Chapter 67: Icy Memories (Part 2)
Since that day when Noel saw the golden aurora, his life, which had been devoid of “waste,” became filled with much “waste.”
He learned the joy of spending days with someone who touched his heart.
He learned the anger of seeing someone he was drawn to being insulted by others.
He learned the sadness that a cherished person held in their heart.
He learned the pleasure of envisioning a future with a beloved person.
These were surely things that the former Noel would have dismissed as “waste.”
But for the Noel who had met her and changed, this “waste” was unbearably precious.
“So this is where you were.”
Noel called out to his fiancée, who was making a snowman in the church’s garden, where small footprints covered the snow. She raised her hand with a radiant smile, her white breath visible in the cold air.
“Ah, Noel!”
At thirteen, Liatris’s smile and mischievous nature remained unchanged from when they first met… No, to Noel’s eyes, she seemed even more captivating than before. If there was a significant difference, it might be the hair ornaments Noel had gifted her, adorning her beautiful long black hair. Additionally, her height hadn’t improved much.
“Were you looking for me, by any chance?”
“The dorm head asked me to.”
“Oh no. I thought I could get away with it for a little longer.”
“You’re being watched, and you have countless prior offenses. Next time you sneak out of the dorm, you should be a bit more creative.”
“What a naughty prince, advising me on how to escape. Are you sure it’s okay not to stop me?”
“I’ve learned all too well that I can’t stop you.”
Her free-spirited nature showed no signs of waning even after entering the academy, and she had become something of a minor celebrity.
She had faced unkind words about her black hair and eyes more than a few times. However, the girl named Liatris never lost her inner radiance, as bright as the sun. Noel found her strength dazzling and endearing.
“Haha… I’m always causing trouble, aren’t I?”
“I don’t mind. I don’t dislike being swept up in your pace.”
This was his honest feeling.
Her actions were full of “waste,” but that “waste” was now precious to Noel.
Moreover, it wasn’t as if the dorm was entirely comfortable for her.
The students’ aversion to black hair and eyes was still deeply rooted. While they might not say anything openly due to her position as Noel’s fiancée, there were inevitably places beyond Noel’s sight. Unfortunately, it wasn’t clear what words were thrown at her or what kind of looks she received in such places.
“…If anything, I regret not preparing even a single bouquet to bring when visiting my fiancée.”
“Haha, it’s fine. I’m not really the type for flowers anyway.”
“…That’s not true.”
To the current Noel, Liatris was a very attractive woman, and he genuinely believed that a bouquet would suit her. How adorable she was. How beloved she was. Though he couldn’t express it straightforwardly, this was absolute.
“Ah! It’s Noel!”
“Really! Lord Noel!”
Children came running from across the garden, and in no time, Noel was surrounded by young kids.
“Noel! Let’s race! I’ve gotten even faster!”
“That can wait! Lord Noel is going to play hide-and-seek with me!”
“Hey, Noel! Let’s play knights instead! Teach us how to swing a sword again!”
“I want to see Lord Noel’s magic once more! The really pretty one!”
The children bombarded Noel with their selfish requests one after another.
Though he smiled wryly at the energetic children, he never brushed them off.
“Alright, alright, we’ll do everything in order… But first, let’s take a break. I brought some snacks today.”
“Snacks!!!”
When Noel showed them the package, the children’s eyes lit up all at once. Noel’s face also broke into a smile at the children’s pure and dazzling reaction.
“Hehe. Noel, you’ve really become fond of children, haven’t you?”
“Hmph. It’s not like I particularly like them…”
“Sure, sure. You’re blushing. You’re just not being honest~”
Smiling wryly at Liatris’s teasing words, Noel led the children into the facility attached to the church, where a robust middle-aged Sister stood in front of the children.
“Hey, you lot! Before entering the house, clean off that dirt first!”
“Aww, but we want to eat the snacks quickly!”
“Any child who says that won’t get any snacks!”
The Sister’s words had an immediate effect. The children quickly went to clean themselves up.
“Phew… Really. I’m sorry, Lord Noel. It seems those children have caused trouble again. And today, they even received snacks.”
“It’s not a bother. I’ve always told you not to worry about it, Sister Amanda.”
“Hey, hey, Sister! No comment about me!?”
“In your case, you’re not much different from the children. That noisiness and tomboy nature of yours haven’t changed a bit since the old days.”
“Heh… Indeed.”
“Ehhh!?”
Though Noel wanted to say that this was part of her charm, he couldn’t in front of the Sister. However, he somewhat realized that the Sister, who had known him for a long time, had probably seen through his unspoken words.
The church in the royal capital of the Ivelpe Kingdom also serves as a facility that takes in orphaned children.
Liatris had been visiting this church since she was young—even before meeting Noel—to play with the children. When Noel learned this, he began to frequently visit the church along with his fiancée.
He had known the Sister since then and had been taken care of by her.
Her good nature, her boldness that wasn’t intimidated by power, and her depth of character born from life experiences made her beloved as a mother figure by the townspeople.
Moreover, due to her wide network of connections, she was well-informed not only about town affairs but also often provided information about [Ragments].
Not just for official matters, but Noel, who originally had a frozen heart and lacked various things, learned many important lessons from her. Now she was someone he couldn’t help but respect deeply.
“…Well, since you’re here. Come on in. There are some things I want to report too.”
Later, while the returned children were engrossed in their snacks, Noel, Liatris, and the Sister gathered around a table a bit away from them.
“I used some connections to investigate. As you two suspected, the concentration of miasma has been increasing recently.”
“…As we thought.”
“Hmm… A hunch we didn’t really want to be right about, huh?”
“The increase is still very slight, and limited to certain areas for now. But both the range and speed are gradually increasing. If this continues, it might become difficult to handle with just our country’s forces.”
“In that case, we’ll need reinforcements from other countries. To avoid causing unnecessary anxiety among the people, it will probably be handled officially as a study abroad program.”
“If we were to consider potential candidates for requesting assistance, it would be the Kingdom of Leuville, right?”
“Probably… Although it would be best if it didn’t come to that. If possible, I’d like to identify the cause of the increasing miasma as soon as possible.”
“Regarding that, to be honest, we still don’t know. For other matters it’s one thing, but when it comes to miasma, [Ragments] are involved. There’s a limit to what we can investigate without the magical power of the [Fifth Attribute].”
“Then, I’ll go conduct a detailed investigation.”
Noel furrowed his brow at his fiancée, who raised her hand without hesitation.
“It’s okay. I won’t do anything reckless.”
“Your ‘I won’t do anything reckless’ is the least reliable thing there is.”
In fact, Liatris had done countless reckless things due to her free-spirited nature.
It was still fresh in memory how she had acted as a decoy alone to protect other students from monsters they happened to encounter during practical training.
“It’ll be fine, I tell you. You know it too, right, Noel?”
Liatris created a sphere of flame on her right index finger to demonstrate.
Adjusting the fire power and keeping it in place was a subtle but fairly high-level technique.
“I’m quite strong, you know. My sword skills are about on par with yours. I might even surpass you soon~”
“Ugh…”
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Noel’s win rate in mock battles with Liatris was still higher overall. But that was just in terms of total results. Liatris had been improving her skills, and in recent performances, she was almost equal to Noel.
To add, Noel specialized in ice, water-attribute magic. In contrast, Liatris used flame, fire-attribute magic. Moreover, Noel was [Fifth Attribute], while Liatris was [Sixth Attribute]. Noel had the advantage in both magic compatibility and magical power, yet they were still on par.
Noel thought that Liatris might actually be superior in practical terms, but Liatris herself insisted that “equal is equal.”
“…Even so. Investigating alone is too dangerous. I should accompany you—”
“No way. If it were a full-scale subjugation, that would be one thing, but for a mere investigation, we can’t have you move. …Crown Prince Wesley was just injured recently. Until he recovers, you need to stay in the royal capital. It would be troublesome if something happened.”
“But…”
“It’s alright.”
Noel’s words stopped at her “It’s alright,” which was a bit stronger than usual for her.
“I’ll be fine, Noel… As your fiancée, let me be of use sometimes.”
I don’t need you to be of use.
Just having you here is enough.
As long as you’re safe, I—
“—tch…”
The words that surfaced disappeared like bubbles in his chest.
He couldn’t honestly voice his worries. The thought that showing weakness and concern openly was shameful behavior for royalty acted as a brake.
Deep in his heart, which Liatris had melted, there still remained a part of his former self that was expected to be ice. Realizing this made him feel frustrated.
“Lord Noel’s worry is understandable. I feel the same way. You’re reckless. I’m afraid that someday, you might end up in a terrible situation.”
“You’re such a worrywart, Sister. Anyway, I’m really fine! I can’t let myself be a burden to my fiancé!”
Unusually stubborn for her, in the end, it was decided that Liatris would conduct the investigation.
A few days later, Liatris set out on her investigation.
Although Noel had seen her off, an unshakable anxiety lingered within him. he truly wanted to go along. However, as Liatris had said, now was not the time for Noel to leave the country. With the First Prince injured, Noel couldn’t afford to move carelessly. She understood this logically.
(And yet…)
he wanted to move but couldn’t. His status as royalty wouldn’t allow it. And he despised himself for it.
It was then that it happened.
“Lord Noel!”
“What is it… I’m sorry, but now isn’t…”
“We’ve received a report that Lady Liatris’s carriage, which had set out for the investigation, has been attacked—!”
☆
After hearing the report, Noel rushed to the scene. There was no calmness or reason in his decision. It was a reflexive action in the face of his beloved’s crisis.
“Liatris… Liatris…!”
he rode his horse, racing down the road. his heart pounded loudly, and an unpleasant sweat wouldn’t stop.
Along the way, he prayed only for her safety. Nothing else mattered. Soon, he spotted rising smoke, and his heartbeat accelerated even more.
“Liatris!”
What Noel saw when he arrived at the scene was a beast shrouded in miasma… no, a [Ragment].
And a carriage shattered by the [Ragment]’s attack, engulfed in raging flames. And standing amidst it all—a young girl wearing a helmet, her entire body brimming with miasma.
“Who… are you…?”
“…”
The helmeted girl didn’t answer. She maintained her silence in the midst of the crimson inferno.
“What have you done to Liatris!”
Noel surged her magical power, channeling it into his [Royal Ring].
As if to hurl his seething hatred, he shouted that name.
“Manifest! [Undine]!”
Freezing magical power burst forth from the summoned spirit, instantly turning the surrounding [Fragments] into ice and shattering them. Noel donned his spirit armor, grasped his sword, and kicked off the ground, lunging at the helmeted girl.
“Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!”
he swung with all her might. Yet, before his blade could reach, the helmeted girl calmly took action.
“…”
“—Ugh…!?”
The girl effortlessly deflected the ice strike with her miasma-coated blade, seemingly unfazed.
“You…!”
Noel caught sight of the expanding miasma. he reflexively wrapped his sword in magical power, immediately releasing the power of ice. At the exact same moment, the helmeted girl once again unleashed ice imbued with miasma from her sword.
“Black ice…!?”
The two ice forces collided, and the shockwave sent Noel’s body flying backward.
“Guh…!”
“…”
Despite wielding such immense power, the helmeted girl hadn’t even broken a sweat.
As if completely uninterested in Noel before her, she casually swung her sword, enveloping herself in a black snowstorm. Her presence gradually faded from beyond the snowstorm, disappearing.
“Wait!”
Noel’s cry was in vain as the presence wrapped in the snowstorm completely vanished.
The helmeted girl had retreated. Faced with this unbearable fact, only hatred coursed through Noel’s entire body.
“Fight me… Fight meeeeeee!”
That cry, almost like a wail, echoed futilely across the burning wreckage.
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