WuxiaWorldEU

Intermissi...

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\n\nIntermission 6: And Chase\n

\n\n\nTL-ed by Eunie\n

EDITED by ParaScythe\n

<unedited> if you want to read the EDITED ver. you'll have to wait.\n

EDIT: edited version is here!! \n\nTranslated by Eunie\n

Edited/Proofread by Para\n

While being protected by the servants and guards, Tiara-sama went inside the palace with Pryde-sama, who was urged inside by her maids. Soon after that, Vice-Captain Clark received a message that the rest of the injured recruits and my dad are currently escorted by the first battalion, and they will arrive soon at the relief center. \n

One of the vacant rooms in the knight’s training grounds was turned into a relief center, so I headed there along with the other knights. \n

There were already recruits being treated when we arrived, and then I saw the other recruits and my Dad return while riding a wagon that was being pulled by the first battalion. \n

I didn’t know how to face my dad, so I hid from afar as the knights lined up to welcome him, and the moment he returned, everyone from the Knight's Order was in an uproar. \n

The other recruits were carried down first, and it was my dad who got off last. As soon as he disembarked from the wagon, he was immediately surrounded by the knights. When he looked at each face of the knights surrounding him, he had the same stunned expression I saw in the video. \n

“Roderick!!”\n

It was Clark who jumped at him first and hugged him, calling out his name. As if his actions produced a domino-effect, the other knights also started jumping in.\n

And it was amidst that when Dad was able to smile once again.\n

Clark and the other knights were all crying tears of joy since Dad was able to return safely.\n

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As I thought, the Knight's Order is a warm place.\n

Such thoughts crossed my mind as I watched them.\n

...I should probably also appear in front of Dad, but I don’t know how to face him. \n

While I was contemplating whether I should go to him or not, I looked up and heard Clark’s worried voice calling out to him. \n

“Roderick?!”\n

And then Dad collapsed.\n

He was like a marionette whose strings were suddenly cut. He looked like he had used up all his strength as he fainted while leaning on Clark. The knights once again fell into an uproar as they immediately carried him inside.\n

I finally made a move and rushed towards him, “Dad!!”\n

… …\n

After undergoing a thorough check-up, the doctor told us that he wasn't in a critical condition and that he’s alright since he received first-aid from an ability user beforehand. \n

It’s just that since he was finally able to relax his nerves, the fatigue caught up to him, so he fainted. Clark even said that he would wake up soon. \n

After receiving all the necessary treatment, Dad continued to sleep inside the relief center. I wonder if it was because he’s the Captain of the Knights or because he’s severely injured, but he’s staying in a separate room from where the recruits were.\n

And even though two knights were guarding outside, there was only Dad and me inside the room. Clark returned to the war room since he still had a job to do as the Vice-Captain, such as contacting and commanding the knights he sent as reinforcement to return. \n

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I leaned against the wall beside Dad’s bed and crouched down. From time to time, I could hear my dad’s steady breathing and his body moving, so I was finally able to feel that my dad really is alive.\n

He’s alive.\n

He's here.\n

Such thoughts crossed my mind, and then my vision started getting blurry, and tears started spilling from my eyes, and as if to hide it, I let my hair spill over my face as I held my knees and buried my face. \n

I thought I would never see him again.\n

I thought this was how we would say goodbye and that I would regret this for the rest of my life.\n

All sorts of things crossed my mind when I thought Dad was gone. I wonder how many times I regretted it, how many times I wished for a second chance.\n

….I know… that Dad is a knight.\n

I know that it isn’t rare for a knight to face death during their everyday lives, and I’m sure the same thing applies to Dad... And I’m sure...something like this will happen again.\n

It’s just that it* didn’t happen today.\n

(*Eunie: He means death/dying)\n

I don’t know when it will be.\n

But until that time comes, what do I want to do?\n

What should I do so that I won’t have to go through the same regret and despair that I felt today? \n

I…. …. …. …..\n

“...hur…, Arthur….., Arthur!”\n

I opened my eyes as I felt someone shaking my shoulder.\n

It seems like I fell asleep. \n

“...Clark…”\n

“Are you alright? Why don’t you go home first if you’re tired? And surely Clarissa-san is extremely worried right now.”\n

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….Ah.\n

Clarissa is the name of my mom.\n

Speaking of, before I left, I told Mom that I would return soon. \n

In a half-asleep state, I stood up. After hearing from Clark the time right now, it had been hours already since I left. So I hurriedly headed towards the door and opened it, but before I left, I looked back and saw that my dad was still sound asleep. I felt relieved after making sure that he was still breathing.\n

“I’ll have to wake him up soon since I need to report to him. ...So do you want to greet him first before you leave?” Clark asked after seeing my actions. It felt like he was being sympathetic and stuff, so I was a little annoyed at him. \n

“...No need. Since I’ll come back as soon as I meet with Mom,” I said as I turned back. \n

I could hear Clark say from behind, "I see." It was one of Clark’s favourite lines that were packed with unnecessary thoughts and meanings. “...So, you’ll return.”\n

“... ...Shut up.”\n

I’ve always been annoyed at Clark, who acts like a know-it-all. I guess there’s no helping it since I’ve known him since I was a kid. After cussing out the happy looking Clark, I finally left the room.\n

… …\n

I saw my mom considerably worried and distraught as soon as I got back home.\n

She knew that there were a lot of knights passing by in front of our field, and then there was also that time when I hurriedly left, so she’s been distraught ever since.\n

She asked me all sorts of questions like if I went to the Knight's Order or if Dad’s okay. I did tell her he’s alright, but I mostly covered up the events that happened today by saying that I just briefly passed by the Order. Nothing really happened, and I was late because I met a friend on my way back. \n

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In the meantime, I tried to calm her down, and then I told her that I’ll be leaving the house again, and when I mentioned that I might not be able to return for a while, she resumed looking worried.\n

“...I’ll just be going to where Dad is…”\n

As soon as I said that, she looked at me with a weird expression. She looked surprised and doubtful, but at the same time, she was smiling.\n

But when I mentioned, in passing, that if something happens, to just go to where the Order is since Dad and I will be there, she suddenly got mad.\n

And this time, she didn’t say anything when I left.\n

After walking around, I arrived and entered the room he was staying at and saw that he was finally awake. He was sitting upright and was in the middle of a conversation with Clark when I came in, and then I saw that his upper body was mostly covered in bandages. \n

He looked surprised when I came in, and then Clark, who was still in the middle of his report, raised his hand and motioned for me to enter. Without saying a word, I entered the room and stood near a wall at the far-end corner of the room when I heard him mention that Pryde-sama said it was alright for her to open an audience tomorrow regarding today’s matter.\n

“Yeah, I was also thinking that it’s better to do this sooner because I plan on telling her a few things regarding her behaviour and actions for today’s incident," Dad said. His eyes looked as if he resigned himself to doing something.\n

Even Clark noticed it and looked concerned but still answered in affirmation. “...I understand. I will immediately inform Pryde-sama that it’s alright for us to hold it tomorrow.” After saying that, Clark looked over at me and asked, “Hey Arthur, where have you been?”\n

It seems like he said it in a way to subtly inform Dad that I had been staying here the whole time. \n

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Tsk. Really, this guy. It’s maddening how I can’t seem to get a read on him.\n

“...I went back home to meet up with Mom.”\n

The moment I said that. \n

“Wha…!?” Dad exclaimed as his whole body swiftly turned back to look at me. “No way...you...to Clarissa…. Did you tell your mom?!” Clark looked amused upon seeing the flustered state my dad was in.\n

“Haaa?! As if I can tell her, you idiot!! Just who do you think has to console Mom every time she cries!!” I yelled.\n

“I see… then that’s good,” Dad said as he sighed in relief.\n

“... … But the next time we meet, I’ll tell her.”\n

Upon hearing my words, Dad's eyes widened in surprise as he looked at me once again, but I ignored him and continued, “I’ll definitely tell her. That because Dad’s foot got caught in some rubble, he almost got squashed when the cliff collapsed. I’ll also tell her how you were shot in different places, and by the time you were able to return to the palace, you immediately fainted. And lastly, I’ll tell her how you were straight-up planning on dying while yapping some embarrassing shitty last will, and that you never once mentioned or brought up Mom’s name!!”\n

(Eunie: OMFG. WAHAHAH. I’M DYING!! ARTHUR!! LOL.)\n

“...N….no. Normally, I always...to Clarissa.”\n

Midway, I saw how Dad tried making some sort of excuse and started mumbling some incomprehensible words, so I just ignored him.\n

“Saying things like Mom will cry? Listen, I definitely won’t do any follow-ups for you this time!! Mom will definitely scold you once you get back. That’s why you better prepare yourself now!! Cause you reap what you sow, you shitty Dad!!!”\n

After saying that much, for the first time ever, I saw how lost for words Dad had become and beside him, with a playful grin on his face, I heard Clark say, “This time around, you can’t hide it, Roderick.” Dad just froze right there and racked his brains on what to say. \n

On the other hand, I already decided on what to say next. \n

“...But depending on a condition I have, I don’t mind not telling her a word about this,” I said in a low voice.\n

Dad immediately reacted as he stepped out of his bed while groaning in pain because he exerted himself.\n

“Condition...what’s your condition, Arthur?” Clark asked in my dad’s stead, and then Dad looked at me as he endured the pain.\n

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“... ...I want to see Pryde-sama.”\n

After hearing my condition, now it was both of them who were at a loss for words. Their eyes widened in shock as they both glanced at each other and then looked back at me once more.\n

“Let me also come to the audience thing that will happen tomorrow. If that's no good, then any other way is fine as long as I can meet Pryde-sama again, and I’ll never go back home until I see her.” I then added, “...Ah, I’ve already told Mom that it might take a while before I return home.” \n

Both of them knew that at times like this, it would be hard for them to convince me otherwise, so after a while, the two of them fell into complete silence as they contemplated my words. As the silence dragged on, Dad looked apologetic as he muttered Clark’s name.\n

And in response to that, I heard Clark sigh as he answered, “Alright...it might not work, but... I’ll try asking Pryde-sama.” \n

I won.\n

I inwardly rejoiced to myself as I walked towards the door and opened it. \n

“Now then, I’ll go and sleep outside.”\n

“Wai- wait, Arthur! It’s not like there’s a need for you to sleep outside…”\n

“Even though I’m his son, it’s not okay for an outsider like me to borrow a room from the palace!” I said as I pushed away Clark’s hand that tried to stop me from leaving, but he suddenly did a double shoulder lock to forcibly stop me.\n

(Para: Bruh, cue to me googling what shoulder locks are and still not understanding how they work or how to describe them. ;w;)\n

\n

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“Arthur!! Just why are you so similar to Roderick at these things?!”\n

Clark’s loud voice echoed inside the room. \n

… ...After all that struggling, it ended with me having to stay together with my dad in his room, where the healer specifically told him to stay in bed and have absolute rest until the healing kicks in.\n

“...Won’t you at least get some blankets?”\n

“Tsk...as if I can borrow any!!” I yelled at my dad, who was currently lying down on the bed and looking up at the ceiling. \n

I would be lying if I said I wasn't cold, but it wasn't like it would kill me, and I felt fine, but just the thought of borrowing some stuff from the palace, on top of intruding in one of their rooms…. was enough to dampen my spirits. \n

After folding the bedding properly, I laid down on the floor.\n

“...What do you plan on doing once you meet with Pryde-sama?”\n

" … … … . … … … … … … … … … … Dunno. "\n

I turned my back to him after saying, "I’ll be sleeping, so don’t speak anymore, shitty Dad."\n

I also don’t know what I want to say once I meet her. \n

It’s just that...I wanna see her again.\n

And I soon fell asleep because Dad really did stop talking after hearing me a while ago. \n

...Some time passed when I suddenly felt someone cover me with a blanket.\n

So I kept my eyes closed as I pretended to be asleep. It seems like the person who covered me with a blanket opened his wounds again, so he couldn’t help but slightly groan as he returned to his bed.\n

… Shitty Dad.\n

The next morning, after overseeing the morning training of the knights and finishing his breakfast, Clark went inside the room to inform me that I was allowed to attend today’s audience as well.\n

\n\neunie here: Awwww, his Dad!! Gosh, they’re both so awkward but they’re really just big softies!! i hope we can all see the part where arthur is blackmailing--i mean negotiating with his dad in the manga\n

Para: Not gonna lie, that blanket scene hurt my kokoro. I think the way Arthur adamantly refuses to accept the fact that he secretly cares a lot for his dad, and Roderick being oblivious and thinking his son hates him makes me feel so emotionally invested in their relationship lol.\n

edited: SO I POSTED THE UNEDITED VER LAST 12.25.20. MY 88 YRS OLD GRANDFATHER HAPPENED TO BE SICK DURING THAT TIME AND THEN ON THE 3OTH OF DEC. HE PASSED AWAY. AND THEN THE DAY AFTER MY GRANDFATHER'S BURIAL(5th of jan), MY DAD HAD TO UNDERGO HIS 4TH HEART SURGERY. the weather, stress and fatigue has weakened my immune system and i got sick and hospitalized. like i was so close in having pneumonia and with the pandemic going on, things got a lot more hectic. thankfully i tested negative. and then it was only a few days ago when i was discharged from the hospital. seriously what a way to end 2020 and start 2021. -_-" How about you guys? hope you had a fun new year~^^\n

UNEDITED C.37 IS UP! once the edited ver is up. i'll immediately post it.\n\n