Rakuin no Monshou

Chapter 3

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Chapter 3
Part 1

When she woke up, she was greeted by the sight of a dearly missed face.

The hour appeared to already be close to evening; the rays of sunlight streaming through the window were faintly red.

Blinking her eyes, Vileena Owell whispered, “Grandfather…” and broke into a smile towards that dearly missed face that was looking towards her.

“Still… I’m still asleep, aren’t I?”

Her grandfather, Jeorg Owell, smiled back.

Each season, Vileena had the habit of spending some time with her grandfather at the detached palace. They would go fishing, or she would accompany him when he went hunting, they would play at war, and would generally have fun together outdoors.

Whenever she would fall asleep, exhausted from having played, Jeorg would carry his granddaughter home on his back, and would gently watch over her until she woke up in her bed.

“Are you going to sleep like that? Or is my rambunctious princess starving, and is it about time for dinner?”

Those words too were nostalgic, unchanged from the past. Afterwards, they would eat, surrounded by servants who, fittingly for her grandfather’s personal attendants, were energetic yet never made a wasted movement, and who were always smiling kindly. And after that, she would excitedly listen as her grandfather read old heroic tales.

Ah – While bittersweet emotions spread out throughout her chest, Vileena also felt a piercing point of pain. No matter how much she wanted to immerse herself in nostalgic memories, a voice urged her that it couldn’t be. Her grandfather could not be here. No, it was the other way around, the one who originally could not be here was her.

A dream… Am I dreaming?

a.s.sailed by an unspeakable sadness, she felt the back of her eyelids grow hot.

“Grandfather. You’re here, you’re really here, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I’m here.”

“I never do anything except depend on you, Grandfather. I made up my mind so many times to do what I have to do by myself. But at the most important point, I always end up wanting to see you, Grandfather, and have you scold me. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? To scold this weak me.”

Oh? – Listening to Vileena’s abstracted recollections, Jeorg raised his eyebrows. He cleared his throat.

“It doesn’t matter. Just before you left for Mephius, when we parted at the detached palace, I was prepared to never see you again in this life. So to be able to see you like this again, even though only in a dream, is enough to make me happy.”

“I was an idiot back then.”

Vileena muttered, staring up at the ceiling. It was not one that she recognised. It was different from the one at the detached palace. Even though this was a dream, not everything matched up with the ideals.

“Back then, even though I was leaving Garbera to marry into Mephius, even so, I thought that I would definitely be able to see you again soon, Grandfather. Back then, Mephius was only an enemy country to be hated and defeated. I thought that I would definitely return in triumph after having sounded out that enemy country’s internal situation and grasped hold of the secrets that would give victory to Garbera. But…”

“But?”

“Soon, I will no longer be Garberan. Vileena’s eyelids trembled like those of a soldier stepping forward on a battlefield. “Sooner or later, I will become Mephian. That is what I decided. That is the land I should return to; it’s the people living in that land that I should love.”

At that instant, Jeorg’s expression changed. His white eyebrows drew together and he pursed his lips tightly. Vil

eena’s chest tightened. It was the equivalent of her saying that if anything happened between the two countries, she would turn a bow even against her own grandfather. Considering Jeorg Owell’s personality, surely he would not disparage his granddaughter as a traitor.

Then –

“Nothing,” Jeorg smiled faintly. “Nothing could make me happier than to hear you say that.”

“Grandfather.”

“Because nothing could better prove that wherever you go, you are my beloved Vileena.”

Grandfather – Vileena was about to say again, but, for the second time, her voice would not come out. Overcome with emotion, she was about to sit up. A dull pain stabbed through her head. Her grandfather stretched out an arm to support her as she started to sway. It was thinner than in her memories, but it was undeniably endowed with strength and flesh.

In the moment that she felt the body heat from Jeorg’s skin, Vileena suddenly came to.

“G-Grandfather?” Her eyes sparkled like stars as she opened them wide in amazement and asked, “Grandfather, are you really here?”

“Indeed I am,” Jeorg winked. “Because even if you abandon your t.i.tle as a Garberan princess, the fact will never change that you’re my granddaughter.”

Amazement and joy spun around in turns inside Vileena’s mind, where her memories gradually fell into place.

Right, if her grandfather was really nearby, then this was undoubtedly Garberan territory. Yet this was neither the royal palace nor the detached palace where she had spent so much time with him. Upon asking, she was told that this was a room in Zaim Fortress. Zaim, which was a strategic location in the northwest of Garbera, which it guarded against the nearby Ende and Mephius.

“Coming to such a faraway place… Is your health alright?”

“I’ve been in very good shape recently. I’ve even been able to go horse-riding since a half a month ago, so don’t worry.”

As Jeorg gently answered her, Vileena almost smiled back at him without thinking about it, but just before doing so, she turned her face away with a jerk for exactly the reason that she had stated just a moment ago, during that affair where it was a dream. Because of her feelings that she could not rely on him forever. Although Grandfather said that he was in “good shape”, how long would he have to keep pushing his own weakened body just because she herself was weak and unreliable?

However, as soon as her grandfather’s hand brushed against the cheek that she had turned away, the emotions she had been trying to hold back came crashing down like a wave. She was too overwrought to go against them. The back of Vileena’s eyelids once again grew hot, and this time, she let her tears slide along her smooth cheeks. She turned back around and clung to her grandfather.

His warmth and scent reminded her of the days when she was simply protected by her grandfather and parents, of those days that were like being in a warm spot in the sun.

There was no holding herself back afterwards. Burying her face into her grandfather’s chest, words surged from her like billowing waves. There had been things that she had wanted to tell someone, and things that, conversely, she had told herself she had to keep to herself; but now the border between them burst easily, and she talked about everything that came to her mind, speaking so quickly that her voice could hardly keep up.

There were many people in Mephius who were so much warmer than she had thought when her image had been of an “enemy country”. A grandee called Simon was a lot like Grandfather. But he had died. Because he had carried his convictions through to the end. Emperor Guhl on the other hand was not like Grandfather. He trusted no one and did not seem to be trusted by anyone. He killed his retainers easily. He couldn’t be any more unlike Grandfather, could he? The gladiator games were undoubtedly savage, she could never come to like them, but it was definitely people who lived there.

And then –

“Prince Gil is…”

The girl who had been chatting energetically suddenly stopped after saying the prince’s name. Her grandfather laughed softly and offered her a helping hand.

“He’s like a child, and yet, he’s someone that you can’t let your guard down around, was it?”

At some point before – was it after the drama of Zaat Quark’s rebellion in Solon? – Vileena had written a letter to keep her grandfather informed. He had remembered that sentence.

“Yes,” Vileena smiled through her tears. “He is not the fool that the world says he is. But he is always carrying secrets that he can’t tell others, and he’s an obstinate person who hardly ever opens his heart.”

Just as she said that, a sudden thought occurred to her. Even though she had also intended to keep a number of things locked away in her breast, wrapped up like this in the arms of the grandfather, whom she relied on from the bottom of her heart, she was talking so easily. It was a joy to have someone you could tell anything to while tucked against their warm chest.

He…

Did he have anyone like that? Vileena wondered. He certainly had not been blessed when it came to family love. There was no better proof of that than the fact that he and his own father were fighting in open battle. His mother had already pa.s.sed away, and he was not related by blood to his current mother and sisters.

He seemed to have an unfathomable connection to some of his subordinates like Shique, Gilliam or Hou Ran. Shique however had lost his life in battle, and she did not think that he had any other companions that he could open up to in the same way.

Oh?

There was one other vitally important person. The former gladiator called Orba. Whenever Prince Gil set up a course of action, he would always be entrusted with the key role. In other words, you could say that he was the man that Gil relied on the most.

Yet even so, she could not picture the relationship between the two of them. That was partly because she had hardly ever seen them together in one place or talking to one another; but somehow or another, Vileena felt that some fundamental part of her perception of them that was lacking, or perhaps mistaken.

“Lonely,” Vileena blinked. “His Imperial Highness Gil Mephius is a lonely person. Thinking about it, Emperor Guhl, who oppresses his terrified retainers, also seems like a lonely person. Grandfather, why is that? Is that how statesmen are? Is that what it means to lead others?” “There is that side to it too,” Jeorg nodded. He gazed at his granddaughter who was wrapped in his arms, and whose expression gradually changed back from that of a small child being pampered to that of a ‘princess’. “The king stands alone and apart from the rest of the country. There is that side to it that you cannot help becoming conscious of, whether you want to or not. Because you do not need to look at history up until now to know that even your closest family members might target your life.”

“Yes,” the princess gave a slight nod.

Maybe it was because she had finally calmed down, but an uncontrollable flow of words was no longer pouring from her. Although, speaking truthfully, there was only one more topic left that she wanted to confide to someone else in. That was that – I killed someone.

As she talked to her grandfather, she had, little by little remembered the sequence of events that had led to her return to Garberan territory. Right, so as to turn out Salamand, a Garberan knight who had broken into Mephian territory, she had been lent a hundred soldiers and had personally confronted his unit.

Vileena had raised the muzzle of her gun and had aimed for Salamand’s chest.

Up until then, she had practiced shooting for self-defence. In the west, she had shot at an a.s.sa.s.sin who had had attacked the village. That time, she had aimed at the enemy’s feet.

But this time…

The memory of that moment was still vivid. The touch of the trigger, the feeling when she decided to attack – or rather, to ‘kill’ – Salamand.

As for her reaction? She had not wielded a blade first-hand, she had not cut through flesh and bone, but in that moment, Vileena had certainly felt the weight of life against her fingertip, and she had felt how she was going to steal that weight away.

She did not regret it.

She had been responsible for the hundred lives behind her. Further behind those hundred soldiers was Mephius’ imperial capital, Solon, and further still behind it was Prince Gil, who, along with his companions, was waiting to make his move.

Salamand had to be gotten rid of. It was not only for Mephius, he was also leading Garbera astray; and he was a barrier preventing the emperor and Prince Gil from meeting face-to-face.

And so, I got rid of him. And so, I don’t have any regrets – Vileena kept repeating to herself. She understood her own thoughts more than well enough to know that this sounded like an excuse.

She only just stopped herself from telling her grandfather about it. She could just about endure it.

She did not want her grandfather to hate her. She hated the thought that, if she talked about it, her heart would find comfort and be at ease. She felt that if she did so, she would lose the resolve she had felt when pulling the trigger.

It was not a story about the crown prince, like earlier, but it was one that she should keep locked away for now. While the wound had not yet healed and she could still feel blood flowing from it, she would wait for it to slowly scab, and would talk about it to someone once she was alright with showing the scar.

“Grandfather.”

During the time they had been talking, Vileena had completely regained her usual expression.

“Hmm?”

“What is the current situation in Mephius? What move has His Highness the crown prince made?”

“There haven’t been any noticeable movements yet,” the previous king of Garbera unhurriedly nodded his head, and gently pushed Vileena’s shoulders to make her lie down. “Since it hasn’t been two days since you collapsed.”

At around the time that Vileena woke up, the crown prince had not yet taken Nedain. It was, however, around the time when Allion had already started to move against Ende, and when messengers appealing for help had arrived in Mephius and Garbera.

“Allion is…?” Vileena’s large eyes opened wide. She had heard the rumour while she was in Birac. Which meant, of course, that Gil Mephius had also heard about it. “His Highness being as he is, I’m sure he will want to go to Ende immediately. What’s happening in Mephius right now?”

“Hmm,” at that moment, the smile that Jeorg had been wearing ever since seeing his granddaughter again vanished from his face.

Noticing it, Vileena asked –

“How does Garbera intend to move?”

Jeorg gave a small sigh.

“It won’t move yet. Or better said, it can’t move. Father and son are fighting in Mephius, but here in Garbera, the situation is not so very different. Blood-related brothers are antagonistic towards one another, and the situation isn’t progressing at all.”

Part 2

Upon receiving Ende’s request for help, the discussions within Garbera were heated.

Although the news that a strong country like Allion was stretching its hand towards ‘over here’ caused a fair amount of nervousness, there were some voices which doubted that it would develop into a large-scale war.

“For now, we need to confirm that Prince Kaseria is leading a first wave of troops.”

“Ende and Allion have long had a deep connection. Since Ende’s Prince Jeremie had the flag of the Magic Dynasty with him when he appealed to Allion for help, they couldn’t simply ignore him; but perhaps they will do no more than send troops for now?”

Besides which there were also arguments based on emotion.

“Prince Eric was the one chosen to the next Grand Duke of Ende.”

“Wasn’t Eric the one behind that recent violation of Garbera’s borders? Even though there still hasn’t been any clear apology from Ende, that man is trying to put pressure on the king; he’s showing nothing but contempt for the friendship between Garbera and Ende.”

The one who had squarely opposed all of them was Zenon Owell, the commander of the Knights of the Order of the Tiger. In other words, the second prince of Garbera and the very person who had crossed swords in person with Prince Eric when he had raided their borders.

“It’s crucial to crush Allion from the outset,” Zenon had declared. Which he had followed up by requesting to go to Ende at the head of a troop of reinforcements. “Since we met each other on the battlefield, there will be added significance if I go to lend our strength to His Highness, the next Grand Duke.”

As far as Zenon Owell was concerned, after the matter with Salamand, he wanted to quickly bring an end to any discussions that could further divide the country. He hoped to turn away the anti-Mephian feelings that were held by part of the Court, and give them a new target.

Therefore, he believed that, as a member of the royal family, he should take the initiative of setting an example.

He brought it up more than once in discussions with the king. During those times, he also offered the idea that the Order of the Badger should be part of the relief party. This was the Order in which Salamand, who had forced his way into Mephian territory in defiance of the king’s wishes, had served as vice-commander. It had naturally come under a lot of criticism recently. The commander of the knightly order had come forward to take responsibility by offering to put himself under arrest, with the intention of stepping down from his duties as commander in the near future, but Zenon had forcefully dragged him away from the meeting.

Other than Zenon, there was no one there who expressed any other clear intentions on the matter, so most of the discussions continued at the pace he set. Besides which, he was previously the one who had regarded Salamand’s movements as dangerous, who had brought them to the king’s attention, and it was to the prince’s credit alone that he had fought at Zaim Fortress to obstruct Salamand’s ambitions.

Zenon briskly drew up a schedule for everything from the troops’ formation to their departure. Within the country, the speed of his decision-making and his energy in taking action were widely praised.

However, his actions unexpectedly earned him bitter resentment from a certain person – none other than the first prince, Razetta Owell.

“To start with, what exactly is this achievement of a battle at Zaim Fortress that my younger brother is making so much of? If Salamand is a criminal guilty of having defied the king’s orders, then Zenon should be reprimanded for the same offence. My brother deceived the king and acted on his own judgement in using military force.”

In the end, he instilled his father, King Ainn Owell, with the idea that Zenon’s offence could not be overlooked.

“It’s not that I want to see my brother thrown in jail. If the king censures Zenon, as a retainer, for his arbitrary conduct but does not punish him, would it not mean a loss of authority before the other retainers? If someone other than the king seizes the power to initiate military action, it will invite unrest into the country. Even if it is only for form’s sake, should you not hand down some kind of punishment to Zenon?”

By nature, Razetta was not a man of outstanding resourcefulness, but neither did he have any particularly objectionable flaws. That’s why he is deserving of being king – said some rather cynical voices, but nonetheless, he was by nature extremely calm, and it was rare for him to take the initiative of appealing to the king about something.

Moreover, because Razetta had spread the matter around, the king could not afford to ignore it, and so summoned Zenon directly before him.

“The Order of the Tiger will stay in Mavant for a while,” he commanded.

Mavant was in the west of Garbera and contained a vast lake, which formed the border with Mephius now that Apta had been returned. Since it was where Zenon and his Order of the Tiger were usually stationed, this was essentially a case of sending back the soldiers who were now ma.s.sed in the royal capital, Phozon.

“Why, Your Majesty?”

“The situation in Mephius uncertain. It is more important than ever to ensure Mavant’s defence.” It had been the same during the incident with Salamand: King Ainn Owell loathed the idea of unrest within the country. If possible, he wanted to avoid having the confrontation between his sons, Zenon and Razetta, come out into the open.

Just back down from this – the king’s gaze pleaded with his son. It was true that having taken military action of his own accord left Zenon vulnerable on that point.

Then what do you intend to do about the reinforcements to Ende?”

“We will bide our time wisely,” was all that the king said.

However, as mentioned earlier, there was no one other than Zenon who was going to take the initiative of getting things moving on this matter. For the commander of the Order of the Badger, it was a certainly a precious chance to regain his honour, but it was easy to imagine that if he put himself forward without Zenon to shield his back, the criticism against him would only grow stronger. He could only remain silent.

Zenon’s hands were tied. If he again took military action without permission, he would inevitably be vilified as “disloyal and quick to ignore the king’s commands”. Moreover, since the very thing that Zenon was trying to avoid was a situation in which the country was divided, he was afraid that pushing things any further than this would defeat the purpose.

And so, this once, he had no choice but to dutifully comply with the king’s orders. Although the prince himself remained in Phozon, he was kept away from the Order of the Tiger and could not move a single soldier, so there was naturally little chance of reinforcements being sent to Ende.

That something like that… Vileena nodded attentively.

Her grandfather’s complexion did not look good. He looked as though he was dispa.s.sionately describing facts, but Vileena, who knew her grandfather well, could see the distress that occasionally flitted across his face.

Grandfather is worried as well.

Given Jeorg’s personality, it was easy to guess that he was irritated by his son, Ainn’s, weak att.i.tude. He was also concerned about the confrontation between his grandsons. However, taking the country’s future into consideration, and given that he had retired, he could not carelessly get involved, since that was one action that was sure to divide the country.

“Oh,” as though suddenly waking up from a dream, her grandfather smiled at Vileena. “I ended up talking for a long time. I’ll have them bring you your meal. Rest well tonight.”

Not wanting to cause him any extra worry, Vileena abandoned the idea of any further conversation.

She finished her meal and laid down again in bed. Now that she was being still, her head throbbed dully to the rhythm of her heartbeat. As well as the impact from falling from her horse, she had probably reopened the wound to her head that she had received near the Mephian border.

Again… Vileena suddenly thought as she touched the fresh bandage that was wound around her head. I’ll have made Theresia worry again, won’t I?

She had been injured when she had flown from Apta and headed alone to Taúlia. She had been scolded by Theresia afterwards. This time too. Going together to Solon was one thing, but when she learnt that the princess was going to lead a military troop to meet with Salamand, Theresia had nearly swooned.

“Princess… Well, Princess. Princess!”

Maybe it was because her head was too muddled up, but she had only been able to keep repeating the same thing.

“Theresia, even if you object by saying that I’ll be going alone, the emperor has lent me a hundred soldiers.”

When the princess had announced that with deliberate pride, Theresia’s face had gone even whiter. Soon, she would have been saying “I will go too”. For Vileena, persuading Theresia was far more difficult than bargaining with the emperor.

“It’s alright,” Vileena had a.s.sured her with a smile. “Salamand has raised me up as his great cause. Even in the worst case, he won’t be able to kill me.”

Theresia had probably been feeling that her lifespan kept been shortened again and again. Thinking that it was her fault, naturally Vileena’s heart ached; but, strangely enough, every time they met again, Theresia looked rejuvenated. Maybe it was a case of feeling better afterwards? Still lying down, Vileena smiled.

…

Her bedroom was surprisingly quiet at night. It was hard to believe that Zaim Fortress had once been the stage of so many fierce battles.

It was the profoundly memorable land where Princess Vileena herself had been led by Ryucown’s soldiers and had confronted Ryucown in person.

Just before that, she had vehemently disagreed with Crown Prince Gil. Although he had gone there at the head of the soldiers, for a long time, Gil had sat and done nothing. Even when the Garberan army and Ryucown’s forces were clashing against one another, he did not send reinforcements and simply spent some time watching intently. Vileena had criticised him for that. She remembered it well.

The crown prince had been allowing a situation that was costing lives to continue. “If you just let that pa.s.s like this, those soldiers will die in vain. Aren’t you the one who hated wasting their lives for the sake of the nation and its n.o.bility?” When Vileena had cut into him however, his expression had clearly changed and he had been visibly shaken.

He, who always seemed to gaze at things with calm and detachment, had something about him that was boyishly fragile and childish – and surprisingly enough, that part of him was neither hidden nor far from the surface.

Gil Mephius.

She only had to lower her eyelids and there, on the other side of them, the figure of him, arms crossed and plunged in thought, appeared as though it were natural.

He was probably like that even now. Without revealing the inner part of his heart to anyone, he was definitely worrying about how to continue fighting Emperor Guhl from here on, or how to deal with Allion’s might appearing from the east, or about all sorts of other things.

What Grandfather is to me – the prince doesn’t have anyone like that.

The thought that had suddenly crossed her mind during her conversation with her grandfather had not left it since then.

Vileena opened her eyes several times and stared fixedly at the ceiling that she could just dimly make out.

Then, every time, she lowered her eyelids again.

Vileena Owell unexpectedly felt as though her heart was being tightly clenched. Why was it that when she closed her eyes, the figure of Crown Prince Gil, with his arms folded and his head bent in deep thought, now looked like a wretchedly lonely boy with nowhere to return to?

Unloved by his father, having lost his mother, and held in contempt by the retainers; the boy had risked his life, pushed forward with meticulous preparations, swept away the enemies before him, and had, little by little, increased his fame and influence. Yet wherever he went, he was still lonely.

That’s exactly like…

Like a gladiator, who spent every day killing today’s enemy as he had been ordered to, then sleeping in preparation for tomorrow’s fight, wreathed in the inerasable stench of blood and viscera.

The candle’s flame flickered above the wooden table. His head bowed, the angle of Gil’s figure had changed somewhat, although Gil himself had not stirred in the slightest, his back slightly hunched and still plunged in thought.

Can you find your answer?

Vileena unconsciously asked the illusionary Prince Gil.

Day after day, you’re racking your brains, thinking only about how to win the fight. It’s as though, if you lose – that one defeat will mean losing everything, and all that will be left afterwards is to prepare for death. What is it that you are looking for beyond that? You who doesn’t confide in anyone, who doesn’t share your heart’s secrets with anyone, who doesn’t walk in the warm sunlight with anyone, what kind of answer do you crave?

She wanted to yell at that hunched up back. She wanted to kick the impa.s.sive Crown Prince from behind. And at the same time –

She wanted to hug his back close.

She wanted to bury her cheeks into it, and twine her arms towards his waist and tell him –

It’s alright.

It’s alright to open your heart to me.

In this world, no matter who else was, she was not his enemy. She wanted to tell him that even if you are completely defeated and come back covered in blood, mud, and tears, you will definitely find arms to embrace you and a chest to hide your tears against – that person definitely exists.

Tears slid from beneath her closed eyelids.

Why?

Why was she realising so many things only after there was so much distance between them?

It was only after she could not call out to him directly, after she could not go to see him, that these overflowing feelings appeared, deep, and many, and suffocating.

At long last, Vileena fell asleep, unaware of her own tears.

Ten days pa.s.sed. Vileena’s health improved by the day and, by that time, she could get up normally and walk all around Zaim Fortress.

This was an area where, compared to Mephius, the climate remained relatively constant all year around, you could feel the changing of the four seasons, although it was not as marked as it was in the south – in the royal capital and at the detached palace. The season in which the winds blew fiercely had already pa.s.sed, and a hint of autumn was slowly drawing closer.

Vileena spent her time looking up at the sky high above and at the mountain scenery. While doing so, she tended to become engrossed in thoughts of the prince. Each time that happened, she made a point of shaking her troubles out of her head.

Not surprisingly, she was extremely self-conscious regarding what had happened with Salamand. She was aware that if she were to do something unreasonable again now, this time, she would not only be putting herself in danger but would also be causing considerable trouble to those around her.

Of course, she did not feel that she should always be like this, but, to borrow the prince’s words – now is the time to wait.

Then, when ten days had elapsed, the fortress become somewhat livelier. It had received information from Mephius which said that “Nedain has fallen to Crown Prince Gil’s troops.” Moreover, by attacking in waves and joining forces with the populace which had risen in revolt, they had achieved complete victory with practically no loss of military resources.

The soldiers serving at the fortress were astonished at the tactics used, but from Vileena’s point of view, she would have been embarra.s.sed if he had not done as much. Since that would have meant that her going especially to Solon, as well as pretending to be a warrior leading soldiers, would have been in vain. She couldn’t deny that she felt a bit proud at having thought up that farsighted action.

Strangely enough, even the Garberan soldiers congratulated her when they saw her. A single girl had risked her life for the sake of a country; they saw no contradiction between the fact that the country in question had once been their enemy, and their pride that the girl was a princess from their own land.

However, now that Nedain had been taken, Solon, the imperial capital, was right in front of the prince’s eyes, and there was a good chance that there would be even greater disturbances in Mephius’ future. Zaim, which was located at a key point near the national border, was enveloped in a greater sense of tension than usual.

Another two days later, an air carrier arrived from the direction of the royal capital. Contrary to what might have been expected, this did not herald the arrival of reinforcements sent to strengthen defence at the border, but was instead a single ship belonging to the Kotjun House. Riding on board was Rinoa Kotjun, the daughter of the current head of the family.

“Has the young lady of the Kotjun House come to sell some new kinds of weapons because it looks like war is near?” Some of the soldiers growled, but when Rinoa disembarked at the port, she immediately requested a meeting with the previous king.

Jeorg received the information while he was chatting after lunch with his granddaughter Vileena. “Oh, how unusual,” his mouth curved into a slightly exaggerated pout.

Jeorg’s connection to the Kotjun House ran deep. He was the one who had formally employed them – a family of miners and merchants – as Garberan retainers. Still, after Jeorg had abdicated from the throne, he and the Kotjun House had absolutely no contact apart from the messenger that they sent each year to present their congratulations on his birthday.

How very like the merchant-minded Kotjun House – actually, that had left Jeorg with a rather favourable impression. He believed that, even while they used their outstanding cunning and keen noses to make more and more money and to befuddle the courtiers, they were helping to make Garbera into a stronger country.

And now, there was a messenger from the Kotjun House. Or not, rather, as it appeared that Miss Rinoa had said: “I am not here on behalf of the Head of the House, but wish to be granted an interview simply as myself, Rinoa Kotjun. This is both sudden and ill-mannered of me, but I am happy to wait as long as necessary for His Majesty, Former King Jeorg’s, convenience.”

Rinoa. That young lady, was it? Jeorg smiled faintly. The year before last, she had been the messenger who had come to congratulate him on his birthday. At the time, she would have been about sixteen or seventeen, but the fox-eyed girl had already exuded a personality befitting of a daughter of the Kotjun House.

“Let’s see her,” Jeorg had her brought immediately to a reception room.

At the speed with which he dealt with it, Vileena, who was next to him, keenly felt that – that’s a lot like His Highness Gil.

Or in this case, would it be better to say that Gil was a lot like her grandfather?

In no time at all, Rinoa entered the room, presenting her compliments as she did so. For a moment, she was unable to hide her surprise at finding not only the former king, but also Princess Vileena; but, just as quickly, she smoothly sent to her greetings as well. Vileena returned them.

They had never been particularly close. Vileena had received invitations to Rinoa’s parties, but there was not much compatibility between the princess, who was not good at handling the repartee at showy social gatherings, and the daughter of the Kotjun House, who shone brightly in that kind of setting. That didn’t mean that they had a bad relationship. They just did not have that much contact. Each was aware of the other as someone whom they could not ignore, but whom they did not need to get closer to.

However, Vileena had learned that Rinoa had prepared the ship that Zenon had used when he was coming here to subjugate Salamand.

Rinoa claimed that this time, she had come all the way to Zaim because she was unable to endure the way that the confrontation between the two princes was paralysing the country, and so she had come to borrow Jeorg’s wisdom.

“I am mortified at exposing something to my family’s shame, but…”

“What is it then?”

“It is possible… no, it is certain that the one standing behind Prince Razetta is my father, the current head of the Kotjun House.”

“That Dudley boy?”

Jeorg stroked his beard. When, as King of Garbera, he had first employed the Kotjun House as retainers, the head of the family had been Rinoa’s grandfather, and he remembered the plump young man who had been at his side.

“Father has his eyes on an untouched vein of dragonstone lying within Mephian territory. It was largely thanks to the work of my father’s faction that Salamand had so many people to support him from behind.”

Dudley had wanted to stir up another war against Mephius, but his plan had been thwarted by Zenon and Vileena. Moreover, Zenon had been insisting on sending reinforcements to Ende. If Garbera’s attention were to turn in that direction, the situation with Mephius would be set aside. And if, during that time, Mephius discovered the existence of the vein, all Dudley’s plans of making a huge profit would come to nothing.

Therefore, this time, Dudley had approached Prince Razetta and imbued him with various ideas so as to start chipping away at Zenon’s influence at court. His aim was to, at all cost, once again turn the national mood against Mephius.

“I understand what you’re saying, but,” when Rinoa paused for a moment, Jeorg spoke heavily. “I’m retired. I can’t suddenly start meddling now, when I haven’t set foot at court in nearly ten years. I can’t go preaching on about things there as if I knew best.”

“But, Excellency…”

“King Ainn is the one in charge of steering the country. Miss Rinoa, I understand your concern for the country so much that it hurts, but don’t put too much faith in an old man’s meagre abilities.”

Vileena listened to their exchange in silence for a while.

Has time already started to move? Should I help move it myself?

She believed that she needed to be careful not to go overboard with her own actions but, nevertheless, she had been born into royalty. She had decided to become Mephian, but, for now, she was undoubtedly still a princess of Garbera.

“Grandfather,” Vileena interrupted. Her grandfather and Rinoa stopped their conversation and turned towards her. “I wish to leave at once,” she announced.

Part 3

Three hours before he needed to be at the palace’s Great Hall, Noue Salzantes was called to Prince Zenon’s personal chambers.

That night was the eve of the Harvest Festival. Although even though it was called the eve of a festival, it was only a banquet to which n.o.bles were invited. However, since it was being hosted by the king, First Prince Razetta would be attending.

At this point – was there no way to convince both the king and the First Prince at the same time, was what Zenon had been discussing with Noue since earlier.

“If I press them any further by myself, both my father and brother will just become more obstinate. Is there any way for you to lend me your help?”

“Unfortunately, I also went to Zaim Fortress. I’m also in His Majesty’s bad books. A direct attack won’t work.”

According to Noue, it would be better not to attract attention at that evening’s dinner party. He added that, at this point, Prince Zenon should give up on personally leading the troops, and that he should persuade the commanders who seemed like they might cooperate with him to volunteer themselves at some later date.

Zenon showed disapproval of the suggestion.

“It’s a roundabout way of doing things. It’ll take time. Will we even make it before Allion attacks?”

It was one thing to choose commanders and to stir them into action by appealing to their chivalrous spirits, but in order to not arouse the suspicions of the king and the First Prince, Zenon and Noue would have to remain behind the scenes. In other words, neither of them could move too openly and, consequently, everything would take time.

They were forced to be this cautious because, even now, although the matter with Salamand had been settled, the faction at court that was loudly clamouring for revenge on Mephius was still influential. And tall of them would get in Zenon’s way to ensure that the mood within the country did not turn instead towards Ende and Allion. They were, no doubt, also the ones who had each individually worked on influencing Razetta, causing the originally politically moderate prince to convince the king to keep the Order of the Tiger far from Zenon.

“Even though Vileena risked her life…”

It infuriated Zenon. He had no doubt that his little sister had put herself in danger not only to help Mephius out of a crisis, but also because she was determined to prevent Garbera from suffering war damages for no reason.

Ironically though, it was because of Vileena that the voices supporting war with Mephius had gained strength. Within Garbera, rather than the princess Vileena’s heroic actions, it was what had happened immediately after them which had caused the greatest impact.

The princess was shot by Mephian soldiers and carried back to Zaim Fortress.

The voices praising the princess were drowned out by those reviling Mephius.

The only ones, within Garbera, who had actually witnessed the scene of her being shot at were those from the Order of the Tiger. Zenon had, of course, issued a gag order, but, after all, not every mouth could be shut. Was it something that had spread through the ranks at Zaim after the princess had been carried in, or was it something that had drifted in from the Mephian side? Either way, it had swayed public opinion within Garbera considerably.

“That b.a.s.t.a.r.d Guhl – using our Princess for such a dangerous job.”

“Shameless!”

“He should have been the one to put on armour and deal with it. He’s nothing but a coward.”

Vileena’s actions had instead given an excuse for war against Mephius, and had caused the argument to become more heated. Which was why Zenon and Noue were worried. Not even the two of them could come up with a solution.

Then, just as the banquet was about to start, Zenon again called for Noue. This was not, contrary to what might have been expected, because he had come up with a good idea; after hurriedly giving greetings and ordering everyone else out of the room, he showed him a letter.

“This arrived for me.”

Noue opened it in silence. And then, that man whose face seldom expressed any emotion opened his almond-shaped eyes in rare and obvious astonishment.

The sender was Gil Mephius.

It had arrived via a messenger from the Haman Firm who had been told to hand it to Prince Zenon.

“The Haman Firm,” Noue murmured the name. “Certainly, that’s the organisation which can freely handle the greatest number of ships within Mephius. In which case, transporting ‘seven hundred soldiers’ from Mephius should not be impossible.”

“Do you think it’s the real thing?” Even as Zenon asked that, his lips curved with what looked like amus.e.m.e.nt. “In this situation, more than the letter being real or not, it’s whether the sender is the real thing or not.”

Opinions in Garbera were divided as to whether the crown prince who was currently causing trouble in Mephius was the real one or an impostor, but Zenon and Noue had arrived at a firm conclusion on the matter.

The reason for that was very simple: “Vileena is with him, so he can’t be an impostor.”

That being the case, there was a high chance that both the letter and its contents were also genuine. Gil’s letter stated that – I wish to send seven hundred soldiers to entrust to Garbera. In addition to this extremely abrupt offer, it continued – Please add them to the reinforcements for Ende.

The contents seem to indicate that he had, from the start, predicted that Zenon would move in reinforcement to Ende. Zenon could not suppress a wry smile. He read through the letter a second time.

“He can’t possibly have even seen through the fact that I’d be lacking soldiers.”

“From our point of view, they are definitely reinforcements. But if I may say something…”

“I know,” Zenon’s smile faded as he grimaced. “Even though the soldiers will be coming from an allied country, given the circ.u.mstances, I can’t let them into Garberan territory on my decision alone. To say nothing of the fact that these troops are from Mephius. If I proudly flaunt this in front of the king, he’ll suspect me even more of planning treason.”

“Will this become our trump card or our downfall?” Noue seemed to be deep in thought as he placed a finger to his chin. “In any case, nothing will come of being hasty. We should delay making an official announcement so as to give the impression that Prince Gil’s letter is entirely unrelated to our intentions.”

Zenon could only agree with him.

In the end, having agreed that it was best to refrain from making any conspicuous moves, the two of them went to make their rounds of greetings at the banquet. Zenon was especially attracting attention from all around because of the antagonism with his brother. Whenever he approached any military officers, they would get tense, wondering – Is he coming up to me to talk about something in particular?

“That’s Lord Salzantes for you.”

The surrounding people were admirative.

“Who is he going to have surrender to him tonight?”

“Won’t it be Lady Bonaphalt? Her husband already pa.s.sed away five years ago. It’s about time for her to regain her reputation as an amorous woman.”

“No, there were rumours involving her before already. The way I see it, his target is Viscount Lynton’s daughter.”

In a way, that might be how Noue got on in life, thought Zenon. As for Garbera’s second prince, however, although he was a man who was far more eloquent and knowledgeable when it came to courtly behaviour than, say, Mephius’ Prince Gil or Ende’s Lord Eric, he was also a man who, when he had a purpose, could not conceal it. He did not have a personality that allowed him to wear a carefree expression and sound things out indirectly, or to plan an approach while pretending to talk about trifles.

A wine cup in his hand, Zenon determinedly approached his father, the king.

“Your Majesty.”

I have to pick words that aren’t too direct – He had intended to be careful, but somehow or another, seeing his son approach him with raised eyebrows and zeal almost rising from his shoulders, the king seemed to sense something.

“Oh, Zenon. I’ve had a bit too much to drink tonight. Let’s save it for later.” Saying which, he showed signs of wanting to immediately move away from him. The king did not wish to get involved in an argument with his son in front of the retainers.

Zenon almost instinctively called out to him to stop, but managed to hold himself back. The retainers’ gazes followed the king’s figure until he had disappeared from their sight.

“Zenon.”

Prince Razetta called out to him from behind. With his current opponent suddenly appearing before him, tension showed on Zenon’s brow.

“Older Brother.”

“What did you say to Father?”

“Nothing. Just gave him my greetings.”

“Lately, His Majesty looks like he is constantly anxious. Don’t bring up needless topics with him.”

Didn’t I tell you I didn’t say anything… Zenon was on the verge of expressing anger, but, noticing the stares fixed on him from all directions, he made an effort to swallow it back.

There was a man close by Razetta’s side.

Dudley Kotjun.

That b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

Zenon and Noue were aware that this was the man who had been instilling “needless” thoughts into Razetta.

His older brother was the very picture of solemnity, and Dudley had thoroughly riled him up with his words.

“Don’t you think that, recently, Lord Zenon has been conspicuous in acting as though he held absolute power? Even though there has only just been that matter with Ryucown. And he only laughs at the disturbances in Mephius. As the older brother, Lord Razetta, you must stand by His Majesty and guide the country in the right direction.”

Razetta was the commander of the Order of the White Heron, which served both to guard the royal family and to police the capital city. He evidently viewed himself as a knight protecting the king and his politics.

Zenon, however, had heard about Dudley’s real intentions from the latter’s daughter, Rinoa Kotjun. He’s planning to cut away a part of Mephius for the sake of a vein of dragonstone – she had said.

With Mephius currently rocked by the confrontation between the emperor and the crown prince, he believed that he could easily obtain some of its territory. Afterwards, he would pretend to have newly discovered the vein; therefore, in order to obtain the rights to it, he would take the initiative of loudly promoting an attack on Mephius. So as not to stand out too much, however, he would act while standing in Prince Razetta’s shadow.

In Zenon’s eyes, his older brother looked like Dudley’s puppet.

“The country can’t afford to turn its spears in every direction. You should calm down, abide by our father, the king’s, decision, and demonstrate to everyone that there is no retainer more loyal than you. I’m repeating myself, but you mustn’t approach either His Majesty or the other knights with needless topics.”

When that older brother started preaching to him with a know-it-all expression, Zenon’s patience snapped.

“How strange that you call it needless,” he spat out the words and anger that he had swallowed back with so much difficulty. “Brother, you hold the important duty of defending the royal capital, don’t you? You should be joining forces with me to convince His Majesty that we need to remove the threat of Allion.”

“What are you saying? Stirring everyone up by going on about ‘threats, threats’, aren’t you just inciting public opinion for your own convenience?”

“Are you trying to suggest, Brother, that I want to move the army purely for my own interest? That I, I…”

Zenon and Razetta were by no means brothers who got along badly. It was just that they had different personalities. They were not like, say, the two princes of Ende, Jeremie and Eric, who loathed each other and saw the other as an enemy to be defeated in order for themselves to become the future Grand Duke of Ende. Nevertheless, these past few days, they had both acc.u.mulated resentment and become entrenched in their positions.

And this chance opportunity led to an eruption.

Because the two of them were not used to quarrelling with each other, once they started, they could not stop the momentum. Carried away by their emotions, each started abusing the other.

T-They need to be stopped, quickly.

Witnessing this kind of scene for the first time, the n.o.bles were at a loss.

Getting involved now will just cause suspicion. Both sides will demand to know which one you’re on.

Even so, if it goes on like this…

“You’ve practically never even held a sword, Brother. And that’s why you can’t imagine the terror that is Allion. You think that the whole world begins and ends with what happens in this tiny capital town.”

“W-What? I killed one of Mephius’ twelve generals during my first campaign. You can’t tell me you don’t know about it.”

“And you’re not even embarra.s.sed to be bringing out that blatantly exaggerated boast now?”

In a corner of the hall, Noue Salzantes wanted to bury his face in his hands. While patting the shoulders of the ladies who were clinging to him as though in fear, he considered his options. If I intervene now – Razetta would fix upon the fact that “you’re Zenon’s ally after all,” and it would obviously become increasingly difficult for him to do anything.

No matter how much he racked his brains, the man known as Garbera’s most resourceful general did not know how to deal with this kind of “battle”.

The exchange between Razetta and Zenon was getting increasingly heated. Even stories from their youth were being flung around and, with the likes of “You’ve been like this since way back when,” or “Brother, you’ve been like that since you were a child,” it was taking on the aspect of a mudslinging contest.

Which was when –

“My, it’s very noisy tonight.”

A high-pitched voice came from near the entrance to the hall.

“Even if it is the eve of the Harvest Festival, don’t you gentlemen think that you are being a bit too rowdy?”

There, where everyone turned to look, was a woman. The dress she was wearing truly looked as though it had been prepared for the occasion but, actually, she had not been planning to attend this party. As soon as she alighted in Phozon, she had to have whatever clothes were available prepared for her.

Dudley Kotjun frowned.

Walking towards the middle of the hall, her high heels clacking loudly, was his daughter, Rinoa Kotjun.

“h.e.l.lo to you, Miss Rinoa.”

With the king being nowhere to be seen, Razetta, as the one in charge, gave her a half-hearted greeting. He was still wound up however, so when Rinoa took a haughty tone with him, he was unable to stay quiet.

“How could you be crying and squawking in front of the retainers? What would happen if His Majesty heard about it? It is the host’s duty to create an atmosphere in which everyone can laugh and drink without a care.”

“This is a discussion concerning the future of the country. Pardon my impoliteness, but it is not something that a woman such as yourself should be intervening in.”

“Is that so? Than I do not know if here is the right place for me to pa.s.s on the message that I received for you gentlemen.”

“A message?” Zenon knit his eyebrows. “…Oh, now that you mention it, I heard that you went to Zaim, Miss Rinoa. If I’m not mistaken, our previous king, His Former Majesty Jeorg, was also going there at around the same time. Did he say something to you?”

“Certainly, I spoke with His Excellency. The message that I was entrusted with, however, was not from him. It was from Her Highness, Princess Vileena.”

“What!?”

That was not only Zenon and Razetta’s voices. The entire hall had the same reaction, before being engulfed in commotion.

“The message, it c-can’t be,” Zenon’s voice unintentionally went hollow, “has Vileena’s condition gotten worse? Is my little sister’s health…”

“Please be at ease, Your Highness,” Rinoa seemed to be amused at how shaken Zenon was, “she is as healthy as can be. When I went to Zaim, she was enjoying a pleasant chat with His Majesty, Former King Jeorg.”

“Oh, i-is that right?” Zenon heaved a sigh of relief.

The people within the hall also broke into smiles. Given that only moments before, the quarrel between brothers had seemed to suddenly engulf Garbera in dark clouds, their reaction now was proof of how much the little princess was loved in her home country.

Rinoa, though, still had another trick up her sleeve.

“…It’s just that the princess has left Zaim. We travelled together by air carrier and have just alighted in Phozon.”

“What, in Phozon?”

Once again, everyone burst into noise.

Oh!

As they exchanged glances, more than surprise, it was unexpected joy that showed on their faces.

The princess has returned?

Princess Vileena?

Just from knowing that fact, it was as though the dark black clouds had parted and the sun was suddenly shining brightly within the hall.

Ainn Owell, who had, for a moment, been returning to his own chambers, had also heard the ruckus and had been notified by a page.

“What, Vileena? You say she’s back in the royal capital?” Ainn hurriedly returned to the hall.

Paying no attention to the retainers, who were thrown into confusion by the king’s return, he fixed his eyes on Rinoa’s face.

“Vileena… Where is she right now?” He asked breathlessly.

Rinoa smiled.

“She is in the air carrier. However, she has stated that she cannot move from there for now.”

“Why, why is that? Even though she’s come back to her own home, why can’t she move?”

“The princess has taken a firm oath. On the other hand, she has graciously entrusted me with her words. However, as His Highness, Prince Razetta, has said that he does not wish to hear the words of a mere woman, I am in a quandary about what to do.”

“T-That wasn’t what I meant.” Razetta shook his head.

Ainn tilted his head, apparently not quite sure what was going on. “That pesky girl, what is she up to this time? Anyway, Rinoa, what did Vileena ask you to say?”

“Yes. Well then, although I worry about doing so, I, Rinoa, will speak in her place.”

Rinoa gave a slight bow then swept her gaze over King Ainn and Prince Razetta, then, lastly, looked at Zenon.

“First, to my brother – the commander of the Order of the Tiger, Sir Zenon Owell – I wish to express my deepest grat.i.tude.”

“Grat.i.tude?” The one whose name was called out opened his eyes round.

“Yes. Since Brother was quick to notice Salamand’s schemes and to deal him a blow at Zaim, that wicked traitor was prevented from the start from acting on too large a scale. Thanks to that, it was possible to capture him in Mephius. There is no denying that, if it had not been for my brother’s valour, there is a very high chance that Salamand would have trampled through Mephius without restraint, and, in doing so, would have caused our two countries to revert back to a dark and bloodstained future. Had that of happened, I, Vileena Owell, would have lost both a land to return to and my home, and would have found myself all but thrown into the wilderness.”

“…”

This is… Zenon exchanged a glance with Noue, who was drawing up to him.

Her face expressionless, Rinoa continued –

“After ten unhappy years of war, and after exchanging vows to live as good neighbours, His Excellency Emperor Guhl Mephius naturally does not wish for any further quarrels with Garbera. As proof of that, when I, Vileena Owell, asked to be sent to Salamand as a messenger, he willingly listened to my appeal. Not only did he provide me with armour made to my size, he also sent a hundred hand-picked Imperial Guards with me with which to punish that vicious rebel.”

Within the hall, the commotion had died out and the whispers had dwindled to nothing; instead, stillness and quiet reigned.

Noue believed that by emphasising from the start that Salamand had been stopped by the princess herself, her words were probably intended to soften the signs of the anti-Mephius feelings that were still smouldering within Garbera.

Although Vileena had avoided statements that portrayed her as being herself Mephian, there was no denying that she was including herself in the “Mephius” that she talked about, and that she was painting an image that was very far removed from the one that many people in Garbera still held of an enemy country that had once shed their people’s blood.

That’s true.

Princess Vileena is in Mephius now.

That very obvious fact was something that they realised anew, now that they had been made to think about it.

As expected from our gallant princess.

She borrowed a hundred soldiers from that Guhl!

Isn’t it exciting? I wonder what kind of expressions Guhl and those obstinate Mephian officials were wearing?

The impish girl who had flown all around Garbera, who had taken part in the airship race, and whose somewhat troubling actions they had watched over with affection, had reappeared in Mephius. With that realisation, at least among the retainers in the hall, the desire to attack Mephius visibly started to fade.

It was unclear whether Rinoa was aware of the feelings of the people there, but, after clearing her throat –

“There is one more thing that Her Highness, the princess, would like to tell everyone.”

“Speak,” Ainn urged her. His expression was somewhat subdued.

“I have heard that a rumour has spread throughout Garbera that I was shot and wounded by Mephian soldiers. Every time I hear it, my heart aches more than if it had truly been injured. It is nothing more than a completely unfounded rumour. All that happened was that I foolishly got carried away, allowed my horse to go too fast, fell, and was injured. To prove the truth of that, after having set you all my greetings and my thanks, I will be returning to Mephius.”

“What?”

Perhaps Rinoa did not notice Ainn’s unintentional exclamation, as she did not shut her ripe red lips.

“I believe that there is no longer any cause for misunderstanding or strife between Mephius and Garbera. I look forward to seeing the close relationship between those of Garbera and Mephius once the marriage ceremony has been celebrated. Moreover, in the Nouzen Mountains, His Highness, Gil Mephius, met directly with General Zenon and with Prince Eric, the future Grand Duke of Ende. His Highness Gil is fond of saying that when we get married, he hopes that my brother and Lord Eric will be present at the ceremony, so that they may renew their promise of a prosperous future for Mephius, Garbera and Ende. I too eagerly await that day.”

Having arrived at that point, Rinoa finally stopped talking.

For a while, n.o.body said anything.

While King Ainn Owell also preserved the same silence, he fixed his gaze on one particular point. Aware of where the king was looking, all of the retainers turned their eyes in the same direction.

The landing place for air carriers.

Although they could not see her, Vileena was definitely there. Her presence seemed to be carried with the warm wind that was blowing.

Finally, King Ainn gave a short sigh.

“That tomboy,” he muttered, his smile really quite pained. “Did you hear, all of you? With a hundred Mephian soldiers following behind her, my daughter Vileena apparently donned armour and went to the front. A glorious first campaign for a princess. I shall have the court painter summoned at once to draw this historic scene.”

Everyone there smiled. Keenly aware of the changes within the atmosphere at the Royal Court, Dudley called out loudly in a greasy voice.

“P-Please wait, Your Majesty! While Princess Vileena has always been dauntless and brave, she is in no way a soldier, yet the emperor of Mephius allowed her to experience such danger without batting an eye. He sent the precious princess, given into his care by

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