Kays Translations

Chapter 9: The Saint Who’s Used to Losing

House Clausel travelled to the imperial capital immediately after arriving in Elendil because Lessard had business to conduct there. That was why they didn’t first visit the Elendil residence.

The magic train, powered by magic stones, moved incomparably faster than a horse. Ren reached the capital before the journey had time to feel long.

The scenery was both astonishing and strangely familiar.

Tracks carrying trains from outside the city converged at a great station in the middle of the main avenue. Elevated lines crossed the capital itself, forming a railway network throughout the enormous city.

The imperial capital was divided into numerous districts and spread across an area dozens of times larger than Clausel. It contained internationally renowned luxury inns, research institutions, guild headquarters, and more prestigious schools than Ren could count, including the Imperial Military Academy.

Farther within the city lay the aristocratic quarter, filled with the residences of high-ranking nobles.

Naturally, only a fraction of that could be seen from the station.

Ren walked along the crowded platform until he reached a railing overlooking the main avenue. At its distant end stood the symbol not merely of the capital, but of Leomel itself.

“The imperial capital is enormous, isn’t it?” Weiss asked beside him.

“Far beyond what I imagined. Seeing it on a screen and seeing it with my own eyes are completely different.”

“A screen?”

“Nothing. Please forget I said that.”

Ren silently cursed his carelessness and looked toward the Imperial Castle.

Its light-grey complex rose from the heart of the city, surrounded by towers and soaring spires. Arched bridges and elevated passages linked its structures far above the ground. The immense design seemed less like human architecture than a crystallisation of magic and mystery—somewhere one could believe the gods themselves resided.

“Whenever I come here,” Licia said as she joined them, “I think the castle alone could cover most of Clausel.”

She looked toward Weiss.

“It’s remarkable that you once served there.”

“You were formerly a Royal Guard knight, weren’t you?” Ren asked.

Weiss had mentioned it at Licia’s birthday celebration.

He touched the sword at his waist.

“His Majesty presented me with this blade in the audience chamber while I still served in the Royal Guard.”

Ren wanted to ask why Weiss had left such a position to serve House Clausel. However, the older knight’s expression had become distant and wistful.

(This isn’t the time.)

Ren decided not to press him.

◇ ◇ ◇

The group and their accompanying knights checked into a secure, reputable inn. It wasn’t the most extravagant establishment in the capital, but its comfort and protection were beyond question.

They would remain overnight because the party began at dusk and would continue late into the evening.

Ren sat in Lessard’s room.

“Are you truly comfortable waiting until we return?” Lessard asked.

“Of course. I was the one who asked to accompany you.”

“Then I shall accept your offer. If you require anything, speak to one of the knights. And if you wish to explore the city, I can arrange a guide.”

“May I not look around by myself?”

Lessard hesitated.

Ren regularly entered Clausel’s eastern forest alone and had survived the Baldor Mountains. In a capital filled with patrolling knights, an escort seemed unnecessary so long as he remained on the main streets.

“I’ll only visit open, crowded areas,” Ren promised.

“Very well.”

Ren left the room. Licia’s room was next to Lessard’s, while his own was farther down the corridor.

“Ren, what were you discussing with Father?”

“I asked permission to explore the city alone.”

“Then I’ll come with you.”

“You can’t. You need to begin preparing for the party.”

Licia pouted, but she knew he was right.

“I’ll greet Marquis Ignat for you,” she said.

“Please do.”

Ren felt slightly guilty when he saw how much she wanted to accompany him.

“Perhaps you could show me around the capital another time.”

“Really? Then leave it to me.”

Her face brightened instantly.

As Ren walked away, Licia nearly reached out toward his back. She stopped herself. The party was important, and Marquis Ignat would attend. She needed to remain composed.

“Ren is always helping me. I have to do my part properly as well.”

She watched until he disappeared, then went to Lessard’s room.

◇ ◇ ◇

A party held at the capital residence of a noble was an exceptionally splendid affair.

Carriages filled the mansion grounds, delivering gentlemen and ladies dressed in brilliant formal clothing. Everything glowed in the red light of sunset, displaying the wealth and elegance of imperial high society.

Lessard and Licia exchanged greetings with nobles from their own faction, the Hero Faction, and the Imperial Faction.

Licia remained the centre of attention. Her beauty was often described as capable of toppling a nation, and even among the capital’s many celebrated noblewomen, she stood apart.

After a seemingly endless succession of greetings, Licia finally released a tired breath.

Lessard smiled over the rim of his glass.

“You look exhausted.”

“My cheeks may become stuck in this expression.”

“Mine as well. They’ll probably ache tomorrow.”

“Father…”

They laughed quietly at their lack of enthusiasm for formal parties.

Another noble approached, but this time it was someone Licia could speak with comfortably.

“Good evening, Baron Clausel.”

It was Sera Riohard, whom Licia had met again that spring.

As the daughter of a Heroic House, Sera had naturally been invited.

“Lady Riohard, it’s been some time,” Lessard said. “I heard that my daughter was discourteous during your recent meeting. How may I apologise?”

“She wasn’t discourteous at all. Please don’t worry about it.”

The reminder of her crushing defeat at the Elendil guard station clearly pained Sera.

“Where’s your father?” Lessard asked.

“Speaking with members of the Hero Faction.”

“Is it wise for you to approach us alone?”

“It’s fine. I firmly told Father not to follow me and bring factional matters into my private friendships.”

Licia and Lessard weren’t certain that ordering her father about was entirely appropriate, but they appreciated Sera’s attempt to avoid creating trouble for House Clausel.

“Why did you leave him to come here?” Licia asked.

“No special reason. I’m tired, and you look tired too. We may as well rest together.”

Sera’s face indeed showed traces of fatigue. Like Licia, she attracted a great deal of attention and had spent the evening greeting nobles.

“I thought you were accustomed to parties.”

“Being accustomed to them doesn’t make them less exhausting.”

They laughed, touched their glasses together, and drank fruit water.

“There’s something I forgot to ask in spring,” Sera said. “What kind of training do you do in Clausel?”

“Nothing unusual. I swing a sword in the garden.”

“That can’t be all.”

“It is. Isn’t that right, Father?”

Lessard nodded.

“Aside from lessons from our knights, Licia only spars with the son of one of the knights serving our house.”

He wasn’t deliberately concealing anything.

Sera’s confusion deepened.

She had received elite instruction since childhood. As the daughter of a Heroic House, she could learn not only from her father but from renowned swordsmen throughout the capital. Yet Licia claimed to have received no comparable education and still stood far above her.

“How did you become that strong without ever knowing defeat?”

“I lose every day.”

Licia’s answer contained neither pride nor false modesty.

“You mean that you fight against your own weaknesses?”

“No. I lose to a boy. He isn’t my enemy, though.”

“An imaginary rival?”

“A real person. The boy Father mentioned.”

Lessard had described him only as the son of a knight serving House Clausel.

Sera drank the remainder of her fruit water in silence. A passing servant refilled the glass. She drank again, then finally managed to speak.

“What?”

“It’s true. He’s the same age as us.”

“Then your matches must be extremely close.”

“Not at all. He holds back, and I still lose badly.”

Sera stared at her, utterly speechless.

Licia answered with a small, graceful smile.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter