25: They Jest at Scars that Never Felt a Wound
“I heard that the serial killer was a conscripted low-ranking aristocrat.”
“How terrifying, even though the war is over…”
“Think about it, despite being an aristocrat, he behaved as barbaric as a mercenary. It’s divine retribution.”
In the royal palace, a noble lady degraded Joshua despite not knowing a single thing about him. Even though we risked our lives to protect them, they felt entitled to look down on us.
“You seem to be having fun.”
“Oh, Duchess of Lowenberg…”
Despite being engrossed in the topic, the moment I arrived, they became quiet and awkwardly exchanged glances. They probably didn’t expect me to get offended.
“What’s wrong? Until a second ago, you were enthusiastic. If the topic is that interesting, why stop there? Let me hear the rest, too.”
“Your Excellency the Duchess, it’s…”
“Let me hear the rest.”
“—!”
The ladies trembled and couldn’t muster a word. Despite having the gall to ridicule those who went through such a harrowing experience, this was enough to make them cower.
“I read a passage somewhere, [He jests at scars that never felt a wound.] I have to say, no truer words have been spoken.”
“Your Excellency, can you please overlook their mistakes?”
“…”
A brown-haired and brown-eyed man, whose tanned skin exuded a healthy glow, arrived alongside a silver-haired, golden-eyed, and bespectacled man.
The brown-haired man was Graniza Border—a knight captain; while the silver-haired one was Intelior Extella, his vice-captain.
“The knights in the castle are stirring over the murderous intent of the Eastern Hero.”
“…Please don’t refer to me as such.”
During my employment in the East, I had once annihilated the enemy. Although being granted the title of duke was a great achievement, that nickname was anything but flattering.
I didn’t want them lumping me together with those who glorified a murderer as a hero.
“Don’t be so lackluster. Ladies and gentleman, don’t forget that we’re still in the royal palace. Together, commoners, aristocrats, mercenaries, knights, and people of various classes took up arms and fought to protect the country.”
Of course, there were high-ranking aristocrats among knights; and there were also people like me, who’d risen in rank due to our feats on the battlefield. Graniza was implying that if they spoke poorly, they might incite the wrath of such people and drag their family’s name through mud. As a result, the cowering noble ladies all went pale.
No traces of their haughtiness when they insulted Joshua could be seen.
“Now that you understand, go home.”
“…Excuse me.”
“Excuse me.”
One by one, they bowed their heads and turned on their heels.
Looking at their backs, I felt helpless.
“Your Excellency, I don’t think they meant anything by that.”
“Are you allowed to say anything as long as you don’t mean anything? There’s no denying that he was a criminal. Taking someone’s life for any reason is an unforgivable act, so it’s inevitable that he’ll be persecuted by the public. Regardless, that’s not an excuse to insult him. Although this outcome is saddening, he was still one of the brave warriors who fought for his country.”
“I understand. My words were uncalled-for. I apologize.”
“…No, I was being impertinent. I went a bit too far, I’m sorry.”
What good would telling all that to the knight captain do?
“I want to apologize, as well.”
“…Your Excellency, are you getting enough sleep? Your complexion isn’t good.”
He had survived many life-and-death battles before attaining his current position, so he probably understood my current situation and the fate of the survivors more than I did. Thus, he peered into my eyes, looking very concerned.
But worrying about it won’t change anything.
“I may have been neglecting sleep because I have a lot to do. I’ll go home and take a long rest.”
After hearing that, the knight captain didn’t say anything in return.
***T/N: HOWWWWW DAAAREEEEEEEEEEE YOUUUUU INSULTTTT MY JOSHUAAAAAAAAAAA, YOU WANT A FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE OF WHAT’S GOING TO WAR’S LIKE, YOU BEECHES?!
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Used and abandoned are the soldiers of war… poor Joshua 😔 and poor victims of his killings… I don’t want the princess to enter the stage, her useless opinions aren’t needed here.
ohhh the AUDACITY killing and maiming and punching them all ,, go back from whence you came, o skinsuit wearing demons!!!
side note that Shakespeare quote fits perfectly and makes everything sm worse cus of it argh