Ch.26286. They Never Trusted Me (3)

The Eastern Empire.

Traveling a bit further south from there, a vast border region stretches between Dabas and the Empire.

While it appears extensive on maps, the actual expanse is even greater.

Plains, across rivers, and all the way to the coast.

Regardless, the processions of peddlers and merchant caravans traveling between the two countries follow the wide roads laid by the old Vera Empire. Those who don’t use waterways inevitably converge there as if by agreement.

At that point where the passage narrows like the mouth of a water pouch lies the neutral border city jointly administered by the Empire and Dabas.

To the right of the city stands Dabas’s fortress, and to the left, across a long stone bridge spanning a wide river, sits the Empire’s formidable citadel.

By land, this was the standard entry point. By sea, unless one avoided the coast entirely, the typical method of entry mirrored Kariel’s past clandestine approach—sneaking upriver by boat with Filbar and Luirin’s help.

For most countries, crossing borders wasn’t particularly problematic.

Some nations immediately criminalized unauthorized entrants, but such places were generally declining in prosperity—strict enforcement often led to economic ruin.

Scorning merchants and favoring only specific races or ethnicities was a path to stagnation, like a frog trapped in a well.

Such policies might be survival tactics during wartime.

But in peacetime, self-imposed isolation exacted the bitter price of lost national value and competitiveness.

That’s why the Empire and Dabas, though sworn enemies, never relinquished the benefits of trade and diplomacy despite their hostility.

Rather, they typically sought to maximize what they could gain from their adversary precisely because they were enemies.

The leaders of both nations understood better than anyone else on the continent that national competition extended beyond military might to these economic realms.

That’s why Desalemang, this neutral border city in the southern continent, functioned essentially as a trade hub.

Various craft organizations and guilds established themselves here because the location made territorial expansion easier.

While all stability could be swept away by war, these crises presented opportunities, allowing them to quickly and securely establish the surrounding area as their home base and primary area of operation.

With access to both river and sea, and smooth land travel routes, abandoning this place was truly unthinkable.

Looking at it positively, it was simply that advantageous.

This was why Ruben had accompanied them this far.

His trading company was among the many merchant guilds here, and this area served as his supply and delivery hub.

From the beginning, even while living in Dabas, the right province had been his main territory.

He had established himself in the royal capital because he had risen to a position where managing rather than personally conducting trade was more profitable.

Among those of mature age, Ruben would have appeared as a merchant who had achieved success quickly and substantially compared to those still fulfilling their duties as peddlers with just one wagon.

“So this is where we part ways.”

Ruben tilted his cup, drinking beer while facing Kariel, who was still dressed extravagantly.

Lyurik and Aristetis had left to explore the surroundings.

“If fate wills it, we’ll meet again somewhere.”

“…Was it difficult for you?”

Ruben asked frankly.

“Is there anyone in this world who doesn’t face difficulties?”

Kariel responded with ambiguous words that might have been his true feelings or a deflection.

“That’s true, but…”

“Even those difficulties are part of who I am.”

Then he casually dropped a profound statement.

“They shaped who we are now. Am I wrong?”

“That’s… true.”

“If one considers oneself a failure, those experiences become traces of humiliation and frustration. But if there are no regrets, they become lessons, experiences, and precedents.”

“……”

Though Ruben had spoken hoping for some comfort or to learn a little about him, he ended up being the one receiving wisdom.

Not knowledge, but inspiration and wisdom.

“Live without regrets.”

“Yes. I should.”

“Let’s stop this idle talk.”

Though his tone had lightened somewhat, perhaps due to the immense burden he carried,

Ruben sensed an inexplicable fatigue beyond Kariel’s formidable strength.

…Though perhaps it was just his imagination.

“I’d like you to tell those two that I’ll join them soon.”

“So you’re planning to enter illegally again?”

“I’m neither in a position nor of a status that requires formal entry.”

With those words, Kariel rose from his chair.

“Nor do I have any reason to do so.”

May your journey be smooth.

With that final remark, Kariel vanished into the darkness.

“Well then.”

Having rented the restaurant for the day just in case, all that remained was to welcome his associates and the two champions and runner-up of the tournament.

They were, after all, Dabas’s pride.

Heroes deserved to be treated as such.

And Ruben knew better than anyone that such ceremonial gestures could elevate a merchant’s worth and reputation in a different way.

Never neglect forming good connections.

Good people. And relationships with great people.

If one could earn their trust and loyalty.

What significance would a handful of wealth or a bundle of possessions have?

Later, they might return as whole jars of treasure, or as lifelines that save one’s life.

If Ruben were to establish a family lineage as he intended,

He might well have adopted such principles as his family motto.

He pondered this thought momentarily.

====

The Harvest Festival, also called the Reaping Festival, was celebrated in various forms across different regions.

More formally known as Thanksgiving, it was a time when everyone, without exception, was in high spirits.

Neither the Empire nor ordinary kingdoms, not even small villages, were exceptions to this.

Unless, of course, they were in regions where such celebrations weren’t possible.

However, this year, many people seemed to have witnessed ominous signs.

While each region had its own oral traditions and folklore, this time there was a peculiar consistency in the eyewitness accounts.

“I tell you! People have been spotting a pitch-black knight on a pitch-black horse, snow-white barbarian warriors, and a faceless giant whose head reaches the sky, all beyond the mountain ridge!”

“…Is that so? I heard from the children about a dark horse with glowing red eyes roaming around ferociously.”

“Is what you just said true? I saw it too. I saw it too.”

“Saw what?”

“…The horse, sir. And I saw the knight too. A knight in dark armor.”

“Come to think of it…”

And those from foreign lands were saying:

“Could it be Grandeus leading an army from hell to the surface?”

“But the Demon Lords are all gone—why would he bring such forces now?”

“But what if he still believes demon armies are invading the continent?”

“And what if it’s not Grandeus? Maybe it’s the Knight of Apocalypse…”

“Now that you mention it, sightings of Grandeus in the eastern continent suddenly disappeared at some point.”

“That’s right. I heard rumors of a similar being appearing in Dabas.”

“So does that mean he’s now entered the Empire from Dabas?”

“That person moves like a ghost.”

“Maybe, just maybe. He was resurrected, harboring resentment against Lord Rueld who killed him… seeking revenge?”

All sorts of theories were circulating.

And that wasn’t all.

This year, the number of knights in black full-body armor had notably increased compared to before.

As a result, rumors about them were causing confusion in a different sense throughout the Empire.

Perhaps those armored knights were somewhat conscious or intentional about this point.

Was that why?

From ten days before the jousting tournament, knights in black armor had begun to appear frequently.

Even among the noble youth within the Empire.

“By the way, this Grandeus person or whatever. Seems quite famous, huh?”

“Huh?”

A boy with black hair and black eyes suddenly appeared from somewhere and joined the conversation with a smiling face.

“And you are?”

“Me? I heard there’s a big tournament in the Empire.”

“Is that so?”

The people were quite friendly.

Or, less charitably, they were nosy.

“Are you planning to walk there? You’ll be late!”

“Even if you don’t make it all the way, if you reach the outskirts, you can catch a post carriage and just about make it on time.”

“You should have arrived earlier and secured lodging. If you go now, you’ll end up sleeping on the streets!”

One after another, they shared advice as if they had all experienced it themselves.

“Oh, is it that serious?”

When the boy asked with innocent eyes, the men sighed dramatically.

“This fellow is hopeless.”

“Come on, let’s have something to drink first, our throats are dry…”

Of course, it’s fine to expect some compensation for showing kindness, right?

Oh, your purse is empty?

That’s your problem!

If you’re really stuck, you can work it off physically for a few days!

But as the group headed to the tavern and began sharing what they knew, something unexpected happened.

While they might have found it tedious to repeat stories they’d all heard before among themselves, having someone who listened attentively and appreciated it made them want to share everything they knew.

Perhaps that’s why, somehow, these men who had initially planned to fleece the boy ended up buying him food instead.

After filling his stomach generously and hearing what he needed to hear, the boy thanked them and left their company.

“What strange humans.”

At first they seemed intent on taking advantage of someone, but somehow they ended up liking him, and by that point, they seemed almost desperate to treat him.

“Such generosity suggests they live comfortably. Compared to the demon realm, this place is truly… a paradise on earth.”

The boy left the village with a smile on his face, humming a tune as he walked, clearly enjoying the journey itself.

“Yes. Huye, if you feel low-spirited even in such a world, it’s because your heart has turned to ash and gray. I understand. I was once like that too.”

The boy continued forward.

Until sunset, he enjoyed every moment of his walk.

Watching the final harvest work coinciding with the festival season.

Observing cart owners proudly leading wagons piled high with crops like triumphant generals, and glancing at such carts.

Exchanging eye contact with flying birds.

Petting animals that approached him with round, curious eyes.

As he proceeded along the path and reached the edge of the forest,

He heard the sound of musical instruments.

Following the sound for a while,

Light shone through the trees, and the music grew louder.

When he arrived, curiously, not only people but various animals seemed drawn to the music, all captivated by a girl’s performance.

And the dark-skinned girl with silver hair who continued playing was extraordinarily beautiful.

Swish!

A sword was naturally pointed at his throat, but the boy just as naturally pushed it aside with his finger.

“Not all nighttime visitors are unwelcome, right?”

“……”

Lyurik’s blue eyes narrowed at that point.

The boy casually sat down next to a deer and began appreciating the rest of the performance.

Lyurik found this extremely strange.

From the beginning, that was…that was…

“……”

A being difficult to describe or define.

When the performance ended, as if by agreement, the animals began to disperse one by one.

Only the three of them remained in the forest, around the blazing campfire.

“That was a wonderful performance!”

“R-really?”

Aristetis, feeling less tense because the boy appeared younger than her, responded.

“You’re both very well-trained.”

“T-trained?”

While Aristetis expressed bewilderment,

“…What are you?”

“Me?”

When Lyurik asked with caution, the boy replied with a smiling face:

“The weakest Demon Lord.”

“…?”

“Huh? Demon Lord, you say? Lyu? Did I hear wrong? Haha, ha?”

“You heard correctly. But that was thousands of years ago, so you needn’t worry at all. It’s just something I used to be.”

“……”

“……”

But to suddenly say such a thing…

“What business does a Demon Lord have… here?”

“Hmm, nothing special… I just wanted to see the world.”

With those words, the boy stood up abruptly.

Then, forming a pitch-black sword, he pointed it at Lyurik.

“You’re interested in this, aren’t you? How about we test it out?”

“……”

“I’m not suggesting a fight… more like a match? A duel? Practice? Ah, training practice. Let’s call it that.”

Lyurik glanced at Aristetis.

“W-why me?”

“…Never mind.”

Lyurik had been gripping his drawn sword from the beginning.

He rose to his feet, sword in hand.

“Good.”

And the boy, like a knight, raised his sword vertically before his chest, gripping it with both hands.

“Hoo.”

The boy exhaled once.

What followed was even more remarkable.

“……”

He placed his sword over his right shoulder, blade resting there, and stood with his stance widened.

Because that stance and response method so closely resembled someone Lyurik knew,

Lyurik felt momentary confusion.

“I’ll let you go first.”

“…Haah.”

Lyurik didn’t refuse.

He rushed forward quickly, slashing with his sword.

Beyond mere swinging, his cutting was already among the continent’s finest swordsmanship.

Yet his strike—

“Whoa!”

—was interrupted by the boy’s fluid response.

“…!”

Naturally, Lyurik hadn’t lived in a naive world where he would retreat or be neutralized after being blocked once.

Again, a series of lethal strikes that could take lives were unleashed.

But the boy skillfully defended against them all.

“Ah…”

Aristetis also noticed the anomaly.

That response style, those defensive methods.

All of them…

They were part of the swordsmanship Kariel had once demonstrated.

Except for the initial stance, the remaining three postures and response movements continued defense and counterattack in succession.

The techniques that entangled sword with sword, neutralizing opponents, causing confusion, and rendering them powerless—

All were very similar to what they had seen from Kariel.

No, they were identical.

Yet strangely,

The boy seemed even more proficient in handling them.

Aristetis finally realized what felt off.

“The mana…”

The swordsmanship of the Salvation Knight Order.

And Grandeus’s swordsmanship that Kariel wielded.

All of them affected the opponent’s mana flow—disrupting it, absorbing it, or causing it to backflow—

Applying various irrational effects to the opponent.

That’s why those who faced them, unless adapted to such irrationality, all uniformly felt powerlessness and were subdued and defeated.

But.

The boy didn’t seem to be using such techniques.

Yet somehow, Lyurik appeared to be struggling greatly with his attacks.

He tried to overwhelm his opponent with overflowing mana and enhanced physical abilities, but—

…He was repeatedly repelled or driven back.

In the end, he even lost his grip on his sword.

“Impressive skills. In ten more years, I wouldn’t dare challenge you at this level.”

The boy said with a gentle smile.

Aristetis finally understood why Lyurik had been so tense all along.

This boy before them was… a monster wearing a boy’s skin.

If what he said wasn’t just a joke,

Was he truly… a Demon Lord?

What had he called himself earlier?

The weakest?