Chapter 220
Chapter 220
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 220
Chapter Title: Under the Aurora
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"Zaifa? Instructor Naviroje?"
Adeshan's eyes widened round. She could hardly believe it even as she watched. Naviroje's sudden appearance was shocking enough, but what truly stunned her was Zaifa standing right beside her.
"Ronan, wh-what is this? How is Zaifa in the North...!"
"I wrote a letter to His Majesty the Emperor. Someone had to set things straight up here."
Ronan explained what had happened a few days ago. He had asked the Emperor to amend the terms of the Blood Oath so Zaifa could come north.
No matter how he thought about it, Zaifa was the only one who could stabilize the North after Barca had turned it into a cesspool. Ronan had figured it was a reckless request, but seeing him walk over now, it seemed His Majesty had graciously approved. Adeshan clasped her hands together in admiration.
"Incredible... So what about Lady Naviroje?"
"She's the watchdog, obviously. Can't have him up to no good."
Naviroje's grumbling carried all the way over. She clearly looked like she'd been dragged here right in the middle of her vacation.
Still, it couldn't be helped. There were only a handful of people in the Empire who could monitor a heavyweight like Zaifa and take him down if needed. Ronan swallowed hard as the two drew closer.
'...He won't come charging at me, will he?'
He was in a pretty awkward spot. Things had changed a lot since he'd written that letter.
Barca's crimes were uglier than expected, and somehow Ronan had ended up killing both Zaifa's son and brother. Well, the son had been dead already, technically.
Lost in such thoughts, the distance closed until they were close enough to greet. Zaifa waved first.
"Good to see you, Ronan."
"Long time no see, Zaifa."
"Can't tell you how long it's been since I trod my homeland soil. No need for thanks, but..."
Zaifa trailed off mid-greeting. His gaze fixed on the were-tiger boy slung over Ronan's back. Adeshan squeezed her eyes shut.
"...Aradan?"
"A lot happened."
Zaifa's face hardened. Ronan held out Aradan's corpse to him.
"Here."
Zaifa took his son's body without a word. Aradan had seemed pretty big, but in Zaifa's arms, he was just a boy. After a long daze, he finally spoke.
"...Explain."
"Right. Can you come over here a sec?"
They needed to talk privately. There were prerequisites before he could get into Aradan's death. Ronan rummaged in his pocket and flashed the bundle of letters he'd found in Barca's lab.
"Those."
"You recognize them?"
Zaifa's eyes widened for a split second. The handwriting visible through the parchment was his own. After a brief silence, he spoke.
"...Doesn't matter. Talk here."
"Everything? For real?"
"In front of my son. Leave anything out, and I won't let it slide."
Zaifa growled. Ronan had momentarily forgotten what kind of guy he was. With a heavy sigh, Ronan pulled out the letters.
"Fine. Guess we start with this Jäger guy. So..."
The other three focused intently. Ronan recounted everything since arriving north: traveling with the Karabel Merchant Group, meeting Jäger and his death, the brutal chase against the true mastermind, Barca Terken.
"I see... So Barca fell that far."
Zaifa muttered to himself. Surprisingly, he listened calmly. Though his fur stood on end like it might shoot out any second.
Ronan laid it all out right there—everything except the Savior and Elisia. Zaifa's recent rebellion plot, Barca being a Nebula Klazie bishop—purely dangerous intel. Suddenly, Naviroje's hand rested on her sword hilt as she spoke.
"So you're saying he's definitely not in league with them now."
"Definitely."
Ronan affirmed, but Naviroje hadn't been asking him. Murderous intent flickered like wildfire over her shoulders. Zaifa nodded silently.
"Just like it says in the letters."
"...Hm."
Only then did Naviroje release her hilt. The killing intent vanished instantly. Ronan and Adeshan exhaled in relief, breathing normally again.
"Anyway, that's how it went down."
Ronan's explanation wrapped up soon after. A dreadfully heavy silence descended. Zaifa fiddled wordlessly with his dead son's ear.
"......I see."
Against Ronan's worries, Zaifa neither raged nor blamed him. Suddenly, he turned away, cradling Aradan.
"I'll bury my son and go."
"You..."
Naviroje started to say something but stopped. It went against protocol, but she didn't try to stop him. Zaifa halted mid-stride.
"Ronan."
"Hm?"
Ronan tilted his head. Zaifa said,
"Thank you. I won't forget."
Zaifa walked on. Ronan ground his teeth at the filthy feeling. No one spoke, so only the wind and Zaifa's retreating footsteps rang clear. Naviroje broke the silence first.
"A lot happened. Glad you two are safe."
"Yeah, well. How've you been, Instructor?"
"Took a trip south. The capital's summer was too tepid. Didn't expect to get shipped to this freezer right after."
That explained her slightly tanned skin. From then, the three chatted casually.
Zaifa's situation was tragic, but they couldn't mope forever. Amid questions, Naviroje suddenly unbuttoned her overcoat.
"Whew... Even in Heiran, walking like this makes me hot. Overdressed."
Weak to cold, she wore three layers of thick leather. Grumbling, she undid the buttons. As the front loosened, trapped heat rushed out.
"Whoa."
Ronan's mouth formed an O. Sweat-soaked undergarments clung to her curves. The distinctive heft of her twin peaks rivaled the Mother of Fire herself. She fanned her collar, sighing.
"Ah, better."
"Wow..."
Adeshan was just as entranced. Realizing Ronan was staring too, she yelped in panic.
"I-Instructor!"
Adeshan hurriedly buttoned the coat. Tailor's daughter for sure—her hands were lightning-fast. Naviroje cocked her head.
"What? Suddenly."
"Y-You can't just strip like that. It's freezing!"
"Still hot."
"S-Still no. What if someone sees...!"
Adeshan glared at Ronan. He averted his eyes under her piercing stare. She looked plenty herself. Naviroje watched the two fondly and spoke.
"Adeshan."
"Yes?"
"You did well. Tough ordeal."
Adeshan's movements froze. Naviroje stroked her hair. She was bent over buttoning, after all.
"I-Instructor? Why all of a sudden..."
"Revenge isn't always satisfying. Especially when it ends in murder. I know."
It was about Barca. Adeshan stammered like a broken doll.
"Th-That was..."
"Cry when you can. Bottle it up, and you'll break. Spill it all now."
Naviroje opened her arms silently. Adeshan's eyes trembled. North's hardships and Fangnight's nightmares flashed by.
Seconds passed. Breathing ragged, she shook her head.
"No."
"Hm?"
"I'm fine. Already cried plenty."
Adeshan glanced at Ronan and smiled. She'd shed enough tears collecting Aradan's body.
Her eyes glistened, sure, but as long as they stayed in, it wasn't crying. Naviroje chuckled.
"You've grown."
Ronan, who'd stepped away expecting tears, crept back. Naviroje ruffled his hair too and asked,
"So, where to now?"
"Dunno... Blacksmith first, I guess. Things got big, but that was the original goal."
"Blacksmith? Aurora Scal in Heiran?"
"Yeah, that sounds right. You know it?"
"Figures the old Parzan fogeys recommended it. One of the best, distance aside. Their aurora-forging is unique on the continent."
Naviroje nodded. If this picky sister said so, it had to be legit. As they prepped to leave,
"But there's a problem."
"What?"
"Heard about the North on the way. Those artisans freed by Jäger set sail from the forge. Probably drifting the North Sea by now."
Ronan's brow furrowed. Set sail from the forge? Did I hear that right?
"Hold up. 'Set sail' from the forge? What does that mean?"
"Didn't know? Aurora Scal's a whole glacier retrofitted into a forge. They harvest auroras or flee crises by shoving off from Heiran into the sea."
"Son of a bitch."
Ronan laughed in disbelief. Never dreamed of a forge crazier than Gran Cappadocia. Modding a glacier to float? Insane. Naviroje said,
"You don't seem to have a ship. Bad luck, might chase forever."
"Yeah... Damn, come back later?"
"No need. Borrow my griffon."
"Huh?"
Naviroje pulled a whistle from her pocket and blew. Piiik! A clear, high note echoed. Soon, a massive griffon appeared from the sky in the direction she and Zaifa had come.
-Whiiyo!
Ronan and Adeshan's eyes bulged. The griffon circled gracefully and landed before them. Its sleek fur and powerful wingbeats screamed trained mount, not wild. Ronan asked,
"Where'd the griffon come from?"
"Borrowed from the Imperial Army. Made the trip comfy. Military-trained, easy to handle."
Sure enough, its broad back bore a saddle emblazoned with the Empire's crest. Naviroje handed Ronan the whistle.
"What about you, Instructor?"
"I'll manage. Wanted to visit the North anyway."
Naviroje waved it off like it was nothing. Ronan took the whistle, dazed but grateful.
Way faster and handier than a ship. Adeshan stared at the griffon and muttered despairingly.
"Sky again...?"
"Go on. I'll tidy up the North with that cat and meet you in Varsa when done."
Naviroje turned and walked off. Their thanks got a casual hand wave. Her briskness almost chased away Heiran's chill. Soon, the griffon took off with the two aboard.
"Kyaaaah!"
A shrill scream rang out. Ignoring it, Ronan yanked the reins to pick up speed. Not a cloud in the sky—stars would shine bright tonight.
"Where the hell is it wandering? See anything?"
"N-No. Nothing here either."
Adeshan shivered as she replied. Peering below yielded only black waves and lonely ice floes. Each griffon flap tousled her bangs mercilessly.
They'd been circling half a day already. Full darkness blanketed the northern sea. Stars were brilliant, but no auroras like in the Wraith Sea.
"Wish an aurora would light up... Tell me if you're tired. We can rest on an iceberg."
"Th-Thanks. Still okay."
They still hadn't spotted Aurora Scal or whatever. Supposed to be easy with lights on the glacier, but no sign—must be far off.
Ronan glanced back at Adeshan while steering. Eyes shut tight, face buried in his back. Guilt crept up. She'd only been the guide, yet here she was suffering.
"Sorry for all the hardship. Forge trip's no easy jaunt."
"N-No... I'm fine. Cleared old grudges thanks to you. Actually great."
"Huh."
Ronan let out a hollow laugh. Her kindness was unreal. Hard to believe she wielded the world's most dangerous power.
"That good nature'll bite you later. Gotta be ruthless to be Grand General."
"R-Really? But it was good."
"Thanks for saying so. I liked traveling with you too, senpai."
"...Ahaha."
Adeshan laughed. Muffled against his back. Memories of their time together surfaced. She'd been with him through tons since his second life began.
She's really great.
Kind, pretty, smart. Tough and resilient too.
Above all, she made him feel at home. Had he ever felt this for a woman? Probably not.
As Ronan pondered her, the dim sky overhead blazed bright. Eyes wide, he called,
"Senpai."
"Yeah?"
"Open your eyes and look up. Quick."
"Wh-Why sudden? Found it?"
"No, just hurry. Don't freak."
Ronan urged. The sight was too much. Adeshan whined as she lifted her head.
"Uwuuu... Huh?"
Her eyes widened. Green auroral veils swirled like skirt hems. The North's unique phenomenon.
But leagues beyond last night's Wraith Sea show. If that was a humble hemp curtain on a hut, this was a grand palace drape. Adeshan gasped.
"Woooow...!"
"Killer, right?"
"Yeah, really...!"
Forgetting her fear of heights, she gazed around. The aurora-lit night sea outshone any vista she'd known.
Ronan turned to watch her. Aurora light bathed her face in dreamlike hues. Wind-tossed hair was beautiful.
She's pretty.
Adeshan waved her hands as if to catch the lights. One arm around his waist. Suddenly, Ronan's chest prickled.
What?
A sensation unknown in his past life. Uplifting yet bittersweet, intensifying.
Confusing, but he knew what to do. Improv was his specialty. Gazing at her profile, Ronan spoke.
"Adeshan."
"Yes?"
She turned. Ronan reached, cupped her nape, pulled gently. Her eyes widened.
"Mmph...!"
Nothing like emergency breaths. Warmth through touching lips. Hers were dry, cracked, bloody. Ronan eyed her with half-lidded gaze.
Seconds felt like months to her. Finally parting, Ronan grinned. Adeshan's frozen time resumed.
"Ro-Ro-Ro-Ronan... What was th-that...!"
Hands clamped over mouth, she stammered. Limbs weak, voice faint. Her lower lip still tingled warm.
Face beet red, she stared. Ronan leaned in again.
"Ah... Aaaah..."
This ambush crushed her. Legs gave out; she slumped on the griffon. Too shocked to hold on.
"Just... 'cause you're pretty."
Ronan laughed. The aurora snaking south beckoned like a guidepost. The silent griffon roared.
-Whiiyooo!
The two said nothing for a while after. Flying an hour along the aurora, something alien entered Ronan's view.
"Huh?"
The battleship-sized glacier gleamed bluish-silver. Magical lights, not natural. Ronan's jaw dropped softly.
"Found it."
Had to be Aurora Scal. Ronan banked toward it. Up close, the glacier's crown was flattened—an airstrip for flying mounts. He said,
"Landing. Hold tight."
"...Okay."
First words since the kiss. Adeshan hugged his waist wordlessly. Face buried, she turned sideways. Burning aurora filled her eyes.
The surreal beauty blurred dream from reality. Fingering her lips, Adeshan beamed.
"Ahaha."
Not a dream. The circling griffon touched down on the ice runway. Rhythmic hammering echoed faintly from within the glacier.