Chapter 108
The Flower That Bears a Sword - Chapter 108
Translation: godsn
Soon, dishes began arriving one after another. Each one was undeniably exquisite and delicious. As they ate and engaged in light conversation, Baraha suddenly brought up a topic.
"Eki, have you decided on a partner for the banquet on the final day?"
Though it seemed like a casual question that had just occurred to him, in reality, it was the result of carefully calculating the right timing. Unaware of his intentions, Eki answered simply.
"No. Since it's a banquet, I was just planning to attend."
At a pure ball, it was proper etiquette to enter with a partner, but for banquets that focused more on socializing, various announcements, celebrations, and commemorative events rather than dancing, it was acceptable not to bring a partner. Of course, since all banquets included dancing, many still chose to have partners. Still, there was no need to go out of one's way to find someone when there wasn't anyone particular to go with.
Baraha smiled at her answer. He peeled a lobster shell and placed it on Eki's plate as he spoke.
"Then, how about going with me?"
"Ah, thank you... Huh?"
"I mean as your banquet partner. If you don't have anyone else to go with, I'd like us to go together."
At his proposal, Eki recalled the nonsense Lancelid had spouted earlier. She had thought it ridiculous, but could it be...? Noticing the subtle change in Echinacea's expression, Baraha continued nonchalantly.
"I've never been to a banquet with a partner before. In my hometown, banquets were a bit different from here, and since coming to Agenka... well, I haven't been close enough with any female cadets to ask something like this."
"Ah..."
"I consider us close enough for this kind of request. Would it be alright? Ah, if it makes you uncomfortable, you can absolutely refuse. I just wanted to experience attending a banquet with a partner at least once."
He shrugged his shoulders. His light tone made Eki dismiss the assumptions that had begun forming in her mind. She realized she'd almost made a strange misunderstanding because of Lancelid's nonsense.
In truth, among nobles, having a partner for balls or banquets didn't carry such heavy significance. Even if you had a partner, unless you were married, you wouldn't spend the entire banquet together. It was just about being escorted in and dancing to the opening song.
Of course, it would be different if it were a banquet where you were the main figure or something closer to an official event, but while this banquet had the significant meaning of the Saintess's debut, it was ultimately more of an event to mark the final day of the festival.
'Besides... Yurien will be with Lady Diassant.'
Since they had said they would announce the engagement date at the banquet, he would undoubtedly enter with the Lady. Even though she knew the circumstances well, imagining that scene made her mood sink slightly. Emotions didn't move logically.
'Since we can't let anyone find out it's a fake engagement, I should avoid facing him. There were already strange rumors last time. Maybe having a partner would be better.'
Eki lowered her gaze for a moment before looking at Baraha across from her. Setting aside the situation and necessity, there was personal fondness, the goodwill he'd shown in training her as a squire, and the fact that he was keeping her secret. It wasn't a difficult request, and she couldn't bring herself to refuse.
"If it's Senior Baraha's request, how could I refuse? Let's go to the banquet together."
"Thanks, Eki."
Baraha smiled cheerfully, having achieved his goal.
After finishing the meal, Eki reached for the bill. But Baraha grabbed it before she could and stood up.
"Senior? I was going to pay—"
"No, of course I should pay."
"You've done so much for me, I should be the one paying."
"I'm the one indebted to you. A life debt, at that."
He strode purposefully toward the counter. Since she couldn't very well use mana to snatch the bill back, Eki followed in flustered protest.
"But we agreed from the start that I would pay?"
"You can't pay."
"Huh? Why not?"
Because then it wouldn't be a date.
"The one with feelings should pay for it to count as a date." He had no intention of letting this precious opportunity—something he'd longed for—end as merely a junior repaying a senior's kindness.
He didn't voice that thought aloud, only smiling instead. Now wasn't the time to burden her. He had a strong intuition that if he made her aware of his intentions, she would outright refuse.
"I'll pay for this. You can treat me to something else instead."
"Senior!"
Baraha swiftly settled the bill and walked out before she could protest. Left with no choice, Eki chased after him. He was waiting in front of the restaurant, grinning brightly when she finally caught up.
"Eki, you said it's your first time at the Sun Festival of Agenka, right?"
"Yes. But, Senior, what did you mean by 'treating you to something else'?"
"Just follow me first. I'll take you to the festival's highlights."
Before she knew it, Eki found herself being led around Agenka as the Sun Festival unfolded. They wandered through the central avenue lined with summer flowers arranged into elaborate sculptures, streets crowded with musicians and circus performers, and the plaza where preparations were underway for the all-night bonfire celebration awaiting the longest day of the year.
As a third-year cadet who had experienced the festival before—and as the vice-captain's squire, having directly participated in its preparations—Baraha made for an excellent guide. The atmosphere was so lively and deafeningly festive that it could intoxicate anyone. Though flustered at first, Eki soon found herself genuinely enjoying the experience.
In lieu of the meal, Baraha kept asking her to buy him various festival snacks. She had been fine with roasted game birds and honey-glazed pastries, but when he reached for a massive stick of candy and chocolate-dipped fruit, she burst out laughing.
"Senior Baraha, do you have a sweet tooth?"
"What, surprised?"
Baraha grinned, holding up an apple generously slathered in chocolate. In his large hands, the apple—normally the size of her fist—looked as small as a candy stick.
"Honestly, yes. I wouldn't have guessed from your demeanor."
"Well, start associating it now. This stuff's delicious, don't you think?"
He held out the skewered apple to her. The sweet scent of chocolate and the faint tartness of the apple wafted over—a pleasant aroma. Smiling, Eki accepted it.
The last place Baraha guided her to was Anvil Street.
Due to Agenka's legends of Giosa and its reputation as a city swarming with knights, it was also a holy land for blacksmiths. Anvil Street was where those smiths who had settled in Agenka gathered. For the festival, they had displayed their finest works all along the street. Knights and mercenaries from across the continent combed through the displays like treasure hunters.
When Baraha and Eki entered Anvil Street, the blacksmiths present immediately lost their minds at the sight of Amethyst hanging from her waist. Some even stubbornly clung to them. In the end, they had no choice but to flee the street in a hurry.
"Their eyes were practically gleaming with madness. Craftsmen, I swear..."
Wiping sweat from his brow, Baraha shot a glance at Amethyst. A white magic sword embedded with an amethyst the same color as Echinacea's eyes. Its design somehow reminded him of Langiosa.
"Eki, that sword—the captain gave it to you, right?"
"Yes. He gave it to me as a gift for becoming a squire."
"Weren't you the type to carry around cheap swords because you couldn't be bothered with maintenance? Is that one fine?"
"This is a magic sword. It's enchanted to maintain its edge and cleanliness, so it doesn't need upkeep. It's also comfortable to carry around."
Eki pointed to the belt attached to the scabbard. Simple yet elegant, it matched even a dress nicely. The white color ensured it didn't clash. It was a sword that fit her too perfectly. Baraha's eyes narrowed.
Should he ask? Or should he not? Which would be better? Would it only make her self-conscious? Casually, he tested the waters.
"It truly is a sword made for you. Do you like it?"
At that question, Eki recalled Yurien holding out Amethyst to her. His ears flushed red with nervous tension as he asked if it pleased her. The smile that had bloomed across his face—radiant as a flower given life—the moment she thanked him.
Had he known even then that she was the Demon of the Magic Sword? Knowing that, had he still forged a sword for the woman who would kill him, smiling as if he'd give her anything just for a single word of gratitude? How could anyone do that?
"...Yes."
Her answer came delayed as she lingered on thoughts of Yurien. Baraha didn't miss how Echinacea's pupils trembled in that pause, nor the unreadable expression that briefly crossed her face. In the end, he voiced the question he'd been hesitating over.
"Eki, what do you think of the Captain?"
"He's someone worthy of respect. I consider it an honor to serve him as my Lord."
"That's not what I meant."
Baraha took a short, steadying breath before asking again, deliberately keeping his tone light.
"As a man, I mean."
Eki's mouth fell open dumbly. For a moment, her mind went completely blank.
"Wh-what did you just say, Senior?"
"I asked what you think of the Captain as a man."
As a man. The emphasis on that word—on him as a romantic interest—sounded utterly foreign. Even after realizing her feelings for Yurien, she'd never considered this angle. She'd called him beautiful before, had trembled just looking at him, yet never dwelled on it deeply.
To her, he was someone too special, too radiantly noble. A person like the Holy Sword itself—something you could yearn to hold but never truly grasp. Excitement always came twined with guilt and fear. So even while cherishing him, even while growing flustered in his presence, she'd never once imagined—Yurien as a man.
That is to say—things like kissing him, touching him, embracing him—she'd genuinely never pictured such things until now.
"I... I..."
This was her first time.
His shimmering silver hair, his poetically elegant face. Those rough, large hands so at odds with his delicate features. The solid strength of his arms, the breadth of his shoulders. The way his sky-blue eyes, damp beneath long lashes, would fix on her. His faintly trembling lips.
If those lips touched hers—
The moment she imagined it, heat rushed from her chest to the very tips of her hair. Baraha watched as she turned scarlet and began stammering.
"Wh-why would you ask that?!"
"...Never mind. It's nothing."
No verbal answer was needed—Echinacea's burning cheeks spoke plainly enough. Instinctively, Baraha understood: she held feelings for Yurien.
'So it's mutual, then? Damn it all.'
Worse, his question had clearly made her conscious of something. He shouldn't have asked. Regretting it internally, he hastily changed the subject.
"Eki, it's about time we head back to the central square."
"About time for what?"
"The fires to await the sun through the night will be lit soon. It'll be worth seeing. Let's go."
Unnoticed, dusk had fallen. Crowds gathered around the massive pyre prepared before the central square's fountain. Lost in their separate thoughts, Eki and Baraha joined them.
They found Lancelid—who'd spent the day exploring Agenka—along with Alice's family and even Fatima's relatives, all gathered to watch the lighting. Pleasantries were exchanged. When Alice's eight-year-old younger sister (a late-born child) hid in terror from Baraha's beast-like stature, it drew light laughter.
As twilight deepened, magecraft flames like miniature suns rained down from the sky alongside paper charms and flower buds.