Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Quitting the Bastard (2)
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"What... what happened?"
"Young Master Rishir... really won, right?"
"I don't know anything about swordsmanship..."
"Me neither..."
"L-Look! Sir Humton is down, and Young Master Rishir lifted him up, so Young Master Rishir won, didn't he!?"
"I hope that's the case...!"
"Please, let it end before Young Master Rishir gets hurt-"
It was truly an ironical situation.
This was a gathering of martial artists who never neglected training their mind and body to maintain composure in any circumstance.
Yet in that very gathering, the only ones maintaining perfect composure were the servants dressed neatly in their maid uniforms.
Of course, it was possible precisely because they couldn't comprehend the situation at all.
The significance of the Bendel Family bastard defeating a Bendel apprentice knight in a duel.
Not to mention that the decisive blow achieving that victory was magic.
Even the family head, who should have declared the duel over the moment Rishir's sword was at Humton's throat, was frozen in shock, blinking vacantly.
In the end, it was the bastard himself who announced his own victory.
Lifting Humton's hand with a smile, he looked every bit the unquestionable victor.
The first to react were the servants.
"What do we do! Young Master Rishir really won!"
"Thank goodness he didn't get hurt-"
"Girl, is that the issue right now?!"
"Exactly!!!"
"His opponent's twice his size—how did he win!?"
"Swordsmanship isn't just about brute strength, you know that?"
"Right, right! Look at Lady Roera!"
"So Young Master Rishir is as strong as Lady Roera?"
"He trains so hard every day in the annex backyard! He must've been doing some secret training no one knew about!"
The servants, who knew nothing about swords, freely exercised their imaginations and quickly accepted Rishir's victory.
They even wanted to cheer and applaud.
"Why's everyone just standing there!? We should congratulate him!"
"Wait a sec-"
The excited servants poised to cheer.
But the senior-most servant at the front of the group blocked them.
"Doesn't the atmosphere feel... off somehow...?"
Only then did the servants awkwardly freeze mid-clap and survey the mood around them.
"Humton just said something about magic, right?"
"Yeah, seems like it? I didn't see it, but his head suddenly snapped back."
"Whoa... how does magic just pop up here... Never even imagined it."
"In Bendel history... has there ever been a mage?"
"You think?"
The trainees, grasping a bit of the gravity, grew as restless as if staring at thick storm clouds.
The apprentice knights, fully comprehending it, were already horrified as if a typhoon loomed right before them.
"God help us. That crazy bastard Humton actually lost this?"
"Yeah... Family Head told him not to hold back and go all out..."
"Sigh. I knew something when I was slacking off without proper stance."
"No, why blame Humton? Clearly, the issue is using magic—anyone can see that."
"...Well, there were no rules against magic."
"It's not about rules! It's pride. Dueling in front of the Bendel family head, under the Bendel name, and using magic?"
"Unbelievable. Where the hell did that bastard Rishir pick up magic?"
"Heard he's been in and out of the library every day lately—was that it?"
"You learn magic just by hanging around the library?"
"Looked like more than a day or two's practice."
"Our young master... got some real talent? Resourceful, huh?"
"This isn't the time to admire him!?"
"Guys, take a look for me. What kind of face is the family head making?"
"Probably secretly pleased? He's still his son."
"In your dreams. An apprentice knight bearing the Bendel name loses to a bastard we raised—think Family Head's thrilled with his personality?"
"And he learned magic on the sly..."
"Damn, shouldn't have come to watch."
The servants, gauging the mood of both groups, awkwardly froze with arms half-raised between clapping and at attention.
In the end, no one celebrated Rishir's victory.
"What do we do..."
"Poor Young Master Rishir..."
The servants looked at him like a wounded puppy.
Even in this situation, his playfully smiling face seemed like a pitiful attempt to act unfazed.
"Young Master Rishir... smiling on the outside, but crying inside right now..."
"What do we do, he closed his eyes..."
"He's holding back tears...!"
Ah. Sex.
Vulgar expression, but I had to use it.
No other way to describe this feeling.
The enemies' silence was pure cheers.
The silence filling the arena was deafening enough to make my ears ring.
Yes. This is it.
This is the thrill of an away game.
Bendel Library, built it just to tear it down?
I savored the glory of victory with my whole body and glanced toward where the family head sat.
"…"
The family head brooded with a heavily shadowed face.
No sign of that turning to joy.
A stark contrast to when Roera beat an apprentice knight.
That was 'No way, for real!?' This was '...For real?'
I had become a nightmare incarnate before his eyes.
Family Head.
Is this bastard so loathsome to you?
I shed inner tears.
Tears of emotion.
The exact reaction I'd craved.
When he accepted my proposal, I wondered what wind blew.
This man wasn't the type to give me such a chance.
Undoubtedly backed by some calculation.
His current reaction wasn't mere fluster at a bastard's cute rebellion.
It was the face of someone whose scheme had gone awry, clueless how to salvage it.
Our eyes met.
I returned his gaze without flinching.
Family Head. Your bastard has returned.
How is it only darkness lies before you now?
Indeed, eternal child abuse has its limits.
Clap clap clap.
Sudden applause sounded then.
Applause? In this situation?
Everyone wore that expression as they turned toward the sound.
It was Roera.
My little sister clapped with a posture both proud and awkward.
"…"
"…"
Our eyes met.
She flinched!
Roera averted her gaze as if she hadn't been looking at me from the start.
Her already stiff expression grew even more rigid.
Her face flushed bright red, visible even from afar.
-Clap clap clap clap clap!!!
Yet the applause didn't stop.
Irritable claps echoed around, influenced by her expression.
"Young Master Rishir~~~"
Then Fienne's delicate applause layered atop it.
"Ah! Lady Roera and Lady Fienne are clapping!"
"Then we can too, right!?"
Next, the servants who'd been watching the mood joined in.
"Young Master Rishir!!! Congratulations!!!"
"Young Master Rishir is strong!!! So cool!!!"
I waved smiling, and they squealed in excited response.
That flipped the entire atmosphere.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Beside me came the sound of a fist slapping a palm.
"If we fight once more. I will win."
Humton stared at me sullenly while clapping.
I patted his shoulder and said,
"If another chance arises, I won't disappoint then."
"...!"
Humton's eyes widened.
His applause paused briefly, then resumed—louder, faster.
At the same time, the family head rose.
"Winner, Rishir."
The once-silent arena filled with applause and cheers.
Bendel Library, just built and already demolished?
The whole project went to ruin.
"Ha."
Still, not a bad feeling.
If anything, maybe better than Bendel Library.
I purely savored the moment.
Right after the duel ended.
Rishir was summoned and headed to the family head's office.
"…"
The desk buried under countless documents, as before.
But unlike before, Idor Bendel's gaze fixed straight on Rishir.
Rishir returned it wordlessly.
For a considerable time, the two stared silently at each other.
"Will you explain what happened."
Naturally, Idor spoke first.
"I got the chance to learn magic. In the duel, I exploited a gap in Humton, who focused on my meager swordsmanship, with magic. That's all."
"You-..."
Idor trailed off, rubbing his brow.
In that brief moment, countless confusions flickered across his face.
"…"
Soon, he seemed resolved and spoke.
"How long exactly have you been learning magic."
"Precisely recognizing and pursuing magic's value? Less than a week."
"Rishir."
Idor said in a scolding tone.
"The results you showed today are meaningful in themselves. No need for embellishments."
Rishir recalled past memories from Idor's attitude.
The bastard had always struggled to draw his father's interest, in birth or talent.
Had the bastard shown talent young, treatment might differ.
But his talent was utterly mediocre. Perhaps wretched.
With no other options, the bastard tried drawing attention with that wretched talent.
Typically impossible, so attempts were contrived and flashy.
Like conducting ostentatious 'secret' harsh training audible to the whole mansion.
In other words.
That's it.
This man thinks I'm exaggerating to draw his attention now.
"Kuh."
Rishir unwittingly let out a chuckle.
"...Rishir?"
Idor faltered at his unfamiliar demeanor.
Regardless, Rishir continued.
"Yes. Sorry for lying. Truth is, I've been steadily learning magic since long ago."
"…"
Though it was the answer he'd hoped and expected, Idor's confusion deepened instead.
The once transparent, childish Rishir's inner thoughts were now opaque.
"…"
Idor sank into deep contemplation.
He slowly rose and walked to the window, hands behind his back.
"I seem to have-"
Gazing out the window gravely, he continued.
"left you unattended far too long."
"…"
"I told you before. If this matter resolves well, I'd positively consider improving your status."
"…"
"From today, you'll receive instruction in the Bendel Style. No separate magic tutelage, but I won't block it either. Coordinate it yourself without hindering Bendel Style training."
"…"
"Of course. Rights come with responsibilities."
"…"
"The Diltan Family lady shows immense interest in you."
"…"
"Relations between our houses are practically impossible. No major conflicts, but accumulated minor disputes over ages dug deep rifts."
"…"
"Diltan knows this. Yet at that Lady Fienne's single request, their family head bent all intentions and reached out first."
"…"
"A meaningful opportunity and bond for both houses. You'll bear responsibility henceforth."
"…"
"Tell me, Rishir. Are you prepared to take this on?"
Having organized his emotions and thoughts in words, Idor turned back.
To hear Rishir's answer.
"…"
Confirming Rishir's state, Idor slowly closed his eyes.
He was covering his face with his hand, shoulders heaving.
Idor intended to give time to compose himself.
"F-Family Head..."
But Rishir had no intent to compose his emotions.
No intent to hide them.
"Speak."
"What the hell are you saying."
"...Pardon?"
Idor belatedly realized.
Rishir's state vastly differed from what he'd imagined.
Rishir wiped his palm away.
Not overflowing tears, but a face struggling to swallow laughter.
"I told you. I'm leaving the family."
"...No need. Now you have other paths. That one never suited you anyway."
"Not that—ah. I see. Seems a slight misunderstanding between us."
No malice or enmity.
Rishir said with a refreshing smile.
Idor nodded satisfactorily.
And listened intently to what followed.
"Me leaving the family means completely abandoning Bendel's identity."
"...!"
He never imagined such shocking words from Rishir's mouth.
A noble forsaking their identity.
Unthinkable. Even for a bastard.
"Family Head. From Bendel's highest place, as family head, you vowed to me. If I won this duel, you'd respect my will."
"D-Do you even know what you're saying!?"
Consequences of this never crossed Idor's mind then.
He was simply flustered by Rishir's sudden change.
Rishir calmly replied.
"No one understands this better than I. Surely you do too, Family Head."
Rishir neither condemned nor felt disappointment at Idor's attitude.
It was how Idor had always treated him in the past.
"Wh-What exactly-"
Idor had much to say.
Yet no words escaped.
Too much to unload here.
The opposite of Rishir.
Rishir had emptied everything before, nothing left.
Emotions. Words.
Yes. I knew it'd be like this.
But this much is fine, right?
"Kuhuhuhu—hahahahaha!!!"
Rishir laughed.
Not from twisted emotions.
As the endlessly cheerful sound showed, it was pure, unadulterated joy.
Thinking all that suffocating hell would end completely now filled him solely with innocent delight.
"To avoid misunderstanding, I'll state it clearly."
Rishir rose, fumbling his waist sword into hand.
"Noble house name, status to ape nobility, your recognition—none needed anymore."
An ordinary sword.
Plain, stripped of Bendel symbols and ornaments.
Never once parted from his body since bestowed.
Rishir placed it on the desk without attachment.
"I'm quitting as the bastard."
Thank you for everything.
Father.
At those words, the heartless father's eyes shook mercilessly.