemn expression.
"Milord."
His demeanor told me that he was going to ask the same question. I dissolved my sword and sat cross-legged in front of him. He followed my actions and sat as well.
"Butler Micah. Have you done what I asked you?"
"Is this truly wise, milord?"
"Yes."
His expression crumbled. Butler Micah opened his mouth and then closed it. He began.
"We cannot expect that they didn't realize it. The sacred swords should have been detected by the Mages now. It won't be long until they realize that it has been used."
The Jakian Emperor was a fearful man who worried about his subjects. I couldn't care about what he does but he would be worried that a person who shares the same blood had awakened to such a degree.
He will invite me to his court and assert that I give him my loyalties. A man like him would not care about what I do. But he would be interested in what I would do with the sacred sword of Ortiz.
I stood up.
"Micah, you have served this family well. You are the father that I do not deserve."
"My lord...you don't have to."
"I know that you want control over my possessions as well."
His expression was covered by sorrow. Like he was spat on despite all of his efforts.
"Do not hide it from me, Micah. I know what you want and I am letting it happen because you have proven yourself to me."
Even in the face of death.
This man fought for me.
He knew that he was not going to get what he wanted after the schemes of my wife in my past life.
I summoned the sword of Ortiz and slammed it on the ground. The link that the sword had was disconnected from my soul. I have control over the sword.
"This...is."
"That's right. I am bestowing you with the key to the Ortiz Family."
"Master...no, how could you?"
"Micah," I said. "Most of my vassals already think that you rule for me. All of them would not hesitate to take on the role. Right now my wife, the Archduchess, holds another seat of power.
I shall be in seclusion to improve my health. You will be holding my seat of power."
"Is this wise?"
"Micah, I have been sitting for ten years without seeing the world. I have done things I am not proud of. I have made a fool of myself and brought shame to this family. It might be strange to you how I am acting, but I thought to myself that I would better myself. You know what I did, Micah. If I cannot make amends for what I have done then I might as well stop living."
Micah studied him. He crossed his arm and took the sword by the hilt. There was a glow that appeared on the back of Micah's backhand. It was the symbol that meant he was the representative of the Ortiz House.
"I might require a sword for myself."
I need a weapon to protect myself. Micah looks like he had given up on asking for deeper reasons. He nodded and made arrangements for the sword to be given to him.
"Bishop Heahmund will be present at your baptism. You shall become Kiran Irvin by your request."
I had Micah arrange the baptism with my new name. I wore my new set of clothes and a saber that could allow me to fight with it.
The trip to the church where the baptism would happen came to my sight. I entered the aisle and was welcomed by the Bishop who looked curiously at my new appearance.
"As expected of the sacred sword," he said. "It seems that the Archduke has reached enlightenment and has found a new path."
I nodded silently. I placed myself in front of the stone basin.
The Bishop scooped water with his two palms and placed the holy water on my forehead.
I repeated the words of baptism to the Bishop.
From earth, we were molded.
From the womb, we are born.
Through the sacrifice of blood and the desire for love, we are born into this world.
I am Kiran Irvin, who has adopted the name of a wraith to be a servant of the light. To wield my powers for the good of mankind. To be the shield that guards against the forces of darkness.
The baptism ended after my silent vows. The Bishop wanted to treat me with delicacies but I refused. I returned to my mansion without delay.
I was welcomed by Angie who escorted me back to my room. I placed my saber and sheath on the bedside table and walked to my study desk. Though I intend to better myself. I was clueless about where I should start.
That reminded me that I lacked education in certain places. I was young and clueless, with my current form I should be able to go to the Nobles Academy and study how to better control my reservoir of prana.
Not to mention that there will be changes in the world before long.
What made them desperate enough to actually usurp the Ortiz House.
She was not the type to act without reason. I think now that she had reason and it was all to protect our daughter. If it affected Roselia's life then it was more of a reason to go to the Academy to learn about methods to control my prana.
I had to make Micah enroll me in the Academy.
I need to refine myself so that my daughter can be proud of me. I know that I cannot act as a father to her. At least I want her to know that her father is not a waste like everyone thinks he is.
Plus it was my desire of mine to see the world that I turned away from.