Chapter 38: The Wise, Sage Real (1)
“How...how did you know...?”
Edwin must have been astonished that Sage could immediately deduce that he was a prince; His eyes widened to the maximum extent.
“The dress you are wearing. This is the silk of the kingdom of Asha—almost impossible to obtain except for royalty. If you are going to disguise yourself, do it properly.”
At Sage's words, Edwin raised his head at him in astonishment; He looked like he couldn't believe that his identity had been revealed just by his clothes.
“So you want me to be this kid’s teacher in exchange for my life?”
"Yes."
“Becoming a teacher is not difficult.”
Sage looked down at Edwin with a condescending look.
“But I do not take anyone as my disciple.”
“Isn’t the prince ‘nobody’?”
“It depends on which prince it is, doesn’t it?”
Saj laughed sarcastically and continued: “Honestly, I have no harm in repaying life’s debt with my life itself. I have lived enough, and I have no ties to keep me in this world.”
What an excuse. I knew very well that this was an outright lie. No one in this world is more keen to leave a legacy than this man.
Sage ran his fingers over the stacks of parchment stacked on his desk. “Still, I'm starting to think that raising one last student before I die might not be so bad,” he said.
“Then there is no need to hesitate. We will go—”
Before I could offer to move him in the cart immediately, Saj interrupted me.
“I told you before: I do not take anyone as a disciple.”
His sharp gaze returned to Edwin.
“Then prove it, little prince. Prove that you're not 'just anyone'.”
There was a mischievous streak in the old woman's wrinkled smile.
The Great Sage, Viscount Sage Riel.
Forty years ago, when he was only twenty, he achieved the rank of full professor at the Imperial Academy—despite being a commoner.
He was the first to break the unwritten rule: “There is no professorship for an ordinary person, no matter how smart he is.”
From literature, history, politics, philosophy to medicine as well; He mastered them all—it probably seemed natural.
What is strange is that, despite his harsh nature, he frequently proposed policies that supported the lower classes. His envious people called him a hypocrite and tried to tarnish his reputation, but that did not erase his achievements.
Most of the relief policies being implemented today in the Empire came out of his mind.
The Emperor himself granted him a title of nobility in recognition of his efforts, and people began to call him: “The Great Sage, Sag Riel.”
But like many geniuses, he had oddities.
“Prove that you are not just anyone.”
For example: He takes things with children too seriously.
“Oh…”
Edwin was confused. The sweat on his brow spoke well enough of his anxiety.
This ill-tempered old man—why should he make things so difficult?
“Viscount Riel, have you not forgotten your deal with me—no, with Guild Master Kayla? The debt of life is paid without conditions.”
“I just told you: I can jump off a cliff and do it like this.”
“Are you kidding me—”
Does he think I came all this way for tricks like this?
I almost screamed: I'm Kayla! If you continue to be stubborn, I will throw you off that cliff myself.
As my patience was wearing thin, Edwin spoke slowly:
“…What do I have to do to prove it?”
His features became determined as he stared directly at Sage. He was still sweating—but…
“What do I have to do to prove that I'm not 'just anyone'… to become your student, Si—Grandpa—I mean, Sage?”
"Hmm, not bad. I thought you'd run away at the first sign of difficulty."
Even I was surprised; Edwin's personality makes getting close to strangers almost impossible. But now he is facing Sage firmly.
“Bhaha!”
Sag laughed, watching him from above.
“Prince, how old are you?”
"twelve."
“Twelve, then. The age when the mind starts working properly. And yet… I don’t like smart people.”
“Huh? And why?”
“Because when they grow up they end up less intelligent than me anyway! Bahha!”
“……”
Then the laughter was suddenly interrupted by a serious stagnation in his features.
“That's why I don't look here.”
He tapped Edwin's forehead with his finger, then lowered his hand.
“Look here instead.”
He pointed his finger, withered like an old branch, to the middle of the chest. Edwin looked at his chest in surprise.
Sage smiled slightly, then suddenly opened the back door:
"Leo! Leo! Come here!"
“I'm busy—why are you calling me again?”
The respondent was a boy.
“He has grown so much.” I recognized him immediately: the Luxen boy who was practically raised by Sage.
“What? I still have a lot of wood to chop.”
He seemed to be about fifteen, responding in a sharp tone as he looked at us. With youthful features, but sharp eyes and a sturdy build.
“Oh, I forgot you two met. This boy is Leo. About your age. Practically my assistant.”
Leo pushed Sage's hand off his head wearily: "Your assistant? Nonsense. Why did you call me? I haven't finished the firewood."
“Forget the firewood. Go dig some stones with this boy. And don’t forget to check on the villagers on the way.”
"present."
Sage pushed Edwin out, and the little prince stiffened as he faced the boy standing in front of him.
“Oh, um...”
Leo was two full heads taller than him. From him emanated a mysterious cruelty and pressure that completely confused Edwin.
Liu stared at Edwin for a moment, then turned away indifferently:
"Why are you standing? You won't come?"
He called him, looking between me and Saj:
"Didn't you hear? You're coming with me."
“Y-yeah...”
“If you don't, I'll leave.”
“Wait, he's coming!”
He looked at me one last time, and when he saw me nod slightly, he followed Leo.
When the boys were gone, silence filled the house.
Sage was the first to cut him off: “Okay, I’ll test what the little prince is capable of later.”
Then he crossed his arms and stared at me: “You are really strange.”
He took a few steps towards me and said thoughtfully:
“You look like an attendant, but you don't act like one who serves the prince. Nor does he act like his protector.”
He muttered with sincere astonishment:
“You came without a guard and left the prince wandering alone outside? No sane companion would do this.”
correct. Unless he knew that this place was not as dangerous as it seemed, he would not have done so.
“I'm afraid I'm quite sane, Viscount Riel.”
“Your tone is also strange. What are you exactly?”
What about my tone?
I settled for silence. He furrowed his eyebrows in thought, then asked again:
“So… how do you know Kayla?”
“…A very ancient bond brings us together.”
“Are you two friends?”
“…it can be said.”
"Don't lie! Do you think I'm telling the truth? That girl has no friends! Even I don't!"
Oh this old man...
“Believe what you want. But I'm here because Kayla asked me to come.”
He frowned, then tilted his head: “Hmm. You two must have been close. My stay here is a state secret.”
He accepted the explanation faster than she expected—no wonder, since Kayla had practically saved his life.
'However, I expected more skepticism from him.'
He was more tired than he used to be, a world that doubted everything... but did not doubt me? A confusing feeling.
He hesitated for another moment, then said, “Is that girl—Kayla—still alive?”
Should I say: between life and death? Her body is artistic, but her soul is here...
“She’s not dead. Don’t worry.”
"…truly?"
His face changed for a moment, then he sighed wearily:
“That demon! If you lock me in a place like this, at least show up every now and then! Four years without a message!”
I didn't answer. I just stared at the wrinkles on his face.
That face that was once full of confidence and intensity, now only remains loneliness.
'Strange...'
In my memory, it was more deadly and severe. But now his features are tired.
“People abroad forgot the name ‘Sag Rail’ long ago. That is how people are: they do not forget their enemies, and they easily forget their saviors.”
Now, he just looked tired.
He sacrificed his life for the sake of the empire and the people—and his reward was savagery.
"I was a fool. I thought I knew everything, but in reality I never understood the world."
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Sage: means an experienced sage/philosopher/scientist, and is used as an honorific title for someone who has accumulated wisdom and knowledge.