Battle Race in the Fantasy World

EP.143 A Brush with Death

“I never imagined Father would come in person.”

“I’m sure you didn’t. I didn’t plan on it either. But seeing the recent developments in the Empire, I got a bit curious. I wondered what could make those stubborn kids ask for reinforcements. That curiosity made me decide to take a little outing for a change.”

“And you even brought the children along.”

“Didn’t old man Neil tell you about the situation?”

“I heard. But I thought if there were kids to look after, Father would…”

Baron Jonathan came all the way to the west for one reason only.

He was curious if there might be more interesting prey than in the north.

But if children get involved, he has to look after them, whether he likes it or not.

He could easily dispatch most monsters, but they’re still ‘children’ after all.

As the person in charge of Jonathan, it’s his duty to do so.

“You think I wanted to bring them? The folks back home begged me to take them along. They said it wasn’t fair for me to have all the good experiences. They insisted so much that I had no choice but to bring them.”

Hearing Baron Jonathan’s response, Kyle nodded.

It seems the hypothesis he’d been considering was correct after all.

The idea that the Jonathan barony came to represent the north not just because they were strong, but because they were the kindest among the northerners.

Managing the territory in between workout sessions, negotiating with the Empire, and even bringing kids along like this.

At this rate, isn’t it more like they’ve appointed a village chief while they focus solely on their training?

“Kyle. What brings you here? Lia told me you were still in the middle of the semester.”

“Ah, well. I heard the news that Father was coming here. I was curious about what kind of interesting monster could make Father come in person. So I just skipped class and came.”

“…”

If it were any other parent, they might have shouted ‘Go back!’

How could you commit such a terrible act as skipping class when you worked so hard to get into the Imperial Academy?

The important thing here is that Kyle’s parents are far from ordinary.

“I see.”

Baron Jonathan casually brushed it off, and Kyle reacted as if he’d expected as much.

“Um, by the way, Father.”

“What is it? Curious about news from home?”

“No, that’s not it. It’s just… do I have to keep doing this?”

It wasn’t an unreasonable question. Kyle was feeling quite uncomfortable right now.

Baron Jonathan was doing push-ups with just his pinky finger.

Up to this point, it was fine. Nothing to complain about.

The problem was that he suddenly told Kyle to sit on his back, saying it wasn’t enough.

Of course, Kyle tried to refuse, saying he didn’t want to.

No matter how important exercise is, sitting on top seemed a bit much.

But Baron Jonathan’s will was firm. He insisted Kyle sit down.

He said Kyle would be helping his father by adding weight, as it wasn’t enough.

Even though Kyle said no, he kept insisting, and after about 5 minutes of bickering…

In the end, Kyle had to have a conversation with his father while sitting on his back.

‘I feel like I’m being terribly unfilial even though I’m not doing anything.’

He had never done anything particularly filial with fire attributes.

Although not his biological father, he considered him his real family, his real father.

Being suddenly told to sit on his back, he couldn’t help but feel guilty.

“You’re helping your father right now.”

“Still, this feels a bit much to me.”

“The children are too light. You’re just right.”

Saying that, Baron Jonathan lowered himself once more.

Supporting this massive body with just his pinky finger, and Kyle on top of that.

Not the slightest tremor could be felt in his body.

Even his breathing remained perfectly steady.

As always, this man is truly terrifying to watch.

“Father. Are you not going to visit the legion?”

“How do you think the kids would react if I did?”

“…They’d be scared.”

“That’s why I’m not going. I don’t want to frighten them.”

Occasionally, some people would treat the Jonathan folks like monsters.

Whenever that happened, Kyle would strongly deny such nonsense.

They might be obsessed with training and combat, but they’re definitely not consumed by madness.

Normally, they’re such pure people that they can’t even bring themselves to kill a single bug.

Baron Jonathan, Kyle’s father, is the same.

Last time at the library, he saw a book describing him as some kind of four-armed monster.

In reality, he’s just a middle-aged man with an exceptionally well-built body.

“So wouldn’t it be better to go? Wouldn’t it help clear up misunderstandings if they saw you?”

“There’s no particular need to clear up misunderstandings, is there?”

“That’s true, but still, seeing you in person even once would be better than remaining an unknown entity.”

“Hmm.”

After hearing Kyle’s words, Baron Jonathan was silent for a while.

He just mechanically continued his push-ups, gently awakening his muscles.

‘I guess he doesn’t have any particular thoughts on it.’

In this case, there’s only one way. To throw out some news that might pique his interest.

“Actually, I came here with one of the Empire’s Top 10.”

“Oh?”

“It’s a different person from the Top 10 you’ve seen before. Her name is Priscilla Franz, the captain of the Holy Order of St. Elfreda. She’s also the granddaughter of a skilled fighter that Old Man Neil fought against during the war with the Empire. I heard she might ask Old Man Neil for some guidance.”

Mmm, Baron Jonathan finally stands up, letting out a small sigh.

An interesting topic, a new Top 10 he had never seen before.

Watching others fight is just as enjoyable as training oneself.

Wasn’t it said that the most interesting thing in the world is watching other people’s fights?

“Since you put it that way, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to go take a look.”

“You won’t regret it. Captain Priscilla’s skills are quite impressive.”

“Hearing that makes me even more excited. Perhaps…”

“No.”

At Kyle’s abrupt refusal, Baron Jonathan scratches his cheek.

“I haven’t even finished speaking yet.”

“I know you want to have a match with Captain Priscilla, Father. Please restrain yourself.”

It would take at least five Priscillas to even consider a fair match.

No, to be honest, even five might not be enough.

“Let’s focus on our respective goals. You on the monsters, and the Captain on guarding the saint. Okay, Father?”

“What if I use just one hand? Would that be acceptable?”

Oh, Father. Please, just stop!

*

It’s said that all living beings instinctively fear entities they cannot resist.

It’s similar to how a person freezes up when facing a tiger, unable to even run away.

And right now, the members of the legion were experiencing what it truly means to have their ‘knees go weak.’

“Pleased to meet you. I am Baron Jonathan.”

“I-It’s an honor to meet you! I am Legion Commander Rakan Deckman!”

A Legion Commander is a position that receives treatment almost on par with an earl.

There’s no reason to show such extreme courtesy to a baron.

Nevertheless, the Legion Commander bowed so low his head nearly touched the ground.

‘Th-This man is the Baron Jonathan!’

The thought of not wanting to make eye contact even if it killed him crosses his mind.

He feels that if he were to look into those eyes, he might suffocate on the spot. Such an intense premonition arises.

Even though the Baron is trying his best to suppress it, there’s nothing he can do about the aura emanating from his body.

Even as the Legion Commander bows his head so low, his adjutants and officers don’t stir.

They too were accepting the Legion Commander’s actions as perfectly natural.

Even if they hadn’t participated in the war that took place in the north in the past, one look is enough to understand.

If this baron were to clear his throat with even a hint of discomfort, they’d all be as good as dead that very day.

“I hear you’re in the midst of fighting monsters.”

“Y-Yes, that’s correct.”

“I apologize, but we’d like to take care of those monsters. Would that be alright?”

Baron Jonathan says this with an expressionless face.

“Pardon? Why are you apologizing?”

“Didn’t I just say we’d like to take care of the monsters? That’s why I’m apologizing.”

At these words, the Legion Commander wore an expression of utter incomprehension.

It’s only natural. If someone offers to deal with the monsters for them, it would be a great favor.

Why would those bestowing such a favor suddenly append an apology?

Watching the baron, Kyle let out a small smile.

‘He must really feel bad about this. After all, he’s saying he’ll take away the monsters from people who came to hunt them.’

Some might say that doesn’t look like an apologetic expression at all.

But Kyle knows. That expressionless face is Baron Jonathan’s way of showing genuine remorse.

From Jonathan’s perspective, this is like suddenly taking away all the exercise equipment and saying he’ll use it himself.

Of course he should apologize, it’s just that the other party happens to be ordinary people.

“Oh, no! Not at all! We’re actually grateful!”

“Are you sure it’s alright?”

“Yes! It’s absolutely fine! Please, Baron Jonathan, do as you wish.”

“Let me ask once more. Are you really, truly sure it’s alright?”

This is like double-checking when someone offers you to go first at the gym equipment.

As the Legion Commander insists once more, Baron Jonathan smiles.

“Thank you, Legion Commander.”

“N-No, not at all. It’s only natural…”

As a hint of a smile appears on that previously expressionless face, does his expression soften a bit?

No, it’s even more terrifying. It’s naturally scary when someone who doesn’t seem like they’d smile suddenly does.

“Then, will Baron Jonathan…”

“Not me. I only step in for truly special cases. The rest will be handled by those children.”

Baron Jonathan points to a spot as he says this.

There were children doing one-handed chin-ups at Old Man Neil’s command.

“Those children… you say?”

“Yes. They’ll take care of most things, so you can count on that.”

The Legion Commander reflexively looks at Kyle.

As if asking if Baron Jonathan is being serious.

Kyle smirks and whispers into the Legion Commander’s ear.

“You know the group of monsters that were heading this way earlier? Those children tore them all to pieces.”

“…Ah!”

The Legion Commander gained a new understanding of Jonathan.