Chapter 45
Chapter 45 – Old man Alberto’s Story of the past
My name is Alberto . My family was a knight clan that has served as a vassal of the Archduke Schwarzer for generations .
Along with my childhood friend Rouen, we served the previous Archduke Schwarzer from the early age of fifteen, and now we serve under the current Archduke Edgar-sama .
The Schwarzer territory shares its northern border with the neighboring Wolfgard kingdom, and had been engaged in continuous skirmishes for as long as I remember . There were also copious amount of monsters that require frequent subjugation . Therefore, the Schwarzer territory soldiers were known as the most experienced in warfare across the empire .
As we collected merits during battles, we rose through the ranks as we grew older . Thus, more than twenty years ago, Rouen reached the rank of commander of the army, while I became the leader of the knights who was responsible for the safety of the Schwarzer clan main family .
When His Majesty Sephiros took the throne, we of the Schwarzer territory army became even more often involved in battles .
His Majesty Sephiros obtained the title of『Thunder Emperor』due to his fondness of war . When there was a large scale battle, the Schwarzer army will be fielded,and so I would be sent to assist Rouen in his duty as the army commander . Because of that, our names became famous in the empire .
People called us:
[Schwarzer Twin Generals]
Both Rouen and I could be careless about that nickname, since we were busy fighting with our life in battles . Until that day came .
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It was a stormy night . We were both summoned to the Archduke’s room .
In the past few years, dark clouds loomed over the territory .
That year was the beginning of Queen Ekaterina of Wolfgard’s offensive against the Holy Arcadia Empire . Thus, the Schwarzer Territory had to take the brunt of their attacks .
Rouen and I managed to hold out due to the reinforcements from the capital, and the joint effort of the army and the knights… . . but the crops that year were greatly affected .
Other than that, unstable weather and increasing number of monsters only the hardship to a whole new level .
However, the biggest issue was…that the first son Ares-sama, who was loved by everyone, was struck by an unknown fever . Having the successor to the clan fell sick had caused the territory to grow even gloomier .
There was a light of hope . The lord’s wife gave birth to a second son . I had hoped that this would return the light to the Schwarzers… no, this will definitely return the light… or so I and Rouen thought .
However, what awaited us beyond that was… . even more hopelessness .
I was the first to arrive . The Archduke told me shocking news .
It’s that… . the newly born second son Julius whom we had put our hope on to become our new sun, turned out to be…an odd-eyes .
An odd-eyes was born in the Archduke clan… . if this news reached the ears of the royal family, the clan would surely be crushed completely .
I was at a loss for words for a moment there .
In addition to that, I could not comprehend the second news that the lord told me .
That is… . .
Ares-sama had inherited the memories of three people .
This was told to Edgar-sama by Ares-sama himself after he had miraculously recovered from his fever . And Edgar-sama had decided to believe this…
When Rouen also arrived, Edgar-sama each gave us a different order .
Ares would be in Rouen’s custody starting from that day and to bring the young lord to the northern fortress .
As for me… . I was responsible for Julius… . to bring him to the secluded monastery in the mountains where he would grow there .
This matter couldn’t be leaked to anyone else . This might’ve been the conclusion that both the lord and the lord’s wife had reached together . And they could only rely to us, their most trusted vassals .
Then we simply had to follow through . Rouen and I anonymously agreed to accept this duty .
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From there, the destination had gone awry .
After resigning from my position as the knight leader, I brought the little Julius to the secluded monastery .
A proud knight of Schwarzer territory and yet he suddenly disappeared . Of course, this brought bad rumours . I heard that the Archduke had also withheld the fact about where I had gone to .
Similarly, Rouen brought the young lord Ares-sama to the northern fortress . He, as well, was confused about what he should do .
As for me, who was always on the battlefield……a totally different life was waiting for me .
I had no child . My wife died a long time ago, and I never remarried after that . Therefore… . I truly had no idea how to take care a child .
Everyday was difficult . But Julius turned out to be a very understanding boy… . it’s as if he could read my mind, then he would take action based on it… . truly a marvelous child .
That’s why I decided to teach him various things . Swordsmanship, literature, math, military strategy, history… . He absorbed everything in the shortest time…truly worthy of the Archduke’s son .
We were accompanied by the maidservant Aly and several other servants .
Aly was an elderly woman who lost her family to war . She was like both a mother and a grandmother to Julius .
The other servants worked well too… . but upon seeing Julius’ odd-eyes, they would treat him harshly .
Aly was the one who protected Julius .
It was a strange feeling . It’s like having a true family once again . I’ve never felt this kind of warm feeling since my late wife was gone . This feeling… . . made me really happy .
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One day, I talked with Ares-sama .
I remembered what Rouen had written about the young lord in his letters .
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He wrote
That the young lord truly had the memories of three different persons altogether, making him to have an adult-like temperament despite of his young age . He’s a talent that only appear once in a thousand years .
Meeting Ares-sama again after a long time… . I was very excited . I wanted to let him know about his younger brother .
There was also a letter from the Archduke, telling me that Ares-sama wanted to meet me and Julius .
And so, Ares-sama and Julius-sama met that day . I remember that they had a long talk back then .
Before he went back home, Ares-sama spoke to me .
[Alberto… . Julius really wants to go and see the world outside . ]
[Indeed he does… . . but there is that law on the Holy Arcadia Empire . ]
[True… . that’s why, I’m going to destroy that superstition . I’ll definitely bring Julius out . Isn’t that also what Alberto wishes for him as well?]
At first, I had my doubt regarding Ares-sama’s declaration . I couldn’t see it happening no matter how I think about it . We are talking about a belief that had remained unchanged for many many years . If it can be changed that easily… . . Julius-sama wouldn’t have to suffer like this .
[And…Alberto . When the day come when Julius can come outside, he might need to put on an eyepatch . ]
[Yes . That will be for the best . His eyes will still bring prejudice after all . ]
[No, that’s not what I mean . His eye… . . is the 『Heaven’s Eye』]
Heaven’s Eye .
It’s also known as the『Seer’s Eye』 . It has the capability to see a long distance, or invisible object, even the future… .
[It’s good since it seems that he hasn’t awakened that power yet, because an immense amount of information will flood his brain once it did . Until Julius can master it… . . I’ll try to fashion a special eyepatch for him . ]
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After saying so, Ares-sama returned to the capital . A few months later, when he came back to the monastery… . he also brought news that Julius-sama was free .
The Emperor himself had written the letter, officially giving Julius-sama his freedom .
Of course, his odd-eyes will still invoke prejudice . Therefore, Ares-sama had given him a special eyepatch to cover up his right eye…
I won’t forget… . Julius-sama’s expression at that moment .
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Afterward, Julius-sama spent a few years in the Schwarzer territory . Later on, he went to the capital with the lord’s wife . Aly and I joined him of course .
Once, I was asked whether I would like to reassume my position as the knight leader . But I turned that offer down .
I’ve been away from Schwarzer Territory for too long . The place was now more developed than I could remember . The knights too, had trained even more people to become knights . I believed that they could continue even without me .
My post is to stand next to Julius-sama . And that’s fine by me .
From that point onward, Julius became even brighter . Above all, he was more eager to learn . It’s as if he had found a purpose in his life .
I will stand by his side so that he can achieve that very purpose .
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Alberto Werheld
He was great general who supported the Schwarzer Territory alongside General Rouen Beluga .
But then, everyone was surprised by his sudden retirement and disappearance .
He reappeared in the face of history on later years, as the deputy general to the 『One-eyed Dragon』Julius Schwarzer…