Chapter 81 – Opening My Eyes Again (1) 

“Why are you asking something like that?”

Time passed.

Luines arrived at the street stall with children carrying baskets of flowers.

The children, familiar with the routine, laid out their flower baskets in front of the stall and guided Luines toward a chair.

Some greeted Cariel warmly, others with guarded curiosity, and then left the area.

Luines, seated with her cane resting on her lap, wore a faint smile, subtle, as though trying not to reveal her loneliness.

“You came again today.”

“…Yes.”

Cariel responded plainly.

“I’m thinking of leaving tomorrow.”

“I-Is that so?”

“…….”

Cariel, staring quietly at her, asked,

“You look relieved.”

“Excuse me?”

“You didn’t want me to be chosen, did you?”

He acted like he’d just realized it, even though he’d known all along.

She asked in return, suspicious.

Why ask that?

So he gave a reason she might accept.

“You’re the only one among those around me who seems genuinely unsettled by the thought of that sword actually being drawn.”

“…….”

“What is it that unsettles you?”

Cariel suddenly wanted to turn the question on himself.

‘Why am I even asking her this?’

Was it a hunch?

Or, like Luirin constantly nagged, just needless interference?

“Lord Riel… you’re the kind of person who watches not just yourself but those around you very closely. You’re thoughtful.”

Was that a compliment?

Or just cautious distancing?

“That’s probably why you helped us. I’m grateful. That’s why… I hope things go well for you. I truly hope you stay safe.”

“…….”

But that wish felt hollow.

If someone praying or wishing for you could bring stability to your life, then wouldn’t that itself be deception?

It’s not that he was dissatisfied, but oddly enough, such things always made him feel a twinge of resistance.

“And what about you?”

“Sorry? What do you mean?”

“Aren’t you unhappy?”

“…….”

Was the question so unexpected?

No.

She simply never imagined she’d be asked something like that.

“Do you think I’m unhappy?”

A deflection.

Answering a question with a question usually boils down to a few reasons.

“Doing things you don’t want to do. Forcing yourself to hold onto things you hate, people don’t usually call that happiness.”

He wasn’t working off some perfect evidence.

But what he saw of her life yesterday felt less driven by her own will and more like she was just following orders, suggestions, and demands from others.

“We barely spoke a few words… and you figured that much out? Lord Riel, you’re amazing.”

“…….”

He was just curious.

Truly curious whether she genuinely hoped that damned sword wouldn’t be drawn.

And if it was.

What kind of reaction would she show?

Would she collapse? Would she despair?

Would a part of her be happy?

Would a part of her be disappointed?

Maybe, deep down, he was already assuming he could pull it out tomorrow.

If so, then he’d eventually have to witness it.

That young and heartfelt wish of hers, shatter into pieces in an instant, like brittle glass.

…And how would he react then?

“I’m just a watcher. My role is to stand here and see whether it’s drawn or not.”

Even so.

“I wish this moment would last a bit longer. Wanting it to last forever… would probably be selfish of me.”

“…….”

“Even if you can draw it… you mustn’t. It’ll put you in danger.”

Saying something like that… does it even mean anything?

She spoke sadly, but this time, she said it with certainty.

“It’s not just a warning. Please remember that. If it gets pulled… someone terrifying will come.”

“…….”

Cariel unintentionally let out a small laugh.

Luines misunderstood it, her expression clouding.

“My words…”

“No, that’s not it. Luines. I believe you.”

It’s just, 

“…No matter who it is, I doubt they’d be more absurd than the two I know.”

Cariel looked up at the sky for a moment.

And simultaneously recalled someone in his memories.

The golden-haired girl only he could see.

…And you, Father.

If someone greater than those two exists, bring me the Demon King, for all I care.

“And besides, this journey of mine exists for the sake of defeating them. I can’t give up that easily.”

That too.

Luines lowered her gaze as she saw Cariel point to the sword with his eyes.

“I see…”

Just as their conversation teetered on the edge of collapse, 

Several men approached them.

“Excuse us.”

Men clad in iron guards over their chest, shoulders, arms, and knee joints.

Anyone could tell they were involved in maintaining order and safety here in Somern village.

There was no mistaking that they were the Somern guards.

They were the ones conducting inspections at the entrance, after all.

The village crest, perhaps?, a slanted sword above the word “Somern” stamped on their chests like a badge.

The man inside the up-and-down iron helmet, his face scarred, spoke in a calm voice despite his rough appearance.

“We ask for your cooperation as a witness to an incident within the village.”

“…….”

Even the Empire rarely extended requests this politely.

Usually, suspects were treated like criminals right away, cornered and intimidated. That’s the reality.

This kind of courtesy was unusual.

Maybe they were being polite because he had identified himself as a noble during the checkpoint?

And not just any noble, a foreign one.

If he were some low-ranking nobody, they wouldn’t care even if he died a dog’s death. But what if they suspected he was a high-ranking noble or somehow connected?

“It’s fine.”

Or maybe they just assumed he might resist or lash out, and this was a form of pretense?

There could be many reasons.

But if one had to point out their biggest mistake, 

“…….”

He followed them without resistance, down the steps to the third level.

Eventually, once they entered a secluded alley, the men predictably blocked both ends, surrounding him.

“If you just answer our questions, nothing serious will happen.”

“…….”

“We found you based on witness testimony.”

This was exactly why he tried to lure that guy out of the warehouse yesterday.

“Yesterday afternoon, someone mentioned Venus and Riel. Witnesses claim to have seen the two of you engaged in combat…”

They asked if the series of murders in the warehouse were related to that.

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

“So you’re saying Venus did it? And you just happened to be there by chance?”

“It wasn’t by chance.”

He stated plainly that he had split off to head that way because of Luines’ situation, only to find the place in that state.

“That finally makes sense.”

The man seemed to calmly piece things together.

“I understand. But since this matter has grown larger than expected, we ask that you avoid causing a scene if possible.”

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

“More precisely, we’d like you gone by today or tomorrow.”

Maybe he’d dug too deeply.

If he’d pretended not to notice, perhaps they wouldn’t have spoken so directly.

“You’re not expelling me, just advising me to go, so I take it you have your reasons?”

“…There are rumors going around.”

Rumors?

“They say a descendant of the Great Hero has arrived in the Kingdom of Metlan. And that he carries the blood of Radiance.”

“…….”

Blood of Radiance.

Inside the Empire, the term isn’t used so grandly.

That meant it was more of a compliment or reverent title used outside the Empire to refer to his father and his once-renowned younger self.

“I wasn’t familiar with the legend of Grandeus when I settled here, but those who are might very well harbor resentment. I suspect Venus drew his sword against you for just that reason.”

“…….”

“The witnesses said even Venus couldn’t do anything against you. So while they may not act openly, someone might try something from the shadows. That’s why we want you to leave.”

In other words, they were taking preemptive measures to prevent unrest in the village.

“How considerate.”

“…We simply don’t want trouble in our land. We’re just ordinary citizens, not nobles or military leaders.”

As long as the other party wasn’t openly hostile, there was no need to push back.

“I was planning to leave tomorrow anyway.”

“One last question. Why is it you’re standing before the sword of Grandeus?”

Why is it you, the son of our enemy, who stands here?

“You’re not here to pay your respects, surely.”

“…….”

Cariel closed his eyes and muttered in resignation.

“Because someone told me to come here. Though in the end… it seems it was all for nothing.”

Truthfully, he could have left today.

However, 

“I left my sword with the blacksmith. Once I retrieve it, I’ll be on my way. So… rest easy.”

He figured he’d speak a few final words with that damned sword from Grandeus before going.

And if it didn’t come to him, 

Then someday, without fail… he would destroy that cursed sword.

Even if he were to throw it away, he would never allow himself to be discarded by a mere sword.

Unlike a certain someone, he had no real reason to cling to it so desperately.

Grandeus?

He respected him.

But that didn’t give him control over Cariel’s life.

The sword was not some sacred token of faith or proof of divine knighthood.

It was merely a tool. A means to an end.

And he had not forgotten his original intent.

* * *

“Teacher.”

Upon returning to the guild building, Luirin greeted him warmly.

“Where’d you hear it?”

His tone was accusatory, but Luirin understood right away.

“Big bro Leo and Big Sis Luciri’s colleague told me.”

“I see.”

He didn’t press.

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

“What? Already? I thought you were going to sit around until the sword came out.”

“That damned sword must really hate me for some reason.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that? Don’t tell me… Teacher, did you hear the sword’s voice like big bro Leo did?”

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

Leo.

Maybe that cursed sword was even chattier than expected.

“You’ve probably figured it out by now, but there will be countless interferences in my journey going forward.”

Therefore, 

“There’s no need for you to follow me around. It’s not like you’ll make any money from it.”

“…But Teacher, aren’t you rich?”

“I’ve got enough to live on. But our family’s always been rooted in asceticism.”

Cariel let out a small laugh.

“I didn’t inherit that money, I saved it. Over several years. So don’t think I don’t know the value of money. I only pretended to act indifferent to give off that impression.”

“I see.”

He was used to gathering and hunting, ate little, acted with efficiency and optimization in mind.

Traits completely mismatched with those of high nobles who prided themselves on extravagance.

Of course, in private, some might be more frugal, but in public, most nobles made it a habit to flaunt wealth they didn’t even have.

To the point they truly believed they were inherently special or superior.

Among them, those who actually lived up to the grandeur of true nobility? Probably less than half.

Even if you drape a pig in gold and jewels, it’s still a pig.

But if you wrap a king or dragon in rags, people still see weakness and insignificance.

That’s just how people are.

Ultimately, one mustn’t tip the scales too far in either direction.

“If there’s anything you’re curious about, ask me now, today. I’ll answer within the limits of what I can. Anything you want to know.”

“When things get dangerous, isn’t it human nature to seek help? Why do you try to bear everything alone, Teacher? Ah, I do understand. It’s usually better not to trust than to trust. But… even if you don’t trust, couldn’t you at least use people? Why won’t you even do that?”

“…You already know the answer, don’t you?”

“Is this more of than meddling? Because anyone who sticks by you could end up in danger too? Then what about you, Teacher?”

“…….”

“You’re not the type to say ‘It’s fine’ or ‘I don’t care.’ The Teacher I know doesn’t just accept danger with blind optimism.”

He faces it because he can.

He faces it because he must.

Why should that require any kind of calculation?

“You could die. You could be captured and suffer something horrible. And still, you think like that? That kind of mindset… it’s incredibly arrogant.”

“Even if you say that, I still have no intention of hiring you as a guard. Even if you’ve already coordinated with the others and decided to help me, that’s still an unwanted interference on my part.”

“…….”

“You know this too, if you don’t expect anything, you can’t be disappointed or betrayed. A burden is mine alone to carry. Share it, and we both just end up suffering.”

“Why does Teacher get to decide that? That’s what I’m asking.”

Luirin already knew.

She’d known for a long time.

He was someone you could talk to, and also someone you couldn’t.

Within the boundaries he set, there was no compromise.

Because he lacked selfishness, he bound himself with rules like chains.

If he were truly selfish, he wouldn’t be so stingy about accepting the advantages offered to him.

He might extend goodwill, but he rejected the goodwill of others.

…How conceited could one mindset be?

Was this the pride? The responsibility? The sense of duty borne by the descendant of Radiance, one of the nine Heroes, the Great Hero?

“And what do you live for? What’s your purpose?”

“I told you that already, didn’t I?”

“I did. And that’s what makes this even harder.”

To live peacefully.

To live with a full stomach.

Maybe not in luxury, but with enough.

“I still stand in the wilderness.”

“Sorry?”

“I barely escaped a cold, dark pit. But what lay ahead of me was an endless desert.”

He spoke, caught in a wave of reflection.

As if to explain something important.

“Yes. This was just a brief moment of rest.”

Those fleeting glimpses of hollow, empty eyes he’d shown throughout their journey, 

Luirin now felt cold sweat trailing down her neck.

“It seems I still wasn’t prepared enough.”

What was he saying?

But the man before her, someone who had always seemed dependable, if a little lacking, was gone.

He now felt like an entirely different person.

Like someone she was meeting for the first time in her life.

“I hope the sincerity I shared with you reaches you well. I hope it lights your path, even just a little.”

And yet, even though the man standing before her was undeniably her Teacher, 

Why did he feel so…

…distant?