Editing Rakuin no Monshou:Volume8 Chapter5 (section)

=== Part 2 ===

As the rumours about Orba spread further and further, a great many people descended upon Bouwen Tedos to plead for mercy for him.

“If you’re already getting this worked up because of a baseless rumour, what will you do when Mephius starts an actual information war?”

Most of them went away when Bouwen rebuked them, but there were some among them who could not be ignored. The commander of Helio’s dragoons, Lasvius, and the Blue and Red Dragons of Kadyne. Both parties had sent a letter. Although, ostensibly, they took the stance that “this news is unreliable”, the contents were in effect a petition

Or at any rate, above his full formal signature, Lasvius had written that: 

''… while granted that there may be certain circumstances, as His Highness Rogier Helio looks forward to meeting Orba again sometime in the future, we remain in the expectation that he will be treated with leniency.''

While the Twin Dragons of Kadyne asserted that:

''...our lady, Princess Lima Khadein, is greatly concerned that, at this time of invasion by Mephius, something unfortunate may happen to Orba as he is Mephian. We firmly believe that we will hereafter laugh with the princess over her utterly groundless fears.''

When Bouwen showed him the two notes, Ravan Dol laughed. And laughed so much that he choked on the tobacco fumes, which caused his back to shake and, for a moment, he blacked out from the pain.

“Well,” by the time he spoke, it had been quite a while since he had run his eyes over the letters, “and the third one?” He asked.

“Eh?”

“There wasn’t any letter? So it was said to you first-hand?”

“… Yes,” Bouwen reluctantly admitted.

There had been one more person who had gone to see Bouwen to verify the rumours that they had heard about Orba.

Esmena Bazgan herself.

When he was informed of it, the strategist spoke again –

“Whether he can make a move at this time or not, there's no doubt that man is troublesome. Until our liege returns, the only thing to do is to keep him discreetly locked up."

"What do you think about this affair of a secret message?"

"That man's actions are far too baffling for it merely being a matter of colluding with Mephius. What should I do in a situation like this? I'll think about what to do. Right, now I'll stop worrying about it."

Bouwen could only sigh in answer. Ravan's eyes were shining brightly. They were burning with intent because life was worth living again now that he had found someone new, besides Ax, to play the role of the student; but Bouwen himself did not realize that at all.

"At any rate, we've extended our forces along the border and are already on lookout against Mephius. Natokk is strengthening the watch on the inside. So there's harm. So I left it. The other side will definitely make a move. But then," he waved the two letters with a flutter, "there is movement from another direction. I was expecting it, but it goes beyond what I had thought."

"You were expecting it?"

"Yes, I'm the one who spread the rumour about Orba."

"Master," Bouwen was taken aback.

According to what the old strategist explained, he had not taken part in the battle in which Garda had been subjugated, nor had he been able to afterwards assess the situation in the various western countries with his own eyes. And so, as he had not been able to gauge Orba's influence first-hand, he had acted in order to be able to measure it.

"If it were only small, any problem caused would soon disappear by just leaving him locked up as is. If it were large, we would need to carefully consider how and when to use him."

Bouwen felt depressed but, as he still had something other than the letters to tell the old man, he rallied his energy. Above all else, this other communication proved that everything was going according to the old man's predictions.

"Orba says he wishes to see you, Master. Maybe he will reveal everything then."

"Oh, would you force out an old man whose legs cannot stand?"

"It cannot be helped. I implore your assistance."

As he lowered his head, it was the first time that Bouwen felt like hating the old strategist whom he had always loved and respected. It was the same sort of feeling that Ax Bazgan often had.
 



Ravan headed towards the room where Orba was locked up as fast as his legs would carry him. His back was bent crookedly and his gait was clumsy, as he was still unaccustomed to walking with a cane. Armed guards escorted him on all sides, but when they inadvertently stretched out a hand as Ravan seemed about to stumble, the old man shot them fierce glares.

He endured the humiliation until they finally arrived, then Ravan ordered everyone to clear out of the room. The door was locked shut and the soldiers stood guard outside it.

The old strategist and the young hero faced each other from either side of the table.

"I believe this is the first time we meet face-to-face, Sir Orba."

"..."

"Oh? Did you not call me here because you had something you wished to talk about? If you have no business with me, I'll be leaving. I only have a short time left in this world and cannot afford to waste it."

"I," Orba spoke, looking straight at Ravan who was leaning his weight on a cane to support his back. "I would like you to allow me to go to Mephius."

"To Mephius?"

"Yes."

"And what would you do there?"

“There is a general that I am acquainted with in Apta. I also know his personality well. If I can win him over, this war might be stopped before it begins.”

"Oh? Well you were a Mephian gladiator. It's not so strange that you would be acquainted with a general but still, you're naive."

"Naive?"

"This situation won't change from no more than the feelings of a single general. The one who issued the command was Emperor Guhl Mephius himself. By all accounts, this war is being positioned as revenge for the crown prince. Quite the slogan. Because of that, the raised swords cannot be returned to their sheaths unless the emperor himself decides upon it. In those circumstances, winning over a single general would only at best allow us to buy some time."

"Guhl Mephius does not have faith in his retainers, and his retainers in turn no longer have faith in him. If even a single general opposes him and raises the banner of righteousness, there will be many who will go along with him."

“Even so.”

“I am being naïve?”

“Exactly.  You talk as though you are well-acquainted with Mephius' internal situation, but you demonstrate no basis for that. In actual fact, when there was that disturbance in Mephius and that man Zaat rose in revolt, no one followed him. From what I can see, Guhl was able to skilfully pull the country together. Although the way he does so is practically through a reign of terror, his ability to bind the country together without raising any turmoil is undeniable."

"Zaat had no unifying force. Nor did he brandish any great cause."

"So according to what you're saying, this general you know has the unifying force to be able to overthrow the emperor's rule? What's his name?"

"Rogue Saian. There is also a high chance that Odyne Lorgo, who is with him at Apta, would support him."

"I've heard of those names. Indeed, they are both outstanding generals. Even so, the chance of setting off an avalanche is pitifully low. As expected, it would lead to no more than stalling for time. Well, that would be one way. Our side could think about how to interfere using the opportunity of the enemy's internal quarrels. It might be better to do so than not."

"No. I would like the west to refrain from interfering unnecessarily."

"What did you say?"
[[Image:Rakuin no Monshou v08 219.jpg|thumb]]
"I will not tolerate a single soldier from either side crossing the border beyond this point. Is what I said."

"You will not tolerate it?"

"Indeed."

“You talk very grandly. Then I’ll ask: who are you? You know Mephian generals, have detailed knowledge of Mephius’ internal situation and are also giving both it and Taúlia orders for self-restraint.”

Ravan glared at Orba’s mask as though he could see through the iron but Orba for his part was calm.

“The point you are asking about is something an old master like yourself should already have understood, is it not”

"What did you say?"

“Or do you really not know? A man such as you, Ravan Dol, the feared strategist of Taúlia?” his voice carried clear mockery.

In that moment, Orba undoubtedly made a mistake in his handling of the old man. Ravan Dol’s gaze instantly relaxed, he returned to his usual easy-going expression and rose from his chair in a leisurely fashion.

“You act the great man. But that’s quite enough and I, Ravan Dol, do not have time to play second fiddle to you.” 

He snapped his fingers to summon the guards.

The door unlocked and several soldiers with hawk-like features came into sight. Ravan silently passed through the entranceway.

"Master Ravan."
When a voice called out to him from behind, the old strategist did not halt his steps. He ordered the soldiers to close the door.

The door made a heavy sound but just as it started to swing shut, he heard him say,

"It seems that the war fan was returned safely."

Ravan stopped suddenly. Orba continued –

"I heard about Raswan Bazgan's uprising. Thinking about it, I feel relieved that it was returned with the right timing. If someone as anti-Mephius as Raswan had taken the throne, it would have been a problem for me too."

Ravan stretched out his hand. Just before the door could close, he slipped back past it through the gap. His face expressionless, he once more gave the soldiers the order to withdraw.

When the door sounded shut, Ravan strode towards Orba. When he was close enough to him to feel his breath on his face, he said,

"Take off the mask."

Orba did not respond. But beneath the mask, he smiled. Staring at him from straight on, Ravan opened his eyes wide and changed his words,

"Please, is it not possible for you to remove the mask?"

Orba's smile widened and anger immediately suffused Ravan's face. And then that fury melted like ice.
 



Some time had passed.

"No wonder," said Ravan.

The iron mask was placed on the table.

Ravan whispered again, "no wonder." As always, the old man wore an expression overflowing with detachment from worldly concerns, but there was a slight tremor in his dark brown hands.

"... Why did you not reveal your face from the start? It would have been far more effective than running through a hundred words."

"I figured that suddenly revealing my face would be more likely to increase suspicion," Orba gave a slight shrug. "Besides, Taúlia has only just been at war with a sorcerer like Garda. I was also worried that I might be accused of using sorcery."

"So you even know about Garda."

"Strategist... Strategist.... who was it that killed Garda was?"

"Ah, oh. Yes, that's right..." Ravan nodded repeatedly, completely unlike a cunning strategist. Then he sighed deeply. "It's not that the thought didn't cross my mind. But it was just too... It was just too ridiculous. I am getting old. Although I tell myself not to be blinded by common sense, I was caught by it at the pivotal point. It was the same in Apta that time. You... No, ''Your Highness'', you bombed your own fortress as though ridiculing my predictions."

"..."

"Certainly, if you were to issue an order to the generals, you might well be able to alter the present state of affairs. But it is a dangerous gamble. Mephius might be engulfed in the fires of civil war."

"We will have to do what we can to prevent those fires from spreading. And to that end, Taúlia's – no, the west's cooperation will be necessary," said Orba. His way of speaking and his tone of voice were the same as when he was wearing the mask yet he somewhat projected the atmosphere of a different person.

"Of course," Ravan Dol nodded as before but, from that single gesture, it was clear that his manner had changed from what it had been earlier. "To avoid a war with Mephius, we will demonstrate our power to the utmost."

"You will trust me?"

"Huh?" Ravan opened his eyes wide in bemusement. With an abruptness unbefitting of an old man, his expression turned strangely humorous. "Yep. After this, I don't think I'm ever going to be able to see something as mysterious or suspicious ever again. At a time like this, 'Prince', what do you think I will do?"

"Well now..."

"I will stop worrying." Ravan laughed, displaying unexpectedly white and healthy teeth. "Above all else, this situation is interesting. It is worth gambling the humble head of a single old man."

"I am obliged to you."

"Then, will you be leaving for Apta?"

"Immediately, if possible."

"I understand," Ravan assented.

After Orba had once again put on the mask, Ravan clapped his hands and called for the soldiers to come. After an exchange of no more than a few minutes, Orba was readily released.

Once the soldiers had hurried off to make their report, the two were left alone once more.

"We cannot wait for long," said Ravan. "There are the war preparations that have been made up until now. After Your Highness has left, and if it looks as though Mephius is once more going to invade, we will of course defend ourselves to the utmost and will think about how to attack if we see any opportunity to do so."

"That's fine."

"In that case, can we say that Orba, the hero in the iron mask, died?"

"Killed by Mephius or executed because he was plotting betrayal, whichever you prefer." You would not have thought that Orba was talking about himself from the way he spoke, but then, "however..."

"However?"

"Princess Esmena greatly supported me from behind, so please tell her the truth, and thank her for her help."

"I will certainly do so."
 



Having been released from confinement, Orba appeared at Taúlia's eastern gate just before the day grew dark. He was on horseback and the hood of the cloak he wore concealed his eye-catching mask. At his waist, he had a brand-new sword and his usual short sword.

He was not leaving alone. In exchange for cancelling the order to monitor Orba's unit, Ravan had given Natokk new instructions to choose a few men and have them escort Orba.

"Accompany him to the Mephian border. You are not to let him suffer a single scratch."

When he received that order, Natokk was naturally somewhat suspicious but he had absolute faith in Ravan Dol. He assumed that he had some plan in mind.

Moreover, and also at Ravan's order, by the time Orba departed for Apta, another group had already gone ahead and left Taúlia in a cloud of dust. It had several people locked in a cage that was being pulled by dragons.

At any rate, Orba was given six guards, all of which were riding horses. One of them looked up at the sky which was turning dark and lit a pine torch. When he approached Orba, the flames were reflected in the mask under the hood.

"We going?"

As he did not know what kind of attitude he should adopt, his speech was rough. This was a swordsman who was a hero and who was also suspected of treason.

"Yeah," that self-same Orba simply nodded once.

Each of them whipped their horses and broke into a run. In the sky overhead, one star then two started to twinkle.

From under the hood and behind the mask, Orba's eyes were fixed in the direction straight ahead.

Their gaze was set on Apta.

The fortress that he himself had once received.

And also the land that he himself had once abandoned.

The time to take it back was approaching.