Ch.5619. I Am Under a Curse.

“Are you thinking of leaving?”

There’s not much to pack.

Just gather my things and go.

As if he had anticipated this, Ludhi, who had positioned himself in front of the stable, spoke to Kariel as he entered.

“…”

“If you want, we’ll only remember you as Ruel. Even if the central authorities ask about this, we’ll mention you based on that.”

If there was a reason they didn’t bring up this topic during the entire carriage ride here…

…I suppose this too is a form of consideration.

“Thank you.”

“The night road is dark. Why not rest until sunrise?”

“…I’m actually more accustomed to moving at this hour.”

It’s not that I have good night vision.

But I’ve spent many nights wide awake.

However, it’s different now.

Unlike those days, I no longer need to fear the rising sun.

“Aren’t you going to ask?”

“…You must have your reasons. If it were a problem we could solve by hearing about it, things might be different.”

“…”

“Thank you. I think the situation was resolved well thanks to you.”

“It’s nothing.”

I had asked both Baron Roia and him, as well as Luke, to speak to me informally.

That was just yesterday, but Ludhi only started speaking comfortably moments ago.

Kariel spent a while stroking the gray horse that poked its head out, as if sensing its owner’s arrival.

“If someone comes looking for me, please tell them to take it. If no one does, I’d like you to give it to Lady Alesia as a gift when you leave. It would be better cared for there than with me.”

“You plan to leave empty-handed?”

“I need to cross the mountains.”

I could go on horseback, but that would limit my route.

Fewer options means I’d be easier to track.

Just because I’ve been safe until now doesn’t guarantee I’ll be safe later.

It’s about time to cover my tracks.

“Will you say goodbye to the Saint?”

“…”

I’m still considering it.

Perhaps.

It might be better to just leave like this.

“If any troublesome situations arise because of me, you don’t need to defend me.”

“I can’t do that.”

“It would put my mind at ease. Please don’t worry about it.”

Kariel said this in a detached tone.

“Well then, I’ll be going now.”

“Alright. Luke will be a bit disappointed… but he should blame his own slow perception.”

“Please convey my regards to the Baron as well.”

“He already knows everything, so don’t worry.”

He extended his hand.

Kariel hesitated briefly, then exhaled softly and grasped his hand.

[If you lack the qualities of a knight, at least be a good scholar!]

[Look at Luke! See how much he’s grown already?! But you, why are you in such a state?!]

[Trading with demons?! Do you know who your father has risked his life fighting against? Those very creatures! Demons! Those things!]

As if being pulled in.

In an instant, many memories flood in.

The Baron rages, shouting in dissatisfaction.

And then.

[But Father! The world has changed! Am I doing this just for myself?!]

[Luke. I can’t be like you. From the beginning, I’ve been a failure.]

[Father doesn’t expect anything from me. If that’s the case, why was I even born into this land?]

…

Ludhi’s self-reproach continues.

And as if to comfort him,

Luke spoke.

[Brother. Have a little more faith in yourself. You’re quick with numbers and have a sharp mind, don’t you?]

[Ah, anyway, I’m going to leave, and you’ll stay here, right? So why give up? Huh? That! If the position of lord is bothersome, you should take it! I’ll be traveling across this vast continent, so you just stay put here nicely.]

[Whenever Father got angry, you always took that anger in my place. I still haven’t forgotten those times. Someone like me would never betray you over mere positions or wealth. That wouldn’t be knightly.]

And so time passed.

The young man pushed forward with his work, often in conflict with his father.

Those years were truly like daily despair for him.

But then lavender fields appeared beyond the domain.

He actively cooperated with imperial policies to incorporate foreign slaves as citizens.

He renovated the village, organized and paved roads, invited merchants, and negotiated tax issues.

[Yes. You were right.]

The small domain grew enough to be called a small city.

It could have expanded more, but even in the heart of the empire, there were impoverished areas. How could the Baroness domain be any different?

Curbing greed, thoroughly caring for the accepted people.

He built solid foundations.

In times of war, it would have been an extremely precarious situation.

But without city walls, expanding the city wasn’t difficult.

[The age of knights may not be over… but yes, I failed to properly understand what to do in peaceful times.]

Baron Roia acknowledged this fact.

Then, instead of letting the servant carve the meat, he did it himself.

And moved it all to his eldest son’s plate.

[Eat well.]

The words exchanged were extremely brief.

To a casual listener, they might have sounded indifferent.

[…Yes.]

Ludhi suppressed the surge of emotion in his chest.

Then slowly, he chewed and swallowed the meat very thoroughly.

Because otherwise, tears and sobs might have burst forth like a floodgate opening.

…

“??”

Perhaps it was because he seemed dazed during the handshake.

Kariel, looking up at the slightly puzzled Ludhi, spoke first as if to dispel the awkward atmosphere.

“If the opportunity arises, I’ll see you again.”

“Come visit anytime. As long as Baroness remains here, we will always welcome you. These words come from my father, through me. Of course, I feel the same way.”

Nodding, Kariel left the stable with his increased load.

Even after lightening the horse’s burden and selecting only the bare necessities,

his steps felt quite heavy.

He was about to leap between trees and move across them to leave the area.

Neigh!

In the distance, a horse’s cry accompanied the heavy carriage wheels that seemed to devour the ground as they rolled onto one side of the road.

“Wait! Just a moment! Stop there!”

Even in the darkness, that pale figure was still the same.

Those red eyes, glowing like a nocturnal beast’s, made him easy to recognize.

“I almost missed you! A little more delay and I would have!”

He was about to ignore it and continue… but stopped out of respect for the effort made to follow him.

“Let’s get in first.”

“…”

“Don’t you have questions too? I recall something was briefly mentioned before, but you remained silent, so I thought you might ask later. Ah, wasn’t that what the Saint said?”

…Come to think of it,

He did remember following Alesia and Luke under such a pretext.

“You’re surely going to obtain the ‘Crown Breaker,’ right?”

“…Crown Breaker?”

“Don’t you know? It’s Lord Grandeus’s beloved sword. Ah, yes, it was called Elbat, wasn’t it?”

I’ve heard of Elbat from the Demon King, but this name “Crown Breaker” is new to me.

“Why is it called the Crown Breaker?”

“Well, it’s said that Lord Grandeus caused all sorts of frustrations for demon king candidates, hence the nickname. It means that while they wanted to become kings, that sword shattered their crowns.”

In other words, it crushed the potential of those who might have become Demon Kings.

Hence, Crown Breaker.

“What do you think? Besides that, I have quite a few interesting stories. There are also aspects where I’d like your cooperation in terms of material usage. Arbitrarily using someone’s name can be problematic, right? I also have questions about Saint Kariel…”

“…”

Sighing, Kariel reluctantly entered the carriage through the open door.

Soon after, a slight vibration indicated that the carriage was moving.

“I was certainly surprised by the name Ruel as your alias. Come to think of it, Rueld also… ah, excuse me.”

“…”

My father has a connection to the boy Saint Kariel cared for?

What are the odds of that?

Kariel gave a bitter smile.

“If that’s really the case… it must have been quite a special connection.”

How long did they chat like this?

The carriage stopped.

“…”

“She’s probably waiting for you when you go out. She has good intuition. Take your time, there’s no need to rush. Ah, I’ll wait here and organize the content of our conversation. Since our next destination is… that place, let’s travel together until the midpoint.”

Kariel nodded and opened the carriage door.