(172) Where is hell? (2)
Ariana stared at her hand being held by him.
“Isn’t this hell? I’m afraid that this soot on my hands will stain my family; that is what I fear most.”
“If I wipe away this soot.”
Ariana stared at her hand being held by him.
“Isn’t this hell? I’m afraid that this soot on my hands will stain my family; that is what I fear most.”
“If I wipe away this soot.”
He rubbed his cheek with Ariana's palm.
“Everyone must know that there is something this cute and lovely inside, so wouldn’t they share at least this light soot?”
“But... I, Father...”
“You have to live in the present, Rian. Your past life hasn't even unfolded yet. Look at this. Your hands are still this clean.”
Tears kept flowing. It wasn't even a situation to cry about, but she couldn't stop the tears from flowing.
He kissed Ariana's eyelids repeatedly, as if even that was lovely.
“I told you. It’s all mine. Even the soot that gets on these pretty hands is mine, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
"That's strange."
“What?”
"That you are such a kind person."
“Then I guess I’ll become an even stranger guy from now on. Because I can be even kinder to you than this.”
Cyrus embraced Ariana. He patted the back of the little woman nestled in his arms and spoke.
"Men have a habit of wanting to be a cool presence, at least to the one they love. Give the men who care about you a chance, too. They will all be happy."
“Is that really the case? What if they find it annoying?”
"It probably won't happen, but if it does, I'll just gratefully accept it. Anyway, it's a bit hurtful. You treat me so carelessly, yet you're enviously conscious of your family's reactions."
“Because they are my wings.”
"There was such a being."
People who make you feel secure just by being by your side. People who give you the strength to live simply by existing, even if they do nothing for you.
Shini did so, and now her family did. And now, this man comforts Ariana's broken heart with his sweet voice, too.
Contrary to his words of disappointment, Cyrus gazed at Ariana with affectionate eyes and spoke.
“Rian. I know you can handle it on your own if it’s just a matter of social circles. But if Western Lord gets involved and Paganus gets involved, it’s a different story. Make sure you get help from your family.”
Ariana didn't know what it meant to ask for help.
The help received from Cyrus was different from before. Since Cyrus was aiming for the Western Lord, his path was similar to Ariana's. Just as he received, he also took something in return.
But it is not the White family.
After falling out with the Emperor, they did not want to cause trouble. They helped the Empire when it needed assistance, but avoided any further intervention.
“If blood is spilled in the East because of me, there is no way to make amends.”
"You are always thinking about paying back. No one expects that from you."
"I'm not sure."
How can he love me like that without any reason? Even the mother who carried me in her womb and gave birth to me tells me I am useless, so how can my father cherish his daughter, who has come to find him all grown up, so much?
Even now, while being loved to the fullest, she still doesn't quite understand.
“From now on, this isn't just your problem alone. If blood splatters in the East, it will be the fault of the one who drew the sword, not you. To prevent that sword from piercing the heart of the East, your family must take precautions as well.”
Cyrus was right.
They clipped the Third Prince's wings and eroded the Western Lord's wealth. However, they still could not let go of their greed and were constantly watching for an opportunity to draw their swords.
It might have been one thing if she were facing the Bronte family alone, but it was difficult for Ariana to take on all of them by herself. The future had changed. In that case.
'I guess I have to accept that she's not alone now.'
The White family, once unfamiliar to her, had now become an indispensable part of her life. She hoped they felt the same way she did.
"The Northern Lord is truly clever."
As Ariana, having made up her mind, spoke calmly, Cyrus smiled brightly as if something had occurred to him. Ariana also recalled that moment and smiled back at him.
Eventually, Cyrus stopped laughing and said.
"We will leave the empire in a few days."
Ariana was flustered because she thought he would be staying a little longer.
"To the North?"
“No. Beyond that. I heard there’s a problem in the Kingdom of Wapian.”
"Kingdom of Wapian."
It is a name she has heard somewhere before. It seems she didn't just hear it in passing, but there was a very important reason.
Perhaps misunderstanding Ariana's expression, Cyrus grabbed her wrist and led her to the bookshelf. Inside the mahogany bookshelf were books and maps that Ariana had brought from the Eastern Realm.
Watching Cyrus skillfully take out the map, Ariana said
"The Northern Lord knows where my belongings are suspiciously well."
“There’s nothing I don’t know. Do you feel a bit of charm?”
Ariana twitched the corners of her lips at the sly, evasive words. Strangely enough, when talking to Cyrus, there are times when she can't help but laugh, even if the story isn't particularly funny.
Cyrus unfolded the map and pointed to a section. Beyond the Graten Mountains that run north of the Northern Territory. A country bordering the Hinan region, where the Paganus kingdom of 'Hedran' had long ago existed.
“This is the Kingdom of Wapian. It’s a bit cold, but it’s also a place where fine sapphires can be found.”
Cyrus's finger pointed at the Henan region next to it.
"The Paganus want to reclaim their past glory. The time when the Hedran existed must have been their most glorious time.'
Megacity Headran.
All the nations of the continent referred to that place as a 'city,' but Paganus called it a 'country.' Paganus's current King, Brussels Crown, built a royal palace in that sacred site of Paganus and elevated himself to the title of 'King.'
Cyrus watched Ariana, who was furrowing her brows and staring at the map, then continued speaking.
“This is just a rumor, but I heard that a few hundred years ago, there was a time when Paganism was recognized as a religion. They say that the Pagans of that time didn't eat hearts, but rather used their powers by sharing and drinking a little of the spilled blood. That is why the power they use is not the 'power of the heart,' but the 'power of blood.'”
There was a legend that the Paganus were actually a peaceful race. A legend that people living in the present do not know well, and even if they do, they dismiss it with a scoff.
“In the meantime, a radical faction emerged that wanted to rule the world with the power they possessed. These radicals ate hearts to gain greater power, and with that power, they killed the King and took turns sitting on the throne among themselves. However, from that moment on, all the nations of the continent turned their backs on Paganus. They branded them as heretics and began to try to exterminate them.”
Cyrus couldn't understand why he was rambling on about this. Maybe he just enjoyed talking to her and wanted to say anything at all.
“They say that somewhere on the continent, a moderate faction still remains that believes in the King who ruled during a time of peace long ago, but well. I suspect it might just be a legend created by Paganus to glorify themselves a little...”
Ariana, who had been lost in thought while looking at the map, suddenly grabbed Cyrus's wrist.
"I remembered.'
“What?”
“Where did I hear the name Kingdom of Wapian?”
Ariana recalled memories of the past.
"It must have been a little later than now. When I was 25? 26? Around that age."
Cyrus wondered what she was talking about, then recalled the fact that she had traveled back in time.
"Rumors were circulating that the monarch of the Northern Territory found the lost knights near the Kingdom of Wapian."
“Lost Knights... Are you talking about the previous Black Knights?”
Even within the same Black Knights, they were divided into the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd divisions based on their talents. The previous Black Knights Cyrus found belonged to the 3rd division; they were skilled in swordsmanship but possessed almost no magical talent.
"Also."
Ariana stared intently at Cyrus.
“You said you found evidence to clear the name of the late Northern Lord.”
Cyrus found a part of the previous Black Knights. He heard from them the story of his parents' final moments.
However, that was not enough.
Western Lord could not be brought down solely by the testimonies of the surviving Black Knights. He could simply deny it, and moreover, the previous Black Knights found this time were actually unaware of the detailed circumstances.
All they know is that the previous Northern Lord died, unable to withstand the fierce attack in a situation where no reinforcements appeared.
"There was a time when Western Lord was extremely anxious because of that rumor."
“So, how did I act back then? Did I present evidence to the Emperor to clear my name and restore my parents’ honor?”
Ariana shook her head.
“No. There were only rumors, but you did nothing. After a few months had passed, even the Western Lord scoffed, saying the young brat from the North had done something useless and stopped caring.”
Cyrus could not understand himself being in Ariana's timeline. If it were him, the moment he found the evidence to clear his parents' names, he would have taken it to the Emperor. Or he would have struck down the Western Lord first and then presented the evidence to the Emperor.
Suddenly, he remembered the letter hs found in Rachel Bronte's room four years ago.
“Rian. Do you remember when I appeared four years ago when you snuck into the Duchess of Bronte’s room?”
Ariana frowned as she recalled the events of that day.
"You were really annoying. If only I had the strength, I wanted to punch you."
"You were trying to find that letter, weren't you? The correspondence Rachel Bronte exchanged with Western Lord while she was staying in the Eastern Territory."
“Yes. I thought that was a means to prove my worth to the Eastern Lord. After all, it contained details of the deal the Western Lord had made with Paganus during that war. However, it was vague enough that the Western Lord could easily slip away if he wanted to.”
Ariana intended to use that letter to alert the Eastern Lord and help him build the strength to deal with the Western Lord and the Third Prince.
“Right. It’s a bit vague. That’s why I’m doing this.”
"I couldn't use the hand I had."
“That makes sense. It isn’t conclusive enough to sever the relationship between the Emperor and the Western Lord.”
“That’s right. It might plant a slight seed of suspicion in the Emperor’s mind, but it is at a level where the Western Lord can easily nullify it with his cunning tongue. For this to become a sure hand.”
“Or if there is stronger evidence.”
“The Northern Territory becomes stronger than the Empire.”
Cyrus and Ariana met each other's gaze. Ariana's eyes darkened.
"So you couldn't find any evidence in the Kingdom of Waifen to clear the name of the late Northern Duke. That's why you just spread rumors."
“I cannot be certain of my thoughts at that time, but that is probably the case. The reason for spreading the rumors must have been to observe the Emperor’s attitude. If the Emperor had reached out to me first and asked to hear my parents’ story.”
"You wouldn't have had a reason to declare yourself Emperor, would you?"
“But the Emperor pretended not to know even after hearing the rumor.”
“You thought there was no longer any answer in the Empire. So the sword... Ah!”
Ariana's expression brightened.
“You will find the previous Black Knights in the Kingdom of Waifen!”
Ariana held up her index finger and spoke.
“The Northern Territory is strong, but it is not powerful enough to face the Empire, the Western Territory, the Eastern Territory, or the Southern Territory all at once. However, you broke away from the Empire and declared yourself Emperor. That means you have acquired that level of power.”
“Yes. The First and Second Armies of the previous Black Knights were capable of wielding ice magic incomparable to that of the current Black Knights. I reclaimed them and waited for them to regain their strength and stand at the forefront. Two or three years passed like that.”
"The North will spread its wings on its own."
The red and blue eyes shone, sharing the same emotion. Cyrus intertwined his fingers with Ariana's hand, which she was still holding.
“Thanks to you, that time will be brought forward.”
He gazed intently at Ariana and kissed each of her fingers. Ariana quietly clenched her fist, pulled her hand away from him, and spoke.
"But don't trust this information too much. The future has changed a lot since I came back. You might not be able to find anything."
"So, if I cry, will you comfort me?"
"I’ll lend you a teddy bear that’s practically my alter ego."
Ariana pointed to the light green teddy bear on the bed.
“Her name is Green.”
Cyrus laughed softly.
“You’re clever, but your naming sense is terrible. I’ll name our child myself later.”
Ariana was dumbfounded by the words "our child."
"I never said I would marry you."
“Oh, dear. I feel like crying already. Could you lend me some green?”
Ariana lightly patted his shoulder.
"Let's go back. It seems both you and I have a lot to think about."
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