Kays Translations

[Volume 1 Release Commemorative SS] Events at the Beginning of Autumn (Part 1)

One day in September, two letters arrived at the Clausel mansion in Elendil from the Imperial Military Academy.

One was addressed to Ren and the other to Licia.

The two had just finished their morning training and opened the letters together in the mansion garden.

“It seems I passed.”

“So did I. That means the third examination is next.”

“Yes. After that, only the final examination will remain.”

Their words sounded calm, yet both wore unmistakable smiles.

Unlike before the first examination, neither had seriously feared failure this time. Their confidence came from the work they had put in.

As they wiped away their training sweat with towels, Weiss approached.

“I see the examination results have arrived.”

Licia told him that they had both passed, and he smiled.

Weiss had never expected either Ren or Licia to fail, but hearing the result confirmed still made him happy.

“You should inform the master.”

“Of course. After we bathe, Ren and I were going to report together.”

That reminded Ren of something.

“After we speak with Lessard-sama, I think I’ll visit the Imperial Capital.”

“What business do you have there, lad?”

“I need to submit my application for the third examination directly to the Imperial Military Academy.”

“Then I’ll go with you,” Licia said.

“Do you also have business in the capital, Licia-sama?”

She nodded. Licia had arranged to meet her friend Sera.

Since the disturbance at the Grand Clock Tower, they had not been able to meet in person. Worried about Licia, Sera had invited her to share a meal.

“I was thinking of leaving before noon. Does that suit you, Ren?”

“Of course.”

Licia smiled happily at his answer.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

The two young noblewomen met again after a long absence on the terrace of a fashionable restaurant in the Imperial Capital.

“I was worried about you. Truly, truly worried!”

Sera leaned across the round, white-clothed table until her face was close to Licia’s.

Licia gave a small, amused sigh at her intensity.

“I’m grateful that you worried about me. But I heard you were so concerned that you nearly forced your way past the knights without listening to them.”

“Ugh… I couldn’t help it. I thought you might be in danger.”

“I know.”

Licia answered with a gentle, admonishing smile beautiful enough to charm even Sera.

Sera looked faintly aggrieved but reluctantly sat back in her chair.

“So what exactly happened that night?”

“Sera…”

“You cannot expect me to believe you heard nothing. His Highness the Third Prince and knights from the Lion’s Holy Office were there. Father also thinks Marquis Ignat was working behind the scenes.”

Licia could not answer.

Her inability to explain anything to a friend who had worried so deeply left her with an uncomfortable sense of guilt. Still, the circumstances did not permit her to reveal more.

She did not want to dismiss Sera’s concern entirely, however.

“House Clausel has not joined the Imperial Faction. Please do not misunderstand that much.”

It was the only information she could safely give.

“I’m the daughter of one of the Hero Faction’s nobles. I understand how troublesome noble affairs can be.”

“Thank you. I want you to remember that I consider you my closest friend.”

“Y-Yes, yes.”

Sera answered brusquely and rested her cheek in one hand. A blush colored the side of her face.

“Oh, that’s right.”

She suddenly looked at Licia again.

“How did you do on the second examination?”

“I passed without difficulty.”

Only two examinations remained: the third in mid-October and the final one shortly after the New Year.

“You didn’t use a recommendation, either, did you?”

“Either? You’re the daughter of one of the Seven Great Houses. You chose not to use a recommendation?”

“Yes. We could not obtain a recommendation letter for Vayne, so I decided to take every examination from the beginning with him.”

Licia was surprised that Sera’s father had permitted it.

“It makes the process harder, but if we were going to fail at the first hurdle, using a recommendation would have been pointless anyway.”

“I suppose that is true.”

Licia chuckled.

“Did Vayne pass as well?”

“He did. What about the boy you said was stronger than you? I heard he was taking the examinations too.”

“We both passed.”

“Then studying together in the Special Class may truly become a reality.”

The dishes they had ordered began to arrive. They ate while continuing their conversation for more than ten pleasant minutes.

“Something you said earlier has been bothering me,” Sera said.

“What was it?”

“The boy you said was stronger than you. You told me he passed, but I may know someone even stronger than him.”

According to Sera, another boy their age was stronger than Ren.

Because Sera spoke with such certainty, Licia did not dismiss it as idle boasting.

“Someone our age?”

“Of course. I saw him myself.”

(I cannot imagine anyone our age being stronger than Ren.)

Licia listened with growing curiosity.

“I saw him last month,” Sera continued. “He arrived on horseback with His Highness the Third Prince. He looked about our age, and he used the Mighty Sword Style. Perhaps he was some secret trump card kept by His Highness.”

“He was beside the Third Prince during the Grand Clock Tower incident?”

“Yes! He appeared with His Highness and swept away the Demon King cult with absurd swordsmanship. It shocked me even more than when you defeated me so thoroughly.”

“He was that impressive?”

“Impressive does not begin to describe him. His skill was at a level equivalent to a Sword Saint in another school!”

In other words, he had already reached the level of a great swordsman within the Mighty Sword Style.

Licia pretended to be astonished while reaching an immediate conclusion.

(It was obviously Ren.)

She knew what Ren had done that night. He had worked with Radius and ridden toward the Grand Clock Tower on horseback.

No one else fit Sera’s description.

Sera’s mistaken comparison probably arose from the impression she had formed when she and Licia reunited the previous year. Licia had grown much stronger since then, but Ren had advanced at an even more monstrous rate.

(What should I do?)

Licia knew the identity of the boy Sera had misunderstood. She considered simply telling her that it was Ren.

Yet doing so would reveal that Ren had taken part in Radius’s operation. The truth would probably become public eventually, but Licia saw no need to disclose it here.

“This is delicious. Would you like to try some?”

“Yes, just a little.”

Fortunately, the subject changed, and Licia followed the new flow of conversation.

“Still, having to travel to a party before the third examination in October is going to steal a great deal of study time,” Sera complained.

Her sigh offered Licia a glimpse of how busy life could be for a daughter of one of the Seven Great Houses.

“Why complain now? You must be accustomed to parties.”

“Normally I wouldn’t mind. But with the third examination so close… Won’t it be difficult for you too?”

“For me? Why would I be involved in the party you’re attending?”

Sera blinked at Licia’s puzzled expression.

“What are you talking about? I mean the party House Clausel is attending.”

“What?”

“You haven’t heard yet?”

Licia shook her head.

Lessard had not forgotten to tell her. The message had simply reached House Riohard first.

“There will be a party in Gargazia. Viscount Gargazia is hosting it.”

Gargazia was a city roughly six hours from the Imperial Capital by magic ship and slightly smaller than Elendil.

In Legend of the Seven Heroes, Vayne visited it several times, but mainly for optional events. It had little importance to the central plot.

“Why is House Clausel involved?”

“According to Father, Viscount Clausel was among the people who cooperated with a major project led by Viscount Gargazia.”

“My father? What major project could that be…?”

Licia considered the question, then remembered something.

A year earlier, she had attended a party in the Imperial Capital and met Ulysses and Fiona there. Ulysses had publicly praised Lessard for certain accomplishments.

That was probably the project Sera meant.

“So that is why you assumed I had been invited.”

“Exactly. House Clausel should receive formal notice soon.”

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

That evening, Ren and Licia studied together in the hall.

Lessard entered, praised their diligence, and then addressed Ren.

“I apologize, but there is something I would like to ask of you.”

A message had just arrived from the Imperial Capital. Its sender was Radius.

“His Highness would like two or three days of your time at the beginning of next month, if possible. It concerns the monster that appeared during the Grand Clock Tower incident.”

“Unholy Sky Tyrant Aiuro? I heard that several fragments of its burned remains fell into Elendil.”

The Sword King who had joined the operation for reasons unknown to most people had slain the monster effortlessly. Only a small amount of scorched debris had fallen into the city.

“The Third Prince arranged to have those remains examined. He believed there was at least some possibility of obtaining information from them, so they were sent to a specialized institution.”

“How does that involve me?”

“His Highness invites you to accompany him when he receives the investigators’ report.”

“Ah. I understand now.”

Ren had no objection. It would merely require visiting the relevant facility.

Lessard generally respected Ren’s independence, but when the request came from the Third Prince, he naturally hoped Ren would accept. Ren had no reason to refuse.

“Understood. I will prepare a reply immediately. It would be best to have someone deliver it tonight.”

“Thank you. I truly depend on you a great deal, Ren.”

“Not at all. House Ashton is the one forever indebted to House Clausel.”

Licia, seated across from Ren, spoke with a thoughtful expression.

“It still feels strange. Ren has become a personal friend of His Highness the Third Prince.”

“I’m still surprised myself.”

“That’s a lie. You haven’t shown even the slightest sign of panic since summer.”

“I used up all my surprise before the news reached you. I was genuinely astonished.”

Ren shrugged from his chair and scratched his cheek.

Licia and Lessard exchanged amused smiles.

The following morning, another visitor delivered a different letter to the mansion.

He was a knight serving as Viscount Gargazia’s envoy. Because the newly elevated Viscount Clausel was currently attracting considerable attention, the host had chosen to send the invitation directly rather than rely on ordinary channels.

Lessard opened the letter and discussed it with Licia over breakfast.

“It is an invitation to a party.”

“The party Sera mentioned?”

“It appears so. It will be held at the beginning of October.”

“The beginning of October… Does that mean Ren cannot accompany us?”

“Unfortunately, that seems to be the case.”

Ren had already accepted Radius’s invitation. They could hardly withdraw merely because another engagement had appeared.

Whether a prince’s request or a noble party took priority depended on the circumstances, but ordinarily the Third Prince’s business came first. Even though Ren and Radius were friends, Lessard could not treat Radius’s invitation casually.

More importantly, Lessard disliked asking someone to retract a promise for his own convenience.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Several days later, Licia left Elendil with Lessard.

They traveled to the Hanging Garden, boarded a magic ship, and headed for Gargazia, roughly four hours away from Elendil.

Gargazia was one of Leomel’s major cities. Though smaller than Elendil, it was vastly larger than Clausel.

Unlike Elendil’s elevated Hanging Garden, Gargazia’s magic-ship port had been constructed on level ground.

“There are so many magic ships,” Licia said after disembarking.

Cobblestones covered the broad field, and ships occupied nearly every available space. Some floated slightly above the ground; others were secured to specialized movable iron towers. Luxurious carriages waited nearby for arriving passengers.

“Many of these appear to be privately owned,” Lessard observed.

“That explains the expensive carriages as well.”

“Yes. Most likely they belong to nobles or wealthy merchants.”

“Should House Clausel acquire a magic ship of its own?”

“It would certainly be convenient, but the maintenance costs are considerable.”

House Clausel was no longer poor. Governing Elendil brought substantial resources, and its wealth increased each year.

Even so, owning a private magic ship was not yet necessary.

“Because we administer Elendil, House Clausel has considerable authority over the Hanging Garden’s operation. We can arrange magic-ship travel with relative flexibility, so purchasing one now may be needless extravagance.”

“Even if we owned one, we would rarely use it.”

“Regrettably true.”

They shrugged and smiled.

“Someday, magic ships may regularly call at Clausel itself,” Weiss said. He had waited ahead of them beyond the gangway. “When that day comes, owning one would not be wasteful.”

“It will certainly become necessary if Clausel continues to develop.”

“Good grief. How many decades will it take before Clausel is large enough to require a magic-ship port?”

“At its present rate of growth, perhaps fewer than ten years.”

House Clausel’s recent development had been remarkable enough to earn Ulysses Ignat’s recognition. Ren’s influence had helped Lessard receive the title of viscount, but the attention House Clausel now attracted across factional lines also proved Lessard’s own ability.

Their invitation to this gathering was further evidence of that standing.

“Then let us proceed,” Weiss said.

Wishing for the continued growth of both Elendil and Clausel, the party transferred to a carriage bound for their inn.

The gathering would begin the next day, when the sun started to descend.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

To avoid slighting any invited guest, Viscount Gargazia had arranged rooms for everyone at the city’s finest hotel.

Lessard and Licia had separate suites, but they met in Lessard’s sitting room before lunch.

“A table has apparently been reserved for us in the restaurant on the top floor. We shall eat there.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing what they serve.”

Licia’s enthusiasm made Lessard smile.

They left the suite and joined Weiss, who was waiting outside as their escort. The three headed toward the elevator to the highest floor—and encountered someone unexpected.

“Licia!?”

Sera stood before the elevator doors.

Beside her was her father, the current head of House Riohard.

“Well. Could this be the newly famous Viscount Clausel?”

The man’s name was Elk Riohard. In his mid-thirties, he was tall, slender, handsome, and possessed the same brown hair as his daughter.

He had reached the level of Sword Saint in the Sacred Sword Style and ranked among that school’s strongest swordsmen.

“Lord Riohard,” Lessard greeted him. “We have not met since the party in the Imperial Capital when Licia was still very young.”

“Indeed. It appears we are heading to the same restaurant. Let us ride together as far as the top floor.”

With her father present, Sera swallowed the impulse to ask that their families share a table.

“Licia, may I visit your room later?”

Licia looked to Lessard.

“Father?”

“Of course. I can handle the necessary work. Accept Lady Riohard’s kindness.”

“Kindness? It is always Sera who imposes upon your daughter,” Elk said. “Calling it an imposition may be generous. At times, she is simply a nuisance.”

Sera’s expression immediately turned awkward. She seemed to anticipate his next words and wished she could escape.

“Lady Licia, I apologize on my daughter’s behalf. If Sera becomes too noisy, tell her so without hesitation. If speaking directly is difficult, send me a letter. I will reprimand her severely.”

“F-Father! You don’t need to go that far.”

“Then follow Lady Licia’s example. You are far too tomboyish. You will have a younger brother next year, so I would like you to become at least a little more composed.”

The revelation surprised Lessard and Licia. They congratulated Elk on the coming birth of House Riohard’s second child. Such a matter had nothing to do with political factions.

After the conversation continued for a while, Lessard turned quietly toward Weiss.

“Our Licia can be quite a tomboy in front of Ren as well.”

“I would prefer not to comment.”

Unable to answer honestly, Weiss looked away.

Licia nevertheless understood exactly what the two men had said. Her expression became as awkward as Sera’s had been moments earlier, and she could offer no rebuttal.

“I’m glad I met you here,” Sera told her. “With you at the party, I may actually enjoy it this time.”

The elevator was nearly at their floor.

“Don’t you usually enjoy parties?”

“They are often too formal. I have to keep smiling the entire time, and by the end my cheeks ache.”

“You mentioned that before.”

“Yes. That’s why I’m truly glad you’ll be here.”

The elevator stopped and its doors slowly opened.

“Let’s enjoy the party together. If you’re beside me, I can smile all—”

Sera stopped.

Her cheerful expression froze when she saw the people inside. Technically, the smile remained, but it had become stiff enough to look as though ice had formed across her face.

“Sera?”

Licia tilted her head, looked into the elevator, and immediately understood.

A man and a girl stood inside. The girl, recognizing the situation, wore an apologetic expression.

“Well, hello!”

The man laughed, entirely unconcerned by Sera’s tension.

“Viscount Clausel, Lord Riohard—are neither of you getting in? I assume you’re also going to the top-floor restaurant.”

Ulysses alone maintained his usual casual manner.

Lessard was no longer as intimidated by Ulysses as he once had been, but the sudden encounter still startled him. Even Elk Riohard, head of one of the Seven Great Houses, could not help becoming tense.

(This is going to be a lively party.)

Somehow, Licia remained the calmest person present.

Watching three noble houses unexpectedly converge before one elevator, she decided that someone first had to bring the situation under control.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter