[IYFILWATIP] Chapter 19

Jade lifted the corners of his mouth in a smile. They had used the vague term "deceased" to describe his mother, likely out of a pretence of respect since she was a countess. But the actual cause of death was suicide. 

His mother had committed suicide, and his two brothers had gone missing. But in truth, it wasn't really "missing"—it was more like they had fled in the dead of night, unable to endure the mercenary life that was akin to slavery. 

Jade had already learned the true cause of his mother's death and the whereabouts of his brothers through another messenger. Therefore, this letter held no significance for him. 

He felt nothing more than the thought that what was inevitable had finally happened. He wasn’t particularly sad; he accepted it with calm indifference. This was something he had expected ever since a few years ago when the count had failed to repay his debts and had to sell off the main estate and lands in Cheerio. 

A noble who lost their main estate and lands could no longer be considered a noble. All that remained were the scorn and ridicule for those who had failed to preserve the name and honour that their ancestors had built. 

"Jade, don’t worry. Even if I lose my mind, I’ll protect the Eclipse name. If we sell off this estate and the land, what would we have left?" 

"Keep your word, Mother. You must keep it." 

But even as he said it, Jade didn’t believe his mother’s words. The Count of Eclipse had long ago abandoned even the bare minimum of responsibility and dignity. 

"…I knew it would come to this." 

"Why? Did you finally go bankrupt?" 

"Mind your own business." 

Jade brushed off Zelda, who was trying to peek over his shoulder at the letter. Undeterred, Zelda followed him, laughing. As if the mockery she had just delivered wasn’t enough, she sang a messy melody with nonsensical lyrics as they descended the creaky stairs. 

"Oh, our noble lord was the shining Eclipse. They even appeared in the founding myth, had lands in the central region, and are the patron saints of our guild! But the Eclipse family went bankrupt, and the son of Eclipse ended up in a mercenary guild, doing all sorts of dirty work and trembling over a single coin, just like us!" 

Downstairs, the guild members who had been listening to Zelda’s words with interest began to sing along. The sound of clinking glasses and a bard’s lute provided the accompaniment. 

"Oh, poor Eclipse. Pitiful Eclipse! Driven mad by love, they finally fell!" 

With a flushed face, Zelda staggered around with the others, who were equally drunk, their arms around each other's shoulders. She then climbed onto the dining table surrounded by mercenaries and shouted loudly. 

"Hey, noble lord, you’d better work hard as a mercenary and buy back those lands! I’ve got a really good job offer; want to join me?" 

"No." 

"Oh, come on! Let’s go together. It’s an easy, comfortable job that pays well! And it’s something our guild master Beatrice personally asked me to do! It’s not an opportunity that comes around every day. I was going to do it alone, but I’ll bring you along too. Isn’t that great?" 

"I said no." 

"Leave him alone, Zelda. Our noble lord doesn’t do anything that displeases him, even if his family’s going under." 

Someone’s mocking remark was followed by raucous laughter behind him. 

Jade ignored them and left the first floor, which served as a tavern, and headed for the church located across the street. It was a small stone building that housed the patron saint of their guild. Although it wasn’t large, it was the only shrine in the area with a resident priest, so it was frequented by many. 

Old customs have a strong hold, so even the mercenaries who scoffed at things like the seven virtues and commandments would often leave coins at the altar before setting out, praying for a safe return. 

Jade roughly pushed open the sandalwood door. The statue of the goddess Theresia still wore a faint smile in the semicircular alcove draped with a veil. A young priest, who had been dozing off, peeked out of the prayer room at the sound of footsteps and then rushed over excitedly when he saw Jade. 

The priest had grown quite attached to Jade after being saved from a drunken mercenary’s beating. He was endearing but also a bit of a nuisance. 

"Brother Jade, what brings you here? Have you finally decided to serve Lady Theresia?" 

"I told you before, didn’t I? The day I kneel before Theresia is the day you should call for a healer, not celebrate. It means I’ve finally gone mad." 

The little priest, his hair braided into two pigtails, looked crestfallen at Jade’s response. But he quickly recovered and clenched his fists, determined to convince him. 

"Brother, I’m not asking you to devote your life to the goddess like I did. I’m just worried about you. You’ve been through a lot... You should at least try a simple prayer before going on a long journey, like the other mercenaries. It’ll ease the burden on your heart. Besides, our church is dedicated to Saint Yuri Eclipse, who is your ancestor! Isn’t that a wonderful fate?"