67 [2-1] Flower offerings, etc. (1/2)

The Kingdom of Ciel-Teira is the Marquisate of Berger and the capital city of Inion.

It is a city close to the border with the Gileshthal Federation to the west, and has a strong cultural influence from the Federation. In Ciel-Teira, where many houses are made of masonry, the Federation-style houses made of black wood and plaster are rare.

In the midst of the beautiful, simple, snow-covered streets, this place was different.

There was a faint, pungent smell in the air.

The charred pillars that looked like hands reaching for the sky.

The wreckage of household goods. ......

It was a burned down house.

I can imagine that it was a small and lovely house, but there is no trace of it anymore.

The trees in the yard were also burnt, as if they had caught fire, and there were traces of digging all over the yard, which made the place look even more desolate.

............

It was daytime, but thick snow clouds hung in the air, making the area dim.

Rene looked up at the snow flickering in the sky and went through the gate.

”...... I'm home.

She hesitated for a moment, but then said the words. No one responded.

It was a little painful.

This is the house where René and his mother Rosalia used to live.

That day, the knights of the royal brotherhood came and took everything from Rene.

I thought so, but it seems that the house was burned down after that. I don't know if it was the knights or the town people who burned it down. I wonder if they dug up the garden to look for ...... hidden property.

The property of a criminal is confiscated and belongs to the state or territory, depending on the crime.

In particular, most of the land in the city is leased from the lord.

On paper, the land has been returned to the lord, and the house should have been cleared out by now. So why is it still in this state? Rene felt that he understood.

No one can do anything about it because they are afraid of Rene.

There was no sign of life in the surrounding houses.

It's like the Mary Celeste, only the people have disappeared.

They must have run away because they didn't want to live near this house.

However, in spite of this situation, there are signs of people coming and going in the garden rather frequently.

In the middle of the garden, there was a crude table on which white roses were laid out.

Some had long since wilted, others were still fresh.

A snow rose, a specialty of Ciel-Teira. These roses bloom in the snow and are used for ornamental purposes and for making potions. It is also used as the national emblem of Ciel-Teira, and is the origin of René's name.

Rene ”Rosy” Luvia Ciel-Teira.

Her parents nicknamed her ”Rosy” because of her silver hair and eyes, which they thought of as snow roses.

Because of her silver hair and eyes, she and her mother were forced to leave the court, but Renée was the Princess of the Shiro Rose.

Flower offering table.

People are offering white roses to Rene.

It started all over the country, without anyone initiating it.

People mourning René. And most of all, those who feared the Rose of Hell.

The Snow Rose as a sign of remembrance and atonement.

”It's like ...... all over again.

I'm not sure if I should be angry or disgusted, but I'm laughing.

If a single flower could save you, ...... you wouldn't be looking for revenge in the first place. ......

Ignoring the flower stand, Rene walked into the burned out house.

I'm not sure what to say.

It has been about three weeks since the undead army suddenly appeared and attacked the royal capital Teiralare.

Not a small number of people had drifted into the city of Inion.

The reason was that many of them had fled west from the capital.

They wanted to get as far away from King's Landing, which had fallen into the hands of the undead.

And the main reason was that rumors spread that it would be safer to flee to the Union.

The ”Rose Princess of Hell” was killed by the anti-Confederation pretender Hilbert II and his knights. Then, someone thought that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, and that the ”Rose of Hell” would not attack the Federation, and many people agreed with them.

In addition, the Federation is a country that has a long history with Ciel-Teyla. Even those who would have been enthusiastic supporters of Hilbert thought that he might be able to help the people of Ciel-Teira in their time of need ....... Like a bad man who has an affair and then cries to his wife.

The square on the outskirts of the city was lined with crude tents and tired-looking people hanging out.

These tents are support from the temple. They had gathered supplies from neighboring areas to create a refugee camp.

The temple preaches the love of God and the fight against the evil gods. It was the temple's mission (at least in theory) to help the needy people.

Especially this time, when the undead have taken over the capital. As the Temple was the God's spire in the fight against the evil gods, if it didn't help the people here, its credibility (which was already on the decline) would be at stake.

Of course, it was impossible to provide full support due to the urgency.

The only thing that could keep them warm were the fires that had been set up here and there.

People were huddled around the fires with somewhat stunned expressions.

In such a gray refugee camp, a cheerful voice suddenly rang out.

”Well, well, well, ladies and gentlemen!

This is our native snow rose. Its white color is even more beautiful than the deepest snowy peaks, and if you roast it with the art of sorcery, it will become a medicine with the power of a thousand men!

A man with a vaguely hoodlum-like atmosphere was laying out snow rose flowers on a table like a stage, and he was making a speech.

”Woe is the princess of the white rose. The grudge of the 'Rose Princess of Hell' is deep. She's gone with the dew on the decapitated head.

No, no, no, no!　The princess has sacrificed her body to the evil gods, and will stand up to receive her punishment!

Her anger scorches the heavens, and her dead soldiers appear from the depths of the earth.

Is that the Princess' sin?　No, no, no, no!　We are all sinners!　We are all sinners! We are all sinners who have caused the blood of cruelty to flow!　In time the princess will appear. For we are all sinners!

...... Well, well, well, ladies and gentlemen!

This is our native snow rose. Its white color is more beautiful than the deepest snowy peaks, and when roasted with the magic of sorcery, it becomes a medicine for a thousand men!

If any man thinks of his sins and wishes to atone for them, let him take this flower and offer it to the Princess of the Shiro Rose. Let the poor princess's soul rest in peace!

Now buy, buy, 200 scoots a bottle!　The sooner the better!

As if summoned by his words, people began to gather around the peddler.

A long line of people quickly formed.

One bottle, yes, thank you!　You got four?　That's for the family. You have ...... ten!　That's great, I'm sure the princess can see how you feel!

Snow Rose is selling like hotcakes.

Not many refugees have enough money. Even if they had enough money in their wallets, they would want to avoid spending extra money in this situation. Still, people are buying Snow Rose.

”Hey, ......, I wonder why this is happening, .......

”I told you so. I told you, don't believe that scammer Hilbert.

Because, you know, there's nothing like ...... a freshly rebuilt store.

You're lucky to have your life.

...... If you want your life to be taken from you, you should be sorry. It's a good idea to take a look at your own personal life.

I'm not sure I want to die .......

The people who bought the Snow Rose were talking.

The momentum for anti-federalism had dwindled with Hilbert's death. Or perhaps I should say that everyone was no longer concerned with that. All that was left was the fear and anxiety of when the Rose of Hell would come to kill him.

I clung to the straw. Everyone wants the assurance that they will be alive tomorrow to escape the anxiety.

And now, ......, hmm?

The number of white roses had dwindled.

The peddler tilts his head when he sees the next customer is a step away.

Looking down, he saw a line of small children.

He is wearing a shabby hooded cloak. I can't make out anything other than ”small” because they are completely covered by the shabby cloak. Her dusky red hair was spilling out of her hood.

Please give me a rose.

It was only when she spoke that I realized she was a girl.

”Yes, 200 scoots a bottle.

...... I'm actually short of money. If you don't mind, I'd like a discount.

”What?

At the girl's words, the man's tone of voice, which had always been friendly and cheerful, suddenly became overbearing.

”Go home, go home!　If you want to beg, do it somewhere else!

You know what?　I'm not bringing you flowers for free either. I'm doing business on the edge for your sake. If you go any lower, you'll be eating my money!

The peddler yelling at me. His words were certainly justified.

But...