A Promise for the Future
The scratches on his cheek were healing at an astonishing speed.
In other words, there was no doubt that Yune's ability was a surefire winner.
Luin carefully placed his hand over Yune's.
"Tell me that story later, like you promised."
"Yes, Hero!"
To deal with the remaining bandits as quickly as possible, Luin aimed his Mana Blade at them.
Unlike Yune, who was utterly smitten by his spirited display, Thomas ground his teeth in frustration.
"Goddammit... This is embarrassing as hell. We gotta take out that brat no matter what!"
"How the hell are we supposed to do that when even you couldn't handle him, boss?"
"You idiots! You think we're gonna fight fair like some tournament? Overwhelm him with numbers!"
"R-Right!"
Nearly twenty remnants closed in, weapons drawn.
Individually, they were only at the lowest realm, but factoring in their physical advantages and sheer numbers, they had the edge over Luin.
Fortunately, the escort knights from behind drew their swords to join the fray, and Yune wasn't idle either—she cast auxiliary spells on Luin beyond mere cheers.
Luin shoved distracting thoughts aside and kicked off the ground, leaping straight ahead.
No need for feints; a single sword swing targeted the minimum vital points.
Clang! Slash!
He shattered the lead bandit's blade and beheaded a mage in the rear ranks in one stroke.
Surveying the routed bandits, Luin stared blankly at his own hand.
'Buffs... are fucking insane?'
To think a kid's body could toy with a dozen grown men so easily.
Luin couldn't stop marveling at Yune's talent, but the escort knights watching had a very different reaction.
"What the hell is that boy?"
"To think a warrior that skilled was hiding in a backwater like this..."
The knights knew well the talents of the Lloyd family's youngest daughter.
Impressive for her age to handle mana at all, but not yet at a level to contribute meaningfully in battle.
In short, Luin's feat in subduing the bandits was all his own doing.
And yet the boy approached with a humble expression, showing gentlemanly courtesy.
"Thanks. Made it easy with your help."
"Hehe, no problem..."
Yune poked at him playfully with her index finger, grinning like an idiot. Her face had fully transformed into that of a girl head over heels in love.
The knights tacitly sealed their lips for the sake of their young lady.
"Boy, we owe you our thanks. Mind telling us your name so we can repay the favor properly?"
"Luin. No need for rewards. If you're okay with it, why not rest in the village?"
The knights couldn't hide their regret at Luin's offer.
"We'd love to, but we're already behind schedule. Luin, care to join us? The duke would reward you handsomely upon arrival at the estate."
Luin wanted to, badly, but it was too soon for long journeys.
To emphasize his circumstances, he glanced at Thomas's sprawled remnants.
"Looks like I can't. Got a lot to handle before their boss comes sniffing around."
"I see... Hope we haven't caused trouble for your village instead."
"We were bound to clash eventually. Just happened sooner than expected."
The knight felt an odd sense of dissonance looking at Luin.
He looked exactly Yune's age, but his speech and mindset grew more mature with every exchange.
A boy with a terrifying future ahead.
All the knights exchanged impressed glances at his poise.
"Even rushed as we are, we can't ignore our benefactor. Anything we can do to help?"
Luin didn't hesitate, pointing at the knight's waist.
"Yeah, mind if I take that sword?"
An escort knight of a ducal house was guaranteed top-quality gear.
As Luin hoped, the Lloyd duke's escorts handed over even spare equipment from the carriage.
The bundle contained five longswords, a hood cloak that reduced damage, and a buff coat to boot.
Not just the fabric—the enchanted gear was common knowledge as exorbitantly expensive.
Luin's chest swelled with unexpected gratitude.
And there were more tangible rewards for his efforts.
Mirabel Lloyd, the duke's youngest, brushed back her fine silver hair as she chattered endlessly right in front of him.
"What did you think, Sir Luin? Was the story fun?"
"Yeah, too bad it ended on a cliffhanger."
Hearing his thoughts, Mirabel's amethyst eyes sparkled.
"Right?! I always hoped for a sequel!"
"Maybe there is one. Check the ending."
"I did... I scoured the library shelves for ages, but no luck."
"Not a famous book, huh?"
"...Seems info on obscure authors is hard to come by."
An obscure author, huh.
Luin figured it was high quality for an unknown writer's work.
The locations in Hero Reinhardt's tale matched real cities exactly, and the described history aligned closely with what Luin knew—impressively detailed.
'No way it's based on true events.'
Luin dismissed the idea because of the legendary dragon Bryunak's arc near the end.
No matter how heroic the protagonist, a human slicing open a dragon's flesh? Laughable fiction.
Unless it was a corpse or something.
Innocent kids might buy it, but any informed adult would scoff and call it a fairy tale.
Whatever the truth, Mirabel's passion was genuine.
"Sir Luin, the sequel to this hero's tale... Will you help me find it someday?"
Luin decided to accept her earnest plea.
She was a unique connection, after all.
"If we meet again someday and you still feel the same, ask me then."
Mirabel grabbed his hand, beaming innocently.
"Of course! I'll be waiting!"
Thomas's remnants were bound with ropes and subdued by the escort knights.
In the meantime, Luin had successfully made a promise with Mirabel Lloyd.
In a webnovel, this would count as solid buildup.
But it came with risks.
Luin scratched the back of his neck, eyeing the tied-up bandits.
"...Wonder how Shima'll react."
They'd stay quiet while bound, but trouble was inevitable soon enough.
He could just bail and save himself, but to avoid harm to Rakselv Village, he needed a plan.
Decision made, Luin approached the unconscious Thomas and slapped his cheek.
Smack!
"Urgh... W-What?!"
Thomas lifted his head, cheek swollen red, glaring at Luin.
"...Fuck, this is humiliating. Kill me or whatever."
'More compliant than expected.'
The shock of losing to a local kid must've hit hard. Luin thought things might go smoother than planned.
"Thomas, how about ditching the shady gigs under Shima and making honest money?"
"What?"
It was an absurd proposition from Thomas's view.
Hard to believe such words from a baby-faced brat— the disconnect was immense.
"You... What the hell are you? No ordinary kid, that's for sure."
"Yeah, actually older than you."
"...Not in a sharing mood, huh."
Luin grinned awkwardly and pressed on.
"I'll give you a killer business idea. Keep working under Shima like now, but build this on the side."
"Ridiculous... Shima's a big shot expanding nonstop. Even a genius idea like you say would get snatched in a couple years."
Thomas's analysis was spot on.
At Shima's growth rate, he'd likely expand enough to influence even the capital someday.
But Shima lacked one thing: time.
Luin spun his sword hilt with uncharacteristic eagerness.
"Don't worry. In a few years, I'll end Shima's era for good."
Thomas couldn't refute Luin's claim.
He didn't know why, but one thing was clear.
Luin.
Betting on this extraordinary boy's future was the key to his own path forward.