Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: A Precarious Path
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“Better to roll around like a dog for a year than to be cooped up training for ten.”
That was one of the favorite sayings of my master, Baek Rogwang, the World’s Greatest.
A more cliché way to put it would be the adage, ‘No growth without hardship.’
Of course, my master taught me to see hardship not merely as an obstacle in life, but as ‘an event that can serve as motivation.’
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“The value of a lesson depends more on the attitude of the listener than the speaker. What good is the world’s most precious advice if the one hearing it lets it go in one ear and out the other?”
“You’re getting off track again…”
Normally, my master would have smacked me on the head, but for some reason, he just smiled that day and continued.
“It means a person can become anything they set their mind to. Talent is secondary.”
“…”
“A clear goal. An unwavering mindset. These are not things you can obtain just by wanting or wishing for them. A person who loses their entire family doesn't necessarily become an avenger, and failure and despair don't always become the foundation for success. I, too, have seen countless types of people while staying here, and I've learned that a person’s destiny is not something that can be calculated.”
My master’s words were both ambiguous and strangely persuasive.
And I was living proof of that.
“Sometimes, I envy the weak. They don’t have to seek out hardship.”
“…”
“So, youngest, don’t rush. Enjoy being weak while you can.”
My master wanted to end the conversation there, but I had more I wanted to ask.
His last statement was steeped in experience.
It was the kind of advice one could only give after having lived it, after having realized it firsthand.
Did that mean my master had also faced hardship?
When I asked, my master smiled and told me an old story.
It was astonishing.
My master, Baek Rogwang, the World’s Greatest.
He began as a slave.
* * *
The Jewel Mountains.
One of the Empire’s four forbidden zones.
As she set foot in that perilous place, Arjan Winter was struck by a renewed sense of wonder.
Why am I here?
‘Is it because of my master’s command?’
That was likely the most valid reason.
The master of the estate—Lucia Bednicker—had said it herself. Please take good care of Ruan Bednicker.
She was a woman who deserved respect.
Of course, her public image was not good.
She was one of the Iron-Blooded Duke’s many wives, but her influence within the Bednicker family was nonexistent.
And though she was of a fallen kingdom’s bloodline, she was now treated as little more than a ruined noble from the frontier.
This meant that, unlike the other wives, she received not a shred of support from her maternal family.
Typically, to wield influence in the Bednicker family, the achievements of one’s offspring were paramount.
But Lucia’s only child had become a poster boy for a lack of talent, ridiculed not only by the Bednickers but by all the Great Families.
The Bednickers, known as one of the two wings of the Empire.
The most prestigious of the current Great Families.
Arjan couldn't even begin to imagine the scorn Lucia must have endured.
Yet, Lucia never broke.
Even when she wore clothes as worn as a maid’s, her conduct was still full of dignity, and she never lost her grace even when her meals consisted of bread and soup.
Perhaps Arjan admired her for that very reason.
For Lucia, who, despite being in a similar situation, had not given up.
It was also true that she had held some interest and expectation for Lucia’s only child.
But the moment she met him, those expectations had been shattered to pieces.
“Wait, just a…”
Arjan stopped in her tracks.
The knight walking ahead of her did the same, turning back with a look that said, ‘Again?’
There stood Ruan Bednicker, completely drenched in sweat.
“Let’s… rest, just a bit… haah…”
“Understood.”
The moment Osel gave his reluctant permission, Ruan collapsed onto the dirt ground.
“Hoo, haah…!”
He was of Bednicker blood, so why was this?
This boy possessed neither his father’s dignity nor his mother’s grace.
The only resemblance was in his appearance.
Though even those handsome features didn't exactly shine while he was sprawled out on the ground.
Watching Ruan pant like an old man on his deathbed, the knights muttered amongst themselves.
“He’s slower than I thought.”
“At this rate, we might not make it in time.”
“Unbelievable. Is that really the Family Head’s…”
The words were almost whispers, but they weren't spoken that quietly.
Arjan glanced at Ruan, but his expression didn't change, as if he hadn't heard.
“Young Master, are you alright?”
“Yes. I’ll be fine… after a little more rest.”
It sounded like bravado, but it was the truth.
Strangely, though he panted as if on the verge of death, he would recover quickly and press on.
Was it because he didn't want to be a burden?
Or was it a matter of pride?
Only Ruan knew the answer…
But for now, Arjan was impressed with him.
She knew the extent of this troublemaking young master’s stamina.
His body was steeped in a year of indolence and debauchery.
Even a simple run would have been difficult for him, yet here he was, keeping pace with knights on a mountain trail.
Though he took breaks in between, it meant Ruan was showing an unexpected level of grit.
Of course, the knights, unaware of these circumstances, simply shot him pathetic looks.
‘Why did he suddenly change?’
As the estate’s butler and Ruan’s teacher, Arjan had tried tirelessly to correct the thoughtless young master.
Most of her efforts had been in vain, and about two weeks ago, she had even committed an act of rudeness unthinkable for a servant.
Two weeks.
From what she’d heard, Ruan had changed about a week ago.
Right after he had fainted and woken up, they said.
‘…Could it be?’
Had her teachings finally taken effect?
The thought left Arjan with a slightly strange feeling.
It might have been getting ahead of herself, but she felt a small sense of accomplishment at having achieved a meaningful result as an educator.
“Hoo… alright. Shall we go again?”
In the meantime, Ruan had sprung to his feet.
The sweat on him hadn't even dried, but he seemed to have recovered some of his energy.
Or perhaps he was simply putting on a brave face.
As a servant of the estate, Arjan couldn't overlook that possibility.
“Young Master, you may rest a while longer.”
“Hmm? I can’t do that. What if we don’t make it in time?”
So he had heard the knights’ gossip.
“It is alright. If it comes to it, I can assist you.”
“Assist me?”
“I will carry you on my back.”
“…That’s a bit much.”
Ruan made a face of disgust and then spoke.
“For now, let’s keep going. I think I can make it until lunch without another break.”
“Are you serious?”
This time, the question came not from Arjan, but from Osel.
“Of course. I’m starting to get used to the mountain path.”
Osel smirked, and the other knights reacted with similar derision.
This time, there was no question of whether he had heard.
They had laughed at him openly.
Yet, Ruan’s expression remained unchanged, and in that moment, Arjan felt that sense of incongruity again.
The Ruan she knew had no tolerance for such insults.
“Then we will proceed to the next checkpoint without a break. If you find you can move no further, the butler will assist you.”
“I understand.”
How long was it until lunchtime?
Arjan pulled a watch from her pocket and realized there were still more than two hours to go.
‘This will be difficult.’
Even if Ruan displayed unexpected grit, an hour would be his limit.
His body wouldn't be able to take any more than that.
Arjan pondered.
How could she assist him without hurting his pride?
He seemed to dislike the idea of being carried, so what about supporting him? Or perhaps speaking in a slightly more forceful tone. If only she had learned magic for times like these…
…But in the end, such worries proved to be useless.
Arjan was the first to realize it.
It was only natural, as she had been keeping a close eye on the frail young master who looked like he could collapse at any moment.
“Haah, hook…”
Ruan was panting just as before.
An abnormal amount of steam was rising from his body, and judging by his complexion, he looked ready to faint.
‘Just a little longer.’
Arjan planned to intervene the moment Ruan reached his limit, say, just before he stumbled and fell.
Even Ruan would surely accept help if it meant not planting his face in the dirt.
But something was strange.
Ruan wasn't collapsing.
He looked precarious, as if he could fall at any moment, yet he kept walking.
He’ll fall any second now. This must be his limit.
As she thought this, an hour had already passed.
Her hands, poised to reach out, felt useless. Ruan did not stop.
It was around then that the knights began to feel something was off.
They had expected him to be relying on Arjan by now, but they exchanged surprised glances upon seeing him still walking on his own.
“Young Master, are you alright?”
Arjan asked again.
Ruan, as if lacking the energy to reply, simply gave a slight nod.
If you are struggling, please tell me—Arjan was about to add, but she closed her mouth.
For some reason, she felt he would take those words as an insult.
In any case, with Ruan no longer a piece of luggage but a silent marcher, their progress was unimpeded.
For the first time in a while, they advanced swiftly, picking up their pace.
Their unimpeded march came to a halt before the two hours were up, before the lunch break Osel had mentioned.
The terrain had changed.
Looking around, Arjan asked in a bewildered voice.
“Is this the only way?”
“It is.”
It was a cliffside.
The space to place one’s feet was extremely narrow, and below, a dizzying precipice stretched out.
Arjan instinctively glanced back, and her eyes met Ruan’s.
Still panting, Ruan gestured with his chin.
“What are you doing? Let’s go.”
“Will you be alright?”
“Of course. I’ve run paths like this a thousand times.”
It was the first Ruan-like boast in a while.
Arjan swallowed a groan, but there was no other choice.
Only the knights knew the paths of the Jewel Mountains.
Instead, they adjusted their positions slightly.
Previously, Ruan had been following from the safest position at the rear, but now, two knights were placed behind him.
It was a measure to handle any unforeseen circumstances.
*Crumble…*
The moment they took the first step, pieces of stone tumbled down below.
The knights looked at Ruan and spoke.
“That’s one heck of a drop.”
“Be careful, Young Master. A misstep won’t just end with a broken bone or two.”
It was hard to tell if they were genuinely concerned or being sarcastic.
Arjan had never been good at discerning such things.
At least, judging by Ruan’s expression, he didn't seem to have taken it as sarcasm.
With a sigh, Arjan also began to walk again.
At that moment, a crumbling sound came from behind her.
When Arjan whipped around, she saw Ruan falling toward the precipice.
It had happened in the blink of an eye.
“Young Master!”
I’m too late.
Even as she reached out, Arjan thought it.
But the falling Ruan suddenly shot out his hand with the speed of lightning.
For a moment, it looked as if flames had erupted from his hand.
*Thwack!*
And Ruan’s hand gripped a jagged outcrop of the rock wall.
He hadn't fallen; he was dangling precariously from the cliff face.
“Are you alright? I’ll—”
“Stop! It’ll collapse!”
At Osel’s words, she withdrew her outstretched hand.
She could clearly see cracks in the rock. A clumsy attempt to help could send them all falling.
‘But…’
It was a considerable height, but if she wrapped herself around Ruan as they fell, they wouldn't die.
Injury would be unavoidable, though.
“I told you to stop. Are you trying to get us all killed?”
Osel warned again in a low voice.
“You exaggerate. It is high, but not so high that a fall would be fatal.”
“True. But you wouldn't escape injury. You may not know this, Butler, but the area below is a danger zone. And we don't know the way back up.”
“So you’re suggesting we just let the Young Master die?”
“That’s enough, Butler.”
It was Ruan’s voice.
Drenched in sweat and trembling, he looked so precarious that it seemed he might disappear over the edge at any moment.
In that state, Ruan spoke calmly.
“I’ll climb up myself, so just get ready to run.”
“What?”
The next moment, Ruan’s body shot upward.