Kays Translations

Chapter 52: I've been chasing you.

"I'm done with what I had to do. Let me off."

"Understood."

Rest, who had returned to the Rosemary Marquis's carriage, signaled to move as if he had no further business. He would never visit the Ebern Honorary Viscount family again. This place was no longer his home.

“..............”

Sitting on the carriage seat, Rest rested his cheek on his hand and gazed at the scenery outside. The events at the Ebern residence kept playing in his mind—the sight of his father sinking into despair and his stepmother screaming in confusion. He had overcome the people who had oppressed him, making them speechless. There was a sense of relief, as if a burden had been lifted. There was also a sense of accomplishment.

(But...I don't know why. I feel like there's something left unfinished, and there's a hole in my heart.)

Even though I should have settled my relationship with the Honorary Viscount of Evern, I feel strangely unfulfilled.

It's not enough. I felt unsatisfied, like it was supposed to be a full-course dinner, but dessert was missing.

I wonder where this emptiness in my heart is coming from... As I was thinking about this, I suddenly felt something.

"Stop."

"Huh? Oh, yes."

When I called out to the driver's stand, the carriage stopped immediately.

"I'm sorry, but it seems like I have something to do. Could you please go home first?"

"I don't mind, but..."

"I'm sorry"

After apologizing to the coachman, he gets off the carriage.

The carriage bearing the emblem of the Marquis Rosemary family starts running again and disappears around the corner....

"I’m surprised. I never thought you'd chase after me."

"Haa... Haa... Haa..."

Rest's half-brother, Cedric Ebern, appeared before him, out of breath. Using the Enhanced Body spell, Cedric had chased the carriage.

I wouldn't have noticed if Dibble hadn't taught me to activate the [Presence Detection] magic even when not in battle and be prepared for a sudden surprise attack.

"I thought you were confined somewhere in the mansion, forced to study or something... Did you manage to escape?"

"Haa... Haa... Rest."

"Yeah?"

"Kill... you... I'll kill you!"

Cedric, regaining his breath, glared at Rest with intense hostility.

"I'll kill you... It's all your fault. If you hadn't been taken in by the Rosemary Marquis, everything would have gone well.” 

“……….”

“I would have passed the exam, and Viola and Primula would have been mine!"

"...People's fiancées aren't yours to claim. Annoying."

Rest directed a mocking look at his foolish brother.

"They belong to me, and no matter how fate turns, they won't be yours. Don't assert ownership over someone else's fiancée."

"If it weren't for you... If you weren't here, I would have become a Court Magician... Damn, damn, damn! Don't mock me, everyone... I'm a genius. I'm the strongest magician... I'm a man who will obtain everything, status, honor, women...!"

“……………”

"...This isn't good. This guy is..."

What a fragile man. Cedric Ebern had been pampered by his parents since childhood, only to bully the weaker Rest. Therefore, this man had never known defeat or experienced failure. Even the incident a year ago when he led the Rosemary sisters into the forest, exposing them to danger, was considered merely bad luck, not a failure in his eyes.

So... he's weak. Fragile. Pathetic.

A heart that has never been crushed by failure or suffered in despair is too feeble. It easily crumbled in the face of a single setback.

"...Pathetic. Is this really my brother?"

While feeling exasperated, Rest gestured with his thumb, as if inviting Cedric to follow.

"If you're so eager to kill me, I'll be your opponent. Come with me."

"I'll kill you, you failure...!"

"This time, it'll be a genuine resolution. I'll repay all the beating I've taken so far. Be prepared."

While saying this, Rest felt the void in his chest gradually filling.

(That's right... if I felt something was missing, maybe it's because I hadn't retaliated against Cedric.)

Although his father and stepmother had unleashed their fury, he hadn't retaliated against Cedric. Despite being hit by dozens, even hundreds of spells, not striking back wasn't a resolution.

(A rematch. I'll give him back exactly what he's given me all this time!)

With a snarling smile, Rest headed towards an uninhabited place, bringing Cedric with him.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter