102 – Being an adult
The man who appeared in the hall seemed to reveal his identity with a single sword scar on his face.
A few in the crowd watching him felt choked by Yulken’s presence alone.
Also, the impression of him was quite different from the feeling that he seemed cold or blunt.
If I had to put it that way, would it be appropriate to say iron-blooded?
As his majesty, which has protected this harsh northern land, radiated from his body, his overwhelming presence drew the attention of men and women who became adults this year.
“Sorry to interrupt you while you were enjoying yourself.”
Yulken calmly accepted the numerous gazes directed at him and climbed onto the stage, albeit simply set up.
While handing out a brief apology for interrupting the good times among young people.
“Oh no! Majesty!”
In response, a man among the crowd reacted subconsciously without realizing it.
On the contrary, knowing that silence is a virtue at times like this, the man hurriedly covered his mouth and bent down to offer an apology, but Yulken didn’t care and smiled lightly.
No, it’s not a level that I don’t care about, but on the other hand, I felt grateful.
When he was young, he couldn’t shake the thought that he would be bored if he listened to the elders’ instruction or good words in their shoes.
Of course, persuasion varies depending on who the speaker is, and the concentration of listeners also varies, but that’s usually the case.
I was well aware of this, so in fact I tried to avoid doing this if possible.
It was because I thought that it would be enough for young people to congratulate each other on becoming adults and to have a good time together.
However, even if he is the ruler of the north, the pillow head lawsuit is always scary.
Until the day before yesterday, Helen had been in bed all day, saying that she had to say something, so she finally came forward.
“I believe everyone knows my name, but there are still many people who are invited, so let me introduce myself. It’s not enough, but it’s called Yulken Robeheim, who is carrying on the family business of the Robeheim family.”
Yulken, who walked alone without even that common attendant, revealed his name prior to the story.
I wonder if there is anyone in the aristocratic society who doesn’t know his name, but anyway, it was one of the most important acts before talking to someone.
“… … .”
clap clap clap-
In response to this, those who gathered at the table could not answer anything, and could only give enthusiastic applause.
How should I answer in the first place?
Even if you already know, you can’t tell the truth, and you can’t respond by whistling frivolously like watching a street band perform.
However, even if I couldn’t warmly welcome him, at least the heart in this applause was sincere.
The owners of the grand duchy had many achievements from generation to generation, but among them, Yulken Robeheim was a person who could be included in the narrative.
About 20 years ago from now, that is, before those present here were even born.
He was a hero among heroes who protected the northern part of the country without losing even once in the fierce battle against the aliens.
How many poems, writings, and paintings were poured out in honor of his achievements at the time, in a few lines?
There is even a theory that even the noble heads of each family stick out their tongues and even tell their children that they should truly respect Yulken Robeheim, even if they don’t know about others.
“Felix, isn’t this really a dream?”
“I know how you feel, but calm down. My legs are wobbly too, but I’m patient.”
If the female jin had a feeling of admiration for him, the men genuinely looked up to Yulken with awe.
This was especially true for those whose fathers had experience in the battlefield, or who had been through that war 20 years ago.
It was like seeing a real person who seemed like a legendary figure passed down from his father.
“The presence… You are on a different level. No, it should be said that they are of different races.”
“Idiot, what if His Highness hears?”
“That’s not what I meant. It is said out of respect.”
Some words leaked out among the crowd who had been silent for a while, but Yulken tried to ignore them, cleared his throat, and quietly opened his mouth again.
Scared to do so, even the voices that began to hum little by little in various places quickly died away.
That would be the case, because the moment Yulken’s words got in the way, it seemed that the annoyances of the people around him were no joke.
“I think it’s an honor to be able to gather all of you who have become adults this year. It’s not an overstatement, I sincerely think so.”
“We are honored, Your Highness!”
“That’s right!”
At Yulken’s modest words, his followers spread their words one after another.
It was because I wanted to express my respect for him as much as possible without interrupting him.
The people around them knew this, so rather than paying attention to them, they nodded their heads in sympathy.
A heartwarming smile appeared on Yulken’s lips at this, and he shook his head slightly and added a comment.
“To put it in words, it is a setting tide. You are now the rising sun that will lead this country. It meant that it was an honor for me just to gather you all here and say hello.”
Although the superficial owner of this country is the emperor, the values that Yulken has kept since ancient times were a bit different.
He, the emperor, and the owners of the leading families in each region are the same, but in the end it is just the setting sun.
Those who will lead the country eventually change to new young blood, and this has been the case in any era.
Just as he is about to pass on the family karma to Ariel and quietly retire to the back room, all cycles are like that.
This coming-of-age ceremony is a place where the new masters of such a country gather.
It means that boys and girls who have only watched what their parents do so far are now starting to hold their pens in their hands.
That’s why I willingly hosted this event today and came out like this.
Although he is the owner of the grand duke’s family, after all, he is a subject of a country, and they will become the new masters of this country.
In a way, I wondered if it was his duty to congratulate them on their prosperous future.
“Is there anyone who feels that this seat is heavy?”
Yulken, who was reciting congratulations to them, took a moment to rhyme and suddenly asked a question.
A few cautiously raised their hands among the crowd who realized that this place did not refer to the situation in which they faced Yulken, but to the coming-of-age ceremony.
Among them was Sally, who was standing next to Ariel, and the other three who stood by Ariel looked at her with a slightly surprised expression.
“Right. If you’re not rude, may I ask those who just raised their hands why?”
“… Because they don’t yet know what it means to be a saint.”
Among those who raised their hands, a woman in a light pink dress summoned up the courage to open her mouth.
It was a somewhat vague answer, but it was enough to make Yulken exclaim.
“Oh, that’s a good word. When I was young, I used to have my doubts.”
What does it mean to be an adult?
Yulken also asked his father when he was still 15 or 16 years old.
What the hell is an adult, so they celebrate it even with a coming-of-age ceremony.
If you become an adult, what will be different from now?
To that question, Yulken’s father answered with a wry smile, saying that he would not know even if he told him.
In the end, as Yulken also went through the coming of age ceremony without much success, he gradually came to a realization, and this is what I want to tell the people here today.
“From now on, you don’t have to listen to what I have to say. It’s just a word to throw out in the hope that you guys who will be adults won’t get confused.”
Yulken took his luck for a while, then cleared his throat before opening his mouth again.
Everyone gathered in the hall vowed to listen to him without missing a word.
“A coming-of-age ceremony is just a process of giving an opportunity to change your mind. Even if they reach their 19th year in the same way, some people will reflect on their position and make up their mind, but there are many cases in which someone still stays in their childhood as if they spent a lot of wasted time.”
According to the footsteps of life that someone has been through, it means that someone gradually grows mentally while living, but someone does not.
Yulken believed that this difference arises between those who realize that they have reached adulthood and those who do not.
And that helping this process is just a modest place called a coming-of-age ceremony.
“Then what is the difference between the two? It’s about reflecting on your own life. Those who raised their hands a moment ago must have thought that way since participating in this event. I wondered what changes would happen to me just because I had a coming-of-age ceremony at the very least.”
Most of the people who had just raised their hands at his words nodded in sympathy.
Some of them look surprised at how they matched their thoughts, each looking at each other with a look, ‘You too?’ I was busy asking.
“Some people believe that if I just go through a coming-of-age ceremony, I will be able to become an adult, grow older, and become like the parents they respect. However, I want to tell you this.”
After organizing his thoughts for a while, Yulken looked around and smiled lightly.
At the end of that line of sight was a pair of men and women standing affectionately by each other’s side.
Hopefully, it will help his daughter and that man as well, so he put his last words into his mouth.
“Don’t rush. But don’t stop. In the position where you were led by someone, the position where you have to lead someone will come someday. But please also know that it doesn’t have to be right now, and there’s no reason to run out of breath.”
Being an adult is a law that has duties and rights at the same time.
However, Yulken also knew the need to realize this early, and the fact that he couldn’t keep his childish mind forever.
“Don’t be overwhelmed by a sense of duty, but don’t try to wield rights. This is what I wanted to say to you.”
Finally, after saying congratulations on becoming an adult, Yulken took a step back.
Please, may the green sprouts in this place move in the right direction.
Although he had never prayed to a god even on the battlefield where his comrades were dying, he only wished that if there was a god, he would do it.