317. Childhood Friend Ep – Variation

Palace and Hirie returned.

Reb suggested that since Hirie’s mother, Sierra Gaidan, had awakened, it would be wise to greet her first, and after some tussling, they turned their horses around.

The process to get there wasn’t exactly smooth.

Tadian Lofero’s lifeless body lay cold on the stone bridge, so they had no choice but to persuade and intimidate the knights guarding Palace.

Though Palace permitted it, they would still remember Bart, who killed Tadian, and the Swordmaster who meddled along the way.

So they sent them back.

To prevent unnecessary variables.

By the time they met Lady Sierra Gaidan and returned to the Conrad Kingdom, everything would be over.

The soldiers carried Tadian’s corpse toward the Lofero Count’s estate, and Reb let out a sigh of relief in the village before the gate where Palace and Hirie returned to the Orun Kingdom.

Still, things went well enough.

In Reb’s hand was the necklace he received from Hirie.

She had been unwilling to part with the necklace even after hearing about Oriax, but Leah, who was nearby, talked her into it. Hirie ultimately said this:

– “I’d say this necklace is a payment for my mother’s treatment. And since you assured me that you’d resolve the issue surrounding the Duke’s safety in Prince Lean’s name, I’ll trust you. But remember, if you fail to keep your promise, it will get very troublesome for you. I’ll make sure of that.”

Yikes, how fierce.

“Don’t worry,” Reb replied, and only turned around after confirming the gate was closing. But there was still a crisis ahead.

Leah’s eyes were sharp as she saw Hirie off. She threatened the great Swordmaster by shaking her empty fist.

“Do you want to die? You said you’d arrive on time, do you have any idea how surprised I was?”

“I’m sorry! But there really was no other way… Ah! Ah! Don’t hit me! I’m sorry already! Ouch!”

Reb was thoroughly beaten by Leah’s soft, fluffy fists. But after a moment, Leah said,

“Ah, if you had said something like this earlier, I wouldn’t have been so mad. You’re cute.”

She forgave Reb in front of the peacefully sleeping newborn.

In the inn’s bed before the gate village lay a lady who had given birth just a few days earlier. She was the wife of Bart’s eldest son.

The journey to bring the pregnant woman had not been easy. The journey was way too slow to meet the timing. Reb felt like he was bleeding out day by day, and when the labor pains arrived much earlier than expected (though it was certainly something to be blessed about), everything seemed pitch dark.

In the end, they stayed here for two days.

“She’s really beautiful. Have you named her yet?”

Whether she knew they almost made a huge mistake or not, Leah, having gotten permission from the mother, was preoccupied with gently pinching the baby’s chubby cheeks.

The baby stirred in her sleep, and Reb felt relieved. Next to her sat Bart, gazing intensely at the granddaughter he had unintentionally gained.

He quietly called out to Reb.

“…Can we talk for a moment?”

Reb nodded.

Since the village was located on the trade route between Orun and Conrad Kingdom, the inn was bustling with merchants.

Bart walked ahead along the cheap inn, where even laundry hung out in the corridor, and Reb followed behind. Seeing Bart’s diminished figure, Reb forgave him as far as the distance from the Irotashi River.

Revenge was to be taken only once.

But that one time, Reb definitely intended to make it happen, even though Bart and Cesar were no different to him; he had managed to suppress his rage. It was because of the child… Reb thought.

Soon, they sat facing each other. A sense of awkwardness filled the air when Bart finally spoke. But the first words weren’t a thank you for bringing his wife and children.

“Where is the Prince?”

“…”

He was disturbingly loyal. But Reb realized this was not simple loyalty but stubbornness, a result borne of obstinacy and malice. Just like his swordsmanship.

Reb answered late.

“He is in the Belita Kingdom.”

“…I see.”

That was the last of it, and silence followed. Bart was unable to find the words, finally asking, “Is he doing well?” It was a heavy question that weighed down on Reb.

“He is well. Princess Reriana is too. Would you like to have a drink?”

“No, thank you.”

“…”

“…”

The conversation reopened after Reb and Bart stared in different directions for a while. Bart sighed through his nose and said,

“The Prince mentioned he has some tasks for you.”

“Yes.”

“What is it? Is it related to that necklace, or…?”

Is it to pave the way for him to return? – Reb imagined the omitted words from Bart and placed the jeweled necklace on the table.

“It’s both.”

Bart flinched, and Reb continued.

“Prince Lean instructed me to destroy this in front of Prince Eric de Yeriel. It was said to be a fragment of Oriax, but honestly, I don’t really know what it is. One thing is certain: this jewel and Prince Eric are the root of all these troubles. The Prince said he would have to take you with him. So, here I am.”

As Reb spoke he thought, ‘This should do it.’

He believed Bart would obediently follow Lean’s words, but what returned was,

“…What did you call me for?”

There was a tone of regret in his words.

“I couldn’t protect the Prince and Princess and wasted my time while they’re still alive.”

“That’s…”

“I’m done. I’m taking my wife and children and leaving. You have someone like me for the Prince, so I’m not needed.”

…What? Reb was shocked.

It was good that he had stopped Bart from attacking Palace by bringing his wife and children, but it seemed the fallout was coming out in this way.

He understood why this was happening. He dedicated his life to revenge, but the Prince was alive, and the moment he realized that everything he had done was pointless, his wife and children appeared.

If only the one who brought his wife and children had been Lean, it might have been better. But the one who came was the young Swordmaster, and on top of that, he was just a messenger for the Prince.

Reb could hardly gauge the disappointment Bart felt. However, he couldn’t just let him leave.

[ Achievement: Monster Hunting – ‘1’, Feeble Mana Lingers in Your Body.]

He lacked the strength to capture Oriax.

In the last episode, he had already spent 2 counts just to behead the guy, and Bart was there solely to keep Oriax in check.

According to Lean, Prince Eric was to become someone who would be a Swordmaster the moment he ascended the throne… He could not let Bart leave. Reb softly coaxed him.

“Life doesn’t always go as you wish. And it’s not like he didn’t know the Prince was alive…”

He even tried to sell out Lean.

“The Prince remembers you, of course, but he also remembers Galen, Iron, Barin, Neil, Rudy, Wendy, Joen, Ludo… the Royal Knights as well. So…”

But Bart didn’t budge an inch. Though Reb had tried for a long time to persuade this stubborn man and even resorted to mocking him, there was finally a response.

“You’re cowardly.”

“…What did you say?”

“I said you’re cowardly. And presumptuous too. Who are you to decide my worth? A man who should be a lord’s sword and tool presuming to do so? Aren’t you a knight?”

Even that wasn’t the right option.

For the sake of revenge, Bart, stained with innocent blood, didn’t think of himself as a knight. When Bart stood up as if he had nothing more to say, Reb hastily exclaimed,

“Then what about your companions? Are you going to abandon the comrades you’ve shared your life with and leave alone? That, that sword! I’ve heard about your sword. It was made by melting the swords of your dead companions. Are you planning to make their deaths meaningless?”

“…”

Bart didn’t respond.

He tightly gripped the sword that was battered everywhere except for the blade… and just walked away. Reb clutched his head in despair.

*

Still—thank goodness for Leah.

When Reb was groaning and lost in worry, she became his companion and counselor. Although she couldn’t provide any solutions, just that was enough to be grateful for.

In the end, Leah said this:

“Don’t worry too much. I’ll go and talk things through. There must be a reason you couldn’t persuade Uncle Bart. So don’t frown, just smile. We just need to do what we can do.”

Thanks to her, Reb was able to keep his grip on hope and effort.

Suddenly focused, he persuaded five of the six Royal Knights (one left to seek family) and laid out plans for the future. Reb set off toward the capital, Rutina.

He intended to visit the Granian Orphanage secretly run by Cardinal Berg, as he awaited the return of the pilgrim-like Cardinal, and to make Leah a priestess.

[ You know the true name of your childhood friend, Lena. She is granted {Holy} status. ]

However, he had to complain a bit here. This game… no, this god was pretty petty.

Seriously, excuse me, Almighty. I don’t have Minseo, and I only heard about it from Lean, so I don’t know well, but you gave Leah this {Holy} status, didn’t you?

So why’s nothing changed?

If you were going to give it, wouldn’t it have been better if you made Leah able to wield divine power right away? I wouldn’t have even hesitated to worship you. Did it have to be that she could only wield divine power after sharing it with someone?

Of course, Leah’s dream was to become a priestess, so she would have had to go out somewhere, but it would have been nice if it were a bit more convenient… “Ouch!”

– Bang!

As Reb was complaining, he got a flick on the forehead from Leah. It happened inside the carriage they had prepared on the way to Rutina.

Leah raised her index finger sharply and said,

“Don’t talk back. Don’t expect anything from the Almighty.”

“Ah, no… but still.”

“He does not exist for an insignificant creature. If we’re to be precise, we exist for the sake of the god.”

“…Why?”

“To insert variations into the world He created.”

Leah’s eyes sparkled with light. Whether it was from the dream’s influence or not, she possessed the clarity of a girl while also holding the wisdom of a priest who had seen both the good and bad of life.

Reb felt a bit grumpy, but he didn’t let it out. Deep down, he hoped she would join him in cursing the god.

Leah always prioritized the god. Reb sighed and waved the white flag.

“Yeah… Maybe you’re right.”

“Hm?”

Leah tilted her head and leaned closer to Reb’s face. She quickly realized her childhood friend was upset.

With a beaming smile, Leah suddenly kissed Reb on the lips. A startled Reb, and Leah, who blushed afterward. She said,

“This is a variation, and free will. It’s not just about the immense choices. How about it? Are you still resentful towards the god?”

“…No, not at all. But…… Leah.”

“What?”

“You started it first.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that… Ah! I don’t want to! I’m still… Whoa.”

Fearing the Royal Knights escorting the carriage might hear her, Leah suppressed a moan as the carriage creaked, advancing toward Rutina through the heavy winter snow.

However, despite Leah’s advice, there was something Reb couldn’t help but resent the god about…

Just before the sun set in winter. Right after arriving at Rutina, Reb used {Tracking Skill} and froze in fear, not from the cold.

Kaderik de Yeriel.

The king who should have died around next winter was nowhere to be found. While Cardinal Berg had gone on a pilgrimage, Prince Eric had started to act.

Nearly a year early.