Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 6: Birthday

"You need not train today, Master Darn. The governor and the governor's lady are awaiting you!" Early that morning, Darn, who had forgotten everything in the throes of his torturous training, was greeted with this heavenly news. It dawned on him that he had endured a full ten days of hardship!

Oh, how wonderful! Today I shall see my mother, and I can show her just how much her beloved child has suffered...

Tears welling in his eyes at the thought of his mother, Darn seized the first opportunity in ten days to avoid the training grounds and instead raced toward the inner courtyard of the governor's residence.

Meanwhile, deep within the governor's mansion, in the bedroom of Governor Antonio and Lady Kliya, the couple exchanged glances-Antonio's eyes filled with resolve, while Kliya's face bore a look of reluctance.

"Antonio, must we really send Darn to Benetto? The child is still so young..." Kliya said softly, seated on the edge of their luxurious bed.

"My dear, it must be done! The Naglan Plains have not seen a drop of rain in six months; those savage orcs will surely invade the human kingdom in force. In such circumstances, Rutania will not be as safe as the capital!"

"But..."

"There are no 'buts.' Darn turns sixteen today. Even without the orc threat, I would still send him to Benetto. After all, only at the Royal Academy of Magic and Martial Arts can Darn receive a superior education and forge valuable friendships-unlike that fat son of the tax collector!"

At this, Antonio's determination only strengthened, and Kliya, recalling the reason behind her husband's earlier outburst, fell silent, refraining from further argument.

The couple exchanged a few more silent glances, and upon reaching a consensus, they finally exited the bedroom. In the courtyard of the governor's residence, a birthday celebration for the governor's youngest son was about to commence.

As the governor of Rutania and a count, Antonio and Kliya's banquet was naturally more elegant and grand than those of ordinary nobles. Early in the morning, guests began to arrive in droves, and the banquet hall gradually filled with attendees.

As the governor of a province and a count, Antonio and Kliya's gathering was marked by exquisite wines from the Cesania Empire, exquisite tableware crafted by elves, and musicians hired at great expense by the governor's residence-all of which underscored the uniqueness of this event.

Fresh fruits, soft pastries, fine wines, and melodious music created an atmosphere of enjoyment for the guests celebrating the governor's son's birthday. Meanwhile, clusters of nobles gathered in small groups, whispering to one another, engaged in hushed discussions.

What on earth are they talking about? Why do they look at me so strangely? And, and, and, even Teacher Larameni has come! He just smiled at me with such 'kindness'!

After hastily getting ready that morning, Darn rushed to find his mother, Kliya, but he found no opportunity to voice his grievances. This was not only due to Antonio's stern demeanor but also because of the guests who soon appeared before the governor and his wife.

"Congratulations!" The first noble to approach Antonio and Kliya presented a large red gift list.

Huh!? They are giving gifts for my birthday too? And it looks like quite a few!? Watching the old steward Antonello Stolfi accept the lengthy list and guide the guests into the banquet hall, Darn felt a surge of pride and satisfaction within.

As more and more gift lists appeared, Darn's pride swelled. With each list handed over to the steward, he felt that his reputation and connections in Rutania were quite commendable.

However, Darn, not entirely foolish, harbored a flicker of doubt. While I am the governor's son, and my father is your superior, is it really necessary to curry favor with him like this?

When he saw one of his father's generals presenting a gift in the form of an eighth-tier monster crystal, Darn's doubts reached their peak. Though he was usually proud, he had not deluded himself into thinking that his birthday warranted such an extravagant gift!

An eighth-tier monster crystal! That fool actually gave an eighth-tier monster crystal as a gift! What will he give me next year? This is so strange; I remember last year, they weren't this eager!

Walking alongside his parents, Darn was filled with confusion, so intense that he forgot to plead with his mother for sympathy and to assert his rights and freedoms. He also overlooked Kliya's splendid attire and Antonio's significantly more ornate clothing than usual.

In the time that followed, Darn found no opportunity to voice his complaints, for as the guest of honor, he was obliged to attend to the arriving guests.

"Hey, Darn, happy birthday!" A youthful voice called out, prompting Darn to leave his parents' side as his friends arrived.

Babu, Cassius, and a few others had come together, and these close companions quickly whisked Darn away from the noisy banquet hall into a quiet sitting room.

"Hey, Darn, why haven't we seen you around these past few days? What have you been up to?" Langiro asked lazily, sprawled on a sofa made of fox fur, lacking any noble decorum.

"Don't even mention it! I've been living in hell these past few days!" Darn replied, equally languid, his expression one of utter dejection as he recounted his trials.

"Oh!? Did your father punish you severely?" Langiro inquired, intrigued.

"Severely, extremely severely, quite brutally!" Darn weakly replied, then unleashed a torrent of complaints about his recent suffering.

"Seriously, is this even humanly possible? Even those condemned to hard labor wouldn't endure what I've been through! Even the orcs forced into servitude don't suffer as I have!" Having finished recounting his tale of woe, Darn indignantly questioned his friends.

"Uh, well, to be honest, I don't know," Langiro admitted after a moment's thought.

"You don't know!?" Darn exclaimed, agitated.

"Hey, don't rush me, buddy! I'm just being honest. I haven't been to a labor camp, nor have I seen those orcs mining in caves, so I can't really judge... But I do understand that you've had a rough time these past few days, and I empathize..."

Empathize my foot! Darn glared at Langiro, who was putting on a show of faux sympathy reminiscent of his father's bureaucratic demeanor. He nearly exploded with frustration. However, upon glancing at Babu and the others, who wore equally placid expressions devoid of any sympathy, Darn let out a deep sigh, lamenting the loneliness of life and the rarity of true friends!

Of course, among Darn's close friends, there was one who reacted differently. Augustus, hailing from a family of paladins, shared his own experiences.

"I must say, those stubborn knights and paladins are utterly detestable! My father once had his subordinates train me, and those fools, who only knew how to praise the Almighty and spent their days locked away in prayer rooms, made my life miserable for a time. It was truly a dark and dreadful period!"

Seeing someone who had endured similar trials and shared his sentiments, Darn felt a renewed sense of camaraderie with Augustus, feeling closer to him than to the others. Soon, Darn and Augustus found themselves seated together, voicing their grievances against parental authoritarianism.

However, their impassioned discourse on rebellion against tyranny was abruptly interrupted by a servant entering the small sitting room.

"Master Darn, the governor requests your presence. Your birthday banquet is about to commence, and Miss Eolia is here, eagerly awaiting to see you."