Chapter 132: Hero and Knight
Natsuki Subaru, who was sitting on top of Patrasche, was trying hard to sit up straight, intending to make himself look normal.
Fortunately, no one seemed to notice Subaru's efforts at pretending, so no one focused all their attention on him.
But that was just Subaru lying to himself.
No matter how well he tried to disguise it, his act was completely ineffective in front of the kingdom's renowned healer. After all, all of Subaru's injuries had been treated by Felix.
However, Felix still seemed to be angry. That was why he wasn't beside Subaru, nor did he speak to him.
Have you ever experienced muscle soreness from training? That kind of pain can really feel like torture.
Right now, Subaru's situation was even more painful than that. Though his physical wounds had already been healed, the muscle fatigue—which wasn't categorized as an injury—couldn't be cured.
Riding on the ground dragon like this, Subaru's body was constantly jolted by the dragon's stride. It felt like someone was constantly squeezing his overworked muscles. It was sheer agony.
As they continued to approach the village, Subaru sensed someone coming up beside him. When he turned his head to look, he saw Julius riding alongside him.
Judging by the look on Julius's face, Subaru could tell he had something to say.
"Do you need something?"
"I came to apologize to you."
"Apologize? For what?"
Julius glanced at Subaru, then looked forward in silence for a few moments before speaking again.
"For what happened back then. After that, I went back and thought long and hard about what you said, and I reflected on my own behavior. Eventually, I came to a realization."
As he spoke, Julius turned to look seriously at Subaru and continued slowly:
"At that time, I should not have challenged you. Using the excuse that I was trying to protect you, I initiated a duel... In hindsight, it was a disgrace to my knighthood. Every time I think of it, I feel ashamed."
"Really? I don't see what's so shameful about it."
"I am ashamed that, despite being called the greatest knight, I used a method that had nothing to do with true knighthood and convinced myself that I was protecting you. But in the end, all I did was hurt you. That's why I offer you my sincere apology."
Subaru looked at Julius, who was bowing his head in apology, and calmly waved his hand.
"Your apology is accepted."
"A simple apology isn't enough to ease my heart. That's why, when Lady Anastasia mentioned the plan, I volunteered to come help.
You're just a servant—ah, I don't mean that in a demeaning way. I say that because you fall under the scope of those I should protect. And yet I treated you that way. It was only after realizing this that I felt the need to apologize personally, and to express it through my actions."
"I see. You're different from those other knights... but I still can't quite bring myself to like you."
"Why not?"
"It's simple. You care too much about those so-called formalities. A knight's purpose isn't to uphold etiquette. In my eyes, a knight is someone who makes people feel safe and secure—someone who brings peace to others.
Those lofty knightly manners? Totally unnecessary, if you ask me.
No matter how polished or elegant they look, if they can't do what a knight is supposed to do, then being a knight is nothing more than a title for people who think they're above others."
"..."
Subaru moved his gaze away from Julius and looked at the road ahead, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
"Rather than knights who make people feel distant, I prefer heroes—ones who protect everyone and are sincerely respected, who can talk and laugh with others on equal footing.
Even if a knight fulfills their duties, I doubt they'd ever sit and chat happily with the people they protect. And they'd never let go of the burden that comes with being a knight.
But heroes are different. They're called heroes simply because they've done something others are grateful for.
That doesn't place them far above everyone else. Even if they pick up a tool and help plant crops, no one would think that's strange."
"..."
"Do you remember what you said when you first came? You said, 'A knight must not fall so low as to be called a mercenary.'"
"..."
"Becoming a mercenary means you've fallen? While knights sit at home enjoying life, mercenaries fight every day just to survive.
Sure, being a mercenary doesn't sound glamorous. But most people become mercenaries because they have no other choice—they just want to live.
I don't think there's anything wrong with that. It's not like they wanted to be mercenaries from the start.
They're simply doing their best to improve their lives. What's so shameful about that?
Life is precious. People who haven't committed unforgivable crimes and are just trying to survive shouldn't be looked down on.
The ones who should be judged are those who do nothing, yet enjoy lives that others couldn't have even if they worked their hardest."
After finishing his speech, Subaru turned and gave a slightly sheepish look to the silent Julius.
"Ah... I wasn't trying to criticize you directly. You're actually a decent guy.
If only you wouldn't take status so seriously, I think we could be pretty good friends.
Because you don't protect people because of your title—people call you a hero because you protected them.
I think, before there were knights, there were just heroes.
It's only because all these rules were added later that knights became what they are today.
...Well, whatever. I don't really get all that complicated stuff.
That's just how I feel. We don't need to keep talking about this.
I accept your apology. But I hope you'll give it some more thought.
The mercenaries might not care—they've grown used to the differences status brings.
But isn't that your arrogance?"
After saying that, Subaru stopped speaking and instead began thinking about whether he'd forgotten anything, whether there were any major flaws in the plan.
While he was lost in thought, Julius remained silent, one hand resting on the sword at his waist. What he was thinking—Subaru didn't know.
"Not because of status... but because of one's own beliefs..."
Julius softly murmured to himself, then turned to look at the person beside him.
His expression grew bittersweet.
"Compared to us... you are the one who deserves to be a knight..."