Chapter 13

Chapter 13

One does not become a great swordsman with their eyes!

Nevertheless, Rian made him endlessly look forward to something and made him support the kid with all his heart.

Here, take this.

Kite handed his sword to Rian.

Rian didnt know what his teacher wanted him to do with the sword in particular, but he understood his intentions.

Rian would have to risk his own life if he wanted to solve this situation.

If you decide to go to the mansion with this sword, Ill let you go. But dont make a step if youre not determined enough. It will only make things worse. This situation is already out of your control.

Master.

While looking at Kite with fierce eyes, Rian smiled.

As he bowed his head down politely, he held out his hands and grabbed the sword from Kite in silence.

Thank you. I will never forget this favor.

Remember, abandoning a friend is equivalent to abandoning another you. Dont you dare half-ass this.

Yes!

With a stern nod, Rian ran to the manion with a sword strapped on his waist.

There was nostalgia in Kites eyes.

My part is over!

Although the time to say goodbye was short, he was happy he was able to leave his mark.

May the future of my student be filled with good fortune.

* * *

The atmosphere inside the mansion was cold.

All work stopped momentarily, and the male servants and maids kept their mouths shut.

Louis, the head butler, wiped his glasses behind the sofa where the immediate family members were sitting.

Next to him, Temuran, the deputy butler, was staring at Shirone, his stress plain for all to see.

He was kneeling under all the gazes of hostility and contempt.

He felt like he was standing in the middle of a Colosseum.

Report, head butler.

Yes, my Lord. Shirone, a servant hired by Temuran, is accused of damaging the prestige of the Ogent family during his year-and-a-half-long stay here. The workers have witnessed the youngest young master and Shirone mingling, and I also heard Shirone talking to him carelessly. Attached are the testimonies of the workers in regards to the case. Temuran wrote for them.

As Bischoff silently raised his hand back, Louis passed the document into his hand.

Flap! Flap! While the papers were turning, Reina sneakily went up to Shirone.

Shirone, dont worry too much. Ill try and convince my dad. Nothings going to happen.

Contrary to expectations, Shirone looked so calm that it gave Reina chills.

Not a speck of anxiety was seen in his eyes.

He was not pretending to be calm! He really is looking at the situation calmly!

Shirone was not afraid.

This was because the future was just full of possible outcomes. Nothing had been decided yet.

After looking through the file, Bischoff spoke.

With a cold impression along with his pitch-black hair, he had the power to petrify with his words alone.

Shirone Arian, is what is written in this file true?

Dad, Shirone and Rian

Reina, I did not ask you. Ill give you a chance to speak. Stay quiet for now.

Reina knew this was not gonna be easy.

Bischoff, a logical man who followed fundamental principles, was not a person who could be persuaded through mere emotions.

Shirone opened his mouth.

I would like to ask a question.

All the servants who were watching were surprised at how composed Shirone was. However, it did not phase Bischoff one bit.

Tell me.

Bischoff burned his bridge.

To kick out his own son.

Not only the servants, but also the members of the Ogent family were shocked at the last remark.

But Rian didnt budge.

Instead, he answered politely with unprecedented courtesy, as if building a wall between him and Bischoff.

If thats the only way to protect my friend, Ill happily leave.

BANG!

Bischoff slammed his foot onto the floor.

Unacceptable. A mere 16-year-old surviving an ostracism?

That foolishness of his His rude, mannerless actions Hes only unreasonable due to the fact that I am his father.

Then draw your sword. To be ostracized means to be abandoned by your family. If your friend is really worth the fight, then you must risk your life.

Rian drew his sword without a word. The action angered Bischoff even more.

Are you really planning on pointing your sword at me, your father?

Its not pointed towards you, father. You dont believe me, so I have no choice but to do this. I draw my sword because I believe in myself and my decisions.

Since when did you cherish your friends? You never once made connections with other aristocrats your age. You said it was because they were dazzling in your eyes. Youre only friends with this commoner because he doesnt shine. Because he is lower than you.

For the first time, you are wrong, father. Shirone is a friend who shines brighter than me. I want to help Shirone shine even brighter.

Bischoff was despondent.

What did this Shirone do to dazzle his naive son to such a degree?

Is it you? Did you make Rian like that? How did you persuade him into believing that a commoner and a noble could be friends?

Shirone spoke.

Although I did not persuade him, since you think that is the case, maybe I did do something like persuasion.

Rian stood between the two.

Shirone, stay quiet. Ill take care of it. No matter what happens to you

Rian.

Rian turned his head as Shirone spoke with a cold tone he had never heard him use before. Shirone was staring straight at him.

You are responsible for what you are responsible for.

Not only the family, but Rian, too, felt chills at the impassive words that were comparable to Bischoffs.

Huh? W-Well, yes. Of course.

But you dont have to take responsibility for things that you shouldnt be responsible for. This situation was created by the two of us. Well just have to get through it together.

Shirone looked back at Rian and smiled.

Even if I die on this spot, I dont regret being your friend.

Silence ensued.

Not only the servants, but also the members of the Ogent family couldnt help but turn solemn in the moment.

And for Rian, it was like pouring fuel into an already burning flame.

Yeah! Thats exactly what Im saying! Even if Im ostracized, well still remain friends!

The servants started to murmur amongst themselves.

They were cynical at first, but now they couldnt figure out who to side with.

Reina, who was resting her chin using the back of her hand, smiled.

You are really amazing, Shirone!

He silenced the adults with indisputable logic.

The reason why Shirones words could not be refuted was because they were all human beings. And all human beings had to deal with a thing called emotion.

Im sure everyone here has had a friend like Shirone. A person they wish they could be friends with forever.

The stone-cold logic of the Ogent family was also something that a human created. And as much as one would like to separate emotions from the equation, such a thing was simply not possible for humans.

Hes smart. In a sense, hes similar to dad.

Nevertheless, the reason why he didnt dislike Shirone was because sincerity preceded calculation.

Well, you never know. Thats the power of sincerity. It makes you want to believe. And Shirone definitely has that power.

Perhaps that was Shirones greatest weapon, Reina thought.