Chapter 56
"My master is such a devil." Cain shook his head after commenting on Joshua's actions.
Baron Provalum had rushed away from the scene after 'negotiating' with Joshua.
"What are you trying to say?" Joshua asked with a bored expression. He sounded as though he clearly knew what was Cain driving at but pretended not to.
"The heirloom of the Orbis family finally landed on your hands… but you extorted from Provalum… and you're acting very indifferent about it."
"You need to choose your words properly."
"Huh?" Cain said blankly.
Joshua looked at him with a bored look and shrugged.
"What kind of 'extortion' are you talking about? This was a profitable transaction. I gave him a chance to prove his worth as a lackey, so it's only natural for him to pay the price for it."
"How can you be so thick-ski—"
"Thick-skinned?" With a bewildered expression on his face, Joshua returned Cain's stare. "You've clearly come a long way now… When I first met you, you seemed like you were visibly shocked and couldn't even make eye contact with me."
Cain shrugged again, this time with a nonchalant expression.
"I mean, my master is the best in this field, so I guess I'm just learning from the best?"
"Isn't it just your actual personality finally coming through?" Joshua retorted.
Cain carefully averted his sight and blew a low whistle.
"What a sight, these girls from Arcadia are real eye candies, the way they talk and walk, they're so elegant!" Cain muttered to himself as he attempted to change the subject, his gaze concentrated on the women going down the streets.
"Yes, enjoy the sight." Joshua let out a chuckle and then turned away from him, his gaze falling on the object in his palm.
'This is the Orbis family heirloom, 'Elf's Tears'.'
The leaf-shaped ring shone with a subtle green hue.
The Orbis family used to be renowned as a great wizarding family. There was only one reason for the moniker 'Elf's Tears' to be given to this ring, which appeared unremarkable on the surface. Legends had it that the high elves had directly blessed the Orbis family, with whom they shared a strong relationship. And that blessing came in the form of this heirloom.
'Of course, such information will come to light much later. It is now merely an aesthetic relic for a defunct noble family.'?Joshua grumbled to himself as he fiddled with the Orbis family treasure in his hand.
The world would learn that the inheritance contained exceptional powers thanks to the testimony of the high elves, who would be appearing on the continent for the first time in hundreds of years.
The elf woodland, for the most part, was adamantly opposed to human visitation. Yet, the head of the Orbis family made a yearly pilgrimage to the Elven Forest. As an old acquaintance of the high elves at the time, it was not something inconceivable.
The elf race had a fairly reclusive attitude. Elves valued nature and trees, and to them, humans were worse than animals for destroying what they valued. Female elves were also kidnapped because of their beauty—to be used as sex slaves for the humans' vile lust.
Eventually, to protect themselves and their homes, the elves gathered in the great natural forest at the continent's southern tip and constructed a massive barrier.
The elf woodland was the size of several big cities put together. Despite being born with magical abilities, the elves still found it a tedious task to construct a barrier. Dozens of high elves died as a result of the process, with one exception. There was one high elf that did not end up dying.
A hundred years later, the elves' hatred for humans finally spiraled out of control. The elves banded together around the lone remaining high elf. They felt that the lone existence of this high elf meant that he was now their ruler. They thus dubbed the last high elf 'Elenburs', which in the common language meant 'King of Elves'.
At the thought of humans, elves would grit their teeth in wrath. But there was one human that was the exception. He was the long-time friend of the current Fifth Elenburs.
Joshua contemplated the next part of that story… a bit blurry on his mind, but the important details were complete.
The last patriarch of the Orbis family, who had vanished ten years before along with the rest of the Orbis was…
"Jerath dek Orbis." Joshua grumbled bitterly.
Despite the fact that he was reported missing around the world, he has already passed away.
In Joshua's prior life, forty or so years in the future, Jerath was still absent.
The entire family had probably died at the same moment that the household was destroyed.
'I'm sure he was tormented. Because he's the only person on the continent who can enter and exit the elf woodland, those powerful dogs and pigs won't leave them alone.'
Even when his family was annihilated, Jerath dek Orbis mentioned nothing about the Elven Forest. In the end, as his lineage fell apart, he vanished from the continent.
The Fifth Elenburs arrived on the continent to confirm the situation after receiving the news late.
The child of Jerath dek Orbis, who was currently facing a terrible fate, was found by the Elenburs.
She had been assigned as a servant to another noble household.
The Fifth Elenburs cried and clutched the child's hands tightly, apologizing. The elf's tears streamed down the back of her hand, seeping into the antique ring that she was wearing.
It was eventually dubbed 'Elf's Tears' by the rest of the world.
'Then she became severely ill and died not long after… No doubt as to why the Orbis family's downfall was considered one of the top tragedies in history with a story like this.'
It was a terrible fate for the family.
"Young Master?"
The sound of a voice next to him drew Joshua's attention away from his thoughts for a brief while.
As Joshua turned to him, Cain asked with his eyes wide open, "Can you tell me what you're thinking about?"
"That—" Joshua was going to say something but halted for a second before quietly shaking his head. "Nothing, just a bit tired… Did you just say something?"
When Cain saw Joshua's reaction, he tilted his head once.
"We have arrived at the house."
"Ah—" Joshua scanned the surroundings and nodded.
This place was an area on the outskirts of the capital city, far from the bustling city core. He'd arrived in front of the structure where he'd have to reside in the future.
After a brief glance at the structure, Joshua's face hardened.
'It doesn't matter whatever is happening. It's a terrific area to train alone in peace, but—'
Although the area was quiet and sparsely populated, security was lacking.
It was the worst place to be to try to keep someone safe. And this issue had been an aching pain in his head since he arrived in the capital.
Joshua made a decision regarding her at long last.
"Cain."
"Yes?"
"I believe it would be the best choice for my mother to just live where Duke Agnus is residing. Since it's more central and closer to the Palace."
"..."
Cain paused for a second before nodding. He understood the underlying meaning.
"As the Young Master said, this is clearly not a place for Lady Lucia to live, and even if you might find it regretful that she would be staying away from you, I believe too, that it is better for her to live where the Duke is."
"..."
"And more than anything, she will be truly alone when the Young Master enters the academy."
"As such, I'd like to ask you a favor."
"Yes?" Cain was taken aback by Joshua's abrupt reply.
"For the time being, I want you to protect my mother on my behalf."
"Do you mean you want me to be Lady Lucia's escort knight?"
"Yes." Joshua nodded and replied.
Cain's expression hardened and said, "However, Young Master, if you do that, you will be in a difficult situation without a single escort knight. And on top of that, your family is an unknown fallen noble family from some countryside."
"..."
"Ignorance and contempt are the basic things that could happen, and there will be a slew of other annoyances… Because of your temperament, I know that you'll never be able to endure the injustices that happened before your eyes… You'll need me to stop all that from happening."
"..."
Cain nailed it by seeing Joshua remain silent with his mouth shut.
"Additionally, Veron shen Villas, who had a squabble with you, is an academy student also. It's just a guess though, but I'm worried—"
"Don't sorry. Because I truly desire to be 'silent.'"
"..."
When Joshua noticed Cain's apprehensive expression, he proceeded with a light smile.
"Like a dead mouse, I intend to spend my time there quietly. I specialize in being alone, believe it or not. I've endured enough of being ignored and insulted to the point of exhaustion so I can deal with that."
"What do you—?" Just as he was about to pose a question with a perplexed expression, Cain widened his eyes.
Joshua had already answered him, although in a more indirect and subtle manner.
Cain was taken aback. Indeed, his master's presence had allowed him to forget about this background.
'The bastard who was expelled from his family… and the stable—'
Joshua broke out laughing as he noticed Cain's expression stiffening.
"I hate to stare into those eyes that carry apparent pity for me."
"Young Master…."
"So can I ask you of another favor?"
"...."
Cain quietly put his head to the floor while Joshua continued to speak.
"It's for me, but it's also for you… I need a subordinate that I can trust and entrust my back to. I don't need a weak and drowsy guy who falls before me on the battlefield."
"Those words—" Cain raised his head, which had fallen to the ground.
Joshua smiled even wider as he watched Cain.
"Learn swordsmanship from Duke Agnus."
"...!"
Cain's pupils dilated. It only had one meaning.
The Young Master planned to ask the Duke himself to teach Cain swordsmanship.
Despite the fact that they haven't known each other in a long time, he was well aware that Joshua's pride did not allow him to bow and apologize just like that. And that person was making such a compromise right now.
Cain had no idea if the Duke would grant Joshua's request, but from his perspective, it was a great burden to bear.
"Such a request—"
Just as Cain was about to reply, Joshua interrupted.
"Cain. This is a request, not a demand."
"..."
"Please pay attention to what I'm saying." Joshua dropped his head quietly after speaking.
Cain was taken aback once more.
Cain saw Joshua in a different light once more.
Joshua had bent his head to him without hesitation.
Was there a single person like this in Cain's entire life?
There was never...
"..."
Cain sighed heavily after a brief glance at Joshua.
"Raise your head."
"..."
"I don't want to see my lord ever having to bow his head to anyone, of course, me included."
Joshua slowly raised his head in response.
Looking at Joshua in the eyes, Cain spoke gently, "I accept my Lord's request… However…"
Cain let out a playful smirk.
"Isn't it true that one should always return the favor? I'm hoping that the Young Master will grant me one of my wishes also."
Hearing those familiar words, Joshua burst out laughing.
"I'll hear of this wish first."
Cain responded with a solemn expression on his face as if that playful smile had never appeared.
"Please don't force me to bow down to anyone but my lord."
"..."
For a few moments, Joshua stared calmly into Cain's eyes.
And he saw it.
Under that dark gaze, a fierce longing burned hotter than an erupting volcano.
Joshua responded without hesitation the instant he saw those eyes.
"Sure… I will do that… in my name Joshua Sanders."
He whispered the last part of the sentence softly, at a volume that Cain could hardly hear.
Cain smiled and vigorously nodded.
"My lord, I wish you all the best in the future."
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