Festival of Silver Dust and Iron Blood (6)
I'd always thought that the me before regression and the me after were different people. Unlike what the princess of the fallen kingdom had called me—a man who had done nothing—now I was living each day to the fullest.
Father had changed. In the past, he'd grown terribly weary and exhausted after intimacy with Mother. After Letar was born, he might never have touched her again. All to fulfill his role as the Margrave of Gibraltar.
Lingering too long as one woman's husband would dull his edge in crises, so he'd chosen to become the gorge's guardian. But now? Even if the canyon crumbled, Father would gladly pleasure Mother for her sake.
And the biggest change of all was Mother. Thanks to her transformation, I could truly recognize how different my life before and after regression was. Their intimacy had been restored, resulting in Ruby—a new life.
In every way, I was convinced: the person before regression and after was someone else entirely.
So why does the emperor still want me dead? I'd once posed that question to myself. The past emperor and the current crown prince held different positions. Even knowing all their actions were steps toward conquering the kingdom, the outcomes could still differ.
Astasia was the same. I'd never equated the Astasia before regression with the one after. Post-regression, I'd merely harbored guilt for failing to protect her, hoping she'd live more comfortably here in Gibraltar.
But in this moment, I realized it.
Ultimately, a person's core doesn't change. Unless someone undergoes an extreme experience like regression, like me, their fundamental nature remains the same, whether before or after.
I figured human temperament solidifies around the crown prince's current age. But even a fully grown tree sprouts from a single seed, its roots delving into the earth. That tiny seed grows into a mighty oak—its essence unchanged.
I'd realized it now.
"Astasia."
"Eh? C-Calling me by name so suddenly is a problem…?"
Astasia frantically scanned our surroundings when I said her name.
"I-I mean, even if no one's around to hear…!"
"Of course. Do you think I'd fail to notice something like that?"
The others were already out of earshot. Truth be told, it didn't matter if they heard. Only those who could hear were nearby, and those who'd be endangered by it weren't.
"It's the greatest gift."
"R-Really?"
"Yes. To the point where I'd stuff away the gift I prepared, cut off a lock of my hair, and give that instead."
"Th-That's for later!"
"Later?"
"Yes! R-Right now, it'd be too short and ugly if I cut it, so, um…."
Astasia reached behind me, mimicking tying my hair into a ponytail.
"If you grow it out like some nobles do, then let me cut it for you later. That'll do, right?"
"I could cut it for you anytime now."
"Oh, come on. Do that. So, go on!"
Astasia spread her arms wide with a beaming smile.
"Give me the gift you prepared!"
"Demanding it so boldly, with eyes full of such eager anticipation—it's troubling."
"You made me expect it, so I hope it's meaningful, given all my hard work?"
"In that case… this."
It was about time.
"It's a rare peaceful day, so now seems the perfect moment to give it."
"Timing…? Ah?"
Whoooosh—
"The fireworks have begun."
A red firework burst with a bang against Gibraltar's night sky, into the dark void.
"Wow…."
"I wanted to show you from the canyon, but it's a festival, after all."
"Fireworks like that… from the canyon?"
"Why not? It's not like the canyon's collapsing."
Everyone in the square gazed up at the fireworks. Some wished upon them, others clasped hands and swore oaths, and some exchanged gifts, promising tomorrow.
"Princess."
"Eh, uh…."
"First, this."
I pulled a handkerchief from my pocket and placed it in Astasia's hand.
"A handkerchief…?"
"I made it myself."
A gray handkerchief, but at its center, purple and sky-blue embroidery intertwined.
"…Isn't this usually something a woman gives?"
"Usually, yes. But won't men start giving you theirs from now on?"
If she ever hesitated on whether to accept one….
"If that happens, just say you already have one and don't need it."
"Hmmm…."
"Think whatever you like."
"I might misunderstand?"
"Is that what you think it is?"
"……Hmph, fine. So, what's the second gift?"
"As expected, quick on the uptake. Unfold the handkerchief?"
"Let's see… Eh?"
"A gift certificate."
Tucked inside was a white paper the size of an imperial thaler.
"Gift certificate…."
"Flip it over?"
"…Grey Gibraltar 1-Hour Free Use Voucher?"
Astasia read the front, then looked at me with a hollow laugh.
"You're seriously giving me this?"
"If I'm gifting, it has to be the most valuable thing. And nothing else I own comes close."
"Yourself?"
"Yes. Am I wrong?"
Astasia shook her head, stroking the voucher—1-Hour Free Use.
"No, you're not. Can't just slap a price on it. …Ah?"
"Exactly. It's essentially a blank check."
"Can you really give me something like this?"
"I'll only do what I can, so don't complain later if it's 'Why not this?'"
"Hmph…. Ah, that's the most important part!"
Astasia waved the voucher back and forth.
"No expiration date! You know imperial vouchers usually last a year? Without it—"
"Everyone would abuse it, like festival-goers do."
Like creating an opening in a knights' duel. Offer it yourself, get stabbed, and you're a fool—but counter and win. Sometimes, taking the hit is victory.
"No expiration means the holder sets it freely."
"…Ah?!"
"One hour of my life, used for you. Princess. No expiration."
I refolded the handkerchief neatly.
"Keep it safe. Think about where to use it."
"Ugh…. This is tricky. Holding it means I'll agonize over when."
"Every time you ponder, you'll think of me?"
"Wow. Is that the goal? Should I use it quick?"
"The one and only bond, never to be issued again."
"Wow! Too much!"
I had no plans to make another.
"But a bond? I don't owe you anything, Sir Grey."
"I think you do, quite a bit."
"Hmmm…. Buying an hour of your time for a single strand of hair. Feels like I'm getting the better deal."
Astasia clutched the handkerchief to her chest, face serious.
"Like… hoard it for a year—no, seven years, then claim it with massive interest?"
"As you wish."
"Wow, really? Compound interest? Ah, this compounding…."
"Compound per imperial legal rates, or usury—use it whenever."
"……I might've gotten too big a gift."
Astasia turned away with a soft smile.
"Sigh, really. I only gave a strand of hair."
Bang—
The fireworks burst.
"…Is that the third gift?"
Gray, purple, and sky-blue fireworks bloomed in sequence.
"No. Just something I ordered from the start."
Golden and green followed. If explosion magic couldn't tweak colors and shapes, I wouldn't have hired mid-tier mages as fireworks crew.
"Like it? I prepared three gifts."
"…No, still short one?"
"Greedy."
"You said there's one left!"
Astasia approached, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"What is it? A kiss on the hand, maybe?"
"I could do that every morning, special day or not."
"…So close! What a loss!"
"That's why I said so from day one. Shame."
Can't rewind time.
"I can flip the casino hourglass, but not turn back time."
I'd returned, but not by my own hand.
"Instead, I'll make the future one where you can smile freely."
"……"
"I've done so until now, and will continue."
If my thinking had shifted….
"Just planning to act more boldly, enough to earn recognition."
Even if I met the princess of the fallen kingdom again, she'd stab my heart and rage, "Someone who could do this—why not sooner?!"
"Festival's winding down, so let's enjoy the finale in comfort."
"Eh, was that the third?"
"No."
I drew a bauble from my pocket.
"Truthfully, this one's a bit embarrassing to give."
"Embarrassing?"
"A ring, bought at the festival market—no ring box."
First time giving Astasia a ring without a proper case.
"Couldn't carve one from scrap wood, and prepping ahead—"
"You wanted to surprise me?"
"…You're always glued to me, yanking my collar if I try sneaking out at dawn, using me as a pillow."
"Hehe. Sorry. Should've let go those times I snuck out?"
"On purpose?"
"Kidding. Would I? Unconscious, in my sleep. Unconscious."
"Sure."
I produced the ring.
"Princess. Dwarves excel at weapons, which means mastering metals intricately."
"No way…?"
"And they once gifted the guardian dragon gems for protection."
"That's… this ring?"
"Yes."
I'd scanned antiques without much hope, yet miraculously snagged a gem.
"Seller didn't know its worth—his loss."
"Whoa. Looks super vintage? We call it that in the empire."
"Worn outside, but…."
I channeled mana into the ring on my palm.
"…An artifact?"
"Just ornamental. As you see, only glows in dark."
Gray mana traced its flaws, softly gleaming.
"How'd you spot it?"
"Looking for mana-holding items."
Simply put, as margrave, I'd amassed thalers from antiques.
Artifacts pay.
Collectors burn fortunes just to hoard history.
One sold for more than a day at the dragon stable.
With the canyon open, relics flowed to the empire—thalers all mine.
"Sell if you're broke. To the right buyer, at least 100 million."
"100 million gold…? Can you give something so pricey?"
"No. 100 million thaler."
"……?"
Astasia tilted her head, then….
"Pfft! You do jokes too?"
"Sound like one?"
"Obviously! Even a ring can't be 100 million thaler. Such a braggart!"
"Is that so."
Of course.
This one's real, the mate's fake.
Paired them, but one's a exquisite replica.
Teases collectors, but value needs the pair.
Dwarven ring to Nostrum's guardian dragon—worth only as a set.
"On second thought, maybe not quite 100 million."
"Right? But…."
Astasia extended her left hand.
"It's from you, so if I say it's worth that, it is! Gifts are what the receiver feels!"
"Always the same line."
"Huh?"
"…Keep saying that, and next time I might give junk."
"Hehe. You wouldn't, Sir Grey."
"…Yes, Princess."
I took the ring.
"Indoors, I'd kneel—but forgive me here."
And slid it onto Astasia's finger—
"This is my—"
Bang!
As brilliant fireworks exploded.
I tackled her before I realized.
Startled, Astasia tried flipping me, but her eyes reflected a growing fireball.
Something pierced my nose amid her scent.
Incense.
Mana stone dust amplifying fire magic.
Malice. Murderous intent.
And the scent amplifying it further: Silver Dust.
BOOM—!!!!
The explosion magic's embers didn't fade—they engulfed the festival square.