Chapter 50: The History of the Kingdom’s Founding
After returning to the mansion and delivering the Mosrabbit meat to the kitchen, Ren headed to his room to change. He had cleaned his shoes using the “Shoe Clean” spell, but his clothes hadn’t been washed. They didn’t look dirty, but his underclothes felt damp and uncomfortable.
(I wonder if I can clean clothes with magic too…)
Lost in thought as he walked down the hallway, he spotted Louis. Noticing Ren’s presence, Royce turned around, frowning slightly in suspicion.
“Ren, have you been out somewhere again?”
“Ah, yeah…”
“Did you do your training?”
“Sort of…”
He had practiced archery early that morning, but since he planned to visit the guild’s archive, he had cut it short. He didn’t feel confident saying he trained properly, so his voice grew quieter.
“Honestly…!”
Royce let out a sigh. Ren’s eyes drifted to the stack of wooden tablets Louis was holding. He caught a glimpse of the word “History.” Noticing his gaze, Royce handed him the top tablet.
“You should start studying soon too, don’t you think?”
“Huh…? This is…?”
Looking down, Ren read the title: “History of the Kingdom’s Founding.”
“They’re notes from Brother Ryan’s studies.”
“Oh, from his tutor…?”
A while back, during winter, a tutor had been visiting regularly to prepare Ryan for enrollment at the academy. Royce nodded.
“They’d be too bulky to take to the royal capital.”
“Oh, right. Brother Ryan’s going there soon, isn’t he?”
Ren didn’t know the exact date, but he had heard Ryan would leave in spring to attend the academy—leaving the mansion behind.
“Yeah, he’s leaving next week.”
“Next week, huh…”
The idea that his older brother, who had always lived in the same mansion, would leave felt strangely unreal to Ren.
“Bring it to the study room when you’re done reading.”
With that, Royce went into his room. Ren watched the door close, then looked back down at the tablet in his hands.
—
[Background of the Kingdom’s Founding]
* The first king, Alfred, possessed the rare skill “Sword Saint.”
* He was also known as the “Sword Saint” or “Hero.”
* Using his sword, he protected settlements from hundreds of monsters.
* People gathered under his protection.
* Defensive strongholds expanded, eventually forming a kingdom.
[Founding Myth and Values]
* The belief that “the sword protects the people” forms the foundation.
* Combat skills, especially swordsmanship, are held in the highest regard.
[Formation of the Nobility]
* Influential figures who followed the first king were granted land.
* Those with greater military achievements received higher noble ranks.
* Society values both bloodline and skill.
[Primary Skills]
* Major skills are often inherited through noble bloodlines.
* Highest: “Swordsmanship” (rarely “Sword Saint”)
* Next: “Spearmanship,” “Archery,” “Shieldsmanship,” “Fire Magic”
* Third tier: “Water Magic,” “Earth Magic,” “Wind Magic”
—
“So the first king was a ‘Sword Saint.’ He must have been incredibly strong…”
Ren couldn’t even imagine facing hundreds of monsters with just a sword. At the same time, he began to understand why swordsmanship was considered so special.
“Being able to take down so many monsters at once with just a sword… I can’t even finish one in a single shot…”
He imagined the first king swinging his blade at blinding speed, cutting down multiple monsters in an instant. Then he looked back at the tablet.
“…Still, maybe I can take down at least one with my bow soon. …Yeah. I’ll keep trying.”
He clenched his fist with determination.