episode_0018

I took Krisha and Linde to Vogert’s carpentry shop early in the morning.

“Oh, welcome. But what brings you here so early in the morning?”

Branko, who was, as usual, tending to the wooden statues at the entrance, greeted us and asked.

“This little guy here is a paladin. I asked him to bless it when Vogert comes to work later.”

I said, placing my hand on Krisha’s shoulder.

“I see, I see… That’s quite something.”

Branko’s expression changed subtly upon hearing the response.

He had hoped his old father wouldn’t take on this task.

“Excellent.”

“Wow…”

Krisha and Linde admired the row of wooden statues at the entrance of the carpentry shop.

While they were indeed well-made, it wasn’t that astonishing.

“In Brigal, there are hardly any wooden statues, but there are so many here.”

Linde remarked.

“No wooden statues?”

Branko asked in surprise.

“Yes. Using wood for anything other than essential tasks like firewood is punishable.”

“Wood is precious in Brigal. When it comes to statues, most are made of stone. Only nobles or royalty can have wooden statues.”

Krisha explained.

“I see, such a culture…”

“Yes. I’ve seen some wooden statues in royal palaces, but the ones here are just as impressive, especially that one.”

She pointed to a statue of a knight in full armor.

“Most of the ones here were made by my father a long time ago. His skills are truly remarkable. Even nobles come here often. The statue you mentioned, Krisha, is particularly cherished by my father. He has a good eye!”

Branko chuckled brightly.

“Enough about that, let’s go inside quickly. This little one came to persuade Vogert from the start.”

“Persuade…?”

“I am a paladin. As a paladin, I cannot bless the elderly.”

“Oh, I see! Well then, you shouldn’t be waiting out here; please come in. I’ll fetch him right away.”

Seemingly delighted with the news, he hurriedly ushered us in.

“…I might disrupt the conversation if I go in, so I’ll wait outside by the door,” I shrugged, leaning against the wall beside Vogert’s room.

“You guys handle this yourselves.”

“…Really?”

Krisha asked.

“Yes.”

“I, I…”

Linde hesitated.

“Just stay here. It’s Krisha’s issue. Or do you want to help with the persuasion too?”

“Oh, no. I don’t really… have anything to…”

Linde cautiously stood next to me.

“I’m not sure which side is right between you and Mr. Raswood… Sorry.”

“It’s okay. If you have a proper conversation, there shouldn’t be any issues.”

“Is that so?”

I looked at Krisha.

“What?”

“I’m fine with either side. I was planning to fix the house by myself anyway. If you can persuade him, that wouldn’t be bad either.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. But promise me one thing. If you can’t persuade him here, help Vogert without any complaints.”

“…”

Krisha’s gaze wavered.

“Can’t do it?”

“…No, I’ll do it.”

“Alright then. Give it your best shot.”

I lightly shook her hand.

Krisha closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again.

Her determined gaze returned.

***

“Father, guests from Mr. Raswood’s place have arrived.”

Branko knocked on the door of the room.

“Tell them to come in…”

Even at a glance, it was a voice devoid of strength.

The aura around him could be described as deeply morose.

He exuded the atmosphere typical of someone standing at life’s edge.

Krisha entered the room as the door opened.

She flinched upon seeing Vogert.

“…Welcome.”

It wasn’t just a mere pallor; it was a demeanor that could be described as being deep in the throes of life’s twilight.

Krisha had seen many people dying on the battlefield fighting monsters.

But… But this person was somewhat different.

“I am Krisha Fleol Radneos.”

“I am Bogetyo… sent by Rasiwood…?”

“He asked me a strange favor. To bless someone to make their body stronger.”

“…Are you a paladin?”

“Yes.”

“Indeed… an unexpected method… It made me worry…”

“I came to persuade you.”

“The words a paladin would say are obvious… My thoughts will not change…”

“Elder, listen to me…”

“Enough. Even if you don’t help… I will go…”

“Don’t you care about your own well-being?”

“I know well… Perhaps after doing that… No, maybe I won’t finish it.”

“Then why!”

“Listen, Paladin Sir… You must also know. For people… there are things they must do, even if it costs their lives…”

“I understand! But! But, this is just fixing roofs and ceilings, something anyone can do! To risk one’s life for this, I simply…”

“That’s right… Just that. But… It’s something I must do, even if it costs my remaining life…”

“I heard you owe something to Rasiwood. But no matter how much it is, your children could repay it. As an Evoni, time is plentiful.”

“That won’t do. It must be me… If I don’t repay it myself, it’s meaningless. That was the promise…”

“What kind of promise is this…”

“…17 years ago, I was deceived by a trusted friend and almost lost everything. Robbed of my wealth, sold off, nearly dragged to the distant mines of Dread…”

“D-Dread…”

Krisha was well aware of its infamy.

In a corner of the continent lay the country of Dread Kingdom.

The country wasn’t large, with infertile land. Moreover, with a powerful neighbor, the nation could collapse at any moment.

Yet, the Dread Kingdom remained steadfast.

Everyone wondered about its secret, but when it was revealed, astonishment swept through all.

“If I had been taken then… I probably wouldn’t have returned with limbs intact. Even if I died there, it wouldn’t have been surprising… Rasiwood saved me back then.”

“…”

“I was truly… foolish back then. Trusting an unbelievable friend, almost plunging everyone into hell. Despite having family to take care of… Ah, I was truly foolish… Please don’t tell this story to my sons…”

Boget’s breathing began to grow heavy.

He reached for the pitcher on the table with trembling hands and took a sip.

“Haa, haa…”

“I understand feeling grateful to Rasiwood. So… please answer one more thing. Why didn’t you seek him out for nearly 20 years? Given the extent of his kindness, why?”

“Because of a promise…”

“A promise?”

“I speak as a paladin to you. Please, promise me that you won’t tell anyone about the promise.”

“…Understood. I swear on my soul, I will not tell anyone.”

“When I received help from Rasiwood, I said this. I promised to become the best carpenter, make the finest goods, and repay that money… But I couldn’t keep that promise.”

“You are a truly excellent carpenter. I have seen the works you’ve created outside.”

“Is that so… I appreciate your words, but I couldn’t convince myself. How can I face my benefactor with a promise unfulfilled?…”

“…”

“I must seem like a fool. Foolish and stupid…”

“You shouldn’t think that way…”

“And now… I will soon die… In that case, I must apologize to him… For not keeping the promise… As a minimum form of atonement for that… *cough, cough*…”

Bogette lifted the pitcher again but his hand trembled too much and he dropped it.

The fallen pitcher made a loud noise as it rolled on the ground along with the water inside.

“What’s going on?!”

Branko hastily opened the door.

“It’s nothing… Just the pitcher… *cough, cough*!”

Bogette coughed up blood.

“Father!”

Branko rushed to his father and checked on his condition.

“…”

Krisha silently walked towards them, grabbed Branko’s shoulder, and pushed him back.

He hesitated but stepped aside.

Then she took the sick old man’s hand.

A dazzling light arose between their touching hands.

“…!”

“Ah…”

Bogette, who had been leaning on the bed with a pale face, sat up.

Seeing this, Branko widened his eyes as if about to burst into tears.

How long had it been since his father had risen so well…

Tears welled up in the son’s eyes and streamed down his cheeks.

Whether she had succeeded in persuading or not was not important at this moment.

“I may not be able to continue writing, but I will try my best.”

Krisha said.

“Thank you. Sir Knight.”

“No… Then I’ll…”

“Th-thank you! Thank you!”

Branko deeply bowed towards Krisha as she walked away.

But even though she had performed a miracle, there was no hint of satisfaction on her face.

“…Well. Did you manage to persuade him?”

Rashwood asked from outside the door.

“What are you, exactly?”

Krisha asked.

“What am I?”

“I heard a little bit. The Dread Kingdom’s mine…”

Simply stating past facts is not breaking a promise.

Yet Krisha spoke cautiously.

“That’s right.”

Rashwood replied nonchalantly.

“If they’re willing to take people from the Dread Kingdom… It’s not a problem that can be solved with just money.”

“I see.”

“And the King of Dread…”

“What are you trying to say?”

“You mentioned 17 years ago. If it was such a big deal, why didn’t you go back for 17 years? Is that normal for the Eboni tribe?”

“We never expected anything in return.”

“…”

“He has no intention of repaying his children after he dies. Of course, it was quite demanding back then. Still, it was worth it.”

“What worth?”

“A righteous knight, don’t you know that?”

Rashwood pointed to Branko, who firmly held his father’s hand.

“That should be enough.”

“I don’t know. I don’t know you as a being. Is it because you’re from the Eboni tribe…”

Krisha turned to Linde.

“Krisha…”

…”

And without a word to Linde’s call, she went outside.

“Let’s go back then.”

Rashwood put his arm around Linde’s shoulder and led her out.

Linde glanced back at the father and son one last time.

“…”

And as they left, Bogette’s eldest son watched them through the crack in the door.