The Guardian Knight of Affection-Starved Young Ladies

9 – Rakatus (01)

010.

‘…A staff?’

The staff hanging at his waist did not match his age.

It was the first thought that came to Everchan Rakatus when he saw Kallen.

The monocle suited the boy’s appearance well, often used by wizards to assist with spell calculations.

But the staff, meant for power augmentation, which was now obsolete, did not quite fit.

“The elder… taught you magic, did he?”

“Yes.”

“But you are neither a disciple nor a successor…”

To reach the position of head of Rakatus, it was natural to excel in many areas.

Judging the opponent with simple conversation was part of that.

“An interesting play.”

“It is true.”

“Well, that’s a good thing. What I am truly interested in…”

Duke Everchan released his clasped hands from under his chin and pointed at Kallen with his finger.

“Did you learn that from the elder as well?”

Mana.

A wizard should naturally exist.

The presence that should be prioritized above all else in magic was not felt in the boy.

Indeed, it was as reported.

Was it curiosity, or was it caution?

Kallen answered in a tone that suggested he didn’t particularly care.

“It has always been like this. It’s also the reason why the elder decided to teach me magic.”

“That strange interest of yours remains unchanged.”

Wizards usually gauge each other’s level by the amount of mana.

How vast the mana that flows out is.

Of course, someone like Blamia could even control that.

“I heard you can handle a few first-class spells. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“Well, it’s impressive enough to handle that at your age. So, how do you use first-class magic in a unique way?”

“I don’t think I handle it particularly uniquely, but I do handle it differently from others.”

“Can you show me for a moment?”

Instead of answering, Kallen used the first-class magic ‘Ignition’.

Everchen, who saw the flame stretching out like a thread, looked quite surprised.

‘It’s not bound by form.’

That was the conclusion Everchen reached after seeing some of Kallen’s magic.

Humans naturally have a form they associate with certain ‘concepts’.

It’s something that the environment, the world creates, so it’s usually fixed and similar.

For example, when you think of fire, you think of a blazing flame.

But the boy was different.

“How old are you?”

“Fifteen.”

Even if the claim that he could only handle first-class magic was a lie, it was still impressive.

Too much talent tends to attract unnecessary attention.

Indeed, it made sense that a giant like Blamia would take an interest.

A young age, a unique constitution, and even a glimpse of genius.

I thought he was living quietly with his granddaughter, but is he trying to repeat the past?

“May I ask you something now?”

“…?”

The surprises didn’t end there.

From my experience in the social circles, it was always the same.

The young ones, often called princes or ladies, would always tremble before authority.

And my son was no different.

But the boy in front of me seemed to disregard all that.

He was boldly saying what he wanted to say.

Was it because he lived with Blamia and became insensitive to such things?

“Go ahead.”

“I tried not to care, but I can’t stand it anymore. What exactly is it that I have to do?”

Or had he lost his fear?

Seeing him show a hint of discomfort in front of the Duke of Lacatus, it seemed to be the latter.

“Ha… haha…”

“The manager told me to ask you. What was the deal you made with the elder, and why do I have to take on the heavy duty of guarding the Lady of Lacatus?”

“Unbelievable.”

“Excuse me?”

“The second one.”

“What do you mean?”

Everchan laughed heavily.

“The second person to say everything they want in front of me.”

*

“Have you ever felt despair that you couldn’t escape no matter what?”

A pile of papers like a mountain.

He picks one up, skims through it, and picks up another.

Duke Everchan repeated this meaningless act and asked.

“I live in that despair every day.”

“That…”

“When I was trying to become the head of the family, when I was trying to reach the fourth rank, when I gave up my first love for my position. In the end, I was rewarded for all of it, but not this time.”

I asked him to tell me the details, but what came back was an incomprehensible personal story.

However, Kallen waited cautiously for the words.

It was because Everchan did not seem like someone who would not understand the meaning.

In the midst of it.

“Have you ever heard of a disease called ‘Mana Overheat’, boy?”

“I have never heard of it.”

“I thought so. I hadn’t either.”

The voice of Duke Everchan was gradually hardening.

“First… shall we talk about the deal? Yes, you were curious about the deal between the elder and me?”

“Yes. No matter how I looked at it, I couldn’t understand. That you would support the elder in exchange for such a simple task.”

“Certainly, it’s understandable. I get it.”

“The work continued several times, and after hearing about Lady Rakatus’s escort from the manager, I understood a little, but I still want to hear it.”

Duke Everchan tapped his temple lightly and said.

“Originally, the task I asked for was ‘to save my daughter’.”

“Your daughter?”

“Yes, my daughter.”

The first task was to save his daughter.

Then what was the task of exterminating monsters that Kallen himself had done?

“You seem to be guessing now. Of course, it was a test and inspection for the escort.”

“What would you have done if I had failed?”

“The elder could not grant my request. The disease I mentioned earlier was the cause. The terrible and unknown demon that drove my daughter to the brink. It was a request that had already been rejected, so shouldn’t I be grateful that he tried once more?”

Kallen now felt like the tangled thread was unraveling.

In short, it was like this.

Originally, Everchan’s request to Blamia was to cure his daughter’s incurable disease.

However, it failed because it was an incurable disease that even the great wizard could not handle.

Then Blamia was asked again.

“Then why the escort…”

“Realizing it couldn’t be cured, I had to give up. So I changed the request.”

“Pardon?”

“Do you know what my daughter’s wish was? To see the scenery of the winter island in the north at least once. She is losing her senses now, so I want to send her there before she dies.”

“Then the reason I have to take on the role of escort is…”

“It’s because of the nature of the disease. It’s literally a disease where mana overheats, and it spreads to those around. Thanks to that, I haven’t been able to go near my daughter for nine years.”

The reason why others couldn’t take on the task of guarding Lady Rakatus was also clear.

Including not only themselves but also the mana of those around them, even approaching her would cause their mana to overheat, putting their lives at risk.

“Sending my daughter, who can barely walk, alone to the north? That’s nonsense. Those without mana were better off in terms of hygiene and food, but even they complained of pain, so for nearly seven years, she hasn’t been able to leave her room. She’s a pitiful child.”

“Have you tried other methods?”

“Of course. Do you think I read thousands of papers here for no reason?”

What would it feel like to be unable to leave a room for seven years?

Kallen tried to understand, but it was difficult.

Everchan’s voice was gradually hardening.

“As a father, I couldn’t even be by her side, and how am I supposed to watch my daughter die? I wanted to grant at least one of her earnest wishes.”

In fact, it was an extremely dangerous thing.

Even for Kallen, it meant risking infection with the disease of mana overheating without any guarantee.

It was no different from telling a healthy person to walk into a death trap.

Duke Everchan stood up and approached Kallen.

“The seat I sit in is too heavy, I can’t bend my knees. I’m sorry, but I ask you to try just once, Kallen. I don’t want to be disappointed again, but I decided after hearing that you can handle magic despite having no mana.”

“…”

“If you want a billion gold coins, I’ll give them to you. If you want the glory of the Dranus family, I’ll help you with all my power.”

Then he met Kallen’s eyes and lowered his upper body.

It was the greatest courtesy a duke could show to a young boy.

Whether it was due to his outward appearance or his personality,

Everchan seemed to be a rather blunt person.

Even while talking about such circumstances, he didn’t show much emotional agitation.

But the emotions in his eyes were noticeable.

“Try being by Eliana’s side and see if there’s any problem.”

“…”

“Please.”

Kallen silently,

just stared into those tired eyes.

Gulp- Gulp-

The sound of swallowing was vividly heard in the quiet hallway.

Kallen, who was walking there with the apprentice maid he had met once, opened his mouth.

“Can you stop swallowing your saliva?”

“Oh…! I’m sorry…!”

He understood the situation.

Knowing what had happened so far, it was natural for her to be in such a tense state out of worry.

He appreciated her concern for him, but Kallen was just as nervous.

There was no way to avoid being bothered by the sound of swallowing.

“So, why did you accept it…?”

“Are you worried that I might get hurt?”

“Oh, no! I was just curious…”

Why did he accept it?

The reason was actually simple.

He trusted Blamia.

According to Everchan, Blamia would surely know the characteristics of the disease.

Knowing that, he trusted Blamia’s intention in sending him.

“Oh… I see…”

Leaving the seemingly understanding apprentice maid behind.

The two walked down the large corridor for a long time.

Was it truly noble?

Before long, the apprentice maid stopped walking and slowly turned around.

Tears were welling up in her youthful face.

“…I didn’t say anything.”

“It’s… it’s not that… I’m just nervous… Is our lady… going to die…?”

Kallen’s complicated feelings were cleared by the apprentice maid’s tears.

Ebam’s expression, Everchan’s earnestness, and the maid’s tears.

All stemmed from concern for one person.

Moreover, this concern involved even Blamia and Sinatma.

“Well, let’s think positively.”

“Sniff, yes…?”

“If I succeed, at least one wish will come true. Even if I fail, nothing changes.”

Kallen said that and then walked past the apprentice maid towards the firmly closed door.

Click,

The sound of the hinges meshing was faint.