Chapter 19: Plans

“Hey Saburi, take a look at this.”

Hario held the black speck on his forefinger in front of Saburi’s face.

“…What’s that?”

“My booger. It’s huge, right?”

“That’s disgusting… Don’t show me that shit, man.”

When Saburi brushed his hand away, Hario laughed, flicking the large, black speck outside the watchtower. It was nearly an hour after midnight, a light drizzle falling around the perimeter of Winter Fortress.

“We do the same stuff day in and day out,” said Saburi. “You think that’s okay?”

On a daily basis, neither of them took their jobs seriously. Taking advantage of the absence of Hinokaji, their true supervisor, they’d secretly brought snacks and alcohol into their workstations. Paired with the sound of falling rain, the alcohol tasted delicious. Nevertheless, Saburi felt uncomfortable, as though they’d gone too far. Ignoring his ever timid partner, Hario – who’d brought the alcohol – hummed in good spirits, tipping back the liquor bottle.

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” he said. “That fussy old man doesn’t leave very often. Even the other guys are half-assing their jobs right now. Hic! And anyway, no one passes through the sticks in the middle of the night. See, take a look. There’s no one… there?”

Standing and looking in the eastern direction of Aventurine, Hario reacted strangely. Without delay, Saburi stood up as well, looking in the same direction.

“Is that a person?” he asked.

In the distance, they spotted a shadowy figure running towards them atop the vaguely luminescent Alabaster Road. Amidst the pitch-black darkness, they likely wouldn’t have noticed him if not for the rainfall.

“Hey,” said Hario. “Isn’t that the new guy who went with the Squire Sergeant?”

Despite being blocked by the misty rain, the indistinct form did appear to be a man with grayish hair and a black eyepatch, just as Hario had said.

“Looks like it…” said Saburi. “But why is he running, and where are Miyahi and the Squire Sergeant?”

“How should I know? Anyway, you should report this to the others.”

“Who do you mean by others?”

“Everyone who’s working the night shift,” said Hario, placing one foot on the ladder leading below. “And you should also wake up the old lady who works in the mess hall immediately.”

“Hey, what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to report to Bright Lord Corrin. Based on how the new guy’s running, this doesn’t look like a trivial matter.”

Once he’d finished speaking, Hario slid down the ladder, Saburi hurrying to keep up.

***

A large crowd of people had gathered before the eastern gate of the courtyard. Corrin Tar and his two personal guards stood at the front. Behind him were the Squires working the night shift and Yaina, who managed the mess hell. Everyone stared transfixed at the opening gate.

Beyond the opened gate stood the newly recruited young man, just as Hario and Saburi had seen earlier. His entire body soaking wet, he supported himself with hands on knees. Breathing heavily, he wore an expression of such exhaustion that it was painful to look upon. Taking in his appearance, Yaina was the first to run over to his side.

“Lad, what in the world happened to you?” she asked. “Where are Miyahi and my husband?”

In response to her question, the young man began to speak breathlessly. “They were imprisoned by Aventurine… by the queen, and—”

As the young man continued speaking, his words inspired surprise and bewilderment in everyone present. Lost for words, Yaina covered her mouth. However, one person reacted differently from everyone else. That man was Corrin Tar, the highest ranking member of the fortress. Standing diagonally behind him, Saburi could see the man’s face growing more and more pale.

From his luggage sack, the young man withdrew a letter contained within a gold tube, handing it to Corrin Tar. “I’m supposed to give you this.”

Checking the contents of the letter on the spot, Corrin Tar’s expression turned grim.

“Arrest him.”

Still holding the letter, Corrin Tar muttered those words, everyone in the vicinity doubting what they’d heard.

“Arrest this man at once!” he shouted. “That’s an order!”

Only Corrin Tar’s two personal guards obeyed his instructions. Dashing over to him, they restrained the young man on both sides, who looked as if he would collapse at any moment.

“Why?” he asked in a murmur, not raising his voice.

“Wait!” Yaina bellowed courageously at the commanding officer. “What are you doing? If what this child says is true, we need to contact the royal capital at—”

However, Corrin Tar drowned her out by shouting even louder. “Silence, woman! Do not raise your voice at me! This man is lying. Once he’s restrained, we will force the truth from him. Until then, keep him locked in the dungeon!”

Once Corrin Tar had finished his tirade, his two personal guards dragged away the young man, heading towards the rarely used dungeon. Ignoring the discomposed Squires, Corrin Tar pocketed the letter, firing off more orders.

“We need people to stand guard over him,” he said, pointing towards Hario and Saburi, who were waiting nearby. “You two will do.”

“M-Me, Sir?” asked Saburi, pointing to himself for confirmation.

“Yes. Until you have permission to do otherwise, stand guard over him. Don’t say a word to him, and don’t allow anyone else inside the dungeon. Understood?”

Without waiting for an answer, Corrin Tar hurried back inside the building.

“You two…”

Yaina began to speak to Hario and Saburi, but one of Corrin Tar’s personal guards interrupted her.

“You two, hurry up! Help us put him in the cell!”

Hario and Saburi followed reluctantly.

“Well, this has turned into quite a pain in the ass,” Hario vented, his expression bitter.

Saburi agreed wholeheartedly.

***

Saburi had no memory of the dungeon ever being used. At the very least, it hadn’t fulfilled its original purpose since his arrival at Winter Fortress. Even so, the interior was tidy without a single cobweb in sight. Likely, someone had been put in charge of cleaning the dungeon and had performed their duty satisfactorily. Well, Saburi expected nothing less from the fortress and its excessive personnel.

The young man who’d been taken prisoner by Corrin Tar’s personal guards showed almost no signs of resistance. After dragging him into the dungeon, the guards had tossed him inside a cell.

“You two, stay here and watch over him,” said one of the guards. “Do as Baron Corrin instructed.”

Finished speaking, he left with the key to the prison cell in hand. The two remaining men sat down on shabby chairs, rubbing their bodies to withstand the frigid air of the basement. The young man – who had gone from colleague to captive – was lying on a crude bed of stone. With his back turned towards them, Saburi couldn’t see his face.

“So, new guy,” said Saburi. “Were you telling the truth earlier?”

“Hey, we were told not to talk to him,” warned Hario.

Still, the situation being what it was, Saburi couldn’t help but ask.

“…Yes, I was telling the truth,” the young man answered curtly, not turning his head.

“What, are you sulking?” asked Hario, speaking without hesitation despite his earlier warning. “We’re your seniors. It wouldn’t kill you to treat us with a little more respect.”

“…Are the people here not worried about Miyahi or Hinokaji?” asked the young man, his powerless voice echoing throughout the cold prison.

“Sure, I’m worried about them, but what do you want us to do?” asked Hario. “And anyway, Bright Lord Corrin already heard what you had to say. He’ll take care of it on his end, right?”

“I don’t think he will,” said Saburi, challenging Hario’s optimistic outlook. “Not after he locked up the newcomer in this place. Those aren’t the actions of someone considering how to save his captured subordinates. Based on his panicked expression, he’s trying to stop this news from spreading.”

“You think so? Well, that’s a kick in the balls. Not like we can interfere in the affairs of nobles.”

Seeming bored with the conversation, Hario withdrew a leather bag of nuts from his pocket, groping inside.

“Say, what’s your name, newcomer?” Saburi asked.

After a brief pause, the young man gave a soft answer. “…It’s Shuou.”

“Heh,” laughed Hario. “Weird name.”

It may have been Saburi’s imagination, but when Hario spoke with derisive laughter, Shuou’s shoulders shrunk back as if sullen.

“My name’s Saburi. The classless guy next to me is Hario.”

“Hey!”

Ignoring Hario, who looked like he wanted to complain, Saburi continued speaking to Shuou. “Say, do you mind if I ask if you something? How did you meet those young noblewomen who send you gifts?”

Shuou provided no answer to the question.

“Hey, are you listening to me?”

“Leave me alone.”

In response to Shuou’s sullen voice, Saburi recoiled for a moment. However, his curiosity winning out, he changed the subject and spoke to Shuou again.

“Well then, tell us about the Squire Sergeant and Miyahi’s capture in more detail. You can do that, right?”

Rejecting everything, Shuou curled up into a ball, covering his ears. “Don’t say another word to me,” his bearing seemed to express.

“Damn,” said Saburi. “What’s with this guy…?”

Reclining in his chair, he leaned back against the steel bars. As he did so, he heard a quiet murmur from behind him.

“It doesn’t matter anymore.”

Turning his head around, Saburi found Shuou still lying on the bed, motionless. Though he couldn’t see Shuou’s face, the newcomer had curled his back into a painful looking position, leaning forward.

I’d like to speak with him more, thought Saburi, who disliked quiet atmospheres. Yet in front of Shuou, who refused conversation like a hibernating animal, he couldn’t find anything to say.

Unaware of how much time had passed, Saburi fell asleep in his chair.

In his dream, he accompanied Hinokaji to Aventurine. There, the queen served him the most lavish food he’d ever seen. As he stretched his chopsticks towards thinly sliced meat lathered in sweetly fragrant honey sauce, an Aventurine Bright grabbed his hand. Surprised, he dropped his chopsticks, the dream ending abruptly. Though he would have liked to see the conclusion, dreams always ended before anything good happened.

Licking his dry lips, Saburi – still leaning against the bars – sat up, opening his eyes. That was when he heard a metallic rattling sound coming from his left. Next to Hario, who was drooling in the midst of deep sleep, Yaina had inserted an old key into the prison’s lock.

“Gran Gran!? You can’t—”

Without thinking, Saburi shouted at her to stop. Startled, Hario woke up, falling off his chair.

“What!? Ow-ow-ow… What’s goin’ on?”

Seeming none too bothered, Yaina continued working the key diligently. “Quiet!” she shouted, her voice far louder. “You’re making too much noise!”

“Huh?” said Hario. “What are you doin’, Gran? If the baron finds out about this, we’re screwed!”

As Hario reached for Yaina’s key, she slapped his hand away. “If you even think about interfering, you’re in for a world of hurt, boy.”

In response to Yaina’s low, threatening voice, Hario and Saburi both began to shudder. Where had a woman – and elderly one, no less – found such a voice?

Reacting to the commotion, Shuou – who had been motionless up until now – sat up and turned in their direction. He looked thoroughly haggard, dark bags appearing beneath his eyes.

“This master key is old, so I was worried it wouldn’t work, but… Yes, it’s open!”

Yaina shouted exuberantly. Along with a satisfying rattle, the sturdy door swung open.

“Miss… Yaina?”

Hearing Shuou’s hoarse voice, Yaina walked over to him with tears in her eyes. “Sorry I’m so late. That fool nobleman’s servants were hanging around outside.”

Bending her knees, Yaina folded her hands around Shuou’s, who was still sitting on the bed. “Lad, you’re so cold. You sprinted all the way here to save Miyahi and my husband. Thank you…”

As if handling a precious object, Yaina rubbed Shuou’s hands over and over again.

“Forgive me,” said Shuou. “In the end, I couldn’t do anything.”

When he apologized, Yaina shook her head emphatically. “You’ve done more than enough. I have no idea how long you ran, but your face looks exhausted… Yet those two didn’t even give you a blanket.”

Yaina suddenly directed her anger towards Hario and Saburi. While Hario mumbled something sulkily, Saburi scratched the back of his neck, feeling guilty.

“It’s fine,” said Yaina. “In any case, you need to escape from here as soon as possible.”

In response to her suggestion, Hario and Saburi paled. “Hold on!” cried the former. “We can’t just let him go. If Bright Lord Corrin finds out, we’re screwed!”

Hearing the unusually discomposed Hario, Saburi grew anxious as well. “Y-Yeah! I understand how things look, but that’s going too far, Gran!”

“Say he escaped, or come up with whatever excuse you like,” Yaina spoke in no uncertain terms. “That fool nobleman is only thinking about protecting himself. At this rate, this child’s life is in danger. I’d be glad if you two cooperated, but if you don’t, neither of you will be able to eat in my kitchen again.”

“You can’t be serious…”

Ignoring the mournful Saburi, Yaina pulled Shuou’s hands upward. However, Shuou didn’t stand.

“But at this rate, the Squire Sergeant and Miyahi are going to be…” he trailed off.

Yaina’s expression turned bitter. “They’ll be executed. If it comes to that, I’ll march into Aventurine myself to give the queen a piece of my mind. I don’t even care if she kills me. Either way, I have no reason to live without my family. I can’t count on the higher-ups either… But if someone had influence with a high-ranking officer, there might still be hope. Alas, that’s far beyond the likes of us commoners.”

In response to Yaina’s off-handed comments, Shuou’s head shot up. “Where’s my luggage?”

The newcomer looked towards Saburi. Spoken to unexpectedly, he gave a flustered reply. “Um, when we came here, Bright Lord Corrin’s servants tossed it over there, I think… Oh, here it is.”

Saburi handed over a luggage bag that had been carelessly thrown into the corner. Taking it, Shuou rummaged through the inside, withdrawing a single letter.

“Is that from one of those young noblewomen, by any chance?” asked Hario, peering at the letter in Shuou’s hand with great interest.

Similarly intrigued, Saburi stepped forward. Without realizing it, both of them had entered the prison cell. Shuou held up the side with the sender’s name, allowing them to see it clearly. Apart from Shuou, the other three were rendered speechless.

“Hey… Does that say Amue Adulelia?” asked Hario, showing rare, sincere surprise.

“Is that the name of Orthoclase from the Adulelia Dukedom?” asked Saburi, staring at the letter in Shuou’s hand with similar shock.

“Lad, you can’t possibly be acquainted with the Ice Princess, can you?” asked Yaina.

In response, he gave an assured nod.

The Adulelias were an eminent noble family known throughout foreign countries as well as Murakumo. For generations, the Radiantore known as Orthoclase had been passed down through their household. Despite being over one hundred years old, the current head of Adulelia was still in good health. Furthermore, she was a Duchess and a Solar Bright, second in rank only to the Supreme Commander. Lastly, she was the leader of the Solid Left Army: a large military organization otherwise known as the Bright Ice Wolves. To the common folk, she was nigh deific, distinct even from the average nobleman or woman.

Additionally, she was rumored to be fierce of temperament, freezing to death blundering commoners. As such, she’d earned the nickname Ice Princess amongst the fearful lower classes.

“She invited me to join her army,” explained Shuou. “When those plans went awry, I was sent here instead.”

“Holy shit.”

In response to Hario’s unaffected words, Saburi nodded again and again. If the fortress learned that the newcomer’s origins were related to Adulelia – a storied house second only to the royal family – they would be astonished. Saburi could barely contain himself from running around and circulating this information. With such a fantastic story, he would be the center of attention for a short while.

“If someone of Duchess Adulelia’s stature listens to my story, she might be able to provide a decent solution,” said Shuou.

In response, Yaina nodded quietly, her expression bewildered. “Yes, if she listens. Next to Lord Gwen, the Ice Princess is the oldest living person in Murakumo. Even if commoners like us begged and pleaded, she’s not the sort of person you could simply meet and have a discussion with.”

“I don’t know if she’ll listen to my request,” Shuou said firmly, “but I can at least find a way to meet with her.”

His exhausted face still lacked vitality, but like a candle on the verge of extinguishing, he refused to stop burning, a dim flame still flickering.

“Your next meeting with nobility could turn out the same as the last one,” said Yaina. “You might even die. Would you truly risk your life for people you’ve just met?”

“This doesn’t feel like I’m doing something so grand as risking my life. But if I run away when there’s still something I could have done, I’ll regret it for sure. If at any time, I actually think my life is in danger, I’ll escape on hands and feet.”

The depths of Yaina’s eyes wavered. Bowing her head once, she knelt before Shuou, gripping his hands. “Do everything you can for Miyahi and my husband. I’m begging you.”

Looking at Yaina with a complicated expression, Shuou averted his gaze slightly, nodding. “…I will.”

A moment later, Yaina – who’d been crying faintly – shot to her feet. “Now that we have things settled, we’ll need to get started despite the darkness. Lad, before leaving, you mentioned something about being unable to ride horseback, didn’t you?”

Shuou nodded, unflappable.

As if she were pointing at pebbles on the ground, Yaina designated Hario and Saburi to accompany Shuou. “They won’t be of much use, but take these two along with you.”

Of course, this led to Hario expressing his vehement refusal.

“You can’t expect us to do that, Gran. We don’t even know what will come of helping him escape, and now you want us to go to the capital in hopes of meeting the most famous noblewoman in the country? You’ve got to be kidding me. Can you even be sure that he’s acquainted with the duchess? Sure, he showed us a letter, but we have no idea if she actually wrote it. Where’s the proof that he’s not just coming up with random lies to escape?”

In times such as these, Hario’s spiteful loquacity could be most reliable. Showing support from the sidelines, Saburi nodded fervently. However, Yaina responded to him with the composure of a battle-hardened general, her voice as low as a faint tremor in the earth.

“Hario, you sometimes take cooking alcohol from the kitchen, don’t you?”

“Ergh…”

Yaina’s stern gaze skewered Saburi next.

“Eep!” he yelped.

“Saburi,” she said. “You can’t wield a sword or perform basic drills. In short, you lack any noteworthy abilities. To secure your position at Winter Fortress, who wrote a letter of recommendation on your mother’s behalf?”

“…Squire Sargent Hinokaji.”

Stricken in their most vulnerable locations, both of them looked down, dejected.

“I hate taking advantage of favors done in the past,” said Yaina, “but I’ll do anything when my family’s life is at stake. There’s plenty more, too. If you don’t mind listening, I could tell you two all the ways in which you’re indebted to me.”

Little by little, Yaina walked over to them. Thinking she would smack him on the head, Saburi reflexively guarded himself. However, she merely crouched, looked them in the eyes, and lowered her head.

“Please,” she said. “Even if he ran the entire distance, the capital is a way’s away from here. I’m only asking you to get the lad there.”

Following a short silence, Hario shot to his feet. “Alright, alright, I’m going. We just have to see him there, right? This reminds me of my mom yelling at me. Makes me feel restless… Saburi, what are you gonna do?”

Glancing at the traitorous Hario, Saburi struggled to find an answer. His desire to help Yaina – to whom he was indebted to on a daily basis – warred with his desire to avoid anything troublesome.

“But…” he said. “If you’re just taking him to the capital, one person should be more than enough.”

While searching for various reasons not to go, a hand appeared in front of him.

“Hario?”

“Come with me. I don’t particularly like you or anything, but it’ll be boring without someone to listen to my jokes. And I’ll show you the good shops in the capital. You can look for a potential wife there.”

“Hario…”

Since he rarely ever felt needed, Hario’s words moved Saburi. If he took Hario’s hand, they would form an even closer bond. Close enough to confidently call each other friends. Slowly and deliberately, Saburi extended his hand – warm and damp with sweat – to take Hario’s. However, moments before their hands touched, Yaina’s open palm struck Saburi on the back of the head.

“Ooow!”

“God, this is irritating,” she said. “If you’re going to go, then go. Hurry up and decide.”

As he rubbed the top of his stinging head, Saburi agreed to accompany the others. “…I’m going, I’m going. Damn.”

“Well, now that we’ve made our decision, let’s—”

Before Yaina could finish saying “let’s head out”, Shuou interrupted her.

“Hold on. What happened to Queen Aventurine’s letter?”

“The one you gave to Bright Lord Corrin?” asked Hario.

Shuou nodded. “Without that letter, I can’t prove anything that’s happened up ’til now.”

“If that’s the case, I saw Bright Lord Corrin putting it in his pocket,” said Saburi.

After relaying what he’d seen, the atmosphere quieted. Only Shuou seemed unbothered, standing up straight.

“Let’s go,” he said.

“Go where?” Hario asked in a heavy voice.

“To retrieve the letter, of course,” Shuou said matter-of-factly. “Lead me to that Bright.”

“You won’t be able to swipe it unnoticed,” said Saburi. “He’ll have lookouts.”

Shuou walked past the frightened Saburi. On his way, the newcomer said something that barely reached Saburi’s ears.

“I’ll work something out.”

***

Shuou, Hario, and Saburi headed towards the third floor of the fortress. Though Yaina had left to prepare the horses, Saburi had little confidence that they would be able to retrieve the letter and arrive at the stables. Shuou still looked exhausted, occasionally staggering as he walked. His feet were unsteady, and his expression inspired little confidence. All in all, his appearance only fanned Saburi’s anxiety.

Should I believe this newcomer? Saburi wondered. Should I defy my commanding officer to help deliver him to the capital?

He still had doubts.

As they walked from the stairs leading from the first floor to the second, Saburi noticed something strange happening behind them. The Squires they’d passed along the way had formed a crowd, following behind them.

“Say, Hario.”

“What’s up?”

“It feels like everyone’s following us, but… why?”

“It’s because we’re walking with the new guy,” said Hario, pointing his thumb at Shuou’s back. “The story of Miyahi and the Squire Sergeant’s capture has probably spread through the fortress by now.”

“If that’s the case, we should have chosen a less conspicuous route to the baron’s office.”

“…Yeah, I guess so. I only realized that a second ago.”

“You’re no help at all…”

“Are you really one to talk?”

At the front, Shuou came to an abrupt halt. Hario and Saburi – who’d been looking elsewhere – skidded to a stop as well. The other Squires who’d followed out of curiosity observed the situation from a short distance away.

Corrin Tar and his two personal guards stood before Shuou’s steady gaze. As the baron stared at them with a hardened expression, Saburi’s courage shriveled.

“I ordered him to be locked up, didn’t I?” said Corrin Tar. “Why is he walking around like a free man!?”

“Eeeek!”

Frightened, almost everyone present lowered their heads. Even Hario – usually so self-assured – nervously gripped the hem of his shirt before this ferocious nobleman. Only Shuou presented a different reaction. Even as his worn body swayed back and forth, his profile, which Saburi glimpsed from behind, betrayed no hint of fear. He found that odd.

“Return the letter given to me by the queen of Aventurine,” Shuou spoke with equanimity.

In response to Shuou’s brazen manner of speech, the fortress’s Squires – including Hario and Saburi – started at his back, dumbfounded.

“Return the letter?” repeated Corrin Tar. “What an utterly foolish thing to demand. What would a lowly Squire like yourself do with such a letter?”

“It’s not worth discussing with you. I’ll go the capital and report to someone in a higher position.”

“You’re… You’re the one who’s not worth talking to! Is that how you speak to your commanding officer, a Bright and a baron? And anyway, no one in the capital will listen to a mere Squire’s codswallop. Well, whatever. I’d considered being lenient, but for the crime of defying your commanding officer, I’ll deliver the appropriate punishment here and now. Have a good look, you lot! This is the fate of one who opposes a Bright!”

While delivering his furious tirade, Corrin Tar spread his arms wide. Some of the Squires watching from behind let out screeching yells.

“Hey, Bright Lord Corrin is using Crynetic Energy!”

In no time at all, a globe of water the size of a person’s head formed in Corrin Tar’s hands. If the globe – floating in the air like a bubble – struck, it would cause serious damage, everyone knew.

“On the ground! Everyone, get on the ground right now!”

In response to someone’s cries, Hario and Saburi prostrated themselves on the floor. As Saburi snapped his eyes shut from fear, the presence he should have sensed in front of him disappeared. Hearing the heavy sound of boots racing against the ground, that presence grew more and more distant.

“Guh! Goh! Bah!”

Saburi heard something akin to an animal’s death throes. At the same time, he also heard a dull thud, followed by the heavy thump of something hitting the ground. Next, there followed another dull thud.

“What the hell are you doing…? Stop! Don’t come any closer!”

This familiar voice must have belonged to one of Corrin Tar’s personal guards. It was strange hearing this man’s helpless voice, Saburi thought, when he should have heard Shuou’s anguished cries, the mass of water blowing him away.

Once more, an even stronger, heavier sound rang out, the corridor falling silent.

Looking up timidly, Saburi didn’t find the wretched, bloodstained form of a young Squire lying on the ground. Instead, he found Corrin Tar and his two personal guards sprawled across the floor, eyes wide with terror, faces lacerated and blood pouring from broken noses.

Prostrated on the floor, the Squires raised their heads, staring dumbfoundedly at Shuou. At some point, Hario had raised his head as well, observing the situation. Acting as if nothing had happened, Shuou rummaged around the insides of the unconscious Corrin Tar’s clothes.

“Here it is.” Holding the golden tube with the letter, Shuou turned towards Hario and Saburi, calling out to them. “Let’s go.”

That said, he jogged towards the stables.

“H-Hey!” shouted Hario. “Wait!”

Seeing Hario immediately stand and follow, Saburi chased after them as well. As the trio dashed away, the Squires of Winter Fortress watched them go with astonishment.

“Hey, shouldn’t we chase after them?” someone asked, as if the idea had just occurred to him.

The Squires looked at the unsightly form of the comatose Bright, blood flowing from his nostrils. Everyone began exchanging glances with those nearest to them, muttering to no one in particular.

“Who’s gonna do that?”

“How is anyone gonna do that?”

And so forth.

In the end, no one could provide an answer.

***

Running down the corridor from the first floor to the stables, Hario shouted in exhilaration. “Yahoo! Did you see what he just did?”

Saburi shook his head. “N-No. I had my eyes closed.”

“He dashed off like this, and right before Bright Lord Corrin could use his Crynetic Energy, the new guy bent down really low. As soon as he’d rounded the baron from behind, the new guy bashed his head against the wall. After seeing Miyahi kick his ass, I thought he was a wuss, but the kid’s got balls.”

Listening to Hario’s excited explanation, something felt off to Saburi, who hadn’t seen the fight for himself. Could a mere Squire truly win a brawl against a Bright? Nevertheless, it was useless to think about, he soon decided. After all, he’d witnessed the results of what Hario had described with his own eyes.

Exiting the corridor, they entered the gloomy stables where Yaina waited upon them, holding the reins of two young horses.

“Gran,” said Hario, “the new guy’s incredible. Just a minute ago—”

Despite his twisted personality and usually cold manner of speech, Hario wore a boyish expression of excitement. If Shuou had presented a spectacle capable of changing someone in a single moment, Saburi regretted having missed it.

“Someone might be following us,” said Shuou, interrupting Hario. “We need to hurry.”

“Yes, you boys need to be on your way,” said Yaina. “It’s already the third day of the queen’s deadline. Even in great haste, I’m not sure if you’ll arrive in time. I chose two young horses. They should be able to withstand a little strain.”

As she’d said, Yaina had chosen two relatively young horses with strong legs.

“Take this as well,” she said, handing Shuou’s luggage bag to him. “I packed some rice balls for you. They’re leftovers from last night, and since I made them in a hurry, I can’t vouch for their quality. Use them to stave off hunger on the road. Also, I apologize for this, but when I opened your bag, I found something familiar.”

Once she’d spoken, Yaina showed Shuou the Murakumo blade. Rather than an ordinary weapon worn at the hip, it looked like a spare sword with a shorter length of steel.

“Oh… Before arriving in Aventurine’s capital, I borrowed that from Squire Sergeant Hinokaji,” explained Shuou, looking at the Murakumo blade in Yaina’s hands.

“I see,” said Yaina, holding out the sword to Shuou. “My husband has been carrying this blade since his youth. If he entrusted it to you, it must mean he believes in you.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry. He probably meant to give this sword to you. Even if you can’t use it, you can make a little money from selling it. Keep it with you in case of emergencies.”

After showing some hesitation, Shuou accepted the blade with a tense expression.

“Well then, let’s be on our way!” cried Hario, raising his voice to dispel the dreary atmosphere. “We’re burning daylight.”

While Hario mounted the black horse, Saburi mounted the solidly built brown horse.

“Which one are you riding?” asked Hario.

In response, Shuou chose Saburi’s horse without any hesitation. However…

“…Say, isn’t there something wrong here?” asked Saburi.

Heaving himself onto the horse, Shuou sat in front of Saburi. As such, Saburi was in the perfect position to hold Shuou from behind.

“Looks okay to me,” said Hario, narrowing his eyes.

“Something’s definitely wrong!” Saburi complained on the verge of tears. “It’s usually women and children who ride like this. I’m almost thirty. Why should I have to embrace a man on horseback? It’s depressing.”

“I’m very tired,” said Shuou. “I’d like a place to rest my back.”

Eyes drowsy, Shuou turned around, bowing his head in apology. Seeing Shuou on the verge of collapsing, Saburi couldn’t bring himself to say anything more.

“Alright, alright…” said Saburi. “Switch with me later, Hario.”

“If we have time for a break,” Hario replied with stifled laughter.

Based on his expression, he wasn’t considering something so kind as switching.

“Quit yapping,” said Yaina, touching the bellies of the two horses. “If you’re ready, head on out.”

Looking at Yaina, Shuou spoke to her one last time. “I’ll do everything I can, so—”

“Yes, I’m counting on you. But don’t be reckless. If there’s nothing you can do, forget about us and run away.”

Yaina spoke with a light smile, but in her heart, she was probably grasping at straws.

Leaving the stables, they passed through the gate. The rain that had fallen until evening had finally stopped. Thus, the somewhat damp air cooled Saburi’s body, flush from having continuously run through the fortress. If the trio headed west in a straight line without stopping, they would approach the capital within half a day.

Soon after departing, Shuou reclined against Saburi, his breathing growing shallow. Though his head slumped, he continued gripping the saddle’s protrusions with both hands, never letting go.

“He’s a flexible guy,” said Saburi. “Could you normally sleep in this situation?”

“Yeah, he’s a strange one,” agreed Hario. “Inside and out.”

“We’ve gotten ourselves into a load of trouble…”

Until yesterday, they’d slept, woken, ate, and performed simple tasks within the peaceful confines of Winter Fortress. Yet now, they were defying their commanding officer, heading towards the capital to meet with a noblewoman who seemed more deific than a goddess.

“You’re right about that,” said Hario, trying to hide a smile. “But it’s kinda fun, don’tcha think?”

“I… suppose so. A little bit, at least.”

In all his life, Saburi had never felt his heart beat so fast. Feeling the weight of Shuou sleeping in his arms, he gripped the reins firmly.

Original text: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4006r/11/