Reformation of the Deadbeat Noble - Chapter 224

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Dionysus

Chapter 224: A Favor to Ask (4)

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“Whew.”

Airen Farreira lay in the field and let out a sigh.

It was not because he felt stifled. Remembering the series of sparring matches from an hour earlier had simply brought back the atmosphere of that moment.

‘They were incredible.’

Ian, who had seemed to stop time and cut through water, had been amazing. But Kun’s swordsmanship had also gone far beyond anything Airen could imagine.

A swift sword that struck again before the split wave could rejoin.

More astonishing than that terrifying speed was the realization that Kun’s stubbornness, no, his conviction, forged through a lifetime devoted to a single pursuit, had seeped into his sword.

Kun was not the only one who had surprised him.

Judith had as well. Airen closed his eyes and recalled her in Durkali, the orcs’ territory.

Then he remembered their spar just now.

Judith had charged at him without fearing that her body might break or her heart might burn, turning even the pain that came with it into momentum.

What she showed had far surpassed the heart of fire Airen sought.

‘Amazing.’

Airen nodded.

He had seen several people like her before.

Charlot and Victor had been like that. So had Grayson. Illia had been the same in Proof Land.

All of them harbored inferiority too great to bear and flames within them, swinging their swords through painful days.

Ignoring everything else, stubbornly and alone.

Yet strangely, Judith did not make him worry.

No matter how fiercely the flames within her burned, he felt certain she could endure them completely.

Then...

“What about me?”

Could he do it?

As Judith had.

Could he also hold such an absurd flame within himself and manifest a presence threatening enough to make his opponent stop in their tracks?

“You can’t.”

Had Kun somehow looked into Airen’s heart?

Kun had approached without him noticing and answered with a shake of his head.

He dropped down beside Airen and spoke again.

“You and Ian, geniuses like you, could never imitate this. You’re good at this, good at that, good at something else too... You achieve something in everything you learn, living such exciting, enjoyable lives. Do you think people like that can endure this loneliness and pain? No chance. There are only two people on the continent who can live like this.”

He pointed to himself.

“Me.”

Then he pointed toward the house.

“And Judith.”

“...”

“Just wait. The day you and your master lose to us is coming soon...”

“I agree that I can’t imitate you.”

Airen raised himself and straightened his posture.

His expression was serious. So were his eyes.

Kun felt a little pressured by that attitude.

Airen continued.

“You called me a genius, but I’m lacking in many ways. I relied on my family to escape the laziness of my childhood. I relied on my companions and instructors to build up my terrible stamina. To learn the sword, I received the teachings and advice of even more people. Still, I kept falling short. I kept lacking. I think I’m fated to spend my entire life learning from others and leaning on them.”

“...”

“I would never dare think that I’m ahead of Judith, who endures every hardship alone and keeps moving forward.”

He meant it.

Judith, his friend, had steadily walked a path countless remarkable swordsmen he had encountered could not endure.

And she looked so firm and spirited that he could not even think she was in danger.

To Airen, she looked more incredible than anyone. Greater than anyone.

Kun, who had walked that path ahead of her, was the same.

They had known each other for only a few hours, but through the conversation of their swords, Airen felt as though he had glimpsed part of Kun’s life.

Of course, acknowledging them did not mean denying himself.

They had found their own paths and moved forward.

Airen had found his own path too, and he was doing his best to walk it.

Sometimes, when things became difficult, he took another person’s hand.

Sometimes, when he was exhausted, he rested in another person’s shelter.

“...I may still be far lacking, but I want to keep growing and moving forward in my own way... I want to remain someone worthy of standing before Judith, as her friend and rival.”

“...”

Kun stared at the young swordsman for a long time after he had finished speaking.

There was no fighting spirit in his eyes, nor was he releasing any presence. Still, Airen felt as if every corner of his heart had been laid bare.

It was different from when he had first met Ian, but similar too.

‘...The eyes of a swordsman at the very top might be sharper than a Sorcerer’s.’

Tense, Airen swallowed hard.

He had not lied, yet the pressure was overwhelming.

Kun was not trying to harm him, of course.

He only frowned and sighed.

Then he said, “People tell you you’re annoying a lot, don’t they?”

“What?”

“You do hear it a lot. Makes sense.”

“What do you mean by...?”

“You little old man. You’re different from Ian, who only pretended to be like that when he was young. You’re actually old on the inside. What, did you come here after aging another thirty years somewhere?”

“...”

“But you’re not just like an old man, either.”

It really was true.

From the way Airen spoke and thought, Kun felt a seriousness, calmness, and composure that made it impossible to believe he was Judith’s age.

Yet he also felt a burning passion.

Airen was not blindly following another person’s path. He walked his own path without rejecting the help others offered him.

Harmony and balance.

That made him even more irritating.

In a foul mood, Kun rose to his feet.

“I’m going inside.”

“Where are you...?”

“Where else? My house. It’s cramped, so don’t even think about coming in. And don’t make a racket outside either. Just get lost.”

“...”

“What, got a problem...?”

“Of course I do.”

That was not Airen’s answer.

It was Kiril’s.

She had watched their conversation in silence, but now she strode toward them. Lulu sensed an argument brewing and jumped from Kiril’s arms.

Ignoring that, Kiril put her hands on her waist and frowned.

“So, are you acknowledging my brother or not?”

‘Right.’

Airen nodded at his sister’s words.

That was why they had come here in the first place. He had become so absorbed in sparring with Kun and Judith that he had completely forgotten about the Demon Subjugation Force.

“Huh. Well, aren’t you something.”

Kun looked dumbfounded.

Airen was one thing, but this girl named Kiril was no ordinary person either.

Most people did not dare approach him after seeing his build. Yet she had even watched his swordsmanship and still spoke with such confidence. She seemed to know no fear.

‘She does seem capable enough, but...’

Her personality seemed even more remarkable than her abilities.

That did not mean Kun intended to give in.

That was the kind of man Kun was. He had neither the generosity of an older man nor an elder’s kindness. He was more hot-blooded than a teenager.

But at that moment, someone even hotter appeared.

“I need to talk with Airen for a bit.”

“...”

Judith emerged from the house and staggered toward them.

Her eyes and her entire body made it clear that they should leave.

Lulu was the first to go.

Whoosh!

After watching Lulu fly far away, looking at Kun, then finally at Judith, Kiril left as well.

Airen was surprised again.

Judith was the first person who had ever made Kiril that obedient. As far as he remembered, even Ian had not managed that much.

“What kind of secret conversation are you trying to...?”

“Just move already.”

“Seriously, you’ve only been my disciple for how long, and you’re already talking back to your master...”

Kun was more persistent than the other two. Despite Judith’s growling attitude, he kept grumbling under his breath.

Still, he could not overcome his disciple’s stubbornness.

After whispering a few words to her, Kun also went into the house and disappeared, leaving only the two swordsmen from Krono Fencing Hall in the field.

Thud.

“Airen.”

“Yeah.”

“You seem stronger than you were in Durkali. Looks like a lot happened?”

“...”

“My master said you even met a demon or something... You’re not planning to hide it from me too, are you?”

“...I’ll tell you.”

After a brief pause, Airen answered.

Judith spoke as if she already knew most of it. There was nothing to hide, so he had no reason to hold back.

He told Judith everything that had happened from last October until now, in order, without leaving out a single detail.

It was not only his story.

Airen knew Judith was strong. He knew she had chosen a lonely and painful path of her own will.

Still, he wanted her to be a little happier, to have more fun. He did not want her to live in pain, thinking of nothing but the sword.

Even if it was meddlesome, he did not care.

Judith had been just as unreasonable herself, so she would understand this much.

With that thought, Airen told his friend not only about himself, but about the people who had been with him and passed through his life... even every thought and feeling they had stirred within him.

Judith’s response was...

“Hmm. Nice.”

“What is?”

“You, Illia, Ignet. Every single one of you is a ridiculous genius. Just thinking about it makes my insides boil with rage...”

“...”

“This is just the right amount of anger. Just remembering what I heard today will help my training. Thanks, Airen.”

“Haah.”

Airen shook his head.

Judith was Judith.

He chuckled and looked up at the sky, which was gradually darkening.

Then Judith spoke in a slightly different tone.

“Thanks.”

“...”

“It’s not like I should be saying this after cursing at you the moment I saw you, but I mean it. I know it too. I know what a shitty personality I have, what a pain in the ass I am. You didn’t even do anything wrong... No, fuck that. You did nothing wrong. You’re trying your hardest and putting yourself through hell to help me, but I treat you like this every time we meet. I’m sorry. I can’t promise I won’t do it again next time, but... anyway, I’m sorry.”

“Uh, yeah... Okay.”

Airen was flustered by Judith’s heartfelt apology.

He knew her personality well and had spent plenty of time with her, which made this side of her feel even more awkward.

But he did not stay awkward for long.

‘Come to think of it, Judith could be serious when she wanted to be.’

Airen remembered the past.

During the Final Evaluation at Krono Fencing Hall.

When they reunited in the west of the continent after five years.

In Proof Land, and during several other serious moments, Judith’s true feelings had not merely been harsh.

Rather...

‘She was warm.’

Airen Farreira smiled brightly at Judith, seeing not a swordswoman, but a dear friend.

Judith smiled at him too.

“Fuck, that’s ridiculous.”

“Why are you suddenly cursing?”

“Is this your first day hearing me curse? Haah, I should cut back, though. I was beside my master when I heard him cursing out the Hall Master, and it made him look pretty pathetic. I must’ve been like that too, right?”

“Uh...”

“Hey, forget it. Don’t say anything.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize either.”

She gave him a wide-eyed glare that shut his mouth, then searched through her pocket.

Airen watched quietly and wondered.

What was it? Had she prepared something for him?

Of course not.

“Where are you going after this?”

“Huh?”

“No, it doesn’t take you long to travel back and forth anyway, right? What was it... that Griffin? You ride that around, so it’s fast, isn’t it?”

“That’s true, but why?”