Chapter 81

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 8, 2025

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“Why are you asking about that?”

Time passed.

Ludines arrived at a street stall with children carrying a flower basket.

The children skillfully laid out the flower baskets in front of the stall and guided Ludines to a chair.

After meeting Carriel, some greeted her warmly while others eyed her warily before leaving.

She, sitting on the chair with her staff resting on her knees, smiled faintly with an expression trying not to appear too lonely.

“So, you’ve come again today.”

“…Yes.”

“I plan to leave tomorrow.”

“Y-you’re leaving?”

“…….”

Carriel asked after gazing steadily at her.

“You seem relieved.”

“Yes?”

“You don’t want me to be chosen, do you?”

As if realizing it just now, Carriel acted like he’d known it all along.

Startled by this unexpected question, she asked why he was bringing it up.

So, he explained.

“The only one who’s anxious about my sword truly being chosen, Ludines, is you.”

“…….”

“What makes you so anxious?”

Carriel wanted to ask himself the same thing.

Why am I even asking her this?

Does she have any inkling?

Or is it simple paranoia like Louilin keeps nagging about?

“Lord Leil observes not only himself but others and his surroundings carefully. You’re truly thoughtful.”

Is that a compliment?

Or a sign of caution?

“That’s why you helped us. We’re grateful. So… we hope your endeavors go well and safely. Sincerely.”

“…….”

That prayer is empty.

Just because someone prays or wishes doesn’t mean my life will magically stabilize.

And if it did, that’d be its own kind of deception.

Though I don’t have complaints, I strangely resent such things.

“How about you?”

“Yes? What exactly are you asking?”

“Are you unhappy?”

“…….”

This question seemed quite unexpected.

No, it’s more like she never imagined she’d face such a query.

“Am I unhappy?”

A strange answer.

Returning a question with another question usually stems from a few reasons.

“We don’t call doing something unwillingly or forcing yourself to endure unpleasantness ‘happiness,’ right?”

It wasn’t a perfect material.

However, her life from yesterday’s observation mostly ran on other people’s orders and suggestions rather than her own will or desire.

“Did you figure all that out just from our brief chat? Lord Leil, you’re impressive.”

“…….”

I was merely curious.

Truly, about her mindset hoping desperately that my cursed sword wouldn’t be chosen.

And what she’d do if it were chosen.

Would she despair? Would she give up?

On the other hand, maybe she’d be glad?

Or perhaps disappointed?

Maybe I think I could grab it with my own hands tomorrow.

If so, I’ll see eventually.

Praying fervently that it wouldn’t be chosen.

Her childish wish might shatter into pieces right before her eyes.

…And how should I react then?

“I’m a watcher. Here to monitor whether or not it gets chosen.”

Still.

“I’d prefer this moment lasts longer. Wanting it to last forever would be greedy of me, though.”

“…….”

“If you can pull it, you still shouldn’t. It’d be dangerous.”

Saying this… does it even matter?

Looking glum, she nonetheless asserted firmly this time.

“It’s not just a warning. Please remember this. If it gets chosen, someone truly terrifying will come.”

“…….”

Carriel chuckled absent-mindedly.

Misinterpreting it, Ludines’ expression clouded over.

“My words…”

“No, no. Ludines, I believe you.”

Just…

“…No one in this world, regardless of who they are, could possibly be more absurd than the two I know.”

Carriel glanced skyward and recalled someone in his memories.

The golden girl visible only to him and…

Father, you there.

If there’s someone greater than those two… bring the Demon King himself.

“And I came on this journey to topple them. Hard to abandon it lightly, I’d say.”

Pointing at the sword with his eyes, Carriel noticed Luciri lowering her gaze.

“Is that… so?”

Right as their conversation seemed to approach catastrophe…

A few men approached them.

“Excuse us.”

Men wearing iron protective gear on their chests, shoulders, arms, and knees.

From just that, these were clearly individuals dedicated to maintaining peace and order here in Soremn Village.

There was hardly anyone unaware that these were the Soremn Patrols.

After all, they were the ones conducting inspections at the entrance too.

With the village emblem—diagonal slashes on a sword and “Soremn” below it—etched as a seal on their chestplates.

Even with openable iron helmets, the scarred man inside had a calm demeanor despite his intimidating appearance and spoke politely.

“We’d like your cooperation as a witness regarding an incident within the village.”

“…….”

Even in the Empire, they rarely offer such courteous proposals.

Suspects are usually treated as criminals first, interrogated harshly.

This treatment is somewhat unusual.

Or is it because they considered her nobility mentioned during inspection?

She’s foreign nobility at that.

An insignificant noble might be ignored if they mysteriously disappeared, but perhaps they thought she could be the offspring or associate of a great noble?

“Alright.”

Or maybe they anticipated resistance or backlash from her side and went through the motions for appearances?

Reasons vary.

However, the biggest mistake these guys made—if pinpointing one—was…

“…….”

Complying with their guidance, they descended the stairs to the third level.

Upon entering a deserted alley, it was natural for them to block the entrances at both ends.

“There won’t be much trouble if you just answer our questions.”

“…….”

“Basing it on witnesses’ testimonies, we found you.”

This was troublesome since yesterday I led them to drag someone out of the warehouse.

“Yesterday at noon, didn’t you fight against Venus and Leil? Witnesses claim…”

They questioned if this was related to the multiple murders that occurred in the warehouse.

“When I arrived, everyone was already dead.”

“So, was it Venus? And you just happened to witness the scene?”

“It wasn’t a coincidence.”

Explaining honestly, she said she headed there separately due to certain circumstances and found it in that state.

“Things make sense now.”

The man appeared to calmly piece together the situation.

“I understand. However, given the situation has grown larger than expected, I urge you not to cause any commotion.”

“…Sounds like you’re hinting we should leave soon.”

“Preferably within today or tomorrow.”

Did we dig too deep into their secrets?

Perhaps if we had played dumb, we wouldn’t have heard such direct words.

“Are you suggesting this evacuation because it’s appropriate?”

“…Rumors are spreading.”

Rumors?

“The heir of the Great Warrior has reached the Metran Kingdom. And that person is of the Radiance bloodline.”

“…….”

Radiance bloodline.

Within the Empire, they don’t refer to it so grandly.

This is more like a laudatory term used outside the Empire for Father and my past self.

“I settled here without knowing about the legend of Grandeous, but others harboring resentment wouldn’t be surprising. I suspect Venus’s hostility stems from that reason.”

“If witnesses claim even Venus couldn’t handle you, there’s a possibility of trouble behind your back, which is why we’d prefer you leave.”

This is preemptive action to prevent unrest in the village.

“You’re considerate.”

“…We simply don’t want unnecessary troubles here. We’re commoners, not nobles or warlords.”

As long as the opponent doesn’t openly show hostility, there’s no need to provoke when communication works.

“I was planning to leave tomorrow anyway.”

“One last thing. Why are you standing before Grandeous’s sword?”

Why has someone like you, the child of an enemy, come here?

“You’re not here to mourn, are you?”

“…….”

Closing his eyes, Carriel muttered resignedly.

“Because someone ordered me to come here. Though it seems to have been futile in the end.”

I could’ve left today.

However…

“I entrusted my sword to the blacksmith. Once I retrieve it, I’ll leave promptly. So… rest assured.”

Taking this chance, I’ll exchange a few more words with that accursed sword.

And if it doesn’t end up in my hands…

I’ll definitely shatter that damn sword someday elsewhere.

I may discard it, but

I won’t be discarded by a mere sword.

Ever since childhood, unlike someone else, I’ve had no real reason to obsess over it.

Grandeous?

I respect him.

But that won’t control my life.

A knight’s sword isn’t proof of belief or divine will.

It’s merely a tool and means.

I still haven’t forgotten.

My original intention.

====

“Master.”

Upon returning to the branch building, Louilin greeted him.

“Where did you hear that?”

Though said vaguely, Louilin understood well.

“Big Brother Leo and Sister Luciri’s acquaintance told me.”

“Ah.”

He didn’t pry further.

“So what are you going to do now? I’m leaving this place tomorrow.”

“Already? I thought you’d stick around until you pulled the sword.”

“…How much does that damn sword hate me?”

“Huh? Are you saying you’re hearing voices from the sword like Big Brother Leo?”

“Something like that.”

Leo.

Maybe that damn sword is even more talkative than expected.

“You must have noticed by now, but countless obstacles will come my way from here on.”

Therefore.

“You don’t need to chase after me, someone who brings no profit.”

“Do you not have much money, Master?”

“I have enough to get by. But our family has always been steeped in asceticism.”

Carriel chuckled.

“It’s money I’ve saved up over years. Don’t think I don’t know its value just because I’ve been acting calm about it.”

“Got it.”

Being skilled in gathering and hunting, eating little, and optimizing everything efficiently is far from the virtues of leisure and ostentation cherished by the great nobility.

Of course, they can act casual in private, but generally, they exaggerate even what they lack as if they possess it.

When it reaches that point, they truly start believing in their uniqueness and superiority.

Among those flaunting genuine aristocratic dignity, probably less than half are real.

Adorning oneself with gold and jewels doesn’t change a pig.

But draping a splendid figure in tattered rags leads people to view even dragons as weak and trivial.

Ultimately, one shouldn’t tilt the balance too far either way.

“If you have any questions, ask now. I’ll answer within reason.”

“Isn’t it human nature to seek help wherever necessary when faced with danger? Why do you insist on bearing it alone, Master? Ah, I understand. You’ve always believed trusting nothing is better than trusting anything. But… separate from trust, why not use it to your advantage? Why do you refuse even that?”

“…Don’t you already know the answer?”

“Is that just paranoia? Thinking sticking around you is dangerous? Then what about you, Master?”

“…….”

“Statements like ‘it doesn’t matter’ or ‘I’m not interested’ don’t fit the Master I know. Someone who confronts threats optimistically and adapts.”

You challenge because you can.

You fight because you must.

What calculations are needed?

“You might die or suffer terrible fates. Yet you persist? That mindset is awfully arrogant.”

“Even saying that, I have no intention of hiring you as a bodyguard. Even if you align with others to decide helping me, it’s unwelcome meddling from my perspective.”

“…….”

“If you don’t expect anything, there’s no disappointment or betrayal. The burden is solely mine. Sharing it would only make both parties miserable.”

“Why does Master feel the need to conclude that? What I mean is…”

Louilin knew.

She’d known all along.

He communicates yet doesn’t truly connect.

Within his boundaries, there’s no compromise.

His lack of selfishness binds him tightly with such rules.

If he were selfish, there’d be no reason to treat the benefits and advantages offered to him so poorly.

He gives goodwill freely.

Yet rejects others’ kindness.

…What arrogance is this?

Is this the pride, responsibility, or dignity tied to the heritage of the Great Warrior, among the Nine Heroes, especially the Radiance lineage?

“For what purpose do you live and strive?”

“I’ve already told you that before.”

“Yes. That makes it even more difficult.”

Peacefully.

Comfortably.

Not overflowing but ideally living that way.

“I’m still standing in the wilderness.”

“Excuse me?”

“Having barely escaped a cold and dark pit, what lay ahead was an endless wilderness.”

Expressing sentimentality.

Almost teaching.

That vacant, nihilistic look he occasionally showed during travels returned.

Louilin felt cold sweat trickle down her neck.