Episode 63. When a Choice Must Be Made
Massius, standing outside the door, had a sharp gaze.
Meteo's declaration gnawed at his heart.
Meteo remained by Renisha's side.
The way Meteo looked at Renisha was familiar.
Kassius bit his lip.
Renisha wasn't just a shining jewel for Kassius.
Renisha was a shining jewel in everyone's eyes.
Kassius stared coldly at the small bouquet in his hand.
Kassius had brought the flowers he had bloomed himself to soothe Renisha's heart, but Meteo...
"I will remain here and carry out Shamdir's will."
"Prince Meteo, that is not something to be discussed so easily. If you remain, the Emperor will keep an eye on us."
“Count Calliot will guide my party to Shamdir as planned. They will go to Shamdir with someone disguised as me, and after making preparations there, they can return to Hiloshine.”
“Is that possible?”
“Yes.”
Meteo’s voice grew quiet.
Kassius clenched his fist.
Meteo had offered to help Renisha, to place Shamdir behind her, but Kassius had nothing but a bouquet of flowers.
Kassius stepped back, still holding the bouquet.
“Your Excellency?”
“Take this to Renisha. She seems busy.”
Kassius delivered the bouquet to Lindy and stepped outside.
Meteo had helped Renisha.
So what could Kassius actually do for Renisha?
Kassius slowly turned and gazed in the direction of the palace.
If he could break Laxus’s neck and place it at Renisha’s feet...!
His heart fluttered.
Turiel kept her promise to Canary.
She arranged for Canary to meet the ladies.
Most of the ladies happily accepted the banquet Turiel had prepared, so she had placed Canary in that position.
Canary took a deep breath and placed a hand on her belly.
She was the rightful Empress.
No one could disregard the rights recognized by the temple.
Canary walked lightly across the rustling grass.
“It’s been a while,”
Canary said with as much dignity as she could muster.
The gathered ladies turned their heads to look at Canary.
Tension hung in the air, but Canary stood firm on her feet.
“Ah.”
The ladies exchanged glances.
Turiel wasn’t a kind supporter.
She had said she would only help Canary as much as she demonstrated her abilities.
Canary had put in a lot of effort for this occasion.
With Barbara’s help, she had dressed herself and read books on social etiquette.
She had toiled for days and nights to avoid the humiliation of being a former maid.
She didn't want to miss the opportunity Turiel had given her.
“Oh, that’s right. Did you know Iltheia has released a new work this time?”
“Iltheia? My goodness. We’ll be seeing a proper opera. What’s the theme this time? Love? Myth? War?”
The noblewoman, who had brought up Iltheia, glanced at Canary and smiled brightly.
“The theme is said to be Lady Renisha. It’s an opera to commemorate the achievements she achieved while she was Empress.”
“My goodness. Isn’t this something Lady Renisha absolutely must see?”
Canary clenched her fists.
Her heart pounded, pounding.
Even with a fire burning in her eyes, she couldn’t protest.
No one will compose an opera for Canary!
Canary took a deep breath and forced a smile.
“When did you say the opera was going to be released? I think it would be a good idea to invite Lady Renisha then. Now that I’m Empress, shouldn’t I invite the ladies of the empire and throw a banquet?”
“Oh, that’s a good idea, Your Majesty.”
The ladies smiled, narrowing their eyes.
Their eyes, shining like snakes’, were filled with malice.
Canary couldn’t help but flinch before them, their fangs bared as if they were about to bite her.
Canary had no choice but to take refuge here.
“I will open the door, but it is Your Majesty’s job to make the path.”
Turiel’s words rang dully in her ears.
“This is...”
Kien’s lips moved slowly.
Luna walked day and night without rest.
Kien, determined not to be outdone, walked and walked, and finally reached his destination, his feet covered in blisters.
Luna had said it was a place absolutely impossible to reach by horse or carriage, and now he understood why.
The road was so rough that his feet, which had been fine even after days of rolling around on the battlefield, were covered in blood.
No, this was a place he could reach by walking and walking on the road, not the road.
Kien pulled aside the tree branches hanging overhead.
Mount Palaeus, deep and rugged, is almost untouched by humans.
Halfway up the mountainside, a village of the Yi tribesmen sat.
Luna said bluntly,
"Yes. Right here. Are you joking around just because we walked this far?"
Kien stared at the village without reply.
"Stop right there! You! Zenita!"
"Can't you even catch this?"
The laughter of children erupted clearly.
The smells of preparing meals, laundry, and farming filled the air. Traces of life were everywhere.
Kien's eyelids fluttered.
His heart pounded.
A mysterious nostalgia surged through him, reddening his eyes.
He felt as if he had reclaimed his lost homeland.
The Yi tribe lived here.
"Come in. I'll guide you to the elder."
Luna, seemingly tireless, led Kien into the village.
Kien followed her absentmindedly, his eyes preoccupied with exploring the village.
"Come to your senses."
Luna nudged Kien in the ribs.
Only then did Kien, regaining his senses, nod.
"Have you been here the whole time?"
"We've wandered many places. Those sold as gladiators escaped and settled here, most of them. The same goes for those who were enslaved. We joined the survivors and ended up here. It's been about three years since we settled here."
Luna sighed, thinking of the peace she had barely found.
"Of course, we can't solve everything here, so young people like me travel back and forth across the empire. But, this is a secret."
She spoke calmly, but the hardships and suffering they must have endured to get here were palpable.
Kien's throat rang.
"This is it. The elder will be waiting for you when you go inside."
"Aren't you going in?"
"Why should I?"
Luna shook her head.
"The elder already knows everything. He sees the future."
"...Thank you."
Kien said sincerely and entered the door Luna pointed to.
The door rattled open, filling the air with warmth.
It was a place where human warmth could be felt.
“I thought you’d come someday.”
The voice was languid and soft.
It held enough warmth to soothe even his anxiety.
“Kassius sent you, didn’t he?”
Kien searched for the voice’s owner, startled.
A middle-aged woman stood behind the door, revealing herself before him.
“...Sha, Sha, Shamir?”
Kien’s voice trembled terribly.
The scars etched across her face were deep, but clearly recognizable.
She was Shamir, the Queen of the Yi tribes.
She was Yenica, the last Shamir.
Kassius’s mother!
Kien knelt on the floor.
“I-If I had known you were alive...!”
“I barely managed to survive after Hisham’s death.”
Shamir touched her face.
“I had heard about Kassius. But I couldn’t approach him carelessly. He had joined the Knights of Hientri.”
It felt like everything was falling into place.
Kien's shoulders trembled.
Those he'd believed dead were alive.
With Shamir back, now Hisham too...!
Hope welled up in him that the Yi tribe might regain the sunlight of their past.
"Did Kassius ask you to bring us?"
Yenika had been born with the power to see the near future.
Perhaps that was why she could ask such a question.
Kien nodded.
"Yes. Kassius has established himself in Hiloshine and is waiting there. He has come this far for the Yi tribe. As for his delay..."
"How could that be?"
Yenika turned her head and stared at the sky outside the window.
She had already seen that Kien would arrive today.
That Kassius would call them, and the path he would take.
The very foundations of Hientri would be shaken.
Those who bear the name of Hientri would crumble, and a new wind would blow in their place.
The wind, bearing a radiant golden glow, said,
"The tribes are ready. We will follow Kassius's will."
They could not remain cast aside and languishing in the shadows forever.
It was time for the tribes to make a choice.
Massius, standing outside the door, had a sharp gaze.
Meteo's declaration gnawed at his heart.
Meteo remained by Renisha's side.
The way Meteo looked at Renisha was familiar.
Kassius bit his lip.
Renisha wasn't just a shining jewel for Kassius.
Renisha was a shining jewel in everyone's eyes.
Kassius stared coldly at the small bouquet in his hand.
Kassius had brought the flowers he had bloomed himself to soothe Renisha's heart, but Meteo...
"I will remain here and carry out Shamdir's will."
"Prince Meteo, that is not something to be discussed so easily. If you remain, the Emperor will keep an eye on us."
“Count Calliot will guide my party to Shamdir as planned. They will go to Shamdir with someone disguised as me, and after making preparations there, they can return to Hiloshine.”
“Is that possible?”
“Yes.”
Meteo’s voice grew quiet.
Kassius clenched his fist.
Meteo had offered to help Renisha, to place Shamdir behind her, but Kassius had nothing but a bouquet of flowers.
Kassius stepped back, still holding the bouquet.
“Your Excellency?”
“Take this to Renisha. She seems busy.”
Kassius delivered the bouquet to Lindy and stepped outside.
Meteo had helped Renisha.
So what could Kassius actually do for Renisha?
Kassius slowly turned and gazed in the direction of the palace.
If he could break Laxus’s neck and place it at Renisha’s feet...!
His heart fluttered.
***
Turiel kept her promise to Canary.
She arranged for Canary to meet the ladies.
Most of the ladies happily accepted the banquet Turiel had prepared, so she had placed Canary in that position.
Canary took a deep breath and placed a hand on her belly.
She was the rightful Empress.
No one could disregard the rights recognized by the temple.
Canary walked lightly across the rustling grass.
“It’s been a while,”
Canary said with as much dignity as she could muster.
The gathered ladies turned their heads to look at Canary.
Tension hung in the air, but Canary stood firm on her feet.
“Ah.”
The ladies exchanged glances.
Turiel wasn’t a kind supporter.
She had said she would only help Canary as much as she demonstrated her abilities.
Canary had put in a lot of effort for this occasion.
With Barbara’s help, she had dressed herself and read books on social etiquette.
She had toiled for days and nights to avoid the humiliation of being a former maid.
She didn't want to miss the opportunity Turiel had given her.
"Yes, it's been a while. A lot has happened."
"A maid has become Empress..."
A small whisper reached Canary's ears.
Canary gritted her teeth.
No matter what she heard here, she couldn't reveal her true feelings.
One wrong move could cost Turiel, too.
"I should have taken this position long ago. It's been delayed because I had a child and was trying to stabilize myself."
Canary smiled regretfully.
"Of course, the heir is the most important. Isn't he the child the entire empire has been waiting for? He will be the future of Hientri."
Her words were polite and kind, but her eyes held a sharp edge.
Canary quenched her parched throat with water.
"I understand His Majesty is building a residence here?"
“I heard they’re bringing Lady Renisha there. She’s exceptionally responsible, so I don’t think Your Majesty the Empress will have any worries.”
“That’s right. People with exceptional responsibility naturally raise children well. Your Majesty, don’t you have any worries?”
The tone was utterly sarcastic.
Canary’s face flushed bright red.
It was a moment when all the liberal arts books she’d read seemed useless.
Canary’s lips trembled.
Her mind went blank.
“T-T...”
Canary swallowed dryly.
“...Re, no one knows whether Lady Renisha will accept His Majesty the Emperor’s grace.”
“Rather than accepting it,”
The noblewoman cut her off, her eyes gleaming at Canary.
“Isn’t the problem that His Majesty is preparing a residence for the former lady, Your Majesty? I think you’ve misunderstood the point.”
“...His Majesty the Emperor made that decision out of good intentions. So, let’s leave that aside...”
"A maid has become Empress..."
A small whisper reached Canary's ears.
Canary gritted her teeth.
No matter what she heard here, she couldn't reveal her true feelings.
One wrong move could cost Turiel, too.
"I should have taken this position long ago. It's been delayed because I had a child and was trying to stabilize myself."
Canary smiled regretfully.
"Of course, the heir is the most important. Isn't he the child the entire empire has been waiting for? He will be the future of Hientri."
Her words were polite and kind, but her eyes held a sharp edge.
Canary quenched her parched throat with water.
"I understand His Majesty is building a residence here?"
“I heard they’re bringing Lady Renisha there. She’s exceptionally responsible, so I don’t think Your Majesty the Empress will have any worries.”
“That’s right. People with exceptional responsibility naturally raise children well. Your Majesty, don’t you have any worries?”
The tone was utterly sarcastic.
Canary’s face flushed bright red.
It was a moment when all the liberal arts books she’d read seemed useless.
Canary’s lips trembled.
Her mind went blank.
“T-T...”
Canary swallowed dryly.
“...Re, no one knows whether Lady Renisha will accept His Majesty the Emperor’s grace.”
“Rather than accepting it,”
The noblewoman cut her off, her eyes gleaming at Canary.
“Isn’t the problem that His Majesty is preparing a residence for the former lady, Your Majesty? I think you’ve misunderstood the point.”
“...His Majesty the Emperor made that decision out of good intentions. So, let’s leave that aside...”
“Oh, that’s right. Did you know Iltheia has released a new work this time?”
“Iltheia? My goodness. We’ll be seeing a proper opera. What’s the theme this time? Love? Myth? War?”
The noblewoman, who had brought up Iltheia, glanced at Canary and smiled brightly.
“The theme is said to be Lady Renisha. It’s an opera to commemorate the achievements she achieved while she was Empress.”
“My goodness. Isn’t this something Lady Renisha absolutely must see?”
Canary clenched her fists.
Her heart pounded, pounding.
Even with a fire burning in her eyes, she couldn’t protest.
No one will compose an opera for Canary!
Canary took a deep breath and forced a smile.
“When did you say the opera was going to be released? I think it would be a good idea to invite Lady Renisha then. Now that I’m Empress, shouldn’t I invite the ladies of the empire and throw a banquet?”
“Oh, that’s a good idea, Your Majesty.”
The ladies smiled, narrowing their eyes.
Their eyes, shining like snakes’, were filled with malice.
Canary couldn’t help but flinch before them, their fangs bared as if they were about to bite her.
Canary had no choice but to take refuge here.
“I will open the door, but it is Your Majesty’s job to make the path.”
Turiel’s words rang dully in her ears.
***
“This is...”
Kien’s lips moved slowly.
Luna walked day and night without rest.
Kien, determined not to be outdone, walked and walked, and finally reached his destination, his feet covered in blisters.
Luna had said it was a place absolutely impossible to reach by horse or carriage, and now he understood why.
The road was so rough that his feet, which had been fine even after days of rolling around on the battlefield, were covered in blood.
No, this was a place he could reach by walking and walking on the road, not the road.
Kien pulled aside the tree branches hanging overhead.
Mount Palaeus, deep and rugged, is almost untouched by humans.
Halfway up the mountainside, a village of the Yi tribesmen sat.
Luna said bluntly,
"Yes. Right here. Are you joking around just because we walked this far?"
Kien stared at the village without reply.
"Stop right there! You! Zenita!"
"Can't you even catch this?"
The laughter of children erupted clearly.
The smells of preparing meals, laundry, and farming filled the air. Traces of life were everywhere.
Kien's eyelids fluttered.
His heart pounded.
A mysterious nostalgia surged through him, reddening his eyes.
He felt as if he had reclaimed his lost homeland.
The Yi tribe lived here.
"Come in. I'll guide you to the elder."
Luna, seemingly tireless, led Kien into the village.
Kien followed her absentmindedly, his eyes preoccupied with exploring the village.
"Come to your senses."
Luna nudged Kien in the ribs.
Only then did Kien, regaining his senses, nod.
"Have you been here the whole time?"
"We've wandered many places. Those sold as gladiators escaped and settled here, most of them. The same goes for those who were enslaved. We joined the survivors and ended up here. It's been about three years since we settled here."
Luna sighed, thinking of the peace she had barely found.
"Of course, we can't solve everything here, so young people like me travel back and forth across the empire. But, this is a secret."
She spoke calmly, but the hardships and suffering they must have endured to get here were palpable.
Kien's throat rang.
"This is it. The elder will be waiting for you when you go inside."
"Aren't you going in?"
"Why should I?"
Luna shook her head.
"The elder already knows everything. He sees the future."
"...Thank you."
Kien said sincerely and entered the door Luna pointed to.
The door rattled open, filling the air with warmth.
It was a place where human warmth could be felt.
“I thought you’d come someday.”
The voice was languid and soft.
It held enough warmth to soothe even his anxiety.
“Kassius sent you, didn’t he?”
Kien searched for the voice’s owner, startled.
A middle-aged woman stood behind the door, revealing herself before him.
“...Sha, Sha, Shamir?”
Kien’s voice trembled terribly.
The scars etched across her face were deep, but clearly recognizable.
She was Shamir, the Queen of the Yi tribes.
She was Yenica, the last Shamir.
Kassius’s mother!
Kien knelt on the floor.
“I-If I had known you were alive...!”
“I barely managed to survive after Hisham’s death.”
Shamir touched her face.
“I had heard about Kassius. But I couldn’t approach him carelessly. He had joined the Knights of Hientri.”
It felt like everything was falling into place.
Kien's shoulders trembled.
Those he'd believed dead were alive.
With Shamir back, now Hisham too...!
Hope welled up in him that the Yi tribe might regain the sunlight of their past.
"Did Kassius ask you to bring us?"
Yenika had been born with the power to see the near future.
Perhaps that was why she could ask such a question.
Kien nodded.
"Yes. Kassius has established himself in Hiloshine and is waiting there. He has come this far for the Yi tribe. As for his delay..."
"How could that be?"
Yenika turned her head and stared at the sky outside the window.
She had already seen that Kien would arrive today.
That Kassius would call them, and the path he would take.
The very foundations of Hientri would be shaken.
Those who bear the name of Hientri would crumble, and a new wind would blow in their place.
The wind, bearing a radiant golden glow, said,
"The tribes are ready. We will follow Kassius's will."
They could not remain cast aside and languishing in the shadows forever.
It was time for the tribes to make a choice.
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