Tower of Karma

“My innards went cold l when I heard that Raconia had fallen.”

“Yes, yes. Kail was all nervous.”

“And you were crying.”

“I wasn´t crying.”

It had been a week and a little since Raconia had fallen. Al, who pretended to be Willian Rivius, came back to the capital, Arkas. After the order of retreat was given, Al and also the other soldiers of Raconia were sent back to the places they lived at in order to reorgarnize the army and also for resupplying their armament. Of course, Al would need to go back there after some time.

“Either way, cough*, it looks like you had bad luck. Well, if it is you, you should soon be recognized by your skills.”

Al smiled at Kail.

“Bad luck? Don´t joke, this was so lucky to me to the point that it is scary.”

“Lucky? Weren´t you caught up in a defeat?”

“Yes, it was quite the hopeless war. And because of that, the people that used to despise me also died. Because they lost many soldiers, there will be vacancy in the military positions. Well, the positions that will be opened up aren´t that much great… but it is still true that it is necessary for me to get the people on those positions to step aside so that I can have them.”

Al spread his arms.

“I won´t be promoted by having fought a lost war. However, this is much better than the s.h.i.tty drawn out method of building up achievements day after day. Do you know why, Kail, Havella?”

The two immediately shook their heads. It felt a bit disappointing to Al because of how they didn´t feel like trying to guess it.

“It is because after that defeat, the wars I will be sent to will be ones that will happen for the sake of winning. This is a matter of honour for them. Now that the balance of the contest for Raconia was broken, Arcadia will do its all to take it back.”

Kail clapped his hands together.

“I see. So this means you will get to go to wars that you will definitely win.”

Al wagged his finger to Kail, who had jumped into conclusions.

“It is not like we will be definitely winning those. I said it before, didn´t I? It is a question of honor. The other country will definitely prepare its forces for the war so that they can win. Now that Raconia was captured, from here out, it will become the so called cla.s.sical war between Arcadia and Ostoberg contesting for Raconia.”

There was no way for the lowly part of the populace Kail and Havella were part of to know about this, but the fact was that the true show really only started after Raconia would get captured. According to history, it has been close to ten years that Arcadia had maintained its control over Raconia. Capturing and recapturing the territory was a rivalry between the two countries based on the honor as fellow countries that were part of the “seven kingdoms”.

“It will be a war both won´t be conceding. It will become a huge war. If we lose the war, everything will go down the drain. However, if we win… there will be a bunch of opportunities for me. This is an once in a lifetime chance.”

From now on, any of their moves will be in a large scale. Even if Arcadia is to lose, the war will still be a great one, and with the expected vacancy in the positions, this will become a chance for the survivors. In case the war is won, the gains will be to the point that there will be no comparison. But even so, the chance of dying still wasn´t zero.

“Going hunting after some gr.i.m.m.i.n.g small fries won´t be of any use. It needs to be in heads. I need to take the heads of big shots. Only then I will get promoted!”

“Well, I don´t know well about war. However, you should still take care.”

Kail said in a warning tone to Al, who was starting to get excited.

“It will be that much of a big war. There might be guys that are stronger than me. No, there will definitely be. You will be fighting guys of that kind.”

“I can´t feel any difference even by you saying that.”

Being warned about the war, Al lost his excitement. Kail showed a wry smile.

“That´s right… There should be people you would feel this kind of shiver from.”

Suddenly, Al felt a chill in his back. Al´s skin became full of gooseb.u.mps. It was the same feeling he had felt at that time…

“Don´t go. You should be able to understand that. One day, you will become capable of winning against guys like that. However, the you of right now won´t be able to.”

What Al was feeling right now wasn´t something rational. It wasn´t something that made sense. However, Al could understand. He could feel the disparity between him and the man in front of his eyes. That man was the one warning him about the war. He needed to consider those words. More than anything, Al´s own instincts were also telling him that he wouldn´t be able to survive, which confirmed what Kail had said.

“I understand. I won´t go for them.”

Al took a pose of resignation. Seeing that, Kail smiled.

“By the  way, Al, where are you staying? Do you have somewhere to stay?”

Al lost the rights of the house he used to own together with his ident.i.ty as Al, a freed slave that [died by burning to death]. Right now, another person was living there. Al also didn´t feel like returning there either. If he was to do that, the fact that Al, who he was able to have dead after all the troubles, was still alive would get exposed.

“If you don´t have anywhere to stay at, I can let you stay on mine. I live by myself, so there is nothing to worry about.”

“”No, I would be worried about it. For many reasons.””

Both Al and Kail´s had the same thoughts in their mind. The three friends were soon going to be adults. There were many things that could happen between a man and a woman.

“It has the s.p.a.ce for three people. It isn´t that big though.”

Havella indirectly revealed that both her parents had died, but neither Al nor Kail became that much worried about it. To Havella, parents weren´t an existence one was supposed to love. She didn´t love them. They only raised Havella so their lineage wouldn´t die out, and except for that, they didn´t want much with her. For all the love she lacked, Al and Kail replaced it with theirs.

“Sorry for having you guys take care of me so much. Well, but for now, I already have a place to stay.”

Havella dropped her shoulders in disappointment. But even so, as to be expected, her expression didn´t change even the slightest at that time.

“Where is it?”

“I will be staying at the house of an acquaintance. Even though I tried to refuse… I was pressed on with that.”

The instant Kail heard that Al had an acquaintance, his face became bright, and Havella frowned. It was rare for Havella, whose expression wouldn´t really change, to have it change so much to that point.

“Is it a friend!?”

Kail´s eyes were sparkling. After hearing those words, both Al and Havella spat at the same time. (TL note: Kind of in the way people spit out their drinks when something “surprising” happens, but without any drink.)

“Spare me from jokes. You are the only ones that are my friends. That guy has nothing to do with me. Although he is not one of us, I just don´t want to get on his bad side. I had many problems at Raconia for rubbing people the wrong way.”

There was that man that was his superior at Raconia. After some time, he had him killed by using him as a shield for himself, but even so, the annoyance in his surroundings still didn´t stop; Al still had a long way to go over this problem.

“I see, I seeー. Then you should go have a stay there. Become good friends.”

Kail was pushing Al´s back. Without saying anything, Havella kicked Kail on his back.

“He-hey, we still have time!”

“It´s fine, it´s fine. Just go there already.”

Kail ignored. Havella continued to kick him.

“Fine! Well, let´s get together one more time before I leave to the war. See you then!”

And just like that, Kail was able to push Al away from the place. By that time, Havella was out of breath.

“It hurts if you do that, Havella.”

“It´s Kail´s fault.”

“This will be a good thing for him.”

Kail was smiling. Becoming annoyed at that face, Havella once again kicked him.

“Ouch! Don´t kick my jaw!”

“Shut up! It´s because Kail is stupid!”

Saying only that, Havella disappeared from the place to somewhere.

Kail, who was the only one remaining there, sighed.

“Both of them rely on each other to carry on… I guess I can´t say much about it myself though.”

Now by himself, Kail spoke his thoughts out as he scratched his head.

“Ah, Willian!”

“”…Why is he already here?””

There was still time from the arranged time. But even so, Karl was already waiting for him. But more importantly than that…

“You came very early!”

“Ah, yes. Well, I didn´t have anything to do.”

It was a difficult to accept reality for Willian that he had also come early. It was extremely annoying how Karl was looking at him as if he was having fun about it for some reason. If one was to ask him how something like that was supposed to be annoying, in the end annoying things still were very annoying.

“So, we will be arriving there just after a little walk.”

“Alright.”

Willian glanced around the surroundings.

“”Arkas is separated in four districts. The slums, the merchant´s district, the residential district and the n.o.ble district. Other than that, there lifestyles of people in the same district will vary depending on the person´s a.s.sets and social standing.””

The place they were right now was an area that was prosperer in comparison to the rest of the residential district. So in the end, was Karl a spoiled kid of some rich family as Willian had expected?

“”He probably is a first cla.s.s citizen. There shouldn´t be any second cla.s.s citizens living here.”

Even though they were part of the citizens, the first cla.s.s citizens had the privilege of getting a great sum of the paid tax. At least in the overall numbers, the privileges they had were close to the ones n.o.bility had. Of course, there was still a great gap between them and n.o.bility, but…

“You know, my father said that he wanted to meet you after I told him about you.”

Karl talked nonstop, spewing words like a machine gun. Willian continued to be silent.

“”I´ve never been that far into this section of the district. With how rich the people that live here seem to be, it should be possible for them to hire common slaves and servants, and even buy the whole slave company.””

The feeling of grandeur the buildings gave off started to increase. Being comparatively as much prosper as the place, the people that lived there could only be appropriately prosperous too.

“”Wait a second. This guy… Does this mean he is absurdly f.u.c.king rich!?””

Willian looked at Karl´s eyes. Karl gave a puzzled look to Willian.

“It seems you are very rich.”

“Yes, but the other houses around mine are even more awesome. My house isn´t that much of a thing.”

“”Did they force their way into living in here? But they should still be very rich just on how they are able to do that. This guy…. It seems that he will have some utility.“”(TL note: Force their way in the meaning of the family not having as much money as it would supposedly be necessary to live at the place there, but because they really wanted to, they used up their money more than they should just for that sake. I couldn´t think of a better way to phrase up this line since I couldn´t find any other words to describe that)

Willian´s thoughts were dripping in malicy. Willian started to imagine the many ways he could use Karl, who was far-off much more rich than he expected.

“Are we arriving there soon?”

“Just a bit more.”

Willian made a puzzled face. Ahead of here, although it was still at the residential district, only the truly prominent rich people lived there. The place was already heavens itself…

“It is right through that gate. Please, wait for a bit, ok?”

“Thr-through that gate!? He-hey, wait a second!”

After getting all the way to the said gate, Willian´s face became grim. He had a great amount of sweat on his back. His breathing started to get rough. His heart started to beat like an alarm.

“What is the matter, Willian?”

Karl was making a innocent face. That was what it was the most scary right now.

“At the other side of that gate.. It was definitely supposed to be the place the n.o.bility lives at.”

“Ah, you know really well. It is really incredible for someone that came from outside!”

Karl happily said. However, something like this didn´t matter at all to Willian. The important thing now wasn´t that. The most important thing now was…

“Are you… a n.o.ble?”

“Yes. Well, I am a fifth cla.s.s n.o.ble; it is the ranking of a baron, so it is not that much of a thing. I also still wouldn´t really be considered a notable figure.”(TL note:The word used here is 爵位, which means kind of like having a notable position or so, like the position of a general, count or something like that. Because it is a bit overgeneralized there, I was a bit lost when translating this line, so I put this note just in case ^^)

Karl declared the shocking reality as if there was nothing special in doing so.

The instant Willian heard that, he became pale and immediately fell to the ground. His head hit the floor with full force and he completely fell prostrate.

“Eh, Willian, what happened!?”

Karl became surprised seeing that. This was what Willian would commonly refer as a “Dogeza”. His trembling back didn´t give any impression of firmness. (TL note: 0.0 This really shocked me when I read this line. It shows how much of a trauma Al has ;-; I kind of started to feel like s.h.i.t in the dumps during the whole story after what happened there for some reason .-. By the way, for those that don´t know, Dogeza = kinda similar to OTL. If you still don´t get it, then just google it xD)

“Nonetheless the fact I was unaware, I am extremely sorry for all the acts of rudeness I have committed!”

Noises of chattering started to appear at the surroundings. To Willian, the n.o.ble district was a place that could mean life and death. If he acted wrong, or if he misspoke something, he would immediately be executed.

“What´s the matter Willian! Aren´t we friends? You are my benefactor who saved my life! There is no need for you to lower your head!”

Karl said as Willian faced his words with his lowered posture.

“No, it is a fact that a third cla.s.s civilian like me has overspoken too much to the son of a n.o.ble! I will do anything possible to compensate, and I will also accept any light punishment! Therefore, please, somehow spare my life at least!”

There was no way Willian would accept dying in a place like this. There was no reason at all to believe in Karl´s words. The moment Karl, who Willian used to think as a worthless individual, was to want his life in a whim, his life would be brought down. Just like his sister had….

“Like I said before, you are my benefactor, so…”

“I was thinking of leaving you to die at that time!”

Yes, if Willian didn´t commit any mistakes, he could instead use this opportunity. However, Willian had committed a single mistake. It was a mistake he would definitely not have done if he knew Karl was a n.o.ble. His mistake was that he had been about to leave Karl to die. And then, Karl, who had seen it with his eyes, should be aware of that.

“It was in the middle of the battle, so it can´t be helped. Besides, didn´t you help me in the end? You helped me without knowing that I was a n.o.ble…. This made me really really happy. That´s why please, raise your face. Please, be your frigid self like before.”

Willian was afraid of raising his face. If he was to raise it, and then, if there was a smile of contempt in Karl´s face, he would die. He would die because of something he had just heard about…(TL note: Not sure about this line ->道半ば、いきなり降って湧いた事故のような出会いによって――<>

“”Like I am going to die. As if I am dying in a place like this!””

Willian raised his face. What he saw was Karl´s smile of relief. But even so, Willian´s anxiety didn´t go away. He [himself] knew of people that could smile despite planning on killing you. He [himself] knew it to the point of hating it. There was n.o.body that could really say Karl really wasn´t someone of that sort.

“Now, stand up.”

Willian slowly held the hand Karl extended to him. He didn´t lower his guard. He was vigilant. But even so, he had no choices other than taking that hand.

“Ahaha. In the end, even you are troubled about me being a n.o.ble.”

“Indeed. There is the possibility I could get killed by displeasing you, sir.”

“Ah, there is no way I would ever kill Willian! Besides, n.o.bility can´t so easily have people killed.”

“”As if. Even though nee-san got killed like she was some piece of trash.””

Willian was anxious, but he didn´t do the foolish thing of letting it show in his face.

“Now, polite speech is prohibited from now on!”

“That is… impossible.”

No matter how much Karl was to reproach Willian, there is no way he would be able to change that. There were other eyes watching them from the surroundings. There was no way for him to know whether there would be other n.o.bles that would look at his lack of manners towards a fellow n.o.ble and find a fault in it.

“Mu, well, let´s fix it up step by step then. For now, let´s get to my home first.”

Willian and Karl once again started walking. Willian was walking a bit behind him.

“Understood, Karl-sama.”

“Using -sama is not allowed!”

“However, adding honorifics to Karl-sama´s name is only appropriate.”

“In either case, it is prohibited for now!”

Willian showed a troubled face. He was scared of Karl´s angry face, but from hereon, there would a unknown number of n.o.bles he would have to face. To the puny Willian, he wouldn´t make it through if he was too cautious.

The two of them stood in front of the gates.

“It is Karl Von Tirah.”

“You should be Lord Teirah´s son, correct? Please, make your way.”

The guard threw a glance at Willian.

“It is my friend.”

Karl immediately declared. If one had to say, a lowly person such as the gatekeeper didn´t have the rights to have a saying on who was and wasn´t supposed to go through in that case. That was what it meaned to be a n.o.ble. It was being privileged from the time you are born; if a n.o.ble wanted black to be white, the black would become white.

“Please, make your way.”

The gatekeeper didn´t stop being suspicious of Willian. There was no way he would.

Willian was feeling out of the place. He was being overwhelmed by the place; he was being overwhelmed just by the buildings there.

“This way. It is a bit embarra.s.sing that my house doesn´t really amount to much, but treat it as your own home.”

Willian´s senses were paralysed. If he had seen this house before all the houses he had seen until now since he had gone through that gate, he would probably be overwhelmed by it. However, after going through the gates, he was able to touch a bit of the air of this [world]. And because of that, the house felt a bit lacking.

““No, I am stupid. It is obvious. The owner of this house is a baron. It is the lowest cla.s.s among the fifth ranked n.o.bility.””

To begin with, the people that lived here were of a different level. Here was the perfect world. It was too much of a lack of sense to be comparing this place to the lower world. Willian could understand a bit of Karl´s feelings of embarra.s.sment. In this world, that house was indeed lacking.

But Willian wouldn´t forget…

““I… wasn´t supposed to even have the qualifications to be standing in a place like this.””

The whole world denied Willian´s existence; it denied Al, who used to be a slave.

“”However, I will definitely eat up all of you.””

Saying this was still a bluff at the moment. His strength, knowledge, experience; everything of his was insufficient.

But even so, Al advanced forward. He could only do that, and that was the only type of life he would live; he didn´t wish for anything other than that anymore.