[V10C12] Walking Aura (Princess)
Translated by Jodas 10: A Job for a Con Man“You know, I went and borrowed a book from the Library Office today.”
“Oh? What kind of book?”
“This one. Sophie recommended it.”
Finn took out the book he’d borrowed, hitting Julius with a wave of nostalgia when he saw it.
Long ago, before he became Samuel’s son, Samuel had lent Julius this same book.
It was an adventure novel so exciting he couldn’t stop his hands from flipping to the next page. Julius, a poor little boy at the time, read and re-read that book more times than he could count.
“That’s a good book you’ve borrowed there.”
“Could I use some of your lantern light?”
“Sure, I don’t mind.”
After all he’d tutored him, Finn was now finally able to read books.
On top of that, he’d got his hands on the book that had captivated Julius all that time ago.
When he felt himself fill with an indescribable joy, Julius had a thought.
—Hey, Samuel. Is this how it felt when you lended books to me?
(…Looks like I at least got a little sleep.)
Still wrapped in a blanket and holding his knees to his chest, Julius rubbed his eyes.
It seemed that, as he was sitting there zoned out, he’d dozed off at some point.
Due to his underground escapade two nights ago, the Monster attack last night, and the continuing crises ever since, his body hadn’t had nearly enough rest.
Even though he used to be able to sleep just about anywhere back in the day — back when he was a drifting orphan.
The other Apprentice Mages locked in the same room as him; Rose, Gerald, Roswitha, and Sophie; all looked anxiously towards Julius. They were trying not to disturb him.
Rose was the Thorn Witch in his home country; Gerald was the younger brother of the Margrave of Warmberg. Yet neither of those facts had the impact on Julius that learning Finn was a Monster had.
(…Was it all a lie?)
‘It definitely wasn’t.’ Julius was sure of it.
At least Finn’s dedication was real. He looked truly delighted when he first learned to read and write.
Julius took pride in giving Finn, who always had such low self-esteem, a little bit of ‘self-confidence.’
It had felt like he had succeeded in passing on the knowledge that his father Samuel had given him.
(…What am I supposed to do now?)
The reason Julius had studied hard and come to the Wedge Tower in the first place was to find out the reason behind his father’s exile.
But now he knew that reason.
He could have gone on to seek revenge, but he couldn’t even bring himself to be angry at anyone.
If he really had to pick someone to blame, maybe he should direct his hate at the Monsters whose presence made ‘Chariclea, the Wedge Tower’ necessary.
But he knew Finn.
Finn was a gentle, courageous, courteous, and simple boy. Julius couldn’t hate him.
His father was dead. Finn had betrayed them. Agniol had lost her form.
He could hardly even figure out how to stand up.
His thoughts grew hazy. When he closed his eyes, wondering if he would doze off once again, a powerful voice rang in his ears.
“Everyone, I’ve kept you waiting long enough! I have returned, feel free to rejoice!”
The walking aura, which was to say Sevil, threw the door open with aplomb and marched into the room.
Behind her trailed Tia, Wren, and Rukiye. Out in the hallway, he could see Ella furiously bowing at the man who’d been on watch.
(The guys who left are back…!)
Sophie was the first one to rise to her feet.
Her pink eyes welled up with tears and she dove towards Sevil.
“Waahh! It’s Sevil!! Sevil’s back!! Tia and Wren, too~!!”
“Piyopp! I’m back!”
“The pretty boy has returned!”
Tia and Wren were full of energy. Behind them, Rukiye muttered softly.
“…Hi, guys.”
“Rukiyeeee!!”
Her face already covered in tears, Sophie now latched on to Rukiye.
Rukiye pushed at her forehead to try and make some distance between them.
“Hold on! Don’t get that snot all over me!”
“That reaction means it’s the real Rukiyeeee!”
Once Sophie’s antics had settled down a bit, Sevil took a look at each person in the room.
“Roswitha, I heard you fought well last night.”
“… I couldn’t compare to the Primordial Beast. … I couldn’t land anything on him.”
Roswitha just about whispered her reply, then bit her lip.
Yet Sevil addressed her with her chest held high.
“First, take pride in the fact you survived. You need only learn from your defeats and try again as many times as you need. In just that way I have sought every opportunity to take my brother down.”
After casually exposing the violent truth of the Imperial Family, Sevil then walked over to Gerald.
Gerald sat properly with his back straight. Beneath his long bangs, his eyes trembled.
“Gerald, I must apologize. I discovered your identity. I’ve already told Wren and the others about it, as well.”
“…Ah, um, well…”
“I won’t pry any further. Although there is one thing… If you ever fear that your brother will be too harsh on you, don’t hesitate to ask for my support. I can be of great help to you, can I not?”
Sevil gave him a wink, then turned to Rose.
“Rose, well done protecting everyone in my absence.”
“I did end up getting sealed at the end, so sorry about that~.”
“No matter. We can account for that in our plans. Oliver isn’t here, but at least we’ve managed to avoid losing anyone… no.”
Sevil cut herself off, then whispered softly.
“…I’ve heard that Finn was a Monster. I ask all of you: has Finn bared his fangs at any of you?”
Everyone aside from Julius shook their heads.
Sevil looked at Julius.
‘Stop that, don’t look at me. Don’t talk to me.’ Julius screamed in his head.
“You look terrible, Julius.”
“……”
“Don’t have the energy to keep up that false confidence of yours?”
She was right. His father had always told him “Even when you’re not confident, smile.” Yet now even lifting a single finger seemed too daunting a task for him.
Sevil leaned over, grabbed Julius’ chin, and peered into his face.
Then, the Black Lion Emperor’s sister smiled voraciously like a lioness.
“I see. Your face tells me you’ve reached the same conclusion I have. We’ve both suffered much thanks to our troublesome fathers.”
Those words caused Julius’ body to move on its own.
His whole strength went into throwing Sevil’s hand off from his chin.
His brows raised in fury and indignation.
“Don’t you dare… Samuel…”
His throat began to speak before he could think.
“Dad is NOTHING like your father!!”
“Yes, you are absolutely correct.”
Sevil stood herself straight up and, with her chest puffed out as always, looked down on Julius.
“Bear with me for a second, Julius. You know by now, don’t you? The reason why the Wedge Tower cut off ties with the previous Emperor — my father. And how your father Samuel is involved.”
The others in the room were confused, unable to follow the conversation.
Sevil pointed a finger at Wren, and asked him:
“Wren, tell us how the previous Emperor — my father — is viewed by the populace. Without reservations.”
“…Without reservations, really? I don’t want you giving me the death penalty for disrespecting the Imperial Family when I do.”
“I won’t. Now, say it.”
Wren’s lips twisted in discomfort. Then, he exhaled from his nose, steeled his nerves, and spoke.
“…He loved women and hated war. He was passionate about art and archiving, but thanks to that he busted the budget. To avoid war, he would sell off land like it was nothing…”
“That part.”
The mood in the room chilled with Sevil’s short remark.
“The previous Emperor was a man who had no issues selling off any land that could be the cause of conflict.”
It was said that the Empire had a tradition of alternating between war-loving and war-hating Emperors.
And in fact, the Emperor before last was a warlike one who was obsessed with expanding the nation’s territory. He triumphed in the war against the neighboring Kingdom of Ridill over fifty years ago, and doggedly pursued invasions to the south.
But the Emperor who came after him — Sevil’s father — hated war.
“It would not be strange at all for such a man to consider letting go of the Crystal Territory. Perhaps he tried to sell it off to someone like the Kingdom of Darwock to the North?”
Sevil gazed down at Julius with her purple eyes, and declared.
“And it was suggested by your father, Samuel Löwenich.”