Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 149
>Chapter Title: Uncle's Return
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Chapter 149
When he lost his mother at the age of six.
“It's okay. It's okay, Jay. Just trust me. I'll protect you, even if it costs me everything.”
To Jay Ruddel, his father had been everything.
He had been the guide of his life, filling the void left by his mother perfectly, and he was a wise lord respected by all the townsfolk.
He was more than a sturdy pillar of support. Jay Ruddel admired such a father.
He had always vowed to become an outstanding lord of Ruddel who wouldn't tarnish the family name.
And when he lost that father.
“Ah.”
Jay Ruddel's world came crashing down.
All around him were adults coveting the position of lord successor or scheming to manipulate the young Jay Ruddel.
That was when Jin Ruddel appeared.
“Hey, come on, you old geezers. Do you really have to be so petty? Want me to shake you down a bit? Think you can handle it?
“You fossils about to kick the bucket, what glory are you chasing? Have some shame!!”
His father's younger brother, with whom ties had been severed long ago.
Uncle Jin, whom he had only vaguely known to exist and heard was a shameless thief, turned out to be a profoundly just and free-spirited man.
He stayed out of tedious power struggles and lived life on his own terms.
His hands were light-fingered, but he only stole when he believed it was right.
“Why steal? Well... nicely put, because they won't hand it over?
Ah, correction.
More precisely, it wasn't that he stirred up trouble just to steal; theft was simply a means to achieve what he wanted.
“Grown-ups, you see, hide a ton of stuff. And all of it, every last bit, is filthy. Think about it. Would you willingly show off the diarrhea-stained underwear you've secretly stashed away?
“......Why hide diarrhea-stained underwear? Just wash it.
“It's a figure of speech!
“......Ugh. That's weird.
“Yeah, weirdly handsome, right? This uncle of yours. Your dad... er, daddy and I don't share the same genes, huh?
“......”
......A somewhat eccentric uncle, sure.
But that eccentricity was more than enough to heal the depressed Jay Ruddel.
Following him around, he'd end up laughing at the absurdity, and somehow, his worries would melt away.
It was possible only because the adults who had leverage over him no longer dared to touch him after Uncle Jin showed up.
“Jay. I won't be able to come for a while. Still got some business to wrap up.”
But their parting came abruptly.
“......Can you come back soon?
“Come on, kid. When have you ever seen me break a promise?
“What're you saying? You're late every day, Uncle.
“Oh...... haha....... Yeah, fair enough. I always say it, don't I? What's the most important thing?
“Freedom...... but being late kinda contradicts that, doesn't it, Uncle?
“This brat's head got bigger and now you're changing. Puberty hitting you?
The uncle tousled his hair with a laugh and left just like always.
“I'll be back soon. Wait for me.”
And that was the last image Jay Ruddel ever saw of him.
Spring passed, and outlaws invaded.
Summer came, and countless soldiers and the Knight Commander died.
Autumn faded into winter, and as Jay Ruddel withered away like falling leaves under a curse.
Still, the uncle never appeared.
* * *
“Uncle Ooon!!!!”
-Eek.
There he was, that uncle, right before his eyes.
To Jay Ruddel right now, that fact alone filled his vision.
The dignity he must uphold as lord, the decorum due to the hero who saved the city.
None of that entered his mind.
“Why....... Why now! You said you'd be right back.......!!!”
-Sheesh, kid. Heard you were sick, but your voice got louder. Still got some fight in you, huh?
“You think that's what matters right now!?”
Jay Ruddel practically collapsed into his embrace, tears streaming down.
Jin Ruddel chuckled at his nephew's spoiled antics and patted his head.
Ghosts couldn't feel warmth or sensation from each other, but it didn't matter.
That warmth from back then was still there.
“Sorry. Late again this time.”
“......As long as you came now, it's fine. I heard from the hero. What've you been up to?”
-Don't even ask. You won't believe what I've been through. You'd freak out. ......So, in this cave....... that's when I went right—! Grr......
Right now, there was no dying lord here.
Just a boy not yet of age and his uncle.
“Lord......”
Was it the sight that stirred their emotions?
The head steward pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at his reddened eyes.
-Liza...... Liza......
-Sniff......
-Mmm......
Were they just as saddened?
Zihard was openly sniffling, Charlie turned away pretending otherwise but his eyes suspiciously moist.
Eliza especially reacted the most intensely.
-Liza......
More sentimental than usual, she busily wiped her eyes with her fluffy fur.
Zihard flinched when his eyes met Eliza's.
“S-Sorry, Eliza.”
It was instinct.
He felt like the world's biggest scum if he didn't apologize.
Whether his instinct hit the mark, Eliza, who had been staring, soon turned away.
-Hmm! Good job.
Zihard looked a decade younger, and Charlie patted his shoulder in encouragement.
And Eliza, busy being sad.
Watching them film their usual comedy skit, Do-hyun turned to Eliza too.
‘Come to think of it, Eliza waited 150 years.’
She probably understood the lord's feelings better than anyone.
Feeling a pang of sympathy, Do-hyun stroked Eliza's head with his index finger, and she rubbed against it like she'd never been sad.
Moments like this showed dogs were simple creatures.
“Hero.”
Meanwhile, the touching reunion seemed to wrap up, and Jay Ruddel approached.
His illness still ravaged him, but his face was much more at peace.
The same went for Jin Ruddel.
“Thank you, truly. Thanks to you, even as a ghost, I can talk with the kid. How can I ever repay this grace...... I wish I could fetch anything you desire, but being a ghost, I can't do a thing.”
True to Jin Ruddel's style, lighthearted tone, but his sincerity overflowed.
[Jin Ruddel's favorability greatly increases.]
[Title 'Max Favorability from the Start?' effect activates. Favorability increases even more.]
[Jin Ruddel's favorability is at maximum.]
His expression and gestures said as much, but the messages confirmed it.
And the messages didn't stop there.
[Quest 'Ruddel's Savior' cleared.]
[Rewards: High-grade Skill Draw Ticket, Ruddel family's absolute support and favorability, Ruddel's Conviction acquired.]
[Title 'Ruddel's Savior' acquired.]
......
[Level up.]
[Conditions met: Third Trial, 'Apostle's Feats' generated.]
[Apostle's Feats]
-Rank: Third Trial
-Description: One who seeks to graduate from the third city, Sargis, on the main continent.
You must pass the gods' trial.
Proving and gaining recognition as an Apostle is vital, but every hero must have feats befitting their status.
Your feats as an Apostle are measured numerically, determining the reward rank.
-Clear Conditions: Reach level 49, Proof as Apostle
-Rewards upon Clear: Distributed by rank (D~S)
-Time Limit: None.
[Checking feats accumulated as Apostle.]
[Measuring rank.]
‘Nice!’
With this, he'd hit graduation level and got the rewards he wanted.
[Unbelievable feats.]
[Measurement time slightly delayed.]
The delay in measurement was a minor flaw, but the wait felt sweet.
‘Wonder what it'll give this time.’
He'd already confirmed that rewards for unbelievable feats were enhanced.
What would Sargis's S-rank reward be?
Even the wait felt like honey.
As Do-hyun grinned, eyes gleaming.
“I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart. You lifted me when I'd given up and saved our city. I'll never forget this grace.”
Jay Ruddel, who had approached unnoticed, bowed deeply.
The talkative Jin Ruddel, the stern head steward.
Zihard, Eliza, Charlie—all eyes on him.
Do-hyun composed himself and gave a formal reply.
“I only did what needed doing.”
A response anyone could give.
Delivered with utter nonchalance, devoid of flair, but it seemed to hit Jay Ruddel differently.
His sparkling eyes brimmed with admiration.
“No. No one could do what you did, Hero. Who else would risk their life against those terrifying outlaws! It's not something you can just decide to do.”
“......”
“And then to downplay it so we wouldn't worry...... Ahh....... You're like a hero straight out of a fairy tale. I get why women dream of princes on white steeds.”
Far from blasé, his humble demeanor amid such benevolence moved him deeply.
-Yeah, that's why all the ladies fell for me. Makes sense now. Even I, a guy, am swooning, Hero.
“......News to me, Uncle.”
-Hey? Check this kid out? Back in my day, I......
Even the chatty Jin Ruddel, awkward with words, gazed at him differently.
‘......Hmm.’
He'd planned to capture him anyway for the Piece of Fate.
Helping out was just to snag extra rewards, but their reaction made him feel awkwardly bashful.
Then Charlie smiled warmly and whispered.
-My lord. This lowly sword knows. You say that, but you wanted to help. A smile doesn't lie.
......Not really.
He'd just gone wide-eyed at the quest rewards.
Seeing the deepened respect in Charlie's misunderstanding, Do-hyun oddly felt like the bad guy for getting excited over rewards.
‘Well, not bad.’
Still, like Charlie said, it didn't feel bad.
[Jay Ruddel's favorability greatly increases.]
[Title 'Max Favorability from the Start?' effect activates. Favorability increases even more.]
[Jay Ruddel's favorability is at maximum.]
Is this why favorability grinds are a thing?
Knowing they were NPCs, their reactions and messages still filled him with pride.
Seeing Do-hyun's subtly upturned lips, Jay Ruddel's eyes lit up.
“If there's anything you desire, just say the word. Anything within my authority is fine.”
He asked with the readiness to even yield the lord's seat, lighting up Do-hyun's eyes.
Now's the time.
Do-hyun, who'd long hesitated on how to broach it, seized the chance.
“Anything at all is fine?”
“Yes.”
“How far does that extend, exactly?”
“Anything within this castle is no issue.”
In that case......
Do-hyun turned and asked cautiously.
“That too?”
“You mean the Pendant of the Moon. It's an exceptional piece by a master smith, but...... you'd settle for just that?”
“No, the one behind it.”
“......Behind it?”
Jay Ruddel blinked at where Do-hyun looked.
No matter how he squinted, he saw only the pendant, a worn box, and the Bell of the Moon visible from the terrace......
“......?”
Eyes widening in disbelief, Jay Ruddel whipped around.
Do-hyun, meeting his gaze, nodded affirmatively.
“Give me the Bell of the Moon.”
“......Pardon?”
Jay Ruddel doubted his ears.