Prologue 2 -still they continue to dreamBearing many things.
Happiness, love, smile…
Sadness, hatred, anger…
Bearing many things.
Then, it was even more necessary that they continued to progress.
It was as if there would be no possibility for one to exist if they did not progress.
No choice but to progress onwards, no choice but to progress onwards…
Even if anything was lost, there was no choice but to continue.
But.
Was this true?
Was this the best thing to do?
No matter the trouble…
The time to make the decision was near. The time to make the decision was always near.
As long as one lived, as long as one had not died.
Sion sat on the throne. Looking at Froaude who was standing in front of him, he shrugged and said,
“…Then about the rebellion in Estabul, apart from Stearead, the other n.o.bles involved in the rebellion… Klasbel, Cleaude and Nuble are dead?”
Froaude smiled and nodded his head, “They were very brave. They reckoned that the duty of protecting Roland could not be trusted to the soldiers, so they went to the frontlines and died honorably.”
Hearing this, Sion was unable to say anything.
Because he knew that these were all lies. Galiad, Luxiona and Berl were involved in the war and then they were killed by Froaude.
“… Then, Froaude, why did you not kill Stallis?”
“Baron Stallis had decided to support me before the war. He can still be used. But traitors will be traitors. One day, he will be killed.”
“You would kill him after you have finished using him?”
“Can’t I do that? If he continues to live, he will eventually do harm to Your Majesty. He might even kill someone important to His Majesty. Someone like Fiole Folkal.”
“…”
Towards this, Sion…
“Yes… The matter concerning Stallis will be entrusted to you…”
Hearing this, Froaude smiled, “Please let me handle it. But…you really are the true king that I have always wished for.”
“…What does that mean?”
“… Nothing…”
Froaude turned around, “Please excuse me.”
Saying this, he left the throne room. Claugh and the n.o.ble that had recently joined the king walked into the throne room just as he left.
Sion suddenly understood Froaude’s reason for leaving.
The n.o.ble was a beautiful girl…
Looking at Noa Ehn, he said, “Oh. Claugh… Hey, Claugh, you didn’t take her to any strange places, did you?”
“Ahh? What do you mean?”
Sion laughed, “What do I mean? I mean that, of course. Please don’t smear Roland’s reputation…”
“Do I look like I would do that?”
Just as Claugh yelled, Noa said calmly, “Your Majesty, Major General Klom has given me a tour around Roland. Yesterday, he even took me to a bar where I could see strippers dancing…”
A moment of silence.
“What!?”
“Claugh!!”
Claugh and Sion yelled at the same time and Noa smiled, “He didn’t do anything like that. Rest a.s.sured.”
That meant…
Sion laughed, “You must have accustomed yourself to Roland. I’m glad.”
“Eh. This country surpa.s.sed my expectations. The people laugh happily. All this is because of Your Majesty’s hard work.”
“No, it’s too early to tell.”
Noa looked at Sion for a moment, “Yes, if Your Majesty thinks so, then there’ll be no problems. If it wasn’t a king who felt proud and satisfied with his country, I would not continue to say anything.”
Saying this…
Sion looked at Noa.
Her eyes were solemn. It was as if she was carrying a burden, just by standing there. He could feel her intentions.
Froaude’s opinion of her was like this.
“A very talented person. Very motivated, clever and strong. I personally wish that Your Majesty would take her as a concubine and allow her produce children for Your Majesty. If it is like that, no matter what, Estabul would be completely integrated into Roland… Even if you die, this country will have a good king.”
He even said that…
Her determined eyes matched Froaude’s opinion of her.
Although something like that had happened, she still could joke as if nothing had happened. Although she had lost everything, but she still grasped on to the matters that she had to do and continued to progress.
She could still smile at Froaude, who had taken everything from her…
She was a strong person, Sion thought.
But… Sion looked at how Claugh and Noa conversed…
Froaude’s wish of having Noa become my concubine seems as if it will not be fulfilled…
He shrugged and laughed. Seeing this, Claugh said, “Why do you look at us with that kind of expression? It’s so disgusting.”
“No, I just feel that Claugh’s relationship with Miss Noa is very good. This is very good. That was what I was thinking.”
“Ah? What are you saying?”
Upon hearing Claugh’s reply, Noa retorted, “Huh, is it because the other party is me that you feel unhappy about?”
“Ah? No, no that’s not what I meant… Sion you b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”
Sion laughed, “Alright, if you still have the time, then take Miss Noa around. Don’t look at me like that, Claugh, I’m very busy, you know?”
“I know that, you’re so naggy. Then, Noa, let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Watching the smiles of the conversing pair who were leaving…
Sion’s expression changed into one of sadness…
“…People smiling and a country where everyone can live happily… is that so?”
He mumbled to himself as he returned to his office and continued to read the doc.u.ments that Froaude handed to him earlier.
Then he looked at the letter that Iris brought from Ryner.
He relaxed on the chair as he read the contents of the letter.
As he looked out of the window, the thought that he had earlier appeared in his mind.
No choice but to progress onwards, no choice but to progress onwards…
But.
Was this true?
Was this the best thing to do?
No matter the trouble…
The time to make the decision was near. The time to make the decision was always near.
As long as one lived, as long as one had not died.
The people were laughing… the people were crying…
The time to make the decision approached.
“…Dammit…”
Sion cursed as he sat in his lonely office.
At this moment.
Talking about Ryner and company…
They were still in the city of Nelpha. They had become frequent customers to the canteen of the hostel, waiting for Iris who would bring news from Sion…
After eating a late lunch, Ryner who felt sleepy even though it was daytime, said tiredly, “Say, Ferris. From my personal point of view, I’m already very tired… I am already thinking of sleeping and eating my days away in this hostel.”
Ferris was sitting by his side and eating dangos. When she heard this, she said, “Yes. I also feel that a life of eating dangos and going to dango fairs is not bad.”
“But, it can’t be like that, right…”
“Mm-hmm. Yes. You should first think about reality. The main problem is money. If Sion doesn’t send money to us, clothes, food, living and dangos these four life necessities will be s.n.a.t.c.hed away…”
Ryner interrupted Ferris, “Ah, pardon me. That is, I have a question.”
“Eh, what question, Ryner.”
“I understand the issue about clothes, food and living as life necessities. But… dango?”
“Of course. How would humans continue to live if they don’t have dangos?” Facing the determined Ferris, Ryner said, “Ah, don’t mind that. Anyway, I thought you would say that. I was only confirming my suspicions. Because we will need to organize our plan of only sleeping and eating, right?”
“Yes. Let’s continue that. The problem is Sion is the main culprit. So I was thinking that we should cut down Sion’s head and steal his money. What do you think?”
“Oh, that’s not bad. Ah, but going to Roland is a troublesome affair. We can only trouble Iris and ask her to send the money over.”
“Ah, I see, there was this method…”
It was this nonsensical conversation again.
True peace.
Just by staying here, one would feel that actually there wasn’t any need to fight a war. Wouldn’t it be fine if they had a peaceful life of eating and sleeping… That would really be peaceful.
But.
This peace…
Would be broken.
“Obaa-san, we’re here again—!”
Upon hearing this, the lady boss shouted, “Ah, thank you for coming again!” Then she sprinted towards the front desk by the front door.
It was only a normal and unusual scene.
But Ryner frowned and exchanged looks with Ferris.
Then, “Why? Why are those guys here?”
“Eh, it must be because your character is not good…”
But that could not be heard. It was overwhelmed by an even louder voice.
Bang! When the door to the canteen burst open, that voice started yelling.
“Ahhhhhhh, we found Ryner!”
“Wa… it really was Milk? And the whole Taboo Breaker Pursuit Squad is here…”
“Luke, Moe, Lear, Lach! I’ve found Ryner!! Capture that slightly beautiful woman and Ryner quickly!”
“Roger that!”
“I don’t understand—ahhhhhh!!!”
Ryner shouted as he ran around the canteen with Milk chasing him.
Ferris sat the side, appearing to be very calm, “Oh, it’s almost time for the dango special sale. Good luck, Ryner.”
“Ah, you only think of yourself when you escape…”
But…
“I won’t let you escape! WHAT I SEEK IS THUNDER>>>—”
“Wa… This is an enclosed area, you know? How can you use this kind of offensive magic in an enclosed area… Aahh!?”
Just like that, although the situation was more complicated, but these almost peaceful days pa.s.sed by…
But.
Even though it was like that, the world had started to turn.
Slowly. Slowly, it progressed.
It was as if there was no choice but to press onwards…
Going forwards.
Bearing many things.
Anyone would be sad, anyone would wish for those peaceful days…
But that was before everything started to progress.