I Became a Sick Nobleman-Chapter 205: The Sickly Nobleman (2)

***

The Royal Knights, the knights representing the six noble families, alongside numerous soldiers, stood poised in front of the walls and gates. Their sheer numbers and bravery were enough to topple an entire kingdom. Setiria hadn’t seen such liveliness in decades, especially after the long-gone war with the Tonisk Empire.

Contrary to rumors, the alliance between the three nations remained strong, and upon arriving in Setiria, everyone learned that humanity’s greatest enemy was the Great Man. At first, those who heard this dismissed it as mere gossip. But after seeing the Great Man with their own eyes, standing outside the gateway and causing their blood to run cold, they could no longer deny it. Where in the world could such an evil being exist?

The Great Man sat quietly, watching the knights and soldiers, seemingly murmuring to himself, but none could discern his intentions. Suddenly, a yellow flag waved from the walls—a signal to stand by. The knights and soldiers held tense expressions, waiting for the orders of their temporary commander, Torto.

“Prepare to attack!” Torto’s voice rang out as a red flag was raised on the walls. Just moments earlier, information had been received from Nehils, who was acting as a spy for the Red Ash. It was known that Red Ash had long been preparing magical devices to bring forth destruction upon Leponia.

“Archers to the front! Mages and magic knights, ready your area-of-effect spells!” Torto’s instructions swiftly transmitted through the communication device. Observing the Great Man’s movements, Torto issued another directive: “Prepare the Darkness of Mercy!” A black flag was raised.

They also knew that the Red Ash would be used as a sacrifice to create a black-blooded man. They had a black powder that could destroy black-blooded men. The knights and soldiers took out the powder and applied it generously to their weapons. Their strong momentum was felt from behind.

Despite the suffocating tension, Torto remained focused. Not yet; they needed to wait a bit longer. Just then, the sound of the wind shifted. The Red Ash had arrived. Now was the moment. Torto shouted at the top of his lungs, “Attack!”

Bang bang boom!

The loud noise startled Ruel, making his eyes snap open.

Wiiing.

The power of recovery loudly struck his ears. He didn’t know how long he had been unconscious, but he quickly looked for Cassion.

“It hasn’t been an hour yet, so don’t worry,” Cassion reassured, momentarily pausing his sword cleaning.

“Only two more to go.”

Ruel frowned, feeling a throbbing pain in his head. He counted the number of IV drips attached to him. There were so many he didn’t want to count.

‘How many blood packs are there?’

He thought it would be better to face the pain all at once, drawing upon the unique power residing within the Great Man’s five parts of his body. However, the pain was accompanied by the multiplied voice of “A hero must make sacrifices,” echoing in his mind fivefold, nearly splitting his head.

‘There are still two more… I’m going crazy.’

Ruel wanted nothing more than to cry. He felt like slapping the ‘king’ or the Great Man right now.

“Are you in a lot of pain?” Cassion, genuinely concerned for the first time in ages, asked him.

“No. I’m fine now.”

Cassion handed Ruel his Breath. As Ruel’s breathing steadied, he exhaled slowly, questioning, “Has the attack started?”

“Yes,” Cassion replied calmly.

Ruel bit his lip, his heart unsettled by the unfolding events. “And Leo?” Redirecting the conversation to mask his unease, Ruel asked.

“He’s with Astell,” Cassion informed.

“Astell…?” Ruel realized he was back in his room in Setiria. Somehow, he had made it back. He had hoped to walk back on his own two feet.

“Prince Banios went to the battlefield to assess the situation. Aris is trying to stop Tyson-nim…”

“Did he see…?”

“Yes, he saw you like this, Ruel-nim,” Cassion confirmed.

‘Oh my god.’

Ruel’s eyes snapped shut as he heard Cassion’s words. He had intentionally avoided contacting Tyson to prevent disrupting whatever he was doing to create the black powder.

“Ruel-nim.” Ruel looked at Cassion with his half-closed eyes. He was clearly upset. “You can’t keep doing this.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. If you continue absorbing more of his flesh, you might vanish before him, Ruel-nim.”

“I will be fine… soon.”

“Ruel-nim,” Cassion sighed deeply. “I know you’re anxious. But please trust in what you’ve built up. Trust in the knights and soldiers who have gathered for the country and for you.”

“Cassion.” Ruel closed his eyes again, struggling to open them. “It’s not that I can’t believe…”

If he hadn’t placed his faith in them, he wouldn’t have made this choice. The stirring of his unique power within him felt incomplete yet active. It was as though his soaked body was slowly drying, followed by a gentle sensation that tickled his senses. Voices called out to him. They were fighting on his behalf.

“The strength of the unique power lies in those who acknowledge him, who call his name, who remember him.”

Ruel didn’t fully grasp the concept of the ‘strength’ of his unique power as described by the ‘King.’ He didn’t feel as if he had gained any supernatural abilities. Yet, his mind became clearer. He found more strength to overcome the pain. His ability to endure had increased.

“I can endure.” Ruel smiled. “It’s not forced… really.” His body felt heavy, but he felt he could get up and walk. If this was his strength, it was exactly what he desired; it felt fitting for the fragile state he had been in. “I can do this.”

He wasn’t a hero. But didn’t he have the power to end the situation?

“The power of radiance is the true hero power. It is the light that purges evil.”

The Power of Radiance. If it could truly purge evil, then confronting it directly was imperative.

“That’s all I need to do.”

‘If someone saw him like this, they would call Ruel a hero.’ But Cassion didn’t voice his thoughts.

Ruel wasn’t about to make a sacrifice; he aimed to safeguard Setiria as its leader. It was the duty of his people to shield him.

“Understood. Follow your heart, Ruel-nim,” Cassion conceded, no longer attempting to dissuade him.

Ruel was taken aback by Cassion’s response. “What’s gotten into you?”

“I have faith in you, Ruel-nim,” Cassion declared, unwavering. He believed Ruel could overcome any challenge. “I will definitely protect you.” His job was to clear any obstacles in Ruel’s path, just as he always had. Cassion resumed polishing his sword.

“Ah…” Ruel’s gaze fell on the sword, triggering a memory. “This is the sword that cut his body,” referring to the first Setiria.

“It’s indeed a Turbulent Day,” Ruel remarked, noting Cassion’s discomfort.

“I refuse!” Cassion spoke with an unwavering resolve like never before. Ruel had suggested using the Turbulent Day.

“It’s quite sharp, isn’t it?”

“I will never use that sword! No matter what!” Regardless of how his heart ached, Cassion’s refusal was adamant. The sword held immense personal value to him, a treasure worth more than his life. It was the ‘Turbulent Day.’

‘There’s no point in using it anyway.’

Both Cassion and Ruel knew that there was no power left in the ‘Turbulence Day’. Ruel was quite satisfied that Casion was making such a fuss.

*** The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the NoveI~Fire.net

“Ruel.” Tyson’s grip on Ruel tightened as he pleaded earnestly, “Ruel, please.”

Upon seeing Tyson’s distressed expression, on the verge of tears, Ruel’s heart softened.

“Uncle.”

“Ruel, I’m not telling you not to go. Just stay a little longer. If you wait until you’re a bit more recovered, then you can move.”

Ruel’s lips were dry and scabbed, signs of the immense pain he had endured. Despite this, he was still pushing forward, connected to the IV drips. Watching him struggle to support his weakened body, Tyson’s heart ached.

“You know I have to go,” Ruel said with a smile.

Tyson fought to contain the emotions that surged within him at Ruel’s forced smile. If only he could bear his nephew’s suffering. What a blessing that would be.

“I must go to bring this to an end.” Ruel spoke calmly, having prepared himself enough to move around a little during the brief rest. The frantic power of recovery had quieted down.

The more time they wasted, the more disadvantageous it would become for them. The enemy had the ability to resurrect the fallen. The sight of former allies turning into foes on the battlefield loomed near. No matter how much black water the enemy had left, it would certainly outnumber the black powder they possessed.

“Uncle.”

Leo had already been dispatched to the battlefield ahead of him. The image of the little fox, smiling brightly and encouraging him, stuck in his mind.

“I won’t die.” Ruel clasped Tyson’s hand firmly. The certainty in Ruel’s gaze caused Tyson’s own eyes to well up. This was not a mere statement; it carried weight.

Tyson realized, for the first time, that Ruel’s words, which he often repeated as a habit, were the very foundation that had held everything together for him until now.

“So please, don’t die either, Uncle.” Ruel steadied his expression.

Tyson had taken on the rear guard to gather black powder, but he too had to participate in the war. He had to throw himself into a position even more dangerous than Ruel’s. Ruel didn’t want to lose his uncle again.

“Promise me… please.” Ruel’s voice trembled slightly. In a world without healing powers like divine magic, everyone’s life was equal.

“Tyson-nim.” As Aris, fully equipped in armor, entered Ruel’s room, he called out to Tyson. “I am Ruel-nim’s shield and wall. I will protect him at all costs.”

Aris’s resolute gaze caused a pang in Tyson’s heart. Both Ruel and Aris were dear to him. Then, the door opened.

“It’s time to go.” Cassion had shed his usual attire for a lightweight suit of armor.

“I’ll go first, Uncle.” Ruel released Tyson’s hand and started to move, leaning on his cane.

“I promise.” Tyson managed a smile. “So, Ruel, you promise me as well.”

“I promise. I will, without fail.”

“Thank you. I’ll catch up with you soon, Ruel.”

“Yes.” Ruel replied shortly and turned away.

“The knights will pave the way for you. Cheynol will lead, and Horen will assist Aris in safeguarding you,” Cassion detailed the plan as they made their way down the corridor.

“I’ve called all the shadows.” Cassion snapped his fingers, and dozens of his subordinates emerged in the corridor. They bowed before Ruel.

“All of them will act as Ruel-nim’s shield. Additionally, I’ve called those at the Ice Castle, so the number of shadows will only grow.”

“Brother Ganien has also contacted me, saying that he has received a separate mission from King Huswen to protect you all the way to your destination, Ruel-nim,” Aris added.

Ruel bit his lip.

‘I feel uncomfortable.’

While in the midst of his brief recovery, Ruel pondered the safest approach to reach the Great Man amidst the chaos. Aware that the Great Man would not retreat and might bolster his forces, using warp magic could expose him to a counterattack upon arrival. With the door’s limited capacity and the Great Man’s ability to detect shadows, a surprise attack was unfeasible. Consequently, the swiftest and relatively secure path seemed to be a direct breakthrough.

‘And for the finale, this method would be the most effective.’

Ruel conveyed his opinion to Banios, and through this, many had already reached out to offer their support.

“Ruel-nim,” Cassion observed, noting Ruel’s troubled expression. “They’re repaying their debt to you.”

“I know,” Ruel replied, shaking off his heavy mood and continued to move. When he encountered Fran and Tierra waiting in the corridor, Ruel instinctively flinched. They knew without him saying a word.

“You shouldn’t go out like this,” Fran said, glancing at the IV drips attached to Ruel’s arm. She couldn’t help but smile, wondering how rushed he must have been to leave in such a state.

“I’ll let it slide this time,” she added.

Tierra gently removed the IV drips, each one causing Ruel to wince in pain.

“Lord Ruel, you just need to hold on for one more day, right?” Tierra asked.

“That’s true, but…” Ruel hesitated.

“The side effects of the medicine might be severe. But you can endure it for one day. Will you take it?” Fran asked.

“Thank you,” Ruel replied with a smile.

“I’m truly at my wit’s end,” Fran admitted.

Fran filled a syringe with the medication Tierra had handed over and said, “I’ll take responsibility for any side effects. After all, I’m Ruel’s personal physician.”

“I’m sorry for trying to sneak out,” Ruel apologized.

“It’s fine,” Fran replied. Her lips trembled slightly. “Just come back alive. If you return safely, I’ll forgive you for this.” As she administered the injection, she smiled firmly. “I’ll be waiting for the usual, reckless Lord Ruel.”

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