Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 16: Honor

As Darren brooded angrily over his proud status as a pure, innocent virgin, Langiro spoke again, his tone sultry and irresistibly tempting, like a devil from the underworld.

"Darren, this is a golden opportunity! You have no one to restrain you now, so if you were to showcase the charm of the son of the governor of Ruthtania, I believe many girls would be eager to crown you with a pure flower wreath. Even that girl who has been glaring at us-if she knew your identity, hehehe!"

Though Langiro was a scoundrel, there was some truth in his words. However, merely seeking a bit of amusement during the journey at the cost of his purity-wouldn't that be unfair to Eolia!?

Recalling the many girls in Ruthtania who were willing to be flirted with by the governor's son, and thinking of Eolia's elegant and serene face, Darren found himself in a quandary.

Yet, his internal struggle did not last long, for Langiro's words ignited his anger.

"Tch, a lustful heart without the courage; a virgin boy is indeed just a decorative pillow!" Langiro muttered, seemingly not wanting Darren to hear, but in truth, Darren heard him loud and clear, as did Bab, the chubby boy who had been complaining about the inn's dilapidation.

Glaring fiercely at the feigning innocence of Langiro and then at Bab, who nodded in agreement, Darren abruptly pushed the table aside and stood up with a start.

Under the gaze of all, Darren strode forward with determination, his eyes fixed on the common girl, his mind set on a singular thought: to make her my maid, to make her my woman, to quickly become a true man!

Years later, when Darren reflected on the events of this day, he would feel immense regret for his ignorance and immaturity. Yet at that moment, all he knew was that being mocked by his good friends for being a virgin was a matter of great shame, and if he wished to avoid ridicule and be acknowledged as a grown man, he must quickly possess a woman!

But? A true man does not need to prove himself through women; he can only do so through blood, honor, and responsibility. Of course, at sixteen, as Darren approached the fair common girl, he had no understanding of the burdens that true manhood entailed.

"This esteemed noble sir, what do you intend to do?" A young man stood up, blocking Darren's path, and his companions rose behind him.

"Knowing I'm a noble, how can you be so rude?" Darren said impatiently, casting an annoyed glance at the young man obstructing his view. "Step aside; you're blocking my way!"

"No, as a man, I must protect my sister. If you have something to say, please speak to me!"

Without yielding, the young man asserted, his plain yet earnest face radiating a sense of righteousness. Unfortunately, Darren paid no heed to the expression on the young man's face; he was solely focused on his singular desire: I must lose my virginity, I must lose my virginity...

"Oh, so you're the brother of that girl behind you!? Very well, as her brother, you must have the authority to make decisions, correct?" Darren paused, then felt a surge of joy.

"Make decisions!? What decisions? Please elaborate."

"Well, I am on my way to the capital, Beneto, but I lack a personal maid, and I believe your sister should have the honor of serving a great noble. What do you think?"

Darren raised his chin, looking down at the young man, speaking in a tone laden with condescension. Especially when he noticed several men in the old inn casting envious glances, his pride swelled further.

"A personal maid?" The young man was momentarily taken aback, glancing back at his sister, who, while not conventionally beautiful, possessed a calm demeanor and a gaze filled with determination and pride that rivaled Darren's.

"I'm sorry, if you seek my sister for that purpose, then I must say she does not have that honor!" Understanding the meaning in his sister's eyes, the young man turned back, speaking with seriousness and resolve.

"What? You dare refuse me!?" Darren was stunned; he had never anticipated being rejected. However, this refusal only intensified his interest in the girl, who had initially been a mere target for mischief.

"Fool! Have you lost your mind? Do you realize what you're rejecting? Think carefully; you just turned down an offer that could bring wealth and honor to your family!"

After a moment's thought, Darren spoke again, having already deduced the reason for his rejection. This country bumpkin surely had no idea of the benefits that came with being a noble's personal maid! Darren thought to himself.

"I don't need to think. My family may not be wealthy, but we do not need to sell our kin for prosperity. As for honor, sir, I am currently on my way to the military camp in Ditlan, and soon I shall wield my sword to earn honor for myself and my family!"

The young man's words left Darren momentarily speechless. Though he quickly regained his composure, he was infuriated to realize he had been rejected once more!

Damn it, this commoner has rejected me twice! Unable to resist, he glanced back at Langiro and Bab, and when he turned back, a surge of fiery anger consumed his mind.

"Fool! How dare you compare an honor that is as elusive as a shadow to noble honor! This is an insult to me, an affront! Very well! Since you claim to be a soldier, draw your sword and let me see what you're truly capable of!"

With that furious declaration, Darren stepped back two paces, extending his arm to reveal a finely decorated noble's rapier.

With a whoosh, the old inn erupted into a clamor, but as the three noble youths cast cold glances, silence swiftly fell over the crowd.

"Draw your sword! Ignorant fool!" Darren shouted again, sweeping his arm downward, unleashing a fierce gust of sword wind that sliced through the air toward the young man.

"By the gods above, is this fighting spirit!?" someone gasped in astonishment, while the young man, who had twice refused Darren to protect his sister, turned pale.

Fighting spirit was a skill only nobles and those fortunate enough to become powerful warriors could learn. For ordinary commoners, the only way to acquire such a skill, which greatly enhanced one's abilities, was to join the military. Yet even as a soldier, the fighting spirit learned would only elevate an ordinary person to a third-tier warrior at best!

But now, an ordinary commoner was facing a noble with fighting spirit, which naturally instilled fear in the young man and his companions.

The young man's transformation did not go unnoticed by Darren and his two companions. As Darren reveled in his own intimidation, Langiro and Bab, not wishing for the situation to escalate too seriously, approached.

"Alright, alright! Darren, this guy is just an ordinary person, not some powerful warrior. Fighting him wouldn't be dignified. Uh, you there, be sensible; here, take this. This gold coin should suffice!"

A gold coin arced through the air, glinting as it landed on the floor before the young man, drawing the attention of many.

"See, if your sister were to accompany my friend, she would no longer have to toil and suffer. She would live a life beyond your wildest dreams, and you, your family would..."

"I refuse!" The young man, glancing back at his sister but not even looking at the gold coin, gritted his teeth and spoke slowly.

"What!?" This time, both Langiro and Bab displayed anger.

"My family may be poor, but that does not mean we lack dignity. So, sir, please take back your gold coin! I am willing to continue this duel with this noble!"