15 - Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Dark Fantasy Novel Chapter 15: Book-rabbit - Web Novel Archive Finally, Risir bowed deeply to Idor. It was unexpected, but Idor was impressed by Risir's series of courteous gestures. Risir was unlike the usual scions of noble families. He had neither the benefit of direct education from renowned etiquette teachers nor the experience of actively mingling with other nobles. Yet, his manners, which seemed to seep effortlessly from his being, were polished enough to pass the scrutiny of any noble head’s eye. One might say he was the exact opposite of Roera, who evolved from a tomboy into something akin to a wild stallion, despite having been educated by one of the Empire's most esteemed etiquette instructors. However, this did not cause Idor's affection for his legitimate daughter to transfer to the illegitimate child. For nobles, lineage held a unique significance. It was the primary element that bestowed upon their existence the special recognition of the world. Idor possessed the typical values of a nobleman, and his pride in his aristocratic status made these values unusually rigid. “Risir.” Idor, a man of such unwavering values, observed the illegitimate child before him with focused attention. “Let us sit for a moment.” “I have nothing more to say to you, master.” “Then simply listen. Risir. Your achievements today were impressive. It’s regrettable you chose the path of magic, but so be it. I understand your feelings. Surely, you resented me for not passing down the Bendel arts to you.” “That’s not true.” “It’s alright. For now, I don’t intend to chastise you for anything you say.” “It isn’t meant like that. For me, magic isn’t a substitute for Bendel arts, nor a means to make you regret not teaching them to me, master.” “...Then?” “Magic was the first path that opened up for me. So, I simply followed it.” “...” Idor struggled to maintain his composure at Risir’s answer. There was no sense of regret toward Bendel or the Bendel arts in his response. “I admire your efforts. You achieved the best possible outcome given the circumstances. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to win today’s duel.” Tap, tap. Idor tapped his chest with his fingers. “You. Your achievements, surpassed my expectations, my calculations.” “...” “You’ve proven your worth, and from now on, I intend to treat you accordingly. Think carefully, Risir. Leaving the family isn’t the answer. It’s merely a temporary escape. Consider who stands before you now.” In front of Risir was a man with a robust body, maintaining peak condition even in his middle age, fitting for the head of the renowned Bendel fencing lineage. Eyes so steadfast they seemed unshakeable, even if a sword's tip grazed his cornea. And the aura that emanated from a person who had achieved the realm of the extraordinary. For a brief moment, Risir was overwhelmed by that aura. Despite his impulse to lift both middle fingers in defiance, Risir restrained himself. The person sitting before him could cut a boulder in half with a mere twig. “How long do you think it would take to be acknowledged by someone like me outside the family? A month? Two? Six? A year, perhaps? Risir, the world waiting for you is not as indulgent as you might expect. They will utterly disregard and belittle someone like you, who cannot proudly claim his identity." "Just as you have done, master?" "I won’t deny it." "So I was no different to you than an outsider of unknown origin?" "I won’t deny it. But that’s different now. Now, under the name of Bendel, I will embrace you. Do you know why? Because you’ve proven your own worth. Don’t let go of the opportunity you’ve clinched, Risir." "..." Risir nodded. "I will consider your words positively, master." It was a perfect smile. A smile so clean and devoid of any trace of conflict. Idor realized then. The acknowledgment and attention Risir had once desperately sought from him now held no value to Risir whatsoever. Moreover, he understood that this fact would remain unchanged. "..." The words Idor intended to say to encourage further discussion were left unspoken. Risir, leaving Idor behind, exited the study without a hint of regret. *** Having left the master’s study, I immediately began preparing to leave Bendel. It may seem hasty, but there’s a saying: Leave while the applause is still sounding. Since the people in the mansion gave their applause, it was only right for me to make my departure. "...Is this all?" As soon as I finished packing and slung the backpack over my shoulder, a sigh escaped my lips. Perhaps I wasn’t packing up, but throwing everything away. That this feather-light weight was the result of accumulation, not disposal, was the sum of my 18 years of life. In a way, it felt liberating. This weightlessness served as evidence that I had received nothing from my time here. Maybe the reason the people of Bendel discriminated and looked down on me all this time was to ensure that I wouldn’t leave with any regrets. Of course, if Idor had been the one to say this, I would have lost it and hurled something at him. "..." Before leaving the room for the last time, I took in the view one last time. Suddenly, that day came to mind. The day I first came to this room. The day when the young and ignorant Roera pushed all of young Risir’s buttons. The day Roera gave young Risir scars that would never heal. The day Risir gave young Roera scars that would never heal. I wonder. -"Brother, this..." The letter young Roera handed over that day. What was written on the letter that young Risir tore apart? ...Perhaps because these thoughts were in my head as I left the annex. "..." At the annex entrance, I crossed paths with Roera, who was leaning there defiantly. “Oh, Roera!” I greeted Roera warmly. The scene of Roera being the first to step forward and clap during the duel came back to me. If she weren’t the esteemed heir of Bendel, would the others have dared to clap for an illegitimate child’s victory and the defeat of a Bendel apprentice knight? I felt deep gratitude for Roera, who gifted me this precious memory before I left Bendel. "What a surprise! I was just thinking about you." "...Damn it. What are you babbling about, you creep." Roera grimaced, turning her head away as if in disgust. Just when it seemed she would ignore me— "What’s going on?" She cast a sidelong glance at me, spitting out her words. "What do you mean?" "Don’t play dumb. The trick you pulled during the duel with Humton. I know it was magic." "Oh, that? Well, it just so happened to turn out that way." "..." My evasive answer was met with a glare from Roera, her face twisted in disbelief, as if she had plenty more to say. She let out a dry laugh, lifting one corner of her mouth in her signature sneer. "Happy now? That it worked out?" "Well, yes. Thankfully, Humton let his guard down. But it wasn’t just luck. I kind of nudged him to—" "Don’t pretend. You know that’s not what I’m talking about." "...Oh? Then what is it about?" "Ha..." Roera shook her head, still with a mocking smile. She then glanced at the backpack slung over my shoulder, letting out another derisive chuckle. "How did you manage it? What kind of magic did you work to impress that man enough to give you a reward? Especially with magic?" "A reward? This?" "You’re moving your stuff into the main estate, aren’t you? Am I wrong?" I realized then that Roera's focus in our conversation was slightly off. It seemed like she believed I orchestrated the duel and showcased my hidden magic to garner Idor's attention and was now reveling in his recognition. It wasn’t Roera’s fault. In fact, it might be a misunderstanding borne out of knowing me—Risir—too well. If I were the old me, I would be ecstatic, doing a little victory dance upon receiving Idor's praise. And Roera probably couldn’t stand that. “What’s with those eyes? Are you pissed because I'm finally being praised by our 'esteemed master,' and your sour face is ruining my mood?” Suddenly, I had a question. Why did Roera view Risir's efforts to gain the master’s favor with such disdain? Come to think of it— There was one guess I had. Maybe Roera was like me. Maybe she was viewing the past Risir from the same perspective. *** Looking back, Roera was the only one in this household who paid me any attention. At least until that incident— No. That’s not right. Even after that event, Roera consistently paid attention to me. "Brother... are you okay...?" "This..." Roera had handed me a letter, tears in her eyes. “Hey, Risir. Stop wasting your time and plead with me instead.” “If you keep doing that for a hundred or a thousand days, will that person even notice? Will your swordsmanship improve? You’re doing this to learn swordsmanship, aren’t you? Huh? So why not take a more certain path.” "You’re good at begging, aren’t you? Do it. Just like with that person. Who knows? Maybe a not-so-stingy younger sister might teach you a thing or two? Of course, it wouldn’t be the coveted Bendel swordsmanship you longed for, but still.” Roera offered to teach me the sword with her usual scorn. "While everyone else remained silent, Roera clapped for me alone." Roera was the first, more than anyone else, to seek me out and speak to me after the duel. Perhaps it was just my mood, but she seemed excited for me, while simultaneously appearing frustrated. Then and now, Roera cared about me. Then and now, Roera treated me the same. The only thing that had changed was— Me. After that day, I began pushing Roera away. "Didn’t you hear the master? You shouldn’t play with a bastard like me anymore." When Roera showed kindness, I would reject it as if I had been waiting for that moment. "...Leave." "Break time’s over." Like a child, sulking and being petulant. "How about it? Wanna have a sparring match with me? You have no idea what a remarkable person your younger sister is, do you? I swear, if you had learned the sword from me, you could've beaten Humton without any tricks." Roera was the only one in Bendel who tolerated Risir’s sulking. Probably not willingly. She might not even be aware she was doing it. Her prickly attitude might be her defense mechanism. Fearing the rejection of her kindness, she pretends it’s anything but kindness. Roera leaned in towards me. As she drew closer, the first thing I noticed was the small scar on her forehead. In the past, Roera preferred a hairstyle that left her forehead bare. She found bangs suffocating or something. But after being hit by a book I threw, which left a scar, she began to keep her bangs long. Instinctively, I reached out to touch the scar. Roera flinched, almost pulling back, but when she saw my expression, she tensed and stopped. I spoke to her. "Did it hurt a lot back then?" "...!" The sneer on Roera’s face slowly twisted into something else. "W-What’s suddenly with you...?" "I don’t know, I just felt like apologizing out of the blue. On such a nice day. Or maybe because it’s such a nice day, I want to apologize." "You fucking—a joke, right!? What’s with this charity talk?! It’s not like you’re tossing a few coins to a beggar, what with that tone—and what's this? Asking if it hurt? Asking if it hurt?! You call that talking, you idiot!" She tried to sound angry, to goad me. But her face was clearly on the verge of tears for all to see. "You, you, you, you made a girl’s face bleed and then what? Asking if it hurt lots back then? Are you trying to tease me!?" Her breathing became quick and shallow in an instant. Her eyes glistened with the onset of tears. Gently, I wiped Roera’s tears and spoke. "I’m sorry." "..." "I’m sorry, Roera. I really shouldn’t have done that to you. If no one else, at least not to you." Roera fiercely swatted my hand away. Her eyes, now red and puffed, released a flood of tears that my fingers couldn’t wipe away. "Mi-mi-mi-" In a trembling voice, she struggled to utter her words. "Crazy idiot!!!" It was quite emphatic. "Wh-why are you the one apologizing...!" Roera hung her head and began to sob. "It’s not you... it’s me who was wrong..." "..." "Back then... I was so stupid... I didn’t know what it meant to call someone that... I didn’t know it was such a hurtful word... If no one else, at least I shouldn’t have said that to you..." Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Roera kept repeating those words, as if releasing all the bottled-up emotions she had been holding back. I approached her and gently patted her back. "This whole time, I’ve wanted to say this..." Roera buried her face in my chest and spoke with a muffled voice. "Brother... no matter what anyone says, you're my brother..." ─────────────────────── ▷Destiny 13: Unspoken Words - Deactivated. The corresponding privilege will be granted. ───────────────────────