Chapter 119
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Kerua
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1.
Karron stood frozen, staring at Kerua.
If he hadn't misheard, the man had just called him Commander.
The crescent moon, having lost its power, scattered like dust.
Amidst the faint fragments of light, Kerua lowered his sword to the ground.
What should he say to Kerua first?
No, there was something he had to do before that.
Shwaaaa-!
Darkness flowed from Karron's body, enveloping both him and Kerua.
He used Pluto to block their conversation from leaking out.
It wasn't a conversation his companions, who were watching the battle from behind, should overhear.
So you use magic in this life?
Keruas voice echoed.
Karron chuckled at his words and shook his head.
As if. Its a spirit. I only made the contract a little while ago.
Myaaaa-!
Pluto, who had climbed onto Karron's shoulder, let out a low cry at Kerua.
Kerua looked at Pluto and slowly nodded.
Then was that how you broke through the moonlight?
This little guy found your shadow for me. If it weren't for him, I would've been dead just now.
Come on, youre exaggerating.
Exaggerating, you punk? How is a 6-star knight supposed to block an all-out attack from an 8-star knight?
They didn't exchange cliché greetings like, "It's good to see you again."
They simply traded jokes and smiled.
That body of yours, how old is it this year?
Seventeen.
Seventeen and on the verge of 7-star It seems the time I have to freely beat up the Commander won't be very long.
A playful smile appeared on Keruas lips.
Was he also wondering what to say?
For a brief moment, silence fell between them.
Commander.
It was Kerua who asked the first question.
I'd like to ask how you felt, dying first and leaving your subordinates behind. Was it truly a life without regrets?
His voice carried a resentment that had been weathered by long years.
But Karron quickly realized the words weren't meant to blame him.
And so, he answered in a low voice.
At least I chose the place where I died, didn't I? Regrets or whatever, I left them all behind then.
Wow, look how irresponsible our Commander is. How do you think we survivors felt?
I thought you all died too. How was I supposed to know you were alive?
Tsk. Still a man without a shred of sentimentality. How can a person stay so consistent? Isn't it normal for people to change after they've died and come back to life?
They say people die when they change.
Thats what Im saying! So conversely, shouldnt a person change a little when they die? Honestly, tsk.
Shing.
Kerua clicked his tongue and sheathed his sword.
Let me ask one more thing.
Go ahead.
Still, youre happier now than in your past life, right?
It was a simple question.
Karron smiled faintly in response.
Yeah.
Thats all that matters.
Kerua glanced up at the sky.
The sky, once tinged with the sunset's glow, had now grown dark.
Its been a while. Lets have a drink under the moon. Theres a pretty decent spot just down this way.
As Kerua spoke, he gestured with his chin toward Karrons party.
Ill head down first, so give your companions a rough explanation and come on over.
The way he hurried off made him look like he was running away.
Karron furrowed his brow and said.
Why? Why not just do it here?
Thats because youve never had to listen to Aquariuss nagging, Commander. Take a look at the glare in her eyes.
He turned his gaze to look at Aquarius.
Just as Kerua had said, her eyes were burning with intensity.
Do you know what happens when you provoke Aquarius in that state?
Does she breathe fire or something?
She uses a power more terrifying than fire breath.
A power that could frighten even an 8-star knight.
Dragon Tongue?
When Karron asked with a serious expression, Kerua replied with an equally grave look.
She cries.
...Cries? You mean Dragon Fear?
No, she just cries. Once Aquarius starts, she cries for six hours straight. Trying to calm her down is Ugh, I can't do it. Anyway, Ill be down there first. We have a lot to talk about, so hurry up.
And with that, Kerua irresponsibly turned his back.
Karron looked at that pathetic retreating figure and let out a deep sigh.
You havent changed a bit, even after all these years
Please tell Aquarius that her uncle is sorry!
Leaving that one remark behind, the man vanished in the blink of an eye. Karron heaved another deep sigh at the sight.
Shwaaa.
Karron dismissed the darkness that had been shrouding them and slowly approached his companions.
Just then, Aquarius threw her arms around him in a tight hug.
Dad! Ill make sure to scold Uncle.
It was a title he still couldn't get used to, but Karron just chuckled and patted Aquariuss head.
Then he turned his gaze to his companions.
Kerua Akte wants to speak with me alone. Im going to head down for a bit.
At his words, Leo spoke up, his voice full of concern.
Are you sure youll be okay? Hey, go and beg him to at least spare your life. Get on your knees and grovel, you know? There's no point in saving your knees. Listen to your big brother.
He had a point, but why did it sound so cowardly coming from Leo?
You guys rest Ah, the house is destroyed.
Karron looked at the house Kerua had split in half and shook his head.
But just then, Aquarius, who was still hugging his leg, smiled and said.
I can fix the house! Go talk with Uncle, Dad.
Can you do it alone?
Uncle sometimes wrecks the house when he's practicing his sword. I've done this a few times, so I'm good at it.
...So he's a repeat offender. Alright, Aquarius. I'm counting on you.
He didn't know how she was going to repair the house, but seeing her so confident, he felt he could rest easy.
Karron patted Aquariuss head one more time.
Ill be back.
There was still a mountain of things to discuss with Kerua.
2.
Just as Kerua had said, the good spot for a drink was nearby.
It was a flat clearing filled with tree stumps, as if he had neatly cleared the area.
Karron found a suitable stump and sat down. Just then, Kerua, who was already there, threw something at him.
Commander.
Thwack.
Karron easily snatched the bottle that flew at his face. He then glanced at Kerua.
Whats this?
What do you think? Its booze. Cheap stuff, so drink up.
Is this really the kind of booze you serve your commander after fifty years?
Ive been stuck here for almost half a year, how am I supposed to get my hands on high-quality liquor? Hey, just drink what youre given.
Kerua uncorked the bottle in his own hand and chugged it down without hesitation.
Karron followed his lead, drinking straight from the bottle.
It was an incredibly strong whiskey.
It was rough, nothing compared to a fine whiskey, but it wasn't bad in its own way.
Still, youre looking a bit more tolerable in this life.
Hey.
Yes, Commander.
Even in my past life, I was better looking than you.
Come on, thats not true. Grand Duke Halo, maybe, but you, Commander not so much.
Kerua smirked slightly, then tilted his bottle back again.
How does it feel to be reborn?
At that question, Karron gave a bitter smile and nodded.
Try being reborn once yourself. You'll know how I feel.
Hah, this is why you can never predict a person's life. To think a former slave would be reincarnated as the son of a great noble family. By any chance, does Grand Duke Halo know that his grandson is actually your reincarnation?
Of course not. I was planning on telling that old man right before he dies. Right, speaking of which, let me ask you something.
Karrons gaze shifted to Kerua.
How in the world did you know?
He could understand the Regent knowing. She was the proxy of the World Tree, after all.
But he had never expected Kerua, of all people, to know.
It hasn't been long since I found out you were reincarnated, either.
Kerua set down his bottle and slowly continued his explanation.
I only found out after I entered the Great Forest.
Don't tell me it was the World Tree again.
Oh, how did you know? Actually, its related to Aquarius, in a way. It all started when the spirit of the World Tree came to find me.
Karron listened quietly to Kerua's subsequent explanation.
To put it simply, the World Tree asked me to protect Aquarius. I accepted the request, went to Etaron's lair, brought Aquarius here, and came to this place. Come to think of it, it's been well over six months already.
...So an 8-star knight has been playing nanny. Life is truly fleeting.
The kid is cute, so it was quite fun. It was the most valuable six months of my life. Don't you dare belittle it.
But what does taking care of Aquarius have to do with you figuring out I was reincarnated?
At that, Kerua shook his head and clicked his tongue.
Tsk. As if I wouldn't explain it properly. You're still as impatient as ever.
Im tired. Just get to the point.
The World Tree told me. That Aquarius is a being born because of you, Commander. So if I took care of her, you would eventually find your way to me.
Karron turned his head to look at Aquarius, who was laughing happily in the distance.
Born because of me?
It was a story that was hard to grasp.
Youll see when you raise her, but this species called dragons is truly incredible. There could only be one person Aquarius would call Dad, right?
...You figured it out just from that?
It wasn't a certainty, more like a strong suspicion.
Then why did you call me Commander earlier?
Kerua grinned and replied.
It was a bluff. You always lost when we played cards, Commander. You might fool others, but you can't fool my eyes. Heh heh.
Kerua nodded playfully and glanced up at the sky.
The sun had set before he knew it.
Thats all I know. For the details, youd be better off asking the World Tree directly.
Thats the problem, I cant.
Karron let out a deep sigh.
He had seen with his own two eyes that the World Tree was dying.
And considering what the Regent had told him, it seemed she didn't know about Aquarius either.
Ultimately, it meant that all these secrets could only be revealed if he saved the World Tree.
Mother World Tree, my ass.
This was the work of a master manipulator.
Wasn't it basically saying, If you want to know the secrets, you have to save me?
It was no different from holding the secrets hostage and blackmailing him.
It seemed that asking Kerua any more questions wouldn't change anything.
So Karron changed the subject.
How many of the others are still alive?
He didn't think that all the men who had defended the Imperial Palace until the very end would have survived.
Reaching 8-star, like Kerua, was something only a handful of knights could achieve.
Including me, there are three of us. Hugo, Beatrice, and me. Just the three.
According to the 3rd Elder, Ulrich, the other knights had also escaped the surveillance network around the same time as Kerua.
Something must have happened to them as well.
But the answer that came back from Kerua was less than satisfactory.
Where are they all?
How should I know?
It was a brazenly shameless reply.
They've reached 8-star too, so theyre probably living just fine.
Hey, you guys were once in the same knight order. You should have at least kept in touch.
You'll understand when you get to my age, Commander. No news is good news, you know? Wait. Come to think of it, I'm eighty this year Doesn't that make me older than you now?
At Kerua's point, Karron simply gazed at the night sky and tilted his bottle.
This tiresome bastard.
He finally remembered the guy's nickname.
Chatterbox.
Even after all these years, that damn chatterbox didn't seem to have aged a bit.
He hadn't matured a single day.
Commander? Perhaps we should sort out our titles
Kyah, the moon is bright. What are you doing? Just drink.
It was always best to avoid a losing battle.
The forty-six-year-old Karron did his best to ignore the eighty-year-old Kerua's flapping jaw and took another drink.
It was a noisy night.