CH 115

“Please accept me into the Orrard family faction.”

Alfred did not reply, but thrust his chin forward and looked up at me haughtily. His indigo eyes were sharp and piercing.

After a few seconds, Alfred wrinkled his brow and clicked his tongue. Then he stood up comfortably from the sofa and turned his back to me. He walked to the window and looked up at the sky.

Not knowing what to do, I looked out the window through Alfred’s back. Outside, the dark blue sky was trying to crush the few remaining shades of madder red. The pale yellow moon was rising, and the brightest star was shining in contrast to the crossed white stars.

As I was mesmerized by the sky, I suddenly heard Alfred’s quiet voice.

“Do you know what your duty is as a nobleman?”

I was puzzled by Alfred’s sudden question.

Why did Alfred suddenly ask me such a question? I mean, it’s kind of hard to ask, but aren’t you going to answer my request to be under your umbrella?

I try to read Alfred’s expression, but all I can see is the hair on the back of his head.

As I try to figure out Alfredo’s intentions, he rushes me.

“Say it quickly.”

No, I was the one who asked the question first, so I want you to answer first. But there was no way I could say such a thing here, so I had no choice but to answer appropriately.

“Is it to protect the people?”

“Of course some lords would put them in danger, though.”

The irony is immediate.

You are the one who put them in danger. I wanted to reply with sarcasm, but I held back.

Alfred snorted at my silence and continued,

“That’s not enough. Nobles are supposed to be God’s chosen ones, but that’s not really the case.”

Alfred’s words replaced the hazy feelings I had been having with astonishment.

The nobles of this world are basically trapped in the same ideology that Alfred just described. That is why they think it is normal to squeeze taxes out of their people, and impunity also exists. It would not be an exaggeration to say that, in the eyes of the nobility, the people of the fiefdom are no better than livestock.

I had thought that Alfred, a great nobleman, would be like that, so I was truly surprised.

Alfred spun his words, ignoring my confusion.

“Nobles and people are just the same. It’s just that nobles are given the position of protecting the people.”

Alfred’s voice was a little different from usual. It was gentle and somewhat heavy.

“That is why nobles must take pride in their role as protectors of the people. Do you understand the pride of being a nobleman?”

I have never been proud to be a nobleman so I never even thought about it. Naturally, there was no way I could answer the question, and when I remained silent, a sigh came back.

“That’s why I don’t like you. I’m going to tell you something, so listen carefully.”

Alfred turned around and shot me a sharp look.

“People do not follow the same people because they want to. They follow the nobles because they have power. Therefore, the nobles must not show weakness to the people. So the nobles should not let the people see their weakness, lest they be discouraged and wonder why they are following such a weak man.”

Alfred’s words are again surprising.

People would not want to follow a weak person but it is a little strange for an aristocrat to come to such a conclusion. What is strange is that he does not show his weakness in order not to discourage them.

Normally, one would think that he would not show his weakness for fear of being betrayed by the people.

Is this Alfred’s true intention, or is he trying something on me?

No matter how much I let my thoughts wander, I could not come up with an answer but looking at Alfred’s serious eyes, it seems that he really means what he says.

“So the nobility, the people above, are this awesome. We have to appear wealthy and heroic to make people think so. The pride of the nobility is to remain the people’s ideal……even if they aren’t!”

Alfred’s tone suddenly became rough and his eyes lit up with anger.

“What I cannot tolerate is a scum who, driven by his own greed, harms the people!”

Alfred kicked the sofa as hard as he could.

“Surely, luxury is necessary to show off one’s wealth and nobility! We need position and power to protect our people! These things are necessary to remain the ideal!”

“But,” Alfred exclaimed, looking down.

“It would be a mistake to involve the people in your desires!”

Alfred’s voice seeped into the dimly lit room and silence fell.

The gleaming furniture in the room, which I had thought was in poor taste now looked like muddy objects, desperately radiating a pale light. It even feels fragile, as if it might break if touched.

When I look at Alfred, he just contorts his face in anger and closes his eyes. After a while, he calms down and opens his mouth.

“I will never forgive them. No matter who they are.”

Then, he meets me with his powerful eyes, shining with a piercing light.

“If you join us, you will be a part of us. You will follow me, not the House of Orrard.”

“Yes.”

It was a natural affirmation.

I think I understand why Kiku adores Alfred.

There is no doubt that Alfred came from a great aristocratic upbringing. However, he does not simply follow what he is taught, but has his own will and thoughts, without being tainted by his surroundings.

He is still a young man of 18 years of age, but he is not accepting what is common sense and is going against the flow with the noble pride of an aristocrat.

When I realized that people might call such a person a hero, I burst out laughing.

He is an extraordinarily charismatic man who can change the impression I had of him in a matter of minutes and it’s not like me to be charmed by someone like that.

“What are you grinning about?”

“I’m just happy to be under your umbrella.”

When I say that, Alfred makes a grumpy sound.

“That’s what I don’t like about you but there’s that weapon…….”

Alfred’s words trailed off and fell on deaf ears.

“What is it?”

“Nothing. I haven’t accepted you yet. I’ll give you my approval when you complete the tasks I’ve set for you.”

Yeah, yeah. That was definitely a trend you’d approve of. Besides, an assignment is another troublesome thing…….

I had no choice but to ask what it was.

“What’s the assignment?”

“Two weeks from now, at 4:00 a.m. on the early morning of the graduation ceremony, come to this room with enough food and water for three people to survive for 10 days.”

“What? Is that all?”

I rolled my eyes at the simplicity of the task.

“Make sure that three people can carry it.”

Alfred nodded and said yes.