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Chapter 44: Lighting the Darkness

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Reaching a rather remote forest near the lagoon, I cancelled my Light Blending.

I was careful with my mana signature, for I wished to be alone. Krone was busy with his forty recruits, so he likely did not notice me. Well, he ignored me most time anyway, only after giving me the ring did he treat me a little better.

Just a tiny bit.

Going out alone without saying anything, I would probably worry Kristine. But I was no child, no need for her to worry, yes?

My legs were a bit shaky, I put my hand on a large oak tree.

My whole body was trembling, I just had no idea why. When I heard Krone’s answer just now, my feeling was welling up, as if boiling inside.

Movement, huh?

He told them the same thing, the very same thing that man told me. Damn it! Now I know why, every time I saw the boy, I thought his image overlapped with someone.

During the test, I just had no idea who.

Or rather, I could not believe it.

I had always put a certain distance from everyone else.

It was not like I was arrogant or anything. I just had no one to confide anything with. I held no one close, no more. But damn! His existence, reminded me of him, I finally realized. Was that why I was attracted to him? At the same time, easily angered by him?

So much so, I even got a nightmare?

…

I sighed, a rather long one.

I eyed the green amulet, shining on my right hand.

Let’s do this, together.

When he extended his hand to me back in the academy, I had this peculiar feeling. Was it excitement, or was I simply glad? At the time I just thought, it was a feeling that this might be fun.

Recalling it again, his voice and Master’s, overlapped.

Don’t worry about the residue, I’ll find another way.

Remembering Krone’s words, I pursed my lips, trembling.

I knew. He was clearly telling me, he needed me, no more. The image of my Master, all disappointed, flashed within me.

...

Wind blew my blond hair, the strands seemed to form the image of someone.

I clenched the hand holding the amulet.

“No more! I have nothing to do with you!”

My mouth and heart shouted.

Raising my hand high, my teary eyes gazed over the sea’s horizon.

“I-hate-you!”

I threw it, with all my might.

The green amulet flew towards the horizon. Sparkling in the air, it splashed the water open. From where I stood, the green color kept getting dim. Tears in my eyes, I saw it falling deeper into the shallow sea.

I was gasping.

Was I frustrated? How unbecoming of me.

…

“I’m a knight.”

Yeah, this lady’s a knight, not your squire, not anymore. I had nothing to do with you disappearing, not contacting all these years, not even a letter, not a piece of news. Dead or alive, I had nothing to do with you.

I had nothing to do with you being disappointed!

Damn, you… I don’t care anymore.

I turned away, breathing heavy.

My hands still trembling, I turned towards the resort. I was so sleepy, I needed rest.

At that time, I did not even noticed, a lurking shadow.

"Lady Natalia!"

"...Kristine,"

I met Kristine on the way.

Clear concern on her face, anger too. Sweats on her forehead and neck, it seemed she was looking for me for awhile. She caught my left hand, supporting me.

"How could you! You worry me to no end!"

When we arrived to my room, she chewed me well about my going outside, not notifying her.

It continued for a good ten minutes. Un, this girl was really something. Me, ten years her senior, could not refute her at all.

Well, she did that out of concern, so I was too lazy to say anything.

I pretty much nods my way out.

…

After a little hot soup as lunch, I heard some commotion outside.

Seemed like a delivery had arrived, prompting me to come out. Several men came, bringing in a magic-inscribed desk, along with three large crystals, each with a magic platform. Each crystal had small holes and inscriptions etched on its surface. Seeing the men setting the whole thing up around them, the forty could not help but be interested.

They pretty much murmured;

“The hell’s that?”

“Crystal sound system, never seen one?”

“Have you seen one this big?”

“What’s this for?”

The three crystals were placed to three sides surrounding the recruits, as if a triangle.

It was a crystal sound system. Krone had ordered the highest quality one. It had to be prepared first, so the whole thing took almost four days to arrive.

With my senses getting a little better, I closed in. I was curious, wondering whether he would use this for the training. Arriving with it, were orb recordings. In front of the delivery man, Krone checked.

Each of them was small, all six fitting well within his palm.

His voice reached me;

“Bright Stars, March to Victory, Strength of a Knight, Against the Tide, Unsung Heroes, Reason Why… Eh, only six? You can’t find Kill Them All and Absolute Resolve?”

“W-well, it’s not like that. You must know Kill them All is forbidden by Ministry of Culture. We tried to procure it as exception, but they said it was too extreme.”

“Extreme? Those ancient artifacts think they know what’s extreme, eh. A pity, I’ll just have to make do. What about Absolute Resolve?”

“I’ll have it delivered as soon as we got it. It’s quite an old one, so,”

“I see, thanks for the good work,”

It seemed he wanted to use these recordings along with the system.

Silly me, of course he would. It was quite normal to use music during war games to boost morale. As soon as he got them, he channeled mana into the magic desk, then put one of the orbs into one of its holes.

Tu-tu-tuu-tu,tu, tuu…

The rhythm kept on beating slowly.

Soon, sounds from more musical instruments joined in, the sound of whole orchestra filled the surrounding beach. The few other visitors seemed shocked, in a pleasant way.

The whole music was invigorating. Lyrics came, relating about the past and present, and how it all connected. And how, amidst the challenge, the hardship, the unstoppable tide, there were benefit, gain, treasures of equal and even more value.

From then, Krone had everyone play dodgeball.

The main rule was that movement must be in Air Sliding only. Those who broke this rule would be punished. Another difference from normal, was that there was not just one ball, there were a ball for everyone!

There would be reward for the top four and punishment for the bottom four. Hearing this, everyone seemed pumped up. Not sure whether it was for the reward or to avoid punishment, but somehow my feeling told me each of them preferred not becoming a victim.

It was rather chaotic, but it looked like fun, somewhat. The girls were doing quite well despite their early blunders.

Hm, what a weird training camp.

Too bad, I was not in the mood, I didn’t stay long. Maybe around thirty minutes.

Meh, the music was not half bad though.

Against The Tide

The past and present

All relations

Making up all our life

Memories of past

Sweet and bitter

Trained us to be better

Amidst challenge

Under hardship

Through unstoppable tide

Always a gain

Always a benefit

Treasures of equal

Even more

Perceive the past

Better the present

Know yourself

Take action

The tide shall retreat

The bitter shall be sweet

So step up your feet

Cause beyond hardship, your needs.

…

Somehow, the music and lyrics, rang within me.

It was as if the whole song, was directed to me. Did he really choose this one song a few days ago? Did he expect me hearing this?

…

Hah! Such foolish thought, crossed my mind.

It seemed, this lofty knight, still had childish thoughts.

I laughed, mocking myself.

I tried to ignore the inspired looks of these youngsters, turning to return to my room. Yet the next music being played, I just could not ignore.

I halted my steps.

‘Reason Why’

There are times

I ponder why

You and I

The fun we had

The pain we get

The moment we shared

Each other we cared

There exist reasons

For every action

For the nation

Or personal aspiration

The higher purpose

Let it all expose

For misundertanding paralyzes

Even most noble of us

It was simple lyrics, yet timing of the music was impeccable.

Somehow, it touched me. Myself shook, tears started to well up.

The fun, the pain, the moment, each other we cared.

I could not shake the lyrics away from my mind, my senses picked them up very well. It repeated itself within me, no, that boy kept repeating the same song!

...The forth time.

The fifth!

The sixth!

Why?

‘Is he torturing me, getting back at me?’

Such thought crossed my mind.

Yet;

There exist reasons

For every action

For the nation

Or personal aspiration

That got me into thinking.

Just what reason he was doing this? Krone, why did you do this, this troublesome thing? Mind your own business!

And as if answering my questions, the next lyrics;

The higher purpose

Let it all expose

For misundertanding paralyzes

Even the most noble of us

…

Misunderstandings.

That one word did not escape my mind.

My mind no longer thought of Krone, but someone else. With my legs weak, I returned to my room. On the way, I was breathing heavy. Did I become somewhat weaker?

“There you are!”

Kristine saw me.

She pouted, trembling as if she was about to burst in fury. Aii, I can’t blame her. She only went out for awhile, and I already did this for the second time today.

“Lady Natalia, at this rate, I really have to bind you on your bed!”

So she said.

Kristine was mixing up some herbs into the soup.

She said it would provide more energy for the body, freshened up the mind or something. It smelled good, but as for the taste, I was not so sure.

What I was sure, was that regarding Krone’s affair, she did not know the details.

She seemed like the innocent type, one still did not know the darkness of human heart. Well, I was no expert, but I had experience at least.

I asked her about how much she knew about Krone’s intention, and I confirmed my suspicions. It was not like I was trying to find Krone’s fault, I just, well…

After chatting for a bit more, I asked her;

“Why aren’t you pushing him, for answer?”

She looked at me, blank.

It was as if my question was something she never pondered before. Her eyes went up, seemingly considering how to answer.

“Well, there are some things not meant to be said.”

“…By that, you mean?”

“I mean, I understand, that even if he told me plainly, I wouldn’t understand.”

“Wha? D-don’t you think, you at least deserve explanation?”

“Um, not really. I’ve been with him since he’s a baby. He only said things that ought to be said, perhaps that’s because of Dad. He thought us well.”

She started to talk about their father.

It piqued my interest, so I tried digging out for more. It seemed the memory of being with their father and mother was rather interesting one. They travelled a lot during their childhood.

They faced a lot of danger, yet strangely, they felt secure.

“There’s this time we were chased by the horned bear. That thing’s huge!”

“Ah, yes. It could reach four metre, I recall.”

“At the time, whenever we were falling in our stamina, Dad would pick us up, and then rushed to the front. Then put us down and urge us to run, ha,”

“Eh? Does that mean, your father, he could,”

“Yeah, I know. He could outrun that bear even with us on him, no doubt.”

She smiled wide, seemingly proud of their father.

I just could not understand. Why would a father put his children in harm’s way? I asked her of this. She shrugged it off, as if it was nothing.

“Most likely he wanted us to realize something,”

“Realize, something?”

“Um, there’s a lot of things words couldn’t explain, but, after some time thinking about it, it makes sense.”

“…W-what, why?”

“He wanted us to realize, we ought to be better. To be able to take care of ourselves, to realize how disastrous it would be if we could not take care of ourselves. There’s always a reason for his action. Seeing Krone now, he’s just like his father. So when he didn’t say why, I figured I should just be patient and ponder why myself.”

“But that’s… Isn’t that too, um, I just can’t say…”

“Trusting?”

“Is that the word? I know he’s your brother, but why would you trust him just like—”

“I trust him. His action explains a lot of things. I just need to be patient and think it over. If it’s not making sense, I’m most likely missing crucial information.”

“…”

What she had shared, kept bothering me for some time.

I did not want to care anymore, I was too tired. After she helped me change, I rolled on my bed. It did not take long, I fell asleep.

High up in the air, we passed through the clouds.

Riding his dragon, Master and I entered a city's airspace. A really large city. Well, I was not riding.

I was unwell, pretty much lying down in front of him.

How many years was it?

Through the sky, I arrived to Saint Aurenburg for the first time. I did not know why, but Master had summoned an old knight he once knew. He did not tell me the specifics, but it seemed he was leaving me here, for God-know how long.

“I’ll leave her in your care, Sir Medron.”

“Leave it to me, Your Excellency. Please be careful,”

“Hm,”

He turned to look at me.

At the time, I could not even get up, but I was no longer throwing up or refused to eat. My sight still a bit hazy, so I could not see his expression well. It was all a blur, yet I knew he was looking at me.

What kind of expression did he make?

I couldn’t—

…

The higher purpose

Let it all expose

For misundertanding paralyzes

Even the most noble of us

“Huh?!”

I woke up, abruptly so.

I was gasping. Tears flowing down my cheek, I couldn’t comprehend.

Why? Why am I feeling this way?

…

I checked my chest, then my surroundings.

Under the pillow? No… On the table, no. Perhaps under the blanket? No. Then the side of the bed? Maybe under?

...

No… not anywhere.

Where? Where was it?

Did someone steal it? No, not possible. I couldn’t calm myself, searching for it. After turning everything upside down, only then did it cross my mind.

I threw it…

I flung the door open, some bells rang loudly. They were not there before, but I paid them no mind. My mind was elsewhere.

I headed straight to the lagoon. As if possessed, I slid through the air.

The sun was resting on the sea, bloody red sea. Nobody was here, I was alone.

It was late, but again I came here, a lagoon barely separated from the sea. When I undressed, I realized I forgot to bring my swimming suit, but I didn't care. Lingerie would do.

I took a dive, keeping my eyes open for the bottom. Thankfully the water was rather clear, I still could see well down here.

Fishes kept steering away from me, clearing my line of sight. The shallow lagoon was only three to five metres, but I couldn’t find what I was searching for.

I kept going for the edges of the lagoon, for perhaps I threw it much further than I thought.

Every few minutes, I went up, splashing the water’s surface.

‘Darn it, where?’

I dived again. I was sure it must have fallen around here.

After awhile, I got frantic, frustrated even.

Again I came up, eyes still on the bottom. The sunlight kept getting dimmer, the sun almost took the day off. It seemed His Majesty would not wait for me.

“Noir Arkh,”

I used my Light Base to conjure light, consuming my mana. Light came out from my hands, aiding my sight. When I dived, the light lessened.

I kept on searching, and before I knew it, darkness was all around me. Yet I still could not find it. How long have I been here?

Has it been two hours?

The water was cold, so I kept circulating my mana to keep myself warm. My stomach grumbled, I ate too little before.

My muscles were revolting, I was stretching myself.

Even then, I did not consider my limit.

‘Where, where? Darn it!’

I bit my lips. What was I doing? Searching for something I threw away, something I... did not want anymore. Then, why was I searching it so anxiously for?

Why? Why did I bother?

Under the water, engulfed by darkness.

All anxious, all alone.

'Why should I care?'

Ah, I almost choked myself under the sea. When I was asking this, his voice came, disturbing me.

I stopped moving, just floating under.

Your body’s clean… It’s like it’s been cleaned before.

‘Shut up,’

If he didn’t care, he wouldn’t bring you there.

How irritating, this voice!

‘Shut up!’

As I was protesting against the voice, I noticed something.

The depth of the lagoon was deeper than before. When, wait, how was it possible? As I wondered, current passed through me.

That was weird. This was a lagoon, so how could a current… As I thought of the possibility, I realized I had been out for awhile.

‘The tide!’

As the current passed through, I went up. Yet as I did, the returning current pulled me into the sea. This was the worse. I was at the edge of the lagoon, too.

‘Ugh, this pressure!’

I could not think straight, I fought against the current. That was foolish of me. No matter how much I struggled, it still pulled me towards the sea. It sucked me through a shallow, no, deep opening into the deeper depth.

As I was pulled in, I felt despair.

I was a knight, yet I could not fight against a little tide?

No, did I become arrogant, thinking a tide could not overpower me?

I wasted my strength fighting against it, after a moment, it finally stopped.

Yet it was no good. I already entered the deeper sea, I was anxious. Not many knew, but I hated the deep sea! The darkness, the mystery, the thought that something might lurk around…

I shuddered.

I strengthened my Noir Arkh, light illuminated the sea, covering many metres. Seeing my surroundings, I was glad. Nothing around, all good!

Though at that point, I was struggling to go up.

I wasted too much energy against the tide. In addition, I was reaching my limit. I needed air.

Again, current came.

This time, knocking me from the back. That shock, my mouth opened. I lost what little air I was holding in.

Yet I thought, it did not matter, it was barely five metre to the surface.

After the current was no more, my hands and feet moved—

My back, I sensed something.

KRUU--

Something plowed through the water, as if an arrow being released.

I shifted my body!

Kaa!

I was pushed aside.

It was big, brushing by. No hesitation, I activated my Aurelian Arte, aura covered my body. I dared not stayed, so I was going up.

Yet I could not move.

More correctly, my right thigh stuck. No, something was holding… Something thick, and long.

As I feared the worse, I turned around, its origin.

Two round objects from the depth of the sea, reflected my light.

‘…Crap,’

Two large eyes, stared me from the darkness.

Darkness, infinite darkness, backing a large silhouette.

Against this little light.

=Chapter 44 ‘Lighting the Darkness’ End =