SML Ch 42

Chapter 42

“So, Serna. What exactly was it you wanted to say?”

Not long after being guided into the bedchamber by the limping steward, Arun casually tossed the question toward Serna.

Serna missed his brother’s first question and let it pass him by—not out of deliberate disregard, but because his mind had wandered. All the way here, he had been preoccupied with the image of the golden-haired steward who had trudged along like a puppy with its tail drooping. Judging by the man’s expression and demeanor, heavy with sorrow, it was clear that their sword instructor had been quite devoted to caring for the people of this territory. Sir Reynald had always been a man of deep compassion, but he wasn’t one to lavish affection on those he deemed unworthy of it.

So he really does care for this domain, Serna concluded, just as Arun, who had been waiting for a response, lightly tapped him on the shoulder.

“Serna?”

“Ah, brother. My apologies.”

“What thoughts have you been so absorbed in?”

“About Sir Reynald…”

“If it’s about him, that’s exactly what we need to discuss together. Don’t you have something you wish to say to me?”

Arun asked again, without the slightest trace of anger. Serna nodded, quickly reviewing in his mind what he intended to say.

Dragging Sir Reynald back by force right now will only make things worse later.

Sir Reynald was already weary of the king’s capricious whims, and now, having grown attached to the locals, he seemed intent on staying here even longer. If Arun pushed the matter head‑on, as he was inclined to do, Reynald would never agree to leave. And even if, by some stroke of luck, he was persuaded, the backlash later would likely be severe.

Therefore, the only viable strategy was to play the long game. It would be a little troublesome, but considering how worn out Reynald must be from his years as captain of the knights, it was the most respectful course of action. The man deserved a chance to rest, didn’t he? Strange place or not, he seemed content here.

The real problem, however, was that Arun’s personality would never allow him to understand such reasoning if stated outright…

“First, I want to confirm something. Brother, you’re assuming Sir Reynald will naturally return to the royal capital, aren’t you?”

“Of course. Who else could possibly be more suited to the captaincy of the knight order than him? There may have been some friction, but I believe that if we speak earnestly, he’ll understand our sincerity.”

See what I mean? Both the king and Arun, father and son alike, had an incorrigible habit of believing others would act exactly as they wished. And when it came to Reynald, that tendency was even stronger.

Which meant there was only one way to make this man move the way Serna wanted: dangle bait and feed him lies.

“My opinion differs. I’m convinced Sir Reynald has a purpose for staying here.”

“In such a remote backwater? What purpose could that possibly be?”

“This isn’t just some remote backwater, brother. There’s a hidden secret here.”

Of course, that was nonsense. In truth, there was likely no secret at all—just a land thick with swinefolk.1 But Serna, having inherited his father’s gift of eloquence, prided himself on his knack for weaving flimsy scraps of evidence into convincing falsehoods.

“A hidden secret?”

“Do you remember what I said earlier when I spoke with the limping steward?”

“It’s unseemly to define a man by his physical infirmity, Serna. His name is Heide, for the record.”

“Ah, I was careless. Anyway, according to this Heide, this territory isn’t only crawling with swinefolk but also some two thousand ratmen, plus many other monsters besides.”

“That’s true. Which is precisely why it’s far too dangerous a place for Sir Reynald.”

“That’s not the issue. The real question is why so many monsters inhabit this land.”

Because the crown never bothers to hunt them, obviously, Serna thought to himself. But instead of voicing that plain answer, he opted for a far more dramatic conclusion.

“What if there’s some unknown entity drawing the monsters here?”

“Isn’t that quite a leap?”

“Listen closely, brother! When we were trapped in that swinefolk village, didn’t you notice anything? Those creatures not only crafted clothing for themselves but even mined and smelted iron. When we escaped, I saw with my own eyes what looked like a mine and a forge piled high with unrefined iron ore.”

“I vaguely recall seeing facilities like that… but couldn’t they simply be remnants of something humans built long ago?”

“They were far too crude to be human‑made. And besides, before leaving the capital I checked the records—there was never any mention of iron deposits in this region. If humans had built those facilities, there would’ve been some record of it.”

As it turned out, Serna didn’t even have to lie outright; recounting what they had observed yesterday was enough to spin a compelling story.

“So, according to your theory, someone is assisting the monsters? Is that what you’re implying?”

“That’s what I suspect. Do you remember the moment Sir Reynald stopped you? The swinefolk sent one of their own down into the mine before releasing us—clearly to consult with someone.”

“Couldn’t they have been seeking advice from their leader?”

“Since when have swinefolk ever been known to obey a leader? They live communally, yes, but they don’t appoint kings or chiefs. And even if there were some leader, why would he be holed up in the mine during a crisis? What is he, some creature of the dark?”

“…That’s actually a reasonable point. So you think, deep within the mine, there’s someone—or something—the swinefolk revere, and that’s why they’ve thrived here? And Sir Reynald, having sensed this, chose to remain in the village to watch over things?”

The latter part was almost certainly untrue, but Serna nodded boldly anyway. If the truth came out later, he could simply say, I must’ve been mistaken, and bow his head. Arun wasn’t the type to get angry over something like that, so Serna risked nothing.

“Then shouldn’t we contact the kingdom and request reinforcements?”

“I doubt that would work. Everything I’ve said is only conjecture, with no concrete evidence. Do you really think Father would dispatch troops just to hunt a few swinefolk? You know how he’s been endlessly postponing the eradication of that red dragon simply because there aren’t enough resources.”

“…But you’re saying Sir Reynald won’t leave because his conscience won’t allow him to. He’s perceptive and deeply principled.”

Serna kept nodding. Somehow, this ludicrous tale of an ancient being in the depths of a mine controlling monsters had ballooned into an epic mystery—but outwardly, it sounded convincing enough to satisfy him.

And judging by Arun’s face, he had swallowed it whole. That stunned expression—rarely seen—was proof enough that Serna’s lie wouldn’t be exposed anytime soon.

“Still, let’s keep this from Sir Reynald for now.”

“Why?”

“I suspect he had his reasons for vanishing without contacting Father for months.”

“Hm.”

“There must be a cause compelling him to keep secrets. We should respect that.”

“…Very well. For now, let’s continue observing Sir Reynald’s movements. When he judges it’s time for us to know, he’ll give us a sign. Meanwhile, perhaps we should investigate this domain ourselves, when circumstances permit.”

“That’s an excellent idea, brother.”

Watching his elder brother act exactly as he hoped filled Serna with quiet satisfaction. Now they could bide their time, let Reynald cool off, and watch the situation unfold.

Maybe Brother will finally realize just how exhausted Sir Reynald was with life at the capital, Serna mused.

The king had pushed Reynald far too hard, and the man had grown utterly weary of being at his beck and call. Once Arun understood that, persuading Reynald to return would become far easier.

Still… that lie I just told was awfully convincing. There really isn’t some unknown entity under the swinefolk’s mine, right?

…No way. Surely not. Serna gave himself a little shiver at the absurd thought and lay down on the bed. Arun stared blankly at him for a moment, then calmly pointed out that this was his bedchamber and that Serna’s bed was next door. With characteristic indifference, Arun lifted him up and tossed him into the next room’s bed. It was business as usual.

The next morning.

“For that reason, we’ve decided to remain here for a few more weeks and observe Sir Reynald’s domain. This region is far too intriguing to ignore.”

“…Prince Arun?”

Reynald stared at Serna, stunned and betrayed. Hiding behind Arun, Serna grinned brightly at him, full of pride—as if he’d just accomplished something remarkable.