To Approach the Truth

The road to get there was busy, but the road back was leisurely.

It’s not quite the right saying for this situation, but is it like how a person’s mindset is different when they enter the bathroom versus when they leave?

While returning to Kaintreche Castle, the four people stopped by a village famous as a tourist destination and enjoyed a pleasant time, savoring the leisure.

And it wasn’t until the fourth day that they arrived at Kaintreche Castle, where Dver and Roxanne, having heard the news, came out to greet them outside the castle.

,You’ve come, Kyle. You’re later than I thought.”

,Your father was very worried. You should have contacted us if you were going to be late.”

Kyle couldn’t help but smile wryly, finding it strange that he was now somewhat used to even this awkward scene.

,I’m sorry, Father, Mother. I took a little detour along the way….”

,No, it’s fine. It’s enough that you returned safely.”

,By the way, who is this lady?”

Vermillian was disguised as she had been just before leaving Kaintreche Castle, so she wasn’t the object of attention. Instead, Roxanne asked, looking at Anis, who had newly joined the group.

Judging by her appearance, she didn’t seem to be a daughter from a noble family, and it was somewhat surprising to hear that Kyle or Sylvia had any acquaintance with a commoner’s daughter.

,Nice to meet you. I’m Anis Blanc. I recently met Kyle and Sylvia, and since I suddenly had nowhere to go, they kindly offered to bring me along.”

,Oh my…. Then what about your family?”

Roxanne, hearing that she was Kyle’s friend, spoke comfortably and asked with a look of pity.

,My father passed away when I was very young, and my mother also passed away when I was ten years old. Since then, I’ve been living alone….”

,I didn’t know that…. I’m sorry. I made you bring up a dark story for no reason.”

,It’s okay. It’s been a long time, so please don’t worry about it.”

Whether Anis intended it or not, there’s no better way to approach someone than to evoke sympathy and pity.

Roxanne, having heard Anis’s situation, felt truly sorry for her and allowed her to share the detached residence she had given to Lian, allowing her to stay at the Lyaird family’s residence until she had a place to settle.

This was also partly due to Kyle’s prior intention, before leaving Kaintreche Castle, to bring someone he had become indebted to.

,First, let’s go inside since it’s late. Kyle, take your guest to their room and then come to my study for a moment.”

,Yes, Father.”

Kyle was puzzled as to why he was suddenly being called, but he nodded, thinking that Dver wasn’t the type to call someone without a good reason, so there must be something important.

And so, the four people entered Kaintreche Castle, where they were able to relieve their accumulated fatigue and battle weariness with pre-prepared warm water, a plentiful meal, and comfortable bedding.

＊＊＊

Knock knock.

A quiet night when everyone was asleep.

A soft knock permeated Dver’s ear as he was reading a book, relying on a small lamp placed on his desk.

Without even glancing up, he opened his mouth towards the other person.

,Come in.”

– Yes, excuse me. Father.

As he expected, the person who knocked was none other than Kyle.

Although it wasn’t as bad as before, Kyle, still not entirely comfortable with a one-on-one meeting with Dver, circled around hesitantly, looking around.

In response, Dver gave a faint wry smile and pointed to the remaining seat.

,Do you need to take a piss? Or just sit down already.”

,Yes….”

Kyle scratched his cheek awkwardly and took a seat, and a moment of silence followed between the two.

,You look good these days.”

,Really…. do I?”

Given Dver’s personality, Kyle thought he would get straight to the important stuff.

He didn’t know how to react to Dver’s uncharacteristic gentle tone.

Just when it seemed like the conversation would be cut off again, Dver continued.

,Yes. Is it thanks to Sylvia-yang after all?”

,Ah, no. That’s….”

It was true, but Kyle felt a little strange saying it, so he scratched his cheek awkwardly and avoided eye contact.

A normal father would gloss over the topic at this point, saying something like, ‘These are good times,’ but Dver, with his strict educational philosophy, didn’t like that attitude at all.

,You stupid bastard. Looks like you still haven’t made up your mind.”

,I’m sorry, Father.”

,Apologize to Sylvia-yang, not me, you rascal.”

So, when he spat out a sharp rebuke, Kyle apologized.

But Dver cut him off with a single stroke, clicking his tongue audibly, and stared intently at Kyle.

Even at this moment, the intense aura and dense magic emanating from his body made him wonder if this was really the same dull son.

He was truly happy about that fact, but on the other hand, he was also regretful of himself for not recognizing his son’s talent.

He had a cold value system that basically didn’t even pay attention to those without ability, but that didn’t change even if the target was himself.

A dullard who couldn’t recognize his son’s ability.

That was the self-deprecating sneer and cold criticism that Dver had recently been directing at himself.

,Anyway, it seems like your enlightenment is deepening. Soon, there won’t be anyone on the entire continent who can match you.”

,You flatter me, Father.”

,Flattery my ass. Remember that excessive humility is also arrogance, Kyle.”

,…Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

Kyle, who had added an unnecessary word and ended up getting scolded for no reason, didn’t feel bad at all.

No, rather, he was surprised and happy to hear these words from Dver Lyaird, of all people.

He had no doubt that no matter how great he became, he would never be recognized by him.

,Well, that’s enough praise for my son. Any more than this would be difficult for my personality.”

,It’s already enough, Father.”

On the other hand, Dver, who wasn’t very used to praising others, felt a little awkward when he lavished praise on his son, even if he was his son.

Clearing his throat softly, he decided to end the small talk and began to bring up the main topic.

,The reason I secretly called you here is not for any other reason. A imperial order came down from the imperial palace the day before yesterday.”

,A imperial order, you say?”

For it to be called a imperial order meant that it was a letter sent directly by the Emperor himself.

Kyle’s eyes narrowed upon hearing this.

He thought it would come someday, but it was sooner than expected.

,It seems that His Majesty is planning to wage an all-out war against those bastards soon. A summons has already been issued to the heads of various families and promising talents.”

,An all-out war? Does that mean they’ve found the bastards’ hideout?”

,Well, I don’t know. Whether they’re trying to gather manpower to find them, or they’ve already found them and are trying to gather manpower to subjugate them.”

It might sound like wordplay, but Kyle nodded, realizing that the implications of the two statements were very different.

If it was the former, it would mean that their whereabouts were so elusive and secretive that even with the imperial palace pouring in manpower, it would be difficult to find them.

But if it was the latter, news about it would have already started to leak out externally.

In the first place, an all-out war with the Eyes of Dawn, who are called the Empire’s greatest rebels, cannot be carried out secretly without announcing it widely in various regions. Not the current Emperor.

So, realistically, the former is more likely, but can the bastards’ clues really be completely grasped by pouring in manpower?

Kyle was also skeptical about that.

If it was an issue that could be resolved with just that, the Eyes of Dawn would have been subjugated long ago and disappeared into the annals of history.

,Still, I think it’s the former. According to recent rumors, the imperial knight order raided the Moon Order’s residence.”

,Raiding the Moon Order, why?”

,Haven’t you heard the rumors that have been circulating for a while? That the Eyes of Dawn are related to the Moon Order.”

,That’s true, but that’s just a rumor.”

,That’s how desperate they are.”

Dver also didn’t seem to think the action was justified, as he took a sip of tea with a bitter expression.

Although it is true that the Moon Order’s reputation among the people of the Empire is not very good due to various rumors in the past, it is still wrong to persecute them based on stories that have not yet been confirmed.

,So it seems they’ve made an offer to you as well. Asking if you can lend them your strength.”

,Lending my strength is not difficult. No, it’s something I should do. But there’s something I need to confirm before that.”

,Confirm?”

,The Eyes of Dawn. To find out their true purpose and identity.”

,That’s a difficult story.”

Is that really possible for those bastards who haven’t even been caught after being searched with a fine-tooth comb?

Dver looked at Kyle with a skeptical gaze, but Kyle’s eyes, facing him, were confident.

He wasn’t just trying to spread empty idealism without any particular plan.

No, rather, Kyle had succeeded in getting a little closer to them through several recent events.

However, he had been silent because he didn’t have any concrete evidence to completely confirm it.

,I will give His Majesty a reply myself.”

,Are you going to refuse?”

,Of course not. I’m just asking for a little more time.”

,…Okay. Do as you please. Anyway, His Majesty has made it clear that he doesn’t intend to force you, so he’ll understand the situation.”

At those words, Kyle sighed in relief and received the imperial order from Dver.

He intended to go back to his room later and read it carefully again.

,Then you’ll be busy again.”

,It seems so.”

,Stay safe. And above all, don’t disappoint Sylvia-yang.”

,Yes, Father.”

Kyle nodded heavily, realizing that there was a double meaning in those words.

It meant to face Sylvia properly, and to not get hurt doing reckless things and upset her.

Having finished the conversation, Kyle quietly tried to get up from his seat, but paused for a moment and turned his head.

There was one thing he wanted to ask Dver, and it had occurred to him belatedly.

,…Father. Could I ask you for a favor?”

,A favor, what is it?”

,I want to receive a sword.”

,A sword? Did the one you were using before break or something?”

The sword Kyle originally used was also a decent sword, so Dver asked, wondering why he suddenly wanted to receive another sword.

Kyle shook his head and added.

,No. To be exact, I want to receive a sword that a certain person used to use. I heard you have it, Father.”