Ken yo, kaku katariki – 104
Gileus Marion
Gileus Marion.
He was younger than I expected.
In fact, we were probably not that different in age. As for my expectations, they were purely based on what I had heard from Ms. Aize.
“Huh…a burial, eh?”
He said, after hearing what I was going to do with the sword.
“There is no such custom here… What is the reason?”
“Even if it was brittle, it fought. That is why.”
“I see. I thought you were just going to take it back as a souvenir. Still, I brought you the sheet because I wanted to speak with you.”
“He said with a laugh.
“A weapon is part of your body, eh? Indeed, it does sound unfair, to do nothing for it in the end.”
He leaned his back against the railing of the terrace, and looked up at the night sky.
Compared to the old city, there were fewer visible stars.
I suddenly thought. In Japan, the souls of the dead were compared to stars. In this world, did people also turn into stars when they died?
“By the way, I was wondering. Are you really from the east end?”
Gileus said as he turned to me.
“You did not look very surprised when you saw me. And the way you talk. I thought maybe it’s like that, where you are from.”
He was talking about the countries in the far east. Across the sea, there was another, smaller continent.
However, the seas were the domain of giant monsters, and so the two landmasses were closed off from each other. Though, a safe channel was eventually discovered.
That being said, the other continent had powerful beasts, and was considered to be dangerous. But some people had crossed the sea in order to move to this continent.
They were granted permission by the empire, and had a special district on the east side, where their unique culture flourished.
“I am not from the east end. Well, I do not know where my parents are from. But I was born here.”
It did seem like there was a culture similar to Japan in this world, and I was rather curious about it.
“Huh?”
“I wasn’t surprised by you, because one of my students is from the same place.”
“You are a teacher?”
I explained to Gileus that I taught swords at the Viskinel Officer Academy. His eyes widened.
“Viskinel. Ah, the school that won all those battles in the preliminaries.”
“Yes. They are all brilliant students.”
“Students in such schools usually are. And so to be able to beat the others…that suggests they were taught well. I almost want you to come and teach our kids.”
Our kids?
I looked puzzled, but he just smiled and gave me a thumbs up.
“I’m just like you. I sometimes work as an instructor at an officer school. They have such good manners on the surface, but tend to look their noses down at everyone. And so I would like to see them beat down once.”
“…Why don’t you do it yourself?”
“I’m, well…”
He laughed.
In the empire, they valued ability. For better or worse. I had witnessed it myself.
However, it seemed like other forms of discrimination were still deep-rooted as well.
“I will be quite busy during the tournament.”
“Of course.”
It would be like helping the enemy. I did not want to do that.
“By the way, you don’t need to talk so formally.”
“Huh?”
“I was impressed with your sword. Stunned. That there were still people like you here. And so it’s tiring to hear you talk so politely.”
Well, we were very close in age, so it made sense.
I nodded in agreement, and he slapped me on the back.
After that, perhaps due to us being in similar positions, we found it easy to talk to each other.
We mostly talked about our students, and what it meant to be a teacher.
Eventually, the conversation turned to Ms. Aize.
“Huh. A future baroness.”
“Aye. She told me. That you are the hope of your people.”
“Hey, now. I did it for myself. I was not thinking about anyone else.”
While he was smiling, he probably meant it seriously.
“I think that is fine too.”
“Hmm?”
“Living for yourself, and fighting for what matters to you. And sometimes, people feel or receive things from just watching you. But you don’t need to carry the burden.”
It was not necessary to change the way you live for other people.
“You and what is important to you is enough of a burden. Anything more will exceed your capacity.”
“Haha. I suppose. …But you seem to like helping people?”
Really? I looked doubtful, and then he burst out laughing.
Just then. I heard someone running towards us.
I thought it would be Ms. Iria. But it was another woman with black hair…
“Huh?”
“Hey, brother! What are you doing out here? I was looking for you and… Oh?”
Our eyes met.
“…Ms. Sumia?”
“M-Mr. Yukito?”
Now this was a surprise.
Gileus was looking at me with a puzzled expression.
For a second…I wasn’t sure how to explain it.
Also, Gileus was the older brother she was talking about?
As I tried to think of something to say, another person approached us.
“Mr. Yukito…sorry for…?”
Ms. Iria came running. And then she looked at us three with surprise.
And a little suspicion…
“So pretty…”
She whispered.
And then realized that it was audible, and apologized. Ms. Sumia looked embarrassed.
“Um, it’s nice to meet you. I am Sumia Marion.”
“…Thank you. I am Iria Orlando.”
While Ms. Sumia looked awkward, Ms. Iria was able to courtesy with perfection.
“You are so pretty. I couldn’t help but stare.”
“Oh, not at all… Um, my brother prepared this dress for me.”
They started to praise each other.
It certainly made a pretty picture, and I felt lucky to be in their presence. Just then, someone grabbed my shoulder.
“So, Yukito… Would you mind telling me why you know my sister?”
“Yes…of…course.”
It was really nothing like that. Honest.
