Side Story Episode 3. The Path We Must Take
Kassius hugged Baryton tightly.
Today was Baryton's sacred academy entrance day.
Kassius stroked Baryton's head.
Baryton hugged Kassius back.
No matter how well Baryton was growing, he was still too young in Kassius's arms.
Kassius kissed Baryton's cheek.
"What if this father misses you?"
It was Kassius who was clinging. Baryton shook his head maturely.
"Oh, it's time for Father to live without me!"
Baryton, who had been whining for an hour yesterday about how much he missed Renisha, spoke maturely.
Renisha and Lindy laughed at the sight.
"Baryton..."
"We'll see you during vacation! I'll go right after this semester ends. Promise!"
"Promise."
Kassius, with tearful eyes, hooked his finger on his little finger.
“Alright?”
Kassius nodded.
Kassius released Baryton and turned to stare at Renisha.
Renisha blinked. Kassius’s eyes were filled with a fighting spirit.
Kassius glared at Renisha.
“Didn’t you say you were bringing in a railroad this time?”
“You said you were pushing for it, to be exact.”
Renisha answered lightly.
“Didn’t you say a railroad would soon be built between Hiloshine and the islands?”
Kassius stared at Renisha as if he’d been seriously stabbed in the back of the head.
Renisha let out a small laugh.
Apparently, such discussions had been taking place.
Since it was a matter of moving the islands, the opposition of the central nobility couldn’t be completely ignored.
While some central nobles had followed Renisha’s lead and settled in Hiloshine, there were also the older generation who found it difficult to abandon their roots.
Moreover, having served as an institution for so long, it housed several key facilities, including the Academy. It couldn't be completely abandoned.
Renisha was positively considering introducing a railroad to compensate for this.
One of the reasons Laxus was destined for defeat was his reclusive lifestyle.
Steeped in Hientri imperialism, he couldn't embrace other civilizations.
As a result, he lagged far behind the surrounding nations, which were achieving remarkable cultural development.
The railroad was one of them.
Renisha believed in the importance of cultural development, and while still facing opposition from imperialists, it was only a matter of time before the railroad was introduced.
Ultimately, was she trying to tease Kassius?
"Renisha!"
"Pfft."
"Why does Dad always get beaten up by Mom?"
Baryton muttered in a sullen voice.
Kassius sighed.
"...Construction on the railroad will begin by the end of this year. If possible."
"You said it, so it will happen. Renisha, if you keep this up..."
"If this happens?"
Renisha smiled softly.
Her expression was more relaxed than before.
Kassius ran his tongue across his dry lips.
He still felt a thrill when Renisha smiled like that.
It felt like flower petals were fluttering behind her. Kassius swallowed.
The spring that had come to Kassius was still ongoing.
Without freezing.
“...I wanted to tell you that you would be sad,”
Kassius muttered weakly.
Baryton clicked his tongue at that.
“Anyway, my father is too soft on my mother.”
Renisha opened her arms to Baryton.
“We should go back now, baby.”
“Not you, Baryton.”
“Yes, Baryton.”
Renisha hugged Baryton tightly.
She felt glad she had taken time out of her busy schedule to come out today.
Thanks to that, Baryton would be able to see how much he had grown.
Baryton looked good in the academy uniform.
Children of similar age, wearing similar uniforms, were crossing the academy's main gate.
Some were sniffling and looking back, others had cheeky expressions. Some were full of mischief.
Renisha gently pushed Baryton's back into the gate.
“See you in four months, Baryton.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Today, Renisha and Kassius were leaving for Hiloshine.
They had stayed behind to watch Baryton go to the academy.
Baryton hesitated for a moment before briskly entering the academy.
Renisha and Kassius watched for quite a while.
“...When did he grow so big?”
Kassius hugged Baryton tightly.
Today was Baryton's sacred academy entrance day.
Kassius stroked Baryton's head.
Baryton hugged Kassius back.
No matter how well Baryton was growing, he was still too young in Kassius's arms.
Kassius kissed Baryton's cheek.
"What if this father misses you?"
It was Kassius who was clinging. Baryton shook his head maturely.
"Oh, it's time for Father to live without me!"
Baryton, who had been whining for an hour yesterday about how much he missed Renisha, spoke maturely.
Renisha and Lindy laughed at the sight.
"Baryton..."
"We'll see you during vacation! I'll go right after this semester ends. Promise!"
"Promise."
Kassius, with tearful eyes, hooked his finger on his little finger.
“Alright?”
Kassius nodded.
Kassius released Baryton and turned to stare at Renisha.
Renisha blinked. Kassius’s eyes were filled with a fighting spirit.
Kassius glared at Renisha.
“Didn’t you say you were bringing in a railroad this time?”
“You said you were pushing for it, to be exact.”
Renisha answered lightly.
“Didn’t you say a railroad would soon be built between Hiloshine and the islands?”
Kassius stared at Renisha as if he’d been seriously stabbed in the back of the head.
Renisha let out a small laugh.
Apparently, such discussions had been taking place.
Since it was a matter of moving the islands, the opposition of the central nobility couldn’t be completely ignored.
While some central nobles had followed Renisha’s lead and settled in Hiloshine, there were also the older generation who found it difficult to abandon their roots.
Moreover, having served as an institution for so long, it housed several key facilities, including the Academy. It couldn't be completely abandoned.
Renisha was positively considering introducing a railroad to compensate for this.
One of the reasons Laxus was destined for defeat was his reclusive lifestyle.
Steeped in Hientri imperialism, he couldn't embrace other civilizations.
As a result, he lagged far behind the surrounding nations, which were achieving remarkable cultural development.
The railroad was one of them.
Renisha believed in the importance of cultural development, and while still facing opposition from imperialists, it was only a matter of time before the railroad was introduced.
Ultimately, was she trying to tease Kassius?
"Renisha!"
"Pfft."
"Why does Dad always get beaten up by Mom?"
Baryton muttered in a sullen voice.
Kassius sighed.
"...Construction on the railroad will begin by the end of this year. If possible."
"You said it, so it will happen. Renisha, if you keep this up..."
"If this happens?"
Renisha smiled softly.
Her expression was more relaxed than before.
Kassius ran his tongue across his dry lips.
He still felt a thrill when Renisha smiled like that.
It felt like flower petals were fluttering behind her. Kassius swallowed.
The spring that had come to Kassius was still ongoing.
Without freezing.
“...I wanted to tell you that you would be sad,”
Kassius muttered weakly.
Baryton clicked his tongue at that.
“Anyway, my father is too soft on my mother.”
Renisha opened her arms to Baryton.
“We should go back now, baby.”
“Not you, Baryton.”
“Yes, Baryton.”
Renisha hugged Baryton tightly.
She felt glad she had taken time out of her busy schedule to come out today.
Thanks to that, Baryton would be able to see how much he had grown.
Baryton looked good in the academy uniform.
Children of similar age, wearing similar uniforms, were crossing the academy's main gate.
Some were sniffling and looking back, others had cheeky expressions. Some were full of mischief.
Renisha gently pushed Baryton's back into the gate.
“See you in four months, Baryton.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Today, Renisha and Kassius were leaving for Hiloshine.
They had stayed behind to watch Baryton go to the academy.
Baryton hesitated for a moment before briskly entering the academy.
Renisha and Kassius watched for quite a while.
“...When did he grow so big?”
Kassius muttered, lost in admiration.
“You raised him. He looks so much like you. He’s so soft.”
“…Lindy, the head maid, said he looks like you.”
“Oh my?”
Renisha smiled faintly. From this perspective, Renisha looked less like an Empress and more like a noblewoman.
Kassius accepted Renisha’s parasol.
“Let’s go quickly, Aunt, Uncle. We’ll miss the train if we keep going like this.”
Isabella, who had been silent, urged them on.
She seemed excited, perhaps because it had been eight years since they’d been together.
Renisha nodded slightly.
The carriage carrying four people, including the head maid, Lindy, hurried on.
“Oh my, Isabella...! You’ve become a lady.”
After a long journey, Isabella returned home.
To her parents.
Haylin hugged Isabella tightly.
Haylin had grown a hand shorter than Isabella.
When she was young, her parents had seemed as solid and imposing as mountains, insurmountable. Looking at them now, Isabella felt as if she had to protect them.
“I missed you, Mother.”
“You indifferent brat! You should have come in person, not by letter.”
Isabella smiled bashfully.
Isabella pulled away from Haylin and turned to Brixton.
Though he still looked uncomfortable, Brixton was standing on his own two feet.
Hot tears welled up in Isabella’s eyes.
“You raised him. He looks so much like you. He’s so soft.”
“…Lindy, the head maid, said he looks like you.”
“Oh my?”
Renisha smiled faintly. From this perspective, Renisha looked less like an Empress and more like a noblewoman.
Kassius accepted Renisha’s parasol.
“Let’s go quickly, Aunt, Uncle. We’ll miss the train if we keep going like this.”
Isabella, who had been silent, urged them on.
She seemed excited, perhaps because it had been eight years since they’d been together.
Renisha nodded slightly.
The carriage carrying four people, including the head maid, Lindy, hurried on.
***
“Oh my, Isabella...! You’ve become a lady.”
After a long journey, Isabella returned home.
To her parents.
Haylin hugged Isabella tightly.
Haylin had grown a hand shorter than Isabella.
When she was young, her parents had seemed as solid and imposing as mountains, insurmountable. Looking at them now, Isabella felt as if she had to protect them.
“I missed you, Mother.”
“You indifferent brat! You should have come in person, not by letter.”
Isabella smiled bashfully.
Isabella pulled away from Haylin and turned to Brixton.
Though he still looked uncomfortable, Brixton was standing on his own two feet.
Hot tears welled up in Isabella’s eyes.
Isabella swallowed.
“This father was going to come pick you up. I’m late.”
Brixton opened his arms to Isabella.
"Let's hug, Isabella."
Isabella willingly embraced him.
To Isabella, Brixton was a giant tree.
A tree that could never be broken with a single blow of an axe.
Perhaps Isabella fled after Brixton's collapse, unable to bear the moment.
Isabella's brow furrowed upward.
Barely holding back tears, Isabella whispered,
"I missed you, Father."
"You've worked hard, my daughter. Who would have thought you'd return all grown up like this? You've grown, you've grown."
Brixton patted Isabella's back roughly.
Most of those watching were moved to tears.
They knew how much Brixton had worked for this moment.
The eight years of rehabilitation had been unbearable to watch.
There were many times when she fell asleep groaning in pain, and then woke up unable to bear the pain.
Brixton's determination, dragging his motionless legs while rehabilitating, had created the present.
"Why are you working so hard? You can just let it go."
Brixton smiled hollowly before his aide, who was pleading with tears in his eyes.
"I promised Isabella I'd come get her. But with legs like these, wouldn't I just be a burden?"
"Brixton...!"
"At least I can hold her."
With that determination, Brixton finally succeeded in standing.
He had overcome Rocha's tears with will.
Brixton limped and took Isabella's hand.
"Let's go in, Isabella."
"Brixton."
A voice like a gentle breeze wafted into Brixton's ears as he turned around.
Brixton jerked his head.
"Can't you even see me anymore?"
Renisha, who had just gotten off the carriage, asked with a smile.
Brixton blinked.
It had been a long time since he saw Renisha.
For the past eight years, Renisha had been busy fixing Laxus's mistakes and preparing for the capital's relocation.
This led to an unwanted separation.
It was a time when she had to live with the belief that no news was good news.
"My goodness, Renisha...!"
"You kept your promise, Brixton."
Brixton nodded.
Renisha kept her promise to lay Laxus's head before her parents' graves.
When Laxus's head, packed in a salt chest, arrived in Hiloshine, Brixton let out an animalistic howl.
After all, even that Great Emperor was only human.
A human who would one day die and pay for his sins! He couldn't defeat Laxus and protect his younger sister and family.
The day he laid that beast's head before the grave, Brixton took a sip of alcohol, which he had given up on for a long time.
Regret, joy, and emptiness washed over him.
He still remembers those feelings vividly.
"You've done well, Renisha."
Renisha smiled.
Finally, Renisha had done it.
She had returned as Emperor.
She was the same beautiful figure the Duke and Duchess of Lottera had longed to preserve.
"Mother and Father will be delighted. You'll go and greet them, right?"
"No matter how busy we are, we must go,"
Renisha agreed.
Kassius, holding Renisha's parasol, approached.
The sight of the bulky knight holding a small, cute parasol was quite striking.
Standing side by side, the two remained quite different.
Renisha resembled a pretty, white sugar cookie, while Kassius resembled a wheat-colored baguette.
But their smiles were similar.
They had become family, and they were becoming more and more alike.
“Lord Kassius.”
“It’s been a while. Brixton, and Haylin.”
“Welcome. It’s truly wonderful to meet you.”
Haylin nodded, her face filled with emotion.
The family was finally gathered together.
“It would have been wonderful if Baryton had been here too.”
Isabella added.
“I see. I hope he’s doing well now?”
Kassius muttered with concern.
The long sunset fell behind them.
It was a new beginning at Hiloshine.
Baryton sat on the bench, his eyes filled with sorrow, his face actually tinged with melancholy.
Life at the Academy was more complicated than he’d expected.
Rather than difficult... it was more complicated.
Relationships are like that, and studying is like that.
“Whew.”
Baryton sighed. His bangs flew up at the chill.
“Wow! Baryton is really handsome!”
“Not handsome, but cute! Crazy, crazy. I told you the head maid didn’t call you Strawberry for nothing?”
“Your aunt?”
“That’s right. She’s close with my mom!”
The female students’ praise for Baryton rang deep in his ears.
Strawberry, that damn Strawberry.
It was the sound of a friendship crumbling.
Baryton was rubbing his face in embarrassment when a boy sat down next to him.
“Hey, Strawberry.”
C’mon, don’t leave them alone.
“This father was going to come pick you up. I’m late.”
Brixton opened his arms to Isabella.
"Let's hug, Isabella."
Isabella willingly embraced him.
To Isabella, Brixton was a giant tree.
A tree that could never be broken with a single blow of an axe.
Perhaps Isabella fled after Brixton's collapse, unable to bear the moment.
Isabella's brow furrowed upward.
Barely holding back tears, Isabella whispered,
"I missed you, Father."
"You've worked hard, my daughter. Who would have thought you'd return all grown up like this? You've grown, you've grown."
Brixton patted Isabella's back roughly.
Most of those watching were moved to tears.
They knew how much Brixton had worked for this moment.
The eight years of rehabilitation had been unbearable to watch.
There were many times when she fell asleep groaning in pain, and then woke up unable to bear the pain.
Brixton's determination, dragging his motionless legs while rehabilitating, had created the present.
"Why are you working so hard? You can just let it go."
Brixton smiled hollowly before his aide, who was pleading with tears in his eyes.
"I promised Isabella I'd come get her. But with legs like these, wouldn't I just be a burden?"
"Brixton...!"
"At least I can hold her."
With that determination, Brixton finally succeeded in standing.
He had overcome Rocha's tears with will.
Brixton limped and took Isabella's hand.
"Let's go in, Isabella."
"Brixton."
A voice like a gentle breeze wafted into Brixton's ears as he turned around.
Brixton jerked his head.
"Can't you even see me anymore?"
Renisha, who had just gotten off the carriage, asked with a smile.
Brixton blinked.
It had been a long time since he saw Renisha.
For the past eight years, Renisha had been busy fixing Laxus's mistakes and preparing for the capital's relocation.
This led to an unwanted separation.
It was a time when she had to live with the belief that no news was good news.
"My goodness, Renisha...!"
"You kept your promise, Brixton."
Brixton nodded.
Renisha kept her promise to lay Laxus's head before her parents' graves.
When Laxus's head, packed in a salt chest, arrived in Hiloshine, Brixton let out an animalistic howl.
After all, even that Great Emperor was only human.
A human who would one day die and pay for his sins! He couldn't defeat Laxus and protect his younger sister and family.
The day he laid that beast's head before the grave, Brixton took a sip of alcohol, which he had given up on for a long time.
Regret, joy, and emptiness washed over him.
He still remembers those feelings vividly.
"You've done well, Renisha."
Renisha smiled.
Finally, Renisha had done it.
She had returned as Emperor.
She was the same beautiful figure the Duke and Duchess of Lottera had longed to preserve.
"Mother and Father will be delighted. You'll go and greet them, right?"
"No matter how busy we are, we must go,"
Renisha agreed.
Kassius, holding Renisha's parasol, approached.
The sight of the bulky knight holding a small, cute parasol was quite striking.
Standing side by side, the two remained quite different.
Renisha resembled a pretty, white sugar cookie, while Kassius resembled a wheat-colored baguette.
But their smiles were similar.
They had become family, and they were becoming more and more alike.
“Lord Kassius.”
“It’s been a while. Brixton, and Haylin.”
“Welcome. It’s truly wonderful to meet you.”
Haylin nodded, her face filled with emotion.
The family was finally gathered together.
“It would have been wonderful if Baryton had been here too.”
Isabella added.
“I see. I hope he’s doing well now?”
Kassius muttered with concern.
The long sunset fell behind them.
It was a new beginning at Hiloshine.
***
Baryton sat on the bench, his eyes filled with sorrow, his face actually tinged with melancholy.
Life at the Academy was more complicated than he’d expected.
Rather than difficult... it was more complicated.
Relationships are like that, and studying is like that.
“Whew.”
Baryton sighed. His bangs flew up at the chill.
“Wow! Baryton is really handsome!”
“Not handsome, but cute! Crazy, crazy. I told you the head maid didn’t call you Strawberry for nothing?”
“Your aunt?”
“That’s right. She’s close with my mom!”
The female students’ praise for Baryton rang deep in his ears.
Strawberry, that damn Strawberry.
It was the sound of a friendship crumbling.
Baryton was rubbing his face in embarrassment when a boy sat down next to him.
“Hey, Strawberry.”
C’mon, don’t leave them alone.
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