Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 44: Being Eaten Away
Elliot and the others attended a meeting in the Royal Order’s barracks.
Several days earlier, Lionel Orias Viniadel’s resignation as commander and Dylan Agreas Ziemeld’s appointment as his successor had been announced. The initial confusion within the Order had now settled.
The ducal House of Ziemeld had long and actively sponsored the Order’s knights. Many were illegitimate sons despite their noble blood, and an extraordinary number felt indebted to the duke, proud master of the formidable Knights of Ziemeld, for noticing them personally.
Isolated undead beasts had also been reported along the Ureri River in the kingdom’s north.
“Awarding every military honor to the Holy Knight alone will unbalance the Order’s morale. This is an excellent opportunity to recognize knights who seldom receive attention.”
The chancellor and assembled knights agreed with Count Agreas. The familiar high-ranking knights were excited by the chance to display their own abilities.
After the meeting, Elliot and Lloyd returned to their castle rooms. Although nominally vice commander, Elliot had been encouraged by Count Agreas to rest and recuperate away from public attention.
“His eloquence is impressive. Marcus and Richard were both eager to prove themselves. I’m sure they’re more than capable of handling the undead beasts.”
Elliot relaxed and nodded at Lloyd’s lighthearted remark.
“This should give us time to consider our next step. By the way, have you told Emily about the holy sword?”
“Not yet. The true sword was damaged because it ceased to be a vessel. I couldn’t bring myself to say that before Emily, who prayed for me…”
Although he knew it was petty vanity, putting the value of what he had lost into words required tremendous courage. With no certainty that he could recover it, he couldn’t confess.
“I see. I heard she has secluded herself in the cathedral and prays every day. I assumed you had told her.”
“Emily is very attentive. Perhaps she sensed something. She was the same on the battlefield.”
Elliot’s shoulders loosened, and a gentle smile touched his face.
He recalled Emily on the battlefield, instantly noticing his smallest injury and rushing first to heal and purify him with a brilliant smile.
“Ha… Are you boasting? Perhaps the Holy Knight truly was special…”
Lloyd’s mutter faded.
“The wedding is only a month and a half away, isn’t it? I understand not wanting to upset her before such an important occasion. This is your second wedding, so perhaps you’re accustomed to it.”
Lloyd intended only the easy banter of close friends, but Elliot could neither laugh nor nod.
—My second? No. There was never a first.
He couldn’t voice the thought. Guilt suddenly stabbed him.
Things he had forgotten and buried as distant memories flickered through his mind.
—It was unavoidable. I was sent to war without warning. There was no time.
—I had no choice but to give up then.
—Once I returned alive and unharmed, I thought…
Those unfulfilled promises were gone.
Flora had sewn a dress late at night after work.
What became of the dress she never even wore?
Elliot shook his head against the memories and words. He tried to remind himself that the matter was finished, something discarded in exchange for glory. Yet nausea rose with his self-disgust at having forgotten.
What one casts away while entranced by glory can never be restored.
He glanced toward the closet in the corner, then quickly lowered his head and looked away. Inside lay the chipped sword wrapped in cloth.
He couldn’t look directly at it and remain sane.