Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Golden Carriages
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The water jets from the central fountain soared endlessly into the sky.
This was praise for the children who had mustered their courage.
Beneath the fountain, people gathered like clouds, packed in shoulder to shoulder.
From those who had secured spots on the terraces in advance, to children riding on their parents' shoulders.
All eyes were fixed on one thing.
The carriages coming from the Pador family's territory.
The sole means of transport to Trial Valley.
Those carriages now came to a stop at the central fountain in the heart of Pador territory.
Then... the boys and girls challenging Trial Valley would board them.
Neigh...!
The horses whinnied to a halt.
The wheels of over ten carriages ground to a stop.
The coachmen leading them stood up in crisp, disciplined motions and shouted.
"Those whose names are engraved on the monument, board the carriages!"
Equal to all.
One of the Pador family's creeds.
That's why the people of this region called those carriages the Golden Carriages.
Carriages that would carry them to greater heights.
In truth, children who stood out in Trial Valley would be taken in by the Pador family, receiving full support to grow into family knights.
But such children were exceedingly rare.
Most were pre-selected kids who climbed aboard.
Like that merchant's son heading over on a carpet, for instance.
"Hm... the carriage is a bit lacking, isn't it?"
He clicked his tongue, acting as if he were out shopping for a carriage rather than heading to take the trial.
"What's this chair made of?"
The coachman responded curtly to Inschtain's fussing.
"Don't know. Just get on."
"W-what?! Do you even know who I am?!"
"Just get on."
"Ugh, seriously...!"
Even for a short ride, the rich kid was nitpicking the cushion material. In contrast...
"This is paradise on earth..."
Andrew had already claimed a seat, sprawling out like it was a plush bed. For someone always wandering the roads, this was no different from heaven.
Starting with those two, countless boys and girls boarded the carriages.
Some from noble houses, others beggars in sackcloth.
Opportunity was equal for all, after all.
Among those carriages... a slender boy in sleeves unusually long for his frame approached.
Deyan Pador, the infamous odd stone of the Pador family that everyone around here knew.
"Young master...! Please don't get hurt!"
"Would you like to take some lunch?"
Marian and Nellin each offered their cheers.
How embarrassing.
"Nellin, I'm not going on a picnic."
"You might get hungry?"
"I'm not hungry."
"Then... um, can I eat the lunch Marian made?"
"Eat it. Go ahead."
All Nellin ever thought about was food, awake or asleep.
I hurried back to the carriage and boarded. Murmurs rose from here and there.
The gossip was predictable.
Reckless challenge, youthful folly. Most doubted my attempt.
A few clapped, praising my spirit at least, but it didn't feel all that pleasant.
As I boarded, a very familiar face sat right in front of me.
Why you of all people, Ralph?
Ralph Pador looked displeased to be sharing a carriage with me, narrowing his eyes like he wanted to shoot arrows from them.
And what are you gonna do about it?
Actually... maybe tease him a little?
"What are you... ? Planning to challenge it?"
"Yeah, why not give it a shot."
As Ralph snorted derisively, I shot a telepathic message his way.
"What...?!"
Ralph yelled in disbelief.
"What did I do, Ralph?"
"You just... you! You said something!"
"Said what?"
"You're doing it right now, right now!"
Ralph tapped his ears and glanced around.
He'd never experienced this before, huh?
Telepathy, you fool.
Time to teach him another lesson.
Never reveal your true feelings in public.
"Ralph, you okay? Didn't your wounds heal?"
"Who the hell are you mocking?!"
Ralph huffed and jumped to his feet.
"What did you say?! What?!"
As Ralph moved to grab my collar, the carriage door opened again.
Alright... time for another act in front of everyone?
"You bastard! What did you say?!"
"Ralph, what's wrong...! Calm down."
"Do it like just now!"
"Is it a crime to say don't get hurt? Ralph, why are you like this?!"
"When did you say that?!"
Ralph pounded his chest in frustration, but the crowd wasn't buying it.
"Uh, th-those two...?"
"Poor young master Deyan."
"Master Ralph really... doesn't take after Master Ian."
"Well, if he did, he wouldn't act like that."
Ralph lingered menacingly for a while before noticing the murmurs and looking around.
Took you long enough, idiot.
I'm embarrassed for you.
Thud!
Ralph sat back down grudgingly, glaring at me like a tiger—or more like a lowly jackal.
Ralph ground his teeth and muttered softly enough that only I could hear.
"Just you wait... you little shit. That hospital visit too—what's your game...!"
"They say a dull brain makes the body suffer. Fits you perfectly."
"You damn...!"
Ralph tried to stand again but sat back down irritably.
You're just making yourself look bad since you can't hit me.
Keep suffering.
I ignored Ralph's continued grumbling and observed the others boarding.
Come on, show yourselves now.
I expanded my senses to scan the kids boarding. Most were average, some brave but unskilled.
While checking several...
"He's boarding after all."
"Boarding what...?!"
I ignored Ralph completely and looked out the window.
A red robe boarding without a presence.
Our eyes met briefly as they passed.
That gaze is murderous.
Clatter clatter.
The carriage, now loaded with even the red robe, set off for Trial Valley.
Trial Valley's entrance.
Our carriages stopped in a wide clearing.
Right before them, as the doors opened, the Pador family banner fluttered in welcome.
Then...
Shing...!
Knights lined on both sides raised their longswords bearing the Pador banner, forming a path.
A welcoming ceremony for the boys and girls treading the noble path.
Many kids hesitated, shuffling awkwardly instead of walking it.
They must be trembling.
Probably wanting to turn back.
It no longer felt like a game.
As everyone wavered...
"Hahaha! You lot. Why so scared? Get it now? This is the Pador family!"
Ralph tried to charge ahead without a care for time or place.
I sent him telepathy.
Ralph's eyes flicked sideways.
As if saying, 'You pulling some weird stunt again?'
I gave him a bright smile.
What're you gonna do?
I walked ahead of him just a bit. As I took the first step, the kids followed one by one, gaining courage.
Ralph stubbornly kept pace beside me, but it was laughable.
Sigh, all bravado, no substance.
Receiving the knights' solemn welcome, we arrived where three knight captains awaited.
Familiar Janitz, Red Eagle Knights Captain Fernando, and the youngest, White Lion Knights Captain Luke.
All upper-class knights and among the Pador family's top leaders.
As the three powerhouses stared us down, the kids shrank back.
The knight in the center stepped forward.
A man with fiery red curly hair, Fernando.
The participating kids' eyes widened one by one.
"Look at that greatsword..."
"How heavy is it?"
"That's the greatsword Fernando..."
"First time seeing him in person."
The kids' murmurs.
Fernando slowly scanned them without a care, his chilling gaze silencing them naturally.
"Any who wish to give up?"
No greeting, just a sudden gruff voice.
The kids stiffened under his gaze.
"I'll strike the ground with this greatsword three times. If you want to quit, do so before the third. We don't want to see anyone get hurt."
Thud...!
He slammed the greatsword into the ground, shaking the earth.
"...!"
The kids flailed to regain balance.
Classic Fernando.
Once more...
Thud!
"Trial Valley can't be overcome with courage alone."
This time, the vibration rippled up from their toes, churning their stomachs.
Intense.
"We take no responsibility for deaths."
As his greatsword poised for the final strike...
"I-I give up."
"M-me too..."
Some kids couldn't withstand the pressure and raised hands or stepped away.
He nodded faintly.
"Good choice. That's courage too."
He slowly raised the greatsword to his chin.
"Last one."
As the greatsword hammered down like a nail, kids couldn't endure and slipped away one after another.
Then.
Thud...!
He delivered the final strike. Did the warning work?
Nearly half the kids fled in fear before it even began.
The dropouts were guided by knights back to the carriages.
Now there were no carriages left to return on.
In truth... it was just intimidation.
Would the Pador family allow casualties?
Never. It was pure theatrics.
A warning and consideration not to challenge lightly.
Even if everyone knew, few could step forward steadily.
They weren't adults yet, after all.
Psychological fear doesn't vanish just because you know better.
In that sense, those remaining had already proven their mettle.
"All impressive."
Fernando returned to his spot, acting as if he'd never exuded that icy aura.
As the kids tried to hide their trembling...
Someone slowly approached the platform.
Eagle-like eyes overlooking all, neatly trimmed goatee, straight noble nose.
A face embodying a hero, a solidly built frame that looked armored even in casual clothes.
And the badge proving him Pador's greatest knight: a sword entwined in silver vines.
Without a single word of introduction, as he stood on the platform, all eyes naturally turned to him.
An awe-inspiring presence that left them speechless.
This wasn't something trained; it was innate.
Not from aura or actions, but sheer existence commanding silence—a dignity that made the place feel like a hall of victory.
We call it dignity.
Step step...
"...?"
The participants tilted their heads.
He'd descended the platform to our ground and tapped the shoulder of a boy in the front row.
"Welcome."
Unlike Fernando, a benevolent smile and gentle voice.
Yet deep and reassuring.
This simple act from the platform shattered the icy tension while calming the participants.
Every gesture exuded grace.
He patted each participant in turn. Their slumped shoulders straightened, chests puffed with joy and smiles.
And finally... he stood before me.
"You've come."
His hand on my shoulder.
Treating me like his own son, though I wasn't.
"Deyan, I believed in you."
Warm words.
Anyone would be moved.
Pador family acting patriarch.
The perfect man without flaw.
Ian Pador.
Ralph's father, the object of all admiration.
Yes, I used to be like that too. I trusted and believed in this man more than anyone.
Whenever troubled, I sought him out; in danger, I called his name before Father's.
That's what he was to me...
But now, I would never trust him again.
"Yes, thank you, Uncle."
He was an executive of the Evil Society.
The mastermind behind the family's downfall.