Vol 14 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Published

at 9th of September 2019 05:13:16 PM

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 – Izgard’s Bride And New Hero

Part 1

Three months had pa.s.sed since the contact point between Lemuria and Atlantis was lost.

After sending off Kizuna and others to Ataraxia, Grace returned to Atlantis. And then after that the Entrance immediately vanished.

Only the blue sky and white cloud could be seen at the sky where the Entrance once existed. Grace looked up to that sky and keenly felt that the connection with Lemuria had really gone for good.

Since then, Grace was living together with a great sense of loss. It felt like there was a large hole gouged in her chest, as though there was blank s.p.a.ce inside her body.

However three months pa.s.sed and the wound of her heart was gradually healing.

Her daily works as emperor. The restoration of the ruined territory. Reorganizing the country. There were a lot of works to do. It didn’t mean that the gap in her heart due to Aine’s leave was filled with that. However her busy schedule sometimes became a consolation──Grace thought that.

That was why, she thought to respond to the invitation letter that reached her just now happily.

「Hohou……this is a matter of congratulation.」

At the palace located in Vatlantis Empire’s imperial capital, Zeltis. Grace stared at the letter she received on her throne and her face broke into a smile.

The four Quartum looked up at Grace with a curious gaze.

After the four looked at each other, Clayda asked as their representative.

「Is it some kind of a good news?」

「Umu. It seems that Gravel of Izgard will hold a marriage ceremony three months later.」

「「「「EEEH!?」」」」

The four raised a shocked voice together.

And then Elma immediately let out a question.

「Who is the partner?」

「It’s Aldea.」

「「「「Uwaaa……」」」」

The four made an awkward face.

「I seee, so she finally caught her huuuh」

Ramza smiled wryly. Lunorlla lightly elbowed her side.

「Don’t say something like that. Perhaps the person herself is happy.」

「Yes yes. Even so, she was someone who once fell as far as being a prisoner who was no different from a slave and even got tortured by us. But right now she is Izgard’s president. And Aldea who is touched in the head will be the first lady. Amazing isn’t ittt」

After returning to Atlantis, Grace recognized the independence of Izgard and Baldin. It came from the feeling of grat.i.tude and respect from fighting together against the danger to the world──was a part of the reason, but there was also the pragmatic aspect of Vatlantis’s inability to look after their country currently.

In this chaotic situation, there was a limit in taking control of reconstructing and governing the whole world. If they forced it, surely conflict would occur. Their relations.h.i.+p that had finally turned favorable would be ruined and it was possible that it would become another civil war.

Vatlantis Empire was already boasting a vast territory even now, and it also had a lot of problem. Therefore she thought making the two countries independent and had them solve the matter of their respective country by themselves would be a good plan.

And then independence was also Izgard and Baldin’s earnest wish, so there was no reason for them to object.

After achieving independence and taking a step toward a bright future, the representative of Izgard would hold a wedding ceremony. This was a bright news for the populace too, and the effect it would bring for the economy would surely also be something considerable. There was no doubt that the momentum of Izgard’s reconstruction would accelerate further.

However Clayda bit her nail with a conflicted face.

「Putting aside Gravel, when it come to Aldea……she has this nickname as comrade slayer, I pray that their country won’t get crushed.」

「Ee, it’s other country anyway, it doesn’t matter for us isn’t it?」

「Idiot. If it becomes something like that, it will also affect us. Refugees will flood us in great number.

「I, I see……」

Ramza scratched her head while averting her gaze.

Grace flapped the invitation letter held between her fingers and smiled.

「I will directly ascertain that matter. Let’s see, I think it will be faster to have Zelcyone read her heart──」

Suddenly Grace noticed that Zelcyone wasn’t here.

「Mu? Where did Zel go?」

The four Quartum looked at each other’s face.

「Come to think of it……we don’t see her today.」

「I also didn’t see her yesterday.」

「Certainly……」

While the three were falling into thought, Ramza said 「Ah」 and lifted her face in remembrance.

「Now that you mentioned it, Zel-sama went out.」

「What did you say?」

「She left a letter in her room. Somehow it sounds like a secret work……wait, it wasn’t something that Grace-sama ordered?」

Ramza put her fingers into between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and pulled out a folded paper.

Clayda, Elma, and Lunorlla peered onto that paper.

──Please don’t look for me. Zelcyone

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「「「Wh……!?!?」」」

Clayda spread out the paper in panic.

──At this occasion, I wish to resign from my post as the captain of the royal guard as well as from Vatlantis army due to personal reasons. I have been in your care for a long time. Eternal glory for the magnificent emperor Grace and the proud Vatlantis army.

I’m thinking to have a peaceful life as a commoner from here on.

Please don’t look for me. Zelcyone

「「「WHAT THE h.e.l.l IS THISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!?」」」

「Eh, that’s why I’m telling you she is away──」

「THAT’S NOT IT YOU IDIOT────────!!」

Clayda screamed, and then she rushed up the stair to the throne and handed the letter to Grace.

Grace read it once and frowned with a troubled look.

「This is……really sudden.」

「She, she wrote here to not look for her but……Grace-sama……」

「Obviously we’ll search for her. Although, I don’t think we’ll be able to catch her with her ability though……」

Zelcyone’s special skill was mind manipulation. Even if her pursuer discovered her, it would be the end if she hypnotized them as though they had never found her.

「A, also, if Zel-sama is gone……it will be really troubling.」

「Umu. After all the royal guard in effect is the one supervising the whole army of Vatlantis. It won’t be good if the captain is absent……」

Lunorrla also looked down with a troubled look.

「There are also fellows forming rebel army and carrying out terrorist action at the provinces……those guys might also get fired up if they know this.」

「You’re right. Our chain of command might also fall into chaos.」

Grace folded her arms and groaned, but after a while she spoke resolutely.

「It can’t be helped. I will appoint a new captain.」

Part 2

The captain of royal guard Leon squad Hyakurath was heading to the throne room with a nervous look.

──To be summoned out of nowhere like this……ju, just what kind of business could it be? Aa, my heart is beating so hard it feel like my heart will stop. No matter how much I think, I don’t have any idea at all what is this about……did I do some kind of blunder? No, there shouldn’t be any particular problem that happened recently. I also made my squad to keep the order, and there is also no soldier in my squad that caused commotion in the city…….

Aa, but perhaps they have done something that incur the wrath of other with me simply not noticing.

Uu……it makes my stomach hurt thinking about that…….

Bu, but if that’s the case……will I get, demoted?

……Ah, but that might not be bad.

That’s right. I’ve been thinking this since a long time ago. Being something like the captain of Leon squad is too heavy of a burden for me. That’s why it’s the correct choice to demote me. Everyone simply lionize me too much calling me something like sword saint and appointing me to a post that doesn’t suit my stature.

If I get demoted, maybe I’ll become a sword instructor……that’ll be nice. I’ll teach sword to the young cadets. And then, everyone will look up to me as the kind teacher……ufufu♪

Hyakurath arrived at the throne room while she was having such delusion and met with Grace.

「Hyakurath. Today I appoint you as the new royal guard captain.」

「……Ha?」

Hyakurath’s eyes turned into dot.

「From today you’re the top of the whole army of Vatlantis Empire. Be proud of that responsibility and glory. And then accomplish your duty superbly.」

Hyakurath’s face became pale. The cold sweat oozing from her whole body wouldn’t stop.

──What? What’s this? What’s this situation.

It’s a joke right?

Say that it’s a joke. Please.

She turned a shaking face toward the four Quartum.

「「「「New captain banzaaaai」」」」

They congratulated her with in monotone.

Grace made an apologetic face seeing Hyakurath trembling with tearful eyes.

「Forgive me for this informality due to the suddenness of the matter. Don’t be that displeased.」

「……!!!!」

Hyakurath’s mouth opened and closed. She shook her head left and right as fast as she could.

She wanted to say something, but no words came out.

「Today is just for the appointment. You don’t need to worry, we will hold the formal appointment ceremony before long.」

Tears spilled down from Hyakurath’s two eyes uncontrollably.

──Sto, stop. Please, I’m begging you.

She thought that, but no voice could come out due to the great shock.

Grace nodded with a pleased smile.

「Umu umu, I’m happy that you’re so greatly moved like that. I will prepare a grand ceremony for you.」

──HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIH!!

The, the captain of the royal guard?

The top of the whole army of Vatlantis Empire?

Thi, this me?

N, no, something like that is, scary.

This is a dream, that’s right, it’s a dream, a bad dream.

「You should prepare your speech in front of everyone at the appointment ceremony. After all the whole country will be watching.」

I, impossible! It’s completely impossible for me!!

「It’ll also be good to broadcast it to the whole world to give the impression of a new Vatlantis army. Something like the royal guard that is reborn by the sword saint, that sounds good. It will obtain the support from the populace with a clean image from here on.」

Hyakurath desperately held on her consciousness that was getting farther away.

「Do……do your best, do your best……Hyakurath……u……u……」

Part 3

An election was carried out in Izgard that obtained independence from Vatlantis Empire. Gravel became the president with support from the people.

Continuing after the inauguration half a year ago, this time was the marriage ceremony of that president. The bright news boosted the business conditions and the whole country was enveloped in atmosphere that was filled with energy.

The festival mood in the capital Argento reached the climax at the day of the marriage ceremony. Argento was a resort city that was adjacent to the sea, the temperature was also warm, and because the citizens originally also loved festival, the whole city was in high spirit.

Amidst that, Gravel herself was standing on the deck for welcoming honored guests that was set up at the beach. She was staring at the blue sea.

In the past when she escaped from Vatlantis, she spent time together with Kizuna here. The day when they swam together in this sea was nostalgic.

──He called me cute for the first time that day.

「Wait a second Gravel. You’re remembering Kizuna again aren’t you?」

Aldea took Gravel’s arm with a sulky look.

「Aa, I’m amazed you understand that.」

「I understand you really well.」

The two of them were wearing white holter neck wedding dress. Wind caused the bottom of the dress to flap gently. A shadow suddenly covered the area.

「They came.」

Gravel looked up to the blue sky.