Madan no Ou to Vanadis:Volume 06 Chapter 2

The Blue World and the Traveling Girl

The autumn in Zchted is short. Or one should say that winter came early.

Plants that were lush and bathed in the sunlight shining too, during the summer now seemed to let color hammer before the wind that lost heat.

Of course, it wasn't merely such a scenery. The autumn was also the season of harvest. Under the blue sky, golden wheat fields stretched too far along the highway.

As the wind blew, the wheat ears which grew splendidly with the sound of the seat shakes.

It seemed that with the abundant harvest around here, the face of the farmers who were cropping was also smiling broadly.

Besides standing out were the green apple trees, on which some plump green apples were hanging down really heavily.

Looking at such peaceful scenery, Tigre felt at ease. The wind was cool to a comfortable extent, though it came now just expecting to talk to them, the horse was hasted suppressing that feeling.

In public place, he did not ride the horse. This was because it attracted attention. However, if it was only the riding, the entourage would be convinced that Tigre's appearance as a noble son was going for an outing for hunting on a whim. Clothes he was wearing were neat in its own way, and his bow was put to the saddle of the horse.

At the sunset, he dropped in at a village or a small town, looking for accommodation. He also bought food as well.

Continuing his travel for a few days, Tigre exited LeitMeritz, passing through the King's territory and entered Legnica.

Three days after that, he arrived at the Imperial Palace where the Vanadis Sasha lived, although the appointment was obtained by passing Ellen's letter, two days were required by the time they actually met.

---Two days, huh. That was safe... I heard from Ellen that Sasha is suffering from a critical illness.

As the silver white hair Vanadis handed over the letter to Tigre, she said this:

"If Sasha's condition isn't bad, you will also be able to meet on the day you hand over the letter. However, after handing over the letter, if you cannot meet her even after waiting for three days, please continue to Asvarre."

The Imperial Palace piled up sand-colored stones, though queer external that mixed the white marble everywhere, the structure itself was very steady.

Leaving his black bow, Tigre walked down the hallway of the Imperial Palace, led by an aged servitor.

It was a palace with a calm (pleasant) feeling. While looking at the ceiling and the walls, Tigre held such impression. Setting foot in an Imperial Palace for the first time excluding LeitMeritz, Everything was unusually interesting. It was there so as not to get bored in those who saw its ingenuity to its placement and the wall, mix of the solid white instead of gray marble was interesting.

---The walls of such a place decorated sculptures, though I only thought about people who carved the mural paintings, there were also such displays...

While being impressed, Tigre had reached the front of Sasha's room. the Servitor checked with Sasha, and Tigre went through the door. It was a somewhat lonely room. The room was bright from the light of the sunlight through the window flung wide opened, and the candle holder near the bed.

However, as for furniture, only the minimum one was placed, even the tinge was generally plain and there was not brilliance. The flower of Shion (aster) displayed by the window added modest coloring.

"Nice to meet you."

An unclouded voice struck Tigre's ears. One woman was rising on the bed. With the cutting arrangement of her dull black hair around of her shoulders, she was wearing loose white clothes. With her thin face, her skin was surprisingly white. As well with a slender body, It was enough to know that she was thin even from clothes. Above her knee wrapped in a thick blanket, there were two swords. The brim with elaborate decoration was bright red and gold with a black and white pattern. The blades were rather short, and the colors of the edge were gold and vermillion, respectively. Tigre realized that it was a type of sword with two pair from the design.

---So this is her Dragonic Tool, huh.

In spite of having greeted the visitor, her weapons were in her hands. However, Tigre did not think of that being rude or unnatural. As Ellen put her Silverflash Arifal within reach even in the office, He knew that was natural for Vanadis.

Tigre bowed and stepped into the room. As he walked up beside the bed, he bowed again.

"I am Tigrevurmud Vorn. Nice to meet you."

"I am Alexandra Alshavin. I wanted to meet you sooner, Sorry for making you wait until today because of my illness."

To the beautiful woman with black hair who apologized politely, Tigre shooked his head to say she did not have to worry about that.

"More than me, please take good care of your body, Alexandra-dono."

When he said so, Sasha sweetly smiled and recommended the chair to Tigre.

"You can call me Sasha, Lord Tigrevurmud."

"Thank you. Please call me Tigre, then."

While sitting on the chair, Tigre also returned a smile to her. Looking up close, he thought she was a beautiful person.

However, for example, she was different from the activeness full of life such as Ellen.

Like the flowers of aster that waved in the gentle breeze by the windows, she was a quiet and fragile beauty.

---If your physical condition is not good...

As he was trying to say that, Tigre immediately gave up. He had heard that Sasha's illness was from a very long time. Whether it was possible to talk or not, she would understand that properly herself.

Again, the servitor who led him until then, was also checking Sasha's condition. Even assuming worry to be natural, doing too much was not rather good.

"Then, Tigre. May I ask you something?"

Filled with a smile, Sasha titled her head quizzically. Tough Tigre was shocked by the charm in the girl's behavior, He hid his agitation and nodded with a smile.

"I'm at your disposal."

"If possible... I want to speak with you with candid words, like talking with a close friend. I know the importance of courtesy, but the shoulders will grow stiff and it's not good for the body if the strain continues."

She was already speaking more casually. Tigre with a wry smile answered that he understood.

Certainly, this person was probably 22 this year. He heard so from Ellen. In other words, Sasha should be five years older than Tigre, but it did not seem very likely regarding her previous behavior.

Though she did not seem to be the same age, It was as if she was only one or two years older. And, it was their first meeting, and it was Sasha who presented her right hand to Tigre younger. Being careful not to use excessive force, Tigre held her hand in return. It was soft, there was a faint warmth.

"So it is really true that you don't use sword."

Staring at Tigre's hand, Sasha said that with a surprised look.

At those words, Tigre became speechless for a moment, and then stared widely.

She must have determined this from the condition of my palms, by tracking calluses and blisters, even though she didn't grip my hand all that tightly.

"if possible, can you tell me about your encounter with Ellen?"

At the words of Sasha who was blotting her curious black pupils, Tigre twisted his neck.

"Didn't you already hear it from Ellen?"

"I did. But that was what Ellen experienced. I would like to hear your story."

Tigre thought inwardly and wondered what happened.

Though there was no reason to refuse, There was a doubt whether he might do these kind of things.

Even though he had to hurry to Asvarre. However, the time he had lost counted about five hours. She should have already read the letter from Ellen, there was no way that she didn't know Tigre's circumstances. There was surely a meaning for this request.

"I understand. It is not a very pleasant story, but it might take long to tell it."

"It doesn't matter."

Tigre talked about his life as a captive (in Leitmeritz) from the meeting in the battlefield of Dinant about one year ago as concisely as possible. Having tried to bring it together short, though there was the fact that he was also in a hurry, that was because feelings swung greatly whenever he remembered those days one by one. After that battle reached a temporary conclusion, It has not yet passed only six months.

Sasha occasionally nodded, she happily listened to Tigre's story while chiming in (While throwing in words of agreement).

When Tigre rested, Sasha rang the bell put on her bedside and called the servitor, she ordered him to prepare wine. Tigre who continued talking and felt thirsty, decided to accept her goodwill gratefully. The servitor put two goblets on the table and poured wine quietly.

"Thank you. It was very interesting, and it served as a reference in various ways."

"I am glad you say that."

"By the way, what kind of relationship do you have with Ellen?"

To this sudden question, Tigre had almost dropped the silver cup which he nearly received from the attendant. Sasha continued happily.

"It does not seem to be only over the category of the alliance partner for the impression that I got from the present story... But, it was slightly different from the story I heard from Ellen."

A chill ran down Tigre's spine. What on earth did Ellen talk about?

---Being asked what kind of relationship we have...

It would be a lie to say that it was not a special relationship. For example, the other day the two of them went secretly near the castle to play and they also danced. When he moved his hands to her slender waist, Tigre's face suddenly became red, He blushed to Ellen whether he was tempted, he was teased by the other people who joined the dance.

However, that kind of thought was not to be said publicly. There was also both Tigre's and Ellen's position, because he could not afford to give priority to his own thoughts. Even if his feelings might burst out, it must be done only temporary. Buying time while applying the silver cup to his mouth, he looked at Sasha's appearance.

Though the smiling face of the Vanadis with black hair did not change, Tigre perceived there was coloring sincerity in her eyes.

Here he must also answer honestly. Tigre released the goblet from his mouth and answered.

"Ellen is... She is an important comrade-in-arms. She helped me many times. If anything happens to Ellen, I want to help her the best I can. That is what I think."

"...Is that so."

Though Sasha's reaction was short, on her face was floating a satisfactory smile. The strained atmosphere became calm, and after a short pause, Tigre asked carefully.

"By the way, when you said It's a little different from the story you heard, from example what part was different?"

"Oh! The part where you peeped at Ellen's bath, or when you sucked Lim's breasts..."

Especially as Sasha replied frankly without shyness, Tigre who was caught off guard was speechless with his face turned red up to his ears.

"Since Ellen and Lim seem to like you, I thought it probably was not only because of that. I thought in various ways. Such as, whether you are winsome enough to tolerate some outrage, or weird enough to not feel like getting angry and appalled, either."

"And now, what kind of person do you think I am?"

Managing to bounce back and sitting up straight, Tigre asked.

After Sasha let her eyes wander looking to the sky without answering immediately, and then turned a slightly nasty smile to the young man.

"Isn't it also good to let you imagine this and that on your own? Well, since it would not be interesting to say nothing, when you come back from Asvarre, I will tell you."

To that statement, Tigre stared steadily at her and blinked spontaneously several times. Thinking about whether he should also wear such face, he could not hide his surprise.

---The prejudice to be a sick person might be too strong.

Though it is just going to say that whether or not a quarter koku did not yet elapse after exchanging words with Sasha, she gave a smile that seemed very much like.

He thought that she somewhat looked like Ellen, or maybe it was Ellen who had been influenced by Sasha.

"I understand. I will look forward to that time."

Tigre responded with a smile. He had the impression that it was avoided, but he felt that it was not bad when he thought about the fun when he would come back.

"Now, then, let's go to the main topic."

With her smile still intact, Sasha’s black pupils harbored once more an earnest brightness. She handed the silver cup which she had in her hand to the attendant and sent him off with words of gratitude. In response to it, he left quietly. Waiting for the door to close, the Vanadis with black hair opened her mouth.

"According to Ellen's letter, she hoped that I would help you. Though it said you will go to Asvarre, could you allow me to hear the full story?"

Tigre who took again the mood described the circumstances of King Victor's request, and Ellen's and Lim's opinion that led him to become the emissary accurately as possible.

This time Sasha, far from throwing in words of agreement and without stirring like a statue, listened to him in silence.

Only her black pupils gave off light of strong will. As she finished hearing the story she relaxed her whole body and gave a small sigh.

"You are in serious trouble, too."

"You might say that, though I do not regard it as being serious to cross secretly the sea and in a middle of a bloody fight to deliver a letter well."

Deliberately saying that in a joking tone, Tigre shrugged. Although it was half his real thoughts, the rest was a bad joke to bring out Sasha's words.

Though the Vanadis with twin swords laughed discreetly as to

"Do you understand in what kind of situation you are placed in this Zchted now?"

"It would be a guest, I think. Even It might also be a hostage to Brune."

Though Tigre's answer did not seem to be wrong, it was also not something to be satisfied about. Sasha shook her head from side to side.

"Of course, you have some people who support you like Ellen or Mira. And according to the story I heard, maybe even also Sophie. However, there are people who bear a grudge against you and want to eliminate you, and also people who are going to use you."

"It is not as if I don't know that there are people who are trying to use me..."

Tigre frowned. In half a year after he began to live in LeitMeritz, Tigre thought that it might be those who came to meet him. However, he had no idea of those who beard clear hostility towards him. When twisting her neck, Sasha explained in a stern stone.

"You rewrite the power chart of the Brune Kingdom greatly. As a result, Zchted's Nobles that suffered a loss, whether big or small, increased considerably. It is however a matter of course since the two great Nobles who was said to represent Brune are not there anymore."

A low groan leaked from Tigre's mouth. He was dumbfounded.

If the people under the control of Duke Thenardier had a grudge against Tigre, That was still understandable. It was because he confronted Thenardier on the battlefield and defeated him with his bow himself.

However, after Duke Ganelon lost to Thenardier, he set the fire on the city and died. Tigre was not involved at all. And thus it was absurd to resent him for such a thing.

Sasha who guessed the young man's real intention from his expression showed a look of sympathy.

"I will tell you again, the most important thing is that the power chart was rewritten. They suffered loss during the flame, since there is the fact that they lost their influence over Brune. And, as for you, you already have strong ties with Ellen and Mira, and it will be difficult to encroach from now."

"But this time, it is King Victor that requested to go to Asvarre."

Since it might be possible for a King of a small country, He wondered if Viktor who was the King of a powerful nation like Zchted, had somehow received some loss because of the civil war in Brune.

"It would not be weird in this country (as in any other country) if someone on backstage made this proposal."

Tigre almost raised a voice involuntarily. Though he didn't think until that point, it was the most reasonable point now that she mentioned it. Tigre himself, whether in governance of Alsace or in command of the Silver Meteor Army, had to listen to the advices of people under one's dominion and their subordinates.

"I think His Majesty was also worried about this appointment. Still, appointing you a foreigner, it is risky and is over with boldness for careful His Majesty to appoint you who are a foreigner."

"Is King Viktor a careful person?"

With this fresh comment, Tigre thought. This was because both Ellen and Mira assessed King Viktor severely. Sasha gave a wry smile.

"Speaking ill, he is a passive person. A bit cunning in some way. He doesn't try to stop conflict between Vanadis at all, or tend to ride in places such as self-protection. However, he had ruled this country for decades on the throne, don't you think we must evaluate the fact that he has not cause big fight?"

Tigre wasn't able to immediately answer back. Because King Viktor didn't stop the Vanadis' fight the winter of the last year, didn't the Vanadis Elizavetta Fomina advance her troops to Legnica? As for Ellen having fought against Mira, wasn't that (also) his fault?

However, Tigre didn't express those thoughts (with words) and swallowed them at his worrying ended. After all, he was a man of another country. He wasn't King Viktor's vassal either, after three years, he was to return to Brune - It was such situation, he could not bring himself to criticize the King of another country.

"Let's return to our topic. The effect that you go as an emissary is Certainly big. As His Majesty said, It can be thought that two countries (Zchted and Brune) support another one. A valuable hero who is not a sacrificed chessman, meaning to go to a dangerous ground in where civil war has not fitted."

"Is that so? Zchted values Prince Jermaine. It is possible to think so."

To Tigre's words following Sasha's dialog, the Vanadis with black hair nodded in satisfaction.

"Yes. If that happens, our country can seize the initiative in a future negotiation with Asvarre. Should this fail here greatly, It will be a shuttlecock unless Prince Jermaine is also a sturdy person beyond anticipation. That is the advantage to the fact you are the emissary."

"And the disadvantage?"

"If anything happens to you, it will become a serious matter."

Sasha replied with a rather stern tone.

"First of all, there will be a crack with Brune. In the worst case Asvarre will turn to an enemy. Regardless of the country's decree, at least Ellen and Mira will not forgive His Majesty. Still though he will probably never defy it face-to-face, the country will be desolate."

Sasha continued her words looking at the Shion (floors) on the window side.

"I won't deny Ellen's guess. There is no doubt that His Majesty wants to test the man you are. Having finished with a letter without even meeting, or providing information that speaks poorly, It is for preventing you to realize his expectations. But I think that there are also the expectations of someone other than His Majesty about this matter."

A troublesome story.

Though Tigre became agitated as he rummaged his darkish red hair in a disorderly manner, he made a small smile and exhaled to switch the mood.

"Thank you. I will take care."

That attitude surprised Sasha. Though this country is an existence that started trapping him at a crisis, she did not seem to see a glim of fear in Tigre.

"Do you have any measures?"

"No."

With an expression to let you feel even impudence, Tigre answered blankly.

"But, I cannot give up now. Though I don't know neither the real nature of that someone who might be behind the scene nor his purpose, it can't be help even if I frighten. Besides, I'm already prepared."

Of course, It wasn't a resolution to die, but to survive no matter what. The resolution to carry out this duty. When subjected to this requirement in LeitMeritz lectures, and when parting with Ellen and the others, he made up his mind to achieve this duty by all means and to come back. If that someone was trying to deprive him of his life, he would crush him.

Though he did not express it with words, Sasha seemed to have understood Tigre's intentions through his expression. She gave a hot breath of relief.

"no wonder Ellen trusts you."

After that, she looked at the Shion (floors) at the window again. However, she seemed to be thinking about something rather than looking at the flower.

Around the time of a handful past ten, Sasha returned her gaze to Tigre.

"According to Ellen's letter, after this you are supposed to go to the port city of Pushpus... Could you change your destination to the port city of Libnah?"

Though Tigre frowned to this sudden request, his doubts were soon dispelled.

"Do you plan to hook that someone?"

It was the plan of King Viktor to go to Pushpus. If Sasha's thoughts were correct, the person trying to entrap Tigre would also certainly know it. Therefore, she proposed to deceive that person. She wanted him to meet with a man called Matvei who was to the beach.

"Go to the port and ask Matvei of the White Dolphin. Well, you will understand."

"Though it is helpful, will that be alright?"

The follower who was scheduled to be going to meet thereafter, might have information that became advantageous about the negotiation with Jermaine. When Tigre spoke about it, Sasha shooked her head to say not to worry.

"His Majesty does not do such thing either. The negotiation gets confused, only because your value falls down. All things taught at the stage before the negotiation should be taught to you. Even that man would understand that he may die by unnecessarily disrupt of negotiations."

"That is also true. Thank you."

After bowing with a smile, Tigre who made a face that seemed to hesitate to say something asked this.

"By the way, what is that white dolphin you talked about?"

The Vanadis with black hair could not immediately understand the meaning of his question. Gazing at the expression of the youth full of perplexity, after saying "Eh!", Sasha with an unexpected expression asked so.

"You, don't you know what a dolphin is?"

Tigre nodded.

"...Have you already seen the sea?"

This time he shooked his head.

Sasha opened her eyes widely, she stared at Tigre's face with a face that said she couldn't believed it. She smiled and murmured that she wonder if everything will be alright. Still she didn't certainly consider that a person who had never seen the sea had been entrusted with a secret envoy to a country on the other side of the sea.

At that time, the door was knocked on from outside. After a hoarse voice "Excuse me" were uttered, the aged servitor came in.

Looking at him, a disappointment in Sasha's black eyes appeared.

"It's already time, Vanadis-sama."

"Can you give us a little more time? I feel better today."

Sasha's expression was like that of a child who wanted something even though she understood that it would be impossible.

No. The servitor answered promptly without moving an eyebrow.

"Because you feel better for this time, you must not push yourself."

From the conservation of those two people, Tigre realized that the time of parting came. He stood up quietly and bowed to Sasha.

"I will leave for today. Thank you very much."

"...No, I also thank you. It was fun."

Sasha extended her hand, and the two people shaked hands quietly.

When Tigre was about to leave the room, The Vanadis with dark hair suddenly stopped him. Sasha's face who turned around, didn't know that the sunlight from the window made a backlight.

"Tigre. I leave Ellen to you. Become that child's strength."

"I will do what I can."

When he gave her a reassuring reply while smiling, Sasha seemed to smile too.

It was early in the morning of the next day that Tigre left the Imperial Palace in Legnica. Straddling to the horse, he went in dash straight about the highway which led to Libnah's Town.

---In the end, I was not able to meet with Sasha after that.

He wanted at least to say good bye, but he could do nothing but left a message to the aged servitor since it was impossible even bill him because of her disease.

Also the servitor handed him over a letter which contained a map describing the way to Libnah and Matvei's features.

Would they meet again?

She was a Vanadis. There should be no such thing as a disease that could not be cured.

Tough he thought so, he remembered the feeling when they shaked hands. Thin flesh, skinny fingers, that was indeed the hand of a sick person.

When leaving the Imperial Palace, Tigre offered a prayer to the gods.

Even if it would be no problem to pay his respects to the gods because Brune and Zchted believed in the same gods, Tigre was not so religious as to pray every time like Teita.

When Tigre often advocated the name Elis, the goddess of the wind and the storm while hunting, he sometimes went to the shrine to pray when an arrow flew well. But Elis is not a Goddess that healed disease. This sort of thing would be the jurisdiction of Moshia the mother Earth Goddess or the God of livestock Vors.

---No, I must concentrate on the things that I should do right now.

Shooking his head, Tigre shaked off the uneasiness. If he were to fail this duty, he would spoil Sasha's kindness. However, if he succeeded and came back safely, it would be a good story of this travel to tell her. Holding the reins, Tigre went over the highway.

At the time Sasha woke up, the day had fairly risen. Her body felt heavy, feverish.

After the court physician looked at her condition, she was told to rest after drinking medicine and taking a light meal.

When she did what she was told to do and then looked blankly at the ceiling, the servitor came in.

"How is your physical condition?"

"I am a bit tired... I think. I seem that I overdid it yesterday since it was a long time that a visitor came. Though I did not have such intention."

While lying on the bed, Sasha gave a wry smile and answered the servitor. The thing she originally wanted to speak about, she was not even able to speak about half of it.

"I have been entrusted with the message from that Earl Vorn. It says: 'I wish to express my gratitude for your kindness. Let's meet again after I returned from Asvarre. I pray to the Gods for your early recovery'."

As the aged servitor reported with a wry look, Sasha chuckled and then laughed.

"What did you think of him?"

"To me, he looked like a boy of his age. Vanadis-sama seems to have a different impression."

Though likely not to mean any harm, Sasha found amusing when he used the word "boy". To this old man's eyes, surely he might see her, who is 22 years old as a young girl too.

"I can't say that I understand all since I only speak with him a little... Well, I understand very well that he is a sincere person. I can also say that he possesses a strong will."

How Tigre met with Ellen, how he went through the civil war of Brune.

Asking to hear all the story that she had already heard partly from Ellen, was because of her intention to know Tigre's personality - It was likely to see whether the person himself would show off talking about his own distinguished military service, or he under valuated it and emphasized his good luck, she would know the way he adopted when he talked to Ellen and the others.

Supposing he spoke frankly noticing Sasha's intention, without dramatizing the facts, it would mean that he was a thoughtful person.

---Well, he did not seem to think deeply there.

Would that mean he had a straight personality, after all?

"Though I understood that when I met him, he is very interesting... No wonder Ellen lent him a hand."

"Do the Vanadis of LeitMeritz like such kind of person?"

"I don't dislike him too. If that child stays by Ellen's side in LeitMeritz, I wonder if this Legnica will therefore be also safe."

The two Vanadis who had their territory near Legnica were Ellen and Elizavetta Fomina. There had been a conflict with Elizavetta last winter, though Ellen helped and repulsed her somehow, their relationship wasn't yet restored, so it might be possible for the conflict to continue in the future. If Leitmeritz were to become stable, Elizavetta could not interfere with Legnica anymore. Though Ellen could not be on support whenever anything would happen, It would be nice to assume a deterrent.

"Then, please rest soon."

The servitor said with a kind voice.

"You will meet Earl Vorn again. It will probably be around the winter that he will come back from Asvarre. At that moment, you would be able to finish your talk with him."

"...Yes. Thank you."

With a smile, Sasha closed calmly her eyes. Though it was a long talk, still it was dangerous to upset her health in autumn when the cold were not yet severe. Preparing from now to spend the winter of this year was necessary.

The servitor bowed and left.

Soon, Quiet breathing of sleeper began to leak from her thin lips.

                                                                           ◎

By the time he felt close to the height of the sun near the midheaven and the sunlight was getting strong, the port of Libnah had come into view.

Under a pure blue sky, low walls stretched long North to South and the extend beyond the shadow of a building was visible.

Wiping the sweat which blurred on his forehead, Tigre loosen the horse legs and went to the castle gate.

Two lots have passed since he left Sasha's Imperial Office. So far it was a smooth journey without incident.

As soon as he entered and passed through the gates in the city, Tigre opened widely his eyes in surprise.

Men and women who had a different skin color and facial features traversing the road, and languages of many countries flitted.

---There were many people, and not just people from Brune or Zchted.

There were some Muozinel people with brown skin, some people of Asvarre and also some people of Sachstein.

Foreigners exchanged words to each other as a matter of course, if languages with words did not passed, they would draw and show pictures, they also aimed to communicate in gestures.

Even after recovering from the surprise, Tigre walked while looking around restlessly in admiration.

Signboards, such as bars and inns, which were expressed with picture stood out immediately.

---Pictures seemed certainly looked better than characters in such a town.

After that, he was concerned about the smell, too. From the Muozinel people who went traffic, there was the smell of perfumed oil and spices, the cheese from Brune's and Sachstein's people, and a smell similar to the smell of [seiniku] from Asvarre.

---Anyway, that is a lively town.

Similar to the castle town of LeitMeritz, it was more effervescent. Shabby carpet spread on the side of the street, selling jewelry on it side by side was a merchant of Muozinel. Next to that were sung deed-of-arms poetry by a bard of Brune, furthermore next (to that), Sachstein's people were selling a number of small and large mirrors.

Tigre, who was walking while enjoying the sight of such rare bending, had his shoulder suddenly struck from behind.

When he looked back, a beautiful woman who grew bright red hair to her waist were standing there.

In her mid-twenties in time of year, wearing stirred clothes from which her ample bosom was emphasized, she suddenly came closer.

"Is it your first time in this town? I can be your guide if you want, what do you say?"

she had the accent of Sachstein's people. Though Tigre was surprised for a moment, he regained his composure at once.

"Thank you. But I have already decided where to go."

"Ara, is that so? That's a shame."

"...By the way, don't you know a store that serves good meal? Though I hope it is close to the port."

The woman looked puzzled and smiled happily when he asked so.

"Do you invite me to dining?"

"I don't hate speaking with someone while eating. If it tastes good, it doesn't matter it is expensive."

To Tigre's answer, the woman shrugged with a smile.

"Well, Thank you, but I have finished cooking rice a little while ago, so I will only tell you some good shop that I know."

Tigre who were taught about three shops near the port, gave her one big copper piece as reward.

When the woman received it with a smile, she disappeared into the crowd waving lightly.

When Tigre saw her off, he resumed his walking while carrying his luggage on his shoulder.

---Was it out of goodwill?

Those who offered guidance suddenly was not necessarily people like her.

Among them, bringing the travelers with honeyed words to the back alleys, there are fellows stealing wallet or baggage.

Tigre had also saw such persons whether in Alsace or LeitMeritz.

Again, this time, he thought that he was slightly aggressive and must have appeared as if she harassed him.

---However... Tough it was unusual, maybe I was no restless.

He persuaded himself in heart to be careful and was on the way and dropped in at one of the stalls and buy fruit. He filled a big barrel with water and soaked an apple and a pomegranate, a fig in that and cooled it.

When looking into the barrel, some ceramic bottles in which alcohol will probably be contained also sank.

Though the summer was already over, it was fairly hot today. Tigre bought an apple, wiped it with his sleeve and bit it while walking the road.

Looking at that, he thought many people would enter this town again. Not only race, but there was also various occupations (professions)

There were some mercenaries who wore leather armor that was dirty, there were a sword in their kite waist, and some travelers dressed similar to their own.

Sometimes, he heard the language of an unknown country, or even noticed some characters he had never seen at all.

---Is that the port city?

Tigre stopped suddenly. The man who was walking immediately behind him, passed through the side with a strange face.

Tigre, twitching his nose doubtfully, stopped. There was a strange smell. No, it was not just the smell. The blowing wind also took on some moisture.

---Was it the wind that came from the other side...this strange smell too?

He thought whether even any accident happened, but this smell seemed not to come from the people of the town as far as he observed the state of the circumference.

---I wondered if he should not have asked some information to that woman a while ago.

While thinking about such thing, Tigre passed through the crowd and arrived at the port.

Tigre stopped again. But this time with surprise. So large that one might mistake it for a shrine or a mansion, the first thing he noticed was several huge ships.

Either they were connected to a wharf, or there were about to set sail now.

There were some galleys that were arranged in a fleet of dozens of enormous suffering, and there was also a sailing boat which set a white sail of some small dogs.

He had never seen a ship until now. But, still Tigre knew that a ship was something made to go across big rivers and lakes.

This was the first time he saw something as huge as this.

Around the ship, which was connected, the sailors made of robust body with burnt sun were moving around busily. There are people who had to clean the ship, those who were carrying cargo, and such as those who had to inspect the comb.

There was a person who made a brief furnace, and grilled shellfish and fish when taking a break.

Tigre was looking up at the ship as stunned, began to walk at a brisk pace to recover from the surprise.

He stood from the wharf at some distance.

"...This is the sea, huh."

After saying those words, he became speechless.

Tigre was gazing at the dark blue ocean which spread within a field of view, while fascinated.

The sea surface which waved gently reflected sunlight and was dazzling, the roars of the sea were echoed continuously and sea birds were dancing in the sky.

The ships which left the port gradually went away becoming smaller.

Tigre noticed that the smell he was worried about a while ago, was the smell of the sea. Wind, that came blowing across the sea, was architectural. The end of the ground became clear.

Anyway, he has been told so that there was an end of the ground roughly when he appeared in the sea. Beyond the horizon, Asvarre was across the sea.

Then, what was there beyond Asvarre?

Not seeing yet the ground, how many countries were there? Or are there dragons living to those uninhabited grounds?

Was there a end to this sea? Or was the sea vast and spread far away without end forever?

It was the sound of the bell which made Tigre, which kept standing on that occasion and was gazing at the sea only in about 1/4 koku, come to himself.

Thinking about it, he had only eaten apples since he entered this town.

He spoke to the seamen, who are burning and eating a fish and a shellfish nearby, and he passed the copper coin, and had their food divided.

The fish grilled through a skewer from a mouth to a tail is big as a double circle.

When he dig in as what they were doing, there was only the texture of the skin that was plump and crisp.

The shellfish was also delicious.

Though nearly burned his mouth too hot, the soup of the shellfish in which saltiness was effective extended gradually in his mouth, when he covered it with the ash salt which he burnt the seaweed and made and eat. While enjoying a fresh taste, Tigre asked them Matvei.

He shooked his head in a way to say that he did not know whether it was what case, but raised his voice as he remembered.

"White dolphin's Matvei? If it's that guy, he is usually on the wharf of the north side. You should go there and look."

The port in Libnah drew a gradual curve near the oval, and five wharves of various size had been installed from the north to the south.

According to the sailors' talk, it seemed that ships which entered the port anchored in the same place as long as there were not special circumstances.

Telling them thank you and farewell, Tigre headed to the wharf in the north.

Filling his hunger, he had worry about the sea breeze that blew from the ocean .

He turned his gaze to the black bow in his hand.

---Though I think that this bow is not affected by the salty test, but...

It was not just a simple bow.

It was the heirloom of the Vorn House, though he did not have further information yet, it was a thing in which gods might be involved.

He did not even mind to have any problem even if he became steady carelessly as a feudal domain in the sea.

---Let's take care more than usual while riding on the ship.

After hesitation, Tigre made such decision.

Rather than fear and awe to hoof in the black bow, and thinking of it as the heirloom of his House, his consciousness as a hunter had decided otherwise.

Afterwards, Tigre catching some sailors, asked if he was able to meet Matvei.

"Is it you that have business with me?"

He was a man in his mid-thirties or such.

Though sailors, who he had seen by coming here, were big and strong, too, Matvei revolved more furthermore than them and was owner of a big physique. His hair short and his skin browned burnt explicitly. His small eyes shined sharply. With his black silk hat, though be not seen as a rowdy person from his coat of crimson jacket wore above made with gold border, there was a feeling of coercion even if there was the body build and stands in silence. His polite way of speaking rather felt grim.

"Nice to meet you. I am Tigrevurmud Vorn."

But never overwhelmed by the scale his way too Tigre put his bags on the ground and took out a letter of Sasha. When Matvei received it, he looked over quickly cutting the seal then and there.

"Oh! Does Lord Tigrevurmud know the content of this letter?"

When Tigre shooked his head, Matvei gave a smile. For a tough look, it was like a smile of a pirate who had found his prey.

"It is said to accompany you and help you as much as possible. I cannot refuse a favor from Alexandra-sama. Please step on my ship "Proud White Dolphin"."

Ahead to thank his words, Tigre was impressed by his attitude. Thus he knew the current state of Asvarre, he didn't show any fear. As expected, he felt reliable as a man whom Sasha trusted.

"I hope to get along with you. By the way, when does this ship depart?"

When the answer “after a half koku” came back, Tigre was popeyed.

"The 'Proud White Dolphin' was originally scheduled to head to Asvarre. You are lucky. If you had come here a little later, we would not have even been able to meet."

As if revealing a trick, Matvei laughing explained and his words continued.

"Though the 'Proud White Dolphin' is a merchant vessel, he often let others various customers boarded, so I don't think you will particularly stand out."

"I'm sorry. But I haven't seen yet that white thing dolphin..."

When Tigre answered so apologetically, Matvei turned away quickly. To the back of his crimson coat, there was a pretty design of a white dolphin jumping. Though Tigre thought that it didn't look good at all, he wisely avoided to put out those thoughts into words.

"With this picture as basis, I have put on a white mantle for the title 'Proud White Dolphin'."

"...I understand it well."

"Though I should be here at about a quarter koku, What would you do? Will you come to my ship with me?"

"Thank you for your kindness. If it's good with you, I would like you to let me go first to the ship. Because I don't want to interfere with your work."

Bowing, Tigre answered so. As Matvei nodded with a smile, he took something out of his jacket's pocket, and presented it to Tigre.

At first glance, it looked like a silver coin. The design differed from that of Brune's or Zchted's silver coin that Tigre knew, and a white dolphin, such as that was displayed on Matvei's back was carved.

"Please take that. This is like a boarding permit, if you show that to the people in the ship, they will let you through with a smile."

Saying thanks as he received the silver permit, Tigre left the place. As he walked while looking at an average ship on the wharf, he was wrapped with tension in an upsurged feeling at the same time. He finally rode on the ship hereafter.

"Excuse me."

He was suddenly called out from the flank. As he looked at that place while thinking that he had been often called out today, a boy like a traveler who hung a small kyack on his hand was standing. His body short in stature was wrapped in a slightly soiled mantle, and only a small part of his face was visible since it was being covered with a hood over his eyes.

"...I'm looking for a ship called Proud, White, Dolphin, Do you know it?"

His voice had an accent that Tigre didn't know. There was a little interval between the words before he uttered the ship's name. Since it seemed to have remembered the name.

Tigre looked down at the boy with a mystified look. The boy's height was around his chest. Supposing he was a traveler, it seemed to be the age which was likely to be accompanied by parents.

"Since I also ride the same ship, would you like to go together? And, are you alone or are there still more other-"

-companions? Those words were dispelled by a sudden snarl.

When he looked there with a frown, three men who probably had not yet reached 20 years old walked with angered (squared) shoulders.

"You bastard, we asked you to show us the way around, what are you thinking when you are running away?"

One of the three people found the boy as a result, pointing his finger he showered a roar. Whether his expression or his attitude, there were young people whom the word hooligan seemed to be suited indeed. the boy who didn't show any sign of fear even when he was yelled at calmly responded.

"Please don't chase me. It's troublesome."

"D-Damn kid!"

The enraged man with a red face struck a fist. Tigre with the bow in his left hand as he was, while throwing his kyack in his right on the ground, came in between the boy and the man. He caught the man's fist.

"He is my companion. Could you tell me the full story?"

"Because those people asked me to guide them to the ship, and I tried to take them out of the port."

As Tigre tried to calm the mood for the time being, the boy that answered back immediately.

The man did not deny it, and moreover the two men who were watching the situation behind cluck their tongue and began to move.

He grabbed Tigre vigorously much more, and the other headed toward the boy. Tigre's action was quick.

As he thought first to release the fist of the man who had struck, he promptly twisted gripping the arm without mercy and raised it.

The man screamed in pain. Then while using the man as a shield and checking the second person, he trusted him away vigorously.

The two thugs who collided collapsed together to the ground.

---I must help that child...

When he looked back while thinking so, the battle was also already finished there. As the fist of the hooligan splashed the boy's hood a wound, thinking on the other hand whether the boy jumped into the partner's bosom, he shot one sharp pastern to his belly. The man collapsed voiceless. Tigre with a look of surprise and admiration turned to the boy.

"Well... What do you do?"

Looking back to the thugs that had fallen on their feet, Tigre casted a cold voice.

"We are not free either. If you leave obediently, I won't do anything more."

Tough the man swatted it in vexation and scowled at Tigre, he could not admit that he was no match for Tigre at all. Challenging by 2 vs. 1, and despite of having blocked Tigre, they were soon defeated.

As the men stood up unsteadily, they lent their shoulder to their friend who held his belly and crouched down, and they turned their back on Tigre. They disappeared into the crowd while cursing the onlookers.

Thinking the uproar to be settled, the people who were looking at this situation from afar walked away. The clamor of the port returned.

As Tigre turned back at the boy, almost at the same time, the boy also looked at him.

---A girl...? Tigre opened his eyes wide.

He thought all along that it was a boy, but it was a girl.

Thirteen, or around fourteen years?

With disheveled light pink-colored short hair, No Black Pearl glossy kindness done to large eyes. Her face was stained with dust storm, though the outline was roundish suitable to her age, looking well, she was so beautiful to arouse admiration. Although she gave an impression as if she was slightly absentminded with a no table tub, she was strangely amiable.

"Thank you very much for helping me."

With a very monotone voice, the girl quickly bowed her head.

"It was not big deal. Though I think you are ok, did you get injury?"

When Tigre asked that while picking up his luggage, the girl looked up and issued a question while tilting her head in wonder.

"I'm not hurt. Why did you help me, a total stranger? Though those people might be right."

"More or less, because there are such fellows in every town. You will understand it somehow, if you see such thing several times. Even with that, seeing three adults chasing a child, it would be a problem that they strike you without waiting any answer. After that, you did not run away when I went in between you and one those people."

At this answer, the girl narrowed her eyes while seeming to think about something.

Her black pupils moving, was, this time, directed to Tigre's black bow.

"What didn't you let go of your bow? What if the opponent-"

"Even if it looks like this, this thing is my family heirloom. Though depending on the situation, I don't want to treat it rough too."

As he answered, Tigre thought that he didn't understand well this child. Although he didn't know about what she was thinking while being absent-minded, she was calm unlike a child. Her question was clear, too. When she nodded as being convinced, she saluted and gave her name.

"Sorry for the late presentation. My name is Olga. So, Proud... U-Uh, Proud... Dolphin White..."

She was at loss for words. Opening her eyes, which were near to half-opening, wide, Olga repeated some words desperately. Her Preheating flustered looking like a girl suitable of her age, Tigre gave a smile. She bent her knees, crouched and adjusted the height of her gaze.

"'Proud White Dolphin', right? Let's go together. I'm Tigrevurmud."

It was half for a precaution not to have given his family name, the other half was for consideration to her. Giving only her name must mean that Olga was very likely to be a commoner and not a noble.

He took care not to frighten her. Of course, he also considered the fact that Olga didn't give her family name for precaution.

"Tig, revurvur... Tig, vurm..."

"If it's hard for you, just call me Tigre."

Looking at Olga repeating painfully and mumbling, Tigre gave a wry smile this time.

                                                                           ◎

When standing on the deck, he felt like the sea breeze became stronger.

"It shakes more than I thought."

In accordance with the shake of the sea surface, the ship had been repeating ups and downs gradually. That feeling was fresh to Tigre, it was a strange thing. He thought it will some take time until he got used to it.

The 'Proud White Dolphin', a ship that belonged to a big class of the ships which was at a anchor in the port. two big masts, which folded sail soared, the deck under was a three-layer barrel structure including the bottom of the ship. While the deck was narrower than he thought, Seamen were moving about busily between the barrel located in a line and the rope spread around.

Because it had a strong body with each one large, Olga seemed to collide with Tigre several times.

"Let's quickly go to the cabin."

As Tigre said so profusely, Olga walking beside him, nodded slightly. She put back her hood again as he gets on the ship, and Tigre found the expression she had hard to understand. She did not speak much since then. As she was ashamed to be unable to neatly speak Tigre's name and thought that was because of her words’ accent, it did not seem visible from her words or her attitude.

He did not really speak himself. Though he swore to travel alone, that said to make companion wasn't a problem.

As he gets off the ladder in the stern and enters under the deck, walks down the aisle which was filled with the sea breeze's smell mixed with that of the wood, Tigre dives in front of the room where he was told to stay for the time being on the ship.

When he opened the door, there was a really small room. Anyway, in addition of the bed fixed to the wall and the floor, there were about three or four steps of place to stand. There was nothing to do other than put his luggage on the floor and to sleep. By the way, the key to door was a rough lock handed over at the time of the boarding.

To Tigre who was stunned, Olga said with a monotone voice.

"Well then, see you."

To her words, Tigre rethought that, unlike himself, who was accommodated by Sasha and Matvei, Olga paid the fare as a simple guest to board the ship.

At the time of boarding, the boarding permit she had passed to the sailors, though was brown as the others, was made.

"If it's okay with you, may I show you your room?"

As he asked out of curiosity, Olga approved it while nodding her head as if looking down.

While walking across a narrow passage, Tigre was observing while running his eyes to the left and to the right.

This layer was for guests' and sailors' rooms, besides it seemed they were also the Armory.

When they arrived at the vicinity of the prow and got off to the nether layer, a gloomy and peculiar stench increased.

The narrowness of the passages did not change. Olga stopped about ten feet in a few steps, stood in front of one door. When she opened the door, there was nothing more than a large empty room. Compared to Tigre's room that was what we could call a private room of an inn, this place could be equivalent of a large room used by many people.

Inside the room was 12 persons, with 3 men included. Half of them were armed with swords and armor, they were leaning on the wall sitting on the floor.

Though the others were not armed, that didn’t change the fact that a dangerous atmosphere was released from their whole body.

They have opened distance moderately and everyone was looking out for each other.

those eyes mixed with hostility were of course turned to Tigre and Olga that opened the door.

---Well that would be to be expected...

Though Tigre did not show that on his face and his voice, he was aware of that.

The destination of this ship was Asvarre that was in the maelstrom of a civil war. Naturally, those who were going to such place were limited. This not about persons with special circumstances such as merchants or Tigre except where mercenaries would be.

"Would you like to come to my room?"

To Olga who were standing immediately nearby, he asked quietly. On her face who looked up at Tigre, there were a faint surprise in her expressionless absent-minded face.

"Is it okay?"

"As you saw a while ago, it is a small room. But I'll guarantee your security. And there is also a key."

Tigre didn't know why she was heading to Asvarre. It was not like he didn't care about that, but he had no intention to ask since he was in a position in which it would be troubled if he was himself be inquired. Therefore, though he didn't know anything about her, as expected he was reluctant to let a girl who was younger than him staying there.

Soon after that, 'The Proud White Dolphin' departed from Libnah town.

A white sail conceived the wind big and 'The Proud White Dolphin' was leisurely progressing on the azure blue sea. Tigre and Olga were standing on the deck, looking at the boundless sea and far away silhouette of island.

"How do you feel, riding on my boat?"

With his crimson coat flapping in the sea breeze, Matvei came walking. Turned his gaze to Olga, he made his small eyes shine keenly.

"Oh! An acquaintance of yours?"

Tigre replied "Yes" with a smile and Olga nodded silently. Tigre was impressed (without saying anything) since the fact that she was not perturbed even before Matvei's evil look was admirable.

"In about how many days will we arrive in Asvarre?"

"If the wind continues to be good like now, in seven or eight days, I guess. Since this is not a windless season, we can think that at least it won't take ten days."

Tigre was relieved to hear that. He had no other choice but let Olga lay down on the only bed there was, and he himself intended to sleep on the floor, since he seemed to be able to endure it somehow for eight days.

"Matvei-san, about how old were you since you became a sailor?"

"It was when I was younger than the present you. Those who were born, raised in Libnah and decided to live with the sea thought that they will have their own ship first. Therefore while working and earning money in a ship of an acquaintance, they learn how to trade various things in order to handle a ship."

"Were you not scared to go out to the sea?"

To tell the truth, Tigre was a little scared. Puffing (with pride) his chest, Matvei replied while laughing.

"It's something familiar around here. As for me, though I did not mind since I saw shipwrecks drifting to the outskirts of the town where I was playing in my childhood, there are, as expected, many people who still get nervous when they get into a boat for the time. Nonetheless, I overcome the fear with various experiences."

"Various experiences?"

Olga tilted her head.

"Storms, shipwrecks, pirates... In addition, by narrow ships, most fights that were like killing each other occurred and fell into a situation that it was not possible to sail. There were also things such as sharks and sea dragon."

"Sea dragon."

Though the last words were a little theatrical, the single criticism of dragon did not set not to attract Tigre's interest. As he asked the parrot-like speaking, Matvei gave a wry smile and answered.

"A long time ago, I saw it only once afar. Like this, his body like a long rope looking like that of snakes, and that body was much bigger than this ship's mast. I wondered if it was capricious or was not hungry, since it did not come to attack us, and ran away with all its might."

"Such thing is...in the sea."

"What, even among the sailors who kept going to the sea for 40 or 50 years, those who happened to see that were few so to say since it is unusual."

To Matvei's words that reassured him, Tigre sighed. From then Tigre who asked a lot of things about the ship and the sea, suddenly asked about what was on his mind.

"Matvei-san, do you know the details about Asvarre?"

"Yes, since it's an important customer. Is there something that worried you?"

"I'm sorry if my question is not clear, but... What kind of country is Asvarre? For example, I don't know what kinds of Gods are worshipped in Asvarre."

He intended to ask Sasha and could not. He knew the Kingdom of Asvarre only of name. Also the fight between the princes. But, about other things, It might be accurate to say that Tigre didn't know almost anything.

"Alright. It seems there is no problem now with the ship, then I will have the privilege to tell you a story."

                                                                           ◎

Asvarre is called the country of the fog and the forest. Once there was a small island floating in the North Sea - It was the only island nation in that territory which assumed only the island of Asvarre a territory, and besides it was in a situation where five tribes were fighting with their hegemony at stake. The origin of the country name came from an island. There are few mountains and many hills, rivers and forests. The wind-tinged heat which blew constantly from the west sea, was cooled by the time it reached the middle of the island, and hence most of the year was covered with fog.

"So It is said, but as expected to say most of the year is exaggerated. There are also regional variations. However, for that reason the place when and where the fog also appears is not strange."

The island was always exposed to the danger of fights.

Though , that was also right for the conflict between the five tribes, the nations of the continent that tried to get this bird were often bringing about war of aggression aboard ships, and that the pirates around troll the coast was also a daily occurrence.

Though it was not really a pleasant story, it is therefore something usually said that where people are, there is also conflict. There were no one who even once said that there was no stream of blood in Asvarre. However, that situation changed completely due to one hero alone. His name was Arturius. He was the king founder of Asvarre.

Arturius once said that he dreamed that he transformed into a red dragon. The red dragon is a symbol of the king who bundles the five tribes' leaders. Arturius, who was until then a very ordinary warrior, believed in an oracle, and decided he will become King. Though most people laughed at Arturius, 12 companions followed him. Afterwards, Arturius had always stood at the front wielding his sword, run in countless battlefields and obtained victory. Various tribes altogether followed him, the pirates were swept up, and the 12 people following Arturius who repelled the nations that had invaded the north were called the knights of the round table.

"...It looked somewhat like the myths in Brune and Zchted, right?"

Tigre harbored such impression. Regarding the myth of Brune, Charles, who became the successor of the king founder, started his battles, after receiving a revelation from a highly virtuous monk living in a holy cave shrine. And according to the myth of Zchted, those who led the fight in front of many tribes following a man referred to as the incarnation of the Black Dragon had been contested.

Without showing how offended Tigre's impression was, Matvei responded with a smile.

"Though I am not well informed about the myths of other countries, I think there are points that are in some way common."

Tigre showed consent well obediently and Matvei resumed the talk.

"Though that Arturius and the 12 Knights of the Round Table are not gods in Asvarre, they have become objects of worship. Because, it is thought that all the victories of Arturius were assumed to be due to the blessing of God. It also assumed that each knight of the round table had the divine protection of angels - seemingly beings like spirits that obey God."

After Arturius' death, as the kingdom of Asvarre was spending a peaceful time without big fight, but then the peace was suddenly broken. There was the Cadiz kingdom of the continent possessing a large fleet that crossed the sea and invaded Asvarre.

"Asvarre desperately resisted, but succumbed before the pression of an overwhelming large army, It is said that it was deprived of half of the island in a short time. The king ended up sick in bed, the people who recommended the surrender and those who attempted to escape came out one after another, the fate of the kingdom was without doubt in a precarious state."

However, scolding the frightened retainers and soldiers, there was a person who showed a firm attitude. Princess Zephyria.

"While it was said that Princess Zephyria was the owner of an incomparable beauty, shall I say a lady of character, to the extent that she was not considered to be a woman, she took a sword and jumped into the battlefield."

And thus, obtained victory that had the same value of what was said in the written of the founder Arturius.

It was usually said: "The armor is my husband and the battlefield is my palace."

Afterwards, the king died without recovering from his illness, and after the conference during → years, Zephyria became the first queen of the kingdom of Asvarre. The impact, that this gave to the nations, was not small. It was because the idea of a queen in either Brune or Zchted was something absurd.

"Queen Zephyria was also excellent as ruler. The country that was shaken by the death of the king and was firmly brought together by the birth of the queen, subjugated the pirates in the coast, stabilized the country both inside and outside, and later counterattacked the kingdom of Cadiz that was about to invade."

The Cadiz kingdom was defeated.

"Asvarre then took possession of the dominion of the continent. That was what the king founder Arturius had strongly desired for, and was not able to accomplish. Queen Zephyria, who accomplished it, received the laborious title of 'Supreme King', afterwards she continued to rule without even marrying, proposed a person who had the closest blood relationship with the Father king to be the successor, and died."

"The queen huh..."

Tigre gave a breath of admiration. He raised a question from the back of the hood Olga was wearing.

"I have heard stories that Queen Zephyria actually had a lover."

"I see that there are more anecdotes than usual. I know some, too. Like the vassal who secretly supported her, the wandering knight, the traveling bard and hunter of maid and such... Since there were such stories when she was a ruler, surely people might have variously swollen their imagination."

Though Tigre showed a honest agreement to the three officials of Matvei, Olga was as if she was thinking about something.

"After that, there has never been such talk until now. I think that even now Arturius and Zephyria are heroes representing Asvarre, even local farmers are proud."

"Thank you. Well then... Now, concerning the current situation of civil war?"

Tigre asked it with a careful tone.

"What I know is only the gossips that are roasted by at least 10 mouths - That there are skirmishes that happen frequently, but no big fights, and that the situation has fallen in a stalemate."

It meant that those receiving damage (from the quarrel between the two Princes) were the people in Asvarre. Unbearable anger blotted to Tigre's expression. A stalemate meant that not to see the end line of each side.

Anyhow, if the soldiers of each side did not move too much and from the beginning to the end glared at each other, then it was different from the story that he heard - that story was about the frequent occurrence of battles.

How soon they (soldiers) were going to involve themselves in the chaos of war without understanding anything, and without even knowing when the war would end. Even though it was not a battle they wished.

Tigre's feelings like a festival, Matvei deliberately continue to speak businesslike.

"Concerning the number of soldiers, Prince Elliot seems to be superior, but on Prince Germaine’s side, there is one very great general, that seems to often overturn the numerical inferiority and to obtain victory. Therefore there is a talk that the war won't be easy to settle."

"Is there such a person? What is his name?"

"If I'm not mistaken, his name is Tallard Graham. There is rumor saying that if that man was not there, Prince Germane might have sooner been defeated."

Though Tigre was interested in the man named Tallard, for the time being he pushed aside that matter in the corner of his brain and proceeded with his thoughts. Compared to what he heard from Ellen, it seemed to be not that much change. By the time he would meet with Prince Germane, would this situation change? Tigre was pausing with a disappointed face, Olga whom he did not know what she was thinking about, absent-minded and expressionless gazed at him.

                                                                           ◎

As the sun sank, the ship moored in a small island. Tigre was in his room. Sitting on the bed, he was taking care of his bow.

There was only a lamp with light that dangled down from the ceiling, swaying from side to side to match the ups and downs of the age. The door was knocked on from the outside. He put his bow on the bed, stood up and opened the door. He stood up before Olga with a absent-minded face who was holding a deep pot.

White steam was rising from the deep pot. Before returning to the room, he bought hot water in the kitchen.

"how much was it? "

"It was two copper coins."

Only about half the hot water entered the deep pot. Though it seemed that it would not spill even if the ship more or less shook, Tigre thought that with this two copper coins were expensive. As Olga put the deep pot on the floor, she removed her mantle. As for the clothes that she was wearing, a cuff was loose, and there was decorated with fine embroidery on neck and sleeves. Her waist was wrapped around the band, and it was something not seen much in Brune and Zchted.

However, what further attracted Tigre's attention was the ax which she hung on her waist. His gray edge with a pattern of very small strange components was short, and large enough so that even Olga with her small stature would not easily handle. What looked out, was its elaborate equipment forceps. Topaz, which was also about the fist, was embedded at the junction of the handle and the blade, and a fine pattern was engraved on the blade as well.

Seems, I guess, that most people would consent even if it said to have been built for affluent nobles to decorate their residence.

However, Tigre held a different impression. What he witnessed when he saw that ax, was...

There were the long sword that Ellen carried, Mira's spear, the bishop's staff of Sophie and Sasha's twin blades. Those that floated inside the dark and disappeared when shining like lightning. A weapon that had a paranormal power and that was allowed to enter the Battle of ownership to only the seven Vanadis.

"Are you interested in this?"

With the voice, Tigre was startled and pulled himself together. He was likely to stare very much, though he was staring at the dimly expressionless Olga, making it absent-minded., some cautions had blotted in her black eyes.

"Oh! That ax has a splendid structure."

Tigre answered so while rummaging his darkish red hair. He denied the question he wanted to ask in his innermost thoughts. Certainly it was an axe with a rarely remarkable structure, but there was no way that a Vanadis would be in such a place.

"Because it is a heirloom."

Olga leaned the ax against the wall answering in a monotonous voice. She untied her obi and take off her clothes. Her upper body that became bare was slim, and the flesh was thin, and the swelling of her chest was over modestly. And with a healthy body with flexibility, though it was beautiful, it was far to maturity.

In presence of a dumbfounded Tigre, Olga sat down on the floor, takes out her hemp cloth from the cargo bag, soaked in the hot water and squeezed it. She wiped herself her body gently.

"...As expected, I don't think it's a good idea to expose your body in front of a man."

Tigre gently reproves the girl with pink turtle's hair by an amazed face. Olga stopped her hand that wiped the dirt of her body and answered while attaching the flax sea to hot water once again, when she glanced at Tigre.

"It can't be helped. There is no other place. "

Even so.

"You might have asked me to turn around..."

"Here is a room that you borrowed, and I am here because you have let me use it."

She was very a sincere child. Tigre spilt a sigh and turned his back to Olga. He thought that it was good that she was young. He would have been more confused if she was about the age of Ellen and Mira. Tigre waited for a little while even after finishing the maintenance of his bow. Before long the sound, in which the hot water was squeezed, was not heard, and the rustling of clothes reached the ear.

"It is already good."

Looking back to the voice, Olga who was wearing cloak dressed up was sitting on the floor. Pointing at the deep pot, she continues speaking.

"Though it is lukewarm, if it is good with you use it."

"It is so. Then, I appreciate."

Since he had stood for a long time on the deck, even Tigre's body had been sticky by the sea breeze. It was a troublesome thing to go to the kitchen from now and buy hot water.

Changing places, Tigre wiped his body quickly. And like that when putting on a mantle similar to Olga's, Tigre pushed aside the deep pot on the corner of the room.

"Well then, let's sleep? I will sleep on the floor, so you can use the bed."

"It's impossible for me to accept your kindness to that extent."

Tigre who was going to plop himself down on the floor looked embarrassing for the refusal of Olga and raised his body. Though the girl with pink color hair was still expressionless, there was a slight anger in her voice.

"I understand that you are behaving as an elder, since I'm younger. However, I...,I am independent in full-fledged."

Although she hesitated to say at first and turned down her eyes, Olga raised her face and asserted flatly. Guessing apparently that he seemed to have hurt her white esteem, Tigre scratched his head.

"I'm sorry. But, I did not intend to say with that alone. This room is considerably cold. Though you seem to be used to traveling, too..."

Probably because on top of the sea, the ship's air has become fairly cold at night. It was for that purpose that both Tigre and Olga put on a mantle.

"Let's sleep on the bed together"

Olga was said without even showing a gesture of shyness.

"There is only one blanket. As for sleeping on the floor, the shake of the ship in addition to the cold comes directly to your body. Then, it will be better to do so even if it is narrow. You look unexpectedly stubborn."

Though Tigre thought the two of them were of equal status regarding their stubbornness, he felt that talking about that would end up even worse and decided to keep that for himself. There was a request he might want further.

"I understand what you say. I understand that but... Have you no shame or perhaps should I say modesty?"

"If it seems to you like I invite you, then I put that in denial. If you do something rude, I will push you down."

"...Understood. Let's sleep together."

The reason Tigre compromised was because she was stubborn, and he thought that if that situation continued, she would not use the bed and lie down to the floor.

When he saw her nude not long ago, though he thought that it was a healthy body, he did not hold further feeling bonds.

Olga was still young to think so. he lined up and lie down on the bed. Turning the light off, both of them moved restlessly and turned their back to each other.

Riding on a ship for the first time, he began progressively to feel sleepy since he was attacked by the excitement and the tension. It was not from either and set up breathing of sleeper.

There was a Vanadis, in the port of Pushpus where Tigre was scheduled to go originally. She stayed in that town for a few days and spent those days in one room of a hotel, dressed in the noble women who were in trip. It was a special shop with first-class dish for the meeting by carriage and a thick cliff face, the firm storekeeper of the mouth though is far expensive from other hotels.

Noble and affluent merchants, ambassadors in various foreign countries etc. use, the merchant ship of Brune and Asvarre continuously arrived in Pushpus and stores which prospered good for this reason. That Vanadis Valentina Glinka Estes, just now received a disappointing report from her subordinate.

"Is that so... Tigrevurmud Vorn did not head to this Pushpus port but to Libnah port."

In a room that existed in the deepest part of the hotel. Only the lamplight that hung from the ceiling shone on the room. With something that small, light did not reach the corners of the room, and the darkness was hovered in the background. One huge sickle was leant into that darkness.

Valentina sank her body on a soft chair that used cotton and the feather in abundance, and heard the words of her subordinate. Her long black hair that seemed to melt into the darkness. A lovely smile as I let you think that there would not be it came into the people who were not attracted by such beautiful face. Wearing a pure white dress decorated with roses, one book was open on her knees. The subordinate was pounding his knees apart from her in front of a door and continued reporting plainly.

"Earl Vorn, who had entered without change Libnah, changed his plans, though it was thought that he had taken the wrong way because he is someone from Brune."

"Thank you very much for your efforts! I certainly already met Earl Vorn once. I wanted to greet him, but there's not help."

"Must I continue the pursuit?"

"That is not necessary. He must have already got into a boat for Asvarre at this time. After Earl Vorn came back, the greeting would seem to be emptied."

Valentina was staring at the dark and sighed small when they left from the bottom county.

He ended up running away.

It was Valentina that had made the proposal for King Viktor to choose Tigre as a secret messenger to Asvarre. But, not directly. About two elder statesmen are slipped in a word, and she made sure that they did not know themselves that that idea was not theirs. Though there were some reasons, this was because she wanted to meet him once at a place where there were no other Vanadis.

Regarding Tigre's treatment, he would move from LeitMeritz if there was not special thing happening. Having said that, she must go through an official procedure if going to meet with him so that LeitMeritz and Ellen did not harbored doubt.

---I wanted to avoid that. I wanted to speak with him about various things, and to know in detail his personality.

If their interests matched, there would be a possibility for them to join hands, but in case that he would be an obstacle for her ambitions, she would need to find a way to eliminate (remove) him. If it was the former, she intended to support him so that he could achieve his duty as a secret messenger safely, but things did not go her way.

---Was that Eleonora...? No it was not possible. It did not seem that she had a good knowledge of the geography of Legnica so. In that case, it would be Alexandra.

She heard that he stopped by her Imperial Palace.

---What sould I do from now on? Valentina thought.

If Tigre were to die had he been involved in the civil war of Asvarre that did not matter. At the present time, after Ellen and Mira, he had built close relationship with Sasha. His death would be a shock to them as it was, and leaded to the deterioration of relationship between Zchted and Brune. Even King Viktor would crack in the question as for the responsibility.

Nevertheless, if he came back safely, he would come to the Royal Palace. It would be necessary to report the results, King Viktor will also thank Tigre for his services, and shall give award depending on those results.

---At that time, if I visited the Royal Palace, I am likely able to meet him.

Depending on his attitude and his personality, she would reveal that she was herself that made the proposal to send him as an emissary, and might conversely let him criticize King Viktor and make him believe that she is a friend.

She examined Tigre's schedule to know when he might come back and must think about a reason to visit the Royal Palace on that day. Since she was supposed to be sick and lacked physical strength.

---For example, I cannot go frequently the royal palace like Sophia Obertas.

Though it was troublesome, Valentina did not hate to think about such thing. Instead she was more of a character that seemed to enjoy that. Besides, it was convenient for her to pretend that she had a weak body.

---for example, even if I am ordered the dispatch of troops, I would delay it by the reason of disease to the very limit and retreat as soon as I fought a little, and I can thoroughly control the damage of soldier. Also, I report that I am sick when I am called out the Royal Palace, collects information as much as possible so that I can be at the Palace at the time when he would be called out there.

She came so far by doing so.

In order to let you think herself to be a human being without great thing, and all lets you despise it. When bringing some idea together in her head, Valentina clean off her glance to the 'police' thing that was expanded on her knees. On the front of the book "Record of the war of Zephyria", the title was carved in gold.

Queen Zephyria that expanded the territory of Asvarre greatly. In the record that spelled the fight, a high entrance feeling was provided in together with the biography of Arturius in the kingdom of Asvarre. After discovering it by chance in her residence and reading it when she was young, that became Valentina's favorite book.

However, she did not limited herself only at enjoying it, that book gave her the notion of no attachment in either dream or ambition.

---Someday I will become a queen, too.

That she would show that she would become an existence that reigned in Zchted kingdom. Her blood of her House seemed to stream down as far as she examined it.

However, it was slender so as to be able to hardly insist on succession to the throne called the minority of predecessors in the family line or future charges. Therefore, she did not intend to rely on such a thing. With her owns wits, in addition to be born and raised in the Estes House, and by using the good luck to be chosen as a Vanadis, she intended to reign on the throne. Though she did not know when that will be, but she was convinced that day will come. As she already read many times and knew the contents of the book, she would not stop once she turned a page. The light of the room did not disappear till late.

                                                                           ◎

Tigre was exposed to a severe line of sight. Five girls were standing before his eyes. There were Teita with Ellen, Lim, and Princess Regin of Brune with Mira. Ellen and Lim, and Mira were familiar with combat uniforms, and Teita did the usual maid figure. Regin's formal dress as a princess was based on white and decorated with gold and silver everywhere.

Somehow they were uniformly angry. Ellen sharply glared here with her arms folded, applies, and Lim amazed seemed to heave a deep sigh even now, and Teita withhold her anger frowning. Mira seemed to measure the timing to put her hands on her waist, and to pour an angry voice. Regin did not hide her dissatisfaction, but it looked like whether she was angry or was at loss.

"What's wrong?" Be driven by impatience and anxiety, Tigre asked so, and like vomiting Ellen answered.

"Try to ask it once more after looking at your chest."

Tigre, being upset to receive such verbatim, hurriedly looked at his chest. Olga was there. She stuck her body to Tigre, suddenly naked from the waist up. In a voice without the intonation, she said.

"Please take your responsibility..."

Thereupon, he woke up. There was a wall stained slightly spreading through his view. His body felt a slight shake.

---A dream, huh...

With a small breath, he soliloquize "that's right, isn't?" in his innermost thoughts. It was only once that those 5 girls gathered in one place. It was only that day when Tigre defeated Duke Thenardier and returned in triumph to the Royal Palace of Brune. After that time, it never happened that those five lined up all together.

Fatigue might be accumulating. It was a trip that I hurried all the time until I got on the ship.

"If you have already woken up, I want you to release me."

He heard a monotone voice in side right away. At that time he noticed, his right hand was touching something soft and there was also a feel like hair in his left hand. He felt a small amount of heat on his body above all. When he moved his gaze, there were Olga's eyes. Tigre's left hand held her head, and his right hand gripped her ass. Before he became aware, he was embracing her while sleeping.

"And ...it is hitting me."

Tigre kept his hands away from her in a hurry, and jumped up vigorously. Everything seemed as if it was not a dream. Olga was wearing clothes unlike the dream though.

"No, that's what ..., I'm sorry."

While taking a rough breath, Tigre shamefully covered the face by hand and bowed his head. Speaking of Olga, she wake up her body and arch rise even without moving her expressionless face that was hazy. Lowering her gaze from Tigre's face, she looked at around her waist.

"I was told by my mother and my older sister that it can't be helped that a man is so in the morning."

That being said, it was a shameful even in this case. All Tigre could do was to nod without speaking.

Olga indifferently continued.

"Because I understand that you did not hug me intentionally, since I confirmed that you were sleeping. Your body requested the heat by getting cold at night, right?"

Though Olga did not blame the young man at all, there was a reason. The girl with pink color hair was also clinging to him as she woke up. What Olga was surprised at, that she was about to tear off Tigre, but her foot which protruded from a hair dealer streamed down indoor cold precisely on this occasion, and she felt the physical warmth of Tigre at the same time. That warm comfort would not be provided only with the blanket which she put on. It was because of that, that Olga compromised quickly. Of course, she did not intend to say that to Tigre.

"I'm thankful that you said that, but...Be careful."

Tigre bowed once more with a guilty face. Nonetheless, he might be helpless only with sincerity.

After all until he arrived at Asvarre there was no more morning when Tigre was able to wake up without hugging her.

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