36 Aftermath (2/3)

Philip sorrowfully spoke, "Ever since we came here, we were resolved to keep our heads low and not raise any commotion, because we knew that the moment we make a misstep, whatever peace and prosperity we have left will be taken away by those with real power without a second thought. And now you are seeking to throw anything we have left and put my sons in danger. For what? Pride!"

"Dear... don't say anymore..." Hilda, who until now had remained quiet, choked out, holding back tears.

"..." Sauros didn't say anything in response, but it was clear for all to see that he was only barely able to hold in his rage. Not because he had been rebuked by Philip. But because he knew deep down that what his son said was true. His large frame trembled, not out of anger but out of bitterness. He resented his helplessness, for he could not think of any way to counter his argument.

This was the dirty world of politics. The winners took the entire pot while the losers would be beaten down, and had to learn to be subservient or be put down. Being given a position as Mayor of Roa and Lord of Fittoa could already be considered a degree of mercy from the main Boreas family. And similarly, this mercy that was given could just as easily be taken away.

Rudeus observed this interaction, his heart feeling stifled and bottled up with righteous indignation. Though unwilling, he knew what he needed to do.

"Lord Sauros, Young Master Philip. It seems that unknowingly, I have caused a great deal of trouble to your family. And I can also foresee that I will only bring about a greater misfortune if I remain here. It is clear that I must leave, so that I will not implicate the Boreas family any longer."

Rudeus was resolved. The steel in his voice was not one that suited the voice and appearance of a child as young as he.

"Rudeus, don't be foolish. This is not your fault. If you remain here, we can still protect you. They won't go so far as to throw away any pretence of civility to declare war without sufficient justification. But the moment you leave our territory, you will definitely be hunted down and assassinated. How will I face Paul and your mother if that were to happen?"

Sauros put a firm hand on Rudeus' shoulder, "Don't worry. Even if we have to swallow this humiliation, we will not let them hurt you. This is our bottom line. If we can't even keep a child under our protection safe, then we might as well just throw away the Boreas name!"

"Young Master Philip, Lord Sauros, I appreciate your sentiment. But you misunderstand my intentions. I am leaving not only because I don't want to implicate your family. It is also because I intend to seek retribution against the Notos family!"

"What!? What are you saying, Rudeus! Don't be foolish! What can you do by yourself? You're just a child!" Philip cried out in shock.

Rudeus shook his head, "They tried to kill me, just because my father used to have the name of Notos. They will never leave me in peace so long as I pose a threat to their authority. And similarly, so long as they remain in power, I will never be left alone. And remember, I am not an only child! I have two sisters, and without knowing, I might even have a little brother on his way as well. If Pilemon has no qualms targeting me, who is to say he won't send assassins after my family as well?"

"That is why I can only conclude that they must be dealt with. This is not a crusade based on personal pride and vengeance. My family might be in danger too. And if I have to exterminate every last Notos, then so be it! Either they will die, or I will perish! This world is not big enough to contain the both of us!"

Rudeus' words, that could be taken as treasonous by some, shook the hearts and minds of all that were present. Such killing intent and resolve coming from one so young, it was too ridiculous to believe.

"Rudeus... Do you know what you are saying? You are saying that you intend to take on the entire Notos family that stands amongst the highest echelons of the aristocracy. The power and influence they wield is far above what our family is even capable of. Do you understand how unbelievably thoughtless your words sound now?"

"I fully grasp the gravity of my situation. It is not that I am unwilling to put down my pride and stay out of their way. It is they who refuse to give me a path to live! They worry that I will try to snatch back my father's rightful place as the head of the Notos family. Then that's exactly what I will do. To contend against their political capital, I will need friends and influence of my own. This I will not be able achieve if I remain here. And the longer I stay, the more dangerous it will be for your Boreas family. This is why I must leave. I cannot implicate the people who have shown me so much kindness."

"Rudeus... kuk!" Sauros grinded his teeth, frustrated at his own powerlessness.

Philip gazed at him intently. His usual kind eyes replaced with a steely gaze, as though he was trying to see into Rudeus' soul.

"Rudeus. Have you thought this through? Your enemies are established, high ranking nobility. Be it armed forces, political capital and financial resources, what they have accumulated so far is no small matter. They have a standing army of retainers that is four or five times the size of ours, enough influence in the Royal Court to sway the ministers, and mountains of gold coins at their disposal. What you are considering, it is a path that I do not see you coming out alive at the end…"

Rudeus chuckled ruefully, "If I give up now, then I will never succeed. As long as I am still alive, I have a chance to win this."

At this moment, a roar could be heard behind Rudeus.

"Rudeus! Where do you think you're going?"

A sick and weak looking Ghislaine stumbled into the courtyard, clasping her abdomen in pain. Her cheeks were sullen, and the muscles that were so full of life before had slightly shrivelled.

"Master Ghislaine, what are you doing here? Though I used Detoxification and Healing magic on you, your body still needs time to rest and recover from the damage the poison has already done." Rudeus worriedly called out.

She growled in response, "Can you still call me Master, after trying to leave without finishing your training? You think this apprenticeship can be broken as and when you like? You haven't even learned all that I have to teach and you are already so full of yourself huh!?"

Rudeus blanched, "Of course not Master Ghislaine. I regret that I cannot finish my tutelage under you, but I have to leave. Otherwise, the Boreas family will-"

"Humph! I know! I heard what you said. Did you forget who I am? I am The Sword King, Black Wolf! Those Notos bastards poisoned me, and tried to kill my disciple. Do you think I will just stand aside as if they did not just disregard my wrath?"

Rudeus shook his head, frowning. "Master Ghislaine, I can't let you become involved in this because of me. This is my responsibility, my personal vendetta."

Ghislaine approached Rudeus with heavy steps. "Hmph. You are just like Paul. Too much pride in you to realise what is good for you. You want revenge? You are not strong enough to take it! You want to contend against the Notos family? You are not even qualified to compete with their resources! You want to leave the Boreas family? You are too weak to even remain alive for long! You haven't even reached the realm of a true Saint-rank swordsman, what responsibility are you spouting? It is just your pride and your conceit, foolish disciple."

Rudeus was stunned at Ghislaine's words. He realised that she was right. The Sword King was, to put it bluntly, simple minded. But perhaps it was because of her narrow focus on the sword that she was the only one capable of seeing things so clearly.

Instead of being smart and staying to learn from Ghislaine, take his time to grow his strength and sharpen his swordsmanship, he insisted on leaving to uphold his pride. Instead of learning how to maneuver politics and the aristocracy from Philip and Sauros, he stubbornly chose to refuse their protection and expertise in politicking.

Even if he really wanted to challenge the Notos family, then staying to learn from Ghislaine and achieve, hopefully, Sword King rank would only be beneficial for his crusade, not hamper it. It was even more important for him to learn the intricacies of politics from those who had experience in it.

In his previous life, he spent all his time playing sports. As such, he had no experience in the arena of politics filled with deceit, hypocrisy, gaslighting and backstabbing. Thinking that even without such knowledge he could triumph against the Notos family was just pure arrogance and ignorance. In the end, Rudeus was still too young to try and compete against cunning old foxes like Pilemon.

"I... I understand, Master. It seems that I never knew how conceited and stubborn I was until someone pointed it out to me. I apologise for my hubris. Please, Master, teach me." Rudeus humbly requested, laying down his stubborn pride.

Ghislaine nodded. "Of course. As soon as I recover, your training will double in intensity. I will hold nothing back in imparting my knowledge. You will bleed. And you will beg for it to stop. I will not relent until I am satisfied. If you cannot accept this, then I won't stop you from leaving."

Rudeus smiled, bowing deeply at Ghislaine's words. "After receiving your consideration, how can I betray your expectations? I will never give up, Master. This I promise you."

Ghislaine nodded in satisfaction, "Words mean nothing. They are just complicated airflow. I don't trust promises. Prove it with your actions, Rudeus."

Rudeus then turned to Philip and Sauros, who were watching them with complicated feelings. Ghislaine was after all, their retainer. But somehow it seemed like she has become more attached to Rudeus than their family.

"Young Master Philip, Lord Sauros. I apologise for my thoughtless words. I will stay, and gratefully accept your protection. However, you now know of my objectives. To challenge the Notos family, I will need more than just strength. I need your knowledge on politics, your influence and your political capital. I will not receive this without giving anything back. I can promise you that once the Notos family is taken down, and I inherit the mantle of the head of the Notos household, I will do all I can to help you regain your former status in the Boreas household."

Philip looked at his father who smiled faintly. For the first time in a long time, they saw something that they never thought they would see again – hope.

"We will teach you all we know. But we are not ambitious. I do not need the status of the Head of the Boreas family. All I want, all we want, is for our sons to be returned to our family. So long as you can make this happen, then it will all have been worth it."

Rudeus bowed and pushed against his heart with his thumb, "I will etch this gratitude and promise permanently in my heart. Thank you Lord Sauros, Young Master Philip."

Hearing Rudeus' promise to bring back her sons, Hilda could no longer stand by and not say anything. She walked up to him.

"Poor child, you have taken up so much on your shoulders. I appreciate your sentiments, but these promises you have given should not be made lightly, nor should you throw away your life to accomplish. Do not forget that you are still a child."

"Lady Hilda. I understand your concern. Do not worry. This promise was not made thoughtlessly. I do not intend to find a way to retrieve your children in exchange for your family's help - I intend to do so because I have been touched by your family's compassion. It is not something as cheap as a quid-pro-quo."

Hearing Rudeus' heartfelt words, Hilda wiped away a tear from her eye and pulled him into an embrace. Her body, which was even more lascivious than Zenith and Lilia, enveloped Rudeus' small frame.

"Thank you Rudeus. From the bottom of my heart, as a mother, thank you."

Sauros laughed loudly, "HAHAHA, the cowardly Pilemon was worried you were trying to snatch the Notos inheritance, and so he sent men to eliminate you. How could he have known that it was precisely because of this ruthlessness that pushed us to really work together to take down their family! His cowardice shall be what brings about his downfall!"

Rudeus removed himself from Hilda's embrace and nodded at Sauros, "Indeed. But I do have one request, Lord Sauros. This incident, please do not inform my family about it."

Sauros frowned, "You are asking me to not inform your parents that their 7 year old son was ambushed and almost killed by assassins? That would be irresponsible!"

Rudeus shook his head, "What would be the use of telling them? They will only worry and force to return to Buena Village. Norn and Aisha, my sisters, are still babies. They need all the attention from my parents. Something like this will just distract them, it would do no good for them to worry excessively."

The Lord of Fittoa looked down at Rudeus, incredulous at the boy's maturity. It was hard to believe he was really speaking to a seven year old child and not a grown man.

"I understand. We will do as you say then."

"Thank you, Lord Sauros."