52
Before the sun had set, we managed to return to Ritten Village.
As if she had been desperately waiting for our return, Village Chief Paula threw aside her cane and hobbled out to greet us.
"You've come back…!"
At her cry, the villagers began to gather one by one. Their faces showed disbelief, as though they couldn't accept that we had truly come back alive.
The chief, who had been staring at us endlessly, finally spoke in a trembling voice.
"W-what happened…?"
Before setting out on the subjugation, Sion had told Chief Paula alone about the situation we had suspected.
After all, telling the villagers about the dangerous monster lurking nearby would have only spread fear and confusion.
So now, what Paula was asking was whether we had succeeded in eliminating that creature.
Sion nodded.
"We've identified the cause behind the injuries and livestock losses in Ritten Village. It was the work of a monster dwelling in the nearby canyon."
"T-then…?"
"It has been defeated. The same problem will not occur again, so there's no need to worry."
"This… this is unbelievable!"
"Heavens above…!"
"Ah, Goddess be praised…"
All at once, cries of joy and relief burst from the villagers' mouths.
Ever since we had arrived here, their faces had always been clouded with fear and grief, but now, those expressions were washed away, replaced by elation.
"Thank you, thank you so much…!"
Chief Paula, moved to tears, bowed deeply to Sion. Some villagers even wiped at their eyes.
"We're saved! We can finally live again!"
"The knights of Luxior have saved our village!"
News spread like wildfire, and the village filled with cheers of joy.
Watching them, Garen, Diene, and Genevia all smiled warmly.
Sion, as always, wore his usual indifferent expression, but from the way he quietly observed the villagers, I could tell he was secretly pleased as well.
Heh. See? He's actually kind of a tsundere.
"Um, if it's not too rude…"
Just then, one of the villagers carefully asked.
"May we ask the names of the knights who saved our village?"
"…!"
That was an excellent question.
Until recently, Sion had always been treated as the stain and disgrace of House Luxior, its illegitimate son.
In fact, up until the Winter Coming-of-Age Ceremony, his existence hadn't even been officially acknowledged to the outside world.
At best, people only knew vague rumors, such as, 'I heard there's a bastard son living in the Grand Duke's castle.'
Of course, after the last supply retrieval incident, rumors had quietly spread in and out of the Grand Duke's castle about the exploits of the so-called "Young Lord of the Annex." But the impact of those whispers wasn't significant yet.
That's exactly why, Sion's accomplishments this time must spread far and wide, without a doubt!
Sion was now a legitimate member of the Grand Ducal House, an acknowledged young lord with nothing to hide.
For the sake of his future, it was crucial that he build a presence and influence strong enough not to fall behind the male lead.
I quickly looked up at Sion.
Go on, Sion. Say it. Tell them you're Sion Luxior! That you're the hidden son of the Luxior family…!
But instead, Sion remained silent, lost in thought.
From the look on his face, I could tell he was still struggling with whether his very existence and origins would truly bring benefit to the North.
Sensing his inner conflict, Garen, Diene, and Genevia all waited quietly for his response.
I was the only one who couldn't stay patient.
Ahem.
I can't let such a golden opportunity slip away.
Lowering my voice, I awkwardly imitated Sion's deep tone and declared.
"My name is Sion Luxior."
"…!"
Sion froze.
At the same time, murmurs rippled like waves through the gathered villagers.
"…Luxior…?"
"Wait, Luxior, as in…"
"No way, the Grand Duke's family…?!"
In the midst of the villagers' stunned whispers, Chief Paula asked in a trembling voice.
"C-could it be… you're the Young Lord of House Luxior…?"
Since I had already spilled the secret, Sion had no choice but to answer.
"…That's correct."
"Heavens above…! What an honor this is…!"
Chief Paula's voice broke as her eyes welled with tears.
"To think the Young Lord of Luxior himself came here to protect us?!"
"Incredible. He's truly remarkable!"
As the villagers gazed upon Sion, their eyes shone with admiration, respect, awe, and deep gratitude.
Watching this, I whispered to myself with satisfaction:
Hmph, see that, Sion? Everyone's grateful to you. Feels pretty nice, doesn't it?
"…Lin."
Sion sighed softly as he murmured my name.
Judging from his reaction, it was clear he hadn't intended to reveal his identity if he could avoid it. But the mood was already set in stone.
Just then, amid the lively commotion, Genevia spoke up.
"Oh, and there's more good news. We've found a survivor and brought him here."
"What!? Really?!"
"Wh-who is it?!"
"Could it be my younger brother?!"
"Sister Lisa? Lisa, it's you, isn't it?!"
At the single word "survivor," the villagers swarmed Genevia.
And so the castaway, Hans, who had been standing around like background scenery until now, suddenly found every eye fixed on him.
With a bittersweet but relieved expression, Genevia introduced him.
"I'm sorry to the families of the others. This here is Mr. Hans, Chief Paula's son, and also the husband of Ms. Anna."
"…H-Hans…?"
Chief Paula's hands trembled violently as she reached toward Hans.
But before she could, Anna rushed forward, pushing the chief aside as she seized Hans.
"Oh my goodness…!"
"Hans?! It's really you?!"
Hans, gripped tightly by Anna, was shaken roughly back and forth, but he didn't utter a word.
Then, as tears streamed endlessly down her face, Anna suddenly froze.
Her hand brushed aside Hans's thick, unkempt hair...
And when Anna brushed his hair aside and finally saw his face, her expression twisted into a deep frown.
"…Who is this man?"
Silence fell over the room.
***
Village Chief Paula's house.
We gathered in the living room, with the castaway, who had been mistaken for Hans, standing awkwardly before us.
"So… you're saying this man is not Mr. Hans?"
Genevia asked in confusion.
Both Anna and Chief Paula nodded solemnly.
"Yes. I'm certain. That is not my husband."
"My daughter-in-law is right. Now that I look closely, he seems a little taller as well."
"…I see."
Genevia's face darkened with guilt at having given the grieving family false hope.
"I truly apologize. We were convinced this man was Mr. Hans…"
"No need to apologize. Given his ragged appearance, anyone might have made the same mistake…"
Chief Paula cast a sidelong glance at the scruffy stranger. His tangled hair, unkempt beard, and shabby state made it nearly impossible to guess his true age or features, so the misunderstanding was understandable.
"My son… he must still be alive. The day will come when we meet again."
Chief Paula's eyes grew misty as she gazed out the window, and Anna quietly wiped her tears.
Just then...
Bang!
"Mother!!! Darling!!!"
The door suddenly burst open, and a thin man rushed inside.
It was the real Hans.
"H-Hans?! Is it truly you?!"
"My love…?!"
"Yes, Mother! I've come back! Darling, don't you worry anymore! I've found a way to save our village…!"
But in the middle of his impassioned declaration, Hans noticed the strangers filling the living room and faltered.
"…Who are all these people…?"
"…Sit down first."
Though his entrance had been dramatic, Hans sat down meekly and soon heard the whole story. His eyes widened as he looked at Sion and the rest of us.
Then his eyes welled with tears.
"Th-thank you so much…! How could we ever repay the grace you, Young Lord, and you knights have shown in saving our village…!"
"There's no need for more thanks. We'll be leaving tomorrow. Just allowing us a roof over our heads for one more night to shelter from the snowstorm is enough."
At Sion's words, Chief Paula quickly nodded.
"For our precious benefactors, of course, stay as long as you need."
"It may not be much, but we'll also prepare some provisions for your journey."
"We're grateful for your kindness."
Diene and Garen both replied with respectful bows.
At that moment, Hans turned to Sion again.
"Um… Young Lord, if it isn't too forward, may I ask, where are you headed?"
"We're crossing the Alpheon Mountains, bound for the northernmost borderlands."
Upon hearing this, Diene added.
"Come to think of it, our expedition has already been delayed by two days. If we don't hurry, we might run into the harshest of winter."
Hans clenched his fist into his palm with a sudden idea.
"Ah! In that case, perhaps I can be of some assistance!"
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1 Comments
OMG so it IS the Crown Prince!!... right??
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