Chapter 9 - III -

 

The next thing that I saw when I opened my eyes, I am now back in my cottage.

 

“…”

 

My eyes instinctively went around for clues to what happened.  If I remember correctly, I was standing in the middle of the battlefield, contending against the anger and disbelief of the shocked Cherseans upon learning the devastating power of a matchlock gun…

 

“Well, your injuries aren’t light, Mister Kuro.” 

 

“!!!”

 

It was Her Holiness, who was sitting beside my bed.  Her siblings, Sophia and William, were beside her.  Sophia was looking at me with an expression of concern in her eyes; William stared at me with fascination.  Lily was preparing food nearby, and the Beastman Saint was standing not too far from me either.

 

“What happened?” I asked.

 

“You suddenly collapsed on the field after you won the first round of the Tri-Skill Tournament.” it was Her Fluffy Holiness that answered, “When we looked unto you, you’ve been injured.  Maybe it’s by that falling horse that crashed unto you, but no matter what the reason is, someone had deliberately forgotten to put up your substitution doll…”

 

I felt goosebumps when I learned that.  So, all this time I’m fighting in that tourney, I was unprotected?   What if that lance from the Paladin Prince hit me?

 

“You’re dead.  Simple, eh?” The Beastman Saint’s face sarcastically turned on the individual who was hidden behind the two Rubinforth kids.

 

“…”

 

It was the old Duke of Rubinforth.  God, this old man just literally tried to kill me!

 

He had an irritated, unrepentant expression, and he glared at the Beastman Saint, who exposed his scheme.  However, he knew that he had done something wrong, so he could not answer her provocations.

 

“Mister Kuro, I’m ashamed and sorry for the actions of my father and my siblings.” The Human Saint bowed so low that everyone in the room tried to make her sit up straight, including me, “My siblings for forcibly dragging you into this matter, and my father for doing an underhanded attempt on your life.”

 

“Uh…I accept that apology, Your Holiness.  So please, raise your head as soon as possible.” I tried moving my body around, “Look, I’m fine already.”

 

“Maddie did her best to heal your injury, that’s why.” Her Fluffy Holiness said, “If she didn’t give her best effort, you might as well have died.  Several of your ribs were broken, see?”

 

Oh…so that’s why I’m having difficulty breathing earlier, even though I shouted out of anger and desperation at the crowd.  Maybe I could stay for that long because of what they call, ‘Adrenaline Rush’.

 

“Thanks, Your Holiness.”

 

“Please don’t thank me.”

 

“Oh, come on!  Just accept and be done with it!” I tried to lighten up the heavy atmosphere inside the cottage.

 

“Mister Kuro, is it?” I heard the Duke speak.

 

I didn’t know what to say or how to react to this person who tried to have me murdered.  Honestly, I wanted to freak out, but I also knew that doing so wouldn’t turn back what just had happened.  The only words that I could say were, “Yes, Your Excellency?”

 

“If I may ask for your forgiveness for my foolishness.” he also apologized, though he never bowed, “But please understand that everything that I did, it was for my daughter.”

 

“…”

 

Hmm…yeah, even though this old fucker almost had me killed, I understood where he was coming from.  I mean, look, wasn’t it natural for parents to be wary of strangers hanging around their child?  Back when I was a teacher, it wasn’t uncommon for us to encounter what we call ‘stage parents’—moms and dads who would take control of everything just to have their kid be the star for everyone else to see.

 

They are utterly annoying, and obnoxious as well…but in a hindsight, they only want the best for their children, even if we want to punch their faces occasionally.

 

“Ahem.   Anyway, Mister Kuro.”

 

“Yes, Your Excellency?”

 

“Please take a rest for now.” he suggested to me, which frightened me since it was out of his character, “You still have the second stage to think about after one long sleep.  Don’t worry; I won’t do anything to you this time, so you may take your well-deserved rest.”

 

Hmm…the kindness he’s now showing to me was making me fear more for my life than when he was open in his contempt for me.

 

“Yes, Mister Kuro!” it was Sophia, “You don’t have to be on guard for too much now.  I’ll have some of my attendants posted around and protect you from threats.”

 

“Those guards are under my pay to protect you, Sophia.” the Duke rebuked his younger daughter, “And besides, I’ve already declared I won’t harm this man.  Such arrangements are unnecessary.”

 

“Well, someone else could attack him though.” William suggested, “I think Mister Kuro had made a lot of enemies among the nobility after that fight earlier.”

 

“I could post a pair of guards to this cottage.” the Duke offered, “Any more than that would be a luxury.”

 

“I won’t entrust him to you, Papa!” Her Holiness flatly refused her father.

 

“What, do you intend to stay here and guard this commoner?  Do you even realize your worth and status as a noble, Maddie?”

 

“If it shall be, then I’ll do it!  I have my guards as well!” the Human Saint stubbornly declared.

 

“You can’t do that, big sis!” William was in a panic, “This is unprecedented.”

 

“Kuro’s life is my responsibility!  It is because of my selfishness that he’s suffering right now!” Her Holiness countered, “And I won’t allow any harm to happen to him!”

 

“Stay quiet, you insolent daughter!” the Duke fumed.

 

“Yes, big sis!  He’s just a commoner, and you’re the Holy Saint!” Sophia cried out in protest.

 

Uhh…the mood went from solemnly apologetic to a fiery, argumentative one.  The entire Rubinforth household was here in front of us, fighting their hearts out, just because of the duty of protecting me…

 

What the hell am I watching?  A holy lady being dressed down by her father for being stubborn?  A father that is being disobeyed by his children?  And kids who are meddling with their big sister’s and father’s lives?  

 

This was like an awkward family sitcom…

 

I guess I need to intervene now…

 

 

“Everyone shut the ffffffffuuuuuuuuuucccccccccckkkkk uuuuuuuuuuupppppppp!”

 

I think my roar struck fear into the hearts of everyone present in that cottage.  They immediately fell silent, and Lily even dropped the bowl of soup that she had just made.  As a result, she had to clean it in the meantime.

 

“Alright, you guys calm down.” I asked them to sit on the nearest chair they could grab and gathered them around, “Just calm down for a bit…”

 

The Saint, her siblings, and their father quietly obeyed me; maybe it’s because of the initial shock on what I just did.  Though they did what I told them, their faces have terrible expressions written on them; they hated each other as of now.

 

“Hey look here, Your Holiness…” I turned to Her Holiness first, “No matter how ‘Holy’ you are, that old man over there is your father, and you have to give him respect though you may not agree to his methods sometimes.”

 

“But, he just tried to kill you—”

 

“Precisely that’s it.  Has Her Holiness realized that her father only did that because he’s suspecting me of malintent?  I’m still fearful of my life, but I understand his actions.  I mean, he just did that because he wants to protect his daughter in any way he can!  If I’m in his place, I may have ordered my men to have that arrogant commoner be killed on the spot!”

 

The Saint kept her silence.  But the angry expression on her face had slowly vanished.  It seemed like she understood what I told her.

 

“And you, Your Excellencies, Sophia and William!” I turned to the sheepish younger siblings of Her Holiness, “I know you love your big sister just like how you love your mother.  But you know, if you love someone with all of your heart, you would only want what makes that person happy!”

 

Like their big sister before them, the Rubinforth siblings were speechless.  They kept their heads low as if I’m their father who was angry at them.

 

“Your big sister has been suffering from your meddling in her life.  I understand that you only want to protect her, but know your limits as well.  Her Holiness has her own life too, and it would do her good if you let her commit mistakes from time to time.  Experience is the best teacher, after all.”

 

Sophia and William nodded.  Looks like they also understood what I just said.

 

“You sure talk big, Mister Kuro.” it was the Duke of Rubinforth who told me, “Do you have a family back in your country?”

 

“No, I don’t, Your Excellency.” I gave him an honest answer, “But in my workplace, I have a lot of children to take care of.  And even though I’m not their family, I care for them deeply.  So, I know the feeling of being a father.  And pardon me for saying this to you, but Sir, I don’t think forcing your will on your daughter would be best for her.”

 

“What do you know to tell me those?”

 

“As I’ve said before, in my former work, I deal with a lot of children.  If my classes have 300 students, then I’ll interact with all 300 students, and be concerned with their problems.  It’s not a surprise that I would encounter kids who have trouble with their parents because the adults wanted something for their child that he or she doesn’t.”

 

“…”

 

“You know, Sir, those kids had trouble in their daily social interaction later on.  Since their parents controlled every aspect of how to live their lives, when they grew into teenagers they became dependent on the adults for everything—even though they try to act independently.” 

 

“So, what are you trying to say?”

 

“Please give your daughter a few liberties for herself, especially those matters that concern her future life as an independent lady of standing.”

 

“You mean to say I won’t guide her anymore?”

 

“Nope.  It’s not like that.” I had to be careful with my words; this situation could be tricky, “What I’m suggesting for Your Excellency to do, is that you allow her to choose her path with your guidance.  For example, let her choose the person she’ll love and marry for the rest of her life, while educating her on how to choose that right person.  You don’t have to force your will on her.”

 

At that moment, the Duke clearly understood what I meant.  He remained in quiet reflection; I could tell it from his face.

 

 

The Rubinforth household was certainly silent, maybe all of them were reflecting on what I just said.  It was the Duke who was the first to excuse himself out, but not before reminding me…

 

“Please take a rest, Mister Kuro.  There’s still a contest after one long sleep.”

 

Ah yes, it’s the ‘command’ phase of the Tri-Skill tournament.   I thanked the Duke for his reminder, for which he had his silence for an answer.

 

“Sophia, William, come to the dinner table with Papa now.” the Human Saint requested her siblings to go out of the cottage.  Even though Sophia lightly protested, William quietly obeyed, but not before giving me a meaningful look.

 

This guy is fascinated with weapons, as was his earlier reactions show…

 

And then, after a few more moments, I was alone once again.  Or so I think…

 

“You sure give those Rubinforths a dressing down of their lives.” the Beastman Saint remained with me for a while.  She was lying down on the bed, complete with a sardonic smirk on her face.

 

“I did?” I couldn’t believe her words just yet.  I mean, I only talked like that to placate the angry feelings of each family member against one another.  I hate to see a family breaking up because of matters that could be negotiated, anyway.

 

“Yes, you are.” Her Fluffy Holiness nodded, “And to be honest, I think the Duke himself will reconsider after this; I mean, I read his thoughts after your speech.”

 

“Hmm…that’d be nice, at least, I did what I intend to do, anyway.”

 

“You are something, Master.”

 

“Nah.  I’m just trying to be of use.”

 

“Yep, that, and Maddie can’t help but rely on you now.”

 

“I hope that doesn’t happen…”

 

“Well, why?  Don’t you want someone as beautiful as her to be your wife?  You said before that you’d marry her, that’s why you joined this tourney.”

 

“I did that because I wanted to.” I countered the Beastman Saint’s statement, “And Her Holiness is a good friend to me.  Although I find her beautiful and I have desires for someone like her to be my life partner, I don’t think I should be the one whom she would be married to.”

 

“Hah?   But why?” the Beastman Saint suddenly sat up on the bed.  She had that ‘I-can’t-believe-you’ expression on her face.

 

“I’m just an ordinary bloke from another world, and she’s the Great Saint of Chersea.  It’s like a useless fly being paired to a magnificent griffon.”

 

“You guys interest me…” Her Fluffy Holiness could only say.