Dark Fantasy Normalized

14 – I Quit Being a b*stard (3)

Finally, Rishir bowed deeply towards Idor.

Suddenly, Idor was impressed by the series of etiquettes Rishir displayed.

Rishir had never received direct education from a renowned etiquette teacher like other children of prestigious families, nor had he actively interacted with other nobles.

Nevertheless, the etiquette that naturally emanated from Rishir’s body was well-polished enough to be seen as lacking nothing even in the eyes of the head of a prestigious family.

Unlike Roera, who evolved from a tomboy to a wild horse despite being educated by one of the most renowned etiquette teachers in the empire.

Of course, this did not mean that Idor’s affection for his legitimate daughter would transfer to the b*stard.

To nobles, the value of bloodline held a unique significance.

It was the greatest factor that bestowed a recognized specialness to their existence in the world.

Idor was a man with the common noble’s values, and as a noble of high rank, those values were more rigid than average.

“Rishir.”

Such Idor carefully observed the b*stard in front of him.

“First, sit down.”

“I have nothing more to say to you, Master.”

“Then just listen. Rishir. The achievements you showed today were impressive. It’s regrettable that you chose the path of magic, but what can I do? I understand your feelings. Surely, you must have resented me for not passing down the Vendel style to you.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“It’s fine. At this moment, I won’t blame you for anything you say.”

“That’s not what I meant. To me, magic is not a substitute for the Vendel style, nor is it a means to make you reflect on not passing down the Vendel style to me.”

“…Then?”

“Magic was the first path that opened to me. So I just walked it.”

“…”

Idor struggled to maintain his expression at Rishir’s answer.

Because there was no hint of lingering attachment to Vendel and the Vendel family in his response.

“I highly regard your effort. You achieved the best results within the given circumstances. To be honest, I didn’t think you would win the duel today.”

Tap, tap.

Idor tapped his chest.

“You. Your achievement exceeded my expectations, my calculations.”

“…”

“You have proven your worth, and from now on, I intend to treat you accordingly. Think carefully, Rishir. Leaving the family is not the answer. It’s just a temporary escape. Think about who is in front of you right now.”

As the head of the prestigious swordsmanship family Vendel, he maintained an excellent physique even in middle age.

Eyes so steadfast that they wouldn’t waver even if the tip of a sword touched his cornea.

And the unique spirit exuded by someone who had reached the realm of a superhuman.

Rishir was momentarily overwhelmed by that spirit.

It was the reason why Rishir, who wanted to end the conversation with a flourish by raising both middle fingers, restrained himself.

The person sitting in front of him was a monster who could cleanly cut a rock in half with a twig.

“How long do you think it would take to be recognized by someone like me outside the family? A month? Two months? Six months? A year? Rishir. The world waiting for you is not as soft as you expect. They will thoroughly ignore and belittle you for not proudly revealing your identity.”

“Are you saying that just as you did, Master?”

“I won’t deny it.”

“Was I no different from an outsider of unknown origin to you, Master?”

“I won’t deny it. But now it’s different. Now, I will embrace you in the name of Vendel. Do you know why? Because you have proven your worth. Don’t miss the opportunity you have seized yourself, Rishir.”

“…”

Rishir nodded.

“I will positively consider your words, Master.”

It was a clean smile.

A very clean one, with no hint of conflict.

Idor realized.

The recognition and attention that Rishir had longed for so much now held no value to him.

And that fact would never change.

Idor, who had been trying to actively continue the conversation, found his words suddenly blocked.

Leaving Idor behind, Rishir left the office without any hesitation.

*

After leaving the head’s office, I immediately began preparing to leave Vendel.

It felt a bit rushed, but there’s a saying, isn’t there?

Leave while the applause is still ringing.

Since the people of the mansion applauded, it was only right for me to leave.

“…Is this all?”

As I finished packing and slung my backpack over my shoulder, a sigh escaped my lips.

Had I been packing my belongings, or had I been packing away my burdens?

This feather-light weight was the result of accumulation, not expulsion.

The result of my 18 years of life.

It felt liberating.

This weight was proof that I had received nothing from this place.

Perhaps the people of Vendel had been discriminating against and ignoring me all this time for this very moment?

So that I wouldn’t have any regrets when I left Vendel?

Of course, if these words had come from Idor’s mouth, I wouldn’t have been able to hold back and would have slapped him with the 64 trigrams.

“…”

Before leaving the room for the last time, I took in the sight of the room.

Suddenly, that day came to mind.

The day I first came to this room.

The day young Roera, who knew nothing, pressed young Rishir’s berserk button.

The day Roera gave young Rishir a wound that would never heal.

The day Rishir gave young Roera a wound that would never heal.

I’m curious.

– Brother, this…

The letter young Roera handed over that day.

What was written in that letter that young Rishir tore to shreds?

…Was it because I was thinking about that as I left the annex?

I ran into Roera, who was leaning crookedly against the entrance of the annex.

“Hey, Roera!”

I greeted Roera cheerfully.

It was because I remembered how Roera was the first to step forward and applaud during the duel.

If it hadn’t been for Miss Vendel?

People wouldn’t have dared to applaud the victory of a b*stard and the defeat of Vendel’s apprentice knight.

I felt deep gratitude to Roera, who gave me a good memory before Vendel stepped forward.

“What a surprise! I was just thinking about you.”

“…Damn it. What are you talking about, disgusting.”

Roera turned her head in disgust.

Just when I thought she was going to ignore me-

“What happened?”

She spat out, glancing at me sideways.

“What?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. I know it was magic you used to knock Humpton down during the duel.”

“Oh, that? Well, it just happened that way.”

“…”

Roera glared at me with a scowl at my vague answer.

She had a lot to say, but it seemed like she was going to replace it with this.

Heh.

Roera lifted one corner of her mouth in her characteristic sneer.

“Happy? It worked out perfectly.”

“Well, yeah. I’m so glad Humpton let his guard down just right. Oh, but it wasn’t just luck. I made sure Humpton let his guard down-“

“Don’t pretend. You know that’s not what I’m talking about.”

“…Oh? Then what are you talking about?”

“Sigh…”

Roera shook her head with a sneer.

Then she looked at the backpack slung over my shoulder and snickered again.

“How did you manage to win him over? What kind of magic did you use to impress him, of all people, with magic and get him to give you an award?”

“A prize? What is this?”

“Right now. We’re moving the luggage to the main building. Am I wrong?”

It was only then that I realized the focus of Roera’s conversation was somewhat off.

Apparently, Roera thought I had arranged the duel and showcased my hidden magic to attract Idor’s attention.

And now, I was happy to be recognized by Idor.

It wasn’t Roera’s fault.

Rather, it was a misunderstanding born from knowing me—Lishir—too well.

In fact, if it were the old me, I would have been dancing with joy at being recognized by Idor by now.

And Roera would have found it unbearable to see me like that.

“What? Those eyes. Are you jealous? It’s annoying to see me happy after being praised by the ‘head of the family’ you respect so much?”

Suddenly, a question arose.

Why did Roera find Lishir’s efforts to gain the head’s attention so distasteful?

Come to think of it—

There was one thing that came to mind.

Maybe Roera was like me.

Maybe she was looking at the past Lishir with the same perspective as me.

*

Looking back, Roera was the only one in this family who cared about me from the beginning.

Until that day—

No. That’s not right.

Even after that day, Roera consistently cared about me.

– Brother… Are you okay…?

– This…

Roera, who handed me a letter while crying.

– Hey Lishir. Stop wasting your time and beg me instead.

– You. Do that a hundred times. Does that person even care? Does your swordsmanship improve even a little? You’re doing that to learn swordsmanship, right? So, choose a more certain path.

– It’s what you’re good at, right? Beg. Like you did to that person. Who knows? Maybe a kind sister, not as stingy as that person, will personally teach you? Of course, it won’t be the Vendelieu swordsmanship you longed for.

Roera, who tried to teach me the sword with a crooked attitude.

-…

Roera, who clapped alone when everyone else was silent.

“If you have something to say, just say it. Do you think I’ll be scared if you glare at me like that? Wow~ You beat a guy like Humpton and now you’re all high and mighty?”

After the duel, Roera was the first to come find me and talk to me.

Maybe it was just my imagination, but Roera seemed excited too.

Yet, at the same time, Roera seemed frustrated.

Roera has always shown interest in me, both then and now.

Roera has always treated me the same, both then and now.

If anything has changed, it’s-

Me.

Since that day, I started pushing Roera away.

-Didn’t you hear what the head of the family said? You can’t play with a b*stard like me anymore.

Whenever Roera showed kindness, I pushed it away as if I had been waiting for it.

-…Go away.

-Break time is over.

Like a child sulking and throwing a tantrum.

“How about a duel with me this time? You have no idea how amazing your little sister is, do you? I bet if she had learned the sword from me, she would have beaten Humpton without any tricks.”

Roera was the only one in Vendel who accepted Lysir’s tantrums.

It probably wasn’t by choice. Roera probably wasn’t even aware of it.

That defiant attitude was probably a defense mechanism.

Afraid of having kindness rejected, pretending it wasn’t kindness at all.

Roera leaned in close to me.

The first thing I noticed as we got closer was a small scar on the forehead.

In the past, Roera used to keep her forehead exposed with a cool hairstyle.

She said bangs were annoying.

But after getting a scar from a book I threw, she started growing out her bangs.

Without realizing it, I touched that scar.

Roera flinched and tried to pull back, but seeing my expression, she tensed up.

I said to Roera,

“Did it hurt a lot back then?”

“…!”

Roera’s cynical expression slowly twisted.

“What, what is this all of a sudden…?”

“Well, I suddenly felt like apologizing. On this fine day. Or maybe, it’s because it’s such a fine day that I want to apologize.”

“What the hell- Are you kidding me! What, are you begging!? It’s not like you’re throwing some spare change to a beggar, what kind of talk is that- And what? Did it hurt? Did it hurt!? Do you call that talking, you idiot!”

He seemed to be trying to get angry.

But anyone could see that his face was on the verge of tears.

“Y-y-y-you hurt a girl’s face and what? Did it hurt a lot back then? Are you mocking me!?”

His breathing became rapid in an instant.

And his eyes were wet with tears.

I carefully wiped Roera’s tears and said.

“I’m sorry.”

“…”

“I’m sorry, Roera. I shouldn’t have done that back then. Even if it was anyone else, I shouldn’t have done that to you.”

Roera fiercely shook off my hand.

Her eyes, red and swollen, shed more tears than my fingers could wipe away.

“S-s-s-“

With a trembling voice, she struggled to speak.

“You crazy b*stard!!!”

She was quite energetic.

“Why, why are you apologizing…!”

Roera lowered her head and began to sob.

“What did you do wrong… The one who did wrong… is me…”

“…”

“Back then… I was so stupid… I didn’t know what it meant to call someone a b*stard… I didn’t know it was such a hurtful word… Even if it was anyone else, I shouldn’t have said that to you…”

I’m sorry.

I’m sorry.

I’m sorry.

Roera kept repeating those words as if she was taking out everything she had kept inside.

I approached Roera and gently patted her back.

“I’ve always wanted to say this…”

Then Roera buried her face in my chest and spoke in a muffled voice.

“Oppa… No matter what anyone says, you’re my oppa…”

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▷Fate 13: Unspoken Words – Deactivated.

The corresponding perks will be provided.

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