I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 205
When Prince Tarek was still alive, Rufus had arranged for Nad to be transferred from the office to the cemetery under the prince’s name. An arbitrary reassignment with no legitimate reason—such was the filthy power of authority, convenient only for those who wielded it.
Rufus felt somewhat guilty toward Nad, but he had no choice but to move him to the cemetery. After all, it was far safer to have someone he knew in that position than an unfamiliar cemetery worker. And given that Nad owed him a favor, Rufus was sure he’d willingly offer his help.
The real issue lay with the other caretakers.
Even if Nad kept quiet, if any other cemetery worker reported to the royal scribes, it could lead to trouble. So, Rufus brought Sarubia along.
As the saintess who had recently appeared in Hevania, revered by the masses, her presence lent some legitimacy—if she came to pray for the princes, it was reason enough to gain access to the cemetery. Luckily, Sarubia’s status commanded respect among the cemetery workers.
Indeed, Saintess Sarubia’s popularity among the commoners even surpassed that of the king himself. Just look at these loyal people, ready to bow at her feet and heed her every word.
‘Keeping Nad around was definitely the right choice,’ Rufus thought, patting Nad’s shoulder encouragingly.
“It seems the nobles haven’t recognized your administrative talents and have hastily reassigned you to this place.”
“Exactly! Isn’t it too much?” Nad sighed, his heart burning with frustration.
Rufus handed him a small sack.
“Take this.”
“What… is it?”
Nad loosened the string around the sack’s neck, revealing a pile of gold coins inside—an amount he could hardly imagine earning in a lifetime.
“Consider it an investment.”
Rufus looked Nad straight in the eyes.
“Nad, you once said you wanted to study at the academy. Use this money to get in. It should be enough to support you until you graduate.”
“Sir, you remembered my wish to enter the academy…”
Nad’s nose stung, and tears welled up, ready to spill.
Perhaps he should amplify Nad’s sentiment a bit more.
Rufus firmly gripped Nad’s shoulder, his tone serious.
“Nad, you were my precious squadmate. Once a squadmate, always a squadmate.”
“But, Lord Rufus… You’re not wealthy yourself. How could you give me this much…”
Well, it’s not my money anyway, Nad. I swiped it from Prince Tarek’s palace before I left.
Rufus swallowed the thought, instead saying,
“I’m giving it to you because it’s you, Nad. I believe in you.”
With those words, he crafted a heartwarming ending.
“Lord Rufus…!”
Overwhelmed, Nad threw his arms around Rufus and began to cry openly. Rufus found the embrace of anyone other than Sarubia quite bothersome, but he decided to forgive Nad, who had clearly been through a lot.
With a shallow sigh, Rufus patted Nad on the back.
“You’ve done well, Nad.”
Now, when you leave the palace, spread the word about how the king mistreated Saintess Sarubia. The young nobles in the academy, who oppose the king’s policies, will eagerly listen to your stories.
Nad, from now on, you’ll become a tool to help topple the royal family. That’s why I kept you around.
Please, prove your worth to the fullest extent.
***
Three important pieces of news began to circulate swiftly within the Hevania Kingdom.
First, that Rufus, the hero who had slain the Demon King Audixus, had decided to return to his homeland in the Inferna territory.
The reactions from the commoners and nobles were mixed.
“After all he’s accomplished, he’s not even allowed to stay in the capital and is being sent back to the outskirts…”
“It’s clearly a demotion, tsk, tsk.”
“Oh, poor Sir Rufus. What a shame.”
The commoners clicked their tongues sympathetically. They were saddened by the news of Rufus’s departure from the capital, as he was widely respected among them. Rufus was revered as the great hero who brought an early end to the demon subjugation, a feat that saved countless lives.
Not only was Rufus a formidable fighter, but he also treated people with rare kindness. He showed respect even to commoner doctors, listened intently to the soldiers’ stories, and was far more approachable than most nobles.
