Rakuin no Monshou

Ax Bazgan had received the notice while in Taúlia’s Memorial Shrine.

“A request for an audience from Mephius’ Prince Gil, you say?”

“Yes.”

“Did he send a messenger? I won’t receive such a notice!”

Ax glared at the surrounding soldiers and slaves. He had little patience for when things progressed without his involvement.

“No,” the soldier delivering the message answered palely, faster than the slaves could tremble in fear at having roused their master’s anger. “Amongst the soldiers imprisoned, several have been freed. They carry a message from the prince.”

Say that sooner, Ax’s blatantly showed on his face as he angrily took the letter from the soldier.

Ax Bazgan. Now aged at forty-one and as the seventeenth head of the Bazgan House, he stubbornly named himself the eighth Zer Tauran king succeeding after Yasch Bazgan, and it went without saying that he was the acting governor general of Taúlia.

With a large build and veins constantly bulging across his wide forehead, his eyes, characteristic of those of mixed Zerdian and Mephian blood, were a metallic grey, and though his eyes held vitality, there was a certain dimness to them.

“A conference in the Gajira Plains, is it. Hmph, not a single mention of our attack. I’m being underestimated here.”

Staring at the kneeling soldiers as if he blamed them for their defeat in the first battle, Ax tossed away the letter. Promptly catching it was the the strategist Ravan Dol, who waited behind him. Ax gave a sharp stare at the old man whose eyes followed along the letter’s words.

“Your strategy also came to nothing. Looks like you couldn’t predict that Garbera would conspire with Mephius to set up a cowardly trap for us. Thanks to that, I’ve lost soldiers and even had two precious long-range cannons stolen!”

“I believe I warned you it was too early.” Not the least bit perturbed by his lord’s anger, Ravan continued to scan the letter. “But the one who willed it saying this was a chance that wouldn’t come again was you, Lord Ax, despite me saying we should wait at least a week after Garbera withdrew. Because the enemy numbers are clearly so few, we wouldn’t know where they’d set ambush in wait. I had warned you over and over that if we didn’t carefully scout them out, the possibility we would be caught in a trap was high.”

“You must be satisfied, having my honour sullied like this in front of my men.”

Ax’s mouth bent in irritation. And shortly after, his simmering eyes softened a little.

“...Well? What do you think the Mephian prince’s aim is?” he asked in a surrept.i.tious voice.

The old man, whose dark-brown wrinkled body was wrapped over by a single rudimentary cloth, replied,“I highly doubt he has hidden his soldiers to perform a surprise attack. It might be to restrain us or to ascertain the extent of our damages from the defeat by seeing it with his own eyes.”

“Hmph, I’ve also considered those. That d.a.m.ned greenhorn who was only able to win thanks to Garbera’s timely aid is getting ahead of himself.”

“Garbera also has to tend to its affairs with Ende, so I suspect they will not stay for much longer. Short of soldiers, Prince Gil should be wanting to temporarily settle everything with his victory. Thinking along these lines, there likely won’t be any reprimands on our attack at the conference. Instead, he should be offering to negotiate with us.”

“Won’t there be any reinforcements from Mephius?"

“They did display movements almost as if they had predicted our attack, but the one to arrive to aid them was the Garberan army. It appears the reports describing the friction between Guhl Mephius and his son can be trusted.”

“Hmmm.”

Ax paced around the shrine’s hall. Step. Step. The irritation dying his face disappeared with the echoing of each footstep. Inside the Historical Memorial Shrine were the remains, doc.u.ments and treasures acc.u.mulated over the Bazgan House generations shrined in a circle: mountains of jewels, models of temples, golden armours, and coffins engraved with pictured hieroglyphs. Even now, they told not only Zer Tauran’s, but also the Bazgan House’s splendour and brief glory. However these were not his ancestors’ bearings but rather mostly items plundered from province storehouses or those they bought back with money.

“Gil that coward...looks like he went crying to Garbera because he knew he had no backing.”

Ax bashed his fan against his palm. That too was an item handed down the Zer Tauran generations and furthermore, an item more important than anything else that could be found in the Memorial Shrine. Encased in its relatively thick handle was the Dragon’s Claw, the one item the Bazgan House brought with them when they fled Zer Illias. Ax held dearly onto this relic that was also known as the sovereign’s seal of the magic dynasty, and never allowed it to part from him.

He dreamed to take back the Bazgan House’s glory and power within his generation, no matter the cost. Ax drilled his soldiers, bought weapons from the north, and devoted himself to training the dragons everyday. Although many years had been spent repeatedly skirmishing with the other Tauran provinces, he had finally completed preparations to carry out large-scale military operations together with the northern Eimen. Eimen was one of the few comrades that valued the Bazgan House even after Zer Tauran’s dissolution and the country Ax’s older sister married into.

But half a month earlier, reports coming from Eimen suddenly ceased. According to the rumours that travelled past the desert and gra.s.slands, three provincial states including Eimen had been integrated into an emerging power. The leader of this emerging force named himself a magician who could control the ancient arts, even referring himself by some blasphemic name and using some ridiculous power. But it was a fact his influence was spreading. And this magician had declared he would revive the former Zer Tauran with himself as centre. He had also decreed that, in accordance to the past oath, ‘all Zerdians are destined to gather under me’.

That the likes of a magician dares to resurrect a country that rightfully belongs to the Bazgan House!

Ax nearly lost himself in his rage. The other fortress cities were also shaken. Some feared this mysterious power that could overthrow three cities in the blink of an eye, while some burned with ambition that if they owned this power they would be able to revive the Zerdian’s country and leave behind their names amongst the rivalling lords. However, Ax belonged to neither group.

This much was as Noue foresaw. Ax wanted to immediately mobilise his army and destroy this abominable magician himself. However,

“This is a chance that won’t come again, my lord.”

Ravan Dol had whispered to his ears.

Naturally, many states would try to resist this magician. But they would also have doubts whether this was an opponent they could face off alone. This was where the Bazgan House’s legitimate successor, Ax Bazgan, was meant to bring the forces togethers as its central figure through an alliance and rout the magician. Then he would permanently seal the impromptu alliance and declare the birth of a new Zer Tauran.

“However, in order to do that, Lord Ax,” Ravan sternly cautioned him, “you must make a show of power. Lineage may denote your n.o.ble origins, but that alone will not make people follow you in these turbulent times. First, you need power. Unwavering power exemplifying the creation of a new Zer Tauran.”

It was for this reason Ax set his sights on Apta. He would first take the fortress through sheer might, and then form alliances with the remaining Zerdian provinces. With their combined might, they could fend off any attack from Mephius while resolving the course of action to best engage the magician’s forces. Or, it was possible the Zerdians that became the magician’s subordinates would, at that time, be incited by the Bazgan House’s strong spirit and rebel against him.

“Certainly, if Garbera and Ende break out into war, it would throw the continent centre into disorder which is favourable for us. It is a time that won’t come again. Still, those Mephian curs. I thought they’d definitely aid Garbera and move their army towards Ende, but they haven’t even sent a single platoon out from Solon yet. Aren’t they being too cautious with us?”

“I wonder. In any case, there’s nothing in Apta but Prince Gil’s own forces. It’s already the third day, but scouts have reported no movements from Solon. Ax-dono, you should agree to the conference. It would do well if we also directly probe the enemy’s intentions.”

“All right.”

It was his occasional display of irritation and anger on his face that Ax demonstrated the great trust he placed in this old man. He made a generous nod.

“Regardless of the conference’s outcome, we have to continue preparations for war. Ravan, the new breed of dragons you mentioned, if we use—”

And before he could finish speaking, a piercing scream rang out. Fast as Ax drew the sword from his waist, a single maid came running into the Memorial Shrine.

“My lordship! The princess...Esmena-sama is!”

Hearing the pale maid’s frantic cries, Ax stopped in alarm.

“After me!”

Ordering the soldiers, he left the Memorial Shrine and travelled the inner castle walkways with haste. He wrenched his way through two, and then three bronze doors, leading into a garden surrounded by tall walls. A young girl was moving falteringly through a ceilinged pa.s.sage that connected into the garden. What was bizarre about the scene was how despite there being three maids desperately clinging onto her legs and back, her strides were adamant and the girl continued walking, easily pulling them along as though unaffected.

“Esmena.”

Ax called her name sharply. However Esmena Bazgan did not respond. Her unkempt figure dressed in a thin nightgown unsteadily and insistently advanced forward, her gaze wandering absentmindedly.

“My lord!”

As Ax began running over to his daughter, his soldiers pinned his arms from behind.

“It’s dangerous! That b.a.s.t.a.r.d’s foul magic may have caused this. We don’t know what danger—”

“Eei, let go of me! I don’t care! Hold her down by brute force if you have to!”

Receiving this order, the fearless soldiers, adding onto the maids, held down Esmena. This time, being pinned by armoured adult men, even Esmena could not move. Ax had also shaken off the soldiers’ restraints in that interval and went running over to his daughter kneeling down on the pavement.

“Esmena, get a hold of yourself! Esmena!”

“...sama. …..sama”

Her normally faintly rose coloured lips were pale, and she continued speaking in delirium.

“Yes, your father’s[1] right here. Esmena, get a hold—”

“...r, da-sama, gar, da, sama, Garda-sama!”

Roughly alongside his daughter’s raised cries, the soldiers and maids also raised unsettled screams.

Impossible!

Gnashing his teeth, Ax grabbed his daughter with both hands. Her face was in contrast a crimson red, her eyes were narrowed in ecstasy, and her breaths came in ragged gasps. The nineteen year old Esmena, as if to bely her usual innocence, was now plastered in a bewitchingly feminine aroma.

“Garda-sama, Esmena is here. Garda-sama, won’t you come see me?! —Garda-sama!”

“That’s enough!”

In an outburst of anger and alongside some hint of jealousy, Ax slapped his daughter on the cheek. Esmena blinked with a start as if something had been knocked out of her, and placed one hand against her throbbing cheek.

“F-Father? I—Why am I...?”

Returning to her usual self, she stared at her father who gripped her by the shoulders. Ax breathed a deep sigh of relief. Oppositely, unease filled those eyes of hers whose colour mimicked her father’s.

“Could it be...that I...again...? Ahh, th-that’s right. I saw that dream again. Within the deep darkness, a voice from within a dreadful whirlpool layered like folds beckoned me. Countless hands reached out from there and grabbed my shoulders, hair, feet...”

Ahh. His daughter covered her face both hands, crying face down. Ax hugged her.

“Don’t worry. Everything’s all right. It’s just that you have a sensitive heart and were a little disturbed by those weird rumours about Garda’s revival.”

Giving a glance at the maids, he signalled them to escort her all the way to her room.

Even after Esmena had gone, the surroundings remained in tumult for some time. Tch. Ax smacked his lips.

“I hope no weird rumour starts up again.”

“Will things really stop at a rumour?”

Saying this was Grand Duke Hergo Tedos, a man who had supported Taúlia after his father and was also currently an existence much like Ax’s right-hand man. His dignified face was now white as a sheet.

“Garda was a man serving as a Ryuujin priest in the former Zer Tauran. I hear that even after our founder Jasch Bazgan pa.s.sed away, he defended the Zer Taúlia capital to his last. His whereabouts, along with the other claw, have faded...”

“And now, in 200 year’s time, you’re telling me he’s been revived? Ridiculous,” Ax spat out.

He tried to make a show of courage, but as he remembered his daughter’s spellbound face that he had seen close up, he could not suppress that feeling of something freezing over within him.

This makes the third time.

Esmena Bazgan had suddenly slipped out of bed, and like a sleepwalker unsteadily attempted walk out the castle while calling Garda’s name. The first time, he’d heard she tried to seduce the door guards stopping her.

Ax was furious and was even about to cut their heads off right that instant to prevent the news from leaking. But just as he was going to do so, he was stopped by Ravan Dol.

To his horror, this type of incident appeared to have been occurring throughout the western lands. Young maidens of high stature all similarly muttered Garda’s name and wandered the castle night and streets with entranced faces like pilgrims trying to make their way to the former Zer Illias temple.

This was hard to believe, but nothing except magic could elicit such eccentric behaviour from his own daughter.

“Ancient magician or not,”

Ax’s face grew sterner and he ran his hand against the fan hanging on his waist.

“There’s nothing steel can’t cut. Stay firm, Hergo. I’d like to believe there’s no soldier so weak-willed he’d get disturbed by gossip, but there’s always that one in a thousand. Superiors must make a show of their valour.”

“Besides, our current enemy is Mephius. The Mephian imperials may name themselves descendants of the Dragon G.o.d, but they don’t actually expect any idiot to believe that, do they?” Ax scoffed.

He was a man who lived through the feuding west. Even if he harboured fears within, Ax was no fool that would so easily let it come on his face.

The conference took place in the Gajira Plains, distanced equally between Apta and Taúlia. It was across the Yunos River and seven kilometres west through mountainous terrain within Taúlia dominion. Ax thoroughly investigated the area in case some uncalled-for schemes from the enemy awaited him and set up tent.

There was still a bit of time until the promised noon. The sky was cloudy, and lukewarm winds blew aimlessly. It was unpleasant weather.

Ax led a mere twelve soldiers here. Other than that, there was only two airships he had prepared to to survey from air. It was to show of Ax’s boldness, but there was a crowd in his surroundings.

“Seems the lord of Taúlia is having a meeting with Mephius’ prince!”

“I wonder what kind of person the Mephius successor is.”

They were the people living in the nearby villages, and desperately trying to get a closer look across the fence the soldiers had set up.

In the western world that prospered the collapse of countless powers whereby(and) the prospering collapse, the Bazgan House’s history was all the more long and its people’s lives also protected. In the other regions, it wasn’t rare for rulers to change several times in the span of a year, and each time, the governing body would be thrown into disarray and the people wheezing in hardships, to only have the soldiers and mercenaries turn burglar and a.s.sault them frequently. Many things happened that disrupted peaceful living.

“Should we drive them away?”

A soldier from within the tent asked as he pushed the opening to look outside.

“Leave it, leave it.”

Ax shook his head as he wiped the sweat off his neck. It was humid.

“Our Taúlian people are dogged. Even if you drive them away, they’ll immediately conceal themselves and watch us. Did you know? When there’s a struggle nearby, there’s even a bunch that bring boxed lunches to watch it,” Ax said straightly.

And though his people’s backbone was clear as day to him, that same notice did not reach so far as to his own blood relations’ action-taking.

In a place separate from where the citizens gathered, were people viewing the conference spot from far away. A man leading his horse and a hooded women closely cuddling up to him. Their appearances were suspicious, so a soldier had called them to a stop and asked to remove the hood, but then they were immediately driven away.

“I wonder if he was ordered to by father.”

“I gave him plenty of threats. That guy knows what will happen if he angers me.”

“Well,” the girl spoke in a laughing voice that rang out like a bell, “you sure are scary, Bouwen. Even if you are reputed as the gentle boy that loves birds and flowers.”

“P-Please stop it, princess. Look, we don’t know who might be watching.”

The one with his face reddening was the adopted son of Grand Duke Hergo, Bouwen Tedos. He was still young, some would even say child-faced, but he was also a general commanding a part of Taúlia’s army; those eyes that occasionally kept watch of the surroundings were stern.

And the woman referred to as ‘princess’ was Ax’s daughter, Esmena Bazgan. Unlike her father whose forehead was surrounded by incessant wrinkles, her features were extremely gentle. Her big eyes glistened with curiosity and her luscious lips naturally broke into a smile.

“Aah, outside feels great! As I thought, I can’t go being holed up in my room. It feels like my body and mind are rotting. That’s why I had that repulsive dream.”

Bouwen returned a smile, though in fact, he was looking at his childhood friend three years younger than him with heartrended thoughts.

That she can say a cloudy day like this, with such ill-blowing winds, feels great...

It should be considered extremely depressing weather. The princess, raised under Ax’s fundamentally overprotective bearing, had been confined in her room since the aforementioned disturbance with the nightmare, and additionally guarded by some several dozens of soldiers; a state of house arrest. Surveillance so strict that taking even a single step out the door warranted her father’s permission, and that might cause her to raise the white flag before the various nightmares could.

Although, even with a.s.signing that many guards, it’s a fact things will end up like before. It’s abnormal.

All the soldiers he questioned on guard duty that evening heard the princess’ weeping. And their memories from thereon had been completely wiped. When they were discovered, everyone—those outside the room, those in the corridors, those on the roof were all fast asleep.

Everyone. There was not in the slightest way this was simple negligence.

Magic that affected a covered distance was from more than 200 years ago. Why would that manifest now—

Bouwen ground his teeth, when the people rose into a stir. A single air carrier appeared as a dot under the ashen sky. It drew closer before their eyes. It appeared to be a cruiser-cla.s.s ship. Bouwen had collected his share of information on Apta. Since the prince had not used any ships when he departed from Solon, that would make it the sole carrier available in Apta.

From it, small airships launched, carrying its pa.s.sengers to the ground.

“Ho, so that’s…”

Bouwen muttered. Esmena also watched them intensely. Descending were five people. It went without saying the leading youth was Mephius’ first prince, Gil. He was lightly armed, but as per custom, he placed the sword hanging on his waist onto the ground.

He walked up halfway towards the tent. Ax exited and exchanged words of greeting.

“I’ve heard stories, but he’s surprisingly young.”

Bouwen glared at the young successor of his longtime enemy Mephius with piercing eyes. These were turbulent times such that it wasn’t rare for men to adorn their first campaign at the age of thirteen or fourteen, but seventeen was a bit too young to be attending a meeting as a country’s representative.

That is...a person from a different country.

Esmena murmured in an inaudible whisper. Although there had been merchants from other countries that came to Taúlia, the number Esmena could meet were severely limited. Especially with those from their historically contested enemy, the Mephians, although she had heard many stories of them.

Well, I wasn’t really expecting them to be any different from us.

Seeing them with her own eyes, she nodded convinced. There was no way they would have horns or tails, and she didn’t see them as that savage. Mephius’ prince was certainly young, but she could also see all his retainers valiantly confront her fearsome father. As proof of that, her father tried to invite them into the tent, but the prince declined and pointed to the surrounding ground.

After her father made the usual sour face, he ordered the soldiers from inside the tent to set up a long table and chairs. The prince had likely proposed to hold the meeting outside. Before long, her father was seated across from him.

What could they be talking about?

As far as Princess Esmena was concerned, even this trivial matter was like a great adventure to her. It was a heart-pounding excitement.

Above all, the prince of their archenemy. Esmena unwittingly felt herself drawn towards this youth who carried features from a land unbeknownst to her. That might have been an omen of the future.

“Now then, O’ young Mephian prince,”

Ax Bazgan initiated.

“Our ancestors have long since thousands, and tens of thousands of years past, explored our homeworld and settled into these lands, handing them onto us. We have succeeded their frontier spirit, but their decennial oath sworn in the lands of the Seirin Valley was ultimately never fulfilled in ten years time.”

“So long as there is merit, I shall not seek conflict.”

“That’s right,” Ax shook his head. “‘These vast lands and boons are before us. Why do we fight and divide them?’ —Those are famous lines used even in plays, but in the end, humans are beings who inflate to match their insatiable desires. In the midst of the battle against the former inhabitants, the Ryuujin Tribe, the one to turn his gun on his own brothers was none other than one of the five sages who established the decennial oath, an old female scientist.”

“You’re well informed.”

“And in this way, we now shed our blood competing with one another. I won’t say anything clever, like how this is truly absurd. However, if a futile battle can be avoided, I believe there’s nothing better than to do so. I’ll say this outright, Prince Gil. Withdraw from Apta.”

“That’s a really interesting proposal.”

Prince Gil grinned and looked back into Ax’s eyes.

This d.a.m.n greenhorn’s getting ahead of himself.

Of course, Ax did not think once he would obediently accept the proposal. He was observing Orba"s behavior taking a high-handed att.i.tude, regardless of his character.

“Once I obtain Apta, the west’s power balance will undergo a drastic upheaval. Within two years, no, in under a single year, I will unite it. Moreover prince, I’ve prepared to form an alliance with your Mephius.”

“My thoughts of avoiding a battle are the same, Lord Ax. All the more reason why there should be no need to put things off. We should join oaths of friendship right here, right now.”

“And who would believe that the prince and I joined hands and pledged here? You aren’t the emperor yet. When a man of no credence hopes to get something, he must provide some definitive compensation in return. That would be Apta. It is to our mutual benefit that—”

“I don’t have the least intention of leaving Apta.” Gil’s expression remained unchanged. “Bazgan-dono, you’re saying selfish things. It’s you who desperately wants the alliance with Mephius so you can focus on the west.”

“What?”

“But you’ve been in conflict with Mephius for a long time. As far as the Bazgan family is concerned, it has been stirring into its men that Mephius is their longtime enemy. That you would just join hands with that enemy without gaining anything is bound to brand you a coward and traitor. That’s why you first tried taking Mephius’ fortress through armed might.”

Tch. I won’t be able to strike a deal with this one.

Saying it so outrightly like this would only cut off both sides’ path of retreat. Ax irritatedly flexed his hands over his lap.

Or could it be he even hopes we have a frontal collision? No—if that was the case, then he wouldn’t have gone out of his way to request an audience like this.

Gil had his own weakness. Ax was of course aware of this, but he was hesitant if he should actually say it. That would really be the final straw in cutting off his final path of retreat.

“Prince Gil, aren’t you being a bit discourteous? It was you who proposed this meeting. As a matter of fact, I expect you to return the men you took prisoner using your cowardly traps as compensation for responding your invitation.”

“Do you still not understand, Lord Bazgan?”

“What is it that I don’t understand?”

“The one who triumphed in battle was us, Mephius. And the ones who will continue to triumph shall also be us. However, I’ve been thinking of having Taúlia function as a buffer between us and the west. That’s why I didn’t storm you by force. It should allow you, Lord Ax, to concentrate on unifying the west without worry of being attacked from behind. It is we who are offering you our hands.”

“Ho—”

Ax felt a violent rage surge within. Ax had never engaged with a man who irritated him this badly. He felt as if his long-standing Bazgan House’s authority had been trampled under his feet. So he too, finally unleashed those words he had locked within himself.

“I see. Triumph, huh. I’ll concede that. It was you that cornered my beloved va.s.sal Natokk and his men, who fight so heroically. But all of that was because you had Garbera’s reinforcements! They cannot stay in Apta forever. Now, when the time comes, O heroic Gil, can your forces alone withstand Taúlia’s onslaught?”

“That is…”

Even Gil’s spirit had dampened from that, and he averted his gaze. A feeling of relief washed over Ax as he saw this, but it appeared the warning had been too effective, and he suddenly raised his head.

“That was a declaration of attack, huh. You heartlessly refused our hand, and insist on shedding blood in battle to the bitter end, is it? Very well. I, Gil Mephius, shall neither run nor hide. Even without Garbera’s troops, do you believe I will be defeated by a swindler like you?”

“What?!”

While Ax’s roar continued to resound in the surroundings, Orba kicked himself up from his chair, turned around, and hurling orders to his soldiers, once more rose into the sky. Completely dumbfounded by his actions, Ax Bazgan did not make a move during that time and watched as the airship was taken into the cruiser disappearing into the ashen sky.

“How dare he,” Ax roared in a fit of anger as he beat the fan into his palm. “A mere kid dares to sully my honour? Ravan! Ravan Dol, are you there?!”

“I’m here,” the old strategist replied, sticking his head out from within the tent’s curtain to confirm the situation. He approached Bazgan, his eyes turned away from the commotionally astir people.

“It’s as I’ve heard from the rumours. He’s a fool. Words won’t reach him! Ready the preparations. Once you’ve confirmed Garbera has left the fortress this time, attack them immediately. We’re doing it over!”

“Please wait, my lord.”

In contrast to the lord who almost seemed to have steam blowing from his ears, Ravan Dol was as cool as could be.”

“It is a trap.”

“A trap?”

“As far as rumours go, that prince is neither foolish nor without discretion. He likely has some plan. Provoking us into attacking is a part of it. Well, if he was truly discerning, he would also be able to tell bad acting when he sees it.”

“Are you trying to make fun of me, or are you giving me advice? Which is it?” Ax demanded, clenching his teeth. “But still, a trap you say? I don’t believe it. That an ignorant greenhorn would draw up such a plan. Then as I suspected, it means the Garberan reinforcements are coming.”

“I’ve set watch over the roads connecting to Apta, yet there are no signs of it. That in itself is stranger than strange. Hmm...my lord, why don’t we take up his invitation?”

“What are you saying? You’re the one who called it a trap.”

“There is a big difference between charging the enemy without knowing anything and moving your forces aware that it is a trap. Even if the enemy forces may be lurking somewhere, purposely provoking us can only mean one thing. They are waiting for us. Understanding even that much allows us to proceed a number of ways.”

Ax watched as Ravan Dol stroked his chin saying this with ample confidence. “Fine,” he said, and reached out to grab the fan in his waist. He flicked the stem of the golden-stringed fan against his lap.

“No matter what, I’ll see to it that he gets on his knees begging and never sees a peaceful sleep ever again. This time, I’m heading out personally!”

He declared with a face worthy of a man who had charged through many battlefields.

On the other end, some distance away, Esmena Bazgan’s shoulders were trembling.

“I wonder if it will turn into a war.”

“It will.” Bouwen’s young face flushed red. “The lord is making that sort of face. This could become the decisive battle with our longtime enemy Mephius.”

Esmena kept silent. She was uneasy and fearful but somewhere else the figure of the prince who had come from another land she’d just seen had, like a heavy boulder, impressed itself and submerged deep into her heart.

Garda...

It dealt a blow to Esmena Bazgan so heavy it was enough to dispel the darkness she’d seen in the midst her dreams. To phrase it more commonly, at that time Esmena experienced something akin to love at first sight.

The prince’s proclamation of war against Taúlia had circulated inside Apta Fortress for half a day.

The place became a riot—or so one would think, but a large number calmly received this piece of news. Things were more or less due to turn out this way, and with the prince’s quick wit now revealed, they figured the prince must have worked something out.

However,

Vileena thought,

That is all because everyone believes reinforcements will be coming from the Solon capital.

In her opinion, that probability was exceedingly grim. She had tried indirectly asking the imperial guards but couldn’t get any sure proof. In a week from now, Oubary Bilan, who will have finished suppressing the slave’s insurrection, was set to make his way to Apta, but by then it would be too late.

Further into the next morning, the forces Noue Salzantes led had at long last pulled out to return to their own country.

“Is there any message you’d like to give to his majesty or your mother?”

Just before he left, Noue had gone to Vileena to offer his farewells. Vileena thought over it a little, but shook her head.

“I had written them a letter before. That should be enough. If I get too unrelenting, I’ll surely get scolded.”

While smiling, Noue never lost the meek expression in his eyes. They unspokenly enquired, Is it fine for you to stay here like this? And all the more reason because she understood this that Vileena pretended not to notice it.

“More importantly, I trust father and mother in your hands.”

“I understand.”

That Noue was pulling back meant the outbreak of war with Ende was drawing near. Like previously, Vileena stood and saw Noue off, and once that ended, she strolled the fortress interior accompanied by Theresia and caught her target.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“W-What’s the meaning of what?”

Darting his eyes was the Imperial Guard, Shique.

“It may be presumptuous for a woman to speak matters of war, but the way things are now the chances of victory are slim. I’m sure Prince Gil is thinking of something, but would you happen to have any knowing of this?”

“Aah, no, the likes of me is not something he’d reveal his innermost thoughts to…”

“Stop lying,” Vileena declared a.s.sertingly. “Whenever that person sets something into motion, the few of you will unquestionably carry the brunt of the strategy. The ones he trusts most are you.”

The moment Vileena mentioned the word trust, she felt a slightly bitter emotion stir within her chest.

I’m amazed she’s noticed.

Theresia silently stood behind Vileena not showing any change.

I had thought something was weird when the one she decided to catch was Shique.

At a glance, he was a gladiator used to handling women, but before Princess Vileena, he was the one to stand most at attention. Vileena undoubtedly grasped this intuitively. He was awkwardly respectful towards herself, and couldn’t give her the cold shoulder.

That Vileena-sama could resort to this kind of device is proof she has become a splendid ‘woman’. Well, I can’t say there’s much appeal in taking it this far. It’s much more becoming of Vileena-sama for her to do this unknowingly.

Sure enough, Shique was cornered speechless. Seeing Shique shift his sights in search of help, Theresia took a step forward.

“My, princess. You are troubling Sir Shique. Why don’t you let him off at that?”

Because she was prevented from cracking down on Shique, Vileena’s bounded destination was all but one.

Vileena stood still shortly, as she delved into that feeling of having finally getting closer to her purpose.

These past few days, or rather since she had come to Mephius, she had been conflicted with problems that ate away into her. Should she move as the Garberan princess, or the fiancee of Mephius’ crown prince?

Simply, what was it that she should do?

These all too burdensome worries felt more than she could handle, but after speaking with the Imperial Guard, Orba, that load somewhat lightened. And it was then that she had a revelation.

“At times like these Vileena,”

Suddenly, she could hear her grandfather’s voice in her ears. She had a revelation.

I remember now!

Her grandfather had said that ‘people stop being the self they were when they were born’. When she had the conversation with Orba, those contents had begun to resurface, but Vileena could now vividly recall it by word.

Occasionally there are times when a person is created from shouldering a position. Even people that no one holds expectations from, when given the appropriate post, cheer up and fulfill them.

Fulfilling them means carrying the necessary responsibility that comes with it.

“That might be similar to acting someone’s life in a play.”

Her grandfather Jeorg Owell smiled at the young Vileena as she listened obediently.

“They wear a mask that is the ‘post’, and do their best to perform the most suitable personality. They might laugh at you thinking you’re doing a monkey show, especially in the beginning. They might call you incompetent. No matter what the mask, given the necessary time to play it out, they will grow used to wearing it. Before they know it, their surroundings will also grow used to it. The more they get used to it, the more naturally they and others will perceive it. They’ll grow more and more into your role. By then, the mask will have become a part of the person’s face.”

“Then what will become of the flesh on that person’s face?”

That was when she was 11 or 12—if she remembered right, that was her age at the time. Towards his granddaughter who asked him impertinently, Jeorg laughed with a “Hm?”

“Will the flesh on the face disappear? Will it be replaced with the mask?”

“There are those where it does disappear,” Jeorg said without any signs of deceit. “There are also those who can skillfully wear both their skin and flesh, conflicted over which is the real them. Take for example, Vileena.”

“Yes?”

“I am the previous Garberan king.”

“Yes.”

“And I’m also Ainn’s father, as well as your grandfather.”

“Yes.”

“Which is the real me?”

“Both of them are real.”

“That’s right.” Jeorg made a wide smile and placed his hands over Vileena’s shoulders. “Having you say that both are real to me makes me really happy. But even I wasn’t born wearing the mask of ‘king’. At the beginning, I was also confused by this mask I was half-forced into putting on. There were also relatives who pointed fingers behind me saying it didn’t suit me. I could even feel the flesh on my skin slowly disappear bit by bit, and that also terrified me.”

“Yes.”

Vileena also made a terrified face and felt her father’s cheek with her finger.

“As for whether I can skillfully use both the flesh and mask, I do not know. No, at some point, the mask started becoming my flesh. Should I say that they’ve fused together to become one, or that one of them was torn apart without me knowing, I still do not know at present. Say, Vileena.”

“Yes, grandfather.”

“You’re also my granddaughter, Ainn’s daughter, and Garbera’s princess. You might be someone’s best friend, and someone’s enemy. Before long, you’ll become someone’s lover, someone’s wife, and someone’s mother. Each time they add onto your face, you mustn’t turn away. It’s fine to think, it’s fine to be lost, but you mustn’t never run.”

Having her father say this to her with a stern face, Vileena also stiffly nodded.

“If there ever comes a time when you no longer know which is your real face, as you anguish, anguish, and grieve. At that time, Vileena, look into the mirror and do this.”

Saying this is Vileena, her grandfather pulled his finger over one eye and stuck his tongue out.

“Once you do this, the mask will naturally come undone and you’ll feel yourself seeing the real you.”

Vileena had been surprised for a moment, but she immediately broke into a giggle and wrapped her arms around her grandfather’s neck and hugged him.

“Princess?”

Theresia called out worriedly to the princess who had stopped walking.

“A mask...”

Vileena had since been pondering, that wasn’t it her halfway position her half-hearted self? That as well, was one such mask. As long as one desired it, they could remove it at any time. And yet, at some point, her face had been usurped by the mask.

The only thing remaining then, was her resolve. Would she bear her fangs as Garbera’s princess playing the poisonous snake sent into Mephius, or would she resolve to bury her bones as a Mephian princess.

“I, Vileena, cannot decide on either.” Speaking her honest thoughts, Vileena faced her unseen grandfather and spoke. “However, everything is clear to me. There is one thing I want to do right now.”

“Princess? Princess, is something the matter?”

Theresia had finally felt uneasy that something might have happened, when Vileena quickly began walking off.

Just as Theresia thought she was retreating to her bedroom, Vileena stopped in front of a large dresser and took a deep breath in.

“Blehhhh.”

Pulling down one eyelid, she stuck out her tongue as far as she could. Theresia, who had finally caught up to her mistress, in the face of this scene nearly toppled over. Vileena nodded.

“Yup.”

“What do you mean, yup?”

“Okay, I understand.”

Next was to commence something similar to a surprise attack. She was abiding by her grandfather’s maxim, that speed is most prized in battle.

Prince Gil was at the fortress’ first floor in the western study. Vileena suddenly appearing had startled him, but he regained his composure.

“So you came to scold me again?”

He asked with a bitter smile.

“Am I making such a scary face?”

”Ah, you aren’t. Last time’s was more...should I say that it’s because you’re being discourteous.”

“I’ve done some learning. Should I vent my emotions on the prince, I’ll only be effortlessly driven away. Anyone opposing the prince has ended up like that.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

“From your appearance, I a.s.sume you have something in mind. I take it you can win against Ax Bazgan?”

Her perfectly open question had Gil renewing his expression. Returning the book in his hand back to the shelf, he answered back.

“We’re at the disadvantage if the enemy prolongs the war. I don’t know how much reinforcements to hope for after all. So I provoked them.”

“You seemed to have talked to Noue this morning about something.”

“Yeah.”

Although Gil Mephius—Orba was a bit hesitant, he had experienced firsthand the worries and unease Vileena harboured from the time he came in contact with her as the masked gladiator Orba. He understood the reason why she, while afflicted with those worries, had come here. So he honestly answered her.

“I’ll make Ax ally us within three days. After that, I’ll have our forces hurry to Garberan territory, as promised.”

“Prince…”

For a moment, Vileena felt the breath squeezed out of her and then she looked at the prince.

“I’m repaying the debt to Noue. And also, I can’t bear the thought of being threatened by a gun and taken hostage by you.”

“But then won’t you earn your father’s displeasure if you do this on your own?”

“I was originally the incompetent prince. I’m already prepared for my share of scolding.”

At some point in time, Theresia had offered a single bow behind Vileena and excused herself. Vileena, not realising this, stepped up closer to the prince.

“It looks like I keep piling onto the questions, but still, making Ax swear allegiance in under three days is somewhat challenging. Do you have a plan?”

“I do,” the prince replied straightforwardly.

Vileena’s gaze further met his.

“Then, can I in any way help?” Vileena asked.

Orba couldn’t hide the surprise on his face.

“The princess will? Don’t you hold any doubts on my plan?”

Now you bring that up? her face said. Vileena smiled thinly.

“During Ryucown’s subjugation and also Zaat Quark’s rebellion, I knew nothing. No, even if I had known, I who held doubts towards the prince, would have refused to take your hand.”

“...”

And everytime after when I came to find out about it, I’d regret having you treat me as a child.

As she reflected on this, her mind was painfully calm.

But now I realize the reason I was treated as a kid was because I really, didn’t know anything. The prince is always wavering, worrying, and handing down his decisions where I don’t know it. What vexes me isn’t that he kept it secret from me—yes, it must have been because I couldn’t be of help to him.

That’s why right now, I want to help the prince. That’s how I feel. There’s a part that also wants to do it for Mephius and Garbera, but more than anything, those are my clearspoken feelings.

But what Vileena actually spoke out, was this:

“This time, it’s a matter also concerning Garbera. Just this time, I’ll entrust everything to you and offer my services.”

She said, chest out, chin up, exerting her excellence. Orba couldn’t stop that wry smile from forming.

“So as I was saying, if I were to help you, feel free to tell me to do anything. This time, I won’t disobey or scold you. I’ll move as you say.”

She’s really a changed princess.

This too, Orba had felt at this late hour. Thus, as she would when she tries poking her head in quarrels, Princess Vileena’s cheeks blushed and her eyes shone vividly.

And then those eyes began to quickly waver.

“As I thought, it’s no good.”

“No, hold on.”

She’s making a face like a child that’s picked up a new toy.

Orba quickly erased the smile that seemed to form around the corners of his lips. The princess as well, had not said this for play. In fact, he could see her commendable determination and resolution surrounding her.

“Fine. I’ll also have you take a part in the battle plan.”

“Will you really?!” Vileena’s face lit up in the bat of an eye. Then what is it I should do? Use an airship to scout the enemy? Or maybe disturb them? Or should I act as decoy and distract…”

“Okay, Okay, hold your horses.”

Orba held his hand up to restrain Vileena, whose excitement was getting ahead of her.

“Then tomorrow morning, I’ll have the princess depart from Apta. Take ten imperial guards with you. Then head for Birac…Whoa, hold it, you said you wouldn’t scold or disobey me. This is a crucial part of the plan. Won’t you take my word for that, Princess Vileena?”