A Pillar's Kind Invitation
Just moments before his meeting with Lan and Jubern, in the Western King's Capital.
Because of yesterday's attack, the Western Capital had suffered considerable losses of life and property. The recovery operations were in full swing.
The hazy smoke that had blanketed the sky, the screams and traces that had painted the battlefield like war itself, had all been cleared away. Slowly, the city was returning to its former appearance.
Injured almost to the point of death on the battlefield, Jubern sat on a chair and recalled the fight against the monsters while standing guard at the city gate.
In the midst of a disadvantageous situation, he had charged in. After cutting down two of the beasts, he had been overwhelmed by their concentrated assault and, distracted by Haru and Teraden, his stamina had drained away in the blink of an eye.
In the end, he had been forced to leave the battlefield after receiving a fatal blow.
Thanks to Teraden's release, he had landed a lucky strike on the leader of the monsters, and with the arrival of the Seven Pillars, the battle had finally ended.
'If the monsters had charged at me instead of them, and if the Pillars had not intervened... my life and the lives of those monsters might have been completely reversed.'
“Huu… It seems like, since this is my first time, I still fall short in many ways.”
“Jubern, might I borrow a moment of your time?”
After reviewing his actions to some extent and organizing his thoughts, the bandaged warriors came before Jubern and greeted him.
They were none other than the soldiers he had fought alongside against the monsters the last time.
“What is it?”
Jubern rose from his chair and warmly welcomed them.
“It is nothing more than a thank-you message from us. Without your help, we would not only have failed to defeat the enemies and protect them, but we would have been wiped out. We express our gratitude here.”
In thanks, the warriors bowed their heads. Jubern quickly waved his hands.
“Jubern? Such a title is far too much for me. I have merely done what was necessary.”
“Hah… Hah! Jubern! Thanks to you, we were able to keep our lives… Hah! Thank you!”
A soldier, leaning on a crutch and nearly crawling forward, gasped with great effort and delivered his thanks.
“Heh heh, how thoughtful. Bringing your sore bodies all the way here just to give thanks. If you had not held on, I would not have been able to either. I thank you as well.”
A few days ago, there had been an unfortunate incident at the gate, but thanks to fighting shoulder to shoulder for their lives, a deep bond of camaraderie had somehow blossomed among them.
“Ah! Jubern, we have come for two reasons. Thank you, but there is one important matter.”
In that warm atmosphere, after exchanging greetings with the others, the front soldier whispered to Jubern.
“What is it?”
“Actually, the Seven Pillars wish to see you. That is why I came to escort you, but these friends insisted on coming along too. Hah! Anyway, I will guide you.”
“Is that true? The Pillars? But I am supposed to be on guard duty here… what do I do…?”
As he tried to wave for an escort, Jubern scratched his head with a troubled expression. The gazes of the other warriors naturally turned toward the senior soldier.
“Then brother! Let brother handle the guard duty in Jubern's place for a bit!”
“What?!”
“Brother is still the most well, right? Look at us. We are all missing some limbs, aren't we.”
“Um… hmm…”
The senior soldier looked around and wanted to protest, but no words came to him. He simply opened and closed his mouth repeatedly.
“Understood, brother? Jubern! From now on, I will be your guide. This way!”
“Oh my, this is a great relief. Please watch over things in my place for just a short while.”
The Seven Pillars, whom he had always admired from afar, had personally called him. Right now, Jubern's mind was completely blank.
The senior soldier could not bring himself to speak when he saw the Deer-eyed Jubern, who was like his savior, looking overjoyed.
'No matter what, I still have some seniority…'
Thinking of meeting the Pillar, Jubern hastily handed over all the supplies needed for the mission to the senior soldier and left with the remaining warriors.
“Eh? No, wait!”
The senior soldier, who had received the supplies in a daze, looked at their departing backs and muttered blankly.
“Why did I…?”
* * *
“Y-Your Majesty! We greet the great Pillar of the continent!!”
“Ah…”
The hand that Lan had extended floated in the empty air without making contact.
“There is no need for such formality. Please rise.”
“Y-You are the Pillar, yet you honor me like this…”
Lan, feeling awkward about not shaking hands, withdrew his hand and helped Jubern up with some embarrassment.
“Hmm? Weren't we at the gate a few days ago? I remember it was recent.”
“Yes, yes. I truly committed a grave sin at that time.”
“No. I did not come to inquire about your crimes. In fact, I wanted to come meet you myself, but I had to stay and protect them, so I had no choice but to come here. I hope you do not take offense.”
“Your Majesty! How could that be!”
“Thank you. Shall we walk and talk for a while?”
“Understood.”
Jubern followed behind Lan.
The two of them walked side by side through the grand palace grounds.
A small, cozy garden buried in snow.
The Pillar and the lowly soldier walking together.
Normally this would be an unthinkable sight, but because Lan did not care much for appearances, no one around made an issue of it.
The clear sky, as blue as if no clouds existed, blinded the eyes. The sun high in the heavens shone upon all things without hindrance.
The snow covering the entire world reflected the light, making the already bright world even more dazzling.
Flap, flap—
A small bird perched on a thin branch flapped its wings, and a handful of snow danced softly to the ground, adding its weight.
Taking a deep breath, refreshing and cool air filled his lungs, awakening his mind.
“Your achievements have been widely known. Even when the Four Pillars arrived, you protected them and inflicted serious wounds on the presumed leader of the enemy. Truly, you have accomplished a great deed.”
As Lan spoke, his words came out with visible breath.
Although his tension had eased somewhat, he no longer stuttered like before, yet even with such praise from the Pillar he had long admired, something in Jubern's heart did not feel quite right.
“No. If I had been strong enough to defeat him, you would not have been injured.”
“Do not blame yourself. You are strong enough even now. I am grateful that you were able to protect them because of you.”
“Thank you.”
“Hmph. How old are you this year?”
“Yes, I have reached adulthood this year.”
“To have reached such a level at adulthood. Considering the opponent you faced was a viscount, this is quite an impressive achievement.”
Lan subtly encouraged Jubern and set the stage for the real purpose.
“It would be a waste to keep you as just a gate guard. How about taking on the position of escort commander protecting the Four Pillars?”
The completely unexpected offer left Jubern's mouth hanging open. He stood there dumbfounded.
“Um… I am truly grateful, but may I ask just one thing?”
“Of course. Please go ahead.”
“I would like to know why you are making such a proposal.”
“The greatest reason is your great deed. Moreover, in a situation where your life was in danger, your courage to join the battle without hesitation was truly exceptional.”
Receiving the stream of praise, Jubern felt ashamed and his face turned red.
“Now that I have given you the answer, will you not reply?”
Lan urged him, asking for an answer.
It was an uncharacteristically rare side of him.
“At that time, I heard it clearly. The Four Pillars said they were from that clan. That they would kill them at all costs. Is that true?”
“Yes. That is correct. Is it troubling you that you might have to fight alongside that clan?”
Lan was extremely nervous that Jubern might refuse.
“No. It does not trouble me… Actually, I am afraid. Of course, it is not my own life I fear losing. It is that I will not be able to protect them because of my shortcomings.”
'Oh?'
Hearing Jubern's honest reply, Lan made up his mind once again to make this friend one of Haru's people.
“Although I wish to accept the Pillar's offer, I am a lowly being with nothing to offer. If you had not intervened, I would not have been able to protect the Four Pillars, nor even my own life. I am truly grateful for your words, but the position is far too much for me… I am sorry.”
'Huh? Wait a moment. This is not it? It was going so smoothly… why did it suddenly turn out like this?'
Taken aback by the unexpected refusal, Lan could not accept reality and flailed his arms like a broken robot while stuttering.
“Um… That is… huu… How surprising I did not expect to be rejected.”
“...I am sorry.”
Seeing Lan struggling, Jubern pursed his lips, feeling truly sorry.
The clenched fist, filled with hatred for his own weakness, trembled.
“I am the same. Countless people have thankfully regarded me as the Pillar and respected me, but I am also a lowly existence. I too felt a great surge of power recently.”
“The Pillar would not say such a thing.”
Jubern thought Lan was deliberately saying these words to persuade him.
“No. This is not flattery. If, after listening to my words, your mind remains unchanged, I will not press you further. I said I felt a great surge of power recently.”
Lan’s voice and eyes were straightforward and sincere.
“I am also a body full of shortcomings. Humans… can never be perfect alone. Humans must be together to become strong and perfect. So I ask again. I need your strength. Will you not become one of the Four Pillars by my side?”
'By your side…'
His heart pounded painfully fast.
Clench.
His clenched fist gained strength once more.
'The Pillar made the same offer to me, a mere nobody, twice. After saying all that, how could I possibly refuse!'
Listening to Lan’s calm persuasion, Jubern’s eyes, which had been somewhat dimmed, changed in an instant to those of a fierce beast.
Seeing that, Lan secretly cheered inside.
'It’s done. It’s all over.'
Finally, Jubern knelt on one knee before Lan and gave his final answer.
“Understood. This humble servant Jubern will lend his meager strength to you.”
“Well thought! Truly, I am grateful!”
“I am now a person of the Pillar. Please lower your tone when speaking to me.”
Jubern, who had always been treated with respect by Lan, showed a somewhat uncomfortable expression.
“Hahah! Was that uncomfortable? I see. Then how about calling me brother? That would make it easier for you.”
The embarrassing suggestion made Jubern unable to lift his head.
“...Lord.”
“Hahah! I see. Then let us go greet them together.”
Lan laughed heartily and helped Jubern up.
He lightly patted his shoulder and turned around.
A broad, trustworthy back.
The back he had always admired and wanted to resemble, the back he had always wanted to follow. Now he could follow behind it. Jubern wondered if this was truly his dream.
After a while, he came to his senses and silently began to follow at a respectful distance behind Lan, smiling faintly.
A gentle wind, uncharacteristic of winter, wrapped them in a warm embrace.
A refreshing, joyful whisper that he would never forget for the rest of his life.
This was the meeting of the two Pillars, destined to be recorded in the annals of history.