The old lady was teaching the children arithmetic.
Ryan squinted his eyes, surprised by what the old lady was doing.
This world was not like ancient China. In ancient China, due to the imperial examination system, there were many private and public schools, giving even commoners a chance to study. This was because the imperial examination was the only channel for social mobility provided by the feudal monarchy, so commoners would seize this opportunity.
However, the medieval background here was different. In a world dominated by lords and nobles, knowledge was a precious resource, and commoners had little chance to access it.
As a low-ranking noble, Ryan knew that while nobles did study, it was always behind closed doors. Commoners wishing to study in academies like nobles was almost impossible, even for those who served as companions to nobles.
Apart from this, there were two other ways to gain an education.
The first way was through the church. Priests would teach children to read, but the majority of what they learned was theological knowledge, varying greatly depending on the specific circumstances and the cultural level of the priest. Similarly, if a child was discovered to have magical talent, they could be taken by the Garon Council or the Imperial Royal Academy of Wizards, which also provided an education.
Regardless of the method, it required a significant amount of money, which most common farmer families could not afford.
The second way was more complicated and involved apprenticeship (mentorship).
Therefore, most commoners lived their entire lives knowing only a few words. If a commoner could read and write a few hundred words and do basic arithmetic, they could become a leader among commoners and be highly respected in old age.
However, this simplicity had its benefits. With such simple minds, commoners were less likely to be corrupted by chaos.
"Ignorant minds are easier to fill with loyalty and faith."
—Brittany Knight King "Tiger" Denois-Jean-Richard
Yet here was an old lady teaching a group of children arithmetic, using small wooden sticks as aids. This couldn't help but make Ryan feel goodwill and interest; such actions indicated that the old lady had a notable background.
After a short class, the children eagerly asked questions, and the old lady patiently answered. Seeing the children's happy smiles, her wrinkled face also lit up with a smile. Her gray hair fluttered freely in the morning sea breeze, as if something had brought her joy.
Seeing the children's eager, learning faces, Ryan didn't know what to say. As someone from a scholarly background, he had once hated studying, hated learning, and didn't want to go to school, seeing it as a daunting task.
It was only after coming to this world that he realized how precious the opportunity to study was. Most commoners would live their entire lives in ignorance and blind obedience.
That was truly terrifying.
At the same time, Ryan felt a heavy burden in his heart. He knew too much but had no one to confide in. He longed for a brother with whom he could talk freely.
But it was impossible. His brothers were either missing, dead, or had turned to chaos. He had no one to talk to.
As for his father… Ryan shook his head painfully. Each time he received a dream message from his father, it brought him pain.
Communicating with his father was inherently difficult and painful. There was possibly no familial love between them, only use and being used. His father had high expectations of him, and sometimes he didn't know how to face those expectations. While his father might not have completely regarded him as a tool, Ryan knew he needed to have the awareness of being a tool because he was still too weak.
He was not yet qualified to be a player in the grand scheme.
While Ryan was lost in thought, Teresa gently patted his shoulder. "Ryan?"
"Sorry, I was a bit distracted." Ryan quickly regained his composure, smiling at the concerned sorceress. "What's wrong? Don't want to stand here with me? You can go somewhere else if you'd like."
"That's not it. I'm your partner. I won't take orders from you, but I won't abandon my partner either." In a short few minutes, Teresa seemed to undergo an incredible transformation. She smiled maturely at Ryan and adjusted her glasses with her finger. "So, Mr. White Wolf Knight, did you learn anything from the children's arithmetic class?"
She then extended her right hand, taking Ryan's left hand. "Promise me, Ryan, we'll face everything together from now on, okay?"
"No more of your spoiled tantrums?" Ryan chuckled.
"I never had the right to throw tantrums at you. I've been overestimating myself." The sorceress shook her head gently, her dazzling black hair swaying. "Until I can prove I'm worthy of being your partner, I won't lose my temper at you again."
"Then once you prove yourself, will you go back to throwing tantrums?" Ryan didn't buy it and spoke coldly. "Have you ever considered me your partner? Or am I just a guard summoned at your convenience, or a bodyguard you've hired?"
"Do you know why the Garon Council isn't as popular among nobles as the Imperial Royal Academy of Wizards?" Ryan turned to face her, his blue eyes locking onto her silver pupils. "Because you don't understand respect. No one is born inferior. Emperor Charlemagne herded cattle and harvested wheat in his youth. Emperor Ludwig worked in the fields. I was once a weak child, fighting stray dogs for fruit. Do you think all men need to prove themselves to you before earning your respect?"
"So, everyone in your eyes starts off as useless and inferior? Do you know why Virald treated you so poorly? Because he was once looked down upon by a Garon council member in his youth."
The sorceress wanted to retort, as this was contrary to her upbringing. But seeing Ryan's cold gaze, she knew that if she argued now, their friendship would end, and they might not even remain partners.
The thought of becoming strangers with Ryan filled her with discomfort.
No, she didn't want that!
The intense clash of thoughts caused the sorceress to close her eyes in pain. Her mind was in chaos, with golden-red and blue magic flaring uncontrollably.
Ryan's light blue psychic energy converged in his hand, instantly shattering Teresa's outburst of magic. He stood still, quietly watching her struggle with her decision.
Changing one's mindset wasn't an overnight process, but Ryan had opened a breach in Teresa's rigid thinking. Now it was up to her to decide.
Would she forever stay sheltered, or open her eyes to see the world outside?
After five minutes, Teresa opened her eyes, exhausted. She held her head, unsteady on her feet. As a sorceress of both ice and mind magic, her uncontrolled thoughts could harm her.
Ryan gently pulled her into his arms, hugging her lightly and patting her back before letting go. "Have you decided? Tell me your answer."
Teresa's eyes seemed to speak. Her gaze circled the White Wolf Knight before she finally nodded. "I understand your suggestion. I'll try to broaden my perspective and treat everyone more equally."
"Good." Ryan finally nodded in satisfaction.
The beginning was always the hardest. Teresa's exceptional talent and knowledge meant that if she took this first step and lowered her pride, her future would be very promising.
"So, take me around these days, okay?" The sorceress placed her small hand in Ryan's large one. "I need your guidance."
"Guidance is too strong a word. But if you like, I'd be delighted to have a beautiful lady accompany me. It always puts me in a good mood." Ryan nodded.
The woman wanted to say more, but Ryan had already shifted his attention back to the old lady.
The old lady showed impressive composure, continuing her lesson without rush despite a knight and a sorceress watching. The children were a bit nervous under the noble's gaze, but the old lady patiently explained until all the children understood.
The lesson ended, and one of the younger children began pestering the old lady for a story. "Nora Grandma, tell us a story!"
"Yes, tell us a story!" The children insisted, surrounding the old lady.
Unable to refuse the children, the old lady began a story. "Alright, today I'll tell you the story of Charlemagne, from over a thousand years ago."
"A long time ago, the world was in turmoil. Beasts and monsters roamed freely. Humanity was very weak, reduced to being food for monsters. Only in a few places did people gather, forming tribes to barely maintain their rule..."
The old lady was telling the famous story of Charlemagne, a tale well-known across the continent. Seeing this, Teresa grew a bit impatient, but Ryan gestured for them to listen.
With her small hand held by the man, the sorceress gave him a dissatisfied look. Garon council members always had their own principles and methods. If she had something to do today, she wouldn't stay to listen to a story.
"The Twelve Paladins of Charlemagne, the greatest knights, gathered under Charlemagne's banner. They included the greatest knight Roland, the barbarian from Monteban, Renaud! The Archbishop of Justice, Turpin! The wizard Malagigi! The fairy-blessed Ogier! The handsome and brave Astolfo! And others..." Nora Grandma kindly recited the names of the Twelve Paladins, captivating the children with their longing looks. "To reward the Twelve Paladins who helped him establish the empire, Charlemagne sought out the Dwarven High King, his best friend, Khazadni! The dwarves' forges worked day and night, and after years of crafting, the finest materials
were used to create the Holy Swords! Each Holy Sword radiated divine light!"
This was the origin of the Elector Count's swords, Ryan thought.
After unifying the empire, Charlemagne asked his friend, the Dwarven High King Khazadni, to craft weapons. The dwarves used all their skills and efforts to create thirteen Holy Swords. These divine weapons became symbols of the Emperor and Elector Counts' authority after Charlemagne's victory over the Chaos army and his subsequent disappearance. Over a thousand years of transmission, only five of the thirteen Holy Swords remained with the Elector Counts, including the "Golden Sword" Joyeuse held by the current Emperor Karl-Franz Friedrich. The rest were lost.
However, Karl-Franz rarely used the Golden Sword, preferring the dwarven-gifted treasure, the Warhammer "Skullsplitter" Ghal Maraz, the symbol of the Human Emperor.
Dwarven Warhammers—those who used them knew their excellence, and everyone praised them.
"Besides the Twelve Paladins, children, listen to me. There was a Thirteenth Paladin in Charlemagne's plan!" Nora Grandma continued. "Charlemagne wisely foresaw that one day, good would not triumph over evil. One day, evil would return. When humanity could no longer resist the invasion of evil, and the world was engulfed in darkness, the Thirteenth Paladin would wield the Fourteenth Holy Sword, 'Nemesis,' and descend to bring light and strength back to the world!"
This was the most interesting part of the story. The legend of Charlemagne had many versions, but all pointed to the existence of a Thirteenth Paladin, the "Future Paladin," besides the Twelve Paladins who founded the empire.
"Do you believe this story? I wouldn't have pegged you as an idealist. Do you really hope for the so-called Thirteenth Paladin to save the world?" Teresa noticed Ryan was lost in thought, feeling both amused and annoyed.
"So, do you believe it?" Ryan retorted.
"...Believe it, but also don't believe it." Teresa shook her head. "In fact, our internal Garon documents confirm the existence of the Thirteenth Paladin and the Fourteenth Holy Sword. This is certain, as many deities witnessed 'Nemesis' being cast into the Warp."
"But during the Great Holy War 150 years ago, the mysterious knight never appeared. Savior Emperor Ludwig was proven not to be the Thirteenth Paladin, as the Holy Sword 'Golden Sword' belonged to the Emperor." The sorceress combined her view with a conclusion. "Despite this, most of the Empire's people and nobles still believe that when humanity faces its final crisis, the Thirteenth Paladin will appear to save the world."
"So, Ryan, do you believe this story?" The sorceress casually asked.
"I believe it. I've always believed it."
The man's gaze was deep, looking firmly into the distance.
If I don't believe in myself, who else can I believe in?