Dark Fantasy Normalized – Chapter 13

The day I leave the family.

The farewell party was supposed to be a small gathering.

Just the people who love me, coming together a little early in the morning.

So, I planned to sneak away alone at 3 AM, when Bendel would be at its quietest.

Those who weren’t invited to the farewell party might express late disappointment with cries of “The bastard has run away!”

I couldn’t care less.

It’s not like we would see each other again.

Or what? Should they organize a pursuit party?

As if a single bastard disappearing would matter?

It would be like proclaiming that a cockroach went out the window and spreading rumors around the neighborhood.

Thus, my farewell to the family would be conducted very shyly and wistfully.

“Say that one more time.”

“I said I would leave the family.”

The plans changed.

Suddenly, such thoughts crossed my mind.

Why should I—

Why should I leave secretly, as if fleeing?

I hadn’t committed any crime.

Everyone in Bendel openly displayed their discomfort towards my existence.

Isn’t it showing consideration if I just disappear on my own?

If there’s any conscience or sentiment, at least write me a heartfelt letter.

And above all—

I wanted to make it clear.

There was still something left to tie up with this man.

“…”

The lord quickly lost interest again and diverted his gaze from me.

He turned his attention back to the desk, showing the top of his head.

To this man, it seemed more shocking that his work temporarily paused than the declaration of a bastard wanting to leave.

“Looks like you were distracted because of Loera.”

“?”

Suddenly, the name of my younger sister was mentioned.

“It was only possible because of Loera. To leave the family’s embrace and stand tall alone without anyone’s help, thus elevating not only herself but the family’s name.”

I wondered what he was talking about.

It seemed the lord interpreted my declaration of leaving as a desire to leave the family like Loera and elevate my name as well.

“I understand what you’re trying to say.”

“If that’s the case, then step back.”

I did not step back and stared straight at the lord’s head.

As our gazes crossed, sparks seemed to fly.

“If the marriage with Diltan is successful, I’ll consider improving your treatment.”

It was then that I heard the lord’s voice, which felt less dry than usual.

“…”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

He was actually considering improving my treatment.

That was a type of statement hard to hear from him.

If I were my past self, awakened to previous life memories, wouldn’t I have been as delighted as a kid receiving a Christmas gift?

“So refrain from any more rash actions.”

It seemed the lord interpreted my chuckle that way, abruptly ending the conversation.

This is why people need to maintain eye contact during conversations.

Looking at how shallow the bond between the lord’s head and my eyes was proves that point.

I pondered.

How should I convey the not-so-easy news of the bastard entering puberty to the lord?

“Ah.”

Was it because the lord just mentioned Loera?

Suddenly, she came to mind.

Loera had once sought permission from the lord to leave the family like me.

She wouldn’t listen to words in the first place.

The lord had made one proposal in an attempt to deter Loera.

-If you win against our family’s apprentice knight in a duel, I’ll allow your departure.

-But if you lose, you must approach the training of the Bendel family with a more serious attitude from then on.

-What will you do?

Loera accepted it without hesitation.

And in front of everyone in the family, she won against the apprentice knight.

Not with a Bendel sword, but with the sword she had independently learned.

I remember the lord’s complex expression as he looked at Loera that day.

I remember how delighted he was at confirming his daughter’s remarkable talent.

I wonder.

If Loera were to change into a bastard, how would the lord react?

There’s no guarantee that a bastard would win against the Bendel apprentice knights.

In fact, it’s not just a guarantee; the likelihood of losing is vastly higher.

The apprentice knights are all seasoned warriors aiming for at least the rank of 3.

“Lord.”

But I had some faith.

“Please give me the same opportunity as Loera.”

“I told you clearly. Refrain from any more rash actions. You disappoint me.”

“I will duel with the apprentice knight like Loera did.”

“…”

Only then did the lord raise his eyes to regard me.

*

The mornings of the Bendel trainees begin as early as the household staff.

Here, in the training ground in front of the main building.

Normally, there is nothing more important to the trainees than training, but today is an exception.

No one was wielding swords.

Everyone had gathered at the corners of the training ground, eagerly awaiting someone’s arrival.

“Is it true that Ricir is dueling with Humpton? Can this even happen? I don’t know.”

“Is it just you who doesn’t know? Who else would know this?”

“Humpton’s going to have a rough time…”

“Humpton? Humpton? Come on, man. Even if we brought any apprentice knight, Ricir would easily overpower them.”

“What are you guys saying? Just get out of the apprentice mindset.”

“Exactly. It won’t even reach the apprentice level; this will settle among our trainees.”

“Hey, but still. Ricir is officially a Bendel.”

“Then who are you betting on if Ricir duels with Malcolm?”

“Ask away. Of course—… Hey, but just so you know. I’m pretty close with Malcolm.”

“Oh, our friend Malcolm. Who could hate that guy? If Ricir duels with Malcolm, we all know we have to bet on Malcolm anyway. Right?”

“Hehehe.”

A bastard versus an apprentice knight!

Such sensational news spread rapidly throughout the Bendel mansion.

Everyone in the Bendel mansion moved to witness the rare spectacle.

Even the busy staff at this hour, just as busy as the trainees.

“Ricir seems a bit off lately, doesn’t he?”

“I don’t really know.”

“I think Ricir’s… not pleasant. How do I put it? More prickly towards us uniquely?”

“I heard from another household that that person has been particularly like that.”

“That person?”

“You know, the bastard.”

“Ah…”

“Even when you just have low nobility, you’re looked down upon, so they vent their resentment on those beneath them.”

“Ugh. I get what you mean.”

“Really? That’s strange… He’s been kind to me…”

“Me too. He treated me with such familiarity! I’d never met a noble like that before.”

“Technically, they aren’t a noble, though…”

“You guys just came recently. You can talk like that because you don’t know. Do you know how sensitive Ricir used to be?”

“Eh? Were they different back then?”

“… well, they have changed a bit recently.”

“What do we do… I can’t bear to watch…”

“I hope Ricir wins.”

Most of the staff supported Ricir.

They were fond of the recently loosened noble, whoever he had become.

Also, given that they knew nothing about swords, their sentiments did not interfere.

“Hey, Yowen. What should I do about this? Give me some advice.”

“Why are you asking me?”

“Why, you had a similar experience back then.”

“Is that even comparable? Hey, my opponent was Lady Loera! Not some bastard who has never trained with a sword.”

A group of apprentice knights occupied one corner.

The atmosphere there was distinctly different from the excitement flowing through the rest of the training grounds.

Most of them viewed the duel with skepticism.

“Just take it easy, okay? Don’t hurt them for no reason. Even if they are a bastard, they’re still a Bendel.”

Their attitude towards Ricir was markedly different from that of the trainees.

It was only natural, as most of them were scions of other noble families.

Even if they were of a lower rank than Bendel, at least their blood remained pure.

Their noble standing was clearly higher than that of a bastard.

With their comments, Humpton, designated as Ricir’s opponent for the duel, sighed deeply, scratching his angular head.

He clearly wore a face showing his annoyance without trying to let the lord see it.

“What are we even doing? What wind blew in that wonderful Ricir to cause this uproar?”

“Is he trying to impress Lady Diltan?”

“Ah, there might be something to that.”

“But if he wants to impress his fiancée, shouldn’t he show her something impressive? Which idiot wants to let his fiancée see him getting his ass kicked?”

“Did the lord say anything? Like to be careful or something?”

“Right. He needs to polish the dusty goods.”

“No way, right?”

“What?”

“Actually, he said to put in full effort, didn’t he?”

“…Huh? What on earth is he thinking?”

“What a father, what a son.”

“Crazy. If you said that in front of the lord—”

At that moment.

“Oh, they’re here! They’ve arrived!”

“No way. Is it true? Are they really going to duel with an apprentice knight?”

The bastard appeared in the training ground.

The training ground began to buzz in earnest.

Soon after, the lord of Diltan and the lord of Bendel made their appearances.

The previously noisy training ground fell silent in an instant, leaving only a breathless tension lingering in the air.

*

Originally, Lord Idor of Bendel had two options.

To marry his youngest daughter Loera to the firstborn of Diltan, Kalon.

Or to marry the bastard Ricir to the youngest of Diltan, Pien.

Idor’s favored choice was the first.

Sending a bastard as a son-in-law to incur debt was less profitable for the family than sending off his youngest daughter to incur debt.

It was also how a father would view it.

He would finally be able to see that troublesome daughter marry and grow up, so he had some genuine expectations.

-I actively considered the proposal from Lord Bendel.

-If so?

-…However, I’m afraid I must decline.

-May I ask why?

-Our daughter is being particularly stubborn.

-The daughter you mean… Miss Pien?

-Exactly. For some unknown reason, our child seems completely infatuated with Ricir.

-Oh…

-It seems she got lost for a brief moment when she came to visit here in Hayeren. During that time, Ricir was very kind to her. She has harbored feelings for him ever since.

…And that is why Bendel spent time keeping Ricir company.

The emotions of an adolescent girl can ignite over trivial reasons and extinguish just as easily.

If many people were to witness Ricir lose here, even the darling of Diltan would likely have her infatuation broken.

“Dad!”

It was just before the duel began.

Loera approached Idor with a tone of reproach.

“Is this right!? You know about this! No, you know better than anyone that Ricir is struggling against the apprentice knight, let alone the trainees!”

“It was Ricir’s request.”

“You know that I’m not saying this!!! The rumor has already spread! The bastard is mimicking the Bendel lady!!! If Ricir loses here, Dad, you know how that will look for Ricir—”

“Loera.”

“…!”

It was rare.

Idor, usually a kind father, faced her with the stern expression of a lord.

“This is a matter of the family.”

“…”

A horrible sound came from Loera’s clenched fist, but ultimately, she couldn’t say anything.

No matter how much of a troublemaker she was, she couldn’t negate the authority of the lord, Idor, in such a public setting.

“…And this is also to comply with your request.”

Momentarily, Loera grasped the meaning behind Idor’s words and lowered her head helplessly.

*

“The duelists, take your places.”

Following the lord’s command, the two duelists stood on the training ground facing each other.

They were thirty paces apart.

“Hah…”

The short-haired man opposite the bastard, the apprentice knight Humpton, struggled to hide his dissatisfaction from the lord.

‘What the hell is this…’

Humpton felt the same way about dueling Ricir.

Knights honor strength.

And they honor honor.

There was nothing he could gain from dueling a bastard who was a novice in swordsmanship.

Moreover, Humpton felt humiliation in this situation.

“Ricir.”

“Yes, Humpton.”

The training ground was spacious.

The two spoke to each other in a tone barely audible.

“Is it true? That this duel was arranged at your request?”

“That’s how it turned out.”

“You do realize that designating an apprentice knight as your opponent is a direct insult to us apprentices?”

“Does it?”

“Think about the position of an adult who must earnestly contend with a child.”

“I believe if it’s a child I’m up against, I at least wouldn’t lose.”

“What in…”

“Are you both ready?”

Both nodded.

“Then let’s begin.”

The duel started.

Humpton swung his sword back and forth to loosen up.

Crack. Crack.

A sinister sound emanated from his thick arms.

He muttered quietly.

“I’ll yield the field.”

This wasn’t some last shred of conscience.

It looked better to overpower the charging bastard rather than knock the poor bastard down unreasonably.

“Then gladly. Oh, by the way, can I clarify one thing before we get underway? Generally, in a duel, all techniques and actions, including Bendel swordsmanship, are allowed. Am I correct in understanding this?”

“Whatever it is, feel free to unleash your abilities, Ricir.”

Humpton couldn’t help but smirk.

Such words came from the lips of a bastard without any notable skills. It was simply laughable.

“That’s a pleasant answer.”

Ricir gripped the sword and took a step forward.

Narrowing the distance.

Some of the apprentice knights and trainees hastily turned their heads away.

Such awkward footwork, such clumsy narrowing of distance.

It was almost hard not to burst out laughing.

“…”

Humpton could tell without looking.

It was evident that all his seniors, juniors, and peers were struggling to hold back their laughter at this duel.

Crack. Tread.

Humpton, who had mentioned yielding the field, finally took a step forward.

He did not assume a stance. He did not take up a proper posture.

Using any technique against someone like this would be a disgrace.

It felt like going to scold a child.

“…”

Ricir’s eyes sparkled.

He readied himself and put more strength into his legs.

With a whoosh—

Like a cavalryman, Ricir sprinted towards Humpton wielding his sword.

An overhead strike.

That was Ricir’s first blow.

“Damn it.”

Humpton could not contain his annoyance.

Setting the appalling posture aside, wasn’t Ricir too audacious to take such a large stance when there was still quite a distance left?

It was like saying, “hit me anywhere at your convenience.”

Humpton would gladly comply, but that would only leave the poor bastard looking even more pathetic.

Humpton steadfastly refused to assume any stance.

Simply swinging the sword with all his strength would suffice.

That alone would make the bastard drop the sword and fall on his face.

It was just then, as Humpton was finally about to swing his sword, Ricir lost his grip on the sword.

To be precise, he loosened the grip of one hand that was holding the sword.

To let go of what he had inside.

Thwack!

With a dull sound, Humpton’s face was thrown back violently.

“!?”

Humpton realized what was happening only a moment later.

Staring at the iron ball that had fallen next to him.

It had hit him squarely on the forehead after flying through the air.

Before he knew it, Ricir’s sword was pointed at Humpton’s neck.

“Magic!!!!”

Humpton bellowed, charging at Ricir.

“How dare you use such tricks in a duel!!!”

He found the timid bastard this time.

At least, that’s how he remembered it.

That timid bastard smiled charmingly and replied.

“I clearly mentioned that point before the duel, didn’t I?”

“You— you— pathetic!!!”

Knights and mages take immense pride in their affiliations.

Despite Ricir being a bastard, Humpton had shown him minimal respect because he knew Ricir was striving to earn recognition from Bendel.

And then, to use magic in a duel?

That was an act that tarnished not only his pride but Bendel’s name as well.

“How can someone bearing the name of Bendel— how can someone of Bendel— have no sense of pride!?”

“Why do I have to be Bendel?”

“…?”

Humpton’s response came in a defeated voice.

It was an answer he could have never expected.

The blazing rage within Humpton promptly fizzled out in the face of such simplicity.

His bloodshot eyes blinked repeatedly.

“I’ve never put the name Bendel in my life.”

“No—”

“And swordsmanship? What should I teach to brew with a sword or pour a drink with a sword?”

“…”

“You also laughed when you saw me take my stance. Ah. No worries. I won’t hold it against you. Sometimes I look in the mirror to correct my stance, and I chuckle at myself too.”

“…”

The apprentice knight merely blinked, stunned.

Ricir, the bastard speaking of his miserable circumstances, did not seek for understanding nor sympathy.

He simply wore a wry smile as if telling a poor joke.

It was clearly a behavior beyond Humpton’s mindset.

Ricir extended his hand to the apprentice knight.

Humpton, as if entranced, took his hand.

Then, Ricir lifted Humpton’s hand into the air.

“You were lucky. I did well too.”

With a cheerful smile devoid of any shadows.

“…”

Everyone present had a look on their faces just like Humpton’s.