Epilogue
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When Tigre returned home, the first signs of summer had already started to appear in the fields and hills of Alsace.
“Finally back home,” he exclaimed, joy filling his heart upon seeing the familiar scenery of his homeland.
Although he had been gone for less than three months in total, he felt quite nostalgic about it.
“A little bit further,” Tigre declared with a beaming face while looking back at Raphinaque who was riding behind him.
The Vorn squad had decreased to 41 soldiers. During the last battle against the Muozinel, they had lost another six. Considering Alsace’s scale, it was fair to describe this as huge losses.
But, none of the men blamed Tigre for it in any way.
“Because of you having taken command, we were able to come back to Alsace, Young Master.”
Raphinaque bowed as representative of the soldiers.
Tigre shook his head, “All of it is owed to us having been rescued by Olmutz’s army.”
“But even that only happened because you built a good relationship with them, Milord.”
Getting embarrassed by all the praise, Tigre spurred his horse into full gallop. He thought that it’d probably alright now that they’d come all the way here. He could clearly tell where to find villages, rivers, forests, and mountains in this region, so it’d pose no problem for him to become slightly reckless.
Before long wheat fields came into sight. All of them looked bright green. The farmers were vigorously wielding the farming tools with their sweat glistening in the sun.
As soon as they noticed Tigre, they stopped their work and waved their hands at him. Tigre returned that with a wave of his own.
Before heading back to the town of Celesta where the mansion of the Vorn family stood, Tigre entrusted the soldiers to Raphinaque and dropped by several villages.
He remembered each and every single of his men who had died. And he saw it as his duty as their commander to visit their families, tell them about the death of their loved ones, and pray together with them for their souls to rest in peace. The compensation for the bereaved families would be officially decided after he talked it over with his father and Raphinaque.
Because he was doing all that, three days had already passed since he entered Alsace when he finally arrived at Celesta. After exchanging a handshake with the gatekeepers who rejoiced over his return, Tigre headed directly to the mansion while leading his horse on foot. He used back alleys instead of the main street.
The main street was bustling with people in the morning. If Tigre had shown up there, it’d have turned into an uproar, he suspected. And right now he wanted to hurry to the mansion.
After arriving at the estate, Tigre headed to the stables first. He unhitched his horse, wiped its body, and let it rest while also letting it drink some water.
As soon as he entered the mansion, a girl with a black, long-sleeved blouse, a skirt, and a white apron came downstairs from the second floor, probably having heard the door opening. Seeing Tigre stand down there, the girl stopped halfway down the stairs in a daze.
“Lord Tigre…?”
“I’m home, Titta,” Tigre greeted the girl with a smile.
Titta rushed down the stairs as if she was going to jump down all the way, before leaping into Tigre’s embrace.
“Welcome back, Lord Tigre! Finally! Finally you have come back!”
“Sorry for having made you wait.”
Tigre gently stroked her chestnut-colored hair while holding her in his arms.
As the two were rejoicing over their reunion, a man descended the stairs from the second floor. Just like Tigre, he had dull red hair and a calm kindness filled his black eyes. He carried a baby in his arms.
“Oh, you back, Tigre?”
Tigre pulled away from Titta and faced the man, “Yes, Father. I came back just now. ――I’m back home, Dian.”
The second part of his remark was aimed at the baby. The little squeak was Tigre’s half-brother. He had turned two this year.
The man, Urs, planted himself in front of Tigre and gently tapped his son’s shoulder as if to console him.
＊
After asking Titta to take care of Dian, Tigre and Urs retreated into the lord’s office. Tigre recounted all the events during his expedition.
Once he started to talk, the whole story took much longer than he had expected, and thus the sun was already sinking around the time when he finished, as they had also inserted breaks to eat and rest.
“That was quite a disastrous first campaign…” Urs averted his eyes from his son, looking outside the window.
He chanted a quiet prayer to the gods before facing Tigre again. But, his eyes weren’t directed at his son, but the black bow laying on the table.
“For our family’s heirloom to have been something so dangerous…”
“The generations of family heads didn’t notice anything about it?”
“That’s probably hoping for too much. I was the first to build a friendship with Zhcted and the Vanadis. And there was no way for crown successors to visit these remote lands.”
In reality, Tigre could fully understand what his father was saying as someone who had gone to Olmutz. For them, a friendship with Alsace or the Vorn family wasn’t anything that would bring them any particular advantage. Even Lana’s idea of Alsace being a restraint against Leitmeritz presently was stopping at the level of being a sort of harassment. For sure it wasn’t anything indispensable.
“Maybe the first family head was a man from Zhcted?”
“I also think that this could be possible.”
‘Would Brune, a country known for hating archery, grant peerage and land to a hunter just because he saved the king? Besides, it’s kind of weird that the land given to him is Alsace, which is bordering Zhcted.
Tigrevurmud was the name of his ancestor, but if he had to be honest, that didn’t sound like a Brunian name. Then again, it didn’t sound like a Zhcted name either.
“――Tigre,” Urs started out slowly with a deliberate tone, “are you going to keep using this bow?”
That was a crucial question. If he continued to use the family heirloom, Tigre would step into a terrifying world. He would have no choice but to get involved with monsters and demons.
“I will,” answered Tigre without any hesitation, staring directly in the eyes of his father. “Certainly, monsters are scary. But, this bow is something I desire too.”
‘For the sake of standing next to the Vanadis. For the sake of continuing to stay with her while becoming her strength.
“Besides, I’m quite grateful for this weapon since I won’t need to worry about it breaking. I haven’t abandoned my dream yet,” Tigre said with a somewhat jesting tone, but the gleam in his eyes spoke of his seriousness.
“Got it,” Urs acknowledged his son’s determination with a smile. “By the way, does anyone other than you know about the power of this heirloom?”
“Only Mila and Militsa. I haven’t told anyone else. But, Mila said that she’d tell Lady Lana. So it will be those three.”
After giving that reply, Tigre recalled the young Muozinel soldier called Damad. But, he didn’t pay overly much attention to him. Even if Damad told anyone about this, no one would believe him. Besides, Tigre doubted that he’d meet him ever again.
“I guess that’s fine then. I won’t tell anyone else either. You do so as well. If it gets known that it’s related to the mysterious power owned by the Vanadis, it’s very likely that the Vorn family would be regarded as colluding with Zhcted.
Tigre nodded with a stiff expression.
＊
Tigre spent the next days in relaxation. He rode across the fief, occasionally entered the mountains and forests to hunt, and helped his father with work when he was back at the mansion.
One evening Tigre was doing maintenance on his black bow inside his private room. After the last expedition, Urs had passed the bow to Tigre, telling him to make sure that it’s always in a good state. Even Tigre was interested in reaching a state where he’d be able to draw out the bow’s mysterious power whenever he needed it. He was sure this power would become a great assistance for the Vanadis.
Suddenly someone knocked on his door.
His father said, “Tigre, you have a visitor.”
Tigre cocked his head in confusion as he couldn’t fathom who would visit so late in the night. He was also bothered by the faint trace of tension lurking in his father’s voice.
――It’s neither Lord Mashas nor Lord Hughes, I guess.
They were his father’s friends and would occasionally visit the mansion at such a time, too. But assuming it wasn’t them, he couldn’t guess who else it could be.
Leaning his bow against the wall, he stood up and opened the door, just to meet his father standing there with a grave expression.
“I have him wait in the guest room below. ――It’s you we’re talking about, so I believe it will be fine, but make doubly sure to not be rude or careless.”
Apparently my visitor is fairly high-ranking.
Tigre furrowed his eyebrows, but nodded and headed over to the guest room. He knocked on the door and told them his name.
A man responded to that which marked Tigre’s cue to enter the guest room.
A man in traveler’s clothes was comfortably sitting on a chair inside the room. Tigre guessed him to be around forty. He was a handsome guy with blond hair and blue eyes.
Tigre frowned. He couldn’t recall it on the spot, but he remembered to have seen that face before. Looking at the youth, the man flashed a bright smile.
“You’re Tigrevurmud Vorn, right? Please call me Louis.”
The instant he heard that voice, Tigre remembered the person in front of him.
“Y-Your…”
“Lord Tigrevurmud, just as I told you moments ago, I’m Louis,” the man chided Tigre with an eyebrow slightly raised.
Unable to speak up as his shock hadn’t settled yet, Tigre nodded several times.
――Why is His Majesty here…?
The man who had introduced himself as Louis, was Brune’s king ―― Faron Soleil Louis Blanville du Charles. Tigre happened to catch sight of him from afar back when he had visited the palace in Nice.
Moving mechanically like a doll, Tigre took seat opposite King Faron.
“You don’t need to act so respectfully in front of me. I’m the guest here, after all,” King Faron offered generously, but being told to not be nervous in front of the country’s ruler was a bit unreasonable, thought Tigre.
The youth resented his father for not having warned him ahead of time at all.
“It’s a bit abrupt, but I’d like to hear about the recent war from you.”
A wine bottle and two silver cups stood on the small table between the two men. Both cups were already filled with wine.
Saying, “Excuse me,” Tigre took a sip of the wine. His throat had become dry from all the tension and shock. And it didn’t look like he’d be able to talk normally if he didn’t wet his throat, moist his leps, and recovered some of his composure.
Afterwards, Tigre began to explain. His nervousness hadn’t fully dissipated after drinking the wine, but him being able to smoothly go on with the conversation despite that was owed to him having talked with his father a few days ago, allowing him to sort his mind. Still as might be expected, he didn’t mention the monster.
Eventually King Faron breathed out lightly after listening to the end.
“I see… I don’t want to belittle it, but it must have been difficult for you.”
“No, I feel honored by just being able to receive such words from you.”
What surprised Tigre as he bowed his head was King Faron praying to the gods. It was a huge shock for Tigre that a king would pray for people like him.
Gazing at Tigre, Faron’s expression quickly changed into one of grave seriousness.
“You’re probably wondering why I have come all the way out here.”
Tigre nodded. If he wanted to listen to Tigre’s side of the story, he should have simply summoned him to the royal court. Tigre’s memories of Nice weren’t nice by any measure, but he would obey a summons by the king.
“As a matter of fact, I’ve heard about you from Roland. Since he openly praised you, it piqued my curiosity. Since I had planned to inspect the southeastern border anyway, I thought I’d add a little side trip. Besides…you never know who might be listening in when inside the royal palace.”
A gloomy shadow crossed the king’s face. Tigre didn’t know what he should say to this, so he silently gazed at the king.
――Still, for Sir Roland to praise me to such an extent…
Even if it was a side trip during a border inspection, the clout of Roland was huge and anything but normal, seeing how the king had visited in person. As far as Tigre was concerned, he could only feel obliged for this great accommodation.
“Lord Tigrevurmud, there is something I wish to request of you in secrecy.”
His tone didn’t suggest the king joking, and thus Tigre fixed his seating posture.
“I also talked with Duke Thenardier about the war, but it’s highly possible that our plans were leaked to the Muozinel ahead of times. It would seem like someone on our side is collaborating with the Muozinel.”
Faron’s words struck another shock.
“Are you telling me that we have a traitor among our ranks?”
“Indeed. The enemy commander Kureys Shahim Balamir certainly is a resourceful, outstanding war leader. But, if you try looking at the enemy’s movements… Accordingly――” Faron continued, “――I’d like you to go to Zhcted. Going by your earlier story, you seem to be close with some Vanadis of Zhcted. If possible, I’d like you to explain the situation to them and stay in Zhcted for a while. I won’t tell you to search for the traitor. I simply want to have you there as contact person.”
“Huh? O-Okay…?”
Being confronted with a request he hadn’t expected at all, Tigre was bewildered. After all, he was asked to go to the land, he believed he wouldn’t be able to visit for many years, right away. And of all things, by the king of his home country.
“How about it? Or do you think it’d be too difficult to gain the Vanadis cooperation on this?”
“N-No, I don’t think that will pose a problem. Umm, you mentioned a task as contact person, but…”
“Whenever I exchange confidential letters with someone of Zhcted, they’ll pass through you. Also, it’s possible that there will be times when I’ll have you move depending on the situation over here or in Zhcted. That’s the gist of it, I suppose.”
Tigre pondered in his head that had regained some of its calm. If Tigre asked, Mila and Lana would likely lend him as much assistance as possible, even if it was unreasonable. Even Faron shouldn’t put so much hope into the son of a noble in the sticks.
――I see. Because I’m the son of a rural noble, a traitor won’t pay much attention to me. Not to mention that I had a close relationship with Mila for a while now. As long as I’m provided a suitable excuse, it won’t be all that difficult to stay in Olmutz.
“I understand,” Tigre bowed deeply at the king. “Please allow me to serve you as far as my abilities permit.”
“I’m counting on you.”
This topic was over at that point and thus Tigre stood up and tried to leave the guest room, but before he could open the door, Faron called him to halt.
“Which reminds me, it’s about your bow…”
The most of an answer could muster to that sudden topic change was a “yes.”
“I’m not overly well-versed in archery, but how far can you shoot your arrows?”
Tigre didn’t understand the intention behind that question. He might be asking on a whim or out of sheer curiosity. Either way, Tigre gave an honest reply.
“If it’s up to 300 alsin, I can show you that I will always hit my target.”
“I see,” Faron smiled.
It was a positive, affectionate smile. It not including a sliver of surprise could be seen as proof of his lacking knowledge when it comes to archery.
“Right now, it’s difficult to acknowledge the value of people like you in this country. But, someday your skill will be deemed for its excellency. At such a time I wish to award you with an fitting reward. Please keep at it until then.”
Those words and their accompanying expression lit a scorching flame inside Tigre’s heart.
＊
As should be expected as natural, knights who were likely Faron’s escort had been waiting outside the Vorn mansion. Tigre silently saw the king leaving while being protected by them.
The youth stood still until the night wind had calmed his heart and mind. Receiving a secret decree and being told to keep at it was more than enough to make his young heart giddy.
When he went back inside the mansion, his father was just coming down the stairs. Seeing his son, he revealed a smile.
“Were you surprised?”
“Well, of course.”
“I see. But, it gave me a start as well. In addition, he demanded to hear the entire story out of your mouth. Though he wasn’t very open about what he wanted to talk to you about.”
Being told that, even Tigre found it hard to blame his father.
“What did His Majesty tell you?”
“Father, it has been decided that I will be going to Zhcted,” Tigre responded with a smile.
As foreseeable, Urs looked surprised, but that expression immediately changed into a smiling one.
“As of late, it’s really just surprises with you. So, for what reason are you going there?”
Tigre explained what Faron had told him. At once, Urs’s face turned grave.
“Aww man, all that even though you had finally come back to Alsace. But, it’s His Majesty’s decree. You cannot afford to ignore it. Who are you going to take with you?”
“Raphinaque.”
While answering, Tigre remembered a certain task he had to do.
――Let’s write a letter to Mila. I’m sure she will be surprised and delighted. The dream of making my name thunder across the continent has come one step closer.
He then looked up to the night sky through a window. Of course, the Sizurite wasn’t anywhere to be seen. However, Tigre was able to vividly envision that star in his mind.
I know, someday I’ll definitely show you how my arrow reaches you.
He vowed to the Sizurite once more.
＊
―― Three Years Ago ――
Tigre met Svetlana, Mila’s mother, in the middle of winter three years ago. Back then, Tigre had just finished the inspection of a certain village in his father’s fief and was on his way back to Celesta. Given that he saw no particular reason to hurry, he allowed his horse to trot at a leisure. And just as usual, his bow was affixed to his saddle.
When he happened to pass a crossing of two bigger roads, Tigre encountered a group of six riders. It was only natural for him to look at those strangers with eyes full of curiosity. All of them wore extravagant overcoats. All of their horses were well-kept and looked smart while equipped with harnesses that had marvelous ornaments added to them.
Tigre didn’t know whom he was facing there, but he had no doubts that they were rich nobles of high standing. Their appearance was dazzling for a ten-years-old boy who had never really left his remote countryside territory.
“――Hey, boy,” the woman with long, black hair who was leading the group, called out to Tigre.
The youth guessed her to be around thirty. And if he had to comment on it, he’d describe the tone of her voice as gentle, but Tigre’s body stiffened up out of nervousness as he asked back, “What might it be, Traveler?”
“I’d like to ask for directions. Is it correct to follow this road to reach Celesta?”
Tigre cocked his head in confusion inside his mind. Her Brunian had a slight accent to it.
“Yes, if you head straight down this road, a town will come into sight in around half a koku, granted you keep traveling on horse. Umm…if you like, I could guide you there.”
From here on, it was a straight road, making a guide completely unnecessary. Yet, Tigre still offered despite being fully aware of it.
Going by their outfits and words, these people were likely foreign visitors who had come to meet the lord of Alsace, Tigre’s father. As his son, Tigre had to receive the while making sure that they would experience anything offensive.
The woman looked at Tigre, said, “I see,” and laughed while looking amused. Having her blue eyes pinned on him, Tigre could sense a comfortable mischief from them for some reason. It caused him to stir a bit.
“What is your name?”
“My name is Tigrevurmud Vorn.”
“Are you good at riding horses?”
“I have gotten used to it,” Tigre answered honestly while thinking that she was sure asking strangers strange things.
Alsace was small, but since it was full of mountains, hills, and fields, a horse was indispensable. Of course, you also needed one for inspections or hunts.
“Alright,” muttered the woman and got off her own horse.
And just when he thought that she was going to walk next to him, she nimbly jumped, landing on Tigre’s horse behind him. It was such a swift and natural flow of motions that Tigre couldn’t react at all.
“W-What are you doing…!?”
As might be expected, Tigre was flustered by this. The woman calmly brought her body close to him.
“You told me that you’d lead us, didn’t you? Come on, hurry up and spur on your horse.”
Tigre was completely lost and thus looked at the woman’s companions, seeking help. But, they all simultaneously shook their heads, as telling him to accept his lot in destiny.
――Just what are these people!?
Tigre was at a loss, but he switched his thinking by shaking his head.
For now I’ll take this woman to Celesta. I just need to ask her about the details while we’re riding.
“I understand. Please hold on tight.”
Kicking the belly of his horse, Tigre started to advance along the road. After a while, Tigre noticed that her left arm was powerlessly hanging down. As if it had lost all its strength. Her right hand was probably holding onto Tigre, though. But, before he could ask her about that arm, she threw a question at him.
“Is this your bow?”
Tigre replied, “Yes, it is.”
“Are you a hunter.”
“No,” Tigre shook his head. After hesitating for a moment, he added with a tone as if sharing a secret, “I’m good at it.”
“Archery?”
The woman seemed surprised. But Tigre believed that to be only natural.
Bows were regarded as the weapons of cowards in Brune. A person who wasn’t a hunter and possessed a noble’s family name, thus shouldn’t be good at archery. If she had been a Brunian, Tigre would have likely remained silent about this. The faint hope that he might get her to listen to his words made the young boy rattle on.
“It wouldn’t be all that strange for there to exist Brunians who are good at archery, would it?”
When Tigre said so, the woman laughed happily. The tone of her laughter gave away that she was seeing him in a good light.
“Certainly, I can’t argue with that. So, could you show me your skill at archery just once?”
Tigre felt heat spreading from inside his body. Her voice lacked any sort of ridicule or contempt. She was simply harboring expectations.
After letting his eyes wander to see whether he could find anything that would be able to serve as a target, Tigre spotted a tree in the distance. Measured from right next to the road, the distance appeared to be around 250 alsin. Deciding this to become his target, Tigre stopped his horse.
“Should I get off?” The woman asked.
Tigre shook his head. He grabbed his bow, drew an arrow from the quiver hanging on the other side of the saddle, firmly planted his feet in the stirrup, readied the bow while atop the horse, and nocked the arrow. He drew back the string and while sensing the wind’s flow with his skin he lightly breathed in and out.
Then he released the arrow. It flew in an arc before clearly hitting the targeted tree as if having been drawn towards it.
Tigre looked back at the woman with a slightly proud smile. She was staring at the tree with a dumbstruck expression, but excitement was seeping out of her blue eyes as she cast a grin at Tigre.
“That was a surprise. For you to be able to hit something so far away was beyond my expectations.”
“Just once I also managed to hit something over a distance of 300 alsin.”
While feeling faintly happy about the woman’s tone having changed into one that was more intimate, Tigre spurred on his horse again. He had planned to ask her all kinds of things, but as she barraged him with questions about his age, his archery history, and his hunting results thus far, he couldn’t ask much himself. What he managed to learn was her name of Svetlana and that she had come to visit Urs, just as predicted.
“It’s a name that shouldn’t sound overly familiar to a Brunian. Just call me Lana.”
“Okay, then please call me Tigre, too.”
Around the time when they reached Celesta, the two had already opened up to each other to such an extent that they shared each other’s nicknames.
Back then, Tigre’s father Urs was 48 years old. His dull red hair reached all the way to his shoulders, and his face and arms were sunburnt. He possessed a toned, tall figure, but the calm atmosphere he exuded probably gave others the impression that they were looking at a scholar rather than a noble.
However, he never had missed his training in swordsmanship, spearmanship, and horse-riding. If he stepped on a battlefield, he fought in a way that wouldn’t put any shame on Brunian nobles.
Of course, Urs was surprised by Lana’s sudden visit, but he dealt with her courteously.
“Hoh, all the way from Zhcted’s Olmutz Principality…? If I remember correctly, that land should be ruled by a Vanadis with the alias of Snow Princess of the Frozen Ripples. You have my utmost gratitude for having taken it upon yourself to come all the way out here to such a remote land. If you had informed us in advance, we would have come to greet you from our side.”
Urs and Lana faced each other with a table between them in the parlor. A middle-aged maid placed down silver cups filled with warm wine and withdrew.
“Forgive me for having intruded on you without having sent a messenger beforehand. I spontaneously decided on a short visit to this land during my holiday trip.” And after wetting her lips with the wine, Lana quickly broached the main topic, “How about Olmutz and Alsace form a friendship?”
It was a surprising suggestion. Someone at the level of a high-ranking noble had told the count of a small fief in the sticks that they wanted to build a friendly relationship. The legend of the prince who had befriended the poor to hide the difference in possibilities crossed Urs’s mind. It’d be intolerable for him to have the same happen in reality.
Urs slowly rolled the wine on his tongue, waiting with his answer.
“You want to deepen the friendship with our Alsace… That is a truly welcome offer. By the way, what sort of position do you currently hold in Olmutz, Lady Svetlana?”
“I was its Vanadis until last year. Right now――I’m the mother of the present Vanadis,” Lana answered at once while smiling sweetly.
Urs indifferently kept piling up questions.
“Does this talk follow the current Lady Vanadis’s intention? Or yours?”
“Does it bother you?”
“It does indeed,” Urs answered with a composed attitude.
“The only routes to reach Alsace from Olmutz would be crossing the Vosges Mountains or bypassing the mountains by going north or south. Why would the previous Vanadis and also the mother of the current Vanadis take up such time and effort to come to a place like this. Much less, during this season.”
“I understand. Let me explain,” Lana smiled broadly as if she had expected to be asked this. “Do you know of the principality called Leitmeritz, Lord Urs?”
“I do. To the extent of being acquainted,” Urs replied cautiously.
This wasn’t a humble way of phrasing it, but rather, it was a plain fact. Leitmeritz was a principality run by a Vanadis in the southwestern part of Zhcted. It was only separated from Alsace by the Vosges Mountains. But, because of those very mountains, there was essentially no trade between Alsace and Leitmeritz. Rather than traveling mountain roads that hadn’t been maintained properly, it was much safer to use other roads or sea routes.
Above all, the status between Alsace and Leitmeritz was simply too different. For example: Alsace could deploy 300 soldiers at the most while Leitmeritz could move thousands of soldiers at a beck’s call. It was said that they could field more than 10,000 men if they tried to go for the maximum.
“Most recently, that place experienced a change of Vanadis, too. But, as misfortune wants it, it doesn’t seem like the new Vanadis and the current Vanadis of our Olmutz will be able to ever get along.”
“It sure is a seed of trouble if things are going badly with your neighbors.”
“Yes. Then again, battles between fellow Vanadis are prohibited unless it’s a pretty dire situation.”
This was only natural. If influential people with authorities only dwarfed in comparison to the king clashed with each other while leading thousands of soldiers to battle, that’d be no different from a civil war.
“So what are you hoping to find on this land?” Urs deliberately lifted one eyebrow.
“At the moment I build a friendship with you, it will hinder an improvement in your relationship with Leitmeritz.”
“So it’s a constraint.”
Lana didn’t hide their intention.
“I had it investigated, but a mountain path connecting Alsace with Leitmeritz exists, right?”
“Yes. But, it hasn’t been maintained. Travelers, let alone caravans, take this route very rarely.”
“But the road exists, and that’s what matters here.”
Urs finally comprehended the meaning behind her words.
“Olmutz might invade Leitmeritz through Alsace…is that the possibility you wish to suggest?”
“Indeed. At present the relationship between Brune and Zhcted isn’t that bad. Leitmeritz can’t simply send its soldiers to Alsace either as it’d likely trigger a war between the two nations.”
“I see. But, as far as we’re concerned, your proposal would only buy us Leitmeritz’s hostility.”
“We might be able to offer you some assistance in case you find yourself in trouble. Does that lower your reservations sufficiently?”
Urs didn’t answer right away. Although he had phrased it as this deal holding no benefit for Alsace’s side, it wasn’t as though it didn’t have any advantages at all.
If Alsace befriended Olmutz, they could restrain Leitmeritz. This would likely be a rather good card when considering Alsace’s future. Right now, Alsace’s relationship with Leitmeritz wasn’t bad. But, it was an indisputable fact that their territories were adjacent to each other, and no one said that their current relationship was set for all eternity either.
Moreover, it wasn’t clearly defined whether the Vosges Mountains belonged to Brune or Zhcted. The reason simply being that both knew how impossible it’d be to keep that mountain range under full control after obtaining it. And thus it was an insecure area with regular disputes occurring, even if those mountains served as the border.
As long as I can resolve those problems in my generation before passing the fief to my son…
“Would you allow me to tell you a story?” And after adding a bit of a break, Urs fixed his eyes on Lana and further said, “There’s something I wish to accomplish. It’s to repair the mountain road connecting our Alsace with Leitmeritz to allow more people to travel between the two regions in comparison to now. In addition to funds and time, this also requires negotiations with Leitmeritz. Therefore I believe it to be difficult to put into practice during my time.”
This was something Urs had pondered for many years as lord of Alsace. He had concluded that they’d have no choice but to someday produce some special goods, invite more people into the fief by maintaining the main roads, or expand the territory by achieving some meritorious deeds to develop Alsace.
However, he could tell that maintaining the road wouldn’t be overly funny for Olmutz since Leitmeritz would also benefit from this. And because of that, Urs talked about this.
It didn’t mean that he was about to refuse Lana’s proposal. He was merely asking whether she could accept that Alsace had its own circumstances to worry about.
“If you need help with that, it won’t be a problem,” Lana readily replied.
Even Urs could only smile wryly at having this reply thrown at him. And thus he agreed to form friendly relations with Olmutz.
However, their conversation didn’t end at this point.
“Lord Urs, there is something else I’d like to propose, if you don’t mind.”
“Go ahead,” Urs prompted while putting himself on guard in his mind, wondering what would come next.
But, her words surprised him so much that he unintentionally widened his eyes. Rather, the shock here might have actually been bigger compared to the one from her previous proposal. Lana had said the following:
“Would you entrust your son――Lord Tigrevurmud to me for around one year?”
“That’s…what kind of thinking does that follow?” Urs asked while believing that it was good he hadn’t drunk any of the wine.
Considering things in combination with what they had talked about so far, he could only assume that she was implicitly telling him that she wished to take care of Tigre as a hostage.
“I witnessed his skill in archery on the way here.”
Due to that line, Urs changed the way he looked at Lana.
“What did you think of it?”
“It’s outstanding.” After that brief praise, Lana continued with a cynical smile on her lips, “But, I’d expect to find few who believe the same in Brune.”
Urs had no choice but to admit the truth to her words.
“It is as you say. In the past Brune had formed archer units and made skillful use of them. Some of those archers even obtained marvelous deeds of arms, but he won’t be able to get any recognition. My son is estranged from court matters…no, this is my fault, I suppose. My son loves this land of Alsace.”
“I can understand. Back when my daughter became a Vanadis, I was also so happy that I couldn’t even express it in words. My beloved daughter cherishes the land I poured my heart blood into as its lord…even nowadays I still cannot describe the joy I felt at that time. ――Forgive me, I digressed.” Lana bowed and then continued, “No prejudice of that sort exists in our Olmutz. I think that might have a good influence on the boy. If you entrust him to me, I promise that he will be appropriately treated as Olmutz’s guest.”
Urs didn’t reply at once. Lana’s proposal was extremely attractive. If her words contained no falsehood, Lana would be able to give Tigre something his father couldn’t give to him, even if he wanted. A proper evaluation by the surroundings for his excellent skills in archery, and a life in an unknown land.
Urs expected that this would become a much better experience than living in Brune’s capital, for example. But, it also came with danger.
First off, Lana’s words could just be a front while in reality a harsh life as hostage would await Tigre. Second, the distance between Alsace and Olmutz. Even if something happened to Tigre, Urs wouldn’t be able to hear of it right away, let alone taking the necessary steps to react effectively.
Tigre, who had grown into a healthy, sturdy boy, was equivalent to Alsace’s future for Urs. Entrusting his son to her was the same as entrusting her with the Vorn family and Alsace.
‘Maybe I should turn this down. But, an opportunity allowing Tigre to do something like this might never come around again.
The internal conflict of Urs lasted rather shortly (a count of ten breaths) in regards to time, but it was quite severe nonetheless. To the extent that it completely overshadowed the issue of befriending Olmutz.
After breathing out deeply, Urs gazed at Lana and said, “As far as I’m concerned, I would ask you to take care of my son, but…I would also like to hear his own wish on the matter. If my son says that he wishes to go, I shall leave him in your hands.”
Urs summoned Tigre to the parlor and explained the circumstances to him. Tigre looked rather mystified.
“Do you want to go to Olmutz?”
Even though he hesitated, Tigre’s answer was still almost instantaneous.
“I will go.”
“Are you sure…?” Urs reflexively asked due to the quickness of his son’s answer.
Tigre nodded with a smile, “Previously, when you showed me the map, you said that it’s necessary for me to see the vast world without limiting myself to Alsace, didn’t you Father? That is why I will go there. I will take a look at all kinds of things in Olmutz and then tell you all about it.”
“So it’s decided, huh?” Lana clapped her hands together with a smile that told everyone that she considered Tigre’s statement to have been a fine choice of words.
＊
The journey from Alsace to Olmutz would take more than twenty days. If one hurried, it’d be possible to cut the length down by a few days, but since Tigre, and above all, Lana were present, traveling with safety as first priority was set in stone.
Lana’s aides had a positive opinion of Tigre. Of course Lana dotting on the boy played into this, but more than that, it allowed them to restrain their mistress’s reckless actions as she looked after Tigre.
During the journey, one of the aides seriously told Tigre, “We’re truly grateful to you. As soon as you take your eyes off our lady, she casually wanders off to hunt, enters forests she spotted along the way…competes against us in fishing after finding a suitable river…or makes a contest out of who can process the deer she brought down the fastest…”
Tigre’s honest and adventurous personality might also have worked its charm on the aides, but nothing was as appreciative to them as pinning down Lana who was usually an unbound free spirit.
Due to those circumstances, Tigre soon opened up to Lana’s aides as well and they became close enough to chat about silly stuff during the time when they crossed the Vosges.
“This is just my guess, but…” An aide, who was especially close to Tigre, addressed the boy.
He was an elderly man called Galyinin and he always treated Tigre politely during their interactions.
“…Lady Svetlana’s objective in taking you along to Olmutz might be for the sake of introducing you to Lady Vanadis. I think Lady Svetlana would like you to become Lady Vanadis’s friend, if possible, and if not, at least a good conversation partner.”
“Lady Vanadis means Lady Lana’s…”
“Yes, her daughter. She is your age.”
“What sort of person is Lady Vanadis?” Tigre asked, curiosity twinkling in his eyes.
Previously he had also asked Lana about it, but she had dodged the issue by answering, “Please find out yourself after meeting her in person.”
Galyinin replied, “She is a splendid person. But, I think it would be better to not pay too much heed to my words. After all, you and us are looking for different things in Lady Vanadis.”
Several days later Tigre arrived at the official residence of Olmutz.
＊
A girl greeted the party when they entered the official residence.
“――I’m more than delighted to see you return safely, Svetlana.”
Her blue hair, which was cut at shoulder length, and her blue eyes, which reminded one of unblemished ice, were impactful. Her hand held a spear with elaborate ornaments. One could feel a dignity from her commanding expression that didn’t match her youthfulness.
Lana knelt down in front of the young girl and performed a retainer’s bow. The aides imitated her.
“I cannot express my gratitude for you, Lady Vanadis, to come greet us in person. It might be somewhat abrupt, but there is someone I would like to introduce to you.”
“I have already heard about him. The eldest son of the Earl Vorn family, was it?”
Being prompted by Lana, Tigre stepped up in front of her.
――This girl is a Vanadis…
He had heard that she was fourteen years old, just like him, but seeing her imposing attitude and adults kneeling in front of her, she appeared far older to him.
――Get a grip, me.
He reprimanded himself. He was in a position of visiting this place as a guest, but Tigre also represented Alsace. If he acted disgracefully here, it’d reflect badly on his father and the people of Alsace. The same also applied to Lana who had said that she’d take care of him.
“It is an honor to meet you, Lady Ludmilla Lourie,” Tigre somehow managed to say what he ought to say while holding out his right hand.
The smile he strove to create turned out to be somewhat cramped, though. Mila revealed a wry smile while being about to grab his hand.
“The pleasure is on my side. Let me welcome you, Tigre――”
Suddenly Mila’s hand stopped halfway, just like her words. Seeing her expression, Tigre immediately grasped the reason as it was something he was used to experiencing.
“If it’s hard to say, then call me Tigre, please. I’m often called like that in my hometown, too.”
“I-It’s not like I have any problems w-with it or a-a-anything…” Mila attempted to refute her unexpected blunder with a bright red face.
But, before she could finish her objection, her retainers, beginning with Lana, began to laugh quietly. Their laughter was well-meant, but Mila became increasingly embarrassed as she cast her face downwards.
Tigre felt a weird sense of relief as he watched her. The one standing there wasn’t the ruler of a principality, but a girl who truly seemed to have the same age as him.
Still, isn’t there anything I can use to make it somehow work?
Thinking so, a certain idea immediately struck him, which was rare in his case.
“――――Lady Lourie,” calling out to her, Tigre held out his hand once more, “my earlier words were a bit lacking. Please forgive me for that. This is something I have heard from Lady Svetlana on the way here, but Zhcted seems to have a custom of those close to each other using nicknames. The name Tigre is something like a nickname for me. I wish to become a good friend of yours during my stay in this land. If possible, could you do me the favor of calling me Tigre?”
Back then Tigre’s Zhcted wasn’t overly fluent and he would add some weird mispronunciation or stammering here and there, but his message got across to Mila nonetheless. She pulled herself together and grabbed Tigre’s hand this time.
“Thanks, Lord Tigrevurmud. I shall take you up on your kind offer and call you Tigre outside of official occasions. Please refer to me as Mila at such times.”
Her having called him properly as Tigrevurmud there was owed to her obstinacy. Both exchanged a handshake.
This would mark the first meeting between Mila and Tigre.
＊
Tigre’s life in Olmutz could be described as comfortable thanks to Lana and Galyinin also helping Tigre wherever they could. Except for matters related to Mila, that is.
Even holding a simple conversation with Mila was already a series of groping in the dark. For example, when Tigre told Mila about having gone to the castle town with Lana to enjoy the songs of a popular troubadour, Mila obviously became sulky. Tigre couldn’t tell her the story precisely because his Zhcted was clumsy, and so he seriously worried that he might have angered her.
In reality, her bad mood stemmed from her irritation about her mother and Tigre getting along so well, her appallment over Tigre only playing around, and her exhaustion because of all the official work she had to perform, but it was only much later that Tigre finally understood that part.
Even though he sometimes ruined her mood like that, Tigre didn’t lose heart and continued to talk her up whenever he spotted an opportunity. He was well aware of their difference in standing, but he wanted to get along with her despite that.
Of course, his stubbornness to perform as representative of Alsace also played a role in this, but very likely Tigre had already been charmed by her at this point in time.
It was only when Mila started to go on inspections of the castle town that Tigre finally got the chance to slowly add casual chatting to their conversations which used to be mostly limited to greetings. Lana had suggested Mila to accompany Tigre, and Mila had agreed to that.
Tigre’s goal was to learn all sorts of things in Olmutz. For Mila, on the other hand, it was linked to showing hospitality to a guest. Moreover, the pride of wanting to show off the city, which was the living proof of her reign, had also influenced her decision.
However, once she started with her inspections, Tigre acted in ways Mila hadn’t expected at all. Spotting a bar, he told her that the pork stew in that place was really delicious. Once they approached a small square, he told her about having listened to a troubadour here the other day. And spotting Tigre, a juice seller at a stall waved her hand amiably, which the youth returned with a wave of his own.
“Just how much…did you, umm…explore the castle town?” Mila asked him reflexively.
Tigre casually answered, “I think I’ve been here almost every day.”
For Tigre who almost never left Alsace, a foreign metropolis was a treasure trove of new and exciting novelties. He got elated to no end by just walking through the city’s streets. He had lots of time and he didn’t need to worry about his necessities of life. And on top of all that, he had the just cause of studying, too.
Since he was treated as an official guest, a knight to serve as his guide and guard would be attached whenever he planned to go outside, but Lana frequently took responsibility for that role. And she’d lead Tigre all over the place without the slightest care whether they ended up in filthy back streets or deserted alleys. Devouring grilled skewers bought at street stalls, applauding to the performance of clowns, getting dragged into bar brawls, or sharing casually purchased bread with Lana; Tigre fully enjoyed the castle town.
After finishing the inspection, Mila’s group returned to the official residence. Mila thanked the knights for her work and dissolved the group. As she watched them walk away after bowing, Mila sighed.
“Did you get tired?” Tigre asked her out of consideration while standing next to her.
Mila shook her head and looked at Tigre with peevish eyes.
“That’s not it. I just thought I know less about my castle town than you do.”
“But, you’re busy with your official duties, so that’s inevitable, isn’t it?” Tigre told her in an attempt to console her.
Today’s inspection was something she had somehow managed to squeeze into her busy work schedule. Tigre knew because Galyinin had told him.
“It’s not inevitable!” Mila barked back as if to thrust Tigre away. “This is my principality. It’s the city where I was born and grew up before having succeeded it from Mother. And yet, someone like you who hasn’t even been here for a month…!”
Having spoken up to that point, Mila bit down on her lips and let her head hang. Soon after, she muttered an apology, “Forgive me. I went too far.”
As for Tigre, he was staring at Mila with a troubled face. He didn’t blame her. Or rather, he didn’t regard this as an issue of either of them being in the wrong. Currently he judged it to be most important to cheer her up again.
It wasn’t as though he knew everything about Alsace either. He knew she was doing her best with her official business and could tell that his and her situation weren’t really comparable.
After thinking it over from various angles, Tigre finally spoke up, “How about the two of us going out in the city sometime soon?”
Probably as a measure to gauge the intention behind Tigre’s words, Mila raised her face, and then furrowed her eyebrows.
“Are you saying you want to inspect other places than the ones we saw today?”
“I’m not talking about an inspection, but about going out incognito. We will pretend to be travelers and nonchalantly walk all over the city.”
“I don’t want to do that,” Mila responded straight away. “You just want to show off that you know all sorts of things, don’t you? If you want to go, you can simply head out with Mother as usual.”
Tigre ruffled his hair and did his best to squeeze out, “You saw the soup-selling stall next to the temple that worships the God of Fame Radegast, didn’t you? That soup tastes awesome. Also, there’s that big two-storied inn with the green roof. Usually you’ll find a troubadour at the corner of that inn. He will sing songs from distant countries for you.”
“What do you want to tell me with all that?”
“Teaching a friend about delicious food and fun songs is only natural, isn’t it?”
“Friend?”
“Didn’t I tell you that I want to become your friend when we met for the first time?”
In response, Mila’s eyes flew wide open, as if having heard something completely unexpected, and she fell silent while casting her face down. All traces of irritation and grimness had disappeared from her face, so Tigre felt relieved in his mind.
Before long, Mila only moved her eyes, looking up to Tigre. She was around two fists smaller than him.
“So you want to invite me to such places as your friend?”
Tigre nodded.
Mila pouted, “You’re not very noble-like, are you? It’s weird of you to invite me to soup sold at stalls and songs sung at street corners, instead of balls, poetry recitals, or banquets where wine, mead, duck meat, and chicken meat are served.”
“I don’t really know those kinds of events. Ah, but if you want to eat duck and chicken meat, I’ll do my best to hunt them down for you, if you tell me of some mountain where those birds live.”
Mila burst into laughter upon Tigre’s reply. After shrugging her shoulders, she breathed out deeply.
“I got it. I’ll open up some time soon so that you can show me the city in your own way.”
Several days later, Tigre took Mila out of the official residence as promised.
Given that he had received a small allowance from Lana for living in this place, it hadn’t been too difficult to prepare some clothes for disguising. Furthermore, since it had become a normal sight for Tigre to leave the official residence to head out into the city, people overlooked him heading out without guards or guides.
“Doesn’t this outfit look weird?” Mila asked Tigre with her cheeks blushing in embarrassment.
She wore a woolen tunic above a long-sleeved linen shirt and skirt. Her head was covered by a hat with a broad rim.
“I think it suits you. Either way, no one will be able to tell that it’s you.”
It wasn’t flattery either. He really thought it fit her nicely. However, what bothered him was Mila holding Lavias in her hand. They had made sure that you wouldn’t be able to see that it was a spear by wrapping it up in several layers of linen cloth, but it might stand out a bit too much as luggage of a traveling girl.
Back then, Tigre still didn’t understand what Lavias meant to Mila.
――However, I guess it isn’t that odd either.
Even for Mila this was her first time traveling incognito. Having a familiar weapon at hand for the sake of defending herself if something were to happen likely gave her a peace of mind, Tigre assumed and decided to leave it at that.
In the beginning, right after they set out, Mila frequently pinned down her hat or minded her clothes, but eventually she started to focus on other things, apparently having stopped caring about her getup.
They slurped soup from street stalls, listened to the songs of troubadours, ate bread smeared with mashed potatoes, and joined girls and boys who were playing skittles in an open lot of land.
Walking all over the place, the two had a blast. Around the time when the sun started to sink beyond the horizon, the two entered a bar. They planned to go back to the official residence after taking a break over there. They ordered wine and had a lively chat about a Brunian acrobat they had watched earlier.
It was at that moment that both hurt what the men at the next table were talking about.
“Come to think of it, the other day Lady Vanadis inspected the city… It might be because she’s still young, but I kinda felt like she isn’t all that reliable.”
“Lady Svetlana retiring as Vanadis was a huge loss, yep.”
“Having said that, there’s rumors that Lady Svetlana is still helping out. I think it’s going to be alright.”
With close to half her wine still left, Mila left her seat.
“Sorry, I’ll go back first.”
After looking back and forth between his own wine and her leaving the bar, Tigre drained down the purple liquid in one go and stood up. He left the bar and scanned the vicinity, just to spot Mila quickly walking along a street with few pedestrians. He quickly ran up next to her.
Her profile betrayed that she was holding back on crying.
“I don’t mind. It’s not like they said something evil about me.”
But, it still hurt you, Tigre assessed.
Him not voicing that out right away was proof of his growth. After he walked next to her for a while, Mila said, “I know that I cannot measure up to Mother in anything as Vanadis. I’m well aware of it myself.”
Less than a year had passed since Mila became a Vanadis. It was only natural for many people to miss Lana. And exactly because Mila understood that part, she had endured all the grueling work in an attempt to act properly as a Vanadis.
“I really don’t mind. It’s something I’ve often heard in the official residence, too.”
She was clearly bluffing. But Tigre knew that she wouldn’t admit to it, even if he pointed it out. He suspected that she’d rather become more stubborn about it instead.
“Mila, do you like your father――Lord Theodor?” Tigre asked after having thought it over.
While looking baffled, Mila nodded.
Tigre had met Mila’s father only once. Lana had introduced him to the young boy. Theodor was a middle-aged man with an aura that combined honesty and gentleness. He had previously served as bureaucrat in the official residence, but once Mila became the Vanadis, he had retired from his public post and settled down as innkeeper. He did so because he was worried that his presence in the official residence of Olmutz would have a bad influence on his daughter’s rule.
“The blood of Lady Svetlana and Lord Theodor flows through your veins, Mila. In short, the good parts of both exist inside you. That alone makes you much more amazing than Lady Svetlana, I’d think.”
Mila looked at Tigre with a dumbfounded expression.
“Going by that logic, the flaws of Mother and Father exist in me as well. Their bad parts are quite well known, too.”
“I’d say you’ve got to somehow make do with their good parts…,” Tigre appealed earnestly, causing a wry smile to appear on Mila’s lips.
“I will approve of your sincerity. At most you get a failing grade for your consolation, though.”
“That’s one harsh assessment,” Tigre shrugged his shoulders, but his expression was bright.
While having such silly conversation, both naturally directed their feet in the direction of the official residence.
On that evening, Mila invited Tigre to her own room and treated him to her tea for the first time.
＊
The year in Olmutz passed in the blink of an eye and the day for Tigre to go back home to Alsace came before he realized it. Mila had come out in front of the gate leading onto the grounds of the official residence to see Tigre off.
Just like back when they had met for the first time, Tigre and Mila exchanged a handshake.
Tigre said, “I’ll write you a letter once I reach Alsace.”
“Obviously,” Mila responded with a pout.
No further words were exchanged between the two. After all, they had finished saying their goodbyes in private last night. Under the Sizurite, the boy had told the girl his feelings, and the girl had rejected them. And then they had talked about a fairy-tale.
“See you again.”
“Yes, let us meet again,” Mila returned the same words with a giggle. “I will wait for your arrow to reach the Sizurite.”
She gently pressed her lips against Tigre’s right cheek, before smiling at him sweetly.
Madan no Ou to Michelia Volume 1 – End
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