Chapter 204

Chapter 204: 204

The tea ceremony after Al arrived was initially tight, but his stepfather and stepmother actively spoke to Al and exchanged words with him.

At the end of the tea party, I think Al was able to talk to his stepfathers with a gentle expression.

“Acrylic, will you give me some time?

“Al?”

“There’s something I need to do outside. I want you to go out with me.”

After the tea party was over, Al invited me after breaking up with his stepfathers.

There was no reason to refuse, so I understand. Then we went outside the royal castle in a discreet outfit.

Al, what can I do for you?

“Ah… I really had to go first.”

……

Al’s expression, which he said to me, was somehow steep and nervous. What the hell does Al have to be nervous about?

We walked out of the royal castle, but Al wasn’t headed for the castle town, it was a section lined with luxurious houses.

“Where are we?

“This is a parcel with a noble mansion. This is where we’re going.”

Al keeps going deeper. It’s not as vibrant as a castle town, and the scenery continues like a beautiful arrangement.

Even in the same city, the air in the castle town is completely different. I think that the difference between the status of a civilian and that of a nobleman also appears in the place where he lives.

Al was silent all along the way. We can’t say a word to Al as if he’s thinking about something, and we keep walking toward our destination.

By the time the sun set and the sky was dyed at sunset, it had reached the place Al was aiming for.

It was lined up with countless lined stones. There are no signs of people and they are not vibrant. I think it’s kind of a lonely place.

“Al… what is this place?

This is a cemetery.

“Cemetery?”

“… they call it a grave to mourn the dead. This is where the tombs are gathered, so that the dead can sleep quietly.”

“… Tomb”

In Al’s description, I somehow try to understand the concept of a grave. For us who bring life back to the forest, the forest itself is like a tomb. But it is also a place where life can live at the same time.

But this cemetery is where life is cut off. That’s why I feel kind of lonely.

Al stepped into the cemetery and proceeded slowly. Even though flowers are decorated here, it’s not as touching as it was in the courtyard.

I think it’s beautiful, but after all, the thought of loneliness comes first because the signs of life are thin here. Rather, the loneliness makes these flowers seem like comfort.

After passing through the lined graves, Al came to the place where the large gravestones were placed. It was even more distant from other graves.

“This tomb is huge.”

“… ahh. Originally, graves were one for each person, or one for family and blood. This tomb is different.”

“… no?

“This tomb is bigger than anything else because it was mourned by the people I killed. More people sleep here than in any other grave.”

“… Al killed you?

Al remained nervous, but somewhere he looked lonely and spicy. If the wind blows, you’ll fall, and you won’t be able to keep an eye on Al, who looks as if he’s about to fall.

“When I tried to take over this country, the people who tried to help me slept here. They are traitors to this country. Some of them were executed together. Many of them were not allowed to mourn in their own graves those who said that they were avenged by the country. But the dead are the dead. You don’t have to be angry when you die, and you don’t have to curse the living. That is why the tomb was built. This is called a monument.”

“Consolation Monument…”

So, this tomb sleeps the people Al killed… is it a symbol of Al’s sins?

Al gets one step closer to such a grave and stands before it. I lowered my head on one knee with my hands in front of my chest.

“I don’t think I deserve to go to the flowers…. but I’m here to apologize for the confusion I caused you.”

Al raised his face with his knees down. While looking up at the consolation monument, Al continued his words to repent.

“I despised myself that I was not the king’s vessel and that I had no power to change anything. That weakness has caused me to lose my mind and to think about using you all. Such a weak royal family has bewildered you. Of course, there are some disgusting things you’ve raised yourself. But now I think paying for it is what the royal family wants.”

The wind blows. Al’s back, which remained on his knees, was unreliable and looked very small.

“Your death was caused by a weak royal family named me. As a man who was supposed to be master, he was about to lose his mind. I must bear your death. To keep you from dying. Otherwise, your deaths will remain only a sin of treason against the king of this country. I don’t think that mockery can calm you down.”

After that, Al drips his head again. Keeping your hands on your chest, squeeze one of your free hands and put your fists on the ground.

“… I’m really sorry. I won’t ask you to forgive me. But please stand tall so I can wash your carelessness. I want you to see it in the afterlife. I will come to you anyway. I will not forget you. I will not let your sacrifice go to waste while I live on it.”

Al dedicates words that are bloody heavy and full of regret to his grave.

Then raise your face slowly. I want to see Al’s face and stand next to him. Al looked at me, but smiled a little troubled before turning back to the monument.

“… Maurice”

Al calls someone’s name. The voice was filled with regret, and Al’s expression was filled with loneliness.

“I hated you.”

I wondered if the words he vomited were words Al couldn’t say to Maurice.

“… as much as I hated myself, I neglected you. You’re a typical disgusting aristocrat, and you’ve been dealing with your older sister so much that you don’t want to hear about her. But you were worth it…. what did you think of me? Was it the same as me?

I know Al won’t answer, but I spin words like I’m asking for answers.

“I was actually aware of it. I had to change you. You were poisoned too much by the poison in the house. But I bet you’ve changed. I’ve changed, too. I took that opportunity forever.”

“… Al”

“Hey, Maurice. If I don’t want to be king, if I don’t have that confidence, I can’t believe the power of magic. If you tell me you think the Spirit won’t save us, will you? About the future of this country, about myself who was just blind to magic. Would that make us… friends?

Al’s expression, which lowered his face, was no longer visible. But Al seemed to be crying when his speech buttocks trembled.

Reaching for his shoulder, I held my fist…. I shouldn’t reach out here. Besides, it’s okay. I believe you.

Al stood up slowly. There were no tears there. He just looks at the monument with a lonely look on his face. Once I blinked and breathed… there was the usual Al.

“I’ll leave my regrets here. The next time I come, I’ll bring you a souvenir of the future…. with her.”

Al puts his hand on my shoulder and pulls it a little closer to me. I left my shoulder with Al without resistance.

“If you come here alone, you’re going to stop your feet. I won’t stop. That’s why Acrylic is watching…. so keep an eye on me.”

“… Al”

“… if I could end up halfway down the road, acrylic would instead dedicate flowers to this monument…”

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Somehow, I pushed my elbow into Al’s flank, saying something extra.

Al is desperately holding his breath as if he were moaning and kneeling on the spot. Ignoring Al, who coughed, I snorted.

“Al is weak. I’m still weak enough to say such stupid things!

“… uhh…! Acrylic, what…”

“But you can be weak! I’m trying to be strong, I’m trying to live! It’s the privilege of the living! I can’t give it to the dead! That’s why I’m not saying that I might not be able to fulfill it!

A little puzzled Al says, pointing his finger at him.

“The more you fill this place with flowers, the better and stronger you are! If you’re gonna leave regret here, you just have to turn around! Try to protect yourself like you said! If you can’t do it alone, give me a hand!

Al looks at me with a stunned face. I exhale loudly and then put my fist on Al’s chest.

“I’ll make you happy if anyone says I won’t forgive you. That’s why Al gets happy. Al would be happy if he thought he could be recognized by these people!?”

“Ah, ahh….”

“Is that easy?

“… no, it’s hard.”

“Does it hurt to go on alone?

“Ah, it’s so painful…”

“I will help Al.”

Lean aside to keep Al’s forehead in his chest. Al turned his hand around my back without hesitation.

“… sorry, acrylic”

“I don’t know. Did you say you wanted to apologize?

“… no. Well, thank you.”

“Hmm. That’s good.”

I look one step away from Al and then at the consolation monument.

Al said that he had made these people wrong. But I’m sure these people are the ones who fooled Al.

I don’t know if that’s the right understanding. Besides, what you say to these people doesn’t change anything.

So there’s only one thing I’m going to tell you. But don’t say anything, I swear in my chest.

I’m not giving you Al.

Al said he wanted to be forgiven, but I didn’t know.

You can hate Al if you want to. If you say you can’t forgive me, you don’t have to.

If Al says he hates being alive, it’s good to be caught up in hatred.

Because the dead can’t do anything. If it turns out, I’ll stab you in the face.

Al will be happy with me alive. It includes mourning you, so I want you to sleep quietly.

Let’s go home, Al.

“… ahh”

Let’s go back to where we live. This is not the world we live in.

But there’s something important here. Graves, regrets, the past, and mourning for it must be important.

We have to live to get something. So live to the fullest, and add flowers of consolation and mourning to your regretful past.

“Al”

“What is it?”

“Grow flowers when you get back, hire a gardener like your stepfather. Let’s grow all those flowers and bring them here.”

“… I see. Maybe that’s a good idea.”

That said, Al finally laughed at me. And I smiled back.

Let’s walk without letting go of our connected hands. Al’s happiness is my happiness. That’s how I use my life, freedom of my choice.

The Kingdom of Palletia is a free country. He taught me the value of freedom and my responsibility to protect it.

That’s why I keep choosing. Make this man happy by Al’s side. Because that’s where I got it, and it’s a sign of my life.