Chapter 28: “Memoirs: Their Circumstances, Their Efforts”

In the summer of the year 1025 in the continent’s calendar.

A man, wearing a straw hat, was working on a farm, sweating profusely.

His name was Deltor Lapellon.

An ordinary commoner and a sharecropper, he was now living a free and easy life.

A life led by instinct and freedom, where he could leave whenever he wished and go wherever he desired.

Although the only thing he possessed was his strong physique, he lived a life wandering the kingdom with a spirit of adventure and a sense of justice.

Of course, as a commoner, he didn’t have the money to roam the country.

He didn’t have a wealthy patron either.

So, using his strong physical traits, he earned money as a porter for a merchant caravan that traveled between the territories.

It was a win-win situation for him.

He made money, and with the protection of the caravan’s guard, he could safely head to his next destination.

That said, it wasn’t without its dangers.

He had once nearly died when a red mountain goat appeared while crossing a mountain range, and he had also been injured while fighting against a band of thieves who had attacked him along with the guard.

Despite all of this, he never stopped wandering.

During his years of wandering, he even worked on creating a map of the kingdom and spent his days happily.

After traveling across the country for five years, one spring day,

He set up a small nest on the western mountain of a small fief.

He built a cabin halfway up a mountain with an amazing view and settled there temporarily.

It was a retreat to take a step back for two steps forward.

He had only taken a brief rest from his five years of wandering to plan for his 10-year journey across the continent.

“Ugh, it’s damn hot. I should eat some lunch.”

Giving in to the scorching sun, Lapellon took off his straw hat and waved it like a fan as he entered the cabin.

The cabin was sparsely furnished.

It was just a place to rest for a while.

Nevertheless, he was enjoying a meal worthy of admiration, thanks to the wise cooking techniques he had learned while wandering the territories, and he was satisfied with his comfortable bed.

Perhaps these abilities were what led him to the destiny of being the porter for the hero party.

His sense of adventure, justice, and the practical muscles and survival skills developed for carrying heavy loads made him an outstanding “porter” without a doubt.

Moreover, the shortcuts and escape routes he had recorded during his travels would contribute greatly to the hero party’s swift and safe journey to the demon king’s castle, making him someone who could well be said to have been born to be a ‘porter.’

“Hmm, I’ll need to harvest in the fall and save up enough for travel, then leave immediately.”

After finishing his simple meal, Lapellon lay on the floor, looking at the map of the continent.

His gaze was fixed on the ‘Bellarun Empire.’

The map was a rough sketch, showing the kingdoms, empires, capitals, and major territories of the continent.

Lapellon had planned to create a detailed map of the empire over the next 10 years.

Of course, that plan had all been thwarted by the saint’s selection, but even so, at that time, he still had such dreams.

“Yawn~ I’m getting sleepy. Maybe I’ll take a nap.”

Rolling up the map and tying it with a string, Lapellon stretched and closed his eyes.

However, he had to open them again when he sensed an approaching presence near the cabin.

Grabbing a kitchen knife from the makeshift kitchen, he pressed himself against the open doorway, thinking that a closed door would be a luxury in such a situation.

This was a remote mountain valley, where any visitor likely had ill intentions.

Tightening his grip on the kitchen knife, he held his breath.

The sound of footsteps grew closer.

It seemed like the person wasn’t trying to hide their presence, but the survival instincts Lapellon had honed during his travels led him to remain cautious, always suspicious.

As the footsteps neared the threshold, Lapellon raised the knife.

“Is anyone there?”

From the sound of the footsteps, he could tell it was a man’s voice.

Although the tone was polite, Lapellon did not let go of his suspicion.

There were no close friends or companions who would come all the way to this remote mountain.

He remained silent, and soon, the presence passed the entrance and stepped inside the cabin.

‘…Is he a noble?’

Lapellon approached quietly from behind, ready to strike at any moment.

The man’s old-fashioned black cloak and neatly arranged black hair indicated that he came from a different background than Lapellon.

His suspicions only grew stronger.

It was hard for him to understand how a noble would come to this mountain without attendants or a butler.

“Don’t turn around. If you wish to avoid a hole in your body.”

“…Your greeting is rather rude.”

Lapellon pressed the blade of his knife to the man’s waist, but the man raised his hand to signal that he had no ill intentions.

“How did you find this place?”

Around here, there were no bandits or thieves, and it had been over 100 years since the demon king had been defeated, so any remaining monsters had been eradicated.

The area had been chosen as a peaceful rest stop because there were no common beasts around.

He might have come here under the guise of hiking, but his attire clearly didn’t suggest he was here for a simple hike.

“I’ve come to deliver a message. Please, stay calm.”

“…A message for me?”

“Hmm, it’s more of an offer.”

“Who are you? State your name and status.”

“Would you believe me if I told you?”

At the man’s words, Lapellon tightened his grip on the knife.

“Before you end up with a hole in your body and be beheaded, state your name and status.”

The serious tone and atmosphere gave Lapellon a general sense of the man’s status, but he still didn’t lower the knife.

It was possible that the cabin had already been surrounded.

If the worst-case scenario was true, it would be wise to take a hostage.

The man simply turned his head and looked at Lapellon.

His gentle black pupils, his straight nose, and his slightly raised lips didn’t appear malicious in the least.

“My name is Levion del Rossel. In the public eye, I am often called the Duke of Black Flame.”

The Duke of Black Flame, Rossel.

The free commoner, Lapellon.

That was their first meeting.

“Am I really supposed to believe that?”

Before he knew it, Lapellon and Rossel were sitting together in the cabin.

With his guard down, Lapellon asked, almost incredulously, as he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

The demon king, Belkus, who had been defeated over 100 years ago, was going to be resurrected.

That too, in just 10 days.

Lapellon had heard much about Duke Rossel’s prophetic abilities. He had traveled across the entire continent, from the west to the east, south to north, and stories about Rossel had spread far and wide.

But the timing of the demon king’s return was unbelievable.

What was even harder to believe was that he himself would be chosen as a “porter” for the next hero party.

Lapellon knew of Rossel’s accomplishments.

However, he had always thought that so-called seers could throw a hundred predictions and maybe get one right, which would then be praised as an achievement.

He believed this would be just one of those hundred failed predictions. Of course, it was strange that Rossel had come all the way to the mountains just to make such a prediction.

“…I understand it’s hard to believe. I won’t force you to.”

“I want to believe in your abilities, Duke, but I’m just a commoner. The only thing I have is this body. How could someone like me take on such an important role?”

Rossel smiled gently.

He knew Lapellon better than anyone, so he didn’t push him to believe.

Rossel picked up his discarded cloak and stood up.

Lapellon followed him, standing up and asking again.

“Oh, wait, Duke. Are you leaving already?”

“I have a request, but with your current level of trust, it’s impossible. Let’s end this meeting for now. If you come to trust me, then come to my domain.”

With those words, Rossel left the cabin.

Lapellon, who had followed him to the entrance, stood there in a daze, watching as Rossel walked away.

“…What the hell.”

Lapellon had a complicated expression on his face as Rossel left, leaving behind the absurd statement that he would become the porter of the hero party.

What was his intention?

Why would he go all the way to such a remote place just to make a prophecy and leave?

If that was the case, he could have sent someone to summon him to his domain instead.

It felt like Rossel wanted something, but he didn’t offer any trust, instead just leaving without a word.

From Lapellon’s perspective, it was just an absurd encounter.

“…Duke Rossel. What a mysterious person.”

After some time of contemplation, Lapellon let go of his doubts.

Well, whatever.

If such an important role fell to someone as adventurous and justice-driven as him, it couldn’t be a bad thing.

And being a porter wasn’t anything new to him either.

“Eh, whatever. I’ll just take a nap.”

With that, he decided to lie down and enjoy the sweet nap he had originally planned.

Exactly ten days later, he was led by a retainer to the royal castle, where he was told that the Demon King had been resurrected.

“Huh? Me?”

Upon hearing the royal decree in the castle, Lapellon immediately thought of Rossel.

It was real.

The prophecy Rossel had left so casually in the mountains was real.

Without wasting any time, Lapellon headed straight to Rossel’s domain, and twelve days after their first meeting, he came face-to-face with him again.

“Why did you do that to me?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why did you leave such a prophecy without any compensation? And it was completely accurate.”

“It wasn’t without compensation.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Faith. I left it for you to gain your trust.”

The message he had to deliver was heavy and dangerous, so he needed Lapellon’s full trust.

That’s why he had gone through the trouble of visiting Lapellon personally and leaving the prophecy.

As expected, Lapellon’s eyes no longer showed any suspicion.

All that was left in his gaze was awe and belief.

“So you traveled all that way just for that? For faith…”

“It wasn’t just for that. From now on, there’s no greater weapon than trust for the task you will undertake.”

“Task…? What do you want from me?”

At the castle, the hero Emilia had arrived.

Rossel wanted to rush to her and discuss her fate, but if he shook her resolve before the Demon King was defeated, they might fail.

If that happened, the situation would worsen drastically.

That was why, during the departure ceremony, Rossel could only tell Emilia that he would visit his domain after the Demon King was defeated.

And that was why he had met Lapellon.

If he couldn’t prepare in advance for salvation, he at least needed to prepare for what came afterward.

Rossel, in a conversational tone, began to speak the story he had been holding onto.

Of course, Lapellon was shaken by the news.

“After the journey, Emilia will be betrayed by the false prophecy of the Saint and her companions, and will become a s*ave, and you will die.”

“What? Betrayed? A s*ave? Wait, are you saying… I will die?”

“Yes. They will conspire against Emilia, labeling her as a traitor, but you will remain loyal to her until the end, crying out for the truth, and you will be killed by your companions.”

Lapellon’s mouth hung wide open.

He realized that this was no ordinary prophecy from a so-called seer.

It was no surprise that Lapellon was shocked.

The thought that he would die.

And that it would happen at a moment when he should be recognized for his contribution to the Demon King’s defeat?

The expression on Lapellon’s face was one of complete despair after receiving the one-year sentence.

And then, the Saint was said to give a false prophecy?

In a society where the Saint’s prophecy is considered the word of the god, how could that be?

“Wait a minute. Are you saying the Saint gave a false prophecy? That can’t be true, can it?”

In response to Lapellon’s question, Rossel answered bitterly.

“…She’s still human, after all.”

There was no resentment in his voice.

Only regret and remorse came through.

Lapellon, not fully understanding the meaning, stared blankly, and Rossel smiled.

“Don’t worry. I will change that fate for you.”

“…What? You’ll change my fate..?”

“You gave me your trust, so I must give you a fitting answer in return.”

“An answer?” What…

Rossel opened a drawer on the desk, pulled something out, and placed it down with a thud. It was a necklace.

The necklace was beautifully crafted with a sapphire-like blue gemstone.

“This is an object I personally developed. You just need to wear it and assist the hero party as their porter, both on the journey and on the return trip.”

“…An object?”

“And a day before arriving in the capital, you will leave the party and come to my domain.”

“…I’m the only one leaving? What about the hero? If I leave, won’t the hero end up being betrayed and become a s*ave?”

Rossel smiled warmly.

It was touching to see Lapellon worry about Emilia, someone he hadn’t even met yet.

It showed just how much of a man he was, full of justice and a sense of honor.

“It can’t be helped. Right now, she won’t understand me at all. She might never understand me in her lifetime.”

Rossel murmured with a look of regret.

Though he wanted to ambush the return trip and rescue Emilia, he knew that with only five years, it wasn’t enough to topple the kingdom.

Even if he spoke of his warnings about betrayal, no one would listen.

Before reaching the capital—or more precisely, before meeting the king—his companions would still pretend to be her ‘allies.’

If he tried to do anything rash, it would only lead to disaster. That’s why, for now, this was the best method.

Rossel stood up and approached Lapellon, placing the necklace around his neck.

“Since you have given me your trust, once everything is over, I will reward you for saving the kingdom and rescuing Emilia.”

Having already received his life’s worth of compensation, Lapellon didn’t attach much meaning to the “reward.”

“Are you saying you’ll… save the hero?”

Rossel smiled slightly.

“Not just Emilia, I will save this kingdom.”

Lapellon narrowed his eyes.

Rossel’s words about saving the kingdom didn’t seem like just empty boasts.

Lapellon had already heard enough about the tyranny of Brikal from traveling through the domains.

He had seen many of the kingdom’s citizens, worn out and suffering under the rising tax rates.

“…May I ask why you care so much about the hero?”

In response to Lapellon’s fundamental question, Rossel answered willingly.

“…Isn’t fate pitiable?”