After the old Elias finished speaking, Nevalis sat in silence, lost in his thoughts. For some reason, Elias didn't interrupt him and allowed him to reflect. But after a while, Nevalis realized he had been so deep in his internal thoughts that he had forgotten where he was. He didn't recognize himself at that moment—his mind was drowning in questions and confusion that he had never faced before.
He apologized to the old man for his distraction and quickly left. His mind was occupied with so many conflicting thoughts. Those moments had ignited a whirlwind of questions within him that he couldn't find answers to. How could the nobles, who initially seemed like models of honor and justice, turn into mere instruments of corruption?
As soon as he arrived at the inn, Nevalis went straight to his room. He closed the door behind him, then collapsed into an old wooden chair, not caring about its cleanliness or condition. His mind was somewhere else entirely, engulfed in a storm of intertwined thoughts. Now, he questioned everything: the nobles, the responsibility he had always believed was the essence of nobility, the concepts of honor he had read about. Were these ideas false all along?
"Had it all been just words in books?" he muttered to himself in a faint voice, as confusion seeped into his tone. These words echoed the feelings of disappointment that overwhelmed him.
His plan had been clear in his mind until recently: months of training, then taking the knight's test in one of the noble families, and eventually rising through the ranks. But after today's events, and the words he heard from the old man, his plan seemed to vanish like dust in the wind. He was
no longer sure if he wanted to be involved with these "nobles" again.
No, they didn't even deserve to be called nobles.
Nevalis gritted his teeth in anger and cursed under his breath, "Those bastards... who do they think they are? They've tainted the title of noble!" His words were filled with contempt and disgust. Every word felt like a stab to his heart because he had once believed that nobles carried the banner of honor and responsibility in the world.
But these people, as he saw them now, were nothing but animals in noble cloaks.
His tone was full of rage, and his heart pounded faster with the feeling of betrayal. How could those who flaunted the title of nobility tarnish this concept? They spoke of wealth and power as if they were the essence of life, controlling everything around them without regard for the principles
he had once thought to be the highest in existence.
"They've corrupted the image of nobility in my mind!" Nevalis shouted as he slammed his fist on the desk, his eyes burning with fury. "These people who think money and power are everything! Where is the responsibility? Where is the honor? Where is the nobility I read about in books?"
His disappointment deepened with every moment he thought about them. He no longer saw anything worthy of respect in them. To him, nobles had always been a symbol of responsibility, justice, and honor. But now, they had become tools of corruption and a source of injustice in this sick world. Their images formed in his mind like never-ending nightmares.
Despite the deep shock, Nevalis slowly lifted his head, and a look of determination began to appear on his face. "But I won't give up my title... I'll never be like them. I will be a true noble! More noble than all the nobles who have ever existed in this world!" These words were an internal declaration to himself that he would not let this corruption change him or derail his goals. He would never settle to be part of this filth.
Nevalis suddenly stood up from the chair, and with calm determination, he turned the chair towards the desk. He took out some papers and pens from his ring, which he had kept thanks to Edward. He couldn't stop a faint smile from appearing on his lips. The ring contained everything he needed in those moments—tools to record his thoughts and plans.
"That old man... he thought of everything," he whispered to himself as he began sketching the outline of a new plan in his mind.
Inside the ring, there was everything he might need—from weapons to pens and papers, even a battle armor, and most importantly, plenty of money.
Nevalis sat back in the chair, grabbed a pen, and began to plan for the future.
An hour later, Nevalis finished writing his future plans. His mind was still occupied with everything he had written, but he felt a sense of relief after putting his thoughts on paper. These steps were like a new map for him, a map that would lead him to his future as a "true noble" in every sense of the word.
Once he finished, he went downstairs to the inn's dining room, which was a simple and humble space. The walls were old, and the wooden tables were rough-hewn, some showing signs of frequent use. The light was dim, creating a quiet and modest atmosphere. The place felt completely different from the luxurious settings he was used to in the grand palaces, but now, he saw it as more genuine, reflecting life as it truly was.
Nevalis ordered from the waiter, "Bring me your best dish." He no longer cared much about food; what mattered now was having something to fill his stomach and give him some time to think.
The waiter returned shortly with a simple dish. It consisted of warm vegetable soup with chunks of potatoes and carrots, prepared traditionally with local ingredients. Alongside it was rustic, toasted bread—simple and dry, but enough to satisfy his hunger. Nothing fancy or luxurious, but the taste was appropriate, and the ingredients were fresh enough.
Nevalis felt the food wasn't bad; it was suitable for this poor region. It wasn't like the rich dishes he was used to in his palace, filled with spices and meats, but it was enough to satisfy his hunger. He finished his meal quickly, then looked at the waiter, who came back after he was done eating. He stared at him for several seconds, surprised at why he had come.
He momentarily forgot that he needed to pay for the meal. Once he remembered, he paid the price, which was just a few silvers. Nevalis was surprised—it was so low compared to the quality of the food, but he understood that life here was less luxurious than what he knew.
Nevalis left the inn, his next destination being the home of the old man Elias. After all, from there, his first plans would begin.