Chapter 91
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Mirror (6)
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Not far off, the training grounds came into view, where the morning drills had just wrapped up. Only a few knights remained, continuing their practice.
The garden path winding around the branch building and the long walkway were quiet, frequented only by the occasional chirp of birds, devoid of any human presence.
"Lib."
My father, lost deep in thought as we walked, suddenly stopped and called my name.
His gaze looking down at me was endlessly warm.
"No matter how much I think about it, I can't shake the desire for us to return to Prion together just like this. In this dangerous situation with demons and even a dragon appearing, all I can think is that I can't send you off."
I nodded glumly.
I understood why he felt that way.
We had faced mutated magical beasts, demons, and even a dragon that shouldn't exist.
I had said this trip would help gauge the risks... but it had turned out far too perilous.
"But you've handled it all so well. You gave your all to your duties and saved people. I have no doubt whatsoever that you'll continue to do so."
I looked up at him with wide eyes.
"Father... does that mean...?"
He brought his right hand to my face. His large, warm palm touched my cheek.
"It wouldn't be right for me to rob you of this opportunity out of excessive worry. You'll travel through various countries, meet many people, broaden your horizons, and gain invaluable experience. And through it all, you'll grow even stronger."
His unwavering faith flowed through his palm into me.
I grasped the back of his hand. My heartbeat sounded unusually loud.
"And stabilizing the sealing sites across the regions?"
He chuckled aloud at my lighthearted question, a faint smile on his lips.
"No need to worry about that part. I could tell when you spoke like Luwen."
"Yes, don't worry."
His hand ruffled my hair playfully before slowly pulling away.
He looked at me with an expression that was both joyful and sorrowful.
"I'll speak to the Silver Guard Knight about it. Shuren will be joining the Silver Moon Knights too... so there are a few things I want to lay out for him."
His meaningful expression as he said that made me a bit uneasy.
"Don't fight?"
"If necessary, we need to prepare various means..."
"Father?"
It didn't sound like a joke at all. He laughed, saying he understood, and waved it off.
"I'll try to find a peaceful approach as much as possible. That guy's always been rough in handling people. I'll mention it to the White Guard Knight before the banquet too."
I nodded.
And then I realized I needed to tell my friends about this as well.
As night deepened, a chill wind swirled around the terrace.
Beneath the terrace's red curtains, light from the banquet hall leaked through.
While our conversation unfolded, Kalia had volunteered to stand guard in front of the curtains.
First, I shared the unfinished parts of my story.
What had happened at Merirose Mansion in my hometown of Meribel. That I had a constitution that attracted demons, and because of it, I became Luwen's disciple to control my mana.
It was what I hadn't finished telling them back in Cornik.
After that, I explained about the Silver Moon Knights that Shuren and I would be joining, and the sealing sites. Even though it was a Prius secret, I had no choice but to tell them.
"What... the hell is that?"
Those were Wedin's words after I finished everything, spoken after a long silence.
His flushed face could have been from the cold wind or from anger—it was hard to tell.
"A knight order guarding sealing sites scattered across various countries, constantly under demon attacks—a dangerous place like that? And you're going why?"
"To protect the barriers at the sealing sites. It was Claus Sage's—my master's—suggestion, and I'm..."
"Damn it, you're only fifteen!"
I flinched at Wedin's sudden outburst.
Clemence, who had been listening quietly with her head down, looked up in surprise, eyes wide.
"Fifteen, and you haven't even graduated knight school yet! Everyone else gets deployed after graduation at twenty, so why you, right now, on this dangerous mission?!"
"...Because I'm the best fit. Barriers have been my specialty for a while now. I've already been to the sealing site here."
I answered calmly.
I had fully expected Wedin to get angry.
It was my fault for not telling him sooner, so all I could do was apologize and persuade him patiently.
"So why does it have to be you! And you said you attract demons—what are the adults doing? Why dump it all on you?"
I had already explained, but he wasn't convinced.
All I could do was keep answering until he accepted it.
"With my constitution, controlling my mana has made it manageable. And Althur Tower has long suffered from a manpower shortage..."
"Shut up!"
Wedin yelled and grabbed me by the collar.
Stunned into silence, I just stared at him. His bloodshot eyes reflected raw anger and pain.
"That's the adults' responsibility! Demons, seals—who cares? Why should you bear that burden?!"
"Wedin, that's enough."
Even as Shuren grabbed his hand and pulled him away from me, I couldn't move.
I needed to say something to convince him, but my mind went blank, words failing me.
Wedin steadied his ragged breathing and glared at me with a venomous expression.
His gaze sent chills down my spine, like ice creeping along my back.
"Liberic, you're smart and capable, but you're an utter idiot. Do you know how many knights die fighting magical beasts or demons?
Every day, how many get carried into Erban Medical Center—do you even know? The ones who make it back to Prion as corpses are the lucky ones..."
"Wedin."
Shuren tried to restrain the agitated Wedin by grabbing his arm, but Wedin shook him off fiercely and shot him a sharp glare.
"You're an idiot too, bro. Why go to a place like that on purpose? You could go somewhere safer and better! People are so fragile, dying so pointlessly. You two really don't get it. You're so stupid it's beyond words."
After unleashing his fury, Wedin turned and stormed out through the curtains, off the terrace.
"Wedin!"
Shuren tried to stop him, but he didn't slow down.
"I-I'll go after him."
Clemence, pale-faced, turned and chased him.
She couldn't even look me in the face properly.
The terrace felt especially cold now that Wedin and Clemence had left.
I leaned against the railing, my body drained of strength.
Wedin's shouts still echoed deafeningly in my head.
I'd seen him angry plenty of times, but never like this—not once. And directed at me...
"It'll take time, but he'll come around."
Shuren sighed and slumped onto the bench. He meant to comfort me, but he looked like he needed it too.
"I hope so..."
I stared blankly through the parted curtains at the splendid music and lights spilling out.
"In a week?"
I asked in surprise at the faster-than-expected schedule.
The White Guard Knight nodded and took a sip of his steaming tea.
I sat lost in thought, not touching my own cup.
That morning, I'd received a message from his adjutant saying there was something to discuss after breakfast, so come to the office.
Having barely slept since returning from the palace banquet last night, I pulled myself together and visited.
He greeted me warmly as usual, guided me to a plush sofa, and served a fragrant tea perfect for the morning.
Then, sitting across from me, he announced that the delegation would return to Prion in a week.
A week.
The delegation's stay in Elgrace for official business had been set at just over a week from the start.
Follow-up on recent events had extended it slightly, but everything else was proceeding normally.
Relations with the Lesion Kingdom had improved substantially, and key discussions on establishing a knight school branch in Elgrace were underway.
"We can't stay away from Prion too long. Sir Jenard has been actively helping us, and the nobles are being overly accommodating, so things are moving quickly."
"That's fortunate..."
I meant it sincerely.
If things went smoothly, nothing could be better. Despite everything, if it all worked out in the end...
My thoughts kept tangling into knots.
The terrace incident kept resurfacing unbidden.
I hadn't seen Wedin or Clemence since last night, and after Shuren walked me back to the branch, he went drinking with others.
He'd told me not to worry too much and get some sleep, but I'd tossed and turned all night.
"Liberic."
Pulling myself from my jumbled thoughts, I saw the White Guard Knight regarding me with gentle eyes.
"Last night's banquet was quite the affair, wasn't it?"
"...Yes, it was."
"Even for me, it had been ages since I'd seen so many nobles. Ah, correction— so many Denan nobles."
He said it lightly, but the implication was heavy. His expression wasn't entirely pleased either.
"Holy Mage Grain excused himself from attending, and the Silver Guard Knight only escorted me to the entrance before leaving.
Your father, the Blue Guard Knight... had no choice but to attend, but it seems he drank quite a bit with Sir Jenard afterward."
I understood what he meant.
Father, being pure-blooded Luar, would have stood out among the Denan nobles with his distinctive traits.
His unique scent, pale skin tone, aura—those kinds of things.
Loran, Arbat, and we Luar didn't look all that different from Denan externally.
You couldn't really tell just by appearance; only up close could you notice the scents or subtle features.
And yet...
Last night's banquet was full of moments I didn't care to remember.
"I can't understand why they hate other races so much, or how they can express it so openly."
"They don't feel the need to interact with other races."
The White Guard Knight took a sip of tea and spoke slowly.
"Since the Demon Emperor was sealed, the Lesion Kingdom has enjoyed a long period of peace without external invasions—a golden age.
The Loran and Arbat are busy with their internal issues, and Luar aren't very interested in the outside world. Plus, Prius handles the magical beasts and demons."
I nodded.
Geographical advantages played a role too.
Lesion's north was shielded by the Quint Mountains, and its west bordered Prion and Sernia.
The Luar kingdom of Sernia had a policy of not encroaching on other territories, so Lesion could afford its long peace.
"So they don't need to watch other races' moves... is that it?"
"That's not the only reason. Prince Raymond bolstered his faction by purging rival nobles who weren't pure-blooded Denan. Targeting bloodlines was an effective method."
A despicably petty strategy. Blood can't be changed through effort.
"The one who advised the prince on that was Kaela Ermis. Unfortunately, the nobles here won't shake their belief in their bloodline's superiority anytime soon.
Prince Raymond will have to pay for this properly, but that won't be easy either."
The White Guard Knight said worriedly.