Chapter 7 : Chapter 7
Chapter 7. Following the King's Path (3)
During the two months Blanc’s party came up following the merchant group, the tragedy of the Cadmus family had already spread throughout the Kingdom of Felix.
Because it was the most shocking incident among those that happened recently.
It was hard to accept with the common sense of this era that families of the Kingdom of Gartaria bordering the frontier rushed in without any warning claiming rights to the Norington area.
Moreover, the justifications they held were crude to anyone’s eyes.
Even if those justifications were true, it wasn't enough for 3 families to unite and strike a noble family of another country, so people had no choice but to harbor doubts.
Rumors about this bizarre and shocking incident, difficult to understand for anyone, could not help but spread.
Among the spreading rumors, what people were most interested in was the rumor about the young heir of the Cadmus family.
The protagonist of the tragedy who disappeared suddenly after breaking through the encirclement, although 3 families of Gartaria pursued him.
Some said he must have died wandering in the mountains, and some said he must be already caught and confined in a place no one knows.
But what if that protagonist escaped and is alive and well?
Naturally, wouldn't he come to the Tolome family, the only place he can rely on?
“So everyone was imitating me.”
“Isn't the crime of impersonating a noble the death penalty? How can they risk such danger? Did they think the Tolome family are fools and would acknowledge beggars rolling on the street as grandsons of the Tolome family?”
“They wouldn't have hoped for that much. They probably just wanted to enter inside Baltimere. Since begging would be much easier there.”
Blanc answered nonchalantly while roasting a rabbit Rakshar hunted on the crackling bonfire.
As befitting a capital, Baltimere was the most developed city in the Kingdom of Felix. As such, it was a city overflowing with wealth.
To the extent that there was a saying that slaves in Baltimere eat better than commoners in other cities.
Therefore, it was understandable that young vagrants with black hair pretended to be Blanc and wanted to enter inside Baltimere.
Because if they just enter that city, they won't starve.
Although it is unknown whether they really won't starve, dying of starvation on the street or dying for the crime of impersonating a noble would be just a matter of choice for them anyway.
“And well. They are probably knocking with the feeling of wondering if they would let them in if they ask to be let in roughly. Well, they probably aren't doing that with the resolve to die.”
“I saw up to Blanc Cadmus 41 today…….”
Emilia made a crying face across the bonfire.
“Don’t attach numbers behind my name. It makes me feel weird.”
Blanc felt an unknown displeasure every time vagrants calling themselves Blanc Cadmus were thrown out by guards.
“What do we do now……? Was Lady Nedrian’s spirit tablet useless too?”
“In the first place, the guard wouldn't have a way to verify if Mother’s spirit tablet is real.”
If Cadmus Nedrian’s spirit tablet was adorned with fancy jewels or looked expensive to anyone, the guard would have taken another look at Blanc, but she wasn't that kind of person.
Since the mistress of a baron family held only about one jewelry box, it was a passage showing how frugal a life she lived while alive.
“Really what do we do…….”
Although savory roasted rabbit meat was placed in front, Emilia was burying her head in both her knees without even glancing at them.
‘In my past life, I was sold as a slave and just carrying luggage, so I didn't know there was such a commotion.’
No matter if Blanc has 30 years of experiences and memories, he doesn't know everything in this world.
He only knows the parts he saw, heard, and experienced. Since he chose a different branch point from the previous life, things like this will happen more frequently in the future.
‘No other way.’
If possible, he wanted to take time slowly and complete it with care in a safe place.
‘Still, since I’ve definitely grasped the sensation, there shouldn't be a problem.’
Blanc, who was lost in deep thought, called his faithful gamekeeper.
“Rakshar.”
“Yes. Young Master.”
“How much food do we have left?”
“About…… 4 days.”
‘That should be enough.’
Precisely, he judged 3 days of time would be enough.
“Then let’s prepare to camp for 3 days. I count on you, Rakshar.”
“F-For 3 days you say? T-That wouldn't be difficult but…….”
“And.”
Blanc emphasized with a strong tone raising his finger.
“From now on, don't leave my side and stand guard. You must protect me from external threats.”
“Yes? Yes, understood.”
***
It was the 3rd day today since starting camping in the forest near Baltimere.
“He is just sitting all day today too.”
“H-He is sitting in lotus position. T-That is a type of meditation method but…….”
“Anyway, he is sitting.”
“T-That is true but…….”
Rakshar, who avoided people pathologically, was mixing words little by little as he became somewhat comfortable with Emilia who stuck by his side for a period of nearly three months.
Emilia was in the middle of not minding much after learning Rakshar wasn't scary compared to looking like a werewolf.
However, Rakshar was a faithful one constantly examining Blanc’s surroundings with his eyes even while conversing with Emilia.
“He was like that whenever there was a chance while coming up following the merchant group, but now he is doing that without even eating properly.”
Blanc sat in lotus position and meditated whenever there was a chance during the two months coming up to Baltimere.
But now since he is sitting in lotus position eating barely one meal a day, Emilia was looking at such Blanc with worried eyes.
“He said he would do it for 3, 3 days…… Today is the 3rd day…….”
“Can’t you fix that stuttering habit somehow?”
“S-Sorry.”
Since Rakshar lacked conversation with people very much, he felt burdened by conversing itself. If it weren't for Emilia speaking first, he might not have opened his mouth all day.
“Cough.”
At that moment, Blanc sitting in lotus position made a small coughing sound.
At the same time, dark red blood flowed down along Blanc’s mouth.
“Eh, eh?”
“Young Master!”
Seeing her young master vomiting blood, Emilia ran at lightning speed and hugged Blanc.
“Young Master! Sob sob sob…… What are you doing.”
Emilia hugging the staggering Blanc shedding blood shed tears drop by drop.
His parents died overnight and his family was exterminated. It would be a trial difficult to handle for an ordinary boy.
Therefore, Emilia was anxious whenever her young master did actions different from usual.
But now since he is sitting collapsed shedding blood from his mouth, it was understandable for her who cherished Blanc terribly to cry.
However, Blanc, held in the arms of crying Emilia, had a satisfied smile on his mouth despite his pale complexion.
“Done.”
“What is?”
“It’s done.”
“So what is?”
***
The Assinsao family’s Aura cultivation method, the White Thunderbolt, which had been exterminated.
Although the level of the cultivation method itself was very high so it could be called a technique among techniques, above all, it was a cultivation method that fit well with Blanc’s own nature and body.
Since Blanc lived as a mercenary and was ignorant about Aura cultivation methods so he lacked the ability to judge, he definitely trusted the person who told him to learn this saying it fits him well.
-Since it is based on lightning energy, it is an Aura cultivation method characterized by swiftness and speed. It seems there would be a sword technique pairing with this, but it doesn't appear as it is lost.
-Are you saying this cultivation method is the best?
-There are unexpectedly many Aura cultivation methods in this world that allow one to emit strong power. However, the most important thing is to find a cultivation method that fits the individual’s characteristics.
-Then this cultivation method?
-I think it fits best not only with your physique but also with the way of the sword you usually pursue. Even if you bring a cultivation method used by the royal family, it won't suit you as much as this.
The middle-aged man with grey hair handing the book with the Assinsao family’s Aura cultivation method written to Blanc saying so.
-The talent you possess is excellent, but you missed the time. Even if you learn now, it will be hard to achieve greatness.
The middle-aged man looking regretfully at Blanc in his mid-30s who had already missed the time for learning was the Duke of the Kingdom of Anton, who was called the First Sword in the Kingdom of Anton which disappeared first by the Void, and the last hope of crumbling humanity.
It was Gornas Balthazar, the head of the Balthazar family.
Since it was an Aura cultivation method recommended directly by a hero of the era for whom the title ‘great’ was not awkward at all, there wasn't even an inch of doubt in Blanc’s eyes accepting the White Thunderbolt.
***
“Hey Blanc 32. Did you come again?”
It was the guard who kicked out the 89th Blanc as of today.
Dealing with black-haired boys of similar age and similar looks, it was understandable that this guy looked like that guy and that guy looked like this guy, but.
However, the guard remembered the 32nd Blanc.
Certainly, he had stuck in his mind unknowingly because he possessed the most flashing eyes among the vagrants who claimed to be Blanc Cadmus so far.
“You were rude but not unruly. So I will forgive your past mistakes.”
“What is this brat saying?”
Seeing Blanc in front of his eyes whose atmosphere became quite different, the guard was flustered.
‘Is he really Blanc Cadmus?’
However, he couldn't just let in Blanc who didn't have any ID.
The guard intended to deal with him moderately and send him back this time too, but.
“You bastard, what are you doing!”
“Put away the knife. Brat! This is Baltimere where the King resides!”
Blanc taking out a short dagger from his waist before anyone knew and thrusting it toward the guards.
Of course, the guards weren't ones to feel fear just because a young boy drew a dagger. They were well-trained elites and soldiers equipped with seasoned experience.
However, the moment Blanc held the dagger, the guards drew swords and shields simultaneously and formed a formation.
This was the result of training they repeated countless times rather than feeling threatened by Blanc.
“Drop the dagger! You bastard! If you don’t want to die!”
Crackle.
“Drop…… the dagger. What is this?”
“Eh, eh?”
Crackle, crackle.
There was a young boy standing alone boldly in front of the city gate.
“It’s Aura!”
And from the small dagger that boy was holding.
Craaaackle.
White lightning was discharging.
“I am the real Blanc Cadmus of the Cadmus family! Blanc Cadmus, the son of Pallard Cadmus and the legitimate successor of Norington!”
Whenever Blanc shouted, white lightning surrounding him bounced out roughly.
“And I am one who inherited the blood of the Tolome family from my mother! I must meet my maternal grandfather, Lord Bartomyu Tolome!”
Blanc’s bold shout filled the city gate.