Chapter 26: Who Do You Think You Are!

“I have come to pay my respects. Mother.”

“Yes, Alessius. Come, come here.”

As the Empress gave a subtle signal with her dark eyes, the maids silently exited the bedroom.

Soon, the Empress, Melineos, asked.

“Are you feeling alright?”

“Yes. There are no particular abnormalities.”

“Were you in much pain?”

“…….”

“And what did His Majesty have to say?”

At her question, Alessius chose silence, finding it difficult to put into words.

“He lacks tact, but his feelings for you and El are sincere.”

“Of course, I am well aware of that, Mother.”

“He is anxious.”

Anxious?

“We spent so much time searching for the Holy Sword and traveling across the continent for the alliance, did we not?”

“Yes. I know that well.”

“Do you know what the greatest obstacle was for us back then?”

“…I am not sure.”

“Those who became Heads of Household or leaders of families without any preparation.”

……?

“It is not a rare story in history for incompetent descendants to ruin a family’s fortune under the legacy of an outstanding ancestor.”

But.

“Especially in times of chaos, whether one became a ruler or a leader, their position had to be steadfast, but in our era, that was not the case.”

Thus, so many nations perished, and countless noble houses fell.

“The Empire was no exception.”

“Is that so?”

“And most of those people walked the path of the traitor.”

They lured us into traps.

They tried to profit by using us.

“…Because of that, we faced countless crises.”

If not for her Prophetic Dreams, let alone the Holy Sword, she might have met a sudden death somewhere.

If not for Ermina, she might have lost her life dozens, or even hundreds, of times.

“He simply wants you to succeed him well, even if he were to disappear at any moment. And he hopes you won’t be crushed by the weight of his achievements.”

That is why.

“Even when you volunteered for the union with Esdina’s second daughter, he did not scold you harshly.”

Rather, he was proud.

“He thought, ‘He is finding his own way to survive.’”

“…Father did?”

“Even his stinginess with praise is because he worries you might become arrogant. When he is with me, he praises both you and El equally.”

“…….”

Father did?

“I heard that Kariel treated you very harshly.”

“That was… because I was lacking….”

“Were you not afraid?”

“…….”

Was he afraid?

For a very brief moment, he was.

But.

“I wasn’t afraid.”

“Why?”

“……Compared to when Father disciplined me, that was nothing.”

Get used to the pain.

If you do not conquer pain, pain will eventually break you.

“…….”

It wasn’t torture, but the experiences—which were closer to torture disguised as training—still remained as trauma within Alessius.

…But.

Thanks to that, he had become remarkably confident and bold compared to his peers.

The result was even more pronounced when he mingled with others his age.

‘See? It was nothing, right?’

As if Father himself had been the same long ago.

The touch of Father’s hand as he stroked his head while saying those words still remained deeply imprinted in his mind.

“Kariel is an extraordinary child, but since long ago, he hated fighting and loved making friends and socializing. He tried to understand others’ inner feelings and help solve their worries.”

“…….”

“I know well that you resented him because you cared for El.”

“Mother….”

“But that was wrong. If he hadn’t stopped me, I would have told you long ago… not to do that.”

Problems between children must be solved by the children themselves.

If an adult steps in to control it, those emotions will never be washed away.

“He said that resentment remains forever. That is likely because he felt it himself.”

By facing his brothers, overcoming absurd trials, and winning even the most disadvantageous battles.

That was how he became the Hero Emperor he is now.

“Above all, unlike your father at that time, you didn’t need to worry about being poisoned, nor were you marginalized due to political issues, so what made you so impatient?”

Perhaps.

“Do you desire the throne?”

“T-that couldn’t be. I… I have never even dreamed of such a thing!”

“That is a lie,” the Empress said with a faint smile.

“As for El, perhaps she didn’t actually wish to become the Emperor.”

“…Sister did?”

That couldn’t be.

Could it…?

“That child simply wanted to protect.”

Because she is a kind child.

“…But being as smart as she is, she knew better than anyone that no one else could do it for her.”

In her childhood.

Though the memory is faint, Elhermina had vowed before everyone that she would save Kariel and raise the Empire into a strong nation so they would never have to worry about the eyes of others again.

After that, as if by magic, she devoted herself to her studies and began doing her best in everything, including martial arts and magic.

“And yet, that small child… Kariel, achieved the peace we had longed for, even if only temporarily. I am still more grateful than anyone for the miracle that child achieved. His Majesty likely feels the same way. Perhaps he harbors an even deeper gratitude toward Kariel than I do.”

It is unbelievable.

How on earth?

But.

It is an undeniable fact.

“…….”

Kariel.

Yes.

At least.

Even at the time he returned to the Empire.

I.

We.

…Were ready to welcome you as a hero.

Even though you were the son of the Hero, yet didn’t wish to hold a sword.

Even though you showed a particularly fragile side during sparring.

Regardless of status.

When you tried to treat everyone equally, of course, we considered that bold and righteous.

…And yet.

Why did you betray us?

Why….

……Why did you turn away from Sister and give your heart to that girl?

Why….

Without intending to shoulder any responsibility.

…Did you wish to leave the Empire?

Just why.

For what reason?

“…….”

Alessius could not bring himself to reveal his inner thoughts.

Ultimately, even this revealed his own narrow-mindedness.

Whether he felt ashamed now, or that he was naive back then.

Such things were utterly meaningless.

In a world where results are everything.

In the end, we.

…Have crossed a river that cannot be recrossed.

Just as he had told him earlier.

Therefore, he poured out his resentment in return.

Not through words, but through actions.

As a result.

Father favored you exceptionally, and though he never told me to emulate you.

Whenever he felt a sense of regret, he would always murmur your name.

Sister was pleased by this.

But I could not be.

…If this is my flaw and my weakness.

There is no other way.

I.

From the moment you betrayed Sister.

Decided that I would never, ever forgive you.

“It must be because I am, as always, lacking.”

“Al—”

Without realizing it, just as Father pointed out.

Perhaps I took it for granted.

Having become so absorbed in wielding power without knowing it, even knowing I would be strangled by it.

I cornered him.

I pushed him.

“The union of the two families. If that is Sister’s wish, I will gladly follow it.”

If he resents me to the point of wanting to exclude me.

…I must endure it, just as he said.

I had no intention of being a passive victim.

However, there was one thing that bothered him.

‘Because we are destined to never live under the same sky.’

Those words he spoke kept echoing in his ears.

It was at that moment.

“Y-Your Majesty! There is urgent news to report!”

A breathless voice was heard from outside the door.

====

The sun died.

Even the moon hid behind the clouds.

In this place where darkness and silence descended.

Returning to my room and standing by the window.

I looked down at the front yard of the Family Home with indifferent eyes.

Nothing.

I felt nothing.

Once, did I not run and play here with someone?

Once, did I not.

Claim that I would become the Hero.

Holding up a tree branch as if it were the Holy Sword.

Did I not shout such things?

There is nothing.

“Is that a reason to stop training?”

I asked the void in a tone that sounded as if I were far away.

-Because there is no meaning in going further. Your body and mind are currently misaligned. If you don’t bring your body up to match, it will actually become a detriment.

“…….”

When I should be striving even harder to grow.

You’re telling me to do nothing?

Then what is left for me?

-Phew.

The state was more serious than expected.

Out of stubbornness to see how long he could last, I left him be.

And the fellow actually endured eight years of time.

This was only stopped because she forcibly cut it off; otherwise, I can’t even guess when he would have given up.

Eight years.

The time the fellow spent obsessively delving into swordsmanship.

In real time, it was only a day.

But the time he was trapped in the dream was a full eight years.

And.

Before I formally entered a contract and taught him the Sword Formula.

He.

Died at least a hundred times.

Even that period was not insignificant.

‘The Root Vessel exceeds imagination, but unfortunately, it is twisted.’

Like a plant growing vigorously but stretching its stems in all directions because there is no proper place to grow.

If it’s human adaptability, one might consider even that a process.

But even if one becomes strong through madness, how is that different from a mere patient or a sick person?

To become strong in the true meaning, madness is essential, but that doesn’t necessarily mean.

One must become a patient or a sick person, either mentally or physically.

Because that will inevitably lead to a tragedy that expands into a fatal flaw at the decisive moment, without exception.

Also.

The one named the Sword of the Foolish was a product of madness.

It was not such a flimsy Sword Formula that a mere patient could polish and reach the ultimate peak.

‘He chose to suffer through things that were the exact opposite of his nature, and it worked effectively in a bad way.’

Truly.

Completely!

‘He’s gone off the deep end.’

Even though I poured in the sweet wine of revenge.

Far from joy, he couldn’t even feel the minimum sense of satisfaction.

Even when he clashed with that Patina person or whoever.

Even when he used his body like a disposable tool and wrecked it.

Madness might have been felt in him.

But his humanity hadn’t evaporated to the extent it has now.

-I don’t care whether you’re broken or not, but at this rate, forget completing your goal, you’ll be dead soon.

“…….”

-You thought it didn’t matter right now, didn’t you? Since you’re already miserable, you thought that even if the contract breaks, you couldn’t possibly be more wretched or unhappy than you are now, right?

“…….”

Correct.

Indeed.

…Everything felt meaningless.

If it weren’t for that.

Without worrying about anyone’s gaze.

I wouldn’t have beaten the Prince into such a pulp.

Given my nature or personality, this was nearly impossible.

The fact that I carried out such an impossibility without any burden.

I wonder.

Am I broken?

-That’s probably how you want to think of it.

That’s not wrong, but it’s not entirely right either.

However, if there is will.

As long as one is alive, anything can be achieved.

Sometimes, that even brings about miracles.

-More importantly, the time has come. Right?

“……I suppose so.”

The fact that I’ve become quiet and secluded in my room in the midst of all this is also somewhat absurd.

Normally, it shouldn’t be like this.

But today.

Besides the shocking news I caused.

Another rumor spread through the capital.

Namely.

-A younger brother? A younger sister? Which one do you think it’ll be?

“It doesn’t matter.”

Kariel’s own mother.

Was about to give birth.

The Church must be in an absolute uproar.

If signs had been felt at the Family Home, this area would have been chaotic.

Didn’t they say that numerous citizens are crowding around the Great Church to pray for a safe delivery?

Kariel, led here by his father.

Also heard the news regarding the Prince.

[Prince Alessius said it was his own fault and told me not to scold you.]

Alessius.

You’re still as cunning as ever in that regard.

[I truly cannot believe it. My own son… how could you… commit such an absurdly heinous act….]

Sigh.

A lament mixed with a sigh.

The two, forced to face each other in the carriage.

Above all, Lueld, though he should have scolded him, couldn’t bring himself to do so.

With lips tightly shut, he was simply restless, unable to decide whether to ask for the circumstances and comfort him, or to scold him first without regard for the order of things.

He must have firmly resolved to at least have a candid conversation at home, or determine right from wrong even if he had to beat him half to death.

However.

News of Ermina arrived.

If not for that, Kariel would still be facing Lueld in some form.

“Did you say a guitar?”

-Hmm?

“The instrument. A guitar. Did you say a Mana Guitar? It might be hard for me… but it’s okay if it’s not Mana, right?”

-If the kids settled here made guitars, then… you might be able to use one. Until then, why not pluck a lute? I’ll teach you how to play that well as well.

The Demon King let out a quiet chuckle.

Yes, this is a good solution.

Hadn’t the fellow unconsciously immersed himself in playing instruments as his only solace?

To instinctively seek out a means of survival.

-And I told you before, right? There’s something needed to face the Holy Sword.

“The Magic Armor?”

-Yes.

And one perfectly suited for you has appeared.

-Grandeus’s Magic Armor. Let’s go retrieve it. If you’re going to leave anyway, it’s better to have a destination, right?

“…….”

-You’re planning to leave, aren’t you?

“Of course.”

If not now, then never.

There is no reason to hesitate.

The only thing is.

“Leaving like this makes me feel like I’m running away after committing a crime, so I don’t feel particularly great about it.”

Absurdly.

That was what bothered me the most.

I haven’t even vented my anger as I wished.

“Since the Academy’s leave of absence period is approaching, I think I’ll use some tricks… to thwart any possible pursuit.”

-Aren’t you afraid of the assassins who might try to kill you for private revenge, rather than the official pursuit?

“If I can learn a lesson from that as well, I must endure it.”

Only upon reaching death did I realize.

That nothing in this world is free or comes without a price.

The more valuable, the greater it is.

Nothing is ever obtained easily for free.

There is no salvation for those who wait.

Hesitation and patience are not the same.

Hesitation and waiting were never equal.

For a long time, I only hesitated and wavered.

Therefore, I had to curl up in a cold and dark pit.

-You must be quite exhausted. From now on, there will be no one to protect you or anything.

“I must endure it.”

I wished for salvation many times.

In the end.

All of it was merely a delusion.

One must find it oneself.

I realized this far too late.