Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Chapter 3. Flag Tournament
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Only after the earl had dealt with the demon and the collapsed building was repaired did the knights finally arrive, albeit belatedly. They quickly re-inspected the structure, treated the injured, and took swift action. Once they had grasped the situation to some extent, they immediately sought out the earl to express their gratitude. Although the demons had invaded coveting the fragment in his possession, it did not seem intentional on his part—he was merely a tourist there to watch the flag tournament. Perhaps they thought it wiser to show friendliness toward the earl rather than enmity, but the knights' admission of fault and apology were certainly a sight to behold.
Afterward, judging that no demons remained, they promptly resumed the afternoon preliminaries of the red flag tournament as scheduled.
The matches were entertaining. If only the nobles who had remained inside the building hadn't kept coming over with food in hand to offer thanks, it would have been even more enjoyable. Fortunately, the preliminaries wrapped up before the sky grew completely dark.
That evening, back at the inn, I sparred with Jeanne to test out the insights from watching the red flag preliminaries. Sarah, the earl's daughter, must have seen us, as she came over and asked to join in.
While I hesitated, Jeanne readily nodded in agreement, so I decided to help as well. Each morning, I leisurely watched the matches at the arena like clockwork, and each evening, back at the inn, I digested the day's observations through sparring.
Lately, it felt like I was living truly fulfilling days.
The green flag tournament still carried a hint of boredom, but with the red flag tournament now in the main rounds, it offered excitement incomparable to the preliminaries.
I could somewhat understand why, in medieval times, the Romans built the Colosseum to pit gladiators against each other. Just listening to the cheers erupting each time flesh was sliced and blood sprayed—it was enough to stir excitement even while sitting still.
The green flag tournament, which progressed far more swiftly than the red flag one, was now on the cusp of its finals. Sarah, who had sparred with Jeanne and me every night, must have benefited greatly, as she ultimately clinched a dramatic victory.
When Sarah, having forced a surrender from her opponent, thrust her greatsword high into the sky, the earl let out an exhilarated shout unlike any he'd shown before, and his daughter unfurled a dazzling fireworks spell in the air, drawing every eye.
Meanwhile, I lounged watching the remaining red flag matches with a drink in hand, but something felt off. With Jeanne, Arhil, the earl, and his daughter Sarah—making five of us—laughing and chatting merrily, a forgotten thought resurfaced.
'Cain?'
At Jeanne's request, I had watched the entire green flag tournament not to curry favor with the earl, but to gauge Cain's strength as a participant aiming for victory.
Yet even when the final sixteen remained, Cain was nowhere to be seen. His finals opponent against Sarah had been some random man. True, the green flag tournament boasted many formidable contenders, but none seemed capable of beating Cain.
With his unique class, Gabriel's Sword, and having leveled up diligently at Serenia Castle instead of slacking off, he should have easily made the top sixteen.
'Did he not enter the flag tournament?'
That was the only conclusion.
"Ha…!"
I let out a hollow laugh, frowning. Something was wrong. Up until leaving Serenia Castle, everything had felt on track, but since setting foot in Calypso's lands, it all went awry.
'If he didn't join the green flag, then where did he go?'
Where could he have gone? Did he even have anywhere to go?
Aslan's flag tournament was a prime opportunity for him to test his skills and recruit talented comrades. Cain, with his strong competitive spirit, wouldn't pass it up. I bit my lip in inexplicable anxiety.
'No way Gabriel gave Cain a divine oracle?'
It was possible. Even in the game, Gabriel provided indirect information rather than direct aid. And for a Holy King, spying on someone from afar was child's play.
If she saw me collecting fragments and issued an oracle to Cain directing him elsewhere, it would explain his absence from the green flag tournament.
'But even so, Cain still has a long way to go before becoming the Spirit Sword's owner.'
I'd collected every unclaimed fragment in the area. The remaining ones all had owners—formidable ones at that. Like Count Jenner right beside me, or Hagen of the mercenary kingdom Rajentria. Snatch a fragment from powerhouses like them?
Even with Holy King Gabriel's help... with her help...
'It’s possible, isn’t it?'
Damn. A hollow despair washed over me at the resurfacing memory. With Gabriel's backing, Cain could wrest a fragment from Hagen, the fragment owner of the mercenary kingdom, even without being the Spirit Sword's owner yet. Headache pounding at my own oversight, I pressed my forehead with my fingers and gritted my teeth.
Knowing the game's story had become poison.
I'd assumed that after his coming-of-age ritual, Cain would head straight to Aslan and enter the green flag tournament without fail. Since I'd handled the quest to Calypso, any changes would come after the tournament—but for him to skip it entirely?
Part of me wanted to rush to the mercenary kingdom right then, but watching Jeanne and Arhil laugh so happily made it hard to suggest leaving abruptly.
'The earl might get suspicious if I say I'm leaving suddenly.'
In a game, I could act on whim without such worries. But this was a real world—ignoring them could sow discord. I let out a small sigh, slumping as I prayed my hunch was wrong.
"? Bored?"
Arhil, sitting beside me, noticed and asked. At her head-tilted question, I gave a wry smile.
"No, just tired."
"Why?"
"…Yeah, why."
"Shall I cast a recovery spell?"
A kind offer, but holy magic wouldn't change much. I shook my head. With the atmosphere demanding I stay until the red flag ended, I'd be tired until we left for Rajentria. And wretchedly, my prediction proved spot-on. Assuming Cain had received Gabriel's oracle and gone to Rajentria filled me with mental exhaustion beyond the physical.
That evening, to celebrate Sarah's green flag victory, the earl announced upon our return to the inn that he'd foot the bill for everyone in the first-floor hall—eat whatever you want. The crowd cheered his generosity and ordered drinks and food. Nobles or not, alcohol loosened tongues all the same. Amid the rowdy revelry, as I enjoyed my meal, I sighed softly, stepped out for some air, and wandered into an alley.
The dim alley was surprisingly clean, with a bench against the wall for resting. Sitting there, head thrown back to catch the night breeze, my mind eased a bit. I couldn't fathom why I was so on edge.
"……."
I wasn't pressured to gather fragments quickly. Whether years or decades, I'd collect them all eventually. Even if Cain took one, the outcome wouldn't change. So why this anxiety? It eluded me.
Then, a nearby closed window flew open, spilling noise. Turning, I saw the earl poke his head out.
What.
Leaning on the windowsill, he regarded me with an enigmatic smile. With a snap of his fingers, the din vanished.
"You seem troubled."
"Pardon?"
"Quite anxiously so—or am I wrong?"
His piercing words drew a sigh from me. Had it shown that much on my face?
"Tell me. I've lived a few more years than you—might have some useful advice."
"……."
Hesitating, I got a chuckle and a wave of his hand. A stream of water rose from his fingertips, glowing blue as it swam before me like a dragon.
"See this water stream?"
Not blind—of course.
I nodded.
"Imagine it's a river. It flows—from high to low. Without magic or machinery, it doesn't flow backward. It keeps flowing until it reaches somewhere: a moat guarding a castle, farmland, a lake, the sea. I don't know what has you anxious. But I see the worry and fear."
I wasn't afraid—or so I thought, but his words stung with truth. Caught out, irritation flared. My brows furrowed involuntarily.
"Fear not. No need for anxiety. If trials come, face them—doesn't fear change anything? A flowing river crashes into rocks ahead, plunges off cliffs. It reaches somewhere that way. If you were the river, would you detour around distant rocks or cliffs? You could, but they might appear again later."
"……."
"If you must face it someday, meet it with composure, not dread. Once through, what seemed so daunting will prove trivial. Though at your age, that anxiety and fear might even help—as motivation, who knows?"
My eyes widened.
"Think of me as some passerby uncle with notions. I might've annoyed you instead. You'd have been worn out dealing with me all day, and here I am chattering insensitively."
"…No, sir."
"It's fine, I understand. Who'd admit it to their face? I rarely share such thoughts, but watching you made my tongue itch."
"……Thank you."
He withdrew silently, closing the window. With the spell lifted, the noise returned.
"Once it's past, it's nothing."
True enough.
Before military service, the world seemed ending; after discharge, it was the same as ever. Before exams, palms sweated with tension; after, the worry felt absurdly empty. Chuckling at the earl's words, my heart lightened remarkably.
========== Author's Note ==========
Do not give any advice at length - Horace