Chapter 01 - The Orphaned Child Tauran Tiaca: Eleu... Eleu Coge: It's been a while, Professor Tiaca. Not since your father was alive. Tauran Tiaca: Yeah. Before the Empire destroyed Sepharo. Tauran Tiaca: My father often spoke of you. He said you were his finest student... Eleu Coge: You’re the physician whose name will be remembered in history, Professor Tiaca. Eleu Coge: You've grown into a fine young master. I’m sure you had a hard time surviving in the Empire as a Sepharo citizen. Tauran Tiaca: Stop calling me "young master". Tauran is fine. Eleu Coge: Tauran, then. Tauran Tiaca: That's better. Now, what were we talking about…Oh right, life in the Empire. Tauran Tiaca: I've managed to keep myself alive thanks to my medical skills and the echo-fusion technology. Tauran Tiaca: I’m not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing, though. What about you, Eleu? How have you been? Eleu Coge: Wandering, mostly. My grandmother was from the kingdom of Manni. Are you aware of what happened there? Tauran Tiaca: Yes. I heard they became an Empire vassal state out of fear of being destroyed by it. Tauran Tiaca: I also heard they’ve been sent to parry the Federation’s army. What a cruel fate. Eleu Coge: It is. And, this stays between us, the King of Manni was killed in battle. Tauran Tiaca: …I see… Eleu Coge: Tauran. I've come to you because I trust you and I have a favor to ask you. Eleu Coge: Take a look at that horse over there. Tauran Tiaca: ...There's a child on it. Is that your brother? Eleu Coge: He's the prince of Manni. His name is Lklein. Tauran Tiaca: Lklein... Eleu Coge: My grandmother was of Manni blood, but I live in the Federation now. Eleu Coge: Sure, they were forced to make a cruel decision, but Manni still sided with the Empire. They’re one of the Federation’s enemies. Eleu Coge: Raising a Manni prince in Federation territory would be difficult. He’d be vulnerable and even might get persecuted. Eleu Coge: So, Tauran, I’d like to entrust Lklein to you. Eleu Coge: The Empire wouldn't mistreat the orphaned child of an allied royal house. Professor Tiaca was a man of great character. Eleu Coge: I believe you're the same...Are you listening? Tauran Tiaca: ...You haven’t changed, you still have a way of delivering shocking news as casually as a weather report… Eleu Coge: My apologies. Tauran Tiaca: Me? You want me to...raise a… prince? Eleu Coge:I’d appreciate it if you could, but an orphanage would do as well. Either way, it's better than having him stay in the Federation. Eleu Coge: I don't wish to burden you. But... Eleu Coge: I believe Professor Tiaca would have taken him in without hesitation. Tauran Tiaca: ... Tauran Tiaca: When you put it that way... I haven’t fulfilled my father’s dying wish. But I’ll take him in as a stand-in. Eleu Coge: Thank you. I was hoping you'd say that. Tauran Tiaca: Tell me what Lklein likes to eat, and whether he has any allergies or health concerns. Eleu Coge: He has no allergies nor conditions. He's fond of milk. Tauran Tiaca: Milk, huh? What a good kid. I’m sure he’ll grow up smart. Eleu Coge: May I ask you something? Tauran Tiaca: Go ahead. Eleu Coge: This dying wish Professor Tiaca gave you…what was it? Tauran Tiaca: Ah... he told me this when Sepharo fell. Tauran Tiaca: He said I was to find whoever remained of the Sepharo royal bloodline and serve them. Eleu Coge: Is there anyone left of the direct royal line? I thought they'd all been executed... Tauran Tiaca: Only one. The youngest prince who fled with the queen. Eleu Coge: The queen and the youngest prince... Tauran Tiaca: I was also young back then, so I don't remember the details well. You might know more than I do. Eleu Coge: I wonder… By that time, I'd already taken refuge in the Federation. Eleu Coge: ...If you were to find that person one day, would you serve them? Tauran Tiaca: Well... it was his dying wish. Eleu Coge: Even knowing it would make you an enemy of the Empire? Tauran Tiaca: Didn't you just bring me the prince of Manni, knowing it might make you an enemy of the Federation? Eleu Coge: I was asked to... Have you heard of the prince of Gallu? Strong build, blessed with good fortune. Tauran Tiaca: No, I don’t know him. Eleu Coge: He’s an interesting man. He’s loved by every creature, and yet he loves nothing in return. Tauran Tiaca: ...So he’s a prince with a cold heart? Eleu Coge: Not at all, he’s very kind. But he’s never found anything in particular that he loved above all else. Tauran Tiaca: I’m sure he will the more he explores the world. Tauran Tiaca: A wretched world, sure, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing worth loving. Tauran Tiaca: That young prince over there...Lklein, too. Tauran Tiaca: The life that awaits him won’t be easy. But I hope he finds it. Tauran Tiaca: Something small…something dear, that ties him to this world. Eleu Coge: ...Yeah… Young Lklein: ...Eleu Coge. Eleu Coge: Lklein! Did you climb down on your own? Eleu Coge: Come here and introduce yourself. This is Tauran, he'll be looking after you from now on. Young Lklein: ... Tauran Tiaca: Nice to meet you, Lklein. Young Lklein: ...It's "Your Highness." Tauran Tiaca: What? Young Lklein: Address me as your Highness Lklein. Tauran Tiaca: ...Your Highness Lklein. Eleu Coge: I forgot to mention it, but he’s a bit arrogant and spoiled. Tauran Tiaca: Well, he is royalty… And he's just lost his family… Young Lklein: Tauran. Tauran Tiaca: Yes? Young Lklein: I’m counting on you to take good care of me. To be continued...