Curse Return: Swordsmith Start

Chapter 182 Family Matters

'

""

"But, no matter what, it's based on the advice of gods and men..."

'

Rudius instinctively turned his head away, ashamed that this act of help was driven by self-interest.

"The gods I've never seen are irrelevant; the one who actually helped me is you. Regardless of what you think, I feel you've been kind to me. So don't bow down to me; we are equals, and you are a friend I can entrust everything to."

"If you want to thank me, look me in the eyes."

After saying this, Rijkaard extended his hand to Rudius.

The latter looked into his eyes and took his hand.

"I'll say it again. Rudius, thank you for your help."

"No, we are the ones who have been taken care of by you."

After a while, Rachel Ruddley landed and let go.

Then move it to the side and place it on Alice's head.

"Alice".

'

"How are you?"

Alice looked sullen and dissatisfied.

"Can I finally treat you like a child?"

"Sure, it makes no difference."

Alice replied curtly, saying she was also sad.

Rachel Luther smiled faintly and patted Alice's head.

"Alice, you have talent, the talent to become far stronger than me."

"I know."

"Very good, good boy."

Rachel Rudd gently patted her head and then removed her hand.

Alice clenched her fists tightly and pressed her lips together.

She looks like she's desperately trying not to cry.

"What are Mr. Rachel Rudd's next plans?"

"I don't know, but I plan to stay in the Central Continent for the time being to search for the survivors of the Spelud race. Because if I'm alone, restoring the race's honor is just a pipe dream."

"Is that so? Please keep up the good work. I'll try to take some action when I have time."

"...Hmph, well, I'll do the same. I'll try to search for your mother whenever I have time."

"May your wish be fulfilled, warrior of the Spelud."

For their partners, there's no need for further words; the Yue people simply offer their sincerest blessings.

"Thanks."

Raji Luther bowed to the Vietnamese.

This young man, like Rudeus, was also his teacher. This journey showed him another possibility of "the strong," and what he learned from him will surely benefit him in his future life.

After saying this, Rachel Rudd turned his back to the group.

He doesn't need to prepare for the trip; he can survive even if he sets off empty-handed.

His departure, just like his arrival, was sudden and unnoticed.

However, Rachel Rudd suddenly stopped.

"Speaking of which, I need to return this to you."

He took off the necklace hanging around his neck.

That was the necklace that Loki gave to Rudeus, a necklace of the Migrud tribe, the only item that could connect Rudeus and Loki... it used to be.

"Please keep that, Mr. Rachel Rudd."

"7

"Is this really okay? This is important, isn't it?"

"Precisely because that is an important thing."

That's why it should be entrusted to someone important.

Of course, he didn't say the second half of the sentence, but Rachel Rudd nodded knowingly, indicating that he was willing to accept it.

"Well then, Rudeus, Alice, Yue Ren... farewell."

After saying this, Rachel Rudd walked away.

Looking at that figure from behind, Rudeus suddenly had a lot to say.

From the moment they met on the Demon Continent until they arrived in the Kingdom of Asura, all sorts of things really happened.

So many experiences and emotions that they are almost impossible to express in words... and the feeling that he is a companion and that I don't want to be separated from him.

"We'll definitely meet again."

To encapsulate these feelings in this sentence, Rachel Rudd's figure gradually faded into the distance.

That's right, as long as we meet again someday, that's fine.

We will definitely see each other again. As long as we're both alive, absolutely...

The two little ones remained silent, their hearts filled with gratitude for everything that had happened so far.

And so, this long journey came to an end.

"So, where's the eldest brother?"

"What, are you in such a hurry to get rid of me?"

"How could that be! I absolutely never had such a thought."

"Haha, you wouldn't dare leave me hanging. Don't worry, I'll tell you when the time is right. But just like you said, I'll stay for a few days, and I'll have time to eat and rest."

.

"Understood. Don't worry, we will definitely treat you well, brother."

Hearing what Yue Ren said, the two children felt a little better.

As they spoke, they walked into the refugee camp, which seemed rather deserted.

In terms of size, this place is equivalent to a village.

By the standards of the Demon Continent, it might barely qualify as a town, but at this moment it lacks vitality and is filled with a quiet atmosphere.

Moreover, the number of people is relatively small compared to the scale of the operation.

Because there were sounds coming from the seemingly hastily constructed wooden house, it appeared that quite a few people were staying there, but there was no sense of life.

It appeared lifeless and gloomy.

In the center of this refugee camp is a place that resembles an adventurers' guild.

The entrance was marked "Refugee Camp Headquarters," and the three headed there.

Once inside, I found that although there were quite a few people, the atmosphere was indeed gloomy.

Rudius had a terrible premonition.

"Rudius, look at that..."

""

Alice pointed to a large sheet of paper with the names of the missing persons from this incident written on it.

The lists for each village and town were separated, with names written in tiny characters in the order of the Japanese syllabary (五十音).

At the very top of the list, in the name of James Boreas Grellat, Lord of the Fituia Territory, it reads: "Seeking information on the missing and the dead."

"Let's go see it later."

"Um.

""

The death toll was enormous, and the lord's name was not Sholos.

Although these two points made Rudeus and Alice uneasy, they still chose to go deeper into the building first.

After I gave Alice's name at the counter, the auntie in charge immediately ran inside.

Then, with an intimidating aura, he led a man and a woman back to the three of them.

Rudeus's eyes widened involuntarily when he saw the person who had arrived.

Because he knew the couple.

One of them was a white-haired, bearded man who looked like a butler, but dressed like a middle-aged man from a well-off village. That was Alphonse, the butler of the Alice family.

The other person was a woman with chocolate skin who was dressed like a swordsman.

"Gilead!"

With a beaming smile, Alice charged toward Gilead.

Rudius was also pleased. They hadn't obtained any information about Girenius so far, but she seemed quite spirited.

Upon seeing Alice, Kyrie Irvine smiled.

"Alice...no, Miss Alice, it's so good to hear that you're safe and sound..."

",

"Oh, please, just call me Alice."

"Let me introduce you. This is our teammate, Brother Kawasaki Koshito. It was with his help that we were able to return from the Demon Continent so quickly."

Upon hearing this, the cat-eared girl knelt on one knee and sincerely said to Yue Ren, "Thank you for escorting the young lady and Rudeus back all the way. Please feel free to ask if you need anything in the future."

Upon hearing this, Yue Ren waved his hand and chuckled, "Of course, I also like these two little fellows very much. I've heard them talk about you before, Sword King Kyrie Irgen. I accept your thanks, please rise."

The straightforwardness of the Yue people made Gilead even more fond of him, but his joyful expression only lasted a short time before it was overshadowed by a shadow.

Alphonse looked at Alice with what seemed to be a sympathetic expression.

Rudius sensed something was wrong.

"Alice...let's talk inside."

Kyrie Io's voice was stiff and her tail stood straight up, a sign of her nervousness, not just a reaction of happiness at Alice's return.

"I see."

Seeing this expression, Alice seemed to realize something and obediently followed Gilead into the building.

After all, she knew that she would eventually have to face all of this.

Rudius, who was standing nearby, wanted to follow, but was stopped by Alphonse.

"Mr. Rudius, please wait outside."

"Huh? Ah...yes."

Yes, basically based on his previous position, he was just an employee, so he wasn't qualified to hear important conversations.

"No, Rudius and the Yue people must come too."

Alice's tone was firm, carrying an air of unquestionable authority. Or rather, at this moment, Rudeus once again felt the aura of a young lady emanating from this girl.

"Since Lady Alice has given such instructions..."

2

Alice's lips were pursed tighter than usual, and her hands were clenched so tightly they turned white.

The group walked silently down the short corridor and into a room that resembled an office.

A sofa sits in the center, and a vase in the corner holds Battier flowers.

Inside the room was a simple, inexpensive-looking desk with no extra decorations.

Before anyone could speak, Alice sat down on the sofa and took Rudius's hand, making him sit beside her.

As usual, Gilead stood in the corner of the room, while Alphonse stood in front of Alice and bowed with the demeanor of a butler.

"Welcome back, Miss Alice. We had already received news of your return, and everyone was eagerly awaiting it..."

""

"Forget the preamble, let's get straight to the point: who died?"

Alice interrupted the butler's speech and asked a question, her tone more forceful than anyone else's.

"Who died?"

Straightforward, without beating around the bush, as always.

Her posture was upright, and her gaze was strong and powerful.

However, Rudeus, who was standing nearby, knew very well that Alice's inner unease was churning intensely at that moment.

As evidence, his hand was being held tightly by hers.

"this..

'

Alphonse seemed hesitant to speak, but seeing Alice's resolute gaze, he finally managed to squeeze out the answer.

"Lord Sauros (grandfather), Lord Philip (father), and Lady Hilda (mother)... all three have passed away."

Upon hearing those words, Rudeus felt his hand being squeezed flat.

A sharp pain shot through him, but the truth Alphonse told him threw his mind into chaos even more.

Yue Ren also had a heavy expression, after all, this news was far too cruel for a young girl.

"No... there must be a mistake?"

Hearing Alice ask this question in a trembling voice, Alphonse nodded.

"Lord Philip and Lady Hilda were transferred together and died in the conflict zone. This has been confirmed by Gilead himself."

Kyrie Irvine nodded emphatically.

"Really... then where was Gilead transferred to?"

"A conflict zone just like that of Lord Philip and his ilk."

Girenou didn't say much, only recounting that she discovered Philip and Hilda's bodies while walking through the conflict zone.

To be honest, this kind of thing is quite normal. Although they are nobles, they are still just ordinary people who are powerless. It's okay if they are in their own territory, but if they are in a war zone where swords and spears have no eyes, it would be a miracle if they survived.

Alice snorted.

The girl's hand, which was holding Rudeus's, trembled uncontrollably. Faced with this situation, she didn't know how to express her emotions.

"Then, where is Grandfather?"

...forced to take responsibility for the transfer of the Fetoia territory, he was executed.

"That's just too ridiculous."

Rudius muttered to himself, unable to accept such a thing with his modern mindset.

"Why must Lord Sauros be executed?"

To demand that he take responsibility for that natural disaster, and that's why he was executed? What kind of nonsense is that? There's nothing that can be done about it. Are you suggesting he take preventative measures?

It happened suddenly, without any warning, yet he was made to take responsibility for that kind of thing.

"Rudius, sit down."

""

Alice appeared remarkably calm, but the increasing pain in her hand told her otherwise.

"Mr. Rudeus, I understand your feelings... but this is the current state of the Kingdom of Asura, and this is the fate of the nobility."

'

""

Rudius wanted to say that this was wrong, and subconsciously looked at his older brother beside him, only to find that the other man also had a solemn expression.

Why? Does your older brother also approve of this kind of nonsense?

"6

"So, what should we do next?"

Alice neither screamed nor went berserk; she simply asked the question calmly.

"Lord Pilem Notos Grerat says he wants to take Lady Alice as a concubine."

Even Rudeus could feel the murderous aura emanating from Gilead when he said this.

He himself was stunned when he heard about this future.

"Alphonse! You bastard, are you really going to accept that kind of offer?!"

Her roar was like the howl of a wild beast, making one feel as if their eardrums were about to burst.

"You remember what that guy said, right?"

Alphonse remained calm in the face of the agitated Gilead.

"However, considering the future of the Fetoia territory, some restrictions are understandable."

"How could you possibly be happy marrying that kind of man!"

"Even if he's a scumbag, he's still from a prestigious family. You can find many examples of people finding happiness in involuntary marriages."

"So what if there's a precedent like that! Have you even considered Alice's feelings!"

"I am making plans for the Boreas family and the territory of Fetoia."

"Are you really going to sacrifice Alice for those vague and unreal things?!"

"If it's really necessary."