Chapter 23: A Fresh Start

────Rudeus’ Perspective────

"Please, help Pilemon."

When Luke bowed his head and asked me that, I honestly felt the tension I’d been holding snap. It was a convenient request, sure, but for some reason, his words felt more sincere than anything else he had ever said.

I kept telling myself over and over that he wasn’t like that old man, but the more I thought about it, the more all my past slip-ups—written in my diary—flashed through my mind, and I realized I’d become stubborn, hiding things I didn’t even need to hide.

Luke, who until yesterday had been awkward and distant as a third party, made me realize that, and in his own way, he’d acknowledged me. I wanted to respond to that.

Even Ariel and the others weren’t trying to drag Sylphy away out of hatred for me—they just wanted to fight alongside their comrades to the end.

The future me… no, that old man, regretted killing Edit without the involvement of Hitogami in some indiscriminate outburst. That regret had spread to me, making me see everything in a self-punishing light.

Lying leads to bad things piling up… I think that was what Zoldart had taught me. Lies and secrets are essentially the same, and yet I still failed at the very same point.

I’d talk about what I could, and even if it meant being hated, I’d cry, cling, and ask for help. I couldn’t do anything alone, but there were plenty of people ready to support me.

First and foremost, though, there was Ghislaine… convincing her was going to be the hardest part. Already regretting my hasty reply, I helped Luke pack up the tent.

"All done here. We’re taking him," he said.

Or so I thought—until Ghislaine grabbed me by the scruff and dragged me a short distance away. She’d heard everything… she’s going to kill me…

No, don’t give up. I might have been caught off guard, but I can still persuade her. Master Roxy… please grant me courage…!

"Why are you suddenly praying out loud…? More importantly, Rudeus. You said you’d help Pilemon, but was it a lie that you’d assist me in avenging me?"

"…No. Pilemon was involved in Lord Sauros’ death, yes, but he was likely just a small pawn who got caught up in it. Killing him won’t hurt the mastermind at all. We might as well win him over and drag the true culprit out."

"…You could kill Pilemon afterward anyway."

That stung. Even if Pilemon was just caught up in things, he apparently had a poor relationship with Sauros and would probably have helped in the execution willingly. Ghislaine doesn’t care about Ariel or Luke’s convenience at all.

"…Enough. Don’t make that face. Let’s turn a blind eye to Pilemon."

"Huh…?"

"Is… that okay?"

"At first, I thought about killing Luke, but Eris-sama scolded me. ‘Rudeus will let you take revenge, so don’t be selfish.’ And as Eris-sama said, you acted in a way that ensured you wouldn’t betray me. I can’t trouble you any further."

"I’m sorry… no, thank you, Ghislaine. We already have a rough idea of the mastermind. Let’s survive and settle this together."

In the end, I had to rely on Ghislaine’s mercy.

As I felt grateful and guilty for her generosity, she unexpectedly bowed to me.

"Honestly, I was worried whether it was okay to leave the young ladies in your care. While they were training in the holy land of swords, a single letter could have prevented the gap from forming between you all. Yet I entrusted everything to you and let you chase revenge—I’ve been agonizing over it the whole time."

It was a mature apology, considering all of us.

…But she had been taking care of Edit since birth, teaching her reading and writing once she could speak. It’s understandable she didn’t think of everything.

"I was supposed to be assisted by my master and senior disciples, yet despite being entrusted with Edit’s upbringing, I didn’t even tell you she was born. Now I’m putting you at risk for my own weakness—truly, I’m sorry."

"What… you were… weak, Ghislaine?"

"Yes. My master was exasperated, and I nearly lost to Wi-Taa earlier. Even though he’s skilled, had I restrained him, you wouldn’t have been cut, and everyone except Ober could have been wiped out."

I guess that makes sense. You can’t continue sword training with a child needing constant attention. I still intended to rely on her as always, but she clearly had her own concerns.

"But you’ve accepted the young ladies, and even now, you fight with your life on the line. Eris-sama and Edit have prioritized avenging Lord Sauros. The one without resolve was me. Whatever orders come, I will trust and obey you."

Ghislaine, who had been watching over Eris all along, had been worrying in her own way. If I were in her position, I wouldn’t have the confidence to part with Edit. Yet she trusted me enough to say all this.

I’m still scared of killing someone, hesitant and hesitant. But knowing I wouldn’t be fighting alone, just to kill—that alone brought me relief.

After a while, we bowed to each other and rejoined Ariel and the others, confessing Orsted’s involvement and apologizing. As Luke said, almost everyone already knew, so they forgave us easily. I really realized that you shouldn’t shoulder everything alone.

Finally, there was a minor dispute when Ariel wanted to witness Orsted’s persuasion, and in the end, Luke and Eris accompanied as guards.

Ariel nearly fainted in shock at seeing Orsted, saying she’d practically submit to him as a subordinate, leaving Luke rolling his eyes in frustration. But overall, the discussion went peacefully.

I apologized for my recent outbursts and asked for Pilemon’s life to be spared, which was also accepted without issue. The whole group seemed casual, almost indifferent, as if saying “do as you like”—did I make them sulk?

"That aside… if there’s someone that strong, please say so beforehand. Even a single royal-class swordsman makes a huge difference."

"…Yeah, we’ll be careful from next time."

Although we’d been tossed around by these pre-departure matters, all the opaque or uncertain elements in our camp are now gone. You could say it’s a clean, white, and at-home ideal workplace.

Tomorrow, we’ll show our faces at the bandits’ hideout for preparatory work. Luke and Ariel’s attendants will give me a thoroughly exhausted look, but we’ll have to get them used to acting based on future knowledge.