Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: The City of Morning and Evening
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Hatem Goodspring, the current head of the Goodspring family, was not a man with a strong attachment to his children like the Iron-Blooded Duke.
As befitting the lineage of a Great Family, he focused on exterminating the cult, but if asked whether he was as proactive as Bednicker, the answer would be no.
His political position?
He maintained favorable relations with the Imperial Family and the central nobility, but that was merely to keep the Bednickers in check, not out of any ulterior motives.
So, what was Hatem Goodspring's long-held wish?
What on earth did this man desire?
The answer was simple.
To surpass the Bednickers.
Just a few decades ago, the Bednickers were called a "declining prestigious family," a "setting sun," or, in cruder terms, has-beens.
Meanwhile, the Goodsprings' influence was so great it stood shoulder to shoulder with the Imperial Family.
Not anymore.
Of course, it wasn't to the point where one could say the roles had completely reversed, but no citizen of the empire would place the Goodsprings above the Bednickers any longer. The opposite, perhaps, but never that.
Was this the flow of the times?
Were the Goodsprings, though still robust, destined to wane in the near future?
Hatem did not think so.
This situation was created by one single person.
The Iron-Blooded Duke, Delac C. Bednicker.
Acquiring the most Blessings in history, subjugating a Jewel Beast, graduating early from the academy, succeeding the position of Family Head at the youngest age, being granted a middle name by the Imperial Family, earning a title as a duke, hunting demons, purging the High Priest…
His explosive deeds drew the attention of the masses, and those who initially felt only fear soon found it replaced by awe.
The Iron-Blooded Duke Delac was too free-spirited to be a typical Family Head.
And he was far too cruel to be called a hero.
However, everyone had to acknowledge his achievements, and before long, his infinite hatred for demons began to feel reassuring.
The public now understood.
That cruel man's hand would never be turned against them.
Indeed, the Iron-Blooded Duke's natural charisma was not something that could be imitated.
- "I allowed the Bednickers to overtake us during my era, so I will right this wrong before I retire."
This was a phrase Hatem Goodspring often uttered, known only to a very small fraction of his family.
Was it the influence of such an atmosphere?
Most members of the Goodspring family disliked the Bednickers.
Most of them, that is.
***
I realized it as I was beating him up.
He was unusually sturdy.
A naturally strong constitution, perhaps?
You rarely see someone like this.
The strange thing was, a man with such a physique should have been much more robustly built.
Nabi's frame was on the smaller side, even considering he was still growing.
In any case, the fact that he was tough was clear, so I beat him up without holding back.
Separately, he didn't seem to have much tolerance for pain, but that wasn't surprising.
Even in his duel with Hector, he lost because he couldn't endure the pain of a kick to the shin, leaving an opening.
“……”
“……”
I sat on a rock, looking down at Nabi, who was seated in a formal posture.
As a night breeze blew past, his body shivered.
“Cold?”
“N-No, sir.”
“You have every reason to be. Winter’s almost over, but the night air is still chilly. It’s probably even colder since we’re near the lake.”
“Y-Yes, sir…”
I quietly observed Nabi's face.
Just moments ago, it had been swollen, but the swelling was already going down.
It wasn't a Blessing; it seemed to be one of his physical traits.
“Nabi.”
“Yes, sir…”
“I know you guys have some shady scheme. Using Seren as a pretext was just an excuse.”
“……”
“I won’t ask about the details. I’m not really that curious, to be honest. I may be a Bednicker, but I’m not interested in inter-family squabbles.”
Truthfully, I found the Goodsprings, who were busy checking each other while the cult existed as a common enemy, utterly pathetic…
But this kid seemed to have pride in his family, so I didn't voice those inner thoughts.
“That guy, Butter, was just a temporary guardian, and the one those young members from your territory were actually following was you, right?”
“Th-That's right, sir…”
“We’ll be at the capital soon. Let’s just keep things quiet for the rest of the trip. A peaceful and pleasant carriage ride to the capital. Sounds good, doesn't it?”
“S-Sounds good, sir…”
I patted Nabi’s shoulder and said.
“How old are you?”
“…Fourteen, sir.”
“You’re only two years younger than me. You can speak comfortably.”
“N-No, sir.”
“It’s really fine.”
“I’m really fine too, sir…! This is more comfortable…!”
Nabi replied in a somewhat dazed tone.
If he said he was more comfortable this way, there was no need to force him, so I nodded.
“Alright. Anyway, you can go now, but walk around a bit to let the swelling go down before you head back. No need to make Butter suspicious.”
“……”
“What are you doing? I said you can go.”
Nabi didn't get up easily.
Did I beat him too hard? I didn't touch his legs.
“You… are truly strong, sir.”
Sir?
For some reason, his way of speaking reminded me of Karon.
Nabi looked at me with a complex expression and continued.
“…Most of Goodspring was focused on the eldest son, Hero Bednicker, but the Iron-Blooded Duke was using that to hide a dagger. He is a terrifying man indeed.”
His speech had returned to normal, as if the inside of his mouth had already healed.
That was almost the same level of regeneration I had when I was training the Flame Arts of the Greatest on the Spirit Mountain.
“…What dagger?”
“No. This is the first time I’ve been so helpless since I faced Brother Butter. I don't think I could win even if I fully unleashed the power of my divine beast.”
“Is that so.”
Nabi's expression suddenly turned resolute as he spoke.
“I’ve changed my mind. If there is a man like you, sir, then I don't need to go out of my way to take her.”
“Take who? You mean Seren?”
“That’s right.”
A hint of bitterness tinged Nabi's tone.
“You must have your reasons for hiding your strength, sir. Therefore, I will forget what I saw today.”
“……”
From my perspective, it didn't really matter whether Nabi reported to Butter or not…
But if I had to choose, it was better to keep it hidden for a little longer. It would keep the annoying flies away.
“Instead, may I ask for one favor?”
“To look after Seren, something like that?”
“…Yes.”
It wasn't unexpected.
Butter might be different, but this kid's eyes were full of goodwill whenever he looked at Seren.
“Well… She’s the type to handle things on her own, even without me looking out for her. You should know that well, being her younger brother.”
“That’s true. Still, you never know what might happen.”
I nodded and said.
“I owe her a lot in many ways. If she seems to need help, I'll help, but I have no intention of interfering excessively.”
“That is more than enough.”
Nabi let out a breath as if relieved, then shivered and rose to his feet.
It seemed he was about to leave.
Feeling like I wanted to enjoy the night air a little longer, I turned my gaze to the lake.
“…Then, Big Bro Ruan, please take good care of Sister Seren.”
With those last words, Nabi's presence faded into the distance. Around that time, the moon, which had been hidden by clouds, revealed itself.
‘It was a full moon.’
The lake, bathed in moonlight, finally showed its gently flowing surface. It felt as if time, which had stood still, was flowing again.
I stared at the lake, mesmerized, for a while before muttering to myself.
“…Sister?”
***
From the next day on, the young members of Goodspring became noticeably quieter.
They no longer picked fights with veiled provocations or clung to every word.
Nabi had kept his promise.
“What’s up with them all of a sudden?”
“Did something happen…?”
“See, ignoring them was the answer. They got tired since we didn't react.”
The young members, freed from stress, breathed sighs of relief.
On the other hand, there were a few who sent me peculiar glances.
Hector, Karon, and Seren.
“……”
I ignored their looks. It was too much of a hassle to explain the situation.
Besides, I was currently enjoying my training with the divine beast's power. Once I got the hang of it, my progress was swift.
“Your talent is truly remarkable… At this rate, you may be the youngest to reach the stage of Ascension.”
Coming from Arjan, who never offered empty praise, it seemed my progress was indeed fast, even accounting for the advantages Lise had given me.
Ah.
I also found out exactly how my appearance changed during Beastification.
“Aside from your pupils, your hair has become a little darker.”
“Hm?”
“And your skin has taken on a slightly coppery tone.”
“Hmm…”
“It will probably become more distinct as your stage advances.”
Black hair, coppery skin, and slit pupils… Coincidentally, it was a perfect match for the characteristics of an ancient dark elf.
I hadn't turned into a lizardman, but it didn't feel like a particularly positive change.
“I wish I had grown horns like you… That would have been cool.”
At my complaint, Arjan let out a low chuckle.
In any case, time passed without any other incidents…
Exactly one week after leaving the main estate.
We finally entered the Imperial Capital.
***
During my days as a mercenary in the south.
There was a song I heard until my ears were sore.
City of the dawn.
Where hope always beckons.
City of the twilight.
Where even darkness flees.
City of tomorrow.
To which I will surely return.
The Capital!
Oh, Capital—.
The eternal and immortal, City of Morning and Evening…
A song you could hear in any tavern in the south.
A song that drunken bards and mercenaries would bellow with their arms around each other's shoulders.
It wasn't strange for such a song to be popular in the south.
As the most barren and dangerous land in the empire, it was home to many who especially yearned for the capital.
I was one of them, actually.
Though I was a noble, I had never been to the capital, so I secretly nurtured a sense of longing while listening to those lyrics.
And seeing the capital with my own two eyes delivered a shock so profound it made me completely forget the song I had heard hundreds of time.
“Whoa…”
“What a magnificent sight.”
Could it be even larger than the Forest of Nabi, whose vastness I still couldn't fathom?
The city, spreading out radially from a majestic reddish-brown castle, seemed large enough to be a country in its own right, at least from my limited perspective.
Even looking down from a fairly high hill, I couldn't see its end.
The surrounding walls were not only tall but also thicker than any I had ever seen…
Dozens of river streams crisscrossing through it formed a spectacular view.
The Twilight River.
I had heard that around sunset, the river glowed with a color more beautiful than the most expensive wine.
As the Imperial Family's symbol was red hair, red was fundamentally the most sacred color in this country, followed by orange, which symbolized the sun.
That was why among the empire's seven great mages of color, the Red Mage held the position of leader.
In any case, we descended the hill and soon reached the grand entrance gate of the capital.
*Murmur-*
The entrance was bustling with people, but naturally, we didn't use the gate for common citizens.
After all, most of us were of noble blood.
We passed through the gate and set foot in the city.
“I-I've never seen a road this wide in my life.”
It was no wonder Evan sounded so astonished.
The Bednicker carriage was not small by any means, yet it moved along this road with plenty of room to spare.
In any other city, a carriage of this size would have drawn everyone's attention…
But to the citizens of this city, it wasn't such a surprising sight, and we barely attracted any notice.
At most, a few people who recognized the Bednicker crest were seen whispering among themselves.
“Is-Is it a festival? There are so many people!”
“If you get lost here, you’d be wandering for a week…”
“What’s that? It looks delicious…!”
“Ah! A giant just passed by!”
Country bumpkins setting foot in the capital for the first time.
Evan, Karis, Mir, and Pam were practically glued to the windows, their eyes darting everywhere.
On the other hand, high-ranking nobles like Hector, Seren, Charles, and Zeros seemed accustomed to it…
Karon had looked surprised when he first saw the capital from above, but now he seemed uninterested.
As for me…
“Karis! Move your head! Wow, that building has to be over ten stories tall!”
I was, for all intents and purposes, on the country bumpkin side.
It couldn't be helped.
As I said, this was my first time in the capital too!
They say your eyes will pop out of your head when you first come to the capital, and now I understood what that meant.
If I had my way, I'd forget about the academy and everything else and just spend a week thoroughly touring the capital.
Of course, the Bednicker carriage sped along the road, leaving the bustling city scenery behind.
How long did we travel through the city's interior?
Just as the country bumpkins were starting to peel themselves away from the windows and calm down a bit…
[Successor.]
The Martial God made his presence known for the first time in a while.
[Where is this place? I sense a familiar presence…]
Feeling that he had been speaking to me more frequently lately, I replied.
‘This is the Imperial Capital.’
[The Imperial Capital…]
The Martial God paused, then asked.
[In that case… is this perhaps the land where the Nameless King slumbers?]