Chapter 334
Chapter 334
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 334
Chapter Title: Side Story 18. Grancia's Morning
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“...Hm.”
Schlieffen sat up, rousing from sleep.
A spacious, opulent bedroom came into view.
As he glanced around, his eyebrows twitched faintly.
A faint line of dawn light seeped through a gap in the curtains.
Annoying.
It was an absurdly subtle glow—too weak to disturb sleep, carrying instead a touch of poetic charm—but Schlieffen rose without hesitation.
He drew the curtains shut, confirming the room had turned pitch black, before finally removing his sleep cap.
Better.
A quick glance at the clock showed 5:30 a.m.
His usual wake-up time, precise to the second without fail.
Suddenly, a faint ache flared in his shoulders and knees.
“Ugh.”
Judging by yesterday's exertions, it seemed like muscle soreness.
Not enough to hinder his routine, so he began his day without delay.
First, as always, checking on his family.
Schlieffen smoothed his tousled hair from the night and turned to the bed.
“Ehehe... where are you going, Aria...”
Iril slumbered peacefully.
Silver-white hair spilled beautifully over her pillow.
She seemed to be dreaming something delightful, murmuring her daughter's name with a goofy smile.
Beautiful.
Schlieffen smiled at the sight.
Ronan's sister and daughter of the stars.
The world's most beautiful woman retained her unchanged allure even as a mother, just as captivating as the day they first met.
She wore the same dark blue sleepwear as Schlieffen.
The finest silk pajamas, custom-made for the whole family.
Her lively sleeping habits had left the blanket covering only half her body.
“You need to cover up properly... or you'll catch a cold.”
Schlieffen tucked in Iril's protruding limbs.
As he gently stroked her hair, she giggled and pulled her daughter close under the covers.
Her unusual stillness suggested she was still wandering in dreamland.
Should I just let her sleep today?
Schlieffen rubbed his chin.
For him, the day began with gazing at his wife and daughter's sleeping faces.
Risky, but once asleep, the child wouldn't stir even if carried away.
After much deliberation, Schlieffen lifted the blanket.
With the delicacy of handling jewels, oh so very carefully.
It took nearly a full minute to peel it back.
“......Oh.”
Schlieffen's face hardened.
Where his daughter should have been lay a large pillow.
Uncannily similar in size to her, it bore a note: [Hide and Seek!]
He pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered.
“I've been had.”
Fatigue from yesterday had blinded him completely.
His five-year-old daughter was at the peak of her boundless energy.
Regaining composure with a deep breath, Schlieffen placed a hand on her spot.
Still warm—she hadn't been gone long.
He swapped the pillow for Iril and left the room.
Cool dawn air rushed in as he opened the door.
The mansion lay silent; servants hadn't yet begun their duties.
If she catches a cold, it'll be trouble.
Schlieffen clicked his tongue.
It was summer now.
No weather for even joking about colds, but he was the type to wish for a spell that could carry his daughter in his pocket.
First things first.
He strode to the mansion's center and called out sternly.
“Aria. It's still bedtime. Come back.”
No response, naturally.
Hide-and-seek had truly begun.
No choice but to play along.
Schlieffen sighed faintly and moved.
Study or drawing room, probably.
Destinations already narrowed; this wasn't the first such event.
Ascending to the second floor, he opened the study door.
Sure enough, far off, the curtains bulged suspiciously.
“Hmm. Not here, eh.”
Schlieffen muttered as if reading a textbook.
Catching her outright felt unfair; this was his courtesy.
Amateurish acting, but effective.
Giggling leaked from below the curtains.
“Heehee.”
Aria was there for sure.
Schlieffen's feet lifted slightly off the ground.
Precision wind magic muffled his footsteps—an advanced technique.
He wanted to indulge her more, but sleep schedules were sacred.
Gliding across the study, he lifted the curtain.
“Got you...... huh?”
Schlieffen's face stiffened again.
Where Aria should have been sat a pair of tiny shoes.
The bulge? A faint breeze from inside them.
Magic circles?
Two intricate ones etched into the insoles generated the wind.
Tiny and precise—they must have taken effort.
Wasting talent on such pranks.
Schlieffen muttered in admiration.
“The Karabel eldest taught you, huh. You've learned something clever.”
“Take this!!”
Then, a shrill cry erupted right behind him.
Schlieffen twisted his shoulder lightly.
Thwack!
The girl leaping from the bookshelf slammed her wooden sword into his former spot.
“You've gotten good at hiding your presence.”
“Dodging like that, you're pretty good! You villain!”
She withdrew her sword and stuck out her tongue.
Dark blue hair flared like flames.
Her bright, lively features, precocious for five, strikingly resembled her mother's.
Iril and Schlieffen's only child, heir to the Grancia house that split the Empire—Aria Sinivan de Grancia.
She quickly reset her stance and swung again.
“But this'll be too much for you! Puff-puff Sword!”
“Storm Sword, you mean. When did you dig out my coat again?”
Schlieffen sighed deeply.
The game had shifted from hide-and-seek to swordplay.
Aria wore his uniform coat like a cape around her neck.
The emperor's gift, crafted by the Empire's finest artisans, now swept the floor like a broom.
Not a big deal, really.
Just worrisome if she tripped.
Tap.
Schlieffen halted the wooden sword with thumb and forefinger.
Aria gritted her teeth.
“Eek! Let go!”
“It's bedtime for children. Don't worry your mother by dozing off again.”
“Uuuugh...!”
She strained with all her might, but it was futile.
Like wedged between boulders, not fingers.
As Schlieffen reached with his other hand to grab her—
“Hmph! You think I'll get caught that easily?!”
Abandoning the sword, Aria bolted from the study.
Wind magic made her nimble.
Of course, he'd let go to humor her effort—but Schlieffen soon regretted his mercy.
The abandoned shoes rolled on the floor.
What if she steps on a thorn?
He frowned.
The Grancia mansion spotless year-round, but 'what ifs' loomed eternal.
Panicked servant voices erupted from the hall.
“M-Miss Aria?!”
“Running barefoot like that, so unladylike...! Kyaa! Don't lift your skirt!”
“Wandering at dawn like this worries the madam and master! Come here... Gyaack!”
Footsteps clattered, screams mingled with Aria's laughter.
Inevitable.
Five years old, but bearing the blood of the star's daughter and Sword Saint.
No mere servant could catch her—knights, maybe.
Schlieffen emerged.
“All of you, back to work. I'll handle it.”
“M-Master!”
Servants paled.
Aria long gone from their grasp.
Ignoring them again, Schlieffen squinted.
Iril would wake soon; time to hurry.
Scanning the mansion, his gaze halted at the ceiling.
“Quick on her feet.
When did she head there?”
“Heehee, won't find me here?”
Aria giggled. Perched on the Grancia mansion's roof, legs kicking. Golden sun shimmered rising in the east. Beside her lay a spare wooden sword—prepared for such moments. Thrilling victory surged like electricity through her.
“I ditched the villain!”
Aria thrust her sword high, declaring triumph. First time atop the roof. Always tried, but caught by servants, knights, or father. For danger's sake, naturally. Then the sun crested the forest. Short shadows stretched long. Facing the sunrise, she murmured entranced.
“So pretty...”
A scene never witnessed before. Just a height change, yet wholly new. Crisp wind tousling her hair, lush garden trees, summer blooms dancing neatly. Even servants' anxious calls.
“Perfect.”
Elated, Aria beamed. Hide till hungry, then return. Next time, bring Mom and Sis Sechika. As she stretched like a waking cat— “Agreed. This spot's not bad.”
“Hweh?!?!”
Aria's heart dropped. The sudden voice beside her grated like claws on hell's cauldron—heavy, resonant. Whirling, she leaped back. A massive black tiger. Precisely, tiger head on human body, sprawled on the roof. The tiger merely lifted its head and continued.
“Judging by your hair, you're the Sword Saint's daughter. Pleased to meet you.”
“W-Who are you?!”
Aria snatched her sword instead. Crisis awakened her potential. Shaaa... A bluish aura climbed the wooden blade. Zaifa raised a brow.
“Oh? Already?”
“Who are you, I said!”
“Zaifa Tergeun. Just an old swordsman. What's your name?”
“Z-Zaifa? Zaifa Tergeun... Eek!”
The previous Sword Saint, unmistakably. Startled, Aria backpedaled. Her left foot slipped off the roof; balance crumbled. Glancing down instinctively, she gasped.
“N-No!”
The mansion vast; ground dizzyingly far. Glimpses of grim fate flashed. Should've listened to Dad! Flailing arms couldn't restore equilibrium. As both feet left the roof— Whoooosh! A gust from below shoved her back.
“Aaaah!”
Wind-tossed, Aria pitched forward. Zaifa's tail coiled around her.
“T-Tail?”
“Checking the ground is swordsmanship basics. Your father hasn't taught you yet.”
Zaifa chuckled. The plush, thick tail spared her nose-breaking fall. Suddenly, a familiar voice rang nearby.
“She's not old enough for sword lessons yet.”
Schlieffen stood beside Zaifa, now ascended. Following the tail, Aria gaped.
“D-Dad?!”
“Aria. I told you the roof's off-limits.”
Striding over, Schlieffen halted before her. Silently matched her eye level, staring. As if bidding her find her own fault in his reflected gaze. Aria drooped her head.
“......Sorry.”
“Mom will worry. Let's go back before it's too late.”
Playtime over. Schlieffen scooped her up. Gazing at her sulky face, he blurted.
“Next time, we'll come together. With Mom too.”
“Yeah. Sorry.”
Aria nodded. Death's brush suddenly felt real. Sniffling, she buried her face in his chest. Schlieffen turned to Zaifa.
“First since the wedding. What brings you at dawn?”
“Just airing out. Saw my disciple's face too.”
“North sorted?”
“More or less. That Varka mess was a big one.”
They exchanged updates briefly. Family, friends, personal and political shifts. Zaifa had quelled the chaotic north, rising as new leader. Too busy for the Empire; nearly a decade since Schlieffen last saw him. As the sun fully rose— “Talk's dragging. Come in first.”
“Nah. Not that rude. I'll set a proper date later.”
Zaifa rose. Age or hardship had silvered his fur more.
“If you say so.”
“Heh, still no second asks. Know your daughter awakened aura?”
“Finally, huh. I sensed signs.”
Schlieffen patted her back. He'd long known her talent matched or exceeded his. Sudden regret surged. Missing that dramatic moment as father. Lips pursed, he asked Zaifa.
“......Any pictures?”
“What? As if I'd have that.”
“Shame... What affinity?”
“Seemed like yours. Awakening'll confirm.”
Schlieffen's brow arched. Similar to his meant inheriting Storm Sword. The overwhelming power, rivaled only by Naviroje's omniscience. Aria now dozed soundly in his arms. Zaifa queried intrigued.
“Entrust her to me? Train from now, she might surpass you... even Ronan.”
“If she wants later. Not now.”
“As expected. Heard Ronan has a kid too—might poach there.”
Disciple utterly lacking charm, as ever. Time to go; next destination set. As his 4m frame coiled to launch— “Hey, Sword Saint.”
“Yes?”
“You look happy.”
Zaifa guffawed. An expression absent from old him. The were-tiger's red eyes held not Sword Saint and heir, but ordinary father and daughter. Yes. Mirroring his past self.
“Cherish family. Treasures beyond Empire, house, or storm-calling swords.”
“I...”
Before Schlieffen replied— BOOM! Zaifa vanished skyward. Previous Sword Saint, master of sword's zenith. Gazing at the trail, Schlieffen smiled faintly.
“Plan to.”
“Yaaawn... Good morning.”
Iril stretched awake. Clock read 7:00, as always. As she moved to rise, she tilted her head.
“Hm?”
Schlieffen and Aria slumbered deeply. Unusual; both normally up by now. Husband sans cap, daughter buried in his arms—utterly endearing.
“Hehe, must be exhausted.”
Iril smiled. Schlieffen didn't stir even under her caress. Seemed he'd overdone play with Aria yesterday. She slipped from bed carefully, sparing them. Time for breakfast prep. Draping a shawl over pajamas, Iril whispered.
“Sweet dreams, you two.”
Kissing husband and daughter, she left. Morning sun filtering into the lobby felt exceptionally warm.
Something good would happen today.