Volume 2: Chapter 042 (Fin): Makia the Peerless
Author: かっぱ同盟／友麻碧
Link: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n3862be/
Translated by Zzonkedd
Edited by Gumihou
The Four Nations Conference ended without incident.
The Conference remained the main topic of conversation for everyone in Ruskia for the next few days until it was superseded by the news of Fifth Prince Ulysses’s engagement.
The news of Ulysses giving up his right to the throne to marry the Green Shrine Maiden rushed through the Kingdom of Ruskia in a shockwave, causing both shock and amazement.
At times like this, the publics imagination was stimulated, as news about the Royal Family generally did; fueling all sorts of glamorous fantasies about life at the royal palace.
That said, with Ulysses being 17 and Percelis at 15, although both were within the age limit for marriage stipulated by the Kingdom of Ruskia and the Church, it was decided that Percelis would only officially marry when she turned 16. For now, they were considered engaged.
“Well, the marriage age for women in Japan is 16, so, marrying a 15-year-old feels like a crime…” was Ulysses’s explanation.
Tooru and I understood immediately.
It felt especially criminal with Percelis’s baby face.
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“Ah,”
“Ah?”
At the Sanctuary, I get to see Eska in his bishop’s uniform.
It was so weird to see him in that clean black and white robe topped with a square hat and acting like a normal person.
“So, you really were a bishop,” I said.
“Ah? Didn’t I tell you that I’m the future archbishop?”
“I wonder… is that what they mean by a ‘suspicious monk’.”
“Oh? What do you mean by ‘suspicious’?”
The bishop not only had a bad look in his eyes, but he also had a bad complexion and spoke with a bad tone. By that, I meant his had sharp eyes that were further underlined by dark shadows; when coupled with his jagged teeth and… well, those sharp, Sanpaku eyes did nothing to make him look less suspicious.
Still, from what I heard, this guy really did his best to promote Ulysses as the Green Shrine Maiden’s groom candidate.
At the final meeting of the groom candidate, which Lord Medite got to attend, the two Demon King Class members at the table stood out. One was a high-level church member, while the other was an influential member of the royal family. While Ulysses pushed himself forward with intelligent arguments and a smile, Eska semi-threatened the people into accepting Ulysses as the bridegroom candidate.
Professor Medite nearly laughed his head off. Because, with these two cooperating with each other, the balance of power within the Holy Nation would shift. In short, the Church would be taken over by these two and high-ranking bishops may be forced into retirement. My condolences to those in opposition to these two.
Perhaps, the Church would see some changes in time.
After the series of engagement procedures was over and things settled down a little, Ulysses and Percelis released Shuma from the coffin.
It was time to return him to the earth.
His body was dropped into the deep spring running under the coffins and gently floating towards the embrace of the Great Tree of Vabilophos.
Ulysses and Percelis burn the image of their son’s face, which had remained unchanged for the past 2000 years, into their minds. They would never see him again.
However, neither shed tears.
Perhaps, they had already cried too many tears in the past. They held hands as Shuma’s body sank to the bottom of the spring.
May his soul one day colour this world again.
The soft white fabric of his clothes swayed gently around Shuma as he floated away.
Thor and I stayed a short distance away, silently watching the Green Burial.
“… …”
Ulysses and Percelis remained strong, never looking away as their child floated away. I gritted my teeth, regret and repentance roiling in my heart. Even if Ulysses and Percelis had forgiven me, I could not ignore what I was feeling for Shuma right now.
I could not cry.
Not when those two did not cry.
I placed a hand on my chest and prayed for Shuma’s soul to be reborn into this world again.
The number of souls in Maydea never changed. So long as I continue to reincarnate, I may pass by Shuma’s soul once again. Should that time come by, may you shine with life and may you be surrounded by the colours of happiness.
I could only hope that I could be of service to you.
Thor stared at me intently, saying nothing.
Just staying by my side.
Soon, the Green Burial was over and the casket was left empty.
The empty casket left a strong impression on me. I could not help but feel that ‘they’, the ones who were sleeping in the other caskets, were whispering to me. Telling me that this is where I would end up one day.
“Do you understand… what it means for that casket to remain empty?” Eska muttered as he passed by me.
I clenched my fists, not taking my eyes off the casket.
“Don’t worry about what that guy is saying. You just live your life with dignity.”
“Thor…”
Thor glared at Eska before poking me in the forehead.
I gave a snort of laughter. With my hands on my hips, I declared, [1] “I totally get it. But you should know that I don’t die that easily.”
[1] “Haha, that’s right.”
[1] I understand more than that Eska fellow thinks. I’m here because I must accomplish a great task. There are things I must face, things I must find out.
I have no choice, but to resist the rectangular casket that appeared to be sucking me in.
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“Maki-chan, may I have a moment with you?”
That evening,Ulysses came to pay his rare visit to me in the garden by my room.
It was early autumn, and the weather had cooled down considerably. The autumn leaves were beautiful with their dazzling oranges and deep browns. It was a relaxing sight that drew me out of my garden to enjoy the scenery.”
“Yuri? It’s rare for you to come this far.”
“I had planned to come and thank you, once things had been mostly resolved.”
“Thank me? Fufu, what for, I wonder?”
Ulysses chuckled as he handed me a flower.
It was a bright red bellflower. The red bellflower had a certain strength to it, it was the opposite of the slightly ethereal quality of the white bellflower which Ulysses had gifted to Percelis when he proposed to her.
[1] “You’re sure about this? If you start giving flowers to girls other than Percelis, it could cause a misunderstanding.”
“Haha, I have already informed her about this. After all, she was the one who enlightened me about the meaning of red bellflowers in the language of flowers.”
“Language of flowers?”
“Yes, white bellflowers carry the meaning of ‘I love you forever’ in the flower language, while the red bellflowers means ‘I will believe in you forever’. It’s thanks to you that I was able to make this decision. Therefore, I will believe in you forever. Should something happen, I will definitely aid you. This is the proof of my intention.”
“How pretentious,” [1] I smirked.
Still, I do get the feeling that he has become a lot more manly and dependable lately.
He used to act as though he was above petty human emotions and go where the wind took him. Lately, I discovered that Yuri was also human. A person with his own struggles and suffering.
“Thank you, Maki-chan. You’re my saviour.”
“Sure, I’ll take that,” I said with a grin as I accepted the flower. [2] Speaking of which, “What about Tooru?”
“Well, naturally I am just as grateful to Tooru, but I don’t really like sending flowers to men.”
“Heh [1], well, I think he would hate it too.”
I held the red bellflower up against the sky. [1] Oh my, its brilliant red colour was even brighter than the colour of dusk. The time when the sky was the reddest.
My relationship with Ulysses began 2000 years ago, it took a brief stop on Earth, but now we’re back here again.
I could only treasure this relationship built upon memories and emotions that had begun from long, long ago.
“Well, I like you and Percelis too, so should anything happen. I shall definitely come to your aid. I’m sure Tooru feels the same. So, don’t you worry about anything.”
“That’s right, we’re invincible.”
We looked at each other, raised our eyebrows and laughed as we shook each other’s hands firmly.
There was only trust and belief in our eyes as the wind rustled the leaves and sent our hair fluttering in the breeze.
The scent of autumn felt oddly nostalgic, even a little sad. It felt as though I had experienced the same scent a long time ago.
“You’re peerless.”
The conviction in Ulysses’s voice made me feel like crying.
When you’re in trouble, when you’re in pain, what you really want then is people by your side, telling you that everything will be okay. That it will all be well.
Because we are strong, powerful and peerless, we can all laugh freely. Isn’t it better to use this power to help each other when in trouble?
To bring happiness to the one we love?
Isn’t it better to be proud of this power we are born with than to lament over it?
2000 years ago when we discovered we had this inhuman amount of power, we carried in us a deep darkness, suffering as though we had committed some great sin, as though we were guilty of something terrible.
However, I now understand that power was not only meant for battles and destruction.
I swear, on the Red Bellflower in my hand, that I would be someone trustworthy. A person who would do my best to serve the people with this power.
Someday, I hope to feel thankful for this power in my hands.
[Gumihou: Adjusted a bit so that the chapter retains its floaty feel]
[1] Adjust dialogues to reflect characteristics
[2] Add detail
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