CH 3

Chapter 3: Each of them with their own melancholy

At this moment, in another place.

The was the first time ever since Sion became the king of Roland that there was such an uproar.

Estabul had rebelled.

And this revolution had gathered the responses from a large number of Estabul soldiers and a large force was formed.

This reality had not only caused the citizens of Roland, but even the nobles to become frantic…

This was the dignified palace. The previous owner of the palace had made a throne and a meaninglessly large palace supported by stone columns to show off the majesty and glory of it.

In the past, no one dared to oppose the king who sat on this throne.

No, even if anyone dared to raise their opinion, that would be the death sentence…

Death penalty for all who dared to ruin the king’s mood.

This country was like that.

Every day, this kind of country would be continuously corrupted…

But now…

Before the throne that Sion sat on were many nobles and military personnel.

As Sion’s confidants, Claugh, Calne and Froaude had already joined Count Nuble and his royalist faction.

And… the anti-royalist faction, Duke Stearead with his group.

Looking at the people before the throne, Sion smiled lightly.

He said softly,

“…This really is very clear…”

The groups, the royalist faction and the anti-royalist faction had separated neatly to both sides.

Some spies from the anti-royalist faction were mixed in with the royalist faction, but this was the same for the other side as well.

They were only symbols that there were some people in the anti-royalist faction who were clearly very rude.

And this was the evidence that Sion’s power was unable to influence the nobles.

Standing on Sion’s side were mostly the military personnel and the nobles who were working with him…

And this was also to do with politics…

The military people must have thought that if they followed Sion, then they would be able to promoted.

Until the end, there were only a few who truly meant well for the country.

“…But, this is also to be expected…”

The first to speak was the anti-royalist faction. A forty year old man with bulging eyes, Count Cleaude said,

“Your Majesty, how are you going to take responsibility for what happened? The liberated people in Estabul have begun to rebel…”

At this moment, a tall elderly knight shouted,

“Lord Cleaude, how dare you treat His Majesty with such disrespect!!”

It was Count Nuble. He glared at Cleaude with a hard look.

Hearing this, Cleaude retreated slightly, turning his head as if wanting to ask someone behind him for instructions.

Then he regained his confidence,

“Ha! Lord Nuble, I am only speaking the truth. By allowing the degrading scum of Estabul to rebel, isn’t this the best evidence that we have that the king’s power is still not strong?”

“You! Don’t think your arrogant attitude will be forgiven!”

Hearing them talk, Sion revealed a bitter smile. Then he murmured softly to himself…

“Of course it’ll be forgiven…”

This was the situation that Sion was in. Although he sat on the throne, but he had no power to control the nobles. Even if the nobles used that sort of attitude, he had to forgive them.

Not only that…

Sion narrowed his eyes and stared behind Cleaude.

Duke Stearead.

Cleaude was begging for Stearead’s opinion. The one with the most power in this situation is not me, but Stearead.

He was able to exhaust every means, threats, bribery to persuade the nobles… A man who lived in Roland’s darkness. The confidant of the previous king.

A person who had the capability.

After the previous king lost his power, he didn’t lose his place but continued to seat in the precious position of being the head of the nobles, like he had done in the past.

Sion had sent several spies to Stearead’s place, but they had not caught any leads. Not only that, there were some spies who had never returned since then. Besides that, the territory that Stearead was in charge of was always prosperous and the people’s opinion of him was very good.

Sion looked at this man in his vision.

He was already in his late fifties, his spine was straight and he had a seemingly warm expression.

But this man was definitely the leader of the nobles here…

And he could feel a presence behind that man that would never appear on the stage…

Sion shook his head. This was not the time to be thinking about this. The day when these nobles would clash would be coming soon…

What was most important now was Estabul.

The Estabul Revolution.

“…”

Sion looked at the man who had an expression that said he had nothing to do with this, as he watched Nuble and Cleaude argue.

The culprit who started the Estabul Revolution.

The man who had suggested to stir a rebellion and kill all of the potentially dangerous candidates in Estabul smiled faintly.

Cleaude said,

“Arrogant? I am only speaking the truth. His Majesty pampers the peasants too much. Those foolish people cannot even survive without our guidance, if we pamper them slightly, they’ll immediately become proud! Estabul is the same! Because His Majesty always reveals an overly-gentle attitude, so it caused this kind of situation to happen!”

Nuble’s face was red.

But this was the end of it,

“Be quiet!!”

A roar sounded.

It was a penetrating and forceful voice.

The nobles who had been quarrelling, fell silent as if they had agreed upon it. Then they looked towards the owner of the voice.

It was Stearead.

Claugh, who was standing the nearest to Sion, muttered sarcastically,

“Eh… the important man has finally come…”

Stearead looked at the nobles surrounding him, then he looked at Sion and said with a steady voice,

“My apologies, Your Majesty. Young people talk too passionately… but they are thinking for our country. We feel rather lost because of the rebellion in Estabul.”

Thinking of our country? He actually said this, what a thick-skinned man.

Sion laughed coldly inside his mind, but he nodded his head on the outside,

“I understand. Duke Stearead and the nobles gathered here have always thought for the country and have contributed much to the country. To this, I feel grateful to everyone.”

“You’re over-praising us…”

Stearead bowed his head deeply.

Although Nuble was staring at him…

This was to be expected. Those words meant that only Nuble was to be ashamed of himself in this situation.

But he could only shrug and hint at him to forgive him. They could not afford to debate with Stearead now. If they did so, then they would truly gain the animosity from the anti-royalist faction…

But now was not the time. It was not the time to attack back.

The rebellion in Estabul.

This is our script…

Then, we have to proceed according to our script.

Stearead said,

“Then, how does Your Majesty plan to deal with the rebellion in Estabul? Although they are a defeated country, but they have managed to gain so much power… the nobles are terrifying. If possible, we hope that you will be able to deal with it quickly…”

Saying this, he smiled slyly.

The news of the rebellion in Estabul was two days’ old. In only two days, it was impossible for him to deal with this rebellion.

That was the expression on his face.

Because the instigator of this rebellion and its base ground were unknown.

But Sion smiled,

“Of course, Duke Stearead, we have already made arrangements. No, that they would rebel around this period was within our expectations. So please relax.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the palace was filled with noise.

Stearead seemed to be slightly surprised, seeming to be thinking about something. No, Claugh, Calne, Nuble and the people in the royalist faction were also surprised…

Claugh asked,

“You have already expected that a rebellion would happen?”

Sion nodded, but his eyes didn’t move from Stearead.

“We have already investigated the background of the instigator thoroughly. It is the stubborn daughter of the previous king who refused have an audience with me, Luci Ehn’s only daughter, Princess Noa Ehn. The Estabul nobles and the soldiers who follow them have gathered around her.”

Stearead’s expression became slightly embarrassed,

“I didn’t think that you would investigate so…”

His mutter didn’t escape Sion’s ears.

“That’s right. We’ve already investigated all the details of this. So, you and the nobles who are present here today, please guide the people and feel at ease. I’m not as foolish as you might think…”

That’s right, I’m not so foolish that I will be able to forgive your actions every time…

Sion stared at Stearead and the nobles behind him forcefully.

The nobles moved their eyes away in fear, bowing their heads…

Only Stearead didn’t evade Sion’s eyes and smiled…

“How dependable. As long as Your Majesty is here, this country can exist as a country…”

Sion ignored him and continued,

“Then, about the investigation in Estabul, please come forward and deliver your report, Major Miran Froaude.”

Froaude nodded and stood forward.

He was silent for a moment, waiting for the nobles’ attention to settle on him, then he spoke in a cold voice, as if his emotions had died, a voice like the devil’s.

“The situation is not good. According to the information I have, the number of soldiers gathered within these few days number……three thousand. And the numbers are increasing. If we leave them like this, the numbers will increase to five thousand sooner or later.”

The nobles’ faces changed completely.

“Five-five thousand!?”

“This cannot be… this, doesn’t this mean… half of the Estabul soldiers of the past have participated in this rebellion…”

Froaude did not take note of these and continued calmly…

“The battle is predicted to take place in the Estabul territory… There could be some damage to Roland’s territories. And these damages are suppressed in the smallest situation predicted. On Roland’s side, the territory most likely to have a war… is Stearead-sama’s territory…”

“What!? I will never allow this…”

Stearead shouted, but without waiting for him to finish, Froaude interrupted him calmly,

“Although I feel sorry for Stearead-sama, but from the enemy’s movements and the geographical map, this is the necessary measure that we have to take in order to reduce the damage. I thought that if it was Stearead-sama who thought of the country, he would agree immediately, wouldn’t he?”

“Damn…damnit…”

But he didn’t not say anything else.

Froaude checked him and continued,

“Aside from Stearead-sama’s territory, there are Nuble-sama’s territory, Parl-sama’s territory and Ishula-sama’s territory… these territories may be involved in the war. So in this period of time, we will be requesting the nobles to leave their lands temporarily and evacuate to the city. As such, please rest assured. The military and I will help you to guard your territories…” Hearing this, Sion smiled bitterly. The way how Froaude had spoken about the following territories, barring Nuble, was as if deliberate and almost all of them were the territories of the anti-royalist faction.

Towards this, Cleaude, Ishula and Nuble changed their expressions.

“Please, please wait. You mean that you want us to leave our lands and let you trample on our lands!?”

“This, this cannot be forgiven! I reject…”

But Froaude used his dark eyes to stare at the nobles.

“Cannot be forgiven? What do you mean? Is there any problem with me visiting your territories when you are not present? Or do you mean that there is something there that is inconvenient for my eyes?”

“Don’t, don’t say such foolish things! There aren’t anything of the sort! But, but…”

At this moment, the three nobles looked pleadingly at Stearead who was standing by their side, Stearead continued,

“Let it go, calm down Lord Cleaude. I understand what you want to say.”

As he said that he turned to look at Froaude,

“Major Miran Froaude. Please understand their feelings. As a noble-born, you should understand, right? We nobles love our land very much and we love our people. We feel sad knowing that our lands are going to be bombarded by the flames of war. How can we leave our lands like that?”

Froaude narrowed his eyes and replied,

“I see. Then, you may remain on your lands. There are only five thousand Estabul soldiers… our military can surely take care of them.”

Hearing this, Sion had some difficulty trying to suppress his laugher. To the soldiers who would be sent to another land, five thousand was not an easy number to hold back.

If they stayed within their territories, they might die…

The nobles turned pale.

“Ac-actually, I’m not so adamant in staying on my own lands…”

But Stearead raised a hand to stop him from continuing.

“Major Froaude. Can’t you think of any other way… I mean, is there any other to prevent the war from reaching Roland? Isn’t this the time to display our military power?”

“Oh. You mean to say, is it possible to squash the rebellion within Estabul itself?”

“Yes. There isn’t any need to involve the people of Roland, is there?”

“But Estabul is currently the territory of Roland, they are also the people of Roland, aren’t they?”

“Do you really think so? Those people of the defeated country…”

Froaude interrupted Stearead,

“About what you said, Duke-sama, this kind of thinking will obstruct Roland’s development.”

As soon as he spoke, Stearead’s calm eyes turned sharp and harsh,

“Major Froaude. Don’t you think your words are a little too much? What do you take me as…”

But Froaude interrupted him again and bowed his head,

“I apologize. I’ll receive your punishment sincerely. But what is most important now is how to deal with the problem in Estabul. Just in the span of time we’re using to talk, the power in Estabul is continuing to expand. I would recommend negotiation as a good method for the direction we will be taking…”

He looked at Sion as he said this. But Sion shook his head,

“No, if we do that that would mean that we are allowing them to rebel. Estabul will declare themselves independent of Roland, and the war will still come.”

Froaude nodded,

“Then let us repress them. I will take an army to Estabul…”

They had decided this from the beginning, Froaude would command the army and kill all the soldier and nobles of Estabul…

But Sion shook his head.

“No, this matter will be handed to Major-General Claugh Klom. This repression of the Estabul Rebellion will be led by him.”

Hearing this, Froaude turned to look at Sion, his expression was like usual, dark and icy, but Sion knew what he wanted to say.

This was different from what they had agreed on…

According to Froaude’s script…

Froaude would negotiate with him to reveal all of the connections in the Estabul Rebellion and defeat the Estabul nobles. Then they would let the fires of war to spread to Roland and let the lands of the anti-royalist faction to suffer… it was supposed to be like that.

But.

Froaude maintained an icy voice,

“Your Majesty, this matter…”

Sion interrupted him,

“Claugh, can you do it?”

Claugh smiled coldly at Froaude,

“Leave it to me.”

He raised his hand to his chest and answer nobly.

Sion continued,

“Froaude will be in charge of transmitting the information. Use your network to help Claugh.”

Hearing this, Claugh couldn’t help but say,

“Ah? I don’t agree with this person helping me…”

“This is an order, Claugh. Froaude too, is this understood?”

Froaude smiled faintly,

“…I understand. That’s fine, leave it to me.” He replied using his emotionless voice.

Sion confirmed this,

“Then, the repression of the rebellion in Estabul will be left to Major-General Claugh Klom to command. This topic is ended. For those who aren’t affected, please rest assured and return to your positions. Then this is decided.”

He said in a bright voice.

No one dared to raise their opinion.

The nobles left the palace.

There were some who was dissatisfied. There were others who were smiling in satisfaction. There were some who were happy because they would not be involved in the war.

The nobles left, but only Stearead did not leave.

He stayed among the group of people as if nothing were wrong and looked at the only corner in the palace that seemed to be in perpetual darkness.

The place where Miran Froaude was.

Froaude was now standing at a distance away from the royalist faction.

That was to be expected. From the situation just now, Froaude’s suggestion had been rejected by the king.

The Estabul rebellion.

Was it Froaude who had deliberately stirred the fires of the rebellion?

That was Stearead’s theory. If that wasn’t the case, then that young king couldn’t remain so calm after the rebellion started. Froaude decided to suppress this rebellion and gain the expected results and be outstanding. Wasn’t this what Froaude had planned?

“…”

He was a dangerous man.

Stearead thought.

He was a manipulator who had a sharp mind and who could plot to kill many people, a ruthless man. He was a man who no one would want to go against. Or better said, he was a person who no one would want to be the enemy of.

Stearead carried a warm smile as he walked against the flow of the crowd and approached Froaude.

Yes, there was no need to make him the enemy. They were the same kind of people.

This was the time to approach him.

This was a good opportunity to make him join our side, since the king has rejected his opinion…

“Greetings, Major Froaude.”

Froaude turned around,

“……Duke-sama. Please forgive me for being so rude…”

But Stearead carried the same warm and helpful expression as he raised his hand,

“No, no, don’t mind that. You said that because you were concerned for the country. I always hear about you. Your father, Marquis Froaude must be proud.”

Froaude’s expression did not change.\n“……I feel honoured to be receiving your praise.”

Father…

What he meant to Froaude… Stearead knew that very well.

He was an orphan who had been brought into the Froaude family so that their influence in the military could be enhanced. He had heard that Miran Froaude was extremely loyal to Marquis Froaude and had done anything and everything so that he could be outstanding…

Stearead said.

“You should be very clear that I have close ties with your father, Marquis Froaude. I’ve always wanted to establish good ties with you.”

“That’s true. Actually, I wanted to have an opportunity to have a good talk with Duke Stearead-sama.”

“I see. Yes, that’s right. You also thought of this, eh? Although I am phrasing it this way… but I think both of us are the same kind of people.”

Stearead tried to probe deeper. The reply was,

“…It seems to be so. Perhaps the Duke and I are the same kind of people…”

He had guessed right. The other party wants to approach me. I wasn’t wrong…

Stearead smiled, satisfied,

“Isn’t that right. You can’t feel anything from that young king, can you?”

Froaude seemed to think deeply as he lowered his eyes, then,

“Yes. It’s a pity that my opinions weren’t received by him. But this is only my impression? He does not move according to what is most beneficial, honestly speaking that is a bit difficult for me.”

This was a sentence that determined everything.

He had caught him.

Stearead thought.

Even if it was an orphan, it would always be like father like son. He was like Marquis Froaude. As long as he displayed charming conditions, he would easily run over to this side. As long as it was for his own benefit, he would not hesitate to sacrifice others.

Stearead happily said,

“Is it so, you thought of this as well?”

“That is my opinion.”

“Then, what about it? Which side do you think is right?”

Froaude tilted his head,

“What do you mean?”

But Stearead smiled,

“Do you need to ask? Us and the king, which side do you follow?”

“……I still don’t understand your meaning.”

“…Heh heh. You’re very careful. And talented. You want me to talk about the conditions, right? It’s alright, who do you think I am? I will give you the payment that you wish for. Talented people like you are quite rare. You can even be my right arm man.”

He had already said so much.

And this was from the bottom of his heart.

The nobles around him were all idiots, they were always clouded by their desires and they always thought about the present.

He needed a person who could consider the future and discuss with him.

And that person was right in front of him…

But..

Froaude said,

“You seem to be like the other nobles, your brains aren’t very nimble.”

Saying that…

“What… what are you saying…”

But Stearead’s words were stopped.

Froaude’s expression suddenly changed…

Like a blood smear in the darkness, his red lips opened slightly…

“What I said earlier, have you forgotten about it? My beloved king is very gentle to his enemies. He is always thinking of ways to save the foolish nobles. If it were me, I would immediately kill them, unlike that humble person who would continue to let them live. That is why I will destroy those nobles who creep on the ground and I will always follow His Majesty.”

In that moment, Froaude emanated a killing intention that even Stearead, who wasn’t a military person, could feel.

He, he was about to be killed!?

Although he thought of this, but his feet could not move. It was as if he were paralysed, unable to move…

“What, what are you…”

Froaude didn’t reply, he only smiled. But Stearead could hear a voice.

A devil’s laughter.

If he moved, he would be killed. If he talked, he would be killed. If he resisted, he would be killed.

Stearead regretted it.

He was wrong. He was so wrong that it was ridiculous. He wasn’t even human.

What he was… that voice was by him.

This person was… a real… devil…

Froaude used a calm voice to continue.

“Give me the payment that I wish for? You can’t do that. What I wish for… can be only accomplished by Sion Astal-sama. Sion Astal-sama who is the real king can fulfill my wish to have a world where the weak and strong can survive. It is only a wish that the ruler of the Menoris Continent can fulfill.”

Hearing this, Stearead was shocked.

Men-Menoris Continent… this- this man, what was he saying… unless, he wanted this world to be filled with war…?

“Then let me ask you. Which side will you follow? Will you, who hasn’t revealed his true identity as the power behind the scenes and… my king… For the sake of your life, I would advise you to make your decision quickly. Before the start of the repression of the Estabul rebellion…”

As he said this, Froaude suddenly smiled coldly. It wasn’t that ghostly smile, but it was a cold, emotionless smile…

At the same time, Stearead’s paralysis was removed.

He would move, but the cold sweat on his body made him feel weak. It was a weak feeling that was almost intolerable and made kneeling down seem acceptable.

Seeing this, Froaude said,

“I apologize for overstepping my boundaries. I’m very grateful for your advice. Then, I’ll retreat first.”

Saying this, he returned to the area where the royalists were…

Looking after him dazedly, Stearead completely understood that he had jumped into the spider web of his opponent. Froaude had deliberately left the royalists so that he would seem to be approachable…

He thought about what Froaude had said.

“For the sake of your life… before the repression of the Estabul rebellion…”

What did that mean. It seemed as if he needed to think carefully over this…

Stearead thought.

This was completely different from the Roland palace, it was a little dirty. The only thing redeeming about this old castle was that it was slightly spacious.

Ancient City… although it was called that, but it wasn’t so big. It was one of the blockhouses that had been constructed when Estabul had first prepared for war with Roland…

She was in a room of that Ancient City.

Noa Ehn.

The princess of the destroyed Estabul Kingdom.

And the only surviving heir to the throne.

Noa used her clear voice to say,

“How is it? Where is my father now?”

She raised her head, her black, or to be more accurate, dark green hair swayed slightly. She had strong, determined green eyes. Her gaze made one feel as if she were not seventeen years old, giving out a strong presence.

That mesmerizing beauty was inherited from her mother, who was the top beauty in Estabul.

It added a stern beauty to her mother’s beautiful looks.

This was because they were in a difficult situation… and because there were no other heirs to the throne except for her in Estabul, so she had to learn about the politics of her country even though she was a woman…

But in the end, Noa would become queen…

Towards her question, her most trusted person answered.

“His Majesty is now a noble of Roland, he lives near the interior of the enemy’s country. If there is a chance, he will join us.”

Towards this answer, Noa smiled,

“You want to…lie to me? Salawell…”\nThe man called Salawell shrugged in reply.

This more-or-less twenty-five year old man was one of the first nobles that Noa knew. He graduated as the top talented scholar from the Royal College. And he was from the famous Sael family.

He was her mentor in all matters of the royal matters and her most trusted person.

Noa asked Salawell again.

“Then, according to your opinion, what is the situation now?”

“… My opinion? Yes. Your father has done an exchange with the position that Roland gave him and the safety they provide, and simply betrayed his country. Is it fine if I say it like that? But I don’t think there is any need to mind your father…”

Noa nodded,

“I don’t… mind. I didn’t spend much time with Father. Ever since my mother died, he has been very busy without any thought to his age… but the people of Estabul will be more happy if Father were the head of the rebellion forces and not a woman like me.”

Salawell bowed his head,

“I didn’t think that Your Highness Noa would think so deeply… but the nobles and the people, everyone looks up to you. Your abilities… have already fulfilled what is required as a king, and the people on the roads are…”

But Noa laughed bitterly,

“Those were the rumors that you spread, weren’t they?”

Salawell looked as if he had done nothing wrong,

“If it wasn’t the truth, even if I tried hard enough, it would be hard for it to spread. Estabul is waiting in anticipation for its real king.”

“…Let’s put this aside…”

Noa only laughed at this.

This smile was a tired smile. This could be the last time that they would have such a leisurely exchange…

Thinking about this, Noa’s expression became determined.

Salawell noticed this and said with a warm voice,

“Are you scared? Your Highness…”

“Scared?”

Towards this, Noa looked at Salawell, then closed her eyes.

“Of course… I am scared. For everyone… as the leader of the nobles who are rebelling… what do we do if we are unable to defeat Roland?”

But Salawell used a sincere tone,

“We will win. We won’t lose to Roland who used ruthless and cruel methods to invade Estabul.”

“Cruel and ruthless? But isn’t Roland governing the people of Estabul fairly. Is there really a need for war?”

“Of course. We have to retrieve Estabul from Roland’s hands…”

But Noa interrupted Salawell,

“Salawell. I don’t think it is important about the country. A country that has the name Estabul can exist in this world, even if it doesn’t exist, it doesn’t matter, what is meaningful about it? Compared to that, what is important is the people. Can the people be happy? With this war, will this allow the people to be happier than they are now? Is this war necessary? Will this be a reckless venture that will only result in the flowing of blood?”

Noa opened her eyes and looked at Salawell.

“I want the people to live happily, that is enough. Weren’t you the one who taught me this? Salawell.”

Hearing this, Salawell seemed to think for a moment,

“Your thinking is correct. But even so, Your Highness, this war is necessary.”

“…”

“We are still strong now, so Roland still treats us fairly. And they respect the people of Estabul. But what about the days after this? After long as time passes and Estabul’s power will be absorbed by Roland? Perhaps Roland will start to terrorise the people of Estabul. They will treat the people of Estabul differently. If they are unfair, then we may become slaves. Countries like this, people like this are like that. They always need to create something that is lower than themselves. The nobles created the commoners, the commoners created the slaves. And the criticism of the nobles of Roland are not good. We will become like that eventually. Then, while we still have the strength, we have to move. If we are nobles who wish for the best for the people…”

“…”

Noa fell silent after listening to what Salawell said. She was very clear about the importance of the key that she was holding.

The important key to the people surrounding her…

“…Salawell… Since you say so, then it must be like that. Just like what happened in the past… I gave the order that caused many people, soldiers and fellow kinsmen to die…”

“If it is for you, then we will give our lives willingly.”

It was a hated sentence.

She didn’t want to become the monarch.

Becoming a king meant that you would have to weigh the people’s lives, for the sake of saving what was more important, the duty to abandon the other side. Yes, it was like what she had learnt from Salawell.

But even so, she had to do it. For the sake of saving the people of Estabul…

She stood up.

Salawell opened the door of the room…

The door opened slowly but it was opened.

On the other side of the door, there were many nobles and military people who wished for Noa to be king…

Noa looked in that distant direction…

Even though she couldn’t see it now… but she saw people and soldiers being dragged into the fires of war…

She said.

“Raise the soldiers. Encourage them to be brave. To save the people. For the sake of reinstating the Estabul Kingdom. Justice is on our side. This is a war of victory. Are there any people who believe in me and who are willing to follow me?”

The room was filled with approving cries.

Noa lowered her eyes, then raised her head again.

This time, her eyes were no longer cloudy with indecision, but they were filled with determination.

That poise, was like a war goddess.

As if looking through everything, her eyes were firm.

She breathed and said.

“Then I officially announce that we will attack Roland from today onwards.”

The war began like this…

In the empty palace of Roland, Sion sat on the throne in a daze.

He stared at the ceiling where no one would notice an ornament of a beautiful angel with wings who was securely placed and a weapon that was aimed at a demon.

He only looked on steadily.

Then,

“…People will…die…”

He said to himself.

Many people would die. That was unquestionable.

This was war. He had avoided the war with Estabul initially with much difficulty…

He had paid with the emotional wounds inflicted on Ryner and Kiefer… and Fahle, Toni, Tyle and the lives of many others as a price, he had escaped the war with Estabul with much difficulty…

But in the end, it was still the same.

“…Froaude that man…”

Saying that, Sion shook his head.

No.

It wasn’t like that. It was because he himself thought that the war was necessary, so he didn’t stop Froaude, wasn’t that so? And he had given himself an excuse, sending Claugh and not sending Froaude to repress the rebellion.

Of course, he understood.

The path he was walking on was like that.

But… this repression of the rebellion could not be handed to Froaude to be taken care of. At least, even though there would only be a small number of people who could be saved, he wanted to save them.

This wasn’t being a hypocrite.

Froaude had his own ways of doing things.

Claugh had his own ways of doing things.

Both of their ways in doing things were needed…

Then,

“…I have my own way of doing things… that’s right…”

But.

Even though this was so, people would die.

And it wouldn’t be one or two.

Because of his orders, people would die.

He had to make this choice.

Left or right, which was was more important?

Which lives on either side were more important?

Claugh had already gone ahead with the army to repress the Estabul rebellion.

“I am going to let… Claugh… kill people…”

Sion closed his eyes.

The ending for this was already…

When he opened his eyes again…

“Wa!?”

Sion couldn’t help but cry out.

A scene had suddenly appeared.

Under the demon and angel ornaments on the ceiling, Sion looked at the female who had suddenly appeared without any presence… to be more accurate, it was a girl… Although this happened every time, but Sion would be shocked every time.\nNo matter what, this palace was guarded by many soldiers, don’t even say a girl, even a rat would have been unable to enter.

But this girl didn’t seem to care about the soldiers, she was stuck to the ceiling and her beautiful features were creased with an uneasy look.

“Ne ne ne, that that, Iris has always, always been at that pillar and from your chair, and then I came to the ceiling, I’ve been peeking at you, is Sion Onii-san crying? Is he crying?”

Beautiful golden hair, a lacy skirt and a double strapped bag on her bag. The beautiful girl who was dressed oddly asked.

Hearing this, Sion cradled his head and bowed it.

“Wa… embarrassing… but talking about which… Iris has been by my side, watching me while I was troubled?”

The girl smiled brightly,

“Yes! Because Sion Onii-san is extremely fun! Although it was only written in story books, but that face meant that you wanted to cry, right!? This is Iris’s first time seeing it! Because, because Ferris Onee-sama never cries, Lucile Onii-sama says doesn’t cry, his smiling face is scary…”

Saying this, Iris’s face revealed an annoyed expression.

Sion laughed,

“Ah, that’s true, Lucile can be scary.”

To be more accurate, it wasn’t scary, but it was on the level that it was troublesome… Iris and Ferris’s brother, part of the family of swords, protector of generations of the kings of Roland—the Head of the Eris family.

But protector was not very accurate. In reality, he could even take the king’s life as the country’s gears, a presence to protect the country.

If Lucile thought that Sion’s ability to be king was lacking, then he would kill him.

And no one could stop him.

He was truly a monster…

But his younger sisters, Ferris and Iris had their adorable sides… But because they had been receiving abnormal training from the Eris Family since they were young, they lacked a common knowledge…

She had never seen anyone cry, this girl had said this. No matter how uncomfortable or sad, crying wasn’t allowed. No, they didn’t even know about the existence of feelings. The Eris Family was a place like this.

According to what Ferris said, if they had not grown to a certain standard, they wouldn’t even know that there were other people living beyond their family walls…

Although Iris didn’t seem as bad as Ferris, but…

Sion looked at Iris warmly and gestured to her.

“Alright, don’t cling to the ceiling, come down.”

Iris revealed an incomprehensive expression,

“Ai? You’re not crying? Iris was waiting here in anticipation. When are you going to cry?”

“Do you want me to cry?”

“Yes! Because, if you cry, st…st… that, anyway, that pressure something will be gone, it’s like you’ll be more energetic, that’s what Onee-chan and I read from a book!”

Towards Iris’s trouble, Sion revealed a helpless expression,

“It’s stress… But, really, I’m defeated by you. Now, listen carefully, men wouldn’t cry when they are seen by someone else.”

Iris seemed to be very surprised,

“Ai!? Is that so!? Then, Iris stopped you from crying?”

“Ai? No, I wasn’t going to cry…”

But she ignored and Sion and pointed in a different direction and waved her arm frantically,

“Then then, Iris will go there, there! So cry as much as you like!”

Saying that, she moved at a speed that a ten year old should not have and hid behind a pillar as if she had been blown there, only revealing her eyes…

Sion sighed.

Iris’s eyes were already gleaming with excitement.

“…If it’s like that, there’s no choice but for me to cry…?”

Iris ignored him and used a small voice to say,

“I’m ready? Iris has already prepared? You can cry already?”

Sion had no choice, he only looked at Iris. Then he stared unblinkingly, not closing his eyes, then his eyes slowly started to get wet…

Iris revealed an ecstatic expression.

“Ah-!? I saw it!? I saw it! Just now Sion Onii-san was crying! Iris knows it! Boys won’t cry while they’re being watched! I must tell Onee-san!”

Watching Iris who was happily jumping around, Sion wiped away the tears in his eyes and smiled, asking,

“I say, Iris, have you brought back Ferris and Ryner’s report?”

As soon as he spoke,

“Oh yes! I brought it! This.”

Saying that, she removed a book from the bag on her back and passed it to Sion.

Sion received the book and flipped open to the first page… Really… It was like her usual self, written in Iris’s language—to be more accurate, it was a pile of illegible drawings…

Sion asked questions about every picture he held.

“What is this dog that is salivating?”

“Ah, that’s wild beast-san! It’s very scary! Onee-san says that it’s a pervert whose saliva will make you pregnant when you touch it.”

Sion nodded his head simply,

“Ah, it’s Ryner.”

He had already become accustomed to this…

“Then, the angel with wings who is holding the chains to the wild beast’s collar is Ferris?”

“Yes! The beautiful female angel who punishes the evil and does the good, Ferris Onee-chan!”

He flipped some pages, they were all drawings of the righteous angel beating up the beast,

“Ah~ Ryner hasn’t changed, he’s still so happy…”

Sion smiled wryly as he continued to flip the pages.

Then when he reached the sixth page, Sion’s hand stopped because he did not understand one of her drawings.

It was a strange drawing.

There was once a drawing of a house that was flying towards the sun across the sea, this was similar to that, it was another drawing that could not be understood.

This time it was…

“Eh, Iris, what is this?”

“Ai? Which one which one?”

Iris looked over.

Sion was pointing at a drawing of a large dragon growing from the ground and the beast and angel were looking at it, dazed.

Seeing that, Iris said,

“It’s that! Yes, that, Beast-san and Onee-san, looking at a dragon growing from the ground, looking indecisive!”

Sion hearing this garble, said,

“No, I understand the dog and the angel. I’m not referring to that, what does this dragon mean…” Previously, the sun, sea and the flying house had its meanings. The sun referred to the king of Nelpha, the sea was its people, the flying house was the prince that the people supported…

Then, this dragon had to have its meaning…

“What does this dragon mean?”

But… Iris tilted her head several times, confused,

“Ai, that, I mean, that’s a dragon? It is Dragon-san. It’s very big.”

“I already said…”

But Sion stopped.

He became silent, as if thinking about something,

“Then, let me change my way of questioning. Did Ryner say something about this dragon?”

“Ah, he did! Eh, that, when they were digging holes, they found something like a dagger, then he didn’t know what to do so he threw it out, then suddenly a dragon grew out, they didn’t understand what was happening and they had no plan, so they could only escape first!”

Hearing that, Sion narrowed his eyes.

“…Relic…is it…”

He carried some happiness, but he also seemed to groan.

Iris asked uneasily,

“Ah, that, because Iris… are you angry because I didn’t do my job of passing on the information? But but, Beast-san said it was fine like this…”

Sion shook his head,

“No, Iris completed her task of passing on the information successfully. There’s no problem.”

“Really!? Then will Onee-san praise me?”

“You’ll be praised, you definitely will be.”

“That’s great! Iris is a genius~!!”

Putting aside Iris who was bouncing around…Sion smiled.

“Yes… Relic… so there really is such a thing… but, the two of them really…”

They actually threw the Relic there and didn’t care about it, what are they thinking…

He smiled wryly and flipped another page. It was a drawing… of an angel brandishing her sword and a pink coloured rubbish bin where a girl was poking her head out from it, both were chasing a tired dog…

Then the tired dog finally exploded, seeming to be bitten to death by a clever rat…

Sion laughed. This seemingly clever rat always was a reference to Sion.

That meant that the girl who was poking her head out of the rubbish bin… probably was…

“Finally… caught up… Ha ha. Ryner must have been angry.”

Saying this, Sion seemed to be very happy. When he asked Iris about the rubbish bin girl,

“That, that! Onee-san, said that girl was pitiful, she was abandoned like rubbish by an unbelievably perverted man, so there’s a rubbish bin! And, her mind is filled with messy pink coloured thoughts!”

Hearing this explanation, Sion experienced again that the details in Iris’s drawings withheld information…

Putting that aside.

“Alright then, Iris. You must be tired after rushing back from Nelpha? You can rest for a bit. Is there anything you would like to eat?”

As soon as he said that,

“Dango! Because if I eat dango, Onee-san will praise me!”

Sion smiled. Because of Iris, he felt slightly relaxed…

But—at this moment.

“Your Majesty!”

A man… a man that Sion knew very well walked into the hall.

He had a body that looked like it was sculpted and had deep contours, and he was agile. This man who was around thirty years old, was one of the man who helped Sion during the revolution and he was one of the people who helped to contribute to the world today.

Lieutenant General Rahel Miller… was the actual way he should be addressed…

But he had rejected the position of Lieutenant General that Sion had given him,

“That is not the reason why I helped you. And this place still needs me.”

He had said that and remained in his original position, continuing to be a major. He was this kind of man.

His usually serious and stern expression was now more grim.

Miller used his deep and powerful voice to say,

“There has been information on that matter…”

As he said, he passed a file over. Sion silently received it…

In a moment.

Sion’s expression changed.

“…How can this be… is this information accurate…?”

Miller nodded,

“The one who passed the information to us is… him. If it’s him, you should be very clear of what it means, right?”

Hearing this, Sion groaned for real. He looked at the report in his hands again. There was an unbelievable matter written in there.

Iris came over and peeked at the file,

“What is it, what is it? What has happened?”

She asked… Sion did not reply,

“Iris. What are Ryner and Ferris doing now?”

“Ai? That, they said they would be in the city of Imperial Nelpha while they waited for Sion Onii-san’s reply…”

Sion nodded.

Then…

At this moment.

Talking about Ryner and Ferris…

Ryner slumped on the table, even more weakly than he had before.

They were in the city of Nelpha, Rankas.

They were in the dining room of the inn. After they had eaten a meal that made up for their breakfast and lunch, they were full and he had suddenly felt tired.

“I say, I feel like sleeping even though I just got up, is it because we’ve been overworked recently?”

As he finished saying,

“Overworked? Why do I feel like it’s the third consecutive day that you have said that, unless I’m hallucinating?”

“No, you’re not hallucinating. But you see, I’ve only be resting for three days? Ah, oh no. Just thinking of that makes me feel like sleeping, if I don’t sleep for another hundred years, I will definitely die…”

Towards Ryner’s way of saying he wanted to give up on life, Ferris wanted to say something, but,

“Oh, oh no. There’s the special sales for dango at three o’clock today, if we don’t hurry…”

“You are really unbelievable, you’ve been talking about there being special sales for dangos for these three days and that we have to go grab the chance to buy dangos?”

“Yes, this city will always have a special sales for dango every day at three o’clock. I will continue to buy them, don’t mention a hundred years, in the distant future, even if I die or wither with age, I will continue.”

“Yeah~ That will be a blissful life~. Just eat dangos. Just like this, if Sion’s reply never comes, then it’ll be good…”

A conversation like this.

They never even mentioned about the Heroes’ Relic that caused the dragon to grow from the ground…

“Then I’m going.”

“Buy me a set of three coloured dangos.”

“Yeah.”

As she replied, Ferris walked out of the inn, Ryner stretched lazily and without thinking that he might cause the lady boss any trouble, fell asleep.

It was a peaceful day.

Even so, several gears had started to turn.

People and people.

Country and country.

Each of them were hiding their own thoughts.

Their destinies were starting to interlock…