Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 034
Chapter Title: On Humanity (2)
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Arun pressed his index finger to the spot between his brows.
"That place... Carneah Fortress, right? There should be a refugee leader from Northguard. Bring him here."
"Yes, Master."
Squire Pendersen dashed off.
"Where is he?"
"We tossed him in the barracks for now. I'll show you the way."
Just as the group was about to move, someone came rushing up. It turned out to be a priest from the Eimsel Church.
"Huff... huff... The faithful servant of the Lord God greets the lord."
"Well, you're quick. Your concern for the patient must have reached him."
"Yes, then I'll head in first."
The priest bowed and vanished like the wind.
"I rather like him."
"He's known for being down-to-earth and getting along well with the townsfolk. Though there are rumors he loves money."
"Can't blame him. Saving lives takes bread."
No one disagreed.
"This way. The pillar work's done, and we've got tents up for now, but we're laying tiles one building at a time."
At that moment, an elderly healer shuffled over.
"I greet the lord."
"You're late. The priest beat you there."
"I heard the details and had to grab some herbs, so I was delayed."
The healer bowed, patted his back, and entered the building.
"No point going in now—we'd just get in the way."
"The wind's biting cold."
Pendersen draped a fur cloak over Arun's shoulders.
The western sky was already turning red. Those who had finished training dragged their weary bodies to the barracks or wandered off in groups to find drinks inside the fortress.
Meanwhile, one man crossed the training grounds at a brisk pace.
"Huff... huff... I greet the master of Westguard."
Arun smiled wryly to himself.
Lately, he'd been hearing talk of him as the lord of the North or its overlord, and it had stirred his heart a bit.
"Malphon Carneah, was it? Thanks for the wake-up call on reality."
"Pardon?"
The survival of Northguard's heir carried great weight.
To nobles, a person wasn't just an individual but encompassed their house and all the connections stemming from it. Their patronage could make reconstruction possible.
The man, who had seen hope where submission seemed inevitable, asked,
"By the way, where is our young lord?"
"The priest and healer went in. Once the examination's done, can you verify his face?"
"Of course."
As they waited, night fell, and torches were lit here and there.
"I'll go check on the cavalry boys now."
"Sorry to hold you up when you're busy. Join the next scout run."
Nil and Landiv's faces twisted for a moment. Just as they opened their mouths, the priest emerged from the tent.
"Fortunately, the Lord God has returned the young soul to us."
"Oh, praise be to the gods."
"At least his mind's back—that's a relief. Good work."
"It's all the grace of the Lord God. This foolish priest did nothing."
"As thanks, I won't stint on the weekend tithe."
"May the blessings of the Lord God be with you, my lord."
The grinning priest made the sign of the cross, bestowed a full blessing, and departed. Soon after, the healer came out.
"How's the treatment?"
"Just abrasions on the limbs, nothing needing stitches. I cleaned them with spirits and applied herbs."
"Good."
If the priest handled recovery of mind and spirit, the healer took care of physical wounds. All in all, he was fine now.
Arun nodded.
"Let's go in and confirm."
"Yes, sir."
Malphon Carneah hurried inside and brushed shoulders with the healer on the way.
"Ugh, damn it."
"Tch."
Nil frowned at the healer's rough words and walked off. Arun stopped Landiv from scolding.
"Let it go. He might just be grumpy."
"Oh dear, my apologies."
Only then did the healer sense something was off and prostrate himself.
"The lowly ones need discipline. Otherwise, there's only chaos."
"Nobles need rules too, don't they?"
Landiv hesitated and shut his mouth. Not quite a rebuttal, but it gave him food for thought.
"Anyway, you've worked till dinner. Pendersen."
"Yes, Master."
Squire Pendersen pulled a silver coin from his pouch and handed it over.
"Thank you. I'll be off."
The healer glanced at Landiv warily and retreated.
"You're right. But right now's not the time to punish—it's time to encourage. Bluntly put, one slash from my blade or theirs makes no difference."
"My thinking was shortsighted. Forgive me."
Landiv was cold. At least he didn't let prejudice cloud the essence.
"Those you've pardoned will take blades in your stead... Well, maybe not shorten the line, but they'll stand shoulder-to-shoulder."
"..."
"Sure, there'll be betrayals, but what can you do? That's humanity."
Landiv quietly mulled over the phrase "that's humanity."
Enlightenment often springs from unexpected words. That day, Arun's few remarks became the catalyst for Knight Landiv to grow into Commander Landiv.
"The eldest son of the Caminity house, eh? Let's see that fine face of yours."
Arun rubbed his palms together. A rare lighthearted mood lately.
'He used to be so bright and full of mischief.'
Pendersen, who had matured early because of it, opened the door.
Inside, a tearful reunion was unfolding.
A young man, looking like he'd slept off a deep exhaustion, lay propped up on the cot. Malphon Carneah knelt on one knee, clutching both his hands and sobbing.
"Sob... Thank goodness. Truly, thank goodness."
"Sigh... Enough, brother."
Malphon Carneah, who had taken the fortress name as his surname, was indeed kin. Helping a collateral branch build its own power base was the classic way nobles flourished.
It was to the point where they said "every royal in the Empire is kin one remove away."
Arun shook his head inwardly and glanced at the young man on the cot.
'Hm?'
A glint entered his eyes.
Malphon Carneah wiped his tears and stood.
"He is indeed Northguard's rightful heir. Young lord, this is the master of Westguard."
"I am Yains Main Caminity. My thanks for the rescue."
"Arun van Brennenton. You must know well that before the Wave, survival means cooperation. Think nothing of it."
His face remained impassive as he continued.
"We can't leave a royal like this. Pendersen, prepare a room in the manor."
"Yes, Master."
"Move him at first light. That's all."
"Ah, wait."
Arun half-turned.
"Thank you for everything. I'll repay this debt."
"Heh heh heh."
Leaving an enigmatic laugh, Arun exited the barracks.
Landiv and Pendersen followed and fell in beside him.
"Northguard's current forces total around thirty, combining Carneah Fortress and Karika outpost."
"A golden chance to wipe them out, right?"
Landiv made no reply.
"No rush—let's think it over. Proceed with unit assignments as planned."
"Yes, my lord."
As they reached the manor, Pendersen quickened his pace.
"I'll go ahead and check on dinner."
"It's been a while since the three of us ate together."
"I'll prepare accordingly."
Arun pointed to a bench in the yard.
"Sit a moment before going in."
The two leaned back, and the night sky filled their view.
"I've lived enjoying much, yet life isn't easy. What's the hardest part for you?"
"Hmm. Tough question."
"Why play human? Isn't it this immature lord wearing you down?"
"..."
Since his brothers-in-arms died and half his face was torn away, Landiv had lost his expressions. Arun hadn't seen him smile in ages.
"...Lately, every day feels like a year."
Regret laced the cryptic murmur.
It was a night when the stars seemed ready to pour down.
After his unremarkable awakening, Arun's mornings usually began with a run and training.
"Huff, huff."
"Good morning, my lord."
"My lord."
Arun nodded silently or waved in response.
After jogging the streets bare-chested to show off, he strapped on sandbags and climbed the hill. Even a body at human limits tired and sweated the same.
Reaching the manor, he caught his breath under the walnut tree.
"Huff, huff."
Arun picked up the sword from the outdoor table.
Shing.
The blade, bathed in morning sun, gleamed red and blue. At its core burned a blinding white highlight. Overwhelmed by the intensity, Arun closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, someone was entering the manor.
The man stopped upon seeing Arun.
"I greet the mas—"
"It's been ages since I last saw that brazen face."
From childhood studies in the capital, Arun remembered him as a friend they'd raced through alleys with. Their bond had lasted until academy graduation.
Northguard's heir shrugged.
"I merely accepted yesterday's invitation."
"Yains Main Caminity? Was Yans Theobald an alias?"
"Yans is my childhood name. Family still calls me that."
"And Theobald?"
"A founding hero's moniker. Didn't you know?"
Click.
Arun sheathed the blade. Yains, realizing he'd stepped back involuntarily, straightened his clothes.
"Ahem, good to see you. Two years?"
"Always so glib. Two years since graduation, and my life's still stuck in school."
Northguard's heir withdrew his awkward smile and extended hand.
"Most of our lives were the academy. Natural those connections linger—even bad ones."
"My whole life school? Chilling thought."
Arun raised then dropped both arms. The comical gesture eased Yains's tension too.
"No manners keeping a guest standing. Follow me."
"Thanks. Morning air's quite chilly."
Arun led him to the central hall's table, used for banquets.
A far warmer reception than his tone suggested.
"Thin slices of water buffalo tenderloin. The bread's a bit firm, so I recommend dipping it in the soup."
The cook explained and withdrew. Silence reigned over the meal, broken only by clinking in the vast hall.
After eating, Arun took him to the study.
Clink.
The faint tea aroma loosened the stiff atmosphere.
"Anything else I don't know? Name, background—what more are you hiding? This is your last chance."
"Hey, I'm starting to feel wronged. Hiding status is common for royals."
It was an open secret at the academy. They even tacitly encouraged it to preserve the learning atmosphere.
"Only this northern bumpkin was clueless."
"Remember Ellen? Real name Humel, second son of the Gelsheimer marquis house. Jonny Seiman is the fourth son of Baron Bailun."
"Their idiocy a concept too?"
"Hardly."
Yains smiled wryly.
"Just between us, Kate was actually imperial blood."
"Kate? That gloomy girl?"
"Rose Knights' carriage picked her up after graduation."
"Everyone fooled me."
"More like we fooled each other—but most saw through it."
He spread his hands wide.
"Confession time: though orcs wrecked my life, memories with you weren't bad."
"And the price was that family crest on the plank?"
"...!"
The air froze again.
"Regrettable."
No response from Arun, so Yains continued.
"By the time I rushed to the scene, the battle was nearly over. In that brief moment gauging orc numbers and scouts, the retreat happened. In an instant."
"Looks like you were right."
"I truly didn't know. Learned you'd arrived only then, and held back clashes after."
Arun stayed silent—that scared Yains most, so he pressed on.
"Blame me all you want, but my sincerity..."
"Sometimes actions matter more than intent. Agree?"
"I've lost everything—what should I do? Tell me."
"Rally your forces and cooperate moderately."
"Moderately?"
"Think I'd demand loyalty? Tea's done—time to go."
After a stunned pause, Yains accepted the courtesy.
"Ah, haha. I'll head out then. See you."
"Pendersen, show the guest to his room."
Once Pendersen returned from seeing him off and cleared the table, Arun's gaze remained fixed on his teacup.
"Shall I reheat the tea?"
"No tea. Investigate that Yains fellow."
"Yes, Master."
The order and reply were curt. Pendersen bowed and left.
Clink.
Tea conveys flavor through heat but awakens the mind through cold.
Arun tilted the cooled cup.