Chapter 63
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Confinement (3)
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5.
The Sea Wolf Knights' headquarters, Sea Wolf Island, located in Azurewater Castle.
In a training ground on Sea Wolf Island, two young men were talking.
So, that's how it was decided you'd be dispatched to the Southern Kingdom! Well? Aren't you a little grateful? If you are, buy me some drinks when you get back.
You crazy bastard. Why are you making me do that?
You're at the cusp of the 4-Star level, brother. It's time you were put on a real mission. How long do you plan on leeching off the family?
You're the one leeching, you bastard! All you do is eat and shit in Azurewater Castle!
Hey now. I'm under confinement, remember? If you've got a problem, go take it up with Grandfather.
Kain looked at Leo with a sly grin.
Over 180 centimeters tall.
And a solid, muscular build that proved he had trained diligently.
On top of that, his aura was much more stable compared to two years ago.
I really raised him well.
Leo's growth was quite satisfactory.
His mastery of the Sea-Conquering Art was also considerable. Leo would soon attain the fifth sea.
This was also the result of him relentlessly tormenting Leo in Azurewater Castle ever since his confinement began.
It's a really easy mission. You just have to go to the Southern Kingdom and lure some technicians over, that's all.
How is poaching technicians from a warzone an easy mission?
If it were easy, it wouldn't be a mission.
...You just said with your own mouth that it was an easy. mission.
Ah, why do you keep arguing? Just do as you're told. Eldest Uncle already gave his permission. It's a great opportunity to contribute to the family's future.
Father did?
I persuaded him myself! I told him all about the benefits to the family if you succeed, and huh? How much recognition you'd get! He was quite excited about it.
After hearing that even his father, Raphael, had consented, Leo quickly accepted the situation.
His last line of defense, his own father, had fallen to that madman. How could he possibly refuse?
Leo let out a deep sigh.
...I'm not going alone, am I?
Two squads from the Sea Wolf Knights. I'm sending Hans with you too, and as it happens, Sister Rion is active in the Southern Kingdom. She'll join you on-site.
That's a relief, at least.
The knights assigned to the mission will be registered as mercenaries in Thebes and then deployed directly to the Southern Kingdom. The detailed operational plan is being drawn up now, so just know the basics for the time being.
In Kain's eyes, Leo was more than ready for real combat.
A sword is not perfected in the training yard.
It is only completed when put to use in a real fight.
Even for the Sea Wolf Sword Style, which follows the path of righteousness, its shortcomings must be supplemented through actual combat.
A sword without experience was nothing more than a pretty but useless trinket.
In that sense, this mission would be a crucial turning point for Leo.
Kain.
What?
It's a mission to bring back technicians, so... there won't be any trouble, right?
Trouble? What kind of trouble?
Like, fighting and stuff.
Ah, fighting. Of course there will be. The southern kingdoms are at war, aren't they? How could there not be fighting in a warzone?
Kain pulled some beef jerky from his pocket and chewed on it noisily. He continued speaking as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Of course, we won't be intervening in the war. But, brother... do you know what war is?
...No.
Trust between people vanishes, and public order collapses. Some will take up their swords because they don't want to lose anything more, and others will struggle to survive, even if it means stealing. That's war.
A hell created by humans in this world.
War is a word that fits that hell all too well.
If you don't kill, you will be killed.
Through that process, Leo would grow.
He would think about the path he must walk, and he would begin to walk it.
...Why are you making me do this?
Leo set down the wooden sword he was holding and looked quietly at Kain.
Kain replied with a faint smile.
Because I believe in you, brother?
He wanted Leo to face more of the world.
He believed in Leo's potential.
Their first meeting had been a bit problematic, but the Leo he had seen since then was more than satisfactory.
That was why Kain wanted Leo to grow even more.
I might be stuck inside Azurewater Castle, but you're not. Go and see with your own two eyes what kind of world you're living in.
Swinging a sword in Azurewater Castle wasn't enough to make him an adult.
Leo was now at an age where he needed to gain experience.
Experience of the world.
If you don't want to go, you don't have to. I won't force you.
At Kain's words, Leo let out another heavy sigh.
So far, listening to Kain had rarely been the wrong choice. Especially when it came to advice about his growth.
Whenever he hit a wall with his swordsmanship or mana training, Kain had always shown him the right path.
It'll be the same this time.
Kain was a madman, but at the same time, he was the most dependable person he knew.
If I go, will I be able to catch up to you, even a little?
Leo asked in a low voice, and Kain shrugged.
That might be a bit difficult. But it'll help.
Hey, if it'll help, why is it impossible to catch up?
Because the one you're comparing yourself to is me, brother. You know I opened the sixth sea last week, right?
The sixth... 6-Star? 6-Star in the Sea-Conquering Art?
Yeah. I showed Grandfather, too. Man, that old geezer didn't even give me a single compliment. So cold. Tsk.
It was a blatantly disrespectful remark, but Leo brushed it off as if it were nothing.
He was a madman who was disrespectful to his elders as a matter of course.
What was more shocking was the absurd claim that he had reached the 6-Star level at only fifteen.
From 5-Star to 6-Star... in two years?
Yep.
How'd you do it?
It just... happened?
No wonder Uncle and Father have looked so grim lately.
With Kain's talent running rampant, it was only natural for their expressions to darken.
Leo shook his head from side to side.
It was an absurd achievement, but he wasn't discouraged by it.
That was just the kind of guy Kain was.
Someone who couldn't be understood with common sense. A true monster among monsters.
You could only feel jealous of someone who was on a similar level.
So, are you going or not? Decide quickly.
Did I ever really have a choice?
I told you, I'm not forcing you. However.
Kain picked up a wooden sword lying on the ground and began tapping his own shoulder with its flat side, as if giving himself a massage.
If you stay here, you'll be doing three months of hellish training with me. If you're not going to take a mission, your training at least has to be like real combat. Right?
I'll do it. I'll go. I'll go, you son of a bitch!
Excellent. Good thinking.
Having gotten the answer he wanted, Kain muttered to himself in a low voice.
Ha, he's gotten stubborn now that he's older. It's not easy to persuade him anymore. Seems he only listens when I threaten him.
...I can hear you.
Sorry. I meant for you to hear.
And so, Leo's mission was decided.
6.
After the mission to retrieve technicians from the south was finalized, preparations began at a rapid pace.
Leo's first official mission.
Two weeks after Rohan's visit to Azurewater Castle, all preparations were complete.
This was the train station in Azurewater Castle.
The Sea Wolf Knights assigned to the mission and Leo were all gathered, ready for departure.
Leo. You must... you must come back safely. Do you understand? Contact me whenever you can.
Yes, Mother. Don't worry.
My proud son... Just come back safely.
Leo's mother, Camilla, was hugging him with tears in her eyes.
Watching them from the side, Kain said with a smile.
Anyone would think he was going off to war. Aunt. It's just a simple mission. He just has to go and bring back some technicians.
Camilla glared at her annoying nephew chattering in front of her.
If it's such a simple mission, did you really have to send Leo?
Brother Leo chose this himself. No, really, I wanted to go, Aunt. But what can I do? I'm under confinement.
You...
I don't think overprotecting him is good. Brother Leo will be eighteen before you know it. It's time for him to stand on his own two feet.
If he were at least a poor speaker, she wouldn't be this angry.
This is all his fault.
The reason Leo wasn't getting any attention, the reason he was forcing himself to go on this mission.
It was all because of this wicked boy in front of her.
She already knew he had persuaded her husband with his silver tongue.
But what angered her more was Leo's attitude.
Kain is right, Mother. It was my choice, and my responsibility. I'll come back having grown stronger. Please stay healthy until then.
Why was her son moving exactly according to Kain's plan?
Camilla spoke to Leo in a pleading voice.
...It's not too late to change your mind. Why do you have to go to that warzone?
But Leo just smiled gently and replied.
For the family. And for myself, too.
But why...
Because I can't rely on Kain's help forever. So, Mother? Don't worry. I'll be back soon.
Leo hugged Camilla one more time. Then he slowly boarded the train and leaned his head out the window.
Kain looked at Leo's face and let out a smirk. He said in a playful tone.
Is this what a mother feels like, sending her child off into the world? I feel so melancholic. I'll have to drink tonight.
In response, Leo raised his middle finger at Kain.
Eat this.
Mmm, delicious. Did you bring it from the capital?
At the shameless banter, Leo couldn't help but smirk along with Kain.
You madman.
I admit it.
Try not to cause too much trouble, Kain. I was here to clean up your messes, you think you can manage without me?
You're the one who needs to be careful, brother. Out there, you always have to watch your back. Don't forget it. Got it?
Wooooooooo-!
Once all the troops were aboard, the train's engine began to run.
Kain gave Leo a light wave.
If you get hurt, you'll get hurt even more by my hand.
Just curse me already.
Have a safe trip.
Wooooooooo!
The train began to pull away from the station at a fast pace.
Kain watched the back of the train for a long time.
There shouldn't be any major problems.
Because that's how I raised him.
He had pushed Leo to his limits the entire time they were in Azurewater Castle.
He couldn't possibly get hurt on a mission like this.
He might not realize his own strength right now, but once he started swinging his sword, he'd know.
He would know just what kind of time he had spent.
As Kain was watching the departing train with a satisfied smile, Camilla warned him in a low voice.
If my son comes back seriously injured... I won't just stand by, Kain. Mark my words.
Even after all this time, Camilla hadn't let down her guard around Kain.
But Kain just smiled and replied.
By now, I'd have thought you'd start thinking of me as a son, Aunt. Do you know how diligently I look after Brother Leo?
It's easy to get attention when you have someone to compare yourself to right next to you. To you, Leo is just a foil. Am I wrong?
You are wrong, Aunt. I can shine all on my own.
Do you really think I'd believe that?
What you think isn't important, Aunt. I genuinely think of Brother Leo as my own flesh and blood.
He didn't feel the need to clear up her misunderstanding.
A misunderstanding like this wouldn't disappear easily anyway.
It was something that time would resolve.
Well then, I'll be taking my leave. I plan on locking myself in the training hall starting today. Please get home safely, Aunt.
Kain gave a polite bow and then turned away with a smile.
He walked toward Azurewater Castle with light steps.
I'm looking forward to it.
How much stronger will Leo be when he returns after successfully completing his mission?
I hope Leo experiences a lot.
I can't find your path for you, brother. Right?
One's path is something one must forge for oneself.
Kain walked on, sincerely wishing for Leo's growth.
There were still many things to prepare in Azurewater Castle.
Time once again flowed diligently.
Four years since the confinement order.
The thirteen-year-old boy was now seventeen.