Chapter 120

──!

The heavy sword clashes continued.

Already, it had been several times. No, it had been tens of times that their swords had clashed.

While there was no thought that Carsein wouldn’t come out with all his heart, Pollux seemed to be doing so now.

With more intensity, more roughness,

and deeper.

Because he could read the distorted inner self of his sword.

The physical advantage was obvious at a glance.

In height, weight, muscle mass, stride length, not a single bodily factor favored Carsein.

Yet, the opponent moved flawlessly.

With good reflexes to react even to irregular moves, the balance of his body was superbly adjusted.

The combat experience gap was incomparable.

How could a boy who had trained for just a few months drive away someone who had fought beasts in the field over the years?

Moreover, he had only recently started wielding a sword.

The blisters and calluses on Carsein’s hand had formed twice. The past traces of being forced to let go of his sword and the current marks of building strength for months.

No matter how hard he tried, he would fall short in combat experience.

But he occasionally made unexpected moves that weren’t predictable.

Blocking with the flat of his blade to catch an attack opportunity, or faking a strike to counterattack and then pushing with his full weight. These graceful movements were fundamentally different from anything of this country.

Yes, this could truly be called excellent.

It was clear he didn’t just hold a sword for show, and he had the tenacity and unshakable mentality.

Carsein was a boy growing splendidly, so much that one might wonder about his future.

However.

Through these sword matches, Pollux felt stifled by what he saw in his inner self.

What kind of cold breath was that?

Where did those restrained, balanced movements come from?

How could a sword path be so precise, almost as if measured, and why does his face remain unchanged?

Even if his sword wasn’t filled with fighting spirit and passion,

it was okay to sometimes cross the line and desire something.

Sometimes, reacting emotionally to a joke or reaction isn’t wrong.

But Carsein had none of these.

His sword was unlike anything he had seen in thirty years.

Cold, meticulous, and dry.

A frosty sword devoid of any emotion or desire, crafted with thorough calculation.

And…

Scars and dents covered the blade.

Distinct marks of wounds were clearly visible.

This wounded sword.

Was exactly like Carsein’s inner self.

“Damn it… How can such a person exist in this world…!”

At such a young age,

how could his inner self be so worn out, as if he had experienced countless trials and settled down?

There was no way he wouldn’t curse.

He needed to know.

To understand what had created such a person.

Deeper.

He began to face his sword more seriously.

Then, waves of loneliness crashed upon him.

He must have endured this solitude alone, where no one else’s touch could reach.

Rain falls on the one who has turned away from everything.

There was no warmth left in him, who didn’t even hope for anything, cold and chilling.

Winds of pain swept through.

As if hardened skin numbs the pain, only rationality remained in the increasingly numb emotions.

Could he really swim through loneliness, only to receive wounds and lose all feelings of pain and emotion?

Is this what remains, a result of thorough calculations and error-free outcomes?

What is left when you live like that?

That’s not a human.

It’s like a doll!

-Teeng!

Finally unable to hold back, Pollux grabbed Carsein’s sword with his bare hand infused with mana.

“…Let’s stop here.”

The exchanges that had gone on for several rounds ended with one action from Pollux.

***

Harnier grew increasingly anxious.

Though she wasn’t a warrior, even as a spectator, she could sense the rising tension.

No, it wasn’t rising; it was turning deadly.

-Kang, Kaang!!

‘Wasn’t this supposed to be just for show?’

The sound was different from before.

The power of Carsein’s sword had truly increased.

“By the way, it’s best not to interfere during Carsein’s training sessions, Merchant Guild of Plesia.”

“Excuse me?”

“I want to see what lies within his sword. So, I’d prefer if you don’t interfere.”

Pollux had clearly said this,

but it seemed a bit extreme.

Watching the brutal training, Harnier started feeling uneasy.

Soon, she felt it was time to intervene.

Just then,

-Teeng!

Pollux stopped Carsein’s sword with his bare hand infused with mana.

“…Let’s stop here.”

Thinking the fight might escalate, Harnier rushed over to stop them, but Pollux calmly said:

“Carsein, I’d like to sign the contract agreement a little later, is that okay?”

“As long as it’s today, it doesn’t matter.”

“Alright. Thanks for understanding.”

The two men’s duel ended instantly.

Harnier could only stare blankly, unsure of what had happened.

Turning to Harnier, Pollux said:

“I’d like to have a chat. Merchant Guild of Plesia.”

“Huh? Me? Not Prince Carsein?”

“Yes, you.”

Although it was somewhat surprising that he wanted to talk with her, Harnier nodded in response to Pollux’s signal.

Despite the recent duel, they moved to another location.

Although they were told it was important, Carsein wasn’t present.

It was as expected; they had to talk alone without Carsein.

“Phew. I’m still not calm.”

Pollux sighed, pressing his forehead.

“First, I need to apologize. I got too excited, making our duel too intense. Or rather, I’m not sure if this should even be called a duel… It seems I caused you some worry.”

“Worry me?”

“You beat up your fiancé like that. That was my mistake.”

“Oh… Well, yes…”

Harnier stuttered, having only just realized the situation.

Why apologize? But she was right.

They were engaged, after all. It would be strange if she didn’t worry about her fiancé getting beaten up mercilessly.

“It’s fine. Carsein probably sees it as an experience.”

Though she believed it was true, she couldn’t reveal the truth about the contract engagement.

Clearing her throat, Harnier changed the subject hurriedly.

“Anyway, why did you want to talk to me alone, excluding Carsein?”

Pollux sighed deeply.

“Merchant Guild of Plesia, how much do you know about Carsein?”

“If I say I know, what level are you referring to?”

“Excluding the fact that we are engaged, I mean the secrets of that boy.”

Given Pollux’s serious tone, Harnier decided to answer based on what she knew.

“…He only sleeps for two hours. He squeezes every moment for work, even sleeping uncomfortably in a chair.”

“Really? Doing such things? I noticed the fatigue when I touched his shoulder…”

“Even his naps are uncomfortable. He offered me his bed.”

“That’s foolish. Working that hard will inevitably ruin his health.”

Pollux clicked his tongue immediately.

“…Perhaps Carsein doesn’t care whether his body gets ruined or not.”

“What do you mean?”

“He has a purpose more important than his body.”

Ironically, knowing his purpose, Harnier could easily say this.

“He’d gladly give up sleep for that. Carsein is that cold and detached.”

For a moment, Harnier reflected on herself through Carsein’s image.

She empathized, but also realized how futile it was.

“But, he may be harsh, but he’s not evil. He won’t cause others misfortune or guilt for his own benefit.”

Carsein prioritizes getting away from the Duke’s house.

But he doesn’t use others to achieve his goal.

That was the biggest reason Harnier continued the engagement with Carsein despite interfering.

Pollux nodded in agreement.

“I see. I saw it in his sword too. It wasn’t a sword meant to harm people. Still, I get it. This damage isn’t just physical.”

“…That’s right.”

It’s not just physical. Knowing the reasons behind his physical state, it’s clear his mental state is damaged too.

“The reason is—”

Harnier slowly recounted Carsein’s past.

From being a child found in a slum, to how he was treated by nobles, to what happened in the House of Bargrand.

Seeing this, Pollux rubbed his face.

‘That makes him even more dangerous. Merchant Guild of Plesia. He’s already…!’

The inner self Pollux saw in Carsein was brutally cold, dark, and bitter.

The scars etched on him were unlike any he had ever seen.

Add to that his mechanical appearance.

‘This engagement might actually be a form of deal.’

Now, Harnier’s reluctance made sense.

Her lack of reaction to Carsein being badly beaten was odd, but Pollux could understand to some extent.

But that meant there was value in trying a method.

And that method was already underway.

“Why do you look at me like that?”

“Don’t you worry about your fiancé? I hit him quite a lot.”

“Huh? No, he might treat his wounds himself… Or…”

Yes, this pair fits well together.

If emotions aren’t blocked, it’s just a matter of letting them grow.

“One more thing, Merchant Guild of Plesia. Carsein might get worse here. Do you want that?”

“No way!”

A straightforward response came back.

“Carsein is my…! My fiancé! Isn’t that obvious?”

Though the words “fiancée” and “fiancé” carried a hint of pure girlhood, it was all the better.

“If there’s a way to prevent it, would you try?”

“What is it?”

It’s quite simple.

“All you need to do is stay by his side.”

Carsein is already being consumed by the monster of rationality.

Before it completely devours him, if he can feel even a bit of emotion, it’s enough.

Naturally, it would seem meaningless, so a strong emotion is necessary.

But he hasn’t experienced the strongest one yet.

“Me…?”

“Yes. All you need to do is stay by his side.”

Pollux smiled affirmatively at Harnier pointing at herself.

Stay close for days.

The longer the better.

When the sprout of emotion finally grows.

The monster living inside Carsein will disappear.