Kays Translations

Chapter 30: Battle of the Sea and Sky [1]

Before heading to the guest room, Ren headed to the large bath.

It was the same large bath he had used the other day.

There, he soaked in the water and unknowingly washed away the accumulated fatigue in his body.

When he checked his watch on the way to the guest room, it was past midnight.

Passing by Ulysses’ office again, Fiona appeared with a bundle of papers in her hands.

It seemed she had been working.

"Ah! How was the bath, Ren-kun?"

"It was really refreshing. Also, I'll help you with these."

Fiona seemed burdened by the papers, so when Ren suggested helping, she happily nodded.

Taking half of the papers each, Ren and Fiona walked together towards Fiona's office, located down the hallway.

When she was in Eupheim, Fiona used her office for work instead of her own room.

She also mentioned that she used the office for studying as well.

"Thank you. Um... can you leave them here?"

"Sure."

Ren placed the bundle of papers on the desk.

Fiona seemed to want to move only some of the important documents to another location, so she picked up a few from the top of the pile.

At that moment, the paper scraped against her fingers, causing a slight cut.

"Putsu..." 

Deep red blood emerged from the small wound.

"I feel like I'm showing a really pathetic side of myself..."

"It's not like that. I'm sure you'll be fine."

Saying that, Ren took out a handkerchief from his pocket.

He took Fiona's hand somewhat forcefully and covered her fingertip with the handkerchief.

Though not as much blood as the crimson blood, Fiona's cheeks began to blush.

Fiona continued to reassure him that she would return the handkerchief with a new one.

"――――Huh?"

On the way, Ren had a feeling that there was more vitality in his magic power than before.

Unaware that the power of the "Black Priestess" had changed him.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇　

The next morning...

"I really don't know the reason."

At the breakfast table, Ulysses, Ren, and Fiona were gathered for a meal.

"Ulysses-sama, is there something wrong?"

"Ah, sorry."

Apologizing for his cryptic muttering, Ulysses continued while holding a report in one hand.

"Ever since you came here last time, the waterways haven't been working properly."

"You mean when the noble district was sealed off, right?"

"Yes. The amount of water flowing through the waterways suddenly increases or decreases... The same goes for the river connecting Eupheim. We managed to fix it once, but it keeps recurring."

"Father, wasn't there no clear answer even after investigating outside?"

Nodding, Ulysses smiled with a rare look of puzzlement.

"It also affects the ships that sail through the town. So, we managed to adjust it with magic tools, but it's not a fundamental solution."

"Is this related to the Glacial Crossing?"

Ren asked.

Ulysses shook his head.

"There haven't been any similar phenomena in the past. Even if there were any, they were resolved within a few days, so there are no similarities."

"So, you still don't know what's causing it."

"That's right. I have no idea. I'd like to find out the cause somehow..."

Ren couldn't think of anything to help, so he couldn't offer any assistance.

"In this situation, all we can do is pray."

Fiona laughed.

She mentioned that there was a shrine on the remote island offshore, where they prayed to the Water God. She thought of offering prayers there.

In the morning after breakfast...

"Master, Drake-sama, and Verlich-sama have come to visit."

Including Fiona, they gathered in the guest room to meet the guests.

"You’re truly are as beautiful as the rumors say, Fiona Ignat."

With a light greeting, they all sat on the sofa.

Ulysses also arrived late, explaining.

"Ren, Eupheim is fine, but it seems the weather is not good at our destination again. It would be a waste of time to go and come back, so it's better to stay in Eupheim today and relax."

"I see, so it turned out that way."

With a smile on his face, Ulysses said. 

"Take your time and relax."

"I have to leave the mansion later for an investigation of the waterways."

"Hmm..."

Hearing that, Estelle raised an eyebrow.

"Marquis Ignat, is the previous issue with the waterways recurring?"

"Yes, occasionally."

"For a man like you to take so long to handle it, it's rare. Oh no, I don't mean that as sarcasm, I'm genuinely curious," 

"I understand. But well, I'm at a loss as well."

After that, Ulysses, accompanied by Edgar, would go to check the rivers, water sources, and waterways near the old town.

"Fiona, stay with everyone," 

Ulysses instructed.

Fiona nodded as she was asked to entertain Ren and the others.

Ulysses left the mansion looking busy.

"What will we do?"

"I have a place I'd like to visit."

"Then let's go there. Where is it?"

"Winter Market."

Upon hearing that, Ren, Fiona, and even Verlich understood.

The Winter Market was a market held every day during the winter at Eupheim's port. People could visit food stalls selling seafood skewers and other reputed delicacies. It was also possible to drink alcohol outdoors from the morning.

"...Please take it easy." 

Fiona cautioned.

"I-I know! Fiona Ignat is here too! I'll manage with just six... n-no! I'll hold back and have five!" 

Ren and Fiona exchanged glances but refrained from commenting.

"Sorry. Can you guide us there?" Ren asked.

"Of course. Leave it to me." 

Fiona happily accepted the unexpected opportunity.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

This is a story from the time when Vane and Sarah were still young and the members of the Riohard family visited Vane's village.

It happened when Sarah went into the forest alone, hiding from her father and evading the guards' eyes.

"...That's why, young lady, you're being too unreasonable." 

Young Vane said, squatting in front of Sarah under a tree in the forest. This was another event from the legend of the Seven Heroes known to Ren.

"What... are you making fun of me too? I know I'm still weak. I can't even defeat a single monster, right?"

"What's going on? Why did you suddenly leave and head to the forest..."

"...Because the village chief said it. Lately, we've been losing food due to the monsters' damage. If I can defeat those monsters, my father will surely acknowledge me!"

Young Sarah had a time when she wanted to demonstrate her strength even more than she does now. As a girl with the great ancestor, Gajeel Riohard, she felt some impatience.

"I have to work harder, or I'll always be left behind by that kid..."

"That kid? Who are you talking about…?"

"...Yes. A girl who came to the imperial capital before. She was really strong. I always tried so hard, but I never won even once and kept losing."

Young Vane knew that Sarah was strong. He was surprised to hear about a girl stronger than Sarah, but now was not the time to be concerned about such things. Vane reached out to her.

"Let's go back, Young lady."

"What if I say no?"

"Aren't you the one who hid from the Little Boars earlier?"

"I-I didn't! Well... maybe not, but I don't think I can fight properly like this."

Trying not to provoke Sarah too much, Vane swayed his outstretched hand.

Finally, Sarah took his hand and took a breath.

Not long after that, Vane encountered his first boss.

It was a fierce battle.

But the two fought desperately, cooperating with each other.

At the end of the battle, they were pushed to the brink of defeat.

"Haa... haa... Is this the end..."

Breathing hard, the young boy protected Sarah with a rusty iron sword in his hand.

Though his consciousness was hazy, he mustered his strength to lift the sword.

Then... at that moment.

The unremarkable rusty iron sword was enveloped in a brilliant flash.

Kneeling down before the trembling Sarah, Vane, who had shown a fragment of a hero's power, emerged victorious in the end.

"What was that light just now? It doesn't seem like sacred magic...!"

Soon after, when Viscount Riohard arrived, he witnessed the unbelievable holy power.

Although the dazzling light disappeared quickly, Viscount Riohard had a certain expectation and decided to invite Vane to the imperial capital.

Unaware of such developments, Sarah's feelings towards Vane deepened as she saw him protect her with his life.

Vane can still recall that time vividly.

For some reason, today he dreamed of that moment.

With sleepy eyes, Vane rubbed his eyes and got up from the bed. He tidied himself up and left the room. Kaito appeared from the room next to him, and shortly after, Charlotte also appeared from the room on the other side.

"Vane, did you sleep well last night?"

"Thanks to you, yes. But everyone was making noise until late, so I'm still tired."

Charlotte grinned and said.

"Then shall I give you a lap pillow?"

"Please spare me from that proposition," 

Vane stretched his back, declining Charlotte's playful offer.

The three of them walked together, heading to the hall where they had talked yesterday. Before long, Sarah and Nemu arrived, joining them for breakfast.

After a while, Sarah asked Kaito.

 "Kaito, is it true that this airship has a training ground?"

"Yeah! It's about the same size as the academy's training ground!"

"Then let's go later. Shall we all train together?"

Even though it was the winter break, no one opposed her proposal. They wanted to do some light exercise before arriving at the Leonardo family's territory around noon, just to relieve the slight tension in their bodies.

Charlotte came up with an idea at this moment. 

"In the afternoon, we’ll do tasks from the academy."

"Wait! Charlotte! We'll arrive at our territory around noon! We'll be moving through the city on a carriage to get to the mansion, you know?"

"That's why I'm suggesting we study on the way. We don't have much free time with all the parties and stuff. We should do it when we can."

"Kuuu... I get it, but please, Charlotte, spare me the lecture until the very last minute."

"Alright, alright. I got it."

After a light meal break, they headed to the training ground located in the lower part of the airship.

Entering the training ground, which was similar to the academy's, they sparred with each other and honed their fighting skills in pairs.

They kept moving their bodies until just before noon.

Kaito collapsed to the ground on the stone-paved training ground. A few seconds after his fall, the airship shook slightly.

"I'll take a break. You guys can continue... oh, it's almost time."

Vane, who had been standing, looked outside from a nearby window.

"The airship landing area is getting closer. Is that why the altitude is lowering?"

"Yeah, that's it."

The largest airship landing area of the Leonardo territory was an unusual sight, as it was situated on a cape.

Ships like fishing boats and warships would head to a hollow within the cape that led to the sea. Despite being called a hollow, it was quite spacious and could easily accommodate Ren's entire village.

The interior of the vast hollow became the port, with several buildings connecting it to the surface. One of these buildings was the multi-story airship landing area.

As the airship gradually descended, the training session was coming to an end.

"Charlotte-senpai."

"Yeah? What's up?"

"Can we have a one-on-one match at the end?"

"Sure. Onee-san will go easy on you."

Despite saying it would be a one-on-one match, the two had very different weapons.

Vane, who had just finished competing with Sarah, took a deep breath and watched as Charlotte deliberated on how to approach the fight.

"What distance are we taking??"

"If that's the case..."

Having distance was advantageous for Charlotte. Despite being at a distance, Charlotte, a master archer, starts the battle, and even if it's Kaito, closing the distance is extremely difficult. Essentially, it leads to defeat.

Yet, Vane... 

"Please start from a distance."

Knowing he was at a significant disadvantage, he still insisted on starting the fight from a distance.

In response to his determination, Charlotte's eyebrows twitched.

Maintaining her enchanting facial features and smiling, she confirmed.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. I think I can grasp something this way. I've said it before, but it feels really important to me..."

As the person who had spent the most time with Vane, Sarah also dreamed of something from the past today.

That's why, she was certain...

"Vane."

She called out her crush's name and said 

"Do your best. I'm cheering for you."

"Ah! Watch me!"

The overwhelmingly disadvantageous match began.

Charlotte was clearly dominant, as expected.

Her speed in pulling arrows from the quiver on her back and the speed at which she shot them were top-notch. Even if Vane managed to block one arrow, more would follow in quick succession.

Moreover, there seemed to be no limit to the arrows she could release.

Even if the physical arrows were reduced in number,

"Vane-kun! You look quite brave today!"

Following the voice that praised him for taking a few steps closer, the next moment, magically generated arrows were fired.

"Ku...!"

He struggled but managed to block the swift arrows with his sword.

It was actually easier when she used physical arrows.

Now, she was using powerful arrows created through wind magic. Even if he managed to deflect them, the strong wind assaulted his entire body, making it more difficult to close the distance.

"Vane, do your best!"

Encouraged by Sarah, Vane stepped forward with even more determination.

He met the oncoming wind arrows with his sword, slashing them horizontally.

Perhaps due to the expectation that Vane might possess such strength, everyone's attention was drawn to him, and it happened shortly after.

Suddenly, the airship started to sway strangely.

Vane, who had been surprising everyone, stopped, and Charlotte dispelled her magic.

The seated individuals all stood up and looked at each other.

"Something might have happened," 

Kaito said, and everyone nodded in agreement before quickly leaving the training ground.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter