Chapter 286: Side Story – What Do You Want to Become? (1)
VIIuxxTo be honest, Jager was not that angry.g9S
UGNYcXBecause he had always thought that something like this would end up happening sooner or later.8et
fwsMGAfter all, they were still children barely between thirteen and fifteen years old.HOWgC
WX3ZwBRAnd on top of that, this class was practically the first to recruit squires from across the entire continent.cppApYe
fzBIt was inevitable that some kind of problem would arise sooner or later.wgJ
u3242Kh“Although I didn’t expect them to pull it off this quickly. It’s only been two weeks since they arrived.”TTfP
XW8rIZThat was his honest opinion.i0paANz
CSUHe was not surprised that it had happened.QFaN
FJdV2G2He was surprised by the speed.FpY9e
i3oS“Congratulations. You’ve just achieved something that even your father never managed. Reaching the crime of insulting the imperial family at the age of thirteen. It’s truly impressive.”7aKhF1
XnVpThough, strictly speaking, it could not even be called insulting the imperial family.apAa8d
uLIRenvar Mordian only had imperial blood.mldDEo
c3dHHe did not belong directly to the imperial family.qmGN4
Cs2However, seeing Emil sitting there with that proud expression, and the mole on top of his head wearing an even prouder expression while crossing its arms, managed to irritate him.i7rdY
jRthS“They really make a good pair. At least it’s good news in the middle of this whole mess.”ovC
7QThFE4“Yes. After all, we’re comrades who fought together on the battlefield.”udF
zwwHWhen Emil finished speaking, both he and the mole nodded at the same time.e0Iczz4
RFBHlICThey looked like companions who had fought side by side for years.FvSS7rg
PJoK7kGAnd that was precisely why it was so absurd.0yGKJ
lnTi“…It’s incredible. You became friends with a spirit you can’t even talk to. So why couldn’t you do the same with the squires from the center?”q9RA
dMHO6T4If the boy sitting before him had been anyone else, Jager would have already beaten him and hung him upside down.yl1nWN
5gBBut he did not.uYE1Y
APMBecause he had already learned from experience that physical discipline did not work on someone like Emil.BeJ
KhAq“I wouldn’t say we failed to become friends. I’d say we were in the middle of becoming friends. At least that’s how I see it, Lord Jager.”pTS
Tmm2a“Oh, really?”CaS7R
b25LUCtJager shrugged after hearing that shameless answer.3MRCz48
O5jG7The look he gave him clearly said.qoCFf
z1wlGo on with your nonsense.SJa
iqRf7eD“Yes. Because Renvar wanted this to happen.”SlSN
BPpMTI1“Renvar wanted this?”NWomCEZ
zLM“Yes. At least, I think so.”1yKk
YvxTsHowever, the answer that followed was not simple nonsense.lF5fWzx
bnc3lOn the contrary, it was a conclusion born from surprisingly deep reflection for someone his age.1TP9V
owp6iDp“He was always nervous. Renvar, I mean.”F0X3jl
MpeoBGnFrom a very young age, Emil had been caught up in all kinds of conflicts.eWqT
whEvVHis origins were complicated.HwSKS
CW7yAnd there were many people connected to those origins.LtQbdPV
eEKze“Every time he tried to provoke me, his heart would beat really fast. That means he was afraid. It also seemed like he didn’t want to do it.”YPP
f9sFThat was why Emil had immediately realized that Renvar was different.KPy5
ULJPeople who pick fights generally fall into one of two categories.vhjlbZo
dxVj2Those trying to look brave.Rl38Iox
5kiOr those who are simply idiots.VGHOw
wLgWmBut the accelerated heartbeat that his sensitive ears picked up told him that Renvar belonged to neither category.iyDjL
epfq“And he also seemed to be constantly watching someone. I’m guessing the escort knight who came with him. The more I ignored him, the more nervous he got. So I decided to give him what he wanted.”fLiVD
xQXJQj“…..”3vt
XYk“I don’t know for certain, but I’d bet that Renvar will sleep soundly tonight. After all, he completed his job.”CSK2At
qVkLkHe did not understand complicated political matters.L1B
Lfj2BoBut he did understand instincts.aXnKN
BuLAnd even though he was still young, he had managed to reconstruct part of Renvar’s situation using clues that could only be perceived on the ground.GPwzh
yC7KvMany of his conclusions matched information Jager already knew.lhh
D90Hk“Hmm, I see.”9lIKmET
wfUhHHonestly, that’s not bad.Iu4jf
ODtvuI thought he was a hopeless savage.l3j
Mp2But in certain ways, he resembles his father a great deal.R0E
BxIe8oJ“And that’s why you caused this entire disaster? Fine. It sounds convincing.”DR0v
Isd0After hearing the explanation, Jager nodded with satisfaction.GUlkGO
qonSeeing that reaction, Emil relaxed a little.ILu
6dGPuBut shortly afterward, he was handed an object that completely changed his expression.6b8
yviFImN“…What is this?”b25nwm8
AvR“Isn’t it obvious? A doll.”TrkMjxS
Zzyl5O“Yes, but why are you giving me a doll?”RkOGp
EDnyIt was a small toy elephant.FnOt
5aZJust an ordinary doll.opEq
0WfyLHEmil did not understand the intention.vRxc
h6NigAnd although he was still young, he was already too old to play with dolls.NgJK
R1Zjwax“Even if there’s an explanation for Renvar, I can’t ignore the fact that you turned it into a full-scale brawl.”YxG7u
vc8tseJager was right.ZXj6RY1
FeEKT66The fight had been so large that the entire manor heard about it.QDy0ES
derZjZfNearly a hundred boys had become involved.Fvcw
LeE8It was hardly a minor incident.cPNEgEk
01AZ8And on top of that, the escort knights from the various families had already filed complaints.ECREL
pPXbBnJager needed to settle the matter properly.n2scWz3
TsPGZac“They say it’s a disciplinary tool from Dorothea’s Lu tribe.”V9q
7io1roIUpon hearing the words “disciplinary tool,” Emil had a bad feeling.4sI
qhEraHe carefully examined the doll.XrE2gE
vdPEspecially that pale green trunk that seemed to be begging someone to squeeze it.Pqi
h1aqAnd when he finally pressed it, the doll immediately demonstrated its purpose.Mjoir
waUt61H“Hello, little one. Why don’t we start by introducing ourselves?”uF7PGB
cxv8tM9“…Couldn’t we just end this with a beating?”GrSEH
7WcZSl“No.”wEwV
IiW8f“What if you hang me upside down again? Last time was really awful.”g28
YxarEmil continued proposing physical punishments for himself.juNIFg
2MkwX4But Jager merely stirred his tea with a teaspoon.UaF9
vvlciv4“From now on, Squire Emil will speak with this doll every night, reflect on his day, and repent for his actions. And it would be good if the accomplice mole participated as well.”XnF
Ajnus6tJager knew perfectly well that physical pain had little effect on someone with dragon blood.oqD
RNBLU4YIn fact, they tended to enjoy it.i1RE
ZifbVSThey viewed it as a trial to overcome.KePuFy
jE0A“Dorothea will check it every day, so don’t even think about skipping it.”bNbi5iN
9ccThat was why he had to attack him mentally.9yuTCW
0v60fvIt was one of the most important lessons he had learned while teaching Vlad.MLl
gauAkgd“Uuuu…”m7D6
8rG“Kyuuuu…”7fPEWe
W0ASVWith dejected expressions, the boy and the yellow mole left the office.wYjI
STnOnce both had disappeared, Jager slowly lifted his teacup.DR4BK
rnbauz“…Even so, the fact that even a child was able to notice means they’re putting too much pressure on him.”24a
CIxVEXALost in thought, he began lightly tapping the table with his fingers.4MEwD
JwegGTap. Tap. Tap.LUmejmQ
S0xpA low, repetitive sound.jauat
i9SeGAfter organizing his thoughts amid that calm rhythm, he opened a drawer and took out a letter.QeZs
OCeF“It seems the current Lord Chamberlain is considerably more impatient than the previous one.”chi8PP6
faqThe letter was a recommendation.B8ImU
ayxA formal request for Renvar Mordian to be accepted into Sturma.J6w
YoVIXIt came in a high-quality envelope.nPTQ4U
meEsbAnd at the bottom was a signature.viFwvI2
Ds9LhR4Lord Chamberlain Razmael.EMlX47
D1aC64DThe man who had been appointed after the death of the previous Lord Chamberlain, Armand.Pftg
ru6F***vwYPccU
mdA2wxF“It must have been very difficult for you. Of course you could feel that way.gWzeEA3
tZcBut what do you think about trying to think first about the friend who got hurt?”KWZVe
e7L“This is completely insane…”SR8
8VPFnHolding the talking elephant as he walked toward his room, Emil felt miserable.VSiGT
LeLsC‘A talking doll at my age. Damn it.’g8MxFB7
CMTyFfBoys Emil’s age were especially sensitive about things like that.wLu
jugwMThey were no longer little children.V95Iwn
Y7HGIt was the age when they began worrying about appearing masculine.Uo2wjs8
FiLzyAnd at precisely that delicate stage, he now had to walk around carrying a doll that looked like it was made for babies.Qufc8M
Dzuj7yAnd not only that.dCYSK
mCFYCEFrom now on, he would have to tell that strange creature about his problems every night.qjOFUbv
EUgZv2GJust thinking about it made him want to cry.F5Kr
TIzb78K“Hampton, I’m back. Give me a sausage.”vu28g
pSul2Even though it was someone else’s room, Emil opened the door as if it belonged to him.xMvMiit
RNHpqGImmediately afterward, he hurled the elephant doll against the wall with all his strength.zAoW
mwmThen he tried to open the sausage box as usual.QasR3
4Y7XOHowever, sitting on top of it was a child watching him with a surprised expression.gSF4
xqeJ“He’s not a girl. He says he’s a boy. His name is Tarenian.”MPp
oYLIt was a boy with light brown skin and orange eyes, features uncommon in the North.V0oa
rMRTv4QHe had just arrived because he lived very far away.U2XV
tefIAnd now he was smiling as he extended a hand toward Emil.cGg
GZ5t“Hello. I’m Tarenian. Tarenian Morvia. Nice to meet you.”cNbd
s1DThe southern boy explained that his territory was famous for sugar.jGIgk7
C1IvCn“Sugar made from sugarcane. We make all kinds of products from it. In fact, we also sell molasses to the North. You know, the kind used to make rum.”3Uq1fRt
mTxH840He was incredibly talkative.QmZWWk
E2MHis way of speaking sounded strangely rehearsed.L39UG
LV3YSYNormally, Emil would have thought he seemed like a fun guy and would have continued the conversation.wtfS
DrpBut he was not in the mood for that today.MsF
3voc“Fine, Tarenian. I understand that you’re happy to meet me.”UhRWVOd
6HVDBut I just want to rest for a bit.3j2fO
MRIYou don’t know it, but today has been a really exhausting day.fRdf0
tJ9Eg6Y“It must have been very difficult for you. Why don’t you tell me about it?”KwuS9R
B3GYm“Shut up, talking elephant!”r13Bv
SDGThe doll took every opportunity it could to butt in.a9j1tV9
MnNAnnoyed, Emil kicked it.ucnMH
wNDdLBUHe hit it so hard that it flew up to the ceiling and bounced several times.h0ihw
5cZHowever, Tarenian seemed more interested in the doll than frightened by it.N5Y1U7
Wwi0W“So, if you would kindly move away from Hampton’s box, I’ll take a few sausages and quietly return to my room.”OQPhl9U
xKl“What box? This one?”WfvBF
i12ucTarenian pointed dramatically at the box he was sitting on.mVObkE
3lV“Sorry, Emil, but this is no longer Hampton’s sausage box.”7H1adTI
qxkH1“…What exactly is that supposed to mean, Hampton?”IvD5
kV8H8r“It means exactly what you heard. It belongs to Tarenian now. I sold it to him.”xh3du7
pHyrqJcThe first thing Tarenian did after officially becoming a squire of Sturma was collect items related to the Swordmaster.LE8wx
02lhkHe was an obsessive admirer of Vlad.JDmTR2b
b4ubfLzAnd among the things he had acquired was Hampton’s sausage box.7aGv
Z7rgPp“It’s not just any box. It’s the box that contained the sausages Sir Vlad shared with his friend Portly Kannor when they were young. I bought it for only ten gold coins. What do you think? An excellent deal, right?”4YQCzZ
ZqmTCtyWhile Tarenian rambled endlessly about heritage, historical value, and antiquity, Emil looked at Hampton.Lz9x
uaSz‘You scammed him? You told him this box is more than twenty years old?’HegDg
kpU09U‘I only sold him a dream, Emil. Besides, if the buyer is satisfied, what does it matter?’E0ti
oU3wyAs Emil shot him an accusing look, Tarenian finally finished his explanation.FOpozy
Y95lB“But the box is what has value. The sausages don’t.”L4awmxp
tnnevOC“Could you immediately take back what you just said? The sausages are the pride of the Kannor family.”pxI
e3m“That’s precisely why I can give you all these useless sausages. You can take every one of them.”ovHfKE
3bMKUpon hearing that, Emil’s ears practically perked up.ZnZ0C
d10yeKHowever, the request that followed made him frown.Fx9W
VNS“In exchange, I’ll only ask one favor. I have my favorite piece in the collection here. I just need you to get some signatures.”ZPs9yur
VXWpTarenian carefully opened a case that he guarded as though it were a treasure.T3uAU4
wQ4tqHe handled it so delicately that he had even put on white gloves.kc4
Yy4qzAnd what he pulled out were two handkerchiefs.F7DKw
O2w“They are exact replicas of Lady Zemina’s and Lady Alicia’s handkerchiefs. Exact down to the smallest detail. Look at this one from Lady Zemina. They even copied the mistake in the original embroidery.”uwZ
WLs6According to Tarenian, the romantic stories connected to those two ladies were the most popular in the South.Z397N
lfJIn the North, the most famous legends were usually those of the Dragonslayer or the Honorable Banner.qPBUA
91XZwBut in the South, the love stories had traveled much farther.aChZWk
vaH“If you can get signatures on these two handkerchiefs, forget the sausages. I’ll do anything that can be solved with money.”XaNtvmm
q6MQwHe clasped his hands together pleadingly.NvWDTq3
8dSMm4He looked exactly like a hungry brown cat.IHt
SIxPDBut even a hungry cat could not be granted everything.W6cw0HZ
sWd“I can help you with anything else. But not with the handkerchiefs.”XSE
rVam4“Why? Why?!”sqm
eqQThose words wounded Tarenian deeply.9njJ6Na
SoaIDBecause the main reason he had crossed half the continent to reach the North was precisely to obtain those signatures.ZCCSvD
85IDk“Why not? They’re my favorite pieces!”IuG
EBfxpWith his eyes wide open, the brown cat clung to Emil.M4Ais
4T7JdaEmil peeled him off and answered in a tired voice.R6R
CT6“In my family, talking about the handkerchiefs is forbidden. Every time the subject comes up, the atmosphere becomes awful.”iqc
9oyUBM1Upon hearing that he would not get the signatures, Tarenian’s eyes began filling with tears.qXPlR0
hI4JduEmil also became depressed when he realized that meant no sausages for him.WauQ9
Yax4And Hampton, wounded because someone had called his sausages useless, buried his face in a pillow.GYO22E
i2DInside that small room, three boys were completely miserable.Gn4
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