Chapter 14: First Step Toward a Dream (7)
vLPrlSuddenly, a loud voice from the second floor was heard.9NC
vAewHAHAHA! Such a masterpiece! I didnt expect to see this kind of a spectacle in my later years! Being young is indeed the best!kuMeIsY
XrIenThe startled maids screamed, while the family members sighed as they looked behind.SOuFm
stevThere, an old man with blue hair stood, leaning against the balcony of the second floor.VRmD
Wl1uiqShirone stared absent-mindedly.jYr35
tfYQdQnEven if Shirone were to consider this man as what Rian would eventually become, he couldnt imagine Rian having muscles that looked like they were about to explode.nfAu83
xrOLThe old man was Rians grandfather, Klumph Ogent.IbA
QWZ7ywGrandfather!bc33DF
vILReina stood up with a look of happiness.QiCF
UwJXConsidering Reina and Rian were definitely not enough to persuade the black-haired Lord, he came at the perfect time.bbIiXon
rJZHpwIts all good now. If its grandfatherZGdIc4
Bk2uThyTurning a blind eye to his daughters expression, Bischoff asked.b5sh7
M4bswI see youve arrived, father. I heard from Reina that it should have taken a few more days.5ZriXV
kMpONJChuckle!iewu
eYZI came early because my friend ran away with a young maiden. Anyways, this place is as noisy as ever. As expected, youth is a fine thing.2Jmm
0g9CIts not exactly a good thing in this case. The face of our family has fallen to the ground.YG6IYL3
b6eZFNLets not jump to conclusions here. Ive been watching behind the scenes for a bit now, and its evident that everyone here has a lot they want to say. So, why dont we decide after hearing each others opinions about whether we have lost face or not?VWT
4BHReina screamed inside, Grandfather is the best!A7GXTM
6qpAlthough Klumph left the position as the Lord of the house to his son, his voice as a Grade 3 swordsman was still influential.fnc8f
RvyReina gained courage and stood up.LKR
boCbvIll go first. Although I only met Shirone for the first time yesterday, I noticed he was a smart and talented child. Also, Shirone has completed all the contract requirements and was supposed to leave the house today. Given these circumstances, its quite difficult to say that Shirone approached Rian with particularly malevolent intentions. Furthermore, I do not believe his actions have tarnished the familys reputation.81EUt
miWvVGFWith her attitude packed with conviction, she sat down proudly.Zx79SO
faMWEThough it was only now that the two opposing sides balanced, the tide still did not turn.CiGgF
26WtCompared to those with black hair, it could be said that the bonds shared between those with blue hair was stronger. So Klumph, who was a previous Lord, was fair.KUeRB
5gcvHence, Rai was given the floor to speak his opinion.7UIQ0D7
2qxWhat are your thoughts, my second grandson?0Z0
aklhj2Rai replied in a polite, frosty tone.D0PZ
gp7mAI do not like that kid.2G7lv
qs6The opinions of the servants were shaken once again by the remark of the familys most promising prospect.2J8
lOb8x7YBut I dont want to care anymore. This matter has nothing to do with me.JSDDpk
XB4Bischoff asked him.b7h
yvLwWhat do you mean? You say you dislike him, but you dont want to be bothered anymore?OYy9GEv
HfYOExactly. I dont like that kid. But with the only reason being that I dislike him, I dont want to give false opinions. So Im just speaking the truth. I dont care because I dont want to. I dont care who Rian befirends, I simply want this matter to be done with so that we can head to the royal palace.HdIO
CqBkSKuReina held her tongue.wA8c
1G3wAlthough he was her younger brother, he was egocentric to the core.1P3
JWFHowever, at least in this instance, his personality seemed to work in Rians favor.YRrIL
sJymKlumph giggled like a schoolgirl.Q3N
ugfIt amused him to see that his family members had their own unique personalities.u7LZ
xitgzVThen to conclude, lets hear the opinion of the deputy butler who mustve observed the boy, Shirone, for the longest time.kYMi
fUtpAs Temuran took a step forward, Louis sent a sidelong glance towards him, warning him that he had to pick the correct side here.3O3Cya
yf85xWhat kind of words cannot be said between family members? But what was important to the servants was their masters thoughts and preferences.gKqchJw
iodV0dyShirone did the work I ordered him to do and he did it perfectly.MJh
LZbLouis forehead wrinkled.1Y8bUd
R4ltv5NYou cant even change up a few words or make up a lie. Thats why you cant go higher and escape that position of yours as the deputy butler.QwFoC
fKhDid you know that they were friends?WyCjy
DOWiC6pI knew he was frequently hanging around with the youngest young master, but I did not know they were friends. But in my opinion, if he were such a child, I do not think he would have been able to sort those 10,000 books.P9H
KG16RGdShirones eyes widened, as if surprised. He did not expect Temuran to speak of him that way. The head butler Louis stepped up.om3Jik
tAsZAre you taking sides now?UkKSS
TXaThere was anger in his voice, but Temuran shook his head calmly.7IJDfDc
RnA7No, I am also shocked that Shirone, a contract worker, managed to befriend the youngest young master. But as a deputy butler, Im only telling the truth.rfcR
Ukn0mA2This split the sides a bit.kqhNWb
gleBischoff was the only one who insisted on punishing Shirone, and even he, who was the Lord, could not ignore the rest of the familys opinion.MKd
OS0pQAfter all, he became the Lord for his family.KuUX
YHVlzRian let loose a breath as the tension left his body, and Shirones expression as well seemed a bit lighter.IqYeIfH
aWW6S6KI cannot approve.E2cWIe
xAUFWKlumph made the final decision.2wZnT
bK77SIFather.jZ6
0beNGrandfather!SHV8GyC
khYEBischoff and Rian shouted at the same time, but the reason why they called out were polar opposites.84sH
dVxu7I understand that they recognize each other as friends. But it ends now. If the relationship continues, rumors will eventually spread and this might become a weakness for the political opponents to snatch and use against us. It is not good for Rians future either. So just think that you guys built enough of those good memories together, and end the relationship here. I think thats the right thing to do.t6u
2WgoOn the one hand, Reina was disappointed with her grandfather. But on the other hand, she also understood why.lBc0
NwkHOrFamily matters were important. In fact, they were more important than anything else.KiayGG
gvIPnrThe family members were still active on duty, and above all, Rai had his certified exam coming up.72YEg
EZETcjIt was their natural duty to get rid of any room for political strife.v2UJxS
eClVYHe should be grateful that he even gets to keep his life!Ztr
eUKd1pBut Rians thinking was different.fZL
sN3k2oKlumph responded with a bright smile to his youngest grandson, whose eyes burnt with hostility.WORIz
GmdIOAuI see youve got pretty splendid energy, Rian8w6
tqiAlthough he understood the feelings of his grandson, who was the apple of his eyes, a lot of lives were at stake.IzOv0
DxtGeyNo one objected to Klumphs opinion. The decision seemed to have been made by the looks of it.BdrSlI4
JNBrYShirone, what do you think? I would like to thank you for teaching my naive grandson true friendship, but can you end it here? Its hard for nobles and commoners to be friends.nredu
6YHLD* * *27g7
isxG* * *3Qf
B8ID1Shirone, who thought about it for a moment, spoke.GT0
ThA0LXKI cant do that.RcvPhWg
khOjTx3His unexpected answer shook not only Bischoff, but also Reina and Rai.boVxE
huoTXcUBut the one who was the most taken aback was Rian.RIi46lp
RC4pSh-Shirone.77Q3n
nIQvGYIf I am a hindrance to Rians future, I dont mind not seeing him ever again. But that doesnt make him any less of a friend to me. If you take that into account, Ill follow your orders.b0BxdHR
Itp4SjLRians eyes were filled with tears.dCJ3
AhkIdIm ashamed.8AK
IrsKFIIn the corner of his mind, he thought it was enough that Shirone was fortunate to not die.X3ZK8ix
gDr7lxiI was the one who lacked faith in my friend.q13
P6UhZuShirone knew that abandoning a friend was equivalent to abandoning oneself.JkxWZO
UGTVxIts non-negotiable. Right, Shirone?GzmNR
1wy9Rian raised his sword high and shouted.OeP
cE2dzjDI declarelBc8Q
h3XdPLReinas face was filled with anxiety.ETD
21xDont do it.OKjGX
75Vr51xRian was different from Shirone, when Rian became worked up, trouble always occurred.CsNk
dYIsZN0And her uneasiness was proven correct.AjdZu
L2KCNpxTurning to Shirone, Rian stabbed his sword onto the floor before anyone could say anything.xfasWl
C4nmRian knelt on one knee as his family stared blankly at the sword that pierced the marble floor.dtuFf
UF4cI, Rian Ogent, the third son of the Ogent family, will become Shirones sword as of this time.EAu9W
WLw4LigWhat?! You fool!4X4
ci9Bischoff threw his image out the window as the Lord and shouted. Even if Rian really meant it, it wasnt something that should be said at his young age.Wp3Nzku
DBV0hK1With an absurd look, Reina asked him.byPkHs
kASpDid you just take a knights oath?ervEMR
33AA knights oath.2cW8
WowIt was an oath that could not be overturned and was a decision one could only make if they were resolved enough Resolved enough to become a sword for the one they swore to.e2VrXV
alFVwEven in the noble society full of all sorts of slander, the reason why this oath was always kept was because honor was everything to a knight. The more honor a knight had, the longer their noble house could stand proud.3kKr
UfAOnce in a lifetime. Rian had made that frightening promise to Shirone.BzI
LxCDBischoff was speechless.oBF8
cXqThe moment one took the knights oath, it was impossible to withdraw it. Even if you dont go through the entirety of it, the minute one withdraws it, they become someone respected less than a rabid dog.1ENcx
Sz18RRian, what in the world are you doing?zvG
fhqShirone couldnt hide his shock, but Rian thought this was enough.NOw
QDUlV3vYou thought I would choose not to see my friend forever? What do you think? Now, youre in a double bind.1C8g
eDELZWhen Rian turned his head, his family saw something they had never seen before.4EScl
KqcsIm8Master, it looks like I made quite the splash this time around.mxc4aE
ZyeSTHowever, to Klumph, it was refreshing nonetheless.1DI
cXZHmmfw4
M0y2Klumph rubbed his large chin.Uni
w1fbdmoTo be honest, I did not expect him to be this immature, but his actions do not annoy or anger me He reminds me of myself.fiAH
SmIYtWell, if hes planning on being immature all the way through, might as well go all the way.dWb26c
klFhmHiding his true feelings, Kumph asked sternly.qkn
MRFPo8Rian, when you say you are going to be his sword, does that mean that boy has the qualifications?soyY
yuh7I believe hes overflowing with it.IxgQe
sGTZhThen answer me this: Is he overflowing due to his own brilliance, or does he shine bright to you because you feel inadequate?IzCBiV7
YFYuflRian thought.e2tXY4Y
3ieIs Shirone the one shining brilliantly, or does he simply shine because I feel inferior? Why did Grandpa ask this question?0Yl
xjZSZHe replied.bPaj8m
JLTA sword does not judge. They simply protect.e2cf
6vRPHe made a sound of admiration.HBylx
bfLGAKlumph was satisfied.imxE0lg
O5J2UGTThank goodness his basics are strong!iHf3I
yIvAs Rian said, a sword does not think.PmF
YCkpdYqIts only job was to cut in the direction its owner wanted.p3YZFkN
PSX9vroYoure quite good with your words. But with that lame swordsmanship of yours, I feel sorry for your friend who got a sword like you.Vj2W9z
Nv1xkjRian shot daggers at him.QnB9jO
h6OiWGrandfather!pap
k440jfFOf course, all tension had dissipated at this point.Jpfb1zV
C2XD6uIt was partly because they went on a path no one could reverse, but more than that, it was more so because they did not have the energy to care anymore.rmf4CFU
KXoKlumph felt that things came to a satisfying conclusion.AsA
JtpQ2n3All right, thats it. Help that master of yours stand up. Oh, and Shirone, though hes not the most polished sword yet, he will never strike against you. Take good care of my grandson.wcIqG
d1a3Shirone bowed his head. He felt that he had to at least show some respect, after all, his actions had damaged the pride of the Ogent family.PC2xGH
YL3XcThank you for your approval.gniV6I
aXVqIt was all him. I did nothing. I heard that youve completed your work here? Youre planning on going back home, correct?ibe9sx7
8uOu9LYes, my parents should be waiting.rUoMo
in8You must miss them. However, since the two of you promised to be friends for life, it must be sad to go back like this. Hey, Louis.HxoWR
Jw68Yes, your Grace.X7Xc
1rEPThe carriage that Shirone was supposed to take to get back home? Take his parents here instead.OWDX
07FrQIRight away.wAMCrH
XjRnd1tThe head butler immediately left the mansion.4DGWY8
Qw3MpThe situation with Shirone was no longer something he could deal with.iVZSEp
S0RMMHILouis realized again at that moment that a nobles way of thinking was completely beyond his understanding.7OiYkv
What did you think of this chapter?
Report comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment. False reports may result in account suspension.
0 Comments
There are no comments yet. Be the first!