Chapter 129:Release the Dog (7)

Revenge is a subtle thing.

There are times when you burn with such a desire for vengeance that you want to kill, but when you actually face the object of your hatred, you often find yourself unable to act.

Revenge requires guts. And fortunately, Keldric had plenty of those.

However, if you were to ask whether Alyssa, sitting quietly before Keldric, possessed the same…

‘I don’t know.’

Keldric couldn’t readily give a definite answer. There would be many reasons intertwined in the downfall of Alyssa’s family.

Countless people would be involved, like threads in a tangled web. There were too many to deal with one by one.

It wasn’t that Alyssa couldn’t do it if she set her mind to it, but there was a possibility that she might falter during the process of carrying out her revenge.

Of course, Keldric didn’t have such qualms.

Keldric stared silently at his fist.

How exhilarating it had been to beat up Baron Gottfried. It felt like shedding a decade’s worth of grime.

There was no room for wavering; he was simply thrilled at the thought of punishing the culprit who had caused Jacob’s death. He even momentarily forgot about the arrow wound.

“Has anyone ever succeeded in getting revenge?”

“…No.”

Alyssa mumbled, avoiding Keldric’s gaze.

She was ashamed. 

She had declared her intention to take revenge and traveled the empire with grim determination, but she hadn’t managed to carry out a single act of vengeance in the past few years.

“It can’t be helped. It’s not a matter of your ability.”

“……”

Keldric didn’t think it was something to be ashamed of. It certainly wasn’t a matter of Alyssa’s own ability.

After all, it had taken even Keldric a long time to achieve proper revenge, reaching this day.

“So, is your target the Emperor?”

“The Emperor… I don’t know. I simply judged that he might be related to that mage, and came here without a plan…” 

“The mage you’re chasing, is that the one you mentioned earlier?”

“…Yes.”

Alyssa had apparently made inquiries here and there, trying to track down the mage.

The mage woman who had burned down the Altomani family, she was said to be wandering somewhere in the Empire.

But the Empire’s territory was vast, and the people were countless. It was no wonder Alyssa hadn’t found her yet. 

“But, I’ve caught a clue.”

“What is it?”

“I heard she’s staying at Count Lassau’s court.”

“Oh…”

Keldric pondered. And he came to the conclusion, ‘That’s quite plausible.’

‘They even use mercenaries as bandits…’

When you thought about it, Baron Gottfried was ultimately groveling before Count Lassau, wasn’t he?

If an Emberglow School mage had suddenly contacted Baron Gottfried, it wasn’t impossible that Count Lassau had sent her.

Whatever the case, there was ample reason to investigate Count Lassau.

“So, your next target is Count Lassau.”

“Probably… yes.”

The desire for revenge that Alyssa harbored was intense, and the reason was justified. It was as if she was willing to burn everything for the sake of revenge.

Conversely, it was possible that this fiercely burning flame of revenge might be extinguished in an instant once the revenge was complete. 

Keldric’s current state was similar. 

He had almost finished avenging Jacob’s death, and he couldn’t figure out which direction to move in next.

However, Keldric had the immediate goal of ascending to the barony of Gottfried. Thanks to that, he hadn’t stagnated yet.

Alyssa’s situation was a little different. 

She hadn’t even embarked on the long and arduous journey for revenge.

The emptiness that followed was a problem that Alyssa herself would have to bear entirely. 

It wasn’t Keldric’s place to interfere. 

“There is a way to get to Count Lassau’s court.”

“Hmm?”

“To enter as a client.”

Being treated as a client of a noble was not something anyone could do.

But in Keldric’s view, Alyssa was worthy of being treated as a client.

“Will you do that?”

“I’m not sure.”

Alyssa seemed hesitant. 

A look of deep contemplation appeared on her face.

Suddenly, Keldric was able to carefully examine Alyssa’s appearance.

Slightly darkened circles under her eyes, hair that wasn’t meticulously combed, and slightly parched lips.

“Are you alright?”

“…Yes?”

Alyssa, who had been muttering something, blankly raised her head.

In Keldric’s view, Alyssa seemed to have become so focused on revenge that she was paying less attention to other things around her.

That was a somewhat dangerous idea. It was, so to speak, becoming consumed by revenge.

The sword of revenge should be wielded by its master, not the other way around.

“I’m fine-“

“I’m not talking about your physical condition, but what’s inside you.”

Keldric’s finger pointed to Alyssa’s chest. Alyssa’s eyes narrowed as she glanced at Keldric.

“Sir Keldric…”

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

Keldric wanted to talk about Alyssa’s mental anguish, but he had unintentionally made it sound like a flirtation.

As Keldric frantically tried to explain with gestures, Alyssa, who had been wearing a sulky expression, suddenly burst into laughter.

“Pfft…”

“…That’s not what I meant.”

“Yes, I know. Right, hmm… I see.”

Alyssa stroked her chin, choosing her words. Keldric simply waited patiently.

Rushing things hastily would only ruin them. That was a life lesson that could be learned quite easily.

“Actually, I’m alright.”

After pondering for a long time, Alyssa finally smiled brightly and nodded.

Seeing her as if she had shaken off something, Keldric tilted his head.

“You’re not going to the court?”

“No. I don’t think there’s any need to rush.”

“That’s true.”

“And, more than anything….. I have something precious again now.”

“…?”

She had something like that? Keldric’s eyes lightly scanned Alyssa.

‘She probably doesn’t have anything valuable.’

Alyssa wasn’t the type to be obsessed with wealth. 

If so, it must be something abstract, but he had no idea what it was.

As Keldric blinked and pondered alone, Alyssa chuckled again and slowly waved her hand.

“My father always said. Sometimes, even if it takes a long time, go back.”

“……”

“He said that if you go back, you can see pretty flowers, see scenery you haven’t seen before… and you might discover something beneficial.”

“Good words.”

“Yes. They’re good words.”

Not everything can be achieved by rushing. Sometimes, it’s necessary to go slowly.

“I didn’t understand those words before, but I think I understand them now.”

Alyssa added with a nostalgic expression. Keldric silently nodded in response.

“Is there a reason why you hid your story until now? I’m not blaming you, but I’m curious as to why you’re telling me now.”

“A reason…”

Alyssa pondered for a moment. 

The contemplation of a wise mage was always valuable.

But this contemplation wasn’t very long. 

After a while, Alyssa raised her head, her expression slightly brighter than before.

“I wonder. Maybe it’s because of the time we’ve spent together?”

“Hmm…”

“I’ve also decided to try trusting people, in my own way.”

Revenge was an intensely personal thing.

However, sometimes people set goals that seem impossible, even when pushed to their limits.

No matter how personal the matter, if there were comrades who had built a bond together, they could alleviate each other’s burdens to a certain extent.

That was true not only for revenge, but also for other difficult tasks.

People called it ‘trust.’

Keldric felt a slight sense of guilt.

Alyssa had fully revealed her trust. As for himself, that wasn’t the case.

“Since I’ve heard your story, I’ll tell you mine now.”

So, Keldric decided to confess his own story while he was at it.

The things he had been hiding about Fritz, and the detailed events that had occurred in his family, and the things he had done to avenge Jacob.

Alyssa’s eyes widened. She seemed to have not expected it.

“Are you that surprised?”

“I usually don’t hear much about you. But, Sir, just because I told you my story, doesn’t mean you have to tell me your personal history…”

“It’s nothing much. Not a particularly great story.”

It was a whim, if anything. He hadn’t been willing to talk about it until now.

In other words, it wasn’t such a big deal that he had to hide it so carefully.

“I think I can trust you now, too.”

It was simply a matter of trust. Whether he could trust this person or something like that.

If he were asked if he could trust her now, Keldric felt that he could nod without hesitation.

“The village of Carlton where I was born and raised…”

The bonds and trust between people were ultimately woven by the people involved.

☩   ☩   ☩   ☩   ☩   ☩   ☩

It didn’t take long for Baron Yaben to arrive in Belam.

At most, three or four days had passed. 

During that time, Keldric hadn’t been idle either, spending his time exercising moderately or going to the church to build relationships with the priests.

It was a rather tedious but necessary task. 

After all, he now had to be mindful of his connections with the church.

‘If I receive territory…connections with the church will be essential.’

As Keldric thought, managing a territory was often closely related to the church.

He would have to be mindful of his relationship with the neighboring episcopal territory right away. 

Even if it wasn’t just that, there were many things the church could do within the territory.

For example, sharing some of the territory’s administrative tasks, or providing other advice related to the territory’s management.

The illiteracy rate was very high during this period. 

As a result, there were countless people who couldn’t read or write.

Therefore, clergy who could read and write were quite valuable human resources.

Uniting the territory’s people with faith was also very important, and above all, the church was the one who could satisfy Keldric’s lack of legitimacy.

If the church said just one word about Keldric, ‘This person has rightfully ascended to the barony of Gottfried by the grace of God,’ even non-existent legitimacy would arise.

Who would dare to defy the church’s laws, proclaimed in the name of God’s grace?

However, even if legitimacy borrowed the name value of God, authenticity was a slightly different story.

Authenticity wasn’t actually anything grand. It was simply a task that required time and patience.

If one family had ruled a land for generations, they would simply gain authenticity in that land.

In that sense, there were many problems for Keldric, who was almost a complete stranger, to ascend to the barony of Gottfried.

“Sir Keldric! I wanted to hear about your amazing exploits directly, so I came all this way!”

And that was something that Baron Yaben could solve to some extent.

“Hahaha! Very excellent! Catching that Gottfried brat feels like a blessing that God has given me!”

“…Ah, yes.”

Keldric awkwardly accepted Baron Yaben, who hugged him tightly.

He didn’t have a hobby of embracing men warmly. 

Especially not a patient who was still groaning and confined to his sickbed.

“Anyway! When I met you before, you seemed like a country bumpkin who didn’t know the ways of the world, but my eyes were very wrong! To have thought that about such an excellent knight!”

“……”

I am a country bumpkin.

Keldric just smiled awkwardly.

There was no need to say that he was still a country bumpkin.

“I heard that my son caused you a lot of trouble, but you beat him up, so he must have reformed to some extent! Anyway, that kid has been like that since he was young—”

Baron Yaben began to hurl insults at Lord Lothar.

The problem was that Lord Lothar, the recipient of these colorful insults, was standing right next to him.

Keldric glanced at Lord Lothar, who was sweating profusely.

He was certainly immature, but it seemed to be ingrained in his nature from a young age.

Parents can’t be too strict with their children, after all.

Unless they’re dealt with appropriately, children who deliberately go through a rebellious phase are even worse.

“Lothar! When we get back to the castle, you’re confined to your room for a while!”

“Ah, Father…!”

“Quiet! Not only did you dare to be so rude to my knights, but I heard you treated Sir Keldric that way too! You must pay the price for your misdeeds!”

The price Keldric had in mind was a satisfying slap across the face.

Baron Yaben seemed to know that much, but he probably didn’t think he’d hit him hard enough to knock him out.

“Lord Yaben, more importantly, when is Count Bogenberg arriving?”

The story of his son being knocked unconscious wouldn’t be very welcome.

So, Keldric quickly changed the subject.

“Hmm? Count Bogenberg, you say?”

Baron Yaben, looking puzzled, unfolded his arms.

Keldric was even more puzzled by his reaction.

“Um… isn’t he coming?”

“Why would Count Bogenberg come here? He must be busy fighting with Count Rasau right now. He can’t make it.”

Indeed. Was Count Bogenberg a little busy? He must be stretched thin right now.

“Then, who will handle Count Goffried’s matter…?”

“I’ve decided to take charge of that.”

Keldric turned his head at the familiar voice.

There stood a familiar black armor and a helmet with an impressive, glossy raven feather decoration.

“It’s been a while, Sir Keldric.”

“Lord Werner.”

Lord Werner of the Henzer family, the ‘Raven.’

He, who had once subjugated rock trolls with Keldric, showed his face after a long time.

“His Excellency has appointed me as his proxy. There won’t be any problems, will there?”

As he said, Lord Werner, a court knight of Count Bogenberg, was more than qualified as a proxy.

Keldric nodded in agreement. Baron Yaben, standing next to him, smiled wickedly and said,

“Well then… Sir Keldric.”

“Yes, Lord Yaben.”

“Are you ready to hand over your territory?”

Needless to say, Keldric quickly nodded.

“I am ready.”

Now that all the responsible parties were gathered, it was time for a full accounting.