Chapter 204

Chapter 204

***

It was a year with many happy events from the beginning of the year.

Because it was the 10th anniversary since Empress Martelia ascended to the throne, and coincidentally the fifth Princess was born.

Moreover last autumn the harvest was exceptionally large so the Emperor declared a 'Winter without Hunger' and did a lot of relief work on a massive scale.

Naturally songs praising the Emperor echoed throughout the Empire.

A reign of 10 years was short if saying it was short and long if saying it was long, but already there were many evaluations that Martelia's rule was the greatest prime in the Empire.

To hear such evaluations there wasn't a particularly special secret. Merely, unlike past Emperors the fact that she was the first Emperor to care for the commoners was peculiar if it was peculiar.

Emperors until now had paid more attention to a battle of nerves or power struggles with nobles, but Martelia was not.

She built hospitals and academies, sponsored education, arts, various guilds and encouraged commerce by building roads.

Not policies of the Imperial family, for the Imperial family, but engaging in so-called public policies, those who implemented the policies and those who received the benefits didn't even know the concept itself.

It was closer to unfolding what Empress Martelia had learned and felt in her personal life to the world.

And the foundation of that learning or the perspective of looking at the world, or worldview, all originated from her husband and the King of Adelorn.

However surprisingly, the King of Adelorn rarely showed his face at banquets attended by the general public or nobles.

Although people said he was the highest power in the Empire, he himself didn't wish to possess power.

So all he did was internal affairs of the Adelorn Kingdom, operating the military academy, guarding and patrolling the Eastern Frontier, or relieving the poor.

As the ruling foundation or power structure of the Empire stabilized in that way, what remained was for people to enjoy the benefits.

It seemed the whole world was full of joy. There were also many places holding early spring festivals commemorating the birth of the fifth Princess.

However truly not a single person missing, everyone wasn't happy.

Especially when the whole world was joyful there were times when one felt an unlucky feeling as if I was the only unhappy one.

"Hey you fucking bitch!"

The sound of an adult man shouting was exactly like a beast howling.

"That damn money! Money! Fucking bitch! Go out and sell your body at least! Bitch acting like a dog giving you inches......!"

"Where are you trying to swagger! You bastard! Bring money properly to say such a thing at least! Do you know how desperate I am!"

"Noisy! Shut your mouth! Marrying a bitch like you is the biggest mistake of my life!"

"You married me for money too anyway! Kissing my ass when my family was doing well. You cowardly bastard!"

"Then you should have continued doing well until the end! Eh!? Why would I marry a fucking ugly bitch like you otherwise!? Eh!?"

"Fuck you! I had lines of men much more handsome than you in the past too! Only marrying you out of pity for an idiot like you you don't even know your betters!?"

"What!? This bitch!"

The sound of things crashing crash was heard inside the house. So standing there coming back from the academy after a long time the boy couldn't enter the house.

The uniform neatly starched and creased strictly with a heavy iron felt unseemly. No, I myself felt a helpless feeling.

Like that the boy stood with his head bowed in front of the house. No thoughts entered his mind. Actually it was a familiar sound. The shouting and throwing objects and overturning furniture.

Among his friends some kids said they envied him. Because, his father at least didn't lay hands on him. Then was that better? Should he be happy?

Then the door abruptly opened. The beast-like father had eyes full of anger.

Whether he didn't know his son was outside, he seemed slightly flustered then scanning his appearance that had become taller compared to when he left home up and down he spat out a word.

"Useless bastard."

And briskly passed by and went off somewhere. Probably to a brothel, gambling den, or a pub.

The boy saw the inside of the house through the opened door. It was messy. His mother was half-seen sitting down. Her hair wasn't completely disheveled, but slightly tangled.

It didn't seem she was hit. Well, the fact that my father didn't hit was at least something to be proud of.

"Mom......"

Daring not enter the inside of the house, he carefully called his mother.

However even though a son visiting after a long time should be a welcome sight, his mother didn't raise her head and look at her son.

"Rudy, now find your own way to live. Mom finds it hard to even live alone......"

The boy named Rudy couldn't even bring out the word about tuition. He had nothing to say. For the now twelve-year-old boy it was time to live alone.

Actually even just sending him to the academy his parents had provided a lot of support. Rudy's family was Middle-class in its own way, but not that affluent either. Especially after his mother's family's fortunes declined it was even more so.

So Rudy only quietly closed the door unable to say any words.

PEONG-!

The sound of a firecracker exploding was heard from somewhere in the city. Turning his head and looking, small white smoke was floating fluffy. Soon bang bang, a few more firecrackers exploded.

From afar the sound of people singing joyfully was heard. It seemed the festival was starting.

However Rudy couldn't enjoy the festival either, and having suddenly been granted independence he had nowhere to go.

Ah, I should have said thank you for raising me all this time, the thought crossed his mind but he lacked the courage to open the door again.

So without any other choice, he just walked. Going to a place unnoticeable he thought of somehow enduring a day, and returning to the academy early in the morning. If he went there his friends might share food. But he had some time left before the semester started, would friends be there?

Rudy naturally headed to the place with an overpass. But under the overpass was dirty and humid so he didn't like it. Then where should I go? As he thought for a moment, someone suddenly spoke to him from behind.

"You don't have anywhere to go right?"

It was a young voice. Turning his back a boy hidden in the shadow of the gloomy alleyway was standing. Although he couldn't see exactly even just as a silhouette Rudy could tell it was a boy his age.

"Do you know me?"

"No. But we're the same in not having anywhere to go."

"Really? Are you already independent too?"

"I wish I was but it seems not. By the way if you can't find your way can you help me? I'll help you too."

"What do you mean?"

"You're wearing a uniform. It's Kalitz Academy right? I'm thinking of entering there."

Kalitz Academy was one of the various academies built during Empress Martelia's reign. A place teaching letters, basic rhetoric and refinement, martial arts and such.

Graduating there people were introduced to jobs here and there, the best case being entering the Benicio Merchant Guild and if not they could also be general adventurers.

"Do you have a recommendation letter? What about the tuition fees?"

"I will take care of that."

"It doesn't happen just because you take care of it......"

"Taking care of it is right. Originally I was supposed to enter Beringen Academy. But that's too boring right. Since both my parents graduated there."

"......You're quite a braggart right?"

Beringen Academy was now completely different from the past. Along with Hantz University it was the most prestigious academy in the Empire.

Unless one's family had immense wealth, or was a highly-placed noble family one couldn't even enter. However, in cases displaying outstanding talent exceptionally commoners could also enter.

So saying he was supposed to go to Beringen Academy originally but wasn't going because it was boring, and going to Kalitz Academy where only the middle-class or kids without money went, Rudy couldn't understand.

"I'm a braggart? That's strange, people said I was honest to an excessive degree."

Somehow the conversation seemed somewhat misaligned. Still that wasn't the important thing. The important thing was that he was a peer kid in a similar situation. To Rudy that was a small comfort.

"Then you're going alone? To Kalitz Academy?"

"Yes."

"Your parents won't go with you?"

Because when Rudy first entered his mother also went together he asked.

"My mother is busy, and if I ask my dad he would grant it, but I don't want to. I can do it alone. My dad also left home alone when he was ten. I'm ten years old. My birthday passed last year."

Strangely the silhouette boy didn't call his mother mom, and called his father dad. Usually a father was a difficult and scary existence.

"You're a strange kid."

"I hear that sometimes."

"Do you have anywhere to go?"

"No. But let's find one together starting now."

"Well, okay......"

When Rudy agreed the boy slowly approached. Stepping out of the dark shadow of the alleyway, bright blonde hair and a dazzlingly pale white face were revealed.

His big eyes were slightly sharp, his eyebrows stretched well and an apparently self-confident smile seemed to neutralize his intense gaze.

Above all his blue irises were exactly like a brilliant gemstone. Receiving the light at sunset they even looked like blue stars.

His dark red cloak and black clothes were ordinary, while the fabric itself wasn't ordinary Rudy didn't recognize its value. And a single dagger was bound to a thin leather belt.

To the appearance of the mysterious boy fitting to be seen only in dreams, Rudy absentmindedly stared for a moment then suddenly regained his senses and asked.

"Is that a real knife?"

"Yeah. Boar's Tusk."

"Huh?"

"The name of the knife. My grandfather gave it to my dad, and dad gave it to me. As a 10th birthday present. Actually I wanted to have a real sword, but he said that's a no. It's not satisfying but it's okay. My dad was also like that at first he said. It's fair."

The somehow mysterious boy drew the dagger and showed it. Seeing its sharp glint alone was enough to make one's liver feel cold. Yet the boy fearlessly grabbed the blade and handed the handle to Rudy.

Suddenly receiving a dagger with a real live blade, Rudy awkwardly examined the dagger then grabbed the blade himself and returned it.

The boy sheathed the dagger and said.

"Vilter. You can call me Billy. You?"

Hearing his name Rudy immediately knew the boy was a noble. But thought he was a low-ranking noble. Otherwise there was no reason to go to Kalitz Academy.

Lower nobles were often as poor as the middle class or commoners, and even having some wealth living in the countryside wasn't a very easy life either.

"Emilud. My friends call me Rudy."

"Good, Rudy. Then let's find a place to spend the night."

The boy seemingly a lower noble named Vilter walked ahead confidently. The sound of his footsteps echoed on the street.

"Wait a minute, where are you from?"

"I was born in Stormhearts. The place I mostly stayed is Nibelungen though. In winter I stay in Adelibari."

"Do your parents do something like a peddler?"

"Mmm...... I don't think that's it."

"By the way Billy you must be very close with your father."

"That's right. My dad only says nice things. Since studying is completely useless there's no need to do it, and if you don't take risks you can't learn anything, and don't be swayed by what others say and live according to my own thoughts. If I fail don't be discouraged, and don't be tied to success either, and just remember only not giving up. Then only I can shine like a star, and shed light on other people he said."

"......Is your father some kind of poet?"

"I think so too. I like winter because I can spend it together with dad in winter. Sometimes hearing the news of him coming to Nibelungen I get excited from a month ago. But if the schedule gets misaligned and he can't come I get depressed all day. When I was young I even cried. Not anymore. I'm 10 right?"

Rudy closed his mouth for a moment. Vilter being terribly enviable yet feeling so unrealistic he didn't feel jealousy.

"......What kind of person is your mother?"

"To me she's strict. But in front of dad she seems to become a baby. Just whining. Actually might she have been having a hard time? Pretending to be strong. Because she has to be strong. Living watching my mother's mood is uncomfortable though, thinking like that I understand too. But Rudy what kind of people are your parents?"

Rudy hesitated for a moment seemingly not knowing he would receive an opposite question. Some words lingered in his mouth, but daring not spit them out he just said it thinking whatever.

"My dad is a drunken gambler. All he does coming home is yelling for money, throwing things around, cursing at mom, and telling me to shut my mouth and stay in my room. Also what was there...... there's a lot but I can't remember."

Vilter looked back at Rudy for a moment. But he didn't offer any words of comfort or anything.

"He's a truly pitiful person."

"My father is? Not me or my mom?"

"Yeah. Since he hurts the people he is supposed to love. Then where and from whom would he receive love? Even God would frown."

"......"

Suddenly hearing unexpected words Rudy felt a strange feeling.

"......You can think like that too. I didn't know."

"Do you have siblings?"

"No. You?"

"I'm the oldest son and have three younger siblings. Actually no, now it's four I guess. Let's see, two younger brothers and two younger sisters."

"Don't you fight over food or clothes? My friends say they do."

"We don't fight over such things. Never even fought. It's not like we're close anyway. My mother told my younger siblings to treat me perfectly politely so they all find me difficult. My mother teaches things like etiquette really strictly."

"Politely? Unfairly favoring you because you're the firstborn aren't they?"

"I know right. How about over there? I think it would be fine if we stay there."

Vilter walking on the street pointed somewhere. It was a place like a warehouse building.

A lock was placed on the iron chain but was a bit loose, so it seemed the two boys who were still young looking could enter somehow squeezing their bodies through.

The two boys had a two-year difference but similar height and build.

"I will try going in first."

Vilter widened the door gap to the maximum and pushed his head in first, and squeezed inside. It wasn't as easy as thought but completely passed through. Following behind Rudy came in.

Because the inside of the warehouse was pitch black nothing could be seen, but being a bit away from the festival site it was quiet and peaceful.

The two boys relied on the weak light coming in through the door crack and went to the corner crouching down. At that time a grumble sound came from Rudy's stomach.

Vilter pulled something out of his bosom and rustled playfully, and relying on his touch cut it with his dagger and handed it to Rudy.

"Here, it's ham."

It was a ham wrapped in paper. Rudy received it by hand and took a bite. It was the highest quality ham so the meat was appropriately firm and chewy, and the seasoning was perfect.

"It's delicious."

"Do you want more?"

"What about you?"

"I ate before coming so I'm full."

"Really? Sounds like a lie."

"Sorry. I'm bad at lying."

"Then give it to me if you have leftovers after eating."

"Let's split it in half."

"......Next time I'll treat you to a meal."

"You don't need to do that. Real friends don't say thank you and sorry they said."

"Who?"

"My dad."

"But you just said sorry for being bad at lying."

"Hehe, please let that slide."

Vilter cut the ham in half and handed it to him. Rudy received it without refusing. The two sat together and chewed the ham mumbling.

"By the way you seem to be a noble, did you set out on the road alone?"

"I have a bodyguard. Actually closer to a friend though. Roy, he's scary when angry. Since I saw him smashing a person's head empty-handed."

"......"

"In my eyes he seems stronger than Uncle Bori or Uncle Ice, but my dad said he wasn't. Can anyone be stronger than Roy? It's hard to imagine."

Rudy couldn't really understand what Vilter was talking about. Actually Bori and Ice were very famous in the entire Empire, but being too famous they were often called by their nicknames or titles rather than their real names so many cases they didn't know their real names.

So Rudy only understood that Vilter had a terrifying bodyguard.

"But why aren't you together with your bodyguard right now?"

"We were on our way to Beringen Academy, but I sneaked away in the middle. I can choose which academy I go to at least right? So don't worry too much. If I enter Kalitz Academy everyone will know where I am. If they don't I'll just write a letter."

Rudy was confused about how far to believe the words he was saying. Bragging, or truth...... Beringen Academy isn't just any dog's name.

"Have you already learned how to read/write?"

"Don't everyone learn at least how to read at home?"

"Not me. Then since you're a noble did you learn swordsmanship a bit too?"

"Yes."

"To what extent?"

"Well, is there an extent to it?"

"Apprentice, Trainee, Probational, Proficient, Highly Proficient, Master, Sword Master. Do you not know this? The Viola Clan classification method."

"I've never heard of it. Is there such a thing? My dad told me not to randomly spout such things."

"He seems to be a good father, but isn't he too stubborn? Not knowing even that much entering the academy what will you do?"

"How did you know? My dad acting blindly stubborn?"

"I, is that so?"

"But don't worry too much. I don't know the classification method, but I think I can defend my own body. Have you ever killed a person Rudy?"

"Uh? N, no. Why?"

"I have."

Vilter smiled grin looking back at Rudy. The faint light coming through the door gap illuminated only half of Vilter's face. So only one blue eye shined. The rest watched Rudy in the dark.

"Wh, when? How did that happen?"

"Not long ago. Just before I met you. They told me to take off my clothes. When I said I couldn't do that they drew a knife. So I pulled this out too. It wasn't harder than I thought. It was nothing. Ah, of course I wiped it clean. Hehe."

"......"

Being mysterious. That also meant something impossible to understand. And also contained the meaning of being attractive.

Vilter was innocent and cheerful like any other boys his age, but he also had a chilliness like a sharply honed blade. The mixing of those making it felt naturally mysterious might be true.