Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Another Eclipse!
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Again! Again!
[Dea, causing a lunar eclipse!]
Kay moved his pen with eyes sparkling like a historian recording a momentous scene.
Just like the other notes he'd jotted down before, the words pressed so hard into the page that they left indents on the sheets behind.
Then, Kay suddenly blinked.
The moment he hesitated, the strength drained from his hand bit by bit.
...Something was definitely off.
Kay had been a devout believer since childhood, regularly attending the temple with his younger sibling.
From New Year's ceremonies to commemorative rites and the Four Seasons Blessing Parade—whenever the Saint appeared at official events, he never missed a chance to follow in reverence.
Thanks to that, Kay had glimpsed the Saint from afar a few times.
The Saint was always calm and impeccably composed.
In front of crowds who looked up to him, he never laughed or frowned carelessly; his words and actions were always concise, without excess or deficiency.
He embodied the ideal image of a saint that everyone envisioned.
"This is ridiculous... Daluh, have you lost your mind?"
"Daluh, he looked at us like we were crazy just for showing up an hour early."
It was definitely different from the figure Kay had observed.
Yet those images Kay had seen couldn't have been fake.
Healing his fallen sibling with a mere glance amid the procession, then flashing a faint, secretive smile—that was undoubtedly the look of a saint who loved God's creations.
The Saint, Daluh, persuaded his friends in a slow, deliberate tone.
"But come on, guys. Anyone could see that was a lunar eclipse issue."
"Oh, but... anyone could also see that it didn't mean actually causing a real lunar eclipse."
"Not a real one? That's why I could do it without guilt."
That was true.
What Daluh had obscured wasn't the real moon, and what had "eaten" it wasn't the earth's shadow—just some fake clouds.
"...Wow, Daluh, you're something else."
Laughter from the boys layered upon itself in the darkness.
Daluh laughed out loud for the first time in ages.
Kay lowered the hand holding his notebook and pen.
The Saint laughing so freely and joyfully beyond that door was calm yet vibrant, refined yet utterly free-spirited.
The boys had gathered, drawn to a faint light hidden by the moonlight.
The corner under the bed was glowing softly.
Daluh groped around and found a groove.
As he announced the discovery and pushed it aside, Bamper asked a spirit to float a tiny spark in the air.
Smiles adorned each of the boys' revealed faces.
"......"
Kay thought that maybe what they were doing wasn't training at all—just a real game.
It didn't seem strange anymore.
Boys living daily lives burdened with expectations of sainthood or something similar, gathering like this to savor this joy—it felt perfectly natural.
Kay clenched his fist.
He didn't realize he wore the same expression as Lady Rudelriz.
Lady Rudelriz cheered softly.
"Just a little more...! You can do it, hang in there!"
Whoosh—
And when the stage changed, the boys in the party hall burst into laughter once more, just like any kids their age.
A cold, salty wind flew in from afar with arms outstretched, enveloping the boys in a big hug before passing by.
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Orelot Imperial Palace.
Spring sunlight filtered warmly into the Emperor's office.
Benburo Aquilos Orelot, the supreme father of the Orelot people, was reading a freshly arrived coded missive.
His lips twisted upward.
"My son has been wearing me out lately."
Displeasure clouded the Emperor's emerald eyes.
Empress Onjameri didn't lift her gaze from her knitting as she spoke.
"Your Majesty, don't even think of saying a word to Bamper. He's my son, but I worried he'd burn himself out living like that—it's good he's loosening up."
At her words, Benburo looked a bit flustered.
He hastily refolded the missive neatly, burned it in the brazier, and smiled.
"Does the Empress still not know me? I've always thought the same as you. With Repitelips Academy's break ending soon, I was worried too, having him holed up here buried in work."
"I can see right through your grumbling about his increased workload."
"...Ah, that's not it."
Beside them, Consort Renepia—who had been teaching Onjameri the traditional Roxidran knitting technique—took a sip from her teacup.
"I'm just grateful that Count Rudelriz has become such a good friend to both the Crown Prince and the Emperor."
At the mention of Rudelriz, Benburo rested his chin on his hand and lowered his gaze.
Outwardly, there was no awkwardness in his gesture, but the two women—his longtime companions and lovers—knew he was dodging.
Onjameri added a hint of emphasis to Renepia's words.
"The Count must have many grievances toward us, yet he never shows it. Even if he didn't refuse the rewards we offered, it would ease my mind a bit. Maybe we've been misreading what he wants and giving him things he doesn't need."
"......"
"Isn't that right, Your Majesty?"
"It... might be."
"It would be nice if we could give him something he actually wants."
Focus faded from Benburo's eyes.
Before "imperial report" could slip from Onjameri's lips, he swiftly changed the subject.
He addressed Renepia, who was quietly gazing at her teacup.
"Consort, I've heard Sir Solte has been leaving the palace frequently lately. Any reason?"
Unlike her usual calm demeanor, Renepia jolted enough to make her teacup clink.
"It's just... I had some errands for him."
"Consort... Renepia. It's not good to keep sending your personal guard out like that."
Onjameri agreed.
"Yes, Renepia. Especially when you're not feeling well lately—you need reliable people like him by your side."
"...I'll follow Your Majesties' advice from now on."
Onjameri glanced at Renepia briefly before saying,
"You're still planning to join the Blessing Parade?"
Renepia nodded.
"Count Rudelriz is new to parades and even taking a key role, so he'll have much to learn. It won't be much help, but if I guide him personally, it should make things run more smoothly."
Benburo and Onjameri exchanged a glance and silently agreed to drop it.
Renepia's devotion to Count Rudelriz wasn't a recent thing. It was so open that everyone in the palace knew.
Whenever she met the Count, she'd say, "Just tell me anything," promising to do whatever she could...
No wonder rumors leaked, no matter how tightly she controlled her maids.
It was understandable.
Banda Hen Orelot,
Onjameri's second son, was an extraordinarily special child to Consort Renepia.
"...Very well, if the Consort wishes it, then do so. Just take care of your health."
Benburo gripped another incoming missive, his face weary.
*'Son, playing around is fine, but try not to make it so obvious when you gather... Do you know how annoying it is getting continental updates every five minutes?'*
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What? What are they doing?
I scanned the split screens this way and that.
Mayches's friends were still huddled in a circle, whispering among themselves with no real action.
Only I, watching, felt like my feet were on fire. You guys don't have time for this!
I picked up the mic and set it down, debating whether to urge them on or if that might just disrupt their focus.
Fishing rod. Anchor. Conch shell. Telescope. Landing net. Bucket. Rope. Mermaid compass...
Mayches's friends rummaged through the ship, grabbing anything that looked remotely useful.
The rest were duds, but the 'conch shell' and 'mermaid compass' were exactly what they needed for the standard solution.
Mayches's friends managed to activate the mermaid compass and even find the hint paper inside the conch shell. However...
[Follow the mermaid's dance and the path will open]
The hint paper fluttered beneath the compass,
Whirr—whirr—
while the compass lay abandoned, stubbornly pointing in one direction.