Chapter 125 : Chapter 125

Chapter 125: Festival (3)

"Such insolence goes too far!"

A man, said to be the head of the Sharon Faction, stepped forward.

His name was Noser, wasn’t it?

He had been sitting there with a sour expression, as if chewing on something foul, but now he seemed to have finally found a reason to act.

"A deranged old monster? To think you’d so brazenly spew such outrageous nonsense. The Right Camp Leader is a symbol of our Kingdom’s knightly order. How dare an imperial wanderer insult the entirety of our Kingdom’s knights!"

This was unexpected.

Weren’t the Sharon Faction and the Langster Faction supposed to be at odds with each other?

Anyway.

It didn’t feel like he was defending Deganelo so much as reacting out of wounded pride.

But the intensity of his outburst seemed excessive.

Clearly, his emotions were overriding reason.

"This isn’t a calculated political move."

If Zisair’s goal was to observe me, this kind of impulsive outburst would only disrupt the flow unnecessarily.

"To go so far as to defend the head of the rival Langster Faction while hiding another scheme?"

…If Noser were that cunning political mastermind, I’d just have to admit defeat.

What chance does a novice like me have against someone who can manipulate emotions so calculatedly?

For now, I’ll trust my instincts.

"Noser’s out of the picture too."

Ignoring the enraged Noser, I glanced around.

If my conclusion was wrong, someone would’ve spoken up to support or agree with him by now.

But, as expected, there was no such reaction.

Most were cautiously observing, while a few exchanged hushed whispers.

These responses only confirmed my suspicions.

At the same time, they were proof that this delegation’s purpose was far from pure.

"To think that the knights of the Imperial Capital dare to speak of arrogance and insolence."

A single voice cut through the silence.

It was Adeline.

All eyes turned to her in an instant.

"I overlooked the grave matter of someone attempting to harm my trusted confidant, but now you dare raise your voice and mock me in my presence?"

Adeline’s cold gaze fixed on one person.

It was Chief Attendant Ternien.

"I’ve held my tongue and shown restraint out of respect for the guests who traveled far to celebrate our domain’s joyous occasion."

"…."

"Answer me, Chief Attendant. Should I take this as a provocation from the Imperial Capital toward Conwell?"

Adeline slightly tilted her head.

This time, Knight Commander Ludsilla flinched.

"…Or should I regard it as insubordination, heedless of your superior’s dignity, and once again show merciful leniency for the sake of my dear Knight Commander’s honor?"

Her tone was solemn, without inflection.

It wasn’t forced anger but an innate authority that overwhelmed the room.

* * *

"…And that’s how it ended."

"Ha, as expected. Our lord wielded her tongue like a lash of iron."

In a secluded alley near the VIP residence.

I recounted the events in the reception room to Bolero.

"Excluding Chief Attendant Ternien and the knightly officers, the rest are all lackeys of the Prime Minister, you say. Hmm."

Bolero stroked his chin.

His low, rumbling voice blended strangely well with the chirping of crickets in the night.

"That’s my take on it."

Since I’d already been noticed, there was no point in hiding anymore.

In the end, I couldn’t resist Adeline’s insistence and ended up staying at the VIP residence.

Bolero could’ve enjoyed such luxuries as well, but this upright priest chose to keep a low profile, quietly lodging somewhere in Conwell City.

"Hmmmmm."

Bolero’s deep sigh melted into the night air.

The silence grew heavier.

"…."

The reason we were meeting secretly like this in the dead of night… probably stemmed from a sense of obligation.

Neither Bolero nor I are exactly paragons of virtue, but we’re not so callous as to ignore the tragic deaths we’ve witnessed.

In other words, it’s not so much about taking responsibility as it is about being dragged along by our inability to let go.

"What’s your plan, Bihen?"

Bolero was the first to break the silence.

His eyes gleamed with resolve.

I subtly turned my head, avoiding his gaze.

"Well."

My lips parted, then closed again.

I’d already resolved to go to the Imperial Capital and confront Zisair, but I couldn’t give a straight forward answer.

After all, my reasons weren’t purely about avenging the unjust deaths of Orlen and Cecil or restoring order to the Kingdom.

Zisair is likely one of the Eight Demons of the Empire.

The Eight Demons are tied to the Imperial Family’s schemes.

Those schemes will ultimately lead to the Empire’s invasion of the Kingdom and the reason I know this chain of events is because of my past life and the opportunities I’ve gained…

Should I tell Bolero everything?

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"It’s nothing."

…No, I can’t.

Explaining it all convincingly is beyond my eloquence right now.

"I’ll head to the Imperial Capital. That’s where my path of training ends, after all."

"Hmm."

Bolero glanced at me.

His thick mustache hid his tightly pressed lips.

He seemed to have a lot to say but hesitated to speak.

It’s probably difficult.

Asking an imperial like me to join a potentially dangerous endeavor.

"…Of course."

I didn’t want to be petty.

I despise that kind of person anyway.

"But first, I’ll need to talk with the lord. If our goals align, there’s no reason not to help."

Bolero finally flashed his toothy grin.

"Hahaha… You’ve got a knack for twisting words as much as your temper."

I wanted to retort that he’s more timid than his rugged appearance suggests, but… I held back.

* * *

After parting with Bolero, I returned to my bedroom.

A lot happened today. It’d be natural to feel exhausted, but oddly, I felt refreshed.

Perhaps it’s because my destination and goal have become clear.

Surprisingly, I didn’t feel much regret or lingering attachment.

Hmm, I should be careful. If I seem too carefree, others might feel slighted.

"…I’m imagining ridiculous things. Who even cares about me that much?"

After a thorough bath, I sat cross-legged.

I’d been slacking off for a while, so it was time to refocus.

"Benkou Vision."

I passed through the corridor resounding with Wraith Cry and entered the altar of the abyss.

"You’ve arrived."

"…."

Now she’s openly acting like a butler.

As before, Kuhn was writing calligraphy.

"Where do those writing tools even come from?"

"If I imagine they’d be nice to have, they appear before me."

Swish—

Kuhn waved her hand in the air.

When it returned, she was holding a Strange Talisman.

"Like this."

I blinked, then gave up thinking about it and sat cross-legged.

Ignoring Kuhn, I decided to focus on meditation.

But just as I closed my eyes, a rustling sound made me lift my eyelids again.

"…What are you doing?"

Kuhn was burning a Strange Talisman in the brazier.

The way she carefully placed it in, holding up the wide sleeve of her robe with her other hand, exuded an absurd level of reverence and care.

"It occurred to me that these braziers are like crucibles tempering your enlightenment, Young Master. A touchstone for your achievements, so to speak."

I had no counterargument. Kuhn’s insight was spot-on.

Perhaps that’s why I felt oddly at ease.

"The opportunity I gained after my regression."

This inexplicable experience, which even I can’t fully explain—maybe I’ve found someone to ponder and reflect on it with.

Someone I don’t need to worry about leaking secrets or guard against.

"…So why are you burning that?"

"I’m experimenting. A few ideas came to mind."

"Feels like I’m the test subject here, and it’s not exactly pleasant."

"Oh, I didn’t mention. After coming to the Kingdom, I served as a physician by Second Son Killian’s side under imperial orders. I studied physical anatomy in the Empire, and through that, I grew fascinated by analytical thinking and creative exploration through medicine."

"…."

"Thanks to that, I’m never bored while staying in your world, Young Master."

I should seriously ask Bolero about Solari’s exorcism rituals again.

By the way, hearing Killian’s name after so long brought something to mind.

"The Imperial Family is meticulous, isn’t it? Even going so far as to kidnap the children of Conwell’s internal conflicts to use as hostages."

"It’s not just Conwell. The Imperial Family’s reach extends to most of the Kingdom’s domains.

The Empire’s strong centralized system has a structural advantage, allowing it to exploit the gaps in the Kingdom’s loose, decentralized feudal system."

…Advantage, huh.

A mindset that weighs the superiority of civilizations’ operations.

A very imperial way of thinking.

"Ultimately, it’s an order defined by the victor."

It might be called efficiency, but it doesn’t sit well with me.

Enough. Such philosophical musings aren’t for a swordsman like me.

"Ah."

Just as I was about to dive into meditation, Kuhn spoke up, as if something had occurred to her.

"What now?"

"I saw them too. The people from the Imperial Capital."

As she mentioned before, it’s as if she shares my vision, catching fleeting glimpses of the outside world through my eyes.

I didn’t have time to feel uncomfortable.

"So, what’s your take? Even if one of the Eight Demons is stationed in the Imperial Capital, it wouldn’t be surprising."

"I only see fragmented scenes pieced together haphazardly, so it’s hard to grasp the full situation. But relying on intuition, I don’t think my judgment would differ much from yours, Young Master."

"Hmm."

Kuhn paused briefly before continuing.

"To the Imperial Capital, then."

"What, did you think I’d settle down in Conwell?"

"Yes."

She answered without a hint of hesitation.

My mood soured slightly, my brows furrowing, but Kuhn quickly added,

"With the feats you’ve accomplished, you could’ve stayed in Conwell, received a title, and lived out your days in comfort. Perhaps even founded a new family and left your name in the Kingdom’s history."

Her usually expressionless face showed a subtle change.

"Yet you chose to forsake that path."

A faint smile curved Kuhn’s lips.

"…Whatever."

I closed my eyes.

Now I can finally focus on meditation.

* * *

A few days later.

Adeline’s coronation ceremony took place.

The plaza in front of the government office was packed with crowds from early morning.

"Praise Adeline Conwell, the new lord of Conwell!"

"My lord! Please look over here!"

"Long live Adeline Conwell!"

The citizens shouted her name with fervor.

Above their cheers, the bright and lively music of the band echoed.

I mingled with the crowd, taking in the entire scene.

It was, in a word, enchanting.

Looking back, my memories in the Kingdom, from my past life to recent days, were filled with blood-soaked battles.

This moment felt like a well-deserved respite.

Adeline Conwell, the star of the day…

She wasn’t much different from the Adeline I knew.

A bit more elegant than usual, but slightly less ostentatious for a prominent lord representing the Kingdom’s east.

Just right.

Even amidst the glory and cheers, her gaze remained calm and serene.

Chief Attendant Ternien read the proclamation.

It was a short but solemn ceremony, affirming her ducal title by the King’s command.

The next moment, the plaza erupted in cheers.

Finally, Adeline stepped onto the platform.

Her inauguration speech began with a moment of silence for those who perished in the civil war, followed by respectful mentions of the founding contributors and allied nobles standing behind her.

Her voice was restrained in the solemn atmosphere, subtly trembling when honoring certain individuals.

One by one, as if carving names into the monument of Conwell.

Then, suddenly, Adeline paused.

She lowered her gaze, scanning the plaza below.

Her eyes briefly met mine in the crowd.

No words were spoken…

But in that silence, it felt as if Adeline was calling my name.

"…."

In that moment, my journey since setting foot on this land after my regression flashed through my mind.

It wasn’t all in vain.

My struggles weren’t for nothing.

To the person who made me believe that.

I slowly bowed my head.

Quietly, unnoticed by anyone, I slipped out of the plaza.

Maybe I can tell myself I did well.

At least for today.

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