I Became a Sick Nobleman

I dont really know either. Ive always been here and watched, so maybe only the gods know? Ruel tilted his head weakly.

So what do you want to say?

The thought of being observed by the real Ruel Setiria, or whatever it was, didnt sit well.

Ruel chuckled softly at Hans words.

Dont be so hard on me. I just came to give my greetings.

What kind of greeting?

Ive died. Youve lived.

Hans eyebrows twitched.

Ruel struggled to sit up and looked at Han.

Perhaps I am nothing more than remnants of my soul, or a form born out of lingering resentment. Or maybe something else entirely.

Ruel chuckled again, sounding strained.

But in the end, does it really matter? I am grateful to have this chance to say my last words to you.

You seem strangely carefree.

Thank you, for everything.

Ruel expressed his sincere gratitude, causing Han to hesitate in response.

I I took over your body, didnt I?

I was already dead.

You fool.

Ruel smiled gently at Hans straightforward remark and reached out his hand.

Reluctantly, Han took Ruels hand, and Ruel held it tightly.

There was no warmth, just like when the unknown woman vanished.

Ruel locked eyes with Han.

Youve endured so much until now. I burdened you with the most difficult tasks because I couldnt handle them myself.

Yeah, well, Im glad you finally realize that.

Regarding my father and Setiria, thank you for everything. Now, I can finally find peace.

Ruels voice trembled as he spoke, pouring sincerity into each and every word.

My time has already come to an end, but I am so glad to see you like this.

Ruels smile widened. Dont give up. Promise me that you will keep on living.

Those words sounded familiar, reminiscent of what the king had once said. Han furrowed his brow and asked, What do you mean?

Kim Han. No, Ruel Setiria. Please cut the ties of this stubborn fate and dont create another like you.

What do you mean by that?

Ruel raised a finger to his lips.

Ruel Setiria was not alone.

Observing Ruel crumbling like dust, Han felt a vague force pulling him in a certain direction and closed his eyes.

***

Ruel Setiria is really you now.

With the last echoing words of Ruel Setiria, Ruel opened his eyes.

Are you hurt? Is something wrong? Leo asked, surprised to see Ruel.

It seems like you had a bad dream, Cassion said, pretending not to have seen anything.

Ruel felt the corners of his eyes moisten.

Taking a deep breath, he felt the void left by something vanishing, and he wiped away the tears streaming down his cheeks.

To ensure he didnt forget the clue Ruel Setiria had given him, he recalled the last scene he witnessed.

raising a finger to his lips.

Ruel Setiria was not alone.

The finger raised to the lips signified a secret or a gesture to keep quiet. In this case, it seemed to indicate a secret.

Ruel Setiria was not alone. If he wasnt alone, does that mean there is another Ruel besides me? No, that cant be right.

Ruel remembered the words of the king.

-You are not the child I saw before.

He didnt just mean that Im not the real Ruel Setiria.

-I am waiting for you. Do not give up. Hold on to that fragile life.

The words the king said to him.

-Do not give up. You must keep living.

The words Ruel Setiria said to him.

Ruel is not alone. Do not give up. Hold on to your life.

He kept remembering what they said.

In an instant, Ruel urgently sat up.

With trembling hands, he inhaled Breath and covered his mouth against the pounding sound that followed.

Crazy. This is crazy.

Whats wrong? Cassion asked anxiously as Ruels condition seemed strange.

This isnt the first time!

There had been others who had become Ruel Setiria before.

Someone had become Ruel Setiria and then given up.

They couldnt bear the torment inflicted by the Mark of the Great Man, nor escape the clutches of the assassin who now looked at him with concern

And they couldnt withstand the pressure from the Red Ash.

They had all died.

Really? Is this really true?

If thats true, how many Ruel Setirias were there?

What on earth was the ending of this novel?

Blood, color.

His breathing became too fast.

Ruel felt his vision spinning before his eyes.

Wiing.

Suddenly, a strange noise rang out, accompanied by a rush of blood from his nose. The sound didnt reach his ears properly, and the dizziness weighed heavily upon him.

Thud.

Ruel collapsed.

Ru, Ruel!

Ruels collapse sent Leo into a panic.

He called out to Ruel, overwhelmed by a mix of unknown emotions.

Ruels condition left Leo bewildered, unsure if it was due to the emotional turmoil.

However, the immediate concern was Ruels well-being.

Ruel-nim!

Cassion called out, but Ruel remained unconscious.

His pulse was weakening slowly.

Cassion found himself unable to respond effectively, as this wasnt a seizure or a condition he had witnessed before.

He urgently opened the carriage window and spoke to Aris.

Aris, Ruel-nim has collapsed. We need to head to Setiria immediately.

Understood.

Aris calmly replied with blood dripping from his lips.

***

Beep. Beep.

Ruels heart felt heavy as the mechanical sound echoed, a sound he hadnt heard in a long time.

His father lay helpless, eyes closed.

It was just a dream.

A damn dream.

His father had already passed away.

Yet, the sight of him brought overwhelming joy.

Ruel had always wished that one day, even in a dream, his father would visit him.

Dad, Ruel struggled to speak, his mouth opening with difficulty. He tightly grasped his fathers hand, now nothing but skin and bones, wrinkled with age.

Han, his father opened his eyes and looked at him, unlike in the memories of reality.

Han, a voice he had missed.

Ruel smiled and replied, Yes.

Dont try to follow me, just live.

I didnt follow you. I wanted to, but when I saw your memorial photo, I remembered what you said, so I just stopped.

Ruel finally spoke the words he couldnt bring himself to say before.

Live and do what you want to do.

But it doesnt work like that. Can I simply quit my job or live the life I want? If that were possible, I would have left a lot of insurance money or lived a more enjoyable life, rather than dying. Ruel held back the emotions he had suppressed, trying to contain them, and then spoke again. Dad.

His father silently looked at him.

I have a lot of money now. I can buy you anything you want.

But his father was no longer there.

His fathers face was becoming blurry.

I cant even go see you now. Is that why you appeared in my dream? If I had known, I should have extended the spot at the memorial park for another 15 years.

Ruel continued to tightly hold his fathers hand.

Are you worried about me?

His father didnt respond, but it was still comfortingjust to be able to see him like this.

Im fine. Really. Ive already endured and overcome other things, havent I?

Ruel smiled widely once again.

Come visit often, not just today. You dont have to say anything, just come.

He gently placed his fathers hand on his cheek and closed his eyes.

Please.

Ruel felt that it was time to wake up now.

It was regrettable, but he heard Leos crying sound coming from somewhere, which made him release his fathers hand.

***

Wiiiing.

He could hear the sound of the recovery power reaching its limit.

Leo, who had said he wouldnt cry, was crying, and Cassion was relieved to the point of showing his emotions.

It seemed like Cassion was saying something, but all he could hear was a buzzing sound.

Ill call Fran.

Finally, one by one, the sounds became audible.

Cassion hurried out.

He heard his footsteps for the first time.

When Ruel looked away, he saw something hanging on his arm.

Whatever they were, there were a lot of them.

There were blood bags among them.

Leo.

He could taste blood in his mouth.

He couldnt imagine how much blood hed thrown up.

Ruel, Ruel!

Leo came into Ruels outstretched hand and rubbed his face against it.

This body, this body thought Ruel was dying.

I wont die.

It was like you were suddenly stabbed with a knife, and lost a lot of blood. The fever continued, but Cassion drive me out on the way. Well, this body wanted to be next to you.

While Leo was talking, he continued to sniffle, so Ruel gently stroked him.

Just listening to Leo speak, he could imagine what his condition must have been like.

I never thought I would end up like this.

He didnt know that his body would deteriorate so much just from knowing a shocking fact.

No matter how many times Ruel Setiria had existed, now he could only move forward.

I never had the intention of giving up my life in the first place.

Ruel closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them.

It seems like Im the first Ruel Setiria to come this far.

Now he finally understood what the king was saying.

Perhaps what followed after the word again that the being had last uttered was now becoming clear to him.

Wake the king up and listen to everything. Sorry. Theres so little I can say, Im sorry.

Ruel recalled the words of the unnamed woman.

Is there a limit to what she can say?

The image of Ruel Setiria, who had given hints and turned into dust, came to mind.

So Ruel Setiria disappeared like that because he wasnt supposed to know?

Ruel looked at the IV dripping on his arm.

He couldnt recall ever being in this much pain before.

What if Im not fragile and I know something I shouldnt know?

It strangely made sense.

The door opened, and Fran and Tierra ran in together and collapsed in place when they saw Ruel waking up.

Thank God Im so, so glad, Fran just cried.

Your heart is

Ruel quickly grabbed Leos ear, who was still wiping his face with his hand, causing Ruel to feel dizzy.

Whats wrong? Leo looked at Ruel with red eyes as he sobbed.

Lord Ruel? You shouldnt move suddenly, Fran urgently got up from her seat to stop Ruels actions.

Understanding the situation immediately, Cassion lowered his voice and spoke to Fran.

I will personally inform Ruel-nim of that story. Please take care of Ruel-nims condition for now, Cassion said.

Understood. I was too hasty, Fran wiped away a tear that had welled up in her eyes and sat down to examine Ruels condition.

Cassion gave Ruel Breath and spoke briefly.

It has only been a day, so dont worry. Your condition may have worsened due to using magic while collapsing.

Cassion perceptive master would have understood.

Ruel nodded slightly as he inhaled Breath.

He understood what Cassion was saying.

His heart had stopped, and it seemed to imply that he had used magic for that.

No wonder my whole body hurts.

Ruel soon raised the corners of his mouth.

It seems like this happened because I was not fragile and knew something I shouldnt have known.

Gradually feeling the diminishing power of recovery, Ruel breathed a sigh of relief.

Thanks to the power of recovery, he seemed to have survived.

Even if it was the power of a Great Man, it couldnt have looked so good.

I should have realized that death was right in front of me since I met Father.

Ruel laughed. Are you okay now?

Leo asked, his eyes wide.

Ruel nodded and wiped away Leos tears.

I guess I cant tell Cassion.

Another secret had been added.

Author's Thoughts

Who's cutting onions in here?

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