Kays Translations

Chapter 130: Interlude – Lucius’ Break

“The Imperial Army has withdrawn from the eastern Potala territory! It seems they’ve changed course toward the north!”

Lucius, who had been slumped over his desk asleep, jolted awake.

Sunlight was streaming into the courtyard outside the window.

– Ah, I must’ve dozed off…

Lucius was currently stationed in the war room of the royal castle in Bradford, the capital. He had been overseeing operations to counter the Imperial Army’s pincer assault.

The night before, he had stayed up until almost dawn in military meetings. The result? The war room was strewn with exhausted ministers and advisors, all snoring away on desks and sofas, completely worn out.

But even the “fallen” responded to the messenger’s voice, leaping to attention.

“They’ve…withdrawn from Potala territory?”  

“Yes! We did it!”  

“The eastern front is secure!”

The Potala territory, located to the far east, bordered the Empire and had been on the frontlines of this invasion.

The news of the Imperial Army’s retreat meant that the tide of battle had shifted sharply in the kingdom’s favor.

The previously stagnant atmosphere of the war room instantly brightened.

Cyril, a young man who had also fallen asleep nearby, woke up and, adjusting his glasses, spoke to Lucius.

“We… we did it, Lord Senryu!”

“Yes, though we can’t be too complacent yet, it’s safe to say the kingdom now has the advantage.”

Behind them, a man in his forties approached, cracking his neck as he walked over.

The Commander of the Imperial Guard, Marc, spoke up.

“Let’s allow everyone to rest, at least for today.”

“Yes, it’s been nine days since the fighting started, and no one’s had a proper break.” 

Lucius agreed, raising his voice.

“Everyone, take the day off until tonight. Many of you probably haven’t been home in days.”

The war room filled with cheers. Among the joyous voices, Commander Marc urged Lucius to take a break himself.

“Lord Senryu, you should also rest.”

“No, I’ll stay here. Someone needs to remain. Besides, nobles and knights are still fighting on the front lines even as we speak.”

“You’re pushing yourself too hard.”

Marc’s face clouded with concern. Cyril nodded in agreement.

“I may not know what happened in the ‘Tower,’ but take some time to breathe. Even a first-class mage like yourself is only human.”

Others in the room also nodded emphatically.

“…Alright.” 

Lucius conceded reluctantly and left his seat, stepping out of the war room.

As he walked through the gradually calming royal capital, his steps felt heavy.

What should I say…

The weight on Lucius’s heart stemmed from his experiences in the “Tower.”

For four years, he had been imprisoned in a mental prison, where he lost everything: his parents, his lover, his childhood friends, and his comrades in arms.

It wasn’t a hallucination—it was a reality of its own.

The kingdom was now at war with the Empire. Although they currently had the upper hand, the situation was far from safe. Soldiers continued to die on the front lines by his orders, and others were captured to become raw materials for the Empire’s magic devices.

As Commander-in-Chief, he couldn’t afford to lower his guard.

That’s why he had avoided seeing his family, fearing that the sight of them might soften his focus.

“…Business as usual, just as always.”

No one else knew he had been trapped in that mental realm. To everyone else, it was as if he’d only been away for about ten days.

“Alright.”

Taking three deep breaths, Lucius steadied himself.

“I’m home.”

He opened the door to his temporary lodging.

“Iris, don’t take the spoon! I can’t serve dinner like this.” 

His mother Emily scolded, catching his younger sister Iris mid-prank.

“Haha! No, I wanna play with it!” 

She giggled.

“Lady Emily, I’ll get it back. Iris, please don’t trouble your mother.” 

Lauren, the woman he had loved in the mental world said, giving Iris a gentle but concerned look.

“Lady Emily, is dinner ready yet? I’m starving!” 

Paul, a childhood friend, called out eagerly.

“Hey! Lady Emily is the wife of a lord! Why is a commoner like you rushing her to serve food?”

“Because her food is amazing! I just can’t wait to eat it!”

“Then help out!”

The usual teasing exchange between his twin childhood friends filled the room.

Lucius felt a rush of overwhelming happiness. His vision blurred with tears.

“Big Brother! You’re finally back!” 

Iris, noticing him first, ran over with open arms.

They’re alive… They’re smiling…

That spirit world had been a lie. It was a temporary prison crafted by Samael, the gun cannon monster Lucius had bound to a contract.

Nothing had changed. Not a single thing.

How could anything have changed?

“Big brother? Are you… crying?”

“Huh?”

Lucius quickly brushed away the tears that had nearly spilled with his sleeve.

“Did you trip and fall?”

Iris leaned in with a look of concern.

“Lucius!”

The one who hugged him tightly was one of the twin brothers, Paul, pressing himself against Lucius with his substantial frame.

“Paul, you’re heavy.”

“Forgive him. When the Imperial Army invaded the capital, it was the dragon knight squadron Lucius’s magic created that saved us. We were on the brink of being killed.”

“I used to think Lucius’s magic was scary, but at that moment, it was incredibly reassuring.”

“Alright, alright.”

Lucius gently pushed the twin brother Paul away.

“Lucius, are you done with your work now?”

His mother, Emily, approached, wiping her hands on her apron.

“I’m home, Mom. I only stopped by for a quick break, so I’ll need to get back soon.”

“…Just don’t push yourself too hard. Will you at least stay for a meal?”

“Just a little.”

Lucius entered the house.

“Welcome home, Lucius.”

Lauren greeted him with a shy smile, and beside her stood his puppet, Sol, whom he had stationed at home.

“…I’m back, Lauren.”

He had the urge to embrace her immediately, his hand reaching out slightly, but he clenched his fist to stop himself.

—No, this isn’t that Lauren.

This wasn’t the Lauren he had loved in the spirit world. He couldn’t hold her in his arms.

“What’s wrong, Lucius?”

“N-nothing at all, really.”

Lucius hurriedly denied it.

“You look tired, though. I know the responsibility is heavy, but don’t push yourself too hard.”

His mother urged him to sit, and soon, food was set on the table.

“Thank you for the meal.”

It had been days since he’d last sat down to enjoy a meal slowly. He took a sip of the soup.

—Mom’s cooking.

A gentle warmth spread through his chest as he savored the familiar taste. Sensing his enjoyment, his mother Emily asked with a hint of concern,

“Lucius, how’s the war going?”

There wasn’t a noble in the land who could ignore this conflict. For Emily, it was even more personal, as it involved not just her husband Robert but also the villagers they held dear.

“We can’t let our guard down, but things aren’t too bad.”

Though he had to keep specifics and battle plans from even his family, he offered a vague response. Emily understood this well and didn’t press further.

“I see. The East seems to be struggling, too, and the fires of war may spread north and south.”

Although the conflict had already expanded, Lucius kept his mouth tightly shut.

“Mom, did something happen to Dad?”

“No, dear. Nothing at all.”

His younger sister, Iris, though still young, must have sensed something. She understood well that their mother’s worried expressions were always about their family or their village.

“…I miss Dad. And everyone in the village.”

Iris looked down sadly.

Though she had been brought to the unfamiliar capital, Iris, only four, had never once complained about wanting to return home. She had been holding back in her own way.

The weight of their somber conversation must have been too much for her young heart to bear.

“We’ll go visit soon.”

Emily reassured her gently.

“I don’t want to wait. I want to go now. Dad is lonely and crying… ugh… I can’t wait anymore.”

Tears fell from Iris’s eyes.

In these times of war, traveling freely across states wasn’t an option. Emily looked troubled.

—You want to see him…?

In the spirit world, his father had already been slain. Lucius himself had carried the regret of not being able to save him.

“Iris, I’ll go see if Dad is crying.”

“Will you, big brother?”

“Yes. So, don’t cry, Iris. Otherwise, Dad will feel even sadder.”

“…Okay.”

Lucius gently stroked his sister’s head, while Emily watched, clearly understanding what her son was implying by going toward the battlefield.

“You’re not… planning to ride a dragon there, are you?”

“No, that would take too long. I’ll use a projection.”

Lucius quickly finished his meal and stood up.

‘

“Lucius, are you already leaving?”

Lauren stood as if reluctant to see him go.

“Yes, I feel re-energized. I’ll return to the castle.”

“Just don’t overwork yourself.”

“I understand.”

With his family and friends sending him off, Lucius left his home once more.

As soon as he returned to the castle, Lucius arranged for a rare Doppelganger contractor under the authority of Lord Senryu.

Lucius sat on a sofa bed in one of the king’s rooms.

“Let’s begin, Lord Senryu.”

“Please, proceed.”

The Doppelganger contractor placed his right hand on Lucius’s back.

“Please, stay calm.”

The contractor gathered magic energy, casting a spell from behind.

The Doppelganger, a type of cannon monster, possessed a technique to send only one’s consciousness afar.

In an instant, Lucius’s perspective shifted, soaring high above the royal capital.

He flew effortlessly through the sky.

His speed, while just a projection of consciousness, surpassed even the flight of an evil dragon, almost as if he were riding a radio wave.

He flew past mountains, hills, villages, and fields until he saw mountains piercing through the clouds.

—Mount Coulomb

Somewhere in that mountain, he knew Rikugo, the land Yu’s familiar was waiting. His chest tightened at the thought.

He arrived at the Tact Territory.

This was the land where Lucius had lived for two years.

Beneath the massive mountains lay the small town at the foothills, nestled quietly amid vast tea fields.

It had been over two years since he’d left the east, yet it felt like an age had passed.

But one thing stood out, something he hadn’t seen before.

—A fortress.

It was a grand fortress built to separate the foothill town from Mount Coulomb, with high brick walls, sturdy and imposing.

This fortress was his first destination.

Lucius descended into the fortress courtyard.

The atmosphere was grim.

Lined up were knights in uniform and a young woman in white, lace-adorned armor. All wore stern expressions.

Everyone’s eyes fixed on the semi-transparent form of Lucius as he descended before them.

The first to react were two people at the front of the knights.

It was Commander Karan and Brigade Leader Shaolia, who were responsible for this fortress.

“Lord Lucius.”

“Sir Lucius.”

The last time he’d seen them, they had been pale as death, but now their faces were healthy, filled with spirit. The sight brought him indescribable joy.

“It’s truly been a while.”

They were companions who had shared their final moments together, enduring hardship and pain.

Lucius instinctively embraced them both.

Earlier, he had been able to restrain himself as he had been in his physical form, but as a projection, his emotions got the best of him.

“Oh, what’s this?”

“Wait, wh-what’s going on!?”

The two were flustered.

The projection had no physical body. When he embraced them, he passed right through. And yet, it felt warm.

“…It’s just been a while.”

“Oh? But we just met a few weeks ago back at the royal knight headquarters.”

Commander Karan looked into Lucius’s eyes and gave a slight smile.

“…Alright, we’ll leave the matter of the person bound underground in your hands.”

Karan’s eyes widened, then softened with a slight smile.

“…Alright, I’ll count on you.”

Parting the lines of knights, a beautiful young woman in white, lace-decorated armor appeared.

It was Olivia, the lord of Tact Territory.

“Lucius, why are you here?”

“Hello, Olivia.”

“Hello…? Just here to see everyone’s faces.”

“Honestly, Lucius, you’re the King’s representative.”

Olivia sighed happily.

“You’re about to deploy, aren’t you?”

“Yes, this is the send-off for our troops—”

Before she could finish, Lucius embraced her.

“L-Lucius!?”

Olivia, taken aback, froze.

“Don’t push yourself too hard. If things get dangerous, please, don’t hesitate to call me. No matter what happens, I’ll be there.”

“Y-yes,” 

She said, cheeks red, nodding slightly as she regained her composure.

The knights witnessing the scene began to whisper and laugh.

“Silence! We’re about to head into battle!”

Shaolia’s sharp voice rang out.

“Brigade Leader Shaolia, what’s wrong? You seem tense. Could it be…heartbreak?”

“Commander Karan!”

Shaolia glared at Karan.

“Just kidding, just kidding.” 

He replied with a chuckle.

As laughter spread among the knights, Lucius let go of Olivia.

“Well, I’ll head back.”

“What? Already!?”

“The Doppelganger projection can’t be maintained for too long.”

“I see. Lucius, once the battle is over, I’ll come to the capital.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

With that, Lucius instructed the Doppelganger contractor to release the spell, and his projection, along with his consciousness, faded into nothingness.

When I woke up, I was back at the royal castle.

“One more time, please.”

“Certainly.”

Once again, Lucius let his consciousness drift away.

He soared into the sky, flying swiftly over the kingdom. As he passed the western lands, he saw his territory of Oridelve below, along with its sole town, Bulgia.

He had only spoken to the people of his domain through a communication spell two days ago.

Behind the city of Bulgia lay the vast Silverwood Forest.

This was his father, Robert’s, territory.

Beyond Silverwood, a small village came into view.

— I’ve arrived.

It was Silverheart Village, his birthplace.

Lucius descended into the backyard of his family home. He was flooded with memories of training in swordsmanship with his father here when he was young.

“Lord Lucius, what brings you here?”

He turned at the voice to see Matilda, a maid hanging laundry, looking at him in surprise.

“I’m back, Matilda. I managed to take a short break—”

Before he could finish, Matilda ran up to him, cutting him off with her words.

“I heard about the battle in the capital from Madam’s letter. Are you injured at all!?”

Matilda reached out to roll up his sleeve to check for injuries but her hand passed through him.

Lucius was reminded of her old habit of checking if he was hurt whenever there was trouble. He couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m not actually… here in person.”

“So, it’s… just a copy?”

“Yes, it’s a Doppelganger projection.”

Disappointment showed on Matilda’s face as magic leaked from her right hand.

“Oh, Tink?”

“Tink’s been doing well too?”

Tink was a fairy Matilda had bonded with.

The fairy appeared from her right hand, flying around Lucius a few times before gently kissing her hand, as if to convey respect and affection.

— She must sense the Fairy King’s presence.

A familiar spirit resides within a physical body. Though Lucius’s copy lacked the Fairy King Samael himself, traces of magic still lingered.

“Matilda, where is my father?”

“The Master is at the village’s outskirts, in the open field.”

“Outside the village, is he? I’ll go see him, then.”

Leaving just those words, Lucius took to the sky once more, looking around.

— There he is.

At the village’s edge, his father sat on horseback, surrounded by the village’s mages.

They must be preparing to deploy soon.

Lucius descended, and the villagers eagerly called out to him.

“Hey! It’s Lord Lucius!”

“Really? Master Lucius, it’s been a while!”

“He’s really risen in the world, huh?”

Laughing joyfully, the villagers parted, revealing an older man with graying hair.

It was his father, Robert.

“Lucius! What brings your projection here?”

“I had a bit of free time, so I came to see you.”

“Ha! That’s a good omen. If the general is free, it means the battle is going well.”

Robert laughed boisterously, clearly wanting to ease the villagers’ worries.

“You’re heading to the capital?”

“Yes. First, I’ll join under Lord Strauss’s command. If we go to the front lines, we’ll know when we reach the capital—Hey, Photon!”

A flash of light burst from Robert’s left hand, and Photon, a hippogriff, emerged.

Photon rubbed his cheek against Lucius. Of course, without a physical body, Lucius couldn’t feel it.

“Been a while, Photon.”

“Coming out on your own? You really drain my magic, you know.”

Robert gave a reluctant smile.

“Hey, Dad. If we have time, could you let me ride behind you, like old times?”

“Behind me? You can fly on your own, you know.”

“Just let me.”

“Fine. Hop on.”

Robert mounted Photon, gesturing with his chin. Lucius, as if his body were made of mist, settled himself behind his father.

Photon took flight immediately.

The scenery was the same as when Lucius had flown earlier with his projection.

And yet, somehow, there was a sense of comfort. Perhaps because of the familiar back in front of him.

“…Lucius. Did something bad happen?”

As they reached a sufficient altitude, Robert asked bluntly.

“…Yeah. I went through something horrible, and I can’t shake it.”

In the spiritual realm, he had lost everything. That memory clung to him, haunting him.

“I see. That must’ve been rough.”

Robert said nothing more. He simply stayed by Lucius’s side, carrying him into the sky. He had always been that way.

“You can always come back. The villagers would be happy too.”

How much he wished he could. But he couldn’t stop just yet.

“Hey, Dad?”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“If you faced losing everything important to you, what would you do? Would you still try to protect it all?”

“I’d give it my all. If I couldn’t… well, then I’d die.”

Robert answered without a second thought.

“Die… huh.”

“But that’s my answer. You’re different.”

“Why am I different?”

“Look, Lucius. Do you see Silverheart and Silverwood Forest? And beyond that, your own territory, Oridelve.”

“Yeah.”

“I vowed to protect this place and did everything I could. Now, you’re here. So if the worst should happen, I’m fine with dying, because I know you’ll protect this land and our family.”

“Father…”

“So, you’re not allowed to die. Not until you’ve found someone you love, created a family, and can truly say you’ve passed it on. Nobles are both swords and shields for the people. We don’t belong to ourselves alone.”

“…I understand.”

Robel grinned widely. 

“Now, go out there and show them what you’re made of.”

Lucius couldn’t help but smile in return.

“Father, it’s time for me to go back.”

“Very well. I’ll head to the capital myself once this battle is settled, so let’s meet again then.”

“Yes, see you soon.”

With that, Lucius’s apparition dispersed, and he awoke, sitting up in a room within the royal castle.

—Show them what I’m made of, huh?

He clapped his hands against his cheeks, steeling himself.

“Alright! Off to the Republic!”

He resolved to protect not only his own domain but also this kingdom, and he swore to return home.

Lucius had made up his mind. 

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