chapter 13

　The journey to get to the castle took another two days, meanwhile Chizuru was learning a lot about the present-day Lukrov.

　One of the things were that Lukrov certainly did receive the status of Duke from the King four years ago, and is living as a ruler of this area at the eastern end of the country. He has no wives and is single, and has no intention of changing the current situation. He hasn’t been in contact with his companions, the ones that defetead the dragon with him and chizuru, with the exception of one person, he is no longer interacting with anyone else.

“Leon is the only one that still comes to my house every year. If he knows that you’re in the mansion, he will would get on his way to meet you right now.” He explained about the red-haired, large, and bright knight.

　And about the few others, nostalgic friends who she would like to meet again if possible, Lukrov refused to explain about them. Perhaps there wasn’t much good news based on his outstretched tone and cold look … so Chizuru stopped asking any more questions.

　Fourteen years.

　What happened to him and to them?

　Did Chizuru’s disappearance cast a dark shadow on them? Is that why Lukrov still looks to be in so much pain when he looks at Chizuru …

When the castle town approached, Chizuru was able to feel the liveliness from a distance without having to be told what it was.

　As soon as they passed through a peaceful country town with small houses with farms, passing the roads that were paved with stone pavements, you would could come across cheerful streets lined with shops-like eaves and craftsmen’s workshops. .

“Duke, Lukrov! Good luck to you!”

　Quite a few townspeople happily greeted them as they watched Lukrov on the horse pass through the street. Some even give Lukrov some sort of fruit or piece of meat that might be for sale, or some local confectionery.

　And some courageous individuals asked about Chizuru, who is comfortably sitting in front of Lukrov.

“Who is that beautiful woman?”

　Lukrov’s reply was always the same.

“She’s an old acquaintance. who will stay in the castle as a guest for a while. When you see her in the city, treat her with the respect she deserves.”

　Before he knew, Lukrov had stopped using the word “castle” to refer to his residence. Of course, since he is a duke, it may not be a small building like the potato house of Rodolgo, but a building with dignity corresponding to its master, but Chizuru’s imagination inevitably expanded.

　When the horse, carrying the two people, passed through the castle town, the peaceful road surrounded by greenery continued for a while, gently curving, and … it appeared, that which towered over the horizon … after all, it was the castle.

“that?”

　Lukruv nods to Chizuru, who was distracted by the view.

“It’s big, just because it’s in the frontier. But its not that grand.”

　Chizuru carefully looked into the huge stone building that might be called a fortress. The surrounding area is covered with defensive walls. In some places of the castle there are towers for shooting arrows against foreign enemies. And one could see the security guards patrolling on the walls of the huge structure.

　Is the castle the outer wall close to the original Gothic architecture in chizuru’s original world. It is made of earthy stone and is wide, with a number of pointed roofs. Lookout towers were installed in two places, the front and the back.

　As the horse carrying Chizuru and Luklov approached the castle wall, the guards standing on either side of the gate opened the door. The castle gate makes a heavy sound as it slowly opens.

　The gate is so heavy that once you enter it, you might never be able to leave it again.

The flag of the Duke is shining above the gate. On the velvety black background, a dreadful dragon embroidery was made with red thread.

　When you entered the castle wall, the actual building was 100 meters away from the wall, and the training grounds for knights spread out so that both sides could be solidified. The knights in armor were training by fighting with their swords, but when they noticed Lukrov, they all took off their helmets and knelt down.

“Continue training. I will come down after a while. Prepare a sword for me to train.”

　At the command of Lukrov, the knights raised their reddish faces and were rousing with excitement.

‘──I remember.. How strong and beautiful Lukrov’s sword movement was. Lukelov’s sword, which was so strong that it overwhelms everything in the world, was a sacred technique that would be fascinating even if it was just as training exercise.

“Even now … you fight?”

　When Chizuru asked, Lukruv showed a face of a person that didn’t understand.

“I don’t want my body and arms to rust so I train, there aren’t that many big fights around here … but sometimes it’s needed.”

　After asking, Chizuru realized that she had a weak feeling. They are knights. And the times were the same as in the Middle Ages … No matter how much evil dragons perished and peace came, the battle for territory and power was done using a sword. Unless killed by fishermen or farmers, they will not let go of their swords until they die.

　It’s such a difficult world to live in, so his fourteen years may have been much longer than what Chizuru thinks. When she thought so, her chest hurt again.

When one enters the place, what comes to view seems to be a large, elegant hall spread out.

　Anyway, the ceiling is high, and in Japan, the wall continues to the position where the second floor is.. How do you get warm in winter? A large tapestry decorated part of the wall, with a long wooden desk in the center. It’s clean and wide, but is it a bit different from the luxury normal nobles had? T/N I don’t understand the first part of the sentence Sowy =(.

　Some boys with a subordinate attitude are running around energetically, and maids holding cloths and dishes to clean between them are busy. And again, as when they where in the training ground, every person looked towards the floor when they were near Lukrov and bowed their head.

“Call Arde here” T/N see epilogue/ chapter arde is the maid/ attendant that was with chizuru in her first trip. Remember the one that was looking at them having xxx in the tent? That was Arde.

　Said Lukruv, stopping and ordering one of the maids.

“Arde? Is that … Arde?”

　Chizuru, who was walking beside him after being taken by Luklov, was so surprised that she stopped moving. Arde is a girl who helped Chizuru during her last stay, and at the end of the day she was a close friend of her, they were like sisters. shee was one of several other people chizuru wanted to meet again, besides Lukrov.

　With a slight nod, Lukrov affirmed.

　When Chizuru tried to speak again a blonde woman had come out of the doorway and shouted in in a joyous tone.

“Chizuru-sama! Well! Isn’t it Chizuru-sama!”

　The blonde woman rushed up and ran towards them she was so happy that it looked like she was dancing in front of Chizuru and Lukrov.

“A, Arde … is it you?”

　To her surprise, Chizuru’s voice seemed to show that she stunned.

　Arde at that time was just 14 or 15 years old, and was just a pretty girl with freckles on her skin.But now in front of her there is a tall, sophisticated, adult woman. Wearing the clothes of a maid and wearing a white scarf on her head, her vives makes her look very beautiful.

　Arde filled her blue eyes with tears and nodded with a laughing expression.

“No way … I alway wondered if this day would really will come … Ah, Lord Lukrov, Lady Chizuru, it was worth waiting. It’s been so long … Oh!”

　Chizuru lost her words due to the joy and the embarrassment.

　One year and two months for Chizuru.

　Fourteen years for them.

　Arde took out something like a handkerchief from her waist and continued, wiping her tears. “You have not changed mistress Chizuru, I thought it was a dream.

　This time Chizuru seemed to cry and laugh.

“In my world, only a year and a half passed. Arde you became very beautiful. I didn’t recognize you immediately.”

　As Arde slowly stood up, the two women held hands and smiled.

“One year? Well, that’s …”

“I didn’t think there was Arde here. Maybe you’ve been with Lukrov ever since?”

　When Chizuru asked, Arde turned her surprised face towards Lukrov instead of answering.

“You didn’t explain to Chizuru?”

“eh”

　Chizuru settled as the whole body felt cold from the tip of his foot.

　No way …

　Arde, who has grown beautifully, now seems to be in balance with Lukrov even in age. She wasn’t particularly under Lukrov’s control that she had been with him for 14 years … what a … no wonder …

　Chizuru turn to look at Lukrov, but he had only the deep wrinkles between his eyes that she was already familiar with, and the rest was his cold and expressionless expression.

　Only Arde is confused and looking at them alternately.

“There’s nothing more to explain now … Arde, don’t say anything, show Chizuru to the room.”

“… Yes. Is that all right in the room?”

　Luklov, staring at Chizuru with a painful face, as if he had several needles on his skin, looked at them and then turned his back.

“There is no other room that can be prepared immediately.

　Chizuru never regretted that she had returned to her original world so much until this moment arrived.