I Became a Sick Nobleman

Chapter 88: Entrance! (2)

***

“You can’t.”

Ruel frowned at Cassion’s firm words.

The carriage was facing the Beast Forest beyond the neutral zone.

As soon as they crossed the border of Cyronian territory, the sudden attacks disappeared like a ghost. However, it was not time to let their guard down.

“It’s the Beast’s Forest, right?”

Ruel said in a rebuttal.

“There are knights. We can solve it without Ruel-nim. Have you forgotten that you have a hole in your stomach?”

Boo.

Leo settled his paws on Ruel’s head.

Fifteen small furballs gathered around Ruel’s head and leapt eagerly, having been drawn to the wound by Leo.

There didn’t feel like anything was running on his head, but he still felt strange.

—Ruel must remain calm. If Ruel moves, the spirits may be angry.

“You’re a spirit, too, aren’t you?”

—This body is not just a spirit, but a great purifier. Ahem.

Leo raised his nose, stretched out his legs proudly, and stood gracefully.

Of course, he was still short.

Ruel patted Leo on the head and glanced at Cassion.

“The Beast Forest is just right for doing something. You know that, right?”

“If Ruel-nim doesn’t wake up by the time we arrive at the castle, the Royal Knights will have to take full responsibility.”

Ruel’s brows wriggled.

There was never a time when Ruel didn’t pass out after controlling the monsters.

“You can say that I fell ill. The welcome ceremony was canceled, so I took a break and thought about it, so I think it’s okay?”

“Yes, if the fact that Ruel-nim has an incurable disease is revealed to all nobles, barons, and ministers, wouldn’t it be perfect for everyone to rush to take a piece of Setiria?”

“…I was just joking. You’re being too serious.”

Cassion smirked.

He has successfully overcome Ruel’s stubbornness.

“Anyway, because of what happened in Cyronian, wouldn’t Setiria be in the public eye again? Will you be okay?”

Cassion’s words made Ruel’s bones ache.

It wasn’t okay.

“Originally, I was going to go quietly and bring only what I would gain quietly, but it was an inevitable choice. Afterall, the existence of a black-blooded man was unexpected.”

“Are you planning on spilling blood at the banquet again?”

When Leo’s ears were perked at Cassion’s question, Ruel soothingly stroked his stomach.

“No, you can’t cover it up with that. I won’t be able to hide it either way. For the time being, you should think that troublesome flies are permanently attached.”

He wanted to avoid bringing attention to Setiria the most.

Then, the carriage stopped suddenly.

‘There aren’t any monsters around here?’

“I’ll be back after checking.”

As Cassion opened the door of the carriage, familiar voices were heard.

“My lord! We’re here!”

‘Drianna?’

Ruel was surprised as he bit Breath.

Why is she here?

As Ruel raised his upper body while holding his stomach, he finally saw a sky blue flag with a shield pattern flying.

The Knights of Setiria had arrived.

“Was this you, Cassion?”

“It was not.”

Cassion grinned at the knights.

“Horen-hyung?”

Aris welcomed Horen.

Aris hesitated for a moment fighting the urge to run to him right away, but this wasn’t a private occasion.

Aris greeted him with a salute instead.

“Oh, you got stronger since I last saw you? Oops, greetings first. Hello. My name is Horen, the vice-captain of the Setiria Knights.”

“My name is Drianna, the vice-captain of the magic knights. As dangerous as the Beast’s Forest is, we’ve come all the way here to protect the Lord. We apologize for not contacting you in advance.”

Horen and Drianna saluted Torto.

“No, aren’t more escorts for the better? The Knights of Setiria have come, and the Lord will be very pleased.”

“Thank you. We’ve laid the road safely and beautifully on our way here, so don’t worry.”

Drianna smiled with a relieved face.

It was hard to get out of the basement and get some sun after a long time, but she couldn’t be happier to use new magic.

“Then, how about meeting with the Lord for a while before we depart?”

Drianna’s corners of her mouth went up right away at Torto’s suggestion.

“Thank you!”

She was most happy to see Ruel.

She was worried about his health and whether his face retained its slowly earned fat.

Driana put the Knights on standby and immediately headed with Horen to the carriage where Ruel was.

Envy-filled gazes followed.

“Lord…”

“Who ordered it?”

As soon as the carriage opened, Ruel’s displeased voice immediately sprang out.

—Ruel, what’s wrong with you? This body is very happy to see them.

Leo came out to the entrance of the carriage and waved his tail at the two.

Drianna and Horen’s faces hardened.

They turned their attention to Leo.

This wasn’t what Ruel ordered.

Hearing the news of Ruel’s return from Tyson, he almost forced himself out.

“Don’t vacate the mansion no matter what.”

The order Ruel left before leaving suddenly came to mind.

“The mansion?”

“We are guarding it hard, I only brought half of the forces.”

Drianna said, avoiding his gaze.

But soon she grabbed the hem of her clothes and looked at Ruel.

His face was gaunt.

Almost all the hard-earned weight has been lost.

How upset she was that she couldn’t follow along.

“You must have had a hard time.”

Horen glanced at Ruel’s stomach.

It was subtle, but it smelled of blood.

Anger rose immediately.

Who dares.

“Don’t mind it.”

Ruel’s firm words made Horen nod his head vigorously.

“…?”

Drianna looked around Ruel and felt that he was different from before.

Isn’t the mana flowing around Ruel very similar to natural mana?

“I know it’s strange to say this now, my lord, but for some reason, I feel like you have a pure aura. Have you eaten something weird?”

—Did you pick it up and eat it… This body doesn’t know.

Ruel closed his mouth, and Cassion quietly covered his mouth.

A giggling sound was faintly audible.

It wasn’t something to talk about here.

Ruel glared at Cassion for a moment and brought it up.

“Go to the mansion immediately after passing through the Beast Forest.”

“I cannot follow that command.”

“I don’t like it.”

Horen and Drianna spoke at the same time.

“No?”

Ruel asked in a spirited manner.

“Who escorts the Lord when he returns from the Royal Family? That’s why we’re here.”

“The mansion?”

“We have Mr. Cheynol and Mr. Tyson. We’ve already got their permission.”

“… What about my permission?”

Drianna, who was confident, paused and wiggled her fingers.

The most important thing, Ruel’s permission, did not fall.

“…ha, follow me.”

Eventually Ruel sighed and allowed them to accompany him.

He didn’t want to delay his time with a squabble, and as she said, he needed an escort when returning from the royal family.

“Alright!”

“We accept your orders!”

The two shouted with joy.

The door of the carriage closed.

Ruel laid down inhaling Breath.

The spirits drifted back on his stomach and chattered amongst themselves.

“I believe you won’t be stubborn anymore.”

Cassion said calmly.

When the two Knight’ Orders came, they said they cleaned up the Beast Forest, so why bother.

Ruel looked at the sky through the window without saying a word.

***

People lined up all along one side of the road leading to the capital.

In front of them, soldiers lined up to control them, and on the other side, they blocked the road so that they could not stand at all.

“…ew”

Ruel frowned at the black waves seen from afar.

He hadn’t come to a funeral, so why did everyone come here wearing dark clothes?

Ruel originally believed that those people liked dark colors.

“Did the royal family deliberately call these people because of my return?”

“No. As I said before, it is ridiculous to organize a parade in the yard where even a banquet is held. I think it’s probably because of the news that an alliance has been signed.”

“The news is very fast.”

“They are gathered to welcome Ruel-nim, so you should smile brightly and raise your hands.”

Cassion said, checking the bandage for the last time.

“I know. I’m afraid I’ll hear more of that.”

“Are you talking about the term ‘Noble of Darkness?’”

“Don’t even mention it.”

Ruel shot Cassion a stern look straight away.

—Why are you angry? This body thinks it suits Ruel very well.

Leo’s eyes twinkled.

There was also an envious look inside.

Ruel wanted to hand over this nickname to Leo if he could.

“That’s enough.”

Cassion arranged Ruel’s clothes and put the white cloak that Aris gave him on his shoulders.

“The wind is cold.”

Ruel got close to the window and prepared to smile brightly because he only needed to show his face anyway.

Leo sat on Ruel’s lap and warmed him up.

—This body is ready to warm Ruel.

At Leo’s words, Cassion took a look at Ruel.

He nodded and opened the window.

“Wow!”

As Ruel appeared in the window, there was a strong cheer.

It was mixed with pride, as if welcoming a hero in one’s own country, not a stranger as in the case of Cyronian.

“For Ruel Setiria!”

“For the Noble of Darkness!”

“…?”

Terrible words were mingled with the cheers that people shouted.

For a moment, Ruel almost looked grim, but he held on to the corners of his trembling lips and continued to raise it.

“The rumors are really fast.”

Cassion said, trying to swallow his laughter.

Along with the news of the alliance, Ruel’s title from Cyronian seemed to have been delivered here intact.

“You should smile more brightly. Smile.”

‘…damn it.’

Ruel managed to grasp the string of reason, fiddling with Leo’s stomach with his other hand.

‘Damn it, damn it.’

***

Upon arriving at the castle, Banios greeted Ruel.

After Ruel got off the carriage, he bowed his head towards Banios.

It was followed by the Royal Knights.

“Your Highness, it’s been a long time since I saw you.”

“…You must have had a hard time.”

There was a feeling of apology in Banios’ voice.

“No, it’s okay.”

“There is still time until the banquet, so why don’t you see His Majesty first and then stay in my room and prepare?”

“I will do so.”

His Knights did not cross the gates.

They were his personal forces, and the act of crossing the gate with an unauthorized knight was tantamount to treason.

“Sir Torto.”

Banios called Torto.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

“No, I have only carried out your orders as a royal knight.”

“As I crossed the castle gate, the duties of the knight were over, so Your Highness meant that you could rest comfortably.”

“Thank you.”

Torto raised his bowed head and looked at Ruel.

“Lord, I…”

“Thanks to sir, I was able to get here safely, and if I have a chance next time, I hope sir will protect me again.”

“Of course. You are always welcome, my lord.”

“I hope these aren’t empty words.”

Ruel smiled lightly at Torto and turned to look at the Royal Knights.

They were nervous making eye contact with Ruel.

Previously, they had run away without being able to protect Ruel, so this time they stayed up all night with their eyes open.

“Thank you.”

It was a simple greeting, but there was a lot of sincerity.

They guarded it safely.

They didn’t run away like before.

That satisfied him about the Knights well enough.

Ruel followed Banios into the palace.

He was closely followed by Cassion and Aris.

“Have you prepared a big gift?”

Banios smiled vaguely at Ruel’s question.

“I don’t know if I should call this a gift, it’s something completely different from my expectations.” (Banios)

“I’ll listen.”

“So I prepared another one, I’ll give it to you as well.”

This time, Banios’ face brightened.

Ttak.

Other footsteps were heard in the hallway, mixed with the sound of a cane.

When a man came out of the intersected hallway, Banios’ face froze for a moment.

“I see Second Brother.”

“What a coincidence.”

The second prince smiled.

The second prince, Adoris Leponia.

He was the next powerful prince to ascend the throne and belonged to the Red Ash.

Ruel didn’t know they’d meet like this under the guise of coincidence.

Ruel smiled and lowered his head slightly.

“Nice to meet you, Your Highness. My name is Ruel Setiria.”

For a moment Adoris’s eyes shook.

But soon he opened his mouth with a relaxed smile.

“You are the Lord of Setiria. I thought I could see you at the banquet, but I am lucky to encounter you like this.”

“I am also honored to be able to see my prince.”

“Don’t be so formal. I’ve heard a lot about you, especially after hearing about your active role in Cyronian, I’ve really wanted to meet you.”

“I just did what I had to do as a fellow human.”

Adoris smiled pleasantly.

“What humility. Thanks to your contribution, I can picture a bright future for our country. By the way, how is your health? Apparently, there are too many rumors that it’s not good.”

“It’s not as good as it’s rumored.”

“Oh, my.”

Adoris put on a look of sincere pity.

“Don’t overdo it. Then, I’ll see you at the banquet.”

“Yes, thank you for your concern.”

Adoris, who greeted Ruel lightly, stepped back on his way.

Stomp. Stomp.

There was a sound of footsteps in the hallway.

Later, the two footsteps joined together, and soon no sound was heard.

Just a moment ago, when Adoris’s eyes shook for a moment, an unpleasant feeling was seen from that gaze.

A feeling of guilt.

‘Why is he making that face?’

Ruel inhaled Breath and glanced at Banios, who looked stiff.

“I’m sorry.”

Banios opened his mouth heavily.

“That’s okay.”

It wasn’t something he was sorry for.

Adoris knew that Ruel had come, and it was clear that he came to see him on purpose.

A sense of desolation settled between the two again, and only the sound of their footsteps echoing in the hallway could be heard.

***

‘… is that what Setiria is now.’

Adoris paused and looked back.

He could no longer see the child from years ago.

‘I can read your expression.’

Your mind breaks when your body hurts, but Ruel was different.

In that brief moment, he read his expression and was surprised to see that he was preparing for the next move right away.

‘The count is fast. He’s also very wary.’

He didn’t know if he would get bitten if he approached unprepared.

-Ruel Setiria has entered Leponia, so I’ll leave Setiria to you as requested. Please, don’t forget our deal.

Adoris clenched his fist.

‘… Red Ash.’

His feet moved forward once more.

Eyes wrapped in rage looked straight ahead as if they were about to chew on something.

‘At the banquet, then…’