Chapter 179
Chapter 179
An impromptu family meeting.
The parents' reactions to Ronian's announcement were starkly different.
"If he's already a High Knight, he can protect himself anywhere. I approve."
Father smiled proudly while—
"Why?! Why would you volunteer for such hardship?! Why?!"
—Stepmother's expression twisted in distress.
Though Logan partially agreed, he had no choice but to persuade Stepmother as promised.
"Ronian is old enough to see the world now, Mother."
"No! That's absurd! Do you know how much I cried every time you went to war? We finally have peace, and now you want me to live in constant worry again?!"
"Darling, you told me to stay strong...?"
"Are you and the boy the same?!"
"......"
The patriarch, who had once been carried home grievously wounded during the civil war, slumped with a wounded expression. But Marian's face remained unmoved.
"Anyway, absolutely not!"
"Mother..."
Perhaps afraid she might be swayed, Marian refused to even look at Ronian's pleading face as she stood abruptly.
"That's enough! I will never agree. There's nothing more to discuss!"
Her refusal to listen was clear.
Ronian hesitated, then turned helplessly to Logan.
Brother. I can't persuade Mother. Please!
Logan exhaled softly at the silent plea and addressed Stepmother's retreating back.
"Mother, Ronian will soon be an adult. You can't keep sheltering him forever. For his future, please reconsider."
"Well said. But he's almost an adult—not one yet! How can you send a child out into the world with nothing?"
Well, not nothing—they'd equip him properly...
Ah, that wasn't the point.
"Mother, as you said, Ronian is still young. But he's also a veteran who has survived multiple wars. He's more than capable of choosing his own path."
A textbook persuasion, but Marian, blinded by maternal fear, wasn't hearing it.
"Did you put this idea in his head? Tell him to go suffer in the world?"
Her sharp glare reminded Logan of their past confrontations, and his sigh deepened.
"I opposed it at first too."
"Then why—"
"I was convinced by Ronian."
"What?"
"He said he wants to gain experience and surpass me. So I agreed."
A clipped conclusion, skipping the process.
Knowing that wouldn't be enough, Logan elaborated.
"Ronian has real talent, Mother. Do you want him to remain just the second son of MacLaine? He has the potential to become the kingdom's greatest knight. For his sake, we should let him follow his path."
Logan calmly laid out Ronian's future—his safety and his success.
Marian's eyes wavered slightly, but a mother's heart inevitably leaned toward the former.
"But it's dangerous..."
"If a High Knight like Ronian is in mortal danger, the world itself must already be hell. You know this worry is excessive."
"......"
Of course, Ronian would seek out some perilous places for training—but Logan tactfully omitted that for persuasion's sake.
Yet—
"If something happens to Ronian, that would be my hell! What's wrong with keeping him close? He's not even an adult yet! This warrior's pilgrimage doesn't have to happen now. Just a little longer..."
Marian wouldn't budge.
Then Ronian, who had been silently watching his mother's expression, stepped forward.
"Mother. I know you're worried because you think I'm lacking."
"No, how could you be lacking? You're my strong son..."
"If it were Brother leaving for training, would you have objected like this?"
"That's not—! I...!"
"Mother. I will return safely. I'll grow stronger, surpass Brother, and come back as an even more dependable son. Please believe in me."
"Ronian..."
Clutching her hands, Ronian's crimson eyes—unwavering now—met hers. Marian's turbulent dark pupils gradually steadied.
In that moment, Logan sensed she had relented.
This brat—he could've done this from the start.
And as expected—
"......When did my little boy grow up so much?"
With a small sigh, Marian murmured words eerily similar to Logan's own thoughts mere hours ago.
Her worried hands stroked Ronian's hair as she realized—her son had outgrown her. Tears welled unbidden.
After a long silence where no one dared speak—
Marian finally composed herself and spoke again.
"Are you absolutely certain?"
"Yes. I'm sure this is my path."
"You won't take unnecessary risks?"
"......Yes. Of course not."
Ronian faltered momentarily before hastily covering with Logan's subtle cue.
A white lie for his mother's peace of mind wasn't so bad.
Finally, Marian nodded.
"Fine. Return safely. Don't forget to keep in touch regularly."
"Yes, Mother."
"Ah, my son... When did you...?"
Their embrace marked the official start of Ronian's warrior's pilgrimage.
"Are you sure you want to leave so plainly?"
Logan's gaze swept the empty surroundings.
The second son of House MacLaine was embarking on a journey of unknown duration—yet only Logan and his parents stood watching.
It felt lacking, but Ronian, who had stubbornly refused any grand send-off, looked perfectly at ease.
"What's the point of ceremony? It's just a short trip."
Calling a journey that could take years a "short trip"—Ronian's mental composure had clearly grown since first proposing this days ago.
"Fine. Return the moment you feel you've achieved your goal—or if it gets too hard."
"I will achieve my goal before returning."
Logan wordlessly hugged his grinning brother tightly before sending him off—only for his sharpened senses to catch a stifled sob behind them.
Mother...
Though he trusted Ronian completely, some final advice wouldn't hurt for a younger brother stepping into the world alone for the first time.
"Right. I've said this before, but let's recap. What's the most important rule when traveling as a mercenary or free knight?"
"Never trust people carelessly."
"Good. Why?"
"Because if I show my strength or wealth, people will wear masks to get close and exploit it."
Logan nodded approvingly.
"Exactly. A sword swung openly can be blocked with skill—but a dagger in the back deals fatal wounds unnoticed. Be wary of people."
"Yes, Brother."
"Ah, and—"
"......?"
"Especially women. With your skills and looks, women will flock to you. When that happens—"
"Brother."
"Hm?"
"You've said this multiple times already."
"Ah, right. But listen once more. When that happens—"
Ronian snorted at Logan's nagging, but Logan was dead serious.
This is all vital advice, you brat.
He trusted Ronian's strength—but experience was crucial to avoid falling for dirty tricks.
He had to impart decades of reincarnated wisdom without holding back.
For his brother's sake.
Yet inexplicably, Ronian's expression grew increasingly strained over time.
"B-Brother. That's enough..."
"Hm? No, we're in the middle of something important. Just once more. So if you're encircled on the frontlines—"
"Brother! This is the third time...!"
"Hm?"
Ronian looked thoroughly done. The sun had noticeably shifted.
Moreover—
"......At this rate, I'll leave tomorrow."
"I wouldn't mind keeping you."
"Now, dear. Be reasonable."
"I didn't mean it literally."
His parents' voices from a distance made Logan awkwardly cough.
"R-Right. Travel safely. Don't forget regular updates. If you're late, I'll come find you myself!"
"Yes. I'll remember!"
Ronian's suddenly bright expression almost resembled a freed prisoner—but that must've been Logan's imagination.
"Come back safely!"
"Keep in touch!"
Bowing to his parents' farewells, Ronian turned away—and Logan truly felt the weight of their changed future.
"Crying again? Haha, I'm right here. Ronian will see me if he looks back. How can he leave with worries like this? Really..."
Patrick chuckled, patting his sniffling wife's back.
"Sniff. Shut up. Hic. It'd be better if he didn't leave at all."
"They're grown now. Let them live as they wish. We should focus on ourselves—it's our turn to be cared for."
"But I can't help worrying."
"Honestly, why weren't you this worried during the war?"
"What nonsense! Of course I was!"
Marian stared at Patrick incredulously.
"Last time, you only—"
"That's not what I meant! I worried for all of you—you, Logan, everyone."
"Ah... Haha. I knew it."
"What? Were you jealous of your son?"
"It's not jealousy—"
Pfft.
"Don't worry. I won't anymore."
Marian wiped her tears, resolve firming.
"Hm? Why's that?"
"I'll prepare instead. So Ronian can rest comfortably whenever he returns."
"Well, that's fine by me."
Finally reassured, Patrick smiled brightly.
"You should hand more duties to Logan."
"He handles things well enough. As you said, let's prepare for when our children need us."
"I'll handle preparations! You focus on work. Logan barely sleeps as is."
"But I still oversee the Knight Order—"
Their bickering voices quietly echoed through MacLaine Castle as the sun dipped below the horizon.
To protect all this, I must prepare thoroughly.
Watching them from afar, Logan smiled and renewed his resolve.
"Brother, really..."
Ronian chuckled wryly under the setting sun.
It wasn't torture, but how many hours of mercenary lectures had he endured?
He knew it all came from concern—but he couldn't shake the feeling he was still being treated like a child.
That's why I'll return stronger.
Steeling himself again, he noticed a blue-haired figure standing silhouetted against the sunset at the western edge of MacLaine Plains.
Dust had settled thickly on the man's boots—he'd clearly waited a long time. Ronian grinned and called out.
"Victor! How long have you been waiting? I thought you were a statue!"
As he approached, Victor smirked.
"Says you. How many hours did your goodbyes take? I thought I'd gotten the date wrong."
The now-natural informal speech felt comforting.
Thud.
They bumped fists, clasped hands, shoulders met, and a brief hug followed.
"Come back safely."
Short words, but Ronian could feel the sincerity—so he smiled genuinely.
"By the time I return, I'll handle you with one hand. Be ready."
Victor snorted at Ronian's playful bravado.
"Just make it back alive. Even if you haven't grown, I'll take care of you somehow."
"Oh, really?"
Their laughter rang across the plains.
With his only friend's farewell behind him, Ronian strode confidently into the unknown.