NFV | Chapter 2.1

The Blessing of the Prophet, Joel Lansonfree.

It’s a must-have condition to see the high-ranking cleric ending, ‘Cult Leader.’

But obtaining the ‘Prophet’ blessing comes with a status ailment, ‘Penance.’ Penance constantly put the son in a ‘feverish’ condition.

When the son fell ill, he couldn’t do anything.

He couldn’t study or go on adventures.

Once the ‘Prophet’ blessing was given, there was only one predetermined ending: visiting the sanctuary and raising theological stats to see the cleric ending.

Moreover, the feverish state easily led to death.

In , the ‘Prophet’ was merely a sign that the son had the talent to become a cleric.

It didn’t explain what abilities it granted.

It was more of a curse than a blessing.

However, Joel Lansonfree was using the blessing properly. He seemed like a prophet who received divine revelations.

Joel suddenly muttered, “That damn bastard must be dead, good riddance.”

There was a long-standing grudge in Joel’s words.

Even without knowing the family circumstances, Haejoo could feel it.

The relationship between the Lansonfree brothers was broken.

Rohan decided to act cautiously.

Lying in front of his younger brother was pointless.

“Yeah, I’m not Rohan… I’m just using Rohan’s body. So I’m confused. I wasn’t originally fourteen. This country, this world—it’s all unfamiliar. I need help. I don’t even know the letters here. I want to learn about this place by reading books, but I don’t know how to read. But I couldn’t tell the family. They’d surely think I’m crazy.”

He looked at the boy in front of him, trying to meet his eyes.

“But Joel, you believe what I’m saying is true. I don’t know anything about this world, but I know you’re smart. Could you teach me to read and write? I’ll repay you when you need help.”

Joel, who had been watching Rohan with a face full of hostility, finally spoke.

“No.”

“What?”

Joel said coldly, “Even if you’re not Rohan, I hate it. I hate that face, that voice, that expression. It’s horrible! That guy—you—used to come into my room and whisper! Saying I shouldn’t have been born!”

His voice shook with anger.

“I remember being pushed into the pond. Out of shame. Out of disgrace! And now… asking me for help with that face…”

Joel’s voice gradually faded.

He was crying.

“I know I’m useless too… I’m Joel Lansonfree, but I can’t use a sword, I can’t even walk freely. I can’t do anything! I’m just lying down every day! Useless.”

Joel cried sorrowfully.

“I shouldn’t have been born into this family.”

Joel looked like a child who had endured wounds for a long time.

Rohan felt a shock beyond pity or sympathy, as if he shared Joel’s pain.

He understood Joel’s feelings better than anyone.

The endless self-hatred that follows the word ‘useless.’

Haejoo had heard the same words in the orphanage, just like Joel.

Like throwing stones at the weakest animal nearby when bored or annoyed.

Adults wielded the word ‘useless’ as an easy weapon against children, and children against each other.

Eventually, the stones thrown by others get lodged in the heart, never to be removed.

So Rohan wanted to comfort Joel.

But wasn’t it ‘Rohan Lansonfree’ who hurt his younger brother?

Haejoo was Rohan.

Just as he feared people’s gaze, Joel would shudder just seeing his brother’s face.

He knew how much Joel must hate him.

When Rohan moved his crutch to approach him, Joel flinched and shouted.

“Don’t come near!”

And he threw the book he was holding.

“Ah…”

Rohan staggered as the book hit his shoulder.

Joel was startled.

He stood there speechless.

He only meant to threaten.

It wasn’t intentional.

Joel was more shocked than his brother, who got hit by the book.

Rohan broke the silence first.

“I’m sorry. Even if my words don’t make you feel better, what Rohan said to you was really unforgivable… Rohan Lansonfree was a really bad brother. I just hope you don’t believe the words you heard from Rohan as true. I’m really sorry…”

With that, Rohan turned and left the library.

Now, it doesn’t matter what happens.

Back in his room, Rohan lay there stupidly.

‘Rohan Lansonfree’ was the pathetic trash he expected.

Choi Haejoo inherited his life.

He never thought living as Rohan Lansonfree would be smooth.

But confirming the rotten relationships up close didn’t feel good.

Joel, who blamed himself as ‘useless.’

His crying younger brother.

Haejoo felt like he was seeing his own childhood in Joel Lansonfree.

⚔︎ ⚔︎ ⚔︎

The next day.

Rohan woke up to the sound of the door being flung open.

He lifted his head in a daze, just waking up.

He looked at the visitor without fully gathering his wits.

“What did you say to that doll!”

The visitor was Joel Lansonfree.

Rohan had called Gwynair yesterday to ask.

If Gwynair was his doll, who was taking care of Joel?

Gwynair answered calmly.

“Unfortunately, the Count is often in the capital. He’s always busy with the knight order. The Young Master’s mother, the Countess, is an art critic. She receives invitations to various events in different countries. So I take care of the Young Master.”

“No, Gwynair… isn’t there anyone else to take care of Joel? I don’t really need your help. My arm and leg are inconvenient, but they’ll heal soon. But Joel is much more frequently ill than I am. Who takes care of him when he’s sick? Servants? Or does Joel have a doll?”

Gwynair acted like a broken can. He didn’t seem to understand the term Joel Lansonfree.

Rohan emphasized as if explaining to a child who didn’t understand.

“Joel, my brother. The youngest of the Lansonfree family.”

Gwynair’s eyes slowly rotated.

“Joel Lansonfree, the youngest. I am Rohan Lansonfree’s doll. The Countess gifted me to you. The youngest Young Master has no doll in the mansion. He has no guardian.”

“Then what about the others? There are plenty of maids and servants in the mansion.”

“They all have assigned roles. Sweeping the halls, doing laundry, taking care of the stables.”

“Is there anyone assigned to take care of Joel Lansonfree?”

“No one.”

Rohan sighed.

He asked Gwynair, or rather, he educated him. He ordered him as his master to pay attention to the frail Joel rather than himself.

Rohan argued with him for a long time to persuade him.

And he asked him to clean the dusty library.

Rohan yawned.

“Ah… just like you help me, help him too.”

“No need. And because of you, I can’t go into the library!”

“That’s because it’s dusty and old, and it might not be good for your health. Once it’s organized, they’ll probably let you in…”

“Don’t pretend to be nice, it’s annoying!”

Seeing Joel suddenly get angry, Rohan burst into laughter.

“No, you’re the nice one. I thought the person opening that door in the morning would be the Countess or the doctor. Since you confessed that someone strange is in your brother’s body.”

Hearing that, Joel replied with a dumbfounded expression.

“If I say I can hear secrets or hearts inside people, and the soul of the next head of this family has been replaced by someone unknown, of course, they’d think I’m crazy. Who would want to keep such a kid at home? Why say that? I’d be the one kicked out of the mansion.”

Joel seemed to think Rohan was someone who didn’t make sense. After venting his frustration, he slammed the door and left as he had come in.

⚔︎ ⚔︎ ⚔︎

In the afternoon, Rohan explored the house as if on an adventure.

The mansion felt more like a giant museum than a home.

Walls and floors were spotless.

Statues with different personalities, elegant artworks, beautiful decorations.

The mansion, with its perfectly arranged antique furniture, didn’t feel lived in.

Rohan got a cane made to his height instead of crutches. He finally shed his patient-like appearance.

Walking slowly down the hallway in a robe, Rohan looked like the young master of the mansion. The servants greeted him cheerfully, calling him ‘Young Master.’

Rohan stopped in front of a large religious painting while wandering the mansion.

There were gods he had never seen before in the painting.

Rohan could easily guess who they were.

The three creator gods who chose the leaders of this world.

‘Lansonfree,’ holding a long sword with a fierce expression,

‘Glorious,’ standing to the right with his back to him,

And the pure white god ‘Redicia,’ embracing them both with a benevolent expression.

Rohan closely examined the face of the God of Conquest. The god’s face looked eerily similar to his own reflection in the mirror.

It was a bit unsettling.

“Rohan, here you are.”

A gentle voice called out.

A man he didn’t know stood behind him.

A uniform made of ivory and navy fabric. Its form resembled the military uniform of the God of Conquest in the painting.

Rohan looked at him with vague eyes while maintaining courtesy. The man sighed as if he felt sorry.

“You really lost your memory. Your mother was right. You don’t recognize me.”

Rohan awkwardly apologized.

“I’m sorry…”

“No need to apologize. It’s been a while, Rohan. I’m Tylon, your father’s aide. I used to come to teach you rapier swordsmanship and horseback riding. Do you remember anything about the lessons I taught?”

In , one of the basic ways to increase stats was through ‘lessons.’

Taking lessons increased stats.

The higher the level of the instructor, the faster the stats increased exponentially.

Of course, it cost a lot of money.

If Rohan’s teacher was a skilled person just below the knight commander, it would greatly help improve his swordsmanship stats.

Using the Lansonfree family’s connections, he could quickly raise his swordsmanship stats.

Rohan felt a surge of hope.

But he had never seen the weapon called a rapier.

He only knew it was used in fencing competitions.

Even if it was the same sport, kendo and fencing were quite different. The swordsmanship used in actual combat might differ from the techniques Haejoo learned.

He shook his head.

“That too, I don’t remember.”

“Oh dear… But swordsmanship is learned with the body, not the mind. Even if you’ve forgotten, your body will remember. The Imperial Swordsmanship Tournament is not far off. Once your injuries heal, I’ll help you fully regain your original skills.”

“Thank you. But can I win the Imperial Swordsmanship Tournament…? I know it’s important, but I’m confused and can’t move my legs freely, so I’m anxious…”

“Of course, you must win.”

Tylon was smiling. It was a kind smile, hard to believe from a soldier. But Rohan felt like he saw a beast’s form behind it. His body stiffened, unable to move.

Tylon quickly realized his mistake.

He had made the injured child feel burdened.

He lowered himself to meet Rohan’s eye level and spoke.