【Chapter 33】
After that day, I tried my best to refrain from going out and staying quietly inside the house, but my resolution didn’t last for long. It was because I heard the story of Theodore, who had returned to Roquette from my older sister, Elga.
“The unit led by Theodore suffered a major defeat?”
“The situation near the desert border is said to be extremely dire.”
“I can’t imagine the Knights being overwhelmed by a group of bandits to that extent.”
In the original story, Theodore was dispatched to the southern desert region after marrying Minuelle. Even then, it was almost like a mechanism to meet Lafesch. However, Theodore’s unit was devastated during this time, and he disappeared from public view due to heartbreak.
‘Is he drowning himself in alcohol, perhaps?’
It was a superficial relationship, but he was my first friend after leaving the temple, and I was worried about him. I had no idea how to comfort him because I was completely unfamiliar with the world of knights.
“Sister Elga, have you had such an experience too?”
“Of course.”
“You too, Sister?!”
My sister, who chopped up bears instead of radishes and used monsters instead of carrots?
My sister, who was recognized as the rightful successor of the Karinen family?
Startled and with my eyes wide open, Sister Elga laughed and lightly tapped my cheek with one finger.
“You always overestimate me.”
Sure… From my perspective, the strongest person in this world is our mom, and Sister Elga is the second strongest after Mom.
No, it’s not because of a family buff. She is really strong.
“It’s an old story, but everyone has a first time.”
Sister stretched her hand over her slender crossed legs with a smiling face.
If someone else had seen it, they might have considered it a cold expression, but I knew it was Sister’s own comfortable smile.
Even after a long struggle, she finally emerged victorious from that day of defeat.
“Well, how was it? How did you feel back then?”
“It was incredibly tough. The fact that my subordinates and many knights died is all my responsibility. I lost many lives because of my wrong judgment.”
My sister, who gathered the surviving troops upon her return, reportedly offered a knife to Mother and asked her to cut her throat.
Naturally, Mother refused with a single word.
“Mother has spoken. Even the god of war could not use the epithet ‘invincible.'”
Therefore, what will a humble human do?
Training, reconnaissance, and numerous operations.
Prepare for everything and leave the rest to the heavens.
Whether the opponent is a monster or a human, they stake their lives on it. Even if defeat comes at the end, they accept the outcome.
Responsibility naturally falls on the one who wields countless lives, and they won’t allow thoughts of fleeing from death.
…That’s what I heard.
Just hearing it, an incredible strength was felt, and I unconsciously swallowed hard.
‘Wow… our mom has a steel mentality…’
Grand Duchess Karinen, who subdued the north, I felt like witnessing one facet of a ruler that many admired.
‘Sister Elga is no less than Mom.’
She was only nineteen at that time, even younger than my current age, yet she said, “Please cut off the commander’s head!”?
Ugh.
If it were me, I wouldn’t have been able to utter a word, and all I could do was cry loudly.
“Sister…”
“Yes?”
“I admire you. You’re the best, Sister.”
Sister Elga’s mouth corner turned slightly upward.
“Are you acting cute?”
“I’m serious, you know? I’m sorry to Brother-in-law, but today, I want to sleep with you, Sister.”
“Juella will probably get jealous.”
“Just jealousy? She’ll probably show up without us saying anything.”
Unless she had extremely busy work, Sister Juella never missed spending time with her sisters.
Agreeing with a low laugh, Sister Elga soon checked the time and got up from her seat.
“It’s time for the Knights’ afternoon training.”
“Take care.”
“See you tonight, sweetheart.”
Sister, who had caressed my head, turned away. Through the open door, I could see knights standing in a poised stance with their heels pressed firmly together.
The Karinen family’s knights were renowned for their excellence, but the aura that Sister emitted was overwhelming.
Her almost-short, cropped hair accentuated her straight neck, straight shoulders, and back beautifully.
“Beauty graces a well-trained body, right? Ah, as expected, Flendena knows a thing or two.”
💧
Even after Sister left, I remained seated under the lazy sunshine for a while, but soon I headed towards Count Tregosnan’s residence.
“Even the god of war could not use the epithet ‘invincible’…..”
Murmuring those words to remember.
It’s truly a magnificent saying. Of course, I couldn’t bring myself to say that one shouldn’t flee from death.
And upon arriving at the Count’s residence and seeing Theodore, that thought became even stronger.
‘I absolutely shouldn’t do that.’
Theodore’s face looked pale, but there was no scent of alcohol at all. It was palpable that he was genuinely in deep agony.
Yet, Theodore didn’t refuse my visit. When he tried to raise a smile, despite his deeply cracked lips, it was even heart-wrenching.
“Minuelle, have you been well all this time?”
“I’m good…”
I feel so sorry for you!
As I teared up, Theodore gave up on pretending to smile and scratched his chin slightly.
“You heard, huh? Well, it was a dismal defeat to the point where it’s natural for rumors to spread.”
“No, no, that’s not it!”
I raised my hand in vain, but Theodore had already submerged his head in the swamp of depression. If I had stayed a little longer, it seemed like he might have sunk his whole body there.
‘How on earth do I begin to offer comfort?’
After a brief moment of contemplation, I decided to break the ice.
“Hey, Theo, do you happen to know my sister?”
“Who in the Empire wouldn’t know the Young Duchess of Karinen?”
“Oh, well…. She mainly worked in the North, so I asked just in case.”
Unconsciously, I lightly scratched my chin, just like Theodore had done.
“You know, Theo, my sister also didn’t know what to do when she first lost her unit. She blamed herself for a long time and was in agony.”
But Mom didn’t just pamper her because she was her beloved eldest daughter. She gave her sharp advice to help her regain her composure.
“….haha.”
As Theodore, who had been blankly listening to the story that even the god of war didn’t use the epithet ‘invincible,’ let out a dry laugh.
‘Well, maybe I should have just offered ordinary comfort after all?’
Now I realized it belatedly, but Theodore calmly asked without getting angry.
“What’s next?”
“Uh?”
“There should be more to the story, right?”
How did you know?
“Sister… As soon as she returned, she asked Mother to take her life.”
And after hearing the rest of the story that followed, Theodore let out a long, deep sigh and buried himself deep in his chair.
“That’s what I was hoping for.”
“Uh?”
Do all knights enjoy such powerful stories like this?
Looking at me in surprise, Theodore let out a playful laugh. Seeing that laugh, it felt like he had finally returned to the person I used to know.
“I’m embarrassed to say this, but being the eldest son, and, moreover, the sole successor of the Tregosnan swordsmanship, I’ve been carrying that burden.”
I could somewhat understand it.
Even as the youngest, I was grateful just to be alive and breathing, but it was understandable that he carried such a burden as the sole heir, being a rising star in the central region who had been undefeated.
“Theo, you’re still growing, right?”
Prominent generals and warlords, as well as renowned lords, had all passed middle age.
Sister Elga was already in her thirties this year, and considering her long-standing recognition, it was difficult to categorize her in the same generation as Theodore.
Among their contemporaries, there was Esadien, but the law that prohibited members of the imperial family, except for the emperor and crown prince, from holding official positions was restraining him. So Theodore was truly the promising rising star of the next generation.
“Of course.”
Now, his smile seemed quite natural.
Theodore’s gaze seemed to be directed towards the desert or some distant place, and I silently sipped my tea.
‘I’m glad things seem to be going well.’
I may not be a knight and may not understand the weight of bearing many lives, but as a friend, I could always come running to offer comfort.
“Ah, I was too engrossed in my thoughts with a guest.”
“You’re not just a guest, you’re a friend. Don’t worry, it’s okay.”
“You’re saying something similar with the Third Prince? Couples can’t help it, I suppose.”
In response to the joking remark, my cheek stiffened reflexively.
“Ah….”
Seeing me like that, Theodore asked in puzzlement.
“Minuelle? Did something happen with the Third Prince?”
“No, it’s nothing. I mean, what could have happened?”
“Hmm.”
Theodore narrowed his eyes, but when I waved my hand dismissively, he let it go. I took advantage of the opportunity and quickly changed the topic of conversation.
“Ahem. Isn’t it tiring to go back and forth from Roquette to the southern end?”
“To be honest, even when we use the gates that the magicians open for us, it can be quite exhausting.”
Theodore’s voice grew slightly quieter.
“The successor of Margrave has been killed in action and I myself suffered major injuries and am now in convalescence. It’s an unavoidable situation.”
At first, they thought it would be over after going to help once or twice. However, the wounds of the Margrave didn’t heal easily. They had to call in priests, and even then, it was a slow recovery at best.
In the meantime, in other territories, one by one, groups called the ‘Church of Fire’ began to appear, and they said that everyone was busy dealing with their own issues.
‘Come to think of it, they said they started appearing in the south from the beginning.’
“They claim they’ll offer themselves to the ‘fire’ and wreak havoc, igniting a great fire in the process.”
Many people had already lost their homes, so the vassals who acted on behalf of Margrave said they were troubled just to accommodate them.
“Until now, I’ve been sent out and returned in my capacity as the heir of Tregosnan.”
Theodore rubbed his forehead as if he was frustrated just thinking about it.
“If their deeds don’t subside, I might really end up permanently stationed there, or to be honest, it feels like I’ll be packing my bags soon.”
“Hey, Theodore, is it okay to tell me something like this?”
Commander relocation, isn’t this usually classified information?
“It wouldn’t be allowed for anyone else, of course. But didn’t Minuelle say that she’s my friend?”
Theodore looked at me with his characteristic friendly smile, but there was a hint that he hadn’t entirely let go of his guardedness. I asked while crossing my arms.
“And?”
“And that friend is part of the Karinen Ducal Family.”
The laughter had disappeared without me noticing. Theodore was looking at me with a serious and resolute gaze.
I couldn’t help but wonder if he was the same person who had recently been dumped by Lafesch and said he would drink.
But I didn’t dislike this sense of distance. No, quite the opposite.
‘This is how a male lead should be.’
💧
Thank you for reading!
