Chapter 86: Sign of rain

About half an hour later, the moon moves a little and the amount of light coming in through the window changed. Raquel-san and the others are concerned about me, that I also need to rest, so they tried to gently lower Presha-san from my lap. Shortly after that, Presha-san’s eyelashes trembles and her eyes opened slightly.

“Hmm……”

“I’m sorry, did we wake you up?”

“Fu- ah?… w-what? I, before I knew it …Grass-sensei, everyone too… uh…!?”

Presha-san gets up in a hurry. And when she noticed me nearby, she flops down on the bed and hurriedly fixed her hair and corrected her sitting posture.

“You said that you want to put Grass-sensei’s bed in this room. But…, I somehow thought that you said that to counter Knight Captain?”

 “T-That’s… I didn’t expect Sensei will come here, besides, if I know he would come here I would have cleaned up the room…”

“…You have changed after all. After Grass-dono came, you became a lot more cheerful.”

As Raquel-san said that, Presha-san’s mouth repeatedly opened and closed repeatedly  ―unable to refute it, her face turns bright red while Dite-san covers her mouth as she giggled.

“From now on, I think I’ll be able to get closer to Presha. Well, we were told at the Training Academy that knights should not get used to each other though.”

“…I, I’ve always respected Raquel-nee… as for Dite-san, I thought of you as a good companion, you know?”

“Yes, me too. It’s nice to be recognized as such, isn’t it?”

“Presha, calling me Raquel-nee……”

Maybe because she was embarrassed, Raquel-san tries to correct Presha-san’s way of addressing her. However, when she glanced at me, she cleared her throat.

“…Let’s leave that matter for now. How are you feeling Presha?”

“Eh…? Uhm- Well, I’m really fine… ah…?”

Raquel-san’s eyes widened –well, that’s because a tear ran down Presha-san’s cheek.

“…I …I feel like I had a very long dream … uh, R-Raquel-nee…?”

As she approached Presha-san, Raquel-san hugged her from the front. She couldn’t contain it, such feeling was also conveyed to me who was watching them.

“It will be good if the dreams you are about to have from now on will be about the future. Presha…”

“…Yes. That’s what I’m also thinking about. When I grow up, I may not dream that much…”

“What are you talking about? You’re still at a young age. You should get flowers from Grass-sensei and sometimes have a good dream and sleep.”

Leslie looks at me and tilts her head slightly ―as if she’s asking, “what’s with the flowers?” I took out a flower bulb and I asked it to produce some flowers.

“This is a “Night Flower”. If any of you or your subordinates has insomnia, I think if you put them on your bedside, you will be able to fall asleep better and sleep deeper.”

“…It’s a lovely flower. This… Grass to Dite…”

“Grass-sensei can’t be underestimated either. If he’s just that, Leslie wouldn’t be so calm, wouldn’t she?”

 “Uh, I… It’s only because I should be in a position where I can heed to Grass-sensei’s…”

“Grass-sensei seems to be more relaxed if he finds out that you are looking after him as “Leslie” rather than as “Lendl-san” you know.”

“W-Well, that’s right… Anyway, insomnia can become the source of all kinds of illnesses. I think it’s time for everyone to take a rest in preparation when morning comes… W-Why are you grinning?”

Raquel-san and Presha-san are looking at me while grinning. Even Dite-san and Leslie ―it’s good that they are happy, but it’s uncomfortable seeing them grinning like this.

“Summoner-sama, your face is bright red. Are you shy?”

“…That’s surely the case. Just watching him like this is a little fun.”

“Laune and Rei… I’m thankful that you guys were worried about me but it’s time for you, kids, to go to bed right?”

“I want to sleep with the Summoner-sama today! Let’s prepare for an important battle!”

At dawn, Astina-denka will make a decision ―when should we move?

This is different from the past, where this fortress was only devoted to defense. From here on, we will strike and attack Zirconia’s base ―Raquel-san and others will also fight on the front line.

What can we do? We need to discuss that again ―what can we do by having the three spirits, spirits of plants, air, and water join together? We have to uncover that to the maximum.

　◆ ◇ ◆

We returned to the medic’s residence and opened the door of our room. Right after that, Noin, who was at the desk, stood up and went over to us.

Noin is wearing a sleeping gown that is provided to prevent you from getting cold after the bath. As a water magician, she seemed to be able to magically remove the moisture from her hair after bathing, and her hair was smooth and dry.

“Grass-sama, please pardon me… I was thinking of staying inside the room and wait for you but a medic came to call me saying that the bath is ready…”

“Oh, there’s no problem with that at all. Keep yourself as warm as possible so that you won’t get cold… Uhm, first of all…”

Noin had her hair tied up with a string and she looks different than usual. In addition to that, she was wearing the glasses I use when I’m looking at the medical records.

“Noin-san, it belongs to Grass-sensei, so using it without permission…”

“Ah… S-Sorry. The light in this room is a little weak so it’s hard to see the letters without glasses…”

Since Noin was also supposed to assist me in my duties as a military doctor, I asked her to read the “guidebook” about first aid and long term care that I was in the process of writing myself.

Since my priority is to have them contribute as a magician, I thought it would be their first time to actually study as an assistant. When Noin takes off the glasses and returns them to me, she looks at me with something like a tickling look. Even I, who is slow at times, can understand it. It was a gaze full of respect.

“I can’t believe this book was written by Grass-sama… The words were so carefully written and easy to read, and the more I read it, the more it gets inside my head.”

Noin seems to be feeling bubbly, and her tone is mixed with a tone that is typical of her former self. From my point of view, she’s an honour student at the Academy, and since she’s my predecessor, it’s more comfortable for me that she’s speaking to me on equal terms rather than with her being so respectful.

“Because the content is dense, I’d like to take the time to read the rest carefully. But, I know that there’s no such thing as “absolute” in a battle.”

There’s no way I can go home alive. Noin’s eyes, which converse that, have a resignation that cannot be ignored.

―At least at the end, I want to die the way I want.

―I’ll going to tell them that I am not a tool. I’m going to show that those who only saw me as a “woman” who listens to anything they say.

At that time, Noin was still being consumed by the dark spirit and obeyed the Zirconia Army against her will.

I don’t have the right to know about how she felt in everything that she went through.

Noin’s words do not contain sadness and she seemed determined to accept whatever happened in the battle. Thus, while we still have time now, she intends to read the guidebook. Like how I told Presha-san, I also have to tell Noin.

“There is no such thing as absolute…. Surely, that’s what fighting is all about. Still, fighting to live should give you a better chance of survival than fighting to die.”

“….I think it’s exactly as what Grass-nii had said. We all have to go in the same direction…. Noin-san too….”

Noin didn’t respond to Leslie’s words for a while. I thought it wouldn’t be strange if she said it’s just an ideal theory.

―But, I was wrong. Noin sighed, then she relaxes her shoulders and her expression softens.

“….It’s the first time someone said that to me. Even if it cost our lives, Court magicians were told to die with a smile for the sake of the kingdom.”

Court magicians, who sometimes lead soldiers ―they are the pinnacle of magicians in the kingdom and are given great authority, but they also have great responsibilities.

I only joined as court magician at the last seat and I don’t even know who the highest ranking magician is. My stepsister didn’t tell me to be prepared to die, but for some people it’s only natural to be prepared for that.

“…There are only a few magicians who can deal with one army, but they are treated as someone who can be discarded.”

“Among the court magicians, the positions are clearly divided by the level. Except with the command of His Majesty,the king, those above the thirteenth rank will no longer be enforced. Jorg Frost, who placed that spirit in me, belongs to that.”

“In order to enter the 13th rank… or, did he join the second queen for him to raise his status as a court magician…?”

Noin did not affirm or deny Leslie’s reasoning. Maybe Noin also thought that Jorg’s principle of action lies in his desire for power.

“For such reason, to Noin who’s only newly appointed he…”

“…I also longed to be a court magician. I can’t use that as an excuse, I too refused to think seriously about it. Following the high-ranking magicians is for the kingdom’s good… that’s the way I thought…”

Noin tries to embrace her body. Her light blue hair drapes on her face and covers her eyes. She had been made to obey Jorg and the Second Queen in order to satisfy their private desires, believing that she would be good for the kingdom. Acting resolutely does not erase the events of the past. Hate, and regret –such things will always continue to torment a person’s heart repeatedly.

“….If you’re having a hard time, I hope you can tell about it to Grass-nii someday. It can also be me or someone else you like to speak to… If you’re willing to work hard for this Order, we……”

“That’s right…. We are comrades. You might think that we are just saying that because you’ll feel good listening to it but….”

When I said that, Noin wordlessly takes my hand. Her hands are cold –but the heat gradually returns as I touch it.

“…I’ll be troubled if the “worrisome” woman increases…. but, if you’re risking your life, it will be better to do it for yourself or for those who you want to protect.”

Before I knew it, Noin’s body had stopped trembling. Besides using medicine and magic, there are other things that a doctor can do. If Noin relies on me, I have to stand firmly on the ground.

“…That worrisome… you’re talking about me, right?”

“N-No, I didn’t think like that… Noin isn’t worrisome, that’s what…”

“As a fellow woman, I also have my own thoughts. Well, it can be because of my intuition working…. I’d like to come back alive and talk more about those things with Leslie. Mainly, about Grass-sama.”

In the end she still uses honorific titles when talking to me –it seemed that she’s doing not to overly thank me but because she wanted to do so. Even if that’s the case, I don’t feel that comfortable though.

　◆ ◇ ◆

Eventually, morning came.

I was called by Her Highness’ maids and I headed alone to Her Highness’ residence after breakfast. I have just completed the “spirit mark” of Her Highness so she wants me to check her condition.

Soara and Karin invited me into Her Highness’ room and then they left. As I want to see the flow of magical power, I asked Her Highness to sit in a chair without a backrest. She then turns her back on me, and undresses. It was necessary and I was so nervous that I didn’t realize how I asked her to do it.

“….Grass. Before we attack the Zirconia, I will go to the town’s assembly hall in Wendell and talk to the Mayor. I also sent a messenger to the Reinfeld family last night.”

The Reinfeld family –a powerful family that unites the peasants on the Western Teritory. Their patriarch, Hartner-san, was ill, but I sent Laune to treat him so his condition has now greatly improved.

If we were to attack Zirconia in this situation, the Reinfeld family’s stand point might be to oppose it. Instead of forcing an attack in such state, maybe Her Highness is thinking that we should let this proceed in a logical manner through their sense of obligation.

“Understood, Your Highness. Your Highness had said that you would hold a war council at noon, but, will you be back by then?”

“I intend to. I will try to get them to understand, but if it takes some time to persuade them, returning to the fortress may be delayed. Still, I don’t think it will be late until evening.”

As I listened, I confirmed that there was no stagnation in the flow of magical power without touching Her Highness’ skin –the spirit marks drawn all over her body were responding to Her Highness’ magic power by themselves.

“How is it…..? My body felt a little bit on fire when I’m sleeping…..”

“Your Highness can bring forth a really enormous amount of magical power….. The sacred tree has spread its “roots” in this western territory and is being revitalized by the supply of Your Highness’ magical power. Even after doing so, I believed that there is still a surplus in you magical power.”

“I see, it’s like that huh…. Would I be able to suppress it a bit more if I took a lesson from Grass and train as a magician?”

“I, me teaching Your Highness is…. that will be very impertinent of me.”

I learned the basics of spirit magic, but I learned it almost in my own way from practical skills. Wouldn’t it be strange if I teach people just like that?

But as if to say something, Her Highness looks back at me over her shoulder. Since her bare chest are firmly hidden by her hands, there’s no danger even if she twists her body ―but for another reason, she makes me feel like pushing my hands on the floor and apologize.

“…..Is there really no way for Grass to teach me?”

I never imagined that Her Highness would have such an expression on her face.
She’s sulking –No, did she feel dissatisfied that I didn’t accept her request?

“T-That’s not the case at all. Your Highness can use magical power to strengthen your body and furthermore, I don’t think there is anyone else who has such spirit mark…”

“If it’s not impossible, then teach me. It’s fine with me if you teach me after this war ends without problems.”

It’s clearly a command but she used such soft tone –I’m more helpless to this way than being bluntly told to.

 “…Do you think it’s irresponsible to make promises even before the battle is over?”

When Her Highness goes to battle, she also prepares for it. No matter how transcendental she may seem, even Her Highness is not certain that she will survive so she is also anxious. However, Her Highness will never show it in front of her subordinates.

For her to show that to me… I am more than honoured by that, above all, I must respond to Her Highness’ heart.

“No. Although it’s presumptuous of me, by all means, please let me do so. Please allow me to teach Your Highness the basics of spirit magic.”

“…Yes. However, I’m the one requesting you to do so. You don’t have to be so formal, Grass is a “sensei” after all.”

After she puts her clothes back on, Her Highness stands up –in the sunlight that’s starting to shine through the window, her standing there without armor is so graceful.

And when Her Highness approached the window and looked at the sky, she looks at me and said,

“It will rain by this evening. Around this fortress… and, on the Zirconia’s side too.”

Her Highness’s words suggested that the attack on Zirconia would be carried out today. I don’t feel any sign of rain looking in such blue sky. But since Her Highness’ said so, there’s no mistake in that―because as a shrine maiden, Astina-denka received that oracle from Yuserish herself.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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