Chapter 13: Rather Good, Actually (3)

Thrum!

The dormant Aura began to stir. Simon closed his eyes for a moment and focused on the Circles embedded in his heart.

‘For now, there are only three.’

In theory, the number of Aura Circles that could be created through an Aura Method was ten. Before his Regression, Simon, who had reached the realm of Sword Master, had possessed nine.

‘Back then, I did not have enough time to train. And I did not know any way to create Circles quickly.’

But things were different now.

If he truly set his mind to it, creating all ten Aura Circles was no longer impossible.

Simon calmly focused on the sword’s resonance.

Then he drew the power flowing out of the sword into his body. The sword’s energy began racing through his meridians toward Simon’s heart.

At last.

‘Good. So it increased by two.’

Two Aura Circles formed where there had been nothing before.

Of course, it was only a temporary phenomenon.

If he stayed away from the sword for too long, the Circles would vanish without leaving even a trace.

‘Five Circles should put me around the threshold of Sword Expert. That is enough.’

With a satisfied expression, Simon left the vault. After locking the door firmly with the key, he returned it to the marquis.

“So you chose a sword.”

“The one I had been using was too worn out. At the same time, something too flashy would be a burden, so this seemed suitable.”

“Do you know what sort of sword it is?”

“I intend to learn little by little.”

The marquis made an odd face. Simon’s answer had carried the faint impression that he already knew.

“You should be going soon. People are waiting.”

“I will be back, Father. I shall return with results worthy of your satisfaction.”

“I will not see you out far.”

The number of vassals and knights gathered to see Simon off was greater than expected.

It seemed everyone had come except Marquis Deneuve himself.

Not only his birth mother, Hera, but even Mion, the second wife, was waiting for Simon in formal attire.

‘So much for leaving quietly.’

Simon pushed through the crowd with Ranieri and stopped before the carriage. Loyal voices rose from all sides, telling him to take care on the road.

“My son.”

Hera approached.

There had once been a time when she was counted among the most beautiful women in all of Arcturus, but now that she had aged, only a stubborn and severe impression remained.

In his previous life, he had not been particularly close to his birth mother.

Her jealousy had been too extreme, and her persecution of the second wife had gone too far.

In the end, those actions had led to the death of the second wife, Mion.

‘Not this time.’

It was not because he felt any particular pity for Mion.

It was because of his younger sister, Ioline.

Mion was Ioline’s birth mother.

As Hera rested a hand on Simon’s shoulder, she spoke.

“I do not know whether it is right to send you away like this. I asked your father once more, but he is so stubborn.”

“It is all right, Mother. Even if it had not been Father’s command, I would have stepped forward first.”

“I am worried. Is it not said that those Aldebaran wretches are vicious?”

“Rumors are often different from the truth.”

Simon looked toward Mion, who was standing a step back. Even though she was his stepmother, Mion lowered her head slightly in courtesy.

Of course it could only be awkward.

If Simon inherited the Family, she would be among the first people to be cast out.

“Are you feeling any better? I heard your health is still not good.”

“I am all right, Simon.”

“The medicine will be changed starting tomorrow. I have prepared better medicinal ingredients with greater care. I have already spoken to the Physician, so please make sure to take it properly.”

“Ah......”

At that unexpected consideration, Mion looked deeply moved.

But it lasted only for a moment.

Sadly, what Mion paid the most attention to was Hera’s reaction. And just as expected, Hera’s expression was already hardening.

Simon was not about to stand by and watch that happen.

“Mother. Second Mother’s health is not good either, so please take good care of her. I am counting on you.”

“......I understand. Do not worry.”

“Elder Brother, I heard you are going somewhere dangerous.”

This time, his younger sister Ioline approached. She was not holding the Teddy Bear she always carried. That alone showed this was not an easy place for her to stand.

“It is not dangerous at all. On the contrary, it will be a comfortable journey. So, Ioline, you have absolutely nothing to worry about.”

“Really?”

“Of course. I am only taking steps in advance so that all the knight uncles gathered here do not get hurt.”

“I like it when people do not fight.”

Simon was slightly surprised. Had Ioline always been this honest a child?

But even that change was welcome.

He had never seen this side of her in his previous life.

Perhaps watching me look after her mother opened her heart a little.

“Stay well and healthy. And do not forget to bring snacks to your second elder brother. When I return, I will tell you all sorts of interesting stories.”

“Yes!”

After patting his younger sister once on the head, Simon stood proudly before the gathered crowd. Before leaving, he had to say at least a word or two.

“I know well what worries and concerns all of you carry in your hearts. But let me make one thing clear: there is absolutely no need to worry. I will most certainly return with results that will satisfy you all. Even if I am taken captive, do not concern yourselves with my life! If that happens, the orders of His Lordship and Vice Commander Kenard will be law. I am fully prepared to sacrifice myself for the Family!”

“We obey!”

“Return safely, Commander!”

After raising one hand once in acknowledgment, Simon climbed into the carriage. Ranieri boarded right after him.

Soon, the carriage began to move.

As it gradually picked up speed, the estate of the Arcturus Family began to recede into the distance. Even then, the crowd did not disperse and continued watching the carriage.

“This worries me a little.”

“Why? Did the lady who confessed to you yesterday say she needed time to think?”

“Is this really the time for jokes?”

“What does it matter? We are still in our own territory.”

“It is difficult enough to find evidence within the Aldebaran Family itself, and even proposing a peace treaty first would damage the Family’s pride.”

“I told you not to worry.”

When Simon smiled, Ranieri pushed up his glasses and asked,“Have you thought of something?”

“Rather than thinking of something, it is simply going to work itself out. The Aldebaran lot will soon have no choice.”

“No choice? What do you mean by that?”

“By now, the Orcs should be starting to run wild in southern Aldebaran.”

Simon said it with utter certainty.

“Orcs?”

Ranieri could not readily believe those words.

After all, he too was receiving information on the movements of the other races and monsters living not only in Arcturus territory, but in the surrounding regions as well.

And for now, everything was quiet.

In that situation, Simon’s smile, as he calmly said that the Orcs would soon begin stirring, looked endlessly suspicious.

“Orcs are one of the most dangerous among the other races. If they begin rampaging, Aldebaran’s forces will certainly be divided. But how do you know that? That the Orcs are about to run wild, I mean.”

“How many times must I say it? I told you, I regressed into the past. In that case, is it not only natural that I know what will happen in the future?”

“I ask only just in case...... You did not lay your hands on Forbidden Magic, did you?”

“Hahahaha. Now you are writing novels of your own.”

Simon laughed cheerfully and turned his gaze out the window.

“Just keep watching. See whether my words are right or wrong. If I am right, you will believe that I truly regressed into the past, will you not?”

“I cannot do that. It is theoretically impossible.”

“Do you even know how many things happen in this world that your precious rationalism cannot explain?”

“It is not that they cannot be explained. It is only that we have not yet found a way to explain them.”

“You do have a way with words. Then take your time and prove it. Explain Regression through that rationalism of yours.”

Simon took the brooch from inside his clothes. It was the White Dragon Brooch he had taken from the vault earlier.

“Fasten this somewhere suitable.”

“It looks rather expensive.”

“It is not merely something that looks expensive. It is something difficult to obtain even with money.”

Ranieri’s clothing had a plain air to it. Even being generous, it was only the sort of fashion one might expect from a minor baron.

By contrast, the White Dragon Brooch shone with a brilliance far too splendid.

“So what? You are the Strategist of Arcturus’s official Heir. People will think this much is only natural.”

“Why must I wear it?”

“It will stop an arrow from piercing your heart or your forehead. Though only once.”

Since Simon said such terrifying words as though they were nothing, Ranieri quietly accepted the brooch and put it on.

But instead of wearing it on the outside, he fastened it beneath his clothes.

He was worried that if he wore it openly, people would pay attention to him. All attention ought to belong to the master he served.

“It will still work like this, yes?”

“You stubborn fool. It is expensive, so do not lose it.”

“Thank you.”

“What was that?”

“Thank you.”

Simon leaned in with an exaggerated gesture, cupping an ear.

“It is too noisy outside. I could not hear you. Say it a little louder. What was that?”

“......Thank you.”

“Haha. If you are grateful, then cut down on the nagging.”

Once the carriage had left the capital of Arcturus behind, it turned south. After confirming that, Ranieri asked,“It seems we are heading for Minor Village. How did you persuade Sir Hans?”

“I told him that examining the people’s sentiments in the rear was also one of the virtues a ruler ought to possess, and he looked deeply moved.”

“I see. Minor Village has no lodgings fit for you to stay in comfortably, Young Master. You should prepare yourself for some inconvenience.”

“It does not matter. I will be posing as a merchant.”

“You mean to disguise yourself as a commoner?”

“I already packed things like that, so do not worry.”

Ranieri asked no more.

At first, he had thought it was merely the aftereffects of the Burning Fever.

Everything Simon had been trying to do lay outside common sense.

‘But he seems even sharper than before.’

Ranieri, who was quick-witted and possessed a brilliant mind, could not help but admit it.

The young master snoring in front of him clearly had a plan.

‘Could it be that he is aiming for something even greater than the lord’s seat?’

Simon had said he would not inherit the Family.

And he had said he would go down to some quiet countryside and farm. Could it be that this “farming” meant something else?

‘Perhaps that phrase itself was a metaphor.’

The words sounded almost as though he meant to build an independent power of his own. After all, tilling the land was no different from laying the foundation of a nation.

Ranieri’s eyes gleamed.

‘To step out from the shadow of Arcturus and create a new order......’

Once that thought took hold, Ranieri felt as though his mind had become clearer than ever before.

A strategist had to be capable of seeing farther than the one he served.

But right now, he felt as though he was falling behind.

Simon had asked him whether he knew how to farm.

‘That question really was not asking whether I know how to farm, was it? Was it asking whether I can help lay the foundation for a new world?’

Ranieri had no choice but to admit his own error. Indeed, Simon was not a man to be taken lightly.

‘I will have to try harder as well.’

With that thought, Ranieri too leaned back in the swaying carriage and closed his eyes for a while.

Completely unaware that he had misunderstood Simon’s intentions from beginning to end.