“I’m sorry, but I have no control over this situation. It’s a direct order from the Queen herself, commanding me to send one of my sons to the Northern Frontier. They claim it’s to boost the soldiers’ morale, but I believe it’s just an excuse. The last time I went to the inner region, I have happened to beat a bastard that dared to touch your sister inappropriately. To our misfortune, he turned out to be the son of a powerful inner region noble who had some sway in the Queen’s Court. Now they wish to demonstrate the consequences faced by Outlanders who dare to offend the nobles of the inner region. They intend to make an example out of me by forcing me to sacrifice one of my sons. I’ve been torn between choosing you or your older brother. But because your value has diminished to nothing as you have turned out to be a normie, I have decided to send you instead of your older brother to minimize the losses,” Joshua said honestly, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

Val scoffed at his father’s words, unable to contain his disbelief and frustration. “Diminished value? Is that all you see in me now, Father? Just because I don’t possess the same extraordinary abilities as my brother, you’re willing to throw me to the wolves, heh! I thought you were different, but it seems your loyalty lies solely with the whims of the nobles and their twisted sense of justice. You claim to have experienced fatherhood, but all I see is a man who values power and prestige over the well-being of his own son. Well, if being a normie means escaping the clutches of your twisted world, then maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. I’ll show you that I’m worth more than you could ever imagine, with or without your precious bloodline.”

Val dared to speak his heart out because he knew his father wouldn’t dare harm him. After all, a son of Joshua was required to reach the Northern Frontier before the month’s end, and it wouldn’t serve any purpose if he were sent as a lifeless body or a crippled normie.

Besides, If Joshua took offense to Val’s words, then he truly was nothing more than a pathetic individual and a sorry excuse of a father.

“Do you blame me?” Joshua’s gaze met Val’s, searching for any hint of blame.

Val’s response was an unexpected one.

He laughed. A laugh that started as a low rumble, slowly building in intensity, echoing in the cold, empty room.

It was a bitter, hollow laugh devoid of any joy.

Hearing the laughters, Joshia felt a chill creep up his spine.

+5 Mad Points!

An unexpected notification rang in Val’s mind.

Why and for what did he get Mad Points? Wasn’t he just acting like a madman? 𝑶𝓋𝔩xt.𝑐𝒪𝑚

At this moment, he realized that mad points could be gained by acting mad!

“No, I don’t blame you. The real culprit is this ruthless world, where us ‘normies’ are cast aside like worthless trinkets.” Once the echoes of his laughter subsided, he gave a response to his father, the hint of a bitter smile still playing on his lips.

+5 Mad Points!

Only a mad person would act like he was blaming a person and the very next second say he wasn’t!

Joshua had no response for him. He sat with his lips tightly pressed together, a droplet of sweat sliding down the side of his sideburns.

“I’ll take my leave now, Father.” Val excused himself.

Slowly, he stood up, pushing his chair back in a deliberate, quiet motion. His figure straightened to its full height, casting a long, solemn shadow in the dimly lit study.

After giving his father a disappointed look, he exited the study, leaving behind the old man contemplating the choices that led to him becoming estranged from his most beloved son.

“I have made the right choice. Sacrificing a useless person is better than facing the ire of those bastards from the inner region.” Joshua muttered under his breath as he sat with his legs crossed.