The Flower That Bears a Sword - Chapter 29

Translation: godsn

Truthfully, she wasn't particularly curious. Echinacea made an appropriately puzzled expression out of courtesy. She was grateful that he cared about her reputation, and above all, she owed him ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a debt from the memories of having killed him.

"I happen to know a few geniuses. Most notably, our Captain who currently resides above the clouds. We were roommates during our academy days."

She remained silent with a troubled expression, deliberately staying out of their conversation. After briefly glancing at her, Dietrich rubbed his chin and suddenly burst into laughter.

"That one's a genius too. Anyway, after observing geniuses like that, I noticed they all have something in common."

"What is it?"

"Geniuses are all crazy. And each reveals their madness in their own way. It's a world difficult for ordinary people like me to understand, so we just have to accept it. Like your outfit, for instance."

"...Is that supposed to be a compliment calling me a genius too?"

"Hey, you catch on quick. You're a splendid lunatic."

Dietrich laughed cheerfully and gave Echi's shoulders a few light pats. Whether it was a compliment or an insult—as Echi made a slightly contorted face, he winked at her.

"Well, setting aside the whole madness thing, you do look good in that dress. That's what I meant to say. You're pretty, and I like it. So let's get along from now on, Cadet Echinacea."

[That guy's going to be the next master of Lemingiosa? Lemingiosa sure has peculiar tastes.]

'Was this man always like this...?'

She only remembered his desperate appearance clearly, so she hadn't known. Unable to hide her bewildered expression, Echi retorted.

"...Sir Dietrich, you seem quite the genius yourself."

"That's an insult, right? Hey, you're pretty quick-witted! Still, thanks for calling me a genius."

Dietrich chuckled and lightly smacked the back of Baraha's head, who still wore a serious expression.

"Ouch, Sir Dietrich! What are you doing?!"

"Encouraging you to do well. Do your best. Well then, I'm off."

After stirring them up for a while, Dietrich simply took his leave. Baraha rubbed the back of his head and sighed. Once Dietrich's retreating figure had completely disappeared, Baraha turned to look at Echi. Then he bowed his head.

"I'm sorry."

"There's nothing for you to apologize for, Senior."

"I meant to help, but I was shortsighted. I didn't consider how it might affect your reputation."

"It's fine, really."

Echi smiled and shook her head. Baraha hadn't helped her because she was a "lady," but simply because she was a squire under his tutelage. Knowing his sincerity, she didn't mind. Seeing her smile, Baraha grinned mischievously and crossed his arms.

"Then, shall I keep helping you?"

"No, that won't be necessary."

Echi refused without hesitation. Not caring about rumors was one thing, but there was no need to actively spread bad ones. Especially when it involved others. Baraha chuckled and pointed to the side.

"The Vice-Captain's and my barracks will be set up over there. Come ask if you run into trouble."

"Yes, thank you."

"Well then, good luck."

After Baraha left too, Echi was left alone. She finished setting up Yurien's and her own barracks. Though she was still somewhat clumsy from what she'd learned during her probationary period under Baraha, it wasn't difficult. A little mana here and there ensured she never lacked strength.

By the time she finished setting up the barracks and unpacking her belongings in her own quarters, it was already midnight. With so many clothes and accessories, it had taken quite a while.

Finally, Echi pulled out a neatly folded cloak from her bag. A plain, deep blue men's cloak without any distinctive patterns or designs. The same one Yurien had draped over her shoulders at the fountain. She placed it on her lap and gently stroked it. A ticklish sensation lingered around her shoulders.

["That's Yurien's, right?"]

"Yes. I should return it..."

She hadn't dared to summon him for a private meeting just to return it, which was why she'd kept it until now. Clutching the cloak, she lifted the tent flap slightly. Yurien's adjacent tent showed no light. He must still be in the meeting—he'd immediately headed deeper into the canyon upon arrival, and it seemed the discussions weren't over yet.

'I should just leave it in his tent. Before he returns.'

Though they'd be in close proximity from now on, she still wanted to minimize direct encounters. After one last glance around, she quickly slipped into his tent.

Even in May, the northern chill kept the tent's fabric thick enough to block all light. Not even Eki's sharp vision—capable of seeing clearly under faint moonlight—could penetrate the darkness. Yet she didn't need to see. In such confined quarters, her senses weren't dull enough to miss another's presence.

Yurien was inside.

The extinguished lamp and her focus on the exterior had deceived her. Though Baraha led the setup, she'd been the one to arrange this tent and had neglected the interior. Moreover, a knight of Yurien's caliber could remain utterly undetectable when motionless.

Excuses. She'd been careless. Should've checked for presences before entering.

Eki froze at the tent's entrance. However quietly she'd entered, he must have noticed. Yet from within came no movement, no sound.

She only needed to say she came to return the cloak. But knowing Yurien lingered beyond the unseen darkness paralyzed her tongue. Her grip tightened on the fabric. Why did her mind go blank whenever she faced him?

An excruciating silence stretched until—movement. Yurien lit the lantern. Flickering crimson light flooded the tent.

"Cadet Echinacea."

Having called her, he didn't continue. Hesitation. His gaze drifted past her before slowly returning. The lantern's glow made flames dance in his tranquil eyes.

"...Why have you come?"

His voice was oddly subdued. Eki inhaled as if released from a spell and extended the cloak.

"I came... to return this. Apologies for the delay."

Yurien silently studied her offering. As he stepped away from the lantern toward her, each footfall made her heart pound.

He took the cloak. Their fingertips brushed through gloves—the barest contact, yet unmistakable. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Holding the folded garment, he looked down at it. His averted gaze let her gradually calm. Tension drained like sand through an hourglass.

She studied him. Bathed in near-vermilion light, he seemed warmer than usual. His lowered lashes fluttered like butterfly wings, the blue eyes beneath rippling like storm-tossed seas. His lips parted as if to speak, then pressed together repeatedly—swallowing unspoken words.

The signs were unmistakable. He was nervous.

'Why?'

Something inside her loosened. She'd never been composed in his presence—until now. For the first time, her mind grew still.

Now she saw how tense he'd always been around her. His caution was palpable, as if she'd been blind not to notice. Just as she became needle-sharp before him, he too moved with the wariness of grasping at mirages in her presence.

The silence felt excruciatingly long, though in reality, it couldn't have been more than a few moments. Finally, Yurien spoke.

"Was returning this the only reason you came?"

"Yes."

Was there supposed to be another reason? She couldn't fathom what he meant by that question. Hesitating, Eki added,

"Ah, and about the medicine and ginger tea last time... Thank you."

"...Did they help you?"

"Yes. Immensely."

At her answer, Yurien lifted his head. His eyes lingered on her, then—so brightly it startled her—he smiled. The way the corners of his eyes and lips softened so completely made her chest lurch. Could a person really smile so unguardedly? Had the recipient of that smile not been herself, she might have mistaken it for the look of someone in love.

If she stayed facing him any longer, she might start deluding herself. Had it not been for the suspicion that he might know of the erased past, of the things she had done, she would have succumbed to that delusion right then. Eki hastily turned her face away.

"My apologies, Captain. I should take my leave now."

"Cadet ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Echinacea, wait."

Yurien called out urgently as she turned to go. Eki halted, her fingers gripping the tent flap at the entrance. Her keen senses vividly registered the way his hand, which had moved as if to grasp her shoulder, withdrew without touching her. He asked quietly,

"...Have you ever encountered monsters before?"

The question felt oddly abrupt.

During the time she had been wielded by the Magic Sword, monsters had spawned in every ruin Echinacea passed through. But since the sword's purpose was to slaughter humans, she had never actively fought them.

Her familiarity with monsters came later, after overcoming the sword, during her efforts to gather Giosa. One particularly grueling experience stood out—when a Giosa had been sucked into a Node, forcing her to bathe in monster blood. Of course, as the noble lady "Echinacea Roaz," she should have had no such experiences.

"I wouldn't say I haven't," she answered vaguely.

A faint sigh reached her from behind. His voice was low as he continued,

"Many monsters have peculiar ecologies. Battling them differs greatly from fighting humans. Have you learned anything about that?"

"To some extent."

"That's... fortunate, then."

Again, hesitation colored his tone. She wondered what expression he wore but feared turning to look. If she saw that same look again, the emotions she had shattered long ago might resurface. It would be an insult to the man she had personally killed and ruined. If she had any decency left, she couldn't allow that. Eki bit down hard on the inside of her cheek.

"Cadet Echinacea. Tomorrow morning, the Subjugation Squad will split into two groups to sweep both ridges of White Crow Canyon. The central area has a high monster concentration, so after clearing the sides and resting for a day, the Giosa Owners—excluding cadets—will spearhead the breakthrough. Squires are not exempt, so you will participate in the central assault."

Yurien recited this in a stiff, rapid tone. He took a deep breath before continuing.

"I don't doubt your swordsmanship... but monsters are unpredictable creatures. I would ask that you take care not to stray far from my side."

"You don't doubt my swordsmanship? Have you ever seen me wield a sword?"

This caught her attention more than his cautious concern. Had he seen her fight since her regression? There shouldn't have been any opportunity—wasn't that why he had requested a spar? How could he claim to trust her skill?

Unable to resist, Eki turned back to face him. After ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a brief silence, Yurien answered plainly.

"I watched you during the cadet selection exam. And I know your ranking match results. You're exceptional."