Chapter 126

Translator: Willia

It was the most beautiful field in the world. Not merely because of the memories imprinted there, but because it was truly the best when compared to anywhere else.

There wasn’t a single winding ridge visible all the way to the horizon, no artificial structures either, just an endlessly flat field.

Ricardt had seen all four seasons of the Beringen Plains, spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

In spring and summer, colorful flowers bloomed all over the world; in autumn, golden fields stretched endlessly; and in winter, the entire world became a white snowy land.

When each of these seasons and this place came together, it felt as though a faint old memory was beckoning him to come closer.

It was spring now. It had been spring when he enrolled too, and also spring when he first went out with Volka and Bori from the academy. They had passed along this very road.

Memory was not simply the storage of information. In memories, the sensations of the moment, the smells and sounds, were mixed together with emotions.

Ricardt had left his horse at a tavern and was walking to the academy. Since the academy was located on top of a cliff, there was nowhere to leave the horse.

The gentle sunlight and mild breeze swept across the field and welcomed Ricardt. Wind, I’m glad to see you too.

“These days, I hear you’re quite famous in Adeloron?”

A question came from the side, breaking Ricardt’s reverie. It was none other than Regina.

“Hmm? Oh, yeah, I guess.”

“Did you really kill all five thousand mercenaries by yourself?”

“I didn’t kill them all……”

“Then what?”

“I just got lucky and killed the commander and seized their war funds. That’s all.”

“It’s not just that though, is it?”

“Is that so? By the way, what made you decide to enter the academy?”

Regina’s brown bobbed hair fluttered endlessly in the wind. She turned her gaze and looked out at the Beringen Plains as she spoke.

“To be honest, for a while, I held a lot of resentment. I even hated you. But you were right, sunbae. I mean Marie sunbae. Like a bird trapped in a cage. A fate where I had no choice but to live according to what Father said. I hated that. So I chose to escape the cage. That’s all there is to it.”

She could have said more if she wanted to, but Regina omitted much with a smile. She merely said that was all, and smiled brightly at Ricardt.

There seemed to be many types of smiles. Smirks, cynical smiles, enlightened smiles, and, like now, the relaxed smile of someone who had grown.

One unfortunate detail was that a considerable number of her teeth were gold. When she smiled widely, they gleamed in the sunlight.

Whether she wasn’t conscious of it, or rather saw it as a point of pride, she didn’t seem to care that she had gold teeth at such a young age.

Still, to be honest, I thought she was an irredeemable brat, but people are truly unpredictable.

“By the way, why does the Viola Clan not get along with you?”

“There’s no big reason. It’s more like… a rivalry? They started copying us first, you know. Taking on disciples and teaching them. Occasionally, when we run into each other at festivals in nearby villages or cities, brawls break out. Then there’s retaliation, and getting even, things like that.”

It just seemed like the kind of youthful hot-bloodedness that couldn’t be contained, causing them to clash. Arguing about this being ‘my turf’ or ‘your turf’, a fight over pride.

“And they’re kind of… how should I say this, a bit snobbish? They care way too much about social status.”

“Didn’t you care about that too?”

“I’m not the same person I was back then. At the academy, you can get in through high social standing, donating a lot, or proving your ability. The conditions are all different. Even if you’re from a commoner background, if you’ve proven your ability, you deserve respect. Don’t you think so?”

“Uh… well, yeah, I guess that’s true.”

“So which side do you support, sunbae? It has to be the academy, right?”

It wasn’t all that serious since it was just kids fighting, but Ricardt was caught in the middle. He was an academy graduate, but also a member of the Viola Clan.

“…Well, I’m not really sure.”

“Then what does that make me? I joined because of you all. How’s Marie sunbae doing?”

“…Do you really not resent her?”

“Hating or resenting someone only ends up eating away at myself. I’ve done plenty of that as a child. Then, when I realized there are times even my father had no choice, that’s when my eyes were opened. And the one who opened them was Marie sunbae. So why would I resent her?”

Regina smiled brightly once again. It was a truly bright smile, because her gold teeth gleamed. Ricardt wanted to apologize in her place, but he swallowed it back. I’m sorry.

Still, it was nice to see that she seemed to have grown up well. In a harsh world where most people end up broken, there were still those who bloomed like a single flower.

In the end, it all seemed to come down to how one chose to accept things. Maybe that’s why Ricardt fought, to show people that very truth.

Life was painful by nature, but it didn’t have to be hellish to this extent.

As Ricardt climbed the cliffside stairs with Regina, he began to feel weary. Not physically, it wasn’t that his body was tired, but rather that there were just so many damned stairs that it was boring and tiring in that sense.

'How did I use to go up and down these stairs all the time? Back then, I’d be so excited to head into the city that I didn’t even notice how hard it was.'

<Discipline Shall Set You Free>

After passing through the gate, something unfamiliar caught his eye before the familiar did. A statue had been erected, an astonishingly detailed sculpture, so lifelike it seemed ready to move at any moment.

As if to protect the statue, pillars surrounded it and a roof had been built overhead.

The statue stood slightly askew, head tilted just a bit, gazing off into the distance. One hand rested on the hilt at its waist, the other hand placed on its hip.

It conveyed dignity, naturalness, and ease. But Ricardt felt a sense of discomfort, and with a furrowed brow, he approached it.

“What? That’s me, isn’t it?”

Ricardt spoke. And indeed, at the base where the statue stood, it was written:

<The Great Forerunner and Genius Swordsman Red Cloak, Hero of Siegfringer and First Graduate of Beringen Academy, Ricardt von Caldebern>

“That’s right. When I saw this, I thought, ‘Wow, I really am lucky’, you know? This was made by the Ernburg Stoneworkers’ Guild. The same people who fought with my father back in the day.”

Regina said proudly, right in front of the person in question. But Ricardt didn’t feel all that great about it.

“Idolizing someone is stupid. Especially putting up a statue of someone who’s still alive, what is this...”

"What?"

Ricardt, perhaps because of his past ordeal with the Order of Judgement, hated, if not outright loathed, being revered by others. It didn’t please him in the slightest.

“Anyway, thanks for coming along. I’ll be going now. Take care.”

“You’re just leaving like this?”

"Then what?"

“No special lecture or anything?”

“What’s that?”

“You know, having a famous swordsman share his experiences and thoughts, it could be a big motivation for the students.”

“Well, I don’t know. Isn’t motivation something you should find for yourself? I’m off. It was an unexpected meeting, but I’m glad we met. Truly.”

Ricardt hadn’t come for fun, and he’d always been rather cool about partings, so he left Regina behind and walked off alone.

It was dusk, and students who had finished their affairs were wandering around. Upon entering the male dormitory, the noise filling the hallways struck his ears.

It was the sound of students running around, playing tag, or shouting like a bustling marketplace.

“Hey, you assholes! Quiet down, will you!?”

“Get ready for roll call! Everyone to your places!”

“Room leaders, check your headcount!”

Whether they were professors, dorm supervisors, or student officers, it was hard to tell, but several people were roaming around trying to instill discipline.

The students, however, didn’t seem to care much. While they did as they were told, they didn’t move quickly or seriously. Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing... well, as long as no one was getting beaten, it was probably fine.

Ricardt paused briefly, watching how the students lived, then climbed the stairs. He figured the upper floors were where the professors’ offices and bedrooms would be.

After a quick look around, he went up to the third floor, the top level. Since the building narrowed as it went up, there weren’t many rooms on the third floor.

He reached the largest room among them. Naturally, being the headmaster, he’d have the best room.

As expected, there was a nameplate on the door. <Headmaster Karllich von Rosten>

Ricardt knocked on the door. A clear voice rang out from within.

“This time of day? Well, come in anyway.”

Ricardt opened the door and entered. There, bathed in the sunset light pouring through the window, was Karllich, scribbling away at some documents on his desk.

He was busy moving his pen when he suddenly looked up and saw Ricardt. His eyes widened instantly.

“What!?”

"Have you been well?"

“Ricky!”

Karllich shot up from his seat. In the process, the items on his desk were scattered and jumbled, but he didn’t care.

He had always been older than Ricardt and not particularly short, so now with age, a certain maturity clung to him. That odd glint of madness he once had seemed to have faded.

Karllich stepped out from behind the desk and looked ready to pull him into a full embrace. Ricardt wasn’t too thrilled about it, but since he came to ask for a favor, he forced an awkward smile and allowed it.

“Hahaha……”

“My god, what brings you here!? Not even a heads-up? Ah, I guess you’ve been busy lately? I heard the news- Red Prince.”

“Yeah, that happened. I just couldn’t walk past.”

“Walk past what? A chance?”

“No. People in need.”

“Ah… Ricky… you haven’t changed.”

Karllich looked at Ricardt with an expression like he was dreaming. It wasn’t as intense as before, but this nearly-worshipful gaze still made Ricardt uncomfortable.

“W-what do you mean?”

“You fought for the students back then too. You’re still just as admirable as ever.”

“...I’m really not.”

“I’ve changed a bit, Ricky.”

“Hmm… I think you have.”

“Aren’t you curious how I’ve changed?”

Honestly, not really. They hadn’t been that close. Just hung around each other for a while, that was it.

“Hahaha… a little?”

“Take a seat. Want a drink? Is there something you like? For the record, I don’t drink just anything. But I’m sure you’ll like this.”

Karllich, excited, opened the cabinet in his office and started pulling out various bottles of liquor.

They were all high-quality brews crafted with great care by herbalists, apothecaries, or well-known monasteries, on a completely different level from the homemade stuff found in farming villages.

Ricardt wasn’t particularly fond of alcohol, but he didn’t dislike it either. If the occasion called for it, he would have a drink or two.

Still, since he had come to ask for something, he had no choice but to go along with the mood.

Karllich poured a drink from a bottle that looked like a medicine vial into a ceramic cup. The color resembled autumn leaves, and the aroma had a hint of burning firewood. Was this a good liquor? It did taste good.

Karllich took a sip himself and then spoke.

“Back then, after hearing what you said, I thought a lot about things. What is salvation? What do I want? Stuff like that. At first, I just liked the sense of belonging so much that I stirred the kids up and all, but I realized I didn’t need to.”

“Didn’t need to do what?”

“The kids. They’re so much stronger than we think. Every single one of them, without exception, is strong. I’m convinced of that. And if there’s ever a student who doesn’t seem that way, I believe it’s just because I failed to recognize their path or guide them properly. That’s why I try harder. In the end, they grow on their own.”

“...Is that so?”

“All I do is make the rules, enforce them, and be their safety net. I teach swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat, but also how to maintain their equipment, horseback riding, sewing, reading and writing, basic math, just those things. Then we hold advancement exams twice a year. Once they graduate, they each go off to pursue their dreams, helping each other along the way to find their own paths. I love watching that. Even if they fall or get hurt, they get back up and walk their own road. That’s what you wanted too, right, Ricky?”

Not to that extent. Ricardt had just thought the world was too cruel. With that thought in mind, he simply acted on it.

But unlike Ricardt, who had vague thoughts and actions, Karllich had something much more specific.

Ricardt found himself moved by this. Children make mistakes, yes- but they grow. And after growing, they can go on to do things that are truly meaningful.

The perfect examples of that were Karllich, and Regina, whom he had seen on his way here.

For reasons he couldn’t quite explain, Ricardt felt grateful to them. He really didn’t know why. He was just… thankful. Thankful they had grown up well.

“Oh, right. But why does the Viola Clan not get along with you?”

“Oh, that? It’s just that we run into each other during free time, so it’s inevitable. I’m on good terms with Volka-ssi. You know, we can’t let a kids’ quarrel escalate into an adult fight, right?”

He was more mature than expected. Solid, composed, and capable. And he was clear about both what he wanted to do and what he had to do.

Was he always like this? No, he’d grown this way.

“Anyway, Ricky, what’s going on with you? You even came all this way to see me.”

“Ah… well, you know, I’ve been fighting in the war in Adeloron lately, right? And there’s this infamous villain known as the Invincible Grantz. He’s got a lot of troops. I’m a bit short. So, I was wondering… if I could find a way to get some forces. Borrowing some money would help too.”

For the first time in his life, Ricardt was asking someone for a favor. It was so embarrassing he could barely stand it. He had always been confident, giving to others but never living in debt.

But all of this was for ending the civil war in Adeloron and bringing peace to the people. If that was the price, then even his pride was something he could sell.

Unexpectedly, Karllich responded without the slightest hesitation.

“Ricky, for your sake, I’d sell the academy itself. So don’t be so timid about it. Honestly, I feel a bit hurt, like you don’t trust me.”

What the hell? Sell the academy? Was he serious?

“What about the students if you sell the academy?”

“They’ll grow up on their own. But realistically, I’m not going to sell it. I’ve got a plan.”

“Really? What kind of plan?”

“You ever heard the phrase ‘name value’? When someone becomes famous, their name itself becomes money. Sometimes it’s even more valuable than money. And those mercenaries who’ve kept their reputation alive for decades can’t be hired just with money. They’ve got pride. The Nordish mercenaries, the Order of the Flame Knights, the Old Guard of the Silver Shield, the Crown Mercenary Corps, the mountain troops of Tyren, and so on. Back when the Empire was founded, the warriors of the Nibelung tribes were the strongest, sure but that’s ancient history, right? As you know, the Imperial Family’s a mess these days. Anyway, if you want to hire mercenaries who still make a name for themselves, the commander needs to have a martial reputation. They won’t work for just anyone, even if you offer them money. But someone like you, Ricky? I think it’s possible.”

As expected, Karllich, with his exceptional knowledge of the world, had quickly come up with a solution. He was smart and resourceful.

But one word caught Ricardt’s ear.

“The Order of the Flame Knights? Aren’t they not mercenaries?”

“There’s no Emperor now, the Imperial Family is on the verge of fratricide, and the border isn’t constantly at war either. So they sometimes take on military support roles that are practically mercenary work. I mean, they have to eat too, don’t they?”

“Is that so…?”

“Of course. But the Flame Knights are brutal, they live celibate lives and dedicate themselves solely to combat. They’re scarier than fanatics. Let’s rule them out for now.”

Ricardt thought for a moment, then shook his head.

“No.”

“Huh?”

“I know someone there.”

“Who?”

Ricardt didn’t answer. A deeper memory, long forgotten while living in the outside world and building new ones, suddenly resurfaced.

It wasn’t just a memory. There was something about it that made his chest ache.

Ricardt downed the strong drink in one go. A hot breath burst from his nose. As the alcohol rushed to his head, the image of a young boy flickered before his eyes.

A boy who had to suddenly leave home, constantly looking back with a face full of confusion and fear.

“My brother.”

****

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