Epilogue
Translator: Skythewood
Editor: Hiiro
It took a long time before the Empire and Kioka released an official statement regarding the outcome of the war.
The reason was── the two nation’s opinions differed on what was victory or defeat. Did the side that failed to capture the capital and retreated lose? Or was the side that declared their loss right after that defeated? The facts, ego and diplomacy mixed together to complicate the matter. But when the casualties on both sides were considered, both sides couldn’t continue the war from the losses, so it was a draw.
And the Empire took concrete actions early. With the support of the Parliament, Empress Chamille Kitra Katjvanmaninik proposed a peace negotiation to achieve a lasting peace between the two nations. And with the anti-war sentiments gaining steam, the peace talk had the support of both the Empire and Kioka.
Shortly after resuming diplomatic relations, news of the Empress pushing for democracy spread across the Empire and Kioka. Regarding the implementation of Republic governance, we want to lean on the experience of our neighbour── the diplomatic officials of both nations were shocked when the Empress said that. However, history proved that she was serious. Two short years later, the Empress declared the abolishment of the Katjvarna Imperial monarchy. Five years later, she voluntarily abdicated the throne.
＊
Two o’Clock On a certain day with a gentle breeze, a man with a rectangular luggage on his back was standing before a large mansion.
「Ehh… is it here?」
The man muttered as he took out a note from his pocket. He checked the address against the house before him. Certain that he was right, he mustered his courage and was about to knock the door when──
「Welcome～!」
The door opened, and a five year old child appeared before him. Surprised by the sudden development, the man quickly squatted down to the child’s eye level.
「Oh── Good Afternoon. Erm, my name is Torway Remeon. Is your father or mother home?」
「Towelie── Oh! I know, you are Dad’s friend! Come in!」
「Really? S-Sorry for the intrusion.」
Feeling a little troubled, the 32 years old Torway Remeon stepped into the house. Shoes were arranged nicely at the entrance. A few belonged to the residents in this house, and his shoes were the only ones soiled by dirt.
「This way! Follow me!」
The energetic child guided him, and he followed him along the corridor. This was a huge mansion, but he wasn’t troubled since he grew up in the Remeon house. They reached the entrance of a room in less than a minute, and the child opened the door as Torway watched on.
「Dad～ you have a guest!」
「Oh, welcome. Mecal is the first one to usher in the guest, huh?」
A slightly pudgy youth seated by the window, 32 years old Matthew Tetzirich, looked at the entrance of the room. Before the two men could speak, the child who ran into the room said loudly:
「Dad～ This is Towelie, right!? Your friend Towelie!」
「It’s Torway. Your habit of changing words to make them easier to pronounce is happening again. But it’s great that you welcomed the guest properly. Well done～」
「Hehehe～!」
Matthew patted the child’s head with a fatherly touch, encouraging the child who did his chore well. Torway smiled at that scene and walked to his war buddy.
「Good Afternoon, Ma-kun. Your son is growing up well, does he take after Pommy-san?」
「Hmm～looks aside, his character resembles me more. I seem to be like that when I was young.」
「Oh I see── Ah, the other two kids are here too. There and there.」
Torway glanced upwards as he said that. The living room was an open design with the second storey overlooking it. Two children were hiding behind the furniture there. They seemed to be two or three years older than the child who welcomed him.
「H-He found us, Captain～!」 「Retreat! Retreat～!」
The children scampered away in a panic. The active duty sniper smiled awkwardly at Matthew at the sight of them.
「Alice and Baucia are always like that. Seeing them reminds me of your brothers… Although my children are brother and sister.」
「Ahaha… Pretending to be soldiers is a staple in children’s games. I used to play that a lot too.」
They thought about their childhood with nostalgia. At this moment── the sound of another set of footsteps came from the corridor. The two looked over at the door that opened again, and a tall woman with a gentle impression walked in behind Mecal.
「Dad! This time, it’s Haro! Haro!」
「Ehh, pardon my intrusion… Ah! Matthew-san, Torway-san! Long time no see!」
「Yes, you look well──」
Matthew was about to greet his comrade but suddenly stopped. His face turned tense as he appraised his visitor. The woman cocked her head puzzledly.
「Ermm, what’s the matter?」
「...... I won’t fall for this because it’s been so long. You are not Haro, but Patrenshina, right?」
Matthew keenly pointed that out. When she heard that, the woman gave off a gentle impression── Patrenshina showed a face as if she was looking into the abyss.
「... No way, the fatty saw through me… it’s time to retire my spy career...」
「Don’t look down on me! You didn’t get worse, I worked hard and improved! Despite how I look, I have been working on my eye for people!」
「Yes, I know. After all, Ma-kun is the top candidate to be the Field Marshal in ten years.」
Torway complimented his friend’s performance with a smile. Patrenshina’s depressed face turned into a smile, and she said with a different tone:
「Ah, I must have surprised you. Sorry, Patrenshina said she wants to test whether she could deceive you two.」
「Oh, it’s Haro this time. It’s been a while, how have you been?」
「Yes! I’m still in the same military unit, but I took on a research role this time, and have gotten fat from the lack of exercise.」
「Haro-san published a battlefield medical thesis which was well received by the higher ups. I studied it too, and the post amputation recovery rate numbers are really shocking. I didn’t expect the death rate to be so high...」
「Uwah, I’m glad that you read it! I worked hard to gather the data, and I hope it will be the foundation for improvements in the future...」
The three of them shared their recent news. It had been a long time since they last met, so they had plenty to talk about. But they would miss a good time to stop, and before that happened, Matthew stood up from his chair.
「... Don’t keep standing there, sit down and have some tea.」
「I agree! Is Her Highness coming too?」
「That’s the plan, but she is very busy, so she might be late── come, let’s go to the drawing room.」
The host led the way, and the three of them headed for the drawing room.
「... It had been ten years, huh? The Empire and Kioka changed a lot since then.」
Matthew said as he poured tea into three cups. Haro would usually be the one to brew the tea, so Matthew felt refreshed to serve his friends in his own home. He used the most expensive tea leaves to make up for his skill difference with Haro, but it’s not enough. After giving everyone a cup, Torway said:
「That’s right, I would call it the Empire out of habit, but it’s the Katjvarna Republic now. A subordinate told me recently that the kids just call our country Katjvarna.」
「We can’t tell which nation you mean if you just say Republic… But to think the Imperial monarchy ended just like that. There is a trend since the Parliament was set up, but I thought it will take 50 years before the transition is over.」
「Because Her Highness pushed for it with tremendous speed. The Parliament that was mocked when it was first formed, is now an outstanding governance body. Her Highness is still very active during parliamentary seatings.」
Matthew said as he sipped on the tea he brewed. It didn’t taste bad, but it was still a little bitter. Giving himself 60 points, he put the cup down.
「Compared to that, the changes in the military are comparatively stable. But it’s still completely different compared to ten years ago. Especially the cooperation with the academic fields. We have avoided war in recent years, and are on the trend of downsizing our forces, but the military research seems to be blooming instead. I heard its the same for Kioka.」
「Balloon and Wind Rifle and Blast Cannon── Ten years ago, there were many technological breakthroughs in a short period of time. Both side must have felt the importance of technological research from that?」
「We aren’t hostile to each other any more, but there’s no end to the preparations for the next war… I have complicated feelings about this… Frankly speaking, no matter what new weapons we make in the future, I don’t want to fight with Kioka again.」
「How’s the navy doing? I heard Pommy-san got promoted to Naval Commander.」
「Like the army, there is a trend of it downsizing, but Admiral Jurgus is still working hard. We finally converted all the ships in the first Fleet into Blast Cannon ships recently. But that person hates Blast Cannon, and even complained that the next war won’t be interesting.」
「You two had the issue about who will marry into whose house, right? It seems the situation didn’t change much from before...」
「Not only do things appear that way, it is actually the truth. Because of our flawless cooperation that won the naval battle, my cooperation with Pommy made it hard for either of us to marry into either house. Our home is also built in a place that isn’t close to the sea or the land, and I really like this carefree place.」
「And you are pumping out kids at a quick pace. Pommy-san is expecting a fourth, right?」
「That child was born last month. Pommy is pushing me to make a fifth one. She really likes kids. I don’t hate them, but I think we should stop around the fourth one...」
Matthew showed a clear face of annoyance and crossed his arms. Realizing that the two of them were looking at him with warm eyes, Matthew quickly changed back to his original posture.
「Hey, enough about me, what about you? Torway, we aren’t getting any younger, it’s about time for you to have a scandal or two.」
「Hmm～ scandal, huh… About that, my father arranged a few marriage meetings for me...」
「Of course, you are a hot item. And the results?」
「None of them feels compatible with me… Ahahaha, not marrying Ik-kun or Yatori-san is a failure after all～」
「You sound like you are joking, but you are actually serious, huh. Well, I’m not surprised… But if you want to find a spouse like them, then you will probably be forever alone.」
Matthew said, concerned about his friend’s future. Torway thought for a while before changing the topic:
「... It’s not me, but there is news about my brothers… I guess?」
「Colonel Sarihasrag and Lieutenant Colonel Sushuraf? Who's the lucky girl?」
「Well── Sushuraf proposed to Major Mittokarifu. But she didn’t accept him...」
Matthew’s hand on his teacup stopped at his lips and turned stiff. Haro didn’t react in such an exaggerated way, but she also looked surprised.
「...... Seriously? That 『Demon』Major Mittokarifu? Y-Your brother is amazing...」
「Suya-san isn’t that scary. She was depressed when Ikuta-san passed away… But she is a kind and understanding person by nature. If he is proposing and understands that, then I hope Lieutenant Colonel Sushuraf can work hard.」
「There was some problem before he progressed to the state of marriage proposal… Sushuraf-nii started by recommending Sariha-nii to be Major Mittokarifu’s marriage partner. They would argue fiercely when they are assigned to the same unit, but would miraculously bring about great results… Sushuraf-nii thought highly of that, and recommended big brother to her.」
「... I’m afraid of hearing the results. What happened next?」
「... In the end, Major Mittokarifu rejected that idea, she would rather use the lottery to pick one of her subordinates...」
Matthew thought about that dismissive line and wanted to grab his head. But Torway continued:
「The problem started here. After learning that she would never marry Sariha, I heard Sushuraf-nii thought about it for a moment before suggesting── why don’t you marry me?」
Silence hung over the three of them for the second time. Haro asked timidly:
「T-That… Is that the proposal...?」
「That’s right… I guess it’s only natural that he got rejected? I even thought about apologizing to Major Mittokarifu...」
「... From your tone, there’s more to this?」
「...Yes. Because Sushuraf-nii is very patient, so after Major Mittokarifu turned him down, he nodded and said 『I will ask you again after waiting two years』.」
「T-Two years later...?」
「Yes. If Sushuraf-nii says so, he will really ask two years later. I think he is making all sorts of preparations to improve his chances for his next proposal. However… with how things are, I can’t tell what will happen in the future...」
Torway’s words were 80% unease and 20% expectations. Matthew thought about it and shrugged in resignation.
「... Yes, sigh, I can only cheer them on. Lieutenant Colonel Sushuraf might be dense, but once you get to know him, he’s a nice guy. More importantly, I feel relieved that someone is proposing to Major Mittokarifu. It’s too pitiful to be in Ikuta’s shadow for so long.」
Matthew said with a sigh. Torway looked at him in shock.
「Huh...? Sorry Ma-kun, what do you mean by that?」
「Ahh?... Hmm, wait, you didn’t know? You two might be from different units, but there are plenty of chances for you two to converse, right?」
Matthew said in surprise, and explained the relationship between those two from what he had observed. Torway crossed his arms as if he was facing a tough mathematical problem.
「... I never noticed. She was always complaining about Ik-kun, so I thought they didn’t get along.」
「Are you blind!? Not all people on earth expressed your feelings that directly!」
Matthew couldn’t help retorting. He was both dumbfounded and moved that his 32 years old friend had the social sense of a teen. He tossed the topic to his peer.
「... What about you, Haro? You have a lot of chances to meet people there, right?」
「Hmm, well～ there are people who showed interest in me… But just like Torway-san, I’m a citizen of the ‘failed to marry Ikuta-san nation’...」
「I understand, Haro-san. I really get it.」
「Don’t empathize with each other! Don’t create a weird country! And how many people does that country have!?」
Matthew shouted at the two who were nodding at each other. Haro suddenly said as if she remembered something:
「I’m just a side character to liven the mood… But Nanak-san is living in Central. What is she doing nowadays?」
「Oh, she is energetically playing her role as the head of the Shinnack Tribe in the Yunakura province. After the Aldera Holy Army withdrew from the Grand Arfatra Mountains, some of her tribesmen returned there. But there are many who had taken roots on the plains, and Nanak plans to focus on the plains too.」
After saying what he knew, Matthew shut his mouth again. He remembered something and added:
「I don’t know if she has any scandals… But I got drawn into a drinking session between her and Major Mittokarifu. I was forced to listen to them cursing, complaining and how they miss Ikuta, it was a party from hell. Sigh, but it’s great that they become energetic the next morning...」
「Nanak-san was busy taking care of her Shinnack Tribemates during the Judicial trial, and couldn’t participate in the situation here… Compared to Suya who spoke directly with Ikuta, that’s a different kind of pain… I want to chat properly with them the next time we meet.」
Haro, who was concerned about the feelings of the two women, said. Matthew and Torway looked at her kindness that had not changed with nostalgia in their hearts.
Regarding the woman he considered his teacher, there was something that puzzled the man.
After realizing her personality had changed beyond redemption, the man decided to strip away her power with his own hands. He wished he realized this earlier, and he didn’t hesitate doing so. People accused him of being an ingrate and a traitor, but he couldn’t just leave his changed teacher alone.
However── on that final day. When he was going to end her political career.
His teacher smiled at him.
The man didn’t understand. Why would she smile so gently at the man who betrayed her? Until this day, he still couldn’t understand the true meaning behind that smile.
And now, the man was in the exact same situation as his teacher.
「── The time for you to give up that seat has come, Kyakushii Sir.」
In the Parliament House situated in the Kioka Republic Capital Norandot, the Prime Minister’s Office. The man who participated in every election and defended this post every time, finally lost his seat.
「... What a late rebellious phrase── no, maybe you’re just at the age where you’re envious of your father’s possession? Personally, I would rather gift you the top post in the Kioka army.」
Seated on the chair in the deepest part of the room, a middle man in a deep blue suit── the Kioka Republic former Prime Minister Ario Kyakushii said these words calmly. Standing before him were familiar faces. Jean Arkinex, Miara Gin, Taznyado Harrah, Elulufay Tenerexilla and Greg Ayuzadori. The biggest difference compared to a decade ago was that they were in formal attire instead of in uniform.
「Unfortunately, he won’t accept that gift. Because everyone has their own preference for the texture of their chair. It’s bad to force someone to sit in a chair not suited for them, Ario.」
The 「Great Mother of White Wings」 said with a sarcastic tone. That nickname had already spread to the masses. The retired Rear Admiral had the support of the minority races in Kioka, and was an ally of Jean Arkinex on the battlefield. And now, she would fight alongside him in the political realm.
「To think the two people who are like my adoptive son and daughter will turn on me at the same time… I might look fine, but it’s a big surprise for me. Can I have an explanation? Why did you choose this path? Why can’t you be a soldier under my regime?」
「H-How dare you say that──!」
That question made Miara retort in surprise. However, Jean raised his arm to stop her.
「I will say it, Miara… He’s my adoptive father.」
Jean’s face was a mixture of emotions and resolve. Miara noticed his feelings and stepped back.
「......」
And so, the youth faced off against his adoptive father. This wasn’t a simple father and son talk. He was the exceptional talent who debuted in the political scene like a comet seven years ago, garnered major support in this short amount of time, and finally defeated Ario Kyakushii in the recent election. Kioka Republic Army retired Major General── and reigning Kioka Republic Prime Minister Jean Arkinex.
「I really respect you, Kyakushii Sir. Thanks to you finding me, I get to polish my talents with your support, and participate deeply in the future of the nation. When I was a soldier, I was always thinking about answering your expectations.」
「......」
「But as time passed, I realized something. You hope I can become a hero, but not for me to be happy. I think your philosophy is that a person can’t achieve both. After learning that, I was troubled… But I quickly realized something. It’s dangerous for someone who thinks this way to represent the nation.
I can accept it if Kioka can prosper with just my sacrifice. Because my existence would be an exception, and no one else would be sacrificed like me. However, you want this system to continue permanently. Your goal is to create a society that runs by running heroes to the ground. I can never accept that.」
Jean confessed with a bitter face. Ario responded frankly to his son’s struggle:
「In all societies there will always be a group that gets exploited. Will it be slaves? Labourers? The bottom ranked citizens? No matter how one chooses or names them, the only difference is how they are exploited.
However… won’t it be poetic if a hero is one of the exploited group? People who fight without any regard for themselves must be noble, right? Since we need fuel to run a nation── I hope it can be the most beautiful existence of all humanity. Because a nation that walks this path will be the most beautiful country in the world.」
Ario explained his reason. However, Jean objected his view of this beauty:
「... In the country you want to build, heroes are the only beautiful existence. I can’t bear the sight of the millions of people who are willing to exploit their lives for such a society to function.」
「If you are suggesting that we distribute the burden equally, you can go with communism. You will learn how badly humans do in a completely equal society. I can tell you this for sure── no matter what kind of society you are visualizing after kicking me out, there will always be an exploitative element. When you acknowledge that, you will wish: 『This isn’t how things should be, will a hero from somewhere come and help me──?』」
Ario discussed the assumption that the other party should hate the most. However, Jean didn’t falter. After finding back his sleep, he had accumulated many years of thinking to support him, which made him fearless.
「I will never wish for that. My vision is for many people who aren’t heroes to run the country. It might be far from a perfect nation── but I won’t give up on anything. Even if an exploitive element is inevitable, we should switch the targets depending on the time and place. Some will sacrifice at this time, and others will gain at other times── when such a system becomes natural, and the society treats sacrifices and gains to be natural, it won’t be exploitation anymore.」
Jean stared right at his adoptive father as he said. Ario felt impressed── shaking the beliefs and values of his opponent was his forte. And he raised this youth before him too, so Ario knew his thinking, habits and trends. Ario could usually make Jean waver and compel him to listen── but this wouldn’t work on Jean anymore.
「────Hmm?」
He felt a strange sensation in his mouth, and touched his fingers. He could feel the corners of his mouth twitching a little── He was smiling. It wasn’t his usual perfect politician smile. The feelings in his chest were making him smile without him realizing it.
「... Ahh──」
He smiled awkwardly at his own denseness── if he tried to see things subjectively, the answer was obvious. This young man that he nurtured with the plan to exploit to the end── has shown an entirely different way of thinking, and raised the flag of rebellion with his group of friends.
「── So this is how you felt, Teacher?──」
Ario realized this wasn’t anything surprising. He accepted that smiling at this moment was only natural── That’s right, because it’s only natural for a parent to feel happy by their child’s independence.
The last bit of resistance vanished from Ario’s mind. He sighed heavily, then stood up from the chair he had sat in for many years.
「My apologies for taking up your time, I will hand my seat over to you── from now on, this will be your room, Jean.」
He started walking and stopped before his son who had his chest puffed out high. Ario reached out and patted Jean’s head. Just like what he did when Jean was still young.
「... After you started sleeping again, your hair has turned grey. Your white hair might be pure and beautiful──」
「......」
「── But your grey hair isn’t bad either. This is the colour that shows you have learned many things. Staying grey as you strode forth in a world that isn’t completely separated into black and white… Grey is a colour for politicians.」
The man pulled back his hand and walked past Jean. When he left the office, he said to his son without looking back:
「It is different from the battlefield, but this is also a harsh world── work hard, my son. If you don’t want me back in that chair, then don’t show any openings.」
He then left with that. Jean watched him leave── then bowed silently.
Ario left the Parliament house as the Senators watched with all sorts of gazes. The sky was a little dark outside with a light drizzle. But surprisingly, a woman around his age was standing there with an umbrella.
「Thank you for your hard work, Hubby.」
「──Saram?」
Ario looked at his wife with his eyes wide open. Saram walked over and covered her husband under her umbrella.
「It’s rare to see you at the Parliament house. Why the sudden visit?」
「I came to watch since I might see the scene of your defeat.」
The serious Saram answered nonchalantly. Ario suddenly smiled:
「That is right. I was badly beaten by my son’s group, and chased out of my favourite Prime Minister’s chair.」
「That’s great.」
「T-That’s great?」
Ario was shocked by that. Ignoring her stunned husband, Saram took out a piece of paper and handed it to him. It was a newspaper clipping promoting the tourist spots in Mamulan.
「I always wanted to visit this place. But just the trip there will take more than a week, so it’s hard for me to make time for myself. But since you are no longer a politician, you should be free. Want to go with me?」
「... No, my political career is...」
Ario said puzzledly, the last part of his words faded away as his wife stared at him. The man suddenly put his hands on his hips with a smile.
「... Sigh, this is fine too. I have enough of being a politician, it isn’t bad being your husband for a while.」
「How considerate. But Hubby, do you know what kind of work a husband should do?」
She asked a sassy question. Ario strokes his chin and thought about it:
「A politician works to improve the lives of the people. So the work of a husband… is to make you smile?」
He answered with a hint of sarcasm. Saram shook her head gently.
「That’s a second rate husband. A first rate husband── will achieve happiness together with his wife.」
She told him and gently pushed her husband’s back. The two of them left the Parliament house in the gentle drizzle at dusk.
The three of them chatted until daybreak with a meal in between. After sleeping in their respective rooms, they woke up at noon. After washing up, they gathered in the drawing room again.
「We already chatted the night away. Her Highness sure is slow.」
「That’s right. She didn’t contact us, so maybe she can’t come this time. Something urgent might have──」
Matthew held the steaming cup of tea, and didn’t speak as he caressed the engraving on the table. Suddenly, a sound of strong wind blowing entered their ears.
「──? What’s that sound? I have never heard this before...」
「... Let’s take a look outside!」
Matthew became wary after failing to ascertain the source of that noise. He told the children to stay in the house, then ran to the entrance. With Torway and Haro following him, the three of them rushed out and searched for the source of the noise.
「──Matthew-san, over there!」
The first one to notice was Haro. The other two were looking at ground level, but the object was shining high near the afternoon sun.
「W-What is that?」
Matthew mumbled in shock. As the three of them stared stiffly, the silhouette of a large bird in the distance grew larger, until it became as large as a house before landing close to them── it landed on its wheels, then used the road near the mansion to decelerate before stopping before the trio. The spinning propeller stopped, and the roaring sound of the wind ceased.
「── Long time no see, Torway, Haro, Matthew! So all three of you are here!」
The window on top then opened, and a woman appeared. The three of them looked at that face in surprise, while the subject jumped down from the mysterious transportation vehicle.
「Sorry for being late! It was more difficult getting used to controlling this thing than I expected! I flew here after I learned it── this is a really reliable vehicle! I can take you for a spin right now!」
A cheerful voice entered their ears, and they turned to the source of the voice── beautiful waist long hair, eyes filled with energy and curiosity. Her light attire showed her active lifestyle with a sabre and short sword on either side of her waist.
The 27 years old Chamille Kitra Katjvanmaninik was standing before them. Now that the monarchy has ended in Katjvarna, her presence has grown limitlessly compared to her time as the 「Empress of Destruction」. Torway took a step towards her in clear surprise.
「Y-You have changed a lot, Your Highness. You have changed some time back too, but now...」
「It’s nothing, I just eat, sleep and play as much as I want, and go wherever I wish. Thanks to that, I built up a bit of stamina.」
Chamille snorted and puffed her chest out. She was about to continue to chat with the trio when her shoulders suddenly quivered.
「── Over there, suspicious people!」
She yelled as she turned and drew out her saber, knocking away a pebble flying her way. Her sharp gaze turned towards the bushes, where tiny presences were moving quietly.
「Kyaa～ they found us again!」 「I thought it will work this time～!」
Matthew’s children, who got spotted by Torway when they peeked yesterday──Alice and Baucia, rushed out of the bushes in a panic. Pre-empting their attempts to escape home, Chamille blocked their path with her legs wide apart.
「How dare you hide and snipe me── Matthew, are they your kids?」
「Y-Yes, they are my daughter Alice and son Baucia. Sorry, they like to pull pranks── You two, apologize to Her Highness!」
「Uwah～! Sorry!」「I’m sorry～!」
The children who had nowhere to run started apologizing in tears. Chamille cocked her head in confusion.
「Hey, why are you crying? The fun is just about to start, I won’t play with crybabies, you know.」
「...Ehh?」「You will play with us?」
「Didn’t you plan to play in the beginning? Don’t just give up after your sneak attack fails, try to list the reflection points and how to improve your plan. Then next time, you can hit me right between the eye!」
Instead of reprimanding them, she was inciting them instead. She said to the surprised children with a fearless smile:
「But it’s polite to tell the other party before starting your game. Hitting an unaware opponent is despicable. It is understandable in a real battlefield, but this is a peaceful place. If you do that again, you won’t just be despicable, but will also be a villain who disturbs the peace, okay?」
「I-I’m not despicable.」「I don’t want to be a villain～!」
「That’s good. I can save the effort of punishing you── let’s continue. From the sticks on your waist, you want to fight a melee battle?」
Chamille said as she took off her sword belt and handed it to Torway for safekeeping. She took two tree branches she found nearby as their replacement. Their uneven lengths matched the weapons she had on her.
「Alright, come at me, bro. I will train with you!」
「Uwah, wah～!」「Hyaa～!」
The kids pounced at the playmate who came from the sky. Matthew stared wide eyed at Chamille who blocked a head on slash.
「Hey… Look at that...」
She didn’t lose balance despite moving continuously. Her dual swords techniques easily parried the slash. She was playing with kids, but there was a high level of martial arts behind her movements. Even if it were two bandits attacking her, the same thing would happen.
「... I can tell, Matthew. This is like watching Yatori-san──」
Torway said with a trembling voice. At this moment── the battle came to an end. Without scoring a hit, the two kids laid on the ground exhausted. Chamille who wasn’t even breathing hard stood firm in contrast, and snorted.
「You two lack training! Start over from running!」
「Ughh～」「W-We lost～」
Chamille smiled as she looked down at the exhausted children, then tossed her stick aside before walking back to the trio. Torway returned the swords he was safekeeping and said:
「You have nice moves, Your Highness. Are you learning swordsmanship?」
「Yes, just a bit from Honorary Field Marshal Igsem. I’m armed with dual swords, so I should at least learn a little.」
「Chuuu～! Chamille is so cool～!」
A voice praising her reached the ears of the trio. They looked over in surprise and saw a ladder set down Chamille’s vehicle, and two familiar white coated figures climbed down. A man wearing a monocle followed behind a dark haired woman with wobbly steps. He almost fell off, but was supported by that woman. Matthew said to them in surprised:
「... So it’s Vackie and Yorga! You came along with Her Highness? … By the way, why is someone down?」
「He is air sick. Either the plane is a mustang or the handling is too rough, this thing shakes a lot.」
Vackie wasn’t the one who answered, but the fourth person who got off the plane. The man raised a hand with a grin. Seeing Senpa Sazarf who was almost 40 years old, Matthew, Torway and Haro all showed bright smiles.
「──Lieutenant General Sazarf! You’re here too!?」
「Yo, I wanted to get down earlier, but I was feeling a little dizzy. I’m better now── Heave ho!」
Sazarf didn’t use the ladder and jumped right down. When he approached the group, Matthew asked something he was curious about:
「I forgot to ask… What is this transportation vehicle? It came from the sky, but I don’t see the balloon’s ball sack...」
「Fufufu, you want to know?」
Chamille teased with a snicker. Before anyone answered, she explained to the curious trio:
「This vehicle is called a plane. It’s created by the Sprites with ancient technology, a commonly used vehicle used by the super ancient civilization, according to Professor Anarai. It can fly freely in the sky through a different mechanic from a balloon.」
「Freely… What do you mean specifically?」
「A carriage in the sky, but that sounds too slow? I can’t think of a good example, but this thing is really fast!」
Chamille promised in a firm tone. Considering the functionality of the vehicle before him by her tone, Torway said with a serious face:
「This will cause a military revolution… No, not just that, a transportation revolution. Has mass production started?」
「It’s impossible right now. This plane is assembled by excavating ruins and parts, then following the guidance of the Sprites. We can create the fuel, but we can’t manufacture the internal components. We can get it repaired in a 『Cathedral』 though.」
「Y-You guys are riding in that thing? What if there is an accident?」
「Like I said, I practiced. Don’t worry, emergency landing is one of my best moves!」
Chamille answered boldly and laughed cheerfully. Torway was moved, then walked to Matthew and Haro who were overwhelmed by Chamille’s aura.
「... I didn’t know Her Highness is so lively...」
「Ehehe～ that’s right. Isn’t that cool and amazing?」
Vackie could tell that he was in awe and walked to his side. She watched the subject in question and said with the same energy:
「The super beautiful girl I had my eyes on, has grown into a dazzling woman now! To be honest, I never expect her to change so much, it fills me with excitement!」
She kept praising her best friend, but her voice suddenly became quiet.
「That’s why, I want Ikuta-nii to see how she is right now.」
Vackie said, the day where she mourned her senior disciple’s death still fresh on her mind.
「...Chamille, you are a fortunate girl.」
The white-coat girl said quietly. She could still remember Chamille leaning against the youth’s coffin for half a day without moving.
「To live for you and die for you── the only other person Ikuta-nii would only go that far is Yatori-san. Being loved so deeply is such a precious experience… No, you must know that.」
She didn’t answer, but Vackie knew that Chamille heard that. Vackie understands Ikuta Solork, her senior disciple, left everything to them after doing that. That’s why...
「All of us are the things Ikuta-nii left behind for you. The people who will live with you and support you from now on. No matter how much you struggle, you will never walk alone.」
As her good friend who would always be by her side, Vackie expressed that in clear words. She told the girl how great the things she received were.
「... If you still say that you loathe yourself, I will give you a tight slap!」
Vackie vowed as she said that, and would never give up── she would definitely see that child’s true smile.
「────」
The shoulders of the girl leaning on the coffin quivered. Her hands, arms and knees slowly regained their strength.
「── Don’t worry, Vackie. I won’t say that again.」
She swore as she stood up── She no longer had a reason not to stand up.
「── Yes. That’s true… I want to let him see this.」
Torway nodded silently beside Vackie… No one would have believed that the girl who deeply believed that her bloodline was rotten, and was determined to die together with her country── would experience so many things, have so many friends, and smile so energetically.
The Katjvarna citizens under Republican rule often call her 「the last Princess」. But of course, with the abolishment of monarchy, she was no longer an Imperial. Since she voluntarily ceded power to the people, she didn’t want to be treated like an Imperial any more.
However, as a young politician who built peaceful diplomatic relations with Kioka, guiding the Parliament to its current state, and improving countless social systems── when people addressed her with respect, they would naturally call her 「Your Highness」. She no longer rejects their show of respect and goodwill.
「── Oh, by the way, I have gotten taller. The specific number is 2.2 cm… Huh? You can’t tell? Damn it, you too~!?」
The white-coat admin officer suddenly changed the topic and turned mad. Chamille walked over briskly when she saw that.
「Don’t vent your anger on my Knight, Vackie. I know you feel vexed because I surpassed you in various ways in recent years, and also understand your feelings that you think I’m too cool for school.」
「Did you hear that, Ikuta-nii!? That forlorn pretty girl!? She got so thick-faced in just ten years! I feel responsible as a guardian! Ahh── but she is so cool! Me like! Chamille-chan, I super like you!」
Vackie hugged her best friend noisily. Chamille grabbed her forehead and pushed her away, then looked at the Knights Corp trio.
「Alright then── I will bring you three for a tour through the skies. Are you ready?」
「... Huh? You want to bring us for a tour── in that thing?」
「There’s no other vehicles here. Don’t worry, It will be safe with me at the helm. Right～get in!」
Without giving them time to hesitate, Chamille pushed the trio to the plane and added:
「I forgot to tell you, there’s a reason why I’m riding in this thing. Do you remember what the Sprites told us when we reached the Ra Saia Alderamin Underground facility during the Trial of God?」
「I didn’t hear it directly… But I remember it’s the unveiling of ancient civilization Science. The condition is the Empire and Kioka ceasing hostility.」
「That’s right, but the Sprites won’t agree if there is a good possibility of war. So nothing happened for the past ten years when both nation’s political scenes are still unstable. So, what do you think it means if I can build this machine?」
Chamille pointed out an important sign. When they heard that, tension flashed across their faces.
「── The unveiling of the technology is beginning. Enough knowledge to change the world is about to be revealed...」
「That’s how it is. It’s going to get busy!」
Chamille made her prediction when they reached the plane. They climbed up the ladder on her instructions, and entered one by one.
「Uwah～how interesting. It’s cramp inside though.」 「Ehh, I need to tie this belt...?」
「Please drive safely! I don’t want to fall off!」
「Don’t worry, we need to overcome any obstacles head on. So no matter what happens, there is no need to worry── Because the two of them love me.」
Chamille put her hand on her chest, and said the belief deeply anchored in her heart. When Matthew saw that, he knew it would be fine. You have saved this child, Ikuta.
「... If that guy is here, will he retort that this is unscientific?」
To hide the feelings welling up from his chest, Matthew intentionally said annoyingly. Chamille refuted with a laugh:
「Then I will rebuke him. Love can’t disperse a storm or protect the plane from lightning. However── love will give me the strength to overcome all that. Although I don’t know how to write down the chemical formula of love.」
She said as she slowly held onto the joystick. She no longer feared living or getting happiness. An adequate amount of tension filled her body, and Chamille declared to the Knights on the plane:
「Alright, we are taking off── You three, grab on tight!」
She pulled the joy stick with her right hand, and the wheel spun on the ground. The plane carrying the four people picked up speed. Chamille glanced at the three of them who had turned stiff from the intense shaking, and manipulated the joystick without any hesitation── And the four of them took off into the vast blue sky.
Their journey is still continuing. They believe their journey will bring them to the distant future, where the other two were waiting──
In the beginning, everything was blurry and unclear.
But the eyes were opened, and things became clearer.
There were many things in sight, and some of them were moving. Most of the things were relaxed, but others were rowdy for unknown reasons. It felt that things were like this when 『first gaining sight』. On the other side of the shimmering light red waters, there were many eyes looking this way.
That’s right. Looking this way. That meant something was here. After thinking about it for some time, I came to the conclusion that they were probably looking at me. They were looking at me. They── that’s right, they. A group that wasn’t me. I gradually understood. There was one of me here, and many that weren't me.
My field of vision was small, which filled me with dissatisfaction. I couldn’t change it in the beginning, and could gradually move it, but soon, it stopped expanding. Not just my field of vision, I should have a bigger range of movement, but couldn’t. Did I get things wrong?
When I was getting anxious, they could probably see that too. More of them gathered and made all sorts of noises. It was a little noisy, but interesting too. That’s right. I want to hear all sorts of sounds, and see all sorts of colours.
I waited to see if anything would change, then felt troubled. I didn’t want to sleep, but I couldn't stop my exhaustion. I gradually stopped seeing and feeling things── everything around me turned blurry and dark.
The moment he woke up── he could sense the silhouette of his entire body.
「────?」
An intense stimulation made him flail his limbs. After floating in a blurry world for a long time, the sensation felt raw and painful. He felt as if his skin had been stripped away, and was being pelted by rain.
There was a sensation of someone rushing over. That person held his hand and calmed him down. After enduring it for a while, the pain gradually eased. All the senses were too intense, but he was relieved that his skin was still intact.
「──── W-Weird?」
And so, he realized it. He realized that he could think. It felt so long since he had a brain that could think, but he didn’t really understand what ‘so long’ meant.
People gathered and asked him all sorts of questions. How do you feel? Does it hurt anywhere? How’s your body condition? Do you want to sleep? Can you read this word? And so forth. He could answer most of them, but there were some questions he couldn’t answer.
── Do you know who you are?
He couldn’t answer that question. One person from the group ran over with a mirror, and he saw himself for the first time. Dark hair and black eyes, a face that gave the impression of someone pretending to be retarded. His age was── around 15 to 16.
After that, his life was a series of tests. They told him to exercise or perform simple calculations, it wasn’t painful or troubling, but he couldn’t see how these were relevant to anything. Who was he? Why was he here? The people around him would always fudge through that question.
── Let’s try letting them meet.
One day, someone in the group proposed. Some of them opposed it, but after discussing it for a few days, this suggestion was implemented. They didn’t tell him what was going to happen, so he held a vague sense of unease and expectation.
And so, that moment came.
He was brought out of his usual room, and headed to another place. It was a hall where the stars were visible through the transparent ceiling. A few benches were placed beside potted plants, the place that was obviously meant for many people to use was silent.
After telling to go right in, the people who brought him there stayed behind. He wasn’t told about the purpose or anything else, so he walked forth bafflingly. It has been a long time since he walked in a spacious area, so he was in a good mood. He poked the leaves of the plants and walked further in.
「────────」
At the center of the hall, his time stopped.
Someone was standing there. A girl wearing plain white clothes like him, and was around his age. Her vermillion hair flowing down her back was like a raging flame.
The girl turned to look at the boy who was frozen in place. Her eyes were a darker shade of red than her hair. He looked right into her eyes, and didn’t feel any awkwardness when he did so.
「You must be Ikuta.」
The girl said after they locked gazes. That name seemed to seep through his entire body──
「You are Yatori.」
He said the name that flashed across his mind. Amazingly, he didn’t feel that it was strange for them to know each other’s name, despite not knowing their own names.
He looked down at the chair between them. The girl turned around, and the boy sat down on the chair. When the girl saw that, she did the same thing. The boy and girl sat back to back on the same chair, feeling each other’s body warmth.
「... Do you understand what is happening?」
「... Unfortunately, I don’t even know who you are, or who I am.」
Despite what he said, the boy didn’t feel uneasy. He felt satisfied, as if a missing part of him had been filled. He didn’t feel like he needed anything else. So...
「Well, let’s put all that aside for now, and just watch the stars for a while, Yatori.」
He suggested it to the girl as if it was natural. The girl behind him suddenly smiled:
「That’s right. Since you said that, I will relax too.」
The girl answered, then looked up at the night sky. The weight leaning on her back felt really comfortable.
The time that belonged to the two of them passed── The stars beyond the ceiling were so beautiful that you would forget the time.
Things had changed with the passage of time under the north star, and their dreams were still continuing.
V14 Afterword
── Ahh, I have finished writing.
Thank you everyone for reading my work. The series 《Wind-up Sprite Chronicles, Alderamin on the Sky》 is now completed.
First, I want to thank everyone who followed the series till this stage. Good work, everyone. And thank you for accompanying this story to the end.
When I wrote the first volume, I knew this would be a very long story. And there is no telling if all the contents will be published. A lot of help is needed for a series to last 14 volumes, and without the support of everyone who wants to read the story to the end, I will not have gotten to this stage. Allow me to feel proud that my writing is worth all that.
Looking back, seven years have passed. I have spent that much time with Ikuta and the others. If I live until I’m 80, then about a tenth of my time is spent writing 《Alderamin》. And now, I can say confidently that this series is the most important work of my life.
I have written all the contents I needed to write in this volume, so I won’t discuss it further. Right now, I hope everyone can feel glad that they have read this series.
… And after reminiscing about the after taste of this series, please turn to the next page.
Starting from here will be a completely different story. I, Bokuto Uno, who spent seven years to complete 《Alderamin》, will use the confidence I have accumulated over these years to start a new story.
I’m certain that everyone who reads this far will be intrigued.
The settings of the story will be different, from the war torn world of Sprites and Science, to a world of sword and sorcery filled with supernatural and mysteries… However, since it’s a story I wrote, it’s nature will still be the same.
Come── Let’s start a story about humans.
Translator’s afterword
The story mentioned in the last 5 paragraphs of the afterword is Reign of the Seven Spellblades. Volume 14 included a teaser of that series right after the author’s afterword.
After reading through the whole series, I think the theme of the story is Hope. And to draw that out, there needs to be despair, a lot of despair. If a certain character didn’t die in the middle of the series, there won’t be enough despair to keep up with the writer’s theme. But at the same time, it would be too despairing for people to continue.
Normal writers would delay that death closer to the end, or kill that character off early so readers don’t get attached. It takes real guts to do it right in the middle.
Military wise, forming a platoon of 40 soldiers of the same element is just silly. Fire sprites cavalry? Why? Why not let water and light ride horses too? Fire can create light too (which significantly reduces the importance of light in the story), but you need water people to supply the platoon with water. You don’t even use your fire sprite in your attack, you cut people with swords! Leave the fire for the artillery units. You want units that can work independently, not play pikmin.
It will make sense for units to be mostly wind, since they are a long range attack unit. But they received a power up early in the series, and should be outclassing the crossbows in both power and range. They will still need some light sprites for operation use, but most of the infantry should trade for a wind sprite.
The Great Fall is a great plot device to erase all traces of civilization. Everything, including concrete buildings, weapons, and books are erased by the Bertram waves. America chose to lock themselves in underground vault cities, while everyone either became mutants because of an injection, or mutants from the fallout radiation. It will be interesting if someone makes a game about people from these hundreds of vaults wandering out into a nuclear wasteland filled with mutants and crazies.
That ending. Are they trying to simulate a heaven or utopia? It is normal for an ending to loop back to the beginning, so featuring these two characters at the end makes sense. If you have seen the anime Darling in the franxx, you can see how similar their endings are. There really isn’t much in a way to round things off with the way they handled the main characters.
Enough ranting, I hope you got the ending you wanted, have a great day!
P.S. Will take a one week break before starting my next series. It’s a comfy series with no battles at all.
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