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“Strong human! Come back soon! I’ll be waiting for our next arm-wrestling match!”

“We’ll be working hard on your city!”

“We’ll have plenty of potatoes ready for you!”

That was one of the dwarves’ strengths.

While they are quite reserved when you first meet them, once they accept you, they have no reservations about showing their affection.

After they learned I was a disciple of the Great Hero and that I had accepted Bolt’s request, their fondness for me only grew.

However……

‘They’ve been used and betrayed many times because of that personality.’

They were diligent to a fault, dedicating themselves wholly to their work. Once they gave their heart to someone, they remained loyal until death.

Yes.

The dwarves were like Bastion. And so, I didn’t dislike them. At some point, Bolt, now at the front of the group, turned to me.

“Our promise……”

“Don’t worry. I’m not like other humans—I keep my word.”

“……The more I see of you, the more I like you.”

Bolt grinned widely, the corners of his mouth curving upwards.

“By the way, here.”

I unhooked the sword hanging from my waist and held it out to him.

“……What’s this all of a sudden?”

“I know you dwarves don’t care much for finished products.”

“Then why are you giving me this?”

“Because, for you, Bolt, isn’t this finished sword far more valuable than any raw ore?”

“……You bastard……”

Bolt’s eyes trembled slightly.

“This sword. It’s your child’s work, isn’t it?”

“……”

The moment he first saw the sword, I knew. One look at his reaction told me everything.

‘Nostalgia, longing, and beyond that, a deep, unfulfilled yearning.’

It wasn’t just intuition that made me so sure. I had a solid piece of evidence.

‘He said the elves stole all their weapons and gear.’

Given the circumstances, the weapons crafted by his child would have been among the stolen items. This sword must be the last memento Bolt had left.

‘He must’ve wanted to ask for it back, but couldn’t bring himself to because of his pride.’

His thoughts were crystal clear to me. I couldn’t ignore that kind of sentiment.

No matter how valuable a sword might be, it could never compare to family. I knew that feeling better than anyone.

“Heh heh heh.”

“Wh-Why are you laughing?”

“……Sorry. Don’t take it the wrong way. It’s just a habit.”

I fixed my expression and gestured toward the sword.

“Anyway, take it. It’s yours.”

“……”

Bolt stared at me for a long moment before shaking his head.

“……No, that sword belongs to you.”

“I won’t ask twice, you know. Are you sure you won’t regret it?”

“Bullet would have wanted it that way, too.”

“What?”

Suddenly, Bolt grinned.

“You’re going to use that sword to cut down the Empire, aren’t you?”

“……!”

“Rather than letting it gather dust in a corner, he would’ve wanted to use it to cut down those damned bastards. Bullet was a great warrior, after all.”

“……”

A faint smile tugged at my lips.

“For Bullet’s sake, I’ll have to put extra effort into taking those bastards down.”

“Bwahahaha! Now that’s a response I like to hear!”

Bolt clapped me on the shoulder with booming laughter.

Yet, even as he laughed, his eyes were filled with sadness. The same kind of sadness that hid behind my own habitual laugh. The other dwarves watched Bolt with sympathetic expressions.

“……I promise.”

Bolt froze mid-laugh at my words.

“I’ll repay blood for blood. That’s a promise.”

Bolt’s body trembled for a moment, but when he lifted his head, his face was as steady as ever.

“……I believe in you, friend.”

Meanwhile, watching the scene from afar, Krong couldn’t help but mutter in awe.

“Isn’t he something?”

“Huh?”

“I’ve never seen anyone win the dwarves hearts so quickly.”

Trevor chuckled.

“Is that so?”

“Yes! I’ve never heard of it happening before, and I doubt it’ll ever happen again. Our young lord truly is something else.”

“……I wouldn’t say it’s unprecedented. It has happened before.”

“Huh?”

Krong whipped his head toward Trevor.

“Really? You don’t mean yourself, do you?”

“Of course it’s not me.”

“Then who was it? Where is this incredible person now?”

Trevor glanced skyward for a moment before lightly tapping his chest.

“Right here.”

***

At last, we had fully traversed the canyon and were approaching the monster forest. Ancelot stopped and turned to the rest of the group.

“Verdant Vale should turn back here.”

“Wouldn’t it be better for us to go together, at least through the forest?”

“That’s being disrespectful to the knights of the marquis.”

“……”

Trevor glanced briefly toward Marquis Foltaine and gave a polite nod.

“My apologies. I didn’t mean it that way.”

“There’s no need for the Swordsman of Illusions to apologize. It’s that rascal’s mouth that’s the problem.”

Ancelot shrugged and raised his voice again.

“For the rest of us, we’ll stop at Count Arsene’s estate for a night! We’ll need to restock on supplies, and I have something to discuss with him, anyway.”

“……!”

At that moment, both Jan and Kirian’s faces brightened.

“Father will be pleased to hear this.”

“I heard he returned right after the knight exam…… I hope he’s doing well.”

High-ranking nobles like counts usually spent most of the year in the capital. However, Count Arsene was different. He returned to his estate the moment his children’s knight exam concluded.

The household atmosphere had been unsettled after a series of incidents, and the count was doing his best to restore order as the family head.

‘In the end, the long absence gave others in the estate the chance to develop different loyalties.’

Where the body is, the mind follows. A truth as unchanging as time itself. Distance was bound to allow for disloyalties to form.

“Before that…… Assemble.”

“……!”

The moment Ancelot uttered ‘assemble’.

“A-Assemble!”

“Assembleeeee!”

Verdant Vale members shouted across the area in perfect unison. That was the rule. If they didn’t respond within five seconds of a command, the day’s training would be doubled.

“Huff, huff.”

“Gasp, gasp.”

Panting heavily, the members gathered as quickly as they could.

“The reason I’ve gathered you here is…… Just because you might miss me.”

“……Pardon……?”

Verdant Vale stared at Ancelot, their expressions asking, ‘What kind of bullshit……?’

“I promised to train you hard, but if I suddenly leave without warning, wouldn’t that upset you? I didn’t even teach you any swordsmanship—just made you do grunt work.”

Indeed, at some point, the whole of Verdant Vale had harbored a crazy thought.

They wanted to become stronger, fast. They wanted to move on to the next training, no matter how difficult. But after just a few days, they had changed their minds entirely.

‘Um, no thanks?’

‘Please—just leave already, you demon!’

‘Shoo! Shoo!’

Sure, the physical drills were exhausting, but they could endure them. However, they couldn’t comprehend ‘that’ terrifying sight, even now.

Everyone here had witnessed it.

Countless dwarves, armed with bows that could pierce steel, unleashed their killing intent……

“Manners, my ass. And what? Puny? Who do those stumpy little bastards think they are? Why, I ought to……!”

And yet, one deranged human had boldly shouted back at the dwarves.

‘If we keep following him, we’ll all die.’

That was why everyone cheered when they heard the captain had become their ‘deputy lord’.

And so.

“……Really?”

“Really!”

“So there are no complaints, right?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Hmm…… Anyway, let me ask you a favor. Could you help the dwarves for the time being? It’s a place for all of us, after all.”

The faces of Verdant Vale members brightened noticeably at those words.

“Yeeeeesssss, siiiirrrr!”

Their response was louder than usual. It was a perfect outcome for them—killing two birds with one stone.

“Well, to make up for it, I’ll resume serious training afterward. With double the load. Think of everything so far as just warming up.”

“……”

The bright expressions quickly soured.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

“……Yes, sir.”

It was the weakest response they had ever given.

***

Half a day later, we arrived at the Arsene estate.

“Jan! Kirian!”

“Father!”

The two brothers, who had quickened their steps as we neared the estate, sprinted ahead. They rushed into the waiting arms of Count Arsene, who had come out to greet them.

“Gosh—Grown men, acting like children……”

Despite his words, the count’s face was filled with joy. Harun and Winley watched the scene with a hint of envy.

“Our honored guuueeesssttt!”

Suddenly, a figure ran toward me.

Fwip! Fwip!

Then, he swiftly inspected me from head to toe.

“……What are you doing?”

“Hmm. It seems you’re uninjured, thank goodness!”

Baron Tucker announced this loudly, as if reporting a crucial observation.

“Is this really something to make such a fuss about?”

Marquis Foltaine asked, bewildered. Baron Tucker flinched slightly at the question—he was still not entirely comfortable around the marquis.

But the moment of discomfort only lasted a split second.

“Of course it is! This guest is an important benefactor to our family. Oh, by the way! Congratulations.”

“Congratulations?”

“The whole kingdom was buzzing with news. That a genius had been born into the Hart Kingdom.”

Viscount Rodri, who had quietly walked up to us, smiled faintly.

“Although that goes without saying.”

“And yet, the head of the household is still busy fussing over his sons. He always insisted he would repay his debts……”

“Well, it’s been a while since they last met.”

“We apologize on his behalf. Even the princess is with us, and yet……”

Baron Tucker and Viscount Rodri bowed deeply.

“Since the death of the countess, he hasn’t been himself……”

“O-Oh, it’s fine! It’s a heartwarming sight.”

Winley quickly assured them.

“Rather, may we impose on you for just one night?”

“……?”

Baron Tucker and Viscount Rodri exchanged curious glances before smiling warmly.

“Impose? Think of it as your second home and stay as long as you like.”

“Welcome to the Arsene estate. We will do our best to make you comfortable.”

“Thank you!”

None of us knew, however, that this warm atmosphere would not last through the night.

***

Late at night.

Was it because I’d let my guard down, finally sleeping in a soft bed for the first time in a long time?

-Dad. Why did you leave me to die?

Andy appeared in my dreams without a head, resenting me.

-You seem happy, Dad. While I’m cold and lonely……

I’m sorry.

I’m so sorry, Andy.

In my next life, I’ll live only for you.

So, please……

“……Lot!”

“……”

“Ancelot!”

“……Gasp!”

Bang!

I inhaled sharply and shot up from the bed. A sharp pain immediately throbbed through my skull.

“Ugh…… I-Is your head made of stone?”

“I-I could say the same? My eyes are glistening with tears.”

The collision cleared my head instantly. The one I had bumped heads with was none other than Count Arsene.

“Th-This isn’t the time. There’s an emergency.”

“An emergency……?”

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I saw his face clearly. And with it, a familiar expression I hadn’t seen in a long time.

“……What happened?”

Every remaining bit of drowsiness vanished in an instant.

“There’s been an…… Incident at the royal palace.”

It was the same expression he wore when the countess passed away.

***