Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: The Little Lord
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Returning to my room, I saw a familiar face.
“Brother?”
“…Mm.”
Was he organizing his things?
Hector, turning his head only halfway, acknowledged me.
I hung my coat on the rack and spoke.
“It's been hard to see you. Where have you been sleeping?”
“…There's a break room in the martial arts hall. I've been staying there for a few days. Sorry for not telling you sooner. I was so focused, I didn't want to break my flow.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. Just don't overdo it.”
“Right.”
I glanced at Hector's back for a moment.
The side of his face I glimpsed was slightly swollen.
“…”
I'm something of an expert at beating people up, so I could tell.
Those aren't injuries from simple sparring. Sometimes, you can feel the malice in a person just by looking at their wounds, and this was one of those times.
I scratched the back of my neck and said.
“The night air is nice. I think I'll go for a walk.”
“At this hour?”
“I've always liked wandering around at night. You can go to sleep first, Brother. Finish up your packing.”
“Is that so.”
I grabbed my coat again and left the room.
Just before the door closed, Hector spoke in a suppressed voice.
“Ruan.”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you.”
I let out a small laugh and closed the door.
“Don't mention it.”
* * *
The next day.
The day of Professor Alec's class finally arrived.
Thanks to all the wandering I'd done over the past few days, I was now quite familiar with the academy grounds. Of course, there were still many areas I hadn't seen yet...
It meant I could now get around on my own.
It felt a bit much to bring Keian and Arjan along just for one class, so these days, I mostly moved alone.
I'd heard that accompanying servants also had the right to attend classes, so I told the two of them they could sit in on any subjects they were interested in.
Keian politely declined with a smile, while Arjan expressed her gratitude. From her attitude, it seemed there was a class she wanted to take.
I was a little curious, but I felt it would be uncool to pry, so I kept my mouth shut.
Even if they were my servants, I didn't want to invade their privacy.
Anyway, it was time for class.
“Ah, hello!”
“Hello.”
I waved to Glen, whom I hadn't seen in a while.
My goal today was not to part ways immediately after class, but to grab a meal with this guy and, if possible, establish a way to contact him.
Of course, I couldn't just bring it up the moment we met.
Aside from being timid, he seemed perceptive, and I didn't want to arouse any unnecessary suspicion.
‘Hmm.’
…In any case, the lecture hall was unusually quiet today.
It was because Talis and his damn friends, who usually occupied the back seats, were absent...
After getting put in his place by Evan yesterday, his pride must have been crushed. I figured he might take a few days off.
Creeak—.
Just then, the door opened, and Alec appeared, right on time for class today.
Alec looked at the two of us seated, nodded without a greeting.
“Let's begin the class.”
The lecture began in a quiet atmosphere.
I don't know if it was just my imagination, but he seemed more sincere than in the last class, and our eyes even met occasionally.
Had he had a change of heart over the last few days?
While focusing on Alec's lecture, I also pondered how to coax the man into giving me his exploration journal.
Anyway.
Proving that the change I sensed wasn't a delusion, Alec spoke up ten minutes before the end of class.
“That's all for today's lesson. Are there any questions?”
“...!”
Glen gasped, slightly surprised.
From his reaction, it seemed this was the first time Alec had held a question-and-answer session.
“If not—.”
“Professor!”
Glen spoke up urgently.
“What are your thoughts on the Cult?”
Alec's gaze turned to Glen.
“I assume you're not referring to the 72 Sects or the Sun Cult, but the Dark Cult?”
“Y-Yes, that's right.”
Alec continued in his characteristically emotionless voice.
“The Empire's main enemy and a group of doomsayers. A clear hostile force that all citizens of the Empire recognize, but in truth, a group whose identity is more obscure than any other mystical faction. Does that answer your question?”
“…I wasn't asking for the common perception of the Cult.”
Glen shook his head slightly.
The eyes behind his glasses looked unfamiliar.
The prince stared directly at the professor with burning eyes.
“I'm curious about what *you* think of the Cult, Professor.”
“…”
“You once said, Professor, that the Cult's main method of recruitment is to incite fear.”
“…‘A sailor facing a tidal wave will sometimes throw himself into the sea.’ It's an old saying, but its meaning is often misunderstood today. The one who jumps into the sea isn't driven mad by fear. The real reason is.”
“To become the tidal wave. So they no longer have to tremble in fear.”
Glen finished the sentence, and after a slight pause, Alec continued.
“…The Cult's scriptures of malice describe the ninety-nine apocalypses that humanity will face, and their twisted doctrine contaminates the minds of those who hear it. Then, they approach someone who has been driven sufficiently mad and whisper.”
—Will you join us?
In a way, it's a classic method of turning a victim into a perpetrator...
But the Cult's method goes one step further. It's far more insidious and vicious.
I don't believe the Cult uses only fear.
The tool they wield even better than fear is madness.
The people you should avoid most in this world are the insane.
And the most terrifying are those who know how to handle the insane.
Therefore, from my perspective, the Dark Cult is the most dangerous of them all.
“I have a fundamental question. It's the fact that they call themselves a religion, of all things. A group that cannot exist without faith.”
“What are you trying to say?”
Glen hesitated for a moment before asking.
“Professor, is the Cult truly simple evil?”
“…”
A sharp intake of breath.
Not just me, but even Alec's eyes sharpened as he listened.
“—Your Highness.”
Alec said in a changed tone.
“While status is not important here at the academy, I urge you to be more aware of your position.”
“I'm saying this precisely because you are my professor. Because here at this academy, no one is more convinced of the Empire's downfall than you, Professor Alec.”
A growing fervor crept into Glen's voice.
In that moment, I saw a glimpse of the Alec who had spoken so passionately about Spirit Mountain.
I saw a glimpse of madness.
“Many are mistaken, but for the Cult, the Empire's destruction is by no means the final destination. It is merely a waypoint. I want to know. After the fall of the Nameless Empire, how will the Cult act? Since they wish for destruction, will they all choose to take their own lives?”
“…”
“I don't think so. They have a hidden, true purpose. I... I want to know what it is. Even if…”
Glen fell silent, closing his mouth.
The raging storm of madness subsided slightly.
But I, and probably Alec too.
It wasn't hard to predict what Glen would say next.
—Even if it means becoming a member of the Cult.
Diiing—.
The bell rang.
* * *
Class ended, and Professor Alec left.
Alec said he would see us again in three days.
His tone suggested he would be holding classes regularly for a while.
—I'll pretend I didn't hear today's exchange.
Alec said that just before leaving... and Glen didn't reply.
And now, he had reverted to his usual timid self.
As someone who had heard the entire conversation from right beside him, I felt as if I'd just woken from a dream.
I looked at Glen sitting on the bench.
His eyes behind the glasses stared into the void with the lifelessness of a frozen sun.
I sat down next to him and asked bluntly.
“Are you a member of the Cult?”
“…”
We sat side by side for a moment, taking in the scenery of Cartel Academy.
I could see the young sprouts absorbed in their studies under the pouring sunlight.
It was a scene someone could paint just as it was and title it [Peace].
Glen asked an out-of-the-blue question.
“Do you like the color red?”
“I don't dislike it.”
To me, red is the color of inspiration, reminding me of the sun or flames.
Of course, that's not what Glen meant when he asked.
“I... hate it. I actually really hate it. I don't know why red is revered as a symbol of nobility or the color of beginnings.”
“…”
“I hate my hair. I hate my eyes, and I hate seeing the sunset-stained sky. To me, red is just the color of blood.”
Glen muttered in a pained voice.
“…I miss my sister.”
“You mean Princess Ferist?”
“No. My real sister.”
Glen looked at me and said.
“You asked if I was a member of the Cult. How could I be? But... I think the Cult is more in the right than the Imperial Family.”
“Why.”
“Do you know of the Bednickers?”
It was a random question.
I wondered if he was asking while already knowing everything, but a glance at his profile suggested that wasn't the case.
“As much as anyone else.”
“Many people say the Iron-Blooded Duke is harsh, that his treatment of his children is wrong. I don't think so. Because the truly harsh one is the Imperial Family.”
Glen smiled at me.
“You know, Ruan. Would you believe me if I told you there were once hundreds of princes?”
“What?”
Glen let out a low laugh and stood up.
“Pretend you didn't hear that.”
“…”
“It seems like you had something to ask me... Sorry. I'm tired today, so I'm going to rest. I'm staying in the Red Dorm, Room 305, so let's talk next time.”
With those words, Glen staggered away.
It wouldn't have been hard to grab him and press for answers, but I didn't.
Instead, I felt a slow twisting in my gut.
‘...Ah.’
I'm starting to get a little annoyed.
* * *
As I've said before, I don't particularly enjoy drinking.
But for some reason, beer has been on my mind a lot lately. Is it because so many things have been frustrating me?
Probably.
It was just like this back in my mercenary days.
Living day to day, a life that never improved, a life where I was just barely getting by—I know that feeling.
My chest feels heavy as if weighed down by lead, and no amount of sleep leaves me feeling refreshed.
To forget my shitty life, I had no choice but to rely on alcohol.
“…”
Around sunset, on my way to [Your Mom's Trumpet], I suddenly stopped in my tracks...
I had a feeling that if my Master saw me now, he'd smack me on the back of the head.
“Phew...”
I let out a suppressed breath and looked up at the night sky.
I never thought I'd be able to uncover the whole truth easily.
But the situation was turning out to be far more complicated than I had initially expected.
This wasn't the time to be drinking; I needed to sort things out first.
Standing randomly in the middle of the street, I began to sift through the mess in my head.
‘Glen doesn't seem to be a member of the Cult.’
At least, that's what I think.
Judging from how he acted today, he's less friendly toward the Cult and more hateful toward the Imperial Family.
It's like he's forcing himself to affirm the Empire's greatest enemy, the Cult, just because he hates the Imperial Family and wants to disgrace them.
It was a somewhat impulsive attitude, but considering his age, it wasn't that strange.
He doesn't seem to have completely lost his reason, so he probably wouldn't do something as crazy as throwing himself into the Cult's arms in a fit of anger.
Of course, that's just "probably."
When a person snaps, they can do anything. Meaning, I can't jump to conclusions.
Then could Princess Ferist be the cult member?
I think the probability is higher on her side, but then again, who knows.
I realize it anew.
I know almost nothing about the Cult.
In fact, that's probably true for everyone.
Not just the citizens of the Empire, but even the members of the Great Families, the Heroic Institution, Heros, and the Sun Cult—those who clash directly with the Cult—still know very little about them.
So, who knows the most about the Cult?
“…”
I turned around.
Instead of taking the train or strolling leisurely for a change, I dashed across the academy grounds as if using a movement art.
Before long, I arrived at the Yellow Dorm...
...stood in front of Room 202, and knocked on the door.
“Yes?”
I heard a presence inside, and the door opened right away.
“Oh, Ruan?”
Evan looked at me with a bewildered expression.
I knew he shared a room with Karis, but it seemed he was the only one in right now.
“Let's talk for a minute.”
“About what?”
“There's something I want to ask you about the Cult.”
“The Cult? All of a sudden?”
Evan tilted his head.
His attitude was innocent, but for some reason, I felt a smile coming on.
“Yeah.”
“I don't mind... but why me, of all people?”
“If it's about the Dark Cult, I should ask the Little Lord, shouldn't I?”
“…”
A smile spread across Evan's face.
It wasn't a sudden change, but a slow one, like the turning of a page.
The human face is a curious thing.
It's not just how subtle changes in the position, shape, or size of one's features can alter an impression so drastically...
...but also how the same smile can create a completely different atmosphere depending on the situation.
Evan's smile was certainly the one I knew.
Refreshing, gentle, warm... It was a sunny smile that would fit such descriptions.
But the way he was grinning even after being called the Little Lord was an attitude I had never seen from the Evan Helvin I knew.
“…This seems like it'll be a long conversation.”
Evan gestured toward the room with a smiling face.
“Want to come in first?”
I nodded.