Reset Life – Chapter 127

Chapter 127: Time to Grant the Request 5

My appearance, draped in a white cloak, clad in silver-white armor with silver thread embroidery, and the sight of monsters bowing before me, must have been a bewildering spectacle for those frozen in shock.

“My name is Arisein Herduke! Once the savior of the Imperial Capital, now embarking on a quest to rescue my family!”

Kwaaaang—!

Dramatically, silver flames erupted above my head.

I drew my sword and played my assigned role to perfection.

“I forgive you! Can we say the weapon in the hands of a murderer is evil? Can we say the pen in the hands of a slanderer is evil? I pity you, reduced to mere tools, unable to find yourselves, swayed by external forces! Repent your sins now! I will forgive you!”

Upon hearing these words, the security officers dropped their weapons. These were people who had already lost their minds; they wouldn’t have many options left.

I pointed my sword towards the gate.

“My stalwart friend, who has endured long years, defending against blasphemous enemies! A member of the family, long absent, has finally returned to the manor! Gate, unlock and welcome me!”

Clank! Creeeeaak……

The manor’s grand iron gate opened on its own.

In reality, the Black New Moon assassins who had infiltrated beforehand were secretly opening it, but in the eyes of the people, it must have appeared as if the gate was opening in response to my words.

I slashed my sword diagonally in front of me. A sharp whistling sound filled the air, and the security officers flinched.

“Make way!”

They cleared the path. I turned around and addressed the numerous fragments of ancient tales who were worshipping me.

“Your role is now complete. I am deeply grateful for your assistance. Now, return to where you belong—!”

Wheeeeee—!

Mist began to spread out from their center like a whirlwind. Muffled screams could be heard from various places as the fog enveloped them and rose towards the sky.

Whirrrrrr!

The white vortex soared into the sky with the momentum of a giant spear. Then, it shrunk to the size of a needle and vanished along with the erupting flames.

No one remained around me.

Lucy, wielding his staff, exclaimed.

“Knight of Light, why have you sent back those who haven’t fulfilled their mission yet?!”

“Unnamed Helper, I, Arisein, am grateful for your kindness! However, these are the ones who frighten and harm the people! I despise that! I do not wish to frighten these poor souls any longer!”

“Ah! Knight of Light, your righteous and warm heart is like the sun that can vanquish even the night sky! Although I tried to help, I am deeply sorry to have caused you concern!”

“Do not worry, Unnamed Helper! Innocent people could have been sacrificed, but not anymore! That alone was a great help to me!”

The people were listening to our conversation as if they were entranced.

The fantastical situation, the awe-inspiring spectacle, had banished their sense of reality, and the fairytale-like dialogue would only make them accept the current situation as it was.

Lucy nodded with a touched expression. One could say he had the talent of a stage actor.

“Knight of Light, although our paths have diverged, I will dedicate myself to you whenever you need me!”

“Unnamed Helper, I gratefully accept your kindness! I, Arisein, will never forget your favor!”

“Ah! Truly, God is unfair! Why is there only one like you in this world! I have seen many people, but none like you! That is why I am saddened! This world is still filled with evil, and I was disappointed too early, thinking that no righteous person like you remained! Although you may not need it, I must insist! Knight of Light, accept the shadow that follows the light!”

Lucy swung his staff. Then, figures clad in black from head to toe appeared around me. The people let out stifled gasps, and Lucy exclaimed with a touched expression.

“Listen, Shadows of Light! From now on, the Knight of Light is your master! You must serve your master with utmost loyalty!”

The figures in black, the Black New Moon assassins, all responded by placing their right hands on their chests.

“Unnamed Helper, how can I express my gratitude to you!”

“Knight of Light, please do not burden your heart! Now, go! Rescue your family! Today is a joyous day! Uhahahahahaha—!”

Lucy laughed grandly and ascended to the sky. His laughter faded as he soared higher.

What a dramatic exit.

I watched him for a moment, then addressed the security officers who were frozen stiff, their souls seemingly departed.

“Although you have repented your sins, it would be detrimental to your duty. Go and inform them. That I, Arisein! Arisein, son of Ecaledon, have taken my family!”

“Ye, Yees!”

“A, A, Alright!”

The security officers moved aside from the main gate in unison.

Flames were still erupting and exploding throughout the sky of the Imperial Capital. The windows of the manor ahead flickered from orange to green, from blue to yellow, reflecting the fiery glow.

I sheathed my sword.

“Let’s go!”

At my command, the Black New Moon assassins walked forward. I strode ahead of them with a dignified demeanor. I had to maintain this dignified attitude until I entered the manor and the gate closed behind me.

I could sense countless eyes watching me even without turning my head.

“That was an interesting performance.”

When we were halfway through the garden, Levidian removed her mask and smiled brightly.

“Good work, everyone.”

I briefly greeted Levidian and her subordinates, then checked my watch.

It was almost nine o’clock. Thanks to Lucy’s impeccable showmanship, I hadn’t even noticed the time passing.

Not just this manor, but throughout the Imperial Capital, tales of headless knights, werewolves, and walking trees would spread like wildfire. A festival needs a parade, after all. Heh heh.

“Didn’t we stir things up a bit too much?”

“Aila said she would do whatever it takes to keep Artshever immobilized for tonight, so this much is necessary. It’s a matter of courtesy to our opponent.”

“That’s true. Heh heh.”

Despite the massive commotion, the manor was quiet.

It was to be expected, as the evacuation of the people had likely begun around 8:30. Disappearing quietly amidst the chaos would be like vanishing without a trace.

“Hey, Boss, you’re back?”

“How’s the progress?”

“Almost 80% complete. We’ll be done soon. You know, the citizens of the Imperial Capital are surprisingly cooperative. Turns out you’re quite a celebrity, Boss.”

“I haven’t been slacking off for the past three years.”

I had personally met and recruited the citizens near the secret passage of the manor. It wasn’t something I had done recently; I had been working on it for the past three years.

While there were exaggerated parts, after becoming known as the Knight of Light who saved the Imperial Capital, I had made efforts to gain the trust of the citizens around my home. The fruits of that labor were now showing.

Currently, the manor’s servants would have been dispersed and infiltrated into the homes of the citizens of the Imperial Capital who had become my collaborators.

Jay grinned at my response and blew out a puff of cigarette smoke. Then, he scratched the back of his head and said.

“Ah, but there’s a problem.”

“A problem? What is it?”

I tilted my head. It had been a while since I realized that things rarely go according to plan, but I thought this operation would be relatively successful.

Jay scratched his head and said, as if it were a coincidence.

“The Duke and your Hyung-nim are refusing to leave.”

“Ah, don’t worry about that.”

Oh, is that all?

Jay tilted his head at my nonchalant reaction.

“Huh? Aren’t we rescuing everyone?”

“Except for those two. They’re not part of the rescue mission.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Risel, what do you mean?”

Levidian also tilted her head, confused. I smiled faintly.

I had anticipated that those two wouldn’t budge easily, but I wasn’t particularly worried. I had a hidden card that could make them move.

“It’s exactly as I said. Let’s go inside. Jay, please finish up.”

“Hmm. If it’s you, Boss, you must have a plan. Alright.”

Jay nodded casually and walked away. Levidian instructed her assassins to assist Jay and followed me.

I paused for a moment in front of the manor, gazing at its unchanging, elegant form.

It’s been a while since I’ve been home. And it pains me to think that I have to leave again. When will I be able to see this place again?

“Risel?”

“Yes? Ah, let’s go in.”

With slightly bitter thoughts, I arrived at the manor’s living room, where I saw my family for the first time in a long time.

“Ah, Little Brother, you’re here!”

Sera waved her hand in greeting. Mother, Sera, and my sister-in-law were standing between Father and my older brother.

My brother, with a dissatisfied expression, spoke up abruptly.

“Was that you who just caused that commotion?!”

“Who else would it be?”

“What’s with that getup?”

“Festive attire.”

My brother tilted his head as if he didn’t understand what I was talking about, and I ignored him with a chuckle. I addressed my family, specifically my father.

“Now, everyone, get ready to move. We can’t lag behind the servants, can we?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Father. He looked at me for a moment before speaking.

“Risel.”

“Yes. Speak.”

“Take your wife, daughter, and daughter-in-law. As you said before, they are innocent. The innocent should not be punished. But I have a responsibility.”

“I, too, have a duty to protect the family as the heir! I will not move from here!”

Ignoring my brother’s reaction, Father seemed unwilling to move, just like before. I scratched my head, and that’s when Levidian stepped forward.

“You two, your sense of responsibility is strong, even though you lack the power to defend your own honor.”

“Sword King-nim? W-When did you arrive?”

“That is not important.”

Levidian, with the skill befitting a Sword King, brushed aside the question. She continued.

“Those who cannot voice their opinions in the face of injustice can only be called weaklings. The path you two are choosing is the path of a weakling to defeat.”

“She’s right, Father!”

Sera clung to Father’s arm, but he remained silent, his gaze fixed on me, as if he had something to say.

As long as the head of the family wouldn’t budge, the other family members couldn’t move either. I had expected this, but it was still a bit awkward. Even if things were going according to plan……

Just then, an assassin came running. He immediately knelt on one knee and reported to Levidian.

“My Lord, security officers have arrived at the main gate.”

“Security officers already? They shouldn’t have the time for that now, should they?”

“Ah, that’s the standby unit. There’s a nearby outpost, so they’re dispatched immediately if anything happens. We anticipated this.”

I spoke nonchalantly.

The main gate would be closed anyway, and Lucy had agreed to block it as a first line of defense after we passed through. It wouldn’t be easy to break through.

Of course, that didn’t mean we could afford to waste time. We didn’t have much leeway.

“Father.”

“Speak.”

“I will hear what you have to say later. We need to leave before this chaos subsides. I will ask one last time. Are you really not going to leave?”

Father’s eyes briefly flickered with conflict.

Sera and Mother were looking at him pleadingly, and my sister-in-law was also looking at him with a beseeching gaze. If Father went, my brother would follow.

Finally, Father’s eyes cleared of conflict.

Only the same resolute, stern light remained in his eyes.

“No, I will not go.”

Father declared firmly.

And everyone present sighed. Is it a sign of a great person that they can unify people’s actions? Tsk.

“Well then, there’s no other choice.”

“Risel?”

“Little Brother, why suddenly……?”

Mother and Sera looked at me with puzzled expressions. They couldn’t believe I would give up on Father so easily.

I looked at Father and said.

“Father, I have just one thing to say.”

“Go ahead.”

“Excuse me.”

“Huh? Ugh!”

Add Arisein to the list of unfilial sons in the world!

Without any preparatory movements, I moved behind Father and struck the back of his head with the hilt of my dagger. With that, I could prove that I was a remarkable person. Everyone was shocked, after all.

As I supported the unconscious Father, a bitter taste filled my mouth.

Ah, damn it. I didn’t want to do this.

My brother’s face was filled with shock, which quickly turned into rage.

“Y-You……! You……!”

“Brother, take Father to Orknesia.”

“W-What? Why should I listen to you?!”

“Oh? Did you forget?”

I subtly gestured towards my sister-in-law. My brother looked at me as if asking what that had to do with anything, making me frustrated. Sigh, as expected, he doesn’t remember after all this time.

“Didn’t we agree on something before? That you would grant me one favor, no matter what it was.”

“What are you talking about……! Ah!”

It seems my brother finally remembered.

In the past, when I had just reset, before I was supposed to go as an envoy to the Azot Kingdom. My brother, who was supposed to go on that mission, had stubbornly tried to follow my current sister-in-law, who was originally scheduled to go.

Knowing that my sister-in-law had decided to hand over the schedule to someone else, I used that information as leverage to obtain an oath from my brother.

I still remember the oath he made back then.

“I swear on the blood that flows through my veins and the noble honor that flows through my soul that, no matter how much I dislike it, I will grant you one damn favor, whatever it may be. However, if it is something dishonorable or unbecoming of a nobleman, it’s off the table. That’s what I remember, right?”

“You……!”

My brother gritted his teeth, annoyed. The reason I remember it word for word is because that oath was one of the biggest weapons I could use.

I handed Father over to my brother. He reluctantly supported Father while grinding his teeth. I crossed my arms and said triumphantly.

“Based on the unfulfilled oath, I, Arisein, ‘request’ my brother, Donthernon, to do this. Take Father to Orknesia right now. That’s all. It’s not at all dishonorable, and it’s not unbecoming of a nobleman. Isn’t that right? You’re just taking Father to Orknesia. I don’t care if you return to the Imperial Capital afterward. Got it?”

“S-Such sophistry……!”

“Any objections?”

As with all sophistry, if there are no objections, it becomes the truth. My brother failed to raise any objections, thus turning my sophistry into the truth, a commendable act that would make sophists shower him with love and affection.

That’s why I could laugh. It was amusing to see the dumbfounded expressions of those who still didn’t understand what was going on.

“Brother, time to grant a favor.”

“Y-You……! You……!”

Seeing my brother’s bewildered, tearful, and enraged expression, I could thoroughly enjoy myself.

Hmm. Perhaps my mischievous personality rubbed off on Aila. Uhahaha!

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