Kays Translations

Chapter 24: That Dwarf

Ulysses noticed Ren looking toward the academy district and recalled their conversation that summer.

“So? Have you decided whether you’ll attend?”

Ren had thought about the matter many times since that night. Ulysses’s words had changed his perspective and helped him find an answer about his future.

“I’m seriously considering it.”

“Oh? Your answer is much clearer than it was before.”

“When I compare the disadvantages with everything I could gain, the advantages seem greater.”

“Such as the advantages I could offer you?”

Ren blinked.

“What could you offer me, Ulysses-sama?”

Ulysses looked equally surprised by the question.

“If you were there, I could worry less about Fiona. Did it never occur to you that I might make certain accommodations for your sake?”

Ulysses owed Ren an immeasurable debt, and nothing mattered more to him than his only daughter.

Knowing a boy like Ren would be near Fiona at the Imperial Military Academy would give him considerable peace of mind.

Ren had never considered using that fact to his advantage. He had not protected Fiona in the Baldor Mountains to earn Ulysses’s favor, and his present decision was no different.

“The academy offers many benefits, but I wasn’t calculating what I might gain through Fiona-sama. Of course, I’m grateful that you would help me.”

“…I see. No wonder the two of them fell for you.”

Ulysses’s murmur was quiet enough that only Edgar heard it.

Ren was about to ask what he had said when Edgar spoke first.

“To House Ignat, simply knowing you is already a valuable asset, Ren-dono.”

“That answer itself explains why I want you on my side,” Ulysses said cheerfully. “But let us return to the subject.”

His expression became more thoughtful.

“You are kind. When you previously said you were not suited to the academy, it seemed as though you were protecting yourself from something. Since that night, however, I have seen a different emotion in your eyes.”

Ren remained silent and waited for him to name it.

“Devotion.”

“I wasn’t aware of that.”

“I do not know why you avoided the academy so desperately. But the moment you found people you wished to protect more than yourself, your decision changed. Am I wrong?”

“…How much can you see through, Ulysses-sama?”

“Only what is visible,” Ulysses replied with a smile.

Ren was once again grateful that the marquis was not his enemy.

“I admire that devotion,” Ulysses continued. “It comes from your kindness, but also from the courage to overturn a belief you once considered fundamental. Once I understood that, your change of heart made perfect sense.”

Ren had no grounds to argue.

As the number of people he wanted to protect grew, his own safety had fallen lower on his list of priorities. His parents, his village, Licia, Fiona, and others now came first.

Had Ren cared only about protecting himself, he would have continued thinking as he had in infancy.

But he could no longer make such a choice. As Ulysses had observed, his present course even felt natural.

(The Demon King cult moved far sooner than I expected too.)

Saving Fiona had already produced a future different from the game.

Ren had learned repeatedly that remaining passive only allowed events to advance beyond his control. He had no intention of being forced onto the defensive again.

His decision was therefore not born from self-sacrifice alone. It also reflected his caution toward unforeseen threats.

If all Ren wanted was knowledge of civil administration, he could study at another institution.

But when he considered the people he wished to protect, the Imperial Military Academy was the only sensible choice. It would allow him to strengthen himself while remaining close to them.

“If you attend, which will you choose?” Ulysses asked. “The General Class or the Special Class?”

“I considered the General Class at first, but the Special Class gives its students more freedom with their time. If I enroll, I’ll aim for the Special Class.”

“That is the correct decision. The General Class provides a sound education, but it cannot match the Special Class’s prestige or opportunities. If you want to learn as much as possible, you should not settle for a half measure.”

Their conversation continued amid the surrounding bustle as they walked toward the workshop.

(In the game, Ren Ashton entered the General Class.)

Choosing the Special Class would place him on a different path in that respect as well.

More importantly, it avoided the halfhearted approach Ulysses had warned against.

“You will certainly pass,” Ulysses said.

“You sound awfully confident. Do you really think I can’t fail?”

“I do not. It is merely intuition, but I am convinced you will enter with excellent marks.”

“Intuition?”

“Do not dismiss it. I once won a trade war against another nation because of that intuition. A good instinct is not to be underestimated.”

(That’s a lie.)

“Intuition” was not the proper word for Ulysses’s judgment.

He gathered information exhaustively, devised a strategy, and then recognized the outcome it would produce. What he called instinct was confidence built on preparation.

“There is something I’ve wanted to ask you, Ulysses-sama.”

“Ask anything. What would you like to know? I can tell you everything about Fiona. She may be embarrassed, but do not concern yourself with that. I would be delighted to answer!”

“It does concern Fiona-sama, but–“

Ulysses stopped.

Edgar halted as well, and both men leaned closer. Ulysses took half a step toward Ren.

“I will answer anything. Anything at all.”

His voice carried an alarming degree of enthusiasm.

Unfortunately, Ren’s question was not what he hoped for.

“I was wondering why someone who treasures Fiona-sama as much as you do allowed her to attend the Imperial Military Academy.”

“…Oh. That.”

Ren almost felt guilty at Ulysses’s disappointment.

Nevertheless, the marquis answered sincerely.

“I assigned every guard I reasonably could and took all possible measures for her safety. Even so, it must seem strange that I permitted her to live apart from me.”

“Yes.”

“The reason is simple. I want Fiona to learn to protect herself. Everyone dies eventually, and I cannot protect her forever.”

Parents naturally protected their children. Raising those children to protect themselves was equally important.

Ulysses’s expression grew solemn.

“Calling myself a foolishly doting father must never become an excuse to neglect what Fiona needs. I love her dearly, but I would insult every loving parent in the world if I refused to do what must be done.”

“Thank you for telling me. I’ve learned something important.”

“Have you? I’m glad. Incidentally, how is Fiona? Isn’t she adorable?”

The subject changed without warning.

Although they had already been discussing Fiona, the sudden question about her appearance made Ren’s eyes wander.

There was no reason for him to offer a poor answer. Fiona was, by any measure, a graceful and beautiful girl.

“Of course. I think she’s both beautiful and adorable.”

“May I tell my daughter you said that?”

“Uh… what?”

“Never mind. I was merely talking to myself.”

He very obviously had not been talking to himself. Unable to challenge the blatant deception, Ren walked on in silence.

More than ten minutes later, Ulysses stopped before an old stone house in a corner of the blacksmith district. It was hardly the sort of building one expected a marquis to visit.

Cracks covered its outer walls, which had been crudely reinforced with wooden boards.

The building had existed in the game as well, though no event had ever taken place there.

“This is it,” Ulysses said, reaching for the door. “Edgar, block the rear exit.”

“Understood.”

“You make it sound as though the dwarf inside will run away.”

“He will. If I am careless, he will flee even while standing directly in front of me.”

Attempting to escape from Ulysses required extraordinary nerve.

Ren’s curiosity about the dwarf intensified as Ulysses opened the old wooden door.

“Don’t come in! Nobody’s here!”

(You’re obviously here!)

Ren recognized the voice immediately.

“Ha ha ha! Werlich, it’s me! Ulysses!”

From somewhere deep within the filthy house, which was crowded with objects of every description, came a hostile reply.

“Go home! I’ve got nothing to say to a brat like you!”

Ulysses entered, laughing even harder.

“Kukuku… ha ha ha! You won’t escape today. I’ve already secured the back door!”

A tremendous crash sounded from the rear of the workshop. Crockery shattered, followed by the clang of metal striking metal.

Moments later, the dwarf Ren had once carried on his back emerged from behind a mound of junk taller than an average person.

“Then I’ll beat my way through–hmm!? The rotten brat brought the good kid too!”

“The good kid?”

Ren could only repeat the unexpected description.

Recognizing him, Werlich’s aggression vanished. The dwarf lowered the enormous hammer in his hands and set it on the floor.

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