115 115. Answers to reach (2/2)

”Was your ...... father killed then, too?

No, my father was killed by me.

No, it was me who killed him.

My eyes widen in surprise.

It was his son, Riggles, who killed Souki. ...... How can that be?

It's nothing to be surprised about. As you can see, I am not a man of great swordsmanship. At the time, I was probably weaker than most soldiers in the country. But ...... I got stronger in my own way.

Riggles smiled and continued.

I'm surprised. I was surprised. I was vengeful - I wanted to kill the man who killed my wife. I grabbed my sword and got stronger. Oh, I've never felt that a person can be made strong by something as simple as ...... 'a feeling'. The man who killed my wife, he dared to run away. He probably hoped that my father would have the same desire for revenge and come to fight. But he didn't. On the contrary, he told me to stop taking revenge. Whose fault was it, I thought to myself .......

He let out a big breath and looked away from Riggles. It was in the direction of Iris and Luino.

That's when it occurred to me. Even I got enough power to slay and kill my grandfather. So what would happen to a little girl?　Apparently, losing my mother wasn't enough for him. ...... So he made me lose my grandfather, too, and faked my death.

You took everything away from my daughter Luino?

No, I didn't. As a father, I gave Luino the absolute power of vengeance. To put it bluntly, the result was a success. In just a few short years, Luino buried the man who killed my wife without a second thought. That was my doing, too. But I knew that Luino could still be strong.

”...... I see. So that's why you created the Swordsmen.

I thought it was Adil Gratz who created the Swordsmen. I thought that Adil Gratz created the Swordsmen, a group of battle-hungry maniacs who love to fight to the death, but now I understand. The Swordsmen were created by Riggles.

”It was actually you who created them, Adil. I was just encouraging him to do so. He liked fighting more than anything. The same people naturally came together. It's ...... a shame that you and Adil are the only ones who got him.

I'm not sure what to make of this, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

Yes!　Yes, that's right. The opportunity for Luino to become stronger would have to come from ...... me. After all, unlike me, he has talent. I can't let it go to waste. Well, I guess that didn't work out too well. I can't believe I lost to Iris, the Princess of Swords. Oddly enough, it was ironic to lose to a girl named after the Sword Saint that my father used to talk about.

”Why did you let your daughter choose such a path? You could have chosen to live with her.

You could have chosen to live with her.” Souki chose ...... that path, and that's why he didn't choose the path of revenge. He may have planned to settle the matter himself eventually.

But he was a man who cared about his family.

That's why he couldn't leave his son to fall into shura.

At my words, Riggles gives a small sigh.

There is no such path. Becoming stronger than anyone else is the only way for Luino to live a happy life. That's why even the Sword Saint was able to live because he was as strong as anyone else. There's nothing wrong with that. Besides, what's the point of talking about this now?　Do you deny ...... vengeance when you have gained so much power as a child?

I don't deny revenge. I don't deny revenge. It's a way to become stronger.

Right?

Revenge can make you stronger. The Swordsman became strong because he had nothing... that's one fact. But you know, there are girls who can become that strong just by wanting to protect someone ....... In your own words, it's a great feeling.

Iris Reinfell - the daughter of a great nobleman, once tried to become strong on the path of revenge.

But she didn't choose that path and made it this far.

Her existence is proof to me that I can be strong in other ways besides revenge.

...... What's the point of saying that?　You're not asking me to protect Luino right now, are you?

If you choose that path, I promise to support you as a knight.

I answer clearly. Because that is what I can do for the man who once called me friend.

After a moment of silence, Riggles begins to speak in a muttered voice.

I've never thought of that.　I hadn't thought of that.

But it won't.

But that's not going to happen. I don't know why you're trying to stick up for us. But like I said in the beginning, ...... I'm a swordsman and you're a knight. It's also an unchangeable fact, and I've already made up my mind.

You know you can't win, but you choose to do so.

That's what swordsmen are for. Besides, ...... Luino is still alive. I'll kill you, I'll kill Iris over there, and ...... I'll pave the way for Luino again. And for that, I will win, even if the fight is unwinnable.

This is the same idea as Adil, the man who is no longer with us. These are the swordsmen, those who can only choose to fight, even if they know they cannot win.

Riggles drew his sword and finally entered his battle stance.

”I see. Then we don't need to ask any more questions. Riggles Tomra - no, Riggles Harvey. I've deemed you an enemy to be eliminated. As a knight, I will bury you.

--It was the only thing I could do for a man who had already gone so far astray.