Episode 88. The Wriggling Hiloshine
Isabella began to regain her strength little by little.
This was thanks to Hiloshine's devoted care.
And it was also thanks to Isabella's desire to learn swordsmanship.
"Next time, I will protect Mother."
These were the words the child repeated like a vow, clutching an unsuitable, sharp sword in her tiny hands.
"Miss! If you're so eager, you might get hurt."
Several knights, including Therion, were taking charge of Isabella's training.
Leaving it to others could have resulted in her being tangled up with the rough knights and injured. So Terion chose the most delicate ones.
"Like this?"
"Yes, well done."
At Therion's nod, the knights watching rose awkwardly and gave her a standing ovation.
Isabella smiled faintly.
As if all of her former childish self had been discarded, Isabella had changed.
She no longer smiled brightly, nor cried.
Did she even realize that was what was more worrying?
Seeing the child barely holding on, his heart filled with pity.
Therion swallowed a sigh of pity.
Even if he told her it wasn't the child's fault, he couldn't console the child who had lost her mother right before her eyes.
Brixton, who had been watching, opened his mouth with a dark expression.
"Prince Meteo. The Emperor has moved. He'll attack Hiloshine again, one way or another."
"I believe so."
"Aren't there any people coming from Shamdir yet?"
"No. They'll arrive within a week."
Brixton nodded slowly.
"The tribesmen are flowing in, following Duke Kassius. I thought there was something unusual, and that's what it is."
"I see Hiloshine is going to be populated."
Meteo smiled softly.
The land Renisha had developed was steadily developing.
Just watching it was quite entertaining.
Renisha laid the foundation and brought in the necessary supplies.
Roads were built, and jobs were created for the people.
The women mined the black metal, which they brought to the forge, and the artisans transformed it into pitch-black weapons and armor.
A crimson glow blazed forth, never ceasing.
"It's reassuring that Prince Meteo is helping us."
"I will stay with you until Renisha achieves her goal."
In truth, Meteo had been more eager to take Renisha to Shamdir.
However, she dreamed of becoming an Emperor.
The vessel was too small to contain Renisha.
She might overflow.
Meteo's small dream had been dashed, but he still had to see her achieve her own.
The King of Shamdir declared his support for Meteo's cause.
However, if there was one thing he wanted, it was a reward for his efforts.
Shamdir had already repaid his debt to Renisha, so he demanded a reward for the help he was providing.
'We will need to solidify the friendly relationship between the royal family and Shamdir in the future, Prince Meteo. If Renisha Lottera ascends to the throne and has an heir, can a descendant of Shamdir sit next to that heir?'
Isabella began to regain her strength little by little.
This was thanks to Hiloshine's devoted care.
And it was also thanks to Isabella's desire to learn swordsmanship.
"Next time, I will protect Mother."
These were the words the child repeated like a vow, clutching an unsuitable, sharp sword in her tiny hands.
"Miss! If you're so eager, you might get hurt."
Several knights, including Therion, were taking charge of Isabella's training.
Leaving it to others could have resulted in her being tangled up with the rough knights and injured. So Terion chose the most delicate ones.
"Like this?"
"Yes, well done."
At Therion's nod, the knights watching rose awkwardly and gave her a standing ovation.
Isabella smiled faintly.
As if all of her former childish self had been discarded, Isabella had changed.
She no longer smiled brightly, nor cried.
Did she even realize that was what was more worrying?
Seeing the child barely holding on, his heart filled with pity.
Therion swallowed a sigh of pity.
Even if he told her it wasn't the child's fault, he couldn't console the child who had lost her mother right before her eyes.
Brixton, who had been watching, opened his mouth with a dark expression.
"Prince Meteo. The Emperor has moved. He'll attack Hiloshine again, one way or another."
"I believe so."
"Aren't there any people coming from Shamdir yet?"
"No. They'll arrive within a week."
Brixton nodded slowly.
"The tribesmen are flowing in, following Duke Kassius. I thought there was something unusual, and that's what it is."
"I see Hiloshine is going to be populated."
Meteo smiled softly.
The land Renisha had developed was steadily developing.
Just watching it was quite entertaining.
Renisha laid the foundation and brought in the necessary supplies.
Roads were built, and jobs were created for the people.
The women mined the black metal, which they brought to the forge, and the artisans transformed it into pitch-black weapons and armor.
A crimson glow blazed forth, never ceasing.
"It's reassuring that Prince Meteo is helping us."
"I will stay with you until Renisha achieves her goal."
In truth, Meteo had been more eager to take Renisha to Shamdir.
However, she dreamed of becoming an Emperor.
The vessel was too small to contain Renisha.
She might overflow.
Meteo's small dream had been dashed, but he still had to see her achieve her own.
The King of Shamdir declared his support for Meteo's cause.
However, if there was one thing he wanted, it was a reward for his efforts.
Shamdir had already repaid his debt to Renisha, so he demanded a reward for the help he was providing.
'We will need to solidify the friendly relationship between the royal family and Shamdir in the future, Prince Meteo. If Renisha Lottera ascends to the throne and has an heir, can a descendant of Shamdir sit next to that heir?'
Meteor's heart sank.
He coveted the seat next to Renisha. He pondered countless times whether Kassius would be a good fit for that position.
And then he realized too late: it wasn't Meteo who decided, but Renisha!
The person Renisha chose would sit next to her.
Meteo had no chance.
Even knowing this, he couldn't stop the wind that sometimes blew in his chest.
Instead, he wanted Shamdir's descendant to join Renisha's family.
Right now, Hiloshine and Renisha were clearly short on troops.
With Count Calliot's death, most of the knights of the capital had fallen to Laxus, and the knights guarding the border were powerless.
Both Renisha and Laxus likely knew that this would open the way for foreign powers.
What Renisha needed was their support.
Therefore, she had no choice but to draw troops from elsewhere.
The former knights of Lottera, the knights who had accompanied Kassius, and Shamdir.
Renisha now had ample reinforcements.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Prince Meteo. I only did what I should have done."
The day he first met Renisha kept making his heart flutter.
That face, so beautiful, always smiling.
Even next to the Emperor, who was rumored to be mad, Renisha shone with unparalleled brilliance. Even the miserable words of the Duke of Lottera couldn't fade her.
In the gloomy atmosphere of the imperial court, Renisha alone caught his eye.
Meteo let out a slow sigh.
She was a captivating woman.
Who wouldn't covet that dazzling light?
How many were captivated by Renisha?
Emperor Laxus, Kassius, and even Meteo.
They all bet their lives on Renisha.
Brixton tapped Meteo on the shoulder and left.
For some reason, Meteo remained motionless for a long time.
"If the Yi tribes and Shamdir come in, there's a chance a spy could be mixed in."
Therion nodded solemnly at Brixton's words.
It was something Therion was also worried about.
The Yi tribes were a force that needed to be absorbed into Hiloshine.
And Shamdir was a force that would eventually have to return.
They couldn't be merged.
Nor could they be openly monitored.
But, now that Hiloshine had already attacked, there was no way to know what subversive elements might be intermingling among them.
"Isabella's escort..."
Brixton sighed after saying that much.
Isabella was already under impenetrable protection.
It was no exaggeration to say that all eyes had been on Isabella since Haylin's kidnapping.
"She'll be alright."
Therion smiled awkwardly.
"You can protect her, right? Haylin did a great job protecting our child. But I couldn't protect Haylin. So, Isabella..."
"You can. Haylin won't be defeated by them again. Then..."
Everything just fell into place.
The brief five minutes the patrol was away overlapped with the time Isabella and Haylin were exposed outside.
Spies, having exploited that coincidence, had stolen Haylin and fled.
"It won't happen again,"
Therion said firmly.
The knights of Lottera were returning.
And not just the Yi tribes and Shamdir.
Glorious knights of the past, who would have given their lives for Lottera, had returned, vowing to keep their oath to the former Duke of Lottera.
They knew Brixton and Isabella.
The knights of Lottera and the knights of Kassius were defending the castle together.
The walls were growing thicker, as was the increasing number of people.
"Prince Meteo might harbor other thoughts. Even if he's Shamdir, he wouldn't be so indefinite. Regarding that..."
“I won’t reveal this yet. Prince Meteo isn’t that petty. Besides, Shamdir is a man of faith, and he wouldn’t kidnap and threaten a young lady.”
“Yes, you’re right. But I don’t know why I feel so uneasy. I’m sure I’ve missed something, but I can’t figure out what.”
Brixton slowly looked around.
Hiloshine was prospering.
As the population grew, so did the buildings and the noise.
Brixton’s grip on the watchtower tightened.
What could be the cause of this anxiety?
What on earth was approaching Hiloshine?
He had promised Renisha that he would protect Hiloshine.
Until she returned... he must defend this castle.
Then, Brixton received a helping hand.
“The leader of the Yi tribe requests to see you, Brixton.”
A new figure had appeared.
A woman with a veil had approached Brixton.
“I am the leader of the Yi tribe. Please call me Yenika.”
"I am Brixton Lottera. You call yourself Hisham?"
The woman shook her head, her face alight with surprise.
"There is no more Hisham. The Yi tribe is extinct, and their bloodline is dead."
Brixton chuckled.
"I have nothing to talk to about with someone dishonest. I guess Lottera is blind. Or do you have something to protect?"
Yenika looked up, and Brixton's eyes met.
Yenika smiled bitterly.
"I suppose you have something to protect."
“I know about Kassius. You don’t have to be so cautious. It’s a secret my father kept, and I will keep it too. I promise.”
“...Hisham’s bloodline has been cut off. There will be no more nations of the Yi tribes.”
Yenika pulled down her veil, revealing her eyes that shone with a strange light.
“I can foresee the future.”
Isabella gripped her sword tightly.
“If you exert yourself like that, you could hurt your young lady. Relax.”
Isabella nodded with a serious face.
It was Kassius’s knights who had breathed strength into Isabella, who had been walking around like a ghost, without any energy.
Those who had crossed the line of death with her.
“Slowly. Find your own stance, young lady. Don’t try to swing your sword too heavily, but let it flow naturally, like water. Yes.”
Isabella exhaled slowly.
The child’s shoulders shook.
It had been hours since she had stopped breathing.
It was both heartbreaking and admirable to see the child clenching his teeth and lunging at him.
“...Next time, I can protect you, right? Not only you, but also my father and my aunt.”
“Of course, Miss. You’re doing quite well, even though it’s your first time.”
Isabella looked down at her hands.
“I wish they’d grow up quickly. I wish these hands would double in size and grow as tall as my father. Then I could protect them all.”
The knight ruffled Isabella’s hair.
The child’s head, already quite grown, shook. Isabella raised her head with tearful eyes.
“A brat like this is worrying adults. I’m sorry, Miss. I promised to protect you.”
Isabella pursed her lips and shook her head.
Even Isabella knew it wasn’t anyone’s fault.
If there was any fault, it would lie with those who instigated it.
Isabella stubbornly raised her head.
“It’s okay. You protect me, sir. I’ll protect others.”
The knights smiled helplessly.
Hiloshine's little one was growing day by day, like a sprout soaked in dew.
The typhoon was growing bigger and bigger.
Couldn't they protect this innocent child amidst all this?
"Let's do it again,"
Isabella said. The knights nodded.
"Good, Miss. Just like we did before."
He coveted the seat next to Renisha. He pondered countless times whether Kassius would be a good fit for that position.
And then he realized too late: it wasn't Meteo who decided, but Renisha!
The person Renisha chose would sit next to her.
Meteo had no chance.
Even knowing this, he couldn't stop the wind that sometimes blew in his chest.
Instead, he wanted Shamdir's descendant to join Renisha's family.
Right now, Hiloshine and Renisha were clearly short on troops.
With Count Calliot's death, most of the knights of the capital had fallen to Laxus, and the knights guarding the border were powerless.
Both Renisha and Laxus likely knew that this would open the way for foreign powers.
What Renisha needed was their support.
Therefore, she had no choice but to draw troops from elsewhere.
The former knights of Lottera, the knights who had accompanied Kassius, and Shamdir.
Renisha now had ample reinforcements.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Prince Meteo. I only did what I should have done."
The day he first met Renisha kept making his heart flutter.
That face, so beautiful, always smiling.
Even next to the Emperor, who was rumored to be mad, Renisha shone with unparalleled brilliance. Even the miserable words of the Duke of Lottera couldn't fade her.
In the gloomy atmosphere of the imperial court, Renisha alone caught his eye.
Meteo let out a slow sigh.
She was a captivating woman.
Who wouldn't covet that dazzling light?
How many were captivated by Renisha?
Emperor Laxus, Kassius, and even Meteo.
They all bet their lives on Renisha.
Brixton tapped Meteo on the shoulder and left.
For some reason, Meteo remained motionless for a long time.
***
"If the Yi tribes and Shamdir come in, there's a chance a spy could be mixed in."
Therion nodded solemnly at Brixton's words.
It was something Therion was also worried about.
The Yi tribes were a force that needed to be absorbed into Hiloshine.
And Shamdir was a force that would eventually have to return.
They couldn't be merged.
Nor could they be openly monitored.
But, now that Hiloshine had already attacked, there was no way to know what subversive elements might be intermingling among them.
"Isabella's escort..."
Brixton sighed after saying that much.
Isabella was already under impenetrable protection.
It was no exaggeration to say that all eyes had been on Isabella since Haylin's kidnapping.
"She'll be alright."
Therion smiled awkwardly.
"You can protect her, right? Haylin did a great job protecting our child. But I couldn't protect Haylin. So, Isabella..."
"You can. Haylin won't be defeated by them again. Then..."
Everything just fell into place.
The brief five minutes the patrol was away overlapped with the time Isabella and Haylin were exposed outside.
Spies, having exploited that coincidence, had stolen Haylin and fled.
"It won't happen again,"
Therion said firmly.
The knights of Lottera were returning.
And not just the Yi tribes and Shamdir.
Glorious knights of the past, who would have given their lives for Lottera, had returned, vowing to keep their oath to the former Duke of Lottera.
They knew Brixton and Isabella.
The knights of Lottera and the knights of Kassius were defending the castle together.
The walls were growing thicker, as was the increasing number of people.
"Prince Meteo might harbor other thoughts. Even if he's Shamdir, he wouldn't be so indefinite. Regarding that..."
“I won’t reveal this yet. Prince Meteo isn’t that petty. Besides, Shamdir is a man of faith, and he wouldn’t kidnap and threaten a young lady.”
“Yes, you’re right. But I don’t know why I feel so uneasy. I’m sure I’ve missed something, but I can’t figure out what.”
Brixton slowly looked around.
Hiloshine was prospering.
As the population grew, so did the buildings and the noise.
Brixton’s grip on the watchtower tightened.
What could be the cause of this anxiety?
What on earth was approaching Hiloshine?
He had promised Renisha that he would protect Hiloshine.
Until she returned... he must defend this castle.
Then, Brixton received a helping hand.
“The leader of the Yi tribe requests to see you, Brixton.”
A new figure had appeared.
A woman with a veil had approached Brixton.
“I am the leader of the Yi tribe. Please call me Yenika.”
"I am Brixton Lottera. You call yourself Hisham?"
The woman shook her head, her face alight with surprise.
"There is no more Hisham. The Yi tribe is extinct, and their bloodline is dead."
Brixton chuckled.
"I have nothing to talk to about with someone dishonest. I guess Lottera is blind. Or do you have something to protect?"
Yenika looked up, and Brixton's eyes met.
Yenika smiled bitterly.
"I suppose you have something to protect."
“I know about Kassius. You don’t have to be so cautious. It’s a secret my father kept, and I will keep it too. I promise.”
“...Hisham’s bloodline has been cut off. There will be no more nations of the Yi tribes.”
Yenika pulled down her veil, revealing her eyes that shone with a strange light.
“I can foresee the future.”
***
Isabella gripped her sword tightly.
“If you exert yourself like that, you could hurt your young lady. Relax.”
Isabella nodded with a serious face.
It was Kassius’s knights who had breathed strength into Isabella, who had been walking around like a ghost, without any energy.
Those who had crossed the line of death with her.
“Slowly. Find your own stance, young lady. Don’t try to swing your sword too heavily, but let it flow naturally, like water. Yes.”
Isabella exhaled slowly.
The child’s shoulders shook.
It had been hours since she had stopped breathing.
It was both heartbreaking and admirable to see the child clenching his teeth and lunging at him.
“...Next time, I can protect you, right? Not only you, but also my father and my aunt.”
“Of course, Miss. You’re doing quite well, even though it’s your first time.”
Isabella looked down at her hands.
“I wish they’d grow up quickly. I wish these hands would double in size and grow as tall as my father. Then I could protect them all.”
The knight ruffled Isabella’s hair.
The child’s head, already quite grown, shook. Isabella raised her head with tearful eyes.
“A brat like this is worrying adults. I’m sorry, Miss. I promised to protect you.”
Isabella pursed her lips and shook her head.
Even Isabella knew it wasn’t anyone’s fault.
If there was any fault, it would lie with those who instigated it.
Isabella stubbornly raised her head.
“It’s okay. You protect me, sir. I’ll protect others.”
The knights smiled helplessly.
Hiloshine's little one was growing day by day, like a sprout soaked in dew.
The typhoon was growing bigger and bigger.
Couldn't they protect this innocent child amidst all this?
"Let's do it again,"
Isabella said. The knights nodded.
"Good, Miss. Just like we did before."
Comments
Post a Comment