Episode 64. Renisha Returns
Count Calliot departed, leaving Meteo behind.
The Shamdir people who had followed Meteo followed the Prince's decision as if it were a given.
Kassius stood in the restored watchtower and watched them depart for a long time.
"Count Calliot. All this time, I've been nothing more than Knight Kassius on the battlefield. I can't help but lag behind you, Prince Meteo, or even the Emperor. I'm merely a tool to fulfill Renisha's wishes. However, I have no intention of ending up there."
Kassius had a deep conversation with Count Calliot the previous night, unable to even close his eyes.
"I need your help."
Kassius made a frank request.
While Kassius was on the battlefield, Count Calliot had experienced the world's ups and downs firsthand in the empire.
Their experiences were different.
Count Calliot accepted Kassius's honest request for guidance.
"I have no sons to teach. Only my filthy grandchildren remain. I have no intention of letting them hold a sword. I will teach you, Your Excellency, as my son. I will impart everything I have to you. Those who wield a sword and those who wield a pen have different responsibilities. And then..."
Laxus chuckled.
“I’ve decided to do everything you hate, so I guess I’ll do the same this time, right? Renisha will return here, delighted. How long would a woman raised preciously endure such a place? She’d surely fly back holding Count Calliot’s hand? What would she do with that slave?”
Laxus’s face was a mess, a mixture of anger, jealousy, and an unknown emotion.
The ghost said nothing.
It simply stared at Laxus.
Blood trickled down the ghost’s face and puddled on the floor.
Laxus licked his lips.
“I’ll ruin your daughter before your very eyes. I won’t let her rest in peace, not even in death. Say something!!”
The first time he’d sent Renisha away, he’d been overcome with the joy of defeating Duke Lottera.
The Duke, who had looked down at him as if teaching him, would never be erased from his mind.
In Laxus’s imagination, Duke Lottera continued to climb the stairs, peering down at the top of his head.
He stood atop a limitless peak.
Laxus's chin trembled.
"Say something!!!"
He clenched his fist.
It was the fear of his life.
Those who had infiltrated his surroundings whispered in his ear.
Now that he had made him Emperor, Lottera could turn the tables at any moment.
Aren't you afraid of him?
Laxus began to believe that Lottera wanted to become Emperor himself.
The doubts and fears that had seeped into his heart grew with each passing day...
"You damned punk! What are you going to do, looking at me like that? What can you do when you're already dead!"
Laxus threw his glass into the air.
Doubt and fear had become his illness.
Laxus turned pale and gasped, his breath clenching to the tip of his throat.
Submerged in inescapable cold water, he struggled, barely able to poke his head out and breathe. Once, twice, three times. Laxus clutched his head.
Henry sighed and entrusted himself to Isabella.
He knew Isabella wasn't wrong.
There were limits to relying on the sensations at the tip of the cane.
Besides, he'd only recently started using it, so his body was covered in bruises.
It was true that he needed help to survive here.
He couldn't trust Helena, Jane, or anyone else in the mansion.
But Isabella was still young.
What could a child like her know about the tricks of adults?
Henry finished his calculations in a short time.
"...Thank you, my lady."
Helena and Jane's eyes gleamed sharply as they watched Henry limp down the stairs with Isabella.
They were in a mutually deceptive relationship.
They couldn't overlook the fact that Henry could use Isabella.
Helena had cornered Henry.
She couldn't let Henry be the mouse that bites the cat, could she?
Meanwhile, Renisha and Kassius were on their way to the island.
Renisha, who had been sleeping out for a long time, looked around the campsite with a new expression.
As she had noticed before, the people who moved in unison, setting up and preparing their tents, were amazingly skilled.
And Kassius was no exception.
Kassius quickly and effectively set up the makeshift tent for Renisha and him.
“Now, you can go inside and sit down. I’ve laid down thick blankets, so the chill from the ground won’t rise.”
“It’s still amazing to see you again.”
Renisha held Kassius’ hand and walked briskly.
The journey back to the capital was a little lighter than the journey to Hiloshine.
This was likely thanks to what Renisha had recovered.
Brixton and Haylin had returned, and even Shamdir had offered his hand.
Everything was going smoothly, and she felt good.
“Kassius, can’t you see the capital?”
Renisha smiled, pointing to the imperial flag, small enough to cover with her fingertips.
Count Calliot departed, leaving Meteo behind.
The Shamdir people who had followed Meteo followed the Prince's decision as if it were a given.
Kassius stood in the restored watchtower and watched them depart for a long time.
"Count Calliot. All this time, I've been nothing more than Knight Kassius on the battlefield. I can't help but lag behind you, Prince Meteo, or even the Emperor. I'm merely a tool to fulfill Renisha's wishes. However, I have no intention of ending up there."
Kassius had a deep conversation with Count Calliot the previous night, unable to even close his eyes.
"I need your help."
Kassius made a frank request.
While Kassius was on the battlefield, Count Calliot had experienced the world's ups and downs firsthand in the empire.
Their experiences were different.
Count Calliot accepted Kassius's honest request for guidance.
"I have no sons to teach. Only my filthy grandchildren remain. I have no intention of letting them hold a sword. I will teach you, Your Excellency, as my son. I will impart everything I have to you. Those who wield a sword and those who wield a pen have different responsibilities. And then..."
"..."
"If I ever need your help, please help me just this once,"
Count Calliot said, his face heavy.
Kassius knew how dangerous it was to assume something abstract.
It was like stepping into an invisible trap.
However, Kassius could not refuse Count Calliot's extended hand.
It was something he too desperately wanted.
He longed to be the most suitable companion.
"Come to the islands, Your Excellency. I will be there."
Shamdir and his party would board a ship at the nearest port.
That was Count Calliot's job.
And that evening.
At the right time and timing, an invitation arrived from the palace.
It was an invitation from Canary to Renisha.
Laxus laughed bitterly.
“You’re a loser.”
Violet eyes flashed with a strange light.
A transparent ghost with a blue tint stood there, glaring at Laxus without saying a word.
“I abandoned your daughter. In the end, you protected nothing! And I... I intend to bring that woman, Renisha, back to me. I, I overlooked the fact that you hated having me by Renisha’s side. You disliked me. You hated having Renisha by my side.”
"If I ever need your help, please help me just this once,"
Count Calliot said, his face heavy.
Kassius knew how dangerous it was to assume something abstract.
It was like stepping into an invisible trap.
However, Kassius could not refuse Count Calliot's extended hand.
It was something he too desperately wanted.
He longed to be the most suitable companion.
"Come to the islands, Your Excellency. I will be there."
Shamdir and his party would board a ship at the nearest port.
That was Count Calliot's job.
And that evening.
At the right time and timing, an invitation arrived from the palace.
It was an invitation from Canary to Renisha.
***
Laxus laughed bitterly.
“You’re a loser.”
Violet eyes flashed with a strange light.
A transparent ghost with a blue tint stood there, glaring at Laxus without saying a word.
“I abandoned your daughter. In the end, you protected nothing! And I... I intend to bring that woman, Renisha, back to me. I, I overlooked the fact that you hated having me by Renisha’s side. You disliked me. You hated having Renisha by my side.”
Laxus chuckled.
“I’ve decided to do everything you hate, so I guess I’ll do the same this time, right? Renisha will return here, delighted. How long would a woman raised preciously endure such a place? She’d surely fly back holding Count Calliot’s hand? What would she do with that slave?”
Laxus’s face was a mess, a mixture of anger, jealousy, and an unknown emotion.
The ghost said nothing.
It simply stared at Laxus.
Blood trickled down the ghost’s face and puddled on the floor.
Laxus licked his lips.
“I’ll ruin your daughter before your very eyes. I won’t let her rest in peace, not even in death. Say something!!”
The first time he’d sent Renisha away, he’d been overcome with the joy of defeating Duke Lottera.
The Duke, who had looked down at him as if teaching him, would never be erased from his mind.
In Laxus’s imagination, Duke Lottera continued to climb the stairs, peering down at the top of his head.
He stood atop a limitless peak.
Laxus's chin trembled.
"Say something!!!"
He clenched his fist.
It was the fear of his life.
Those who had infiltrated his surroundings whispered in his ear.
Now that he had made him Emperor, Lottera could turn the tables at any moment.
Aren't you afraid of him?
Laxus began to believe that Lottera wanted to become Emperor himself.
The doubts and fears that had seeped into his heart grew with each passing day...
"You damned punk! What are you going to do, looking at me like that? What can you do when you're already dead!"
Laxus threw his glass into the air.
Doubt and fear had become his illness.
Laxus turned pale and gasped, his breath clenching to the tip of his throat.
Submerged in inescapable cold water, he struggled, barely able to poke his head out and breathe. Once, twice, three times. Laxus clutched his head.
“Eaaaahh...!"
However, everyone agreed that the imperial palace was in danger. If things continued this way, the imperial family's positions were in danger.
***
Turiel grinned brightly and urged her staff.
“Hurry up! Isn’t Lady Renisha going to be back soon?”
The staff’s spirits also rose at Turiel’s voice, which had risen by a single tone. Turiel’s mood had been rising ever since she heard the news of Renisha’s return. Renisha was returning to the island to attend the banquet hosted by Canary and see the new opera that was being staged.
People were betting on where Renisha would stay. Half of the bets were that she would stay in the company residence prepared by Laxus, while the other half said she would stay at Kassius’s mansion.
Turiel chose the latter without hesitation. Renisha had asked her to look after Kassius’s mansion before leaving the island. Turiel planned to have the mansion completely renovated before Renisha and her party arrived. She was spending her days personally selecting new carpets, curtains, and blankets with the costume shop staff.
Renisha was returning to the island! She wasn't exactly the person he'd predicted!
Turiel's heart swelled.
***
Renisha and Kassius set off again for the island. Isabella, Brixton, and Haylin remained in Hiloshine. And Renisha had given Isabella a very important role.
"You have to keep an eye on Henry."
Isabella clenched her fists. Helena and Jane stared at her with expressions of affection. Renisha had given the child a new mission, coaxing Isabella into going to the island with her. It was merely an excuse to leave Isabella behind, but the child had accepted it wholeheartedly. For Helena and Jane, who had to attend to Henry all day long, it was one of the joys of being invisible. Henry had become increasingly irritable. He was sensitive to what he heard and nitpicked at people's comments.
Isabella's eyes widened as she stalked after Henry. Henry, who stumbled and walked with a cane, was so gaunt that he would stumble at the slightest bump.
"Uh-huh!"
Isabella ran to Henry and helped him up. Henry, barely able to lean on his cane, put his arm around the girl's shoulder.
"Are you okay?"
Isabella asked with a worried expression. Helena and Jane snickered at Isabella's reaction. It seemed Isabella wasn't cut out to be a secret spy.
"What! Let go!"
"Oh! Don't! You'll fall if you do that!"
"Miss Isabella!!"
Isabella grabbed Henry's arm tightly. Helena and Jane were shocked to see Isabella staggering along with Henry. Henry hesitated at Isabella's sharply called name. He wondered who was supporting him.
"...Miss Isabella?"
"That's right! Henry, are you okay? You almost fell hard just now. I think you're hurt."
"...Let go. It's okay! I don't want anyone's help when there are enemies all around me."
Henry reacted sharply, revealing his true feelings without reservation.
"We'll discuss that later, Henry. There's a staircase right in front of you. If you fall down here, it'll be your loss, right?"
Isabella said bluntly.
"For now, let me help you, Henry."
Henry sighed and entrusted himself to Isabella.
He knew Isabella wasn't wrong.
There were limits to relying on the sensations at the tip of the cane.
Besides, he'd only recently started using it, so his body was covered in bruises.
It was true that he needed help to survive here.
He couldn't trust Helena, Jane, or anyone else in the mansion.
But Isabella was still young.
What could a child like her know about the tricks of adults?
Henry finished his calculations in a short time.
"...Thank you, my lady."
Helena and Jane's eyes gleamed sharply as they watched Henry limp down the stairs with Isabella.
They were in a mutually deceptive relationship.
They couldn't overlook the fact that Henry could use Isabella.
Helena had cornered Henry.
She couldn't let Henry be the mouse that bites the cat, could she?
***
Meanwhile, Renisha and Kassius were on their way to the island.
Renisha, who had been sleeping out for a long time, looked around the campsite with a new expression.
As she had noticed before, the people who moved in unison, setting up and preparing their tents, were amazingly skilled.
And Kassius was no exception.
Kassius quickly and effectively set up the makeshift tent for Renisha and him.
“Now, you can go inside and sit down. I’ve laid down thick blankets, so the chill from the ground won’t rise.”
“It’s still amazing to see you again.”
Renisha held Kassius’ hand and walked briskly.
The journey back to the capital was a little lighter than the journey to Hiloshine.
This was likely thanks to what Renisha had recovered.
Brixton and Haylin had returned, and even Shamdir had offered his hand.
Everything was going smoothly, and she felt good.
“Kassius, can’t you see the capital?”
Renisha smiled, pointing to the imperial flag, small enough to cover with her fingertips.
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