It was the evening of the day when the signs of winter also crept in the Brune Kingdom, that a messenger of the Zchted Kingdom visited Brune and had an audience with Princess Regin.
Tigrevurmud Vorn fell into the sea and is missing.
When she heard this, Regin became speechless, and she asked the messenger again due to too much shock. If she was not sitting on the throne, she might have fainted. The Prime Minister Bodwin who was by her side was troubled for a moment as to whether he should stop the audience.
While letting her graceful face turn pale in anger, it was a short time after the messenger expressed the Zchted King's words that she inquired, holding down the shaking of her voice. Her light golden hair trimmed around her shoulders faintly shook. The messenger, no showing signs of faltering to Regin's attitude, answered back.
Although the latter half of the words was completely falsehood, the messenger, without changing his complexion, really spoke as though he personally heard it. If he did not do so, he would not be fit for a messenger bearing such a duty.
Regin thrust her fingernails in the armrest of the throne and held back the anger welling up within by strongly grasping it. If she did not do so, she might have shouted at the messenger. Since the day was about to end, the surroundings of the throne were dark, and such a reaction by Regin was not seen by the messenger.
As expected, it was impossible for her to smile right away, but Regin said under the guise of calm.
The messenger was still undaunted. This man understood the importance of his duty.
After all, he was directly ordered by King Victor, and what's more, he was told the life of his family who was in the Capital would also be secured. When he left the royal palace, he was already prepared for death.
That's why he was able to take Regin's strong gaze head on without taking a servile attitude. Even so, the messenger's back had already gotten soaking wet with a lot of sweat.
Brune and Zchted were in a relationship of equality. Although it borrowed Zchted's power for the settlement of the civil war, Brune did not become a vassal country (dependency) of Zchted as compensation.
Even Tigre was only entrusted to them as a guest General with a time limit. In case of such a situation, even excluding Regin's personal feelings, it was more than enough to fly into a rage.
---He seems to have been prepared.
Regin's blue pupils wore a cruel coloring only for an instant. Nearly one year had passed since she came to live as a princess. While borrowing the strength of the Prime Minister Bodwin and Massas who acted as an aide, she was also learning various things.
Regin who sweetly smiled continued.
Though Regin's voice was bright, the messenger felt a strange fear. While unconsciously stroking around his stomach with his hand, he deeply bowed his head.
If she would send a messenger, then shouldn't she let this person convey the words of thanks?
As he could not, of course, speak his mind, the messenger was caught left and right by the imperial guards who stepped up. He was forced into leaving.
When the messenger's figure could not be seen, Regin turned her gaze to Bodwin.
As Bodwin bowed, he ordered the bureaucrats and imperial guards who were there to take a rest. Regin who confirmed it stood up from the throne. She headed towards the balcony opened from behind the throne.
Under the vermillion sky, only the ramparts surrounding the Capital and the meadows which spread to the other side could be seen from the balcony. Looking up at the sky, Regin who shook her shoulders desperately endured the urge to burst into tears. Bodwin appeared there.
He briefly said so. This old Prime Minister with a cat face had noticed Regin's feelings towards Tigre. In fact, it was most recently that he noticed them though.
Letting her pale golden hair rustle in the wind, Regin looked back at Bodwin. At that time, she was even floating a smile.
Although the other party was an experienced elderly, taking a polite attitude towards a retainer was probably Regin's virtue. Bodwin thought of some words of comfort and encouragement, but the old Prime Minister confined them in the depths of his heart.
It was not his duty. It was the duty of the one who could step deeper into Regin's innermost thoughts; what Bodwin should do now was to confront this young Princess with a more realistic problem.
Regin nodded to Bodwin's words and put on a serious expression.
Even in case that Zchted did tell lies, it might hide the inconvenient truth. They need to gather information themselves.
Regin looked puzzled at Bodwin's words.
Regin who was carefully listening to Bodwin's words until then suddenly showed a timid side.
Massas Rodant was a man who was the best friend of Tigre's late father Urz. He also took care of Tigre in various ways, and he had also kindly cooperated when Tigre suppressed the Brune's civil war in the past year. After the civil war, he began to serve as an aide due to Regin's request.
He was currently 56 years old. Although he still stood up on the scene, it would not be strange even if he was to think about retirement. When Regin invited him to the Imperial Court it was probably also because of that, Massas did not seem to be enthusiastic about it.
Regin visited Massas, who was staying at his mansion in the Capital, persuaded him by saying "then, you shall serve while thinking of it as your last duty".
Massas surely loved Tigre like his own son. He would probably investigate about this matter more eagerly than anyone else. Even Bodwin thought that he was trustworthy.
As she nodded at Bodwin's words, Regin waved her mantle with a smile.
At the Prime Minister who answered "understood!", Regin chuckled.
Though Bodwin frowned at these words, Regin's expression seemed to have settled down.
Bodwin could only say that. A miracle. Bodwin wondered since when he had stopped believing in miracles. He had not believed in miracles when he accumulated achievements and became the chief vassal of the Kingdom. It was natural. There was no way a person engaged in political affairs would believe in such things.
However, Bodwin did not reprove Regin. If it became this princess' support, then it was fine. Besides, Tigre's activities were certainly something which could only be regarded as miracles.
Saying so, Regin suddenly turned her gaze to the sun which went down in the end of the west. Without voicing it, she prayed to the gods.
The Princess and the Prime Minister returned for the audience.
It was about ten days later from the day he received Elizavetta's hospitality that Ilda Kurtis crossed the large river Valta and arrived at Silesia, the Capital of the Zchted Kingdom.
While wrapping his well-trained tall figure in a thick overcoat and walking down the street at a quick pace, Ilda leaked a mutter of admiration.
Highways extended innumerably from this Capital where more than one million people lived; in other cities, in winter when the traffic of merchants would normally sharply decrease, many merchants and craftsmen showed their figures in the street and the people's enthusiasm was not lost.
When the carts which piled up with various articles passed through the Capital's gate, black tea, spices, wine, vodka and furs of animals were lined up in front of people, the merchants raised their voices.
To gather income in order to get through the winter, minstrels played harps and clowns fluttered colorful clothes in midair.
Taking a side glance at such hustle and bustle, Ilda headed straight to the royal palace. When looking up, the sky color was transparent blue and the position of the sun was in a place where it was still slightly early to call daytime.
When he entered the royal palace and gave his name, the concierges immediately called the one who was on standby inside. And then, the Grand Chamberlain showed up before long. With the official position of managing the state affairs overall, he was the chief of all the civil officials.
The Grand Chamberlain in his mid-fifties deeply bowed his head. Ilda also straightened himself and returned a bow. Guided by the Grand Chamberlain, he set foot in the royal palace.
While looking at the walls and pillars on which magnificent ornaments were applied, Ilda asked.
And then, after the Grand Chamberlain told him "not a word to anyone", he made a quick rundown about the fact that the King made Tigre head to the Asvarre Kingdom by a secret order, and that his ship was attacked by a Badvasea dragon on his way back, and that he fell into the sea.
Regarding that, Ilda could only keep nodding and avoided to comment. This was because if he were to say something uncalled-for, it might be interpreted as judgment and dissatisfaction towards the King.
As they walked for a while, Ilda noticed that they were not heading to the audience room.
---Are we heading to His Majesty's office?
Ilda who had many times visited the palace immediately understood. As expected, the King's office came into view, but one man was standing there. With a slim figure, he was probably older than Ilda. His face which turned to look back towards Ilda was slim and grew a gray beard under his chin.
Ilda knew him. He was Earl Pardu Eugene Shevarin. For Ilda, he was the husband of his younger sister and an older brother-in-law somewhat hard to deal with.
When Ilda bowed, Eugene also bowed with a surprised look.
For Ilda, this was a question attached to the social etiquette. He had not met his younger sister for already more than 15 years. Partly because his father took good care of Ilda who was the heir and did not give much interest to his daughter; even if it could not be said that they did not get along with each other, it was not also a relationship in which they were particularly close.
And then, the two men threw a questioning gaze at the Grand Chamberlain. However, the Grand Chamberlain pretended not to notice their gazes and exaggeratedly bowed his head.
The Grand Chamberlain turned around at the door of the office. He lightly knocked on the door and told the person who was inside that Ilda and Eugene had come.
After confirming the reply in a low voice, the Grand Chamberlain once again looked back at Ilda and Eugene.
Saying so, the Grand Chamberlain moved to the side of the door. Ilda knocked on the door, waited for the reply of the King who seemed to be inside and opened the door.
As might be expected from the King's office, it was a big room. Though the ornament of carpet and curtains looked simple, Ilda knew that even just one silk embroidery cost an amount of money enough to buy a mansion.
On the walls of both sides, there were shelves where letters and scrolls were put away and the ZirnitraBlack Dragon Flag which was Zchted's symbol was hung on the front wall.
The documents were hardly piled up on the office desk, and two chairs were put on the front. Not only were they sturdily made, but cushions were also laid out. Ilda thought that they were apparently prepared for them.
And, King Victor Arthur Volk Estes Tsar Zchted was on the opposite side of the office desk.
He was 61 years old this year. His hair and beard were dull gray. His skin turned dark and his blue eyes lacked vitality. His silk clothes which used gold and silver threads abundantly were relaxed, but his arms which extended from there were so thin as to hark back to dry wood.
Both Ilda and Eugene went down onto their knees and bowed their heads.
As King Victor said so, he recommended the two men sit on the chairs. Ilda and Eugene deeply bowed to the King once again and sat down on the chairs. They waited for the King to speak.
When about ten counts passed, the King slowly opened his mouth.
Though the two men were facing him across the office desk, those were words which they did not expect at all.
Eugene timidly asked. The King nodded.
Though Ilda said after recovering from surprise, Victor shook his head.
The aged King's voice was tinged with cold. The two men straightened their posture. About the future –– in other words, it must be about whom to make King of the next era.
The throne of Zchted was not particularly different from that of other countries. It was hereditary and gave priority to the eldest son. In addition, the nomination by the King gave priority to inheritance. Though women were also given the rights to the throne, even thinking about the fact that there was no queen so far, it could be said that the hope was very small.
First in the line of succession to the throne. Prince Ruslan who was the King's son suffered from heart disease a few years ago. He set fire to the royal villa which was on the outskirts of the royal palace. What the palace guards who noticed smoke and rushed saw was the prince's figure holding a torch in the background of the royal villa wrapped in fire.
Several days later, the prince was confined to a certain shrine under the pretext of medical treatment of his disease. He was not deprived of the rights of succession to the throne because his father clung to the hope that he might recover some day.
About the cause of his heart disease, nothing was yet clarified. It was said that it was because he lost the woman who loved him by illness, but there were also up to rumors such as he encountered a case to the extent of suffering from heart disease in state affairs, or he was poisoned by someone, or when he did something bad, he was possessed by an evil spirit, and the like.
The prince, even before suffering from heart disease, was knowledgeable about both political and military affairs, and even the chief vassals were relieved with the thought "if this person becomes the King of the next area".
The second in line of succession to the throne was Prince Ruslan's son, who was also King Victor's grandchild. Though he was still nine, there was no doubt that he was King Victor's direct descendant.
This boy was living in one room of the royal palace, and it was said that he was leading a life close to confinement. Because of Prince Ruslan's matter, this boy had not come out in public.
The third in line of succession to the throne was the husband of King Victor's eldest daughter. The eldest daughter's rights to the throne were given to her husband by marriage. However, this husband became blind due to an accident several years ago. Though he could lead a daily life thanks to the devoted support of his wife and daughter, it was probably impossible for him to rule a country.
The fourth in line of succession to the throne was the daughter of the King's daughter and her husband. However, she was 11 years old this year, thus too young to be thought as the next King.
The fifth in line of succession to the throne was King Victor's younger brother. It was Ilda's father and also Eugene's father-in-law. He was six years younger than his older brother, that's 55 years old. He suffered an injury to the waist and he spent around half of the day in bed. Other than that, he was healthy in general, but it would be tough for him to stand at the front line of political affairs.
The sixth in line of succession to the throne was King Victor's younger sister. She had married twice so far, but because she was bereaved those two times, the rights to the throne returned to her. She has no child.
King Victor who sympathized with his younger sister recommended her a remarriage several times, but she declined them all and calmly lived in Osterode where her second husband was born and raised. Osterode is the land located in northeast and governed by the Vanadis Valentina Glinka Estes.
Both Ilda and Eugene knew of the aforementioned circumstances.
Then, Ilda was seventh in the line of succession. And Eugene eighth.
It would be fair to say that those two were currently the closest to the throne.
Victor called the name of the thin man in his mid-forties.
A shock soundlessly ran within the room. King Victor did not choose Ilda, but Eugene as the next King.
Breaking the silence after little less than ten seconds, Eugene opened his mouth. Even for him, who would not be perturbed by ordinary things, it was not easy to regain his presence of mind for the sudden change of fate which suddenly came.
King Victor shortly asked back with a speed as he anticipated his question.
While Eugene stated repeatedly, Ilda who was next to him remained silent without the slightest movement. After an interval of about two breaths, Victor said.
It was the time when Eugene worked as King Victor's close aide.
Though he was still 20 at that time, he was a man who was not daunted even before the King. That attitude did not change even when the other party was from another country; his quiet, yet pushy behavior and his stance, which was resolute and would not back down if necessary, were also highly evaluated by Brune.
Due to the tenacious and steady diplomatic negotiations of Eugene, Zchted was able to conclude some contracts including a non-aggression treaty with Brune.
Afterwards, even if small confrontations and quarrels occurred with Brune, the messengers of both countries kept in touch and they were finally able to settle them through negotiations.
Until the battle of Dinant where Tigre and Ellen met for the first time, both countries substantially gathered soldiers and battles of scale on which they crossed swords did not occur.
The fact that King Victor nominated Eugene as the next King meant that he sought friendship with Brune, and it was also to show Zchted's policy in the future. Though Ilda was a man who had influence in the northern part of Zchted, he had never gone to Brune.
Eugene was making a face showing that he could not yet understand, but as expected even he could not inquire any further to the King. It was a talk different from advice.
And then, King Victor finally looked at Ilda.
Ilda calmly bowed his head.
However, his fists were strongly grasped at an angle not visible to the King, and he was faintly trembling.
Why, he was repeatedly shouting so many times in his mind.
It would be a lie if one was to say that Ilda had not thought about the throne until now. He was the child of the King's younger brother, young in his thirties; he excelled in military arts and was also blessed with the ability as a ruler. He also knew of the tragedy which attacked Prince Ruslan.
And, he had never once thought of Eugene as a rival.
It was not that he was looking down on him. He heard about the fact that Eugene gave advice without flinching even if the other party was the King, and he had even thought that he should follow his example.
However, Ilda was seventh in line to the throne. And Eugene was eighth.
Even if there was no difference in the ability as ruler, compared to Eugene who was 40, Ilda was 30. In addition, a lot of people acknowledged that Ilda excelled in bravery. As for Eugene's achievements from nearly twenty years ago, there was only the non-aggression pact conclusion with Brune.
Ilda's position in succession to the throne was above, he had a future and he also had ability in military arts and had a lot of achievements. Above all, although favored by the King, it was public knowledge that Eugene had no ambition.
Ilda had no reason to have a competitive spirit towards him, and he also had no reason to be wary of him.
It was that great a shock.
It was as if he was struck by thunder. He would have still been able to suppress his surprise if another person's name such as one of the King's grandchildren arose.
Why, the inner voice which asked so did not disappear within Ilda, and rather increased in size. Why was it not him? Why was it Eugene?
Between Ilda and Eugene, there was no discord whatsoever.
Since there was a kinfolk's relation, he naturally knew the other party's face and name. However, Ilda was estranged with his little sister, and did not even try to assertively have an interaction with her.
Each other's sphere of influence did not also overlap at all. Bydgauche which was governed by Ilda was in the northern part of Zchted, and his activities also centered on the north.
In contrast to this, Pardu governed by Eugene was in the southern part of Zchted. And, Eugene even rarely visited the Capital in consideration for the King.
If their spheres of influence were different, there would also be rarely interest conflicts. And thus, no discord could be born.
However, now Ilda was strongly conscious of Eugene for the first time.
The MaslenitsaSun Festival was celebrated from the end of winter to the coming of spring, and it was a festival held in Zchted since ancient times.
Coming with the spring arrival, the Capital was crowded with many people.
Local feudal lords and nobles of the surrounding countries who came to greet the King, those who came over all the way from towns and villages to enjoy the festival, mercenaries in search of contracts on which they could earn monry, trade merchants and minstrels who set their eyes on them, the clowns and the like showed up, and it was said that during the festival, even the night became as bright as the daytime.
If the King were to announce the next King at such a place, the effects would be immeasurable. Eugene's name would instantly be known to the surroundings countries. And, the King's words also meant that the necessary preparations, also including the mental attitude by the MaslenitsaSun Festival, would be finished.
When that time came, Eugene would part from the mansion and the territory in which he was used to living and would move to the Capital. He would have to pack up his loads and look for a person to whom he would leave the territory to after leaving.
Ilda, similarly to Eugene, would also live in the Capital depending on the situation.
Like that, the audience in the office ended.
As he left from the office, sweat suddenly trickled from Ilda's face. He was stifling and his body was hot. Blood was also rushing to his head. Like when one gulped down strong vodka in one go.
Probably because he noticed that Ilda was strange, Eugene called out to him as he was worried. When Ilda turned towards Eugene in slow movement, while wiping the sweat on his face with his hand, he said with a smile.
Eugene deeply bowed his head without destroying his placid expression.
"Yes. It's also an order from His Majesty. I will support you with all my power" While answering, Ilda could not help but feel the hypocrisy in his own words.
The strange feeling which was not there before entering the office was lurking between the two men.
Ilda who parted with Eugene before the office was silently walking down the corridor.
He understood that he was irritated. He wanted to leave this palace as soon as possible.
From the unusual atmosphere, even those who knew him seemed hesitant to readily call out to him. If King Victor saw this scene, he might evaluate it was no use since he put out such attitude.
Why was it Eugene? And not him?
He suddenly recalled the existence of the youth named Tigrevurmud Vorn whom he heard about from the Grand Chamberlain. Due to the fact that the hero, who ended Brune's civil war, died by a blunder of Zchted, let alone their relationship growing worse, it would not be strange even if they were warring.
---However, Brune is exhausted from the previous civil war, and I have heard that the influential feudal lords also fell. Is there a need to consider up to there?
In fact, Ilda had not have much knowledge regarding Brune. He immediately came to a dead end.
---About Brune and Earl Vorn, it would be better to ask someone well-informed in the near future. Besides, the reason may not necessarily be limited to Brune.
Ilda worked out his thoughts. For example, might he not have some faults?
What immediately came to his mind was the matter with the barbarian subjugation of this time. Ilda who was proud of his military prowess had been forced into a hard fight; not only had he spent more days than expected, he also took substantial damage. It might be thought that a shadow arose to his military prowess.
He came out of the corridor. The walls in which ornaments were given continued on the left side, but there was no walls on the right side; the pillars stood in a row at equal intervals and one could enjoy the outside scenery.
At the time that he entered the royal palace, the sun should not have yet reached its zenith; but now it was passing it zenith. The clear blue sky was irritating.
Suddenly, a cheerful woman's voice sounded from behind, and Ilda stopped. When he looked back, a beautiful woman around 20 years old was standing. Ilda knew her.
The woman called Vanadis-dono bowed with a smile. Her bluish black hair which reached her waist and her pure white dress which treated red and purple roses everywhere gave off a neat and clean impression.
Those who looked at her would first leak a sigh of admiration before her beauty and graceful appearance, and then shift their attention to her long-handled scythe carried on her delicate shoulder.
It was because this jet back and deep crimson scythe seemed to mysteriously adapt itself without discomfort that their attention did not face there at the very beginning.
However, it might also be natural. After all, this scythe was a ViraltDragonic Tool for Vanadis.
Her name was Valentina Glinka Estes. She was the Vanadis with the nickname "ShervidIllusory Princess of the Hollow Shadow".
Though there were seven Vanadis in Zchted, Ilda was only close to her, who governed Osterode in the northeast and Elizavetta.
Ilda had heard that Valentina had a weak body and thus rarely went out from Osterode which she governed. Actually, it had been a while that he met Valentina in the royal palace.
As Valentina replied with a carefree smile, she knitted her brows as she noticed something. Stepping about a half step forward, she looked up at Ilda with a worried face.
The innocent girl who knew nothing was purely worried about the person in front of her. In Valentina's gesture and expression at this time, there was something which made the other party think so.
Ilda was embarrassed to give an immediate reply. He understood that it was confidential. However, there was definitely the conflict of wanting someone to hear him out.
However, Ilda hid his inner thoughts and shook his head with a smile.
Valentina stared in wonder and raised a small voice saying "oh my".
At the black-haired Vanadis' reaction, Ilda unintentionally burst into laughter. And then, he remembered that she also had the rights of succession to the throne. By having laughed, a part of his thinking which was curdling might have been untied.
Was it because that question was too abstract? Valentina bent her head slightly to the side as to say that she did not understand. Was she not told because her rights of succession to the throne were too low? Or was that after all only told only to Eugene and him?
Valentina suddenly muttered. In a voice small enough to be called a whisper.
Ilda was startled, and unintentionally ran his gaze around. Other than them, there were only imperial guards in the grand corridor of the royal palace. They were also carrying through standing at attention without leaving their posts.
Partly because Valentina lowered her voice, there was probably no one who heard what she said.
The "Volk" in the name of Victor Arthur Volk Estes Tsar Zchted was a word meaning "wolf" and was a nickname which the late King gave to his son.
It was due to a certain old custom of Zchted that the King gave the name of a beast as the Prince's nickname. By the way, in case of the princess, there were many cases where the name of a flower was given to her.
The one who would succeed the wolf. In other words, the one who would succeed Victor. It was about the next King. Judging from her tone hesitating about the surroundings, there was no doubt that Valentina knew.
Ilda agreed by saying "that is also right". If he had really spoken only to Eugene and him, then the government would not just get confused. He should have told this to those near the center of the Kingdom.
He could only think of something of that level, and he himself had probably not yet recovered from the shock.
As she withdrew half a step which widened the distance, Valentina broadly smiled.
Even excluding talks about the throne, it was a happy invitation for Ilda. This was because strong drinks were his favorites, and several months had passed since he met Valentina.
Thinking from each other's position, Ilda suggested so. The day had just slightly passed. Even if she sent a messenger to the mansion now to make preparation to welcome Ilda, There was enough time.
Besides, if a single young man visited a single woman at night, who knows what kind of backbiting gossipy people would be engaged in.
As he parted with Valentina, Ilda once again walked down the corridor. His face became a bit brighter.
In an area where the residences of nobles gathered, there was Valentina's mansion.
The mortar plastered to the walls was brand-new white, the brown roof tinged with black did not get dirty; one could understand that it was carefully maintained. But the mansion itself was small and the decoration was also old-fashioned. The garden was also snugly made and it even looked like it was hidden by other towering mansions in the surroundings.
In fact, since the place where Valentina should originally be was Osterode, this was enough.
Besides, there was not many Vanadis who had a mansion in the Capital. When Ellen and Mira stayed in the Capital for a long time, either they would borrow a room in the royal palace or they would use hotels available for royalty, titled nobility, and wealthy merchants.
As Ilda said himself, he visited when the blue of the sky darkened. Valentina personally came out to receive him. She guided him to the drawing room.
The fire was already lit in the fireplace of the room, and the room was sufficiently warm. There were two big sofas and a small round table put between them.
Though the curtains were two layers with white and black, Ilda quietly split a smile at the fact that embroidery of roses was applied on either of them.
A bottle of vodka, silver cups and two plates were put on the table. Fruit was served on one side, and on the other side, there were cheese and thinly sliced bread.
Waiting for Ilda to sit down on the sofa, Valentina poured the vodka into the silver cups with her own hands. And then, she herself sat down on the sofa, too.
Valentina said so and raised her silver cup. While Ilda smiled wryly, he also raised his silver cup with the same timing as her. He did not think to be not proud of his military gains, but he was not so tactless as to voice it out in a place like this.
Ilda who put the silver cup on his mouth opened his eyes wide. He'd drank various things so far, but this was quite a first-class drink.
Transparent (clear) like a clear stream, it went through his throat with almost no bitterness. His body was warmed from within and his mood rose.
Fatigue of the journey to the Capital seemed to disappear with the heat emitted.
Valentina broadly smiled. She had already put her silver cup on the table and picked up an apple.
As he was told so, Ilda drank one cup after another. While occasionally gnawing cheese, he amused himself with friendly chat with Valentina.
Ilda talked about the barbarian subjugation, the events which occurred in his territory and the gossip which he heard from the minstrels, and Valentina, while also talking about what she experienced in the Capital and her territory Osterode, basically took the listener's role. Ilda thought that she was a good listener as usual.
Duke Bydgauche did not feel boredom. The black-haired Vanadis asked questions such as "Duke, how did you do afterwards?" at the key points of the talk, and kept drawing out words from Ilda. Valentina devoted herself to the listener's role before one knew and was hardly talking.
As he would be thirsty when he talked too much, he piled up more wine cups. Ilda was slowly drinking the vodka in order to savor it, but after about a half koku had passed, the vodka in the bottle had decreased to less than half.
In the place where Ilda's talk was interrupted, Valentina asked as if she recalled.
At the term "royal palace", Ilda recalled earlier in the daytime. If he was composed, he might have asked her to be clear regarding her vague question.
However, his thinking which was muddled by the vodka immediately ended up bringing about words and memory. Although his consciousness as a vassal immediately recalled the words "this is confidential", he reconsidered that Valentina also knew. He answered with a slightly violent tone.
Anyone who worked in the royal palace knew the order of rights to the throne. When Eugene would sit on the throne, Ilda who was once above him (in rank to the succession) would rather have to take the initiative and go down on his knee.
With an air as if not noticing at all Ilda's distress, Valentina spoke of the title of a fairy tale. "Efram and Ivan" was a fairy tale retold in Zchted since ancient times.
The wise Prince Efram who was driven out of the royal palace by the hateful Grand Chamberlain Ivan defeated him (Ivan) with the cooperation of an uncle secluded in the depths of the forest and made a triumphant return to the royal palace. Afterwards, the uncle became the Grand Chamberlain and devoted himself to Efram's reign.
It was said that there were more than 50 ways of narrating "Efram and Ivan" in Zchted. Probably because the plot line was very simple, the minstrels added dramatizations and exaggerations on a whim, and thus each region had its own version of "Efram and Ivan".
In a certain region, it was something like: Efram was not driven out, but he rather left for a journey looking for a woman who would become his wife. In another region, it was a plotline where all was the uncle's scheme and the Grand Chamberlain Ivan was in reality a good person.
It was also said that Efram's story was a dream of one night of a villager named Efram.
Though Ilda laughed, he could not be quite calm inwardly.
---It was probably out of kindness that Vanadis-dono mentioned "Efram and Ivan".
Ilda also knew about "Efram and Ivan" since the tale was also transmitted in Bydgauche which he governed. In the so-called Bydgauche version, Efram's brother-in-law appeared instead of the uncle. He was the older brother of Efram's wife.
Efram and his brother-in-law opposed each other whenever there was something and sometimes crossed swords, but every time Efram's wife remonstrated both of them, they reconciled and reluctantly re-sheathed their swords.
Both Efram and his brother-in-law spoke word by word exactly the identical lines.
The conclusion was the same as other stories. The two men joined forces and won, and the brother-in-law became the Grand Chamberlain.
Ilda had heard that Valentina had a weak body since she was child, so she was confined in her mansion and was absorbed in reading various stories. She must have daringly given that name surely because she knew the contents of the Bydgauche version.
---But, my younger sister and I haven't the same relations as the uncle and the younger sister in that story.
Valentina did not probably know up to that extent. No wonder. Unless they were very close or he did not say very dangerous things, he would not tell her about their relations between siblings.
He unintentionally spoke his inner thoughts. Why did he have to go down on his knee before Eugene?
Even though he should be the one to sit on the throne. Where on Earth was he inferior to Eugene?
A very kind voice struck Ilda's earlobe. It was Valentina's voice.
Within the dim light, the black-haired Vanadis smiled.
Ilda's weak rebuttal disappeared in the warmed atmosphere.
Valentina's words were accurately expressing word for word Ilda's innermost thoughts.
Ilda, as a retainer of the King, wanted to consent.
If there was such a reason, he would also understand why not him, but Eugene was chosen as King. Although it was possible to think so, he wanted it.
Discouragement and disappointment spread through Ilda's heart. Valentina continued.
The consciousness of Ilda who was absentminded due to the vodka took about three seconds and somehow recalled Valentina's words from a little while ago.
Although a relation between brother-in-law and younger brother-in-law, there was no interchange which seemed like interchange until now. Ilda knew both Eugene's face and name. He also knew about the fact that he had served as the King's close aide, and that he was not hesitant when giving advice.
However, He only knew that.
If he were to trust him and interacted more with him, he might find the reason which could make him content.
Exhaling a hot breath mixed with alcohol, Ilda muttered so.
Then after a half koku, Ilda left Valentina's mansion when the sky was covered with a very dim light. With his attendant, he headed towards his mansion. Though the ill feeling did not naturally disappear, he had felt inclined to consider her words positively.
It was at noon of the next day when she treated Ilda to vodka that Valentina sent a messenger to Eugene's mansion in the Capital. The messenger of the black-haired Vanadis, though brief, conveyed his lord's words after expressing his greetings according to the etiquette.
Though Eugene was acquainted with Valentina, they had almost never spoken. This was because there was no opportunities of which to interact with her, who governed Osterode to the northeast. That said, since there was no discord between them, he had no reason to decline. Besides, he thought that it might be recreational.
Actually, Eugene intended to return to his territory Pardu as soon as he finished the audience to the King. He had also gathered up the baggage on the day when he arrived at the Capital.
However, the words conveyed by the King were far beyond his expectations.
Therefore, he changed his schedule and had thought to stay another several days in the Capital and put his thoughts in order. He gave several silver coins to the only attendant who accompanied him and told him that he could even do some Capital sightseeing.
The attendant also guessed that his master was given a mission which he could not tell him. As he obediently received the silver coins, he said that he would be back before the day got dark and left the mansion.
As such, with no plan to meet someone, he thought to walk along the Capital's main street. Valentina's visit was right after he left.
Then, when the evening came, Valentina Glinka Estes wearing a pure white dress decorated with roses visited Eugene's mansion. She left her ViraltDragonic Tool Ezendeis to an attendant as she went through the mansion's gate.
Exchanging simple greetings, Eugene led Valentina to the drawing room.
They began to discuss the King's condition, and then followed with talks about the territories which each of them governed. As the atmosphere became friendly, Valentina suddenly changed the topic.
The gray-haired Earl openly frowned. Because his usual expression was calm, when he made such a face, there was enough strength to make those who saw it flinch. To Valentina which returned a wink as surprised, Eugene asked in an unusually harsh voice.
Though Valentina held her tongue with a startled face, she soon broke the silence and answered.
Eugene's expression grew in severity. He inwardly resented him.
---Didn't His Majesty say that this was confidential?
Valentina nodded her head with a depressed expression.
Eugene consented by saying "I see". As for Valentina, since she got to know, it was natural to think that she should give her greetings. Otherwise, as she said, it might rather be taken as disrespect.
If it was cross-examined so by Eugene later, an excuse would no longer stand. Though unreasonable, it was frightening since it was acceptable.
While massaging his own forehead with a finger, Eugene sighed. He, who had been King Victor's close aide, had seen the power of a King immediately nearby. But at the same time, he had also seen the hardships, troubles and despair of a King.
He had no intention to pity Victor. However, he only decided at least to say what needed to be said and served him. At that time, Victor was not married, and he had also lost his parents.
Though King Victor was slightly quick-tempered and irascible on that subject, Eugene sincerely took the trouble to deal with it when he judged that he should lend him an ear.
He thought that it was worth serving him. He kept advising him.
Afterwards, he was really appreciated. When he was recommended the marriage, he was very surprised. Although he gladly accepted it, he thought that he could no longer serve as an aide. This was because it might be thought that the existence of his wife who was from the royal family would give influence to Eugene's advices.
Eugene was afraid of becoming 'a maternal relative who wielded power'. As King Victor surmised that thought of Eugene, he gave him a title and a territory.
And, now. King Victor was going to give something enough to overshadow what he once gave to Eugene.
The crown, the throne and the whole land of the country called Zchted.
Eugene thought that he could not refuse it. This was not because it was the King's order.
Victor thought that if it was Eugene, he would value these; and thus he handed it over to him. Like when he gave him a wife, a title and a territory before. He could not ignore those feelings.
---But, Duke Bydgauche does not seem to appreciate.
While looking at Valentina who looked apologetic, Eugene felt bitter.
However, those feelings of Eugene stopped in an unexpected form (way). Valentina opened her mouth with a resolved face.
What Valentina asserted was that Ilda did not say it clearly. That she had just guessed when he spoke ambiguously.
Speaking of which, Eugene remembered. Valentina, as her name and family name showed, was from a branch family to the royal family. Which meant that her knowledge was more abundant than other people.
If so, then it could be not helped even if she noticed it.
Now that she mentioned it, even Eugene could not remain angry at him. After all, Eugene himself repeatedly tried to find out why it was not Ilda, but him who was chosen as the next King. Since it was even so for him, the degree of disappointment and indignation was probably stronger for Ilda.
Even without Valentina saying it, Eugene planned to arrange an opportunity to talk with only the two of them, but he was urged ahead before her sincere look.
Eugene was not disgusted by Ilda, but rather he could not help but feel sympathy towards him. The King's maternal relative who could wield power if things went well, but one wrong move and you would be regarded as dangerous and immediately judged. That was the position in which he was put in the future.
Valentina explained as much as possible about Ilda's tastes, and proposed Eugene about how he should send a strong drink before they met and spoke. She said that it was better for Eugene to meet Ilda after his anxiety and wariness had decreased to some extent.
Eugene also nodded to this and said that he would do so.
Afterwards, the two talked about various things, and Valentina left Eugene's mansion before the night came.
Ten days had passed since Urz became a stable boy in the Imperial Palace of Lebus.
From the early morning before even the sun had risen, Urz got up and left the bed while shaking his body in the drifting cold air within the lodgings. His breath was white. However, he woke up thanks to that.
Until his eyes grew accustomed to the darkness, he desperately rubbed his body to warm it up, and he came out of the lodgings almost fumbling. This was because there was almost no light.
When he went out, the sky was still dark. After washing his face in a well near the lodgings, he headed to the stable. He met other stablemen there.
As he said so, a short answer "yeah" came. On the first day, they were only looking at him with suspicious eyes and could not even greet him, but recently, they finally began to reply to his greetings.
He even headed to the stable with a companion. It was stinking as usual early in the morning, but as getting used to it was awful, Urz hardly worried about it.
As usual, he began to deal with the horse dung and urine. He scooped them with a special plow and carried them to a specified place. Then, he cleaned the stable, replaced the water and carried out food.
Urz had adapted on his daily life as a stable boy.
In fact, it did not happen just by getting used to it. For example, it was about the time when he fed the horses for the first time, being asked by the stableman head. As if his body remembered, he was able to do it with natural hand movements. He also knew how to handle the stirrups and saddles before being taught.
---It seemed that the me before losing my memory was taking care of horses.
In the fishing village where he was found, it was also like so the first time when he touched a bow. Urz recalled a nostalgic feeling by various works in the stable.
Both the lodging and the meals were guaranteed. He even got paid. Though even now, Urz thought that all of that was great, he came to think that he would work here for a while.
Found in that fishing village, even when he understood that he could remember nothing, Urz not feeling that much anxious, optimistically took the stance "I will somehow manage it". The villagers were very amazed when he said so.
As that stance did not change even when he became a stable boy, he even came to think that either the him before losing his memory probably had quite a carefree character, or his instinct might have realized that it was dangerous to move randomly.
As he finished all his work, Urz returned to the lodging with his companion stablemen. It was to have breakfast.
When he passed through the door of the lodging, he passed by one of the stablemen. It was a man two or three years older than Urz. As he saw Urz's face, he floated a nasty smile.
Not even thinking to hide it, Urz honestly answered. The next moment, the smile disappeared from the stableman's expression and his face was dyed with surprise. After the man glanced at Urz with unpleasant eyes, he snorted and walked away. Urz saw off the stableman's back with an absentminded face.
Although Urz was dubious about the stableman's sudden change of attitude, he was very hungry due to the fact that he woke up early in the morning and worked. Rather than running after him and hearing him out, he gave priority to breakfast.
As he finished the breakfast of hard bread of rye and soup which cooked together potato and cabbage, he had to start his next assignment immediately.
Then, it was about when the day would soon grow dark that Urz returned to the lodging. He dragged his body tired from work and headed to his room.
Although his room, of course it was not a private room. It was a room used by four people. Each bed was put in one of the four corners of the room which was not that much wide, and there was a little space in the center. Each person had all his personal belongings put on his bed and it had been decided that one must not use another person's bed selfishly (without his permission?).
Urz had no personal belongings. If one had to say, when it was decided that he would work as stable boy, he was provided two clothes, two pieces of thick blankets and one stiff pillow. Of course, all of those were put on his bed.
When he opened the door and entered the room, Urz opened his eyes wide in surprise.
In the empty room, his bed was turned upside down. His clothes and blankets were thrown out on the floor, and the clothes were torn to shreds. The pillow as well.
Only those words came out as he thought that that was too much. It was too mean to call it a prank. Nothing was done to the beds of the other three people, so it was obvious that the one who did it aimed at Urz.
As he remained standing in utter amazement, footsteps were approaching. Mark, a stable boy who used the same room came back as he finished his work.
Though Mark was 17 years old, he was so short that one would think he was two years younger, he had a pale skin and his limbs were also thin. More than physical works, he was good at works which asked for the dexterity of hands such as the mending of harness; among the people using this shared room, he was the friendliest to Urz.
Though Mark put on a wondering face when he saw Urz's attitude, he looked into the room and understood immediately.
Urz who recovered from stupor, asked Mark without being able to hide his irritation. But, Mark looked at Urz with a sidelong glance and shook his head.
As Mark entered the room, he put his hand on Urz's bed.
Being said so, Urz approached his bed with slow steps. The two returned the bed which was turned upside down. To Urz who fixedly stared at the clothes and blankets which he picked up, the stable boy of small stature turned a sympathetic look.
Urz raised his flipped bed and looked at Mark. There was a small window in the room, and the vermillion evening sun came in from there. Its light made a mysterious shadow on his face.
The head here referred to that unsociable stableman head. As the puzzled Urz nodded, Mark shrugged his shoulders and smiled wryly.
Now that he said it, certainly Urz had never seen a scene where the stableman head scolded someone. He selfishly thought that he was a person who did not get that much angry, but it seemed that he was wrong.
In other words, this meant that this treatment was out of jealousy. Urz strongly chewed his molars and tightly grasped the blankets and clothes which he held. It was too much irrational. To Mark who sat down on his bed, Urz asked in an unbearable thought.
What was returned was a clearly and very distant answer of someone apparently wanting to avoid getting involved. He even thought that the ten days after he became a stable boy were denied.
---I guess there's no helping it.
Urz inwardly sighed. As he once again confirmed the damage which he received, it was natural to think of not wanting to be involved. Besides, putting it another way, after Urz began to work as stable boy, only ten days had passed.
---However, I don't think that I can let it be.
Urz calmly began to think about a method of counterattack.
Several days passed since the day when he first received harassment. It continued as usual.
This morning, an insect was put in his soup. He finished the early morning work and was called by the stableman head in as he was on his way to take his meal, and it was a mistake to have left the dining room in such a short amount of time.
Because he was annoyed, he drank up the soup after throwing away the insect.
He had already consulted with the stableman head. Although the latter apologized that his management was not thorough, even he did not seem to come up with a solution. He called each stableman and interrogated, but the culprit was not yet found.
While Urz held down his anger within, outwardly, he was indifferently handling his work. He did not know whether or not he could say that it was fortunate, but there was no harassment related to his work at all.
---It's probably because they would easily be caught by the stableman head.
About this work, the stableman head exactly grasped when and where everyone was. If one were to get away from where he worked, it was more likely to be found.
Urz finished the unpleasant breakfast and returned to the stable, but he was shortly called by the stableman head. He hurried to the lodging while thinking "what may it be?". When he arrived at the lodging, the stableman head and Mark were standing there.
They went to buy necessary things in the town. Mark went with him because if Urz was to go alone, he knew neither the way nor the location of the shops.
Like that, as he confirmed the contents of the shopping to Mark, the stableman head walked away to the stable. Only Urz and Mark were left after.
Mark timidly said. After the harassment to Urz started, he did not talk very much with Mark. Thus, Mark was feeling guilty and Urz, on the other hand, was thinking that it would be better that if he was not getting him involved.
Probably for that reason, Mark shook his shoulders startled as Urz called out to him. While Urz smile wryly, he continued his words.
Three stablemen set foot in the room, which Urz used, in the afternoon. They hurriedly came back at the break of the interval of work.
One person asked his friend with a nasty smile.
While another one pinched his nose with his left hand, he raised the bag which he held in his right hand. The other two understood what the contents of the bag were with the smell. It was the horse dung. He probably prepared it during his work.
After looking around just in case and checking whether or not there was anyone watching, the three people entered the room used by Urz. They immediately knew which Urz's bed was. Though there were personal belongings on the other stablemen's beds, there were none on Urz's.
When they threw out the horse dung onto his bed and blanket, they came out to the corridor with satisfied faces.
However, it was only so far that they could exult.
Urz was standing in front of them. The three people's faces completely changed to fright, and they remained standing stock still.
One of the three spoke up to there while his voice was shaking, but he swallowed his words as he noticed something. Urz calmly answered.
During the day before yesterday, Urz asked the stableman head. To make him do something which would make him go outside in a very natural way, several days later.
The reason why he daringly put it during the day was to catch the culprit(s) red handed. Since he was harassed, Urz thought that there was the possibility that he was watched.
Even if he went shopping for today, he would go outside the ranch with Mark, and when he confirmed that there were no people following them, he left the shopping to Mark and hurriedly returned to the lodging. And, he ambushed them in the shade of the corridor.
Although the stable boys also checked up to the fact that Urz left the ranch, they could do no more than that. This was because they would definitely be found if they were too far away from their workplace.
One of the stable boys panted. It was not that it was difficult to hide, but hiding oneself without moving for two koku was not something one could easily do.
However, Urz also responded to this as if it was nothing.
Stopping there, Urz suddenly cocked his head in puzzlement.
Just now, the word 'hunting' popped out very naturally from his mouth. When thinking about the fact that he was good with the bow, he wondered whether the him before losing his memory wasn't a hunter after all. From the scars remaining on his boy, he also thought that he might have been an archer.
One person cursed Urz and threw a fist at him. As if getting hooked by his movement, the other two also attacked him from right and left.
However, Urz did not flinch at all, calmly saw through their movements and dodged their fists, or blocked them. As he judged that the stable boys were not that familiar with fighting, he quickly sneaked around the back of one of them and twisted his arm. A groan of pain leaked out from the stable boy's mouth.
When Urz said and released the man's arm as he thrust him away, he kicked him. The man who was pushed forward rolled up the other two and fell down flashily.
The harassment to Urz ended on this day.
It was the evening on the day when Elizavetta ordered her close aide Naum to report about how Urz's work was going.
Elizavetta, who let her golden and blue pupils brighten with expectation, said so and Naum was perplexed.
"Isn't the work of stable boy the repetition of the same thing no matter how much time passed?" Naum thought.
That said, having witnessed Urz's ability with the bow, for Naum who knew that he seemed to have lost his memory, he was interested about how Urz would live in a new environment. As there was also Elizavetta's order, Naum asked the stableman head and heard him out on the night of that day.
The next day, Naum visited the office a little before daytime came and reported to Elizavetta.
Though Elizavetta put on a surprised face, her expression got cloudy as she heard Naum's report.
---I should have asked for the report much earlier.
She breathed a sigh of regret. She did not do so because first, she wanted to avoid the sarcasm of civil officials, and second, she thought that she should accumulate the reports to some extent.
Though not as much as Naum, Elizavetta did not also think that the stableman's work would be rich in daily change.
While stroking the wrinkles carved on his face by hardship, Naum answered as if admonishing her.
Saying up to there, Naum shut his mouth. He noticed that flames of anger were burning in Elizavetta's pupils.
Naum took heed of the red-haired Vanadis' gaze and continued his words.
Elizavetta dropped her shoulders as she could not return words at all. While painfully seeing his master depressed, Naum continued.
It was not just the stablemen who harbored jealousy and prejudice.
Elizavetta's expression did not clear up. The red-haired Vanadis softly closed her left eye.
As she soon opened her left eye, she closed her right eyes this time. She had a habit to watch something only with one eye in some rhythm.
When she was small, Elizavetta was bullied by the villagers due to her LazirisRainbow Eyes. She encountered Ellen when she was 10 and came to have the will to confront the bullying, but her dark past up to there was even now recessed in the depth of her memory.
Though Naum said so, Elizavetta could not immediately draw a conclusion. She put it on hold for the time being and continued to hear the report about Urz's work.
To the report that he seemed to have experience of taking care of horses, Elizavetta tilted her head to the side. Not only that, it was said that he was also used to tending the harness.
After a little thought, Elizavetta asked. Whether or not he could ride a horse was an important clue to learn Urz's identity. This was because unless one was either a knight class or a noble, he would not do training for horsemanship.
She thought that it was a good thought. After all, even Urz himself did not know what he could do. If she were to know his ability, she could give him a more suitable post.
Naum said. Just now, he just said that it would be better to let him keep working as stable boy, so this could be considered as a passive suggestion to his saying of earlier. Naum was also thinking that there would be nothing better if Urz could do some other works, and that led to the breakthrough of the status quo.
Above all else, if it could improve his master's mood, then it was worth doing that much.
Though Naum respectfully bowed with a smile, he did not forget to add a few words.
He meant that if she were to give him too good a treatment, he would stir more jealousy and antipathy than now. Though Naum was taking interest in Urz's existence, he knew that it was not so for the other close aides.
In addition, Naum had a different concern. Elizavetta was young, as well as Urz.
If she was too concerned with Urz, he could not help feeling uneasy about the fact that those looking from witty viewpoints would appear.
Elizavetta halted Naum who finished the report and was about to leave.
To Naum who made a dubious face, the red-haired Vanadis said with a tone which especially emphasized the word "hate".
As Naum deeply bowed once again to show respect to his master, he quietly left.
It was about three days later after Naum had visited to report to Elizavetta. To this, the red-haired Vanadis was half surprised, half amazed; and she said to her close aide who had a face harking back to a pessimistic nature.
Naum answered with a really happy face.
The game which Naum planned was as followed.
They would shot and hit distant targets. He let them freely decide how far away they would be from the targets.
They would shoot the arrows while riding a horse, hit five targets lined up in a row.
They would compete on how high they could fly an arrow by aiming at the top of the rampart.
To Naum's report, Elizavetta pouted as she was sulking. If she knew it, even if she was in the middle of state affairs, she would have probably come to see under the pretense of taking a break. Of course, Naum had expected it, so he did not tell her. But, when he was asked why he did not tell, he answered like this.
Urz's bow skill was to the extent that if Elizavetta had witnessed that scene, the honor of the bow users would have been soaked.
Thus, Naum nodded with a deadly serious countenance.
Elizavetta was also dumbfounded by his words.
From the fact that he had shot down seabirds flying high in the sky, shot arrows from a shaking boat and killed pirates, she understood that he was an owner of exceptional ability.
However, this far exceeded Elizavetta's expectations. Even looking around the whole Zchted let alone Lebus, there was probably no bow user like Urz.
At that time as if he recalled, Naum, with a deeply move face, tightly grasped his fist and emphasized.
Elizavetta also thought that what Naum said was not wrong.
But then, it might have been talked more.
Urz encountered Elizavetta ten days after he was saved by the people of a fishing village. About twenty days had passed since he came to this Lebus and began to live here as stable boy. Adding the number of days taken to move from the fishing village to this Imperial Palace, it exceeded forty days.
Or, it had probably made a great uproar in Brune which was probably the land where Urz was born and raised, but did it mean that it had not reached here?
Naum cocked his head in puzzlement at Elizavetta's question and answered while stroking the wrinkles on his face.
Elizavetta swayed her red hair and shook her head.
Now, Elizavetta also knew the existence of the Demon called Torbalan. The story of the Badvasea dragon that Sophie had told was probably not wrong. If so, Tigrevurmud Vorn must have died.
When Elizavetta asked, Naum straightened himself as he remembered.
At Elizavetta's pointing out, Naum made a startled face.
Although Naum answered so, he made an expression showing that he was not completely convinced. Excluding the point about the "bow", Urz was without a doubt from Brune, and it was also more than certain that he received training.
Though Elizavetta took a liking to Urz, as expected, she could not become that soft-hearted a person to make preparations that far.
Elizavetta said with a smile and told with a proud look and attitude to Naum who made a wondering face.
Naum became speechless. It was more than a great promotion. He wondered what was the use of the exchanges they had a few days ago?
Elizavetta openly glared at Naum with indignation. Although she, who was abandoned by her father who was a noble and have lived in a poor village when she was young, understood that it was natural to be wary of someone with unknown identity, she hated to be wary more than necessary.
In addition, Urz was the first person whom Elizavetta chose as her subordinate. It was by coincidence that the two met, it was not human. She also knew the feeling of wanting to be accepted.
Naum frowned. The wrinkles on his face increased in depth. But even so, he did not say "understood". The factor of "unknown identity" was that much of a danger.
Waiting until the red-haired Vanadis calmed down, Naum opened his mouth.
At Elizavetta who made a suspicious face, Naum continued as to add.
As he explained up to there, Elizavetta seemed to have guessed Naum's thought.
Naum deeply bowed as to show that that was exactly what he thought. To give Urz special treatment, impressive archery skill alone was not enough. Another push was necessary.
Opposition was especially expected from the civil officials. So that their negative feelings did not turn towards Elizavetta, she must carefully proceed.
As Elizavetta crossed her shapely leg, she removed her gaze from Naum, turned her eyes of different colors towards the ceiling and lost herself in thoughts for a while. Naum, while waiting the words of his master, was himself also thinking, but in the end he could not come up with something which could persuade the civil officials.
Suddenly, the red-haired Vanadis muttered as if something came into her mind. Crossing the other leg, Elizavetta returned her gaze to Naum.
Her voice sounded with mixed feelings when she voiced out Ellen's name, but it was a change small enough that even Naum did not notice.
Regarding Tigre, Elizavetta kind of showed friendship by sending goods. It was at the time when he repelled the Muozinel troops.
In doing so, Elizavetta who stepped on the stage intended to deepen interchanges with Tigre, but he had become useless.
The current Elizavetta did not have a partner who had an effective connection in diplomacy with Brune. Therefore, it was necessary to hurry up and make a new connection, but it could be said that Urz who could speak the Zchted's and Brune's languages was just the ideal talented person.
But, Naum who heard it put on a difficult face.
And several days later, Naum visited Elizavetta. His expression was exhausted and moreover, it was not bright. The red-haired Vanadis was seized with uneasiness.
---Was it impossible after all?
But beside the state affairs, even though Elizavetta asked about this matter, the civil officials only unanimously said as followed.
The civil officials probably wanted to prevent a situation which would be intervened midway by Elizavetta. Since she left it to Naum, even Elizavetta was not to interfere until the answer came out.
Elizavetta brightened her pupils of different colors and urged him to continue by nodding.
Spitting out a sigh filled with the feeling of fatigue at the end, Naum finished his report. Elizavetta swayed her red hair and tilted her head to the side.
Thanks to that, recently there was no petition that bandits came out in the field. There was just a report that winter would probably be spent safely this year the other day. Naum indignantly nodded.
Even pirates would not appear in winter. This was because there were hardly any merchant ships which would become spoils of war.
Elizavetta spontaneously stood up and slammed her palm on the office desk before her. Valitsaif which was hung on her waist was tinged with a slightly white light as if responding to its master's anger. While nervously staring at it with a sidelong glance, Naum said as to cheer her up.
Elizavetta indignantly reseated herself on her chair. She thought that it couldn't be helped. It was also not as if she did not know about the civil officials' opposition. The compromise was probably around there.
Suddenly, Elizavetta thought of a certain thing. She thought that coming from her, it was a very good idea and floated a smile, but Naum who saw it bedaubed a color of anxiety on his whole face, and timidly asked as if probing into the mood of a wild beast.
Naum nodded. It was soon the day when salary would be paid, but Urz did not have even one piece of copper coin until then. In the report of the stableman head, the person himself did seem to feel that much inconvenienced about it though.
Though Naum inwardly thought that it somewhat became like a child's quarrel, of course even if it showed on his face, he did not put it into words, and respectfully bowed.
A silver bracelet, on which a hunter was carved, decorated a corner of the office desk of the Imperial Palace of LeitMeritz.
It was the souvenir that Tigre bought in the Asvarre Kingdom for Ellen. When this was given to her by Sophie, Ellen was honestly greatly perplexed about how she should treat it.
Though she also thought about putting it on every day, she reconsidered because she would look like a widow wearing a mourning badge. On the other hand, she also felt awkward to close it within a shelf of her private room.
After being troubled, she ended up putting it here. When she suddenly moved her gaze to the side the state affairs, she remembered Tigre's face.
By the way, Lim who received a Sera Dollporcelain doll bear as souvenir displayed it in her private room.
Dozens of days had passed since Tigre went missing. The trees in the courtyard let their leaves fall and winter was also arriving in LeitMeritz.
The afternoon of one day, Ellen said as she stopped her hands processing the documents. She leaned against the back of the chair and stretched herself with all her might. Lim who was helping with the state affairs at her side also went along with her lord. This was because the matter which must be dealt with within the day was almost over.
It was about the construction of the mountain road connecting LeitMeritz and Alsace. The ground was frozen and became hard during winter, and it was interrupted in order to stop the progress from other seasons. Even if one was to force, it would be ineffective, and moreover, because it involved wood materials, the increase of burden was intense.
"It seems that the 100,000 of Muozinel also ran back without even having one battle. Ludmira said that they ran away in fear of her military power, but perhaps ,the army of Muozinel were in fear with looks of disbelief on their faces that it was her(Ludmila) people.
Lim reproved her in a light tone. Ellen shut her mouth with an awkward face. It was the day when she came back from Legnica. Lim talked about the fact that Ellen tended for Sasha's death and the last conversation she exchanged with her.
Saying so curtly, Ellen suddenly shifted her attention to Lim as if she remembered something.
Lim seemed to remember now she mentioned it. She wonderingly tilted her head to the side. Afterwards, Eugene did not visit LeitMeritz.
"No way" Ellen laughed and shook her head.
Ellen suddenly shifted her attention to the window. The sky was white and the sun was feeble.
Lim, similarly to Ellen, turned her blue eyes towards the outside of the window. It was the early spring which put an end to the traces of winter everywhere that Tigre, as a guest General, and Teita, as his maid, came to this Imperial Palace.
Silence fell in the room. As they thought about the depth of what they lost, the leisure to enjoy the change of season disappeared. Neither of them returned to the state affairs.
While putting the documents in order, Ellen thought such a thing in a corner of her mind.
Just this year, she lost her best friend and an important man. At the very least, she wanted to spend her daily life peacefully until spring.
But, such a wish Ellen quickly dispelled.
Early morning of the next day, a messenger from the Capital showed up. As he seemed to have ridden the horse desperately to come here, though the piercing wind of winter was blowing, he was sweaty all over his face.
Ellen, who was told by Lim about the messenger's visit, said so without even hiding her tiresome expression. Of course, she knew that such a thing was not suitable.
As she said so, Ellen headed to the drawing room with her blue military clothes as is.
The messenger from the Capital hurriedly asked Ellen after greetings.
Ellen nodded. The messenger asked once more.
Ellen answered so while wondering about the question of the other party. He was a famous man on the northern part of Zchted. Excellent in military arts, he was also good at commanding the soldiers. The messenger said while fixing his breathing.
Ellen opened her eyes wide. She unintentionally leaned forward. Honestly, she couldn't care less about Duke Bydgauche, but if danger was approaching Eugene who had taught her etiquette, then it was another story.
Though both Eugene and Ilda had stayed in the Capital until about ten days ago, it was said that Eugene gave a present to Ilda at a certain time.
On that occasion, his attendant offered to taste for poison just to be sure, and Ilda, while smiling wryly, let that attendant drink first.
However, the attendant could only drink about half of a cup. He dropped the silver cup with the remaining contents, fell down to the floor and died as he went into convulsions. There was poison.
Ellen muttered so unconsciously. The Eugene Shevarin, who she knew, was not the kind of man who would think of poisoning someone even if he awfully hated him no matter what the reason.
To Ellen who became speechless, the messenger continued.
"Vanadis-dono." Interrupting Ellen's words, the messenger said.
Ellen narrowed her eyes and looked back at the messenger.
Saying so, Ellen stood up. She looked down at the messenger and continued.
While floating sweat on his face, the messenger greatly panted.
Ellen's eyes of ruby fixedly stared at the messenger.
She asked to confirm. The messenger nodded as if he succumbed to the drive. On the other hand, Ellen floated a smile filled with fighting spirit.
It was a feeling she had not tasted for a long time. While walking towards the door, Ellen called the messenger with an unusually cheerful voice.
Then, after 2 koku, Ellen finished the formation of 1,000 soldiers.
In the limited time of two koku, this number was the limit due to the lack of equipment, food and fuel. As for the breakdown, there were 200 cavalrymen. Which meant that there were 800 infantrymen. The adjutant was not Lim, but the knight with a bald head Rurick.
She had Lim remain in the Imperial Palace, and she entrusted two tasks to her. One was the organization of the reinforcements. This was because depending on the forces led by Lord Bydgauche, Ellen would devote herself to buying time.
The other was to dispatch someone to Pardu, and hear about the details from Eugene.
If possible, Ellen wanted to first go herself to Pardu, but as far as she heard the story of the messenger, it seemed that Ilda was going south at a considerable speed.
I did not want to make the ground of Pardu into the battlefield. In that case, she could do nothing but hold back Ilda in the north, so there was no composure to stop by in Pardu.
When the sun of that day set halfway in the western sky, Eleonora Viltaria and the one thousand soldiers whom she led left the Imperial Palace. The air was already cold and the humans firmly matched the neck (collar) of a thick overcoat put on their armor.
King Victor did not ask only Ellen for the duty to stop this clash.
Around the same time, a messenger from the Capital had also visited the Imperial Palace of Lebus.
Elizavetta, who heard the circumstances, blurred suspicion and doubt in her pupils of different colors.
As far as she heard the story, it was no wonder that Ilda got angry. After all, Earl Pardu completely intended to kill Ilda. And, one of his attendants died. Instead of Ilda.
Facing the messenger of the Capital in the drawing room, Elizavetta floated a provocative smile. The messenger who had a round face and body like a snowman made by a child, while wiping cold sweat, but still kept his calm and answered.
It was not certain whether or not the messenger intended it, but these lines strongly stimulated one point in Elizavetta's heart. Even so, she did not immediately agree; after making him promise to let the Kingdom bear the reward, food and fuel by letter, Elizavetta finally accepted.
As she saw off the messenger who hurriedly left the Imperial Palace, Elizavetta called her aides. She talked about what was told a moment ago.
"I would say about 1000 soldiers" one of the aides answered.
Elizavetta nodded and ordered the organization. Because they had served from the time of the previous Vanadis, they will do it well even if they were just given instructions. And then she hailed Naum and told him to call Urz.
To Naum who opened his eyes wide, Elizavetta nodded as if it was a matter of course.
Elizavetta looked puzzled at Naum who frowned.
As the Vanadis of LazirisRainbow Eyes urged him, Naum opened his mouth while hesitating.
In the tone which believed her rightness, Elizavetta answered.
And, after two koku, Elizavetta left the Imperial Palace with 1000 soldiers. Near her carrying a bow on the shoulder and hanging a quiver of arrows on the waist was Urz's figure.
The youth was staring at Elizavetta's back with a somewhat troubled face.
He remembered the words of the knight called Naum who taught him various things. He said that, of course, Elizavetta set her eyes on Urz because she highly evaluated his bow skills, but it was only that; it was also because he was the first subordinate that she chose by herself.
Suddenly, the figure of an old man with a small stature vaguely floated in Urz's mind. He felt like he was said by that old man "don't you remember of having done something similar?" Strangely, Urz was able to easily accept that indication. The ill feeling towards Elizavetta also faded.
Though a troubled person, he was in her debt. It did not mean that he dislike her.
Urz decided to follow her and do his best for now.
The LeitMeritz forces led by Ellen were carefully advancing to the north while repeating reconnaissance as planned. Three days had passed since they left the Imperial Palace. They went along the highway, and partly because they could buy food and fuel in cities and towns, there was no problem with the march at present.
The sky was white, the sun was hidden by the clouds and the wind was cold. After leaving the Imperial Palace, such weather had continued all long.
Rurick who was by Ellen's side said so. Ellen responded without even smiling.
That Ellen was making a sullen face was not only because she hated snow as a commander, there was also another reason.
Last night, the soldier who heard the story from Eugene galloped his horse and came up to Ellen. Although they advanced without deviating from the highway and she precisely showed their location, Ellen did not think that he would come this early, and she gladly met the soldier.
But, what she heard from that soldier was not something pleasant.
The soldier handed the leather package which he was holding in his hand to Rurick who was at Ellen's side. Rurick who received it removed the leather package and handed over the letter inside to Ellen.
The silver-haired Vanadis broke the seal and quickly took a look at the contents, but the sentences of the content that was almost the same as what the soldier reported was written with Eugene's handwriting.
While being a letter addressed to Ellen, she felt Eugene's nature around beginning from one sentence mourning over the death of Ilda's attendant, but from Ilda's perspective, it was very obviously that he flew into rage.
Ellen also wrote such a letter, handed it to the soldier and made him go to Pardu, but the situation was clearly against Eugene. She was irritated because of that.
In addition, there was one more thing; there was an element which put Ellen in a bad mood.
It was about one thing that Ellen wanted to know in the letter from Eugene; it was not written why he suddenly intended to have friendly relations with Ilda.
Eugene and Ilda were brothers-in-law. Thinking about it, it was not strange to try to have interactions. But, why did it come now?
Ellen thought about it all night, but like that without her finding any clues in the end, the day dawned and they resumed their march as they were searching for Duke Bydgauche's troops. But, somehow her mind was distracted and she was not able to concentrate.
It was about the time when the sun, hidden by white clouds slightly covering the sky, was about to reach the zenith that one of the cavalry squads, which were sent for reconnaissance, returned with an unexpected report.
Ellen was stunned. She knew that Elizavetta was going south from Lebus with also 1000 soldiers. So, it was not strange in itself that they met them.
---Then, where is Duke Bydgauche's army?
As Ellen stopped the march and ordered the soldiers to rest, she asked Rurick to prepare a map.
Seemingly, Duke Bydgauche's army was not going south straight somehow.
Ellen asked for Rurick's opinion. But, Rurick did not agree.
Ellen nodded as she was impressed. Though he was not a man who would think like this about the enemy movement before, he seemed to have unwittingly grown.
As Ellen snorted at Rurick's question, she flipped at a point of the map with her fingertip.
Afterwards, as Ellen and Elizavetta mutually advanced their soldiers, they agreed to join before the day went down. The place was a small meadow called Radom, and there was an intermediate distance from each other's position.
When she decided to head to Radom, Ellen released the cavalrymen as a scouting party. Just to be sure, she made one party head to Pardu. Moreover, she resumed the march leading only the infantry.
When they entered in less than one koku, the silhouette of the Lebus army and its banner could already be seen. Under the white sky, a golden band, which described an arc reminiscent of her Valitsaif, was shining in the purple flag. At the vanguard, there was the figure of Elizavetta straddling on horse.
Ellen stopped her troops, and she approached Elizavetta accompanied only by Rurick. Elizavetta likewise headed towards her along with a youth who seemed to be an attendant.
Cold wind blew and something flickered within the field of vision. It was the snow. It was snow which seemed to melt in the atmosphere before touching the ground, but it certainly fell from the sky.
When each side approached until a distance of about dozens of step, Ellen noticed.
Seeing the youth on horseback following near Elizavetta, Ellen opened her eyes wide.
Though he was wearing a padded undershirt in fur of the Lebus style, the darkish red hair, black eyes, features which mixed calm and gallantry, the medium stature and the figure which carried a bow on his shoulder and hung a quiver on the waist was unmistakably that of Tigrevurmud Vorn who she knew.
Rurick who heard Ellen's murmur and doubted it also turned his gaze there, and glared in surprise. Words did not seem to come out right away.
While being moved to tears and shouting the youth's name, Ellen rushed her horse. However, she immediately harbored suspicion. Even though their eyes met, Tigre only stared back at himself with a wondering face. Then, Ellen finally arrived at a basic question.
Why was Tigre riding a horse next to Elizavetta? Like a servant.
In the place where they approached until a distance of about ten steps, Elizavetta said with an amazed face. But, Ellen paid no heed to it.
Without even greeting her, she frankly demanded. Elizavetta frowned.
The youth called Urz bowed to Ellen with an expression like that one which met someone for the first time.
Ellen held her breath. Her shoulders shook; she was about to burst into tears at any time, but endured it desperately. As she made her voice calm as much as possible, she said.
Elizavetta's expression and tone was tinged with wariness. Ellen who glared at her answered.
There was a pause until the refusal. It was obvious that she was apparently hiding something.
Elizavetta said so, but Ellen ignored it and turned her gaze to the youth.
Urz was staring at Ellen with a blank face. Ellen still kept appealing to him.
A change occurred on Urz's expression. The youth removed his gaze from Ellen as if pondering on something.
Elizavetta shouted, and advanced her horse so as to break in between Urz and Ellen and the others.
A sneer floated in Ellen's lips.
At Ellen's words, Elizavetta flinched. Her hand stretched to the black whip to her waist.
Ellen likewise put her hand on the long sword to her waist. The wind arose from the long sword and gently brushed her silver hair.
The SilvfrauWind Princess of the Silver Flash lightly chuckled.
Elizavetta glared at Ellen with her eyes of different colors, and pattered. However, Ellen, not even showing a slight sign of hesitation, eluded it with a composed attitude.
Elizavetta flew into a rage. She cried like a child and vigorously shook her head.
Elizavetta's face turned pale. At this time, the red-haired Vanadis understood the situation almost exactly. What Ellen was saying was probably correct.
Urz was definitely Tigrevurmud Vorn. There was no way that two people with such bow skills to that extent would exist.
Rurick who finally came to his senses advanced his horse and raised a sad cry.
To Rurick's angry look, Urz just merely opened his eyes wide in wonder. Rurick spoke further vehemently.
Not giving even one name of a person from Zchted, Rurick gave only the names of the people from Brune.
With her pupils of different colors, Elizavetta stared at Rurick. The bald knight was being overawed by her terrifying gaze, but he put power into his stomach and looked straight again. As he painfully exhaled, he opened his mouth in order to call him (Tigre) again.
But, Ellen stretched out her hand before him and stopped him.
"It would be meaningless even if you say any more than this", Ellen judged. There were also Eugene and Ilda. It was necessary to end it quickly.
She unsheathed the long sword and thrust the point at Elizavetta. Feeling her preternatural fighting spirit with her skin, Elizavetta likewise put on a serious look, and tightly grasped her black whip.
The wind swirled and white sparks scattered. The silver-haired Vanadis, in order to take back her important thing, and the red-haired Vanadis, in order to protect her important thing to the end were going to cross weapons.
Under a white sky tinged with loneliness, snow and wind began to increase strength.
This page was last edited on 21 June 2018, at 06:58.


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I found her October 31st 2010 amongst a seething mass of broiler chicks destined for slaughter, 34 deg celc heat, no water, no food. I pleaded with the guy who owned them to take all 50, but he would not agree. We managed to get them food and water. I grabbed one amongst the many – she had a big tear in her side. He allowed me to take her to treat. I called her Muk Muk (named by Danni Curry from A…us). I nursed her to health, and she grew to 6kgs. She was genetically modified to go from 0 to slaughter in 6 weeks. At 6 months Muk got heart problems, as broilers are prone to – in desperation my vet and I tried putting her onto dog heart meds. It worked and Muk was like a new gal. This morning I found her at 5am dead in the garden under a bush. I am not sure what happened, and will never know, but I suspect she had a heart attack and died. She was my baby – she loved sitting on my lap while I massaged her large, often sore body. Muk Muk wanted cuddles all the time, and would pull at my clothes till I loved her. My staff adored her, and her big body, and big personality has left a massive hole in our lives. She leaves her chicken friends Lesego, Cindy and Daisy. I sat with the three of them and Muks body later in the morning. They stared at her, pecked her gently, sat on her – they engaged with her, and they knew. My heart today is shattered. Its days like today, that I do not want to do this work anymore and deal with this imperfect world and all its cruelty – however a wise friend reminded me this morning, that this is what has happened before, and closing my heart to stop further pain will not benefit anyone, including future chickens. So today I sit with the pain of losing my dear Muks, and imagine a world without her cuddles and soft head in my hair. I do acknowledge that Muks passing has made a space for another chicken in need – but not today – it is too sore. RIP beautiful, beautiful Muk Muk – my life was richer with you in it.
We recently removed 3 broilers from a company that runs kids educational classes, after a distressed mother phoned us. This is the letter we wrote to them. The 3 broilers are healing, and have gone to their forever home. A small holding where they will live (free range) with a few other rescue chickens under the superb care of Fiona. Fiona has named them Fauna, Flora and Merryweather. Broilers are genetically modified to grow from 0 to slaughter in 6 weeks. Their bodies are under enormous strain and proper ligament and muscle is not laid down – causing growing pains, ligmament and tendon collapse, immature digestive systems, heart and organ problems. So these girls needed a special home, where they can be monitored closely, and have access to vet care. When one eats chicken, this is what you are eating – free range or not.
Firstly I need to thank you for so willingly handing over your chickens that you bought for farm week. This was the humane and compassionate thing to do.
All three of those chickens are in very poor condition and in urgent need of veterinary care. While you did not cause their injuries, and where unaware of what you had bought from Yeoville and had no intention of prolonging suffering – they have suffered unnecessarily for the period they have been with you, and would have continued to deteriorate in condition over the week, with possible death during the week. I am glad we were alerted to their plight.
I would like to use this letter as a review process so that you are able to make more informed decisions (in this area) in future.
These chickens are broilers. Genetically modified for the meat industry to go from 0 to slaughter in 6 weeks. The accelerated growth causes all kinds of unpleasant complications for these birds – severe growing pains, lameness, heart failure, organ failure and general discomfort. All chickens sold in supermarkets are broilers.
These particular birds have been kept alive in very bad conditions for longer than 6 weeks, and have been transported and handled in a rough way.
The one has severe bumble foot, an infection which has moved into her joints – very painful, and probably a case for euthanasia.
'Institutionalised' chickens (from a factory farm), often don't recognise a new container of water to the one they are used to, and therefore probably did not recognise your bowl of water as water. Once I had shown them the water, they drank a huge quantity today.
Live animals in education is becoming increasingly outdated – the message that comes through is that animals are products or commodities at our disposal, and that compassion for their well being is secondary to our needs. Just exposing children to animals in a cage does not educate them in any meaningful way. The message to your mums and ultimately to the kids, is that compassion is key, and therefore we don't bring live animals into a stressful environment.
What was going to happen to these 3 chickens post your use of them?
Where were your chickens sleeping/ going to sleep this week?
Veterinary care is specialised and therefore challenging for you to assess their needs and level of health.
Regardless of where you source them from next year, they will still undergo stress being moved for a week from their current environment to your environment, and continued stress as they are exposed to unfamiliar crowds of mums and kids who make a noise and crowd around their surround. They have no way of escape and no way of understanding that they are safe. Chickens cannot distinguish between the apocalypse, and a crowd of enthusiastic children closing in on them.
If you have any questions, or would like any additional information on the chicken industry – both egg and meat, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind Regards, and thank you again for doing the right thing for them.


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OU's Bell Named To Maxwell Award Watch List
Tuesday, July 9th 2013, 12:03 am
Blake Bell has never started a game in his Sooner career but that didn't stop the junior quarterback from being named to the Maxwell Award watch list on Monday.
Bell, the popular favorite to win the starting QB gig in Norman in 2013, hasn't thrown a touchdown pass in two seasons but has garnered attention for his effectiveness in goal line situations, where he has scored 24 touchdowns in the "Belldozer" package.
That spot role has earned him early consideration for one of college football's most prestigious awards.
The Maxwell is given annually to the college football player of the year by the Maxwell Football Club.
Two former Sooners have won the award. The first Oklahoma recipient was running back and flanker Tommy McDonald in 1956, who never lost a game in his OU career under Bud Wilkinson. Most recently was Heisman-trophy winner Jason White in 2004.
Bell is one of five Big 12 players named to the list, including Texas quarterback David Ash, Kansas State running back John Hubert, Baylor running back Lache Seastrunk and TCU quarterback Casey Pachall.
Also on the list is Tulsa running back and special teams dynamo Trey Watts.
News 9 Blake Bell has yet to start a game under center for the Sooners but that didn't stop the junior quarterback from being named to one of college football most prestigious watch lists.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl