Chapter 52: As Summer Draws to an End

By the time everything had been dealt with and Ren was finally able to return to the mansion, it was already deep into the night.

Radius had repeatedly told him that he was free to leave, but Ren had taken part in the operation and refused to abandon the cleanup halfway through.

The disturbance had shocked more than a few people. Ulysses had been working behind the scenes at the same time, so its effects had been kept to a minimum, but there was inevitably a mountain of work to handle at the scene.

(I’m exhausted.)

That was the only thought in Ren’s mind.

He glanced toward a clock tower and saw that its hands pointed to three in the morning.

When he reached the Clausel mansion, he exchanged a few words with the knight standing guard before the iron gate.

“Welcome home.”

That was all the knight said.

One look at Ren’s exhausted face—and one thought of the commotion whose aftereffects had reached even this part of the city—was enough for the man to understand most of what had happened.

“Is everyone still awake?”

“Even at this hour?”

“Of course. The master has had a great deal of work to do because of the disturbance in the city.”

“Have nobles from the Imperial Capital come here, then?”

“A great many messengers have.”

No one, however, had tried to force their way into the mansion. Ulysses had probably taken measures to prevent that.

That was all Ren needed to know.

It was not his role to deal with such matters, and if Ulysses was handling them, Ren had no objections. More accurately, he was far too tired to think about any of it in detail.

“What am I even going to say when I go inside…?”

As he forced his weary mind to work, the knight at the gate smiled at him.

“Please get a good night’s sleep, Ren-dono. That is all you need to do.”

Ren stared for a moment, then gave a faint laugh of his own. His smile was much weaker than usual.

He passed through the gate and entered the lawn-covered grounds. Walking straight along the cobblestone path, he reached the mansion without noticing something he normally would have spotted at once: a carriage parked in one corner of the garden.

He was simply too tired to care. The servant waiting at the entrance greeted him gently and opened the door.

(First, a hot bath. Then something to eat.)

Even after that, it would probably be another hour before he could sleep—perhaps two, since he would need to report the day’s events to Lessard.

He wanted nothing more than to collapse into bed, but that could not be helped. The thought that dawn might arrive before he finally slept drew a bitter smile from him.

“You may use the large bath, if you wish. The master said the same.”

“Thank you very much.”

Ren accepted the offer and went to bathe.

Only after he had finished did he realize his mistake.

(I should have asked for something to eat before I went in.)

It was already so late that he intended to settle for a light meal and then rest. As he left the bath, however, a servant called out to him.

“We have prepared a meal for you in the hall.”

“You have?”

“My, why do you look so surprised?”

“Because I never said anything about being hungry.”

“Do you truly believe we servants would fail to notice? Everything is ready. We would be happy to serve you.”

At that exact moment, Ren’s stomach growled.

Embarrassed by the pitiful sound, he scratched his cheek and thanked her. She led him to the hall, where Edgar was waiting.

“Welcome home, Ren-dono.”

“Edgar-san? Why are you here?”

“As long as Lady Fiona remains here, so do I. Even without that, I intended to wait for your return tonight.”

Edgar smiled gently.

“You played the hero again this evening, did you not?”

“I don’t know about that. I only did what I could. In the end, the Sword King’s power overwhelmed me.”

“Ha-ha. I see. I understand perfectly.”

After that brief exchange, Edgar showed him farther into the hall. The food on the table was still steaming.

“So Fiona-sama is still in Elendil.”

Ren had assumed she would already have returned to the Imperial Capital.

On second thought, that had never been likely. Fiona would hardly leave the moment the operation ended without waiting for Ren to return.

Then where was she?

“Both young ladies remained awake, waiting for you, until only a short while ago.”

Fiona and Licia were asleep on a sofa. They sat close together beneath a single lap blanket, several reference books resting across their knees, their heads gently leaning against one another.

“Why are they sleeping like that?”

“Lady Fiona has been helping Lady Licia study for the past several hours. At some point, exhaustion caught up with them both.”

They had apparently spent the night side by side, books in hand, teaching and studying.

“Lady Fiona has been staying up late to prepare for her own examinations. I have also heard that Lady Licia has not been sleeping much because of hers.”

No wonder they had fallen asleep.

Both girls had endured an emotionally exhausting day. Ren had left the mansion to fight while they could do nothing but wait, and at last neither had been able to remain conscious until his return.

The sight of them made the corners of Ren’s mouth rise.

“So that’s why you were still here, Edgar-san.”

“As I said, I would have waited for you regardless.”

Ren took his seat and ate before the food grew cold. He did not wake the girls to greet them. He briefly considered taking the meal to his room, but most of the dishes were light and easy to eat, so he remained in the hall.

“By the way, I met the daughter of House Riohard tonight.”

“I have already been informed. My lord is handling the matter with House Riohard, so there is no cause for concern.”

“That’s a relief. You really do move quickly.”

“My lord does not often devote himself entirely to covert work, but when he does, he performs it thoroughly.”

“There is no one more frightening than Ulysses-sama when he decides to work in the shadows. Honestly.”

What Ulysses had done in Legend of the Seven Heroes could hardly be called covert, but his determination to accomplish his objective had always been formidable. His support was undoubtedly one of the main reasons Radius had been able to act so freely that night.

Ren recalled the day’s events as he continued eating.

“I’ll need to speak with Lessard-sama after this.”

“Unfortunately, that will not be possible tonight. Baron Clausel left the mansion two hours ago to join my lord in the Imperial Capital. He asked me to tell you to rest well.”

Ren could not deny feeling relieved.

The knowledge that sleep was now the only thing left for him to do made his body feel a little lighter. It was not that he regarded his report to Lessard lightly. He was simply too exhausted to manage anything more that night.

“Great Swordsman-dono.”

Edgar addressed him without warning.

“After witnessing tonight’s battle, have you found a destination for your sword?”

Ren fell silent.

He had long possessed a goal and had never stopped pursuing it. Edgar must have had a reason for asking now. Perhaps he believed that the lesson would remain in Ren’s heart more firmly if spoken while the Sword King’s power was still vivid in his mind.

(Even now, he never misses an opportunity.)

Despite his exhaustion, Ren’s thoughts sharpened. Edgar had deliberately called him a great swordsman before asking about the path ahead.

“I simply reaffirmed the same presumptuous goal I have always had.”

Edgar smiled in satisfaction.

“Few can look upon the summit and correctly understand the distance separating them from it. Fewer still can understand that distance and nevertheless choose to walk toward it.”

“Some people would laugh at me as a clown.”

“Only those unable to distinguish a heroic tale from a comedy would call it foolish.”

Ren finished his meal and looked up at Edgar beside him.

“What I saw astonished me. But my goal has not changed. Just as I decided at the Clausel mansion, I will continue honing my sword until I become as strong as a Sword King.”

That answer was all Edgar had wanted.

Had Ren been crushed by the reality of the Sword King’s power, Edgar would have offered him guidance. There was no need. Ren was as eager as ever—perhaps even more so.

“The director of the Lion’s Holy Office will return to the Imperial Capital next spring. It should provide Ren-dono with an excellent opportunity to learn.”

“…I see.”

“Ren-dono?”

“It’s nothing. Fatigue made my mind wander for a moment.”

That was not quite true. The mention of the director had reminded Ren of his game knowledge.

(Next spring is going to become lively again.)

He straightened in his chair.

A quiet knock sounded at the hall door. A Clausel servant entered and spoke to Edgar in a low voice.

“Pardon me. Your master has sent word.”

“Understood. I shall remain here as a precaution.”

“Thank you for your consideration. Please wait a moment.”

Edgar left the hall.

Now alone, Ren rose and approached the sofa. It might have been improper to sit so close to two sleeping girls, but he could no longer endure the hard wooden chair. He wanted the comfort of the sofa.

Its cushions were soft without swallowing him, and the sensation immediately made his eyelids heavier.

(Only for a moment. Just until Edgar returns.)

Unable to resist, Ren’s breathing gradually deepened. Within minutes, he lost consciousness.

Only a few dozen seconds later, Licia’s eyes fluttered open. Fiona woke several seconds after her. They looked at one another and gasped.

They had meant to wait for Ren, yet both had fallen asleep. Realizing that, they silently blamed themselves—until they noticed him.

“R-Ren!?”

“Ren-kun…?”

They spoke almost simultaneously and quickly stood.

The girls moved to sit on either side of the exhausted boy. Their expressions softened into gentle smiles as they praised him in quiet voices.

Neither mentioned her frustration at being unable to accompany him. For now, it was enough to acknowledge what Ren had accomplished.

“Licia-sama, perhaps we should take Ren-kun to his room.”

“Yes, but if we lift him, we may wake him.”

They hesitated.

Still half asleep, they forgot the obvious solution of calling Edgar or one of the knights. Their attention narrowed entirely to Ren, as though the two of them personally had to solve the problem.

They were still considering whether they could carry him together when Edgar returned.

“What, precisely, are the two of you doing?”

The obvious question made both girls flush. Only then did they remember that they could simply have called for help. Their hands, which had been reaching toward Ren, froze in place.

Understanding at once, Edgar smiled helplessly.

Perhaps disturbed by the voices around him, Ren woke. The brief sleep had done little to ease his fatigue. He blinked and found Licia and Fiona sitting on either side of him.

“I’m sorry, but I have no idea what is happening.”

He stated his confusion honestly.

“W-We thought you must be tired and should sleep in a bed!”

“I was also wondering whether there was some way Licia-sama and I could carry you to your room!”

Their flustered explanations put Ren at ease. He understood the situation.

“Ren.”

Licia leaned toward him.

“May we ask what happened today?”

Fiona followed her.

“We don’t want to force you to speak now. We know you’re tired, Ren-kun.”

“Yes. You can tell us tomorrow—or whenever you have rested.”

Even so, Ren felt like talking.

The few minutes of sleep had cleared his mind more than expected. More importantly, he had left after telling the two of them an absurd lie. He could not bring himself to go to bed without explaining anything.

Where should he begin?

He glanced at Edgar. The elderly butler silently mouthed that it was all right.

“It’s a long story.”

For now, Ren decided to start with the most important fact.

“I fought the Demon King cult at the Grand Clock Tower together with Radius.”

That was the truth, however stunned the two girls might look.

“You truly did?”

“What do you mean, ‘truly’?”

Both had already guessed that Ren had gone to fight, but neither had imagined that he had taken part in an operation beside the Third Prince himself.

Ren began to wonder whether he had done something outrageously abnormal again.

Then again, that was very much like Ren. Licia and Fiona reached the same conclusion and started giggling at the same time.

“Honestly, Ren. Just when I thought you were finally going to explain yourself.”

“You told us you were going monster hunting, but in reality you fought the Demon King cult alongside His Highness the Third Prince.”

“You’re both laughing, but I’m telling the truth.”

“We know. I don’t doubt you. I was simply surprised.”

“So was I. But it also seemed very much like something you would do, Ren-kun.”

Ren’s drowsiness had vanished.

As an apology for leaving the mansion without telling them the truth, he recounted the day’s events. The story continued until dawn, while Licia and Fiona listened with warm smiles, watching his profile.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Two weeks later, a messenger from Radius came for Ren.

The prince had arranged a meal for them, and that evening Ren and Radius sat across from one another at the same restaurant on the main avenue where they had once shared steaks.

“Are you certain we should discuss this in a place like this?”

“This is not the sort of conversation others should hear, but this restaurant serves food I like.”

“I wasn’t questioning the restaurant’s quality. I meant that we are obviously going to discuss the recent operation.”

“Do not worry. Everyone seated around us is a practitioner of the Mighty Sword Style.”

“Why?”

“Pure coincidence. Apparently, all of our reservations happened to overlap.”

“That is an obvious lie. Still, I know you have taken every possible precaution, so I will leave it at that.”

Their food arrived. The server was the same man who had attended them before, although advance notice had spared him the extreme nervousness he had shown during Radius’s first unexpected visit.

“Allow me to thank you again,” Radius said. “You were an enormous help.”

“There is no need. Thank you for allowing me to accompany you.”

They ate steak and drank fruit water. After several minutes, Radius brought up Lenidus.

“We have been questioning Lenidus and the other cultists, but they grow weaker by the day. Food and potions make no difference.”

“Are they deliberately trying to die?”

“It does not appear so. Their marks seem to be draining their strength.”

The prisoners had been kept under careful watch. The guards, restraints, magic tools, physicians, and potions had all been selected to prevent them from harming themselves or being harmed by others. Nevertheless, their vitality continued to drain away, as though water were being poured into a cracked vessel.

“Even so, the investigation has produced something useful.”

Radius emptied his glass of fruit water.

“Six months ago, they joined forces with certain people in the Holy Land.”

“The Holy Land?”

“Yes. The Demon King cult attacked a temple and stole a relic kept there.”

“That isn’t something you could have learned merely by analyzing Lenidus’s mark, is it?”

“No. We obtained the basic information during interrogation. However, traces of holy water remained in his mark. The power sealed within it was damaged when he took part in the theft. My Analysis confirmed that, so there can be no doubt that Lenidus was involved in the Holy Land incident.”

Ren followed Radius’s example and drank from his glass.

“The stolen relic is called Elfen’s Tears.”

Legend described it as a liquid with the power to purify anything. Ren could not understand why the Demon King cult would want it. To them, such a substance should have been little more than an extraordinarily potent poison.

“Has it already been stolen?”

“According to Lenidus, yes. The cult attacked the temple together with the being they call their leader. Both sides suffered casualties.”

“I cannot imagine what they intend to do with it.”

“Neither can I. A relic whose only known power is purification should be useless to them.”

As a precaution, Radius had begun coordinating with the Great Temple in the Imperial Capital and temples throughout Leomel. Ulysses was naturally assisting him.

When their meal ended and chilled sweets were brought to cleanse the palate, Radius spoke in a serious voice.

“Ren. When the time comes, will you fight beside me again?”

“I cannot promise unconditionally on my own authority. But if the battle is necessary to protect the people I wish to protect, then I will gladly risk my life.”

“That is enough. I could ask for no better answer.”

Radius then changed the subject.

“I have prepared a reward for House Clausel in recognition of the recent operation. Tell Lessard to present himself at the castle on the appointed day. Tardiness will not be tolerated.”

“I don’t understand the details, but I will tell Lessard-sama to go to the castle.”

“Good. I would also like to thank you personally. Is there anything you want?”

The sudden question troubled Ren. Then, considering Radius’s position and future, an idea occurred to him.

“If you become Crown Prince, I would appreciate it if you searched the Forbidden Archive for me.”

“The Forbidden Archive? I cannot agree without knowing more. What sort of book do you seek?”

Ren did not know whether the archive contained what he wanted—or whether the information still existed anywhere. Even so, he wanted to learn whatever he could about House Ashton.

He hesitated to explain, but ultimately chose to trust Radius.

“I would like to see an old Ashton family tree, if one exists. Any other records concerning House Ashton would also be valuable.”

“Hmm. That would not be difficult if such records are present, but I cannot imagine why they would be kept in the Forbidden Archive.”

Radius did not fully understand the request, yet because it came from Ren, he decided to honor it as far as possible.

First, of course, he had to become Crown Prince.

“Hearing you say that makes me want the position at any cost.”

“It is enough if you simply remember my request.”

“I will. In truth, the Forbidden Archive does contain genealogies of certain old noble houses for reasons I do not entirely understand. There may be something there that you would find useful.”

Radius stood.

“Next time, let us tour the castle town together—not as warriors, but as friends.”

“What is the Third Prince saying now?”

“You think it absurd? A disguise will solve most problems. Compared with the battle at the Grand Clock Tower, it would be trivial.”

“That is… difficult to dispute.”

“Then you can introduce me to a shop that serves excellent fruit water. You seem to know the Imperial Capital’s establishments well.”

“Fruit water? Not wine?”

“I am old enough that no one would reprimand me for drinking, but alcohol does not particularly interest me.”

Radius turned away and continued speaking, once again displaying a personality wholly unlike the prince Ren remembered from Legend of the Seven Heroes.

“Fruit water is excellent. Some varieties are expensive, but most cost less than alcohol. People say moderate drinking can be healthy, but fruit water is healthier still. Both have their virtues, perhaps, but I prefer fruit water.”

“So the Third Prince known as a genius loves fruit water.”

Radius stopped and looked back over one shoulder.

“Yes. I have a sweet tooth. Keep it secret from my people.”

He smiled like a boy his age and left the restaurant.

Around Ren, chairs scraped as the surrounding customers rose. The Mighty Sword practitioners who had coincidentally made reservations there were apparently leaving at precisely the same time.

Listening to them go, Ren finished the fruit water in his glass.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Mirei greeted Radius when he entered his carriage.

“You seem to have enjoyed yourself, nya.”

“I did. I had never imagined that simply talking with a friend could be so pleasant.”

The wheels began rolling over the cobblestones. Faint sounds of the city’s nighttime activity drifted in from outside.

Radius turned from the window toward Mirei and told her what he had witnessed at the Grand Clock Tower.

“Ren is extraordinary. I wonder what lies beneath that unfathomable strength.”

He smiled as he spoke, clearly still savoring the dinner he had just shared.

“Is he like the Sword King, nya?”

“No. She is extraordinary as well, but this is different. It is difficult to explain. I need a fitting comparison for the unreachable depth beneath Ren’s strength.”

Radius considered the question for a while before speaking again.

“His strength resembles that girl’s.”

“Which girl, nya?”

“Surely you have heard the tale. It is an old story told by the emperor to every child of the imperial family.”

“Ah! That story, nya!”

Radius nodded broadly.

“The Corroding Princess. Ren’s strength reminds me of hers.”

He recalled the old tale his father, the emperor, had told him when he was still young.

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