The Story Of The Second Son Of The Baron Family [EN]: Chapter 7

Baron’s Family Second Son – Episode 7

< Baron's Family Second Son – Episode 7 – >

In the end, the red alert didn’t sound. This meant either the monsters were prevented from climbing over the barrier or were eliminated quickly if they did. Eventually, as the sun reached its peak, the monsters gave up their attacks and began to retreat to their own territory.

“It’s over.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Congratulations. Having experienced a yellow alert, you’ll have a war story to tell no matter where you go.”

“Haha, hahahaha.”

As Ild said, I would have a war story to tell anywhere. Waging war against thousands of monsters was something one could only experience at the Tera Barrier, though it required enduring ten years here to escape. I was laughing, but it was far from a laughing matter.

“Is it tough?”

“…Yes. I expected it, prepared myself, but it’s tougher than I thought.”

Ild, seeing my forced smile, suddenly asked if it was tough. I could have given a pleasant, agreeable answer, saying it was not tough at all and that I was honored to defend the Empire, but I sensed sincerity in his words, so I told him the truth. Whether that answer was right or wrong, Ild spoke after a moment of silence.

“Don’t forget that feeling, cherish it.”

“…Pardon?”

I asked again, puzzled by his cryptic answer. I was exhausted, ready to fall asleep the moment my head hit the ground, yet he told me not to forget this feeling and to cherish it. Shouldn’t I get used to it as quickly as possible? As I looked at Ild with that question in mind, he met my gaze with a bitter smile.

“How long have you been here?”

“Not even three weeks.”

“Three weeks, that’s not long at all. You’ve done remarkably well in that time. You handled your first battle calmly, as if it wasn’t your first, and you did your best to stop the monsters today.”

“Thank you.”

“That’s why I’m telling you this. This place isn’t about surviving because you’re skilled, nor is it about dying because you’re not.

Only those who are incredibly lucky or never let their guard down survive long enough to dream of being discharged.

Sometimes, people like you come here. Talented and hardworking, but they often die sooner than ordinary people. Do you know why?”

It was a sudden question, but I didn’t take it lightly and pondered it carefully. Ild had taught me a lot so far. He wouldn’t ask a question without a reason. It must be an important lesson. After thinking for a moment, I found the answer in Ild’s words.

“Because they were unlucky or let their guard down. Since you wouldn’t mention luck, is it because they let their guard down?”

“That’s right. It’s because of carelessness.”

“Carelessness, the most distant word from the Tera Barrier.”

Ild nodded, confirming my answer. However, my doubts weren’t resolved.

Carelessness.

The dictionary defines it as [releasing one’s mind without focus]. As I just said, it was one of the most distant words from the Tera Barrier. The reason was simple: carelessness leads to death.

“Yet, a significant number of talented individuals die because of carelessness. Have you thought about why?”

“…I don’t know.”

Not letting your guard down until the battle is over, until the monsters have disappeared, was a fact known to both newcomers who had been here for a month and veterans who had been here for years. Yet, a significant number of talented individuals died due to carelessness, which was ironic.

“It’s because they get used to it.”

“Because they get used to it?”

“No matter how difficult or challenging something is, you get used to it after experiencing it multiple times. Moreover, the Tera Barrier is an undefeated fortress that has never fallen in its long history. As victories are repeated and experience accumulates, confidence grows. That confidence can turn into recklessness, and then, in a moment of carelessness, they’re gone.”

Because they get used to it, it was a story I couldn’t yet grasp. The reality of the yellow alert I experienced was something I could never get used to.

“You have the potential to become an excellent mage. It’s tough now, but you’ll soon adapt to this place. That’s why I’m telling you this. It would be a shame if an excellent mage died due to a moment of carelessness.”

“Thank you for the advice. I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Remember, there’s an order to coming here, but not to leaving. A moment of carelessness can take everything away.”

#

Over a month passed. Blue alerts were like daily life, and I experienced yellow alerts several times. However, I still couldn’t relate to Ild’s words.

Every moment was a continuous state of tension. How could one relax and be careless in a life-or-death situation?

I had almost been bitten by wyverns more than once, and I had almost been crushed by rocks thrown by monsters as well. If I had been careless or slow, it wouldn’t have been strange if I had become a corpse. It had happened so many times I couldn’t count them on both hands.

“You’ve survived well again today.”

“Haha, you almost fell to your death just now, aren’t you too calm?”

“Because I survived. Whatever the process, I survived, so I’m calm. You’ll understand if you stay here longer, but this kind of thing doesn’t even count as a crisis.”

In the meantime, I had gained recognition from them. Considering that many of my peers, like Gaius and Laurent, or other mages, still kept their distance, it was an exceptional situation. If I had to guess the reason, it would be a combination of the fact that I was doing my part relatively stably, unlike my peers, and that I was close to Ild.

“By the way, is it almost ‘that time’?”

“Ah, it’s about time to do ‘that’.”

The conversation was heading in a direction I couldn’t follow. It was a pronoun referring to something, but nothing came to mind. However, the senior mages around me just smiled meaningfully and said it would be interesting, without revealing the meaning of [that time, that thing] until they left for their rooms.

“Fun, indeed. A very thrilling moment.”

“It’s a moment when you can shed a layer as a man. Once you experience it, you’ll feel grateful for being alive.”

#

Another yellow alert swept through the Tera Barrier. Inside the castle within, people were gathering for an important meeting.

The commander of the Tera Barrier, Marquis Ziek, the six knight commanders who led nearly three hundred knights, Wonder, the representative of the mages, the three squad leaders, and the six Manbu leaders in charge of the soldiers. The conference room where a total of 17 people gathered was the brain of the Tera Barrier.

“Is everyone here?”

“From the 1st Knight Commander to the 6th Knight Commander, Elder Wonder and the 1st Squad Leader to the 3rd Squad Leader, the 1st Manbu Leader to the 6th Manbu Leader, a total of fourteen, excluding the two on guard duty. Assembly complete.”

“Good. Let’s start the meeting now.”

Usually, knight orders often have the symbol of the knight order in front of their names. The White Horse Knight Order because all the knights ride white horses, or the Laurent Knight Order after the name of the knight commander. Or they use the name of a fierce beast for a strong and powerful image. However, such things were meaningless at the Tera Barrier. The word that dominated the Tera Barrier was efficiency. Because it was not efficient.

Therefore, the knight orders of the Tera Barrier simply existed from the 1st Knight Order to the 6th Knight Order. The areas they were in charge of were also assigned in order from left to right for easy viewing.

“We don’t have much time, so let’s get straight to the point. Winter is approaching. Everyone must have expected this to some extent, as we do this every year. Let’s decide who will go [on the annual winter resource expedition].”

“Is it that time already? I hope everyone returns safely, but that will be difficult.”

“Sir Unos and Sir Duo went last year, so Sir Quatro and I will go this time.”

“Hmm, will that be alright?”

“Of course. Trust us.”

“Good. Sir Tres and Sir Quatro will take charge of the knight order, and the rest of you should discuss with your respective commanders and create a list by tomorrow.”

As it was something they did every year, the meeting proceeded quickly. It wasn’t something you could avoid just because you didn’t want to do it, nor could you skip it without a valid reason.

“Then, for the mages…”

“Ild went last time, so I’ll go this time.”

“I’ll go again.”

“Ild?”

Ild raised his hand, interrupting Boto, the leader of Squad B. Boto was taken aback. The autumn expedition was something someone had to do, but it was so dangerous that they tried to avoid it as much as possible. That’s why they took turns to maintain fairness. But Ild, who had gone last year, was volunteering to go again, which surprised not only Boto but everyone else.

“I don’t mind who goes, but is there a reason?”

“There’s a guy I want to nurture. It’ll be a rare experience, so I’m going to take him with me and train him.”

At Ild’s words, the mages, including Boto, could easily guess who Ild was referring to. There was a newcomer who Ild had been close to and teaching a lot lately.

“You want to nurture him; are you even considering him as the next squad leader?”

“He’s still a rookie, so it’s a bit early to say, but he shows potential to become an excellent mage. With experience and time, I think he can definitely handle the role of squad leader.”

“If that’s what you want, then so be it. The autumn expedition right after arriving might be too heavy a burden for a newcomer, but if you go with him, there shouldn’t be any major problems.”

“Thank you.”

“Well, the personnel seems to be decided; let’s talk about the schedule.”

“The important thing is that we have to finish before winter comes. In fact, we’re already a bit late, so we should leave as soon as possible.”

The lights in the conference room stayed on late into the night.

#

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know. The squad leader will be here soon, so we’ll find out soon enough, whether we like it or not.”

“You’re close to the other mages, aren’t you? Have you heard anything?”

Gaius and Laurent kept asking, but I only guessed that the time I had heard about from the seniors a few days ago was approaching. I was just waiting for Ild. Just then, Ild opened the door and started calling out the names of several mages.

“Camilla, Shuu, Derren, Malcolm, Otto…”

After nearly twenty names were called, the roll call ended. What was strange was that the reactions of those whose names were called by Ild were all different. Some closed their eyes as if resigned, others sighed, and some shook their heads. Overall, they were not good reactions.

“And lastly, Renil, you’re going too.”

“Yes? Yes!”

I didn’t know what it was, but I answered. Anyway, judging from the reactions around me, it seemed like I had no choice since my name was called. Judging by the word ‘going,’ it seemed like we were leaving somewhere. Where could it be? That question was soon resolved by Ild’s following words.

“As you all know, it’s the autumn expedition. The purpose is the same as always: to reduce the number of large monsters. We’ll be leaving the Tera Barrier three days from today, at sunrise. So, those involved are excluded from all duties and should rest until the red alert sounds. Anyone have any questions?”

“Um, leaving the Tera Barrier means…?”

I asked again, hoping for the best. I was really hoping that I had misheard. But my hope turned into reality.

“Yes. In three days, we will leave the Tera Barrier and head north, to the land of monsters.”

< Baron's Family Second Son – Episode 7 – > End