Shiro no Koukoku Monogatari Chapter 3

Last Edit: 17 July 16.

He did not think of hating the sky.

Regardless of the town being dead quiet or people raising voices of anguish, the sky remains unchanging.

「Ora!! Walk quickly! 」

Looking down on the road below, mercenaries were leading children with ropes tied around their necks for a walk. There were rumours of slaves being moved on board s.h.i.+ps, slipping through the eyes of the navy at the port. Apparently it was true.

Among this country’s people, races which were unrecognized by other countries were not few. Once they were taken out of the country, it would be difficult to rescue them.

The number of s.h.i.+ps heading out towards open sea which was next to the capital was by no means small. There were too few navy wars.h.i.+ps to control all these s.h.i.+ps, and their movement were restricted by the army headquarter which was giving out such orders in succession.

They could be ignored on the pretext that the army’s authority belonged only to the Emperor, though originally in the case where things were in perfect operation, information which ought to be pa.s.sed down should not have been isolated.

「Do you want to be beaten to death like your brother and sister!?」

「Hii」

That was precisely why such violence could be gotten away with.

However, a spy of Duke Lindovorum slipped into the capital, and as always recorded any misfortunes which he saw befalling onto the people of the capital, before sending it to his master.

He was at the rooftop, a blind spot of the mercenaries; however without the presence of the army or the palace guards, there was no means of rescuing those children.

If he were to act, his existence would be known to the mercenaries. In that case, he might impede the mission of the spies who were similarly hiding within each organisation of the capital, thereby making it impossible to fulfil their original mission.

The capital’s information was the lifeline for those outside.

He had to take appropriate action at the appropriate time, and by no means was he putting on air about his own existence.

「–Please forgive me」

Muttering words to no one, they disappeared without reaching anyone’s ears.

◊◊◊

Vilia changed into civilian clothes and headed out towards the city.

She lightly descended from the a.s.sistant seat of the magic transportation vehicle which exited from the castle, bowing to the butler serving as the driver.

「Well then, we shall proceed」

「Un, do be careful」

Towards the butler whose red hair was mixed with white ones, Vilia saw him off with a smile.

For the princess’s errand, she hitched a ride on the a.s.sistant side, yet the appearance of her looking out of the window in dissatisfaction make her seemed like a sulking child.

That behaviour gave off a sense of nostalgia, with her att.i.tude resembling a child being sent out on an errand for the first time. Failing to notice this, Vilia began walking with her ponytail waving like a tail.

「Such a mystery huh」

Towards Vilia’s retreating figure disappearing into the midst of the street, the butler soliloquized.

While steering the magical vehicle from the public parking s.p.a.ce to a familiar shop, he was reminded about the figure of the young man who was picked up by the princess. Since the young man’s arrival, the castle had become slightly livelier.

Out of consideration for Meriela, the white imperial residence continued to be wrapped up in a mourning-like silence. Be it stewards, butlers or maids, they merely pa.s.sed their days peacefully.

But that was broken apart by just a single young man.

Besides working, Meriela visited the young man and her downcast face would slightly look up from the exchange of words.

Despite Vilia floating an expression of displeasure, she had performed most of the tasks of looking after the young man accurately on Meriela’s order. The scene of her preparing baked sweets while spilling out complaints in the maid resting area was also seen by him.

「If this development becomes any bigger…」

She understood that such a thing was impossible. However, she could not help wis.h.i.+ng so.

Just because she did not know his face, she was not that cold-hearted to not feel anything from hearing about an outsider’s misfortune. Nor was she that heartless to not wish of wanting to change when she understood why someone was crying¹.

For those who do not know–flames of purpose dwelt in the people’s minds when founding the former country.

If you save someone, that someone might in turn save a person important to you.

Even if your hand can not reach, someone else hand might be able to.

「–When my work is finished, should I pay a small visit?」

At the end of today’s schedule, he would be at his favourite pub.

Regardless of retired or active, soldiers frequently gathered at the shop which was opened by his former superior after retiring from military. If it was that place, it was possible to get some information.

「Even if you cover your ears, you can never fool the voice inside you」

Such words were coming out from the instructors’ mouths in the midst of that painful marching drills. (TN: Vilia’s memory)

And by facing away from her true feelings, she had betrayed herself.

「Doesn’t seem like anything change…」

Nevertheless, there was no regret for not doing anything.

◊◊◊

Entering the branch office of the government, there were people here and there.

They probably visited the branch office for various important matters, though in general, their expressions were dark.

The clerk stationed at the reception stood up upon noticing Vilia’s figure.

「May I know your business here?」

Though the clerk barely floated a smile, the place’s atmosphere did not soften.

While feeling sympathetic, on Meriela’s request, Vilia handed an application doc.u.ment for validating a person’s ident.i.ty to the clerk.

「I would like to submit these doc.u.ments」

The clerk retrieved the doc.u.ments from the envelope, and upon recognizing them belonging to the acting feudal lord Meriela, put them back into the envelope once again. If the surrounding people noticed Vilia’s connection to the Duke, it might cause unnecessary disturbance.

There were people who visited this place to ascertain the conditions of their relatives in the capital. In reality, the possibility of acquiring information according to one’s wish is low, but there were few people who would give up.

「Will it be alright for the results to be delivered?」

Considering it was a request from the acting feudal lord, the doc.u.ments would naturally be processed with priority. It might not even take one hour of waiting time.

「Ie, I will wait」

「Understood, please wait at the seat there」

At the far back place pointed out by the clerk was a reception area. With part.i.tions obstructing views from the surrounding, it became impossible to tell who is there.

「I am in your care」

Giving a bow, Vilia sat at the designated seat. In the corner of the s.p.a.cious reception compartment, she opened a telegram placed on top of the desk.

「As I thought, admission to the capital is still restricted」

The white dragon palace differed from the other Dukes’ castles in a sense where it did not function as a government, hence the opportunity for Vilia to view government bulletin was few. However she understood from the contents that nothing had improved.

The function of the government itself was running. Entrusted with administrative authority from the Emperor and because under the pretext of acting as regent, the ministries of domestic affairs, foreign affairs and military did not lose their functions.

The bureaucrats complied with the former proclaimed Emperor’s orders, and refused the directives of the supporting n.o.bles, citing 「we have not received the imperial decree for suspension」

However, it was undeniable that the capital’s functions were under considerable limitations. Several functions had been transferred to neighbouring cities. At the very least, the use of trials to administer justice could no longer be performed in the capital.

If not, the supporting n.o.bles could distort the law to injure people.

The antagonism between the bureaucrats and supporting n.o.bles should still be unfolding within the capital even now.

It was because of this confrontation that the worst case scenario was avoided.

「No matter what the field marshal, regent for the army’s authority who had lost his foundations (根拠), and the armed forces staff headquarter said, the unit at the scene would not move. With the administration of justice forbidding any impartial judicial activity, its use was limited in the capital. Though legislation came up with proposals, without the presence of His Majesty who possessed the authority, it was a hopeless situation²」

Seeing how well the situation was progressing within the country, Vilia wanted to burst into laughter.

She could not help but sympathized with the supporting n.o.bles who seized the capital city which had inevitably become a caged castle. They underestimated this country too much.

From a certain viewpoint, the emperor seemed to hold absolute authority, though in the definition of the Empire’s laws, that was not the case.

Because of the first article of Empire’s basic law, it became that way.

『Everything in the Empire belongs to the Emperor』

In a country, its ruler is not the Emperor. Only when an Emperor is there, does a country exists³.

Therefore, even if the supporting n.o.bles tried to hold onto the country, it was nothing more than an empty husk. It held no significance and only maintained the status quo. The ability to receive orders cannot be invoked without the Emperor.

「Still, for how long can you endure?」

Though people might believe that the capital could be recovered, an『Emperor』 was still necessary.

A capital is no more than a city; the Emperor is the country itself.

If that is not the case, nothing can be done. Contrary, the situation can be changed immediately if that is true.

For that reason, Meriela began to move.

Vilia trusted Meriela.

「If that man becomes the Emperor, a , Hime-sama can be saved」

◊◊◊

「This may not seem like it but I have some confidence in this tea」

While saying that, she brewed red tea with practiced movement. Pouring boiling water and tea leaves into the warm pot, the splendid hue of the tea could be seen in just a short time.

(She is skilful.)

Because she was a n.o.ble’s daughter, Letival thought with certainty that she would let a maid brewed the tea; hence he could only admire Meriela’s magnificent skill.

「Douzo」

「Itadakimasu」

Lectival accepted the porcelain cup together with the saucer, but he suddenly noticed from the tea’s surface that it was about to spill over. Thus he searched for the cause by looking at Meriela’s hands, and his attention was caught by the ink (インク) sticking onto them.

Her hands were covered with small wounds. The wounds and her nails which were permeated in ink contrasted excessively with Meriela’s lovely figure.

「What is the matter? –Ah! 」

When Meriela felt Lectival looking towards her hands, she remembered her dirtied hands which were permeated by ink, and hurriedly push the tea onto Lectival.

「I, I am sorry」

Seemingly ashamed, she concealed her flushed face behind her hands and murmured「I am truly sorry. Such things do not happen all the time…」 The permeated ink would not come off by simply was.h.i.+ng, hence she should not feel liable, but she continued keeping her face down.

「Ano, I am not particularly bothered by it」

Be it Lectival calling out to her cheerfully or complimenting the tea being delicious after drinking it, Meriela did not raise her face. However, only her ears were dyed red, what kind of expression was she concealing was up to Lectival’s guess.

Until not long ago, the room was shrouded in an awfully serious atmosphere, yet the interior was too quiet now.

However no matter how Meriela tried to hide, he noticed the multiple wounds on her hands, causing his smile to fade away from his expression.

「–Those wounds, how did you get them?」

He asked a question to hide his uneasiness, whereupon Meriela gave a troubled smile after seeing her own hand.

「I am fine, my tribe has high recovery strength」

Obviously that was not the answer Lectival wanted.

And the expression of Meriela who was on the verge of tears was something which he never wishes to see.

Without a clear reason, it was unpleasant watching such a face.

「Although you have a high recovery strength, can such small wounds not be healed?」

「You are really mean」

However the present him had no words to make Meriela smile.

He did not know any clever speech or gestures.

Therefore he tried to provoke her at most. Though it could be understood that such tricks were too inept immediately if you thought a little, the pair could not sense that at that point of time.

「It has nothing to do with you」

「Well…」

With eyes overflowing with the strongest intent unlike before, Lectival stared into Meriela’s golden eyes.

Meriela received such gaze for a moment, but unable to bear it before long, she averted her eyes.

「–You truly are a mean person」

「It’s my loss. I’ll keep quiet since you showed such a face」

To be silenced from that extent, Lectival had yet to become an adult. Nor did he want to become such an adult either.

「Your especially pretty face is ruined」

「You should choose a better place for flattery. In a place without any ambiance, I can only be embarra.s.sed」

Though Meriela said so, her face was blus.h.i.+ng, seemingly extremely embarra.s.sed.

Towards Lectival who said such words with calm face, her sense of shame was stirring up increasingly.

「Could you please show me your hands just a little?」

「Eh? But…」

Lectival forcibly pulled Meriela’s hands towards himself while she was hesitating. Such a thing would not have happened had Meriela resist seriously, but with a surprised face, she was not able to oppose the young man who had grasped her hands. Until now, there had not been anyone who treated her this way.

Everyone treated her like a princess, even her army’s superiors and instructors just barely adopted an appropriate att.i.tude, perhaps she was known as the ‘daughter of white dragon duke’ except during work and business. It might be a first, for the man in front to not change his att.i.tude.

「Regarding your skin being white, does this part becomes rough easily?」

As Lectival said so, he wrapped both his hands around Meriela’s.

His body warmth was gradually being pa.s.sed to Meriela.

「–Uu」

That was very embarra.s.sing. If she were to concentrate on the transferring of body temperature, it was as if she was feeling the harmony between intimate couple.

Her entire hands were wrapped in kindness, and the places which felt rough pains were caressed in gentleness. This should not be a healing magic but a simple loving caress, yet the wounds on Meriela’s porcelain-white hands were cured in succession.

It was a miraculous spectacle. To cure wounds inflicted by magic; is it not a miracle bestowed by G.o.d?

「I may get angry from hearing those words you know?」

Lectival did not know the reason behind the phenomenon which he caused.

He only knew it was not a miracle.

「I think it is unnecessary to feel the pain of the people whom you want to protect」

Meriela’s shoulders shook greatly. To obtain forgiveness from feeling pain was her own shallowness, and to be seen through by the man whom she met for the first time caused a shock. It made her body react and her heart sway.

「But unless I understand their pain…」

「It is a pseudo experience, though it is another thing if the sensation is shared. And even if that was not the case, in a true sense, is it not possible to not understand the pain they felt? 」

「Jya, am I unable to understand their suffering for a long time?」

It was a mistake to ask him.

But there were no other alternatives besides listening. It was to that extent that her heart wanted an answer.

「Is it so important for you to understand their suffering?」

Meriela could not comprehend Lectival’s words.

How can someone be a states-person if he cannot understand the citizens’ anguish and joy?

「Is it not obvious? If not…if that couldn't be done, then they will not recognize us as rulers」

「Is that really the case?」

The expression of the inquiring Lectival was calm, exactly opposite that of Meriela’s. The answer within him did not waver from Meriela’s words.

「If you can understand the people’s suffering, what will become of them?」

「–…」

That was a point which she was not able to deny.

Can their wish be known even if she understands their pain? However, even if she understands, how she goes about fulfilling their wishes; is yet another question.

「You are mistaken about your methods and purposes which you may regret later. What you ought to do is not feel the false sense of people’s suffering, but rather to consider ideal ways to remove their suffering」

「But, that being the case, what people want is…」

「As for what they want, I think listening to their voices is the only choice. Letting your imagination run wild, injuring yourself, saying you are trying to understand at your own convenience, you are only just mistaking your methods and purposes」

For Lectival, the reality of this world from Meriela’s talk was nothing more than other people’s affairs after all. If she were to hear those words, she may fly into a rage. For a person oblivious to reality, his knowledge is limited to what he knew by asking.

However his reality was the slender white hands placed within his hands where pitiful scars and her expressed grief were carved onto them.

He reflected on the thought of doing something about reality, thus arriving upon this solution.

「To begin with, you should put yourself back into perfect condition. If you were to collapse, you would not be able to save people who have chances of being rescued」

「Are you comforting me? 」

「Not in the least, I am not that good of a person to comfort you to that extent」

Lectival gently released Meriela’s hands which did not have a single scar remaining.

「You are not mistaken. Was there not something you acquired from injuring yourself? Afterwards, you just have to use it well」

「And if I am not able to use it well?」

It was an ill-natured question.

Despite that, Lectival did not break his smile.

「What you acquired from suffering setbacks can furthermore be used well. No matter how many times you fail or give up, as long as you do not resign yourself, opportunities will appear. As of now, you are still living; you can walk and talk, and just like that, smile gently」

「–?」

Meriela touched her face reflexively.

Was she smiling? Supposing she was, then what kind of expression was it?

Was it the same expression during the time of peace or was it a smile that she, as a respectful young lady, wore for business?

Without changing her question, she asked Lectival again.

「–What kind of face am I making now?」

Lectival answered with a nod after showing a manner of slight consideration.

「One that suits you; a lovely smiling face」

Meriela, with her palm on her cheeks, felt her temperature and was convinced her face was dyed bright red.

◊◊◊

「Hime-sama, about the matter regarding that man…」

Vilia called out to Meriela who was walking down the corridor.

Three days had pa.s.sed since the man named Lectival had awakened, and the doctor had approved of extending the visiting hours. It turned to the point of Meriela taking advantage of the extra hours. She pa.s.sed her time speaking with Lectival about his origin, though midway she seemed to grumble about the country’s status.

But thanks to that, Meriela became calmer compared to before. The opinion in the castle was unanimous, that this was the effect of the young man saving her.

If there was an exception, it might be Vilia.

「Ee, did you found out anything?」

「At the very least, from the information terminal of the administration, nothing can be discovered」

It was uncertain whether Vilia sounded displeased because Meriela, whom she considered as a younger sister, was taken away by the opposite s.e.x or simply due to her task being unable to turn up any results.

At least Meriela seemed to pa.s.s her judgement on the latter.

「I see, not much time has pa.s.sed yet so there is no helping it. Thank you Vilia」

She clasped Vilia’s hands and showed a smile as thanks for her effort.

Vilia bit her lips secretly when she noticed the various wounds on Meriela’s hands had disappeared.

Not just Meriela’s mind, even her flesh was healed by that young man. Vilia couldn’t be considered a child for refusing to admit this truth; even an adult would not readily admit it.

Her reasoning was clouded by the regrettable feelings piling up inside her heart.

「If that person is truly a …I…」

Her mistress seemingly decided on something, Vilia was not able to reply anything to her words.

Between the two who were raised like sisters was a gap in position which by no means can be filled.

End of Chapter 3