Chapter 227: The Knight Brood Over His Defeat (6)

Lee Han got scratched twice. The first one happened when Baltar told him that he was weak. The second time happened when Baltar told him as long as he was strong, everything would be resolved.

Provocation and deception.

It would be stranger if I didn’t get angry because of that, but since the other person was an Aura user, I couldn’t really argue with his words.

To be weak is a sin…

After all, what Baltar said was all facts.

However, when I hear a certain question come out of his mouth, I forgot about the scratch and was momentarily shocked,

-Do you want to be a superhuman?

If someone else had said that, Lee Han would definitely have treated them as a conman, but the one who asked that to him was an active Aura User; A real superhuman.

In the Pendragon kingdom, no, even in the vast continent, there were only five real superhumans, so no one could ignore those words he spewed.

Because of that,

“…”

Lee Han’s mind went into overdrive.

Huh? Look at this guy?

Baltar was inwardly impressed.

If he made the same proposal towards 1000 knights, all of them would have reacted strongly,

-I want to be one!

However, contrary to his expectation, the rascal was troubled. It was a sight that others would definitely chide him for, saying that he couldn’t appreciate it because his belly was too full or that he didn’t know his place, but Baltar knew. No other humans in this world were always as hungry as he was, and no one understood himself as well as him.

So Baltar could easily guess why he was troubled like that.

“…It’s not a question whether I can or not, but whether I want to be or not, huh? It’s not like you like playing with words….”

“Hehe, right, You have to understand the context of the words well.”

As expected, that guy was not simple-minded despite his appearance. In other words, he knew how to use his head.

“I’m not joking…”

Baltar had asked, ‘Do you want to become a superhuman?’

However, that didn’t mean ‘You can become a superhuman.’

It was closer to ‘Do you want to try?’

In other words, it was a play of words.

“It’s not a play of words. I saw the possibility of you becoming a superhuman today. Because of that, I am willing to teach you ‘the method.’”

“…”

“You have the possibility. If it’s you–”

Sway-!

“There’s a 1% chance you will survive.”

Baltar said that while wiggling his index finger.

When Lee Han heard that,

Shiver-!

He felt a chill. It was some kind of feeling like he was falling into an abyss that he shouldn’t have approached!

Lee Han unconsciously took his foot back at that moment. However, without even paying any attention to Lee Han’s pale expression, Baltar continued talking with a bright smile.

“Half a year ago, your chances of becoming an Aura User and surviving were 0%. There wasn’t even a 0.01% chance. But it’s different now. You’ve come to handle your ‘will,’ which means you’ve met one of the minimum requirements to become an Aura User.”

“…”

“If others heard that the possibility is only 1%, they will think that it’s just a faint possibility. However, that 1% also means that you have the possibility of becoming a superhuman, how amazing that is, haha!”

“…I just realized that 1% could be that amazing.”

“Of course!”

“…”

Baltar, who didn’t detect the sarcasm Lee Han put on his words, just nodded his head, saying that it was indeed amazing, making Lee Han speechless.

And then, Lee Han realized.

There’s a reason why there are so few superhumans.

He still doesn’t know how to climb to that level, but Lee Han felt it as he listened to Baltar’s words. It was a realm that could only be reached by risking one’s life. That was why the numbers of Aura Users were so extremely small.

‘This guy, if I had said I would challenge it, he would definitely bet on my life…’

They say that one word could repay a debt of a thousand nyang, but it seemed like he had managed to save his own life.

Sigh…

As expected, people should think before speaking.

Lee Han let out a sigh of relief, saying that it was fortunate that he had not spoken without filtering the words through his brain like usual.

Drop-!

At that moment, the rain gradually stopped and the sun appeared, as if blessing Lee Han who managed to escape a possibility of 99% of dying. He was now approaching because they saw Baltar was with him. When they just saw him alone, they didn’t even approach him. He was completely treated as a dangerous person…

Well, I am really a dangerous person.

Even he wouldn’t want to approach a place where the monsters that could overturned the walls and the ground lounged around at. It was a completely understandable feeling.

“I’ll go first. People will feel uncomfortable if I’m staying here.”

“You’re quite considerate.”

“It’s not a consideration, it’s just being able to read the room. You should also read the room, old man.”

“You are still as rude as ever.”

Baltar and Lee Han argued until the end, but then, Lee Han grumbled and tried to leave.

“Hmm? Are you really not going to try? If you can get through the 1% chance, you can become an Aura user.”

Flinch-!

“…That conversation, wasn’t it over?”

“You ended it on your own. Remember that my offer still stands.”

“…”

Lee Han knew that he wasn’t saying those words to tease or provoke him this time. Baltar was truly hoping that he would ‘take on the challenge’.

“There is a price to pay for any power. And the chip you have to bet to gain the strength of a superhuman is one life coin instead of effort. Isn’t that a pretty cheap price?”

“Ha! That’s a crazy equivalent exchange.”

To be honest, Lee Han was a little tempted.

You can gain power.

You don’t have to feel defeated.

You can become stronger.

Countless temptations came to him, drawing out his desires. They were urging him to cross the ‘line.’

Weren’t you always ready for that?

However,

“…No, at least not now.”

“Hmm?”

“Actually, there was something I wanted to ask you today. Though, it was a bit of a petty question, so I didn’t really want to ask it.”

“What is it?”

Baltar said that it was okay to be petty, so he wanted him to ask as much as he wanted.

Because of the green light he received, Lee Han voiced out what was on his mind.

“You, no, Baltar Grace is strong. But why don’t you step forward even when the kingdom is in crisis?”

“…”

Baltar closed his mouth for the first time. Despite seeing it, Lee Han continued to talk.

“See? That was a petty question, wasn’t it? I am whining about why you weren’t helping me.”

“…No. That’s a question that could naturally be asked.”

Baltar denied it. It was indeed a question that could have been asked.

“Hmm, why do you think I’m not helping you?”

“A counter-question?”

“Just answer it.”

“Well, I can think of many reasons..”

Lee Han made a few guesses.

“It could be that from your perspective, that level of crisis may not feel like a crisis for the kingdom. The current situation of the kingdom may not be a big deal to a superhuman who can suppress any means, whether it be military strategy, or political maneuvering, with his power. However, the Baltar I know is not a person without a sense of responsibility even though he seems to be lazing around everyday… But I have never seen you step forward.”

The only time he stepped forward was when he killed the Ghost King. That was when the kingdom was truly on the verge of disappearing.

“But there is something I cannot understand. It is the war with Britain.”

If Baltar had wanted to, the Southern Unification War would not have lasted for several years three years ago. If he had stepped forward himself, the war would have ended long ago. But he did not step forward even though he was the knight who was Britain’s longtime rival.

This was an uncharacteristic choice.

“It’s a ridiculous excuse to say that you left it to your juniors because you were old. You said it yourself, right? You became an Aura User when you were forty-five. It was the time when you were in the prime of your life and an era where the great former king was still alive. Yet you left Britain just after killing the great general Hannibal. Could this be a coincidence?”

What poured out ceaselessly was just a deduction. However, it was a deduction that gradually approached the correct answer by spitting out things that had been considered strange until now. Perhaps the reason Lee Han could make those deductions was because he had personally experienced the human Baltar and personally experienced the strength of Aura Users.

And, the person who could tell him whether his deduction was correct or incorrect was right in front of him.

“Really. Despite his appearance, he thinks quickly?”

Baltar could only express his surprise.

Though, it was a surprise that had a hint of bitterness.

Step-! Step-!

“…”

Unlike when he was on his way to the Royal Castle, Lee Han walked with leisurely steps. Normally, he wouldn’t have walked this leisurely but would have run as a warm-up, but he didn’t feel like it now.

…No, to be precise, his head was a little overwhelmed right now.

I feel like I know too many things that I don’t even need to know.

Still, he got what he wanted. He had relieved a lot of his frustration, and he found out what he wanted to know.

In addition,

-Go there. Even though it won’t be able to lead you to the path of a superhuman, you’ll still get something.

He also got an unexpected reward.

Clang-!

A worthless dagger. It was a dagger so rusty that it seemed like it would break if he pulled it out carelessly, but Lee Han treasured the rusted dagger. It felt like he got a ticket for a growth event, or in Status Window’s words, a second job advancement item.

It was definitely a happy and good thing.

“Hoooo….”

However, rather than being happy, Lee Han felt a little hesitant. He was hesitating whether the path he was taking was the right one or not

No, is this just a pointless worry?

How should I put it… It’s like even though I haven’t even won the lottery I buy, I am already worrying about what would happen after winning.

It didn’t seem right.

“I’m such an idiot.”

“I’m not sure? I don’t think you’re an idiot, Sir.”

“Anyone who worries about something that hasn’t even happened yet is an idiot, you know.”

“Hmm, are you worrying about yourself, Sir? Or are you worrying about someone else?”

“Well, I can survive well by myself. So it doesn’t matter, but there are a lot of people who depend on me, right… Huh?”

At that moment, Lee Han looked to his side.

In that spot where there had been nothing just a moment ago, a beautiful maid, Leila Winter, with braided hair that suited her well, was looking at him with a bright smile.

“…Maid?”

“Yes!”

“H-how long have you been there?”

“Since the knight sighed! I’ve been talking to you, no?”

“T-that’s right….”

Lee Han was taken aback.

The fact that she could naturally approach him as well as talking to him without him sensing her presence was truly a mystery.

However, without even caring about his feeling,

“Hehe, I really like how kind you are, Sir Knight!”

“…”

“You could have been selfish, but you keep trying to live humanely. People who know how to help others are great people, my parents said that too.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, sir. Even if you live like an idiot and live foolishly, I will still be on your side. I like that clumsy side of you, SIr Knight!”

“…”

“Huh? Why are you blushing so much? Are you sick?”

“……It’s because of you.”

“Huh?”

It was rare to find a woman who could confidently shout out her love with such an indifferent expression. Moreover, she had a brightness that made his own worries seem useless.

“Hehe.”

The fragrant scent of soap carried by the wind was transmitted into Lee Han, then she approached him with quick steps and grabbed his hand. It was as if she wouldn’t give him time to think negative thoughts.

“…”

Lee Han wanted to pour out countless words. Why was she here, and whether she overheard his conversation with Baltar or not. Lee Han didn’t know about other people, but if it was her, it wouldn’t be strange if she heard it.

So he also wanted to hear her thoughts…

“…Have you eaten yet?”

“I haven’t!”

However, what came out of his mouth was completely unrelated to his worries.

“Then let’s go out to eat for the first time in a while. Is there anything you want to eat?”

“Hmm, roast pork?”

“You are too  specific, I like it.”

After all, being with her now was the greatest comfort of all.

Squeeze-!

Lee Han carefully held her hand tightly.

That was enough.

But at the same time, he also made up his mind.

No matter what happened, he wouldn’t let go of this warm hand…

Whoosh-!

As he made that small but big vow, the wind blew.

It was cool, but not cold.

It was autumn.