Chapter 123: Memoirs of a Proud Father 1
In the massive warzone where the allied forces of Brawlmanica were stationed in the ongoing conflict against the Rackshalla clan and their demonic allies, death and destruction painted a grim landscape. Battles raged in all directions. Explosive formations activated across the battlefield like bursts of lightning, and schemes brewed on both sides like storm clouds refusing to part.
Every noble house had committed its strongest forces to this war, rallying to protect their homeland at any cost.
In a particularly fortified region of the battlefield, one noble Baron clan had been placed on temporary standby after enduring a brutal clash the day before. Several magical vehicles and a large, fortress-like military tent stood within a sturdy defensive formation, its perimeter guarded by alert and disciplined soldiers.
The Leon clan's insignia was clearly visible—emblazoned on armor, etched into weapons, painted onto magical vehicles, and fluttering proudly on banners and tents alike.
Inside the largest tent, specially reinforced and spacious enough to resemble a mobile command post, many of the Leon clan's core members sat in a central meeting area. Their expressions were initially solemn, reflecting the gravity of the times.
But that silence didn't last long.
Suddenly, raucous laughter erupted from the gathered warriors—both men and women—shaking the tent with their booming voices. Despite the visible bandages and healing wounds, the mood was one of family, strength, and battle-forged pride.
At the head of the table sat Carlos Leon Sr., the Baron of the Leon clan and father to Carlos Jr., Carmelita, Ricardo, Ramiro, and the twin daughters Isabella and Gabriela. With a sheepish grin and a hand behind his head, Carlos Sr. chuckled modestly amid the commotion.
"Hahahaha! Big Brother Carlos—oops, I mean Sir Baron Carlos—you've truly blessed us with some outstanding nephews!" laughed Carlito, Carlos's younger brother. "Ahh, my boys! Don't let them outshine you! Show some grit!"
"Hahaha! Father, as if we'd let that happen! We've been tearing up the battlefield!" laughed one of Carlos Sr.'s sons, Carlos Jr, with pride.
"Hohoho! I'm loving how this new generation of our Leon clan is shaping up!" chortled an elderly, burly man with deep puncture scars on his arms.
"Hah! Uncle, you said that about my generation too!" retorted a fierce-eyed, muscular middle-aged woman, grinning.
The atmosphere was vibrant, the kind of lively energy one only finds among kin who've faced death side-by-side.
Then, someone raised the question everyone had been dancing around:
"So tell us, when did the Leon clan become so close to the Helmsley royal family that one of our sons ends up engaged to the Princess, hmm?" laughed an older man, eyeing Carlos Sr. curiously.
Carlos Sr. scratched his head and laughed again—this time nervously.
"Uhh… I wish I could tell you. Honestly, even I'm clueless! I always knew Ramiro was talented, but his meteoric rise has even taken me by surprise! Hahaha! It's wonderful... but also... a little troubling."
Another woman added with a more measured tone:
"Right, right… You've already been elevated to Viscount, haven't you? At this rate, we might become a clan of Earls."
"We were Viscounts a long time ago," mused an elderly man. "Then we declined after a disastrous war and were replaced. My grandfather told me that story when I was young."
A moment of silence followed.
Then, another voice broke through:
"If it was just Princess Helga, that'd be one thing... but isn't Ramiro also getting awfully close to a Fanged Elf noblewoman?"
The silence stretched longer.
"Are they really together? I mean… this information hasn't hit the formal channels. Still, I'll speak to Carlos Jr. or Ramiro himself soon," said Carlos Sr., face darkening slightly.
"Though there's something else worth noting… Ramiro is also now considered a core member of the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, which changes things when it comes to the conventional rules currently in place. And if we become Earls, such restrictions will be even more relaxed," said Carlos Sr., falling deep into thought.
Just then, a soldier clad in armor bearing the Leon crest burst into the room, bowing low with urgency.
"Sir Baron! I bring news. Orders have been issued: the White Star Radiance will be moving in our direction shortly, and the battle formations are being reorganized. The Leon Clan is to fight alongside the Aka Boshi no Tengan Clan, the Soloman Clan, the core army of the Fae Grand Spirit Alliance, and several forces from the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, the Great Brawlman Sect, and what remains of the fractured Fighting Brawlman Sect."
While the news itself wasn't entirely shocking, the scale of the coordination startled the gathered clan members. Then, realization dawned on many of their faces.
"That Fourth Prince Hunter... he's more cunning and open-minded than the late King Helmsley."
"Not just cunning—he's equally gifted in many other aspects."
"Heh, but isn't this mostly thanks to our Ramiro?! Well, that, and the actions of Daoist Blue Heavens Sword, Daoist Black Devil Blades, and Daoist Heaven Star Eyes. But especially Ramiro—and his connections!"
Carlos Sr. smiled lightly but said nothing. What the others didn't realize was that he was far more informed than they knew. Though he was, like many in the Leon Clan, a martial arts enthusiast who adored the spear just as his father and grandfather had before him, Carlos Sr. had been shaped differently.
Under the guidance of his mother, he had developed a dual identity: the battle-hardened, respected leader the clan relied on—and the reclusive, thoughtful scholar known only to a rare few. It was this second identity that gave him an edge as the clan patriarch. He had witnessed firsthand how their clan's fall from Viscount rank generations ago had been due in part to shortsighted decisions and an over reliance on brute strength.
He refused to let history repeat itself.
Carlos Sr. had tried to instill a broader mindset in his children, but results varied. His eldest son, Carlos Jr., had grown more strategic with time. His eldest daughter, Carmelita, had an even sharper sense of foresight. Among the women of the clan, the bloodline's penchant for recklessness seemed less prevalent.
But what truly surprised him was his second son, Ricardo. While not as talented as his siblings in terms of raw martial ability, Ricardo had developed a thoughtful, scholarly perspective. It had emerged gradually, but now it was unmistakable—and Carlos Sr. and his wife couldn't have been prouder.
Then came the case of Ramiro, and of course, the twin daughters, Isabella and Gabriela.
Carlos Sr. let out a silent sigh.
They had such high hopes for the trio. And perhaps they had succeeded in raising them well—but the twins… they were a different breed altogether. Outwardly, they presented themselves as proper noble ladies—dignified, elegant, obedient. But in truth, they were as wild as any boy in the Leon clan, maybe even worse. More than anything, they were shameless brocons, utterly obsessed with their elder brother, Ramiro.
Perhaps it was the closeness in their ages. Maybe it was because Ramiro had spent so much time with them before leaving for the Bright Blade subsect at age twelve. Whatever the reason, they were inseparable—and he had been the sun around which they orbited.
Up until the age of ten, they wouldn't even sleep unless they were in the same room as their beloved "Rami Rey". When he left, something inside them changed. They became quieter, more restrained—but only in public. Carlos Sr. and his wife were the only ones who knew the truth of their behavior.
What made it more complicated was that the girls were genuine geniuses—perhaps even more so than Carlos Jr. They trained in secret, never revealing their real abilities. Carlos Sr. Decided it was best to keep their talents a secret for now and It seemed they'd already decided to hide their strength for reasons only they understood.
Carlos Sr. didn't press the issue.
Then, there was Ramiro himself.
Even Carlos Sr. couldn't fully understand his third son. He was just like every other member of the Leon clan but he somehow gave a more charismatic hero-like aura unlike their clan's barbaric disposition. Before his own father passed, he had once commented that Ramiro "felt touched by fate." It wasn't something Carlos could sense himself—at least not at his current cultivation level, which was just half a step into the Mortal Shedding Realm. But something about Ramiro had always felt... special.
And yet, for all his gifts, Ramiro could be unbelievably foolish at times.
Carlos Sr. vividly recalled the first time he saw Ramiro truly grow. It was the day he returned home beaten and bruised, dragging along his dusty and tear-streaked twin sisters—and accompanying them was a strange boy with brown hair and a vacant stare.
Even through the tattered clothes, Carlos could see the talent in him.
The boy introduced himself as Elton Solman. For a moment, Carlos thought he recognized the name—possibly tied to the Soloman Clan—but the surname was slightly different. Still, the resemblance was uncanny.
He learned that Elton had helped Ramiro in some reckless battle against a flaming bull-type beast. Carlos was furious at Ramiro's recklessness, but grateful to the strange boy who had saved him.
They gave Elton clean clothes, a warm meal, and a place to sleep for the night. He left early the next morning, despite Ramiro urging him to stay. Before he left, Carlos asked him to visit again someday. Elton only nodded.
From that point forward, Ramiro's transformation was undeniable.
He trained harder than ever before, dedicating himself to mastering the Leon Clan's spear arts and attuning to the Lion Dragon Spear Ki. His growth was explosive. Perhaps most surprisingly, the twins followed suit. They pushed themselves as well, but always in the shadows—never letting anyone outside the household see their full strength.
Seeing such Improvements how could Carlos not be proud?