CH 85

Those who survived

Translated by SoundOfDestiny

Edited by Zil

“Ugh …… here it is ……”

Groaning, Justy Oigist slowly opens his eyelids.

His body was heavy and he could not move as he wished. It was as if he had iron balls strapped to his arms and legs.

It seems that Justy is lying on a bed.

His upper body was naked and his shoulders were bandaged. When he touched it with his hand, he felt a sharp throbbing pain.

“So ……I lost the duel…….”

“I see you’re awake, Justy.”

“Mm……?”

A voice from beside him, as he looked over and saw a small boy sitting on a chair next to the bed.

The lack of glasses made it difficult for him to see the small boy properly. When Justy was searching something around his bedside by hand, his glasses were pressed against his face.

He looked at him through the lenses. The face of the boy sitting there with his arms and legs crossed, looking very unhappy, was familiar to him.

It was Sven Arbeil, a nobleman from the eastern border, like Justy.

“….. Sven? You’re looking better.”

“Yes, unlike you. It seems that the curse you received from His Highness has not completely worn off, so you shouldn’t move too much. And ……”

“Ngu!”

“You need to rehydrate a little. I’ll give you a drink.”

Sven shoved a jug of water into Justy’s mouth with a disdainful look in his eyes.

Justy slammed down on the bed in agony as the water was forcefully poured into his mouth.

Normally, he would have been able to push him away, but since he still has the curse, almost wounded state, he could not even shake off Sven’s thin arms.

Eventually, when the jug was half empty and the water was soaking the bed sheets, Sven let Justy go.

“Bwah…… haaa …… haaa ……, pain ……!”

“Isn’t suffering a sign of life? I’m glad we’re both still alive.”

“Yes, we are……”

Justy was the loser of the duel. He was in no position to complain if he had lost his life.

Sven was also a loser of the war against the Empire, and if he was unlucky, he could have been killed.

It was a wonder that both of them were still alive, and it was difficult for them to even see each other.

Justy closed his eyes and was silent for a while, but then he opened his mouth.

“I’m so glad you’re okay. And I’m sorry, I couldn’t be there when the Earls of Arbeil were in danger.”

“It’s nothing for you to worry about. I’ve heard that you are also opposed to the Barons of Oigist turning to the Empire.

“Still, it makes no difference that the Oigist have betrayed you. If you want revenge, you may take him or me down.”

“No way. I’ve had my fill of revenge.”

Sven held out his hands in a jocular manner.

Viscount Ulfert, the man who had sold out the Arbeil family, hadn’t looked sorry, so why should Justy, who had nothing to do with it, have to apologise to him?

“More importantly, ……, it’s time you told us. Why did you challenge His Highness Raidorl to a duel?”

“ Mmm……”

“You didn’t really just want to fight a holy sword holder, did you? You muscular glasses..

“You can’t talk to me like that…….”

“…….”

Justy sighs and averts his gaze from Sven, who stares at him with fixed eyes.

“Of course, as a warrior, I wanted to fight the hero, His Highness Prince Raidorl. But I did it because I thought it was necessary for the survival of the Oigist barony”

Justy began to speak in a slow tone.

He lay down on the bed again and relaxed his body, which was still under the curse.

“When I heard that His Highness had hired you, I knew at once that he was trying to create his own faction and that he was looking for talented people.” 

No matter how intelligent he was, Sven was still a boy of twelve.

It would have been impossible to take him as a vassal or a military strategist.

The fact that Raidorl took the trouble to take Sven under his wing shows that he is a man of merit, and that he is greedy for talent.

“…… So you were trying to show your power by fighting in a duel?　Was there no other way?”

“There might have been. But I am only a warrior. But I am only a warrior and I can only open up the future with my spear. There is no other way to live.”

“……You’re smart, but at the same time you’re an idiot too, and I hate that. You could have died horribly, you know?”

“It is better to be a rust of a hero’s sword than to live out your life as a renegade who has turned against your country. And if, by any chance, His Highness Raidorl is capable of being defeated by me, I have no intention of serving him. And I will not help you in your treason against the king.”

“…… So you’ve noticed. You knew, didn’t you, that His Royal Highness Raidorl was planning to rebel against King Granard?”

“Of course. A man who was once expelled from the royal palace is trying to form a faction with his army. I can’t think of any purpose other than rebellion.”

Sven smiled, saying nothing.

“…… I gave up my life once anyway. I would like to be a part of His Highness’ ambition. That is, of course, if his Highness accepts to spare my life.”

“That’s not a problem. His Royal Highness, Prince Raidorl, is a man of deep pockets. He even lets a foolish child who tries to seduce him off the hook.”

“…… What are you talking about?”

“Well…you’ll have to ask His Highness to tell you. And don’t worry,I’m more senior than you, so I’ll work you like a horse and cart.”

Sven laughed mockingly and looked down at the younger man lying on the bed.

And so it came to pass that the Barony of Oigist was also placed under the control of Raidorl’s army.

There are only three traitors left in the Eight Eastern Houses. The battle to purge the eastern border region was nearing its final stages.

(TL:Princess Slaughter of Ilkas,here we come)