Chapter 56 – Afterwards
「Sakura-sama! You’ve woken up!? Thank goodness…」
When I looked around the room with my head in a daze, Chiffon-san, who just entered the room, opened her eyes in surprise for an instant, then immediately rushed over to my side.
「Chiffon-san…? Huh? I…?」
I wonder why Chiffon-san is here? If Chiffon-san is here, that means, this place is the castle?
Why am I here…?
If I remember correctly, I went jogging, then got abducted by some weird men…
「tsu tsu tsu」(note: sound of sucking in air(?), not sure)
My body trembled after I remembered.
Right, that ojou-sama made me drink that drug…
「Sakura-sama? Are you feeling unwell?」
I got startled by Chiffon-san’s concerned voice and looked up.
That’s not good, I’ve made them worry.
I’m okay. Nothing… should’ve been done.
Even when I try to recall the events of that time, as if a haze appeared after I drank that drug, I couldn’t remember it clearly.
However, I believe the worst case scenario didn’t happen.
「No, I’m okay. Leaving that aside, why am I in the castle?」
Although I feel nauseated when I try to remember, I somehow held it back and tried asking.
「Sakura-sama…… do you not remember? Sakura-sama hasn’t woken up in two days you know?」
Two days…? Was I sleeping for two days?
「Sakura-sama, are you not hungry? Since you were sleeping this entire time, it would be better to eat something ne. Let me bring something, even if it’s soup.」
Without saying anything further, Chiffon-san left the room.
I somewhat understand that I’m being immensely looked after.
After my head cleared a little, I looked around the room once again.
……I’ve seen this several times, the castle’s guestroom.
As for my clothing…… it’s a thin nightgown1. I wonder if Chiffon-san changed my clothes?
While I was somewhat thinking of such things, Chiffon-san returned.
「Sakura-sama, please drink this slowly.」
I sat down by the edge of the bed and was handed a bowl filled with soup and a spoon.
The bowl had no garnishes, a potage.
Did she take into consideration to give me something to eat that wouldn’t surprise my stomach after not eating for two days?2
I slowly put the spoon in my mouth while thinking about that.
「Thank you for the meal.」
After I slowly finishing the potage, Chiffon-san took the bowl from me and smiled as if she was relieved.
「And so, um, Chiffon-san. Iー「SAKURA!」」
The moment I tried asking why I was here, the door vigorously opened and Prince Sedrim entered.
「Prince…?」
When the Prince saw that I was awake, he expressed a relieved expression and walked towards me.
「Thank goodness you’re safe…!」
And then he tightly embraced me.
Although it seemed the Prince said also something else, my mind was filled with something else.
Being touched by a man.
As soon my mind was filled with that, the next thing that came to mind was…… fear.
I remembered those men’s hands and that I couldn’t move.
My body started trembling and tears swelled up in my eyes.
「Sakura…?」
Whether he noticed my trembling, the Prince unwrapped his arms that were embracing me, then looked into my face.
「No…… stay away…. No…」
Those words leaked out from
my trembling lips, furthermore, my tears started flowing.
「Your Highness! Please separate from Sakura-sama!」
Chiffon-san’s, voice.
And at the same time, I was gently wrapped up in something soft.
「Sakura-sama, you’re safe now. Because I’m here for you!3」
Together with her voice, my hair was gently stroked.
Although my trembling body gradually calmed down, my tears didn’t stop.
While I buried my face in Chiffon-san’s chest, I somehow held back my tears.
「Sakura…」
When I somewhat calmed down, the Prince’s voice and his stretched out hand was reflected in my eyes.
I clung onto Chiffon-san as my body trembled in surprise.
The Prince seemed uneasy after losing the place he was extending his hand to.
「Your Highness. Please do not touch Sakura-sama.」
As if Chiffon-san was protecting me, she hugged me tightly.
「Sorry…」
I heard a muttered voice from the Prince.
「I apologize , I was busy with something. Once you’ve calmed down, could I ask for your story?」
When I raised my head towards a new voice, the King and Len-san, as well as the Prime Minister and the Squad Captain was here.
「But, Sakura-sama is…. She’s still terribly frightened right now. And yet, to have that talk, isn’t that too harsh?4」
Chiffon-san objected while she increased the power in her arms that were hugging me.
「I understand that, but it’s also necessary for us to investigate immediately. According to Len-san’s story, it seems Sakura’s sorcery went on a rampage. It was on a considerably large scale as well. We need to find a way to deal with that. Besides that, it’s also regarding the person who abducted Sakura.」
「……I understand.」
Chiffon-san nodded her head with an unwilling feeling from the King’s instructions.
「Well then, can you tell us what you encountered?」
Urged by the King, I spoke of the events of when I was abducted bit by bit while tightly hugging onto Chiffon-san.
About being surrounded by men when I was returning from my jog and fainting, about meeting that ojou-sama when I woke up in that dim room, and then the words of the ojou-sama. After that, drinking that drug…
I spoke about what I remembered with a detached tone.
Maybe it was it thanks to me doing my best to state only the truth so I wasn’t thinking about anything else, my heart wasn’t too disturbed.5
Should I say it was fortunate? Chiffon-san testified that the worse didn’t happen.6
……Chiffon-san, how did you check?
「So it’s that woman…!」
The Prince tightly grasped his hands when he finished hearing my story, and spitted out those words.
「I’ve heard about that suspicious rumour so far but… Interrogate her immediately no matter what!」7
「Sedrim! Calm down. Our talk still hasn’t ended yet.」
The King chided the Prince who seemed to want to immediately fly out.
Although the Prince appeared dissatisfied, he didn’t seem to disobey.
「And so, Sakura-san. At the time we rushed to that room, Sakura-san’s sorcery was running wild, but…. Do you not remember it?」
Taking the place of the King, Len-san asked a question this time.
「No, I don’t remember…. The events after I drank the drug, is only vague…」
「Is that so. Perhaps that can’t be helped. Judging from appearance, that drug they made you drink at that time, they gave you several times more than you’d normally have. That drug…… normally, around several drops of it dripped in a drink will have plenty of effects.」
There’s also a possibility of it disabling a person for life if it’s handled poorly, that terrifying thing was told to me.
I became frightened after feeling that ojou-sama’s malice once again8
「Which means…… if you think about it, falling unconscious was expected.」
「Please wait a moment. Sakura-sama hasn’t used sorcery up until now right? But despite that, can sorcery be used unconsciously?」9
That was Chiffon-san. A most reasonable question ne.
「Normally, it’s not possible. However, I believe it’s possible if it’s Sakura-san. As for the reason, it concerns the basis of sorcery, in order to use sorcery, the energy within your own body, which could be called the source of mana, needs to be recognized before you can begin. Although that energy converts into mana to use sorcery, what Sakura-san calls『ki』, can also be used to do that. Mana and ki, I’ve heard they both trace back to the same energy. And Sakura’s previous existence was Lyle-shi. In other words, it’s theoretically possible to use sorcery.」
Len-san calmly spoke his a.n.a.lysis.
However, what interrupted that was Chiffon-san’s voice.
「Please wait a moment! Sakura-sama’s previous existence you say…. This is the first time I’ve heard such a thing!」
Aah, every person here knows other than Chiffon-san…
「We’ll postpone that matter. Len, continue speaking.」
Since it was the King’s orders, it seems Chiffon-san has no choice but to be silent.
「Yes. The problem is even though Sakura-san couldn’t use sorcery until now, why could she suddenly use it, is the question. Although it’s just a guess from here on…. I believe it’s the result of the sorcery sealing magic tool. A sorcery sealing magic tool isn’t something that strictly seals mana. Just like I explained earlier, a sorcery seal has an effect of obstructing the conversion of the source of mana into mana. If I’m to further simplify it, if we a.s.sume the typical efficiency of converting the source of mana into mana is 10, in the situation where a sorcery sealing magic tool is used, the efficiency will be less than 1. As a result of that, the mana necessary to use sorcery will be insufficient, and you’ll lose the ability to use sorcery. Of course, according to that, sorcery can be invoked if you increase the amount of mana, but because if it’s a common magician, they’ll unconsciously use only the necessary amount for that sorcery and won’t be able to utilize the mana, so the ability to use sorcery is essentially lost.10」
Houhou, there wasn’t this sort of magic tool 25 years ago so this is my first time knowing about it.
Rather, is this a cla.s.sified matter?
Is it okay to talk about it this easily?
In a place outside of those sorts worries I had, Len-san continued his lecture.
「And perhaps, I believe the smallest amount of magic source Sakura-san can use is too large. When a magician converts mana source into mana, they use a thing that’s sort of like a pa.s.sageway to convert it. I believe Sakura-san’s mana source is too large in contrast to that pa.s.sageway. Could it be as a result of that, it can’t be converted into mana? I don’t know about『ki』but…. At the very least, Sakura-san has several typical magician’s worth of mana as far as I can sense. With the sorcery sealing magic tool, your mana source finally became a size that could be converted, is what I think to be the most logical.」
Eh? Perhaps if I wear a sorcery sealing magic tool, I’ll be able to use sorcery?
I’m slightly antic.i.p.ating it.
「Sakura-san, can you use sorcery right now?」
I’m slightly confused at how this talk went in this direction, but I’ll try it out for now.
「……What I desire is a small flame.」
I tried using basic sorcery, but as expected, it didn’t invoke.
Seeing that, Len-san took out something from this breast pocket.
That was…… handcuffs…
「I’m sorry. Although it’s unpleasant, could I have you wear it?」
I understand what he wants to say.
But that’s…, something that remind me of the events of that time.
「Sakura-sama…」
Chiffon-san’s directed her concerned voice towards me who wasn’t moving.
I muttered 「it’s okay」 in my mind several times, then opened my mouth.
「Chiffon-san, please.」
The reason why I didn’t ask Len-san was…… as expected, it’s because I’m scared to touch him.
If he doesn’t approach and he’s at a fixed distance, I don’t think about it but…
With a ‘gachari‘ sound, the handcuffs were attached to my arm.
「Well then…… will you be okay?」
I returned a nod at Len-san’s words, then attempted sorcery once again.
「What I desire is a small flame.」
In an instant, ‘bo‘, a small flame lit up slightly above my fingertip.
「「Ooh.」」
The people in the room raised a surprised voice.
……Because I’m handcuffed in my current state, I wasn’t in a good condition.11
Although I can use sorcery thanks to the sorcery sealing magic tool, I won’t be able to use qigong.
I tried it, but as expected, it seems I can’t use qigong.
If it’s the explanation Len-san gave earlier, it seems I might be able to use it if I knead even more ki, but… I’ll probably collapse if I do that. Even if it works, there’s no point if I’m tired out and can’t move…
Besides, even if I can use sorcery, I don’t want to do something like wearing a handcuff.
When I conveyed that, Len-san said it was all right.
「If that’s the case, it’s fine if we make a different object right? Let me see… would a bracelet or ring, or things like a necklace be okay? Aah, I think it would be fine if we restrict it so only the mana conversion effect is applied. I think it can be prepared in three days.」
Although he said it was very easy, according to Len-san, 「since I understand the theory, all that’s left is to make it」. No, he’s certainly right but… I believe it’s not as easy as you say you know?
It appears my former worthless pupil seems to have completely grown during these 25 years.
When I asked why the royal court mage, Len-san, would prepare something like that, 「because it was the Prince’s fault that you were troubled.」, is what he said12. If that’s the case, I’ll accept it without reservation.
Oh? I have a feeling most of my troubles are related to the Prince…
「Come to think of it, why am I in the castle?」
After our general talk had finished, I tried asking a question I had thought of after I slightly calmed down.
A reply was quickly returned.
「One of the knights saw the place where Sakura was taken to na. He came and reported it to me. Because of that, I brought along the Chivalric Order in order to rescue you but… Sakura had fainted after we got there so I brought you to the castle.」
Because he’ll have a peace of mind since it’s the castle, so he says.
Although I don’t quite remember it, did I faint? In addition, I also slept for two days…… was it the result of the drug?
Len-san gave me an answer to those questions.
「I think it’s because you overused your mana. It seems at the time Sakura-san’s sorcery went on a rampage, you were mostly unconscious. That’s quite a good thing since your sorcery went on a rampage. Aah, regarding the drug, you were detoxified after you arrived here. Since we understood what kind of drug was used on you.」
Aー, so it was caused by exhausting my mana huh. It might’ve been quite dangerous sleeping for two days.
Though I said it lightly, normally, even if you exhausted your mana, you would be able to recover in around a few hours ~ one day. It’s said it’s because of a limiter that works unconsciously13. However, in that situation where I was hardly conscious and running wild, my mana will be used while disregarding the limiter. If it goes badly, it might also effect one’s life. Should I say it was a blessing in disguise that I fainted before that happened?
「Now then…, that duke’s household needs to be executed na.」
Everyone was surprised at the Kind’s sudden statement.
King, you have an evil smile you know?
「But father. Even if you say execute, to give a punishment for the this time’s incident is…. It’s certain that they’re guilty of this incident, but the victim, Sakura, is a commoner. It’s frustrating but, we cannot do that sort of heavy punishment.」
Aah, that ojou-sama is from a duke’s family and I’m just a commoner ne. I’m sure I can’t expect anything significant.
「fun, I understand that much. It’s not just this time’s incident. It also includes their deeds up until now. Hey, Len. Isn’t that right?」
-grin-, while smiling, the King looked at Len-san.
Like I said, that’s an evil smile.
「Yes. There were four similar incidents that have happened in the past as far as we’ve investigated. Several other somewhat unpardonable deeds were also discovered. The parent, the Duke-sama, has also accepted bribes from other n.o.bles, unjustly increased the tax rate on their territory, furthermore, they’re growing prohibited drugs in their territory. Well, there seems to be various other things besides those though.」
While showing a wry smile, Len-san read out the doc.u.ments that he pulled out from his breast pocket.
That ojou-sama, does she do these sorts of things every time? A woman’s jealously is scary ne… Also that chubby old man as well, so he was a bad person just like he appeared huh.
No, leaving that aside, why does Len-san know about those sorts of things? Rather, when did he investigate it?
「I’ve been investigating that duke’s household since long ago. I’ve been performing various things behind the scenes you see.」
He explained while looking in my direction.
Eh? How did he understand what I was thinking?
「It’s written on your face, you know.」
Saying that, Len-san made a wry smile once more.
Oh? Am I that easy to understand…?
「Anyway, Sakura still isn’t in her usual condition right? You should take your time and rest until you’re better.」
Those were the words of the Prince.
U~n, although you can say I can walk a little, I’m slightly unsteady.
Since he insisted, I decided to be under their care at least until I could walk properly
Although I said that, it didn’t take very much time, I could steady walk on my feet by the afternoon.
Since I’ve recovered up til here, I think I’ll be fine after this.
Although I was detained by Chiffon-san when I tried to return home, there are circ.u.mstances where I can’t be away from home for such a long time.
As for the circ.u.mstances…… it’s the refrigerator.
It’s already been two and a half days since I’ve returned home. Although I think it’s still okay, it would be dangerous if I neglected the ingredients any further.
If it wasn’t for that, I would’ve considered being in their care for a bit longer though…. Men are still scary.
For that sort of reason, I returned to my house after two and a half days.
By the way, the ingredients were safe.
Lines1. 私の服装は……薄手の夜着です。
2. ２日ぶりに口にするものに、胃が驚かない様に気を使ってくれたのでしょうか？
3. 私がついていますから！
4. 「しかしサクラ様は…。今も酷く怯えています。なのに話をしろ、というのは酷じゃないでしょうか？」
5. 極力、事実のみを述べることで何も考えないようにいたおかげか、それほど心は乱れませんでした。
6. 幸い、と言っていいのでしょうか。シフォンさんの証言で最悪の事はなかった、ということです。
7. 「今までも怪しげな噂は聞いたことがあったが…。すぐにでも問い質してやる！」
8. 改めてお嬢様の悪意を感じ、恐ろしくなります。
9. それなのに、無意識で魔術を使えるものなのですか？」
10. もちろん、その分魔力を増やしてやれば魔術は発動しますが、通常の魔術師だと無意識でその魔術に必要な分しか魔力を使用しませんので、実質は魔術が使えなくなるのです」
11. ……手枷を嵌められた状態なので様になりませんが。
12. 宮廷魔導師であるレンさんが、どうしてそんなものを用意してくれるのかというと、「王子のせいで迷惑をかけたから」だそうです。
13. これは無意識にリミッターが働いているからだと言われます。