Chapter 04 - Keepsake [In the Royal Court...] Suncia Panthera: Airio! Speaking out of turn to a superior officer is disrespectful! Suncia Panthera: My apologies, Lord Umarit. He’s a rookie who just got assigned to us... Umarit Imuse: It seems your training leaves a lot to be desired. Suncia Panthera: ...I'll discipline him more strictly. Please, forgive this lapse... Umarit Imuse: ........... Umarit Imuse: It's fine. Go ahead, speak. Airio Sis: Ah... um... Airio Sis: I saw what happened earlier. One hit and you struck that assassin down. It was really cool! Umarit Imuse: Is that so? Thank you. Airio Sis: You have such a wide field of view even with that eyepatch on. Can you actually see out of that eye? Umarit Imuse: I cannot. It takes practice. Airio Sis: Whoever gave you that wound must be incredibly strong. What kind of warrior were they? Umarit Imuse: A dead man. Airio Sis: Huh? Umarit Imuse: His name was Nuxma. He's already dead. To be precise, he's missing, but there's little hope he's alive. Suncia Panthera: ........... Umarit Imuse: ...Thinking of it that way, this scar has become something like a keepsake from him. Airio Sis: ........... Umarit Imuse: What was it you wanted to ask? Airio Sis: Ah... How can I become strong like you? Umarit Imuse: Listen carefully to what Suncia tells you. Let's go, Suncia. Suncia Panthera: Yes, sir... Airio Sis: ...He’s so cool... Lklein Manni: ...........! Lklein Manni: Sigh... Thank goodness... I thought we were going to die... Airio Sis: You're way too paranoid. Lord Umarit seems like a good person, doesn't he? Lklein Manni: You're literally the only person in this entire castle who would say that... Airio Sis: He’s so awesome though... I've gotta work way harder! [Outside the Castle...] Suncia Panthera: Lord Umarit, is something the matter? Umarit Imuse: It's not officially announced yet, but the Asheria Federation has decided on its new leader. Suncia Panthera: Without a civil war, then? They’re just a bunch of small countries allying themselves, I was hoping they’d tear each other apart over leadership. Umarit Imuse: Who do you suppose was chosen? Suncia Panthera: Amiya Rai can't be entirely dismissed, but... I'd guess Euro Gallu. Umarit Imuse: Correct. You are sharp. Suncia Panthera: I'm honored. Euro Gallu is a pacifist. He'll likely want to negotiate a ceasefire. Umarit Imuse: The Empire is worn thin as well. No doubt some will leap at the chance for peace treaties, but... Umarit Imuse: Do not forget. Who it was that took your brother from you. Suncia Panthera: ...I won’t. Umarit Imuse: We ought to remind the Empire of their hatred for the Federation before their will withers away. Umarit Imuse: Take Lklein to the battlefield. Suncia Panthera: Lklein? The kid we just met? Dr. Tauran's assistant? Umarit Imuse: That's right. Have you forgotten who Lklein really is? Suncia Panthera: Ah... Umarit Imuse: The prince of the fallen kingdom of Manni, taken in by that soft-hearted Tauran. Euro Gallu is the one and only man who took his father’s life. Umarit Imuse: Stoke it. Fan the flames of hatred in the people's hearts. Suncia Panthera: ........... Umarit Imuse: Suncia, you are too soft. You need to become more cunning. Umarit Imuse: Like your late brother Nuxma was. Otherwise, you cannot become my real right hand. "Vice-Captain" would be nothing but a title. Suncia Panthera: ...I apologize. Umarit Imuse: Don't apologize. Do you want to be of use to me or not? Suncia Panthera: ...Of course. I will be of use to you, Lord Umarit, without fail. Umarit Imuse: Good boy. I'm counting on you. By the way, do you know Nelpha's whereabouts? Suncia Panthera: ...No. I haven't seen him around lately. Suncia Panthera: I've heard he left the capital, tormented by guilt for failing to protect the life of my brother, his superior officer. Umarit Imuse: Bring him back. That man is useful on the battlefield. Umarit Imuse: If he regrets Nuxma's death so much, he can atone for it with the life he failed to lose by fulfilling his duty. Tell him that. Suncia Panthera: Yes, sir. Suncia Panthera: (I do not understand this man. He and my brother were the closest. He should be heartbroken, grieving my brother's death, and yet...) Umarit Imuse: ........... Suncia Panthera: (His face is completely blank. I cannot read his expression...) [In Gtri's bedchambers...] Gtri Dactyla: ...Umarit... When his sword came down, I couldn't even make a sound...! Tauran Tiaca: That's only natural. Your life was under threat, after all. Tauran Tiaca: For a sovereign unaccustomed to war, witnessing something like that for the first time would freeze anyone solid. Tauran Tiaca: Even my first time on the battlefield was... Gtri Dactyla: ...You don’t get it! I saw it with my own eyes! Tauran Tiaca: Saw what... Gtri Dactyla: When Umarit cut down that intruder, he wasn't looking at him, he was looking at me... Gtri Dactyla: As if to declare I’m next...! Tauran Tiaca: ........... Tauran Tiaca: Please, calm yourself, Your Majesty. If Lord Umarit truly wanted you dead, he would’ve done it right then and there. Gtri Dactyla: Tauran... Tauran Tiaca: Yes? Gtri Dactyla: You might think you’re comforting me, but you’re making things even worse. Tauran Tiaca: My apologies. That was a poor choice of words. Gtri Dactyla: If anything, it's made me more afraid. I don't want to stay here for even one more second. Tauran Tiaca: A careless remark on my part. Please, forget I said it. Gtri Dactyla: ...I'm afraid... If I stay here, sooner or later I'll be killed! Tauran Tiaca: You'll be fine. Lord Umarit protected you from that intruder. Tauran Tiaca: And yet, if Your Majesty suspects him of treachery in return, it would surely leave Lord Umarit with very complicated feelings. Gtri Dactyla: ...Then what am I supposed to do? Tauran Tiaca: Drink your herbal tonic. Please, rest and take it slow. Gtri Dactyla: ...........I am too scared to close my eyes... Gtri Dactyla: I keep thinking that some assassin will slip in and cut my throat the moment I fall asleep... Tauran Tiaca: Your Majesty... Gtri Dactyla: What am I even alive for? There’s always fanfare around me, everyone bows and throws extravagant parties in my name but... Gtri Dactyla: Nobody actually cares about what I think. I just live on in fear, kept alive, hated by someone whose face I'll never even know... Gtri Dactyla: It's not my fault I was born into a world that's falling apart, and yet I'm the only one made to answer for it... Gtri Dactyla: ...I never wanted to be Emperor... Tauran Tiaca: Please, don't think about any of it... Just rest for now, Your Majesty. Gtri Dactyla: ........... To be continued...