Make Dark Fantasy Great Again-Chapter 14: Im Done Being a Bastard (2)

“What...what just happened?”

“Did Sir Risir...actually win?”

“Well I don’t know anything about swordsmanship...”

“Me neither...”

“F-from what I saw! Sir Humton fell, and Sir Risir helped him up, so it seems Sir Risir won?!”

“I hope that’s the case...!”

“Please, I hope it ends before Sir Risir gets hurt...”

What striking irony. Gathered among the onlookers were warriors who never neglected to train their minds and bodies to maintain composure in any situation. Yet the only ones maintaining composure were the servants dressed neatly in maid uniforms.

This was possible, of course, because they didn’t understand the significance of a Bendel bastard defeating a Bendel apprentice knight. Not to mention that magic had played a decisive factor in attaining victory.

Even the family head, who should’ve called off the duel when Risir’s sword was at Humton’s neck, was too busy ‘Humton-ing’—that is, blinking in shock.

In the end, the illegitimate child announced his own victory. The sight of him smiling while raising Humton’s hand was undoubtedly that of a winner.

The servants were the first to react.

“Oh my gosh! It seems Sir Risir really won!”

“Thank goodness he wasn’t hurt...”

“Girl, you think that’s the issue?!”

“Exactly!!!”

“How did he win against an opponent twice his own size?!”

“Oh solly. Don’t you know swordsmanship isn’t just about strength?”

“That’s right, that’s right! Look at Lady Roera!”

“Then is Sir Risir as strong as Lady Roera?”

“He works so hard every day in the annex back yard! He must have been doing secret training that others don’t know about!”

The servants, ignorant of sword fighting, readily accepted Risir’s victory with an open mind. They even wanted to cheer and applaud.

“Why is everyone staying quiet?! We should congratulate him!”

“Wait a moment—”

As the excited servants were about to cheer, the most senior servant standing at their fore stopped them.

“Look. Isn’t the mood off somehow...?”

Only then, with hands halfway raised, did the servants look around at their surroundings.

“Didn’t Mr. Humton just mention magic?”

“I think so? I didn’t see, but Mr. Humton’s head suddenly jerked back, right?”

“Wow...Where’d that magic pop out from...? I never imagined.”

“In the history of Bendel...has there ever been a mage in the family?”

“What do you think, genius?”

Slightly grasping the seriousness of the situation, the trainees were in turmoil, as if ominous storm clouds loomed.

As for the apprentice knights, they fully understood and were already terrified, as if caught in a typhoon’s eye.

“Good heavens. Humton, that crazy bastard. He actually lost?”

“I’m pretty sure...the patriarch told him to go all out with no distractions...”

“Ugh. I saw this coming when the fool wasn’t taking a stance, acting all leisurely.”

“Come on, why’re you all blaming Humton? Clearly, the problem is that magic was used, yeah?”

“...I mean, there was no rule saying magic couldn’t be used.”

“This isn’t about rules! It’s a matter of pride. How could he dare use magic in a Bendel’s duel in front of Bendel’s family head?”

“Swear to God, man. Where’d that Risir even learn magic anyway?”

“Word is he’s been going to the library every day lately. Was it for this?”

“Can you actually learn magic just by frequenting the library though?”

“From what I saw, he didn’t seem like a total novice.”

“Our young master’s more impressive than I thought. Quite the resourceful one, eh?”

“Is this the time to be impressed?!”

“Can you guys have a look for me? What face is the patriarch making right now?”

“I’d say he’s pleased inside. The boy’s still his son after all.”

“Bull. Happy, when a Bendel apprentice knight lost to a bastard? Considering his personality?”

“Plus, the bastard learned magic with no one knowing...”

“Damn. I shouldn’t have come to watch.”

The servants froze in awkward indecision, caught halfway between clapping and standing at attention, their eyes darting between the two groups to gauge the tension in the air.

As a result, no one congratulated Risir on his victory.

“Oh dear...”

“Poor Sir Risir...”

The servants looked at Risir as if he were an injured puppy. His smiling face, playful even in this situation, seemed like a pitiful attempt to pretend everything was fine.

“Sir Risir...He may be smiling, but inside he must be crying...”

“Oh no, he closed his eyes...”

“He’s trying to hold back tears...!”

***Ahhh, sex.

Sure it’s vulgar, but I can’t help thinking that. There’s just no other way to express what I’m feeling.

An enemy’s silence speaks volumes, and their silence was deafening.

Yeah, now this is what I’m talking about, this is the taste of an away game. It’s so quiet I could build a library here.

I gazed at the head of the family, totally basking in my win.

“...”

The man was deep in thought with a shadowed face. There was no sign that his contemplation would turn into joy. The reaction was completely different from when Roera beat an apprentice knight.

Back then, his demeanor screamed, “Is this for real?!” Whereas now, it was more like “...Is this for real?”

I’d practically become the patriarch’s living nightmare.

Patriarch. Are you that repulsed by your bastard son? I’m crying inside...crying with glee. Because that’s exactly the reaction I’d been hoping for.

I’d wondered what had gotten into the family head for him to accept this duel proposal, as he wasn’t the type to give me such opportunities. It had to be a calculated move.

His reaction wasn’t just shock at the bastard’s little come back. The look on his face suggested some plan of his had gone awry, and he had no idea how to handle it.

The patriarch turned to me, and I met his gaze head on.

Your bastard son’s back. Well? Do you see nothing but doom and gloom now? ‘Cause there’s no such thing as eternal child abuse.

Clap clap clap. I heard a sudden round of applause.

Applause? In this situation? Everyone turned to look toward the sound with raised brows.

It was my sister Roera. Her posture a mix of pride and awkwardness as she clapped.

“...”

“...”

Our eyes met, and she whipped her head around, as if she’d never been looking at me. Her already awkward face turned even stiffer, flushing so red it was visible even from a distance.

Clap clap clap clap clap!!!

Yet still her applause continued, each irritated clap matching the intensity of her expression, echoing loudly.

“Sir Risir~~~”

A moment later, Fienne joined in with delicate applause of her own.

“Ooh! Lady Roera and Lady Fienne are clapping!”

“Then aren’t we allowed to join?!”

Next were the servants who had been tentatively watching the situation.

“Sir Risir!!! Congratulations!!!”

“Sir Risir is strong!!! You’re amazing!!!”

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

As I responded with a wave and a grin, the servants responded with exaggerated girlish screams. The atmosphere changed completely after that.

Clap. Clap. Clap. I heard more applause from beside me, except it sounded more like punches than claps.

“If we fought again, I’d win.”

Humton shot a sour look at me.

I responded with a pat on his shoulder.

“If I ever get another opportunity to, I’ll make sure not to disappoint you then.”

“...!”

Humton’s eyes widened. His hands paused briefly before resuming the clapping. Louder and faster this time.

At the same time, the patriarch stood up.

“The winner, Risir.”

The training ground had been quiet until moments ago, yet now it was filled with applause and cheers.

Well there goes my quiet library. Completely failed construction right there.

“Ha.”

But well, it wasn’t a bad feeling. If I had to say, it was possibly better than a library.

So I just let myself savor the moment.

***After the duel, Risir was immediately summoned to the patriarch’s office.

“...”

His desk was still covered with numerous documents. But unlike before, Idore’s focus was directly on Risir.

Risir silently returned his gaze. For a considerable time, they looked at each other without a word.

“Would you care to explain what happened?”

Naturally, it was Idore who spoke first.

“I had the opportunity to learn magic. In the duel, I exploited an opening with magic against Humton, who was focused on my humble sword skills. That’s all there is to it.”

“You...”

Idore trailed off, rubbing his brow. His face registered a fleeting series of confused thoughts.

“...”

Soon, he opened his mouth as if he had made a decision.

“How long exactly have you been learning magic?”

“To be precise, it’s been less than a week since I recognized the value of magic and started actively trying to utilize it.”

“Risir.”

Idore spoke in a pressing tone.

“Your achievement today speaks volumes on its own. There’s no need to add flowery words.”

At Idore’s attitude, Risir traced back through his past memories.

The bastard son’s position made it difficult to attract his father’s attention in many ways, whether it be by birth or talent.

Had he shown talent in childhood, his treatment might have differed from now. But the boy’s talent was utterly ordinary. Perhaps even pathetic.

With no other option, the bastard tried to attract his father’s attention with that pathetic talent. As it was impossible by ordinary means, his attempts were mostly made in artificial ways.

For instance, conducting harsh secret training sessions conspicuous enough for everyone in the manor to know about.

So basically, the man believed his son was exaggerating to draw his attention.

“Hah.”

Risir couldn’t suppress a sneer.

“...Risir?”

Idore was taken aback by his unfamiliar behavior.

Regardless, Risir gave his response.

“Yes, I apologize for the deception. Truthfully, I’ve been steadily learning magic for a long time.”

“...”

Despite receiving the answer he wanted and expected, Idore’s confusion only grew. Risir had always been utterly transparent and juvenile before him, yet he could no longer see through the boy.

“...”

Idore sank into deep contemplation. He slowly rose from his seat and walked to the window.

“It seems...”

With his hands behind his back, looking out the window, he continued in a solemn tone.

“I have left you alone for too long.”

“...”

“I made it clear. If this matter is resolved well, I would positively consider improving your treatment.”

“...”

“From today, you will be trained in the Bendel sword technique. While there will be no particular teachings for magic, I shan’t prohibit your learning. Handle it yourself, so long as it is not detrimental to your Bendel style training.”

“...”

“Naturally, this privilege is not without responsibilities.”

“...”

“The young lady of the Diltans shows considerable interest in you.”

“...”

“By all rights, any exchange between our families is realistically impossible. Despite the lack of major conflicts, our minor disputes over the long years were enough to create a rift of conflict.”

“...”

“Diltan is also aware of this. Yet, with just one request from that young lady Fienne, the Diltan matriarch set aside everything and reached out to us first.”

“...”

“This opportunity and relationship is meaningful to both families. You will be in charge of this matter from now on.”

“...”

“I ask you, Risir. Are you prepared to take on this responsibility?”

Idore, having organized his thoughts and emotions through words, turned around again to hear Risir’s answer.

“...”

The patriarch shut his eyes tightly upon seeing his son, who was trembling, face buried in his hands.

Idore thought to give him time to collect his emotions.

“P-Patriarch...”

But Risir had no intention of collecting his emotions. He would not hide his feelings.

“Speak.”

“What are you going on about?”

“...What?”

It slowly dawned on Idore that Risir’s current state was nothing like what he had imagined.

Risir took his hands away from his face, which struggled to contain not tears, but laughter.

“I told you...that I’m leaving the family.”

“...There’s no need for that. Now you have many other paths. That option did not suit you, to begin with.”

“That’s not what I’m—Ah, I understand. It seems there was a small misunderstanding between us, Patriarch.”

There were no hard feelings. A refreshing smile played on Risir’s lips.

Idore gave a satisfied nod. He listened intently as the boy continued...

“When I said I would leave the family, it meant I would completely give up the Bendel name.”

“...!”

...because he never imagined such shocking words would follow.

A noble giving up their identity? That was unthinkable, even for an illegitimate child.

“Patriach. Here, at the highest point of Bendel, you made a promise to me as master of the house. That if I won the duel, you would respect my will.”

“Do...do you even know what you’re saying right now?!”

The potential issues arising from this were far from Idore’s thoughts. Risir’s sudden change simply bewildered him.

Risir calmly replied.

“I daresay no one in the world understands better than I do. You, as the patriarch, should know what I’m talking about.”

Idore’s attitude evoked neither criticism nor disappointment from Risir. It was the same apathy Idore had shown him in the past.

“Wh-what on earth...”

Idore had plenty to say, yet he ended up saying nothing at all. There was simply too much to unpack in that moment.

It was the opposite for Risir. He had already laid everything out, and had nothing more to give. Be it emotions, or words. Indeed, that’s what he believed.

But surely, you’ll allow me this much.

“Pft. Hahahaha. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”

Risir roared with mirth.

It wasn’t an explosion of deranged emotions. His voice was filled with such unadulterated joy, it was plainly evident.

With the belief that his misery was at an end, he was overwhelmed with pure joy.

“This time, I’ll speak clearly to avoid any misunderstanding.”

Risir stood up and fumbled to grasp the sword at his waist.

“Whether it be a prestigious family name, a status that lets me imitate nobility, or your recognition, I don’t need none of it no more.”

It was an ordinary sword, except it wasn’t forged in the usual way. It was made ordinary by erasing the decorations and patterns symbolizing Bendel.

Risir had never once parted from the sword since receiving it, but now, he placed it on the patriarch’s desk without hesitation.

“I’m done being a bastard.”

Thank you for everything until now, Father.

The cold, unfeeling father’s eyes wavered uncontrollably.