I Was Reborn in Another World, but Hold On – No Parents? Was I Abandoned? - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Keires Reynard

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Rosen Kingdom, Kingdom Army, General

Count Keires Reynard

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A recent report highlights an unusual occurrence in the Deltaar Great Forest, the kingdom’s highly monitored neighboring area, often referred to as the “Forest of Great Calamity.”

In the vast forest, not only are there C-rank magical beasts that only seasoned adventurers or a few kingdom soldiers can struggle to defeat, but there are also B-rank monsters requiring dozens of troops and multiple adventurer parties working together, risking severe injuries and imminent deaths just to barely defeat them, especially in the unexplored depths.

Although largely based on rumors, there’s talk of A-rank disaster-level magical beasts, and some go as far as asserting the existence of a dragon capable of annihilating an entire country deep within the forest.

Recently, there have been consistent reports that D-rank or lower monsters, which were rare occurrences before, are frequently approaching neighboring villages from the vast forest.

While these occurrences were rare in the past, the increasing frequency raises concerns.

It’s conceivable that an immensely powerful magical beast has emerged, or this might be the prologue to a calamity. If this story spreads, it’s inevitable that everyone will feel uneasy.

The Rosen Kingdom, one of the three major powers in the world.

Although currently positioned as the third most potent force in military strength, the contrast is like night and day when compared to smaller and medium-sized nations.

I hold the rank of General, second only to His Excellency the Marshal, within the kingdom’s army. In other words, I am the top of the military.

Nevertheless, this mission is rather straightforward.

Typically, such investigative assignments are entrusted to subordinates, but this time, I chose to take matters into my own hands.

I personally led a venture into the Great Forest accompanied by a few capable guards to assess the situation.

There’s even a chance that the adversary could be a magical beast of disaster-level magnitude.

In such a scenario, I also intended to avoid approaching in a large group, as I didn’t want to needlessly provoke the potential threat.

While not intending to delve too deeply into the forest, my plan was to go a certain distance.

That was my initial intention.

But upon entering the forest and venturing deeper, I couldn’t help but notice that something was indeed strange.

In an area where C-rank monsters would typically be present, there was absolutely no sign of magical beasts.

A plausible hypothesis could be crafted: a newly emerged, aggressive, and high-ranking magical beast might have surfaced, compelling other magical beasts to retreat.

This displacement could have resulted in lower-ranking magical beasts losing their territories, pushing them out of the Great Forest.

Nevertheless, if this were the case, proceeding further would pose a significant danger.

As I was considering turning back and reporting this to the king…

Just as I began to entertain this idea…

A boy appeared in front of my horse.

Although to call him a boy is an understatement; he’s still very much a child.

I quickly stopped my horse, raised my voice to signal my subordinates to stop as well.

Dismounting, I approached the child.

“Why is a child like you in this forest?”

“It could be the illusion magic of some hallucinogenic monster! We shouldn’t approach it without caution…”

One of my subordinates, a man named Tark, cautioned me.

“Shut up! Be quiet! Don’t you know that I have more experience and knowledge than you guys!? Besides, if it was a monster, we would have been attacked the moment we stopped the horses.”

Now is not the time for discussions, is it?

There’s a child in this forest.

First, it’s crucial to inquire about the situation.

There’s a possibility that his parents are in danger, right?

I shot a stern look at my close aide, one of my underlings, who, despite being competent, leans towards a rigid mindset.

“Kid… don’t mind him. He’s just a bit paranoid since it’s his first time in this forest. So, let me rephrase the question. Why are you here? Where are your parents?”

The child abruptly fell silent, gazing downward, and then cautiously began to speak.

“Um… I… I was abandoned by my parents… I’ve been hiding in a cave in the forest… um…”

Upon hearing that, I regretted my hasty remark.

If he had parents, they would probably be with him, and picnicking in a place like this is highly unlikely. If he were under attack, he would likely be more anxious and frightened.

I crouched down to the child’s eye level.

“Sorry… asked something bad… I see, abandoned by your parents… But you managed to survive well! In a forest like this… Well done! Kid, what’s your name? Oh, and your age! Um, can you tell me your age?”

“Um… I’m Arus! I’m 6 years old.”

Six years old… and abandoned in a forest like this.

That’s tough. For now, let’s keep it light…

Getting gloomy won’t help; it’ll only make the child more uneasy.

“Oh! Arus, 6 years old… Impressive that you can even use polite language! Have you been eating well? I only have rations, but do you want some?”

I took a piece of hardtack from my pouch.

“Um… I’ve been eating… yeah. I caught rabbits and found fruits in the forest, so…”

Well, he doesn’t look malnourished…

Staying in a cave suggests that some days must indeed have passed, but he doesn’t seem weakened.

But, hunting at six years old?

Wait… hold on.

“Rabbits?? Regular rabbits are here?? Kid, you’re truly a lucky one! But being able to hunt is amazing.” Despite saying that, I hadn’t fully processed the words.

This child is unlike an ordinary one. Not a demon or a beastman—undoubtedly a human child, but the aura he exudes is far from that of a typical child.

At times, I can notice it in his gestures, when he glances towards the forest, even the knights beside me don’t notice.

In that direction, even at a distance barely perceptible to me, there are magical beasts.

Upon closer observation, the knights I’m with are primarily combat-oriented, lacking proficiency in magic.

They don’t feel the discrepancy, but as someone who has properly learned magic, I keenly sense the overflowing… rather, seeping magical power from this child.

This child is… strong.

Perhaps an apprentice knight might find it challenging to keep up with him.

But being a child? Is that even possible?

If I hadn’t seen it myself, I would have thought the same.

I might have stumbled upon something extraordinary.

On the way to the town, in our conversation, Arus mentioned living in this forest for two years.

He doesn’t know the direction to the town… so it might not be a lie.

But being abandoned in that forest at the age of four, surviving, I can’t fathom the terror and hardships he must have endured.

Yet, somehow, I feel like I understand the source of the aura he exudes.

Abandoned in that forest at four, probably still not fully aware, but he must have desperately strived to live, made the conscious decision to take lives for food, and in that harsh life, his body naturally toughened, and he learned magic.

I vaguely remember hearing something similar in the past…

I heard that inherent magic and skills aren’t present from birth but are learned after birth, shaped by experiences and events during childhood…

However, very few people undergo such experiences in early childhood, so most individuals don’t possess inherent magic or skills.

Moreover, it’s said that before the age of 10, rigorous training leads to significant growth in combat ability and combat sense.

I somehow believe in this theory.

If that’s the case, living in this forest for two years, hunting magical beasts every day to survive, could mean that, despite being a child, Arus possesses combat prowess comparable to a knight.

It’s not entirely implausible.

If that’s the case… if this child continues training under my guidance, could he become the strongest knight, surpassing even me, known as the kingdom’s strongest person?

If a child like this were my son… he would undoubtedly become an admirable successor.

Even though we’ve only been together for a few hours, Arus exudes a charm that makes me think that way.

As the town came into view, I suddenly said.

“Hey… Arus, it seems like you don’t have anywhere to go. How about staying at an orphanage?”

“Yes… it seems safer than the forest.”

Arus answered, looking down, and there was a hint of vulnerability in his expression.

Perhaps he’s recalling his life in the forest.

“Yeah… Alright.”

No, that’s not what I meant to ask…

“Thank you for bringing me this far. I won’t forget this favor.”

A farewell vibe… he’s a genuine kid.

Hold on, how should I handle a moment like this?

“If you want, you can come to my house.”

Oh no, that was too straightforward…

“Huh? To play?”

No, not exactly…

“No, how about living with me? As my adopted child.”

Arus stared at me, his eyes widening in surprise. He seemed puzzled, understandably so, given that we had only met today, and I was making such an unexpected offer.

“I can’t be that presumptuous.”

I sensed the sadness in his expression. He’s still just a child, after all. Alright, let’s be straightforward about this.

“Well, to be honest, I wanted a son too. But, in our family, we only have daughters… and the priest told us that my wife can’t have any more children. Besides, you’re very bright. Not only that… but I think you can fight quite well, can’t you?”

Arus awkwardly lowered his head; it seems he wants to conceal his true abilities.

“Huh?”

“No matter how lucky you are, you can’t survive there without some level of combat skills. No, I should say more than just some. I heard something before… that living a life immersed in battle since childhood dramatically improves combat abilities. Could that be your case?”

“Your understanding of combat revealed in your behavior, your superior detection ability surpassing even our knight’s, as seen in the way you scanned the surroundings during our journey through the forest… You don’t look like a very fragile child.”

“I don’t understand why parents would have to abandon a child as exceptional as you. But if you were abandoned, I would love to have an outstanding child like you as my son. That’s what I’m thinking.”

It’s just speculation, but there’s a feeling akin to certainty. Looking at Arus’s surprised face, I could understand that it wasn’t a mistake.

With a face like a mischievous child caught in the act but also that of a seasoned warrior…

Arus… silently stared at me without saying anything.

The surrounding knights also remained silent, looking at me as if wondering what I was saying.

“If you go to an orphanage, you might get food, but it won’t be a satisfying amount. In comparison, I can guarantee a good life and meals. Just think about it casually… come to my place.”

The boy nodded silently, tears welling up in his eyes.

Now that it has reached this point, let’s take swift action! I mentioned adopting him, but being a Count, for future considerations, I should present him as my biological son.

I’ll need to modify the details accordingly.

My subordinates who observed the entire situation…

Well, a little intimidation should keep them silent.

Plus, they are earnest yet reliable. Moreover, I was initially frail and undergoing treatment at the villa. If I come up with a plausible story like that, it should be fine.

Moreover, being both a Count and a General, no one would cast doubt on me.

And I haven’t really done anything wrong.

I’ll raise this child into a warrior, a soldier capable of changing the current state of our nation.

Well, if he doesn’t want to be a soldier, I’ll have to respect that too..

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