Episode 89. You Want to Be Like Me?
As people began to flock to Hiloshine, the streets began to come alive.
New restaurants and bars opened like mushrooms.
The number of strangers also increased.
Most of them were people who had gathered as Hiloshine began to develop, attracted by the scent of money.
The inn business began to flourish, and an information guild also appeared.
Money began to flow into Hiloshine.
Among them were people of uncertain identities.
“It was a wasteland when I came here, but it really has a lot of people. And somehow, trees are growing here.”
“Tsk. Who cares? We just have to do our job.”
As the two men were talking, another man joined in.
He took off his hat and drank water in gulps.
Water droplets formed on his bushy beard.
"I just came back from a quick look outside, and there sure are a lot of swordsmen here. I heard they're recruiting new knights in Hiloshine."
"Recruiting knights? Is that legal?"
"No way. The Duke must be up to something. It's a rumor that's been spreading, so everyone's keeping quiet."
"They say knights who once pledged themselves to Lottera are also flocking here. It seems Lottera's bloodline is seeking them out."
"Huh. Is heaven helping us? If we disguise ourselves as Lottera knights, wouldn't it be easier to get in?"
"Perhaps. Perhaps not. If we can at least mimic Lottera's swordsmanship, we'll get in, but if not, we'll be under suspicion."
"In any case, that means the way into the castle is open."
All three men nodded in unison.
Their target was the sturdy castle.
It was newly expanded, so there were no worn-out areas, no holes to dig through.
"Tsk. Didn't I just accept a pointless request?"
“Think about the money. That old man seemed to have a lot of money. If I get the remaining balance, I can just eat and play for five years.”
“Good.”
They stood up.
Nothing would get accomplished just sitting like this.
The gates they had to overcome were too high.
Renisha found Luna quite intriguing.
It was obvious she had feelings for Kassius, but her actions were...
Luna’s history said she had been a slave gladiator before being returned to the tribesmen.
Moreover, she had lived as a fugitive with them. Luna rudely looked at the dress she was wearing.
Since Luna had entered as a maid, a dress was essential.
Turiel had successfully disguised Luna’s identity and brought her in.
“Luna. You don’t like the dress?”
Renisha asked with a smile.
“Ah, ahhhh... no,”
Luna replied with a sigh.
"If you don't like it, feel free to answer. I gave you permission."
Luna glanced at Renisha.
Strangely, Renisha possessed an undeniable power.
And she was clearly a woman who couldn't even hold a sword, yet she was terrifying.
Luna couldn't even figure out what part of her made her feel that way.
Renisha wasn't even tall.
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
Haylin seemed to dislike Luna, who didn't even know court etiquette, but she just sighed.
Luna didn't know what was wrong with speaking informally to Renisha.
Renisha liked Luna's honesty.
"Actually, I hate this dress. I hate this color, and I hate lace."
"Ah."
Renisha burst out laughing, seemingly finding a fun joke in her dull palace life.
"Then I'll let you choose the dress you like."
"Should I invite Turiel?"
"Fine, Haylin."
"I hate that woman! She's a real venomous snake! More so than you..."
"I told you to watch your words, didn't I, Luna?"
Renisha tilted her head.
"You have to keep a certain line for them to even consider this. "
Luna pursed her lips.
"...I'm saying she's scarier than you, Renisha."
It seems there are many strong people in this world, even if they can't wield a sword.
Luna's shoulders slumped.
Renisha chuckled and spoke to Haylin.
“Tell Turiel to come in. And while you’re at it, bring anything you want.”
“Yes, Renisha.”
Haylin nodded.
She was once destined to be a noble Duchess, but now she was serving Renisha.
A mere maid.
But this was fine.
If it meant surviving, what wouldn’t she do?
Haylin left Renisha’s bedroom with a blank expression.
“What did you just say?”
“I said I couldn’t take the Prince with me, Your Majesty.”
Duke Cloud bowed his head. He was being polite, but anyone could tell he meant otherwise.
Laxus let out a hollow laugh.
Laxus tilted his head and leaned in closer to Duke Cloud. The Duke, a handful shorter than Laxus, took a step back unconsciously.
Behind him was Canary’s Palace.
“Has my Empress clung to you?”
“You shouldn’t be so rude to Her Majesty the Empress.”
"Do I still look like a child you need to teach?"
Laxus ran a hand through his hair.
The nobles, including Duke Cloud, were supporting him.
So, it was only natural that he couldn't do anything rash to Duke Cloud.
Laxus gritted his teeth. For the first time in a while, Canary was finally thinking clearly.
A bird that was put in a cage to sing, only to peck at its owner?
Luna’s scream cracked Turiel’s smile.
“Do you know how much that dress costs?”
Turiel jumped up from her seat.
“Then let you try on another dress. All of them!”
“Ugh! I’m not a doll!”
Luna, who had finally run out into the mess, shook her head.
If she had known the palace was like this, she would never have come in! Kassius had tricked her.
“Luna. Didn’t you want to be like me?”
“What?”
“That’s exactly what you looked like.”
Renisha chuckled.
Her pink eyes, curved with a smile, turned to Luna.
Luna flinched.
Did she want to be like Renisha?
Of course she did.
It seemed like Kassius liked women like Renisha.
She knew Luna could be that pretty if she wore a dress. Even more so than Renisha!
“Everything requires painstaking effort, Luna. It takes a lifetime to act and speak like me. I achieved this, just as you achieved it with your sword.”
“...Holding a sword is harder. It takes a very long time to train.”
“The same goes for me, Luna. I trained my whole life. These gestures, these eyes. Even the way I think and speak. So you too must strive to become like me.”
Luna puffed out her cheeks.
“I don’t have to!”
“No. You're needed, Luna. There are only three days left. The festival honoring the Three Serpent Gods. The Emperor intends to take me there. And I will gladly attend. Are you going to send me alone?”
Renisha tilted her head.
This time, she looked like an innocent little girl.
Luna gritted her teeth.
Luna had promised Kassius when she came here.
She would protect Renisha.
She would never send Renisha alone, no matter where she went.
If Renisha were to go there alone, she would be breaking her promise.
“...No. Absolutely not!”
“Good. Then go in and choose the dress you like. If possible, choose the one that suits you best.”
Luna stomped her foot and went back inside.
Renisha drank her tea with elegance.
It felt like she had a tomboyish little sister. Quite cute.
As people began to flock to Hiloshine, the streets began to come alive.
New restaurants and bars opened like mushrooms.
The number of strangers also increased.
Most of them were people who had gathered as Hiloshine began to develop, attracted by the scent of money.
The inn business began to flourish, and an information guild also appeared.
Money began to flow into Hiloshine.
Among them were people of uncertain identities.
“It was a wasteland when I came here, but it really has a lot of people. And somehow, trees are growing here.”
“Tsk. Who cares? We just have to do our job.”
As the two men were talking, another man joined in.
He took off his hat and drank water in gulps.
Water droplets formed on his bushy beard.
"I just came back from a quick look outside, and there sure are a lot of swordsmen here. I heard they're recruiting new knights in Hiloshine."
"Recruiting knights? Is that legal?"
"No way. The Duke must be up to something. It's a rumor that's been spreading, so everyone's keeping quiet."
"They say knights who once pledged themselves to Lottera are also flocking here. It seems Lottera's bloodline is seeking them out."
"Huh. Is heaven helping us? If we disguise ourselves as Lottera knights, wouldn't it be easier to get in?"
"Perhaps. Perhaps not. If we can at least mimic Lottera's swordsmanship, we'll get in, but if not, we'll be under suspicion."
"In any case, that means the way into the castle is open."
All three men nodded in unison.
Their target was the sturdy castle.
It was newly expanded, so there were no worn-out areas, no holes to dig through.
"Tsk. Didn't I just accept a pointless request?"
“Think about the money. That old man seemed to have a lot of money. If I get the remaining balance, I can just eat and play for five years.”
“Good.”
They stood up.
Nothing would get accomplished just sitting like this.
The gates they had to overcome were too high.
***
Renisha found Luna quite intriguing.
It was obvious she had feelings for Kassius, but her actions were...
'It feels like bullying the kid I liked back in my childhood.'
Luna’s history said she had been a slave gladiator before being returned to the tribesmen.
Moreover, she had lived as a fugitive with them. Luna rudely looked at the dress she was wearing.
Since Luna had entered as a maid, a dress was essential.
Turiel had successfully disguised Luna’s identity and brought her in.
“Luna. You don’t like the dress?”
Renisha asked with a smile.
“Ah, ahhhh... no,”
Luna replied with a sigh.
"If you don't like it, feel free to answer. I gave you permission."
Luna glanced at Renisha.
Strangely, Renisha possessed an undeniable power.
And she was clearly a woman who couldn't even hold a sword, yet she was terrifying.
Luna couldn't even figure out what part of her made her feel that way.
Renisha wasn't even tall.
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
Haylin seemed to dislike Luna, who didn't even know court etiquette, but she just sighed.
Luna didn't know what was wrong with speaking informally to Renisha.
Renisha liked Luna's honesty.
"Actually, I hate this dress. I hate this color, and I hate lace."
"Ah."
Renisha burst out laughing, seemingly finding a fun joke in her dull palace life.
"Then I'll let you choose the dress you like."
"Should I invite Turiel?"
"Fine, Haylin."
"I hate that woman! She's a real venomous snake! More so than you..."
"I told you to watch your words, didn't I, Luna?"
Renisha tilted her head.
"You have to keep a certain line for them to even consider this. "
Luna pursed her lips.
"...I'm saying she's scarier than you, Renisha."
It seems there are many strong people in this world, even if they can't wield a sword.
Luna's shoulders slumped.
Renisha chuckled and spoke to Haylin.
“Tell Turiel to come in. And while you’re at it, bring anything you want.”
“Yes, Renisha.”
Haylin nodded.
She was once destined to be a noble Duchess, but now she was serving Renisha.
A mere maid.
But this was fine.
If it meant surviving, what wouldn’t she do?
Haylin left Renisha’s bedroom with a blank expression.
***
“What did you just say?”
“I said I couldn’t take the Prince with me, Your Majesty.”
Duke Cloud bowed his head. He was being polite, but anyone could tell he meant otherwise.
Laxus let out a hollow laugh.
Laxus tilted his head and leaned in closer to Duke Cloud. The Duke, a handful shorter than Laxus, took a step back unconsciously.
Behind him was Canary’s Palace.
“Has my Empress clung to you?”
“You shouldn’t be so rude to Her Majesty the Empress.”
"Do I still look like a child you need to teach?"
Laxus ran a hand through his hair.
The nobles, including Duke Cloud, were supporting him.
So, it was only natural that he couldn't do anything rash to Duke Cloud.
Laxus gritted his teeth. For the first time in a while, Canary was finally thinking clearly.
A bird that was put in a cage to sing, only to peck at its owner?
"What did Canary promise you? A seat next to my son? To seize this empire in the future? Did she really say he could become Emperor?"
"Your Majesty, what are you talking about? Your Majesty is in good health. And if things go according to plan, the Prince will succeed you. Of course."
"Even if I don't allow that obvious thing? Duke Cloud, haven't you made a premature choice?"
"Your Majesty, don't act like a child."
Duke Cloud raised his pointed chin.
If he loses here, he'll lose for life.
With so many onlookers, he couldn't yield.
All this time, Duke Cloud's power had come from Laxus.
Because Laxus had given him a leg up. It had to remain that way.
Duke Cloud's heart pounded.
"...If that's what you think, then yes. If you see me as a child, then yes. If you think that child has the potential to become emperor, then yes. Right, Duke Cloud?"
"Your Majesty, what are you talking about? Your Majesty is in good health. And if things go according to plan, the Prince will succeed you. Of course."
"Even if I don't allow that obvious thing? Duke Cloud, haven't you made a premature choice?"
"Your Majesty, don't act like a child."
Duke Cloud raised his pointed chin.
If he loses here, he'll lose for life.
With so many onlookers, he couldn't yield.
All this time, Duke Cloud's power had come from Laxus.
Because Laxus had given him a leg up. It had to remain that way.
Duke Cloud's heart pounded.
"...If that's what you think, then yes. If you see me as a child, then yes. If you think that child has the potential to become emperor, then yes. Right, Duke Cloud?"
"..."
"..."
"I brought you as my mentor to keep Lottera in check. Now I see I've raised you as a hunting dog to bite."
Laxus straightened.
He had come to steal the child from Canary, but that goal had failed.
Laxus snickered.
"I will not give up the Prince's name. No one is to name the child. Except Renisha!"
Even Duke Cloud could not stop him. After all, only the Emperor or someone with the Emperor's permission could name a direct lineage member.
Duke Cloud ran a hand through his beard with a displeased expression.
Still, how could the Emperor back down now?
Laxus turned roughly.
Canary. What punishment should be given to the bird that betrayed him?
His eyes shone with anger.
A deep purple.
“Turiel, you’ve heard the news. Duke Cloud is holding out in Canary’s palace.”
“Yes, I heard. That palace is full of Duke Cloud’s private soldiers.”
“Duke Cloud has openly drawn his sword against Laxus. Still, Laxus won’t abandon Duke Cloud. He needs someone to hold onto.”
Laxus straightened.
He had come to steal the child from Canary, but that goal had failed.
Laxus snickered.
"I will not give up the Prince's name. No one is to name the child. Except Renisha!"
Even Duke Cloud could not stop him. After all, only the Emperor or someone with the Emperor's permission could name a direct lineage member.
Duke Cloud ran a hand through his beard with a displeased expression.
Still, how could the Emperor back down now?
Laxus turned roughly.
Canary. What punishment should be given to the bird that betrayed him?
His eyes shone with anger.
A deep purple.
***
“Turiel, you’ve heard the news. Duke Cloud is holding out in Canary’s palace.”
“Yes, I heard. That palace is full of Duke Cloud’s private soldiers.”
“Duke Cloud has openly drawn his sword against Laxus. Still, Laxus won’t abandon Duke Cloud. He needs someone to hold onto.”
Turiel nodded.
Joy filled Turiel’s face, seeing Renisha for the first time in a long time.
“I’m glad you’ve been doing well. I was so worried when you entered the palace...”
Turiel gritted her teeth.
When Renisha said she was entering the palace to rescue Haylin, her eyes seemed to roll back.
Kassius, perhaps not so thoughtless, brought Luna along.
He said that her proficiency with a sword would be useful in an emergency.
Luna, who didn't suit the palace or even the dress she'd made, was willing to endure anything for Renisha.
And there was Haylin, too. There were those Turiel had recruited.
"If anything bothers you, please let me know at any time, Lady Renisha."
“No. I’m doing fine now. Luna, are you all changed?”
“Oh, I hate this!”
Luna screamed.
Turiel was being led by the hands of those who had brought her in to change her clothes.
Joy filled Turiel’s face, seeing Renisha for the first time in a long time.
“I’m glad you’ve been doing well. I was so worried when you entered the palace...”
Turiel gritted her teeth.
When Renisha said she was entering the palace to rescue Haylin, her eyes seemed to roll back.
Kassius, perhaps not so thoughtless, brought Luna along.
He said that her proficiency with a sword would be useful in an emergency.
Luna, who didn't suit the palace or even the dress she'd made, was willing to endure anything for Renisha.
And there was Haylin, too. There were those Turiel had recruited.
"If anything bothers you, please let me know at any time, Lady Renisha."
“No. I’m doing fine now. Luna, are you all changed?”
“Oh, I hate this!”
Luna screamed.
Turiel was being led by the hands of those who had brought her in to change her clothes.
Luna’s scream cracked Turiel’s smile.
“Do you know how much that dress costs?”
Turiel jumped up from her seat.
“Then let you try on another dress. All of them!”
“Ugh! I’m not a doll!”
Luna, who had finally run out into the mess, shook her head.
If she had known the palace was like this, she would never have come in! Kassius had tricked her.
“Luna. Didn’t you want to be like me?”
“What?”
“That’s exactly what you looked like.”
Renisha chuckled.
Her pink eyes, curved with a smile, turned to Luna.
Luna flinched.
Did she want to be like Renisha?
Of course she did.
It seemed like Kassius liked women like Renisha.
She knew Luna could be that pretty if she wore a dress. Even more so than Renisha!
“Everything requires painstaking effort, Luna. It takes a lifetime to act and speak like me. I achieved this, just as you achieved it with your sword.”
“...Holding a sword is harder. It takes a very long time to train.”
“The same goes for me, Luna. I trained my whole life. These gestures, these eyes. Even the way I think and speak. So you too must strive to become like me.”
Luna puffed out her cheeks.
“I don’t have to!”
“No. You're needed, Luna. There are only three days left. The festival honoring the Three Serpent Gods. The Emperor intends to take me there. And I will gladly attend. Are you going to send me alone?”
Renisha tilted her head.
This time, she looked like an innocent little girl.
Luna gritted her teeth.
Luna had promised Kassius when she came here.
She would protect Renisha.
She would never send Renisha alone, no matter where she went.
If Renisha were to go there alone, she would be breaking her promise.
“...No. Absolutely not!”
“Good. Then go in and choose the dress you like. If possible, choose the one that suits you best.”
Luna stomped her foot and went back inside.
Renisha drank her tea with elegance.
It felt like she had a tomboyish little sister. Quite cute.
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