The Ashen Halls of Garundel
The interior of the castle was entirely ash-gray. It was impossible to tell what kind of rock it had been built from, but the material alone suggested it was exceptionally sturdy.
"Sir Liberatus. Have you eaten yet?"
Liberatus shook his head.
"Not yet. These children haven't either."
"Perfect timing, then. I'll have a meal prepared. Unpack your things first. The butler will show you the way."
"Understood."
"This way, please."
The middle-aged butler showed the three of them to suitable rooms. Liberatus—that is, Ludenberg—along with Kyle and Orpina, unpacked their belongings right away and followed the butler to the dining hall.
As they entered the dining hall, the castle lord and his wife, along with a girl who appeared to be their daughter with deep purple hair, greeted them with curious expressions.
"Have you finished unpacking?"
"Yes. Thank you for your hospitality."
"I should be the one bowing my head. Thanks to you, sir, we were able to repel the highest-grade erosion beasts without major losses."
When Liberatus bowed politely, the lord insisted that he himself should be bowing, then introduced his daughter.
"This is my daughter, Hidea. She aspires to be a knight. Hidea, what are you doing? Greet the benefactor of Garundel properly."
"Father, this man is...?"
"Sir Liberatus Ahad. You've heard the name, surely?"
Hidea's eyes widened in an instant. There was no one in the empire who hadn't heard of Liberatus's renown.
"I, Hidea Garundel, daughter and heir of Garundel, greet the benefactor of our house, Sir Liberatus. I knew of your great fame, but this is my first time seeing you in person, so please forgive my rudeness in not recognizing you."
Seated at the table, Hidea offered a brief formal greeting, then gazed at Liberatus with eyes full of admiration. Just from her reaction, Ludenberg could grasp the extent of Liberatus's stature.
'He must be treated with utmost respect wherever he goes. As the captain of the imperial knights, he'd be at least an earl... but wandering like this suggests the loss of someone dear hit him hard.'
"My thanks for the warm welcome, Lady Hidea of Garundel. These are Kyle and Orpina, children I've taken under my wing. They'll be my disciples from now on."
"Pleased to meet you. Kyle, Orpina."
"Hello. I'm Kyle Solenute."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Orpina Testia."
Even in the presence of the elegant Hidea, the two showed no intimidation as they stated their names. Their demeanor suggested they were quite accustomed to such situations, prompting Ludenberg to recall the founding era of the Solenute Empire.
'They were the last nobles of a fallen kingdom, according to the records. No specific place name was mentioned... but Garundel might be where their true journey began.'
The two had only made it to Garundel thanks to Liberatus's aid. Though capable fighters, they were still just a young boy and girl. Without him, they likely wouldn't have survived.
Not only enduring trials, but witnessing the vivid scenes of history's figures firsthand—Ludenberg found that alone immensely intriguing.
'Comparing this trial world to the history books later could be worthwhile. I'd get a rough outline of the trial's course.'
As Lord Tehern Garundel began the meal, everyone at the table followed suit. Ludenberg, lost in thought, started eating as well.
The fare was far more lavish than anything from inns or street vendors, though it seemed a bit sparse for a lord's table. With times lean, they were clearly economizing where they could. Yet for Kyle and Orpina, it was more than enough; they dug in with satisfied expressions.
Even as she ate, Hidea showered Liberatus with fervent glances. The thrill of meeting a legendary figure in the flesh must have fixed her gaze on him.
Mid-meal, Hidea began peppering Liberatus, Kyle, and Orpina with questions. It wasn't the most refined etiquette, but for a mere girl unable to contain her curiosity, it was only natural.
"Where are you two from? Your table manners suggest noble upbringing..."
"We're the last nobles of Seranad, a small kingdom under the Nadempire."
"Ah..."
Hidea's expression visibly hardened at those words. Seranad—the most beautiful land on the continent. But now... a hellscape.
Having visited Seranad a few times in her childhood, Hidea knew its fate all too well. Swept away by waves of erosion beasts, it had vanished from history in an instant, its former beauty replaced by desolate death.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry."
"No, it's fine. It's been a long time. We can't just sit and wallow forever."
Kyle and Orpina gazed at Hidea with resolute eyes, sincerely meaning it. Ludenberg couldn't help but admire them.
A last noble of a fallen kingdom must have endured endless sorrow and hardship. Yet they'd overcome it, surviving to reach this place—with such composure, no less.
Could I have done the same? This frail self, distrustful from petty betrayals—could I?
Ludenberg shook his head inwardly. The meal ended in awkward silence. Hidea looked visibly downcast, but Kyle and Orpina cheerfully chatted with Liberatus.
"Liberatus. Any plans after dinner?"
Their faces held a spark of longing, and Liberatus instantly knew what they wanted.
"Plans? Of course. Didn't I say earlier? I'll teach you swordsmanship."
At his expected response, Kyle and Orpina's faces lit up.
"Thank you!"
Liberatus rarely smiled, but a faint one touched his lips at their joy.
"Lady Hidea."
Kyle suddenly addressed her.
"Y-yes?"
"We're really okay."
"That's right."
With Orpina chiming in, Hidea eyed them uncertainly.
"Yeah. Tormenting ourselves over the past changes nothing."
"...You're strong."
Hidea murmured in quiet admiration at Kyle's gaze.
"Not really."
"Yeah. Without Liberatus, we wouldn't have made it here."
"Ah... If it's not too rude, could you tell us what happened along the way?"
"Want to hear? It was quite the adventure. I'm sure you'd enjoy it, Lady Hidea."
Kyle and Orpina chatted amiably with Hidea. Having focused solely on survival, they must have craved simple conversation. Sensing this, Liberatus tactfully excused himself.
"I'll rest in my room. Call me when you're done talking with Lady Hidea."
"O-okay!"
"Lord. I'll take my leave."
"Ah, yes. Rest well, Sir Liberatus."
Ludenberg guided Liberatus's body back to their assigned room. Throughout, he pondered his demeanor.
'Why did Liberatus take them in as disciples? Did he see their potential to aid his goals? Unlikely. At this point, he couldn't know they'd become the six heroes.'
To Liberatus's goal of eradicating erosion beasts, Kyle and Orpina were worthless—burdens in battle, no less. Abandoning them in the wasteland would draw no ire; no one else existed there.
Yet he took them in, made them disciples—not for any ulterior motive, but pure goodwill. They were young, too young to die.
Watching it all, Ludenberg reached a conclusion: Liberatus was profoundly kind, caring even for strangers.
To Ludenberg, who had begun weighing people by gain and loss, this felt utterly alien.
'If Tara had abandoned me, what would I have become?'
The thought crossed his mind unbidden.
* * *
How long had Ludenberg rested in the room? A knock sounded at the door.
"Liberatus. It's Kyle."
"Made friends with Lady Hidea? It's been ages since you talked with peers."
"Yeah. Orpina especially hit it off. Being a different gender, I didn't bond as deeply... but thanks for the consideration, Liberatus."
"I see. Then let's begin your sword training."
Kyle's eyes sparkled at the words.
"Yes!"
Hearing Liberatus would teach Kyle and Orpina, Lord Tehern asked if Hidea could join.
"Hm? Lady Hidea too?"
"Yes. As Garundel's heir, she needs strength. My knights train her, but your guidance as the empire's greatest knight is incomparable."
Liberatus nodded readily.
"Understood."
'Again.' Liberatus extended kindness once more. Vengeance against the erosion beasts that stole his loved one should come first, yet he always looked around him.
From diary fragments, Ludenberg knew his hatred was immense. Yet he never became consumed by it.
Just strong will? Ludenberg couldn't fathom how Liberatus stayed so noble and resilient.
'I'll only understand by continuing the trial. I can't know everything now. At least I learned one thing.'
Liberatus was an enigma, but Ludenberg had gleaned this much.
'Without him, the six heroes wouldn't exist. He's undeniably their mentor. I must learn through him—engrave his advice to them in my mind, then apply it to myself. That'll push me forward.'
Ludenberg had thought the trial world only strengthened the body. He hadn't expected insights like this.
The six heroes, no less. Their growth advice would surely apply to him too.
Realizing this, Ludenberg focused his mind. He intended to memorize every moment of Liberatus's forthcoming training without missing a beat.