Chapter 11 (1/2)

11.DEPARTURE

Hyun* (ひゅっ)

The blade of the sword shone with a gleaming light, cutting through the morning mist.

“Sh, fuh, seyah.”(しっ、ふっ、せやっ)

At first, Willian would move by copying what he would find in the books. He would learn a whole page, then two, three, ten… The more he knew, the more he had for forming his own fighting style. He would read through the vast and deep world of books, test what he learned, and would decide whether he would adopt what he learned or not. And so…

“Ha!”

A beautiful and rational blade. This was Willian´s swordplay. It was the collection of his knowledge and testing.

Willian would train with his sword only when there was n.o.body around. It would be deep in the night or early in the morning. This was a habit he had since the time he used to be called Al, and it was a daily routine he wouldn´t skip even if it was raining, snowing or windy.

“…”

Willian had noticed long ago the gaze that was directed to him.

“Fuh.”

Willian wiped the considerable amount of sweat he got by training and turned his eyes to the direction of the gaze. The figure that was looking at him from the window hurriedly ran off.

“…I don´t really see how it is fun to watch me though.”

It has been that way in those last few days. At the first time, the ones to watch him training were Karl, Ainhart, and even Louran himself.However, because Ainhart and Louran became tired of watching him train, they wouldn´t wake up early to watch his training anymore. Karl still wanted to train together with him, but when the time would come, he would be sleeping. The only remaining person was…

“”Lutogarde…””

Since their first meeting, she hadn´t been able to look at him straight in his eyes, and besides, it was difficult for Willian to deal with her in his position. Just so she could have a peek at Willian, she would do all the effort of waking up early in the morning. Probably, the person herself still didn´t realise that Willian had already become aware of her.

“”Even though they said she was shy with strangers. What is she thinking about.””

When Willian turned his eyes away, the gaze would suddenly come back. While feeling annoyed at the gaze he was receiving from his back, he kept pretending not to notice it.

“”Well, this the last day. If I keep caring about that, I will be the one at loss.”

“Now then, I will be going!!”

Karl said his goodbyes in good spirits. Louran was waving his hand with a smile, Ainhart had only come to show his face, and Lutogarde was restlessly covering her face.

“Willian-kun, you too should take care.”

“Thank you for the concern.”

Willian deeply bowed his head. As if Ainhart didn´t have any particular interest in Willian, he didn´t even glance at him. To Willian, the fact he was receiving that kind of dry reception made him more at ease than otherwise.

“”The problem is…””

Willian´s eyes met with the ones of a certain someone that had been giving him glances since a few moments ago.

“Hya!?”

And in that same instant, she immediately looked away.

“”…It is Lutogarde.””

To the point it had already become a standard custom, just like always, Lutogarde was looking at Willian. It wasn´t a dignified look, but one that was closer to a peeking look. Besides that, if their eyes were to meet, she would turn her eyes away.

“”Really, what is she thinking… I have no idea.””

Pus.h.i.+ng away all the troublesome thoughts, Willian kept his expressionless face.

“Ah, by the way, it seems that Lutogarde has something to give to you.”

Lutogarde became startled with Louran´s words. Then, she hesitantly curled up behind her elder brother and gave Karl a necklace that had a blue jewel at the center. Karl´s face became bright.

“Wah, it´s a sapphire. And it sparkles with the light… So as I expected, this is…!”

It had the beauty that even caught Willian´s attention. With light s.h.i.+ning on it, it became even more beautiful. The “六条の光” six tones of light shone like stardust. This was an gem Willian, who had dealt with many merchants, has never seen. Moreover, the gold decoration enveloping it was also beautiful. No matter how much one was to sell this for, there would never be enough money for someone to buy it.(TL note: I can´t find what this means anywhere. I translated it to six tones of light, but I don´t think it really means that. It is probably a reference to something -.-)

“That sapphire… Is it fine, father? This is something that we are supposed to be selling, right?”

“The one who bought it and made the decoration was Lutogarde herself. Well, it is a protective charm, so I think it would lose effectiveness if you won´t get excited about it even if a little.”

Getting excited about it even if a little. Those words made Willian´s face twist for a second. If he was to sell that jewel, he would probably get enough money to buy a stand-alone house here in Arkas. As to be expected, it is a bit lacking for one to be able to buy a house at the n.o.ble district, but even so, the argument was still valid. (TL note: I couldn´t find other word to describe it. For those that didn´t understand what I meant to say by stand-alone, it pretty much means that the house is like a normal house, and not an apartment that you would need to share the building with other people.”

“So, does this mean they would be able to get a much bigger house than the one they have?”

Even for n.o.bles, something like that was expensive to the extent that one wouldn´t casually gift it away. But if that was the first campaign of their son, it might just happen. Just maybe though.

““…First campaign…. Well, I guess it is. The battles that will happen from now on will be on a different scale from the little skirmishes at Raconia. It is definitely not a gift you would give for your son to be a footsoldier on a skirmish.””

Willian deeply thought about it.

“Uh, ummm.”

While Willian was being distracted with his thoughts, Lutogarde approached him. Willian got surprised by that. And in reaction, Lutogarde also got surprised.

“Wh-what would it be, Lutogarde-sama.”

Seeing Willian´s cramped face, Louran laughed.

“I said Lutogarde had something to give you, didn´t I? This is your share. Of course, the decorations were handmade by Lutogarde herself.”

Lutogarde gave Willian the necklace while looking downwards.

“I-is this… for me?”

Willian´s eyes became wide-open by being given that. The words he uttered left his mouth in a trembling voice.