I Became a Childhood Friend With the Villainous Saintess

217 – Side Story – Argen Bertus (2)

When I met my father again, he was still a pitiful person.

Without any shame, I pretended to be happy to see Argen.

As time went by, the only thing that changed about him was that he grew older and looked a little uglier.

“Arzen! I knew you could do it. You have become a great knight, and you will bring glory to our family once again!”

My father smiled brightly and spread his arms.

His expression was no different from when he sold his son into battle.

It seemed that he had achieved his father’s dream.

But he was still wandering, unable to achieve his dream.

It seems clear that they both wanted to become knights.

My father couldn’t figure out what was different about him that made him look so happy.

Arzen felt like bugs were crawling inside him, but he still tried to treat him politely.

“It’s been a while, Father. How have you been?”

“Yes. Hahaha! I heard all about you. I heard that you were active on the battlefield and even caught the Grand Duke’s eye.”

“Is that so?”

I have not yet become a knight of the Grand Duke of Illencia.

Actually, I didn’t care about that at all.

─The moment he was about to say that, an epiphany flashed through Arzen’s mind.

I think I finally understand now.

I am speaking of the meaning of what the Grand Duke of Illencia said.

Why didn’t I know that it was so simple?

I felt as if I was being drowned in my own stupidity.

From the beginning, the knighthood was not important at all.

Lanya just said that a ‘knight in shining armor riding a white horse’ was cool, and I just wanted to be someone Lanya would like.

Just as the Grand Duke of Illencia became a knight for only one person, it would be enough for me to become a knight for only Rania.

The essence of the article doesn’t matter.

A demon that roams the battlefield smelling of blood? A murderer more comfortable with killing people than with eating utensils?

Whatever the article says, who cares?

If Lanya could smile as brightly as she did then, Argen Bertus would be a knight.

A smile appeared on Arsen’s lips.

“I’d like to see where you work. How much are you paid?”

“Father, I am not a proper knight yet. Perhaps I will become a knight tomorrow.”

“What do you mean? Are you saying I heard a false rumor?”

“No. Everything you heard from your father must be true. What I mean is that I haven’t achieved my dream yet. That day will come soon, but at least not today.”

The conversation with my father was, as always, not fun.

As time passed, he was still Bertus from the countryside, still a pitiful adult.

Now there was only one person on his mind.

He must be a person who is not ashamed in front of her, but he does not have to be honorable every day.

On the battlefield, it would be okay to just mindlessly cut down enemies like you do now, but it would be better for both of us if we left that piece of trash father behind.

“I can’t understand what you’re saying.”

“That’s right. In short, this is what I’m saying. An honorable knight should be able to protect someone like my father, but today, I’m no knight. So don’t show yourself before me again.”

“You! Where did you learn to talk to your father like that!”

“I learned it on the battlefield you sent me to. I’ll just let it slide today, but next time we meet, I’ll carve into your body what kind of sword I learned on the battlefield. I won’t warn you twice.”

From today onwards, you are no longer my father.

Leave the surname Bertus here.

I don’t want to see you meddling with what should be given to Ranya.

Fortunately, he never appeared in front of Argen again.

Shaking off all his worries, Arzen climbed over the wall.

The news of a new Sword Master being born in Grand Duchy of Illencia resonated loudly.

The Archduke was overjoyed and went to find Arzen, but there was only a short note in his room saying that he would return soon.

The Grand Duke heard that Argen had borrowed a white horse from the stables.

* * *

The once peaceful rural village became bustling after a long time.

It was because a knight on a white horse and wearing shiny armor was walking around the village.

As rumors travel faster than words, the news quickly reached Ranya.

Lanya turned back as she was about to go up to dig up some herbs.

It was partly because climbing mountains had become more difficult these days, but also because I had hoped it would work out.

As expected, the knight was standing tall in front of Ranya’s house.

The knight who saw her approached her with brisk strides, much taller than he had been a few years ago, and knelt on one knee.

The face without the helmet was more different than I expected.

It must be because the moments that have passed were not so easy.

Lanya couldn’t dare imagine the hardships he had endured, but she knew that crying wasn’t what she was supposed to do now.

“It’s been a while, Arzen. Have you come to keep your promise?”

“Yes. I may be very late, but I have returned as a knight as promised. Now, will you marry me?”

“It’s not too late. And… … Of course. I’ll keep my promise.”

* * *

Since Lanya joined the Grand Duchy of Illencia, it has been a dreamlike time for Arzen.

Was the sunlight that poured down every morning always this warm?

The wind, which I only cared about when shooting arrows, felt particularly pleasant.

The smile that Lanya gave in front of the fluttering curtains. That radiant sight made Arzen think, ‘I have lived to see that smile.’

Soon after, a wedding was scheduled as promised in the village.

As soon as he arrived at the Grand Duke, Arzen was formally knighted, and the Grand Duke was very pleased and decided to support the marriage of the two.

Every day waiting for marriage felt like walking on clouds.

“It’s your wedding day soon. Sir Arzen looks much better than when we first met. Madam… …May I call you Madam? You’ll be calling me that soon anyway. Perhaps it’s thanks to Madam.”

“Your expression has changed a lot? It seems like you’ve always felt that way to me… … . Was it a lot different before you came here?”

“It seems that Lord Argen really loves his wife. I’m sure he’d be surprised if he knew what it was like before.”

“Oh, no! It must be because Your Majesty treats me well… … That must be why.”

Fortunately, Grand Duke Illencia also treated Lanya kindly.

Although Arzen, who learned from watching him, succeeded in getting married first, the Grand Duke seemed quite satisfied with the current pace.

Arzen grew his position by accumulating major and minor achievements in the war against the Demon Lords.

Things weren’t always good. Ranya’s weak body, which had been weak since childhood, continued to hold her back.

They had a hard time maintaining a marital relationship and had difficulty having the children they so desperately wanted.

It’s been like that for quite a while.

In the end, it was the Grand Duke and Duchess of Illencia who had the child first.

After much hardship, Therion, the first son of the Grand Duke, was born, and Lanya’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Therion.

Meanwhile, Arzen became famous throughout the empire and raised the family name ‘Bertus’ to the rank of count.

“Argen! I too… … want a son. I will give birth to a son who is healthier and stronger than anyone else in the world. I will be really happy if my son runs as fast as he can in front of me.”

Did God grant her prayers?

Around the time of Therion’s second birthday, Lanya had her first child, whom she had longed for.

They decided to share each other’s names a little bit, so if a son was born, they would name him Rajen, and if a daughter was born, they would name her Aria.

The son born that way was showered with Ranya’s love.

Even though her health had deteriorated rapidly since giving birth, Ranya’s expression was always filled with happiness.

“Razen. My dear son. I wanted to see you run as fast as you could… … .”

“Don’t say that. You can see it.”

“Thank you for your words. But I know my body best. Please prepare your heart too. So that we can say goodbye with a smile on the day I leave.”

“… … .”

Lanya didn’t lie.

It would be nice if something like this were a lie.

On the bed where the sunlight is fluttering.

Lanya took Arzen’s hand and said.

“Arzen. Will you promise me? That our child will definitely become a great knight like you. Not a petty brat like me, but a stronger person than anyone in the world.”

“… … I promise. Don’t worry. Have I ever broken a promise to you?”

“Never. So I trust you. You will love our son as much as you loved me.”

* * *

[Argen Bertus]

“Razen. Have you eaten?”

“No, I just woke up.”

“Then it’s a little late. Let’s eat first.”

My son, Rajen, seemed to want to become a knight.

I wanted to sleep in for one day and rest comfortably for another day, but I didn’t.

At times like that, the despair I experienced as a child would come to mind… … but I never really thought of bringing that up.

I must always be aware.

My father, who taught me, was the worst human being.

I didn’t end up like that because I had Ranya by my side, but his blood still flows somewhere in my body.

So if you’re not aware of it, you might make the same mistake as your father.

Let’s keep our mouths shut. We have to choose our words carefully so as not to teach the wrong things.

“Razen. Do you want to become a knight?”

“Yes. That’s why I ran like crazy today.”

“Do you want to become a knight because your father is a knight?”

“That might not be the case either.”

“I see.”

I wonder if I, too, look like a cool knight to my son.

A little. No, I felt very good, but I tried not to show it.

“That’s a good answer. I didn’t want you to be stuck in this father’s shadow. I’m sure you’ll make a good knight.”

Anything that makes me feel good won’t help my son at all.

It would be much better to pave the way for my son a little more than that.

That was the extent of what a human being could do.

If Lagna had been there, she would have given me a little more warm love.

In the end, this was all the love I could give.

If you want to learn swordsmanship, I will teach you as much as you want.

I will give my all. No, I will give everything I have to convey more than that.

It may be a stupid and dull way to do it, but this was the love I could give.

I already made a promise with Ranya.

I will love Rajen.

“Razen. A knight is a profession where you never know when you’ll die. Do you know that?”

“I know very well. I am no exception.”

That’s actually why I didn’t want to raise you as a knight.

You were born a strong boy as Lanya wished, but that doesn’t mean you have to go to the battlefield.

If you had a pen instead of a sword, I would have supported you with all my might.

I swallowed the words that came to mind.

I’m so glad I’m not the type of person who opens my mouth just to say whatever comes to mind.

Rajen’s talent was too bright to be ignored now.

It wasn’t because he was my son, but it was so innate that it wouldn’t even be enough.

If you grow a little more and gain some experience, you will soon be able to surpass me.

When that day comes… …how will I feel?

I’m not sure, but I’m sure I’d be happy enough to cry.

I barely managed to swallow my emotions once again. The conversation with my son always became a fight between me and him.

“Well… … That’s true, but I guess I raised you too prematurely. I wanted to tell you not to be too sad when I die one day.”

“Suddenly? Is Dad going on another expedition? My seniors never said anything like that.”

“That is not the case. Not long ago, a knight under my command died honorably. I thought that one day I would do the same. Even if I do not return, my end will certainly not be shameful, even in front of you.”

If there was one thing I wanted from Rajen, it was just to survive for a long time.

A knight should always be honorable, but I knew very well that reality was not like that.

So, I really have to say this.

The Demon Lords have been extremely quiet lately.

Even though I don’t see any movement right now, I too can die at any time.

I hoped that if such a moment ever came, Rajen would not waver.

The world can survive without honor.

What really makes life unbearable is when you’ve lost your way.

“Remember, Lazen. Life and death are not important. What matters to a knight is how he ends. If I died honorably, you should go forward with joy rather than sorrow.”

“me too……”

“No. You live a life of modest means. I, the father, will take care of your honor in advance. Just in case, don’t stop on your path because of me.”

Actually, I had no intention of sacrificing my life for something like honor.

But if I die with honor, the Grand Duke of Illencia will show her due respect, and it will be my son who will benefit.

The honor I have earned will be passed on to Rajen.

That was enough for me.

What. It’s a problem that you just have to be faithful to two things.

I am Rajen’s father. And I must be a knight worthy of Rajen’s respect.

It wasn’t that difficult.