Chapter 46: From Essil to Emilia (1)

“Then think it over carefully. I’ll give you one week.”

With those words, Lucillan left the office. She had promised to stay for a week, implying that everything had to be resolved before her departure.

However, Rosel had no intention of forcing Roden to go.

All decisions would be left to Roden.

If Roden chose not to go, Rosel would simply find another way to persuade Lucillan.

“I won’t pressure you. If you wish to stay by Silia’s side, then do so.”

Roden, clearly confused, hesitated to speak.

The expedition to the northern lands was an uncertain journey, and Roden paused to consider it.

Leaving behind the comfort of this place for the harsh northern territories wasn’t a decision to be made lightly.

Most importantly, there was no telling when he might see Silia again.

“You don’t have to decide today. Take your time. Whatever you choose, I will fully respect your decision, so don’t feel pressured.”

Rosel spoke with evident regret, feeling sorry for the weight being placed on Roden’s young shoulders.

He hadn’t anticipated Lucillan’s request for Roden, and now it felt like this situation was pressuring the boy’s choice.

It was a cruel dilemma for a 13-year-old.

But then, Roden smiled broadly.

The expedition to the harsh northern lands.

His deliberation about venturing into the raw, untamed world didn’t last long.

This was his chance to prove that his resolve to do anything for an adult like Rosel hadn’t been mere words.

Besides, he owed Rosel his life twice over.

His life belonged to him, so how could he hesitate?

Moreover, the untamed world seemed rich with opportunities for growth and learning.

How could he hope to achieve the growth of someone like Duvell by living a comfortable life?

Without noble status, he couldn’t even attend the academy.

Next year, Silia would grow by attending the academy until she came of age, but Roden didn’t have that privilege.

Thus, the expedition to the northern lands seemed like an excellent opportunity for self-discipline and growth.

With that thought, Roden ended his internal debate and spoke to Rosel.

“I will accompany Grand Duke Lucillan.”

“…Are you sure?”

“To protect Lady Silia, I must become stronger than her, right? I believe the northern lands will offer me the chance to grow.”

Roden assured him that this decision wasn’t forced but made for his own sake, urging Rosel not to worry.

It was true.

Moreover, his lord desired revolution—to save a decaying kingdom.

For that reason alone, he had no grounds to refuse the expedition.

If his meager life could contribute, even slightly, to the revolution, and if he could support his lord’s will, then he must do so.

Rosel stood and placed a hand on Roden’s shoulder.

In his heart, he felt like adopting this admirable boy as his own, but in these turbulent times, everyone had their roles to play.

He gazed down at Roden with affection.

“Thank you, Roden. I will wholeheartedly support your growth. And when the revolution succeeds, I’ll ensure you are duly rewarded for today’s decision.”

“That won’t be necessary, my lord. You’ve already saved my life twice; I expect no reward.”

“Is there anything you want, then?”

“Hmm…”

Roden pursed his lips in thought.

He hadn’t expected or desired grand rewards.

“Please protect Lady Emilia well.”

That was his only wish.

Through the three-day banquet, Roden had realized that Essil was a pitiful victim and that his lord cared deeply for her.

Roden wished for the safety of the brave lady.

“Roden…”

Rosel smiled at the thoughtful boy.

Calling her Emilia instead of Essil was a sign of his pure heart.

Yes, it was time to discard the name of a s*ave.

Hearing Roden call her Emilia, Rosel realized it was time to remove the label he had given her.

“Just as you’ve vowed to protect Silia, I too swear to protect Emilia with my life.”

Roden smiled back and bowed deeply.

“Thank you, my lord. I’m truly grateful for everything you’ve done for me. I’ll repay this kindness someday.”

“No, let’s call it even. I owe you as well.”

“…Call it even? What does that mean…?”

“Haha, it means our debts cancel each other out; there’s no need for repayment.”

As their final laughter filled the office, a moment that seemed to soar into the future—

Bang!

The office door flew open suddenly.

Only Silia could enter the lord’s office without permission.

But it wasn’t Silia who stepped in; it was the steward, Gelion.

His pale expression immediately wiped the smile from Rosel’s face.

With a tense and ominous feeling, Rosel asked,

“What’s the matter, Gelion?”

“My lord…!”

Gelion’s eyes glistened with unshed tears.

An urgent report had just arrived from the capital.

“The King has been assassinated and has collapsed…!”

Upon hearing this unexpected urgent news, Rosel realized what the moisture in Gelion’s eyes meant.

“…Duvell.”

The gaze Duvell had cast upon King Brikal during the final banquet had hinted at change, but Rosel had not realized that this change pointed toward catastrophe.

Rosel knew Duvell better than anyone. He had expected Duvell to choose his vow over his beliefs, but it seemed he had chosen his beliefs.

And because Rosel knew that Gelion’s moisture was not directed toward Brikal, but rather toward Duvell, he mourned the man who had gone astray, following his beliefs far away.

Though Duvell had made the mistake of bringing down Emilia, it was a noble resolve that he paid for with his life.

Rosel, eyes wide in shock at the news, gently patted Roden’s head as he looked up at him.

“…The revolution has begun, Roden.”

Essil, who had carefully followed her master’s instructions, was reading the diary Duvell had passed to her. She closed it momentarily and looked at Mila. As her master had said, Mila was indeed a solid companion.

“Mila, it’s okay to be thankful to my master, right…? He carried this with him just to give it to me… If it had been discovered, he might have been branded a traitor…”

Essil had instinctively called him ‘master,’ but she did not regret it.

Of course, it had been wrong for him to point a sword at her throat, but his sins were nothing compared to those of the party members, and so Essil had forgiven him.

She knew that had Duvell not restrained himself, he would have been overwhelmed by his anger and gone on a rampage. If that had happened, blood would have been on his hands. That’s why Essil did not blame him.

Moreover, Duvell had not known that he would be subjected to 65 days of brutal torture.

And this diary.

The more Essil read it, the more the warm memories of that day softened her heart.

Her master had likely thought the same—that this diary would be the balm to her wounds.

That’s why he had taken the risk of carrying it and giving it to her.

“…Mila, but I’m a little uneasy. It feels like this might be the last time I see my master…?”

Squeak.

“Right? You felt that too? He looked so resigned, like he was ready to let go.”

It was one-sided communication, projecting her feelings onto Mila, but following her master’s words, Essil had been making sure to express her thoughts.

She had often spoken like this to Mila during their journey.

• Knock knock.

“Ah…! It must be my master…”

At that moment, the familiar knock of her master echoed, and Essil, with a bright smile, quickly opened the door.

Even though it hadn’t been long since their last meeting, as soon as she saw Rosel’s face, Essil’s face lit up like a reunion with a long-lost family member.

“Master..!”

However, Rosel’s lips were tightly pressed, his smile absent.

Though he was happy to see Essil, the news he was about to deliver was grim.

Rosel had known that Essil had forgiven Duvell.

Without a word, Rosel entered the room and looked at the thin book resting on the table.

Essil, feeling shy under his gaze, spoke up.

“T-this is a diary. Master Duvell passed it to me. He said he wanted to give it to me when we met.”

“Ah… I see.”

Rosel had heard about it from Duvell.

He had something he wanted to pass on to Emilia. Rosel hadn’t asked what it was, so he didn’t know, but as he looked at the diary, his gaze deepened.

With the diary, Duvell must have buried his atonement as a master.

And Rosel felt the weight of guilt.

Duvell’s fate was, in the end, his responsibility. That’s why Rosel couldn’t easily speak the tragic news.

He feared it might reopen Essil’s old wounds.

He feared that the tears Essil had wiped away would fall again.

He would have preferred if Essil had hated Duvell.

But he knew the difference between the sins of the one who committed the crime and the one who merely watched, so there was no other choice.

He respected Duvell, as he did with the rest of the party members, knowing their sins were not all the same.

But it was a story that couldn’t be hidden, and it was a story that Essil had to confront.

“…Emilia.”

“Master?”

Essil’s eyes widened as Rosel called her “Emilia.” The name “Essil,” which had been given to her at the s*ave auction, was one that her master had chosen for her.

“From now on, I will call you Emilia. Forget the name of a s*ave.”

“W-what? But I…”

“Tell Zicel to bring you new clothes and change.”

“W-what?”

“You are no longer a s*ave, Emilia. It’s time to reclaim your original name.”

Rosel thought to himself.

Duvell’s death had, even if just for a brief moment, given Emilia the chance to breathe freely.

As long as Brikal was teetering on the edge of death, Emilia could feel the wind of freedom.

And she must know the end of Duvell, who left her that brief taste of freedom.

“…Duvell’s final gift was a fleeting freedom. Now, let’s prepare for you to return to Emilia.”

In the midst of the tumultuous times,

Emilia’s new story was about to be written.