The Villain's Retirement-Chapter 32: Duchy (4)

While the Duke seemed to be reminiscing looking at the paint, Ard glanced at Faller for answers who looked at him with the same default serious look as usual. His mind briefly returned to the battlefield. He wondered if the tall knight had moved on.

Interrupting his thoughts, a voice then spoke gently.

"I also like to apologize again that you had to bear the responsibility of killing my brother." Reynard said, while still looking at the painting.

Frankly, Ard does not care, but on this occasion, his mind raced, and his face soon showed what he understood as guilt and shame.

Ard actually also understood.

Killing nobility in the human realm was punishable by death by execution. Under normal circumstances, he should have been executed. It wouldn’t be a rare story either.

"Do not apologize," Duke Reynard said. "Faller has served my brother and me when we were children. If he believes the demon lord he saw was Lewis von Jian, then it is truth enough."

Ard only listened as it seemed like the right thing to do and the duke seemed like he wanted to keep talking while looking at the big painting.

"My brother was not a good ruler," the duke continued quietly. "Nor a good man. He abused our name, harmed others, squandered his talent in the magic and the sword. It does not surprise me that a demon found him easy to possess."

Ard hummed inwardly.

’Indeed, demonic possession worked in mysterious ways. But the only requirement is that the object of the possession must possess certain emotions to begin with and with those emotions, he would turn corrupted and attract demonic energy.’ Ard said but kept it to himself.

"..."

"At twelve, he had already taken advantage of one of our maids. Then instead of attending the academy, he spent his days in brothels. He was not untalented—on the contrary, he possessed decent aptitude in both magic and the sword. As much as me I can even say. But he lacked discipline and effort and he allowed that potential to rot until he became nothing more than average."

His voice hardened.

"Born into House Jian, he abused our name, forced himself upon a woman from another territory. By the time he was sent to Salience, exile was mercy. I even heard reports of him using people as living targets for his archery practice."

The duke’s voice cracked but remained low.

"He was a terrible human being. It hardly surprises me that a demon found him easy to possess."

The duke’s facial expression had changed slightly from warm and gentle to one of sadness and disappointment.

Then he couldn’t help but turn to me.

’???’

"What I mean to say," the duke said, "is that you do not need to feel guilt. What you did saved lives."

He placed a hand on Ard’s shoulder—firm, deliberate.

"And House Jian will not forget it. Forgive me. I’ve spoken too long." He chuckled softly. Then for some reason, he studied his face, my posture.

"..."

"I must admit," he said after a moment, studying the young man, "you are not what I expected. When I first heard about you, it was hard to believe. I imagined a hardened warrior. Instead, you’re barely more than a boy."

"...Yes," I replied, glancing briefly at Faller.

The duke let out a low chuckle. His appearance aside, he was actually surprised more about the young man’s disposition. He thought he would meet someone unruly, but the young man before him was even more well-behaved than most of the nobility.

Then he turned slightly, sounding more relaxed.

"I won’t stay any longer. There will be a banquet tonight. Attend even if you do not want to. The world wants to meet the man who killed a demon lord and the newest baron. Do not miss it. Your absence would be... noticed. It would also be good to let them get to know you."

Ah.

Can I refuse him?

Ard glanced at Zayn.

He subtly shook his head, eyes wide—silently begging the other not to refuse.

The duke raised a hand. "Faller will come get you just after nightfall. You can rest for now, go and enjoy what our City of Jian offers. You’ll like it."

With that, he turned and left, Faller following close behind.

Sigh.

Still, Ard didn’t mind.

That man just gave him a place to live his simple dream.

That banquet was a necessary suffering to have the privilege to enjoy an ordinary life under the human laws.

Once this is over, Ard already knew what would happen. He will live in the countryside and enjoy the life he was looking forward to: a quiet, peaceful and learning life.

Just like the duke said, he was free to do whatever he wanted until the banquet at night. It was still noon, giving him plenty of time to explore the city before the banquet at night.

Ard also had plenty of money.

He still has plenty of gold coins from the Shadow Legion, plus more as a reward from the duke for defeating the demon lord.

He was comfortable lying on his bed when Zayn came over.

"Are you seriously just going to lie here while we’re in Jian Dukedom? The so-called Land of the Knights?"

’Jian Dukedom... the land of knights?’ Ard almost laughed.

"Maybe in Lorynthia Kingdom," he said to himself, but enough for the boy to hear, "But in the world? There’s only one true Land of the Knights—at the top of the Icy Mountains. A place so cold it could kill normal humans, where residents hunt deadly monsters every day, and strength and martial arts is valued above all else. Knights from there rank among the strongest on the continent."

He had been there once, just to observe and it was the home of the sword hero who had slain the demon king.

After seeing the Sword Hero close and sparring against him daily, Ard understood that the moniker Land of the Knights only belonged to the residents of the Icy Mountains.

"Is there really a place like that?" Zayn asked. But also irked. "But how many times had you gone to the human realm? It makes sense why the demon king hated you."

Ard smiled.

Valier did hate his travels.

It always struck him as odd why would he hate it though. It was not like he was conniving with the humans. He was actually putting himself in danger.

But now, he could only laugh.

"What are you staring at?" Zayn then asked.

"What a rude and weird kid." He said with my poker face, making Zayn visibly pout.

Ignoring him, Ard asked, "So... what do you want to do?"

Zayn had always been honest and open since they had met. It suited his personality, and it helped that he wasn’t especially powerful—or hateful toward humans like his dad. For some reason, he seemed comfortable talking to almost anyone.

He hesitated, then answered, which made Ard raise an eyebrow.

"I was thinking... maybe the Tower of Knowledge. Probably too boring for you, though."