Chapter 8
Elder Rouen’s Story of the Past
I am Rouen Beluga . Once a knight of the Clifford family before I went to serve the Schwarzer family .
I’ve served for decades since the predecessor Roberto-sama . Now pledging my life under the current lord Edgar-sama, I was entrusted with protecting the land in the North .
The northern part of the Schwarzer territory directly clashes with the Wolfgard Empire . Thus, it was also an important stronghold for the Holy Arcadia Empire .
Feeling worthy of being given such a great responsibility, I spend most of my days there .
It was… about 10 years ago during a stormy evening .
At that time, the Wolfgard decided to launch a huge offensive . The north has always been in tensions . Fortunately, I was able to repel them owing to the success of our own army and reinforcements from the capital, but should they come again… . I doubted that we could repeat this victory .
And then I… . even though still working as the guardian of the North, was recalled back to Romaria all of a sudden .
Such a sudden order… . . has something happened in Romaria? Or is it because the Imperial capital issued a seemingly impossible task for the lord……either way there was no other for me to find out other than to return .
Hurriedly, I rushed back to Romaria and headed to Edgar-sama’s mansion . Entering the mansion, there were Edgar-sama and his wife and the already gray haired, old knight with well-trained body and well-kept beard . Alberto, a childhood friend of mine who works as the guardian of the Romaria, was also seen there .
[Ho, Alberto, you are also being summoned . What is this all about?]
I was uncomfortable with such a heavy atmosphere . So I tried to lighten the mood . However . Alberto, who would usually respond with an equally cheerful tone, merely stared at me while keeping a serious face this time . From that, I realized that this was something really urgent . He didn’t even have the will to think about anything else .
And true to my thoughts, what Edgar-sama told us afterward… . . was an important thing concerning the survival of the Schwarzer house .
On that day, Alberto and I received new orders .
The order that was entrusted to Alberto… . no, from what I understand, I shouldn’t talk about it . Cause even a slight mistake could make his head fly off from his body .
And the order I received… . . was to become a confidant to Ares-sama who was still an adolescent at that time .
And the order I received… . . was to become a confidant to Ares-sama who was still an adolescent at that time .
I was told by Edgar-sama that Ares-sama possessed the memories of three different spirits . Therefore Milord told me to provide Ares-sama as much practical experience as possible, as this was also what the young lord wanted .
Ares-sama was 8 years old at that time . I was told that he’ll go to the Imperial Academy at the age of 12 . I didn’t know the details about the memory of the spirits yet, but the young lord should be nothing but a little chick at this time .
I questioned Edgar-sama’s decision on why would Milord want his son to see real battle . I couldn’t understand no matter how I think about it . An 8 year old seeing a real battle…isn’t that too cruel? Edgar-sama is a thoughtful lord . But I couldn’t help but to doubt… . his judgment this time .
However, Milord’s order is absolute . Therefore, during the four years until young lord would leave for Imperial Academy, I thought of giving him various kind of experiences as much as I could . And yet, at that time, I only thought to give the young lord [experiences fitting for a normal child] .
But the first time I met the young lord was when he was doing a sword training… . . and I knew how wrong I was when I became his training partner .
(Whwhat the… . . ? This pressure… . is this really coming from a mere 8 year old… . ??)
I’ve been a knight for decades . At one point, I’ve led thousands of soldiers and I have been through a lot of obstacles . I’ve fought with many fierce opponents . But, those can’t even compare .
(My, my body won’t move…!)
(My, my body won’t move…!)
In the end, I was the one being played with . No, Ares-sama was an intelligent person . He trained at a place that people rarely visits so when I lost, I was spared from the shame of being witnessed by others . Such a thing didn’t even cross my mind . It was my complete defeat .
Well then, I decided change my approach . No, I had no choice but to change my approach . Rather than treating the young lord as an 8 year old child, as much as possible, I should treat him as one of the knights and give more emphasis on letting him experience actual warfare .
Even the soldiers… . . convinced by the young lord’s att.i.tude, surprisingly started to obey him . A charisma that naturally attracted people to him… . . it’s like I was witnessing the rising of a ruler .
Ares-sama was really outstanding…no, I could go as far as saying that he’s already fitting to become our future lord . Overwhelming vigilance, accurate instruction, and intelligence that could make any enemy looks like a joke… .
In order to do that, after actual warfare, the young lord will always go as far as asking others for opinion and advice . He said that there is no definite way to [Truly understand what others really feel] so doing so would be a great way to learn… . . of course, there were times when I also wanted to know .
Yes, I didn’t only show him the experience unique to this land only . I let Ares-sama experience what it’s like to be a soldier by letting him live among the soldiers and not just war strategy and political affairs . When a heavy snow peculiar to the northern area fell, we shoveled the snow together with the soldiers and local residents . We learned a lot .
To let him understand the life of a commoner, I made him stay at one of the knights’ or soldiers’ home .
I personally felt that it was exciting everyday . Ares-sama also seemed to enjoy it . Even though he’s born an aristocrat, he actually enjoyed the hard black bread that the commoners eat .
Now then, from what you hear so far, you’d thought that Ares-sama is a brilliant person… . but he’s still a human . And is still but a boy nonetheless .
I personally felt that it was exciting everyday . Ares-sama also seemed to enjoy it . Even though he’s born an aristocrat, he actually enjoyed the hard black bread that the commoners eat .
Now then, from what you hear so far, you’d thought that Ares-sama is a brilliant person… . but he’s still a human . And is still but a boy nonetheless .
On our free time, we would go catching some insects together or taking a walk around the town… . that’s right, Ares-sama loves the snacks sold by the street food stall . We used to eat some together . He often visited my house . And he seems to like my wife’s stew as he always ate it merrily . He also sometimes helped with taking care of my grandchildren .
Also, this can’t be said loudly . But when we went camping, Ares-sama asked me to sleep alongside him since he couldn’t sleep . Our young lord surprisingly has a cute side .
…
Ares-sama is no different from my own grandchildren . Beyond my duty……I want to keep watching over him as [Family] .
Guardian of the North, the Schwarzer clan . When talking about the generals they can boast about, then the names of Rouen and Alberto would come to mind .
Rouen was famous as a great swordsman while Alberto was a master of twin daggers . Both are warriors worth a thousand soldiers, bearing great talent as commanders and have a great deal of achievements under their belt .
The two were known as [Schwarzer’s Twin Generals] and were feared by many including the Wolfgard Empire at the North . But only few knew about their day to day appearance… . . and that they prefer to live on the countryside far from luxury .
Elder Rouen s Story of the Past I am Rouen Beluga . Once a knight of the Clifford family before I went to serve the Schwarzer family . I ve served for decades since the predecessor Roberto sama . Now pledging my life under the current lord Edgar sama, I was entrusted with protecting the land in the North . The northern part of the Schwarzer territory directly clashes with the Wolfgard Empire . Thus, it was also an important stronghold for the Holy Arcadia Empire . Feeling worthy of being given such a great responsibility, I spend most of my days there . It was about 10 years ago during a stormy evening . At that time, the Wolfgard decided to launch a huge offensive . The north has always been in tensions . Fortunately, I was able to repel them owing to the success of our own army and reinforcements from the capital, but should they come again . I doubted that we could repeat this victory . And then I . even though still working as the guardian of the North, was recalled back to Romaria all of a sudden . Such a sudden order . . has something happened in Romaria Or is it because the Imperial capital issued a seemingly impossible task for the lord either way there was no other for me to find out other than to return . Hurriedly, I rushed back to Romaria and headed to Edgar sama s mansion . Entering the mansion, there were Edgar sama and his wife and the already gray haired, old knight with well trained body and well kept beard . Alberto, a childhood friend of mine who works as the guardian of the Romaria, was also seen there . Ho, Alberto, you are also being summoned . What is this all about I was uncomfortable with such a heavy atmosphere . So I tried to lighten the mood . However . Alberto, who would usually respond with an equally cheerful tone, merely stared at me while keeping a serious face this time . From that, I realized that this was something really urgent . He didn t even have the will to think about anything else . And true to my thoughts, what Edgar sama told us afterward . . was an important thing concerning the survival of the Schwarzer house . On that day, Alberto and I received new orders . The order that was entrusted to Alberto . no, from what I understand, I shouldn t talk about it . Cause even a slight mistake could make his head fly off from his body . And the order I received . . was to become a confidant to Ares sama who was still an adolescent at that time . I was told by Edgar sama that Ares sama possessed the memories of three different spirits . Therefore Milord told me to provide Ares sama as much practical experience as possible, as this was also what the young lord wanted . Ares sama was 8 years old at that time . I was told that he ll go to the Imperial Academy at the age of 12 . I didn t know the details about the memory of the spirits yet, but the young lord should be nothing but a little chick at this time . I questioned Edgar sama s decision on why would Milord want his son to see real battle . I couldn t understand no matter how I think about it . An 8 year old seeing a real battle isn t that too cruel Edgar sama is a thoughtful lord . But I couldn t help but to doubt . his judgment this time . However, Milord s order is absolute . Therefore, during the four years until young lord would leave for Imperial Academy, I thought of giving him various kind of experiences as much as I could . And yet, at that time, I only thought to give the young lord experiences fitting for a normal child . But the first time I met the young lord was when he was doing a sword training . . and I knew how wrong I was when I became his training partner . Wha what the . . This pressure . is this really coming from a mere 8 year old . I ve been a knight for decades . At one point, I ve led thousands of soldiers and I have been through a lot of obstacles . I ve fought with many fierce opponents . But, those can t even compare . My, my body won t move In the end, I was the one being played with . No, Ares sama was an intelligent person . He trained at a place that people rarely visits so when I lost, I was spared from the shame of being witnessed by others . Such a thing didn t even cross my mind . It was my complete defeat . Well then, I decided change my approach . No, I had no choice but to change my approach . Rather than treating the young lord as an 8 year old child, as much as possible, I should treat him as one of the knights and give more emphasis on letting him experience actual warfare . Even the soldiers . . convinced by the young lord s att.i.tude, surprisingly started to obey him . A charisma that naturally attracted people to him . . it s like I was witnessing the rising of a ruler . Ares sama was really outstanding no, I could go as far as saying that he s already fitting to become our future lord . Overwhelming vigilance, accurate instruction, and intelligence that could make any enemy looks like a joke . In order to do that, after actual warfare, the young lord will always go as far as asking others for opinion and advice . He said that there is no definite way to Truly understand what others really feel so doing so would be a great way to learn . . of course, there were times when I also wanted to know . Yes, I didn t only show him the experience unique to this land only . I let Ares sama experience what it s like to be a soldier by letting him live among the soldiers and not just war strategy and political affairs . When a heavy snow peculiar to the northern area fell, we shoveled the snow together with the soldiers and local residents . We learned a lot . To let him understand the life of a commoner, I made him stay at one of the knights or soldiers home . I personally felt that it was exciting everyday . Ares sama also seemed to enjoy it . Even though he s born an aristocrat, he actually enjoyed the hard black bread that the commoners eat . Now then, from what you hear so far, you d thought that Ares sama is a brilliant person . but he s still a human . And is still but a boy nonetheless . On our free time, we would go catching some insects together or taking a walk around the town . that s right, Ares sama loves the snacks sold by the street food stall . We used to eat some together . He often visited my house . And he seems to like my wife s stew as he always ate it merrily . He also sometimes helped with taking care of my grandchildren . Also, this can t be said loudly . But when we went camping, Ares sama asked me to sleep alongside him since he couldn t sleep . Our young lord surprisingly has a cute side . Ares sama is no different from my own grandchildren . Beyond my duty I want to keep watching over him as Family . Guardian of the North, the Schwarzer clan . When talking about the generals they can boast about, then the names of Rouen and Alberto would come to mind . Rouen was famous as a great swordsman while Alberto was a master of twin daggers . Both are warriors worth a thousand soldiers, bearing great talent as commanders and have a great deal of achievements under their belt . The two were known as Schwarzer s Twin Generals and were feared by many including the Wolfgard Empire at the North . But only few knew about their day to day appearance . . and that they prefer to live on the countryside far from luxury .