Translator: Skythewood
Editor: Hiiro
「──Church of Aldera have doubts on the 『advancement of human knowledge』 itself. Their teachings are filled with resignation and helplessness. Instead of intelligence, they promote justice and mental endurance── how did such a mentality come about?」
At the same time, in the carriage Kioka’s diplomats were traveling in, Prime Minister Ario Kyakushii was holding a similar discussion.
「We can assume it happened like this. In the past, god suffered one, two or maybe three huge setbacks. The sort of mistake that arises from acting too smart. I don’t know the details or how long ago it happened── maybe the 『Science』 that Professor Anarai is promoting isn’t a foreign concept at that time. Now we know that god knows about geometry, that possibility is even higher.」
Ario smiled after saying that. Instead of a deduction, this was closer to a riddle, and the diplomats didn’t know how to answer. One of them asked something that was more pressing.
「But Sir… for such a big event, is it really fine to investigate it in collaboration with the Imperials? Since Professor Anarai’s words triggered this incident, we can continued with just us and Ra Saia Alderamin...」
「That’s hard to say. I’m not sure what the criterias set by God are, but maybe having the representatives of all three nations present is one such condition. The Sprites from the Imperial side are showing changes similar to ours. Even leaving that aside, the pressure of two nations investigating is different from going it with just one nation.」
The diplomats crossed their arms in deep thought. Ario calmly warned the diplomats who wanted to maximize their gains.
「I understand you want to monopolize the results, and I have no complaints if that is possible. But don’t forget, we are facing an unknown entity. Field Marshal Ikuta Solork’s imperial forces are a reliable ally here. More importantly, he will actively cooperate with Professor Anarai, which is great. Without any need to reorganize, we have twice the number of people participating in the investigations.」
Sigh, quarrels between children are unavoidable── the man added with a smile. He was referring to the relationship between his adopted son Jean and the Imperial Field Marshal Ikuta Solork. It wasn’t clear how he felt about it though.
「In any case, this has become the battlefield of the Scientists, so we politicians should retreat to the backline── to be frank, the old sage probably doesn't think too much of Kioka as his home. The situation in the Empire is vastly different from the time when he was persecuted and fled from it. I don’t want to do anything to earn his ire.」
「In that case, we can’t let him...!」
The diplomats refuted anxiously, but Ario shook his head.
「It’s the opposite. It’s impossible to put a collar on Anarai Khan. I have realized painfully over the years that his talents are closely tied to his freedom, that old sage will only stay true to himself. If we try to twist or rob him of his way of life, he will slip away like a cunning fish.」
Ario shrugged lightly── he was proficient in seeing through someone’s true nature and leading them on, but he had not found any openings on Anarai Khan yet. The diplomats close to Ario were surprised. This was a rare moment where the man admitted defeat.
「We are just his sponsors. From our position, we just have to ensure these Scientists are treated well. Doing that is better than any collar, and will tie them down in Kioka forever.」
Raising one white flag wouldn’t shake Ario Kyakushii’s policies. Things he couldn’t change would be left alone, and he would search for a better way to exploit things with that in mind. The key of politics wasn’t changing something, but to control things that wouldn’t change as much as possible. The experienced Ario knew this very well.
「Researching the unknown is the only thing that drives him, ignoring all seduction or misdirection── I just can’t get along with this old man.」
Even so, he would exploit him as much as possible. Including his magnanimity, he was a politician through and through.
After that, the days of them guided by the Sprites to solve the question given by ‘god’ started. Shortly after the second question was issued, Anarai gathered his disciples and discussed the plan in the future.
「── What number do we use for π? We usually use 3.14 as an approximation, by dividing the circumference into 92.」
「That is the most practical number to be used right now. Let’s keep using it if the one asking questions have no problems.」
「You know geometry right, Field Marshal Solork. I don’t want anyone to hold me back at this juncture.」
「I should be asking you, Major General. You do know how to calculate the area of a triangle, right? As your senior disciple, I don’t mind teaching you.」
With how things were, it was impossible for these two to not compete. The questions given by god got more complicated with time, and they used all of their knowledge to solve them.
「Professor Anarai! This part and that part are similar!」
「Professor Anarai! As expected, the length of FG needs to be adjusted because of the elevation difference!」
They would get off the carriage and send out the troops at every stop, try to solve the question they see, then seek Professor Anarai’s opinion before executing their plans. And of course, everything was proceeding swiftly and efficiently/
Not just the accuracy of their answers, the time taken, effort, resource used, creativity and aesthetics── Ikuta and Jean pulled out all the stops to compete with each other. This was like a fist fight with their brains.
「That method is not elegant and has too many tedious parts! My solution is obviously better!」
「Picture puzzles should be solved mechanically! It will waste too much time if we wait for inspiration to strike!」
「The angles here and there contradict each other! Can’t your men even measure properly?」
「You can adjust yourself if it’s just this much measurement error! Measurements on the field is different from doing so on your desk!」
They bickered and vent their dissatisfaction on each other as they solved the questions faster than the other Scientists── Or rather, no one could be bothered to intrude into their quarrels. Obviously, nothing good could be gained by getting between those two gears spinning at top speed.
「... The investigation is proceeding smoothly despite their vicious squabbles.」
「The pace has gotten faster instead, since they are inciting each other 24 hours a day!」
「... I was planning to ask them to exercise self restraint, but...」
With a situation like this, even Chamille, Vackie and Yorga could only keep their distance and watch. The same goes for Jean’s aides too.
「... W-What should I do...」
「There’s nothing we can do. It’s better for outsiders not to intervene.」
Miara was at a loss while Harrah was fine with staying on the sidelines.
There were a myriad of different thoughts, but only Anarai was showing a sincere smile.
「Fufufu── I’m glad to see you both so full of life.」
On the evening of the 17th day after the trials began. Both units were prepared to break for camp, and Jean returned to his camp after a day battling against his rival. Miara who was waiting in his tent stood up.
「G-Good work today, Jean. The investigation is proceeding smoothly──」
「Not at all! That guy solved one of the problems today too!」
Jean cut her off with a frustrated tone, then sat before his desk with a glum face. His aide Harrah looked his way with a shrug.
「Hey hey, you don’t need to get so mad. You don’t have to prove your excellence anymore, and things will move along no matter which side solve the riddle.」
「No── the number of questions solved represents the results achieved. Leaving how ‘God’ will judge this aside, there is a significant impact diplomatically. Do you get it, Harrah? I don’t want to give that guy any edge at all!」
Jean explained his rationale, but he was far from calm. He took out pen and paper and listed out all the questions that have been solved.
「There’s twelve questions now… I can see some trends here. At this stage, I can make some predictions. Just you wait, Solork, I won’t let you have your way from tomorrow onwards...!」
The white-haired officer muttered the name of his nemesis as he wrote ferociously. Harrah threw his hands up in defeat at the sight of his back, then left the tent with his fellow aide.
「He won’t listen to anything we say. He’s always like this when he meets Ikuta Solork. Sigh, the other party is just as triggered too.」
Harrah said as he looked down at the Imperial’s camp because of how tall he was. On the other hand, Miara was sullen because she couldn’t communicate properly with her superior.
「Don’t make that face. Think of it this way, this is a good chance. After seeing him daily, Jean will get used to his existence, and keep his calm in their next battle. This situation happening as part of the Three Nation Conference is a boon for us.」
Harrah thought optimistically. Miara wasn’t convinced and complained in a weak voice.
「With how things are going… I’m of no help to Jean at all.」
「Don’t be daft. Body guard duty, taking care of the soldiers here and minding the logistics── Jean can spare the effort to compete because he left these tasks to you. You are a great help.」
「Even if it’s not me, others can do the same too.」
「No one can do it exactly the same way as you. Be it the filing of paperwork or the way you admonish the troops. For better or worse, this is what Jean needs. You know it’s true.」
He complimented and encouraged her blatantly, but her eyes were still gloomy. Harrah took Miara’s hand and walked under the evening sky.
「You are too stubborn, relax a little. And luckily, there’s an activity happening there.」
The two passed through the camp that was filled with smoke from the cooking hearth, and quickly reached the area bordering the Imperial camp. A large space had been set up there, with lots of soldiers shooting targets or practicing their swordsmanship according to troop types. The onlookers chatted loudly and would cheer when they saw any exceptional performances.
「... W-What’s going on here? Kioka and Imperial troops mingling together...」
「Just a sideshow. Unlike the excited Scientists, the soldiers are bored. Instead of letting them wait during the lull time between investigations, it’s better for volunteers to have friendly matches── I heard Field Marshal Solork proposed this during the day.」
「What...! Kioka and the Empire are at war, what’s so friendly about that!?」
「Because the Prime Minister agreed to this. Sigh, don’t be stiff, just think of it as intimidating and probing each other out. We will hide important secrets and at the same time, observe the standards of the their troops.」
Harrah said with a laugh, but his eyes were sharp as he watched the Imperials’ movements. Miara had to focus too. The enemy they had to fight was showing their skills, and there was no reason not to observe them.
After observing for a while, Harrah suddenly felt one of the troop types was more heated than the others.
「The swordsmanship place is really popular. Let’s take a look.」
「No, I──」
「Let’s go.」
The buff officer took his colleagues hand again and walked on── From where they were, they could see the wooden sword of a losing participant flying up into the air.
「── That’s the match! Victor, Imperial Army Captain Lucanti Hargunska!」
The referee called the match and the Imperial soldiers erupted in cheers, while the Kioka troops groaned with disappointment.
「Well done～ Captain Hargunska～!」「That’s the spirit of the Imperial army! Give it your all～!」
「... How strong. That’s 8 consecutive wins.」 「We can’t give up, I will go next!」
The Kioka soldiers on standby were spurred by the defeat of their comrade and volunteered. The lightly armoured Imperial soldier was waiting for the next challenger in front of them.
「Ohh～ our men suffered consecutive defeat? The opponent… seems to be a woman.」
「Woman──?」
This made Miara walk forth with a changed expression. Harrah held her back by the shoulder.
「Calm down, she isn’t using dual blades or has red hair, definitely not from the Igsem clan. But I have seen her face around the Empress several times...」
As they watched, a Kioka soldier who was charging forth was sent flying to the ground. When he was getting up, the tip of his opponent’s sword was in front of him, and the referee called the match. Harrah whistled at that.
「Phew～ she won again── Oh? She’s coming over.」
Her gaze had turned towards them before they knew it, and she approached boldly. Her plaids on both sides of her head fluttered in the wind as the Imperial soldier who scored nine consecutive victories saluted.
「Nice to meet you! I’m Imperial Captain Lucanti Hargunska, my partner water Sprite is Niji. You two must be Kioka officers, right!?」
「Y-Yes… I’m Kioka Army Major Miara Gin, my partner water Sprite is Yaoi. This is my colleague Taznyado Harrah.」
「Thank you for giving me your names, I’m honored. Pardon me for asking── is that a Yaponiku blade on your waist behind you?」
Lucanti said with a glance to her waist. Miara nodded with her eyes wide open.
「... Yes, that’s right. I’m impressed that you can tell, the blade is mostly covered by my body.」
「So I’m right! Aside from the unique hilt design, your footwork made it clear you are not an ordinary woman. So I was wondering if you are a Yaponiku swordsman I heard of in tales!」
The female knight nodded, feeling gleeful that her speculation was right. However, Miara shook her head.
「I’m not good enough to be a swordsman… So, you are interested in Yaponiku swords?」
「Yes! If possible, I would like to take some pointers from you!」
Lucanti looked right at Miara and requested. Her eyes were sparkling with expectations of fighting a strong foe with a sword, and didn’t even consider the possibility that she would be rejected.
「......!」
Miara suddenly felt an irritation in her chest… That innocent and forthright face was free of gloom from any worries, and was too bright for the conflicted Miara.
「... Fine. If you wish so, I will take you on.」
When she realized it, she already said that. She wouldn’t listen no matter what Harrah said, and she walked to the competition grounds with the female knight. Miara asked for a shorter training weapon, then took a stance with a short sword against Lucanti.
「I will let you attack first, do as you wish.」
「A straight up fight then── Haahh!」
Lucanti slashed with a spirited blow. Miara backdashed to evade two blows, then narrowed her eyes.
「What a fierce attack. However── it’s crude.」
「!」
Dodging a horizontal slash, she closed in. The female knight jumped to the side and the sword tip glazed her flank. When Lucanti renewed her assault after creating some distance, Miara blocked, grabbed her wrist to pull her in, and sweep the leg at the same time.
「──! Ughh...!」
The female knight didn’t resist the attack, rolling forward out of attack range with the momentum. Miara glared sharply at Lucanti who stood up from the roll, pointing her shortsword at her.
「Nice barrel roll. You aren’t good with leg attacks?」
「That seems to be the case. I didn’t expect it to be this sharp.」
Lucanti said, seemingly moved── After getting hit twice in a row by the opponent, normal people would get on the defensive, but Lucanti wasn’t someone who would back down from that. Lucanti believed that her next attack would land, executing a flurry of attacks that started with a lunge── Miara blocked the attack, then sliced at Lucanti’s upper arm and shoulder.
「──!」
「That’s the third strike… It’s a shallow hit, but if we were using real swords, this wouldn’t just be a flesh wound.」
She said while repositioning her stance. No blood was shed because they were using wooden swords, but bleeding was an element that decides a match. Blood loss will make one’s movements dull, and lose concentration. In a protracted battle, this will add up into an overwhelming advantage.
「Your large movements wear down your endurance drastically… If you still want to continue, it will get even harder.」
Miara only used blocks and counters, minimizing her movements. Lucanti knew that, but still attacked boldly── so Miara fended off the attacks easily and struck at the smallest openings.
There had not been any decisive blows, but the situation was slowly leaning against the female knight. Miara could vent her frustration if her opponents wavers, but Lucanti showed no signs of doing so. She valiantly challenged the fight in search of a victory, which frustrates Miara to no ends, and she said.
「I’m just talking to myself, so feel free to ignore this── my elder brother is a much more accomplished swordsman than me. This kodachi is meant to be wielded with both hands, and he is an excellent dual wielder, stronger than all other disciples who practice the same style… and I take great pride in that.」
「... Dual wielding expert?... That reminds me of Lady Yatori.」
Lucanti pulled away and answered. That name made Miara scowl her face.
「Yes, of course you would── Yatorishino Igsem ended my brother’s life by defeating him. I can only imagine how their clash turned out── but the defeat of my skilled brother meant the essence of the Gin clan had been crushed by the Igsem sword. That’s what I think.」
Her brother would not lose in a boring fashion. So he must have shown all of his skills and still fell short── her firm trust in her brother let Miara arrive at a conclusion closed to the truth… However, the heavy truth that she lost her brother remained unchanged.
「As a junior disciple, I have to take revenge for the defeat of my senior disciple… However, my capabilities are far weaker than my brother, so challenging Yatorishino Igsem is as good as suicide. I have to live and accomplish my mission, and can’t die because of a personal vendetta. But that day will surely come── I use that as an excuse to avoid challenging her.」
After saying that, Miara clashed with Lucanti again. Pieces of the wooden swords broke off and scattered in the air.
「However── while I was putting off my revenge, Yatorishino Igsem died. And she fell to gunshots. Her reputation as the strongest remained untarnished, and she moved to a place beyond me.
… This entire thing… is too sly!」
Miara yelled and took the initiative to attack for the first time── feinting and kicking the female knight’s chest, forcing Lucanti to stumble.
「I will be fine. No matter how much I struggle, I won’t reach the realm of the strongest. However, my brother── what about the life my brother lived? He lost to an Igsem, and became merely a page in her legend, is that all that my brother amounts to!? Do I have to acknowledge that!?」
Miara knew she was venting her anger, but couldn’t hold back. She spilled everything built up in her heart onto the innocent and carefree girl.
I’m the worst. When Miara was reproaching herself── Lucanti had a smile that was out of place.
「... I’m, envious of your brother...」
「── What did you say?」
Miara glared at her with eyes wide open. The female knight didn’t falter before her dangerous aura and repeated.
「I said I envy him… He fought Yatori in a fair match and ended his life in battle. That’s one of the most noble way to die as a warrior.」
「──! What’s this drivel──!」
Miara attempted to shut her up with a strike, but Lucanti managed to parry it. There was a huge disparity in their endurance now. Miara targeted this moment to feint and win the match with her kicks──
「── however, since you’re betting the pride towards your brother, I won’t lose!」
When Miara lifted her leg to kick, Lucanti shoulder charged with all her might to knock Miara away. Using the short moment before Miara could regain her balance──Lucanti bet everything on one slash.
「Haaaaaahhh!」
「── Ugghh!」
Her footing wasn’t firm enough to block the fierce strike from above. She couldn’t dodge either or use any techniques. In such a situation, Miara slashed at her opponent’s wrist, aiming for at least a double KO. Striking before she was struck was the only way to win. Even if this was a real sword fight, she would make the same choice.
Before the heavy attack landed, both wooden swords stopped short at the same time. The audience watched tensely with bated breath. If this wasn’t a friendly match but a real battle, no one could judge who would have won.
「D-Draw...?」
The referee announced unconfidently. When they heard that, both of them collapsed onto the ground. When people relaxed their focus and tension, they would sit down weakly.
Lucanti faced her opponent again to continue her words.
「My elder brother was killed in action during the northern unrest, I heard his throat was cut during a chaotic battle. It was an honorable death in battle── but his demise was less glorious when compared to your brother.」
「......」
「However, my brother proved himself in a different area. Lady Yatori said that my brother followed the Chivalry path better than anyone during the northern unrest. He didn’t differentiate between Katjvarna citizens or the Shinnack Tribe, protecting all civilians and even stopping allies from enacting violence towards them. Yatori said that my brother was an unwavering knight until his last moments.」
Lucanti said proudly and looked at the water Sprite Niji she placed on the ground before the battle. She could see the hearty laugh of her late brother Deinkun from the partner Sprite he left behind.
「And the one who performed my brother’s last rites was Lady Yatori. He fought valiantly as a knight, protecting the civilians and his comrades until the end, and that lady bore witness to his life. For a knight, this was a noble death of the highest caliber.」
「......」
「A person’s demise is determined by their life. However, there are many ways of life. I wished to live as a knight just like my brother, and die as one── What about you, Lady Miara?」
At that question, Miara stood stiffly as if an arrow had pierced her heart.
「──I...」
The answer was clear, but she couldn’t say it. Support Jean and lead Kioka towards prosperity ── That should be the goal of Miara who values the reputation of her martial clan.
Lucanti looked right at her and smiled calmly.
「There’s no shame in having something you value more than honour and duty.」
Her gentle light shone on the inner thoughts that Miara couldn’t ignore.
「Everyone is betting their life on something they think is irreplaceable. Be it the glory of a martial clan, the 20 million citizens of the Empire, or a loved one── they all hold equal weight.」
The female knight’s gentle words made Miara reel back. Because she would have to reevaluate her way of life if she accepted this way of thinking.
「Hence, it’s fine for you to be more honest with your feelings.」
Lucanti concluded with a smile, then got up with her wooden sword in hand.
「This has been a meaningful match. I will use this experience to better myself, and hope we will have a chance to battle again.」
After saying that with a salute, she walked towards the Imperial camp. At that moment, Miara’s mind dramatically linked a few facts together. Northern unrest, the mission of the Phantom Unit, the way the female knight’s brother died── all that hinted at one answer.
「── Please wait! Your… what’s the name of the person who killed your brother?」
The woman asked, spurred by a certain premonition. Lucanti stopped and turned part way back at Miara.
「I heard it’s a warrior named Nirva Gin── even so, he didn’t live long enough for me to challenge him, so there’s no way for me to take revenge.」
The female knight smiled awkwardly. She then left without turning back. A tear rolled down Miara’s cheek as she watched her go── How foolish. Why did I think I’m the only one in such a predicament?
She didn’t say anything or complain to anyone. The rights to blame herself or lament the unreasonableness of this absurd world── only that woman had that right.
After taking a brief look at the friendly matches, Ikuta returned to the carriage where Chamille was waiting. Similar to Jean, he gave his all to the Trial of God together with the Scientists, and had to perform his duties as a Field Marshal at night── However, he wouldn’t use this excuse to shorten the time he spent with Chamille.
「... Ahh～... I didn’t notice because of the cool temperature, but I sweated a lot. I will go wipe myself down.」
Ikuta noticed when he was about to sit down in the carriage, and decided to leave. Chamille stopped him in a hurry.
「Wait, Solork. I will wipe you down.」
「Huh?」
「If you go out into the cold, you get sick. And also… I don’t know if you remember, but I have done this numerous times before.」
Chamille said and made the youth stay in the carriage… He needed a walking stick to move, so boarding the carriage was quite a pain for him. She didn’t want him to exhaust himself over something so trivial.
Ikuta considered the girl’s proposal.
「... Well, then, help me wipe my upper body.」
「Yes, leave it to me. Sit on the bed, take off your shirt and relax.」
The relieved girl made the youth sit down, then prepared a basin of hot water and towel. With everything in order, she knelt on the bed, then wiped Ikuta’s back, careful not to spill the water.
「...... Ughh...」
With the youth’s naked back before her, she felt light headed. She should have gotten used to wiping his body, Chamille thought, but that was only true for the silent Ikuta Solork from back then.
With each wipe, she could feel the youth’s body warmth and heart beat through the towel. Her fingers brushed across the old wounds on his skin, reminding her of how he got injured… Some were from the battlefield, while others were from his mischievous childhood days. The scars told his history and way of life. Chamille was on the verge of tears. Just wiping the youth’s body made her feelings for him even stronger.
「... I-I’m done. You can get dressed now, Solork.」
「Yes, thank you, I feel refreshed.」
Chamille somehow restrained herself and finished her work, hurrying off the bed with the basin and towel. She didn’t know what kind of face she was making, and was afraid of facing the youth.
However── when she turned back carefully after placing the items on the table, Ikuta was already sitting on the bed with a fresh shirt. He was smiling gently with his arms spread apart.
「You can come here now.」
He said simply, urging the girl to come into his arms. Chamille stood stiffly in place for a while. She slowly shuffled over with trembling steps, then leaned onto the youth’s shoulder.
Ikuta’s arms on her back tightened a little. Unlike his usual embrace, this was a gentle and warm hug. Chamille enjoyed this blissfully with her body and then said.
「... How did you know...?」
「Hmm?」
「How are you able to tell that… When I...」
「When you?」
「... When I want to be hugged tightly...」
The girl asked with a beet red face. This made the youth smile and answered.
「Chamille, actually… You might not know, but when you feel like that, your earlobes will turn red.」
「Ehh──」
The girl believed him and touched her ears in a panic. Ikuta who was right before her stuck out his tongue:
「It’s a lie── The answer is, I have been watching you seriously. I know at least this much about you.」
He revealed the real answer. Chamille wailed when she heard that一 so he knew. She finally got a clear answer that cleared the vague unease in her heart.
Ikuta saw through everything. He already knew how she really felt about him, he knew about her murky emotions of longing and lust, she was completely exposed.
Be it a gentle embrace like this or something more intense from time to time── the youth would give the girl what she thirsted for when she was at her limit. The girl would never tell him what she wanted, so the youth would grant her wishes during such times. He would be like a father at times, like a brother times, and a lover at times.
「However, there would be times when I miss the moment by accident. I will be happy if you can just tell me what you want.」
Ikuta added, as if to deal the final blow to the girl. 「You don’t have to hold it in. If there is something you want me to do, then don’t hold back and ask for it.」 The youth told her that he would not refuse any of her requests. The only thing he wouldn’t forgive was the girl’s attempt to hurt herself.
「Phew～ It feels a little warm. Should we call it a day?」
After Ikuta exposed the secrets of the girl’s heart, he said cheekily. He slowly relaxed the strength of his embrace. At that moment── Chamille hugged him back with all her might, as if she didn’t have enough. For the first time in two years, she acted wilfully.
「... Just a while longer...」
「Well said.」
Ikuta patted the girl’s head with a smile── without any anxiety on his face, he waited for the girl to open her heart.
「── Ahhh～～ I have finally finished～!」
Vackie’s liberated voice reverberated in the tent. Aside from the investigations during the day, she had to perform her admin officer duty, write a report together with her colleagues, and finish up forms and documents before calling it a day.
「Good work everyone! Alright～ let’s find Chamille～」
「──? H-Hey! Wait!」
When the girl in a white coat was about to turn and leave, the youth with a monocle stopped her in a hurry. Vackie turned to him confusedly.
「? What’s the matter, Yoyo?」
「Isn’t it obvious, you met Her Majesty several times in the day already! You are too thick faced when speaking with the Empress, but at least let her and Ikuta rest at night!」
Yorga reminded her with common sense. Vackie paused momentarily and understood his worries.
「Oh… You are right. If I go now, I might run into an awkward moment. Thank you for reminding me, Yoyo. I’m too careless.」
Vackie knocked the side of her own head. Realizing that she couldn’t meet with her friend made the girl depressed.
「Which means~ I have to sleep without hugging Her Majesty today… how lonely… how sad...」
「Bear with it. We have to investigate tomorrow too, so there’s plenty of people you can speak with.」
「I have chatted enough with the Scientists during the day. I really want to chat with a girl I’m close with right now! I~ really~ want~ to」
The girl’s whim was unanswered, which made her swing her limbs around. Unwilling to trouble the other admin officers, Yorga brought her out of the tent. He walked with her in the camp as he soothed Vackie. Suddenly, the girl seemed to realize something.
「I know, let’s find Lulu! She said she don’t have escort duty tonight!」
「I will stop you with all my might. It’s too cruel for her to accompany you even on her day off.」
「Meanie──!」
Vackie reacted intensely when her idea was sealed off right away. Yorga patiently placated her, and shortly after, the large carriage used by the Empress came into view.
「Ughh～ I’m jealous… Chamille and Ikuta-nii must be hugging tightly right now… and getting all hot and bothered...」
「I told you not to have such crude thoughts… But will that actually happen?」
Yorga said softly as they stopped and looked at the large carriage.
「I have taken up this post at the palace for some time now, and I still don’t understand their relationship. They are like parent and child, siblings, and lovers… But I can feel something that doesn’t belong to all of those categories too.」
When she heard his impression, Vackie pondered with a finger on her lips.
「Hmm～... I think the correct answer is all of the above.」
「Huh?」
「Like I said, I think Ikuta-nii is playing all these roles. Be it a father, brother or lover── he is providing Chamille with everything she needs.」
This unexpected answer made Yorga open his eyes wide. Vackie turned to him and continued in a serious tone.
「I’m going to tell you an obvious fact── Chamille likes Ikuta-nii. And not the normal variety, but hopelessly in love. Both her body and soul yearn for Ikuta-nii, she is so thirsty that it can’t be described with words. Her longing, admiration, love, guilt, and everything else, she hopes that Ikuta-nii will answer all of that.」
Vackie’s forthright nature allowed her to speak things that others would hesitate to say. As the youth was backing away from that intensity, the girl sighed melancholically.
「Going off topic for a while─ Chamille has a very small circle of friends. She has almost no friends that can treat her like an equal, or someone who can listen to her like a family. She only has vassals who keep their distance out of fear. This made the position of Empress very lonely. And of course, there are exceptions like me and the members of the 『Knights Corp』, but not to the extent that she can tell us everything without any hesitation.」
Yorga nodded with a complicated face. During the days in the palace, he realized how difficult it was to get close to the Empress’ heart.
「In this situation, only Ikuta-nii can accompany Chamille’s heart. I think they have the reason to be so intimate. However… This is still a miracle. As long as she remains an Empress, it will be difficult to get her to open her heart to others.」
Vackie stated the cruel fact, and turned her gaze back to the large carriage.
「And the most difficult thing is, Chamille still needs to make a lot of connections. She wasn’t given parents who would be concerned about her, friends to chat and quarrel with, or a lover to accept her and embrace her. But Chamille needs all that. The Empress of a nation heading towards its demise isn’t an easy job that can be shouldered without these support.」
Yorga nodded with a bitter face and imagined how heavy the burden was placed on Chamille. A girl in her teens has to shoulder the fate of 20 million citizens. That was very abnormal.
「And so, Ikuta-nii took on all these roles. A father, a friend, a lover── he can’t even afford to pick only one role.
As for the role of a friend, he is sharing part of that with me, a new comer… But that isn’t enough to make her relax. However, this isn’t something that needs to be addressed right away. We just have to spend more time to increase the number of people Chamille can open her heart to, and spread out the people she can rely on. Before that, Ikuta-nii has to shoulder it all for now.」
Sigh… the girl’s words also hinted at her self reproach for being useless.
「... And making things more difficult, even though Chamille yearns for it, she can’t ask Ikuta-nii to help her...」
「── Is that so?」
「Yes… There is a brake in her heart, and the source is Yatori-san who she mentions from time to time… Well～ I also did some research and know what kind of person she was, but the more I investigate, the more absurd I find it… This might sound rude, but is she a real person? She feels more like a fictional myth...?」
Vackie said with a dry smile, and Yorga concurred in his mind. There were times when he almost encountered her, so he got curious about Yatorishino Igsem. After investigating that woman, his thoughts were similar to the girl beside him.
「In any case, Chamille harbours guilt towards that Yatori-san, and falls into a contradiction where she couldn’t approach Ikuta-nii even though she wants to… However, that was like warning herself not to drink water even though she was thirsty. Humans have to drink water to survive. That’s how much Chamille craves for Ikuta-nii.」
Vackie said with conviction, and groaned because of the frustration in her chest that she couldn’t vent out.
「── Speaking of which, Chamille is in her puberty, and her body will react when she is with someone she really likes. That’s only natural, but Ikuta-nii has to be the one to take action instead. He has to notice what she needs, and can’t ignore her. Even if he didn’t push her down and get it on, he still needs to show his manly side.」
「Then what should Ikuta do… No, how is he handling it?」
The worried Yorga couldn’t help asking. Vackie rested her chin on her hand and thought about how those two were.
「At least for now, they have not reached that stage. If it did, you can tell from the air about them… So I’m guessing more physical contact than normal, and some close calls to soothe Chamille’s feelings? I’m just imagining it, but Ikuta-nii should be quite adept at this.」
There was proof that he was dealing with it properly, since Chamille’s mood had been stable── the girl added. Her analysis made Yorga grab his head.
「... Their relationship sounds really twisted.」
「That might be so, but no one can blame them.」
Vackie said conclusively. He knew that very well, but the youth still continued:
「... What about the Empress’ feelings of love? Ikuta cares for her, but not as a woman. No matter how many times they get intimate, her feelings will remain one sided.」
「It’s troubling. This is my personal view── I think in Ikuta-nii’s mind, there is no difference between familial love and the love between a man and a woman. That might seem broad minded, but also as if his feelings had not developed since childhood. Maybe a bit of both. It’s understandable given the environment he grew up in.」
「... What about Yatorishino Igsem? The Empress feels guilty about being with Ikuta without Yatorishino, right?」
「I think most of her guilty feeling is Chamille’s own imagination. Because if Yatori-san was the same as the person I researched, she would never demand Chamille to stay away from Ikuta-nii for her sake. Because she blames herself too much, she couldn’t accept Yatori-san’s last will properly. Ikuta-nii needs to correct this. Since Chamille can’t crave for him, Ikuta-nii has to take the initiative to touch her.」
Vackie’s words were so bold that Yorga was dumbstruck── Simply put, for Vackie, the last will of the dead wasn’t the problem. She had no way of knowing what the late Yatorishino Igsem thought, since she couldn’t communicate with her. So she interpreted things in a way that benefits Chamille. She was unscrupulous in her ways to save her friend who was still alive── be it good or bad, this was how Vackie showed her friendship.
「...Ikuta is a man too, will he lose himself during the process...」
「Huh, that’s what you are worried about? Afraid the incredibly experienced Ikuta-nii who prefers MILFs will lose his restraints? It should be the opposite, right? He might cause a problem from restraining himself too much?」
「......」
That was one way of looking at it. Casting a sideway glance at the troubled Yorga, the white coat girl looked up at the night sky.
「Sigh, even with that in mind, this is just a slightly lewd service, and he is just a nanny. Ikuta-nii is the type that wants intercourse as an extension of intimate contact without harbouring any special feelings. I think he treats sex as one method of soothing a patient’s pain. That’s how it feels when during that period when he was womanizing very hard.」
「......」
「If it’s someone he really likes, he will use a different method to create bonds. If that person was Yatori-san── I think it would be better for Chamille to change her attitude earlier. Since their fondness is in different realms. This might sound bad, but she has no chance even with the feelings of guilt.」
Her conclusion was clear and cruel to a fault. The monocle youth sighed heavily, and Vackie smiled at him mischievously.
「... Your feelings are complicated, right? It must feels that way to someone who can’t hold back and laid his hands on me.」
The youth stiffened, then looked at the girl with a complicated expression of self reproach and sadness. He didn’t say anything as Vackie hugged him tight.
「I’m saying this because I’m like that── for people who spent their childhood devoid of love, they will greedily crave for love when they grow up. When we grow close enough, even when I hug her shamelessly, Chamille doesn’t really hate it, right? That’s one such reaction… The comfortable feeling of being hugged tightly should be experienced frequently when we are young.」
「......」
「Sometimes, I want someone to gently pat my head, or embrace me tightly. During lonely nights, such contacts aren’t enough at all── if we want that child to achieve happiness, we need to satisfy her first. Before teaching and guiding her, we have to make her happy.」
The girl declared and rubbed her cheeks on the youth’s chest. Feeling his heart from so close, she stated her demands.
「People whose needs are satisfied can change. So, Yorga── hold me?」
The youth didn’t have the option of objecting. He closed his arms around the girl’s back, holding her tight with his skinny arms. Vackie closed her eyes happily and muttered.
「── That’s right, I don’t want to lose this feeling. Because the world without this warmth is so, so cold...」
As if she was trying to escape her memories of the coldness, the girl basked in the youth’s warmth greedily── and the two of them leaned onto each other for a very long time.
The Scientists could solve one riddle in one day, and even manage two if time permits. But as time went on, it couldn’t be solved so easily anymore. It wasn’t just the difficulty level, the questions branched out to geology and biology. A lot of time was also needed to gather data, so manpower became a problem.
That might be so, but for the group who studied natural science which had a fickle nature, this was just par for the course. No one complained as the white coated intellects passionately challenged the puzzles. However──
「......」
「......」
Ignoring all that for now. This situation was unexpected for both the dark-haired youth and white-haired officer.
「... The pace is slow.」
「... Do I look like I can go faster?」
Grumbles could be heard every now and then. The healthy Jean and Ikuta with a walking stick had different walking speeds. Both of them had a section with them for the first stage of solving this puzzle── gathering the necessary data.
「...Ham*... Why are you here?」
「How would I know. Go ask Professor Anarai.」
Ikuta snorted and answered, and recalled the events that led to this.
「── From the looks of things, we have search for a clue around this place.」
When he realized the Sprites were pointing towards the forested hills, Anarai gathered the Scientists to plan their next course of action. So far, the questions were asked in an open area, so this was the first time this happened.
「For the last few questions, the Sprites’ reaction is getting more complicated. Should we go directly to collect the data, instead of leaving it to the soldiers?」
Yorga raised his hand to give his opinion. If it’s just running around with their partner Sprite, the soldiers could do that too, but a Scientist’s mind is needed to explain the Sprite’s reaction. No one objected, and Anarai nodded.
「True. To make the search more efficient, let’s split into pairs. First up── Nazuna, you are with Bajin.」
「Got it. Don’t mess up this time, Bajin.」
「I-I will do my best.」
Starting with this experienced couple, the Scientists in the tent swiftly paired up. Yorga was naturally paired with Vackie, and the pairing assigned by Anarai seems logical to everyone.
「... That’s twelve pairs. It’s just Jean and Ikuta left.」
But that’s only until this moment. When the two youths realized that they were the only ones left, they were dumbfounded.
「... Please wait.」「Professor, could it be──」
「That’s right. You two will team up and head to the assigned zone. You can bring escorts with you, but Ikuta has to walk by himself, and Jean has to match his pace. Do not act alone.」
The swift commands stopped any objections. They still wanted to protest, but the old sage added with finality:
「By the way, if you violate my orders, I will bar you from future investigations── that’s all I have to say.」
「... I messed up. I forgot that Professor Anarai can be more reckless than dad at times...」
The dark-haired youth held his head and said to himself. The white-haired officer walked ahead of him and snorted.
「What an unfathomable instruction. Teaming up with you will only lower my efficiency.」
He said as he glanced at Ikuta. The soldiers would help when the road was uneven, but Ikuta continued at a relatively constant pace.
「...」
Turning his gaze ahead, Jean thought back about something that happened on the way here.
「── Sorry Sir, can you repeat that order?」
In the carriage with just two people, Jean asked in a trembling voice. His adoptive father said again smoothly.
「Go Invite Ikuta Solork to join us personally. I’m sure I said that.」
The white-haired officer faced this unbelievable fact again. His mind was a mess as he desperately tried to probe what his father was thinking.
「... This… First, what’s the reason? Next, what’s the motive? And finally, why me?」
「The reason is, him joining us will make things convenient for us. The same with the motive. I’m leaving it to you because you are a suitable choice── because the two of you have many things in common.」
The youth was at a loss for words. Ario watched his reaction with a smile and continued:
「Both of you are young, high ranking generals, and disciples of the same Scientist. Just those common points can make you two feel close. And with the number of times you two battle, you can figure out each other's personalities, right? You two even wrestled that one time.」
Ughh, Jean couldn’t refute him. That scuffle was a serious mistake, and he couldn’t refuse when the Prime Minister pointed that out. The order was hinting at him using this chance to redeem himself, so Jean couldn’t refuse.
「Field Marshal Solork── his personality isn’t as twisted as he looks, or rather, he is very forthright and pure. Jean, he really resembles you. To me, he is someone I have to figure out── regrettably, he is very guarded against me, so nothing I say can move him.」
「......」
「So I’m leaving this to you, Jean. Only a sincere persuasion without logic or schemes can reach him. There is no use with all your gimmicks, just tell him your hopes for the future of Kioka. Just tell him your experience that led to you having this aspiration.」
The man asked him to have a heart to heart talk with his nemesis, the Field Marshal from an enemy nation. When Jean was clenching his fists with a strong urge to refuse, Ario added:
「This isn’t an invitation forced reluctantly from our defeat, I think this has a good chance of working. Because in the end── he likes people like you.」
「...!... You are asking too much from me, Sir.」
Jean shook his head as he thought back── this might be his adoptive father’s orders, but there were things he could do and couldn’t do. He made up his mind to focus on the investigation before him.
「... We circled the area, but the Sprites showed no reaction. Let’s search the higher grounds.」
「Sorry, but I need to take a break here before continuing.」
「Whia*?」
「My feet hurts. I can force myself to walk, but it will be bad if this worsens. For the sake of the future, it will be wise to rest here for now.」
Ikuta sat down on a boulder nearby. Jean thought about ignoring him and going on ahead, but he remembered what Anarai said── do not act alone. If you violate my orders, I will bar you from future investigations──
「...... Damn it!」
Jean stopped with a bitter face── he was evenly matched with him in terms of investigation results, so he couldn’t afford to be barred from the investigations. That meant giving the Empire the upper hand in diplomatic affairs.
「By the way, when did you hurt your leg? You were still lively when I saw you at the Hierdo mines.」
「The way you talk hasn’t changed since then. And unfortunately, your face is the same too──」
Ikuta who was about to respond with sarcasm suddenly stopped── The sunlight shining through the gaps of the trees illuminated Jean Arkinex’s profile, and his face had lost it’s liveliness, looking as frail as an old man.
「── No, you have aged a lot?」
The dark-haired youth said as he rubbed his eyes. When Jean turned towards him with furrowed brows, that face had reverted to normal. However── maybe it was the scene he saw for a moment which affected him, there seemed to be a shadow over Jean’s face.
「... What are you saying? I didn’t change, my subordinates said so too.」
Jean said puzzledly. Ikuta shook his head with a sigh.
「... That’s good then. By the way, you haven’t slept in a long time, right? So, when did your insomnia start?」
「I have no reason to tell you that.」
「I got hit by a ricochet in the civil war two years ago.」
「?」
「That’s the time and reason behind my leg injury. See, I answered your question.」
Ikuta said preemptively. Since that was what Jean asked, Jean had to answer too. After scowling his mouth and thinking for a while, he said quietly:
「... Since I was 15..」
「So more than ten years? You sure pushed staying up late to the limits.」
Ikuta expressed his thoughts expressionlessly. The white-haired officer shook his head.
「No── I think it’s too short… That’s more than a third of my active days. I don’t think my performance is worthy of the time spent.」
He wasn’t being humble, that was his sincere thoughts. Compared to his ideals, the time he had was too short. He was wasting too much time, and the frustration made Jean glare at Ikuta.
「And you are responsible for wasting a lot of it… Your pain should have subsided, right?」
「Yeah, yeah, let’s go.」
Ikuta got up with a sigh. Seeing that break time was over, the soldiers got ready and moved along the hilly path.
At the same time, at the foot of the hill, the Empress was standing in the plains and waiting for their return.
「── Want some tea, Chamille?」
Anarai walked over with a steaming cup of tea and offered it to the girl.
「The weather is cold here, unlike the Empire. I will catch a cold if I just stand here.」
Chamille accepted his offer and took a sip. The tea with quite a bit of sugar was sweet and warm, heating up her chilled body.
「......Professor Anarai.」
「Hmm?」
「... Why did you pair Solork and Major General Arkinex up?」
Chamille asked something that everyone was thinking about. Anarai groaned and said:
「Hey～Chamille. What do you think is the opposite of goodwill?」
「── Huh?」
Getting a question in response to her question made the Empress stare with her eyes wide open. Anarai immediately continued:
「It’s apathy. There are many emotions that will hinder friendship and love, and the biggest problem is apathy. People won’t be happy being with people they are not interested in── they will use this instinct to choose the people they associate with.」
Chamille nodded in concurment. Anarai looked at the hill before them with a grin.
「But, don’t you think the interaction between Ikuta and Jean is far from apathy?」
「────」
「It is interesting to observe them, right? They aren’t the type to get into meaningless quarrels, being magnanimous enough to laugh off taunts. They are usually calm, but get all worked up when they see each other, eager to get at each other’s throats.」
The old sage said cheerfully, moving his clenched fists together.
「I call such clashes, personality chemical reactions. This is a Scientific term, referring to the reaction when two different materials get into contact. Some materials will melt together like glue, some will turn stiff, and others will burn intensely. Isn’t the last example the most apt description for them?」
「... Intense burning on contact… Yes, that’s true.」
「There are all sorts of reactions── and there are all sorts of phenomena when two materials bond together. Just like how it’s boring to talk to someone you are not interested in, materials that won’t bond won’t have any reaction. Conversely, having a reaction means there is a chance of bonding. When two different material bond together, there is a chance of a new material will be created.」
The old sage said excitedly, his interest for the unknown was clear from his eyes.
「I want to see the result of their chemical reaction── that’s the reason I paired Ikuta with Jean. No, there isn’t any need for a reason in the first place. After all, they are colleagues invested in the same research in the first place.」
His cheery tone stopped here as Anarai looked up into the sky.
「But when I speak about this topic, it reminds me of a memory. When we and Bada were still with the Rising Sun Regiment, the young Ikuta met Yatori who came on a study trip.」
「......!」
「Their reaction was very dramatic. They met, got in contact, and learned about each other── when I realized it, they were bonded more closely than a married couple or siblings. Something so tightly bound is just like an alloy. It’s the creation of a metal that is stronger, tougher, and more enduring than everything else.」
The old sage’s words made Chamille scream in her heart. While she was trying to hide that, Anarai continued nostalgically.
「And of course, that alloy still remains. Material that reached a balance in chemical reaction won’t break down easily. Even more so for Ikuta and Yatori── no matter how hot a furnace is, their bonds will never break. The two of them will continue to exist as one from now on too.」
Anarai paused, then said.
「So, Chamille. If Ikuta loves you── that means Yatori loves you too.」
「!」
The girl opened her eyes wide. Anarai was still watching the distant sky as he said:
「I can’t tell you much. However, just don’t forget what I just told you, alright? Can you make the right call and accept her true feelings?」
Their conversation ended here. The old sage left shortly after, but his words lingered in Chamille’s heart.
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