Ch.26186. They Never Trusted Me (2)

Ruben, who was born in Lutania and spent his infancy there, wandered around various places with his family throughout his childhood, traveling not only to nearby islands but also inland territories.

Even during his temporary stay in the Empire, he was clearly a foreigner there. Though the Empire was known for its diverse races and ethnic groups living together, it still contained clear discrimination, ostracism, neglect, and persecution.

While the Empire might seem quite tolerant in some ways, as it didn’t keep slaves, all races, including humans, tend to be wary of outsiders and those different from themselves. The Empire embraced many things in this regard, but conversely, it was quite harsh toward those not included within its fences and barriers.

The difference between those who had acquired citizenship and those who hadn’t was clear. It was both a duty and a right, as well as a source of pride for them.

Ruben’s family was able to protect themselves from these worldly tides because his father had exceptional wealth and the social skills to navigate such turbulence. In contrast, young Ruben, who had great ambitions but a timid personality at the time, found it quite difficult to get along with his peers.

The catalyst was almost coincidental. Until a boy and girl his age came to him asking about stories of various parts of the continent, journeys, and travels, Ruben simply thought they were quite curious about such things.

Having traveled here and there, Ruben had encountered many peers and children who asked such questions. This became the only reason why others would voluntarily approach him and offer friendship without him having to reach out first.

After experiencing this several times, Ruben realized it was a tremendous advantage. This realization was also the secret to his moderate success as a proper merchant at a young age.

“So you’re saying that you used to be close with Lord Kariel back then?”

In the coachman’s seat pulled by two horses, Aristetis, seated on the right, was urging him to continue with curious questions.

Ruben, with his dark brown hair and blue eyes, found it less awkward to have someone to talk to, so he was comfortably responding to her questions.

“Yes. I didn’t know one of them was the child of the Hero, nor that they were from a count’s family.”

I found out later.

There was never any awkwardness between us despite me being a foreigner and them being nobility. Even as a foreigner, I was able to temporarily study at the Empire’s educational institutions.

The place that gathered children together to teach them before the Academy was a place where everyone received equal education regardless of social status. Called the Small Academy or Lesser Academy, Ruben was always alone there, but after school, he often hung out with the two he had formed a connection with.

If they had been in the same class, he might have gotten to know them earlier, but as someone without citizenship who wasn’t an imperial citizen, his accessible areas were extremely limited. So, them approaching him one-sidedly was another matter entirely.

After getting along well like that, he suddenly had to leave the Empire urgently due to his parents’ circumstances.

He didn’t know the exact details of the situation. He only knew that they had to flee like escapees in the middle of the night, and that they received considerable compensation for it.

Though that became the foundation for establishing his current company, he only learned much later that it was a bribe, and not a reward or compensation given with good intentions.

By then… Ruben’s family had already put down roots in Dabas, where his father, after suffering from a serious illness, passed away not long after. Ultimately, Ruben became the head of the family without any time to prepare and had to face the world’s turbulence bare-handed to protect his family without rest.

If his mother hadn’t suddenly told him about it, he would still be unaware of the truth. Perhaps when Eras came to visit him with apparent delight, he would have welcomed her with vague happiness, not knowing the truth.

Even though he still didn’t know the exact circumstances, when she acted familiar with him, he welcomed her gladly without any sense of discomfort. She also made a proposal that would be quite beneficial to him.

As if she hadn’t forgotten an old promise, she suggested selling and developing medicines and pharmaceutical products necessary for exploration and adventure. It was only then that he learned she was a genius from the Esdina family, famous for their drugs and elixirs.

Then… what about the other child who used to hang out with her?

He remembers that the two were very close until then. So close that one might have thought they would end up together as they grew up.

…He had expected to hear such news when he returned to the Empire, but he never set foot in the Empire again after that.

The reason was simple. He didn’t have the luxury to do so.

“Eras came to me and revealed the inside story of why I had to leave the Empire back then.”

While the attitude and customs of ostracizing or discriminating against foreigners and foreign races were subtly widespread among imperial citizens, the Empire had expanded and was rapidly growing vast, so it was preoccupied with efficient integration and unification.

In that context, a rumor spread that the child of none other than the Hero was the main culprit in bullying, despising, and ostracizing a foreigner, and that they fled the Empire due to the hardship… This story delivered a secret shock even within the Empire.

When Eras explained this, Ruben at the time questioned whether his departure from the Empire had become such an issue. To this, Eras gave a bitter smile.

[Your circumstances, mine, and Kariel’s weren’t important. The nobles who disliked the Hero and their supporters were trying to tarnish the Hero’s reputation in any way they could. Since they couldn’t directly attack the Knight of Radiance, they thoroughly degraded his child instead.]

Afterward, Kariel’s reputation within the Empire was stained with an indelible scar, she said. He was isolated.

Ruben asked what she had done at that time. To this, Eras replied:

[I gladly went along with it. Because my grandfather ordered it.]

I was the first to stab a knife into his heart.

[This is how filthy nobility is, Ruben.]

Why was she speaking as if she was proud of it? However, Eras didn’t try to justify or excuse herself by saying she had no choice.

[How can I excuse or justify what I’ve already done? What’s past cannot be washed away. It probably won’t be forgotten even after death.]

Ruben asked again. Why did she go that far? Was her grandfather’s order so absolute that she would falsely frame someone?

[It is absolute.]

Eras answered immediately.

[Because if I got scarred, my value as a woman would decrease, my grandfather tormented me in various ways. You probably can’t even imagine it.]

To survive, I had to do whatever it took. Despite showing so many signals to Kariel, hoping he would help me.

He didn’t. He didn’t even try.

…At some point, I started to resent him. Ah, yes. I know that’s not right. Perhaps I should have stood up to my grandfather instead?

But what could I do? Grandfather, Grandfather was so… so frightening. He’s terrifying, I tell you. Besides, I… wasn’t as capable as my sister. I wasn’t extraordinary. Someone like me could easily, easily be…

“…That’s a terrible story.”

Aristetis, sitting on the bumpy coachman’s seat with her legs together, let out a deep sigh.

“To me, they both seem pitiful.”

Still, I heard the false accusations were cleared up before long. …But the wounds had already festered into scars.

Even non-existent events were treated as if they had happened, followed by malicious slander and rumors. The slightest flaw was exaggerated into inflated rumors, and the child of the gracious Hero, who was even personally anointed by the Pope and praised as a child of revelation, had created many expectations among the imperial citizens.

In reality, he was said to have been extraordinary since childhood.

“I don’t know much, but the Kariel I knew back then was a boy with many dreams.”

He said he wanted to leave the Empire, uncover all the secrets of the world, and glimpse the truth.

A refreshing breeze. Perhaps it’s because of the slightly chilly wind mixed in. Once the harvest ends, the Empire will hold jousting tournaments coinciding with Thanksgiving.

Those who can call themselves knights will gather from all over the continent to seek appointment and fame, as well as to obtain the honor of victory and the corresponding rewards.

“But he never told me he wanted to become a knight.”

A boy who was reluctant to become a knight in the land of knights.

“He said it didn’t suit him? He said that while it wouldn’t be bad if he could do it, he didn’t want to cause unnecessary trouble.”

What would be troublesome about aspiring to be a knight? …But now that I know the inside story, that statement takes on a different meaning.

If the son of none other than the knight among knights, the leader of the Nine Heroes called the strongest on the continent… the Knight of Radiance, could only become a mediocre or ordinary knight…

That would be quite burdensome.

“So I think that’s why he wanted to leave the Empire under the pretext of adventure.”

“Hmm…”

Yet the current Kariel had become a proper knight. At least in appearance.

Lyurik, this year’s final champion of the Warrior’s Tournament, challenged him every day during their journey. But the difference in their levels was clear. Clear enough for even Ruben, who had no discerning eye, to realize it.

“…”

Come to think of it, this cute foreign young lady was also the runner-up, wasn’t she?

From what I’ve heard, she learned swordsmanship from none other than the Lake Dragon. I also just learned that Dabas’s warrior style is derived from the Lake Dragon’s swordsmanship.

“Our great master doesn’t like to show off.”

Aristetis explained this to Ruben, who was wondering why he hadn’t known such an important fact.

“…”

And there was one more thing that bothered him.

Although Dabas’s reputation might be less than that of the countries across the way, Ruben had heard about it.

The tale of the Black Knight, Grandeus, who defeated the Knight of Radiance. And how Kariel’s appearance closely resembled the armor worn by him during his lifetime.

The content that an old man who had encountered him alongside Ruben reminisced about the next day was also strangely stirring in Ruben’s heart.

Thud—

At that moment, the sound of heavy heels pressing and stomping on the ground came from beside them without any warning.

“You appear like a ghost again.”

“…”

I wonder if he realizes how unusual and special it is to suddenly appear nearby in this vast plain, not from far away.

Growl!

The warhorse he was riding snorted angrily with red eyes. In the cool breeze, its thick breath came out like white smoke that might rise from boiling water.

“Wasn’t that more of a magician’s trick than a knight’s?”

“It wouldn’t be easy for them either.”

“…Is that so?”

While they were conversing like this, when he turned his head to the opposite side, the pretty young lady was frozen stiff.

“Miss?”

“Y-Yes?!”

“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve just seen a bear in the forest.”

“M-Meeting a bear would actually be good… wouldn’t it?”

“…?”

“…?”

The conversation suddenly became tangled.

Why would it be good? Why would she welcome a life-threatening situation? But seeing her blinking her eyes in confusion…

‘Ah, right.’

I keep forgetting when I look at her like this, but she is… a warrior after all. Although she claims to be just an ordinary dancer and musician, not a warrior or swordsman. With her level of skill, perhaps even a large bear feels like a squirrel or a cat to her.

“The border is near.”

Ruben turned his head again at Kariel’s words. Even on the bumpy coachman’s seat with the clattering of the carriage and the loud sound of horse hooves, his monotone voice penetrated strangely clearly.

“It’s true that once we pass the border fortress, we’re almost there.”

“…”

“But can we actually pass through?”

It seemed like an unnecessary question, but Kariel explained as if it was a valid concern.

“It would be possible, but unnecessary.”

“…Huh?”

“At least, passing through in this state wouldn’t make sense.”

Unless the intention was to provoke. Given that a declaration of war had already been made, what would happen if they entered in this state?

Well, various things could happen… but why bother?

“Then, what’s your plan?”

“A confrontation battle.”

“Huh?”

“Eh?”

Was it unexpectedly surprising? Even Aristetis, who was listening from the side, seemed startled.

“W-Weren’t you going to the Empire with us?”

Ah, was that what she was expecting? It wasn’t hard to understand her attitude, as it was obvious that this young lady had feelings for Kariel…

“But a confrontation battle? It sounds like you’re planning to engage in combat… that’s not it, right?”

“That depends on them.”

“…”

Due to his stylish helmet covering his face, I couldn’t tell what he was thinking…

What was certain was that the old friend he had met after such a long time had changed completely, beyond recognition.

“…Hmm.”

Ruben wasn’t sure whether to be sad about this or to focus on his remarkable growth and encourage or praise him. Honestly, he couldn’t get a grasp on it.

As a merchant, he had collected various information from the surrounding area during this opportunity. And some of that information was naming and calling out Kariel’s existence like this.

The resurrected Grandeus. The Black Knight who once defeated the Knight of Radiance has returned to this land as the embodiment of true chivalry and an apostle of justice!

Behold! Open your ears and listen! I shall tell you of his great, amazing achievements! The practitioner of justice who has been respected even by warriors, the protector of the weak and the judge of injustice… has returned.

“Well, whatever it is… I hope things go smoothly and your plans work out well.”

“…”

“Um, um… Lord Kariel? Are you really not coming with us? Then I should also…”

A faint, tiny voice was vaguely audible, but Ruben couldn’t help but pretend not to notice, feeling sorry for her.

‘Is this a good time, or a complicated one?’

He himself should have been married with a partner by now, but alas, he hasn’t found a suitable match.

“I’ll say this when we part as well, but just in case… I wish you good luck.”

“…Thank you.”

Despite his appearance, he doesn’t show any arrogance, boasting, or flaunting of his greatness when dealing with him. Rather, regardless of how exaggeratedly others react, Ruben was comfortable in his interactions with him.

Such a person wouldn’t commit evil or dishonorable acts. …That’s what Ruben wanted to believe, at least.

Perhaps it was because the distance between them had grown too great for Ruben himself to gauge this situation, the state of affairs, his intentions, or his purpose.

It wasn’t exactly a severed relationship. It was a relationship that had naturally grown distant with time and flow, like the sun setting beyond the horizon.

…We’ve been apart for such a long time. So this much is enough.

A relationship and distance where they could sit across from each other at a simple meal, have a drink, fill their stomachs, and then part ways without any burden, exchanging greetings and looking forward to the next meeting.