WeTried Translations
Translator: Coughing Baby
Editor: Coughing Baby
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
Chapter 207: Your Humble Servant
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Kyle stood there silently, looking at his members.
Jade had barely changed. If there was anything different, it was that his blond ponytail had grown a little longer. The Swordbreaker he had made in the Sword Tower workshop was still there, as was his distinctive cocky expression.
Narua had grown a little taller. She had always been tall, only slightly shorter than Kyle, but now they were nearly the same height. Her tattooed arms and shoulders had gained more muscle, and more ornaments from the southern natives hung from her ears and wrists.
Bruno's appearance had changed the most. Kyle had called him Uncle Barkas to hurriedly change the subject, but Bruno's bearded face truly was the spitting image of Barkas.
"What are you doing here, sis?"
The surprising part was that Soha had come as well. She fiddled with her long braided hair and smiled shyly.
"Ten years passed for us, but for you, little brother, it was only a few days ago, wasn't it? You made me a temporary member, even if only in name. Then you vanished in a flash, so I'm still a temporary member."
"Grandfather was too much. He could've officially appointed you while I was gone."
"Oh, everyone was waiting for you to appoint me. No one ever doubted that you'd return."
Was this supposed to be a touching moment?
No, Kyle truly did feel a little moved. Aside from Bruno, the members' appearances had not changed much, but their skills had.
"Looks like you all trained hard during the ten years I was gone."
Soha had originally been on the verge of the Boundary Realm, while Bruno and Jade had been in the middle stages of the Will Realm and Narua in its early stages. But now, ten years later, they had all entered the Boundary Realm.
To Kyle, it felt as though his members had grown unbelievably stronger in a matter of days. In truth, though, ten years had passed. Alastor must have given them plenty of support, but they could only have reached that level because none of them had neglected their training for ten years.
"If we slacked off, who knows what kind of scolding we'd get from the captain later?"
Jade answered with a snicker.
Ten years ago, they had all felt the same helplessness. No one had been able to contribute anything to the absurd, fierce battle Kyle and Velatus had fought. Put simply, if not for Katarina, the members would have died at the hands of the dragons' remnants.
After that struggle, which could not even be called a battle, ended, they could not even support the critically injured Kyle. Jade, Bruno, and Narua had passed out from the ominous magical power flowing from the rift, so they had not even seen how Kyle disappeared.
To shake off the helplessness and humiliation of that day, they had no choice but to devote themselves to training. To the Sword Wolf Knights, Kyle was someone impossibly distant despite being the youngest among them. After Kyle vanished, they had all thought the same thing.
Until the day Kyle returned, they would close that distance, even if only a little.
'I thought we'd closed it somewhat...'
Bruno stared at Kyle with a hollow expression. In the past, Kyle had been so distant that Bruno could not even measure the gap between them. He had not even considered trying.
But now that he had opened his Upper Dantian and reached the Boundary Realm, he could vaguely sense where Kyle stood.
The fact that it was still only vague was the problem. For ten years, they had gone through the Cultivation Floors, completed countless missions, trained under the Sword Church Master and the Apostles who had settled in Alastor, and received Julius's guidance as well.
Yet that monster was still impossibly far away.
And despite that distance, he felt enormous.
"Hm. You all seem stronger, so I'm looking forward to sparring with you later."
Kyle grinned and nodded.
He had led a mercenary band in his past life, but a mercenary band and a knight order were completely different. Mercenary bands hired mercenaries. They did not raise them. Aside from founding members like Cyrus, they were not bound by loyalty in the first place. Mercenaries were the sort who would turn their backs on you for a few coins.
But knight orders were different. They were not bound together by money. Knights were the sort who valued beliefs, loyalty, and things like that.
That was why Kyle had deliberately formed a knight order. Having been reincarnated and given a new life, he wanted to try things he had not devoted himself to in his past life.
That was the main reason.
The other was that he wanted to gather promising people, teach them the sword, and fight them once they had properly matured.
That was why Kyle had chosen every member so carefully. Lucia's abundant talent went without saying, but Bruno seemed as though he would have potential if raised well. Kyle liked that Jade had charged forward without retreating before murderous intent, and Narua was the same.
Now that they had all reached the Boundary Realm, Kyle was honestly pleased to have his eye for talent confirmed. As Kyle stood there grinning, Narua, who had been sniffling, spoke up.
"Narua is so moved to be reunited with the captain that she feels like crying a little, but the captain does not seem to feel the same."
"That's not true. I'm moved too."
"Then why aren't you crying?"
"Uh... I cried a lot earlier. So much that I don't have any tears left."
In truth, he did feel emotional enough to shed a few tears for many reasons. But crying in front of his members, who were always so cocky, would hurt his pride in many ways and diminish his authority as their captain, so he was holding it in.
"Anyway... it's been a long time. I'm glad and happy to see you all again. And thank you for coming all this way to get me."
[At least you realize this is far away.]
A grumbling voice reached him. Kyle's eyes widened as he turned toward the sound.
A tiny red dragon, no larger than a palm, was sitting on Arian's shoulder. Kyle's mouth fell open at the sight.
"Fragment? What's with that appearance?"
[I have taken physical form as a Spirit. When I inhabited Jormungandr, some of its unique traits passed on to me as well.]
The Fragment narrowed its eyes and stared at Kyle.
[I am currently under a Spirit contract with Arian. Do you know how much trouble I went through to find you across this vast land?]
"Um... it's not like I wanted to end up here..."
[Enough excuses. Prepare to leave at once. This land is unpleasant in every way.]
Kyle could not help hesitating at those words.
Now that Alastor had come for him, there was no reason for Kyle to remain in the dark frontier. He did have a promise with Duke Oun, but honestly, with his current strength, he could break it if he wanted.
"Mm..."
Kyle had no particular loyalty toward Duke Oun. He honestly liked that man's nature and what he pursued, but he was evasive and underhanded in many ways, so Kyle had no desire to become close to him.
Putting that aside, there was the power Duke Oun wielded. The magical power of the outer gods had already seeped into Kyle's body, so if he stayed with Duke Oun, he might discover how to handle it properly.
'But I think I can figure this out on my own somehow.'
He had seen an example, after all. He would not necessarily need Duke Oun's help. There would be plenty of trial and error, but still.
Besides...
Fenris's restlessness bothered him. Even now, Fenris's Dokkaebi had appeared without being summoned and was gazing quietly up at Kyle. Since it was not outright begging him, it seemed to respect Kyle's choice, but its behavior suggested there was a reason it needed to remain in this land.
'Stop just staring and say something.'
Kyle grumbled inwardly, but the wolf merely kept looking up at him without making a sound.
"Kyle?"
Arian tilted her head. It was only natural for her to be puzzled when her son did not readily agree.
"Lady Arian!"
Before Arian could continue, or Kyle could speak, Duke Oun dropped from where he had been awkwardly hovering in the sky.
Astonishingly, he fell while kneeling, and the instant he landed, he assumed a flawless posture of complete prostration.
"Please, please take pity on this humble servant's plight!"
Duke Oun drove the crow beak covering his face into the ground. No, he truly buried it deep into the earth as he slammed his forehead down.
Thud.
"Forgive this humble servant for introducing himself so late! This humble servant's name is Garcia Rubalt, a kind old man close to Sir Kyle!"
This was a frontline combat base in the dark frontier, and the Black Wing Guard and every employee were watching the scene from inside the building. Yet not a shred of the authority expected from the head of the continent's greatest military company, Crow Company, could be heard in Duke Oun's voice beyond his mask.
"U-Um, Duke Oun?"
Arian took several steps back in shock. She had never imagined that Duke Oun would kneel and bury his head in the ground.
"We... we've met before, haven't we? You visited Alastor when I was young..."
"Lady Arian was already an exceptionally lovely child in those days! This humble servant vividly remembers the day I visited the Sword Tower. You must have been eight or nine then, and you were playing with Spirits in the garden before the Sword Tower."
Duke Oun raised the head he had buried in the ground.
"Ah, at that time, this humble servant wondered whether I was dreaming. A child as adorable as an angel descended from heaven was playing with Spirits. Was it not like a scene from a fairy tale? It feels like only yesterday that Your Ladyship handed a rose to this humble servant while I stood there watching in a daze!"
"U-Um, Duke Oun, it is true that I gave you a rose. But wasn't that to repay you for giving me a gift first...?"
Arian tilted her head at the discrepancy between her own memory and Duke Oun's recollection. Duke Oun had indeed visited the Sword Tower decades ago, and Arian had indeed handed him a rose. But that was merely in return for the absurdly extravagant gifts he had presented to Julius's young children at the time.
"Yes, if we speak of cause and effect, that is true. But is it not also an undeniable fact that Your Ladyship innocently smiled and handed me a rose? Then I thought, ah! There is such a kind girl in Alastor, the continent's greatest martial family! If this child grows up to become a mother someday, what an outstanding person will her child become!"
"Umm... I was not the only one who gave you something in return..."
"Look! This humble servant's premonition was correct! Your Ladyship's son, Sir Kyle Alastor, is truly an outstanding and great person, is he not?"
Duke Oun did not allow Arian time to search her memories and point that out. Speaking passionately, he spread wide the arms that had been braced against the ground.
"Indeed, it would not be an exaggeration to say that Sir Kyle became such an outstanding and great person because he had a kind, loving, and great mother! In truth, it would not be an exaggeration to say that Lady Arian practically raised Sir Kyle alone!"
"That is not true. Kyle was clever even before I properly taught him anything, and I never interfered with his talent as a swordsman. He blossomed the sword talent he was born with himself. Alastor merely gave that flower the nourishment it needed to bloom strong and brilliantly."
Arian firmly denied it, but she could not help smiling brightly at the flood of praise for her son. Duke Oun was startled at first by her reaction, but after gauging her expression, he drove his head into the ground again.
Thud!
"Y-Yes! Your Ladyship is correct! Sir Kyle is an inborn genius! But the great mother who gave birth to such a Sir Kyle is none other than Lady Arian herself!"
"Hehe, Duke Oun. You flatter me too much."
Arian laughed behind her hand. With his head buried in the ground, Duke Oun trembled slightly as he sobbed.
"It is truly fortunate that Garcia Rubalt was able to prevent such a cruel tragedy as Your Ladyship possibly never being reunited with her proud son..."
"What? What do you mean..."
"Lady Arian! Three days ago, Sir Kyle fell from the sky over this perilous land...! When this humble servant's subordinates found him, it was a miracle that Sir Kyle was still breathing..."
Duke Oun's voice grew thick and damp.
"Several ribs had broken and pierced his lungs. His side had been torn open, with his intestines protruding. His left leg was nearly severed and hanging by a thread. The bones and muscles in both arms were utterly ruined. He had internal bleeding, blood clots, ruptured and crushed organs, and his mana and intent had been completely drained..."
"Kyle!"
Arian spun toward Kyle in alarm. She had heard that Kyle had been battered before disappearing ten years ago, but she had not known the details to that extent. As Arian's face turned pale, Kyle broke into a cold sweat and waved his hands.
"No, I'm completely healed now! Why is that man describing it in so much detail..."
"Because this humble servant's subordinates provided emergency treatment that was both prompt and precise!"
Duke Oun cut Kyle off and spread both hands toward Arian.
"And every treatment afterward was personally overseen by this humble servant, Garcia Rubalt! We spared no expense on the finest medicine. Regenerative fluid, blood clot removal, bone-fragment guidance, and more! We poured every piece of cutting-edge medical technology possessed by our company into him. Afterward, this humble servant personally remained by Sir Kyle's side for three days and nights...!"
Arian's eyes trembled faintly. If that was true, Duke Oun was the benefactor who had saved her son's life.
"Thank you sincerely for saving my son's life, Duke Oun."
"Ah! Lady Arian, please do not thank me. This humble servant merely did what he ought to do! A young and great hero like Sir Kyle must never be allowed to die in vain in this desolate place!"
"No, Duke Oun, it is true that you saved my son's life. Once we return to the Sword Tower, I will prepare a reward..."
"Lady Arian!"
Duke Oun slammed his head into the ground once more.
Thud!
"If Your Ladyship truly wishes to reward this humble servant, then please! Consider this humble servant's unfortunate plight!"
"Yes...?"
"This humble servant has been trapped in this land for twenty-five years! Unable to leave even if I wish to, cursed to have no choice but to press onward...!"
"I have heard of that, but..."
"This humble servant has family as well..."
Duke Oun's voice dropped off, and his sobbing intensified.
"My only wife left for the heavens while I was trapped in this land. The children I have left have mostly become unfilial wretches who seek their father's life, and only my youngest still cares for and misses their father..."
Sympathy inevitably appeared in Arian's eyes. Arian knew well how the Crows had fractured while Duke Oun was trapped in the dark frontier. His eldest son was waiting for news of his father's death so he could become the next head. His eldest daughter had allied herself with dark mages. His second son had become one of the Demon Tribe and was acting to kill his own father.
"They may be sinful children, but how can a father truly hate his children? Blood is thicker than water, and family ties cannot easily be severed. It is only because I am trapped in this land that the many misunderstandings between my family cannot be resolved! If I escape this curse, I can scold and forgive my children's mistakes, and restore our family..."
Listening to Duke Oun's long speech, Kyle was dumbfounded. That man really was as sly as a snake. Most of what he said was true. He was simply arranging those truths in a way that would make Arian sympathetic and persuade her.
"Lady Arian...! Please help me fulfill my duty as a father. This humble servant does not ask for much, nor will I force him to stay! Such a thing would be impossible for this humble servant anyway, would it not?"
Duke Oun raised his buried head and looked around. Arian had become a Great Spirit Artist, while Aslan had become a swordsman comparable to the Ten Peaks. Every member of the Sword Wolf Knights had reached the Boundary Realm. Leaving them aside, Duke Oun could never force Kyle to do anything even with Helenas alone present.
So Duke Oun appealed to their emotions.
"If Sir Kyle wishes to remain here, take pity on this humble servant, and lend me aid, then please, Your Ladyship, do not scold your son. Please understand his kind heart, which he inherited from Your Ladyship..."
"And if Kyle does not wish to remain?"
"Then naturally! This humble servant will see all of you off...!"
The choice passed to Kyle. Before he could speak, Duke Oun immediately sent him a transmitted voice.
[Please, Sir Kyle, save me. Please, please!]
Kyle stared at Duke Oun with an uncomfortable expression. The dirt-covered mask and its modified eyeholes looked as though they were about to cry.
[If I say I'll help you, what will you give me in return?]
[You are quite shameless and faithless! Did you not promise to help me ten years ago?]
[I'll just return to the Sword Tower.]
[I'll give you the Crows.]
Duke Oun changed his attitude quickly.
[Once I return, I will complete the succession process and appoint you as the next head. What do you say?]
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