Ch.53EP.15 – The Knight Hosts a Banquet (4)

…though his heart was chilled, contrary to the violent bloodshed he had imagined, Ihan let him off with just a light tap on the head.

“My lord, are you alright?”

“It’s bearable.”

“…My lord, that’s a brick, not me.”

Well, just because it was a “light tap” didn’t mean the recipient was unharmed.

And so the cadet who had so arrogantly issued what seemed like an order or notification to his mentor was punished.

A punishment infinitely milder than what the mages had suffered.

Afterward, the group dragged the dead or unconscious mages and entered the tavern building without permission.

It had been locked, but…

CRASH!

“Crawl, you rats.”

“Eeeek!”

In the lawless district of Gisengnarack, any lawlessness was permitted.

They drove out the pretend tavern owner and forcibly took over the establishment.

Then, after rummaging through the shelves, Ihan…

“Here, unless you want to kill that woman, pour this on her and treat her wounds.”

“…Y-yes.”

Jack caught the alcohol Ihan tossed him.

It wasn’t something normally stocked in taverns, but in a street overflowing with injured people, disinfectant alcohol was apparently available.

Jack approached to save those from whom they needed to extract information, while Ihan did the opposite—he plopped down on a messy chair to relax.

“It’s quite difficult to just subdue someone without killing them.”

“…You seemed to handle it rather easily.”

“I had to use my brain to deal with them.”

“……”

“Anyway, young master.”

“…Am I a young master too?”

“Skip the objections. You know you owe me, right?”

“…I do know.”

“Good, that’s enough. At least you have some sense.”

…It would be frightening to deny the debt.

‘I was just using this person.’

Roen had known about the mages but couldn’t act because he couldn’t leave any traces of himself.

If he had fought, the “traces of power” inherent to the bloodline of the Grand Duke’s family would inevitably remain.

If that happened, the movements of the heir to the already closely watched Grand Duke’s family would be restricted.

Therefore…

“Honestly, that letter was close to a gamble. I wasn’t certain you knew about them for sure.”

“Lucky you, hitting the jackpot.”

“…You seemed to particularly despise mages.”

“Good observation. That’s right. They’re among the vermin I hate most.”

“……”

…They’re not even treated as human.

His hatred for mages was even more severe than expected, and a hint of satisfaction could be seen on his face.

He seemed to derive a sense of achievement from throttling or crushing mages.

“Out of personal curiosity, do you have some personal grudge against mages?”

“Nothing special, just spent about 10 years as an experimental slave.”

“……”

“Not a big deal, right?”

“…Hmm.”

No matter how socially inept one might be, it was impossible not to realize those words were far from sincere.

Roen smiled bitterly, regretting having asked.

“-That guy said he doesn’t even remember why he went berserk six years ago.”

“…Are you talking about Professor Odwal?”

As expected, it’s convenient to talk with someone sharp and intelligent.

No need for lengthy explanations.

Ihan nodded vaguely while maintaining his daggers and hand axes.

“Yes, that idiot.”

“Hmm.”

It was a harsh assessment for the youngest professor of the magic department, Odwal Bernard, who was notorious for his genius despite his rough personality.

But Ihan had no interest in the reputation of any spellcaster; to him, spellcasters were either those who deserved to die or those who deserved to live—only two types.

In that sense…

“He was just a stupid spellcaster. He didn’t even know he was being used.”

“So there was a real culprit.”

“He said he had a drink with Hans and… no, with that unnamed parasite the night before the entrance ceremony six years ago. But he has no memory after that.”

“Drugs or mental confusion magic must have been used. All illegal magic.”

“Well, I don’t know if it’s true. Anyway, he never apologized to those who were hurt, and he doesn’t care why he did what he did. He’s completely shameless… Maybe even his claim about not remembering is a lie.”

“Your assessment is harsh.”

“Not harsh, just factual.”

Ihan chuckled and tucked his maintained weapons into his clothes.

Jack looked at Ihan with surprise.

“What?”

“N-nothing, you’re just good at weapon maintenance. From your image, I thought you’d just use them carelessly like disposable items.”

“Want a beating?”

“…No.”

“Listen, Average Joe, if you’re someone who uses blades, remember this: there’s no decent person who treats weapons carelessly or like disposable items. This could be my lifeline. Got it? You arrogant assassin.”

“I’m neither average nor an assassin.”

“Right, ex-assassin Average Joe.”

“…Damn it!”

It’s sad that he can’t deny it.

But Ihan, whose past career was even more colorful, shook his head, thinking the young man was sensitive about strange things.

The sensibilities of young people in their twenties, easily hurt by trivial matters, were a difficult subject for him to understand.

After finishing his weapon maintenance and putting everything on, Ihan turned to Roen…

“So, young master who dares to order his instructor around.”

“…That’s quite a description.”

“Know that I’m letting you off easy. Now, let’s have a more productive conversation.”

“Please speak.”

Roen faced Ihan with a stern expression.

As if he wouldn’t avoid any question Ihan might ask.

He would answer what he could and excuse what he couldn’t.

After countless calculations, Roen confidently-

“Have you looked for the ‘real’ Hans, Dorothy, Cam, Den, and Aleng?”

“……”

…A completely unexpected question.

When faced with this sensible and obvious question, Roen was at a loss for words for the first time.

People who had their identities and faces stolen by illegal mages.

How should he answer this question?

No, doesn’t he already know the answer?

In reality, if they were caught by illegal mages, then already…

“If no bodies have been found, there’s still a 1% chance they’re alive. Even if they’re dead, their remains should be returned to their families.”

“……”

“You have power and access to information. And you know the vermin who have the information. Find them, through torture or whatever means.”

“……”

“Can you do it?”

“…It will take time, but I will definitely find them.”

“Good, that’s enough.”

With those words, Ihan abruptly stood up.

As if he wasn’t curious about anything else.

Roen couldn’t help but ask:

“You’re not going to ask me anything else?”

How did he know about the illegal mages?

Why was he monitoring them?

What purpose did the son of a Grand Duke have?

He didn’t voice any of these obvious questions.

It wasn’t normal.

Yet he worried about the missing people and ordered their search.

What is this…?

“Roen Dmitri de Lionel.”

“!”

The first time he called his full name.

Roen flinched.

Though he wasn’t being scolded, his stomach churned for some reason.

And Ihan’s blue eyes stared directly at him.

“I don’t know what your purpose is. I don’t know what you’re hiding. I don’t know if you’re trying to use me or plotting something. But I don’t care.”

“……”

“Why? Because I don’t need to know. People shouldn’t have too much curiosity. Curiosity and inquisitiveness are sometimes just monsters that need to be suppressed. Especially for a mere wage earner like me.”

“…A mere wage earner?”

The positions of a Silver Lion Knight and an Academy instructor weren’t exactly insignificant.

“Everything’s the same to me. Whether a blacksmith, carpenter, baker, or gardener, we’re all just people working hard in our places to make a living. Being a knight or an instructor at a noble academy doesn’t make me any more special than those I mentioned. And the lives and destinies of others are all ‘equal’ too.”

“!”

“Roen Dmitri de Lionel. I still don’t care what your purpose is. However, don’t break the principles that humans should uphold. If you disregard all means for your purpose, you’ll end up just like them.”

Pointing at the illegal mages sprawled on the ground, Ihan spoke, and Roen’s eyes grew more intense.

He gritted his teeth.

He couldn’t speak.

He was already prepared to become ‘evil’ if necessary, to become just like them for his goal, for his wish.

So he-!

Tap.

“…?”

“Damn disciple. Don’t try to do everything alone. If you’re young, act like it and consult adults. Or rely on your parents. Your parents are powerful, aren’t they?”

“…What kind of logic is that?”

“It’s advice because you look too grim for a young person. Sometimes, what feels like the hardest thing to you might seem trivial to others. Remember that. Oh, but I’m not saying you should rely on me. I absolutely detest dealing with nobles and power.”

“…Ha.”

It’s truly irresponsible advice.

But why?

Why does this illogical and unreasonable statement pierce his heart?

Is it because it’s plain and sincere, or simply because of the presence of the man himself?

He doesn’t know.

But what’s clear is…

“It seems I’m being treated like a child.”

“If you’re in your twenties, you’re a child, what else?”

“Hmm….”

He clearly feels that this man is much more of an ‘adult’ than him.

The light pat on his head…

Though being treated like a child wasn’t particularly pleasant.

* * *

He left suddenly, without any lingering attachment.

Without asking anything.

“This is quite an experience.”

Since experiencing the “miracle of time,” Roen had always tended to treat others as younger.

Even if they were older than him.

Even if they had lived longer than him before the miracle, few had lived through as intense a period as he had.

So he viewed others as young or as rookies.

But today.

‘I’m being treated like a rookie instead.’

Strangely, it didn’t feel particularly bad…

“…Jack.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Treat these men and begin the interrogation. Make them spill all the information they have.”

“To what extent?”

“Without breaking their minds. Absolutely do not let them die until the end of their natural lifespan. They must endure endless pain.”

“I will obey your command.”

The crimes committed by the three surviving mages were so heinous that they made the ones who died earlier look like saints.

A woman who killed for fun, a man who raped women before killing them.

And one specialized in kidnapping and torture.

They certainly couldn’t be granted an easy death.

They must suffer until the end of their natural lives-!

“Also, find the missing people. If they’re alive, save them somehow; if they’re dead, preserve their remains properly.”

“……”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…I just felt good because I smelled something human from my lord after a long time.”

“Nonsense.”

“Haha, yes, just nonsense, haha!”

“……”

Roen remained silent.

More than anger at his subordinate’s teasing, he felt a sense of dissonance at the realization that such emotions still remained within him.

Still…

‘Human-like… huh.’

For some reason, those words…

‘It feels good to hear.’

It wasn’t bad at all.

*

*

*

‘…I’ve gotten involved with a troublesome guy.’

When he realized there was a regressor, he knew the future didn’t look particularly positive.

And today.

As predicted, the “parasites” appeared.

The bigger problem is,

‘They might keep appearing in the future.’

This is more of a certainty than a prediction.

The regressor clearly had plans and had designated certain people as [enemies].

He had been involved in this once.

‘But there won’t be a second time.’

Today he “helped” because it involved a group he particularly despised, but next time there would be no such consideration.

He would expel the disciple, regardless of who they were.

A martial arts-style expulsion.

‘Hmm, it varies by martial arts novel, but was it crushing the limbs and meridians, then destroying the dantian?’

Or perhaps he should consider “separating flesh from bone”?

That might be easier.

‘…Is it physically possible?’

With potions and troll blood, it might be possible to perform a “separation of flesh and bone” on a living person—

a gruesome dismemberment show. He contemplated this savage form of expulsion as he walked.

At some point…

“Sir Knight! You’re here.”

“…Ah.”

He put a period to his aimless steps.

Did he have some homing instinct?

Lost in thought as he walked, he surprisingly arrived at his own shelter.

A small cottage with a yard.

And there, dressed in maid attire with a bright smile, Leira Winter was waiting for him.

“…Why are you here? What about the party?”

He had told her to enjoy the party today, so why was she at home?

Ihan tilted his head in confusion, and she replied with a smile:

“I wanted to play with you, Sir Knight!”

“?”

“Oh, the princess also wanted to join us.”

…Only then did he realize she wasn’t alone in the cottage.

Click.

“You’re late.”

“……”

“How can a host keep guests waiting? It’s quite impolite.”

“…Is that what you say to someone who just came from work?”

With the sound of heels, she appeared—Isis, a noble lady who seemed completely out of place in this small cottage, approached with elegant steps.

“…What about the banquet? Why are you here?”

“A host should only organize and then step back to let the guests enjoy the party. It’s basic etiquette.”

“Then why not return to the castle, why…”

“Looking after one’s sibling is also a sister’s duty.”

“……”

“Mind your expression.”

“Good grief….”

Always doing as she pleases.

“Leira.”

“Yes, Princess!”

“It’s not ‘Princess’ but ‘Your Highness.'”

“Hehe, yes!”

“Sigh, that’s fine. Bring the finger food and wine… And bring something for yourself too.”

“Yes!”

Everything was set up quickly.

It seems all preparations had been perfectly completed while he was out.

Ihan felt somewhat teased by the two women, but…

‘I can’t complain.’

He was grateful for their waiting for him.

For welcoming him to a home that was usually empty.

A banquet held solely for him.

Ihan, seemingly resigned, sat down heavily in the prepared seat and said:

“…I’ll gladly accept this belated housewarming gift.”

“My presence itself is the gift, be grateful.”

“No, that’s not it.”

“…Ill-mannered fellow.”

SLAP!

The fan struck like fire, and afterward, Ihan, Isis, and Leira shared some white wine.

It wasn’t grand or magnificent, but…

“Why is this so delicious?”

“It’s wine from the royal wine cellar. I believe it’s from the Britten region about 50 years ago, with only a thousand bottles produced?”

“So it’s really precious.”

“Precious? It can be obtained for just a hundred gold coins.”

“…Let’s just drink, shall we?”

It was clearly a very comfortable, leisurely banquet.

The serene gathering of the knight, princess, and maid continued for quite some time.

With a starry night pouring down like rain as their backdrop.