Kays Translations

Chapter 38: Yu and Lauren

"There's an opening."

Yu's sharp voice resounded.

"Yes."

Lucius' practice sword clashed with Yu's sword.

The sound of hard metal colliding echoed.

It had been about two weeks since Lucius began staying at the government office in preparation for his contract with the ritual. Yu and Lucius were practicing in the dojo, a simple shelter in the garden of the temporary office, from morning till noon.

A loud noise reverberated in the dojo as Lucius' practice sword was deflected.

"...I yield."

Lucius knew it already, but Yu's martial arts skills were excellent. Since facing the Evil Dragon, Lucius had gained more experience and no longer hesitated in front of mediocre opponents, but he still couldn't match Yu's technique.

Yu's large sword disappeared from his hand.

Lucius had seen it before, and it felt strange at first, but it seemed to be the ritual that many people in the eastern region possessed to manifest their weapons.

"It seems you still have the habit of waiting, Lucius. While it's natural to have strengths and weaknesses, if you only focus on the future, your moves become predictable. By increasing the number of proactive moves and mixing truth and falsehood, you can become even stronger."

"Thank you."

Yu's advice was not a vague comment like his father Robel's, but concrete and more accurate. It alone made Lucius feel that it was worth coming to the eastern region.

Originally, Lucius was a guest in this land by royal order, and as the deputy magistrate, Yu didn't need to watch over his training. However, since Lucius was found practicing in the garden one morning, they had continued to train together every morning.

During this time, their routine had become training with Yu in the morning and assisting Olivia in the lord's mansion during the day. It was not only out of concern, but also because it would be beneficial for Lucius to learn practical skills for his future and to gain a better understanding of the eastern region.

"In addition, Yu-san, your martial arts skills are really strong. As expected of a former platoon leader."

"People like me still have a long way to go."

"No, that's not true."

If Yu still had a long way to go, Lucius couldn't even imagine how lacking he himself was.

"That's right. I don't think I could stand a chance against the Imperial War Emperor or the Four Saints of the Republic."

The Empire and the Republic were neighboring countries, but Lucius wasn't very familiar with them.

"What kind of people are they?"

"The Empire is currently at war, so I can't say much, but each of them is a hero of their respective countries."

"Heroes? Are there such people in this country?"

"I'm not sure about this country, but there is a legend of a hero who saved Mount Kuron."

"A hero who sealed the power of a demon?"

As Lucius voiced his question, he picked up the practice sword.

"Yes, during the battle between Chiyou and Yinglong, there was a warrior who possessed the power to seal Chiyou. It is said that Yinglong was able to win because of that hero. Those born around here grow up hearing the tale of that hero."

"...A human who can seal the power of monsters."

While feeling a sense of doubt, Lucius picked up the practice sword.

"Yu-sama, Lucius-san, breakfast is ready."

Lauren called out to the two from the main house.

"Lauren, sorry about that."

Yu, who had been engrossed in training, apologized to Lauren for leaving her to prepare breakfast.

"...No, don't worry about it."

Lauren replied with a composed face.

She had a dignified expression.

What was even more puzzling was Yu's attitude.

When talking to Lucius, Yu would look him straight in the eyes and speak concisely, but he didn't even make eye contact with Lauren.

The formality between them had continued for several days, and it started to make Lucius uncomfortable. The mask-like expression on Lauren's face felt familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before.

"Where have I seen it before?"

The three of them moved to the dining room and started breakfast.

Yu and Lauren didn't exchange many words.

Both of them were not particularly talkative, but it was strange how there was so little conversation between them, especially considering that there was hardly any before Lucius arrived.

"Hey, Lauren."

"What is it?"

"How long have you been living with Yu-san?"

Yu averted his gaze.

It seemed like a sign that he didn't intend to join the conversation.

"We've been together since I can remember. When I was about two years old, my parents passed away due to illness, and Yu-sama took me in."

"Have you always used that way of addressing him?"

"...I guess it became that way without me realizing it."

Yu silently ate his bread. The air became heavy.

Trying to change the subject, Yu coughed deliberately and started talking.

"I have been summoned by the lord again today. I'll go and see her, but I'll be back in the evening. You don't need to prepare lunch."

Of course, the lord he referred to was Olivia.

Probably due to her natural assertiveness, she had been inviting Yu frequently and persuading him lately. Finding capable retainers as soon as possible was crucial, or Olivia and Lucius might collapse before accomplishing their goals.

"...Understood. Have a safe trip."

Lauren responded with a composed smile. There was also a hint of loneliness in her voice.

Once again, Lucius realized that he had seen that face before.

But he couldn't remember where.

Feeling uneasy, he couldn't focus in his room. He picked up the coat hanging there and made his way to Lauren's room.

"It's Lucius, but Lauren, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure."

Lauren opened the door with a smiling and friendly face.

Although she was smiling, her gaze was cautious, keeping a certain distance from Lucius.

"What's the matter?"

"Lauren, are you afraid of heights?"

"No, I think I'm normal."

"Then let's go look at the sky together now."

"Huh?"

Lucius forcefully grabbed Lauren's hand.

"Hey, Lucius-san!"

They went out to the garden, and Lucius summoned the Evil Dragon from his left hand.

He felt the sensation of emptying his magical power, but his mental energy was replenished.

Lucius placed Lauren on the Evil Dragon's neck and climbed on as well.

"No, I'm scared!"

Lauren clung to the dragon's neck.

Not many humans had ever ridden on the back of an Evil Dragon.

"It's okay. There's something I want to show you."

Reassuring the frightened Lauren, Lucius made the Evil Dragon soar into the sky.

He avoided steep ascents as much as possible, not wanting to scare her.

Gradually circling and ascending, they aimed higher and higher.

"No!"

Lauren held onto the dragon's neck tightly.

The temperature dropped, and Lucius placed the coat he had brought over Lauren's back.

"Lauren, you'll be fine."

Lucius looked into Lauren's frightened eyes with a serious expression.

A faint irritation could be seen on her slightly calmer face.

"Why are you suddenly doing this? Taking me to a place like this."

"That's a valid point."

If Lauren had suddenly been taken and brought close to the clouds on the back of the Evil Dragon, it would be understandable for her to feel anger.

"Lauren, take a look around."

Beneath their gaze, they could see the vast land stretching to the horizon.

In some places, the peaks of Mount Klune pierced through the clouds.

The land, the mountains, and the clouds were all bathed in the light of the setting sun, creating a fantastical scene, as if the world had been dyed in a soft shade of red.

"The town looks so small..."

"Indeed."

"So, what is it?"

Lauren looked perplexed at Lucius' nonchalant expression.

"My father used to show me this."

"Your father? Show you what?"

"The sky."

"The sky?"

"My father had a Hippogriff that could fly in the sky for his ritual. Before I contracted with the Evil Dragon, whenever I felt down or thought I couldn't go on, he would always take me to the sky."

Lucius' words caught Lauren's attention.

"It's strange, though. When you look at the town and houses from above, they seem so small, and it makes you realize how vast the world is. It makes whatever you're worried or upset about seem trivial."

Lauren looked down at the small town from above once again.

Then she shifted her gaze to the horizon.

"That... could be true."

"I might not know much about Lauren's relationship with Yu-san, apart from the fact that you seem troubled. But I thought I could at least take you to see the sky."

Lauren's shoulder twitched slightly.

She was surprised that Yu's name came up.

"Um... what were Mr. Lucius' parents like?"

"My father is a carefree and irresponsible person, often saying things that are hard to understand, but he is a respectable man. My mother could be terrifying when she is angry, but she is always kind and someone who would cry for my sake. And although we're not related by blood, there's also a woman who always looks at me with concern, like an older sister."

"I... envy that. I've been living with Yu-sama since I can remember. I don't even remember what my father's or mother's faces looked like."

"Even though I haven't met him for a long time, I think Yu-san is a sincere person."

Based on his past experiences, Lucius understood that it wasn't about blood relations. What mattered was whether someone saw him for who he was.

Lauren had a somewhat apologetic expression.

After hesitating for a moment, she muttered:

"...You might despise me for saying this, but... I am the former lord's daughter."

"You mean the previous lord's family that was extinguished!?"

"Yu-sama made it appear that way. But the people in the town have noticed."

Lucius remembered seeing Lauren being accused in front of the burned-down government office when he arrived in the town.

The previous lord had killed many children in the domain and was eventually defeated by Yu. It had only been eight years since then, and there were probably many people in this town who had lost their children.

The lord was dead, but his daughter was still alive before their eyes.

There might be people who held grudges against his relatives.

Still, Lucius didn't want to believe it.

He couldn't imagine that the nobles in this world would commit such foolish acts as needlessly killing children.

"There must have been some reason for the previous lord's actions..."

Lauren seemed shocked, and tears started to flow.

"What's wrong!?"

"It's just... It's the first time someone has spoken like that about the previous lord..."

Lauren wiped away her tears with her hand.

"People say things like, 'Your father is a cruel murderer. Why are you still alive?'"

From the perspective of the villagers, that might be the case.

"But that's because I want to believe it. Nobles are supposed to live to protect their subjects. And I think Yu-san is the same."

Yu was protecting the town as the deputy governor. Even though it had only been about two weeks, Lucius understood that much.

"But... Yu-sama regrets taking me in. Sometimes he looks at me with such a sad expression."

Lauren's face darkened.

Lucius couldn't understand the reasons behind Yu's actions.

But even so, he couldn't imagine that Yu despised Lauren.

"There must be some other reason for that."

"I don't know. I don't even know how to approach him."

"For now, why don't you try calling him 'Yu-san' instead of 'Yu-sama'?"

"Yu...san?"

"Yeah, I used to keep my distance from my parents too."

"Lucius-san did?"

Lauren seemed incredulous.

"Yeah. But my father used to say that I should talk more casually."

"I see... I'll think about it."

As the autumn day drew to a close, the air became chilly.

Lauren seemed to tremble slightly, whether from the cold or something else.

"Shall we go back? If you ever want to see the sky again, just let me know."

"Yes, thank you."

She smiled and replied while holding onto her coat.

As the Evil Dragon slowly descended and approached the ground, it felt oddly warm near the surface.

The townspeople seemed flustered.

They had already seen Lucius' Evil Dragon once, but fear remained fear.

Oh no...

A thunderous explosion suddenly resounded, shaking the air.

At the same time, the sky was enveloped in magical energy.

"What's happening!?"

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