Ch.24781. Song of Curse and Resentment (3)

“What are you doing? Are you trying to put on a show in front of me or what?”

The White Warrior picked his nose.

“Ugh…”

Just in terms of height, he was already about twice as big as Raymon himself.

As for his build? The difference was even more pronounced.

The physical gap between them was so overwhelming that it would be unfair to even compare them to a child and an adult.

Moreover, the other side was firmly armed despite not being human.

While all Raymon had been given was a wooden stick.

“Come on, do you really think I’d split your head open? I’m just going to tap you lightly, that’s all. What kind of man gets scared over something like this!”

Hahaha!

Hey! You think he’s afraid of you? He’s terrified of your hideous face!

“What? Being scared means being afraid, so what’s the difference? Speak properly, will you?”

“……”

How did I end up in this situation?

During their journey, Raymon had somehow started learning about swords from Kariel, albeit briefly.

He had taught Raymon how to handle a sword with just his right arm, and what kind of sword he should choose.

Whether to choose a slashing weapon, a thrusting weapon, or to master both—that was up to Raymon himself.

However, Kariel had explained that if the blade was long, he would need to adjust the weight, and if the blade was short, he would need to increase the weight slightly.

He had said that once Raymon could fully control mana, such constraints would disappear, but…

‘Magic and swordplay are completely different in how they’re used.’

Magic was also complicated, but this was less about intellect and more about sensation and habit—essentially, mastery was more important.

The problem was how to achieve that mastery…

“Look, that girl over there is much braver!”

“Aren’t you ashamed of yourself as a man?!”

“……”

Not all men are supposed to be impressive…

Raymon felt a sudden wave of self-pity, too out of breath to even voice this thought.

The numerous White Warriors stationed in the area continued to peck at Raymon while lavishing praise on Delica.

These spectral-looking beings were relentless in their criticism of him, yet generous with their compliments toward her.

And Delica herself, receiving such praise…

“Who are you mocking?!”

She was making a scene, all fired up, but despite her excitement, her movements and responses were remarkably rational and logical.

…They say a seasoned warrior remains cold and calculated in their actions even while burning with rage, and she seemed to be exactly that type.

Moreover, Delica wasn’t even carrying any weapon.

Yet she moved as swiftly as a squirrel or rabbit, delivering blows to the warriors with some mysterious force.

The warriors merely scratched the affected areas, looking as if they’d been bitten by an insect.

“At her age? She’s a natural!”

“But what good is a girl who can fight… oof!”

The summoned warriors seemed slightly bothered by this point.

“I heard in some distant land, women are actually revered as warriors?”

“You mean those who are good with bows and spears?”

“Yeah, they say they find archery bothersome so they… their breasts… um…”

The conversation was too bizarre to be considered lewd banter.

What was even stranger was how uncomfortable they seemed while discussing it.

“……”

Having witnessed this scene several times now, Eras felt her insides churning.

Perhaps because they had entered the central part of the continent where the roads were well-maintained, their pace had quickened.

As a result, by the time she caught up, whatever had happened was already over.

“……”

More importantly, what was Kariel trying to do?

It was obvious he was trying to train these kids, but why these two specifically?

That strange little one they had met before was also peculiar.

…With a presence that seemed almost inhuman.

Yet despite lowering himself endlessly, there was something about that being that made Eras’s existence seem trivial, something deeply concerning.

“Haah.”

And through all this, Kariel remained as he always did in his resting places—kneeling, seemingly lost in meditation.

Whether he was truly meditating or engaged in some other form of work or training, she couldn’t tell.

‘It’s like he gets stronger just by breathing.’

He was already a monster, but he was becoming more bizarre by the day.

Because Eras could see what others couldn’t, she was acutely aware of this fact.

“……”

Just before crossing the border of Metran.

Next would be… Dabas, just a little further ahead.

Under normal circumstances, traveling from Paeisan to the vicinity of Metran would have taken several times longer.

Even on horseback, they couldn’t have moved this quickly.

By that logic, even the warhorse Kariel commanded was suspicious.

It would disappear without a trace, then return as if it had been waiting when Kariel called.

…Almost as if by magic.

Furthermore, since that incident, Kariel had consistently refused to exchange a single word with Eras.

He didn’t even resort to using others to indirectly convey his opinions to her—he was thoroughly ignoring her.

No matter what insults, mockery, threats, or malice she threw at him, he refused to engage.

Even when she tried to manipulate the two he kept with him:

[A true demon never appears before us directly. If he shows himself, it means he cannot persuade or seduce anyone but himself. That is a dishonor to a demon, and above all, a severe insult.]

He dismissed the need to be swayed or shaken in this manner.

Whether he considered Eras’s existence to be that of a demon or witch, or merely an annoying mosquito or fly…

He seemed to endure it as if it were part of his training or discipline, to the point where Eras had half given up her resolve.

[The sea accepts whatever comes from the rivers, be it filth, malice, or goodwill, without involvement. Yet the sea is never dominated; rather, it embraces all things in the world.]

The sky and earth are similar in that regard.

“……”

That’s quite a profound statement, Kariel…

I wonder if you realize how far you’ve strayed from being a normal human.

And she realized: Kariel’s direction, purpose, and meaning were completely different from her own.

But what had made him like this?

“……”

A bonus, he said.

A mere bonus.

How infuriating.

Even so, what could she do now?

Eloquence didn’t work on him, and as for plots and schemes… Kariel always saw through everything in advance.

Whatever art or ability it was, he seemed to glimpse the future even more clearly than prophets, and even appeared to observe the past.

Moreover, his individual power was enough to pummel a nation’s core single-handedly.

He could intervene in the middle of a battlefield and dismantle a war in an instant.

At this point, he was like…

‘Like Lord Rueld, isn’t he?’

But Kariel lacked Lord Rueld’s sense of responsibility, justice, and mission to serve all people.

Or rather, he never had a reason to possess such qualities in the first place.

Eras had pondered deeply but still couldn’t understand him.

And for Alesius, whom she had sworn to follow…

“……”

This would be the worst possible ordeal.

Above all, the Imperial Equestrian Competition would be held in about two months.

The Equestrian Competition.

And the Imperial Magic Competition.

These were the most prestigious demonstrations of skill on the continent, including the Empire, held alternately every two years.

One gathered the highest-skilled individuals from across the continent, including the Empire, along with those who had risen through the preliminaries, to compete in the largest-scale gladiatorial competition.

Though called gladiatorial, weapons were unrestricted, with polearms being the mainstream in equestrian competitions, while in duels, each fighter freely chose their weapon.

The two tournaments were separate, but there were no restrictions on participating in both.

And then.

As soon as they entered Dabas, talk of the competition began to circulate everywhere they went.

Along with discussions about Dabas’s own martial tournament, the Tushin Championship.

“Seems like they’re really serious this year.”

“What did they say? His Highness the Crown Prince personally declared that the winner of this Tushin Championship would be given every opportunity to participate in the Imperial Martial Tournament.”

“But… it’s the Empire. Is that possible?”

“You bastard! How dare you speak like an Imperial lapdog?!”

“I’m just being realistic. If we go there and get humiliated…”

Though Dabas may grind its teeth at the mention of the Empire, if they have eyes, ears, and a brain to think with, they must know better than anyone that they are not at a level to stand against the Empire.

It seems that despite their territorial disputes and intense antipathy, reality is harsh.

“By the way, did you see that black knight earlier?”

“He had a completely different aura.”

“Seeing him with a little boy and a young man, he must be a real knight. What do they call it? A squire? They say knights drag children around and work them like servants as part of their training.”

“A knight from the land of warriors? Surely he’s not here to participate in the Tushin Championship? A knight?”

“Knights should stick to the Imperial competitions!”

“Well, if he’s from another town or nearby country, he might not know how things work here.”

“Then he must be from some fancy family? Lucky bastard!”

Having heard enough of these conversations from the fruit vendor’s stall, Eras promptly left.

She had already gathered sufficient information about Kariel’s appearance and presence through simple inquiries.

It seemed he had merely passed through before quickly departing.

If it had been Kariel alone, he wouldn’t have needed to visit such places for supplies or tools, but…

“I can’t tell if he’s heartless or just stubborn about the wrong things.”

Or perhaps he had taken on these children because of some vow or absolute contract?

She had investigated separately but found no evidence of such arrangements.

“……”

But since they had left half a day ago, catching up to them now would be nearly impossible.

‘Still, what’s certain is…’

That she had reached Dabas as expected.

The princess of Lutania, chosen by the lake but cursed for her refusal.

Aseratt, the demon of the lake, was one of the few benefactors in Kariel’s life.

Even during the time when he was a hostage, their relationship was reportedly very close.

Some described them as:

Master and guardian knight.

Or an engaged couple—a young girl and a grown man.

While there were certainly many who had special feelings or friendships with Kariel in his youth…

Only Aseratt followed him.

…Whether that was because of her circumstances, I’m not sure.

“Come to think of it, was she here too?”

The Wolf Prince’s younger sister.

Though they were both very young at the time, I’m not sure if either of them took it seriously.

“……”

Yes.

The current him and the previous him are like different people.

Is that what it means for fate to change?

Her teacher, Eras’s mentor, had said this:

Kariel’s existence was not originally destined for such a fate.

Something had intervened or some calamity had occurred to make him this way.

Still, she didn’t know the details.

“Kariel. You’ll see many familiar faces here too.”

That person who used to hang out with us regardless of social status, chatting and sharing the same dreams, is also here in Dabas.

“Well. Who am I even talking to?”

Eras, who had been walking and muttering to herself as if half-entranced, suddenly vanished without a trace, leaving no evidence of her presence.

Many people came and went through the streets.

This was Dabas Kingdom, a competitive counterpart striving to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Empire.

And a few days later.

“Brother! Heaven is not heartless! I have been counting the days, waiting for you!”

In the Blue Plains, far from the royal capital of Dabas, a group approached, led by their commander.

A rider at the front raised a banner depicting a black wolf on a red background.

A young man approached confidently, leading a robust red horse.

He and his warriors warmly welcomed the party consisting of warhorse, knight, a young girl, and a young man.