Chapter 22

This is a third-person narrative.

I was unsure how to proceed, as I was told that providing too much detail would leave no room for imagination.

"You let him go. You sent Noah to the capital."

Veronica said quietly.

Randolph nodded without a word.

She smiled sadly.

When Randolph took Noah in, the boy was on the brink of death.

He had lost his mother and soon after, fell into a high fever of unknown origin that lasted for days.

Left alone at such a young age, he had not even known about his father's death.

Randolph honestly thought the boy wouldn't last long.

Despite the diligent care from Nigel and the doting Veronica, there were no signs of recovery.

Noah's body was so weak that it was a miracle he had survived this long.

However, Noah persevered.

The fever gradually subsided, his consciousness became clearer, and he was eventually able to get up.

Randolph had something important to tell Noah.

It was about his father's death.

Veronica opposed, saying it could wait, but Randolph couldn't keep it from him forever.

When Randolph told Noah about his father's final moments, Noah was clearly shocked.

"It's a lie... Father isn't dead..."

Noah was confused.

The doctor said it was due to memory confusion from being bedridden for two months.

The doctor was right, but no one realized that Noah's memories from his previous life and this one were mixing together.

After a while, Noah regained his composure.

When Randolph offered for him to live in the castle, Noah thanked him politely.

Randolph thought Noah's parents had raised him well.

Noah also thanked Veronica and Nigel.

At that moment, Randolph realized that Noah was more than just a well-mannered child.

Randolph was a meritocrat. He used those who were useful, including beastmen, but he didn't give them special treatment.

Noah's father was the same.

If there was money or profit, he would do business with beastmen. Children learn by imitating adults.

Noah had been learning the business from his father.

He must have had opportunities to feel the discrimination against beastmen from other humans.

Despite this, Noah could sincerely thank Nigel.

When Randolph decided to take care of Noah, he had the same mindset as the merchants who wanted to take him in.

A person with skills is valuable. So, he thought, educate him and keep him close.

That's what he thought.

As time passed, Randolph got to know Noah's character, and his mindset gradually changed.

When he let Noah learn from Veronica, he discovered that Noah was exceptionally intelligent.

Noah quickly learned arithmetic, didn't ask to play outside, and eagerly studied the flow of goods.

Perhaps he had heard that Randolph was a meritocrat, as Noah became more proactive in showing what he could do.

His continuous learning without wasting a moment made Randolph feel that Noah was desperately trying to find his place.

It was too early for Noah to overcome the loss of his parents. He should grow more slowly.

When asked if he was overworking himself, Noah said he was fine.

Seeing how unhealthy Noah looked, Randolph told Nigel to take him outside for exercise.

Noah's talent surprised Randolph again.

Randolph wanted Noah to enjoy playing outside, but Nigel interpreted it differently.

Nigel thought Randolph meant to train Noah.

Nigel had no ill intentions.

He knew the joy of physical activity but didn't know the kind of play that children enjoy.

When Randolph realized his mistake, Noah was swinging a wooden sword.

Noah didn't complain and trained his body.

Noah learned to move his body efficiently, surprising Nigel.

It was a method of absorption without waste, possible only because Noah knew how to level up.

By this point, Randolph began to consider raising Noah as his successor.

Noah had always called Randolph "My Lord."

Randolph, who had started feeling uncomfortable with this title, told Noah that formalities weren't necessary.

From that day on, Noah called Randolph "Uncle" in private.

Randolph was surprised to realize he had been hoping Noah would call him "Father."

Randolph had a lovely daughter.

His wife had died shortly after giving birth to her.

Chris was a lively child.

She was the complete opposite of Noah. She disliked wearing skirts and loved riding horses.

There were few children of her age in the castle, and while she initially teased Noah, she eventually got bored of his constant studying and stopped talking to him.

Noah, in turn, interacted with her politely to avoid offending the daughter of the Earl.

As they grew, and Chris began to be aware of her gender, Veronica dressed her in a dress and presented her to everyone in the castle.

Everyone said it suited her, but Chris realized it didn't.

At this moment, Randolph asked Noah for his opinion.

Chris, embarrassed, thought Noah would say something insincere like everyone else and turned away.

"You have such beautiful hair. It would look even better if you let it grow longer. Then you'd be even cuter," Noah said, looking troubled.

Chris, who prioritized ease of movement, had shorter hair than most noble girls.

Noah's words resonated with Chris.

Even if it was a compliment, she was happy to be praised for her hair, which reminded her of her mother.

From then on, Chris became much more reserved.

Randolph was pleased, thinking she had finally developed a sense of herself as a girl, and his resolve to make Noah his successor grew stronger.

Then, the "Fimbulvetr" began abruptly.

The frequency of monster appearances increased, and reports of damage came in from everywhere.

The Dark Age had begun.

It was unclear when the Dark Age would come, but the last one was about ten years ago.

The castle, which had been a supply hub, was about to become a front line.

Chris said she would stay in the castle.

Randolph refused. Her presence wouldn't change the situation, and no one would want to put their precious daughter on the battlefield.

Noah calmed Chris down.

He said that if she were there, Randolph wouldn't be able to fight calmly.

Chris seemed to understand Noah's words.

Randolph, feeling reassured, entrusted Chris to Noah.

He thought Noah was the only one who could stop Chris from rushing to the battlefield on her own.

To Randolph, Noah's attitude showed that he understood his own capabilities and could make calm judgments.

Noah, embarrassed, said he was just afraid of fighting, but Randolph didn't lower his evaluation of him.

Being afraid of the battlefield wasn't a bad thing.

Rushing in recklessly without experience was foolish.

Noah's true value would be shown in trade, not on the battlefield.

When Randolph went to the battlefield, it was like a quagmire.

The relentless monster attacks created a desperate atmosphere.

He wanted something to change this atmosphere.

Randolph made a decision.

He would abandon the conventional way of fighting.

Even if it meant tarnishing his reputation, he had to survive here.

He gave command to the beastmen and formed a unit of only beastmen.

Until then, beastmen had been used as expendable front-line troops.

They were never used in groups to prevent rebellion.

Breaking this unwritten rule, Randolph gave command to the beastmen.

Nigel, who had recently shown great improvement, was one of them and led a squad.

Seeing Noah, Randolph also decided to trust the beastmen.

Randolph's strategy worked. The beastmen, fighting as a group, showed several times their individual strength and changed the atmosphere of the battlefield.

Nigel's squad, in particular, performed admirably. They had injuries but no fatalities.

It was almost miraculous.

The human side, regaining momentum, slowly pushed back the waves of monsters.

The Dark Age ended while they were doing this.

Nigel returned safely, though he had a wound on his forehead but no limbs were lost.

After everything was over, Randolph spoke to Nigel.

He said he was glad he was safe.

Nigel said he didn't quite understand it himself. It felt like he was being protected by something.

Unlike the joyful Chris, Noah didn't seem to be able to genuinely celebrate the return of the injured.

Still, his sincere relief that everyone was safe was felt by those who had fought.

The castle was repaired to be livable again, but the damage from this Dark Age made Essex Castle a border fortress.

Randolph, recognized for his contributions during the "Fimbulvetr," was granted the position of border lord.

As the castle was being renovated into a fortress, Randolph asked Noah if he would become his adopted son.

Noah shook his head.

He was grateful for the care he had received and wanted to repay the favor, but he didn't have the talent to fight. He couldn't take on the responsibility of others' lives and live like Randolph.

Randolph thought Noah had no interest in power.

The favor had already been repaid by Noah's skills.

The ability to value human life was what those in power should have.

Veronica said there was no need to decide now.

She, who had doted on Noah, knew his kindness and didn't want to burden him with it.

After much discussion, Noah said he would go out on his own and left the castle.

Randolph, thinking it was necessary for him to know the world, did not oppose.

Noah had no interest in power.

He had no desire for material possessions or money.

From the letters and inquiries to his branch manager, it seemed he worked diligently every day and occasionally helped people.

With Noah's skills, he could have created wealth like his father or easily obtained what he wanted.

Randolph was worried about Noah, who showed no interest in anything.

He kept his distance from everyone and didn't form any special relationships.

He always smiled ambiguously, and one wondered if anyone had ever seen him angry.

Would he just disappear one day?

About two years after Noah left, the branch manager mentioned Noah's skills.

Reading the letter from the branch manager, Randolph felt a long-standing question had been answered.

Calling Noah, Randolph introduced him to the former king, feeling guilty.

He had said that if Noah ever ran away, he wouldn't consider it a betrayal, out of fear of being called a traitor himself.

By saying this, he thought Noah wouldn't be able to run away.

He had taken advantage of Noah's kindness.

Randolph believed Noah could leave the country without anyone knowing and survive.

He genuinely thought he would never see him again.

At the same time, he truly wanted Noah to find joy in life.

He wanted to use Noah's sense of justice, which led him to help people despite his aversion to fighting.

Perhaps he could find it in the capital.

Randolph and Veronica wished for Noah's growth and hoped that one day, the castle would be a place he could return to, as they thought of Noah's journey to the capital.

2015/01/11 Revised