Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Conflicting Values
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***
I recounted the story of my last duel in considerable detail.
Their curiosity led them to ask questions along the way, so my explanation grew even longer as I went into the specifics.
And their reaction… was far more enthusiastic than I'd expected.
“...Hoh. So you anticipated his move and thrust your spear, forcing a draw in the end.”
“The very fact that you could predict it means you read Leonhardt’s swordsmanship, doesn't it!?”
I gave an awkward nod at their heated words.
It wasn't pure talent or skill on my part that had led to the draw.
The moment I lost track of his movements, Leonhardt’s habit had suddenly come to mind, and I had merely thrust my spear out instinctively.
“I think I was just very lucky. If the trajectory had been off even slightly, it would have been my loss.”
Looking back, that single instinctive judgment had changed my entire future.
By thrusting my spear in anticipation, I had secured a draw, and my reputation had skyrocketed.
That was likely the main reason Dersen and Rachel had sought me out.
“Even if it was luck, as Rachel said, you were the one who thrust the spear, Han Cheon-seong.”
“That’s right. Thrusting the spear was an action you decided on and took yourself. I don’t think you need to dismiss it as luck and consider the outcome a loss.”
Despite my words, the two of them continued to hold me in high regard.
I could now feel their interest and fascination were even deeper than when they had first stopped me.
“I’m flattered that you both think so highly of me.”
To be clear, the situation itself wasn't bad.
The atmosphere was far more amicable than I had imagined.
But I couldn't help but wonder if this was right. These were people who were originally supposed to connect with Leonhardt.
For me to form a bond with them before Leonhardt felt strangely off.
‘...Am I overthinking this?’
This whole situation just felt odd.
It was as if the spotlight that should have been on Leonhardt for his achievements was shining on me instead.
There was Luna, the heroine, and Kalli, who was supposed to be a great help to his growth.
It felt like every figure who should have been involved with Leonhardt was now focused on me.
‘That shouldn’t be happening.’
Leonhardt was the ‘protagonist’ who had to overcome all the trials and tribulations this world would face.
He had to be considered the most important person in the world.
Only if Leonhardt grew properly would everything that was to come unfold as it should.
“...Han Cheon-seong?”
Her voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I blankly lifted my head.
“Ah, my apologies.”
“No need to apologize. You seemed to be lost in deep thought... Is something troubling you?”
“That’s right. What were you thinking about so intently?”
I shook my head awkwardly.
“It’s nothing. I seem to have gotten lost in thought and was rude.”
“If that’s all, it’s fine. We’ve been talking for quite a while, so it’s understandable if you’re tired.”
“...If you really are worried or having a hard time, please tell us. As thanks for spending time with us, I’d like to help if I can.”
...Rachel’s words made me pause.
—*As thanks for spending time with us, I’d like to help if I can.*
Rachel’s words seemed like a simple gesture of goodwill, but they were also the very words that were supposed to form the strongest connection with Leonhardt.
“Thank you for the offer, but I’m truly fine. It was a great honor and a pleasure to meet you both today.”
I continued speaking calmly, swallowing the sigh that threatened to escape.
My thoughts seemed to spiral endlessly. In truth, if I looked at it simply, it was nothing.
The cause and effect of this situation were clear.
My reputation had risen, and as a result, the royalty had taken an interest in me. That was all.
“Is that so? Well, today was quite a pleasant time. It was interesting to hear about spearmanship.”
“Wait, Brother, are you... ending things with Han Cheon-seong already?”
“It’s dinnertime. It’s about time we parted ways.”
“We can have dinner together. I think it would be fine to spend a little more time with him……”
As Dersen and Rachel spoke, their conversation revolving around me, I felt a sense of relief for some reason.
Their reactions were completely different from how they first treated Leonhardt.
Dersen had been openly wary of Leonhardt, trying to find fault with him at every turn to belittle him, but the Dersen I faced was not that person.
Though he had tested me with a cold demeanor at first, I could now feel him looking at me with favor and goodwill.
‘Right. It’s very different...’
Just because I was associating with them didn't mean the interest meant for Leonhardt would simply vanish.
I had just encountered them sooner. Yes, that was all.
“Han Cheon-seong. What about you? Do you wish to have dinner with us? If you do, I suppose it would be fine.”
I immediately shook my head at Dersen’s calm question.
Receiving this much favor was enough for now.
“It’s all right. I’ll have dinner when I return.”
“...I see. What a shame. Rachel, you heard him, didn’t you?”
“Brother. Aren’t you forcing his answer? Who would say yes to dinner when you ask like that?”
“Rachel. How am I forcing anything?”
Dersen let out a dry laugh and met my gaze, and I played along as he wished.
“It’s not forced at all. I was just about to head back anyway. Staying any longer would be a burden on me, in fact.”
Rachel’s attitude toward me was unusually familiar, lacking any sense of distance.
And that would surely bother Dersen.
No matter how much favor Dersen held for me, Rachel was always his top priority.
“……”
Seeing Rachel looking at me silently, I gave a faint smile and slowly shook my head.
Her gaze seemed to urge me to say I'd have dinner with them after all, but anything more would truly be too much for me.
These were people who would soon be involved with Leonhardt, and I didn't want them to place high expectations on me.
Regardless of my confidence, getting involved with royalty now was too much.
“Then, I will take my leave. It was meaningful to have been able to spend this time with you.”
As I said that, Dersen broke into a wide smile.
“Yes. It was a great pleasure speaking with you as well.”
When I offered to leave on my own, Dersen looked at me as if he was truly pleased, and strangely, that put me at ease.
This level of distance between us was just right.
A relationship where we held a mutual liking and thought no ill of each other, but were not too close either.
“I also enjoyed our conversation today. Melua, please see Han Cheon-seong out.”
At Rachel’s reluctant words, the woman called Melua began to guide me out.
…
*Click.*
As I walked alongside the maid named Melua, my gaze drifted to her.
A woman with short, dark blue hair, a shade deeper than Glacia’s. She had an air of elegance that seemed out of place for a maid.
‘Is she a noble?’
While one might think of maids as common servants or handmaidens, in this world, maids were nobles at the very least.
Furthermore, a maid serving royalty would have to come from a high-ranking family, at least a count's. It was only natural; someone of insignificant status couldn't possibly stay by the side of royalty or high nobility.
Even the maids who had helped me bathe and dress today must have been nobles.
As we walked in silence, our eyes met.
“...”
“...”
In the strange silence, I wondered if she had something to say to me.
“Do you have any questions for me?”
She asked as if reading my mind, but I calmly shook my head.
“No. I must have been staring. I apologize.”
“...There is no need to apologize. I was merely wondering if you had something to say.”
At her calm voice, I calmly turned my gaze away.
...I should stop thinking.
Perhaps because of the constant tension from facing royalty, I was mentally exhausted and didn't want to think anymore.
***
In the private room, after Cheon-seong and Melua had left.
Rachel let out a long sigh, her eyes narrowing.
“...Brother.”
“What is it?”
Unlike when Cheon-seong had been present, her tone was sharp, making Dersen flinch.
“What is wrong with you?”
“What did I do? We spent nearly two hours with Han Cheon-seong. That should be enough.”
Dersen replied calmly, meeting Rachel's gaze without flinching, which made her scoff.
“It wasn’t that it was time to part ways; you drove him out, didn’t you? Just like last time?”
“Rachel. I’ll say it again, that’s a misunderstanding. I did not pressure him in any way.”
“What do you mean you didn’t pressure him? To me, it looked like you were glaring at him to take a hint and leave.”
As Rachel continued her sharp retorts, Dersen’s brow furrowed deeply.
“That wasn’t my intention. Yes, Han Cheon-seong was fine. After speaking with him directly, I found his character and his attitude toward us were impeccable. But Rachel, isn't there a vast, unbridgeable gap between him and us? There’s no reason for us to associate with him.”
Despite Dersen’s persuasive tone, Rachel only felt frustrated.
‘...No reason to associate with him.’
Her brother’s words made her heart ache with frustration.
This world is changing.
And it has been for a long time. Even if the imperial authority remains, clinging to status is a one-dimensional way of thinking.
Countless commoners have already made names for themselves, and even more have proven their worth beyond their station through their traits and talents.
Besides, news of how precarious the front lines are arrives daily.
In that sense, a student like Han Cheon-seong was well worth getting to know.
Even though he was a commoner with a Common trait, his potential for growth seemed limitless.
“Brother, if you think like that, who could possibly associate with us? How many people are there who can stand as equals with us, the imperial family?”
“The children of ducal and marquis houses, for a start. And besides them, there are the influential ‘Pillars of the Empire’ and high-ranking mages, aren’t there? Considering our dignity, we must be careful about whom we associate with.”
Seeing her brother’s expression harden as he replied to her words, she thought he was being a fool.
Her brother was too steeped in outdated ideas. With that mindset, he could never embrace a wider range of people.
It was absurd that her brother, who would one day ascend to the supreme position of emperor, viewed people with such a narrow perspective.
‘Why can’t he see that an inherited bloodline isn’t everything?’
Even among royalty, there are the incompetent and those who fall behind, wasting their days.
The same was true for other nobles.
Everyone wishes to be exceptional, but that isn't reality.
“……”
Meeting her brother’s stubborn gaze, she felt she was truly getting fed up.
‘Why.’
Why can’t my brother realize it?
A few months ago, after his Legendary trait was revealed, her brother had begun to place even greater importance on bloodline, a change she viewed with great displeasure.
“...Brother. Let’s eat dinner separately tonight.”
“Rachel!”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She spat the words out coldly and rose from her seat.
*Clack.*
*Clack.*
As she walked out, the student named Han Cheon-seong suddenly came to mind.
The student who had remained calm and unintimidated while facing them.
He was clearly a talent.
A rare and undeniable talent, at that.
Despite having spoken with him for hours, her brother had failed to recognize Han Cheon-seong’s true worth.
"..."
And that, truly…
was utterly disappointing.