Chapter 27: Adulelia III

Leaving the cemetery, they returned to the manor underneath a crimson, dusk sky. Shuou held his shoulder, rotating his arm.

“Are you tired?” asked Kazahina.

“Yes, I’ve been tired since horseback training,” he replied in slight jest.

Giggling, the smile Kazahina donned made her seem like a completely different person from before.

After arriving at the manor, Kazahina had invited Amai to stay for dinner, but even Shuou had surmised that she was just being polite. Whether he’d known this or not, Amai had declined, explaining that he’d needed to attend to work right away. Similar to when he’d arrived, Amai had left the manor in the blink of an eye.

At a glance, Shuou had almost been fooled by Amai’s gentle expression and manner of speech. Yet based on how he’d appeared all of a sudden, revealed what he’d wanted to say, indulged in what he’d wanted to see, and marched to the beat of his own drum the entire time, Shuou would need to revise his initial impression of the man. Though he hadn’t sensed the arrogance unique to the upper class from the professor, Shi’shi’Jishi Amai wasn’t a pleasant person to be around. Based on Kazahina’s attitude towards the man, Shuou could say that much with certainty.

“Professor Amai was an excellent teacher, but his ideas are somewhat radical,” said Kazahina. “He had a bothersome habit of revealing those thoughts from time to time, which he still hasn’t grown out of, it would seem.”

“Radical ideas?” asked Shuou. “You mean what he said about the princess?”

“Exactly. As Professor Amai said, Lord Gwen is a capable man of rare talent. Because of his greatness, many nobles have devoted themselves to him. But among the noble houses who have sworn absolute loyalty to the royal family, there are more than a few who are dissatisfied with this situation.”

“Similar to Amai?”

“Yes. Still, in this entire country, you can count on one hand the number of people able to speak frankly to Lord Gwen. As a result, even people harboring discontent normally don’t express their views in public.”

In other words, Amai was quite the oddball. Only a certified eccentric would detain a mere commoner like Shuou to explain his pet theory at length.

***

When dinnertime arrived, Shuou found two surprises waiting for him among the people in the dining room. First, he recognized the two men carrying food. Hario and Saburi – his senior Squires at Winter Fortress, where he’d been assigned until recently – appeared before him.

“You two are here?” he mumbled without thinking.

“We’ve been here!” yelled Hario, his eyes sharpening. “Since before you arrived!

“The Duchess took a liking to us,” Saburi added nonchalantly. “She asked us to come work in her domain.”

Hario was tall, slender, and plain-faced. On the other hand, Saburi was plump and emanated a weak-willed aura. Shuou owed a debt to the pair, who had helped him during a difficult time. Even so, he’d never expected this sort of reunion here of all places.

“Don’t lie in front of the one you stole from, you imbeciles!” shouted Amue, glaring at the two thieves with eyes sharp enough to pierce them. “These dimwits raided the distillery where I’d spent years and years accumulating liquor meant as gifts. To make matters worse, they polished off only the most expensive bottles… As punishment, I had them resign from the military and work for me to repay their debts.”

“Will they be able to pay back their debts by working?” asked a concerned Shuou.

Amue stared into the distance. “Perhaps. However, I’ll need their descendants to work here for three generations.”

“You monster!”

As Hario cried out on the verge of tears, obviously not caring about his life, he spilled the soup in his hands onto the floor.

“Quiet!” bellowed Amue. “The disrespect you’ve shown my house could warrant the death penalty! If you cannot rejoice over the light sentence I’ve given you, you are a fool indeed!”

In front of Shuou, two men trembled before the cries of a girl who appeared no more than ten years old. “E-Eep…!”

“If you understand, finish serving us and leave,” continued the duchess. “And clean up this spilled soup, of course!”

Reluctantly, the two men set the table, crawling on the floor with dish cloths to wipe up the spilled soup. “Even though you joined the military later than us, you’re the one treated as a guest,” Hario muttered resentfully. “Yet here we are, reduced to cleaning the floors… Life just isn’t fair, is it?”

Since Hario had spoken so quietly, Shuou pretended not to have heard, yet his words reached the ears of Duchess Adulelia: their current employer. “Would you like to become a decorative ice sculpture in the courtyard?” she asked.

As someone who could – all jokes aside – transform people into ice sculptures, her words carried a heavy weight. Like two men picking up coins from the ground, Hario and Saburi’s sluggish hands became much nimbler. Finishing their work, they dashed out of the dining hall.

As he watched them leave, the second source of Shuou’s surprise entered his field of vision, whether he wanted it to or not. The faces of many, many girls formed a line down the long dining table. All of them had similar features to Amue and Kazahina. Likewise, the Miracrystals on the backs of their left hands were all a similar, light purple. In total, eight girls emanating identical auras stared off in every direction, seeming bored.

“Um, who are those girls?” asked Shuou, unable to remain silent.

Amue looked as if his words had jogged her memory. “Ah yes, I completely forgot because of those two imbeciles. They are all young women of House Adulelia. Normally, they would be staying in the dorms of Gemstone Academy, but due to Princess Sa’salia’s visitation, I called them here to work as trustworthy guards and caretakers. Rather than having boorish men hanging around her, the princess should feel more at ease this way.”

“I see,” said Shuou, standing and bowing as a sign of courtesy. “My name is Shuou.”

Despite having introduced himself for the first time, none of the girls responded at all. Based on his appearance, no one would mistake Shuou for a nobleman. He bore a turbid Miracrystal, and outwardly, he looked like the most average of commoners. Amue and Kazahina’s attitudes might have led to some misunderstandings, but for the most part, the vast majority of nobles would show no interest in someone like him, similar to these girls.

As Shuou wondered how to deal with this awkward atmosphere, Kazahina’s low, heavy voice echoed throughout the dining hall. “This is a guest of honor who received a direct invitation from Duchess Adulelia.”

The girls stood up at once, bowing their heads and reciting words of welcome in unison. Shuou had no time to feel bewildered by their sudden change in attitude.

Kazahina began introducing them in order, each girl raising her head upon having her name called. “Starting from the left, we have Ashu, Akari, Asaka. Kiyuri, Toyato, Natsuhi, Renka. Last is—” The last remaining girl lifted her head before having her name called. Her eyes – large and round – were distinctive. For one moment, her unique elegance captivated Shuou. “Yuuhina, my young sister,” Kazahina finished.

“Your younger sister…?” repeated Shuou.

Surprised by this introduction, he traded glances with this girl – who bore a strong resemblance to Kazahina – for a brief moment.

***

Every so often, a strong wind rattled the windows. Outside, freezing temperatures enveloped the nighttime world. Yet due to the flames burning within his large fireplace and the high purity Moonstones used as illumination, Shuou’s guest room was as bright as morning. Underneath the pale light of these ores, he read a book borrowed from the library. Since arriving here, this had gradually become his routine before bedtime.

The books ranged from fictional stories to history and geography. From the equestrian arts to swordsmanship, he’d requested a diverse assortment of texts. Together with Amane, Shuou had lived in the Abyss from childhood to adulthood, his situation and general knowledge unbalanced. As such, he found each bit of information he could glean from these books both useful and gratifying.

Just how powerful is the name of Adulelia…? 

Trapped in idle though, Shuou placed his book in a corner, lying atop his large bed. Out of the blue, he’d been introduced to the young women of House Adulelia at dinnertime. Despite ignoring him at first, they’d developed a strong interest in him upon hearing that he’d received a direct invitation from the duchess. Throughout the meal, the girls had found opportunities to stare at Shuou, leaving him most uncomfortable.

What else did I expect?

Regardless of his lowborn status, he’d been invited to House Adulelia as a guest, receiving lavish meals every day. Even if one paid a large sum of money, they wouldn’t be able to find a room as luxurious as this one. But most importantly, Amue had assigned her adjutant – a Solar Bright – to be his personal caretaker. Nothing about this situation was normal.

As further evidence of this, the servants and guards working in the manor looked at Shuou with unreserved curiosity, like children who had discovered a peculiar animal. And that was putting it mildly. He received similar glances from members of House Adulelia outside of Amue and Kazahina. The duchess hadn’t offered a detailed explanation for his generous treatment, it seemed. Even as the one receiving Adulelia’s favor, Shuou found the reason for his exceptional treatment unreliable, as he didn’t fully understand it himself.

As Shuou considered this, a reserved knock at his door pulled him back to reality. Since only a few people would visit his room at this hour, he urged the guest to come inside without confirming their identity.

“Come in,” he said.

“Pardon,” replied Kazahina, entering his room in a fluffy, white nightgown.

“What are you doing here so late?”

Though Shuou tried to stand up, Kazahina held out the palm of her hand, stopping him. “You must be tired. Don’t move on my behalf.” 

As Shuou lay on his back, Kazahina covered him in a thick blanket and feather duvet, sitting down on the corner of his bed.

“I wanted to offer a small apology before you fell asleep for the night,” she mumbled, averting her gaze.　

“After doing so much for me, you have nothing to apologize for…”

“That’s not true. In particular, the way my sister and the other girls treated you was very rude.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’m used to it.”

He wasn’t lying. Shuou had grown more than accustomed to people looking at him oddly. When he’d wandered the streets as an urchin, people had reviled him due to the large burn scar covering the right side of his face. When he’d returned to the city as an adult, his eyepatch and ashen, silvery hair – rare in the east – had drawn more than a few stares from onlookers.

“I have to worry about it,” said Kazahina. “As members of House Adulelia and Bright Candidates who are entrusted with our future, their behavior was disgraceful. Please accept my apology. I can’t remember how many times I considered scolding them. Even so, I decided that ruining the ambiance would be even more disrespectful, so I overlooked their behavior.”

In response to Kazahina’s meek apology, Shuou offered words of consolation. “I really don’t mind.”

“Hearing you say that does put me at ease. Still, to have them take responsibility, I gave those girls a lecture they won’t forget for ten years. If you don’t mind, I’d like to settle the matter there.”

Though Kazahina wore a beautiful smile, a line of sweat ran down Shuou’s cheek. If a kind, completely normal woman had said this, it would have sounded like a joke. Nevertheless, he’d seen Kazahina transform into a different person on multiple occasions, her fearsome yells directed at subordinates and other people. Though Shuou didn’t want to think about how horrifying this lecture had been, he did feel sympathetic towards the girls who had experienced it because of him. If anything, he wanted to apologize to them.

As Shuou considered this, he met Kazahina’s gaze. Seeing her cheerful smile, he brought up something that had been on his mind. “Sometimes, you seem like a different person, Kazahina.”

Perhaps because he’d spoken without context, Kazahina raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Huh?”

“I’ve been thinking about it. When you speak to me, you’re so calm and friendly, but depending on who you’re interacting with, you suddenly change into a different person.”

For some reason, Kazahina wore a self-deprecating smile. “You could call it a peculiar trait of mine, I suppose… I’ve been like this since childhood. Around some people, I was a quiet child of few words. But around other people, I was a talkative, cheerful child. Because I changed so suddenly based on the person, the other children my age found me creepy. I have a few fond memories of that time.”

“Does that mean you play different roles depending on the person?”

“No, I haven’t the slightest intention of playing roles or fabricating a false self. Unconsciously, I simply change attitudes depending on the person and situation.”

Hearing this, Shuou remembered the events of this afternoon. Once Shi’shi’Jishi Amai had appeared, Kazahina had acted in a way that Shuou had never seen before: chillingly brusque and taciturn. Shuou had – without a doubt – believed her behavior to be intentional. Despite feeling a slight sense of discomfort, he hadn’t considered her actions to be that strange. Yet when he reflected upon her explanation, something about the person today did seem completely different from the Kazahina that Shuou knew.

“So it’s something like a special trait that you were born with?” he asked.

Though some were good and others bad, people were born with innate qualities and defects. Shuou had been born with peerless kinetic vision, which could create the illusion of time standing still. On the other hand, Kazahina had been born with the peculiar ability to change her personality depending on whoever she spoke to.

“Perhaps,” she said. “Because of this, I’ve rarely been able to make close friends. Even the other members of House Adulelia viewed me as an oddball. Only Lady Amue took an interest in this peculiar trait of mine. ‘You remind me of a fairytale magic mirror,’ she said. ‘That peculiar trait of yours reflects whatever the viewer wishes to see. With you by my side, I’ll be able to view myself more objectively.’ Those were the duchess’s words.”

“I… see.”

Hearing one part of why Amue had chosen Kazahina as her adjutant, Shuou felt impressed. Of course, he didn’t believe this to be the only reason for Kazahina’s position.

“Now then, let’s end this conversation here so that you can get some sleep,” said Kazahina. “Starting tomorrow, things are going to be a little more hectic.”

Standing, Kazahina used a specialized tool to remove the Moonstones submerged in water, wrapping them in a thick cloth. As a result, the strong, bluish-white light was extinguished. The remaining pale, warmish light of flames illuminated the room, casting a slender shadow of Kazahina on the wall.

“Murakumo’s princess is arriving tomorrow, isn’t she?” asked Shuou.

Kazahina nodded, her expression tightening. “Due to certain circumstances, the people of this city haven’t been informed of the princess’s visitation. Though she’ll arrive using a secret backroad, everyone in the manor will come out to greet her, as we are welcoming one of the nation’s most important dignitaries. I apologize, but we’ll need you to be present as well, Shuou.”

“You’ve done so much for me. At the very least, I can attend the princess’s reception.”

Considering his excellent treatment, Shuou wouldn’t be able to repay his debt even if Kazahina ordered him to clean the entire grounds all by himself. Standing in the corner during the princess’s reception would be no burden at all. Additionally, Shuou had seen the princess from afar only once. Despite seeming as lifeless as porcelain, she’d been beautiful. He would have few opportunities to see her up close.

Right now, Shuou’s day to day life felt like being submerged in lukewarm bathwater. The queen’s visitation was a stone cast into that water, creating ripples of intrigue. Compared to his current situation, this would be quite the extravagant day, he presumed.

As Kazahina expressed her gratitude and started to leave, Shuou felt a sense of unease, calling for her to stop. “Hold on a second.”

Though Kazahina stopped, she didn’t turn around for some reason. “W-What is it?”

Scanning his surroundings, Shuou discovered the source of his discomfort. “They’re not here.”

“W-What aren’t here?”

“The socks I wore today…”

Kazahina’s voice trembled. “M-My, how odd…”

“Um, do you mind turning around?”

Kazahina’s shoulders drooped. Resigned, she turned towards Shuou. In her hands, she held his dirtied socks. “I-I wanted to take them to the laundry room.”

“I’ll bring them myself tomorrow.”

“B-But…”

Shuou shot a strong-willed glance at Kazahina. “Let go of those,” his eyes said. “Right now.”

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t care about someone taking his laundry, but he felt differently about Kazahina. When he thought about her reason for carrying out his dirtied socks, which he could faintly imagine, his whole body tingled with shame.

Shuou held out his hand for Kazahina to toss the socks to him. “That’s enough joking around.”

Restless, Kazahina refused to meet Shuou’s gaze. Upon closer inspection, he noticed tears welling in her eyes. 

“I should be allowed this at the very least!” she cried.

“…Huh?”

Leaving behind a dazed Shuou, Kazahina dashed away. Of course, she never let go of the socks.

No one’s perfect, I suppose.

Sighing, Shuou gave up and closed his eyes. Despite being unhappy with Kazahina’s behavior, it wasn’t so unpleasant that he would chase her down and steal back the socks. But from now on, he would need to deal with the clothes around him more carefully.

Already exhausted, not long passed before he fell into a deep sleep.

***

Canaria Faith – captain of Princess Sa’salia’s royal guard – led her squadron through the gloomy Abyss. Such tension filled the air that she forgot to breathe. Only a few hours had passed since Sa’salia had demanded that they leave their hastily prepared inn, resuming the journey to Adulelia much earlier than planned.

Though her blonde bangs tinged with red had fallen into her eyes, Canaria had no time to fix her hair. The princess’s carriage and the column of Brights followed behind her at speeds impossible under normal circumstances. Aside from horse hooves striking the Alabaster Road, the occasional sounds of roaring beasts and enormous, insectoid Rabidaemons passing through the trees echoed throughout the late night Abyss.

“Perhaps it’s too late, but shouldn’t we turn back?” asked a young squad member running parallel to Canaria. “At this time, even young merchants desperate to pay off their debts would rest.”

“It is too late,” replied Canaria. “Honestly, I would like to rest as well, but I also want to avoid further displeasing Her Highness.”

Canaria knew very little about Sa’salia: the princess of Murakumo. Viewing one’s liege as an individual wasn’t commendable behavior for a Bright. If one learned their master’s past and tried to analyze their nature, they would lose sight of the hierarchical relationship, foolishly stepping over a line never meant to be crossed.

To protect Princess Sa’salia, Canaria needed only two pieces of information: Her Highness had a violent temperament and constantly unstable mental state. At its essence, her job was a base one, boiling down to not offending the princess. It was enough to make her doubt the meaning behind the royal guard’s existence.

“If something did happen to the princess out here, what would become of us?” asked the young squad member.

“Hypothetically, every member of the royal guard – including me – would be sentenced to death, our houses destroyed.”

Though Canaria had meant to speak in jest, the squad member who’d posed the question paled, his voice trembling. “Even our house names would be forfeit…?”

“You needn’t worry. We have enough strength to repel a Rabidaemon or two. Don’t forget: Even within the vaunted Murakumo military, we are an elite group of soldiers.

“O-Of course… I’ll keep that in mind.”

Thanks to Canaria’s encouragement, the young squad member seemed to have regained some measure of confidence. Lifting his head, he poured more effort into watching their surroundings.

Even so.

Canaria swallowed hard, unable to rid herself of anxiety. She remembered being told about Princess Sa’salia’s plans to leave the capital and sojourn in Adulelia. Since this news had been so sudden and without explanation, she’d been truly perplexed at the time.

Canaria hadn’t received a satisfactory reason for Princess Sa’salia – the last remaining member of the royal family – being sent on a dangerous journey. However, because the princess had abandoned her royal duties, the final decision making authority had been entrusted to Gwen: head of the Royal Oversight Court. Despite her position as captain, not even Canaria had been given a say in the princess leaving the royal capital to study in Adulelia.

If anything happened to the princess, they would lose their lives and house names. In jest, Canaria had made this threat to her subordinate. Yet if something truly did happen to the princess, her jest would be far preferable to their actual fate.

What would happen to a country that lost the symbol of its royal family? Murakumo did have Gwen, who acted as the actual leader of their government, but not all noble houses truly followed him. Many of the nobles who gathered under the umbrella of the state had sworn fealty to the royal family. If those nobles learned that Princess Sa’salia – last surviving member of the sovereign bloodline – had lost her life, the country could enter a chaotic state of civil war. Canaria couldn’t laugh off this prediction as jumping to conclusions.

In the event of a civil war, the foreign countries Murakumo had been skirmishing with could seize this opportunity to invade them en masse. Princess Sa’salia’s royal guard shouldered a too heavy responsibility. Canaria couldn’t help but wonder how many of her squadron members realized this fact.

The soldier in charge of delivering messages called out to her in a panic. “Captain!”

“What’s wrong?” asked Canaria.

In truth, she could guess what he’d come to say. This had occurred more than a few times.

“Her Highness would like to see you,” said the messenger. “She demands haste.”

Canaria pulled on the reins of her horse, slowed down, and issued her orders. “Listen up, everyone. We’ll be stopping for a short period of time. Form a heavy defense, and be doubly aware of our surroundings.”

Heading towards the princess’s carriage, the captain of the royal guard bowed her head from atop her horse. “Canaria, at your service.”

The window opened at once, revealing Sa’salia’s scrunched up face, sweat beading her forehead. “You’re going too fast. The carriage shaking is making me feel sick…”

“Understood. However, you ordered us to arrive as soon as possible.”

“Yes, but you can only push me so far. And anyway, we’re in this situation because you failed to have my flowers delivered. I won’t tolerate that attitude…”

Indeed, this had been Canaria’s failure. Princess Sa’salia was partial to a hallucinogenic flower called Lucaine. To her, this drug was more important than food or water, and if she didn’t consume it at regular intervals, her physical condition would deteriorate. Well aware of this, Canaria had delivered barrels of the flowers to a location at which they’d intended to stay. However, due to a mistake, the flowers had arrived at Duchess Adulelia’s manor earlier than expected.

Upon stopping at this location, the princess had used all the flowers she’d been carrying in under two hours. Thoroughly dissatisfied and craving her drug, the princess had ordered Canaria to reach Adulelia as soon as possible. As a result, the squadron had departed before sunrise.

“Understood…” said Canaria. “My apologies, Princess. I’ll order the squadron to slow down.”

“See to it.”

Relaying what she’d wanted to say, the princess started to close the window, but Canaria called for her to stop. Out of concern for the profusely sweating princess, Canaria handed her a handkerchief. Her displeasure on full display, Sa’salia snatched the handkerchief from the captain’s hand. Once the princess had closed her window, Canaria began delivering orders to her subordinates. Among these, sending word to Adulelia would be particularly important.

“Select someone to deliver a report to Adulelia,” she said. “Give them our revised estimated time of arrival.”

After leaving the rest area, Canaria had dispatched a messenger on a swift horse. Since they had to slow down out of concern for the princess’s health, that messenger’s information needed to be overwritten.  From Princess Sa’salia’s perspective, Adulelia was a vassal territory. Even so, they couldn’t be held in contempt. The current Duchess of Adulelia was an eminent noblewoman on par with Gwen, able to express her opinions to him. Canaria couldn’t keep the duchess and her house waiting in vain, as they were – in all likelihood – preparing to receive the princess.

Until now, her squadron had been traveling at a fast pace. They would arrive at the checkpoint fortress leading to Adulelia before too long.

We’re almost there.

Muttering an encouraging word to herself, Canaria began racing at the head of her squadron once more.

***

Come early morning, an insubstantial mist covered the entirety of Adulelia. During this time period, mist was a frequent weather phenomenon, heralding the arrival of spring. Sometimes, the fog would grow so dense, one couldn’t see a few steps in front of themselves.

The sun had just begun to rise, tinging the area in dim light. As the marketplace in town began to bustle with activity, the wagon train carrying Princess Sa’salia Murakumo – future queen of her namesake – traveled down a secret backroad, arriving before the front gates of Adulelia Manor. In the courtyard leading from the gates to the grounds, an enormous group of people had lined up to receive the princess. This group consisted of every servant in the manor, the Squires employed as guards, the dukedom’s private soldiers, the members of House Adulelia, and their retainers.

Shuou waited at the bottom, right hand side of the staircase leading from the courtyard to the manor’s front entrance. This location placed him close to the members of House Adulelia, who waited atop the staircase. Those lined up beside him were important soldiers and servants, all of them indispensable to the dukedom. 

A quiet murmur spread throughout the vicinity.

Shuou spotted a group of Brights adorned in beautiful, silver armor passing through the gates. Meanwhile, another figure staggered behind them, resembling a ghost. Without a doubt, this spectral form belonged to Princess Sa’salia of Murakumo. No loud music echoed throughout the courtyard, and no one raised their voice to announce her arrival. The utter silence of the grounds reminded Shuou of a funeral. As if dragging invisible chains, Sa’salia stumbled through the line of servants bowing their heads.

Though a long time had passed since the graduation ceremony, Shuou had now seen the princess twice. Once again, her extraordinary beauty captivated him. She had silky, black hair and clear, blue eyes. Her skin was so fair and unblemished, one might mistake her for a sculpture, not a living person. Beneath the morning sun, she even seemed to glimmer.

Her vibrant, blue Miracrystal called to mind a gemstone laying at the bottom of a spring. The stone emitted an overwhelmingly noble light, proving the owner’s status beyond any doubt. Underneath a blue, fur overcoat, she wore a thin dress of pure white. In her left hand, she carried a ceremonial, black scepter, and in her right hand, she held an out-of-place handkerchief.

As the princess approached him, Shuou realized that what he’d sensed from her hadn’t been wrong. Gaze unfocused, her shoulders drooped. Furthermore, the tottering steps of the city’s elderly seemed better rooted to the ground than her unsteady feet. Watching the princess’s advancement, Shuou imagined her as a lifeless doll being dragged along the ground.

As Sa’salia passed in front of them, Shuou and those around him bowed their heads in unison.

“――?”

Upon arriving at the first step, something caused the princess to drop the handkerchief she’d been holding. Fluttering downward, it fell to the ground before Shuou. Without having time to consider his actions, he reflexively bent over, extending his hand towards the handkerchief. However, at that moment…

“Move!”

Momentarily, Shuou struggled to understand what had occurred. For but an instant, his extraordinary kinetic vision caught sight of the solid, black scepter in the princess’s left hand.

Dodge!

Shuou’s thoughts ordered him to dodge the scepter, but had no time to obey in this defenseless state. A dull crack rang out, and Shuou staggered backwards, holding his face. A line of fresh blood spilled from his nose, the stinging in his face reminiscent of a roaring fire. Though the surrounding crowd began to stir, Sa’salia acted oblivious, stomping on the handkerchief and climbing the stairs. From a distance, Shuou could hear Duchess Adulelia offering the princess a few words of welcome.

Underneath the piercing gazes of the crowd, Shuou pressed down on the base of his nose, unable to process what had just occurred. As pain stabbed through the crown of his head, he finally began to grasp the absurdity of this experience. Since arriving in Adulelia, his days had been peaceful, not unlike drifting in a lukewarm bath. However, the boiling water of Princess Sa’salia had been poured onto him, signaling the end to those peaceful days.

Gazing at the small pool of blood on the ground, such thoughts occurred to him.

Original text: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4006r/14/