Chapter 138 : Chapter 138

Chapter 138: In the Name of Father (5)

The Benkou Vision manifests only when the 'conscious self' and the 'unconscious self' become one.

Until the 'conscious self' could overcome the poison that had seeped into the body, the 'unconscious self' had to remain trapped at the altar of the abyss.

How long had I waited like that?

As if a ray of light descended into the depths of the sea, consciousness opened, and when I opened my eyes, it was morning.

Swish.

As I lifted my eyelids, bright light flooded in. I soon realized I was lying in an unfamiliar room.

‘Where is this…?’

Turning my head, I saw the crown of Linda’s head, who was asleep leaning against the bed while seated.

As she stirred and turned her face toward me, drool was dripping from her mouth, pressed open by the back of her hand.

‘Why is she sleeping like that?’

I was about to wake her to tell her to sleep properly when the door opened, and my eyes met Karim’s.

He was so startled that the various medicine bottles and towels on the tray he was holding nearly spilled everywhere.

“Sir Bihen! You’ve already regained consciousness?!”

At his voice, Linda jolted upright…

“Sir Bihen!”

Following that, Roberto and the people from Labotas poured in, and the room quickly turned into a chaotic hubbub.

* * *

Roberto grabbed my hand as if embracing me, repeatedly thanking me for staying alive.

That wasn’t all.

“You saved Labotas! You saved us all!”

“It’s been… ten years since I’ve smiled like this. It feels like a dream.”

“You freed us from endless suffering.”

“How can we ever repay this kindness…!”

They wept and bowed their heads.

I didn’t even have a chance to stop them.

Children, sneaking in like little rats, even started touching my body.

“It’s so hard. Feel it!”

“Wow! It’s like stone!”

…Thankfully, they were quickly subdued as their parents grabbed them by the scruff and dragged them out.

Amidst this, some men whispered secretly among themselves.

“Is that man really the same kind of person as us?”

“Hmm, could it be a high-ranking knight from the Imperial Capital hiding his identity to do good deeds?”

“What Imperial Capital knights? Unless he’s a Sword Master, maybe.”

“It’s hard to believe, that’s for sure. To think he took on that horde of demonic beasts alone…”

“That’s not all, didn’t you hear? They say he risked his life to save Sir Roberto, who was on the brink of death and acted like it was nothing. Does that even make sense? Ordinary knights would’ve been busy boasting. No, they wouldn’t have dared to try saving him in the first place.”

“As soon as he’s recovered, we should respectfully ask for his guidance. He doesn’t seem to have a squire. If he takes one of the Labotas kids… what greater opportunity could there be?”

“Of course. With skills and character like that, where else would you find such a man?”

The whispering mouths grew busier.

They must not have realized I could hear them.

They said they had made countless efforts and sacrifices over the years to purify the mine.

Every gaze carried unspoken shock and overwhelming gratitude.

Even so, dizziness started creeping in.

My body wasn’t fully recovered, but listening silently to such flattery in my face was quite taxing.

Yet I couldn’t just dismiss them.

They had been trapped in the demonic lands for years and only now escaped—how immense must their relief be?

Even ignoring Linda, who stood blocking them with warnings, they rushed forward eagerly.

At this point, didn’t they see nothing else?

“Everyone, I understand, but Sir Bihen needs absolute rest. How about we step back for today and express our remaining gratitude later?”

I wanted to applaud.

Karim, wielding the formidable authority of a physician, resolved the issue.

Truly, intelligence is key.

“Did you hear? Let’s go, everyone! We can’t trouble the hero who saved Labotas!”

Roberto chimed in.

People nodded in agreement and began to leave one by one.

Thud.

As the door closed, the room fell quiet, the earlier bustle fading like it never happened.

Only then could I catch my breath.

“I’m sorry, Sir Bihen. I forgot to be cautious and raised my voice in surprise, putting you in an awkward position.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Karim checked my wrist and tilted his head.

“…All the knowledge I’ve accumulated feels useless before you, Sir Bihen. Honestly, it’s a bit disheartening. This recovery speed is beyond anything explainable by the medicine I know.”

Feeling a bit awkward, I just rotated my wrist.

This body, far surpassing the peak of the intermediate stage, seemed much sturdier than I thought.

It couldn’t devour my soul or pierce my resilient body, so in the end, the so-called Human Gu was no more than a venomous snake from the local hill to me.

“If it’s not too rude, may I stay by your side for a while to examine you?”

“…Well, I’d be grateful if you did. I’ll leave it to you.”

“No trouble at all.”

Karim adjusted his glasses and quietly left, as if there was nothing more to do.

Now, only Linda remained.

I subtly glanced at her, as if to ask why she wasn’t leaving, but Linda didn’t budge.

Instead, she seemed to be choosing her words, as if this was her chance.

“Sir Bihen, if I leave today, I might never… no, I mean, I might not see you for a while.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Yes. Something big. I might even have to shave my head.”

Linda’s shoulders slumped.

“I didn’t go back yesterday because I was here taking care of you. By now, the mansion must be in an uproar.”

A noble lady staying out overnight?

That’s a big deal, I nodded, but suddenly a chill ran down my neck.

‘…Wait a minute.’

If this gets misconstrued, couldn’t I end up being labeled as Theodore’s enemy?

But I couldn’t tell someone who stayed up worrying about me to keep quiet either.

“Hmm, Count Theodore must be very worried.”

“Yes. But don’t worry. You won’t be caught in any misunderstandings.”

If I nodded even slightly here, I’d look like a petty man overly concerned about such things.

Best to stay quiet.

“Thanks to you waking up early, I barely avoided being labeled a runaway. I can probably make excuses for a day, but if it went past two, I’d have been in real trouble.”

“You mean you planned to stay here until I woke up?”

Linda tucked her chin tightly inward.

Why go that far?

Before I could ask, Linda glanced at the closed door and spoke in a small voice.

“There’s something bothering me… Oh, and I have something for you.”

She rummaged in her sleeve and pulled something out.

On her palm was a deep green hemispherical fragment.

At a glance, it looked like a broken Mana Stone.

“You remember the demonic beast’s corpse? That heart-like thing beating in its chest.”

“…This is it?”

“Yes. It was left where Roberto destroyed it.”

I examined the fragment closely. Its cross-section was smooth as if polished.

But…

‘It feels familiar somehow.’

Why was that?

Fortunately, I quickly realized why.

‘The ruby left where the Blood Devil vanished.’

The color and shape were different, but…

I was certain it was the same kind of thing.

Not just intuition—perhaps a higher sense.

It’s like this: something I’d known but forgotten, and seeing it brought it back… a vague feeling like that.

“Why give it to me? Wouldn’t it be better for you to keep it? It could serve as an excuse to explain your absence to the lord.”

“I think it’s better if you have it.”

Linda looked like she had more to say but couldn’t bring herself to speak.

Actually, she’d seemed that way for a while.

To be precise, since she became conscious of Karim.

“My work here is done, so I should head back.”

“…Thank you.”

“Thank me? I’m the one who’s grateful.”

Linda grabbed the doorknob, hesitated, then glanced back.

“Bye. See you again.”

I stared at the closed door for a while before shifting my gaze.

The green fragment in my palm glowed faintly.

‘…Poison Demon.’

I was right.

Though I never imagined it’d be half of one.

* * *

I rested for a few more days.

I planned to return to Theodore in time for the Combat Festival.

By now, Count Theodore must have heard everything about the mine from Linda, including my actions.

He’d shown interest in me from the start, so he probably had plenty of questions by now.

I could ignore the locals, but it’s hard to brush off a lord’s summons.

So, I might as well stay here for now.

I hate complications.

“Have you ever felt discomfort from sensory abnormalities? Like hearing voices or seeing things?”

“No, not at all. After a few days’ rest, I feel light and good.”

The glint in Karim’s eyes behind his glasses was peculiar, a mix of admiration and curiosity.

“You said you’re returning to Theodore tomorrow, right? Are you participating in the Combat Festival? Most wouldn’t dare in your condition, but with you, Sir Bihen, it’s probably no concern.”

“No, not for the festival. Only those representing the region or specially permitted by the lord can participate, right? I’m not interested.”

“Understood. If you change your mind, let me know. I’ll accompany you as your physician.”

As Karim packed his medical tools, I casually asked,“You said you travel the kingdom, right?”

Karim paused, then turned to answer.

“…Yes.”

“Now that the mine’s purified, you won’t stay in Labotas. Where are you headed next?”

“Well, I don’t exactly plan my destinations.”

I nodded, pursing my lips. If he says so, what more is there to say?

As Karim reached for the doorknob, he paused.

“I might head to Aldenfort.”

He said, turning his head slightly.

Aldenfort.

A name I knew from my past life. It felt oddly nostalgic, but I didn’t show it.

“Aldenfort?”

“Yes. A territory with one of the kingdom’s largest ports.”

“Hmm. Not just going to see the sea, I presume.”

“Of course not. I’ve heard it’s been turbulent there lately. Riots break out occasionally. They say it’s on the brink of civil war.”

“Civil war? I’m sick of those.”

“Of course, it shouldn’t come to that.”

Karim left with a faint smile.

‘…’

I lay back, hands clasped behind my head.

‘Aldenfort.’

How could I forget?

A place where the stench of blood was so thick.

* * *

“You’re leaving tomorrow morning?”

Roberto said, as if he couldn’t believe it. His eyes widened like they’d pop out, as if he’d secretly hoped I’d settle here.

“A colleague is participating in the Combat Festival because of a deal with the lord. I plan to leave Theodore after it’s over.”

“Huh… Well…”

“What about you, Sir Roberto? Will you dedicate your life to rebuilding Labotas?”

The night sky was unusually starry. I looked out the window and added,“Having a clear goal in life is more romantic than you’d think.”

Roberto’s reply came a bit late.

“Sir Bihen, how old are you exactly? You don’t seem much older than my son. I’ve felt it a few times talking to you, but sometimes you seem like someone who’s lived multiple lives.”

I flinched.

My wandering gaze landed on Joseph, sitting beside Roberto.

The boy had his head down, fidgeting with his fingers.

Noticing my look, Roberto roughly ruffled Joseph’s neck. Joseph flinched and looked up.

“He seems reluctant to see you go. Boys his age are like that—full of thoughts but bad at expressing them.”

Since the mine, the father-son bond seemed closer. Or rather, Roberto’s attitude toward Joseph had softened a bit.

‘If I subtly advise Joseph not to steal anymore…’

That’d be a disaster.

I couldn’t ruin the improving mood.

I barely restrained my itching tongue.

Patience, patience.

“It’s a shame you’re leaving, of course… but because of the Combat Festival. It’s a celebration for others, but Labotas is just a bystander.”

Joseph pouted and grumbled.

I felt a slight bruise to my pride at being sidelined, but seeing Roberto suddenly grow somber made those thoughts vanish.

“Is there a reason you can’t participate, Sir Roberto?”

“…Not exactly, but my results have been poor every year. At some point, Labotas even lost its direct entry to the finals, unlike Theodore and the neighboring territories.”

I hadn’t paid much attention to how the Combat Festival worked, assuming Bolero would win anyway.

I asked about it.

Direct entry to the finals was granted to representatives of Theodore and its four sibling territories—Labotas, Alain, Thyssen, and Wayes—five in total.

The last spot was earned through preliminaries by participants from various regions, and the six selected competed in a tournament.

The problem was…

“Since last year, Labotas lost its direct entry. It’s not unfair—our results have been rock bottom every year.”

“We don’t even have anyone to cheer for. Just filling seats and watching is a chore now. It’s just envy.”

The father and son lowered their heads in unison, letting out long sighs.

“…It’s shameful.”

“Don’t hang your head, Father. I’m still proud of you.”

“Thanks for saying that, but you’ll understand someday, Joseph. Nothing breaks a man’s heart like being pitied by his child.”

I’d felt it before, but those words made me empathize with Joseph even more.

“You don’t have to put it like that.”

“Sigh… Anyway, Labotas isn’t obligated to send a fighter anymore, but we still have to fill a certain number of spectator seats. You should come with us, Sir Bihen.”

The two stood up slowly, as if their steps were heavy.

‘…This is annoying.’

Why do they have to say things that ruin the mood?

“You two.”

This is really irritating.

“If you win the Combat Festival, what would you ask of Count Theodore?”

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