WuxiaWorldEU

Chapter 31

Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.

\n\n\n\n

31 . The Despair of the One Who Became a Knight.\n

\ntn:Eunie\n

pf/edit: Parascythe\n

(partially edited) it's my fault...oTL\n

edit: IT'S COMPLETELY EDITED BY PARASCYTHE-SAMA!!~ ^O^\n\nTranslated by Eunie\n

Edited/Proofread by Para\n

\n

“Stop! Don’t you dare touch Dad!!”\n

My throat feels like... it's about to burst\n

...Where is this place?\n

In front of me was Dad, and I could see through the video that he was surrounded by enemies. \n

Then I heard him shout that he would never let them get near the new recruits, and after saying that, the enemies pointed their guns at him.\n

...That’s right. I went inside the war room of the Knight's Order…\n

I lost count of how many times I screamed.\n

The reinforcements should be arriving any moment now. \n

But even the first battalion was late.\n

I heard from Clark that a few minutes had already passed since Dad ran out of ammunition, and in this kind of state, he was facing the enemies alone.\n

By the time I arrived, Dad was already in the middle of confronting the ambushers, and the communication from here had long been cut off.\n

Dad was in terrible shape.\n

His body was full of bullet holes, and the white uniform of the knights had been thoroughly stained with blood. It was the uniform that I always saw him wear, the same uniform that I had long admired.\n

“Just a little bit more. Just a bit more, and the first battalion will…”\n

“Ah, it’s the Queen’s Orders. Have the first battalion head over to the cliff.”\n

Behind the video, a voice that seemed to belong to a woman was suddenly heard.\n

Read only on eunietl.weebly.com\n

Who is that…? Her face is so blurry that I can’t see it clearly.\n

“But then Roderick and the new recruits will be….”\n

“Just do it after killing the whole lot of them on the cliff. Or are you perhaps refusing my, the Queen’s, orders, Vice-Captain?”\n

Don’t f*ck with me! Dad’s dying right now!? Even though it's already like this, are your eyes properly working?! Dad’s already, look, he doesn't even have the strength to say another word…!\n

I almost screamed at her face, but Clark suddenly pinned me down. And then, with trembling hands, he said, “I humbly obey.”\n

Despite that, the first battalion soon arrived on top of the cliff. I felt relieved for a bit after hearing that the battle had resumed. Hurry, hurry up and defeat those guys and save my Dad…\n

“Wha—?! The cliff…” I suddenly heard Dad cry out in a hoarse voice.\n

Then the video shook for a bit. No, the surrounding area of the cliff suddenly rumbled due to the earth's tremors. The first battalion and those bastards, everyone started falling with the collapsing rubble. \n

Dad and the people around him tried to run. But soon after, they were being crushed by the rubble and debris.\n

“Wha––….Dad, run!!”\n

I yelled and yelled until it felt like my throat was bleeding.\n

I knew that since the communication was cut off on our side that he wouldn’t hear me, and yet, I couldn't refrain myself from shouting.\n

But Dad remained still, unable to run.\n

Read only on eunietl.weebly.com\n

Amidst the rubble raining down on him, all he could do was desperately yell out orders to the new recruits behind him. But the sound of the cliff collapsing drowned out his voice, and only their helpless cries echoed.\n

Even though some of the new recruits had died from being buried by the debris, Dad continued to yell. Even though it was already taking him everything he had to speak with his tattered throat, he still kept on yelling, "Run, run!!"\n

And then…\n

“Ro...Roderick!!” I heard Clark cry out.\n

In the video, a giant shadow seemed to envelop Dad from above. Something was going to fall down on him.\n

Then I saw him look up, and he made an expression as if he realized what was going to happen to him, and then he looked over the communication device from the other side and stretched out his hand. \n

“Clark!! Tell Arthur-”\n

…..and then...\n

Just before the screen went black, I clearly saw Dad’s silhouette collapse, and then something red splattered across the screen.\n

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!\n

Before I could comprehend the situation, a shrilling, resounding roar appeared. It was a hoarse voice, but I had already missed out on whose voice it belonged to.\n

But I could hear the Vice-Captain and the knights scream out, "Roderick!" That’s right. Dad was crushed by the wreckage. \n

Just now, right in front of me.\n

“Is he really the Unscathed Knight? To think he would die because of something like this. Isn’t it quite shameful since he’s the Captain of the Knights?”\n

The woman behind the video said in ridicule.\n

I tried to turn my head, but for some reason, my body would not listen to me. I desperately tried, but all I could do was scream. \n

“He!!...Roderick is….the Captain…!! He fought until the end to let the new recruits run away!!” I heard Clark yell.\n

From the corner of my eyes, I could see Clark crying.\n

Read only on eunietl.weebly.com\n

He gritted his teeth. But Dad still died, and I could see him desperately trying to endure that fact.\n

“Hmm, But a death like that is nothing to be proud of. Besides, I’m sure those new recruits have long died.”\n

My vision started turning red upon hearing the words of that woman.\n

Right at this moment, I just wanted to strangle her, to stop this woman from breathing.\n

“Well, aren’t you glad? Most of the victims were the new recruits, so all you have to do now is recruit some more. Plus, since the Captain died, then all is well if you just become the next Captain. Simple, right?" the woman dully said. I couldn’t help but doubt what I was hearing right now. Dad, what happened to the Knight’s Order that you were so proud of...was it something that could be easily thrown away like this?! And then the woman continued, “For this incident, let’s just leave it at it was that foolish Captain’s fault, and that should suffice. Stayle, cut off the communication.” After saying that, she just one-sidedly ends the connection.\n

“(My) Condolences.”\n

That’s right. The woman from the video said that to me when she saw me the first time.\n

Did she know?\n

Did she already know that Dad would die like this?\n

Don’t f*ck with me.\n

Dad, a knight, died?!\n

Why, why is this happening?!\n

Even though he desperately fought for the sake of his subordinates.\n

Why did Dad have to die this way?!! Why did he have to be told such things...\n

"You will surely become a knight."\n

I suddenly remembered the words my Dad used to say.\n

As if someone like me could become one…!!\n

I could feel the exhaustion overtaking my whole body as I wobbled and looked around. \n

Everyone was crying. \n

Dad’s name, as well the names of the new recruits. I wasn't familiar with them. \n

The knights screamed, muttered, grieved, and lamented as they hung their heads. They were crying.\n

And there was nothing I could do. \n

Clark…\n

He was the only one who was crying and at the same time issuing orders. As if he was desperately fighting against something, he yelled, "Immediately bring relief and aid." He said that there might be others who are still alive and not to let my Dad’s death be in vain. \n

Read only on eunietl.weebly.com\n

I...I wasn’t able to say anything to Dad. All I could be was a disappointment for him. \n

Now, there was nothing I could do for him. I can never talk to him again. \n

There was nothing I could do for Dad.\n

But am I okay with the way things are?\n

Dad and a lot of knights died.\n

And yet that woman didn’t even feel anything…!!\n

But for someone like me, who isn’t even a knight. Never mind seeing her, I bet I’ll just be stopped if I try to meet her.\n

Don’t joke with me…!!\n

What can I do for Dad?\n

How should I get answers from that woman?\n

How should I…!?\n

There was no way trash like me could become a knight, but…\n

...If it was Dad and not me…!!\n

I will become one...a knight!!\n

Dad’s regrets, grievances I will…!!\n

I will become my Dad!\n

I will kill myself, kill the individual in me. \n

I will kill my very being and existence.**\n

(Para: poor Arthur needs a hug. ;w;)\n

I will definitely become Dad…!!\n

Just like Dad, as long as I do it like him, then I’m sure I'll become one.\n

Though it might be impossible to become a knight as skillful as Dad, I can at least try to copy him.\n

Since I’ve always, always been watching his back.\n

I’ll even climb my way...in becoming a knight!!\n

I don’t mind if I’ll be some fake, third-rate copy of him, but...I will train just like the way Dad does, act and conduct myself like him, then I can surely reach it…!\n

That woman….\n

That woman who dishonoured my Dad who died as a knight....\n

I will make sure that with these hands of mine, I will bring judgement upon her…!\n

And for that to happen, I will…!!\n

…\n

“Arthur! You’re already awake? As expected, you’re an early riser.”\n

Arthur Beresford.\n

That was the name Mom and Dad gave me.\n

Read only on eunietl.weebly.com\n

My mother, who seemed to have just finished doing the cooking prep work, called out to me as I came out of my room.\n

“Yeah...Though I don’t remember much, I had a weird dream...that’s why waking up like this is just the worst.”\n

When I woke up, I was already falling onto the floor, and that woke me right up. \n

Even though I don’t remember what kind of dream it was, there were tear streaks on the corner of my eyes, so I only knew that it was definitely some terrible, sh!tty dream.\n

Mom was running a small restaurant that seemed to have been open since my Grampa’s days.\n

Though I did tell her that there was no need for it since Dad’s earnings were more than enough. She said that since gramps had been doing it, there was a lingering attachment and that she was having so much fun she couldn’t stop. \n

And then lastly, she added, “I’m doing it since I can’t calm down until I’ve seen him safely return." \n

Roderick Beresford. He's known as the Unscathed Knight, and ever since I was young, I’ve always admired him.\n

When I was a kid, I used to say that I would become a knight like my Dad.\n

It had always been my pride, seeing my Dad wear the Knight's Order’s uniform, riding a horse as he swung his sword; I watched him from behind.\n

The training Dad always gave me was also incredibly gruelling and challenging. His strictness towards a kid like me seemed childish on his part, but I did my best to become a knight. And after training, Dad often praised me, so I always had a lot of fun. \n

Someday I’ll also become like Dad.\n

That's right. I myself believed and never doubted that.\n

But one day, I realized it. \n

That it was impossible for me to become a knight. \n

Dad’s special ability nullifies all slashing attacks pointed at him. That was why he received the title of the Unscathed Knight. Just like the name implied, Dad could never be injured from sword attacks. \n

Compared to that, my ability is inadequate. \n

All I could do was ensure that plants and crops grew up healthily. \n

Read only on eunietl.weebly.com\n

One day the crops we were raising in our backyard were already wilting, there might have been a mistake when it was planted, but the moment I touched them, the corroded and the wilting plants started returning to normal.\n

I was a kid back then, and when I realized for the first time that I was a special ability user just like my Dad, I was happy and overjoyed by the fact that I was just like him. And when I told Dad and Mom about it, they praised me and were happy for me. \n

But the reactions of others were completely different from theirs. \n

Everyone said the same thing, "That’s too bad."\n

It was at that time when I realized it. \n

That my special ability differs vastly from Dad’s. \n

Even though I could raise plants and crops, it was totally useless in becoming a knight. \n

It wasn't like my ability could increase the growth speed of the crops, nor could I control it. It was just that I could ensure that they would grow healthily. That was it.\n

Special abilities are peculiar quirks that only belong to the people of this country, and those who acquired or were able to have a special ability are said to be people that were chosen by God and each of them is given a role. Some people claim it to be some sort of divine revelation.\n

And in this country, it had been long established that the only person who could inherit the throne was someone from the Royal Family who had the Precognition Ability.\n

It was also said that for someone to become part of the upper ranks, it was indispensable for one to have a rare special ability. Just like my Dad, this country’s Captain, who had a slashing nullification ability.\n

Then what was the role of someone who could only ensure a healthy growing crop?\n

A big part of the Knights Order are non-ability users, so there was no need for me to worry about it. That was what Dad said. But at the time, what I wanted to become wasn’t your typical knight. I wanted to be like Dad...a knight stronger than Dad.\n

No matter how much I harden myself, no matter how much I train myself to death...I can never change my special ability.\n

That was the gap between Dad and me.\n

At first, I became sulky about it and stopped training. I even stopped the daily drills I used to do when Dad was around. The regulars at my Mom’s restaurant tried to console me and say that it’s okay if I just aim to become the second-best next to Dad. Since I’m his son, then it’s only right that I follow in his footsteps and become a knight as well. \n

I’m sure that no matter what happens in the future, I will be stuck in my Dad’s shadow, dragged by his name, and every time that happens, I will be reminded of the uncrossable gap between us.\n

\n\n\nAs I got older, I became more afraid of the gap that I would never be able to fill. No matter how desperate I became–– no matter what I did from here on, it would still be impossible for me to catch up with him.\n

Read only on eunietl.weebly.com\n

When I clearly told my Dad that I will never become a knight, he asked me all sorts of things, and after casually answering, I tried to head to the field, but Dad yelled and scolded me. \n

“Are you going to give up just because you can’t surpass me?! Did you only want to become a knight so that you can outdo your Father?!”\n

This time it was me who yelled at him, “Shitty old man, just what do you know about me?!”\n

I understood where my Dad was coming from, and I also thought he was right, but it was exactly because of it that I couldn’t help but get mad at him. \n

It was all because of Dad’s words that I realized it. \n

I simply didn’t want to surpass him. \n

I wanted to protect Mom and Dad.\n

I was also jealous of Clark, who can walk shoulder-to-shoulder with my Dad. \n

Once I grew up, I also wanted to fight together with Dad to protect the country.\n

It’s because my goal, the person I aimed to be and admired, was Dad.\n

That’s why the reality that no matter what I did, no matter how hard I tried...the fact that I could never become like Dad was just too painful for me.\n

To be a person who fights for his country, just like Dad.\n

To be a person who can save a lot of people, just like Dad.\n

To be a person who can protect the people he treasures, just like Dad.\n

Just like Dad, I want to become a strong and proud Knight…!!\n

This time Mom also scolded me, and then I suddenly ran out of the house. By the time I realized it, I was already crying.\n

I also wanted to become a knight.\n

...But it was too late.\n

Just how many years has it been since I stopped training? \n

Read only on eunietl.weebly.com\n

The enlistment for new recruits starts at the age of fourteen, and it is known to be an arduous exam. You can only become a knight after training once more as a new recruit, and only the chosen ones who pass the gruelling exam can officially become one.\n

That’s why Dad started training me since I was little. I also heard from other people that anyone who comes from a family of knights and aims to become one has at least ten years worth of training without missing a day.\n

Even if I started now and took ten years from here on...how old would I be by then? And from there, how many more years would it take for me to become a knight?\n

The earliest it would take would still be at an age where it wouldn’t be weird for someone to not have a family of their own.\n

And even if I became a new recruit at that age…\n

It would just bring nothing but shame to my Dad, who became the youngest Captain of the Knights in history.\n

I don’t want to become a bigger embarrassment than this to him.\n

A trash person like me could never even reach the bottom of Dad’s feet, and when I look at myself in the mirror––the only resemblance we share is our appearance.\n

I was so embarrassed by that...that I even went as far as growing my hair so that I could hide my face. Just how many years has it been since then?\n

As if to run away...I spent my days taking care of the field behind our house. \n

I even forgot how to wield the sword that I loved so much as a kid.\n

To fully take advantage of this special ability of mine, I guess being a farmer wouldn’t be so bad. I wouldn’t have to worry about what I can eat in the future.\n

That’s right. I wonder how many times I’ve repeatedly said the same thing?\n

I can never go back.\n

I was even acting sardonic in front of Mom and Dad. \n

Even if I started now, it was already impossible for me to become one.\n

Not with these muddy hands. I wouldn’t even look like one. It just wouldn’t suit me.\n

I could never protect anyone with this thin body of mine.\n

I already knew in my head that there was no turning back, and ever since I realized that fact, the more irritable I grew as the days passed.\n

Read only on eunietl.weebly.com\n

Both my mind and body already acted as if they had already given up on it, but my heart continued to scream out every day as it coiled itself around me and groaned inside.\n

‘I want to become strong. I want to become a knight.’\n

Every time Dad returned, he would always ask me and say, "Do you really not want to become a knight?" "Are you really giving up?" "It’s not too late if you start now." "Let’s train again." \n

But I just ended up yelling at him every time.\n

I wanted to scream out, "‘I want to!" But every time, I just endured it. Despite that, Dad still never gave up on me.\n

And then, I turned thirteen years old.\n

\n\n\nEunie: totally messed up my update sched. sorry as soon as I woke up, I learned we had classes on a sunday. hectic rushing of lectures made me forgot about this chapter. I even forgot I haven't given the other half to Parascythe. oTL *dogeza*\n

You can expect the next chapter (prolly unedited??) in 12 hours. this time it's real. -u-\n

Who can relate to Arthur? It's like you aren't even being pressured by your parents but because the people around you hands out their unnecessary expectations to you, believing that you are the homunculus of your outstanding parent(s). Like when an awesome pitcher has a son and that child just wants to play baseball cause it's fun and he likes it but then people will suddenly expect you to throw gyro ball or some huge ass rasengan. You want to be honest to your parents but you can't cause the disappointment and the whole what-ifs eats you inside out. So, all you can do is lash out to them. Siiiigh. \n

\n\n\n\n\n