It was the third day in Pheraira. The training ground, much larger than usual, was filled with several times the usual number of people.
The field where knights would engage in mock battles during events had seating areas arranged on the front and sides. At the front of the venue, adorned with columns depicting Pheraira’s emblem and the War God, the commander of the Imperial Guard Knights stood.
“Today, under the command of His Majesty the Emperor, the elite guard knights of Aldrant, Cornia, and Pheraira have come together for joint training. Although all are elite members, each hail from a different country and culture, so there may be differences. Today, I believe it will be a good opportunity to learn from each other’s strengths.”
It was a brief and clear preparatory speech. The joint training was an unexpectedly sudden decision following the Emperor’s proposal to have the knights of two different countries gather for training together, with their respective monarchs leading them to a common location.
Indeed, the opportunity to train alongside knights from another country is rare, especially the Imperial Guard Knights. The young members, driven by a competitive spirit and excitement not lessened by tension, didn’t want to fall behind other knight orders.
“Please take care of us.”
After completing planned unarmed physical training and sparring exercises, they moved on to free sparring. Rensley was paired with a knight from the Imperial Guard. The two faced each other, exchanging greetings as they drew their swords.
The members who had finished the previous training seemed more tired than usual, likely due to the nervousness of being with others. The Imperial Guard knight smiled and pulled Rensley aside.
“You don’t seem to be having a hard time over there.”
“Is that so?”
“You’ve got some guts. In the Imperial Guard, we occasionally have joint training like this. But usually, if we mention joint training, it kills the mood.”
“Maybe I’m a bit dull. Perhaps my inability to feel the difference even in a changing environment is due to my slow-wittedness. Sweating in the training ground, I can’t really sense much of a difference between Aldrant and the Imperial Palace.”
The Imperial Guard knight chuckled in response. His laughter was more like that of someone fondly looking at a much younger Rensley.
Although spoken in a jesting manner, Rensley was sincere. The Imperial Guard, the personal guard of the Emperor of Pheraira, may boast as the best on the continent, but Rensley Maelrosen is also a knight of Duke Gezell Jivendad.
Even as a rank-and-file member, he had pride equivalent to that of a commander. Just because the Aldrant Order is not called the Imperial Guard, should he be intimidated?
The knights assumed their positions.
“Begin!”
As the command was given, the facing knights simultaneously started their sparring. Clash! Rensley’s sword collided with the Imperial Guard knight’s sword. With each clash and slide of the swords, the expression on the Imperial Guard knight’s face gradually became more serious.
The sound of clashing swords diminished. Many rounds had been decided, indicating the outcome of the matches. However, the sparring between Rensley and the Imperial Guard knight only intensified without any sign of ending. As knights whose turns had ended took a break and observed the ongoing matches, more and more eyes were drawn to them.
‘Nothing special. I might even win, right?’
Repeatedly attacking and defending, moving forward and backward, Rensley subtly felt a competitive spirit. On the other hand, as the Imperial Guard knight, more agile than expected, launched a swift attack, Rensley, concentrating on the movements, slipped as his weight shifted, revealing a gap. It was at that moment that Rensley quickly adjusted his grip on the sword and thrust into the opening.
“Oh!”
Among the spectators, a low sigh arose. Rensley, who had taken advantage of the opening with a sharp attack, seemed to lose balance as if caught on a rock.
“Don’t let your guard down.”
“Ah!”
Seizing the opportunity, the hilt of the Imperial Guard knight’s sword lightly struck Rensley’s side. With an exaggerated cry, Rensley smiled awkwardly, raising both hands. It was a sign of surrender.
“I thought I could win, so I got careless.”
“You’re still young, but you’re already quite skilled. The knights of Aldrant are impressive.”
Responding to the handshake offered by the opponent who claimed victory, Rensley shook hands. The victorious Imperial Guard knight’s expression carried a hint of pride. Perhaps he sensed that Rensley deliberately lost. Even if Rensley knew, it didn’t matter to the spectators.
As more people watched, a strange aversion displaced the initial sense of triumph. If this were Aldrant’s training ground, he would have celebrated his victory, but for some reason, he didn’t want to stand out. It wasn’t necessary to become timid, but, as he had discussed with Duke Gezell, excessive combativeness could evoke resentment in people, especially when knights from three kingdoms were gathered in the Imperial Palace.
“Your Majesty, what brings you to the training ground?”
The voice of the commander of the Imperial Guard Knights, who was inspecting the training situation, reached Rensley’s ears as he moved around. Rensley’s gaze reflexively turned towards the knight commander, using the title reserved for addressing a monarch. Could it be that Duke Gezell had visited? Even though he knew it was unlikely, he couldn’t help but turn his head.
“Long time no see, Commander Moyira. I heard about the joint training and came out of curiosity. Opportunities to observe such a spectacle up close are rare for anyone.”
“Training grounds are dangerous with weapons flying and rough movements. We will arrange a comfortable place for you to watch.”
“No, it’s just a brief visit. It’s fine. Are the Cornian knights training well?”
“Your Majesty, you have an excellent knight order. There should be no issues with Cornia’s defense in the future.”
Even Rensley’s face, which had been calm when everyone else was tense, stiffened belatedly.
At a distance close enough for eye contact, a man engaged in conversation with the knight commander was not Rensley’s Duke Gezell after all.
“Your Majesty’s praise for the knight commander is truly an honor for me.”
In a gentle voice and with an elegant tone, people looked at the young man with curious eyes. The man who responded to the praise swiftly turned around, surveying his surroundings. Rensley tried to blend into the crowd, but even the Aldrant knights around him were focusing on him. Silent gazes, when gathered from multiple individuals, could move the air. And the attention of King Felix Elbanes of Cornia also followed this current.
Soft footsteps approached.
Although Rensley kept his head straight as if unaware, he heard the nearing footsteps keenly. When the steps ceased, Rensley inevitably turned.
“Who might this be?”
Knowing he couldn’t deceive his half-brother, who had been close for nearly twenty years, Rensley forced a smile. He bowed in respect, offering a gesture of homage to the king. It was a rare Cornian salute, bending forward with hands clasped in front of the chest.
“It’s been a while, Felix.”
“I presumed you would be with the Aldrant delegation since Duchess Ivet is here. Unexpected to meet here, though.”
A subtle commotion ensued. The two standing side by side displayed an unmistakable familial resemblance, eliminating the need for further explanation. Similar hair and eye colors, recognizable facial features. Although Felix was taller, people would unconsciously recognize the similarity in skeletal structure, evident in shoulders and legs.
While Rensley never considered himself a dark figure, standing next to this man somehow made him feel like a looming shadow or specter. Even after a long time, meeting him again hadn’t changed that feeling.
Whether he was aware of the atmosphere or not, Felix casually smiled and offered an apology to the commander of the Imperial Guard Knights.
“Am I delaying the training for too long?”
“Not at all, Your Majesty. We were planning to take a break after the sparring was over.”
The commander of the Imperial Guard Knights ordered a collective break. However, even with the break given, Aldrant and Cornian knights did not willingly leave their positions, keeping their eyes on the two. Felix, probably aware of the attention, seemingly pretended not to notice and focused his gaze solely on Rensley.
“How have you been during all this time?”
“As you can see, I’ve been doing well.”
“I have many things I’d like to discuss with my brother after such a long time… but I suppose we can’t have a lengthy conversation here. By any chance, did Duke Gezell have any special instructions for you?”
Ivet had asked a similar question. Was there something happening that he didn’t know about? Hesitating, Rensley finally nodded.
The moment the word ‘brother’ was mentioned, the tension surrounding them became more palpable. Rensley didn’t want to attract attention from the Aldrant people in this way. A mix of wanting to quickly leave this situation and curiosity about what Felix wanted to say created a tangled mess of emotions in Rensley’s chest.
“I would appreciate it if we could have a brief conversation. After reporting to His Grace, I will arrange a separate meeting.”
The person who responded to Felix’s proposal was not Rensley. As he turned his head toward the owner of the voice, Anton, the commander who was giving training instructions in another section, was approaching. Felix raised an eyebrow, revealing his confusion.
“Aren’t you the commander of the Aldrant knights? There’s no need to report individually on what a single member is doing during their free time.”
“It is also my duty to manage and control the whereabouts of the members when we are outside. Moreover, Maelrosen is not only a knight but also a guest received by His Grace and a fellow countryman of the Duchess. He is being treated specially.”
Felix nodded in apparent understanding at that explanation. With a swish of his cloak, he once again brightened his smile. A kind gaze was directed at Rensley, soft and unfamiliar, a gaze that Rensley found somewhat strange.
“Well then, let’s wait until then. I apologize for interrupting your knights. Rensley, see you later.”
“Yes, please take your time. Your Majesty.”
About to leave, Felix turned back at the urgent call. Rensley quickly bowed.
“Congratulations on ascending to the throne. Since I heard of your arrival, I’ve been wanting to congratulate you when we meet.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Felix’s smile faded slightly at Rensley’s words, but he soon smiled again.
“Yeah, thank you. We’ll talk more later.”
With some attendants he had brought along, he turned completely and walked away through the crowd.
The knights who had been following the Cornian king with their eyes began discussing fervently only after he had completely hidden himself. A colleague who was standing nearby was the first to throw a question, which didn’t deviate much from expectations.
“Ren…, are you royalty?”
Rensley shrugged. He had never deliberately revealed it, but there was no need to hide it either. Moreover, Aldrant was practically a country without class discrimination.
“Half. My mother wasn’t a noble or a queen. Does that explain it?”
People mumbled and nodded, as if trying to organize the situation.
“Come to think of it… His Grace treated you with such respect, and you were close to the Duchess, so there must have been a reason.”
“If I had known earlier, there wouldn’t have been any misunderstandings. You kept going back and forth between the rooms of both their Graces, saying you were meeting with the Duchess.”
“What?”
As always, only the ears of the parties involved were spared, and various rumors suddenly rushed in at Rensley. Rumors such as him not being an envoy but the Duke’s lover, the Duchess not knowing and treating Maelrosen as a guest, or even living together as a couple under an agreement were circulating.
Feeling awkward, Rensley murmured quietly. Despite not intentionally hiding anything, various rumors had apparently been circulating. Aldrant, especially, seemed to enjoy rumors and speculations, even though there was practically no discrimination between classes in the country.
“If only I had known… There were even strange rumors that there were problems with the Duke’s sexual functions or that you were his lover to help his state. What a mess…”
Perturbed, Rensley sighed silently. Apart from the unwelcome intrusion of monsters during the long and cold winter, there had been too few exciting incidents. Perhaps the generally accommodating Aldrant people, apart from their liberal attitude, also enjoyed rumors and investigations into various matters.
“If people had known that you and the Duchess were blood relatives, wouldn’t these rumors have been avoided?”
“Well, considering the situation, it seems like there would have been equally strange rumors…”
“By the way, should we address you with formal titles from now on? If you’re the brother of the Duchess…”
When someone brought up the topic, colleagues who had treated Rensley seamlessly until now suddenly became awkward and started mumbling. The atmosphere was becoming unpleasant. Rensley cleared his throat and extended his hand. He needed to sort out the situation before more unpleasant comments emerged.
“No! Look at my last name. If I were a proper royal, I would have been Elbanes, not Maelrosen. I don’t have an inherited title, nor have I been acknowledged as a prince. If I had come as the brother of the Duchess, I would have received a different title. I’m just a knight, Rensley Maelrosen. You can continue thinking of me the same as before.”
“But still…”
“Now you say this? Are you tired of playing with me?”
As Rensley was about to complain in a threatening tone, Stan approached and patted him on the shoulder. He seemed to be throwing his support.
“His Majesty hasn’t given any instructions, so do we need to step forward without a reason?”
“Stan.”
“Now I see that my eyes were right. I said you resembled the Duchess.”
It was then, when Rensley was smiling wryly at Stan’s jest with a hint of teasing.
“Rensi is right.”
This time, support echoed from a different direction. Aldrant knights turned their heads to find several Cornian soldiers standing there, whom Rensley had shared a drink with a few days ago. They had become somewhat familiar with each other after several encounters.
Unlike Aldrant, the Cornian knights were all composed of nobles. Although they couldn’t directly participate in training, they were observing from behind the training ground.
“Rensi lived just like commoners in Cornia. So, we are on equal footing with him.”
Ah, right. Come to think of it, that’s true. People mumbled in agreement. If Rensley had been treated as royalty in his homeland, he wouldn’t have shared a drink so casually with ordinary soldiers. The timely assistance made Rensley smile widely as he approached them.
“Hey, everyone!”
“Ren, it must have been a surprise. You usually feel uncomfortable with His Majesty, right?”
“No… It seems like he’s changed according to your words. I’ve never seen Felix so gentle before. Thanks for your help.”
The atmosphere of Cornia after the change of kings intrigued him. Putting aside the surprised Aldrant colleagues who were discussing among themselves, Rensley walked along with the Cornian soldiers.
The young men, in their prime, also seemed eager to discuss the new Cornia. Initially engaged in lively chatter about the state of Cornia, they soon reached a clear consensus.
“It’s hard to say much about the early days of reign, but we think the direction of governance is better than the previous king’s.”
“Especially with magic. The previous king prohibited magic. Nowadays, many countries enhance their power through magic, but we’ve fallen far behind.”
Rensley nodded in agreement with their opinions.
“Yeah, experiencing magic up close for the first time here in Cornia is quite impressive. The previous king, who avoided magic, felt like a fool.”
As they walked away from the crowded area due to the ongoing conversation, they found themselves in a secluded place. Rensley and the Cornian soldiers walked through the empty corridor, lined with columns, away from the training ground. Though it wasn’t a particularly secretive conversation, talking about the king required caution.
“You guys seem to be quite concerned about the country.”
The young men who were chatting away suddenly stood straight as a voice reached them. Heading towards a less populated area, they found another group already settled there. Felix, whom Rensley had encountered earlier, was approaching with slow steps. Rensley was taken aback, but it was too late.
As Felix approached, his radiant smile gradually intensified. To Rensley, his face only looked like a mask.
“You are part of our Cornia Guards, correct?”
“We apologize, Your Majesty! We were just engaged in casual conversation.”
“No need for apologies. Even subordinates can discuss the king’s matters. When you meet a friend who lives far away after a long time, you might want to exchange thoughts.”
Rensley remained silent, gazing at them. He couldn’t read the situation. If it were the previous Felix, he wouldn’t have let common soldiers evaluate the king’s actions so casually. Felix smiled again.
“This is perfect timing. I have something to discuss with Rensley, so step aside for a moment. We couldn’t talk earlier because there were too many people.”
“But…”
“Why? Would it be inconvenient for you if we had a brief conversation?”
“…No.”
Feeling awkward, Rensley reflexively opened his mouth, but he had no grounds to refuse.
Anton was there a while ago, but now, only a few Cornian soldiers were present, and they didn’t have the strength to stop Felix. Hesitating, Rensley soon composed himself and stood straight.
Well, it was outside. The place they were in was a corridor on the first floor of the outer building of the training ground, slightly away from the training area but not a sealed space. If a loud noise were to occur, it would undoubtedly be heard, making it impossible for Felix to mistreat him as he used to.
As Rensley, who was feeling perplexed, stepped back, Felix turned his gaze between the columns, then turned his head towards Rensley.
Now, facing the man who had become the king of a country, the one who shared a striking resemblance to him, Rensley felt inexplicably heavy. Felix began to speak.
“It’s good to see you well after your abrupt departure following my father. I was curious about how you’ve been. By the way, I’m intrigued by the reason why Ivet, who concealed her whereabouts, has taken the position of Duchess Consort.”
“It’s nothing special. Ivet heard the news and returned promptly. The Duke was contemplating my whereabouts, and he was pleased. So, everything has been resolved without any issues.”
“Did Ivet tell you the story?”
Avoiding eye contact, Rensley looked at Felix when he asked. Although Ivet and Felix seemed to speak as if there were some unspoken agreement between them, Rensley couldn’t discern the details.
“I mentioned the past to Ivet at the banquet on the day of my arrival. I expressed my desire to apologize to you and also conveyed it to the Duke.”
Rensley’s eyelashes flickered slightly. Without responding, Felix shrugged.
“It seems you haven’t been informed.”
“…I’m just a low-ranking knight. Since arriving at the palace, I haven’t had the opportunity to meet Their Graces frequently.”
“When you were in Cornia, as your elder brother, I couldn’t take care of you properly. I was always harsh. I might have mistreated many, but no one endured my mischief as you did. I want to apologize to you.”
“…”
“Can you forgive me?”
It was an entirely unexpected story. Rensley couldn’t answer immediately and parted his lips slightly.
Is it really true? Has Felix Elbanes truly changed? Bowing his head in front of the people, apologizing to Ivet, and now expressing the intention to apologize to me?
Discrimination or harassment against illegitimate sons by stepmothers was a common occurrence even in noble households.
Since his younger days, Rensley had stopped feeling particularly aggrieved about it. The tradition of nobles having multiple families was commonly accepted, but there was no obligation to willingly accept half-brothers or half-sisters who were not wanted.
Nevertheless, how many would dare to confront their parents with arrows of resentment? In the end, it was the innocent children who bore the brunt of unfair treatment. He understood the injustice. One couldn’t simply disregard being resented and tormented by someone. However, no matter how much he thought it was unfair, it only made his heart heavier.
Everyone praised the prince and the royal family for their nobility, but he couldn’t even use the family’s name.
Felix did not like the fact that the face of the unfortunate one resembled his own. There were even instances where he threatened to make a whipping boy out of him, and there was a time when he was beaten until his face was covered in blood, with splits in his lips and a nosebleed.
There were occasions when he was punished to the point of burns on his back, or he was beaten with a club until his back was swollen. Although he resented the humiliation each time, there was no understanding of the punishment.
His face was just an excuse. Felix had even threatened him with further punishment from his subordinates, but eventually, he got used to it. Although he felt deeply humiliated every time, he couldn’t do anything about it. Even if he pitied himself for feeling unjust, it only made his heart ache more.
The traces of his misdeeds were not left on Rensley’s body for a simple reason. It was to dismiss the prince’s futile and violent impulses as if they never happened. Moreover, Rensley, as a member of the royal bloodline, received immediate treatment from the palace apothecary. The apothecary praised Rensley for responding well to the medicine, though the exact nature of the compliments was unclear.
Even if one assumed that the medicines at that time had magical properties, that might explain why not a single scar remained. Rensley only began to speculate about this after coming to Aldrant. If that were the case, it was a grateful act for the apothecary to secretly assist Rensley in a country where magic use was prohibited without permission.
After enduring a round of abuse, Rensley couldn’t help but feel gloomy, even if he wanted to change his mood. When he secluded himself in his room, he was consoled and visited by various palace residents—whether in the kitchen, stable, laundry room, garden, or workshop—each offering comfort before leaving.
Although there was no hero to stop the assault or help him resist, Rensley was not brave enough for such actions. After people left, the wind, sunlight, moonlight, green leaves by the window, and other natural elements lingered with him. Healing his wounds and soothing his heart, they provided solace. After a night’s rest, Rensley could face the world again, smiling and greeting everyone.
The connection between the human body and mind is intricate. When the person who tormented him vanished from sight, the memories of the past also faded away. Before hearing this man’s name again from Ivet, before his arrival at the palace… The existence and name of the Cornian Crown Prince were erased from Rensley’s mind.
Yes, completely purified. Rensley smiled lightly.
“How could I not forgive Your Majesty? You are my elder brother, the Crown Prince, and now the King of Cornia. I consider the past as your strict guidance.”
Felix looked at Rensley for a moment and asked, “Is that truly sincere?”
“Yes. It’s not a lie. I have nothing to forgive Your Majesty for. Congratulations on ascending to the throne. May you leave your mark in the history of the continent as a righteous king.”
After Rensley finished his response, Felix wore a slightly relieved yet oddly ambiguous expression.
“Well, thank you. Your words make me feel much better. There’s one more thing I need to discuss with you.”
What else? Rensley now met his gaze without avoiding it.
“I’m glad you’re doing well in Aldrant. However, it is ultimately a foreign country. You are still a Cornian, different from Ivet, who married and is now the Duchess.”
“Yes. I naturally consider Cornia as my roots.”
“Sending you to Aldrant was a rash decision by Father. You know how impulsive he could be when angry. There was no stopping him.”
Rensley couldn’t grasp the meaning of Felix’s words. He kept his lips sealed.
The violet eyes in front of him were calm and composed. The subsequent words were much more decisive than before.
“Since Father has passed away, you don’t need to stay there any longer. Rensley, come back to Cornia. I will make a place for you.”
It felt like the surroundings had fallen into complete silence.
‘Is it because of my mood?’ The noise from the training ground and the sound of birds in the distance didn’t register in Rensley’s ears as if they had been erased. Rensley stood still like a statue. After a moment of silence, Felix initiated the conversation with a small sigh.
“You seemed to have adapted quite well there, so this might come as a surprise. But there’s no need to worry. I think it would be better for you to be recognized as the royal family of your birthplace, Cornia, and engage in fitting responsibilities, rather than spending time as a knight in the Northern Order. I have plans to create a different country from Father’s, and I need your help.”
After Felix made his remarks, Rensley could finally manage to open his mouth. The feeling of breathlessness lingered for a moment. Now, doubts arose about those words.
“How can I… assist Your Majesty? I am an uneducated servant. Even if it’s not me, there are plenty of people who can help Your Majesty.”
“I want to discuss what tasks to assign when we get there. No need to discuss Cornia’s affairs within the palace. I was contemplating whether to send a letter or visit Aldrant in person regarding this matter, but you’ve come to Pheraira, so I’m fortunate. Explain the situation to Duke Gezell well. If Ivet’s confidante is needed, it could be anyone of your age instead.”
For a moment, Rensley couldn’t even think of hiding his inner thoughts about such absurdity. He could only manage a bitter smile.
‘Now he’s offering to make a place for me? A position for Rensley Maelrosen?’
Regardless of Felix’s intentions or what that position might be, it was too late. The Cornian royal family had never given Rensley a chance when he needed it the most. Instead of extending a helping hand, they criticized him as an ignorant fellow who knew nothing about the matters of the court.
Furthermore, Felix was the instigator and tormentor who had eagerly led the persecution against Rensley. If any powerful figure had taken a closer look, they wouldn’t have cast him aside like a piece of garbage, regardless of his role.
Yet, Rensley didn’t harbor resentment. It was a path he was forced to take, regardless of how it began. Whether it started on good or bad terms didn’t matter anymore. Rensley remembered the sense of unfamiliarity he felt when he first looked out of the window of Roudken Castle. It was a cold and refreshing shock that made him want to keep looking, even at the risk of revealing his identity.
“I apologize.”
“Apologize? For what?”
“I am already a knight serving Duke Gezell in Aldrant. I appreciate your words, but I have no intention of returning to Cornia.”
He wanted to refuse politely and clearly, but even Rensley himself wasn’t sure if it was conveyed properly. Felix, in turn, looked at him as if he heard an unfamiliar sound.
A smile reappeared on his lips. Felix chuckled as if finding unexpected jokes amusing.
“So, you’ve become the Order’s commander? Have you received a title or territory? It hasn’t even been a year since you left for Aldrant. Isn’t it too soon to talk about loyalty to your master?”
“It’s not about rewards. I genuinely respect and serve Duke Gezell. As long as I’ve pledged my loyalty, I have no intention of serving two masters.”
“Nonsensical talk from someone ignorant of the world. If you knew how often knights change their masters, you wouldn’t say such things.”
“It doesn’t matter how worldly knights behave. I have been appointed as a bodyguard knight of the Aldrant ducal family. Unless His Grace sends me away first, I have no intention of leaving my post.”
Felix’s expression showed complete incomprehension. His once smooth forehead gradually wrinkled. Despite this, his mouth continued to smile. The guarded expression that Rensley was always wary of was gradually becoming apparent.
“Are you going to swear allegiance to the border chief after spending less than a year in the far north, leaving aside the Cornian royal family who took you in for about twenty years?”
“Don’t speak recklessly!”
However, before he could stop himself, a momentary anger overwhelmed him. By the time he hastily closed his mouth, it was already too late. The choleric temperament of the Cornian king, which acted impulsively when angry, wasn’t exclusive to Felix or Ivet. Despite disliking it, wearing it away over time, Rensley also had some traits of the Elbanes royal family people.
Even though he shouted, the anger didn’t subside, but it was better to conclude it at this point, as it would be beneficial for everyone.
“…What did you say recklessly? If there’s something wrong with my words, explain it.”
“Your Grace, I have no intention of returning to Cornia. If the reason you sought me out was to hear those words, then there’s no need for further discussion.”
“Haha.”
Felix’s laughter echoed, and his eyes narrowed. The chin slightly raised, and the smile on his lips deepened. The violet eyes were rapidly darkening.
“So, the lowly fellow has become presumptuous.”
The tone that flowed out was as sharp and cold as a blade. The kindness he showed when surveying people on the training ground was nowhere to be found.
Rensley smirked. It wasn’t surprising.
“Just like a street mutt barking as if it found a new owner after being briefly let out.”
“What purpose would you have for collecting street mutts? I hope you get a good dog with a good bloodline and loyalty. I’ll take my leave then.”
Rensley turned first. Even if it was considered disrespectful in Cornia to conclude a conversation before the king did, he was no longer a person from that place. Therefore, he wasn’t Rensley, the resident of Cornia, and the one to whom he pledged loyalty wasn’t that arrogant half-brother.
Walking back to the training ground, he noticed Theo and Noah, the Cornian friends who had been chased away by Felix. They were walking towards him, having waited nearby, possibly concerned about what might have happened. Rensley waved to them, and they waved back, asking,
“Is the conversation with His Majesty finished?”
The moment Rensley was about to answer that question, his hand, which was waving, froze in mid-air. The landscape unfolded behind his friends caught his eye. The training ground remained the same, but all the knights who filled the space seemed to have disappeared.
Rensley’s eyes narrowed. There had been no signal for the end of training, and no order to disperse had been given, so it was strange. Although the location where Rensley and Felix had the conversation was somewhat inconspicuous, it wasn’t a place where the sounds of the training ground wouldn’t reach.
Not only the training ground but the entire space fell silent. As if time had stopped in the vast palace where thousands of people lived and worked, the air itself seemed to hold its breath in silence.
Theo asked again, “Why is there no answer?”
At that moment, his lively stride, walking towards them, suddenly transformed into something else. Noah was the same.
“You…!”
Rensley’s eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost. His hand instinctively moved towards his waist. Quickly drawing his sword, he faced the approaching person, who also raised his hand. In his hand was a staff suitable for a magician.
Rensley swiftly swung his sword. Clang! The sharp blade clashed with the staff, creating a resounding echo.
Magicians, in general, couldn’t cast spells instantly like Gezell with just a gesture. In most cases, magic didn’t guarantee victory in a fight, as it required time and tools for the ritual.
As Rensley quickly launched consecutive attacks, the magician, looking flustered, hurried to defend himself. Eventually, struggling to block Rensley’s sword, he let go of the staff.
“Stay quiet!”
Swiftly disarming him and restraining him, Rensley immediately turned his gaze to another magician. A magician in a black hooded robe was chanting a spell. There was no time. Instead of swinging the sword, Rensley threw the sword towards the magician’s hand.
“Ugh…!”
The sharp sword accurately targeted the goal, but that was it. At the last moment, as the fingertips trembled, the flying sword didn’t receive enough force and fell to the ground with a thud.
Rensley suddenly found himself unable to move his body or speak. As if paralyzed up to his vocal cords, this sensation, where he couldn’t move a muscle without any medical intervention, wasn’t new. He had felt it once before in the underground research lab of the Roudken Castle, in front of Gezell.
The subdued magician shook off his confusion, sighed, and stood up. He, who had looked like a hometown friend just a while ago, now completely transformed into an exact copy of Rensley Maelrosen.
Approaching Rensley, the magician in the black robe whispered coldly, “If you had accepted Felix’s offer, there would be no need for such methods. It’s all your fault, Rensley Maelrosen.”
Moans that couldn’t form words escaped him as he quickly explored Rensley from head to toe as if searching for something. Upon seeing the blue gemstone bracelet, he made a puzzled expression, then plucked it off with a flick, sneering at it.
From behind, another set of footsteps echoed. It was Felix, who had left Rensley alone, coming closer. Tap, tap, tap. He clapped slowly.
Theo and Noah, who had been Theo and Noah before but now seemed to have mysterious identities, smiled triumphantly at Felix.
“Magic is truly marvelous. Father really was a coward for ignoring such a splendid tactic due to paranoia. Well, how about it, Amin? Nothing serious, right?”
Felix’s voice, having achieved its goal, was exceedingly kind, and there was a lot of amusement in his laughter, as if he had just witnessed an entertaining performance. The one called Amin, the magician in the black robe, responded. Unexpectedly, a hint of arrogance was evident in his voice.
“He’s carrying a long-range scrying device. Not only that, but he also has tracking magic on his body. Usually, these are used for runaway slaves or hostages… It seems he was raised as a slave in Aldrant.”
“Oh really? That gloomy sorcerer has a discerning eye. If I release him, he’ll recognize himself as a stray dog, wag his tail, and find a new master.”
Felix’s hand slowly swept from Rensley’s neck to below his chin. Though a chilling shiver ran through his entire body, Rensley couldn’t move at all. Staring at him, Felix raised an inquisitive brow and asked the person next to him.
“But doing all this to such an extent… he must know the purpose of this guy, right?”
“There’s no sign of tampering with the seal. I might have noticed to some extent, but I still don’t know the specific purpose.”
“What about the tracking magic? Can you undo it?”
“It’s a bit tricky for someone other than a mage to undo the spell. Moreover, this kind of magic doesn’t work unless intentionally activated. However, once released, the mage can detect it, so meddling with it would only increase the risk of exposure. Even if you track it, you won’t find a passage anyway, so it’s better to leave it alone.”
Seal? Purpose?
Rensley tried to follow the incomprehensible conversation even a bit, but the clues they dropped didn’t go that far. Felix sent a radiant smile towards Rensley.
“Although your new master is a renowned magician, there is more than one outstanding magician in the world. I’ve been admiring the convenience of magic every day. It allows us to secretly abduct people even in such a splendid palace. Amin, well done.”
“It was an honor to be of assistance, Lord Felix.”
“I’ll be going now. Take care of the rest.”
“Yes, Lord Felix.”
As the magician of Cornia chanted a spell, Felix’s figure disappeared like smoke.
Rensley frowned. Felix’s words about “going back,” the method of traversing through magical or invisible doors instead of physical passages, the apparent sense of otherness from the imperial palace even though it looked like an audience hall…
Rensley had visited a similar place. However, that place was filled with beautiful and fantastic landscapes that were difficult for humans to imagine or implement, unlike the replicas that emanated the stench of reality.
A forest ruled by a white wolf.
Rensley turned away from the mysterious place he had briefly entrusted his body to before spring came. He put force into his forehead, which was difficult to even frown due to paralysis.
Initially, there were several people at the training ground, but at some point, it had inexplicably transformed into a strange place. If the friends who lured him in were fakes, what happened to the real Theo and Noah?
Amidst the chaotic thoughts intertwining without order in his mind, the thief who had borrowed Rensley’s appearance spoke.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”
“Just delay as much time as you can. You don’t have to endure until it becomes too dangerous. Be cunning about it.”
“Leave it to me.”
The fake Rensley smirked with mockery and malice. It felt like seeing a specter. Watching someone with the same face making unfamiliar expressions frontally was as chilling as it gets.
Only the pale lips and narrowed eyes of the frozen Rensley trembled slightly. Unable to resist a word, he suddenly disappeared into thin air. In the empty space, only the magician in a black robe and Rensley remained.
“You must have many questions, Rensley Maelrosen.”
The remaining magician approached slowly. With the hood of the robe deep, only the mouth, faintly visible, hinted at a smile, leaving the face obscured.
He had heard a story at the tavern that Felix had released the magicians that the former King had captured without evidence. If he released them, he would utilize them.
“No need to hurry. We have plenty of time, and we’re willing to explain our situation slowly.”
Rensley tried to resist, to writhe in agony like a person pinned by scissors, but he couldn’t move a finger or utter a single word. He felt like a puppet nailed to the wall, unable to budge.
* * *
The teapot that had been full began to steam. The emperor, who had been conversing comfortably with Gezell and had moved people away to have a private conversation, shook the bell on the table, and immediately the court magician approached.
“Bring more tea. I’m thirsty,” the emperor said as the court magician quickly took the teapot and disappeared. The emperor leaned back in his chair. He smiled at Gezell, who was sitting across from him, his eyes crinkling with long wrinkles at the sides.
“You must find this old man bothersome, don’t you? We don’t meet often. I bother you occasionally because having conversations with you is interesting. I hope you understand.”
“Do not worry, Your Majesty.”
“After hearing many difficult stories for the first time in a while, my head is spinning. I should take a stroll in the corridor. Would you like to come with me?”
“It’s okay. I prefer sitting in one place for a long time.”
“Still, not having stiff muscles is thanks to youth, I suppose.”
The emperor stood up, smiling, and, with the court magician by his side, left the study. Gezell watched his retreating figure, sighed briefly, and swept the sleeve decorations. As he couldn’t simply take out a mirror from anywhere in the palace, he had prepared a new scrying device for this visit. It was a magical device linked to the gem on the bracelet he had given to Rensley, allowing Gezell to see Rensley’s whereabouts.
Rensley, along with other members, was seen training at the training grounds through the small surface of the gem. Gezell didn’t want to push it too far, knowing that the emperor could return at any moment.
“…His movements seem stiff today.”
Even with a brief glimpse through the surface of the small gem, Gezell could discern that Rensley, known for his agile swordsmanship, seemed somewhat rigid. Considering it had been only a few days since they arrived in Molbessa, accumulating fatigue wasn’t surprising. Gezell thought of preparing a sweet snack for Rensley once the audience with the emperor was over.
The emperor’s footsteps approached again. As Gezell swept the sleeve decorations again, the gem that had been illuminating Rensley returned to its ordinary appearance.
“Now, let’s continue our conversation.”
As the emperor sat down, the court magician poured tea into the empty cup. The fragrance of the tea was as delicate as the leaves used in the imperial palace. Gezell sipped the tea and sat down immediately.
Explaining theories to someone unfamiliar with magic could be dull, but in the process of storytelling, there was a sense of reapplying and refreshing the basics that were often taken for granted. No, the perception of boredom was relative.
When Gezell explained the basics of magic to Rensley, he had never felt bored. The expression of embarrassment when faced with the complexity of magical theories was endearing when it belonged to a lover.
Feeling angst coming up next🙁 thanks for the chapter!
Rensley definitely has magic power, they mentioned a seal, so this power must have been sealed by someone when he was younger.Felix has learned about this and wants to use Rensley for his own benefit. And fake Rensley, prepare to die because His Majesty the Duke will instantly realize that you are not Rensley.
Oh no Ren!!! What a cliffhanger 🫣