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174. Childhood Friend – Mirror

Reb couldn’t leave.

He had planned to eat, say goodbye to Leah, and then run straight to Oberg, but he just couldn’t bring himself to go.

Dazed, Reb fled to his room but was pulled out by his mother’s hand. Instead of tough jerky, he ate a warm, cooked dinner.

Under his mother’s insistence that “it’s good for the body because it has herbs in it,” Reb had no choice but to scrape down a soup that had a slightly bitter taste.

What kind of situation is this? He couldn’t understand, but he only began to grasp the reality around dinner time.

“I’m so sorry for being late. This friend insisted on having another drink… excuse me.”

Priest Leslie returned with his arm around his father. The two, having grabbed some jerky from the kitchen, started clinking their cups out front.

Reb could hear the two chatting away through his room window. Summarizing the long story of the past, it went like this.

The Bijan Tribe was exterminated.

Only five boys who had hidden in a jar survived the attack from the Cross Church, and they had set out on a journey for revenge. Only Dop Bijan, who had met his mother in the village of Demos, broke his oath with his friends and decided to stay here.

Dop Bijan, quite intoxicated, continued his tale.

“Back then… I really hated the Cross Church. They were my enemies. But now, thanks to you, I realize the god I believed in was the wrong god.”

“Is Reb still serving that… god named Barbatos?”

“Sort of? To be honest, I don’t really know. He never talks much about who he resembles.”

“Who does he resemble? He resembles you! I still remember it clearly. Do you recall the day you first came to the church with your wife? I had only recently returned home as a priest… Ha ha, we were both so young back then.”

“Hmph. Don’t even bring that up. The village priest back then was so stubborn… He opposed my marriage because I believed in another god, and tried to stop my wife from going to church. Honestly, if it weren’t for you, I would have set fire to that place.”

“Hahaha. Surely you didn’t actually set it on fire… I had many fights with that priest myself, but thinking back, I was probably just as foolish.”

“Foolish? We had our reasons…”

Reb quietly closed the window.

Knowing that his father had emerged from the restraints and life had changed was enough for him.

He didn’t know why his mother was alive, but since he didn’t even know why she had died in the first place, he guessed there must have been something unspeakable involved.

‘Could this mother be someone helpful in clearing the game?’

─ He didn’t think that way at all. Minseo wasn’t the type to view someone else’s mother in such a cold-hearted manner.

After eating the food prepared by his mom, he quickly fell asleep. He thought he had a dream involving her, but he couldn’t remember it.

“Hey, he said he had something to say, why isn’t he coming out?”

Leah waited for a long time.

What could Reb possibly want to say? Expecting such, Lena tossed and turned in her sleep, missing the next morning’s ‘early field work.’

*

Mothers are strange beings.

Although Reb usually spent most of his time outside with Leah, there was a considerable difference between having his mother at home and not.

When the time came, food was automatically served, and Reb ate it without gratitude. Choked up by the love that was given so easily, he would dash outside, saying, “Mom, I just need to use the bathroom…”

When was the last time I experienced such kindness… such love?

Struggling through the harsh game, Minseo and Reb lost their grasp and floundered in warmth.

Two days passed like that.

“I want to go on a journey.”

Reb confessed while sitting with his mom and dad. Although he desperately wanted to live together with his parents, he couldn’t delay any further.

“I’m thinking about going somewhere far.”

It wasn’t a request for support.

He only wanted to inform them that their son might not return from the journey, but surprisingly, his father readily agreed.

“That’s good. A man shouldn’t live stuck in one place.”

“Dear.”

His mother looked displeased. She glared at her husband as he pulled out a bundle of coins and began to convince their son.

“Do you absolutely need to go?”

“… Yes.”

“Why? Are you upset? I had hoped my son would marry Leah and stay here forever…”

“Leah is going to become a priest.”

His mother fell silent for a moment. Realizing her son had made up his mind in his calm tone, she sighed. She stopped persuading him, as she wondered if his intention to leave was tied to his relationship with Leah.

“Take this.”

Dop Bijan extended a bundle of coins to Reb.

A pouch filled with silver coins.

He shouldn’t think this way, but it was noticeably less than the money he had received in previous rounds. The reason was easily guessable.

Noticing a lack of funds, his mother stood up. She brought over a ‘hand mirror’ and handed it to Reb.

“Sell this and add it to your expenses.”

“No, dear, that…”

“Why? Can’t I give you this when you’re leaving?”

This time, his father wore a displeased expression. He could see clearly what kind of mirror it was! Reb was beginning to worry that his mother might change her mind about him leaving.

Fortunately, she didn’t take back her words.

“Thank you…”

[ Achievement: Bound Item, 1/3 ]

[ Sword – Not Destroyed. ]

[ Mirror – Connection Unavailable. ]

The moment he received the hand mirror, an achievement popped up.

Strangely, the count of bound items rose from 0/3, which he couldn’t make sense of, but Reb looked at the “Connection Unavailable” sign with confusion.

At that moment, his mother asked a question.

“When are you leaving?”

“… I think I’ll leave tomorrow.”

“I see. If you need anything, just tell me…”

It seemed his mother had many things she wanted to say. Worried it might be something important, he listened closely, only to be given a warning to take care of himself.

However, Reb didn’t feel like he had wasted any time.

*

The next day, on the weekend, Reb left the village at dawn.

Leah didn’t come out to see him off since Reb had revealed the night before that he would be going on a journey.

“That’s what you wanted to say…”

Lena, with a sorrowful tone, tugged at Reb’s heartstrings but quickly broke into a bright smile. Since she hadn’t gone for early morning fieldwork,

“Be safe. Have a good trip! I’ll probably be a priest by then!”

She encouraged him. Not coming to see him off, she had gone to the church early in the morning to read books.

“Then I’ll be going.”

Reb greeted the village youths who came to see him off. “Take care!” Ignoring Hans, who pretended to be closer than before, he crossed a quiet forest.

Reb’s pace was quick.

With the jerky his mother packed in his mouth, he saved time on his meals and arrived at the ‘big village’ just when the sun was high in the afternoon.

Now, how could he reach Oberg before autumn arrived?

Walking was definitely out of the question.

If he tried to walk, he’d surely arrive not in autumn but in mid-winter, so Reb decided…

To do something bad.

In the bustling market of ‘Torito,’ he stole. Taking advantage of the guards’ carelessness during dinner time, he rode off on a horse.

[ Achievement: Theft – Increases the likelihood of being caught by the master slightly. ]

Reb couldn’t help but scoff. Previously, when he had robbed with a sword by the creek, no achievement had appeared.

What kind of moral compass does that divine being have…

– Neigh!

The black horse Reb was riding kicked up its heels.

The stallion was strong and robust. Since he needed to travel a long way, he had chosen a sturdy one, but it ran even better than Reb had hoped.

What should he name it?

As he galloped toward Oberg, Reb named the stallion.

“Alright. You’ll be called ‘Kus’ from now on. Nice to meet you, Kus.”

– Neigh!

Seeming to like the name, Kus picked up speed.

The strong wind tousled Reb’s hair, and as he got closer to Oberg, Minseo’s consciousness began to fade.

+ + +

“…I made it. Sorry for being late. Crossing the border wasn’t as easy as I thought. I should’ve left a day earlier…”

Reb apologized. But Leo de Yeriel shook his head.

“Nothing to apologize for. But how did you manage to time it? Where’s the horse?”

“I left it at the inn and ran here.”

“Good. So what are you planning to do now?”

“…”

“It’s alright. Speak comfortably. In fact, I have an idea.”

After a brief hesitation, Reb opened his mouth. Filled with regret and determination, he said,

“I’m going to become king.”

Leo de Yeriel nodded as if he had expected that.

The beggar siblings’ scenario had ended.

They could go to the Conrad Kingdom, drive out Prince Eric, and reclaim the {bloodline}, but since the round had ended, such actions would be meaningless.

Even if the ending of the previous round had changed, no reward would be given, and making his sister, Lena, a princess wouldn’t qualify as a clear either.

The truth was, there remained an easy way for Leah to become a princess. They both knew it, but did not speak of it.

Leo de Yeriel could simply become a prince and marry Leah.

It was far easier for Leo, a member of royalty, to reclaim the {bloodline} than for a mere commoner like Reb to start a rebellion… that was the ‘rational’ choice.

However, neither Reb nor Leo de Yeriel mentioned that option. Even Minseo, whose consciousness had blurred, had no intention of doing so.

Because…

Reb liked Leah.

Everyone knew that. Ultimately, they predicted Reb would make such a choice, which is why Leo de Yeriel smiled.

“You made a good decision. Then… shall we go?”

Despite not having asked for help, Leo stood and extended his hand. It was a given that he would help, and besides, he was already prepared to die.

Commoner Reb took the prince’s hand and stood up. With a strong horse at his disposal, and his sister, Lena, safely in the theater, the two of them were now planning to run away.

To the Orun Kingdom. To usurp the throne.

The two exchanged smiles, silently promising to do better this time…

“Brother!”

Lena appeared, running up in a black cloak and hugging Leo.

“Brother. You’re not leaving me behind, are you?”

Tears flowed freely from her eyes as she clutched her older brother desperately.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” As Leo gently ruffled his sister’s hair, he raised his head.

“…Reb. I’m sorry, but…”

“No. It’s fine.”

Things had gotten considerably complicated.

How to cross the border with Lena in tow became the pressing issue, and he now had to take care of his young sister while plotting a rebellion and protecting her…

He couldn’t leave his weeping sister behind.

“…Should we let her rest for a moment first? We can’t go like this.”

“Wait, just a moment. I have a good idea. Lena, can I step out for just a moment?”

“No… hic, no!”

“I’ll definitely come back. I promise, okay?”

“Brother promised, hic, but you never kept your promises. Last time… last time you promised to come every day…”

“I’m sorry. But this time, I really mean it. Wait right here with me. I’ll be back before the sun sets.”

With puffy eyes, Lena glared at Reb. Wiping her nose with the hem of her cloak, she wore an oddly serious expression.

[ Achievement: First Encounter with Lena – Lena holds a high favor towards Leo. ]

“……Okay. But it really has to be just a moment. Don’t be late.”

Having received his sister’s permission, Leo de Yeriel wiped the snot off his chest and entered the royal palace.

While Reb and Lena uncomfortably introduced themselves and waited, Leo returned early, as promised.

“Alright, let’s go.”

“Why did you go to the palace?”

“I’ll explain later. For now… oh wait, we need to stop by one more place. We’re out of money. I need to borrow some from Ksenia…”

“This?”

Lena produced a heavy bundle of coins, which she had just received from Ksenia. Her brother let out a sigh that seemed half relief, half bitterness.

Holding his sister’s hand, Leo sought out a carriage rental place. He presented the bundle of coins to the thugs belonging to the Korolla Family.

[ Achievement: Long Live Korolla Family – Gained slight favor from the thugs of the Korolla Family. The Korolla Family’s slight enmity towards hostile factions has softened. ]

Dressed in the royal knight’s uniform, and with the ‘Long Live Korolla Family’ achievement, the three managed to procure a carriage at a low price and left Oberg. Reb sat in the coachman’s seat while Leo, holding his sister, climbed into the carriage. They clattered as they headed south.

To the Orun Kingdom.

The strong black horse, Kus, diligently pulled the small carriage.