NFV | Chapter 2.2

“I’m sorry, Rohan. I didn’t mean to burden you. But the Lansonfree heir has never missed winning the Imperial Swordsmanship Tournament. Your father did, and all your ancestors received trophies from a young age. The people of your family are truly remarkable. The knight commander’s skill is the pride of all who follow the White Lion…

My point is—you’re one of those remarkable people, protected by the God of Conquest. So there’s no need to worry. Ah, don’t make that face. Oh dear, I’ve burdened you again.”

Rohan froze like a statue.

He realized there was far more at stake with the Imperial Swordsmanship Tournament—and the name Lansonfree—than he’d thought.

Tylon gently stroked Rohan’s hair, trying to comfort him.

“Don’t worry too much. I’ve never seen you lose. Even when sparring with older people, you knocked them down in one blow. That skill remains unchanged—just sleeping within you. And even if you don’t win… as long as you beat Glorious, isn’t that enough?”

Rohan didn’t know much about the Glorious he mentioned.

In the original work, ‘Glorious’ was just one of the many settings in the game.

The family of the Guardian God.

The owner of the Black Wolf Knight Order.

Lansonfree’s enemy.

Tylon revealed something Haejoo hadn’t known.

Just hearing his fierce voice made it clear.

Lansonfree and Glorious weren’t just enemies.

They were mortal enemies.

Rohan no longer cared about recovery.

Whether his leg healed or not, the swordsmanship tournament was approaching.

He couldn’t press ‘save’ like in a game to stop time.

Once Tylon left, he thought he should immediately look for a rapier. He needed to find a similar sword and practice swinging it.

“I came today just to see how you’re doing… Your father sent me because he’s busy. This is a gift.”

Tylon handed him a small box wrapped neatly in teal paper.

“I was wondering what kind of gift would suit the son of the Lansonfree family. This is a dessert from a popular patisserie in the capital. My daughter can’t resist this patissier’s sweets, so I thought you, being around the same age, might like it too.

Well then, I must be going. Health is most important. Rest well, and get better soon.”

Tylon bid farewell to Rohan.

⚔︎ ⚔︎ ⚔︎

Rohan headed to Joel’s room with the box of sweets.

He wanted to apologize to Joel.

Sorry for cleaning the library without asking. I was happy to have a younger brother because I never had a family. Is there an orphanage here too? I grew up in a place like that. I was so happy to have a real brother that I wanted to do anything for you. I should have asked what you wanted first.

He planned to tell the truth.

The identical door next to his own.

Rohan lightly knocked on Joel’s door with the back of his hand.

“Joel.”

No answer.

“Joel.”

Still no answer.

Rohan grew anxious. He carefully turned the doorknob and went inside.

⚔︎ ⚔︎ ⚔︎

Rohan dropped everything he was holding.

The cane and the box of sweets spilled onto the floor.

Joel had collapsed.

It seemed he lost consciousness while trying to lie down on the bed.

He was awkwardly sprawled on the bed, clutching the fallen blanket.

Rohan knelt and checked Joel’s complexion.

“Joel! Wake up! Joel!”

His temperature was high, and his breathing seemed labored.

Joel might die.

Rohan was terrified.

“Gwynair! Someone! Anyone, come here!”

Rohan shouted down the hallway with all his might.

People came running.

⚔︎ ⚔︎ ⚔︎

“I’ll prepare a fever reducer. As always, that’s all I can do. I’ve watched over the young master since he was little, but I can’t find the cause. Many doctors have come and gone. The Countess even called clerics and shamans out of religious belief, but nothing worked… I’m ashamed before the young master.”

Rohan almost scolded the doctor like an overprotective parent. He was genuinely happy to have a younger brother.

The only good thing about becoming Rohan Lansonfree was having a ‘family.’ Haejoo didn’t trust adults. He never wanted parents, but he did want a sibling. He wanted to give what he never received, to take responsibility and care for someone weaker than himself. Somehow, it seemed like it would make him happy.

Joel was cold, but Rohan liked his younger brother regardless. Losing a real brother so absurdly was unacceptable.

Rohan knew well about ‘Penance.’

He knew there was no way to cure it other than enduring it.

The doctor said, “Honestly, I think it’s amazing that the young master has survived the fever until this age. Many doctors, including myself, diagnosed that he wouldn’t make it past the year. No… I spoke out of turn. I’m sorry. I hope the young master overcomes the illness this time as well. If you need a fever reducer or painkiller, let Gwynair know. I’ll prepare it immediately.”

“Understood… Thank you for your efforts.”

Rohan replied gloomily.

“By the way, young master, have you regained your memory?”

“What?”

Rohan was taken aback by the unexpected question.

“You seem much more mature… Before, you were… Never mind. An old man like me keeps saying unnecessary things. Please forgive my rudeness, young master. I’ll take my leave now.”

⚔︎ ⚔︎ ⚔︎

Joel couldn’t regain consciousness, as if he were a castaway swept into another world, leaving his feverish body behind.

He occasionally babbled nonsense.

He groaned and muttered incoherently. Even though Joel was babbling, Rohan felt relieved. At least he knew Joel was alive.

Rohan wanted to do anything for Joel.

But even after giving him fever reducers, Joel’s symptoms didn’t improve.

Most of what Rohan did for Joel was useless.

Wiping Joel’s sweat-drenched body with a wet cloth. Feeding him cold, gelatinous food. That was all.

Gwynair’s words were true. No one in the mansion paid attention to the sick Joel.

Joel’s illness wasn’t a temporary condition that would pass quickly.

It was a ‘state’ that always accompanied Joel Lansonfree.

The state didn’t end.

The servants seemed to think it was more helpful to focus on housework to maintain the mansion.

Occasionally, Gwynair would visit the room, but the doll came to care for Rohan, not Joel.

Rohan Lansonfree was the only one taking care of Joel Lansonfree.

Rohan stayed by Joel’s side all day.

He was scared.

In the game, the son with a fever suddenly died.

He died quietly, like the weather changing.

The description in the text box read, ‘You looked down at the bed. The son’s body, once boiling hot, was now cold and stiff.’

Cold and stiff.

Rohan was an avid player of .

He repeated the game countless times. He killed the son countless times because of the ‘fever.’ He was afraid that if he took his eyes off him for even a moment, he would die instantly. He couldn’t start over.

⚔︎ ⚔︎ ⚔︎

Joel was dreaming.

Having a fever always meant that.

His soul wandered somewhere, leaving his boiling body behind.

What Joel dreamed of seemed like a dream, or perhaps a prophecy.

Joel thought he was drifting between life and death.

There was no visible cause or effect for Joel’s illness.

Joel’s recovery was purely a matter of luck.

If he was unlucky this time and his soul leaned toward death, he would never wake up and would forever wander this confusing boundary world.

While wandering the boundary, Joel became a tenant farmer who lost his family to a natural disaster, a princess of a small country facing annexation, or a priest who conversed with gods in the era when they still cared for humans.

Then, at some point.

He woke up in reality as if meeting death in a dream.

And beside him was his brother.

Or rather, someone unknown inhabiting his brother’s shell.

He was asleep, holding Joel’s arm with a weary face, his face buried in the bed.

Joel, who had vaguely regained his sense of reality, looked at Rohan’s appearance in disbelief.

First of all, his actions, trying to be kind to his brother as if to distinguish between the original Rohan Lansonfree and himself, seemed ridiculous.

And what was this ridiculous posture? Holding his arm as if Joel might be taken away.

When he was younger, his mother or servants used to hold Joel’s hand or arm similarly.

It wasn’t effective for treatment, but it seemed like they were trying to hold onto Joel, who was being led to death.

But that was only when Joel had been suffering from the fever for three or four years.

With his eyes closed, he heard Rohan and the doll arguing.

“Young master, you need to prepare. The bathwater is ready.”

“Prepare for what?”

“Today, you must attend the ‘Four Seasons Gathering’ at Denebula Palace. It’s a gathering that the heir of the creator family must attend. All the noble children close to adulthood are waiting to be your partner.”

“But how can I leave when Joel is in such bad condition?”

“You must go. The Four Seasons Gathering is the only social event hosted by the Imperial family. You already missed the ‘Early Spring Garden’ hosted in spring due to health reasons. If you miss this gathering too, the Lansonfree family will cause a great offense to the entire noble society. Most of the guests attending the Four Seasons Gathering come to see you and the next head of Glorious.”

“…Alright. But prioritize taking care of Joel today. And if his condition seems to worsen, send someone to inform me at the gathering. I’ll return immediately. Can you do that?”

“I will follow your wishes, young master.”

Gwynair bowed to Rohan.

Rohan reluctantly stood up.

Suddenly, Joel opened his eyes and grabbed Rohan’s hem.

Hoping he’d feel guilty.

Hoping he’d blame himself.

The fool who ended up in Rohan Lansonfree’s body was indeed naive.

Rohan said, “I’ll be back, I won’t leave.”

He gently stroked his younger brother’s cheek, who looked like he might cry.

⚔︎ ⚔︎ ⚔︎

Rohan was in the carriage.

His mind was as restless as the changing scenery outside.

A social gathering was an upper-class event Rohan had never seen before.

Gwynair, while busily preparing Rohan, provided appropriate answers to his master’s questions.

What Rohan was curious about.

‘What does this social gathering mean to me?’

‘How does it affect the family?’

‘And what is the purpose of the gathering?’

Rohan persistently asked such questions.

The appearance of a member of the Lansonfree family in social circles was rare.

As a knight family, they maintained their power through individual capabilities and achievements, with little need to mingle with others for benefits.

Friendly sparring, lectures, and social gatherings arranged by close associates of the White Lion Knight Order.

Even those were attended out of goodwill to honor the faces of trusted associates.

Nevertheless, the ‘Four Seasons Gathering’ was a must-attend event.

Hosted by the Imperial family, the Four Seasons Gathering was held regularly four times a year, once each season.

‘Early Spring Garden’ held in a palace adorned with freshly blooming flowers.

‘Summer Light’ hosting a garden party in a sunlit green garden.

‘Dream of Harvest’ sharing a feast made with seasonal fruits alongside emerging artists from various fields.