20demayo Chapter 200
Chapter 200
Chapter 200
“It’s such a waste for you to give up the talent you have……”
“That’s not wrong, but how should I say this… I think I want to focus more on managing my territory rather than leading battles from the front.”
At Luke’s words, I smiled awkwardly.
But Luke nodded seriously, taking my words more to heart than I expected.
“Well, if you’re going to restore your family—the Mainac Family—it’s true that you should be taking management classes rather than swordsmanship.”
“That’s true, but… it’s still a bit disappointing, isn’t it?”
“Of course. It’s only natural that I’d be disappointed to see someone as talented as you giving up swordsmanship. Especially since I’m your instructor.”
I nodded in agreement.
I’d been thinking about it a lot too.
After all, it felt a little regretful to give up on swordsmanship, something I’d been honing since coming to this world.
“But if I had to give up one of the two, I think it should be swordsmanship. In the long run, if I want to rebuild my family, I should take management courses starting from second year……”
“Why not just take both?”
“…Both? I thought we were only allowed to choose one elective subject?”
“Usually, yes. But there’s no rule saying you must take only one.”
Luke smiled faintly as he explained.
“Of course, if you take more than one, you’ll be pretty exhausted. Twice the exams, twice the studying. But isn’t that better than giving up swordsmanship altogether?”
“That’s… definitely true.”
“I heard rumors that you’ve been refusing your knighthood appointment lately, so I was wondering what was going on… so this was what you were thinking.”
“I’ve been wondering recently if I really need the position of a knight when I’m going to focus on territorial management.”
“Still, I’d recommend accepting the title. Of course, if war breaks out, you’ll have to serve, but the privileges that come with it are quite substantial.”
“That’s true.”
When I seemed more easily convinced than expected, Luke let out a small laugh.
“Besides, you’ll be the youngest knight in the Empire’s history. It’d be a real shame to just throw that opportunity away.”
“Yeah, I thought it was a shame too. But being appointed so young… it feels like a lot of pressure. I thought becoming a knight would happen at least after graduation, not this soon.”
“Your achievements during the recent incident were too great. And Lord Kafka insisted quite firmly on appointing you as a knight.”
With a dry chuckle, Luke pulled a crystal sphere from his pocket.
“So then, you’re going to continue swordsmanship next year, and go through with the knighthood ceremony?”
“I’ll think about it a bit more, but probably.”
“Alright, then I’ll let Lord Kafka know later.”
“To Lady Kafka?”
“For some reason, the rumor about you refusing your knighthood reached her ears. She’s been in quite a stir about it since yesterday.”
“…It hasn’t even spread enough to be called a rumor yet. How did—ah.”
When I realized it myself, Luke nodded knowingly.
“You’ve got the Emperor’s Eyes and Ears always following you around.”
“Jason sure is fast to report things like this.”
“Get used to it. If you’re going to be close with someone from the Hawkbat Family, you’ll have to put up with it.”
Luke said that with a helpless expression, then stretched widely.
“Ughhh… anyway, I had this same conversation yesterday too.”
“You did? With Lady Sara, maybe?”
“Yeah. Sara came to me yesterday, saying she won’t be attending swordsmanship classes anymore. Unlike you, she’s already made up her mind.”
“Didn’t Lady Sara find a way to treat her arm recently?”
“Yeah. She’s been diligently undergoing treatment, and they say by next summer she’ll recover enough to wield a sword again.”
Luke scratched his head, looking somewhat conflicted.
“But Sara seems tired of swordsmanship now… you’ve heard, right? She’s starting successor training this winter break.”
“Yes, I’ve heard.”
Successor training—education to become the next Duke.
Originally, the next head of the Isrinbloom Ducal Family was Rage.
But Rage lost his noble status and was completely expelled from the family.
The next candidate was Eisen, but he had firmly refused.
—The position of head doesn’t suit a simple-minded person like me. I just want to keep swinging my sword. Keep refining my swordsmanship… and someday, fight you again. I’ll definitely defeat you, Gideon.
A while ago, when I contacted Eisen, he told me the full story.
He wanted to live as a swordsman rather than as a family head.
So, with Rage and Eisen both out of the picture—
“That’s why Sara said she wants to take management classes too, mainly ones about territorial administration.”
“Well, since she’ll become the head right after graduation, it’s best for her to prepare now.”
“That’s true, but… it’s still a shame. I’ve taught her swordsmanship since she was little, and now it feels like she’s giving it up entirely.”
Luke sighed deeply, his eyes full of mixed emotions.
“Considering what she went through, I can understand her being tired of it. The Isrinbloom Family’s swordsmanship will continue with Eisen, but… I can’t help but worry about Sara.”
“I personally think Lady Sara might pick up the sword again someday.”
“I can’t say I haven’t thought that myself. Knowing Sara, she’ll return to it eventually. She’s too sentimental to let go of something she’s put that much into.”
At my words, Luke smiled faintly and nodded.
Still, he couldn’t completely hide the worry in his eyes.
“Well, I’ll try talking with her more over the break. Anyway, Gideon, didn’t you say you and Lisa are holding your engagement ceremony this winter break?”
“Yes, it’s been scheduled for early next year.”
“And the knighthood ceremony will be held at the same time?”
“Yes. Lady Kafka said she’ll personally officiate.”
Engagement.
Hearing that word made me realize how quickly time had passed.
But it was only natural to feel that way.
A lot had happened in the past three months.
‘After Rage’s rebellion, I had so many things to clean up… it’s been a lot.’
Because of that, I hardly attended the Academy’s second semester.
But now, with most of the aftermath settled, life was returning to normal.
Once the chaos subsided and peace returned, House Balmuth moved fast.
‘My knighthood appointment, and my engagement with Lisa.’
Both events progressed at lightning speed.
The knighthood procedures were completed within two weeks…
‘And the engagement preparations with Lisa were finished within a week.’
I couldn’t help but be amazed at how quickly House Balmuth worked.
At least in the game, they weren’t this fast.
‘Well, if Kafka herself took charge, that explains it.’
Normally, Kafka wasn’t proactive, but once she stepped in, things went flawlessly.
The only issue was that she usually only involved herself in very personal matters—like my engagement to Lisa.
“So, I can attend too, right?”
“I was planning to give you an invitation as soon as they’re ready. You’ll come, right?”
“Of course. It’s my student’s engagement. Are you inviting anyone else?”
“Probably all three Dukes will attend… but I don’t have that many acquaintances, so it won’t be too crowded.”
“Surely… His Majesty the Emperor won’t be attending, right?”
“He said he’d come to the wedding. Though I doubt he’ll actually come in person……”
“Knowing him, he probably will.”
Luke smiled wryly, then tilted his head curiously.
“Where are you holding the engagement? In that Balmuth Family cave again? Honestly, that place isn’t exactly suited for a ceremony.”
“Don’t worry. We’re holding it somewhere else this time.”
“Oh? Where?”
“For the engagement… I decided to hold it in my hometown.”
I smiled as I answered.
“Wow! Wowwowwow! Wow! This tree is huge! And look at all the houses up in it!”
“Your Highness, please don’t run! And that’s where the fairies store their food, so please be careful……”
Time passed, and before we knew it, it was winter break.
The day of my engagement with Lisa had arrived.
“Miss Kara! Can we go see the Centaurs’ land too?”
“It’s a bit too far for today, but we can visit the Dwarves’ underground village instead……”
“Alright! That sounds fun too!”
It was the first time we’d visited the Protected Zone for Other Races.
Layla looked visibly excited, her eyes sparkling as she took in the sights she couldn’t see anywhere outside.
The blonde Princess wandered all around the Protected Zone, taking Kara as her guide.
“Jason, let’s go join Lady Layla. This place could still be a little dangerous……”
“You’re not still worrying about acting as Lady Layla’s guard, are you? You’re the one who said you wouldn’t even pick up a sword anymore—what would you even do following her into a dangerous area?”
“N-no, that’s not what I meant… I just thought, well, something could happen, right? If Lady Layla were to get hurt here, then……”
“Lady Layla isn’t that careless, so stop worrying so much. And Instructor Kara’s with her. Nothing major will happen.”
At Jason’s words, Sara hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
It seemed she agreed that she had been worrying a bit too much.
“Anyway, how’s your successor training going?”
“So-so? Nothing too difficult yet.”
“That’s good to hear. But you know, right? Becoming the head of a family isn’t easy.”
“Of course it’s not. It’s going to be really difficult.”
Sara let out a deep sigh.
Seeing that, Jason grinned and reached out to pat—or rather, mess up—her hair.
“Hey! What are you doing?!”
“Don’t make such a gloomy face. It doesn’t suit you at all.”
“Ugh, I spent so much time fixing my hair today… you! Come here! I’m going to—kyaa?!”
“Why do you always try to catch me when you know you can’t?”
Jason leapt up onto a nearby tree in an instant, teasing Sara as usual.
“Still, life sure is unpredictable. Never thought you’d end up being the family head. I mean, can you even handle it? Someone like you in charge… mm, never mind.”
“What?! Say it! Someone like me what?!”
“Heh, you already know without me saying it.”
“Hey!”
Sara reached out her bandaged right arm toward Jason, but of course, he didn’t let himself be caught.
It was such a familiar sight that I couldn’t help but smile.
“Your friends are certainly full of energy.”
“That’s one of their best traits.”
Veron, who sat perched on my shoulder, also chuckled.
Then he glanced around—the communal residential area, to be specific.
“I thought there’d be a huge crowd since it’s your engagement, but it’s smaller than expected.”
“I don’t know that many people, after all.”
“I thought you were just being modest, but I guess that’s true. Most of the people here are faces I’ve seen before. Ah, that short-haired girl—was it Serma? She’s new to me.”
Veron pointed toward the center of the communal area, where a female student was passionately chatting with various non-human races.
“By the way, what does that human even do? She’s been talking about trade, business, and investments ever since she got here.”
“Hmm… she’s a friend who’s very interested in money.”
“She is your friend, right?”
“Well, if we’ve grown attached, I suppose that makes her one.”
“…Fair point.”
Veron shrugged it off and then pointed toward the middle of the Protected Zone—specifically, the enormous lake located there.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes, let’s. Akkion said he’d go ahead first, right?”
“Yeah, he’s waiting there.”
I followed Veron toward the center of the Protected Zone.
After a short walk, we arrived at the massive lake.
And in front of it stood Akkion.
He was waiting by a small tree.
And before that small tree… was a single gravestone.
“That gravestone… was for her.”
“I wanted to tell you when you came last time, but because of the Evil Dragon’s curse, I couldn’t speak of your mother.”
“I’m just glad I can visit her now.”
I placed a single flower before the stone and bowed my head in silent prayer.
There were a few things I wanted to tell Naiad.
But I decided to leave those words for later.
‘She’s probably living peacefully in that world Peregrie created. I’ll go visit her someday.’
That conversation could wait until then.
So after a brief silence, I spoke again.
“Speaking of the Evil Dragon—Suiroti is still under surveillance, right?”
“The Dwarves locked him deep inside their underground city. He’s under the strictest watch imaginable. Unless someone’s desperate enough to risk everything, he’ll be trapped there for hundreds of years.”
“And not many know where Suiroti’s imprisoned, right?”
“Only a few among the other races, and among humans… no one but you.”
“Then I’ll keep counting on you to guard that jar.”
A few months ago, during Rage’s rebellion—
I sealed Suiroti inside a jar.
A jar capable of sealing dragons.
‘Though for some reason, that jar never disappeared.’
The other items—like the staff that absorbed space or the dagger of godslaying—had vanished after a single use.
But the jar containing Suiroti was different.
From my guess, the “single-use” condition referred to the entire process—sealing a dragon and releasing it afterward.
Only after that full cycle would it count as “used.”
‘Well, it’s not like anyone will ever let that dragon out.’
No one knew what the future would bring.
But I had a feeling Suiroti would remain sealed for a very long time.
Anyway—
“It’ll take about a year to raise the mansion from the lake again, right?”
“About that long. The Elves and Fairies are working hard to restore it, so just be patient.”
“Take your time. I probably won’t have many chances to visit until I graduate from the Academy, anyway.”
I gazed at the enormous lake.
In the center, deep beneath the surface, I could faintly see the grand mansion.
The Mainac Family’s mansion—soon to be brought back into the world once more.
‘I have to do it, for Naiad’s sake.’
The white-haired Elf who cried at the sight of the fallen mansion—
For her, too, I would see it restored.
But as Veron said, it would take quite a while to rebuild it and raise it above the lake, so for now, I decided to focus on the present.
“Shall we head back? I should probably go help with the preparations soon.”
“There’s no need for you to help. You’re the main guest today, aren’t you? Just take it easy for once.”
“Oh, come on. How could I do that?”
I laughed softly in reply to Akkion’s words.
“With all these other races working for my sake, how could I just sit around…”
“Today’s your engagement ceremony and your knighthood appointment. I recommend you just enjoy yourself.”
“Yeah, you should enjoy today,” Veron added from my shoulder.
“Why do you sound just like Kaina? That guy said the same thing at his own wedding—kept insisting he wanted to help out.”
“Guess we had similar personalities.”
I chuckled and spoke to the two non-humans.
“I appreciate the thought, but I’ll still lend a hand where I can. More hands make lighter work, after all—”
“Then I’ll lend mine, so you can rest.”
“…Huh?”
“Hmm?”
“H-how did you…”
A familiar voice came from beside us.
All three of us—Veron, Akkion, and I—turned in surprise.
Standing there was a frail-looking Elf.
He was thin as though he hadn’t eaten in ages, his body covered in wounds and scars.
His eyes were bloodshot red—yet sharper and more intelligent than any Elf I had ever seen.
“Sachiel… how…”
“I should’ve needed much longer to recover, but the Evil Dragon’s curse faded. Once it completely left my body, my recovery sped up far beyond expectations.”
After answering Akkion’s words, Sachiel turned toward Veron and me.
“Veron, it must’ve been hard on you—keeping all that pain inside.”
“…Honestly, you and Naiad… why are all Elves the same way…”
Veron spoke, his voice trembling slightly, and Sachiel gave him a faint smile.
He gently patted Veron’s head, then turned to me and spoke.
“You’ve worked hard. And thank you—truly. Because of you… all of our long-cherished wishes have finally come true.”
“I only did what I had to do.”
I smiled as I looked at Sachiel.
The elf, smiling back, looked happier than ever before.
“My eyes… can no longer see the future clearly. But even without that sight, I can tell—today is a very important day for you.”
“Yes. Today… means a great deal to me.”
“Heh. I see. Then, as I said before, just enjoy yourself today. For once… let us repay you for everything you’ve done for us.”
“Then once everything wraps up today… let’s all head outside the Protected Zone together. I want to show you how much the world beyond has changed, Sachiel.”
The concept of a Protected Zone for Other Races no longer existed.
Now, the other races could freely move between their lands and the outside world.
‘Of course, humans are still wary of them, so they can’t exactly wander around freely just yet.’
It would take a long time before the other races could live in harmony with humans.
But that didn’t matter.
No matter how long it took, I planned to keep pushing that goal forward.
That was, after all, the mission the Kyrgram Family—and the Mainac Family before it—had always carried on.
“Anyway, shall we head back?”
“Sure, let’s go.”
And so, I returned to the communal area together with Sachiel, Akkion, and Veron.
“Gideon, you’re back? I don’t think I’ve met this elf before—who’s he?”
“Ah, this is……”
“I’m a friend who owes a great deal to Gideon.”
“Oh, I see. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Lisa Balmuth.”
“The beautiful lady with red hair. Yes, I’ve heard of you before—from Gideon himself. He said… you’re someone he truly loves.”
“Gideon, you actually said that?”
“I did, last time I came here.”
Smiling, I replied to Lisa, then looked her up and down.
“That dress looks amazing on you. You look gorgeous already, but I can’t imagine how much more stunning you’ll be at the wedding.”
“You always know exactly what to say.”
Lisa laughed and pulled me into an embrace, and I laughed as I gently stroked her hair.
“That red dress really suits you. Matches perfectly with your hair too.”
“My mom picked it out for me… I guess she’s got a better eye for fashion than I do.”
Lisa gave me a brief kiss on the lips, then stepped back.
“Anyway, are you all ready?”
“Yeah, I just need to change into my outfit. Are all the guests here?”
“I think so. Nia just arrived a moment ago.”
I looked around the communal area.
Just as Lisa said, it seemed almost everyone had arrived.
‘Jason, Sara, Layla, Luke, Kafka, Andrew, Dilug, Eisen, Serma, Roy, Nia… not everyone yet, but everyone who matters is here.’
I nodded with a smile.
Nearly everyone who had shared this journey with me was gathered here.
As I looked at them for a while, my gaze drifted up toward the sky.
The weather seemed better than ever.
“What are you thinking about, Gideon?”
“Just… that living in this world… isn’t such a bad thing.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“It’s nothing. Just… a feeling.”
I smiled, took Lisa’s hand, and softly kissed her lips.
‘Yeah… this isn’t so bad after all.’
When I first arrived in this world, all I wanted was to return to the one I came from.
But now, looking around me—
I realized that this place wasn’t bad at all.