Chapter 8 Part 10
Translator : PolterGlast
"This
is a painting of Firana and the newborn Irisdina. Victor wanted to preserve the image of the two of
them, so he painted it himself."
Madam
Parline picked up the mother-daughter painting.
Nozomu
had no idea how good the painting was artistically.
However,
it was a painting that strangely caught his eye and made him smile just by
looking at it.
For
a moment, Nozomu gazed at the painting that was being held up, as if he was
sucked in by it.
"What
a beautiful person... Moreover, she looks so happy..."
"She
was happy. There's no doubt about that, but ... she didn't live long."
While
muttering meaningful words, Madam Parline drank the wine in her cup in one
gulp. The tone of her voice, which seemed to resonate in the core of Nozomu's
chest, caused him to gulp.
Nozomu
knew how this will end. He had heard the rough story from Somia before.
But
the words of the people involved in this story carried so much weight that they
pressed down on Nozomu, suffocating him.
"A
short time after Irisdina-sama's birth, Firana-sama became pregnant with her
second child."
Following
Madam Parline's words, Mena opened her mouth.
Perhaps
remembering those days, the maid had a sad expression on her face.
"However,
Firana-sama's health gradually began to deteriorate, partly due to her frail
body."
Filana,
who had a frail body to begin with, gradually lost her strength after she
became pregnant, and she was bedridden more and more often.
Still,
Firana, as a mother, tried not to worry her daughter or husband, smiled at
them, and her daughter too tried not to worry her mother, returned the smile.
"Unlike
her unborn child, who was growing steadily, the mother gradually became
emaciated and eventually could no longer stand up."
The
mother's weakened condition was in contrast to the steady growth of her unborn
child. Mena described that it was as if the mother was giving her own life to
the child.
Nozomu
imagined how Irisdina felt when she saw her mother weaken. But nothing came to
mind, just an inexpressible bitterness that spread deep in his heart.
"Irisdina-sama
wondered if there was anything she could do for her, but at the time she was
unable to do anything, and Master had already called in skilled doctors from
all over the country to gather rare medicines, but her body was already at its
limits."
The
burden of the pregnancy was too heavy for Filana's frail body.
It
was like a hole in the bottom of a rotting ship.
No
matter how many stakes were driven in to plug the hole, they only widened the
hole in the rotten bottom of the ship. Even if they tried to scrape the water
out, the collapsed bottom planks could not withstand the water pressure, and
the holes opened one after another.
Neither
Victor's desperate treatment nor Irisdina's earnest wishes could do anything
but slightly prolong Firana's time, who was on the verge of disappearing.
"And
then, Firana gave birth to Somiriana in front of Irisdina, and passed
away..."
Mazarinette's
words, filled with sorrow, melted into the air.
"In
front of Firana-sama's dead body, Irisdina-ojousama made a vow, "I will
protect this little life on behalf of my late mother", while embracing
Somiriana-sama in her arms."
A
younger sister who was born at the cost of her mother's life and a vow engraved
in her heart as she embraced that little life in her arms.
That
was the beginning of Irisdina's path.
Nozomu
clenched his fists with a tightening pain in his chest, even though he had not
experienced it himself.
"Irisdina
decided to become the head of the family in order to protect Somiriana."
Irisdina
was now considered the next head of the family. However, according to Mena and
the others, Irisdina was not named as the next head of the family from the time
of her birth.
The
person who was said to be closest to being the next head at that time was
Irisdina's uncle, who was Victor's younger brother.
From
the beginning, Victor had no intention of allowing Irisdina to succeed him.
It's
not hard to understand, considering the responsibilities that the head of the
family bears.
However,
Irisdina had worked diligently to convince her father that she was worthy of
being the next head of the family.
"Perhaps
joining the Silver Rainbow Knight Order is also..."
"To
become the next head of the family, she also needs to make some notable
achievements. In that sense, joining the Silver Rainbow Knight Order would be a
big plus for her to become the head of the family."
The
Silver Rainbow Knight Order, which was established after the Great Invasion, is
unusually well known, despite its size and shallow history.
According
to them, one knight can cut down more than a hundred demon beasts, and three
knights can easily slaughter a dragon if they get together.
Especially,
the most famous is the break through of canyon city.
It
is an anecdote that with only ten knights, they were able to break through the
canyon city that had become a den of demon beasts and opened up a way of
escape.
Such
a story is so well known on this Arcmel continent that it boosted their fame
and prestige.
"Of
course, there was also a desire to protect many people in her life. It was not
only to protect her father who supported her sickly mother, but also those who
served the Francilt Household, including the people of the fief. She understood
that, even though she was very young at the time."
The
nobles are supported by the people, and the people find the way of life of the
nobles as one of their emotional supports.
Nobles
and commoners have a relationship of mutual support for each other, as the word
"human" indicates.
Mazarinette
said that Irisdina learned that truth and what it means to be a noble from her
father and mother from an early age.
"After
deciding to protect Somiriana-sama, Irisdina-ojousama literally devoted herself
to her training and studies."
A
determination she swore to her late mother. With this in mind, Irisdina
continued her efforts to become a full-fledged noblewoman who would stand above
others.
From
Mena, she learned how to use swords and magic, and from Mazarinette and Victor,
she learned how to behave in social circles.
"She
was like a swallow that had to keep flying to survive."
While
saying so, she pulled out from among the scattered furnishings a small rapier,
about the length of Nozomu's elbow.
It
was an item with little or no decoration, designed for practical use only.
"That's..."
"This
is a practice rapier that was used by the young lady at that time."
As
he scrutinized the rapier, Nozomu noticed something.
A
black stain stuck to the thin handle. The black stain, which looked like rusty
iron, was clearly different from the stain left by dirt or sweat, and Nozomu's
eyes became sharp.
"Is
that a blood stain?"
"Yes……"
Mena,
who kept her eyes downcast, replied with a nod to Nozomu's words.
The
blood on the handle was of different shades, some darker and some lighter,
indicating that the handle had been cleaned and stained many times.
Furthermore,
if Nozomu looked closely at the bloodstain, he could see small fingerprints on
the handle. This confirmed Nozomu's prediction.
The
girl who used this rapier must have continued to wield it, regardless of
whether the blood blisters were crushed or not. For many, many years.
"The
young lady's wish was for Somiriana's happiness. And to fulfill her duty and
protect as many people as possible. She will do everything in her power to
achieve that."
"I
know it sounds bad, but if necessary, the current Irisdina might even take
advantage of the slyest nobles if she had to. Maybe it's something the current
Boy won't understand..."
Mazarinette's
words made Nozomu's eyes widen involuntarily.
His
chest squeezed tight as if his heart were being squeezed.
As
she said, the current Nozomu didn't understand at all what it meant to be a
noble, and that the responsibility that Irisdina was carrying was beyond words.
Even
so, Nozomu wasn't so foolish as to not be able to imagine the burden Irisdina
was carrying.
Irisdina
is now 17 years old. She had already made up her mind long ago to take on
something that was too big for her to carry on her back.
"In
a way, you could say it was her dream."
"……Dream?"
"Yes,
that's right. A dream is a desire of what kind of person you want to become.
Practice and training are the means to get there. For Irisdina, her dream is to
become a person who can protect her family, who can fulfill her duties, and who
can protect many people."
“…………”
Irisdina's
dream was so beautiful that Nozomu was involuntarily silenced.
Nozomu
gently laid his hand over the blood mark on the hilt of the rapier.
"Is
something wrong?"
"No,
I was just thinking about something..."
Nozomu
knew that Irisdina's goal was to join the Silver Rainbow Knight Order, and he
remembered that she had said she wanted to save many people. But he had rarely
thought about what was behind it.
The
bloodstain that stuck to the handle was about half the size of Nozomu's hand.
Nozomu was choked up at its small size.
(So
distant...)
An
inexpressible bitterness rose to his throat.
What
came back to Nozomu's mind was Irisdina's smile. She was the one who accepted
him and whom he did not want to lose.
Nozomu
felt an unbearable sense of distance and loneliness as he pictured her walking
forward, carrying so many unimaginable things on her back, but still staring
straight ahead.
=================================
"So
how long are you going to play dead?"
In
the office after Nozomu left, Mazarinette poked Victor, who was still propped
up on the desk, and his body, which had not twitched until now, jerked up.
"How
could I have a drink with that brat here..."
Victor
let out a disgruntled voice as he adjusted his wrinkled collar.
While
looking at Victor's angry behavior, Mazarinette was waving her hands in dismay.
Apparently, she was dissatisfied with Victor's answer just now.
"For
that reason, I couldn't stop talking about Irisdina. Actually, it was your
intention from the start to make me tell him about it, wasn't it?"
“…………”
Viktor
was pressed into silence. His attitude affirmed Madam Parline's words.
Originally,
for Victor, it was also an attempt to keep Nozomu in check.
Nozomu
and Irisdina. Their statuses were as far apart as heaven and earth.
The
reason why Nozomu didn't feel any difference until now was because the place he
met Irisdina was in Arcazam.
Atcazam
is free from interference from any country. Indeed, the status of nobility and
royalty is also an object of respect here, but it is not directly related to
power.
In
a sense, it is a blank area in the world's power structure. Precisely because
they met here, they could easily develop their relationship to become friends.
Of
course, Victor thought it was a good thing that his daughter's friendship was
expanding, and he didn't interfere in any particular way.
However,
if the relationship "goes beyond that", it's a different story.
Whether
they were just using each other or were in an affectionate relationship, if
they were going to get closer than a certain distance, Nozomu absolutely had to
know this fact.
Victor
looked out the window and exhaled slowly...
"Didn't
you come to this mansion with something like an ulterior motive as well?"
Victor's
words were delivered with conviction, as if to say, "I know what you're
thinking", to which Madam Parline only cowered her shoulders.
Victor,
too, continued to shoot hard glances at the noblewoman, who was looking at him
ambiguously, neither confirming nor denying.
It
was Mena, who was watching them, who spoke.
"So,
Mazari, what made you decide to do what the young lady asked?"
"You're
not going to say that was just because you're curious about Nozomu Bountis, are
you?"
"Yeah,
you said you were busy, but as a businesswoman, you are rarely free. Perhaps
there was another reason?"
"Well,
yeah..."
Mazarinette,
a businesswoman, is always busy, as Mena said.
She
herself does not impose on others to do the work she should be doing, and her decisive
nature does not allow her to postpone any problems.
Therefore,
there should never be time for her to be a dance instructor.
"I
was curious about that boy, that's for sure. I witnessed the combat training
between him and Jihad-dono myself. It sent shivers down my spine, to say the
least."
Of
course, one of her objectives was to confirm the character of Nozomu Bountis.
After
watching the match at the Martial Art Garden, in which he fought with Jihad,
there would be no one who would not be interested in him.
In
fact, behind the scenes, many scouts from various countries were competing to
find the best way to sell themselves to Nozomu. The opening ceremony of the
upcoming festival is expected to be the start of the battle.
But
what Mazarinette wanted to confirm was the shadow surrounding his old friends,
which she had discovered in the process of investigating him.
"In
the process of investigating him, I came across a lot of rumors. I heard there
was a commotion in this mansion recently. That's why, I wanted to check what
was really going on."
The
Francilt Household has been working in secret lately, but even from
Mazarinette's perspective, their movements seemed to be somewhat suspicious.
And
what came to light in the process of investigating this was the connection
between the Francilt Household and the neighboring Dizzard Empire.
A
secret agreement with a country with which diplomatic relations have not been
established is a story that could, in some cases, be taken as a plot to commit
treason.
Of
course, Mazarinette was well aware that Victor was not the type of person who
would plot treason.
If
Viktor were to plot a rebellion, he would have started acting after completely
laying the groundwork among his relatives. There would be nothing such as suspicious
movements.
In
other words, the fact that the Francilt Household was in disarray, even
temporarily, was proof that something unforeseen had happened to this household
as well.
"We've
already taken measures. I have already spoken to the king."
Victor
spoke, briefly giving only a fragmentary outcome.
About
the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Dizzard Empire. That was
Victor's countermeasure.
In
other words, he wanted to cover up the secret agreement, which was a disgrace
to the Francilt Household in the past, by establishing diplomatic relations
with Dizzard Empire.
The
secret agreement of about 300 years ago had already ceased to be valid.
Furthermore,
since Nozomu truncated the agreement on the Waziart side and Victor disposed of
the one on the Francilt side, it was impossible to corroborate the specifics of
the agreement.
Now
all that was left was to convince the Waziart family side and turn this secret
agreement itself into a request for the dispatch of a diplomatic mission,
before diplomatic relations were concluded, and the contents of the secret
agreement would be completely buried in the dark.
Mazarinette
showed no particular interest in pursuing the matter with Victor, who only
mentioned fragmentary details.
She,
too, had some idea of Victor's plan. The king's approval was also a major
reason.
There
was no way that King Forsina, who had approved the establishment of diplomatic
relations, was unaware of the current situation of the Francilt family.
Precisely
because the king was aware of the situation, he must have given his seal of
approval after assessing the situation.
"But
it seems that 'tyrant' will be coming to this city soon."
"You
mean, that Egrod?"
Their
concern fell on the political opponent who would be coming to the city soon.
Egrod
Fabran.
He
is a nobleman who governs the Fabran family, which has the same level of
authority and status as the Francilt family and is a major noble family that is
in direct conflict with Victor in every aspect.
Actually,
the Fabran family had been weakening due to the repeated political failures of
the previous head of the family.
However,
when Egrod took over as head of the family about eight years ago, it quickly
regained power and has now regained enough power to rival that of the Francilt
family.
Especially
within the military, he had a stronger voice than Victor.
Victor
frowned, perhaps remembering the figure of the man in question, and grabbed a
glass from the table, pouring all the wine remaining in the bottle.
"That
thick-armed man still has you in his sights. The previous generation of his
family was a fool, but he has a good head on his shoulders, and above all, he
has an overly capable right-hand man. I'm sure he's heard about the commotion
at your place."
"Still,
he could do no more than harass the king. If he did anything wrong, it would be
treason against the king. Besides, as I told you earlier. I've already taken
care of it..."
"If
so, that's great..."
Victor
and Mazari ended their conversation without either of them saying more.
As
if there was no need to exchange any more words, Victor downed the wine in his
glass in one gulp.
"By
the way, are you sure about Irisdina?"
"Oh,
do you mean about her saying she would join the Silver Rainbow Knight
Order?"
"That
too, but..."
Mazarinette,
too, looked after Irisdina and adored her.
Irisdina
was her best friend's daughter, and she was even impressed by the way the girl
never lost sight of herself, even when exposed to people's dirty desires.
That
was why she was worried about what would happen to her.
Even
though she was almost certain to be the next head of the family, the path she
chose was extremely arduous.
If
she joined the Silver Rainbow Knight Order and fulfilled her responsibilities,
Irisdina would undoubtedly become the head of the Francilt family. and
Somiriana's safety would also be assured.
Although
she is a direct descendant of the Francilt family, Somiriana, the second
daughter, is a drool-worthy acquisition for the hyenas in pursuit of power. So,
if Irisdina were to join the Silver Rainbow Knight Order, she would be able to
eliminate the interference of such people. At the same time, however, the
dangers to Irisdina herself would increase by an order of magnitude.
Like
the rain in a rainy season, it would never cease to beat down on her thin body.
That
was what it meant to be a member of the Silver Rainbow Knight Order, which was
a small group of elite members.
"That's
just how it is. Whatever my wish is, if that's what she has decided, I want to
make it come true to the best of my ability."
Victor
was aware of the dangers that might befall Irisdina, but he still wanted to
support her dream.
Of
course, as a father, he would not send his daughter to such a dangerous place
even if it killed him.
But
still, he wouldn't stop her daughter, because that was what Irisdina chose to
do in the presence of her dead mother, from the bottom of her heart.
"Besides,
one cannot escape the shackles that bind one's life. Neither me, Irisdina, nor
that brat."
The
shackles of the Francilte family. However, it was because of these shackles
that Irisdina was able to raise herself to that level.
Because
shackles do not necessarily bring only negative aspects to those who are bound
by them.
Irisdina
turned the shackles she was born with into a weapon. She took the vow she made
to her late mother and her father back as sustenance.
The
same can be said about Nozomu Bountis. He, too, was one of those caught in the
shackles.
However,
unlike Irisdina, he has not yet found the answer, but there will come a time
when he has to make a choice.
"She
wants to help as many people as she can..."
Victor
nodded at Mazarinette's words.
"She
lost her mother and was exposed to numerous evil intentions in the aristocratic
world. It was really fortuitous that she was still able to grow up straight.
"Well,
I think your influence had a lot to do with it."
"……"
Mazarinette's
cheeks loosened as Victor turned away in embarrassment.
While
Victor felt his friend's warm and raw gaze on his back, he made a vow to
himself once again.
"I
am the head of the Francilt Household. I will do everything in my power to
fulfill my duties as head of the family and my responsibilities as a
parent."
(Even
if it means to shake off the hand of my daughter's beloved person.......)
Victor
looked out the window while swallowing these last words.
When
he noticed, it was snowing outside.