Memories: My Kingdom

Chapter 35: Knight

Mhir looked at Fedrich before she smiled. “Thank you.” She said. Her eyes are filled with gratitude. She has never met any humans aside from Leui. And she has never met any human that is kind aside from Leui.

As long as she can remember, she has never left the Central Plaza. That’s where she grew up, and thought that there where she would also die. But, she never thought that fate would let her meet Leui. That day, she thought that she just found a lost puppy and picked it up. Never would she have imagined that this lost puppy would change her life.

When she found Leui, she didn’t notice at first that he was a human. After all, the Other Shore of the Great River, or just the ‘Other Shore’, which is what the land of the other six races was called and where the Central Plaza was located at the heart of it, doesn’t have any humans in it. And the humans are hated by all the other six races, so why would they dare come to the Other Shore? So, she didn’t think that he was a human and just thought that he belonged to one of the other races.

So, she was greatly shocked, likewise her father who was with her at that time to accompany her in collecting herbs and finding any metals, when they recognized that he is a human. They thought that he was insane to come to the Other Shore. Because a human going to the Other Shore is equivalent to death. The other six races won’t let them leave him alive if they know that he went there.

She and her father fell into a conundrum. What should they do to this human? Although they also hate humans, they don’t hate all of them. In fact, they actually like them. They just resent them for being so unfair during the Great War. But, that doesn’t mean that they don’t admire Loheiruchel. They actually admire his strength. Also, they haven’t lived in the Great War era, so why should they feel a strong resentment about it?

So, she and her father brought Leui to the Central Plaza, where the other six races are most civilized. In fact, they don’t need to be civilized since it isn’t their nature. Their nature is being wild. Being civilized is what they learned from humans. So, Leui will be safe there, even just temporarily.

Just as they were prepared to ask him how he came to the Other Shore and who he is, as well as what is his purpose of coming, they didn’t expect for him to actually lose his memories! They were the ones who were interrogated instead. She is an honest dwarf so she answered each of Leui’s questions sincerely. She is also kind-hearted so she helped Leui in his life in the Central Plaza.

Of course, Leui faced racial discrimination at the beginning. They all thought that he was an eyesore and there were even some who wanted to kill him and eat him. But, her father is well-known in the Central Plaza as the chief of their dwarf village, so they greatly respect him. And since they know that Leui would definitely face rejection in the Central Plaza, they brought him to his acquaintance, Manager Mai, a cat beast, who is the owner of the biggest and famous inn – Rogues’ Inn, in the Central Plaza. This acquaintance is equally respected with her father. Thus, after she took Leui in to work in exchange for food and lodging, no one dared to bully Leui anymore.

If Leui continued to rely on their help, not only would they feel disappointed in him, but he would definitely not live long in the Central Plaza. Although they are kind, naturally they don’t want to feel exploited. It was them who helped Leui, not the other way around. So, it was Leui who owed them his life, a favor, and not them owing him anything. Also, even if they are innately kind and won’t abandon him, they wouldn’t continue helping him anymore if it happened. They have helped him enough. Although they wouldn’t help him anymore, with their reputation, no one would kill Leui.

If Leui ended up like this, who could he rely on, then, after they would cut their connection with him? He is in the land of his race’s enemies. Who would extend their hand to help him? On the contrary, they would definitely kill him in a moment of impulse.

But, fortunately, Leui isn’t this kind of person. He is reliable, and is hardworking. He is also honest, completely what they thought of humans. He is also very kind and amiable. Since Mhir and her father helped him, Leui did all he could to help them, even just in some measly tasks like finding herbs or reading books for children.

Yes. Leui lost all his memories, including understanding their language. So, he studied their language, and he is very smart! He understood all of it in just a short time! Thus, his popularity grew and many wanted to seek him to teach their children.

Leui went from being the most hated to being the most well-loved in the Central Plaza. Of course, there are still some who secretly resent humans and would antagonize Leui, since their hatred from the Great War couldn’t easily be removed. And this prompted Leui to finally leave the Central Plaza and go to where he belongs – the Human Kingdom.

“What’s the situation now?” Fedrich’s voice roused Mhir from her thoughts.

“There are no other areas affected by this Dream Weaver.” His subordinate answered. “No other people were also implicated.” He added.

That means, only one person is currently in danger.

Mhir’s eyes widened and she sharply turned to them. “You don’t intend to abandon Leui, do you?!” she asked.

She knows how despicable the humans can be – aside from Leui. They would act kind but secretly they would despise you, which Leui doesn’t do because he is sincere. The humans would abandon their friends in times of hardships, which Leui wouldn’t do since he is loyal. The humans would do everything for the sake of their interest and benefit, which Leui won’t do since he is honest.

In short, Leui wouldn’t do these human-like things, even if he is a human.

“What?! No!” Fedrich answered.

Mhir frowned. “You’re not lying, are you?!” she asked. “You must be deceiving me! That you would say you won’t abandon Leui and then buy time before you’ll finally give up and act as if you have done your all, but in fact you just don’t care of a single life, right?” she looked at Fedrich’s face. “One life in exchange for many… I know this!” she told him.

“Wha… miss, don’t just to conclusions!” Fedrich was flustered. “And calm down!” he added when he saw Mhir’s fierce, but still cute, expression, and was on the verge of crying.

“…'' Captain, you should also calm down. Fedrich’s subordinates thought as they looked at their captain who was at a loss on how to calm the angry but cute dwarf.

“We definitely won’t abandon him!” Fedrich said. His voice is resolute. “An honorable knight would stake his life to save everyone, no matter who or what they are. They would never forsake someone, even if the situation is filled with peril!” he said as he looked at her with a serious expression. “I, Fedrich, is an honorable knight! I will definitely save your friend!” he told her.

“A knight…” Mhir muttered as she stared dazedly at Fedrich.

She remembered before, during when she was reading a book, she found a word knight. She asked her father about it, but he answered that he didn’t know. She decided that she’ll ask the knowledgeable Leui. And he really has an answer.

Leui said that knights are humans who are in charge of guarding the monarch. But, when they don’t, they will protect the kingdom. They would gladly lay their life on the line to protect everyone, or even someone. This is their honor as a knight. They give their life in exchange for everyone's security.

Mhir stared at Fedrich. She didn’t know he was a knight. She has never met one before, much less a human, except from Leui. And Leui isn’t a knight. “You are…” she muttered.

Fedrich noticed her shocked expression and realized that Mhir doesn’t know their identities. He awkwardly coughed and flipped his hand upside down, facing Mhir. “I apologize for my rudeness. I am Fedrich, a knight, and their captain.” He said and glanced at his subordinates before he turned back to Mhir.

Mhir blushed when she remembered that she also hadn't introduced herself. “I am Mhir, a dwarf. The daughter of the chief in the Dwarves’ Village.” She said, “I have a human friend. His name is Leui. And he is now inside the Dream Weaver’s domain. Her name is Nem, and she is our acquaintance.” She told him. 

It was Fedrich’s turn to be surprised. '`You know the Dream Weaver?!” he exclaimed in shock.

Mhir nodded.

“So, your friend, Leui, rescued everyone by heading to the Dream Weaver’s domain by himself?!” Fedrich was surprised. He has never met any person who is willing to lay their life for the sake of others, other than the knights.