Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Chapter 10: The Cold-Heartedness of a Warrior

“Did you say… to go to the Empire?”

Count Reinhardt nodded.

“Zeke would agree with me as well. For you, it’ll be far more beneficial to grow stronger in the Empire than in Elphrel.”

“I’m not sure what you mean by that.”

“I mean that you’re different from the other warriors. From the very beginning, the way you’ve been growing stronger isn’t the way of a warrior, is it?”

I couldn’t think of a proper rebuttal. Reinhardt was right—my method of becoming stronger wasn’t that of a warrior.

Warriors trained their bodies to the extreme, aiming to turn themselves into living weapons. Their swords were merely temporary tools until their bodies were perfected.

As proof, Hain—whom I’d met during the Intermediate Warrior Examination—had a body that couldn’t be pierced by any blade.

Hadn’t I seen it myself? Even when I’d cut at his abdomen, I hadn’t managed to shave off so much as a single hair from his steel-like flesh.

“If you’re unsure, then discuss it directly with Zeke. I’ll send word for him to come here.”

If Reinhardt claimed to be friends with a king, he certainly wasn’t lying. He had just nonchalantly said he’d invite one to his manor.

Warriors didn’t bow to kings or titles. If Zeke were to come here and personally show me the path I should take, that would be all the better.

After wrapping up the conversation, Reinhardt and I headed to where Jaelidov was resting.

I’d heard he had suffered a head injury. Outwardly, he might have seemed fine, but inside, he could very well have been rotting away.

“Oh! My lifesaver, Leon! And Grandfather, you’ve come as well.”

Fortunately, my worries were unfounded.

Jaelidov greeted us from his bed, smiling brightly.

His cheerful attitude even made Reinhardt chuckle.

“How are you feeling?”

“There’s no need to worry. The physician said I just need to rest for a while. I never imagined I’d faint merely from the aura a demon beast released.”

Jaelidov laughed heartily.

Reinhardt smiled again and placed his hand over Jaelidov’s heart.

“Stay still. No matter what the doctor says, my own examination is far more reliable.”

A few moments later, Reinhardt withdrew his hand, his expression relaxing. Judging from his face, there seemed to be no major problem.

“Leon told me what happened on our way here. You overexerted yourself, didn’t you?”

Jaelidov’s shoulders shrank slightly, as if he had been caught.

The uncharacteristic reaction made Reinhardt shake his head.

“Even if you were worried about the people of your domain, that was reckless. To think you’d try to buy time against a demon beast, not even a mere demonic creature. Do you realize you’re the heir of House Withers?”

Reinhardt scolded him so thoroughly that even I could feel my energy being drained. The usually confident Jaelidov visibly shrank in his seat.

“…But still, you did well.” Latest content publıshed on novèlfire.net

Reinhardt’s large hand came down to ruffle Jaelidov’s hair.

“You showed courage in the face of danger, and you made use of the special circumstances between the demon beasts’ infighting. Even if luck played a part, the result was a fine decision.”

Jaelidov’s face immediately brightened. Then, with a proud expression, he glanced at me.

I couldn’t help but chuckle and nod.

The three of us, brought closer by the recent ordeal, shared a pleasant conversation for a while.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a talk with my grandson, Leon. I’ll inform the warriors named Teran and Karlson, so stay here for a while. I’ll also tell Kael—you may speak up if you need anything.”

Leaving those words behind, Reinhardt stepped out of the room.

Now alone, Jaelidov smiled softly.

“If it hadn’t been for you, I really would’ve died back there.”

His voice carried genuine gratitude. He truly wasn’t like most nobles.

A noble of the Empire thanking a northern warrior—one the Empire called a barbarian.

That was something few nobles would ever do.

“I didn’t do anything worthy of thanks. On the contrary, I owe Count Reinhardt a great deal. If anyone should be thankful, it’s me.”

At my words, Jaelidov’s lips relaxed into a small smile. Even if he tried to hide it, it was clear he was quite pleased.

“If you ever need help, just tell me. I’ll do whatever I can.”

The offer of help from the heir to the Northern Frontier Count—there was no reason to refuse. I simply nodded in acknowledgment.

Teran and Karlson came to visit me.

“You really plan to stay here?”

“They said it would be to my benefit.”

“And King Zeke Fritz himself is coming here?”

“He’s a friend of Count Reinhardt, apparently.”

Teran’s lips parted in surprise.

Karlson, however, looked utterly disinterested, staring up at the ceiling.

I could understand Teran’s reaction. If the situation were reversed—if it were her or Karlson instead of me—I would have been suspicious too.

Why would an Imperial noble invite a warrior from Elphrel? Was it a trap?

“Count Reinhardt is a good man. You don’t have to worry.”

“But he’s still an Imperial…”

“That’s for my father to judge.”

“…True enough. Alright then, we’ll see each other later.”

Teran nodded and took her leave. I waved to them as they walked away.

As Reinhardt had said, Zeke arrived at the fortress. And as soon as he did, the entire garrison went on high alert.

It puzzled me—if what Reinhardt said was true, Zeke should have been treated as a guest.

Why the heavy vigilance? Could Reinhardt have lied?

“Oh, that’s because of Zeke Fritz’s reputation.”

Just as suspicion began to creep in, Jaelidov explained.

“As you know, King Zeke Fritz is famous across the continent as the Conqueror King. Given his reputation, even allies can’t help but be on edge when he’s near.”

“Huh? You didn’t know?”

I was hearing this for the first time. The Zeke I knew was quiet and restrained—not someone you’d call a conqueror.

‘I did hear that he tore apart a bear at the age of five… but that alone doesn’t make someone a conqueror, does it?’

When Jaelidov realized I genuinely had no idea, he gaped in disbelief before grinning mischievously.

“Alright, then let me tell you the legendary history of the Conqueror King, Zeke Fritz—!”

Jaelidov shot up excitedly, but just then, a voice echoed from afar.

I turned toward the sound, but the soldiers blocked my view.

My eyes widened in realization.

‘Did he… respond to my voice?’

If so, he probably didn’t yet know I was here.

I started to step forward—to go to him.

The sound of Zeke’s approaching footsteps stopped me in my tracks.

The sound of boots striking the ground echoed as the soldiers began to move aside.

The knights stepped back, creating a path for one man.

Through the parted ranks, Zeke walked.

Before long, he stood in front of me.

“Your hair has turned red. Just as Reinhardt said.”

Zeke’s tone carried a hint of surprise. His gaze lingered on the tips of my hair, as though the transformation itself fascinated him.

“So it’s the Blessing of Growth Suppression, was it? The gods sure gave my son a miserable blessing.”

Jaelidov couldn’t stop the cry that escaped his lips. And who could blame him?

In this world, almost everyone believed in the gods—especially within the Empire, where even the Holy Kingdom acknowledged their devotion.

To utter blasphemy here was practically the same as saying, ‘Someone please kill me.’

Jaelidov’s reaction, in fact, was rather mild compared to what could have happened.

The moment Zeke spoke, the soldiers around us glared at him, their eyes blazing with fury.

Most people would have flinched under such an onslaught of hostility—but not him.

Ignoring every sharp gaze aimed his way, Zeke strode straight toward Count Reinhardt’s residence. His steps were proud, unaffected by others’ opinions.

Watching him, I found myself seeing a new side of him—a freshness I hadn’t noticed before.

As I followed behind, I could feel countless gazes directed at us.

Every kind of emotion imaginable was cast upon Zeke, but he ignored them all.

His composure said it clearly—no emotion, no gaze, could ever harm him.

At that moment, I finally began to understand why he was called the Conqueror King.

Zeke was a man who treated all people equally.

And his attitude—unyielding, impervious to others—was something no one in the world could ever change.

That meant he had maintained that same bearing toward everyone, even toward the Emperor of the Empire and the Pope of the Holy Kingdom.

Only then did the title Conqueror King truly make sense.

‘He’s my father, but truly… what an audacious man. Sure, people complain about rulers behind closed doors—but to casually insult the gods in front of a crowd …’

Indeed, there was no title more fitting for him.

Before I knew it, we had arrived before Count Reinhardt’s office.

Without so much as a knock, Zeke opened the door. Anyone else might have called it rude, but Reinhardt and Kael inside didn’t seem to mind.

“Welcome. Sit wherever you like. Kael, bring some tea for our guest.”

Kael moved to a corner of the room, where a small tea set was prepared. Soon, a rich aroma began to drift through the office.

“You must have read my letter. You already know it would be better for your son to stay in the Empire.”

“I’m aware of that. But that’s not why I came.”

Zeke pointed at the ends of my hair.

“Why was a blessing placed on my son?”

“Perhaps the gods took a liking to him.”

“You’re sure the Holy Kingdom didn’t meddle with this?”

“Of course not. Do I look so foolish that I can’t tell the difference between divine blessings and man-made ones?”

Reinhardt chuckled, thinking Zeke was joking.

Zeke’s tone hardened, his expression unusually stern.

“The Holy Kingdom I know is full of hypocritical, self-serving fools. If they tampered with this, they might’ve disguised a human’s blessing as a divine one.”

“…I’ve heard there are only a few such hypocrites.”

“Then you must’ve forgotten how far the influence of those ‘few’ reaches.”

Reinhardt’s expression darkened; it seemed even he found reason in Zeke’s words.

Meanwhile, Jaelidov and I exchanged looks, both thinking the same thing—

‘…Why are they talking about this here?’

We were still far too young to sit comfortably through such a heavy conversation.

By the time the two finished discussing what could only be considered state secrets, both Jaelidov and I felt our souls had been sucked dry.

Neither man cared that we were listening—nor that we could hear things we probably shouldn’t have.

Still, thanks to that, I learned more than I ever had before.

Having spent most of my time training in Elphrel, I’d been ignorant of the wider world.

But now, the pieces were coming together.

‘The Empire is in conflict—brothers fighting for the throne.

The Holy Kingdom holds endless meetings to select the next Pope…’

And amid that chaos, evil men were running rampant.

It was no exaggeration to call these truly turbulent times.

Count Reinhardt called my name and handed me a sealed letter.

“My seal is on this. If you ever run into trouble, show it, and it’ll resolve most issues.”

“Thank you, Count Reinhardt.”

“Oh, and one more thing. This is just my personal advice—but if you can, head to the Duchy of Kellyburn. I heard they’re struggling with something and looking to hire mercenaries.”

“What exactly is the issue there?”

“You’ll find out once you get there.”

Reinhardt offered no further explanation. I figured he had his reasons and nodded.

Without delay, I set off immediately.

It might have looked like I was leaving abruptly enough to upset Zeke—but I knew him better than that.

He wasn’t the kind of man to feel hurt over something so trivial.

In truth, he was probably wishing I’d make my mark in the Empire as soon as possible.

And so, I didn’t see it.

The awkwardly outstretched hand Zeke reached into empty air—

Nor did I hear the low murmur that followed.

“…I wanted to at least share a meal before he left.”

Those lonely words of a father, whispering to himself—

Cold-hearted, perhaps.

But such was the nature of a warrior.