Ch.8127. Opening My Eyes Again.

“Why are you asking me something like that?”

Time passes.

Louines arrives at the stall with children carrying flower baskets.

The children arrange the flower baskets in front of the stall with practiced ease, then guide Louines toward a chair.

Some of them greet Cariel with familiarity, while others with caution.

Then they leave.

Seated in the chair with her cane resting on her knees, she smiles faintly, her expression melancholic yet trying not to show it.

“So you’ve come again today.”

“…Yes.”

Cariel plainly announced his plan.

“I intend to leave tomorrow.”

“I-Is that so?”

“……”

Cariel, who had been staring at her intently, asked:

“You seem relieved.”

“Pardon?”

“You’re hoping it won’t choose you.”

Cariel pretended as if he had just realized something he had known all along.

She responded with suspicion, asking why he would ask such a thing.

So.

He gave her a reasonable explanation.

“The only one who’s genuinely anxious about that sword being drawn is you, Louines.”

“……”

“What makes you so anxious?”

Cariel wanted to ask himself:

Why am I asking her these things?

Is there something I suspect?

Or is it just meddling, as Louirin always complains?

“Sir Riel… you’re a thoughtful person who carefully observes not only yourself but others and your surroundings.”

Is that a compliment?

Or an expression of wariness?

“That must be why you helped us. I’m grateful for that. So… I sincerely hope your endeavors succeed and that you remain safe. Truly.”

“……”

That wish is hollow.

Just because someone prays and wishes.

If my life could be stabilized so easily.

That would be its own kind of deception.

Not that I’m dissatisfied, but strangely, I find myself resenting such things.

“What about you?”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“Aren’t you unhappy?”

“……”

Was the question quite unexpected?

No.

Her reaction suggests she couldn’t have imagined being confronted with such a question at all.

“Am I unhappy?”

A strange response.

Answering a question with another question usually has a few condensed reasons.

“Doing what you don’t want to do. Forcibly holding onto something you hate—we don’t call that happiness.”

It’s not a perfect assessment.

But her life as I observed yesterday seemed to be driven entirely by others’ instructions, commands, and suggestions rather than her own will or desire.

“After just a few exchanges… you’ve even figured that out. You’re remarkable, Sir Riel.”

“……”

I was merely curious.

About her sincere wish that the damned sword wouldn’t be drawn.

And when it is drawn.

How she would react.

Would she be frustrated? Despairing?

Perhaps partly joyful?

Perhaps partly disappointed?

Maybe I think I could claim it tomorrow if I wanted.

If so, I’ll eventually see.

The sight of her childlike wish—praying that it would never be drawn—shattering to pieces overnight.

…And how I should react then.

“I’m a guardian. Someone who watches over whether that will be drawn or not from this place.”

Even so.

“I wish this moment could last longer. Wishing for eternity… would be selfish of me.”

“……”

“Even if you could draw it, you shouldn’t. It would become dangerous.”

Though I’m not sure if saying this will make any difference.

With a sorrowful face, she nevertheless declared with certainty:

“This isn’t just a simple warning. Please remember. If that sword is drawn… someone terrifying will come.”

“……”

Cariel couldn’t help but chuckle.

Misunderstanding this, Louines’ expression clouded.

“My words…”

“No, that’s not it, Louines. I believe what you’re saying.”

It’s just that.

“…Whoever they are, they can’t be more outrageous than the two I know.”

Cariel glanced at the empty air.

Simultaneously recalling someone from his memories.

The golden girl, a phantom visible only to Cariel’s eyes.

…And you, Father.

If there’s someone more formidable than those two… bring on a Demon Lord or something.

“And I’ve embarked on this journey to defeat them, so it seems difficult to give up so easily.”

That too.

Seeing Cariel point at the sword with his eyes, Louines lowered her gaze.

“I… see.”

Just as their conversation was about to reach an impasse,

several men approached them.

“Excuse me.”

Men wearing iron guards on their chests, shoulders, arms, and knee joints.

Just by looking at them, one could tell they were dedicated to maintaining security and order in Somern village.

Everyone would recognize them as the Somern Guard.

After all, they were the ones conducting inspections at the entrance.

With the Somern village emblem—a diagonal sword with the word “Somern” stamped below it—on their chests.

A man with a large scar visible through his openable iron helmet addressed them with a calm demeanor despite his fierce appearance.

“We request your cooperation as a witness to an incident that occurred within the village.”

“……”

Even in the Empire, they don’t approach with such courtesy when making requests.

In reality, suspects are treated as criminals, pressured and intimidated, so this treatment is somewhat unusual.

Or are they treating me this way because I identified myself as a noble during the inspection?

I’m even a foreign noble.

They might not care if some minor noble meets an untimely death, but what if I’m the child or associate of a great noble?

“That’s fine.”

Or perhaps they’re just being polite on the surface, anticipating resistance or defiance?

The reasons could be various.

However, their biggest mistake would be…

“……”

Following their guidance, which is essentially an escort, I descend the stairs to the third level.

Eventually, we enter a deserted alley, and predictably, they block both entrances to surround me.

“There won’t be any major issues if you answer our questions.”

“……”

“We found you based on witness testimonies.”

This is troublesome, which is why I lured that man out of the warehouse yesterday.

“Yesterday afternoon, Venus and Riel, was it? According to those who witnessed the confrontation between you two…”

They asked if it was related to the multiple murders that occurred in the warehouse.

“When I arrived, they were all already dead.”

“Venus, did he do it? And you just happened to witness the scene?”

“It wasn’t by chance.”

I honestly stated that I had separated from Louines and headed there, only to find that gruesome scene.

“Now things make sense.”

The man seemed to be calmly piecing together the situation.

“I understand. However, given that the matter has grown larger than expected, I urge you not to cause any disturbances.”

“…That sounds like you’re asking me to leave soon.”

“More precisely, we’d appreciate if you left today or tomorrow.”

Perhaps I dug too deep.

If I had pretended not to know, I might not have heard such direct words.

“I assume there’s a valid reason why you’re advising rather than expelling me?”

“…Rumors are circulating.”

Rumors?

“That the descendant of the Great Hero has arrived in the Kingdom of Metran. And that this person is of the Radiant Bloodline.”

“……”

The Radiant Bloodline.

Within the Empire, they don’t use such grandiose terms.

This is a form of praise, almost veneration, used outside the Empire to refer to my father and to my own past greatness.

“I settled in this land without knowing the legend of Grandeus, but it wouldn’t be strange for others to harbor resentment. I suspect that’s why Venus engaged in that sword fight with you.”

“……”

“According to eyewitness reports, even Venus couldn’t handle you, so while they might not confront you directly, there’s a possibility of underhanded tactics, which is why we’d like you to leave.”

In other words, they’re taking preemptive measures to prevent disturbances in the village.

“How considerate.”

“…We simply don’t want troublesome situations arising in this land. We’re just common people, not nobles or warlords.”

There’s no need to resist when the other party isn’t showing outright hostility and communication is possible.

“As it happens, I was planning to leave tomorrow anyway.”

“Finally, why did you specifically stand before Grandeus’s sword?”

Why did you, the child of an enemy, come here?

“Surely you didn’t come to pay respects.”

“……”

Cariel closed his eyes and spoke with resignation.

“Someone directed me to come here. In the end… it seems it was a waste of effort.”

I could have left today, actually.

However.

“I left my sword at the blacksmith’s. Once I retrieve it, I’ll depart immediately. So… rest assured.”

And incidentally, I’ll have one or two more conversations with that damned sword of Grandeus.

And if it doesn’t come into my hands.

I will definitely… smash that cursed sword someday.

I might abandon it.

But I won’t be abandoned by a mere sword.

Unlike someone else, I’ve never had much reason to be obsessed with it since childhood.

Grandeus?

I respect him.

But that can’t control my life.

A sword isn’t a proof of a knight’s qualification to carry out divine will or a testament to one’s beliefs.

It’s merely a tool, a means.

I still.

Haven’t forgotten my original purpose.

====

“Master.”

Upon returning to the branch building, Louirin welcomed him.

“Where did you hear that?”

Though he asked rhetorically, Louirin understood perfectly.

“Leo’s friend told me.”

“I see.”

He didn’t press further.

“So what are you planning to do now? I’m leaving this place tomorrow.”

“What? Already? I thought you’d stay put until you drew the sword.”

“…That damned sword must really have a strong aversion to me.”

“What? What do you mean? Don’t tell me you heard the sword’s voice like Leo did?”

“Let’s just say it was something similar.”

Leo.

Perhaps that damned sword was more talkative than expected.

“You’ve probably noticed by now, but countless obstacles will interfere with my journey going forward.”

Therefore.

“There’s no need for you to follow me when there’s no money in it.”

“…Don’t you have plenty of money, Master?”

“I have enough to get by. But my family has always been steeped in asceticism.”

Cariel chuckled.

“It’s all money I saved myself. Over years. So don’t think I don’t understand the value of money. I’ve just been pretending to be nonchalant about it.”

“I see.”

Being skilled at gathering and hunting, eating little, and acting efficiently and optimally—

These traits and tendencies don’t align with the virtues of luxury and ostentation valued by great nobles.

Of course, they might be unpretentious in private, but they generally make a habit of pretending to have what they don’t.

At that point, they truly come to believe the delusion that they are special and extraordinary.

Among them, those who truly wield the dignity of genuine great nobles probably don’t even make up half.

A pig adorned with gold and silver is still a pig.

But when wrapped in shabby rags, even the greatest kings and queens, even dragons, are considered weak, shoddy, and insignificant—such is human nature.

In the end, one shouldn’t tip the balance too far to one side.

“If you have questions, ask them today, now. I’ll answer what I can. Including what you want to know.”

“Isn’t it human nature to seek help from anywhere when in danger? Why do you try to bear everything alone? Ah, I know. It’s better not to trust than to trust. But… separate from trust, why not at least use others? Why won’t you even do that?”

“…You already know the answer.”

“Is that also meddling? Because anyone who sticks with you would be in danger too? What about you, then?”

“……”

“It’s not that you don’t care or aren’t concerned… The Master I know doesn’t passively accept or adapt to threats.”

He confronts because he can.

He confronts because he must.

What calculation is needed there?

“You could die or be captured and suffer terribly. Even so? That mindset of yours. It’s extremely arrogant.”

“Even if you say that, I have no intention of hiring you as a bodyguard. Even if you’ve made up your mind to help me by coordinating with others, that’s just unwelcome interference to me.”

“……”

“As you well know, if you don’t expect anything, you won’t be disappointed or betrayed. The burden is entirely mine to bear. Sharing it only makes everyone more miserable.”

“Why do you get to decide that? What I’m saying is—”

Louirin knew.

She had known all along.

He’s the type who both understands and doesn’t understand.

Within the boundaries he’s set, there’s no compromise.

It’s because he can’t be selfish that he binds himself with such rigid principles.

If he were selfish, there’d be no reason to act so sparingly with the benefits and advantages that come his way.

He may bestow kindness on others.

But he rejects the kindness of others.

…How arrogant a mindset.

Is this the pride? The sense of responsibility? The dignity of the Great Hero, the Nine Heroes?

Especially the special Radiant Bloodline?

“What do you live for, and for what purpose do you continue living?”

“I already told you before.”

“Yes. And that’s precisely why it’s problematic.”

Peacefully.

Abundantly.

If not overflowing, then at least hoping for such a life.

“I still stand in the wilderness.”

“What?”

“Having barely escaped the cold, dark pit. What stretched before me was an endless wilderness.”

He speaks with emotion.

As if informing her.

“Yes. It was just a brief respite.”

That empty, nihilistic gaze he occasionally showed during their travels.

Louirin felt cold sweat running down her neck.

“It seems I still lacked resolve.”

What is he talking about?

But the Master she knew—reliable yet somehow lacking—was nowhere to be seen.

He felt like a completely different person.

Like someone she was meeting for the first time.

“I hope the sincerity I’ve shared with you has been well received. May it illuminate your path, even if just a little.”

Yet the person before her was clearly him.

Why did he feel…

…so distant?