Chapter 67

Chapter 67

***

It was evening. The moon was half hidden by clouds as if draped in a cloak. So it was an exceptionally darker night than usual.

The Beringen Guild building was also silent. Even though people were packed in this much, it seemed even the sound of a needle dropping would be heard loudly.

They were boys and girls around 12 to 16 years old. Since development was all different, some students looked very young, and some students were no different from fully grown adults.

Various students all looked at Rickart on the platform.

Rickart accepted those numerous gazes calmly, and was sweeping slowly as if trying to meet eyes with students one by one.

He was a living legend to the students. Whenever news came from activities outside, he was an existence planting pride.

Genius among geniuses, Warrior of Siegfinger, The one who executed the Ehrenberg 5, One of the Imperial 9 Swords, Red Cloak, Tiger of Kaits.

Many modifiers followed the unbelievable legend, and the reputation was spreading beyond Beringen and the North to the whole Empire.

So maybe not only students but people living in Beringen, and everyone living in Siegfinger might consider him a figure to be proud of.

He wouldn't have obtained such reputation simply by doing sword fighting well. Because character was laid at the base.

Rickart always stood at the front when attacking, and took charge of the rear when retreating. He took charge of the most dangerous role, and even in the midst of that rescued powerless people too.

There was no such person in the world. Rare but very noble wandering knights also used to exterminate villains receiving money. Even if only that degree people praised saying excellent. It was such an era.

By the way that great Rickart said he was disappointed in them. Students were shocked. Hoped it was a joke.

Students seemed to suffocate in the silence created by themselves. However no one, could break that silence carelessly.

Because they thought the right to break silence at this place currently was with Rickart.

The one governing silence governs the situation. Rickart felt pressure at the crowd's silence at first, but now oppositely he led.

Rickart didn't rush, and from right to left end, after seeing all students one by one, opened his mouth finally.

"......Does flocking around in a pack, intimidating innocent people, and acting violently mean cutting the chain? Person to answer?"

"......"

No one answered. So Rickart pointed out one student he knew.

"You. You answer. Is that cutting the chain of oppression? Molesting a pub waitress, and if someone says something about that, filling head count and swarming in a crowd, is that cutting the chain of oppression?"

"......"

There was no way he could answer, and the student pointed out lowered his head as if ashamed.

"Why no answer? Then you. You answer. Can't do? Then you answer."

Rickart pointed with his hand and picked students he knew one by one. This time also as expected no one could answer. Because even if ignorant, honestly everyone knew that was wrong behavior.

Silence visited again. Rickart didn't intend it, but naturally was controlling the tempo.

"I also know you guys grew up being persecuted. Must have gone through unspeakably cruel things in the family. Curiosity must have occurred. Why I have to be painful like this, if going to be like this why gave birth to me. But I don't know that either. Someone let me know. Person knowing?"

Not doing intentionally, but Rickart threw questions continuously. Then students didn't simply look up at Rickart only, but thinking with head fell into gradually.

And minds moved. Because they were kids painful more than anyone to the bone worrying why living is painful like this, why born on earth.

But Rickart didn't say so just to empathize simply.

"You know that, it will follow you all your life and torment you. But is it right to submit to that and live as one pleases? At least you guys have a choice. Wherever going to any city, countless pickpockets or illegitimate children begging on streets exist. But the work you guys do at best is flocking around in a pack scaring innocent people? If me I would be embarrassed so couldn't lift head."

Illegitimate children weren't only illegitimate children of noble families. Since contraception didn't develop era, numerous illegitimate children were born in various classes and statuses. Monk's child, affair, playing with fire with traveler etc.

Such illegitimate children were bound to roam the streets let alone the Academy. Growing up to some extent so, entered Thief Guild or organized criminal organizations among themselves.

By the way now, unexpectedly Rickart didn't shout unilaterally. Qualitatively different from Carlich only instigating. Made them look back by themselves why you guys are wrong logically.

"There is no perfect human in the world. That is same for me. Anyone can make a mistake. But must correct when making a mistake. Isn't the determination trying to correct the manifestation of free will God granted? The path to salvation will open only then. I think so. Life is always a chaotic road. You guys also actually will know. That there is a right path, and a wrong path. Valid path is annoying and hard. Wrong path is fun and easy. So, which path will you go?"

The enthusiastic atmosphere of earlier was nowhere, and it was a solemn atmosphere. This wasn't fabricated, nor driven forcibly. Just sincerity originating from pure mind was being conveyed.

"If walking the right path is hard, can help from side. That is a friend. Person correcting when falling into wrong path, that is friend. Person becoming strength when lonely and hard, person believing and supporting, that is friend. I think you guys must obtain while attending Academy, and also must become such friend."

Now atmosphere was almost becoming reverent beyond solemn. Because Rickart's words permeated slowly into students' minds and touched the thing called conscience.

And very gently, planted a seed called hope. Without grandiose expression, honest and plain.

"Work honestly and train hard. When playing play, and if there is a difficult person step up and help. Then no matter how family persecuted you guys, you guys yourselves did noble behavior. As past great heroes did so, that is exactly pure mind, and courage. And that is exactly path fighting not surrendering, and cutting chain of oppression and persecution. Isn't it written on Academy castle gate? Discipline shall set you free. Original meaning will be different, but anyway, I believe in you guys. Because we are all Beringen Academy students."

Rickart finished speaking calmly and came down from the platform. Everyone's gaze followed Rickart.

Students somehow didn't know why mind became soft so shed tears unknowingly. Maybe words really wanting to listen weren't instigation kind but such words.

Clap clap.

Someone started applauding, and applause spread gently. Not applause clapping noisily just swept by atmosphere. It was praise, and gratitude one person, one person sent sincerely.

Among them was Carlich too. He applauded shedding tears profusely more than anyone. Seeing this couldn't know if the kid is naive, or clever.

Just, he was also only young. Smart but no experience, and was stuck excessively on Rickart's word 'in Academy all are same students'.

"Ricky! I didn't know even that!"

Bori-bori also hugging abruptly crying profusely like other students. Marie also approached and hugged together. Hugged giving strength. Tightly.

"What didn't know even such."

Rickart laughed because absurd. Not attending together one day two days only, Bori-bori and Marie seemed moved anew. They were also kids with big wounds in heart. From young times, wounds received from parents were bound to go lifetime.

Even in this midst sincere applause continued.

Clap clap clap clap clap clap.

And didn't know why this guy is doing this but Carlich also shedding tears hugged Rickart from behind. Even Rickart couldn't tell to fall off a bit due to atmosphere as much as this time.

Students only needed a proper adult. To guide themselves to the correct path.

Hoped for that more than anyone, but didn't know by themselves. What is the problem, where my resentment originated, how to resolve frustration and unfairness.

By the way since the world is too heartless and흉흉 (turbulent/ominous), it was difficult to find a proper adult.

Existence called father drank alcohol day and night and shouted and beat, merchants knew nothing but money, nobles treated even children as tools all for bloodline and family's power.

If some transcendental existence existed and reincarnated Rickart, didn't know if because of such reason.

More than sword ability like monster, person knowing how to treat person's mind preciously and becoming strength and sometimes softly, sometimes strongly able to lead. Isn't it because such person was needed.

Just, as Rickart himself said self also wasn't perfect human. He was also existence having to be saved, and was advancing to that path.

"Guys, wait. Stop applause."

Rickart was holding Bori-bori and Marie for a good while, said to students.

"Now let's stop things like speech. And leaving only minimum personnel here, let's return to Academy now. Although night if going all together won't be dangerous."

Since current personnel looked at least 50 people, seemed absolutely no event of robber or thief attacking if uniting all together.

Rickart went up to room and packed his luggage. And leading students left Guild building.

Walking at the very front, seemed like taking lost sheep home in middle of night.

Just in time clouds also stepping aside made moonlight be revealed. Faint moonlight brightened the front path students walk like Goddess's touch.

Rickart finally returned to Academy. Season was summer.

Since Beringen Academy is on mountain, sweltering heat didn't prevail so much. Because cool wind blew always, and underground water was cold.

If there is problem, dragging even professors to war manpower entirely so there is no real adult in Academy currently.

Being only in Academy in such midst, really was no different from being disconnected from the world.

Inevitably Rickart had to do this and that activity taking students. Because if not didn't know what they would do.

Especially took Carlich putting next. Because this guy ability is excellent but became most dangerous guy.

"Ricky, Ricky, look at this. I tried making timetable?"

Rickart wearing uniform produced with own money, sitting on mound wind blows received timetable Carlich made.

Sleep, physical training, meal, writing, grass cutting activity kind were structured tightly by time zone.

And person to distribute that personnel appropriately and lead, until duty guarding castle gate or night watch order were written all in detail.

"How about dividing classes? Then might be able to manage more efficiently. Stimulation to each other too. How is it?"

Rickart looking at timetable heard Carlich's opinion. This bastard really ability one is awesome. To the extent scary.

Seemed exactly turning point now. If growing well becomes beneficial person to world, if growing wrongly person to become villain no again.

"Seems decent. Than that have to prepare to pass winter. That is most important."

"Know. So stocking up in food warehouse in advance."

"Is it so. Great. Honestly regarding such part I have nothing to say what. You do best."

"What sound is that! Ricky! Person excellent than Ricky doesn't exist in world! Even myself!"

Ai fuck. Rickart curse came out by itself inside. Why this excellent talent isn't sane. Genius and lunatic are paper thin difference they say, wanted to think this isn't a bit.

"Don't worship person. I am likewise."

"Why, why speak so? Abandoning me?"

"Abandoning what abandoning. Don't say strange sound a bit. Please beg you."

Person whose self-esteem formed properly might not understand, but however smart if self-esteem is low bound to set other person as source of self-esteem than oneself. And most kids were bound to have low self-esteem.

Especially this age needed idol. To Carlich Rickart was idol, and perfect human itself.

"But I think even your mistake is one part of perfection."

"......Whew, I am scared of you."

"Why? Me? Why? Don't be scared, Ricky. I will do well."

"Not doing well or not is important I say. Too much strength entered. You are just excellent and outstanding kid. Trust yourself a bit and have relaxation."

"......How to do that. Don't know well."

"I also actually don't know well. Eventually isn't it what each has to worry."

"Even that word is cool. I am remembering every single word Ricky you say?"

"......Cannot say any word."

Existence called Carlich felt like biggest homework to Rickart while attending Academy.

Kid isn't bad but, seemed missing somewhere a bit, and too smart for that, truly unknowable figure.

"Ricky!"

Bori-bori stuck head out from 3rd floor and shouted. Rickart looked up at him, and said to Carlich.

"Going. Beg you."

"Ung."

Rickart rose from seat and entered Inner Castle. And didn't forget this word.

"Always thinking thankfully, Carly."

Rickart said good words to Carlich maximally. Words like you are kind kid, excellent kid, talent is outstanding, thankful.

Because it seemed necessary. Because seemed to have experienced bad things sufficiently.

Actually also regarding saying such words Rickart was first to Carlich. Because in family received treatment as nuisance only. Whimsical guy, useless guy, guy only causing trouble.

By the way Rickart was person recognizing self, embracing, acknowledging, and forgiving even if making mistake for first time in life. Moreover active Imperial 9 Swords? Bound to consider as idol.

Anyway Rickart entered Inner Castle and went up to 3rd floor. Sitting with Bori-bori, Marie in empty lecture room started writing work.

Target was completing before graduating and leaving in Academy. Though wrote in Ancient Characters who would recognize.

Marie proofread Rickart's swordsmanship book and wrote interpreted version. Self also doesn't know well but, as asking Rickart doing learned existing so helping as well.

Time flowed so. It was Cool Summer. And around time heat subsided gradually, war ended.

Dunkel returned, and Viola Clan was all safe. And kids too.

Rickart was facing graduation.