Chapter 20

Humans are all brave—when they are not in danger.

But then, how does a person react when faced with a threat they cannot resist?

Surprisingly, nine out of ten turn into cowards.

And later, they will rationalize it, dressing up their fear in excuses.

Padors seized on this point. They wanted to test the courage of the children who had entered.

From the watchtower, Padors observed the children’s every move.

Among them, the youngest, Luke, asked the others:

“How do you see it? Do you think many will pass?”

Fernando snorted and replied.

“Not at all. They said the participants were stronger this year, so we raised the difficulty to match. Thanks to a few talented ones, the rest of the children are bound to suffer.”

The spear arts clan’s Andrew, the merchant heir Einstein, even Pador’s very own Ralph…

This year, the Valley of Trials had drawn an unusual number of gifted youths. All the more reason for Pador to smile. And why not?

The more people who gathered, the more the region’s economy flourished, and Pador’s reputation rose even higher.

How very fortunate.

Still, they had deliberately raised the difficulty beyond reason, just to ensure this wasn’t an exam where riffraff could pass.

But the problem was… among that riffraff, there was someone who should never have been mixed in.

Fernando clicked his tongue at the sight of one particularly frail-looking boy.

That boy was Deyan.

Pador’s sickly child. And he was Pador’s legitimate heir.

“Tsk. Why did that boy, Deyan, have to participate?” Fernando muttered, tongue still clicking.

To him, the trembling Deyan, frozen in fear and unable to take a step, was unacceptable.

That child was nothing but a disgrace to Pador.

In a trial like this, he would only be a humiliation.

Janitz shot Fernando a dark glare, far different from the expression he showed Deyan.

“Fernando, watch your tongue. Will you not even call the young master by his proper title?”

“Treat him that softly, and he’ll only stay weak. Lord Janitz, do you really think a boy like that should be the face of Pador?”

“That’s only what you think. I believe the young master will find his own way through. That’s what I trust.”

“Oh, sure. I’d like to see that.”

Janitz was irked by Fernando’s sneer, yet he could somewhat understand.

The knights of Pador were men of unmatched pride, who revered martial strength above all.

So how could they possibly look kindly upon a heir—one who might one day become their lord—when he couldn’t even wield a sword?

They just didn’t voice it aloud.

But knights like Fernando, with their open disdain, were not few within the house.

Even so, Janitz truly believed in Deyan.

He still recalled the boy’s resolute words in front of the children during Solemio.

“It was a splendid answer…”

To speak out when walking a different path from others requires great courage.

In that alone, Deyan was already a boy with the spirit of bravery.

That was why he believed. Deyan would walk his own path.

And even now, with that flood surging toward him, Janitz had no doubt he would make it through.

-Slip!

“…”

Deyan stumbled.

Wait… what?

A little unease was natural, wasn’t it?

Forcing his expression calm, Janitz turned to Fernando.

“…Just wait and see. The young master will do fine.”

Fernando gave a crooked smile.

“Shall we make a wager?”

“A wager?”

“I’ll bet that boy becomes the winner.”

The silver-haired boy yawned as the massive surge of water bore down on them.

He was Andrew, descendant of the spear arts clan, Tral—one of the Four Great Houses.

“Andrew… you said he’s of Tral? Makes sense.”

It was easy to understand. Tral was a peculiar clan.

Until their children reached adulthood, they were cast out across the continent.

Survive on your own.

That was essentially it.

They weren’t even allowed to use their names. And if they tried to survive by trading on Tral’s reputation, their names were struck from the family register on the spot.

The only things Tral’s children had were a single spear and Tral’s spear techniques.

They struggled desperately to survive, and through that struggle, they gained experience.

And this method, strangely enough, had raised Tral to its current stature.

The weak who fell behind were ruthlessly abandoned, and only those who survived returned to the clan.

Thus, when they finally came of age to inherit the Tral name, those children were immensely strong.

And that boy Andrew below—people were already calling him the next clan head of Tral, thanks to his talent.

Worthy of the talk, indeed.

When the two began their wager, Luke eagerly jumped in.

“Then may I join as well?”

Janitz nodded and asked, “Who are you betting on?”

“Me? Of course, that boy—the merchant lord Tern’s son.”

Janitz and Fernando glanced toward Einstein.

Honestly, wasn’t his slick, greasy look enough to make anyone frown?

Both men shook their heads.

“Hmm… not much. Doesn’t seem impressive.”

“I agree.”

For knights, it was natural to feel disdain toward merchants—the kind who tried to solve everything with money.

What did they think of a knight’s honor? Really.

But Luke thought differently.

“With respect, captains… money doesn’t lie. That boy has talent, and more than that, the money invested in him is this much.”

Luke laughed mischievously and raised a single finger.

Fernando showed interest.

“A mansion?”

“Ah, come now, don’t be stingy. If it were just that much, I wouldn’t have bothered to mention it. A castle. An entire castle.”

“…What?”

Even knights who claimed to care nothing for wealth found their view of the boy shifting.

His accessories and attire—all of different hues and gemstones.

And especially… the necklace around his neck. A jewel called Mond, said to be unattainable even with money.

Astounding. Simply astounding.

If that much gold had been poured into him, then of course he would stand out from the others, one way or another.

“But tell me… Are any of you not cheering for Ralph?”

At Luke’s words, the other two captains glanced awkwardly toward Ian Pador, watching from another watchtower, and cleared their throats.

“…Of course I am.”

“…Naturally.”

Ralph was… Ralph.

.

.

.

Would it look like this if the sky itself poured down water?

Ralph stood dumbstruck, his mouth agape.

He should’ve just pulled out, claiming he was still sick…

Why had he even joined? Damn this body of his—why had it healed so quickly, so sturdily?

And that masked bastard—if he was going to hit him, why not hit hard enough to knock him out? Instead he’d struck halfheartedly, leaving Ralph without an excuse.

Ralph sneaked a glance at the gray bell.

Should he ring it?

The temptation was sweet as sin. But the thought of his father’s eyes, Ian Pador watching from the tower, weighed on him.

People didn’t know.

How cold, how merciless his father truly was…

‘If I ring the gray bell here, then my life is over…’

His father was not the type to give second chances. To win his approval, Ralph had to triumph in the Valley of Trials.

But how?

With the flood rushing closer and closer, how could his mind not shatter like glass?

And then—

“Everyone, protect me.”

“……?”

Even as the flood roared toward them, a ridiculous voice rang out loud and clear.

The children, Ralph included, turned to see who was barking like that…

It was Einstein, arms spread wide as if he were some kind of god.

What the hell’s wrong with him…?

Einstein lifted his chin proudly and declared:

“I’ll give you all the money you want, so protect me, you lowborn trash.”

At that, Andrew subtly shifted beside him, standing as if he were a bodyguard knight.

“Well… in that case, I’ll protect you. Money’s the best. Besides, I’ve got debts to pay.”

But unlike Andrew, the other children showered Einstein with curses.

“Shut the hell up. Why would we protect you?”

“You bastard! If you want to talk about pedigree, I outrank you, you son of a—!”

“Does he really think money can buy everything?”

Einstein clicked his tongue at their rejection.

“Our family’s wealth surpasses even that flood… Tch, pathetic fools. Fine then, do as you please—if you don’t care to receive my grace.”

With that, he gave up on them and breathed in the scent of his gold.

What a freak. A freak among freaks.

After Einstein’s nonsense passed, the children were left paralyzed, unable to do anything.

And then, someone finally shouted an answer.

“Everyone, gather! Let’s block it together!”

Block it?

With what? Bare hands? Swords? Or maybe by praying all together?

The children sighed at the unrealistic command.

“How the hell are we supposed to block that?”

“Even Roman, the Union’s shield knight, wouldn’t be able to stop this…”

“Forget Roman, it’d take someone like Ed to hold that back.”

Roman and Ed—two geniuses who had recently risen to fame across the continent. Even so, in the children’s eyes, not even they could stop a calamity like this.

In the end—

“What an idiot.”

With someone’s sneer, the idea was dismissed yet again.

Meanwhile, little by little—

The flood surged closer, devouring everything in sight.

Its awe-inspiring force left them all speechless.

Amid the chaos, only one boy remained calm. Deyan quietly glanced toward the red-robed figure. But with his face hidden, there was no telling what he was thinking.

Ralph, on the other hand, was far too easy to read.

Clutching his head, he muttered desperately to himself.

“Ughhh… I have to live, I have to survive… Otherwise Father will—”

Meanwhile, some of the children, unable to find any solution, ran toward the gray bell.

“This is insane!”

“They said last time it wasn’t anything like this!”

One by one, even children who had seemed determined lost their nerve and gave up. The knights on the watchtower lowered ladders for them.

To those children, the ladders looked like stairways to heaven.

In the midst of it all, Ralph could be seen struggling—agonizing—yet forcing himself to look away from the gray bell.

Sigh… it’s not your fault.

Deyan pitied the boy. To be born the son of Ian Pador… talk about drawing the short straw.

“Stand tall, Ralph.”

“What…?”

Ralph, confused and panicked, was stunned at Deyan’s calm composure.

“What did you just say?”

“You told me you wouldn’t run away, didn’t you?”

“Why bring that up now—”

No. If that sickly guy could stand his ground, then Ralph had no reason to cower.

He puffed out his chest and bluffed.

“O-Of course!”

Though his voice still trembled.

Ralph lacked something.

Last time too, he passed, but it was a disgrace.

Deyan remembered clearly. Though he had no intention of coddling him, if he was going to guide Ralph, he had to teach him something worthwhile, didn’t he?

“Face it. With pride.”

Even with a disaster-level flood barreling down on them, Deyan remained composed.

“No matter what threatens us, if you carry the blood of Pador, then face it with pride. Keep to your word, Ralph.”

“You… you… you crazy bastard!”

Ralph felt like he was about to lose his mind.

Here they were, about to die, and this lunatic was spouting nonsense.

And yet—Deyan was right.

When it’s time to run, you should run!

But for a moment, Deyan’s calm, resolute stance shook Ralph’s chest. If even that guy can do it…

What was there to be afraid of?

The knights of Pador were watching.

Surely they wouldn’t let anyone actually die here.

Ralph clenched his fist tight.

“Who asked you to look after me?! Mind your own business!”

He strode forward, stepping in front of Deyan, and stood ready to face the wave with his back to him.

“Hey! Stay back, you’ll get hurt.”

Deyan whistled at this unexpected display from Ralph.

“Suit yourself.”

“Wh-What? Are you crazy?”

“It’s coming. Look. It’s coming now.”

The wave smashed through trees as it rushed forward. It didn’t look safe even for those in the watchtower.

Why the hell is Deyan so calm?!

Ralph shouted at the ever-relaxed Deyan.

“Is this none of your concern?!”

“Who knows? Maybe a wall will rise up in front of us.”

“You bastard! Have you lost your mind?! Completely lost it?!”

Ralph, in a panic, grabbed Deyan by the collar and shook him.

But Deyan paid him no mind, eyes fixed only on the approaching flood.

“We’re all going to die!”

“Uwaaaah!”

“Save us!”

At last, as the massive flood loomed over them like a tidal wave, Ralph, shameless and terrified, buried his head against Deyan and squeezed his eyes shut—

“…Huh?”

Why wasn’t time moving?

Ralph blinked. Deyan had grabbed the crown of his head and forced it down.

“Look at that.”

What Ralph saw was—

“A… a wall?”

—A colossal wall blocking the flood.

“Didn’t I tell you? A wall might rise up to protect us.”

Leaving Ralph weak-kneed behind him, Deyan stared at the barrier.

From the start, this flood wasn’t meant to be fought or escaped.

It was a trial only to see—do you have courage?

On this, Ian Pador had already given a clue:

—Remember this. Only those with courage can move forward.

In other words, only those who held to their conviction even in the face of an unstoppable force would be allowed to stand here.

I told you, didn’t I?

If you stand your ground, a wall will appear.

Your faith is lacking. Lacking.

---The End Of The Chapter---

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