I Became a Sick Nobleman

***

Crunch.

Ruel swiftly devoured a meat pie.

Munch. 

With his mouth full of cookies, Ruel extended his empty hand to Cassion. “People really need to eat,” he mumbled.

Although Ruel’s voice lacked strength, Cassion felt reassured that Ruel was now okay. “I’ll go call Fran,” Cassion said, placing a cookie in Ruel’s palm.

Concerned that Fran had been staying awake for days, Cassion convinced her to return to her room, fearing that she might collapse.

Ruel was about to eat another cookie when he spoke up. “Why haven’t you asked how I ended up like this?”

“First, let’s assess your condition, Ruel-nim. We can discuss the reasons later.”

Leo, pulling himself out of  the bliss of Ruel’s touch, shouted.

—Cassion is right!

He then stood up abruptly and stared at Ruel intently. 

Ruel gently touched Leo’s lips.

“Maybe that Great Man did something to me when we last met,” Ruel revealed without hesitation, even though Cassion had suggested discussing it later. He then smirked. “But I emerged victorious, didn’t I?”

It may be funny to say that he won in this situation, but as Ruel said, if the Great Man pulled out some trick, it could be said that Ruel won because he overcame it.

Because surviving means winning.

“Despite your victory, you appear quite worn out,” Cassion bluntly remarked.

It seemed that the things hanging on his arms were not visible right now. 

“That’s understandable, and… what about Uncle?” Ruel asked after a moment of pause. 

He was always prone to worrying, and he wondered how shocked his uncle would have been by the incident when his heart had stopped before, and now this.

Cassion’s expression softened as he replied, “I’ll bring him.”

“Okay.”

—Ruel.

Leo called out to him as Cassion left the room.

“Why?”

—Ruel should thank Cassion.

Although Cassion’s footsteps paused for a moment, as if pretending not to hear, the sound of the doorknob turning was heard.

“…Thank you,” Ruel spoke in a barely audible voice, without questioning Leo further.

Even though it was soft, Cassion must have heard it clearly. 

“Please find a good sword for me,” Cassion chuckled as he left.

“Sure,” came an indifferent voice in response.

—Cassion drew blood for Ruel. He never left Ruel’s side, always there. And…

After confirming Cassion’s departure, Leo chirped more cheerfully.

Ruel inhaled Breath and clenched his hand without saying a word.

‘This can’t continue.’ 

If the mark on his body disappeared, he didn’t know what would happen to Leo. 

He had been putting off dealing with it until now. 

However, Ruel now had a way to contact the Spirit’s Progenitor. 

‘How should I reach out to him?’

Recalling the method Jan had taught him, Ruel attempted to contact him. 

‘He said to imagine opening a door by adjusting mana at a regular rate, right?’

—Are you in pain?

As Ruel closed his eyes, Leo urgently stroked his head with his paw.

“No. I am trying to contact Jan. I have some questions to ask.” 

-What is it, my dear? What’s going on?

As if the connection was successful, he could hear Jan’s excited voice in his mind. It feels a bit ticklish. 

“I want to ask about something related to Leo.”

-By any chance… Did you tell everything to Leo?

“No. I contacted you to ask what Leo should eat besides the thing called ‘black stuff’.”

—This body can answer that. This body eats ice cream, cake, and apple tea! Ah! This body also eats cookies and meat pies! 

Leo smiled as if it was a delight just to say it. 

Ruel scratched the back of Leo’s neck.

-Is Leo forgetting his duties as the Great Purifier?

“Yes.” 

-I see. It’s not just immaturity from being too young. Spirits do not forget the mission assigned at birth. He seems to have been born a little unstable.

Jan sighed softly. 

-Child, I’m so glad you’re next to Leo.

“Why?”

-The Great Purifiers are born in the purest of darkness. That’s why they can naturally use purification like breathing.

Ruel stared intently at Leo. 

The green eyes twinkled back at him. 

‘Born in darkness?’

Leo and darkness seemed incompatible. 

In fact, his fur color made him blend in with sunlight, not darkness.

-Cover Leo with the darkness you possess. Just feeding off that energy will be enough.

Ruel smiled. 

The solution was simpler than he had imagined. 

Perhaps this little fox had come to him not because of the black stuff spreading in his body but because it instinctively sensed the darkness within him.

“Thank you for letting me know.”

-You’re welcome. Your voice sounds weak.

“I’m a bit tired, that’s all. I’ll contact you again next time.”

-Just a little longer…

Ruel immediately dispersed the gathered mana he used to communicate with Jan. 

‘This is more exhausting than I anticipated.’ 

He took a deep breath, realizing that he should use a communication device next time.

—What did Jan say?

Leo’s anticipation was evident, as he had already licked his lips in anticipation of something delicious to eat.

Ruel glanced down at the various items hanging from his arm and spoke up. 

“Hina.”

“Yes, please continue.”

Hina appeared, slightly puzzled, and looked at Ruel.

“I have something I need to confirm, but I don’t want Cassion to know.” Ruel pointed towards Leo as he made his request to Hina.

“Please, Ruel-nim.”

Hina’s voice carried a firmness that seemed like a scolding. Ruel was taken aback by her attitude, but he wasn’t angry.

“Hina, if you don’t want to help, just say so. I don’t really feel like listening to nagging right now.”

Hina momentarily fell silent. 

Ruel didn’t want to be nagged, but he was prepared for any trouble.

“It’s about Leo.”

But Hina listened attentively to what Ruel had to say next.

“Does it have something to do with spirits?”

“Yes. You heard that’s why I called you just now.”

Hina sat down, contemplating with an anxious expression. “If it’s dangerous, I will put a stop to it immediately.”

“It’s not dangerous. I’m just going to use a bit of magic.” Ruel conjured shadows and enveloped Leo in them, as if swaddling a newborn.

Leo chuckled almost immediately. 

—What’s this game? What is this body supposed to do?

“Try eating this.” Ruel pointed at the shadows.

Leo tilted his head curiously. 

—Isn’t this Ruel’s magic? It’s not meant for eating.

“Jan said you should consume this dark energy.”

—What is this energy?

What should he say? 

Ruel hesitated for a moment before deciding to let it go.

Leo’s instinct for darkness lay dormant within him, and now was the perfect time to awaken that instinct when his hunger was at its peak.

“Just stay still. Let me know if you feel anything.” Ruel released the shadows to cover Leo once more, like a blanket.

Growing impatient, Hina asked, “Is it safe to keep using magic like this?”

“I have a large capacity. It’s just that I’m weak, so…”

Before Ruel could finish his sentence, Hina was startled and looked towards the door.

“Hina.”

Cassion chuckled in disbelief. 

A few days ago, Ruel could hardly breathe, so he had to rely on magic. 

Sadly, it was short-lived, and by the fifth day, his tolerance reached its limit, and he was on the verge of breaking.

At that moment, as if by a miracle, Ruel exhaled on his own. 

Two days later, he had barely regained his senses. 

Now, he watched closely as his master played with Leo while performing magic.

“Hina.” Cassion called out to Hina again, his voice filled with gravity.

Hina stood up nervously, stumbling over her words. “N-no, that’s not it. I mean, this is… “

“Cassion, it hurts a bit because of your aura,” Ruel said, showing his trembling hand. 

Despite Cassion’s efforts to prevent his aura from affecting Ruel, his hand was still shaking due to the lingering effects.

Cassion withdrew his aura and let out a long sigh. 

“Ruel.”

Tyson, who was standing behind Cassion, called out to Ruel with a trembling voice. 

“Yes, uncle,” Ruel replied, smiling at Tyson, who looked greatly concerned.

“Come with me, Hina,” Cassion said, taking Hina, who was on the verge of tears, outside.

Meanwhile, Tyson remained seated, silently watching Ruel. 

He exhaled slowly and spoke with desperation. 

“You are my everything.” Ruel’s eyes widened, understanding the fear Tyson must have felt.

“You needed to wake up. That’s all I want.” 

Ruel felt sorry for Tyson but couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

***

“I apologize sincerely for delivering such news as soon as you open your eyes. There will be no demands this time, and your…”

“I will go.” Ruel readily accepted Banios’ proposal.

Cassion and Banios’ faces contorted almost simultaneously. 

Before Banios arrived, Cassion had informed Ruel of three facts: The delegation from the Kran Kingdom had arrived in Leponia, a noble from the Kran Kingdom who had conducted trade with Prince Huan and Luruan involved in the Red Ash had been identified. 

However, as Ganien had revealed, they were actually officials of the Tonisk Empire, not nobles of the Kran Kingdom. And there was a member of the Red Ash among the nobility named Medeas Tehel.

He was a member of the Tonisk Empire and the son of a former prime minister.

‘That Medeas is connected to the first prince of Kran, Adea Kran.’

It was unbelievable. It was like finding a sweet potato in a field.

For the first time in a while, Ruel felt excited.

“Ruel-nim.”

“Ruel.”

Both Cassion and Banios broke the silence and spoke. 

Ruel responded calmly, as it was a familiar response he always received. “Didn’t you say that the King of the Kingdom of Kran personally chose me to lead the delegation?”

“Well… but there’s no absolute need for you to go. His Majesty will surely find a way to prevent it. I will also help.”

Ruel was currently lying down, unable to move, with medical devices attached to his arm. Anyone who saw him would try to stop him.

“Now I have a reason to go.” Ruel smiled as if he had found an interesting toy.

“There is nothing to exchange for your health,” Banios insisted.

Ruel informed Banios of what the shadows had discovered in response to his firm words. 

Banios had to know but Ruel didn’t reveal everything.

Maybe there was a Red Ash’ executive there, he made up an excuse like that.

“Huh.”

Banios couldn’t close his mouth in disbelief.

“Why… Why do I keep hearing surprising facts from you?”

“This journey will be accompanied by Prince Adoris.” 

From the perspective of the Red Ash, Adoris was a traitor.

It created a perfect target.

Ruel planned to use himself, who was popular among the people, and Adoris, a traitor to the enemy, as bait.

Banios managed to calm his heart as he looked at the little fox clinging to Ruel’s side. 

“Ruel, to be honest, I was planning to reject the intention brought by the delegation and inform you of my decision.”

“Didn’t Kran bring an offer to form an alliance? And even though you didn’t mention it, they surely didn’t just come here for nothing. Wasn’t it included in the conditions of the alliance that I would go to Kran?”

The Red Ash’ executive was a man under Adea Kran.

The prince would not have come as the head of the delegation without a reason.

Banios flinched at Ruel’s sharp point.

Adea Kran had specifically requested Ruel, who had played a crucial role in establishing the alliance between Cyronian and Leponia, to be sent as the representative of the delegation. 

Despite being presented as a request, it was more of a condition. 

It appeared that they wanted to exploit Ruel’s favorable reputation to gain some advantage, even if it meant extracting minor concessions. 

Alternatively, they might have aimed to present Ruel as a symbol of peace. 

Either way, Banios was displeased with this fact.

Banios sighed and said, “Brother Adonis alone will go to Kran. That was the original plan.”

Ruel chuckled lightly. What Banios was saying now was merely a last resort. 

The first prince, Huan, was imprisoned and the second prince, Adoris, had also committed a crime and had given up the throne, barely maintaining his position as a prince.

Banios was the only one left. 

He couldn’t risk leaving Leponia and falling into a trap, as it would practically be the end of their country. 

But Kran, a country where the firstborn inherits the throne, has sent their first prince.

Could they really send only Adoris under these circumstances?

“Your Highness, I know the situation is not favorable, so you can stop acting.” 

Banios squeezed his thighs and sighed. “I never thought it would be this difficult to deceive you.”

“When did I ever say I was going now?”

“Then…”

“I will go to Kran once I have recovered. They may have their own plans for my arrival, but ultimately, it is my decision.”

A subtle smile played on Ruel’s lips. He had no intention of blindly accepting Kran’s demands. He intended to act only after confirming the ties between Kran and the Tonisk Empire.

“I do plan to go eventually, but my current condition is not suitable. Please inform them that I will go at a later time, accompanied by some flattery, of course.”

Banios, who had been frowning the whole time, suddenly laughed. 

How could he not laugh at Ruel’s statement that he would defy Kran’s arrogance? 

Alliances aside, how arrogant was it of the Kran Kingdom to act in such a manner?

From the moment Banios ordered Ruel Setiria to be sent as the representative of the delegation, an invisible battle had begun. 

Who had made the request for a prince to be sent? 

Who had proposed using the alliance as a hostage under the pretense of courtesy? 

How dare they treat Leponia in such a manner?

“Very well. You’re right. Rest comfortably and inform us when you feel ready to go. We will leisurely make the decision on that day.”

Finally, Ruel’s words struck a chord with Banios.

Delighted, Ruel replied with a beaming face, “Yes, Your Highness. I trust your word, and I will rest well.”

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