ALL NOVEL 31: If You're Attacked, Fight Back
A few days after Ren and Kyle returned home, I was unexpectedly dragged into training.
“We’re starting training soon,” Kyle said, leaving me bewildered and confused. When I told him I was too busy with farm work in the mornings, he decided I would run in the evenings instead.
As someone much smaller than a typical seven-year-old, intense exercise seemed impossible. Did he really think I could run properly?
Despite my desperate resistance, Kyle carried me under his arm and took me outside the mansion.
“Start running, even if it’s slow at first! We’re all running together!” Kyle said, leading Ren, the bodyguards, Hugo, who followed in a panic, and me on a forced run around the mansion’s perimeter. One of the bodyguards looked apologetic, but if he really felt that way, he should have done something about this power-harassing master! Isn’t it his job to protect a small child like me?
Reluctantly, I started running, teetering along. As expected, I tripped spectacularly after about thirty meters.
In that moment, I was sure I flew through the air. I heard Ren and Hugo scream behind me.
After a brief moment of being airborne, I landed with a dramatic splat! I scraped my face, palms, and knees badly.
“Waahhh!”
I cried as if the world had ended. My wails echoed around the mansion.
Hearing my cries, Father rushed out, picked me up swiftly, and carried me back inside like the wind. Ren hurried after us. It all happened in a flash.
Apparently, Kyle’s face turned pale and twisted with fear. (According to the bodyguard and Hugo)
While I sobbed on Father’s lap, Martha tended to my wounds, exclaiming, “Oh dear, how terrible!” She could use a little healing magic, which was really impressive!
Naturally, Kyle was severely! severely!! scolded afterward. Serves him right. Ren, Hugo, and the bodyguard, who failed to stop Kyle, were also made to sit in seiza and were scolded together. Poor them…
Father and Grandfather’s thundering wrath localized in the area and did not subside for some time. Thus, my harsh training ended after just one day.
The end.
Later, in my room, the spirits apologized to me sorrowfully. They conveyed their regret for not being able to help or prevent my injuries. We comforted each other, huddling close. It wasn’t their fault; the real culprit was Kyle!
That night, the scolding continued. When Kyle shouted angrily, “You’re spoiling him too much!”, Grandfather’s powerful fist came down on his head, leaving Kyle writhing in pain.
“Do not show any remorse after bullying a child! I’ll beat some sense into you!!” Grandfather’s shout meant Kyle and the bodyguards were forced to join the monster hunts. For some reason, Ren and Hugo had to go along too. Father remained silent.
The plan was set for the next morning.
There was no time to prepare!
This time, it seemed they were going deep into the dangerous forest. Grandfather was really enthusiastic about it. No one dared to say that he just wanted to go himself because everyone could read the mood!
I wasn’t going to miss this opportunity.
I ran over to Grandfather and shouted, “Grandfather! I want Moonlight Grass and Clair Grass! Please take this pot and collect them with the soil! And for the Clair Grass, please put it in this bucket with water!”
I quickly pulled out the tools from my skill storage and handed them to Grandfather. His eyes gleamed mischievously.
Grandfather, I read the room!
I know it’s incredibly difficult to collect Moonlight Grass and Clair Grass. But I believe you know where they grow. You understand the significance and usefulness of these herbs. It will serve as a trial for Kyle, and I will benefit from it. Ultimately, you might benefit too. It’s a win-win situation!
“Understood! Wait for me, Haku! This Grandfather will surely bring them back!” Grandfather said.
“I love you, Grandfather! I’ll be a good boy and wait for you! Take care and come back safely,” I said, clinging to him, which made Grandfather very happy.
Through Grandfather, I saw Kyle glaring at me with resentment. The bodyguards looked pale and dejected. Ren and Hugo were silent and expressionless. My condolences!
Ha ha ha! Kyle, off you go!
Please change your ways.
Actually, for the sake of my peace, I wouldn’t mind if you never came back!
Just keep going through the forest and return to the Ragnard household.
Yes, I think that would be best!
In the now quiet mansion, I was studying.
Noble children can’t just play around all the time, you know?
Actually, I was caught by Burton when I was about to go out to the garden.
Today’s lesson was about our country.
The country we live in is called the “Kingdom of Balzik.”
It faces the sea to the east, has a forest called the Demon Realm to the south, and borders another country across a large mountain range to the west.
The northern part, where we live, is surrounded by mountain ranges and dense forests.
By the way, the mountain range, similar to the Alps, is called the Sworelm Mountains.
If you travel east from Radcliffe territory through the Ragnard Margrave territory, you eventually reach the sea.
Because Ragnard has a large population, they import salt from there.
If you travel south from Ragnard for about three weeks by carriage, you’ll reach the capital city, which is located near the sea, roughly in the middle of the country.
It’s quite vague, isn’t it?
In this world, or rather in this era, detailed maps aren’t available for strategic reasons.
And there’s also the question of how advanced surveying techniques are.
I don’t think I’ll ever go anywhere, so this level of knowledge should be enough.
A child who can’t even run properly won’t survive a three-week carriage journey.
Seriously, I’d die, you know? Is that okay?
No, it’s not.
By the way, the nobility in this country ranks from the top as follows: royalty, dukes (relatives of the royal family), marquises, margraves, counts, viscounts, barons, and knight-baronets.
Margraves, responsible for defending the borders, can maintain private knight orders and have significant military power, thus are considered equal to marquises.
Knight-baronets are honorary titles given to knights who have distinguished themselves in battle, but it is a title limited to one generation.
Well, I don’t really want to get involved with other nobles, so it doesn’t matter to me. I’ll leave those troublesome matters to Ren and Riol.
Speaking of which, I’ve never been to a church or temple. In otherworld stories, those are usually a given, right?
At such times, I ask Mr. Burton!
“Hey, Burton. I’ve never been to a temple or church, have I? Where are the orphanages operated?”
“They are run by the temples, Master Haku. You visited a temple when you were three years old.”
I see, I have no memory of that at all.
According to Burton, in this world, between the ages of three and five, children visit the temple to report to the gods, “I was born! I’m alive!”
Because the infant mortality rate is high, children of that age are considered “children of the gods,” and only after visiting the temple do they become “people.” They receive blessings from the priests at the temple and then return home. They don’t get Chitose Ame though, right?
In this world, the Creation God created the world, and the Life God created life. These two are considered special.
Additionally, there are the God of Wisdom, the God of Fertility, the God of Judgment, the God of Magic, and the God of Martial Arts. These five gods are worshipped.
At the temples, all the gods are equally worshipped.
Nobles apparently don’t get along well with the temples. They maintain a proper distance, adhering to an unspoken rule of non-interference.
No wonder I didn’t know about it. We don’t pray during meals.
There is also a small temple in Luke Village with an attached orphanage. The Radcliffe family properly donates to it. Donations to the orphanage too.
Today, I feel like I’ve become a little wiser again!
Ehehe!