Common Sense of a Warrior Chapter 23

The meeting! This is pretty much the same as the latter part of the old Chapter 19. There are very minor changes made to what was written previously.

“……who!?”

As if taking out my anger on them, I questioned the other party that I had yet to see in a cold voice.

“I should be the one asking, who are you? This isn’t a place that a child should be entering.”

Standing there was a boy slightly older than me.

“……you yourself do not appear to be a member of the authorized personnel here.”

“I came here previously with my father on an inspection. Since then, the job of inspecting this place was tentatively left to me……and so? You are?”

“……m-my father is……someone involved with the army. I was also brought here by him before. The gatekeepers here are also my acquaintances……”

It was very hard to say.

The boy that I had taken my anger out on had a reason to be here.

On the other hand, I simply came here because of my selfish desire to be alone.

That too, was something I could only do because of my father’s name.

Earlier, I had become lost at the sheer size of my father’s existence. Even though I was crying due to feeling ashamed at my own weakness that rendered me unable to fly out of his grasp, I was, in the end using my father’s name.

The heated emotions that seemed like they were going to explode a moment ago suddenly cooled.

“So that’s why they let you in here?”

“……I-I’m sorry. Even though I came in due to personal reasons, I used that tone of voice with you in asking who you were. I will leave immediately……”

“……wait.”

He stopped me as I stood up.

“I played it cool and said it was my duty, but it isn’t an official appointment. I like the view from here, so when I received permission from my father to come here, as part of the deal, I was to report about the status of this place……and such. It’s really just a lenient condition that he added on the side. That’s why I don’t have the qualifications to find fault with you for being here. Of course, if you were completely unrelated to this place, and just snuck in here for an adventure, then I’d have a headache wondering what was going on with the guards here……”

……I’ve caused some trouble for the gatekeepers here.

Though it may be rather late of me to think this, I felt like my head was about to start hurting at my own foolishness.

“……rather, my apologies. I didn’t speak up and ended up eavesdropping on you.”

“You’re not at fault. Even though you’re not……I……”

And then, I slowly began to tell him about my situation.

Using the guard setting that my father created for me.

In the middle of it, he sat next to me and quietly listened.

“……it’s quite natural to be told that.”

After hearing my story, those were the first words he spoke.

Like I thought……it felt as if a heavy rock was suffocating my chest.

“What need is there to cry that much? Is it not the truth that you are in a blessed environment? The man’s words with regards to that is the truth. Though……it is nonsense that isn’t worth listening to.”

“Even though it’s the truth, it’s nonsense?”

“It’s because it’s the truth. Something that has happened in reality. Just a single thing that can never be overturned. It is a person, subjective opinion about that truth. It is just that man’s interpretation of the fact that you were taught the sword by your father.”

“……I don’t really get it.”

“Putting it simply, he’s just jealous. Using the truth as a shield, he’s just attacking you by putting his feelings into words. If you keep minding each and every person that does that, you won’t hold up.”

“But, it’s true that I was lacking in power……”

“So what?”

I became speechless at his query.

“It is fine to feel ashamed when your own power is insufficient. However, there is no need to abase yourself because of it. It is fine to just look forward, facing your goal and advancing towards it. There is no need to mind such nonsense.”

“……only looking forward……”

“That’s right. For what purpose are you practicing military arts? ……if you don’t have a reason for not letting it go, then just quit it. Because in the future, there will likely be plenty of guys like that man.”

The boy’s words heavily resounded in my chest.

……that’s right, I have a goal.

No matter how difficult, or how painful, even if there isn’t anything to gain from it in the future.

I will not forgive the ones who stole away my precious person. I will definitely make them face retribution.

I had resolved myself to do that.

That was precisely why I averted my eyes from that scene that was far too gentle.

Not enough power? ……then I should just train more.

The people around me don’t approve of me? ……I wasn’t looking for their approval to being with.

I was simply seeking power for the sake of the result that I desired.

When I thought that, it felt like my eyes had opened up.

“……thanks. I feel very refreshed.”

“I see.”

“Though it does seem like that advice comes from personal experience.”

“……probably because I also am always telling myself such things.”

“……then you and I are the same.”

“Indeed.”

I stared at him fixedly.

Although he had handsome features, he gave off the impression of being scary rather than beautiful. This was probably because he was constantly surrounded by a sharp air.

Judging from his body frame, he probably wasn’t seriously pursuing the military arts……well firstly, it doesn’t seem like I’d lose to him.

Even so, I wonder why.

In a different sense, I couldn’t beat him.

I had that sort of feeling.

“……my name is Melly. I don’t know if we’ll meet again, but best regards.”

For some reason, I did not name myself as Mel, but instead used the nickname that my father calls me with.

“My name is Rui…….nice to meet you.”

And so, we exchanged handshakes.