The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 96

Chapter 96: Before Departure

After extracting information, we immediately shared it with everyone and discussed our plans. It was decided that we would head to the Brayja territory tomorrow.

I looked up at the night sky where the sun had set and the moon had risen from atop the defensive wall, contemplating what had happened since returning to this country.

“What are you thinking about?” my brother asked, approaching from the side. I remained silent for a moment but eventually spoke.

“Hey… How are our parents doing?”

“…Father, huh?”

My brother tilted his head in response to my question but quickly nodded and provided an answer.

“Father has been acting as the acting lord in my place. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, the Grantos territory suffered minimal damage, but we can’t afford to be complacent, so he continues to focus on defending the territory.”

“…I see.”

“As for the servants, about half of them quit. Some, like Latina, accepted demotions, though.”

“Latina, huh…”

Muttering the name, I recalled the sight of her bowing and seeking help from my brother. However, even remembering it didn’t stir any feelings within me.

“…Still, can you forgive her?”

“…Honestly, I don’t really know.”

My brother seemed to sense what I was thinking and I answered him in that manner. I had informed my brother that I had sought help from the knight and Latina.

“…Father has been regretting it since you left. He’s been working without retiring, perhaps fortunate that the Grantos territory suffered little damage. Even so, whenever stories of your achievements are told, he seems happy.”

“…Is that so.”

“When this matter is settled… do you want to talk to him?”

…My brother was probably considering us, my father, and me. I understood that, and while I wanted that too…

“What… should I talk about?”

“Serk…”

“I’ve never seen Father even once. I… somehow ended up seeing him as an enemy who never understood me.”

The anger of not being seen still lingered, but even if this anger were to be vented and an apology given, it wouldn’t clear the emotions within me.

What I truly wanted in the past was now a thing of the past, and there was nothing I wished for my parents to do for me anymore. Regardless of what was done, the feeling that it was too late was stronger.

“We no longer have any connection, Father and I.”

“…”

“I came to this country to help you and to settle the debt that couldn’t be repaid at that time.”

“A debt… huh.”

“I will continue to support you, but there’s nothing in this country that I consider important now. No one who sees me as valuable or cares for me except you.”

This was something I couldn’t tell Aria and the others. It was a complaint that I could only let out to my brother, a family member.

“Why did Father… Why did Mother give birth to me?”

“Serk, that’s…”

“…Sorry, I got a bit sentimental.”

I regretted the words I unconsciously muttered. The mother who gave birth to me and then passed away was said to be a very kind person, according to hearsay.

All I got from her was this body, and the understanding that my constitution, which was not appreciated in this country, became the reason for my near-death experience… Such thoughts crossed my mind.

“It’s alright. Now, Aria and Serena are people who accept me and support me. I’ve been blessed with good connections since leaving the country.”

“Yeah, that’s why…”

While looking toward the Brayja territory illuminated by the moonlight, I hardened my resolve and put my thoughts into words.

“If you stand in my way, if you lay a hand on what’s important to me, I won’t forgive you.”

Even if it’s someone who acknowledged my efforts…