Chapter 80

Chapter 80

***

Rickart liked the wind. From the old days, from before he was born.

He liked watching the scene of wind blowing on fields in the days of tending sheep, and in Stormhearts also gazed at fields where the wind blew alone occasionally, and in his Academy days he also did so.

So, he thought he wanted to live building a small hut in a cool field somewhere someday.

Tending a vegetable garden, and raising livestock, whether sheep or whatever.

The wind blew. His hair fluttered. A cool field, over there far away a small hut, a peaceful scene dreamed in a dream was seen.

Whether the wind was blowing from the mountain range, or the wind was blowing from the sea, he didn't know, but anyway, it was good.

By the way, he was not alone. One woman standing turning her back on the field, fluttering beautiful blond hair.

Rickart could know immediately who it was. A smile was built on his mouth rim unaware to himself. If walking about twenty steps, he could reach her.

But at that time, a loud shout shaking his brain was heard from the back.

"Steel Reaper Ricky!"

Rickart turned his head. Then the world was engulfed in deep red firelight entirely, and countless corpses covering the ground were seen. Fire and Steel, Blood, and Death.

Besprim, who was a legendary warrior of the Barbarians, covering his whole body in steel, was crushing, breaking, and trampling all living things.

Not only that. In the world, all humans were struggling with all humans other than themselves desperately. Among them, friends like Bori-bori, Volca, and Ice were seen too.

The world split in half. One side Heaven, the other side Hell. Rickart stood exactly in that middle.

Where do I have to go? Why can I not discard pain?

At that time, the whisper of an Angel was heard in his ear.

"Ricky."

Rickart opened his eyes in bed. Morning sunshine falling past the curtain was comfortable, not dazzling his eyes.

But his heart beat kung-kung like bursting.

Soon recognizing reality, it subsided quickly. His mind was peaceful. Because it was just a dream only.

Rickart, getting up from his seat, headed to the washbasin existing on the table. Tilting the kettle, receiving water, washing his face, and wetting a towel, he wiped his neck and body. The water was not cold but lukewarm, so exactly good.

After doing so, he dressed up. A silk tunic never worn in his life, and on his waist, he wrapped a belt made of calf leather.

The soles of boots coming to the ankle were padded with several sheets of leather, so having slight elasticity and being very sturdy.

From hair tip to toe tip, things the best artisan made with the best material; all were new things. The texture brushing the skin or the wearing feeling was too good. All these things the Crown Prince provided.

Rickart pulling his sword stood on the wall and checked its state. And after checking the state of his dagger too, he first just left it and exited the room. Because carrying a weapon beside the Crown Prince was not particularly good.

Going to the cafeteria, he filled up on breakfast simply with soft bread and cheese, ham, and milk.

The bread also was not just normal bread. Baked freshly at dawn on finely ground wheat flour, it was soft like down.

Most commoners grinding grain with their own strength directly instead of a mill, so the grain was not fine and passing several days after baking, it was hard like a stone really.

So one had to eat soaking it in water or spit; Rickart was accustomed to such bread.

In the Imperial Palace, everything was comfortable, and everything easy. Nothing making it hard. Rickart was not particularly ascetic, but the thought occurred that this was a bit too much.

Because a feeling of becoming lazy unaware to himself, and mental power becoming weak, was felt. The thought occurred that the Crown Prince and Princes being that shape and that look, isn't this influence big too?

Rickart finishing his meal walked the hallway toward the Crown Prince's room. The hallway was decorated like a theme different in every section, and the hallway where the Crown Prince's room existed was plastered with Gold literally.

Sculptures boasting carving skills of an unbelievable degree and ancient relics preserved in almost original form were displayed.

Painted with gold was of course all not gold but coated with thin gold leaf, so not that much money entered than thought, but still looking outwardly brilliant.

But those fancy things were also finally boring; Imperial Knights standing here and there in the hallway stood crookedly with bored expressions or sat on chairs nicely.

Except for the closest aides of important figures like the Emperor or Empress Dowager, saying Imperial Knight did not mean all ability was excellent and discipline caught well. Because selecting seeing origin component rather than ability.

Even horses and equipment were all borrowed forms, so it was a position having to pay back with salary or return later. Like the Academy, mostly second sons of Noble families.

Anyway, they seeing Rickart greeted with eyes at least. Because they saw the Duel with Liberio, respect for a brave and strong person.

"Can I enter?"

Rickart asking the Imperial Knight guarding the front of the door, he shrugged his shoulder. An expression like 'I don't know' adhered.

So Rickart knocked on the door knock-knock.

"Is Rickart."

"Uh-uh, come in."

Crown Prince Nibelius's voice was heard, and Rickart opened the big door carefully.

By the way, seeing inside the room, a maid wearing a white bandana to cover her hair was receiving the Crown Prince's urine holding a small jar.

Rickart stood dumbfounded looking at that scene, and whether Crown Prince or Maid, this was daily life, so they were composed, not knowing shyness either. The sound of the urine stream hitting the jar was heard.

After doing so, the maid shaking off and wiping with a wet towel, bringing a washbasin, washed his face and blew his nose too.

Naturally dressing up clothes all too, and finally touching the Crown Prince's sulky hair, bowing her head holding the urine jar and basin, she exited the room.

"Came early today?"

"Came on time."

"Is it? Then the maid came late? Shall give punishment? What punishment is good? How about feeding a live mantis?"

Speaking composedly without any malice was dumbfounding. Fortunately, he was on the side of listening well to the word Rickart was saying.

"Don't give punishment."

"Why? Grandmother told me to give punishment to a person not doing their own work properly."

Grandmother meant the Crown Prince's Great-grandmother, the current Emperor's Mother who is his grandfather, the Empress Dowager. Real power of the Imperial Family and Empire.

"If they didn't spoil work big, you have to show tolerance. If pointing out until small mistakes one by one and giving punishment, they become unable to work more, and finally Your Highness will be uncomfortable. Today probably she was tired more than usual."

"Mm, I see. Might be tired. Understood. Then will overlook."

"Thought well."

Rickart sighed inside. Because he was doing work close to disciplining a kid rather than teaching swordsmanship actually.

Father died young, Grandfather a Debauchee, and Empress Dowager regarding the Crown Prince as a tool for her own power only. As a kid easy to handle.

Maybe the ringleader making the Imperial Family a mess might be the Empress Dowager. Because striking away proper Imperial Family members far, and filling the Imperial Palace with figures easy to handle only.

In that midst, Helauman protecting the Imperial Family struggling in his own way—couldn't know it will work until when.

If looking at the merit of Feudalism, the Monarch could be trivial and the country rolled just so-so. Because everyone ruled their own territory independently.

Even Lords not interested whether the Emperor was a Debauchee or dying or whatever were many. Thinking 'what relation is that with me?' caused it.

Nevertheless, if the Imperial Family shaking was not a good thing; if the minimum watcher disappears, from then Lords of each place of the Empire might run wild as they please.

What work happens, no one expected. The Imperial Family becoming wrong, maybe peace might be maintained without any work, or really the Empire whole swept in war.

Rickart just wanted to leave taking Marie after holding the tournament quickly.

"Look, but you see, Ricky."

The Crown Prince, holding a sword produced fitting his own physique, hesitating, opened his mouth.

"Yes, speak."

"O, Today cannot we rest a bit?"

"Yes, do so. I am fine."

Actually, Rickart had no talent in teaching particularly, and the Crown Prince also, before talent exists or not, had no patience or zeal, so swordsmanship class was a useless act.

"Then I will try to go."

"Ah, No! Let's do other things as much as class time."

"What thing?"

"Mm...... Last time didn't Ricky say the Imperial Library was curious?"

It was a word that came out while talking regarding Codex.

"Did so."

"I received permission from Grandmother? Want to go?"

"Okay is it?"

Rickart's eye light changed. Seeing that appearance, the Crown Prince laughed brightly too. Because he wanted to enter Rickart's mind somehow.

The Crown Prince lifting his chin triumphantly answered.

"Of course. Grandmother listens to my word all."

"Haha, that truly is envious."

Seemed a bit idiot-like, but Rickart didn't have bad feelings toward the Crown Prince.

Just understanding him as a kid entirely was somewhat difficult, as self left home at the Crown Prince's age and lived by self, and friends all did so.

Anyway, today he headed to the Imperial Library separated a little from the Imperial Palace with the Crown Prince without doing swordsmanship class. Guard Knights followed but with bored looks just. 'If possible let's go to the city' caused it.

The Imperial Library existed in a cool place for the preservation of books or scrolls, and was architecture looking like a Temple.

A small number of Librarians were guarding, but as the Crown Prince appearing suddenly out of the blue, they were noticeably bewildered. Because fearing doing strange acts to books uselessly. Burning fire, or tearing books.

But to them, there was no power to stop the Crown Prince. Begging to Rickart with eyes only. 'Please watch the kid well not to do strange acts.'

The Imperial Library existed from the First Emperor who emphasized knowledge; a place collecting and storing books for hundreds of years. Whether a historic place, holy energy was felt like a real Temple.

Inside it was really magnificent, and mysteriously maintaining cool energy regardless of season.

By the way unexpectedly, Prince Bellator came already into the Library.

He sitting on the floor reading a book, feeling presence, raised his head and stared.

"Your Highness."

He seeing the Crown Prince getting up from his seat bowed his head.

"Uncle? Here came receiving Grandmother's permission?"

Age similar but Uncle and Nephew relation, and status Nephew higher.

"Yes? Ah, I came here from old days......"

"Uh? Entering without permission, have to receive punishment."

Whatever end of word saying punishment, punishment; Rickart stepping forward stopped him.

"Reading books is work worth encouraging. Although said no permission, it does not seem work to reprimand bothering."

"Okay. If Ricky says so, so is it. Because that is cool."

"Right. Since it became like this, how about reading books with the Prince? As he said he came from old days, seem knowing interesting things many."

Two ages similar so Rickart wanted to make them friends.

"Good."

Bellator was bewildered but to him no right to refuse.

"But reading what?"

Rickart asked Bellator.

"Ah, this. Casebook of Ancient Civil Cases."

Rickart's speech was blocked momentarily. Because such a thing self didn't know either.

Rickart looked around the bookshelf first. Books all stored lying down separately one by one. Among them 'Telemost's Fables' entered his eye.

"This will be suitable. Can you teach this a bit to Crown Prince Highness?"

Bellator looking at the book vacantly said.

"This seems for kids too much......"

Have to be for kids, Rickart said inside.

"Will be suitable to read together. Asking and answering thinking mutually will be more interesting."

"Right, well......"

"Then Highness please watch this a bit with the Prince. I also will find a thing I will read."

"Ung."

Rickart thinking it worked well attached two people together, going to the Librarian asked where Codex exists. Regarding Sword Master or Mana.

They taught kindly, and Rickart walking to a corner could discover books.

Certainly, it seemed research regarding Mana was active in ancient times. By the way, difficult to catch the sense, have to read from what.

Rickart could discover the next part of the Codex called 'Boundary of Sword Master' he saw someday. So picking that up he opened the book. Compared to the previous part, it was quite thick.

The content was filled with ominous things as expected; concrete methods for slicing the human mind described.

Sacrificing the closest person through pagan methods, or torture, murder, brainwashing sort of very inhumane methods written.

Automatically frowning impression and difficult to read continuously degree.

But the effect seemed certain. Seemed awakening as a Sword Master instead of losing sympathy, empathy ability, compassion sort of.

But not becoming because anyone does. Limited to persons reached just before Sword Master, written have to possess sufficient precondition accomplished by voluntary will.

The Author said like this. Sword Master is not innate, not becoming by training either, only can make with Fate. Therefore claimed his own method is Art handling Fate.

Art is bullshit. Rickart barely suppressing the mind wanting to burn the book put it in the bookshelf again.

By the way, whether reading absent-mindedly while feeling unpleasant, time passed quite a bit. The Crown Prince and Prince Bellator state returned a long time ago, and coming out outside sunset was setting.

Rickart wanting 'oops', ran to Irmin Castle quickly. Holding the vine climbing up, entered like his own home through the window.

Marie combing her long hair tilting her head showing her back.

"Marie."

As Rickart called, Marie looked back.

"Uh?"

"Hungry. Give meal."

"Wait. Will give immediately."

Marie stopping combing hair in the middle, rolling up hair roughly tied, after set foods maids bring.

Rickart sitting on the bed putting a tray on his knee ate this and that crunch-crunch.

"Didn't eat meal?"

"Eo, went to Imperial Library. Reading books there didn't know time passing."

"These days teaching swordsmanship to Crown Prince too?"

"Teaching but, big meaning no. Today seemed he hating doing too. So went to Library. If Bellator plays with him good."

"That smart Prince? Was 5th Prince?"

"Eo. He also looking problem exist somewhere but, extremely smart. What was it? Reading book doing Civil Case blabla."

"Law is studying by subordinates surprising."

"Anyway no person bullying right?"

"After that time what, quiet. Watching cloud floating, listening to bird chirping sound, waiting you coming...... No, last word cancel. Liar."

Marie said waiting Rickart coming unaware to herself, panicked alone. Rickart smiling stealthily only, didn't tease or so.

This was Rickart's daily routine these days. Hanging out with the Crown Prince, stopping by Irmin Castle, being with Marie all day.

Living like this every day, people knew all. Rickart and Marie that and that relation.

Doing same Academy life so two met eyes I guess causing, not badmouthing or so. Just, people regarded Rickart strangely.

Because buying Crown Prince's favor daringly hanging out with Princess having no benefit couldn't understand.

Marie was 32nd as many as. Comparing with Crown Prince Succession Rank 1st itself impossible work, and with people's common sense, couldn't accept.

People prepared to make reason for thing unable to understand; 'Rickart age young turned eyes to woman I guess', thought only.

"Late right. Sorry. Tomorrow will come early."

"No, come late okay. If coming only......"

Became embarrassed a little but, fine. Because confirmed mutual heart.

Rickart brought up trivial stories not to make her boring. Knowing people calling Princes 'Children of that bastard', seem Empress Dowager having problem in my view, such stories were.

Laughing at various stories, getting angry together, pitying, time passed unknowingly; stars rose in the sky.

Rickart after kissing with her, went down through the window again. Then, Marie checking Rickart going down safely, watched from the window until completely not seen.

Sorry mind and, mind expecting tomorrow coexisted. When opening eyes in morning fluttered. Day by day like a dream.

But good time flows fast, and Tournament Day approached gradually.

Rickart's ability established reputation but, because mind hoping by any chance sleep didn't come well. Therefore, thing able to do believing only.

Will win. Surely winning will return together. Both believed so.