The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 100

Chapter 100: Once Again

“I don’t mind.”

Shifting a little to create some space, Rakul sat down beside me. For a while, only the crackling sound of the campfire echoed in the quiet space, but Rakul broke the silence.

“I’ve wanted to apologize for a long time.”

“Apologize?”

“…I didn’t realize the things I had been burdened with until you left this country. I didn’t reach out when I could have.”

Illuminated by the campfire, Rakul bit his lip in regret.

“For me, you were an inspiration. Unlike me, who trained solely to become a knight, you had so much more.”

“The me from back then, an inspiration… I find it hard to believe.”

“I’ve trained only in swordsmanship and combat, but you learned so much more than me and became stronger in much less time.”

“I never beat you in our matches.”

“I had my pride too. Even if I lost in other aspects, I didn’t want to lose to you in swordsmanship.”

“…Surprising. I thought you were a quiet and mature guy.”

…Come to think of it, this was the first time I had talked to Rakul like this. At that time, I didn’t have the composure, and Rakul also didn’t talk to me more than necessary.

“I was just trying to keep up with you. Even though you were enduring harsher and stricter training than me, you never complained. So, I decided not to talk unnecessarily.”

“…Did I make you become quiet?”

“No… I wasn’t particularly good at talking from the beginning. Either way, I think it would have turned out like this.”

Even if the trigger was me, I might bear some responsibility for that… but there’s nothing I can do about it.

“But after you left the country, I reconsidered.”

“?

“It’s a ‘what if’ scenario, but if I had reached out to you, if we had become friends who could talk and confide in each other… maybe you wouldn’t have had to leave the country.”

“That’s…”

“Earlier, I said we were friends, but… I only saw the ideal you without realizing that you were struggling. In that aspect, I was no different from others, not paying attention to you.”

Saying that, Rakul turned to me and bowed his head.

“I’m sorry… I wanted to convey this properly.”

Facing Rakul’s apology, I fell into silence for a while. Thinking back to the time in the kingdom, I opened my mouth.

“…There were many tough days at the academy, but our matches were enjoyable.”

Rakul lifted his head at my words.

“Not just during the matches, but you always looked at me straightforwardly. Even without speaking, that relationship where our actions didn’t change was something I liked.”

Saying that, I extended my hand to Rakul.

“It’s a bit embarrassing to say it again, but can we be friends again? This time, let’s talk properly… okay?”

Rakul seemed a bit surprised at my words and hand, but soon a relieved expression appeared on his face, and he took my hand.

“Can I ask you again about Berg’s past?”

“…It might take a while.”

We spent the time until the shift talking about each other and trivial things. It was all scattered stories, but I didn’t find them uncomfortable.

(…I also overlooked many things, didn’t I?)

When I was in the kingdom, I gradually began to notice things I had overlooked and neglected. Now, I could think that way…

___

(…Intervening wasn’t necessary, huh?)

Listening to Berg and Rakul talking from behind the wall, Ganza judged that it wasn’t needed and quietly left the place, making his presence disappear.

He was prepared to step in if necessary, but seeing them walking together as friends brought a warm feeling to him after a long time.

(That’s why… I can’t let them lose it.)

“Kufu…”

He coughed quietly so that no one could hear. Letting go of the restrained hand, it was stained with blood.

Wiping the blood off while feeling the remaining time, Ganza looked up at the sky.

“My clan, please wait a little longer… I will never let the next light go out.”

Believing that this was his remaining duty, he did so…