Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Travel (2)
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The journey to Aonia was straightforward but spanned an enormous distance.
First, we'd head to the magic circle linking the Empire to Aonia. After arriving, it was on to wherever the Sword Empress happened to be.
It would be quite the trek, so I resolved to finish my preparations in short order.
Incidentally, the family hadn't sent any official notice to Aonia.
Father said the Sword Empress despised such formalities.
Showing up quietly, without drawing eyes, would boost our chances of an audience. So that's what we'd do.
"This should about do it."
I surveyed the items I'd gathered for the trip to Aonia.
My sword for combat. Lightweight yet tough leather armor suited for long journeys and self-defense. Coin for a comfortable stay in Aonia.
And finally, the letter of introduction from Father, tucked safely in my bosom.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow, we'd set off for Aonia.
I probably wouldn't return for quite some time.
The travel alone would eat up days, and once there, I needed to train properly before coming back.
Was it really fine for the ducal heir to be away like this? Well, Father trusted and supported me, so no real issue.
If I grew stronger, it would only elevate House Leonhart's prestige.
My only concern was—
"What about Ariel?"
I fretted over my little sister, left behind alone.
The Cluster of Stars gathering was two years past, but I knew how lonely she'd felt then.
Father had specially prepared magical letters for us to talk, yet she still looked so isolated.
So if I left the estate for Aonia again, I could already picture how hurt Ariel would be.
Knock.
Lost in those worries, I heard an odd sound.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
It was Ariel's voice.
She must have been right outside my door, whispering, yet it came through clear as day.
"Can I come in?"
"Oh. That was your knock earlier, huh? Sure. Come on in."
"Okay."
The door opened, and Ariel stepped inside.
Come to think of it, how long had it been since she'd entered my room?
When we were little, she'd often play here, but as she grew, I'd always gone to her room instead.
Chatting in my room like this? It had been ages.
"……."
Ariel furtively glanced around my room.
She clearly had something to say—I wanted to focus on that.
But her eyes kept drifting to the familiar sights.
Her dilated pupils scanned every corner, as if committing it all to memory, never to forget.
Then she pattered over in quick steps and climbed onto my bed, sitting down.
"Oppa."
"Yeah."
"You're heading off somewhere far, aren't you?"
Whoa.
How did she know my situation so well?
"Where'd you hear that, little sis?"
"I didn't hear it. I just knew."
"Man, I really can't hide anything from you, Ariel."
"Of course not. I know everything about you. I can tell just from how you walk, the expressions you make, the way you talk."
"……."
Was this affection... or stalking?
Ariel fidgeted with her fingers.
She seemed to have words bubbling up but was holding them back.
Hesitant, maybe scared.
I decided to affirm it first.
"Yeah. You're right. I've got to go somewhere."
"Where?"
"Aonia. In the eastern lands. Pretty far. If I go, I won't be back for a while."
"……."
Ariel's lips quivered.
I'd planned to wait for her to speak, but I had something to say first.
"Ariel."
"Ah. Yeah?"
"Wanna come with me?"
"……?"
Her eyes flew wide.
She stared up at me like she'd heard something unbelievable.
I ruffled her hair gently.
"I was gonna go alone again this time, but... I dunno, I just want to take my little sister along."
"……."
"Ah, if you don't want to, no pressure. I'm not gonna drag you. The trip's gonna be a hassle. Long and boring."
I explained how it came about—searching for a worthy sparring partner, Father recommending the Sword Empress, her being in Aonia so that's where I had to go.
After hearing it all, Ariel bowed her head slightly and murmured.
"……I didn't expect you to bring it up first."
"Huh?"
"I was gonna ask, but I was scared you wouldn't hear me out."
"Ah, got it."
Yeah, I'd always kept her cooped up safe and sound till now.
She must've figured this time would be no different.
Seeing that made me even gladder I'd spoken first.
I didn't want to worry her.
Besides, I've got plenty of reasons to take Ariel now.
Three, to be exact.
First: plain guilt from leaving her behind at the Cluster of Stars.
How bored she'd been, chatting by letter.
And the agony she must've endured when I nearly died fighting the Bloodied.
I couldn't leave her this time. Purely personal.
But that alone wouldn't justify taking the family heiress outside.
Second, more rational: the previous prophet's words.
Ariel's inhuman nature had bloomed because of me.
And correcting it was my job.
Back then, I'd vaguely thought of travel as the fix.
Now opportunity knocked—no reason not to.
Though, if I'm honest, the real crux was third.
Father had said to stop by Mother's on the way.
Maybe just paternal worry, but...
If I had the chance to see Mother, Ariel had to come too.
Ariel's never met her.
Mother had fallen gravely ill right after birth and left for foreign lands.
Ariel had never laid eyes on her own mother.
I saw that as fueling Ariel's inhumanity.
How could a child grow normally without knowing her mother's face?
So I'd hoped for just once, one meeting.
With Father's request and a legit pretext for Aonia, now was the time.
"It's fine. I'm sorry I left you alone last time, so come with me this time."
"Okay."
"And when we get there, you'll have a surprise encounter that'll blow your mind."
"What is it?"
"I'll tell you when we arrive."
I could've spilled it, but I held back.
Didn't know if she truly missed Mother or wanted to meet.
No sense upsetting her equilibrium prematurely.
"In exchange, I've got a favor to ask. You have to promise."
"Yeah. I'd even die for it."
"Whoa, nothing that extreme. Just... listen to me out there."
"I already do."
"Silly. If someone picks a fight or approaches me, don't get all bristly. It scares the hell out of this big brother every time."
"……."
Ariel paused, then after a hesitant beat, replied.
"Okay."
With resolute eyes.
"I'll keep it. No matter what."
Dawn broke.
I boarded the family carriage and departed.
Destination: the magic circle to Aonia.
Gripping Ariel's hand tight beside me.
**
Aonia was famed for the mystical power inherent in its very soil.
Its pristine air and water benefited the body, but more than that, the land's energy mended wounds of the soul.
Especially ideal for those scarred by the occult shadows of the hidden world.
No place better for such healing.
Thus, Aonia often served as a sanatorium for the gravely ill.
Particularly for noble ladies like the wife of an imperial duke.
"Cough!"
A spurt of blood followed the short cough.
The woman who'd expectorated it slumped weakly onto her sickbed.
Ashen hair like charred ashes. Matching weary eyes.
It was Gerard Leonhart's wife: Ash Leonhart.
"Madam. Are you all right?"
A healer approached as Ash caught her breath.
Her personal physician held a single letter.
Sender: Ash Leonhart.
"Yes, cough. I can... bear it."
"That's a relief. Your condition's worsened lately. I've been quite worried."
"No... cough! I can still... hold on."
"Are you sure we shouldn't contact your family?"
The physician gazed at Ash with pity.
Her state wasn't improving.
No, it had steadily declined, then plummeted into critical territory recently.
Ash Leonhart's affliction: "hidden world poisoning."
A disease where the body perished from harboring far too much of what no mere human should.
Even top remedies could only stall it.
Until now, Ikimizu's exceptional treatments had sustained her.
But even those were losing efficacy.
Shouldn't we send word now?
The physician urged contacting House Leonhart to bring her home.
Let her pass in her family's arms.
But she refused.
Not to cling to life longer.
She feared returning would derail her children's paths.
"It's fine. Cough. Kline, Ariel... they're all walking their own roads well. If I... haah... went back now, I'd only burden them."
"……Understood."
The physician nodded gravely and produced the letter.
"That said, I must inform you of this. A letter from your family."
"What...?"
Ash's eyelids fluttered open with effort.
Meeting her gray eyes, the physician read aloud.
"House Leonhart is sending people. Your son and daughter. They have business in Aonia but will make time to visit the sanatorium."
"Hah...! No... way."
Ash's brows trembled.
She didn't want to see them.
Of course, she yearned desperately for Kline and Ariel.
Her son, with whom she'd shared just five short years.
Her daughter, parted from at birth.
She longed to behold their faces, call their names at least once.
But I can't...
Her existence was a threat to them.
Learning of their mother's state would plunge the two, thriving so far, into torment.
That's why she'd hidden her worsening illness—
"Please... don't come... cough! Cough!"
"Quick! Get the medicine!"
Ash's body lost balance.
Her inner turmoil shook her physically.
The physician called for the healer with the remedy—and Ash's eyes finally closed.