Ch.269. Who Do You Think You Are?! (2)

“I’ve come to pay my respects, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, Alesius. Come closer.”

With a subtle gesture from her dark eyes, the Empress prompted her ladies-in-waiting to silently leave the bedchamber.

After a moment, Empress Melineos asked.

“Are you feeling well?”

“Yes. Nothing unusual.”

“Were you in much pain?”

“…..”

“What did His Majesty say?”

Alesius chose silence, finding it difficult to respond to her question.

“He may lack tact, but his concern for you and El is genuine.”

“Of course, I understand that well.”

“He is anxious.”

Anxious?

“Remember when we were searching for the holy sword, traveling across the continent for the alliance?”

“Yes. I know that well.”

“Do you know what our greatest obstacle was then?”

“…I’m not sure.”

“Those who became clan leaders and heads of families without proper preparation.”

…?

“Incompetent descendants ruining the prosperity built by their distinguished ancestors is not a rare story in history.”

But.

“In times of chaos, whether as ruler or leader, one’s position needed to be secure, but in our time, that wasn’t the case.”

That’s why so many countries perished and countless noble houses fell.

“The Empire was no exception.”

“Is that so?”

“And most of those people became traitors.”

They trapped us.

They tried to use us for their own gain.

“…Because of them, we faced countless crises.”

Without her prophetic dreams, they might have died violently somewhere, let alone finding the holy sword.

Without Ermina, they might have lost their lives dozens, even hundreds of times.

“He wants you to succeed him well, even if he were to disappear someday. And he doesn’t want you to be burdened by his achievements and legacy.”

That’s why.

“When you volunteered to unite with the second daughter of Esdina, he didn’t scold you harshly.”

He was actually proud.

“He thought, ‘He knows how to find his own path.'”

“…Father did?”

“Even his reluctance to praise is because he worries you might become arrogant. When he’s with me, he praises both you and El equally.”

“…..”

Father does?

“I heard Kariel treated you very harshly.”

“That was… because of my shortcomings…”

“Were you not frightened?”

“…..”

Was I scared?

Perhaps for a brief moment.

But.

“I wasn’t afraid.”

“Why not?”

“…Compared to Father’s discipline, that was nothing.”

Get accustomed to pain.

If you don’t conquer pain, pain will eventually break you.

“…..”

Though it wasn’t torture, the near-torturous experiences disguised as training still remained as trauma within Alesius.

…However.

Thanks to that, he had become remarkably confident and brave compared to his peers.

The results were most evident when he interacted with others his age.

‘See? It was nothing, right?’

As if Father himself had gone through the same thing in his youth.

Those words, and the gentle pat on his head, had left a deep impression on him.

“Kariel is an extraordinary child, but he’s always disliked fighting and preferred making friends and socializing. He was good at understanding others’ feelings and tried to help solve their problems.”

“…..”

“I know you resented him because of your concern for El.”

“Mother…”

“But that was wrong. If he hadn’t stopped me, I would have wanted to tell you long ago… not to do that.”

Children’s problems should be solved by children themselves.

If adults intervene to control them, those feelings won’t be washed away.

“Resentment remains forever, he used to say. That’s probably because that’s how he felt.”

By confronting his siblings, overcoming unjust trials, and winning even in unfavorable situations.

He was able to become the heroic Emperor he is today.

“Above all, unlike your father at that time, you didn’t need to worry about being poisoned or being marginalized due to political issues, so what made you so impatient?”

Perhaps.

“Do you desire the throne?”

“N-no, of course not! I have never, even in my dreams, had such thoughts!”

“That’s a lie.”

The Empress said with a slight smile.

“El, perhaps, never wanted to become Emperor.”

“…My sister?”

That can’t be.

Can it…?

“That child simply wanted to protect.”

Because she’s a kind child.

“…But being smart, she knew better than anyone that no one could do it for her.”

In childhood.

Though memories are faint, Elhermina had pledged before everyone that she would save Kariel and raise the Empire to be a strong nation that would never again have to bow to others.

She made that promise.

And after that, as if by magic, she devoted herself to studying, mastering martial arts and magic.

She began giving her all to everything she could.

“But that small child… Kariel, achieved the peace we had longed for, even if temporary. I’m still more grateful than anyone for the miracle that child accomplished. His Majesty would agree with me on this point. Perhaps he feels even more gratitude toward Kariel than I do.”

It’s unbelievable.

How on earth?

But.

It’s an undeniable fact.

“…..”

Kariel.

Yes.

At least.

By the time he returned to the Empire.

I.

We.

…were prepared to welcome you as a hero.

Despite being the son of a hero, you didn’t want to wield a sword.

Despite showing particular weakness in duels.

You treated everyone equally regardless of status.

Of course, we considered that noble and righteous.

…But.

Why did you betray us?

Why…

…did you turn away from my sister and give your heart to that woman?

Why…

without taking any responsibility.

…did you try to leave the Empire?

Why on earth?

For what reason?

“…..”

Alesius couldn’t reveal his true feelings.

Even this was just revealing his own narrow-mindedness.

Saying he’s ashamed now, or that he was naive then.

None of that matters.

If results are all that matter.

Then we.

…have crossed a river we cannot return from.

As he told me earlier.

So I poured out my resentment too.

Not with words, but with actions.

With results.

Father especially favored you, and though he didn’t explicitly tell me to emulate you.

Whenever he was disappointed, he would murmur your name.

My sister welcomed this.

But I couldn’t.

…If this is my flaw, my weakness.

Then so be it.

I.

From the moment you betrayed my sister.

Decided never to forgive you.

“It must be because of my usual incompetence.”

“Al…”

Perhaps I too, as Father pointed out.

Have taken things for granted.

Unknowingly becoming so engrossed in wielding power that, even knowing I might drown.

I pushed.

I pressured.

“The union of the two families. If that is my sister’s wish, I will gladly follow it.”

If he wants to resent me, even reject me.

…As he said, I must endure it.

Though I won’t just take it passively.

But, if there’s one thing that bothers me.

‘Because we’re destined not to live under the same sky.’

Those words he spoke keep echoing in my ears.

At that moment.

“Y-Your Majesty! I have urgent news to report!”

A breathless voice called from outside the door.

====

The sun has died.

Even the moon hides behind clouds.

In this place of darkness and silence.

Returning to my room and standing by the window.

I looked down at the courtyard in front of the house with indifferent eyes.

Nothing.

I felt nothing.

Once, didn’t I play with someone there?

Once, didn’t I.

Declare that I would become a hero.

Holding up a tree branch as if it were the holy sword.

Didn’t I shout such things?

There’s nothing.

“Is that reason enough to stop training?”

I asked the empty air in a voice that seemed distant.

-It’s meaningless to continue. Your body and mind are misaligned now. If you don’t bring your body up to match, it will become a liability instead.

“…..”

When I should be working harder to grow.

You tell me to do nothing?

What does that leave me with?

-Sigh.

It was worse.

Than expected.

How long did he stubbornly persist?

Remarkably, he endured for 8 years.

Even this was only stopped because she forcibly broke it off; otherwise, who knows when he would have given up.

8 years.

The time he devoted to swordsmanship.

In real time, it’s just one day.

But the time he was trapped in the dream was 8 years.

And.

Before formally making a contract to teach him sword techniques.

He.

Died at least hundreds of times.

And even that period was not short.

‘His potential is beyond imagination, but unfortunately, it’s twisted.’

Like a vigorously growing plant that extends its stems in all directions because it has nowhere proper to grow.

They say human adaptability can make even that part of the process.

But becoming stronger through madness, how is that different from being a sick person?

If one truly wants to become strong, madness is essential, but that doesn’t necessarily mean becoming mentally or physically ill.

That will inevitably, without exception, expand into a fatal flaw at a critical moment, leading to tragedy.

Moreover.

That which is named the Sword of the Fool is a product of madness.

But it’s not such a flimsy sword technique that any sick person can polish and reach the ultimate level.

‘You’ve been doing exactly the opposite of your nature, and everything you’ve done has worked against you.’

Truly.

Completely!

‘You’ve gone mad.’

Despite pouring in the sweet wine of revenge.

Not feeling even minimal satisfaction, let alone joy.

Even when fighting that Patina person or whatever.

Even when he was treating his body like a disposable tool.

Though there was madness in him then.

His humanity hadn’t evaporated as it has now.

-Whether you break or not isn’t my concern, but if you continue like this, you’ll die soon, let alone achieve your goal.

“…..”

-You just thought it doesn’t matter, right? That since you’re already miserable, even if the contract falls apart, you can’t be more unfortunate or unhappy, that’s what you just thought, right?

“…..”

Correct.

Indeed.

…Everything felt meaningless.

If not for that.

Without any hesitation.

He wouldn’t have been able to beat the prince to a pulp like that.

Given his nature or personality, this would be nearly impossible.

The fact that he carried out such an impossibility without any burden.

Am I perhaps.

Broken?

-That’s what you want to believe.

It’s not wrong, but it’s not right either.

However, if there’s will.

As long as one is alive, anything can be accomplished.

Sometimes, it even brings about miracles.

-More importantly, the time has come now. Right?

“…I suppose so.”

It’s somewhat absurd that in the midst of all this, he’s confined to his room in silence.

This shouldn’t have happened, but.

Today.

Besides the shocking news of what he did.

Another piece of good news spread through the capital.

Namely.

-Brother? Sister? Which do you think it will be?

“It doesn’t matter.”

Kariel’s own mother.

Is about to give birth.

The church must be in an uproar.

If there had been signs at home, this area would be in chaos too.

They say many citizens are gathering around the grand church to pray for a safe delivery?

Kariel, who was brought here by his father, also heard news about the prince.

[Prince Alesius said it was his own fault and told us not to blame you.]

Alesius.

You’re still clever in that way.

[I truly cannot believe it. That my son… how could you… commit such an unthinkable, atrocious act…]

Haa.

A sigh mixed with lamentation.

Forced to face each other in the carriage.

Above all, Rueld, though he should scold, couldn’t bring himself to.

With tightly sealed lips, unsure whether to ask about the situation and comfort him, or scold him without context.

He was simply at a loss.

At least at home, he would have either had an honest conversation or punished him severely to determine right from wrong.

He must have firmly resolved to do something.

But.

News of Ermina arrived.

If not for that, Kariel would still be facing Rueld in some form now.

“Did you say guitar?”

-Huh?

“The instrument. Guitar. Did you say magical guitar? It might be difficult for me… but is it okay if it’s not magical?”

-If the people who settled here made guitars, maybe… you could use one too? Until then, why not pluck a lute? I’ll teach you to play that well too, while we’re at it.

The Demon King suppressed a laugh.

Yes, this is a good solution.

Unknowingly, didn’t he immerse himself in playing instruments as his only solace?

To instinctively find a way to survive.

-And I mentioned before, right? That something is needed to face the holy sword.

“You mean the magic armor?”

-Yes.

And one perfectly suited for you has emerged.

-Grandeus’s magic armor. Let’s go retrieve it. If you’re going to leave anyway, it’s better to have a destination, right?

“…..”

-You’re planning to leave, aren’t you?

“Of course.”

If not now, then never.

There’s no reason to hesitate.

The only regret is.

“Leaving like this feels like committing a crime and running away, so I don’t feel that good about it.”

Ridiculously.

That bothered him the most.

He hadn’t even vented his anger as he wanted.

“Since the academy is approaching a break period anyway, I’m thinking of using some tricks to prevent potential tracking.”

-Aren’t you afraid of assassins seeking private revenge more than official pursuit?

“If I can learn from that too, I should endure it.”

Only in death did I realize.

In this world, nothing is free or without cost.

The more valuable, the greater.

Nothing is easily obtained for nothing.

There is no salvation for those who wait.

Hesitation and patience are not equal.

Hesitation and waiting have never been the same.

For a long time, I only hesitated and waited.

That’s why I had to curl up in a cold, dark pit.

-You must be quite tired? From now on, there’s no one to protect you either.

“I’ll have to endure.”

I’ve wished for salvation many times.

But in the end.

It was all just a dream.

One must find it oneself.

I realized this too late.