Chapter 70: CH 68

The Capital City of the Kingdom Part 8

Translators: Frostfire10, Skythewood

Climb was thinking on his way back to the Royal Palace. What he thought about was the unease he felt about having Lakyus near Renner. Lakyus was the leader of the highest ranking adventurer party. If such a person were cursed, what would be the result? A normal soldier like Climb could not predict what would happen, but according to stories, she would crave for blood and rampage.

Should Lakyus rampage, Climb could not stop her. The only one who could stop her in the castle would be Gazef. Renner would definitely be a casualty.

It was good that Evileye determined that she would not easily fall prey to the curse, but there was the possibility that Tia might follow suit and be controlled.

Climb broke his expressionless face and frowned.

From what Renner said, she should be having a conversation with Lakyus.

Currently, the two were having a discussion about various things, and were deciding the direction of important plans, but to Climb, Renner’s safety was far more important.

However, if the questions were untactful, Lakyus’ face might give it away. Even though she could control the curse, if a complete idiot were to open his mouth, she would be separated from her friend the Princess, and her face would disappear

Climb hesitated. And reached a conclusion.

He should trust Evileye who had the most knowledge.

Climb made his decision and quickened his footsteps. While his direction was fixed, unease and angst drove his speed up.

However, Climb discovered something that was able to stop him. It was a crowd of people, and two guards were looking at them with a troubled look.

There was the clamor of voices from the centre. And they were not honest ones.

What he heard were slurred angry shouts and jeers, along with the sound of kicked. He heard voices saying that someone would die, or to call the guards. Due to the crowd, he could not see, but from the sounds it seemed to be an act of violence.

Climb’s expression turned cold, and he walked up beside the guards.

“What are you doing?”

The guard jumped in fright, given that someone had called out to him from behind, and he turned to look at Climb.

The man wore a chain shirt and a helm and carried a spear. He wore a surcoat emblazoned with the Kingdom’s crest on top of the chain shirt. This was the standard uniform of the average guard in the Kingdom, but Climb could sense that neither of the people in front of him was well-trained.

To begin with, neither of them had honed physiques. For that matter, they were also unshaven and their chain shirts had not been polished. A faint air of grime hung about them and they seemed quite slovenly in overall appearance.

“You are…”

Climb was younger than himself, so the guard responded to him with a tone that was a mix of bafflement and annoyance.

“I’m off-duty at the moment.”

Confusion spread across the guard’s face as he heard Climb’s staunchly insistent voice. Perhaps it was because he radiated an aura of superiority despite being younger than them.

The guards seemed to have concluded that they could not go wrong by taking a submissive posture, and they straightened up.

“Seems to be a civilian disturbance.”

Climb resisted the urge to castigate them by saying I knew that already. Unlike the Palace guards, the guards who patrolled the city were drawn from the civilian populace and were not well-trained. In truth, they were merely civilians who knew how to use weapons.

Climb turned his eyes from the nervous guards to the crowd. It would be quicker to settle the matter in person than wait for them to do anything.

“You wait here.”

“Yes.”

Climb steeled himself, and left the guards’ panicked voices behind him as he entered the crowd.

“Let me pass.”

While saying that, he forced his body through. While there were some gaps, Climb could not take the time to enter them. No, someone who could do that was the strange one.

As he struggled to shove his way forward, he heard a voice from the center of the crowd.

“…Begone.”

“Ah?”

“I’ll say it again – begone.”

“Damn geezer!”

This was bad.

The violence he could not see was about to occur again.

When Climb got through the crowd, he saw the figure of an old man before him.He was surrounded by a group of younger men. At their feet was a boy who had been beaten so badly he looked like a crumpled rag.

The old man was elegantly dressed, and gave off the feeling of being nobility or the servant of nobility. The men surrounding him were muscular and looked drunk. The villainous side was apparent at a glance.

One of the men — the one who looked the most muscular — clenched his fist. Compared to him, the old man seemed far inferior, be it in the sturdiness of their bodies, the bulging of their muscles, or their bloodthirsty brutality. Surely the younger man could easily send the old man flying with but a swing of his fist. The people around them realized this, and gasped in horror at the tragedy which was about to befall the old man.

Amidst all this, only Climb felt that something was strange.

Indeed, the younger man looked stronger. Yet, Climb could sense an aura of absolute power coming from the old man.

He froze for a moment, and lost his chance to curb the younger man’s violence. The man raised his fist—

—And then he collapsed limply to the ground

The people around Climb exclaimed in shock. Everyone believed that the old man could not win. However, when put to the test, the result was the opposite. It would be a lie to say that one was not surprised.

It would seem that the old man had made a fist and struck the other man square on his chin, at incredible speed. Even Climb’s honed vision could barely keep up with the swiftness of that blow.

“Do you still wish to fight?”

The old man directed this calm and grave question at the remaining men.

The combination of his inscrutable exterior and his calm tone broke through the men’s drunkenness. No, even the people around them had been frightened by his presence. The men had lost all will to fight.

“Er, um. We, we’re sorry.”

The men backed up and chorused an apology, and then they grabbed their colleague — who had been disgracefully laid out on the ground — and fled with their tails between their legs.  Climb did not have the desire to chase after them. Normally he would, but his heart was stolen by that figure of the old man.

He looked like a masterwork blade. It was a sight that would fill any warrior who saw it with reverence.

The old man took a step towards the child, then shook his head. He then turned on his heels, and walked away. When he did so, he pointed to one of the humans nearby.

“….Take this child to the temple. He has broken a few ribs. Take care when moving him, and do not shake him too much on the stretcher.”

When he finished speaking, the old man silently walked away. The crowd cleared a path for the old man to walk. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on his back, such was the allure of the old man’s presence.

Climb hurried over to the fallen boy and then took out the potion Gazef had given him after their training session.

“Can you drink this?”

There was no answer. He had fainted dead away.

Cimb opened the bottle and poured the liquid on the boy’s body. Many people believed that potions had to be drunk, but the fact was that it would work even when splashed on the flesh. Magic was truly great.

The boy’s skin seemed to absorb the liquid as it disappeared into his body, and the color returned to the boy’s face.

Climb nodded in relief.

The boy ought to be alright now that Climb had given him the potion, but it would be best for him to go to the temple just to be safe. He looked to the guards standing by and noticed that the pair had become a trio.

The annoyed gazes of the surrounding people focused on the guards as they thought, they finally arrived. But this could not be helped. From what they saw, they thought that they had arrived because it was safe.

Climb addressed a very uncomfortable-looking guard.

“Take this boy to the temple.”

“What happened to him…?”

“Someone assaulted him. I’ve already used a healing potion on him so he should be alright, but I hope you’ll take him to the temple for a checkup, for safety’s sake.”

“Yes. Understood!”

The reason why he listened to Climb as a superior, was probably because the other guards had informed him. In fact Climb was the same rank as them, but he did not need to explain to them that.

“Please do so.”

“What shall we do about the aggressors?”

Climb looked in the direction where the men escaped. As they had to carry an unconscious man, their speed was low. He found them immediately.

“It’s them. Take them to a guardhouse.”

“Understood.”

Two of the guards walked away. Confirming it, Climb decided that he had done all he should do. A palace guard should not overstep his boundaries into the jobs of others.

“Can I trouble you to question any eyewitnesses about the details of what happened here?”

“Understood.”

“Then I’ll leave the rest to you.”

Climb noted that the guards seemed to have gained confidence and moved more quickly upon receiving their orders. He ran ahead without another word. “Where are you going…” one of the guards called, but Climb ignored him.

He only slowed down when he reached the corner which the old man had taken.

He then followed the old man. Why was he doing so? It was for a really terrible reason.

Soon, he saw the old man walking along the street.

He wanted to call out to him, but he could not work up the courage to do so. That was because he sensed an invisible wall between them; a sense of awesome power that seemed to crush him.

The old man turned a corner and headed into a darker region. Climb followed. He was walking behind the old man, yet he did not dare speak up and address him.

Was Climb not stalking him?

Climb began to feel annoyed by what he was doing. Even if he did not know how to approach the old man, he could not keep following him like this. In an effort to change the situation, Climb continued following in silence.

As he walked into an alley without any human presence, Climb finally found the courage to speak.

“—Excuse me.”

The old man turned around after hearing someone call out to him.

His hair was white, as was his beard. However, his back was straight, like a fine blade forged of steel. His handsome face was wrinkled, giving a kindly cast to his features, but his eyes were keen and as focused on their prey as those of an eagle’s.

He even had an air of nobility about him.

Even the nobles Climb had seen were not at that level.

“Is something the matter?”

The old man’s voice sounded somewhat aged, but it overflowed with an undeniable vitality. Climb felt an invisible pressure rolling out towards him and he gulped.

“Ah, ah.”

Climb could not speak, overwhelmed as he was by the man’s presence. As he saw this, the old man appeared to relax and let the tension escape from his body.

“And who might you be?”

His tone was gentle. Released from the immense, crushing strain, Climb’s throat regained its ability to function.

“…My name is Climb, and I am a humble soldier of this nation. Thank you for your courageous action in completing a task that should have been rightfully mine.”

Climb bowed deeply in thanks. The old man fell into thought, then narrowed his eyes. After that, he quietly went “Ah…” as he realised what Climb meant.

“…It’s fine. Then, I’ll be going.”

The old man broke off the conversation and made to leave, but Climb then raised his head and asked.

“You may laugh at me for making such an presumptuous request, but if possible could you please teach me that technique?”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Ah. I have been studying the martial arts for a long time and I would like to improve my skills further. After I saw that impeccable movement of yours just now, I was hoping that you could teach me a little of your technique, if it pleases you.”

“Are there any merits for….No, you said you were a soldier, am I correct? Well, several days ago, I rescued a girl—”

After listening to the the old man’s, Sebas’, story, he was livid with rage.

He could not hide his displeasure at the fact that Renner’s slave manumission laws had been misused in such a way, and that things had not changed until now.

No, that’s not right. Climb shook his head.

The Kingdom’s laws forbade trading in slaves. That said, it was a common sight for people to be forced to work in poor conditions in order to pay their debts. Loopholes like those were everywhere. In fact, it was because of them that the law against slavery had been passed.

Renner’s laws were useless. That chilling thought swept through his mind for a moment, However. he soon chased that thought away. Right now, he had to think about Sebas’ situation.

Climb furrowed his brow. Sebas was in a very bad position.

He wanted to be of assistance to the captured woman, but now he had to think of how to handle it.

Let us take the case of a strong coal miner. He had been working in the terrible conditions of a coal mine and had contracted a bronchial disease. As a result, he was on the verge of death. Then Sebas came and healed him. Then appeared the coal mine owner. He then said to return the man. This was as the contract stated that the man had to work.

Now, was it acceptable for Sebas not to return the man to the mine owner?

As a human, saving the weak was the correct action. However, from the point of the laws, it might be illegal due to the contents of the contract, and Sebas might be imprisoned.

There was no law in the Kingdom stipulating the quality of the workplace. So it was natural and acceptable for the miner to have a lung disease, and the owner did not attack him. In this case, the guilty party was the miner and Sebas.

And therefore in the girl’s case, Sebas was in an extremely disadvantageous position. It was possible to retaliate by looking at the contents of the contract, those that would do so would be labeled as criminals, and the other side would never let him read it.

According to law, Sebas’ defeat was imminent.

If he did not file a lawsuit, he would be exploited far more.

“Does your side have a large amount of authority?”

He was asking if it was possible to silence them with authority. If asked if it was possible or not…the answer was no.

The Kingdom was currently split into two. If it were the opposing faction, should the Princess use her authority, it would be thought of as a power grab. Even if not, they would ask for gains and conditions. If the woman was alone, it was impossible.

Using authority was not a simple matter. Especially when the Kingdom was split into two.

Then, was saving that woman worth making deals with nobles?

Definitely not. There was no merit to saving her. There were other methods to gain information about that place, and they could not expect much information from her.

Climb suppressed the feeling of disgust.

He felt extreme anger about himself, having to think about the pros and cons of saving a person’s life.

However, Climb was Renner’s soldier. If it was for Renner, any sacrifice was worth it. It was natural for him to cast aside a woman he had never seen or heard about.

However, if they could not pressure the opponents into leaving her alone, then instead of using the law as a shield, they could use it as a weapon to save her.

“….I have to ask my liege, but how about having that woman escape to my liege’s territory?”

“….Would escaping there solve the problem?”

“I believe not. While slavery is illegal, your side broke the law, so you would have to settle that by yourself.”

“….But doing so would trouble my master?”

Climb kept silent. Sebas’ master was a merchant. There would be rumours, and it would definitely cause problems. And on top of losing the woman, there was a chance they would have to be taught a lesson.

“Are there other methods?”

“This is difficult.”

Climb replied immediately. Even if there were, it would implicate Renner.

“….According to her, there are others there. Both men and women.”

“……..”

“Can you save them with your authority?”

Sebas’ tone was not forceful, but it was also empty of emotion. It was quite a quiet but kind one. However, each one of his words pierce Climb’s heart like a knife.

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It was impossible.

The people doing such things had quite the number of methods and authority. The nobles supporting them also had a large amount of authority as well. If they made surprise inspections or saved them, there was a high chance of the factions going to war with each other. While the groundwork was being prepared, bursting in would only lead to losses.

If Renner used her strong authority, the opposing faction would worry about it being used again. The Kingdom would then break down into civil war

That must not be caused by Renner’s hand.

So Climb said nothing. No, he could not say anything.

“My apologies….”

Sebas silently watched the bowing Climb.

“I understand. However, can we let her escape?”

“I cannot confirm this without asking my liege, but I believe it is possible.”

“I understand.”

Silence flowed between them.

Climb did not say anything. In the end, he could not do a single thing that Sebas had requested of him. How could any human ask for a favour from Sebas?

In the heavy cover of silence, the instant Climb felt that he could not bear it any longer and was about to speak, Sebas asked Climb a question.

“Then, another question, if you please. Why do you want to become stronger?”

“Eh?”

“You just said that you wanted me to train you. I trust you, but I would also like to know why you wish to become stronger.”

Climb narrowed his eyes at Sebas’ question.

Why did he want to become stronger?

Climb had been an abandoned child. He had not even seen the faces of his parents. That was not an unusual occurrence in the Kingdom. Orphans dying in the mud was hardly big news.

Climb had originally been fated to die in such a way on that rainy day.

And then — on that day, Climb had seen the sun. He — a being who could only crawl amidst the muck and filth — had been deeply entranced by that incandescence.

As a child, he had only felt admiration. But as he grew older, that feeling inside him grew ever more unshakeable.

—It was love.

He had to quash that  emotion. It was a miracle, of the kinds which the bards sang in the heroic sagas. It could not possibly take place in real life. Just as no man could touch the sun, Climb’s feeling would not be able to reach her. No, he could not do so.

The woman whom Climb loved so deeply was destined to be someone else’s bride. As a princess, she could not belong to someone like Climb, whose origins were unclear, and who was even lower than a commoner.

In fact, it was strange that Renner was of marriageable age but was yet to have a fiance.

If the King passed away, the First Prince would inherit the throne, and Renner would be married off to one of the Great Nobles. In all likelihood, the Prince had already arranged something like this with one of them. She might even be sent to another country as part of a political marriage.

This was a golden time, now, this instant, that he wanted to freeze forever.

If by training—If he used time to become stronger, this golden period could last a bit longer.

Climb had no talent. He was a mere man. He was at the limit of what his current training could give him. He was 15—Since he was an orphan, he did not actually know—, so any more strenuous training would not have any further meaning. In terms of raising his physical strength.

As a normal soldier, Climb was quite strong. Then, should he not be content with that? Should he not stop training, stay by Renner’s side and not waste their brief time together?

Yes, it should be fine to use the remaining amount of golden time as he wished.

But — would that really be a good thing?

Climb admired that sun-like brilliance. It was not a lie, and neither was he mistaken. It was Climb’s sincere wish.

However—

“It’s because I’m a man.”

Climb smiled.

Indeed. Climb wanted to stand by Renner’s side. The sun shone brilliantly in the sky, and a mere man could not hope to reach it. Even so, Climb wanted to climb the highest peaks in order to get as close to it as he could.

He did not want to merely admire and praise the sun from afar.

This was a young man’s feeble wish, but at the same time it was a wish that perfectly fitted a young man.

He wanted to become a man worthy of being joined to the woman he admired.

He could endure his friendless life, his harsh training, and his labors which took away from his sleep because of his wish.

Let others laugh at him for his foolishness.

This was as this was a thought that one could only understand if they loved someone, and wanted to be together with them.

Sebas narrowed his eyes as he studied Climb. There was a stern look on his face, as though he were trying to decipher the compressed subtleties of Climb’s simple reply.

Then, he nodded.

“After hearing your answer, I have decided how to train you.”

Just as Climb was about to offer his thanks, Sebas’ outstretched hand stopped him.

“However, and I pray you will forgive my bluntness, you have no talent. Proper training will take a very long time. However, I do not have that time. I wish to train you in a way that will show results quickly, but it will be an… arduous process.”

Climb gulped again.

The look in Sebas’ eyes sent a chill down Climb’s spine. Those eyes were filled with unbelievable power, exceeding the spiritual pressure which Gazef exerted when serious. Thus, he could not respond right away.

“Frankly speaking, you might die.”

He was not joking.

Climb’s instincts told him that much. Climb did not fear death, but he wanted to die for Renner. He did not want to throw his life away for a selfish reason.

He was not a coward… no, perhaps he might be very craven.

Climb gulped once more, and froze. Silence filled the surroundings for a while, and he could even hear the clamor from the distance.

Climb then asked Sebas.

“What is the probability that I will die?”

“….Now. I do not now. It depends on you….If there is something important to you, something which makes you want to live, even if it is only to scramble along the ground, then it ought to be fine.”

Was he not going to teach him martial arts? That question surfaced in Climb’s mind, but that was not the question now. He pondered the meaning of Sebas’ words, made sure he understood it, and then gave his response.

“Then, I leave the rest to you.”

“Do you believe you will die?”

Survive even if you have to crawl on the ground. This described Climb. Sebas looked into Climb’s eyes, as though divining his intentions through them. Then he nodded heavily.

“I understand. Then, we shall begin here.”

“Right here?”

“Yes. It will be quick. A few minutes will do. Please draw your sword.”

What’s he going to do? Unease and hesitation about the unknown, and a slight amount of expectation and curiosity. He drew his sword. The sound of the sword scraping against the scabbard rang within the narrow alley.

Climb braced his weapon in a middle stance, and Sebas’ eyes were fixed on him.

“Here I come. Please try and remain conscious.”

And in the next moment—

—It felt as though icy razors had exploded forth in all directions from Sebas.

“Ah….”

Climb could no longer speak. Sebas now stood at the heart of a vortex of murderous intent. No, this might be in the realm of killing intent. Climb felt that his heart was gripped and crushed by fear, and he felt waves of colour pushing against him.

His instincts told him.

This was not a shoddy one like one from an animal beneath humans. This was at the level of an existence far above.

Swallowed by the black waves of killing intent, Climb’s consciousness blanked out. His was being blown away by the excessive killing intent.

“….It is just this level. Are you a man?”

Sebas’ disappointed voice seemed abnormally loud through the depths of Climb’s fading consciousness.

The meaning of those words pierced Climb deeper than any blade. It even made him forget the fear before him for a moment.

His heart pounded heavily in his chest.

“Huuuuuuuuuhhhhh!”

Climb gasped.

He was terrified. He wanted to run. But he fought the urge to do so, even as the tears streamed down his cheeks. His hands trembled as they gripped his sword, and the point of his sword danced around like a demented bumblebee. His chain shirt made rustling noises from his full-body tremors.

Even so, Climb clenched his chattering teeth and tried to bear up against the mortal terror which came from Sebas.

Sebas laughed at the pathetic sight before him. Then he brought his right hand before his eyes and slowly clenched it into a fist. In the blink of an eye, the fist in front of him was as round as a ball.

He then pulled that fist back, like he was drawing a bow.

Climb understood what was going to happen, and shook his head. Of course, Sebas paid his response no heed.

“Now then… prepare to die.”

Sebas spoke in a cold tone as if he were informing Climb of destined information. Like an arrow notched on a bow at full draw, and with a burst of wind, Sebas’ fist moved.

In the dimension of slowed down time, Sebas’ fist punched towards Climb’s face.

This would be an instant death.

Climb’s instinct screamed. The image of his certain death dominated his mind, like a massive wrecking ball that was far larger than himself, approaching at incredible speeds. Even if he raised his sword to block, that fist would surely smash it easily.

His body refused to move. His body was frozen from the tension.

Did he intend to kill him from the start?

Climb’s fractured brain frantically worked, and spat out those words.

—He could not escape the death before him

Climb’s resignation to his fate filled him with anger.

If he could not die for Renner, why did he not die there.

The admiration from then. And the admiration from then on. He was not permitted to throw it away. Everything was for Renner.

His irritation turned to a fierce rage, and with tears in his eyes, Climb broke the chains of fear binding his body.

It might have been too late.

There might not have been anytime to dodge Sebas’ fist.

But he had to move.

Climb moved in a panic, twisting his body. It was a blunter movement than normal, but it was a movement that had all of Climb’s heart and soul. The reason he did not raise his sword was because his instinct said that he could not stop Sebas’ fist with it.

And then—

With a gust of wind, Sebas’ fist passed by Climb’s head. A calm voice filtered into his ears.

“Congratulations. How does it feel to conquer the fear of death?”

———

—Climb stood there dumbly, unable to understand his meaning.

“How was it like to face death? How was it like to surpass it?”

Climb breathed heavily, looking at Sebas like his soul had been stolen away. There was no hostility around Sebas, as though it had been nothing more than a lie. He relaxed as he began to realize Sebas’ intent.

Climb collapsed like a puppet whose strings had been cut, as though he had been supported by the murderous intent from just now.

He fell on all fours in the alley, hungrily gasping fresh air into his lungs.

“…Fortunately you did not die from shock. These things happen when one is so certain of one’s death that one gives up the will to live.”

There was a bitter taste in the depths of Climb’s throat. He was certain that it was the taste of death.

“If you repeat this a few more times, I am sure you will be able to overcome ordinary fear. However, one thing you must know is that fear triggers the survival instinct. If you are numbed to that sense, then you will be unable to feel even clear and present danger. You must be able to clearly tell when a true threat approaches.”

“…For-forgive me for prying, but what kind of man are you?”

Climb groaned from his place on the ground.

“What do you mean?”

“That, that killing intent was not normal. What exactly… I think that you are someone famous….”

“Ah, I am not anyone famous. I am simply an old man who has some confidence in his skills. For now.”

Climb could not tear his eyes away from Sebas’ face. What seemed to be a congenial smile also looked like a savage grin from one of absolute power; one who might far surpass Gazef. No, that might be true.

An existence that might be stronger than the strongest warrior in the surrounding countries, Gazef. There might have been no such things until now. Someone stronger than the Kingdom’s Strongest.—

—Climb willed his curiosity to be satisfied. He felt it would be best not to continue prying into that mystery.

The question what what Sebas was remained strongly in his heart. Was he one of the 13 Heros.

Sebas ignored Climb’s surprised look and asked.

“Then, let us try again.”

■

Separating from Climb, Sebas took the route home. He had done other things as well, which took up some time.

In any case, he had a method to contact Climb, and after that was to pass Tsuare to him. Apart from that was to respond to any expedient actions.

As Sebas agonized over the matter, his feet brought him back home.

Just as he was about to open the door, his hand froze. Someone was behind the door. He sensed that it was Solution, but Sebas had no idea why she was standing behind it.

Was there an emergency of some sort?

Sebas had a bad feeling about this, but he still opened the door. What he saw next defied his expectations and left him frozen in place.

“Welcome back, Sebas-sama.”

Solution was standing there in her maid’s uniform.

A chill ran down Sebas’ spine.

Solution, who played the role of a merchant heiress, was wearing her maid uniform in the presence of Tsuare, a human who knew nothing about the truth. Was it because she did not need to act any longer, or was there some reason which required her to wear her uniform?

If it was the former, that would mean something had happened to Tsuare. If it was the latter—

“—Sebas-sama. Ainz-sama is waiting for you inside the house.”

Solution’s calm, even voice made Sebas’ heart lurch in his chest. Sebas, who could remain calm in the face of a mighty foe or a being on the level of the Floor Guardians, was actually anxious and tense when he heard his own master had come to visit.

“Why, why is he…”

Sebas stammered. Solution merely watched him in silence.

“Sebas-sama. Ainz-sana is waiting for you.”

There was nothing else to be said. All Sebas could do was follow Solution into the house. His steps were heavy, like a condemned criminal walking to the chopping block.

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