kscans

1

In the middle of a deep forest, there was a spacious clearing where Bard and the others were. In front of them, a waterfall continuously poured water into a green basin.

On the edge of the basin, there was a large rock shelf, and on top of it lay Venn Urill. He had just finished swimming. He had completely washed away the sweat, dust, and dried blood that had stuck to his body, and now he was basking in the pleasant breeze, completely naked.

Although his tanned body was covered in scars, they did not diminish his beauty in the slightest. His long legs and fingers were slender. His hands were the same. The muscles all over his body, which were filled with astonishing explosive power, were perfectly concealed by the smooth velvet-like skin, hiding his ferocity. He was supple, glossy, and resembled a nocturnal creature. The phosphorescent glow surrounding him was caused by the sunlight reflecting off the fine hairs that had passed through the leaves of the trees.

He propped himself up on his left elbow, raising his upper body slightly, while his right arm was bent and resting on his chest. A strand of black hair, slightly to the left, fell on his forehead and swayed in the wind. He had shaved his beard and mustache, leaving only his eyebrows long and thick, and his sideburns hanging gracefully.

From the front, his hair appeared short, but it was long in the back. Each strand was not particularly long. The hairline continued downward, and strangely, just above his spine, the fine hairs became denser, making it appear as if his hair continued all the way up to his lower back. When he was swimming freely in the water, it looked as if he had a dorsal fin.

Doriatessa, who had been bathing in the water hidden in the shade of the rocks, had thoroughly washed her body and emerged wearing light clothing. When she saw Venn Urill completely naked, she turned her face away in surprise, but she quickly composed herself, making it seem as if nothing had happened. She must have thought that she would lose if she showed embarrassment, Bard thought. Jurchaga, who was skillfully sleeping on a tree, let out a small laugh. Doriatessa sent him a stern gaze, but of course, this thief didn’t flinch at all. With a huff, Doriatessa returned to the water’s edge with her armor and began scrubbing vigorously. Godon Zarkos, who was sleeping at the base of a tree, was completely unaware of this exchange and snored loudly, competing with the sound of the waterfall.

It was autumn. The sky was clear, the trees were richly colored, the water was clear, and the sunlight was gentle. The group was relaxing as they pleased.

2

Even in this moment of relaxation, a red raven that brings death had taken possession of Venn Urill. Bard could clearly see it now.

Venn Urill had entered the house where the thieves had made their hideout. Indeed, with this man’s skills, there was no need to fear mere bandits. However, he didn’t know what kind of enemy he would encounter. He didn’t know what preparations they had made. Even a master swordsman cannot dodge raindrops in the rain. They cannot dodge grains of sand in a sandstorm. No matter how skilled they are, they can die from a dagger coated with poison just grazing their body.

He thought it would be fine even if he got hit. From this man’s rare perspective, he couldn’t feel the joy of life.

When they first met, it wasn’t like that. Venn Urill enjoyed crossing swords with Bard. At that time, Venn Urill hadn’t given up on living.

During the battle with the Great Red Bear monster, this man was definitely alive. His figure, calmly evading the attacks of the monster, was filled with a special light that only a master swordsman who had mastered the sword could possess.

But the way he cut up the thieves was terrible. The hands, feet, and heads of the thieves were torn apart. With his skills, he could have defeated them more brilliantly.

Which one is the real Venn Urill? Perhaps both are. While maintaining a carefree attitude, this man has carried despair within him as he has lived. What kind of life has he lived? What has he seen? Has he watched as his loved ones died, were injured, and perished? What kind of experience is it to take away the life force from a man like this?

And yet, this man has lived. Perhaps his concern for his sister has kept him tied to the earth. Now that his sister has found a partner, this man is in even greater danger.

This man has probably carried heavy burdens since birth. He has lived while making numerous promises. He hates freeing himself from such restraints. In this man’s own words, he believes that he cannot break his promise with the heavens. If he were to break it, the heavens would take away his sister’s happiness and destroy everything he has built. How can this man be freed from these constraints?

This man said that Bard is a person chosen by fate. It might actually be true. The will of the heavens that doesn’t want this man to die brought him together with Bard. But how can this man be kept alive? How can the red raven that has dug its claws into his heart be driven away? Bard suddenly became strange as he pondered this.

What am I thinking? What am I trying to do to save this man?

Who do I think I am? I can’t do anything to someone’s heart. I can’t save or change anyone. It’s not something I can do in the first place.

If there is something I can do, it is to give. It is to give this man something that can be of use to him from what I have. Whether he uses it or not is up to him. He must walk his own path in life.

Bard tapped the sword sheath made of his beloved horse’s skin. ‘Why am I so concerned about this man? Why do I like this eccentric swordsman so much?’ He thought about it, but he couldn’t figure it out.

3

Venn Urill was still on the rock shelf. He was already dressed. Bard approached Venn Urill and asked if he had chosen him to be his master. Venn Urill raised his upper body and turned to face Bard, answering with a “Yes.” Bard continued, asking if he would follow Bard’s instructions and keep the oath he had made. Once again, Venn Urill replied with a “Yes.” Bard then asked if Venn Urill had any family, name, property, or duty that he had to inherit. Venn Urill answered, “No.”

Bard extended his right index finger and pointed his palm downward, slightly diagonally in front of him. It was the gesture used when a knight is making a declaration. Venn Urill suddenly straightened his posture and stepped forward to stand in front of Bard, kneeling on his right knee and bowing his head. He placed his right hand on his head, and Bard Rowen made the declaration.

“In the name of the god of darkness and tranquility, Patara Poza, Knight Bard Rowen asks Knight Venn Urill. Knight Venn Urill, do you swear?”

“I swear.”

“Then, as your master, I declare. From this moment on, I take away your former name. I welcome you as my adopted son into the Rowen family and make you the heir to the family name. From now on, you shall be called Karz Rowen. Take an oath.”

As expected, Venn Urill was surprised, and he tried to lift his head, but Bard’s right hand did not allow it. Bard’s large, bony hand firmly held Venn Urill’s head.

“I swear.”

After Bard commanded again, there was a moment of hesitation before Venn Urill, in a slightly trembling voice, declared, “I swear.”

“Hmm. Your former name, Venn Urill, is now lost. All the previous vows made under that name have disappeared. The knight’s oath has also vanished. Therefore, a new knight’s oath must be made.”

Bard drew his own sword from his waist and placed the flat side against the right shoulder of the man kneeling in front of him.

“Karz Rowen. As a guide to your oath, I command you. By what god’s name do you swear?”

After a moment of silence,

“To the god of wind, Sochiera.”

“Very well. Sochiera, the god of wind and oblivion, the unwavering protector of growth and the benevolent friend of the forest. Bear witness to this. The one who has honed their mind, skill, body, and knowledge now seeks to fulfill the knight’s vow. Karz Rowen, to whom do you pledge your loyalty as a knight?”

There was a long silence in response to this question. The sound of a waterfall, the rustling of leaves, and the voices of birds filled the forest. In the forest, nothing rushed the passage of time.

If Bard were not the guide of this oath, Karz Rowen would have pledged his loyalty to Bard without hesitation. However, because Bard was the guide of this oath, he couldn’t do that according to the old customs. Also, if Bard had a wife or child, Karz could have chosen them, but unfortunately, there were only Bard and Karz in the Rowen family. Therefore, Karz had to choose someone to whom he could truly devote his heart. He had to reach into the depths of his own heart and grasp what lay hidden there. His aspirations. Something worthy of being a symbol of his life. This was necessary for Venn Urill to be reborn as Karz Rowen.

“Struggle, struggle. And weave your own words. Declare who is the most important person to you. What you find valuable. You shall proclaim it to the gods. Only then will Karz Rowen become a human with fiery flesh and blood,” Bard advised.

Bard quietly waited during the long hesitation. Eventually, Karz Rowen, in a voice that seemed to be squeezed out, declared, “I dedicate my loyalty to those who have been deprived.”

Furthermore, he continued in a voice filled with an uncontrollable passion that was completely different from the previous Venn Urill, “To those who have been unjustly deprived of their homeland, their families, and even themselves. To those who have been forced into an unwanted way of life. My heart is devoted to them. I will take up the sword for those who have been trampled on, oppressed, and distorted. My loyalty is dedicated to those who have been deprived.”

Bard nodded and said, “Very well.” Then he asked for the final vow, “In order to fulfill this vow, what virtues will you possess?”

Karz Rowen immediately answered, “Ignorance.”

There was no virtue of ignorance among the thirteen virtues known to Bard or in any previous examples he knew of.

“I do not know what will happen to me tomorrow. I do not know what will happen to the country tomorrow. I do not know if what is right today will still be right tomorrow. I do not possess the ability to accurately predict the outcome of things. Being ignorant in this way, I do not laugh at anyone’s opinions or desires. I do not think anyone is foolish or anything is wrong. I embrace my ignorance as the only virtue and fulfill my vow,” Karz explained.

“Very well. Oh, Wind God Sochiera. Oh, gods. Oh, great life. A new knight, Karz Rowen, is born here and now. Witness and bless his vow,” Bard declared.

After making the declaration, Bard tapped his right shoulder five times and his left shoulder seven times, sheathing his sword. Before letting Karz stand, he placed his right hand on Karz’ head once again and declared,

“Knight Karz Rowen. As your guide in fulfilling your oath, I command you.”

“I understand.”

Karz Rowen, having made his vow, was ordered by Bard with these words.

“Live as your heart desires.”

After saying that, Bard let Karz stand and placed his hands on both of Karz’s shoulders, announcing, “Now you are a knight.”

Before they knew it, everyone had surrounded them, watching the scene of the oath. Godon Zarkos nodded approvingly and blessed Karz Rowen with a powerful voice.

“Knight Karz Rowen. May fortune be with you on your journey!”

Doriatessa’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and she couldn’t contain her emotions as she said in a trembling voice,

“Lord Karz Rowen. Congratulations.”

Jurchaga’s reaction was completely different. He crossed his hands behind his head and said,

“Oh. How nice. How nice. Hey, hey, do it for me too.”

“No. Even if you make the oath, you’re not a knight to begin with.”

Godon pointed out immediately.

“Tch. That’s not fair. That’s not faaair. Hey, Karz!”

For some reason, he called him with a strong tone. Come to think of it, he had never addressed Venn Urill as “master.”

“You know, you should know. I became Bard’s family member before you did. Call me big brother!”

Everyone didn’t know how to react and there was silence in the air for a while. Karz was a man who was difficult to determine his age, but he was definitely not younger than Jurchaga. Eventually, Karz loosened his lips slightly.

“Ah, this guy. You laughed! You laughed through your nose!”

Jurchaga swung a tree branch and attacked Karz Rowen. Jurchaga swung the branch repeatedly. It was unexpectedly quick attacks.

“Wait!”

Karz kept dodging skillfully. His face didn’t have the fake smile he had before. It was extremely expressionless. But to Bard, it seemed like a face filled with peace and joy. The red raven on his back was still visible, but its size was shrinking.

“Call me big brother!”

A loud voice echoed through the forest. The birds were startled and flew away. Their cries sounded like exasperation. Red, yellow, and orange leaves fell into the basin and danced in the water.