Make Dark Fantasy Great Again-Chapter 15: Im Done Being a Bastard (3)

Risir bowed deeply to Idore in a gesture of farewell.

It was a spontaneous sentiment, but Idore was unexpectedly impressed by Risir’s display of courtesy.

Unlike other children of prestigious families, Risir lacked formal etiquette training and extensive interactions with the nobility. Despite this, his naturally graceful demeanor showed no notable flaws, even in the eyes of the Bendel patriarch.

He was the complete opposite of Roera, who had evolved from a tomboy to a wild mare despite being educated by one of the Empire’s top etiquette teachers. But course, this didn’t mean Idore’s affection for his own daughter shifted to the bastard.

The value of bloodline holds a unique significance for nobles. It was the biggest factor that gave their existence a special status recognized by the world.

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Idore was a man with the typical values of a nobleman, and as his noble rank was high, those values were more stubborn than average.

“Risir.”

But surprisingly, Idore gazed intently at the illegitimate child before him. He wanted to persuade the boy.

“Have a seat first.”

“I have nothing more to say to you, Patriarch.”

“Then just listen. Risir, your accomplishment today was impressive. While it’s regrettable that you chose the path of magic, that cannot be helped. I understand your feelings. Surely, you resented me for not passing down the Bendel legacy to you.”

“That’s not it.”

“Rest assured, I will not reproach you for anything you say right now.”

“That’s not what I meant. For me, magic is neither a substitute for the Bendel sword technique, nor a means to make you see me in a new light.”

“...Then?”

“Magic was the first path ever to open for me. That’s why I simply walked it.”

“...”

Idore struggled to manage his expression. He failed to sense even a hint of lingering attachment to Bendel and their sword technique in the boy’s answer.

“I applaud your efforts. You achieved the best results within the given situation. Frankly, I didn’t think you would win the duel today.”

Idore tapped his chest softly.

“You, and your achievement, exceeded my expectations. My calculations.”

“...”

“You have proven your worth, and from now on, I intend to treat you accordingly. Think, Risir. Leaving the family is not the best course of action. It’s nothing more than a temporary escape. Think about who is in front of you right now.”

Idor had a robust physique, maintaining peak condition despite his middle age, fitting for the patriarch of Bendel, the renowned family of swordsmen. His stern eyes seemed unyielding, as if they wouldn’t flinch even if a sword tip grazed his cornea.

There was an unmistakable aura around him, one that marked him as someone who had reached a superhuman level. The intensity of that presence momentarily overwhelmed Risir.

This was why Risir had tried so hard to behave, despite wanting to close the finale with middle fingers raised. Sitting in front of him was a monster who could cleanly bisect a rock using a twig.

“How long do you think it would take to gain recognition from someone like me after leaving the family? A month? Two months? Six months? A year? Risir. The world waiting for you is not as soft as you expect. As someone who cannot proudly reveal your own identity, society will treat you with utter contempt and scorn.”

“Like you did, Patriach?”

“I won’t deny it.”

“Was I not much different from an outsider of unknown origin to you, sir?”

“I won’t deny it, but things have changed. Now I will embrace you in the name of Bendel. Do you know why? Because you have proven your worth. Don’t miss the opportunity you’ve grasped for yourself, Risir.”

“...”

Risir nodded.

“I will consider your words positively, head of the family.”

His lips curved into a pristine smile, devoid of any inner conflict.

Realization struck Idore. The recognition and attention Risir had once yearned for no longer held any significance to the boy. And this, he understood, would never change.

“...”

Idore, poised to keep the conversation going, felt his words falter into futile silence.

Risir departed the office without a glance back.

***After leaving the patriarch’s office, I immediately set about preparing to leave Bendel.

It might seem a bit rushed, but you know what they say: Leave on a high note. Since the people of the manor had applauded, it was only right for me to leave on my end.

“...This is all?”

I finished packing. But as I was about to sling the backpack over my shoulder, a sigh escaped my lips.

Had I been unpacking all along without realizing it? Was this feather-light weight really the result of gathering my things—the culmination of my 18 years of life?

A part of me did feel liberated, though. This weight was proof that I had received nothing here. Maybe the Bendel people’s discrimination and disregard for me all this time was for this very moment, so that I wouldn’t have any lingering attachments when I left.

But of course, if these words had come from Idore’s mouth, I wouldn’t have been able to hold back from unleashing an Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms on his face.

“...”

As I took one final look around my room, an unexpected memory surfaced—the day I first moved in.

It was the day when young Roera unknowingly triggered young Risir’s deepest wound. The day both the girl and boy exchanged scars that would never be erased for life.

I’m curious.

-Brother, here...

She had handed me a letter back then...though my younger self had torn it to pieces. What could little Roera have written for me to read?

...Well, speaking of the devil.

“...”

While on my way out the annex, I encountered Roera leaning crookedly against the entrance.

“Oh, Roera!”

I gave a cheerful greeting, remembering how she was the first to start applauding after the duel.

If she weren’t the Bendel daughter she was, the others wouldn’t have dared to applaud the bastard’s victory over a Bendel apprentice knight. I felt utmost gratitude for her gifting one last good memory before leaving this place.

“What a coincidence! I was just thinking about you.”

“...The hell are you on about? Gross.”

Roera looked away in disgust. But just as I thought she was going to ignore me...

“What’s going on?”

She shot me an abrupt question, glancing at me sideways.

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t think of playing dumb. That little trick you used to knock down Humton in the duel? I know it was magic.”

“Ah, that? Well, it just kind of happened.”

“...”

My vague answer earned a scowling glare, as if she had so much to say but chose to compress it all into that look.

Roera raised a corner of her mouth in her characteristic sneer.

“Feeling good? That it worked out so well.”

“Well, yeah. I’m so grateful that Humton let his guard down just right. Oh, but you know it’s not just luck. I baited him into being careless and—”

“Don’t play dumb. You know that’s not what I’m talking about.”

“...Huh? Then what’s this about about?”

“Ha...”

Roera shook her head with a sneer. Then she looked at the backpack slung over my shoulder and snorted again.

“How on earth did you butter him up? What kind of spell did you cast to make him— of all people—impressed by magic—of all things—and actually reward you for it?”

“Reward? This?”

“You’re moving your things to the manor house. Am I wrong?”

I belatedly realized Roera’s focus in the conversation was a bit off. She seemed to think I had arranged the duel to attract Idore’s attention and showcase the magic I had been hiding, as if I were now taking pleasure in the recognition.

It’s not her fault. It was actually a misunderstanding that came from knowing me too well. If it really had been the old me, I would’ve probably been doing a happy dance right now.

And Roera would have found that disgustingly unbearable.

“What’s with that look? Feeling pissed? Did your detestable sister ruin your mood after you finally got praised by your respected patriarch?”

I suddenly became curious. Why was Roera so repulsed by Risir’s efforts to seek the family head’s attention?

Thinking about it...one possible reason came to mind.

Roera and I might be alike. Maybe she views the past Risir as I do.

***In retrospect, Roera was the only one in the house who ever seemed to care about me. Before that awful day—actually, that’s wrong. Even after the incident, Roera continued to show interest in me.

-Brother...Are you okay...?

-Here...

I remember how she handed me that letter in tears.

-Hey Risir. Stop wasting your time and try begging me instead.

-You can keep it up for a hundred days, even a thousand. Will he give you the time of day? Will your swordsmanship improve the slightest? After all, aren’t you trying to learn the sword? Hm? So, choose a more certain path.

-Isn’t it what you’re good at? Try begging. Like you did to that man. Who knows? Your pretty little sister isn’t as stingy as him. I just might personally teach you. Of course, it won’t be the Bendel technique you so desperately wanted, but still.

I remember how she tried to teach me the sword, albeit with a crooked attitude.

-...

She alone clapped for me when everyone else was silent.

“If you got something to say, spit it out. What, you think I’ll be scared by you glaring? Wow~ somebody’s gotten real cocky from beating a nobody like Humton, huh?”

Roera was the first to approach me after the duel. I’m not sure if I imagined it, but she had seemed excited herself—yet also somehow frustrated.

From the past to the present, my sister had always cared for me, treating me the same as she always had. If anything had changed, it was... me.

Ever since the day we fought, I had started pushing her away.

-Didn’t you hear what the patriarch said? You can’t play with a bastard like me anymore.

I rejected whatever kindness Roera showed me, as if I’d been waiting for the chance to do so.

-...Go. My break time is over.

Just like a sullen child throwing a tantrum.

“You know what, how about a duel while we’re at it? I don’t think you know how great your little sister is. I guarantee, if you learned the sword from me, you would’ve beaten Humton without resorting to tricks.”

Roera was the only person in Bendel who indulged Risir’s tantrums. It probably wasn’t intentional. She probably wasn’t even aware that she was doing such a thing.

I guessed her crooked attitude was her defense mechanism. Afraid of having her kindness rejected, she’d pretend it’s not kindness.

Roera leaned close to me. The first thing I noticed was the small scar on her forehead. It reminded me of how she used to prefer a hairstyle that kept her forehead clear. Bangs were stuffy, she said.

But ever since I scarred her with the book I threw, Roera started growing out her bangs.

I subconsciously touched that scar, startling her.

Roera almost leaped back in shock, but she froze upon seeing my expression.

“Did it hurt a lot?”

“...!”

The sneer on her lips gradually fell apart.

“Wh-what’s gotten into you...?”

“What indeed. Guess I suddenly feel like apologizing on this good day. Or maybe it’s because it’s a good day.”

“You son of a—Are you kidding! Wh-what’s with the charity act?! Talking as if you’re throwing some spare change to a beggar, what kind of—And what? Did it hurt? Did it hurt?! What do you think, you idiot!”

I could see Roera was trying to work herself up into a rage. But it was obvious how she was on the brink of tears.

“Y-y-y-you, you scarred a girl’s face and now what? You’re asking if it hurt a lot? Are you making fun?!”

She immediately became short of breath, tears welling in her eyes.

I gently wiped them away.

“I’m sorry.”

“...”

“I’m sorry, Roera. Back then, what I did was wrong. You were the one person I should never have hurt like that.”

Roera shoved my hand away, her reddened eyes spilling more tears than I could handle.

“You’re s-s-s...”

Her voice trembled as she struggled to get the words out.

“...such a crazy bastard!!!”

That’s quite energetic.

“Wh-why are you apologizing...!”

Roera dropped her head, breaking into sobs.

“You didn’t do anything wrong...The one who did wrong...was me...”

“...”

“Back then...I was so stupid...I didn’t know what illegitimate child meant...I didn’t know it was such a hurtful word...I should never have done that to you, of all other people...”

I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

For a while, Roera simply kept apologizing, as if she were slowly releasing the burdens buried deep in her heart, one by one.

I walked closer, gently patting her back.

“All along, I’ve wanted to tell you this...”

Roera buried her face in my chest, her voice thick with emotion.

“Brother...No matter what anyone says, you’re my family...”

***

▷Fate 13: ‘Unspoken Words’ has been deactivated.

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