WeTried Translations

Translator: Hydrogen B

Editor: Hydrogen B

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 132: When the First Snow Falls (7)

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The nighttime festival ended quickly. After returning to the manor, Kyle and Elysia checked in with Gilbert before going back to their rooms.

After that, their days settled into a monotonous routine. The lord's manor, perched on a hill east of the city, always carried a quiet, tranquil atmosphere. It was the complete opposite of the city streets, still heated by the festival's excitement. It was as though the hill divided two separate worlds.

Kyle considered that a good thing. They would only be staying in this city for about a week. They would soon have to move again, so one night spent lost in a dream was enough. Rather than drowning in the past forever, they needed to prepare for the future ahead.

About a week after they arrived at the manor.

"Today's the day."

Elysia, who had been quickly flipping through the pages of a book, finally spoke. The table where she sat was piled high with the books she had read so far. They were all books borrowed from the manor's library, concerning the Federation's magic and history.

"We don't know that. It could take another day or two."

Kyle answered indifferently. Elysia unconsciously turned her head toward him. He was sitting on the edge of the large bed, tending to his sword.

"Even then, it won't cause any major problems, will it?"

"That's right. It shouldn't take too long to get from here to Rier in the Kingdom of Valone. Even at the longest, it won't take more than a month. The only concern would be outside variables, but now that we're in Federation territory instead of the southern continent, they can't pursue us without crossing the border. For all practical purposes, it's almost over."

Once they reached Rier, Renavik was only a few days away. A goal that had felt so distant at Ligrid Gate was now right before them.

"So it took about half a year..."

From the end of summer to the final days of winter. Slowly reflecting on everything that had happened, Kyle placed the cloth he had used to polish his sword on the bedside table. The star iron sword, which had never left his side for even a moment, gleamed brightly as always.

"Will you miss him?"

Kyle sheathed the sword that had been resting beside him and asked.

"Miss him?"

"Parting with Gilbert."

"That..."

Unable to answer at once, Elysia moved her lips before lowering her head.

"It would be a lie to say I won't."

"..."

"But it isn't as though we're parting forever, so it's all right. More than anything, we're on our way to see my uncle, aren't we? I've already confirmed that Gilbert is well, so even if we part again, we can meet later. I think I would be more afraid if I settled here and stopped moving forward."

Elysia ran her hand over the history book she held, her expression serious. Unlike the history written from the Empire's perspective, the past as told by the Federation revealed another side to the same events. It also recorded events that had been forgotten in the Empire.

"History is written by the victors."

Elysia murmured quietly. Kyle stared down at the sword in his hand.

Written by the victors.

If he died and the Federation fell to the Empire, that was surely how it would be. Hailen's destruction would be remembered as the end of a small frontier nation that had rebelled against the Empire, while the stories of the countless people who died there would fade and be buried by time. The same would be true for the Federation, which had also fallen, and the southern continent, which would submit to the Empire. By then, there would be no one left to object.

"In the end, there's only one thing we can do."

Kyle fastened his sword at his waist and rose. He intended to clear his head with a walk in the garden before evening.

Knock, knock.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door. Kyle paused, then gave permission. The servant who had knocked carefully opened the door and bowed respectfully. After a brief moment, the servant raised their upper body and looked between Kyle, who had just risen, and Elysia, who sat at the table. Bowing again, the servant spoke.

"My lord requests your presence. He says he has something to discuss regarding a letter..."

* * *

As soon as Kyle and Elysia heard the servant's words, they went straight to Gilbert's study. Gilbert was inside, holding a single sheet of paper that appeared to be a letter, his expression grave.

"Ah, you've come."

He acknowledged Kyle and Elysia as they entered. After exchanging a glance, the two approached the desk where Gilbert sat. It was not difficult to guess what he held in his hand.

"Did it arrive?"

"Yes. It just arrived. See for yourselves."

Gilbert did not bother with a lengthy explanation. He readily handed them the paper.

"This is..."

"Fortunately, his response is positive. He says he wishes to meet the two of you as soon as possible."

Kyle quickly read through the contents of the letter. Elysia did the same beside him. Written in the elegant hand expected of Imperial royalty, it left out all needless embellishments and stated only the main point.

It is fortunate that Elysia survived and escaped into exile. I offer my deepest gratitude to you for escorting her.

I eagerly await the day we can meet as soon as possible. Do not overexert yourselves on the road to Rier, and travel safely.

"His Grace said it would be best to discuss the Federation parliament's cooperation and the details in person. That includes the preparations needed for it. The Empire's First Princess, the last Knight Commander of fallen Hailen, Prisia's Dragon Heart, and secrets concerning the First Emperor and the Wyvern. Every one of these matters is important."

Any one of them would be significant enough to become an agenda item for the High Council. With all of those issues arising at once, Grand Duke Rivelius would have much to do. So much that he would not even have time to celebrate that his niece had survived and crossed into the Federation.

"We'll be able to see the remaining Ash Knights as well."

Kyle said it in a barely trembling voice as he read the postscript at the bottom of the letter. Gilbert quietly nodded.

"I'm sure you will. The Ash Knights will also wish to see you, Sir Kyle."

"..."

"Will you leave tomorrow?"

Gilbert asked. Kyle and Elysia looked toward the window behind him. The sun was slowly setting. Having confirmed their answer in their silence, Gilbert spoke softly.

"I'll have everything prepared. Rest well today."

* * *

The next morning, Kyle and Elysia awoke early, before the sun had fully risen. Other than their swords and Inventory Pouches, they had little to pack, so preparing to leave was not difficult. They skipped breakfast and stepped outside the manor.

The first thing they saw was the bluish sky. It was the dim light before dawn broke. Since it was now the height of winter, the days were short. It seemed it would not grow fully light until eight in the morning.

Fortunately, everything needed for their departure had already been prepared. Most importantly, there were two horses for them to ride. Unlike ordinary packhorses, the well-bred steeds looked expensive at a glance. Horses like these could not be obtained simply because one had money. Their journey to Rier would likely be shortened as a result.

"Gilbert put quite a bit of thought into this."

"...It seems so."

Elysia murmured as she stroked the glossy mane of a horse. Kyle met the gaze of the horse before him.

"Are you still afraid of riding horses?"

"No. Not anymore."

Kyle shook his head.

During the Northern War, Sieg, his beloved horse, had been torn apart by a Wyvern's claws. After that, he had never ridden another horse. Yet that had changed after he began traveling with Elysia. Kyle no longer instinctively rejected riding a horse.

Nothing would change if he remained where he was.

"Do you like them?"

As the two looked over the horses they would ride, Gilbert came out from deeper inside the manor and approached them.

"Gilbert."

"You're leaving now, Princess. To be honest, I wish you would stay longer."

He wore thin clothes unsuitable for the winter weather. Though the sun had not risen and it was still early, he seemed to have come out personally to see them off.

He wished she would stay longer.

He wasn't lying.

Perhaps because the temperature was below freezing, white breath repeatedly formed and vanished before the three of them. Through it, Gilbert's expression showed sincere regret.

Gilbert seemed to care for Elysia far more deeply than she had thought. It was clear just from the fact that, unlike when they first reunited, he had begun addressing her so freely at some point.

"We'll see each other again later. This parting isn't a final farewell."

"...That's true. As long as we're alive, there will always be a chance to meet again. You also need to see His Grace, Princess."

After exchanging a brief farewell, Gilbert turned to Kyle.

"Sir Kyle."

"Go ahead."

"Do you have enough travel expenses? If you don't mind, I can provide you with plenty."

Kyle gave a small shake of his head. Gilbert looked surprised.

"You don't need any?"

"I'm not wealthy enough to be called rich, but I already have more money than I need."

"You seem to be doing quite well for yourself."

"Yes. I spent more than three years working as a mercenary on the southern continent."

Gilbert glanced toward Elysia's neck beneath her hood. Since returning from the winter festival a few days ago, she had always worn a necklace with an amber Magic Stone around her neck.

A gift Kyle had given her in place of the Dragon Heart he had kept.

And a defensive Magic Tool in case of an emergency.

That was what Elysia had said, but Gilbert did not take her words at face value. It was true that Kyle had bought it for her as a gift in place of the Dragon Heart he had kept, and it was true that it was a defensive Magic Tool for emergencies. Still, its meaning could not be limited to that alone. At least, that was what the old noble thought. The experience accumulated over the years was not something to dismiss.

"...I understand. If you insist, then at least let me prepare some food for the journey."

Gilbert had the servants hand Kyle food that had apparently been prepared in advance. It was preserved food suitable for a long trip, including rye bread, salted meat, and cheese.

Even an Inventory Pouch could not stop the passage of time. The expanded space within it was no different. Gilbert's provisions accounted for all of that. Needless to say, the quality was excellent.

"Thank you. We'll enjoy it."

Kyle expressed his sincere gratitude. Gilbert's lips curved gently.

"Think nothing of it."

He gave them a look. It was time to leave. Kyle and Elysia exchanged another glance before climbing into their saddles. They were checking their swords at their waists and the horses' reins one last time when Gilbert spoke.

"Ah."

As if he had just remembered, Gilbert came close enough to stand directly before Kyle. Kyle instinctively leaned down.

"I forgot to tell you this."

After looking around once, Gilbert whispered in a very quiet voice.

"Not only on your journey to Rier, but even after you arrive, never stop being suspicious. The same applies in Renavik. Do you remember the conversation we had before?"

"...That there are Imperial spies and people sympathetic to the Empire within the Federation?"

Gilbert nodded silently.

"Yes. You can naturally trust His Grace and the surviving Ash Knights, but they are not the only people there. Even within the Federation's High Council, there are countless cases where matters fall through because opinions are divided. That is especially true when each side has its own interests at stake. The Chevaliers, the parliament's direct knight order, are no different."

"The Kingdom of Russel."

Kyle answered without hesitation. Gilbert smiled bitterly.

"Not everyone throws away their life for their convictions. Most people act for their own safety and benefit. So you should be careful, though I'm hardly in a position to say that..."

The Kingdom of Russel directly bordered both the Empire and the Crescent Theocracy in the center of the continent. At the same time, its central location within the Federation had naturally allowed it to develop into a center of trade.

That was why Gilbert had settled in Renvel, the commercial city of the Kingdom of Russel. And now that the borders were closed, Russel was taking the most favorable stance toward the Empire. The longer its hostile standoff with the Empire continued, the greater the astronomical losses it would suffer. It had already suffered enormous losses, so it was likely becoming increasingly desperate.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"I'm sure you'll handle it well, Sir Kyle. Take this."

"This is...?"

Kyle looked puzzled. Gilbert took an antique emblem from inside his clothes.

"His Grace's emblem. It will surely be useful."

It appeared to be the emblem Gilbert himself had been using. The old noble placed it in Kyle's hand without hesitation.

"Since you don't have identification either, use it in its place. Any minor trouble or entanglements will be dealt with quickly."

"If I take this..."

"It's all right. I can receive another emblem later."

At that point, Kyle did not refuse. House Valerian was the most prestigious noble house in the Kingdom of Kirian on the southern continent. Since he possessed that ducal house's emblem, he knew well how much authority such a symbol carried. As Gilbert said, he had no identification of his own, so having the Grand Duke's emblem would be extremely convenient.

"Then travel safely. This is as far as this old man's meddling will go. Please take good care of the Princess."

Gilbert stepped back. The three exchanged looks in the air.

It did not last long. Kyle was the first to pull on his reins and turn his horse. Elysia followed behind him. Gilbert stood before the manor's main gate and quietly watched their backs as they disappeared down the hill.

By then, the morning sun was brightening the dim sky. It was the pale light of dawn shining through the winter.

The old noble, left alone, murmured to himself.

"May they arrive safely."

Footnotes:

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