989. Between Illusion and Dispute
Everyone gathered the tents without a moment’s rest. Only two tents had collapsed, and one of them was because of Rem and Rhinox.
Fighting there? Have you wasted your life?
While drawing, he harassed Rhinox. Rhinox fought back with passion.
“I only took the plunge because I haven’t aged in vain. How much longer do I have to live? Why would I let an opportunity like this slip away? You have to take action when your heart is moved. Grida, you should consider this too. If you miss your chance to marry, the number of men willing to take you will gradually decrease. Snatch the opportunity when it comes.”
Grida did not hold back. Her greatsword sliced through the air. Although Rhinox had fought Rem just moments ago, he hadn’t broken a single bone. One of his eyes was swollen, slightly impairing his sense of distance, but that was easily compensated for by another sense. He dodged the greatsword and spoke again.
“Is your goal to become a Sword Witch who lives alone forever?”
It was childish, but from the listener’s perspective, it wasn’t.
“Fine, let’s die today. You old man.”
To Riley, their arguments were a daily occurrence. It was the vibe that came from their good relationship.
Rather than that.
‘king.’
Riley looked at Krang in a new light. He was born and raised in Zaun. Since he was also a member of Zaun, people in his world were divided into two.
People who are good at cutting and people who are not.
Needless to say, it is rare to be impressed by someone who is bad at cutting. To Riley, Krang’s attitude was a series of shocks.
Rejected the hostage.
The scale is different.
Is the King gambling his life on it? Just like his father did? Is he doing something he has no choice but to do, even though the odds of success are low?
It doesn’t look like it.
An air of composure emanated from the King. He did not appear to be doing anything particularly extraordinary. Yet, if one were to name the person here who held the position to have a private audience with the Emperor of the Empire, he would undoubtedly be among them.
Riley was not as adept at reading and grasping the political landscape as Seriana or Krang. He simply did his best to scheme and protect the sanctuary of Zaun.
That is why he vaguely sensed that Krang displayed a certain dignity befitting a king, but he could not fully know the hidden intentions beneath it all.
However.
It’s a bit hot.
His blood boiled as much as when watching Encred spar. It was a starry night. It looked like it was going to rain, but the clouds cleared. Perhaps because of the commotion, it was a night where sleep did not seem likely to come easily.
Riley felt a sense of regret about everything. He had set out on this path out of duty or responsibility, and he felt it was incredibly regrettable to just part ways like this.
“Have my skills improved a bit? Let’s see.”
As if reading his mind, Encred approached and spoke.
It is an honor.
Riley answered without even breathing.
“Look here. They’re fighting over there, too.”
“That’s not a fight, it’s a lesson. I’m next!”
While drawing, he stopped arguing with Rhinox and spoke.
Go ahead.
Encred answered, aiming his sword at Riley. The tip of his sword pointed diagonally at the ground. He was back in the Steel Gate stance. Since it was a sparring match, his intention was to start by taking the attack. Of course, Encred’s style of sparring entailed pain.
“town.”
Even the incredibly patient Riley let out groans several times. It was no different for Grida, who stepped forward next.
“evil.”
She took a harsh blow to the shoulder and rolled to the side. As soon as Encrid struck with the blade, he approached and thrust the tip of his foot toward Grida’s head as she fell.
Would her head explode if kicked? Probably. Grida deliberately let out a scream, modifying her deceptive tactic to look for an opening. She spun her body and switched to an upward strike with her greatsword.
“Don’t use deception. Utilize the weapons and advantages you have. For anomalies, focus on speed rather than deception.”
Encred spoke with his sword. Although it was only a brief sparring match, Grida found a signpost for the path he must walk. It was not just a matter of skill; he was at a level where he could accurately identify and pinpoint his opponent’s shortcomings and what needed to be improved. This was a
result of the stark difference in their abilities, as well as a capability granted by Encred’s experience of crawling his way up from the bottom.
Naturally, Riley Zaun also gained a great deal.
I tried to overcome my leg disability because it weighed on my mind, not to use it.
It is good to diligently train the basics and to devote exceptional effort to strength and stamina, but one must not set one’s own limits.
Riley took this lesson to heart and sat by the campfire. He deliberately took a seat opposite Krang, and the king of the nation struck up a conversation without hesitation.
Do you want to eat?
It was a roasted sweet potato. It was food they had prepared themselves. The King had soot smeared around his mouth.
“I’ve been wanting to eat this for a while. They suddenly pounced on me, so I ended up throwing one away while just peeling it. Phew, phew.”
Is that something a king should say? I don’t know. But then again, it wasn’t bad to hear. He is a king who blows on a hot sweet potato to cool it down while eating.
Riley asked nonchalantly.
How can you be so at ease knowing what will happen in the Empire?
Does that sound like an aggressive question? I have never practiced a kind tone in my life. I may speak politely, but being kind is difficult.
So, even though the words came out of my own mouth, they felt rough. The King, however, remained completely unfazed.
“Peaceful? Does it look that way? Ah, well, it might seem that way. But hey, I’m going because I have things I want and things I hope for. Does it look like I’m running off just because one side called? Still, I think I’m the one who’s missing out.”
What is he talking about?
Are you disappointed? Just a moment ago, when he said that dying here would be his destiny? Back then, it sounded like a shout even though it wasn’t.
Behind him, I could see the fortress walls filling my field of vision, with soldiers standing densely packed on top.
So who is disappointed?
It felt unfamiliar now that I couldn’t see the scene from earlier. It felt awkward that this actually looked unfamiliar.
“That doesn’t mean I intend to just sit back and take it, though. You said you came because Crys sent you? It’s a bit late, but thank you for coming. Riley of Zaun.”
Riley cleared his mind and conversed with Krang. They talked about trivial matters or stories from their childhood.
Then, before he knew it, the story of his adoptive father came up, and Krang listened silently.
The King said nothing. There was no comfort, nor was there any judgment of right from wrong. Only respect remained in his attitude.
Riley ended up staying up all night. Most of them, including Seriana, had stayed up all night like that, though there was no particular reason.
Rem, who had been complaining that the meager amount of alcohol had run out so quickly, was busy chatting with Enkrid.
Sinar and Temaris, for some reason, sparred with the edge of their hands instead of swords to gauge each other’s skills.
That’s unique.
It was impressive how Sinar responded to what Temares said in the middle.
“This must be taken for granted to be able to stay inside the madman. Acceptance. Naturally, one must not say anything about becoming a woman or anything like that.”
“Agreed.”
Should I say that Esther stepping in from there now seems only natural?
Encred sparred with others in turn, eventually exchanging blows with Rhinox as well. The night is short. Riley felt it sincerely. The Grim Reaper, ending that brief night, emitted light and revealed his presence.
Darkness, starlight, and the blue of dawn were slain. Since the army known as the Sun had swarmed in and driven them all away, they would not be able to return until night fell.
Instead, they would remain merely as shadows watching over the sunlight, leaving behind a faint trace of their presence.
A yellow light enveloped the surroundings. It was fine to move around with the tent in place. The others would take care of the cleanup.
I will leave the hunter’s village and sort this out.
Jaun treated them as honored guests. Encrid felt grateful, as repaying such kindness was not something to be taken for granted.
You must have had a hard time.
He said it with such feelings, and Riley shook his head.
What I received before is greater.
His face was brighter than ever, despite having stayed up all night, leaving one wondering what had happened the previous night.
Jaun stopped after going only a certain distance. It was a point where the narrow mountain path continued, a path that bore traces of human touch.
Although there were no signposts, the terrain offered many distinguishing features for someone with a keen eye for directions.
On one side, a large rock resembling a human face was visible, and next to it, an old pine tree stood out, bent sideways as if embracing the rock. Seriana looked at it and spoke.
It is said that the son and daughter of two feuding families fell in love at first sight, but were ultimately unable to be together due to family opposition. Taking pity on them, a wizard is said to have turned the man into rock and the woman into wood to form a pair.
It was a story full of lessons.
I’m saying don’t expect common sense from a wizard. Why would they turn people into rock?
Nephir Tesher added, “Yeah, there is that lesson too.”
If you’ve hit it off, you could just sneak away in the middle of the night.
It also contains a lesson similar to that of Grida, an enterprising female prosecutor: acting before it is too late is always the right thing to do.
The gist of the story is that those two are happy even after becoming a rock and a tree.
Seriana stated her original intention, ignoring the opinions of the two. It was a subject a bard would truly love. Encred nodded.
Riley bowed his head, using the Rock and the Old Pine Lovers as a focal point, and looked at Krang one last time.
He had remained silent after listening to his father’s story, leaving behind just a single remark.
“Since it was the path he chose, he tried to make that choice the right one.”
So, there was no need for comfort, nor to argue about whether it was right or wrong.
It was a remark directed at his adoptive father, Hescal. It was also a remark for himself again.
Encred, who was listening nearby, added his own words.
Yesterday is gone. Live today. Prepare for tomorrow.
How should I put it… it aligns with his usual attitude toward life. That is why it resonates with me even more.
Jaun is still in the same place.
Riley conveyed the warning he had left when he first saw them, but in a different way, and stepped back. Krang and everyone else walked on the relatively well-paved path.
The Margrave is a man with nasty tastes.
Seriana spoke while glancing at her feet. Although the previous night must have left her quite exhausted, her demeanor remained unwavering. She
had just refused even the offer from Moll, Balmung’s squire, who had tried to carry her again.
“But I suppose you might get along really well.”
Her gaze turned toward Encred. At that moment, Sinar and Esther’s eyes also turned toward her.
The Dragon, Temares, displayed his mind-reading ability and read their minds before Sinar and Esther could, asking.
“The Count isn’t a woman, is he?”
“……No.”
Seriana could easily accept most things, but she could not easily adapt to their way of thinking.
“It is a situation where assassins fall for each other. There is no rule saying a Count cannot fall for a demon. Even if it’s not a woman.”
Rem spoke in a serious tone, and immediately after, tilted his head back. Saxon’s hand brushed past where his head had been.
The two argued again as they walked, but it was not serious. Encred continued walking forward and reached Imperial territory. Since they had already received an invitation the previous night, no one was unaware of their arrival.
They walked for half a day, and Seriana was carried by Moll along the way.
That is how they reached the first city in Imperial territory. It was a place where city walls and spires came into view.
Six spires.
Encred had considerable experience in warfare and had learned much from Luagarné.
At a glance, he judged that the city before him was a place solely for war, battle, and fighting.
The location of the spires and the imposing presence of the soldiers lined up atop the low walls confirmed this.
“Duke Seriana, and strangers from the continent! Welcome!”
From the center of the fortress wall, a man with a beard covering half his face shouted. That was his greeting.
Spreading out a fierce aura along with his shout.
Is this a fight?
Rem muttered. It was an act that could easily be seen that way. From the night raid to the sight of soldiers lined up on the walls, fully armed to greet them.
