—Parein, the La-Bander and Tide-Splitter of 800 years ago
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‘Death, or the threat of death.’
These were words that stood at the exact opposite end of his values, words he hated more than anything. In fact, he could not understand at all the stories of certain martial figures he had read about in history books. The prime example was Eclipse, the man who, in ancient times, crossed the Great Northern Wall alone in order to train himself.
He could understand fighting desperately when faced with death.
But to throw oneself into the pit of death in order to become stronger?
Was that not putting the cart completely before the horse?
Beyond the Great Northern Wall, rumors that it was “hell summoned into the mortal world” were already widespread among ordinary people. Even he knew that, despite spending all his time cooped up at home…
One trained in ordinary times to become stronger so that one could overcome and survive crises that might one day come unexpectedly. But to deliberately drive oneself into mortal danger in order to become stronger?
In fact, although the martial figure named Eclipse had achieved the realm known as Grand-Bander, no news of him had been heard since he crossed the Northern Wall a hundred years ago. In other words, he had died.
What was astonishing was that there were still countless people who respected this warrior who had risked death for training.
Values differed from person to person, but from Cian’s perspective, this person called Eclipse was truly one of the martial figures he could not understand.
In this way, because he pursued survival so thoroughly, he had always utterly ignored and rejected suicide disguised as training.
Count Roman agreed with him on this point as well, and thus had not pushed him too hard.
Astonishingly, his older brother, Lian, was one of the fervent believers in that training method. The reason Cian could not openly go around criticizing suicidal training was also because of his brother.
But right now, there was only one reason he had fallen into deep thought. It was because his entire body was telling him that the only way to break through the current situation was that very method.
The moment that thought first surfaced in his mind, his heart began to pound, and he felt as if every cell in his body were awakening.
Another part of his mind, an unconscious voice he had struggled to ignore until now, whispered from every direction.
That path is the path you must take. If only you follow that path… if he placed himself in mortal danger… then, as it had until now, his body and mind would once again guide the way. They would show him how to smash apart the wall blocking his path…
In truth, he had already known. He had merely pretended not to. He had told himself there might be another way…
But once he acknowledged the truth he had so desperately denied, it became clear. He did not know how long it would take, and he might truly die, but there was only one method…
Having thought this far, Cian was able to reach a conclusion.
‘Let’s give up.’
That was right. He simply had to give up. Though his unconscious kept crying out without cease… and because of that, he did continue to feel somewhat uneasy…
Was man not, by nature, a creature of reason? Was he insane, to drive himself into a deadly crisis? The essence of life was to struggle endlessly to survive.
His father had always said so. Do not be blinded by ambition for glory, and always put your own life first… His older brother did not seem to follow their father’s words very well, but Cian, the good son, followed them extremely well, and intended to continue doing so in the future.
And perhaps it was self-justification, but… how could he possibly end up in mortal danger near the capital, where it was this safe? In many ways, giving up was the right choice.
Once he had sorted things out like this, his heart became very peaceful.
He had spent months agonizing, unable to give up because there might have been another way… but now that he knew there was only one method, and now that he knew that path was impossible—at least for him—he could completely give up and choose another path with an utterly light heart.
‘Yes, from now on, I’ll try going out into society… learn an instrument… do some horseback riding… and cultivate refinement as a noble!’
When day broke, Cian decided he would tell his father and mother of his firm resolve and discuss what he should do from now on.
‘Ha, this is good… I should have done this sooner. My heart is at peace…’
Having shoved the cries of his unconscious far off into some distant corner, Cian imagined his future self surrounded by the ladies of countless noble houses, skillfully playing instruments and displaying his refinement, and with a light heart, he headed for his bedroom.
For some reason, he felt as though he would sleep well tonight.
☆ ☆ ☆
Day broke. Waking up with a refreshed face for the first time in a long while, Cian smiled as he looked outside.
Happily wondering what he should do starting today, Cian straightened his clothes and went downstairs.
He had once brought up the idea that in other noble houses, maids attended to them, dressed them, and even washed their faces, and asked whether they could not do the same. But after seeing his father’s expression upon hearing those words, he had cleanly given up.
When he went downstairs, his mother and father were already seated, while the maids beside them were diligently attending to the meal. Even after Count Kerbel had left last night, the two of them seemed to have had many things to discuss and had spoken until late. Perhaps because of that, both of their faces looked slightly tired.
“Oh, Cian, you’re here. Come and eat first.”
Having said that, his parents focused on their meal again, and Cian also focused on eating. During the meal, only small talk passed between them, and no important topics were brought up.
After the meal ended and the servants brought tea, Cian, watching the atmosphere, sensed that something was different from usual.
His father looked as though he had something to say, and once the meal ended, his mother said she would leave them be and went further inside.
“Mm… Cian, you know Count Kerbel came by yesterday, yes?”
Breaking the silence, Count Roman spoke while gazing steadily at Cian.
“Yes, Father.”
“Good. It was about the timing of this selection for the Guardian Corps. Count Kerbel came yesterday and told me about it. You know the Guardian Corps’ selection ceremony is approaching, don’t you?”
Having said this much, Count Roman paused briefly and looked at Cian.
Cian also knew that the time for the Guardian Corps’ selection was approaching. There had been an uproar in the family five years ago, so it would have been strange if he did not know.
His older brother, Lian, had stubbornly insisted that he would go to the Guardian Corps. It had ended as a mere incident because Lady Celine had opposed it desperately and stopped him, but Cian still remembered that time.
It was also five years ago that he learned that if one was dragged there, one would be dragged to dangerous places in order of strength. Since then, Cian had hidden his abilities from everyone, even his father.
Unlike his brother, he had absolutely no intention of going, but since one never knew what might happen in the world, he had made the decision to endure a little inconvenience.
If it could not be avoided, that was one thing, but was there any need to volunteer to go somewhere dangerous? From what he had heard, the most dangerous place, Traz-13 Sector of the Great Northern Wall, was guarded not only by one of the only two La-Banders on the continent and three of the Seven Stars of the Exile Grand Synod, but also by archbishop-level talents of the Sun God and the War God stationed there one after another. In other words, it was said to be like hell on earth.
“Yes. I know, Father. Though I don’t know the exact timing.”
“There truly isn’t much time left. It will be soon.”
“I see. But what is this about? Ah, don’t tell me Brother said he was going there again this time?”
Having said that, Cian wore an expression that said his brother was hopeless. It meant he could not understand why on earth his brother would insist on volunteering to go into such a place.
Unlike Cian, his brother was famous and had fully revealed his abilities, so if he went there, he would undoubtedly be assigned to an Asital-class region—or, if unlucky, a Traz-class one.
To think he wanted to enter such a place, where four-horned Harijans roamed about frequently, and Masters, and even Grand-Banders, died, all for the sake of training… It seemed his mother would have to shed a bucketful of tears again before he came to his senses.
“No, your brother will not be going there. Unlike five years ago, Lian is now somewhat aware of his position… He likely would not want to recklessly slip away to such a place and place a burden on the royal family. Fortunately for your mother, that is.”
“That really is a relief. Five years ago was truly… Phew… There are plenty of families that want to go, so he ought to show some consideration for them.”
Cian answered while omitting the words “to their deaths” before “want to go.”
“There are plenty of families that want to go, and many talented people as well, but few who can be trusted. All of them hide black intentions… That is why the selection ceremony grows fiercer with each passing year.
In fact, according to what we discussed yesterday, you were also on that list.”
Count Roman said this with the intention of teasing his son a little, seeing him act so relaxed as if they were talking about some other world.
“What? No, what do you mean… Father?”
As expected, his second son reacted as though it were absurd and jumped in surprise.
“Why are you so surprised? The most important factor in the selection ceremony is not ability, but trust. There are many talented people, but all of them put factions before the nation, family before factions, and themselves before family. In that sense, there is no place quite like our family. You are old enough to know that by now, so why act like this?”
“Well, that may be true, but…”
“But do not worry. I refused. We do bear duties toward the royal family, but there is no one who can force us. I have no intention of sending my child to such a harsh land either. The reason I called you this time is something else.”
“What is it?”
Having fortunately avoided the worst possible situation, Cian quietly listened to his father.
“As you know, you have now come of age, so it is time for you to gradually begin carrying out your duties for the family. You are no longer a child. That is what I discussed with Count Kerbel yesterday. Once the selection for the Guardian Corps begins, the capital will become far busier than usual.
There is no need for you to go as far as the Guardian Corps, but take this opportunity to stay in the capital, help your brother, and learn various things. That is what I wished to tell you.”
“Father… So suddenly…?”
“I trust you did not intend to live off the family forever. Cian, you are now an adult, and if you have enjoyed the benefits of the royal family and our house, then the time has come for you to fulfill duties befitting that.”
Looking at his son, who was fidgeting—or more accurately, making a face that said he hated the idea so much he could die—Count Roman drove the nail in.
His son was too flustered to say anything right now, but once the situation became a little more relaxed, he would no doubt try to make some excuse to slip away. He intended to pin him down before that.
“…I understand, Father. It can’t be helped.”
Seeing his son, who after a brief moment of thought unexpectedly complied obediently, Count Roman let out a sigh of relief inwardly. His son, now in adolescence, had not been listening to him at all lately, and if he refused, it would have given him yet another headache. Fortunately, he did not seem to lack sense to the degree Roman had imagined.
“Mm? Is that so? That is a relief. In that case…”
Count Roman resumed speaking and began conveying to his son the details he had decided on while speaking with Count Kerbel yesterday.
Though he was worried about his second son, who had no experience of the world, he believed this was the best course… As for the rest, he would have to trust that Count Kerbel would guide him well.