Expecting to Fall into Ruin, I Aim to Become a Blacksmith 117
I woke up on a soft, fluffy bed.
Comforting rays of sunlight were s.h.i.+ning from the window. The blankets were beyond smooth, they were almost slippery. The pillow seemed to absorb the weight of my head. What was this heavenly place?
I could hear the twittering of small birds. What if this really was heaven? Yes, I had fallen off of that red dragon and died. Surely.
"Brother, you're finally awake."
A human who can speak the human language? No, the n.o.bleman who I had fought before losing consciousness was sitting on a chair next to the bed. d.a.m.n it, he looked cool. The sun shone on his face in a way that enhanced his already good looks. If there had been a beautiful woman sleeping on the bed instead, this would be the perfect subject for a painting. It would be that painter's masterpiece.
"I heard all about it. You risked your own life to save me."
"Oh, is this a small show of leniency then? Are you going to show me a little heaven before throwing me into h.e.l.l? That pattern?"
"What are you talking about? Brother, there is something I must tell you as a representative for the others."
Eh? What? This is very scary. Please don't tell me it's the death penalty.
"Welcome back."
Rahsa took my right hand in his. It was warm and comforting. It was a man's hand, but somehow soft in spite of all his sword training. I wonder what kind of hand cream he used?
"Sniff…"
Hm?
"Uh, um, Rahsa!?"
Huge teardrops were falling from Rahsa's eyes. His cheeks were red and even his nose was dripping.
"Brother, I, I'm so glad you're alive!!"
"Huh? Ah, ah, okay. Yes, very good. Ahahaha."
"Waaahhhhh…"
For a while after that, Rahsa continued to cry into my chest as I held him.
Rahsa's hair smelled really nice. I would have to ask him the name of that shampoo. I now had two ideas for gifts to bring back to Eli.
Just as Rahsa's tears began to stop, three others entered the room.
The first was Rail Rain.
Sorry, they were so angry that I was silent. He said.
The other was Lady Iris.
Woah, her eyes looked super puffy. She must have cried a lot. I guess this wasn't what she had wanted all along? From the way Rahsa had been acting, that seemed to be the case.
And the last person standing there was a handsome man.
He was wearing very nice clothes. Something about him reminded me of Rahsa. And he had pretty blonde hair.
Well, I honestly didn't care whoever that was.
"Hey, he clearly just lost interest in me now. He hasn't changed at all in three years."
Now, now. Rail said placatingly. Was that guy important then? He seemed really full of himself.
"Well, where should we start?"
Rahsa read the atmosphere in the room and decided to take charge.
Where? Yes, where indeed.
"So, everyone here knows that he has memory loss?"
Everyone confirmed that they did.
"He says that he doesn't know anyone except Rail, who he met by accident."
"I know Lady Iris. I saw her near the castle."
"But that is it. Well then, let us do this. Just ask us anything. And when you are satisfied, will you tell us what you have been doing?"
Hmm, I would do so gladly. But would they really tell me everything I wanted to know?
"I don't mind. Alright, the first question then. Am I really Kururi Helan?"
"Yes, without a doubt. I, Rahsa Kudan, guarantee it."
"Hmmm. So who is that stuck up blonde one over there?"
I pointed a finger and the blonde man scowled.
"Haha. Don't be angry. That is my older brother. He is the first prince of this country, Arc Kudan."
"Oh…"
So he wasn't just self-important, he really was important. My mistake, my mistake.
"Huh? So are we all brothers then?"
"Why would you think that?"
The blonde man said aggressively. Hey, I didn't want to be related to him either.
"Oh, it's because I call him brother. You taught me a lot, and so I call you brother out of respect. But we are not related by blood."
I see. I wouldn't mind having a brother like Rahsa, but I would wholly reject to having a sullen brother like Arc.
"Okay, next. Did I do something unpardonable to Lady Iris? You know like se…xual…hara.s.sment…"
"Why would you think that?"
Prince Arc pounced once again.
"Because she ordered her knights to arrest me. And so I wondered if I wronged her in the past."
"I knew it."
"I'm sorry."
Rail was exasperated that he had been right. Lady Iris had tears in her eyes.
"There was a reason for that…sniff…"
Lady Iris was breathing heavily now, and so Prince Arc came to her rescue.
"Everyone thought you were dead. But Iris alone believed that you were alive, because of her dreams. You were there, but she said that you always ran away right before she woke up. You would laugh, ahahahaha with a stupid face and run away. I had heard about these dreams a lot, but I didn't think she would resort to arresting you on the spot."
"I am sorry."
