Chapter 129
I hate nobles.
Because they killed my father, who farmed diligently, and my mother, who worked steadily at chores—those who lived peacefully without harming anyone—for no reason at all.
Even when protesting the unjust deaths, he was beaten mercilessly, told that a mere commoner shouldn’t dare open his mouth. The shoulder bone that was cracked from the beating back then still hurts.
Wasn’t the duty of a noble to care for the people?
Then why did no one care for me? Why did my family have to die like that for no reason? Why? Just why?
Swallowing countless questions, Joshua made up his mind.
That he would somehow climb to the top by tooth and nail and kill every single one of those damn nobles! Whether by performing distinguished service on the battlefield, catching traitors, or doing whatever it takes, he would rise above them no matter what!
The starting point of such a plan was entering the training center. He intended to graduate at the top of the class, become an apprentice Guardian, and rise up.
Meeting a noble like Daphne in the process was an unexpected occurrence. A noble who didn’t act like a noble. Influenced by such a Daphne, the other noble children who entered the training center also changed to become more easygoing. Just looking at Teppy, who picks up food dropped on the ground and eats it while spouting nonsense that it’s fine as long as you eat it within three seconds, they were different from other nobles.
But even so.
Nevertheless, Joshua did not fully trust them.
They are nobles anyway.
The moment they leave the training center and return home, they will erase every trace of how they look now. It’s bound to be that way.
So, from now on, Joshua intended to purposely keep his distance from the training center children.
……That was the plan.
“Aack! If you’re not a coward, fight me! I said I want to fight, ugh!”
Just what is with this guy.
– You’re Joshua, right? The one who manifested sword energy?
– Me? Arius Isaac’s.
– So let’s fight!
Thrusting a sword forward immediately after only saying his name…… how should I put it. It felt like a thoughtless puppy. One who only thinks of what he likes and follows only what he likes.
Joshua let out a long sigh.
“I told you I do not fight with nobles.”
“No, so I’m telling you I won’t say anything even if I get hurt!”
“It’s not that.”
Tsk, Joshua clicked his tongue and then glared intently at Arius.
“It’s because I might end up killing you while fighting.”
Arius tilted his head.
It was because he didn’t understand Joshua’s words at once.
Uh, so…… what this guy is saying is…….
One of Arius’s eyes narrowed.
“So, because you won’t go easy on me, I might die?”
“Yes.”
“In other words, you’re stronger than me?”
“Yes.”
“Puhahaha!”
Only then understanding the words, Arius held his stomach and laughed for a long time. Then he stopped laughing abruptly and glared sideways at Joshua.
“Hey.”
Then he dropped a wooden sword at Joshua’s feet with a thud.
“Pick up the sword.”
Whoosh—!
A tremendous momentum radiated from Arius’s body.
“Because I’m going to fix your manners.”
***
“Oh.”
Lady Daphne, who was watching Arius and Joshua through the window, marveled briefly.
“That fellow Arius, has he grown that much already.”
To think he manifested sword energy.
Recalling Arius, who had been a snot-nosed kid just before coming to the training center, Lady Daphne let out a chuckle.
“As expected, children grow up in the blink of an eye.”
She was quite proud, but on the other hand, she felt sorry for him. Because she could guess how much effort he must have put in to become like that in such a short time.
“I should give him some praise later.”
Having thought so, Lady Daphne turned her head again. Thud! Bang! The sound of sword clashing against sword was heard loud enough to tear the ears, but she ignored it.
On the side where she turned her gaze, Vifera was there. And surprisingly, Vifera was not alone. Cilia was by her side!
“U-u-um, w-will I b-be of any h-help……?”
Vifera was hesitating and stepping back into the shadows, but Cilia was sticking closely by Vifera’s side.
“Yes! You’ll be a huge help! I’ve been interested in alchemy too!”
“R-r-really?”
“Besides, since I’m a kid who grew up on the streets. I know a lot of illegal workshops. I can get ingredients that are hard to find.”
“……Really?”
“Yes!”
Where did her timid appearance from a moment ago go; Vifera’s eyes sparkled.
“Then can you get Faith’s Blessing petals, a Goblin King’s beard, and the crimson blood of an evil Hiarima? I think if I just have those, I can succeed in what I’m designing right now. What I’m designing is a poison without an antidote, and when I did the calculations, if you mix good energy and evil energy, they neutralize each other, making it hard to create an antidote. So I’m in the middle of experimenting several times……”
Ugh, I can’t understand a word.
In any case, Vifera was rambling on about this and that to Cilia, who showed interest in her, and surprisingly, Cilia seemed to understand everything she said.
“Then wouldn’t it be better to replace the Faith’s Blessing petals with a Holy Night stalk for the good energy? It seems like it would be easier to mix with other substances!”
“I-is that so? U-um……. Th-then shall I r-recalculate it?”
“Yes! Shall I help you?”
“I-it would be good to d-do it together!”
They began to put their heads together with bright smiles.
Lady Daphne made a humming sound and stared at them intently.
‘Was Cilia interested in alchemy?’
No. She is more interested in the sword. If so…….
‘She is trying to approach Vifera.’
The children must have also started to notice that the training center was slowly coming to an end. And they probably know to some extent that Lady Daphne will be the central figure.
Cilia, who was quick-witted, seemed to be trying to get close to Vifera in order to enter the Archduke Isaac’s household rather than another family.
‘I was going to take her anyway.’
Lady Daphne chuckled.
Still, seeing Cilia, who could actually communicate with Vifera, made her feel a little relieved. Because it seemed that Vifera, who had always been alone and cooped up in her room, was finally seeing the sunlight.
‘No matter how much the previous Daphne was a lump of curses, the wounds Vifera received do not disappear.’
Lady Daphne thought once again that she must definitely take Cilia to the Archduke’s estate, and she looked back at Joshua and Arius, who were still fighting over there.
“Damn it, what! Why are you so strong!”
“Ugh……!”
“Even so, I’m stronger!”
They are fighting neck and neck.
Arius, who looks familiar with controlling sword energy, is surprising, but Joshua, who does not fall easily against such an Arius, was also impressive.
‘Should I take that fellow too.’
But she didn’t know if that fellow would follow. Because he was someone who loathed nobles.
‘Whatever happens…….’
Lady Daphne smirked.
“There is indeed a harvest.”
Somehow, it felt like a part of her heart was being filled. Different from when she lived as a Calamity, having someone by her side and being able to converse comfortably with them…… this extremely ordinary but poignantly missed daily life is precious.
Now she just needs to maintain it like this. If she moves forward holding it precious like this without losing it…….
“Is this dragon seriously crazy! Hey! Are you a blockhead? Is your head not working? Do you just have no brain?”
If she moves forward…….
“Wow, seriously, if it were me, I would have just bitten my tongue and died. Why are you so stupid? Huh? Run? Ruuuuuuun?”
…….
“Just go out and die right now! That would be less painful than dying at the hands of Lady Daphne!”
……Can she move forward?
Listening to Teiti’s shouts, Daphne pondered seriously.
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