Chapter 1500: Thank You
The airship descended outside the Lesen family’s town. The one coming out of that airship was none other than the former Count Lesen, who was supposed to be exiled.
"My lord..." As expected of the captain of the army, he recognized him at first glance. "Sir... You..."
Count Lesen smiled and patted the captain’s shoulder. "Don’t worry. I wouldn’t come here if it’s still forbidden."
Elaine exited the airship as well and added, "My master has given permission to my father to return, Captain Johan."
"Young lady." The captain covered his mouth.
Elaine nodded with a smile, telling him that everything had been taken care of.
"I see..." The captain felt relieved.
"Where is Adam?" Count Lesen asked.
"This way, my lord." The captain hurriedly led him to the gate. Inside the town, the people were cheering. Whether they were the citizens or the soldiers, they were chanting two names. The first was the Ardagan family, while the second was Adam Lesen.
The Ardagan family had helped them resist the ancient demon, but Adam was the one who raised their fighting spirit so that they could crush the demon army.
In just one battle, Adam Lesen had proven himself to be the next lord of the territory. Although he might be lacking, there was no other person who could be as worthy as him.
Count Lesen couldn’t help but smile.
"Young master has grown so much..." The captain also smiled.
"Yeah. Do you believe in fate?"
"Fate?"
Count Lesen nodded. "During my exile, I have always thought about this. Is it fate that we had to fight the Ardagan family? Are we fated to be defeated?
"I have done a lot of things as a lord. Although I might not be a perfect lord, I still believe I did a great job as the lord of this territory.
"As a result, it was quite hard to hand over my position to my successor. People would compare me and him continuously, and I’m afraid Adam would be crushed by that pressure.
"However, once I was defeated, I was exiled. We were able to escape the annihilation... And this was when my children were able to show their brilliance.
"No, I might have been the one suppressing their brilliance this whole time. All the things I did had prevented them from showing their skills.
"And right now... Elaine has become an excellent person. Even if she becomes a minister, I believe she can do just fine.
"On the other hand, Adam has become a lord the people admire." Count Lesen closed his eyes. Their achievements had brought him to tears.
The captain smiled. He didn’t say anything, but he was just glad that it could be developed this way.
"Father..." Elaine’s body shuddered.
"I know that you have become Marquis Ardagan’s vassal from the way you speak." Count Lesen patted Elaine’s shoulder. "I’m sorry if I have been a bad father."
"No. You have always been a good father." Elaine shook her head.
"Thank you for saying that. I know that you are going to serve Marquis Ardagan from this point on.
"So, I will give you this advice. Do your best. It might be hard at times, but as long as you don’t give up, you are able to hold your head high."
A flash of memory appeared in her mind. She had been holding her head high. When the Lesen family was defeated, she felt the first humiliation in her life. However, that humiliation had become the most important lesson in her life.
Thanks to that lesson, she was able to grow this far.
"I think... I can already hold my head high. The past can’t be removed, and I don’t have any plans to remove it. Thanks to my past, I can build my future... a future that I am proud of."
Count Lesen’s face melted. Seeing his kids had grown up felt like a huge burden being lifted from his heart. He had maintained his appearance and endured all that burden all this time, but there was no need to do it anymore.
In the blink of an eye, it felt like he had aged more than ten years. However, this didn’t come from sadness. Instead, he felt relieved. It might be time for him to really retire and let the younger generation lead the future.
"Father!" Suddenly, Adam’s voice echoed from the side.
"!!!" Count Lesen was surprised. Adam had crawled out of the crowd after seeing his father.
Before Count Lesen could say anything, Adam simply ran to him and hugged him. "Father! Welcome back."
Count Lesen felt like his heart had been squeezed by an invisible hand. What had he done the whole time? If only he had done this sooner, his children might have been able to become even more capable people.
Count Lesen hugged him tight as if he were expressing his regret and pride at the same time.
After that, he turned to the people who were watching them.
Count Lesen stepped forward and said out loud, "Everyone. Please listen to me."
The people raised their vision. He was their former lord. Because he was good at governing, some people still admired him despite what happened after that defeat.
Count Lesen announced, "Marquis Ardagan has allowed me to return to the territory. However, I don’t plan to govern this city anymore. I believe that every single one of you has found a much better lord than me.
"That’s why I will announce this right now. I shall retire from my position and entrust Adam Lesen as my successor. From now on, Adam Lesen will not be the acting count. He will now be Count Lesen.
"I know that he might be lacking, but this is a request not as a lord but as a father..." Count Lesen lowered his head. "Please guide and support him."
Adam froze, tears swelling up in the corners of his eyes. Elaine covered her mouth as tears were already streaming down her cheek.
Without even raising his head, Count Lesen could hear the soldiers saluting and the people lowering their heads, acknowledging his words.
Count Lesen closed his eyes, his smile, although small, becoming the most sincere smile he had ever shown in his entire life.
He thought, ’Thank you...’