TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 179
Hanna, who was alone in the Training Grounds, closed her eyes and fell into thought.
She was taking a calm moment to reflect on the Will Contained in the Sword she had held until now.
‘I don’t know.’
Ricardo had said it was okay to have selfish desires. He had mentioned that even short-term goals for success were fine, but that it was also okay to harbor endless greed.
-Isn’t it dull to start wielding a sword with a purpose? I’m someone who achieves things too quickly, you see. Ah, was that too obnoxious?
Surely, it was obnoxious, but Hanna could understand Ricardo’s words. After all, Butler had always kept every word he had ever spoken.
That’s why she could trust Butler’s words and believe they were the correct answer.
‘My sword…’
Hanna had swung her sword solely for recognition.
She had started wielding a sword to carry on her Family Honor and to gain Father’s approval.
She had stubbornly clung to the sword, waiting for the day when Father’s warm hand might stroke her head.
Without even knowing much about swords.
Without any support from her Household, she had trained herself by striking a Training Scarecrow with the Sword Received in Childhood.
Because that was the reason she had to wield a sword.
Because the purpose given to her, as she wandered a path with no end in sight, was like the conclusion handed down by a Shepherd leading the flock. She had no choice but to nod and follow.
Because she believed that was the only way to find happiness.
She thought the only way to Prove her existence was through the sword. Then, her dream had collapsed, and the continuation of that dream had begun anew.
The continuation of gaining Father’s approval, that is.
It was an ending that would come true someday.
That ending could be today.
Or it could be an ending 30 years from now, a goal with a conclusion.
While having a clear ending might seem good, upon further thought, she realized that this ending might not necessarily be a happy one.
A sword for others.
Even she thought that starting with a sword for the sake of others wouldn’t lead to a good path. Perhaps, after gaining Father’s approval, she might experience burnout, like someone with no purpose.
Because the satisfaction of achievement might lead her to give up on further progress.
She thought she might spend her remaining Time whining to Butler and trying to increase the time she spent with him.
While that Time might bring her happiness, it wasn’t the ending she truly desired.
Hanna wanted recognition.
As a Swordsman.
As a person.
She wanted to be acknowledged by Father through the sword and to inspire Faith in her Benefactor as a Disciple.
Because just as Butler’s face brought her peace of mind, she wanted to become someone who brought the same to Butler.
Hanna closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Then, she slowly drew her sword.
She focused on her sword, not to imitate Butler, but to show her True Feelings. After countless hours of reflection and practice, the conclusion she reached in her Wrong Answer Notebook was to find her Own Sword.
Hanna knew well that she couldn’t imitate Butler.
Because she wasn’t strong enough to peer into an Abyss with no end. Hanna knew she was lacking, even to skim the surface.
That’s why Hanna thought.
To try putting her unique Desire into the sword.
To become someone Butler could trust.
To become a Precious Person to Butler.
To put her feelings into the sword, wanting to cut down anyone who threatened Butler.
Because that was her repayment for the grace she had received… No, it was the wish she desired.
Though it was a bit cowardly, she wanted to stand by Ricardo’s side and envision a Future with him.
And she wanted to be together with him.
To grow as a Swordsman, not a burden, and to stand by his side as a woman.
Hanna imbued her sword with her Desire.
‘I want it.’
A happy daily life.
Attention from Butler.
‘I’m tired of compromising.’
She was tired of giving up things because of Father, tired of hiding her feelings because of the burdens she carried.
Of course, while it was natural for the Main Wife’s Position to follow the proper order, she didn’t want to give up the Second Position to anyone.
So.
Hanna imbued her sword with her Desire.
‘I’ll have it all.’
The selfishness of Greed.
And.
She wielded her sword, imbued with the Violence of wanting to destroy everything that stood in Ricardo’s way.
-Sharpening Sound.
A hunch that she had achieved something, followed by the familiar ‘ding’ of an alert.
[Q. The Villainess Histania Hanna’s First Love.]
In the story you don’t know, you were someone who received Ricardo’s affection.
In that story, you became Ricardo’s Protagonist.
Ricardo became your Butler.
And you, amidst your Household’s Hardships, slowly found a foothold with Ricardo’s help.
Of course, during that process, you hurt Ricardo with words like, ‘What does someone like you know to tell me what to do?’ and hurled abusive language at him, but he stayed by your side and whispered Hope to you.
Though no one knows how this story ends.
(!)Win the Duel against Mikhail.
Reward: Viewing of the [41st Side Story] ‘The Villainess Histania Hanna’s First Love.’
There was now one more reason to win.
***
Mikhail held his sword.
No matter how many times he thought about it.
To find the reason he couldn’t reach it.
What was the purpose of wielding his sword? And what kind of feelings should he have while swinging it? Mikhail couldn’t find the answer.
He already knew the answer.
To protect innocent people from Villains like Ricardo. That was the conclusion he had reached, the purpose of his sword.
But his heart kept wavering.
A foreboding hunch that something was fundamentally wrong came creeping into his chest. Mikhail couldn’t pinpoint the source of this sense of discord, the feeling that something was inherently flawed.
The first reason he picked up the sword was because of The Boy.
The boy he had liked the most.
Perhaps even loved.
-Why did you take the hit for me?
-Kid, you’re weak.
-I’m not weak.
-Is that so?
The day when Delinquents took away the Teddy Bear Mother had bought for him, The Boy had protected him like a Hero, wielding a Wooden Sword.
Like a Prince from a Fairy Tale, The Boy had wiped the blood flowing from his nose with a sniff and smiled.
He had looked so cool.
The image of The Boy wielding a sword to protect someone.
I wanted to be like him.
I wanted to protect someone, just like The Boy.
The Boy had said to me back then.
-Because you’re weak, I protect you.
-…What if I become stronger?
-Pfft! That’ll never happen, even if I die. Even if I don’t want to, I’ll have to protect you. Just wait… Later, when I become the strongest, hmm! Then, you can protect me instead.
-I’ll protect you?
-Yes, until you’re weaker than me, no matter what happens, I’ll protect you.
-Really?
-Yeah. But you have to keep your promise too.
-What?
-If you become stronger than me, you’ll protect me.
That day, I held a Wooden Sword for the first time.
A faint memory remained of the first time I smiled while holding the Wooden Sword The Boy had left behind.
It had been enjoyable.
The thought of being able to protect someone, instead of always being the one receiving help, was both delightful and exciting.
Dreaming of the day I could protect The Boy, just as he had said, I secretly swung the sword Underneath the Bridge, a memory that lingered.
‘I want to protect the Weak Person.’ That feeling had never changed.
To resolve the Injustice of the Weak Person and to show them that there was still Hope—that was what The Boy wished for, and the burden I had to carry.
So…
I will become stronger.
Rowen, watching Mikhail’s Sword, opened his eyes with interest.
“Oh…”
The Aura flowing from Mikhail was pure and, unlike before, carried the emotion of Violence.
As the gentle waves of Aura flowed, Rowen stopped speaking and silently observed Mikhail’s realization.
Mikhail closed his eyes and swung his sword.
-Sharpening Sound.
And then.
A ‘ding’ Notification rang in Mikhail’s ears as well.
A tempting offer, filled with impulsive allure, obscured Mikhail’s vision like a Devil.
-A Quest has occurred.
[Q. The Reason You Wield a Sword.]
A long time ago, you had a Close Friend. A precious friend you lost by your own hands.
Due to someone’s Scheme, you were cursed to the point of not recognizing him, but you still recall him as a presence like spring.
A Memory.
A very old Memory.
The weight of the Evil Deeds you cannot confess to others and the burden you bear is now flying back at you like an arrow.
The Boy you miss so dearly might still be alive.
Though he endured much pain, oppression, and Injustice because of you, he did not hate you.
Well, whether he’s alive or not, who knows?
(!)Win the Duel against Hanna.
Reward: Viewing of the [15th Side Story] ‘The Secret of That Day.’
There was now one more reason to win.
*
A peaceful afternoon.
I was walking through the Streets of the Capital City with a Smile.
“What kind of charm should I buy?”
Though I don’t believe in superstitions, having one still brings comfort, so I walked towards the shop with a Smile.
As I passed by, I noticed a charm symbolizing luck in front of the shop.
The Four-Leaf Clover Earrings.
Smiling, I decided on the Gift and slowly entered the shop.
And then.
I opened my eyes slightly.
[Q. Mikhail’s Guardian.]
·
·
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Reward: Viewing of the [16th Side Story] ‘The Risk of Truth.’
Let’s postpone it just a little longer.