Chapter 155 - 2‐37 Louis's Perspective
Count Milicier’s demonic instruction remained as relentless in this world as it was in my own. We swung our swords without a moment's respite, and by the time the Count’s subordinates arrived to fetch him, both Alberic and I were drenched in sweat.
「Well now, it seems it is time for me to head to the knights’ headquarters,」 Count Milicier remarked. He wiped his brow with a towel, a refreshing smile on his face that betrayed not a hint of exhaustion.
「Thank you for dedicating your precious time to our practice,」 I said.
「Not at all. Your Highness is my precious disciple, after all. I shall oversee your training again whenever you wish.」
「Thank you.」
Despite having swung his sword alongside us while teaching, the Count departed the training grounds with the same bright expression he had arrived with. As soon as he was out of sight, Alberic collapsed onto the ground as if his strings had been cut.
「Can you stand? Let me give you a hand.」
「...I am fine. Damn it, my strength is gone.」
Alberic glared resentfully at my outstretched hand. I withdrew it and instead handed him his towel and water skin. He accepted them without protest, gulping down the water before dropping his gaze to the floor in awkward silence.
「Go ahead and laugh. I practice every day, yet I have no stamina at all. I truly loathe myself.」
「I won't laugh. There is no need to pay mind to anyone who would mock your efforts.」
Alberic looked up, his expression blank with surprise. A moment later, a self-deprecating smile touched his lips and he sighed.
「...You truly are that kind of person. You produce results proportional to your effort. You neither feel jealousy nor offer mockery. You are a righteous man.」
「I am no saintly paragon, despite what you might think. I feel jealousy, and I am often swayed by my emotions. ...I am filled with nothing but regrets.」
「You? Regrets? ...That doesn't suit you, Brother,」 Alberic muttered, his brow furrowing.
I shrugged instinctively. It doesn't suit me, he says. It is only natural for the Alberic of this world to think so.
The feeling of nearly losing myself to jealousy, the way my heart turned to ice at the fear of losing someone, the way my body moved before my mind could think—all of these emotions were born from my attraction to Rachel.
「I never knew that only by facing oneself can one look at others directly. I used to think I had to do everything myself, but that was a mistake. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.」
「Even you have weaknesses?」
「Haha, of course. If I appear capable of anything, it is largely due to the strength of those around me. Cyril compensates for the areas I cannot reach, and Theodore broadens my narrow perspective. And thanks to the Third Order of Knights, I can expand my range of action with peace of mind.」
It has been the same since I came to this world. I have done nothing but realize my own helplessness.
I stared at my hand for a moment before clenching it into a fist. Then, I looked back at Alberic.
「I respect you.」
「You... respect me?」
「Yes. Do you know what herbs are used in this ointment?」
I pulled a tin of ointment from my pocket, something I had acquired before heading to the Kingdom of Orta. It seemed the Louis of this world carried it for emergencies as well. I handed it to Alberic, who opened the lid and brought it to his nose to check the scent.
「This is...! It's Saumul. It is a rare medicinal herb that should hardly ever enter our country... Where did you get this?」
「I received it from an Imperial envoy.」
「I thought as much. This herb is a rarity that can only be harvested in the southern regions of the Empire. It is used locally to aid wound healing, but apparently, it is difficult to cultivate and cannot be mass-produced.」
「For something so rare, you knew it well.」
「Yes. A professor showed it to me once. May I... touch it a little?」
「Yes, of course. I have another in the Office, so you should take that one home with you.」
The tension that had hung between us vanished in an instant. Alberic’s eyes sparkled as he smiled. 「Truly?!」
「You’ve come alive. You truly do love plants. Even as a child, you used to wander the Garden clutching an encyclopedia.」
At my words, Alberic stiffened and averted his gaze.
「...I don't remember that well,」 he whispered, though he tucked the tin into his pocket as if it were a treasure. I couldn't help but smile.
Had I not interacted with the Alberic of my original world, I might never have understood my brother’s character. But facing him now, I realized that Alberic was the same person in both worlds.
「Your knowledge will be an asset to this country. You will undoubtedly become a great power as a specialist in the future. But that is not all. When I say I respect you, I mean your tenacity. Many people can work hard at things they enjoy. However, I respect you for your ability to put in effort every day without cutting corners, even when you find it painful or recognize it as a weakness.」
「Brother...」
In my world, the knowledgeable and diligent Alberic had provided me with immense support over the last few years—though in exchange, I had been forced to establish a route for him to collect rare plant species from other countries.
「Do you have some time after this? I would like you to stop by the Office with me.」
Once I confirmed our sweat had dried, I made the request. Alberic narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but he did not refuse as he had before. Though wary, he followed me obediently.