NFV | Chapter 10.4

Among the tombstones set at regular intervals, Rohan stopped in front of the one at the very end.

The place where Rohan stood—like a signpost.

Daren looked down at the epitaph there.

[Alphonse Hellador]

His father’s name, engraved in relief on white marble. Below the tombstone lay a necklace with a small pendant. It was a relic.

A relic his father used to pray for victory to the God of Conquest before setting out during his service. Even without a battlefield to pray for now, Daren had always seen his father clutch the relic and pray every morning and evening, out of habit.

His father—who would start the morning cheerfully, with a refreshed expression after praying.

Bewilderment, emptiness, disgust, self-loathing, anger at everything, depression, hatred, resignation—all of it was ultimately underpinned by sadness.

A sadness so deep and wide it could drive a person insane. The sadness that his father was now only a name engraved on a tombstone. The sadness of having to live in a world completely alone now.

Memories and recollections flowed with tears.

His father, who had quit being a knight to give the world back to a dazed young Daren. All the joyful things he showed and created for him.

The festivals he took him to. The sparkle of fireworks in the night sky. The sweet smells wafting from street stalls.

The deserts and beaches he walked with his father. The voice that told tales of knights, comrades, and adventurers—like secret whispers.

The touch that taught him how to hold a bow. The gentle tone that helped him gauge the distance to the target.

Daren sank to his knees in front of the tombstone. He had been at his limit for a long time. It felt like the dam holding his sadness had shattered and broken.

The fierce loneliness he had pushed far away came rushing in. He sat on the ground and cried his heart out.

He wished his father, buried deep below, could hear him.

I’m scared. I’m scared of living in a world without you.

I’m scared of being alone in a world where there’s no family to share sadness and joy with. Even though I’m an adult, I still feel too young to stand alone without you.

In his loneliness and sorrow, Daren felt the warmth of someone embracing him.

Rohan was beside him.

“I’m sorry. We held the funeral without you. I brought you here now because I thought it would be too painful for you.”

Rohan’s voice was gentle yet strong, as if trying to support Daren, who was helplessly shaken by grief.

“As you said, Count Lansonfree, I, and the people of the knight order could only mourn Hellador. My father didn’t have the courage to uncover this at the cost of our family and the knight order… But if my father can’t do it—if the current Count Lansonfree can’t do anything—then I will.”

Rohan’s resolute voice felt soft enough to soothe his violently trembling heart. Yet, at the same time, Daren wanted to denounce him for making promises he couldn’t keep. He wanted to push him away.

But every time he tried to think that way, he remembered that this voice always spoke the truth.

The voice that welcomed Daren, who was a stranger, at the swordsmanship tournament. The voice that found Daren hiding in the warehouse and brought him out into the light.

The voice that was the only one to follow him on the night he chased after death. The voice that got angry, scolded, and showed irritation.

And the eyes. The eyes that pleaded with him not to leave, even after knocking him down.

The color of those eyes—turbulent like the sea.

Daren knew that Rohan’s sorrow at imagining his death was as deep as his own sorrow at losing his father.

Daren just cried, and Rohan spoke.

“If you’re in danger alone, I’ll protect you. As a knight. As a commander. In return, Daren, protect me. So that when I get closer to the truth of your father’s death, I can tell you the truth without getting too hurt. Be my aide. If we protect each other, we can live outside the mansion. Together.”

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The social scene was buzzing with educational fervor.

It was the time of year when high society’s social activities were at their peak. Sia Academy, the Imperial Military Academy, and the Royal Arts School—admissions to these three prestigious institutions were being finalized.

These historic universities, backed by the imperial family, could change a person’s life simply by attending. Sia Academy paved the way for scholars and bureaucrats, the Imperial Military Academy offered a stable path in the military, and the Royal Arts School guaranteed recognition of artistic talent.

Sia Academy and the Royal Arts School were holding their final interviews, while the Imperial Military Academy had one practical exam and an interview remaining. The interview was meant to verify the character of those who had passed the rigorous exams and fierce competition. It was merely a procedure to confirm that the candidate had no fatal flaws.

In other words, it was rare to fail at the interview stage.

For a student—or rather, the heir of a family—to enter one of these prestigious institutions was to guarantee the authority of the next generation. If this child inherits the family, our family will remain strong. It was a symbol of security and promise.

This year, the Lansonfree family was the hottest topic in the social scene.

The eldest son, Rohan Lansonfree, had passed the exams with ease, displaying the outstanding swordsmanship he’d been known for since youth. Joel Lansonfree, who excelled in written subjects, was set to enter alongside his brother.

And the son of the hero Hellador—Daren Hellador—whom the Lansonfree family had taken in, had also passed all four exams he took. The news made traditionalist nobles gasp.

Producing cadets—especially three—from the Imperial Military Academy was unprecedented. Having three individuals likely to be knighted meant the family’s influence would grow significantly.

When a family’s future position was being determined, parental fervor naturally followed.

The oath ceremony, derived from the God of Conquest and the God of Bonds, was highly revered throughout the empire. Emotional ties between two people were considered essential in forming lasting connections. But parents, driven by ambition, couldn’t help but want to marry their children into slightly better families.

In the social scene, the heir representing the family became a reflection of that family’s prestige. Naturally, interest turned to Rohan Lansonfree—the next head of the family. A promising young man who could choose a marriage partner at any time.

Those eager to secure ties with the next generation’s influential houses were in luck. Knights often neglected social life, but Rohan Lansonfree had recently begun appearing at gatherings, escorted by his mother, the Countess.

Countess Lansonfree, a former principal dancer of the Royal Arts Troupe, was still elegant and beautiful. Her handsome and accomplished son, who often escorted her, became the envy of nobles with children.

If only my daughter could grow up to be as cultured as Lansonfree’s eldest son… If only my son could become as mature as Lansonfree’s eldest son…

People admired the Lansonfree mother and son when they appeared at gatherings. Rohan Lansonfree, considered the top groom in the social scene, was overwhelmed. Parents grew competitive just to speak with him.

“I heard you spoke to my daughter at the Four Seasons Gathering. She’s been talking about you ever since, so I’d love to arrange another meeting.”

“Oh my, Lansonfree. My son is also entering Sia Academy this year. Like many boys, he loves tales of knights—he said you’re like someone straight out of a novel. Please look after him, if fate allows.”

Parents, fervently concerned about their children’s futures, clung to any small anecdote that could serve as a pretext to present their sons and daughters to Rohan.

A family comparable in influence to Lansonfree was the Glorious family.

Clarnel Glorious, who possessed martial skills as remarkable as Rohan’s, had also passed the academy’s exams with ease. While Lansonfree pursued the pinnacle of swordsmanship, the Glorious family upheld the motto: “Be exemplary through excellence.”

Clarnel, heir to such a family, stood out with his broad knowledge across various fields. He was a charming young man who captivated society with impeccable martial skill, intellect, and eloquence.

However, there was a reason parents still sought out Rohan Lansonfree.

Reputation.

Clarnel Glorious’s reputation preceded him. No parent wanted to entrust their child to a beautiful libertine. They couldn’t stand the idea of their son or daughter constantly worrying about infidelity throughout a marriage.

Astoria’s nobles were open-minded about young people’s romances. No one fussed if their child mingled with a slightly promiscuous noble youth—everyone goes through that phase, they’d say. Isn’t that part of the fun?

But a fun romantic partner and a good spouse were different things.

Nobles saw traditional chivalry in the composed, upright Rohan Lansonfree. Just like their sons and daughters who returned from the Four Seasons Gathering, whispering in awe as if dreaming:

It was like meeting a knight who stepped out of a painting.

So what if someone was a bit stiff? As long as he was faithful—devoted to one person, like a knight in a romantic tale—that was all that mattered.

⚔︎ ⚔︎ ⚔︎

Rohan Lansonfree, the most sought-after spouse among nobles in the social scene, was having a hard time.

The exams were finally over.

He was incredibly happy—almost disbelieving—that he had passed all those grueling tests. He felt relieved. Above all, he was glad he no longer had to stay up all night reading ancient military strategy books.

But he had no desire to be congratulated amidst a crowd.

All because of his mother.

The Countess, who had flown to the mansion upon hearing that both her sons were about to enter the Imperial Military Academy. Unlike the introverted and reserved men of the Lansonfree family—including the Count, Rohan, and Joel—the Countess was sociable and loved to attract attention.

She took pleasure in both giving and receiving praise. That was why she had made a name for herself as a critic, even after retiring from the Royal Arts Troupe.

The Countess was thrilled at the thought of nobles admiring her eldest son. She even personally prepared his formal attire.

She knew what suited him well. Not too flashy. Neat. Simple, yet luxurious. Noble-like.

A clean formal outfit that highlighted his natural physique and long legs.

As if he were a mannequin, the Countess was adding a few modest decorations to Rohan’s collar.

Rohan tried to reason with her.

“Mother, if we attend all these social gatherings, won’t it lower Lansonfree’s dignity…?”

“People need to recognize dignity for it to be lowered.” She clicked her tongue. “Oh dear, my son doesn’t know how devoted the other families’ children are to social activities. It’s all to promote the family. What’s the point of doing honorable things if no one notices? If you don’t mingle with people, rumors will spread that you’re eccentric.”

Rohan thought of Marquis Insenia, who had once mocked his family as a group of eccentrics.

“Besides, I… I’m not thinking about oaths or marriage at all yet…”

“Of course, I know. Who’s talking about marriage now? You’ve never even dated because of all the training. Everyone, including me, acknowledges that you’re perfect as the next heir. But it’s far too early to choose a partner. You can find true love by the time you graduate.”