Chapter 54

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

* * *

Joseph was staying at an inn near the casino.

He led us to his room, offered a chair, and sat down across from my father.

"Since you've pulled me out of the casino as promised, I'll listen to what you have to say. Who sent you?"

"I'll tell you later."

"Well, fine. Let's hear your business first. But it'll be a waste of time. I have no intention of returning to the system, nor do I want to get involved in the power struggles of the elite."

Joseph looked at my father with a sharp but gloomy gaze.

Joseph Ruttman.

He was a noble of low standing but had a great reputation.

He was smart.

He lived a life that many envied, serving as a strategist for the powerful.

"There seem to be many people looking for the viscount besides me."

"That's true. This country has many wars, and the balance of power changes constantly. In my youth, I survived by reading the flow of power, parasitizing on the powerful."

Joseph spoke with self-mockery.

He called it a meager talent... but the Joseph I knew had even greater skills.

His ability to read the flow of power faster than anyone else.

His expertise in public opinion, propaganda, and identifying the talents my father needed.

"But I realized it was all futile. In the past, I was obsessed with fattening myself by giving advice to the elite..."

He had a past where he lost his daughter and wife in a power struggle.

"...It was all futile."

Joseph's eyes, filled with bitterness, met mine, sitting on my father's lap.

'Probably because of similar pain, he decided to help my father in the original story. My father also lost a daughter.'

When our eyes met, Joseph's face looked very sad.

"I understand the viscount's intentions. The reason I'm here is, I'm sorry, but it's not much different from what you might guess. I want your help."

"Of course. Go back. I'm tired now."

"I didn't plan to stay long anyway. I'll stay for two days. During that time—"

My father looked at Joseph with clear eyes and added,

"Please listen to my story."

* * *

Their conversation continued for a long time until the sun set.

I was drawing pictures on the ground with a stick at the inn's first floor.

"What are you doing?"

"Huh?"

It was Joseph. His cheeks were gaunt after just half a day of dealing with my father.

"I was drawing. Did you finish talking with Dad?"

"No. It doesn't seem to be ending, so I came out to get some fresh air."

"I see. My dad is nice, isn't he?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

Joseph chuckled and added,

"Is he crazy?"

I laughed out loud.

Joseph sat next to me. He looked at the three people I drew in the dirt and asked,

"Is this your family? The small one in the middle is you, and the others are your dad and mom?"

"No. The one in the middle is me, the one on the left is my dad, and the one on the right is you."

"Me?"

"Yes!"

Joseph laughed, looking surprised.

"Kid, did your dad tell you to do this? To make me feel soft-hearted?"

"No."

"But you did act, didn't you? When you played poker, you followed what your dad told you."

"I did act, but Dad didn't tell me to. It was the first time Dad played poker. I told him a few things."

"Really?"

I chuckled.

"Your hand was a flush, so I thought you'd win. I knew Dad's hand from the start."

Joseph's eyes widened as I spoke.

"Really? You got a hard-to-get hand early on? And neither of you showed any signs in your expressions?"

"Well, if I had shown how happy I was with a good hand, you would have noticed and gone all in, right? In poker, a poker face is very important."

"Huh?"

Joseph, who was flabbergasted, soon laughed bitterly and patted my head.

"You're a very smart kid."

"..."

"If you were born into a prominent family, it would have been better. What good is it for a commoner to be smart? It's a pity."

"Are you not going back to the system?"

"Yeah."

"Why not? Did you not like what my dad said?"

"What did your dad say to you?"

"No, I don't know much. I just know that... my dad wants to be friends with you."

"Hmm, I see. This might sound unpleasant, but your dad is really crazy."

Joseph clicked his tongue.

"It wasn't what I expected. I thought a noble sent you to team up and make a big score."

Start a rebellion!

Give me your strength!

Something like that. A smart person like Joseph would have been shocked.

It must have felt like talking to a crazy moth.

"Kid."

"Yes."

"Whoever your master is, it's a completely unrealistic story. Tell your dad to stop getting involved in their affairs. You might get in danger too."

"My dad can do it. I believe in him."

"..."

For some reason, Joseph didn't respond.

I stopped drawing and turned to him, surprised.

Joseph's eyes were red, and tears were welling up.

"Ah, Uncle? Are you crying?"

"..."

"Why? Don't cry."

Joseph shook his head.

"I'm sorry. I suddenly thought of my daughter. She used to say things just like you."

"..."

"Kid, I... I lost my family because of my mistakes."

"..."

"The world of the powerful is scary. I lost my wife and daughter as punishment for helping them."

"..."

"Now I deeply regret it. Why did I live like that? My poor daughter... I wish I could have seen her face for one more day, spent more time with her... I was a fool, not knowing what was important..."

"Uncle..."

"Sniff."

Joseph sobbed bitterly.

I didn't know what to do, so I just held his hand tightly.

"Because I wasn't a powerful father... because I was born into a humble family... so, to make my daughter proud someday, to do that... I thought the path I was taking was right..."

"..."

"It wasn't. It wasn't right... My daughter, my wife, they didn't want that... They wanted a husband always by their side, a loving father... Yes, that's what they wanted..."

Joseph cried like a child for a long time.

Every time he looked at me, his tears grew stronger, as if he saw his daughter in me.

When he finally calmed down, I gently held his hand and comforted him.

"Look... Your family... they're probably praying for your happiness from heaven."

Joseph stared at me.

"Always playing cards and smoking... Your daughter would hate that."

"Yeah, she would."

Joseph smiled.

"If I were your daughter, I would pray every day. For my dad to do what he wants, to not be sick, to be happy."

"..."

"And to live a long, healthy life and meet my dad in heaven later!"

I laughed and raised my hands in a victory sign.

"Like that."

Joseph stared at me blankly.

I stood up and gently hugged his small, hunched shoulders.

"I know. I always wish for my dad's happiness, so I think your daughter would wish for your happiness too."

"..."

"Stay healthy and be happy, Uncle. Try to quit smoking a bit."

Joseph closed his eyes tightly.

Soon, he held back his tears and hugged me, smiling.

"...Thanks, kid."

* * *

Two days passed.

The day the father and daughter returned to the system.

James asked Joseph, who was seeing them off to the warp gate at the Baltear Temple,

"Have you changed your mind?"

"No, I haven't."

After listening to the crazy talk about starting a rebellion, Joseph felt like he was going crazy.

After a few steps, James asked again,

"Still haven't changed your mind?"

"Hey, it hasn't been a minute since I last answered!"

Joseph glared at James, annoyed.

He listened to this crazy man for two days because of his daughter, Liris.

Spending time with Liris, talking nonsense, eating together, and playing with her was quite enjoyable.

"Uncle, I have something for you."

"What is it?"

Liris handed him a small rabbit doll.

"It's something I cherish... Keep it and give it to Ella when you meet her!"

"Wow, really."

He almost cried again.

Joseph took the doll and patted Liris's head.

"Even after seeing my cute daughter, you didn't change your mind?"

"Shut up, will you?"

Joseph glared at James, annoyed.

"By the way, the warp gate can't be used by just any family. Your master must be in a high position, right?"

James just smiled.

'He's not stupid, but why does he live so easily? A protruding stone gets hit.'

Joseph looked at the seemingly carefree James and clicked his tongue.

While thinking,

'If I were to prepare for a rebellion, I'd need to win over the lords in the regions first. There are many who resent the royal family, so it wouldn't be hard to persuade them. It just takes time and money.'

He thought again,

'The problem is the arrogant central figures. I need to capture the key figures in the middle class, not the upper class. I also need to make contact with the neutral Magic Tower. And...'

Joseph burst out laughing, finding it absurd.

Was it a professional habit?

Or did he go crazy from listening to James's crazy talk?

Why was he drawing this impossible picture?

'If a family strong enough to challenge the royal family doesn't lend a hand, it's a picture that can't even be attempted.'

Still, he kept thinking, as if it were a professional habit.

'But if I were to dream... who could there be?'

'Rubenstein, perhaps? But would that old man fight at his age? It's a ridiculous idea. Then his son? ...Right, he deserted. A crazy guy.'

Joseph laughed and put an X in his mind.

Rebellion success rate: 0%

Absolutely impossible XX

"Really, you haven't changed your mind..."

"Take care."

At the firm answer, James, standing in front of the warp gate, scratched his head.

He looked pitiful, so Joseph sighed and said,

"There's no possibility, but if I go a little crazy and change my mind someday, I'll come to you."

"That's a kind word."

"Tell me where to go. Who is your master, who's just full of hot air?"

James laughed awkwardly and picked up Liris.

At the same time, his appearance changed.

"..."

Glorious silver hair.

Clear, shining blue eyes.

Joseph's mouth dropped open.

'What, he's a capable person? No, then he's not a subordinate but the crazy noble himself?'

Enoch said to the surprised Joseph,

"I'll be waiting for you to change your mind. Come to the Rubenstein Duke's family."

"Uncle, bye-bye!"

And they disappeared through the warp gate in a flash.

"Ah, no..."

What is this?

Joseph's mouth slowly opened as he tried to understand the situation.

"What's going on...?"