Chapter 4

Chapter 4: An Outing(1)

◆

The injury healed much faster than expected.

It was probably because Lionel had given word to the knight order’s infirmary to treat him with the utmost care.

Thanks to the influence of such a big shot as the Grand Duke, Carlisle was able to use luxurious medicines that an ordinary soldier would never have the chance to receive.

“⋯⋯.”

And despite such lavish treatment, Carlisle was glaring at what lay before him with a dark expression.

The term ‘possessor privilege’ was actually a word filled with mixed feelings for Carlisle.

If it hadn’t given him the ability to regress, he would have been dead, so it was his life’s savior, but during all those regressions, it had never once strengthened Carlisle himself.

In novels and comics, all the guys who possess or reincarnate are flying around.

How should I put it? They all have abilities that give off the feeling of being the center of the world, and cheating their way through life is their daily routine.

In contrast, Carlisle’s entire existence had been nothing but serving the main heroine, who became the center of the world countless times.

In such a situation, this was the very first skill and trait awakening that came his way. It would be strange not to be surprised.

⋯⋯That’s why.

If it was going to surprise him like this anyway, it would have been nice if it were something that would definitely make Carlisle feel good.

[ Skill Info ]

◆ Training: 

You are the only person who knows about the future.

Exercise your influence over the important figures of the world, including the Hero, to change their destiny!

The deeper the impact you have on a target, the more their abilities are inherited by you.

▶ Traits will be added when Training Targets are added.

▶ Individuals who become Training Targets will have lowered resistance to your words!

“⋯⋯.”

Carlisle, who had been quietly scanning through those sentences, ran his hand through his hair.

Honestly, anger rose first.

This only opened after reaching the final cycle?

If it was going to open, it could have opened a bit earlier.

The condition for opening must have been exercising influence over the Hero during their ‘childhood.’

It was definitely an ability that wouldn’t have opened unless it was this timeline.

‘What a waste of effort.’

What was all that suffering he endured in all those cycles for?

“⋯⋯.”

Carlisle, who took a deep breath, scratched his forehead.

Let’s think positively. At least it opened now.

And looking at the content, it was definitely good content.

“Abilities are inherited⋯⋯”

He didn’t know exactly what the principle was, but it meant that the abilities of the targets he ‘trained’ would come to him in some way.

“That’s good.”

He didn’t know at what level or how the abilities would transfer, but they were the abilities of that world’s central Hero.

From the standpoint of an ordinary person who had nothing, there could only be abilities that wouldn’t be bad to receive.

And, most importantly.

▶ Individuals who become Training Targets will have lowered resistance to your words!

Carlisle stroked his chin while staring intently at those words.

This was the key.

Lowered resistance.

There could be various interpretations, but as he understood it.

“Does this mean they’ll listen to what I say more obediently?”

If so, it was an incomparably overpowered ability.

The person he could exercise influence over was none other than the Hero. The main heroine.

Soon.

Instead of being unable to become the center of the world, he had gained the ability to move the center of the world according to his intentions.

However, the concerning point was.

▶ Traits will be added when Training Targets are added.

Carlisle stared intently at that sentence.

How should I put it?

Not only was he given such a strange ability, but the phrase written here was even more concerning.

Wasn’t it as if there were more targets to train than just the Hero alone?

In other words, exactly.

As if the landmine planted in the world wasn’t just the Hero alone⋯⋯

Let’s think about that later.

Just the Hero alone was enough to make his head explode.

Whatever was waiting for him, focusing on the immediate situation at hand was the priority for now.

Now that he had confirmed what the bizarre skill called Training was, next was the opened trait.

[ Specialty Info ]

◆ Hero’s Companion

You are the person who knows the Hero ‘Gray Chasefield’ best.

You are the only one who can have human influence with the target.

Lead the Hero down the right path!

▶ A Rehabilitation List is provided.

‘What’s a Rehabilitation List now?’

He sighed and called up another list attached to the trait window.

[System Message]

◆ Loading ‘Rehabilitation List’!

◆ Improve the flaws listed in this list!

◆ The more you eliminate the flaws written in the ‘Rehabilitation List’, the more rewards you’ll receive!

[ Gray Chasefield ]

◆ Misanthropy [100%]

◆ Arrogance [100%]

◆ Mysophobia [100%]

◆ Violence Addiction [100%]

.

.

.

As soon as he saw the letters filling up that list, Carlisle pressed his forehead.

Good grief! Are these the flaws contained in one person’s body?

“Hero.”

[What is it?]

“Come to think of it, you really weren’t human, were you?”

[⋯⋯Are you suddenly picking a fight, you?]

The holy sword grumbled.

Looking at this anew, he had the intuition that the Gray in this world and the Gray inside the holy sword were completely different people.

It was surprising enough that someone with such a thoroughly ruined personality was now able to have conversations with Carlisle, even if they were bickering.

‘So it wasn’t empty words.’

She really meant to reflect and do whatever it took.

[I don’t know why you’re suddenly being contentious.]

As Carlisle was mulling over such sentiments, the Hero inside the holy sword suddenly spoke with a sulky tone.

[Isn’t this a good opportunity? You’ve gained the chance to stay by my side with the official recognition of Grand Duke Chasefield.]

“⋯⋯About that, please explain.”

He sighed and continued the conversation.

It was just yesterday that he heard from Lionel about taming Gray or whatever.

Following those words, today he was riding in a carriage to visit the Grand Duke’s house.

The knight order was entirely composed of national army members who had pledged loyalty to the Emperor, and normally, other nobles couldn’t order people around in the knight order.

But this was no ordinary person—it was an order from the Grand Duke, a founding contributor. The knight’s order’s administrative officer’s face was pale as he quickly instructed him to depart for the Chasefield family.

“Why am I suddenly being called to the Grand Duke’s house? What are they trying to ask of me?”

[A companion.]

“Companion?”

[Heroes can choose companions who will share the duty of protecting humanity alongside them. It seems they intend to select you as one of those members.]

⋯⋯That’s right.

It was a group by the name Hero Party, more familiar to Carlisle.

Drexler, Fanheimer, Vespa.

Carlisle, who recalled the Hero Party members from the ‘previous cycles’, fell silent for a moment.

The Hero inside the holy sword also fell silent.

“⋯⋯I won’t go into more detail about those times.”

[⋯⋯I’m grateful.]

There was no reason to keep picking at the wounds of someone who was repenting.

Whether that repentance could earn forgiveness for those deeds was also something that didn’t need to be debated right now.

“More than that, you’d obediently follow along just because someone else told you to do something so important? You of all people?”

[I was still quite young then. I remember listening to my father’s words reasonably well. He’s a parent, after all.]

“I can’t imagine it.”

[Well, after I crushed my father in one blow during a sparring match, I stopped listening even to that extent.]

“⋯⋯.”

Of course.

As Carlisle was glaring at the holy sword with narrowed eyes, the Hero casually brought up another topic.

[And, he probably wasn’t just aiming for a companion when he said that.]

“Pardon?”

[As I recall, father kept asking if there were any decent men among my companions. He probably had the intention that it wouldn’t be bad if things developed in that direction.]

“⋯⋯.”

[⋯⋯.]

“⋯⋯Really?”

[⋯⋯Don’t make such a disgusted expression. I understand the intention.]

The Hero sighed deeply and continued.

[However, it’s still a good opportunity. Your goal is to rehabilitate the past me, isn’t it?]

That was also true.

Carlisle stroked his chin and fell into thought for a moment.

‘Since I made such a bad impression from our first meeting⋯⋯ ‘

It would be a rough start, but let’s try to make it work somehow.

◆

⋯⋯He wanted to make it work somehow.

Sincerely.

If only he was given the chance.

“Die—!”

“Gray, my child, wait a moment and talk with this father—”

The Grand Duke, who had stepped in front of Carlisle and taken the attack that Gray launched without question upon seeing Carlisle, was coughing while trying to speak.

Seeing him smile while bleeding profusely from where he took Gray’s attack, it was clear this wasn’t the first or second time this had happened⋯⋯

‘⋯⋯Impressive.’

Mainly, the fact that he was still alive after taking Gray’s direct hit.

As expected of one of the Empire’s finest warriors.

“Father, shut up too!” 

“⋯⋯.”

“You said you’d introduce someone worth recommending as a companion, and you bring this man? There’s a limit to jokes—!”

Even that was shot down by Gray’s furious shouting.

Hmm.

Wasn’t this person’s character supposed to be maintaining composure at all times with an archaic way of speaking when thinking of their adult appearance?

The blood vessels bulging across the entire forehead, the bloodshot eyes filled with murderous intent streaming out.

This looked like a beast rather than a human, and there would be nothing to argue about calling it so.

[Utterly vulgar.]

‘That’s you, you know?’

[The vulgarity doesn’t change.]

‘⋯⋯.’

The consistency of standards was praiseworthy.

To be able to look down so coldly with contempt even when the target was oneself.

“How dare you subject me to such humiliation and then brazenly show your face? I’ll kill you right here!”

“My child, this friend surely didn’t do it with malicious intent. Right? Isn’t that so?”

The Grand Duke’s gaze urgently turned toward Carlisle.

His expression suggested that he should say something—anything—that might capture Gray’s attention here.

The desperate look in his eyes conveyed that if things continued like this, they would both certainly be beaten to a pulp.

‘⋯⋯No.’

Where was the sense in getting him involved in this mess and then asking him to do even more?

If he had his way, he would just leave dealing with Gray to the Grand Duke and escape the scene.