Translator: Skythewood
Editor: Hiiro
「...Huff～, Puff～...」
On the road in the capital dyed red by the setting sun. Vackie and Yorga were running to the mansion of the next authoritative figure.
「Hey Vackie, you are working too hard. You haven’t slept for days, right?」
「I want to sleep, but I can’t let Ikuta-nii die either.」
The white-coat girl answered Yorga’s concern with ragged breath. They were working night and day to save Ikuta from the judicial court.
「If we can avoid a death sentence, we can buy more time. We are setting everything else aside just for this… but it’s tough. If Ikuta-nii pushed himself hard towards a death sentence, it would be very difficult. Even if we connect with the attendees of the trial before hand, we might not make it ahead of time.」
「... The biggest problem is that we can’t participate in the trial. To think being close to Her Majesty will work against us in such a way.」
They were officials working in the palace, and weren’t permitted to participate in the judicial court convened by ordinary citizens. They had no way of directly influencing the result of the judgement, and could only go around to convince the people who could.
As her breathing got more ragged, Vackie’s running speed got slower. She reached her limit a while later and stopped.
「... Sorry Yorga, give me a piggyback. I will sleep a while before we reach the next place.」
「It is about time you said that, get on.」
Yorga got in front of her and squatted down with his back towards her. The white coat girl immediately dozed off after leaning onto his back.
「── It seems everyone has been fooled by what the Defendant said.」
Ikuta’s eleventh trial suddenly went in a different direction. A man stood up, and expressed an opinion that differed from what the attendees thought.
「Please cool your heads. If everything he said is true, then there are too many contradictions. Think about it. A person who has saved the Empire out of many dire situations wouldn’t do something so self destructive on the spur of the moment.」
Another lady raised her hand after that, and said something that affirmed his statement.
「I concur. And we shouldn’t forget about his accomplishment in leading the Imperial army to victory. It’s the same for the final battle, without the leadership of the Defendant, the Kioka army would already have invaded the capital.」
They raised their hands one after another to support the first speaker. Have they finally made the arrangements? Ikuta thought as he listened from the center of the hall. To stop the youth from getting the death sentence, his colleagues had colluded with the participants in an attempt to change the trend of the trial. However── Ikuta actively nipped that possibility in the bud.
「Oh, you found out. That’s right── I actually have my reasons, something that will move anyone to tears. And I’m sure everyone here will shed a tear too.」
Ikuta interrupted the movement that was gaining momentum. He intentionally said it that way, which made those attempting to save him furrow their brows in confusion.
「... So, before I publish that, can you wait? I’m still thinking up the final scene. What should one say when bidding farewell to their parents that will move people the most? It’s hard to decide.」
The youth slapped the hand offered to him, which made them sighed. Despite Yorga and the other’s effort to send his colluded people into the trial── as long as Ikuta continues to show this attitude like a commentary host, there wouldn’t be much chance to get people on his side.
That night, Ikuta spent his time in his cell just like last time. And he predicted who his visitor would be.
「── You came, partner.」
Ikuta was lying in bed and flipping a thick bed as he answered the jade-eyed youth who walked up to the iron bars. Torway immediately smiled awkwardly.
「I heard from Haro-san… You look well, Ik-kun.」
「The trial is entering the last phrase. I want to reduce the number of books I haven’t read, and is very busy everyday.」
Ikuta said as he flipped the pages. Torway sat down before the cell as he looked at Ikuta, then said:
「I have many things to say… But before that, I have good news.」
「Oh～ you finally had your first time? Who’s the lucky person?」
「N-Not yet. It’s something better… Sushuraf-nii has regained conscious.」
「──── Is that true?」
Ikuta stopped flipping the pages and sat up on his bed. Torway nodded with a smile.
「... That’s great. I don’t want to see Sariha bro’s face if his brother died.」
「He will need to rest, but luckily, he can make a full recovery, and return to military service after he gets well… I’m really relieved. Given how serious his injuries were, I thought even the tough Sushuraf-nii won’t make it.」
Torway sighed with relief, then turned to Ikuta again.
「There’s another thing that will make you even happier.」
「... Oh～? It’s not like you to speak in such a roundabout fashion.」
「Fufu, sorry. I will tell you then── We have confirmed that Brigadier General Sazarf and Lieutenant Colonel Melza are alive in a prison camp in Kioka. He didn’t have any serious injuries.」
He dropped the book he was reading. Ikuta asked with a trembling voice:
「... That person is still alive...?」
He prohibited himself from holding any expectations. Because the intel they could get in war was too limited. The youth already steeled his heart to accept any death reports. However── there would be occasional strokes of luck. Ikuta got up from bed, but lost his balance and sat back down again.
「... Haha, my knees turned weak. This is the best news I have gotten in recent years...」
The youth said with a strong sense of relief in his heart. Torway looked at him with a smile and added:
「It would still take a while before he returns through a prisoner exchange. But they will be back. If we wait, we will meet again.」
「Yes… I’m counting on you to pass him a message. Tell him that I will never forget that time when he ignored orders.」
Ikuta started joking as usual. But Torway shook his head with a serious face.
「Tell that to him yourself, Ik-kun.」
「......」
「... Live. No one in this country wants you to die. Especially the people around me, we all feel sad that you are not willing to live on. We will work out a way around Empress Chamille’s problem. If we put our heads together, we will find a better way. Just like how we always do...」
The jade-eyed youth said with clenched fists. Ikuta narrowed his eyes. His deep belief in the Knights Corp had not changed at all.
「... Live, Ik-kun. I don’t want, I really don’t want to see the two people I admire the most to depart before me...!」
Torway hung his head with his hands on the bars. Ikuta walked towards him as if to console him──
「── Uwah?」
Torway was caught off guard by a flick to the forehead. The person who mercilessly struck the teary eyed Torway snorted.
「... You still look handsome even after crying so much? Tch~ how infuriating.」
Ikuta muttered unreasonably, then straightened his back and stared right at Torway.
「Let your feelings of admiration graduate right here… Yatori and I are soldiers of the past. In the future, you will need to be aware of other’s admiration towards you. It’s unbecoming for a commander of an army like you to be so humble, you know?」
「──Ughh...」
「A soldier that Yatori acknowledges, and a partner that I acknowledge── That’s you, Torway Remeon. I think that’s the best source of confidence, or is your evaluation of us actually not that high?」
「── That’s impossible!」
When Torway shouted in denial, Ikuta smiled wryly. Torway didn’t even react so intensely when others berated him.
「Then puffed your chest out and say 『leave the rest to me, you can die in peace』. Then I can let a load off my shoulder.」
He even suggested to Torway to sprout some arrogant lines. Torway’s eyes wavered sadly.
「... I can’t do it, Ik-kun. The pain of losing my friend, losing my partner, is similar to the guilt I feel when I shoot a living being── No matter how confident I am, I can’t change that part of myself.」
The youth said as he looked at his right hand that had pulled a gun trigger countless times. The lives he had taken, and the lives he would take in the future. Torway Remeon faced all that head on.
「... That’s right, and staying true to your nature is the best thing about you.」
Ikuta said gently and patted his shoulder. As someone who would be leaving first, Ikuta encouraged him not to be frantic or push himself too hard.
「── Don’t forget that. My partner is a timid Mr Nice Guy, and a pretty boy so cool that makes me mad. And the very best sniper that no one ever was.」
This is like a scene from the past, the jade-eyed youth thought. Ikuta Solork was only exceptionally strict with him, and the times they spent together was always fun. Torway Remeon would always feel proud that he served as his partner on the battlefield.
「── The attendees’ impression of him is worsening! Isn’t there anything we can do...!」
When he learned of the trial’s progress, General Remeon's depressed voice echoed in the conference room. The members of the 「Knights Corp」, Suya, him and many officers who felt the same way were figuring out a way to rescue Ikuta.
「... How about declaring martial law? We will use the excuse of the nation being unstable after the war ended, and cut the trial short indefinitely.」
A young officer suggested a desperate idea. His colleague opposite him frowned.
「Suppressing the nation in the name of maintaining order? ...That’s the worst excuse.」
「Then what do you suggest!? That we sit here and watch him get executed?」
The frustration of not finding an answer made the officers stand up and start a heated argument. Unable to let this go, General Shiba mediated:
「Calm down and stop fighting. And don’t forget── no matter how anxious you are, don’t do something out of line for a soldier. That’s our base line.」
He warned his hot headed subordinates not to be reckless. Seeing them sit down in self reflection, He muttered in a quiet voice only the officer beside him could hear.
「Only if he doesn’t wish for it… Isn’t that right, Honorary Field Marshal Igsem?」
The vermillion-haired general answered with silence. If Ikuta says 「save me」── They wouldn’t hesitate to hand back their commission in the army and take immediate action… But at the same time, they understand that moment would never come.
On a night five days after Torway’s visit. Footsteps filled with the most motivation and spirit so far echoed in the prison, and Ikuta knew who it was just from that.
「... Oh, it’s finally your turn? My dear Matthew.」
The slightly plump youth stood before the cell holding a large parcel with his legs apart. Ikuta walked over and turned his cheek towards Matthew. Matthew could touch him if he reached his arms through the bars.
「────」
「... Hmm? Aren’t you going to punch me?」
Ikuta looked at the other person’s fist and, to his surprise, didn’t swing at him. After thinking silently for a moment, Matthew snorted.
「I was planning to do that, but held myself back… Punching you now will just make you feel better.」
His words implied something worse than a simple beating. When he heard that, Ikuta's face started twitching for the first time since Suya got mad.
「... That’s a scary aura. This must the angriest you have been, Matthew ..」
「Of course, compared to this, even that thing about Haro seems trivial. You kept us in the dark and betrayed us without talking about it── and is now attempting to keep at it to the end.」
Matthew glared as he listed out Ikuta’s crimes, then continued in a low growl:
「Don’t think I will be as gentle as Torway or Haro… I never thought about convincing you, I will force you to live with my own strength, that’s all.」
「If I get in a scuffle with you right now, I will definitely lose… But I think it will be meaningless to drag me out of my cell though?」
「I’m not thinking convincing you through brute strength── this is how we will compete.」
Matthew put down his parcel and opened it. Inside was a heavy chess set and pieces. It wasn’t just great in quality, it’s owner cherished it deeply too as it had a glister unique in chess pieces.
「... Chess...」
「I don’t know how many times I lost to you, and you probably weren’t even serious… But that ends now.」
Matthew declared and sat down slowly before the chess board. He stared at the stiff Ikuta with an imposing sitting posture.
「Let’s make this a life and death match, Ikuta. If you win, you can die as you wish. If I win, you will live on as I say. I will resolve any issues that might come up.」
He declared confidently, and Ikuta asked in surprise:
「H-How will you do that, specifically?」
「I haven’t thought about it, but will do so soon. So you even need to ask? Chess is a match in intellect, and I will defeat you. Since I’m smarter than you, I will come up with ideas that you will never dream of.」
Matthew announced boldly, then set the pieces on his side of the board. Seeing how confident Matthew was, Ikuta sat opposite him in resignation.
「... How troubling. Right now… You are the coolest person in the world.」
「Being cool doesn’t matter, I just need to be better than you── Let’s see who will make the first move.」
Urged by Matthew, Ikuta took a chess piece from either side of the board, then clutched one in each hand. The pudgy youth pointed at the right hand without hesitation, and it was a Wind gunner from Matthew’s side of the board.
「I will make the first move, Ikuta. If you don’t want to lose, then don’t hold back.」
「Of course, Matthew. Holding back here will be no different from suicide.」
Ikuta took on his challenge and promised to go all out. Both of them focused on the chess board. And so── the first serious match between the two youths started for the first time.
＊
At the same time, in the Kioka Republic Capital Norandot. In the abode of the Scientists built in its outskirts── Anarai Khan’s laboratory.
「...Professor, what is Ikuta doing right now?」
Bajin said as he looked into a microscope. Anarai who was dissecting the leaves of a meaty plant carefully moved his surgical knife as he answered:
「Who knows, but── he must be spending his time meaningfully. Because he cherishes his friends.」
He said with firm conviction. His disciple was walking his own path far away from him, and his last conversation with that youth was still fresh on Anarai’s mind.
「Ikuta said he has many comrades in the Empire. That’s why, no matter what path he takes, he will never walk alone. Many people will be there for him. And of course, that includes us. Anyone in the world will call this a fortunate situation, right?」
After saying that in a firm tone, Anarai continued conducting scientific research. He didn’t change after that last farewell── He sincerely wished for the Sprites to light the way with love for Ikuta Solork.
＊
Time had lost meaning, and they entered a trance of intense concentration.
When they realized it, the match had gone on for two days and two nights.
「............」
「────────」
There wasn’t any time limit set for this match. Both of them accepted this condition and proceeded with this untimed match. Every move they made grinded their very souls, and they made move after move. The match remained even despite the ever changing board, as they traded advantages at a blistering pace.
「──Ughh──」
And so, the chess match moved towards its endgame── The delicate balance that looked as if it would last forever, finally crumbled.
「... Ughh...」
The pieces protecting Matthew’s king kept changing formation to defend against the onslaught of attacks, and showed a hair thin gap. It couldn’t be seen at a glance. There was a checkmate in tens of moves by using four different pieces consecutively.
Matthew realized that a step later. No── it was a miracle he noticed just a step late. This was a unique style not recorded in any chess books, something unique to Ikuta Solork. When the vermillion-haired girl was still alive, he dreamt up this secret move to use against her one day.
「.................................... I have nothing......」
Facing the chess moves that were the crystallization of pure intellect, Matthew Tetzirich thought for a long time and realized his king couldn’t escape── however, he refused to concede. He bet on the possibility that his opponent would miss that checkmate and struggled til the end. And finally, he squeezed out these words, which reflected his heart.
「... I thought...」
While his opponent was hanging his head, Ikuta muttered with his palm on his forehead. After a long pause, he said with an exhausted voice.
「... I thought my head was going to explode, really. Every move is incredibly sharp, and the harshness in reading ahead makes me forget to breathe, and your defense is suffocating… This match with you is really fun. Haha── look, I’m still shaking. To think you gave me the most amazing game in my life at the very end...」
Ikuta continued, his pitch changed because of his emotions. He then thought── how many times did he fall into a pinch, and how many reversals happened? He thought about how accurately the pudgy youth handled all that.
「This is my last match. However── you will become stronger. Maybe even stronger than Yatori or me… Ah, it’s frustrating that I won’t get to witness that...」
This new regret gripped Ikuta’s chest. At this moment── Matthew who was seated opposite him said with a hoarse voice while glaring at the chess board:
「...Quitting after you’re ahead…!? ...You! …Til the end, you...!」
Tears fell onto the chessboard along with his sniffling. Ikuta thought about the deep emotions invested in this match, and how hard Matthew had studied. Ikuta trembled with gratefulness because of Matthew’s extraordinary efforts, and could feel how fortunate he was.
「... That’s right, I’m quitting while I’m ahead. I might not win again if we have a rematch. However── before I quit, there’s something I want to say.」
Ikuta reached his arms out through the bars. He leaned towards Matthew’s bowed head, their foreheads almost touching. He could hear Matthew’s breathing as Matthew’s tears pooled on the chess board.
「Thank you, my dear Matthew── My time with you will always be an honour to me.」
Ikuta offered his deepest thanks with that… He tried to save Ikuta until the end, and never gave up on competing against Ikuta. He wanted to boast to the world that he had such a great friend.
After a long series of hearings, the long trial finally came to an end.
「... We have spent 21 days on the Defendant’s trial. There is nothing left unsaid, and have deliberated sufficiently.」
The judge announced with a stern voice. Only on this day, all the attendees waited quietly for him to continue.
「Listen carefully, Defendant Ikuta Solork. I will now read out your verdict.」
This was the only time the dark-haired youth wasn’t tied onto a chair, and was standing in the center of the hall. The judge who had warned and reminded him numerous time announced:
「The Defendant’s crimes are vicious and despicable. Scheming against the Empress makes his sins even graver. Losing his parents at a young age might be grounds for sympathy, but that can’t mitigate his crimes significantly──」
「......」
「── Committing treason while appointed to the post of Field Marshal has negatively affected the nation by an immeasurable amount. His heinous crimes had resulted in a loss that reached an astronomical number, and is effectively impossible to reparate. Hence, the only way for the Defendant to pay for his crimes is to cleanse his body and soul through the heaviest punishment possible.」
Ikuta roughly translated this exaggerated statement in his heart. In short── you greatly wronged society, and can’t pay for your crimes, so at the very least, you should accept this punishment and contribute to society by being an example. I see, very adequate, he smiled awkwardly.
「For your above crimes──」
The judge paused here. Everyone could tell that he would conclude things with his next words.
「I hereby sentence Defendant Ikuta Solork to death by public decapitation.」
There was nothing surprising about his verdict, it was an adequate and rational decision.
「The verdict has been given. However, before we end the trial, Defendant Ikuta Solork is permitted to make his last statement. You can voice any dissatisfaction about the hearing or anything else, you may speak freely.」
The judge urged him according to the procedures. Ikuta surveyed the crowd and then──
「I will do that then──『Never forget this betrayal』.」
He told the crowd firmly. The participants rubbed their eyes as the youth made his final statement with a serious voice he had not shown in the trial so far:
「A hero that can be trusted unconditionally without any limits── such a person has never existed in all time and space. Be it an Emperor or anyone else, there is a limit to what one person can do── and when that limit is surpassed, that person will be forced to decide between tossing aside the burden or breaking the load. Those who toss aside the burden are traitors, and those who break the load are madmen. Both scenarios will damage the country seriously. If the burden isn’t distributed adequately, that will just be digging your own grave, I hope everyone can keep that in mind.」
Ikuta demanded in a stoic voice. Countless mistakes had already been made in the Empire, and they lost too many things. At the very least, they should learn from those mistakes.
「You can respect a person as a leader, but you must always suspect him too. You have to keep questioning his will, and whether his action really meets your expectations. If you neglect your supervision, then people like me will appear. Pretending to be a hero and revered by the masses, while exploiting my status to enrich myself. People like me will definitely show up. Don’t let such people take on a leadership role, and if they do, impeach them immediately, that’s your obligation. An important responsibility that will directly affect your happiness.」
Surprisingly, the place didn’t turn rowdy. The participants looked at Ikuta and waited for him to go on. They all realized by instinct that they were hearing his true thoughts for the first time.
「I’m happy that everyone here felt outraged by my actions. Because if no one feels that way, that means the country is beyond hope… However, that didn’t happen. The road here might be windy, but the Parliament and Judicial court showed a clear will to do better. This might be a light that will fade at any moment, but you allowed me to have hope. I hope you can let me imagine a day when this country won’t ever rely on heroes again.」
Ikuta suddenly smiled, then looked at the attendees who went through this long trial alongside him.
「Sorry about the many reckless actions── Oh right, let me give some final feedback. I think the Defendant should have a better chair. A time limit should be set for each hearing to avoid the trial turning into vicious verbal attacks against the exhausted Defendant. You can take reference from Kioka’s Parliament, since they have been perfecting this system for the past century.」
He pointed out flaws and offered advice as he usually does. Some of the attendees smiled awkwardly, then quietly noted Ikuta’s issues in their mind. Thinking back, there was room for improvements for the trial.
「I have said quite a bit, so I will stop here. Your Honour, please make the concluding statement.」
The youth returned the floor back to the judge after saying his piece. The judge stared at him and said:
「... Ikuta Solork, you...」
He stopped himself mid-sentence── there was no point in saying anything now. The sentence must be carried out, and both the attendees and the Defendant accepted that. They were an organization that was still green, but they completed the hearing in their own way. And so, they had to accept this conclusion.
「... No, nothing. The sentencing has been given, and we have completed the trial. The first judicial court is now adjourned── all rise, and bow.」
After the Judge said that, the attendees stood up and bowed. Thank you for your hard work── Ikuta said in his heart as he looked at them.
That night, when the youth was sent back to prison, a girl broke off the restraints of her martial officers, and ran down the corridor towards where he was.
「... Hah, hah, hah, hah...!」
She reached the bars and stared at that person. The books he had read were stacked high on his bed, while Ikuta Solork was sitting on the floor waiting for her.
「──── Hi, long time no see, Chamille, did you run all the way from the palace? You are panting really hard, drink some water first.」
The youth picked up a water flask and poured a cup for her. The Empress wanted to ignore him and speak, but couldn’t say anything because of her ragged breathing. She had no choice but to grab the cup and drink it all.
「──── Hah… hah...... hah...... hah......」
She took quite a while to calm her breathing as Ikuta waited quietly. When she was ready, Chamille took a deep breath.
「── You big dummy～～～～!」
She shouted loud enough for the entire prison to hear. After the echoes faded away, Ikuta looked at her, impressed:
「... My ears are ringing. You are amazing, Chamille. That’s a really loud yell.」
「Ughh! Y-You are saying such things again…! Do you really understand! Understand what you have done, and what is to come...!」
「Of course── In the morning three days later, my death sentence will be carried out before the Cathedral in the Imperial Capital Banhataal. It will be death by guillotine as ordered by the judicial court. I will spend my time leisurely in prison before my execution. I can get whatever I need here, it’s really comfortable.」
The youth said with a smile. With the girl gritting her teeth before him, he picked up his partner from his bed.
「Since the trial is over, they finally returned Kusu to me. I feel uneasy without it by my side. Because of the constant calls, it’s communication function has been switched off. That goes for your call too, sorry that I can’t take your call.」
Ikuta apologized. Chamille breathed slowly to calm her nerves, then said with a suppressed voice:
「.. Solork, it’s not too late, leave this place and run.」
「Ehh?」
「The sentencing by the judicial court can’t be overturned. But there is still a way to escape the death sentence. Any reason will do── for example, declaring that you died from illness in prison. You can just assume a different name and live somewhere else. I can easily make such arrangements. So...!」
The girl urged him to break out of prison. For an instant, the youth showed a lonely smile.
「Many soldiers died during the final battle with Kioka. They fought under my command and believed we would triumph. So I can’t betray them by faking my death, Chamille.」
「That’s not your sin! You took that sin from me! Why── Why didn’t you let me declare defeat? That was my goal! I should be tried by the judicial court for treason! You took that away! You took everything, everything I built up is gone because of you...!」
The girl yelled with all sorts of emotions. Ikuta nodded.
「That’s right, I took everything… Because you haven’t forgiven yourself yet.」
「That’s the only way I can atone! To atone for the sins of the Eternal Sprite Tree bloodline, I need to destroy the Imperial family beyond reprieve, and execute me, the last heir to the bloodline! Only then can I be burned by the flames of hell as I wished! I can atone for these sins and end my wretched life...!」
The girl stated her goal with a crazed tone. Ikuta looked at her true self which he had peeked at numerous times.
「Regarding the issue of sin, your argument and mine have always run parallel to each other. I insist it doesn't exist, while you claim it does, and refuse to back down… I can understand if you say someone demands for you to atone for your sins. But no one did. Not one person in the Empire will find happiness because you offered up your life. Then── isn’t that sin just a delusion in your mind?」
「No, that’s not true, Solork! What would the dead buried by history say!? The people who couldn’t even complain, the lives trampled by my forebears, what would they say!? They can’t even speak of their grudge! However, the sins of the abusers can be clearly seen! The Eternal Sprite Tree’s evil won’t vanish with the passage of time! The sin will follow the bloodline forever! It is part of my sullied flesh and blood, and is still lingering here...!」
「I licked your blood when we first met! According to your theory, then I’m sullied too! But I’m still alive and kicking without falling ill, that’s too strange!」
Ikuta’s voice turned agitated because of her intensity. Sensing the direction their conversation was going, Chamille shook her head firmly.
「No… No, Solork. I’m not trying to argue with you, or refute your thinking. I just── I just don’t want you to die. That’s all, nothing else. I want you to live...!」
「I have the exact same thinking as you, which led me here… how complicated. You want to die, and want me to live. In order to make you live, I have to die. We both share the same wish for the other to live, but death should come our way with a sharp blade.」
The youth paused after saying that with a heavy tone. He thought for a moment, then changed his approach.
「Let’s make an assumption── assuming there is a future where neither you nor me will die. That’s what I want to do in recent years. Since you don’t want me to die no matter what── then Chamille, will you agree to that plan?」
The girl’s shoulders shuddered, and Ikuta understood. He knew she would never accept such a proposal and continued:
「Let’s copy your earlier proposal, and both of us fake our deaths and leave this place. We will change our names, our home, and our way of life. Far away in a distant nation, how about being a farmer in a corner of Kioka? A carefree life suits me just fine, and I think it fits you better than life in the palace. And of course, living in the boondocks has its own hardships and troubles too. But at least, there’s nothing that will compel our demise.」
Chamille hung her head and shivered wordlessly. She would never agree to the youth’s proposal, but couldn’t reject him out loud either. His kindness made her happy, but she couldn’t respond since she sincerely wanted to kill herself. Ikuta could see her struggles clearly.
「If things can be solved by me staying by your side, then we can make it work… However, it’s not that easy. You adamantly refuse a happy future, which includes my existence. It’s not that you can’t find a path towards happiness, you are just stopping yourself from getting happiness.」
「......」
「You should know that this is a curse cast on you by Ario Kyakushii when you were young. It’s something he implanted in you with twisted malice. Who will benefit if you lose your life because you are bound by that thing? Who will be happy about it? Even Ario Kyakushii won’t want it── the idea he gave you was a set up for the invasion of the Empire. And now, it’s a move that’s already moot. That idea in your mind is just the remains of a curse that lost its purpose.」
He knew it was cruel to put it that way, but Ikuta still said it out loud. He reached for the bars between the girl and him, touching the square frames.
「Listen, Chamille, you need to draw a line. The twisted idea implanted by others, and your own values. If you don’t divide them clearly, you won’t see the true nature of yourself as a human. This means that you haven’t seen the shape of your soul yet.」
「──── The shape, of my soul...?」
「This is my real final challenge. To dig out the tumour compelling to seek death, and cutting it out from your soul. The process will be painful, and you will bleed out blood you can’t see. But you definitely need this treatment. In this crucial moment with my execution looming, this is the best time to clearly see the silhouette of your soul.」
Ikuta declared and looked right into her eyes. Chamille felt something was about to happen and grew wary on reflex.
「First question. Don’t think and answer directly── do you like or hate humans?」
He asked something out of left field. It was difficult to decipher the youth’s intent, but he conveyed his firm resolve clearly. Chamille answered:
「── Like. I always like the lives of people, and the scenery of people interacting with each other.」
「I know that… The sandbox is interesting, I want to play that again.」
The youth smiled as he thought as he reminisced about the past. Chamilled remembered the numerous attempts she made during her time with him, and felt a dull pain in her chest.
「Second question── There is a village where everyone is lazy and listless. What will you do to them?」
This question took a different direction from the previous one. The girl answered immediately:
「── It’s fine if they are happy. But if that is not so, I want to point them in the direction where they can achieve happiness. And then… no.」
She stopped midway, but the youth refused to let her do so.
「Wait, don’t stop. What did you want to say? Don’t hold back, say it properly.」
His demand made Chamille hold her breath. After some hesitation, the girl answered with her head low:
「... If possible, I want to be happy by building a relationship with them… I think it’s a wilful wish, and quite hesitant to say it.」
「I see. However── the villagers don’t think you are wilful, and it won’t cause any problems. You are not the one to judge if your actions are wilful, shouldn’t they be the one to do so?」
He pointed out the prudence stuck in her mind. But Ikuta moved on after mentioning that:
「Third question── A child has violent parents. The villagers who got beaten by these parents demand the child to atone for that crime. Is the child guilty? Yes or no?」
She didn’t answer immediately this time. Chamille’s thought with a serious face, then said bitterly:
「...... I can’t answer that. Where do we draw the line for crimes? That is rooted in common ethics. As an outsider, I can’t comment on it lightly.」
「I see. What if you are the head of that village? What will be your judgement?」
「... If I’m in that position, I won’t persecute that child. I will try to eliminate crime by association as much as possible, and nurture an ethics view that respects the individuality of a person… If I’m allowed to redefine the concept of crime… I want to define it as something resulting from one’s own judgement and action, and not something shackled to you by the gods or from your birth.」
Chamille fluently stated his ideal as a leader. Ikuta said with a cheerful smile:
「That’s the answer, the biggest clue that divides your soul from the tumour── the primitive crime by association between parent and child, and the crime by association of the Imperial family. The two are identical in structure. However── you refuse to acknowledge the former, but think the latter is applicable to you.」
「......!」
「Do you know where that contradiction comes from? ──You got the sequence wrong. The crime by association of the Imperial family── you didn’t take on that sin because you think that theory is correct. It’s the opposite── you want to shoulder that sin, that’s why you accepted the illogical rationale about the Imperial bloodline. An unreasonable punishment only applicable to yourself, that’s your twisted view… In contrast, you won’t let children you don’t know shoulder their parent’s sins. Because that’s your original sense of values.」
Chamille’s heart thumped── he was right. The same logic should apply to similar examples, but she was guilty while the child was innocent, a clear contradiction. This meant that she was seeing her own crimes through twisted lenses?
「You used the Imperial bloodline as the basis of your self loath. Not because of the crimes committed by the Imperial family, but your own emotions of self hatred. But── think about it. Is that really an idea you had from the start?」
Ikuta questioned that point firmly. Chamille’s vision was swirling── Maybe that did happen. When she was still little, there was a time when she didn’t hate herself. So, what changed that? Who suggested this to her?
「── Ah── Ah──」
「Remember, Chamille! Realize that is a curse! Your thinking is being guided to make you hate yourself! Remove the self loath that had been imprinted into you, and what is left is the real you that you should cherish!」
Memories buried deep in her heart surfaced. The image of that man saying she was sad with a smile, and his claim that her bloodline was corrupted became vivid. She even remembered how lonely she felt when she accepted that point. That’s right. Her extreme self loath stemmed from deep within her heart. It was an ominous thorny vine that grew from the seed planted by that man.
「── B-But, I──」
Why couldn’t she reject that seed? Because she was young and blindly believed the other party? ──That might be part of the reason. However, that wasn’t all. Her young self knew that the seed would grow into a thorny vine one day and trap herself. She knew, but her young self still nurtured that seed, because──
「── I had never been loved before.」
She stated the emptiness she felt in the beginning. As the youth watched her with a sad face, the girl recalled her past self. That’s right── That was the biggest reason why she accepted that 「seed」. That day, she couldn’t bear the barren soil in her heart, the field in her soul without a single seedling.
「After I was sent to Kioka, no one loved me. My father hated my existence, and wanted to strangle me. My mother never breastfed me. Even my nanny kept her interaction with me to the minimum to avoid being caught up in an assassination. There wasn’t any love in that place── Even if I try to love myself, I don’t understand what love is.」
「...... I see...」
「In my time in Kioka, Ario Kyakushii taught me to hate myself to replace love. I learned to hate myself as a replacement for not knowing love. I hated and hated, but my soul wasn’t satisfied. ── but I reached a strange conclusion. I accepted that 『my life is so painful because my existence is evil』. That’s why── I think I need to be cleansed. I believe that I must make up for the inherent evil brought about by my body. Shortly later, I was certain that the Imperial bloodline was the true face of evil── I realized that my goal in life is to destroy the Eternal Sprite Tree Empire.」
Chamille confessed with a calm voice── a girl who wasn’t loved, created a religion of self loath in her mind as a replacement. A cult that seeks redemption through self destruction. However── even such a thing could fill her heart. Even her self loath was better than the emptiness.
「My life started from this self hatred. But, if you say this is a curse, and I need to remove all that to see the real me── then isn’t just hollowness left? If I lose my self loath, I will have nothing. I won’t have a reason to go anywhere, or the drive to achieve anything. Once I lose my self hatred, then a flawed person like me won’t have anything──」
Escaping from that emptiness by filling her soul with self hatred. The girl faced this fact again── she had never been loved. Even her feelings of treating herself as the source of all evil was just deceiving herself from the emptiness from not being loved. However── once she realized this, where should she go? She couldn’t even set self destruction as her goal, what could she lean on now?
Two arms gently embraced the back of the panicking girl. The youth knew── she had a period of emptiness that was more painful than self loath. So much that she thought of the self loath as her redemption.
「... That’s not true, Chamille.」
Ikuta said that after understanding all that. Chamille slowly turned her hollow eyes towards the youth.
「.. Solork...?」
「Didn’t you say you like people? That you like the life created by the interaction between people? Someone who has nothing won’t say that. You do have something. The real you having many dazzling hopes.」
「────」
「You said that too── You want to guide the lazy villagers towards happiness. You want a sense of fulfillment through your relationship with them.
I don’t know other people with such a beautiful wish. Most people will be more selfish and seek personal gain. They won’t even think their own gains are linked to the gains of others. But── you have known this in your heart since the beginning. Bringing happiness to others will in turn make you happy yourself, and your pure mind is certain about this cycle of happiness── don’t you realize how amazing that is? I understand. You are born with a beautiful heart, Chamille.」
The youth told the girl, and put more strength into his arms embracing her. He was certain that he was holding something more precious than any gems.
「Do you still remember? When Vackie first came to the palace, she asked you this question── do you want to save the people? Or punish them? And you answered without hesitation that you want to save them. At that moment, I saw the beauty in your nature. Because── it’s hard for me to think so. No matter how hard I try, I can’t wish for that so purely.」
Ikuta said as he backed away with his mind set── the girl shouldn’t be the only one baring her soul.
「I had not told you yet. Actually── I’m staying here partly because I want to. It’s the opposite of your wish for the Empire’s destruction… I have finally accepted that I wish to be here.」
「... Your wish?」
The topic shifted in an unexpected direction, which made Chamille open her eyes wide. Ikuta showed a dry sense of self mockery.
「That’s right. I’m troubled too── Right now, I wish for the Empire’s downfall from the bottom of my heart.」
The youth revealed his negative emotions to the speechless girl.
「It’s not in my nature to hate something. That is true towards people, much less a country. Hatred isn’t something that can be controlled. It is normal for people to direct their hatred towards something that isn’t too massive.
However── I can’t help thinking about it. Because of unavoidable events, I lost many people important to me. The Empire accumulated too many negative karma and took too many things from me. My father, mother, Yatori… The people important to me had been pushed to their deaths by the Empire. That Trisnai Izanma is just a stray flower that bloomed from that soil. The more I realized that, the more I hate this country. Being appointed as the Field Marshal only strengthens this point. Because I’m in a position to oversee the nation, I have the authority to interfere forcibly at times, and my hatred isn’t just a powerless thing any more.」
The youth said bitterly, and thought── being in a position of great power would be a cradle to nurture hatred too. If he wasn’t a Field Marshal, he wouldn’t be in control of a powerful organization, and he wouldn’t be able to exact revenge against the massive Empire. Being able to do something easily would heighten the emotions of a human. And Ikuta Solork was no exception.
「Do you like or hate humans? ── I asked you that just now. You choose ‘like’ right away. I can’t answer that question immediately.
When I hear “humans”, I will reflexibly think about the Imperial citizens. The many anonymous and faceless people living in this nation. And── can you believe it? I hate them. Thinking politics and military affairs doesn’t concern them, and living wilfully. When there is trouble, they will shamelessly turn to the soldiers── Their way of life frustrates me. I can’t help thinking that if they play their role as citizens properly, then the people important to me wouldn’t have died.」
「...... T-That’s...」
「The coup purged almost all of the corrupted nobles. So the problem is── the people. Right now, I don’t hate the military or nobility of the Empire, but everyone else── apathetic people who don’t care about anything. The people you watch with loving eyes, are getting uglier in my eyes with each passing day.」
「────!」
「As the urge grew stronger with time, I realized── I will take revenge against this country one day. When I can no longer suppress the hatred in my heart, I will become a cruel existence you won’t recognize. I can feel this emotion growing rapidly in my mind.」
Ikuta’s hands were trembling. He smiled stiffly at the girl, contemplating that he would either die a hero or live long enough to become a villain.
「So I switched roles with you── I’m sorry, Chamille. Wanting you to live is half the reason, the other half is this. I want the person who betrayed the country to be me. I want to surprise all of them, and show the best mockery in the judicial court, and make them realize their mistake. Not doing anything or thinking about anything── I want to tell them that ignorance is the most serious sin.」
「...!...」
「The death penalty is justified in a sense. Because I will become an enemy of the state one day. Furthermore── thanks to the betrayal, I feel so much better now. Right now, my heart feels that it’s fine to end things after enacting my revenge. That’s why.. I won’t let you take this role.」
After saying the reasons that led to his decision, the youth felt that a load had been removed from his shoulders. From what he had said so far, his work was coming to an end.
「The 『Empire』 will be destroyed soon. Isn’t that right, Chamille… The people will ditch their reliance on the military as the Imperial governance will gradually hand over power to the people. Because of my betrayal, this change will be accelerated── That’s my revenge. I think it’s a great compromise.」
「.. Solork...」
「What you need to shoulder is the future. You will be the last monarch of the past government that will guide this country away from Imperialism, and towards a nation ruled by the people. They are still toddlers with unsteady footings, and can’t progress without your assistance. You will support them from the side── until they are independent enough to not need your help any more.
That is the role you really want to play. Unlike the past, where people implant ideas into your mind to lead you towards destruction… After the renewal, you will live together with the people moving in a new way. You will gain happiness through your relationship with them and live on── that’s the lifestyle you really want.」
Ikuta smiled with conviction. Chamille felt something from his demeanour.
「── Do you want to die?」
The girl said with a dry voice, as if she was reading off a script. She reached through the bars and caressed the youth’s face with her palms.
「These eyes, this face, this mouth── will be gone after three days?」
The whole thing still feels unreal to her── She thought she would be the one to disappear. She believed that no matter what would happen in between, it would end with her dying and him living. To achieve that, she spared no effort in everything she did. If she could make him live and let herself die, Chamille was prepared to do whatever it takes.
「That’s right. I won't be able to see the world you build without me".」
The youth said as he let the girl’s fingers caress him. When she heard that, Chamille felt a chill from her feet.
She imagined a world without him. She thought about her life after this. Her mind drifted to the big empty bedroom without her roommate, and her hollow, empty self sitting motionlessly. That scene was more terrible than any hell she had seen.
「──No.」
「...Chamille?」
「No── I don’t want that. I don’t want you to disappear. Never!」
Chamille’s emotions turned from 0 to 100 in an instant. Her hands reaching through the bars grabbed the youth’s shoulders with all her might. Looking at the girl’s face who was afraid of losing him, Ikuta asked in tone that was calm in contrast:
「... Can you tell me, why you don’t me to disappear?」
The girl shuddered when she heard that. She moved her lips, searching for a reason to keep him in this world.
「I-I will lose my conversational partner. There isn’t anyone staying in my room that would listen to me talk when I wake up in the middle of the night.」
「I see, that’s a serious problem── but I think Vackie will be happy to accompany you. She loves being physically intimate, and will take the initiative to cuddle. If you feel lonely, feel free to bring her to your room.」
「T-That girl won’t do. She’s not gentle at all. Every time, we will end up wrestling.」
「You can ask Haro then. Your mood will get better if she pats your head. You can let her spoil you, and she will be happy to see you rely on her.」
「H-Haro── Oh right, Haro is weak in chess! If I want an intellectual challenge, she won’t be able to keep up!」
「You can ask Torway or Matthew then. I had a match with Matthew recently, he had gotten a lot stronger. You can’t let your guard down against him. Why don’t you try it next time?」
「No! That’s not it...!」
Chamille grew anxious as she failed to convey her true thoughts── What should she say to make him understand? How should she put it so he would realize the seriousness of the issue and change his mind. She kept thinking and thinking── and then said:
「T-The warmth will be gone.」
「... Ehh?」
「R-Recently, I realize, when I’m with you── the region around my chest will feel warm like a candle fire. When we lean on each other, it feels as comfortable as basking in the sun… I-If we cuddle a little too intensely, I would feel very excited… It feels warm by your side. Torway, Matthew and Haro are warn too, but it’s the warmest when I’m by your side...」
The girl said with her hand on the center of her chest… When she was by the youth’s side, what was it about him that gave her salvation? After thinking about it, she decided on the answer 「the inconceivable warmth that she feels without being touched」. When Ikuta heard that, he smiled gently.
「Hey, Chamille. Do you remember what you said earlier? The thing you didn’t have when you were born in the palace or in Kioka.」
He said as he placed his hand on his chest just like Chamille was doing── as if to show that he felt the same warmth she was feeling.
「This is it. You already know── it’s sensation, temperature and form.」
「────」
「I always thought it was boring to interject verbally. But this time, it will be meaningless if I don’t say this directly. When the other party can feel it, then that thing will come into existence for the first time.
But the key is to convey your emotions with words… Doing so is a type of proof. To confirm in the future that this thing actually existed.」
After Ikuta said these mysterious words, he inched close to the bars on his knees. The girl’s entire body was reflected in his black pupils.
「When we first met, you were just a kid… You have grown, Chamille. Can I watch you from a closer distance?」
「Y-Yes...」
Chamille would never refuse that, and let the youth approach her. He leaned his face to the edge of the bars, then made another request.
「Can you come closer? Come as close to the bars as you can.」
「Huh? Erm, I-I understand. H-How about this──── Hmm?」
The moment she leaned in close, her lips were sealed.
The foreign sensation permeates the girl’s entire body── she had been kissed in other places before. Be it the cheeks or her forehead, she would feel a sweet and numb sensation that threatens to melt her away.
This was incomparable to that. Their lips were just touching, so why did this feel so amazing? This question flashed in her mind, and she even lost her wits to analyze why.
「──, ──」
She resolved to stay this way forever. There was no reason not to── since the youth was so close to her. She didn’t wish for time to stop, because time had already stopped for her. She floated and melted in this warmth, and her heart was slowly filled.
「──── Ahh──」
But that time still ended. The meetings between mortals would always be beset with farewells. She wept because of the whimsicalness of it all. Ikuta looked lovingly into her wavering eyes from up close── and then said:
「this is an adult kiss… I’m sorry that it’s a little intense. But this is part of my final gifts.」
「────」
The dazed girl accepted his words. After that, Ikuta embraced Chamille tightly. It wasn’t a kiss this time, he pushed her head to his shoulder and held her tightly.
「... I will say this only once. I won’t repeat myself, so listen carefully.」
He urged her to brace herself mentally, then whispered in her ears:
「Chamille, I love you.」
──Snap! Chamille felt she heard something snapping.
Something invisible that had been binding the girl’s soul broke at that moment.
They hugged for a long time. They both knew that when they stop hugging, their time together would be over. Chamille hugged Ikuta with all her might, and refused to let go.
But it was time for them to part. Ikuta squeezed Chamille’s stiff body hard as if he was reluctant to let go一 then pulled off her arms and left the girl’s side.
「We will part here… I won’t meet you all until it’s over.
Captain Lucanti, I’m counting on you to handle the rest. Stay by Chamille’s side together with Vackie and Yorga. And… Don’t let her come here again.」
「... Yes. By your will.」
The female knight waiting some distance away accepted this request and saluted smartly, then respectfully picked up the girl. Her movements weren’t rough at all, but emitted a firm will that left no room for negotiations.
「Ahh── W-Wait, Lucanti. Wait, Solork. I-I still haven’t...!」
Chamille yelled as she was brought outside. She tried to break free from the female knight’s grasp, but failed miserably. The youth’s figure behind bars was gradually covered by the walls. Her last sight of his profile had a gentle smile and tears.
「────────Solork────────!」
Her cries for the youth echoed throughout the prison. She was carried out of the prison and the echo subsided── but her voice continued to linger in his ears.
「............ Okay.」
After his time with Chamille was over, and spending half the day in silence, he got up from his bed and walked to the table at a corner of the cell. After troubling over it for a while, he sat down before the desk that had high quality paper and pen.
「... But… what should I write?」
「Don’t you have anything to write, Ikuta?」
Kusu toddled over to Ikuta who was wondering what to write. The youth picked Kusu up and placed it on the table, then grunted.
「It’s hard to decide… My love confession just ended.」
He started pondering. After thinking for about ten minutes, he wrote something── and an hour later, he crushed up the paper and tossed it away.
「Give up, give up. This isn’t my style. I finished what i need to do, so I will slack as much as I want.」
Ikuta left the table after saying that, then went to the bed with Kusu. He laid on the bed and placed Kusu on his chest.
「Let’s chat, Kusu. I’m glad that you came back. Having someone to talk to makes a huge difference for the last few days.」
「I’m glad to be with you too… And, I’m sad. My time with you is ending.」
Kusu’s face looked depressed. Ikuta smiled at him.
「After I’m gone, you’ll need to find another partner. What kind of person would you like? I will write down as much details as possible.」
「Thank you, Ikuta. However── I want to go with the flow this time too. Just like how I met you, we won’t pick our masters.」
When he heard Kusu say that, Ikuta thought about the life of Professor Rika and Sapuna he saw in the underground facility. If Kusu didn’t find him when Ikuta collapsed in the streets, he wouldn’t have made it into an orphanage alive. When he thought about that── he realized he was one of the people saved by their kindness after thousands of years.
「Yes, I know. Anyway, you will still be my partner for the next two days. So… Right, let’s play a word chain game, it’s been so long since we last played.」
<TL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiritori>
Kusu answered with a nod. They had played this since Ikuta was little, a staple activity for Ikuta and Kusu to kill time.
「Soup. Your turn, Kusu.」
「Peas. Your turn, Ikuta.」
「Sugar. Your turn, Kusu.」
「Rice. Your turn, Ikuta.」
They continued in a quick rhythm. Their word chain game continued late into the night.
The sunlight on that day was much gentler than normal.
After bidding farewell to Kusu and leaving his cell, he was transferred to a 「Cathedral」. The executioners led the youth past the capital, and the roads were filled with people. However, no one threw stones or eggs at him. Soldiers were stationed everywhere to prevent any rioting. The youth was frankly grateful for this arrangement as he didn’t want things to be thrown at him on the last day.
Before going to the execution grounds, he made a trip to the 「Cathedral」. According to the customs, the people to be executed would ask God for forgiveness here. And of course── Ikuta didn’t pray to God. Instead, he offered his thanks to Professor Rikka and Sapuna… Because he knew about them, he had things to do in this place. He touched the wall of the 「Cathedral」 on a predetermined spot and gave his thanks.
Ten minutes after making this last detour── He finally reached the end point of his life.
The wooden steps led to a slightly elevated guillotine platform. The position and shape of the blade were unique. A normal guillotine would drop a rectangular blade from above── but the guillotine here uses a crescent shaped blade that turns from the side.
The blade would be pressed down onto a spring to store up potential energy. A rope would be pulled to release the compressed spring── and the blade would then bounce up and cut down on the head. Compared to the structure of a normal guillotine, its operation was tedious. However── for the youth who designed this guillotine, it had the benefit of simplifying the procedure.
「── Hmm, the weather is great. That’s the way it should be.」
Ikuta said quietly as he laid on the platform. Blue sky with a dash of cloud filled his vision, with nothing blocking his view. By designing a spring loaded blade fixed to the side, the space above the guillotine was clear. That was what the youth wanted.
The sight of him lying on the guillotine surprised the people preparing for the execution, but Ikuta winked to signal that 「this is fine」. The sky was right above them, so there was no point in lying face down. He designed the guillotine so that the legs could be stretched out, and let him sleep peacefully under the blue sky.
「...Phew～」
He relaxed while lying down, and he should be able to see the lurking crowd if he turned his head, but he didn’t do so. It would disturb his sleep if he caught a glimpse of an acquaintance. This was the last biggest stage of his life, but the youth was here to take a nap.
A while later, the executioner informed him that the preparations were done. The spring was loaded, and he could literally end Ikuta with a pull of the rope. The execution time had been decided ahead of time, and the clock was hung in a position where the person to be executed could see. It accurately tells how much time was left. Ikuta yawned and stretched from time to time, and there was less than a minute left.
「......」
He had no intention of thinking too hard before his death. Thinking too much was the main cause of insomnia. Ikuta emptied his mind and looked blankly up to the sky. The clouds were changing shape slowly as it drifted, and birds flew past it. The youth smiled. It was the same sky as usual.
Less than ten seconds to the execution. He stopped looking at the clock and slowly closed his eyes. He felt a comfortable sense of sleepiness. He smiled. This was a sign of a good sleep.
── With a click, there was a swoosh in the air. Right after that, he felt a strong impact and a floating sensation. The back of his head hit something hard. However, that didn’t matter. This was trivial before his sleepiness.
And so── he sprinted in his dream after the vermillion-haired girl who was waiting.
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