Kays Translations

Chapter 19: In the Imperial Capital in Winter.

The Hanging Garden was the largest station in Elendil. Because it also served as a magic-ship terminal, its scale was exceptional even within Leomel. Simply traveling down to ground level provided a fair amount of exercise.

Once they emerged outside, however, they could rest in the carriage that had been prepared for them.

Ren boarded with the others, and they traveled through the city for several dozen minutes.

Elendil was less crowded than the Imperial Capital, but its historic, atmospheric streets possessed the quietness of a comfortable city without losing their urban character.

Their destination stood near the center of the city.

Unlike the Clausel mansion, the Elendil residence faced a major avenue. No other buildings stood immediately beside it, and a high wall surrounded the entire grounds of the white mansion.

The carriage passed through the gate, and a lush garden welcomed them.

“This is a splendid residence. It feels quite different from the one in Clausel.”

“It does, but…”

Lessard smiled self-deprecatingly.

His expression somehow reminded Ren of his parents during the spring.

“The furnishings are almost identical to those in Clausel. Perhaps because I was a nobleman raised in the countryside, I could never grow accustomed to life in a city like Elendil. I wanted the mansion’s interior to feel familiar, at least, so I employed the same furniture maker.”

“…”

“Ren? Why are you suddenly smiling like that?”

“I remembered hearing exactly the same explanation in the spring.”

When Ren had returned to his village, Roy and Mireille had said precisely the same thing.

The coincidence amused him.

When he explained it to Lessard, who appeared curious, the baron laughed happily.

“We are a lord and the knight who serves him. It is hardly surprising that we share similar sensibilities.”

Licia and Weiss, who had been listening, laughed as well.

Before long, the carriage stopped in front of the mansion’s entrance, and a knight opened its door from outside.

“Let’s go, Ren.”

“Yes. I’m looking forward to seeing the interior too.”

Ren stepped down from the carriage and followed Licia into the grounds.

When he entered beneath the eyes of the servants who had come to welcome them, he immediately understood what Lessard had meant.

The structure differed from that of the Clausel estate, but familiar furnishings appeared wherever Ren looked and put him at ease.

Because Ren lived in the old manor while in Clausel, one of the guest rooms was assigned to him here. During future stays in Elendil, it would take the old manor’s place as his residence.

After joining Lessard and the others in greeting the estate’s steward, Ren was shown to the prepared room.

As promised, it reminded him of Clausel’s main residence.

He would be able to stay there comfortably without feeling out of place.

Perhaps that familiarity was the reason.

After exploring Elendil for the first time that day and spending one night in the mansion, Ren fell asleep without the slightest discomfort.

Nothing hindered his recovery from the long journey.

The next morning, shortly after sunrise, everyone ate breakfast together. Ren then saw the others off at the mansion gate.

Licia asked in a distinctly disappointed voice.

“Are you certain you won’t come with us, Ren?”

“I’m sorry. I want to inspect the monsters appearing in the plains and forests outside Elendil, just to be safe.”

Then, as if to make up for refusing her invitation, he added,

“I’m looking forward to the day I can leave the city with you, Licia-sama. I’ll work hard so that day can come.”

“…That way of saying it is unfair.”

“I mean it. Please take care, Licia-sama.”

The carriage carrying Licia, Lessard, and Weiss departed.

Once it disappeared from sight, Ren returned to his guest room and began preparing to leave the city.

He was equipping himself to fight monsters.

It had been a long time since he had made such preparations, and he found himself growing excited.

His fingers tightened his bootlaces with more force than usual. When he glanced into the room’s mirror, he discovered that he was grinning.

After finishing, Ren slapped both cheeks sharply.

He warned himself not to relax or lower his guard.

“All right…”

At last, he left the room and headed outside.

Recently, too much of his time had been consumed by the journey from Clausel to the territory containing the magic-ship terminal, and by his stays in Elendil and the Imperial Capital. He had barely been able to hunt in the Eastern Forest.

Every step renewed his determination.

Ren addressed a knight in the corridor.

“I’m heading out too.”

The knight had accompanied the party from Clausel and understood the circumstances.

“Understood. As the master has already said, please do not overexert yourself. Take care.”

“Thank you. I’ll see you later.”

Outside the mansion, Ren filled his lungs with fresh air.

“I need to inspect that efficient hunting ground.”

The air of Elendil felt similar to Clausel’s and yet somehow different. After filling his body with it, Ren began walking toward the edge of the city.

Along the way, he looked up at the Grand Clock Tower, one of Elendil’s great symbols.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

A little more than an hour later, the other three walked through the snow-covered Imperial Capital.

Even in the cold, its crowds and activity surpassed Clausel at the height of a festival.

“Licia, what is that vial you have been carrying every day?”

“Ren gave it to me. When he studied the Mighty Sword Style at the Lion’s Holy Office, Edgar-san apparently prepared one for me as well in case I wanted to practice.”

“I see. May I look at it?”

As they proceeded along the Imperial Capital’s busy main avenue, Lessard accepted the vial and examined its contents.

He raised it toward the sky, and the specially treated crystal sphere rolled against the glass with a soft clink.

“Thank you. What connection does this have to the Mighty Sword Style?”

“Um… Weiss, would you explain?”

“Certainly. My lord, the object inside is a specially treated crystal. The practitioner refines mana in the manner required to use Arts and sends it through the glass into the crystal. If the practitioner can destroy it, that demonstrates an aptitude for the Mighty Sword Style.”

“I see. As one might expect of the Mighty Sword Style, it includes practices unheard of in other schools.”

“Yes.”

Licia nodded, but faint impatience showed on her face.

“Ren and I practice constantly, but I still cannot sense any sign that I will break it.”

“Is Ren in the same position?”

“Yes. Edgar-san said Ren possesses the necessary aptitude, so his success is only a matter of time. I hope I have an aptitude for the Mighty Sword Style too…”

“I do not believe you need to worry. You are already becoming skilled in Sacred Magic, one aspect of the White Saint’s power. Sacred Magic requires especially delicate mana control even among forms of magic. Since you are also an accomplished swordswoman, it would not be surprising if you possessed an aptitude for the Mighty Sword Style.”

“…I hope you’re right.”

Licia accepted the vial when Lessard returned it.

She raised it toward the winter sky, studied the crystal, and prayed earnestly that her efforts would soon produce a result.

Not long afterward, Lessard spoke.

“I can see it.”

Their destination—the clothing shop—had come into view.

Lessard had visited it many times and had first met his late wife there. The outfit Licia had inherited from her mother had also been made in that shop.

That made it the natural place to have the clothing altered.

“Since we have come all this way, and since you have grown, let us have several new outfits selected for you as well.”

“May I really?”

Licia’s voice leaped with excitement.

“Of course. There must be clothes you would like to show Ren, so choose whatever you please.”

“F-Father!”

“There is no need to be embarrassed. Come. While we are here, we may as well find something for Weiss and me too.”

“My lord, for me as well…?”

“Yes. Accept it as thanks for your daily service.”

Weiss was bewildered by the unexpected offer. He refused once, but Lessard firmly told him not to worry about it. Realizing that further refusal would be discourteous, Weiss bowed his head.

They remained in the shop until after midday.

They carried none of their purchases away. Most required fresh tailoring and adjustments, so the completed garments would be sent to the Elendil mansion.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

The three ate at a restaurant that caught their attention along the main avenue. Afterward, as planned, they set out toward the blacksmith district.

“Are you going to buy new equipment there?”

Licia asked Weiss as they walked through one corner of the crowded Imperial Capital.

“No. We are going concerning a sword for you, my lady.”

“For me?”

“Yes. For some time, I have been consulting a blacksmith I know about your sword.”

With Licia preparing to begin serious training against monsters, this was a convenient opportunity to complete the arrangement.

It was not that Licia had never possessed a sword of her own. As she grew, however, its blade had become too short for her body and increasingly ill-suited to her fighting style.

With her future development in mind, Weiss had arranged for a better sword to be made.

“Hmm. Is that so? Then you should have told me as well.”

“My apologies. It is not solely a gift from me. It is also intended as a present from all the household servants.”

Realizing that any objection would be tactless, Lessard expressed his gratitude plainly.

Weiss looked slightly embarrassed. Licia then addressed him in a brighter voice.

“If the blacksmith is someone you know, you must have been acquainted for a long time.”

“Exactly so. I met him while serving in the Imperial Guard. My, my… I have certainly grown old.”

Weiss laughed as he looked back on those years with distant eyes.

A cold winter wind blew between the three of them.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter