Chapter 4: You Are Like the Sun
1
Midnight.
As darkness enveloped the surroundings and most were falling asleep.
“Hmm, it’s solved now.”
After several days, I finally removed the multiple layers of protective magic cast on the “Flute of Domination”. I put down the magnifying glass I was holding on the desk and looked at it again with my naked eye.
“Hm, what’s this?”
What I thought were scratches began to disappear. I could barely sense a faint, almost vanishing magical power.
“I see… remarkable technology.”
This must be some technology unknown to me. Probably something that activates when all the protective magic is removed. It was very cleverly hidden.
But the information that can be conveyed with such weak magical power is limited. Perhaps it just informed the original owner that I had removed all the protective magic on this flute.
“Either way, I’m not running or hiding–“
“Luke, are you still awake?”
A voice came from the bed. When I turned around, Alice was there, holding Dia.
“Lady Alice, Lord Luke has been staying up this late recently.”
“Oh, is that so? Staying up late is no good. It’s bad for your skin.”
“………..”
These two seem to get along unusually well. Why is that? Is it because they’re both “Ice”?
I thought it might be because Alice is my fiancée, but it’s not like that with Mia. Well, that’s also because Mia is inexplicably hostile towards Dia.
“…Why are you in my room like it’s natural? There’s also a party tomorrow. If someone–“
“It’s fine. I asked Lady Julia, and she gladly gave permission. She said, ‘Have fun, but in moderation.'”
“……………………Mother.”
Mother is a kind person. No… she’s too kind. Somewhat… a bit too lenient…
“Lord Luke, may I ask you a question?”
“…What is it?”
I decided not to comment on the overly polite way of asking.
I’m tired.
“Why do you strive to become stronger?”
However, that question stuck in my mind.
“What do you mean?”
“For two hundred years, I have never seen anyone stronger than myself. Yet, Lord Luke defeated me. Why do you still seek strength beyond this?”
“…Hmm.”
I look into Dia’s eyes. There’s no ulterior motive, just pure curiosity.
Well, for you who was born strong, this might be a natural question.
The reason I seek strength, huh?
“To achieve an absolute victory as a strong person… I suppose.”
That was my honest feeling.
To obtain happiness, I have no choice but to keep winning.
“I’ve never doubted that I’m the strongest. But whether the strong always emerge victorious… that’s uncertain. The weak devouring the strong. It happens quite often. The process of filling in those tiny gaps that the weak might exploit. That’s what I believe ‘effort’ is.”
………………Sigh. To win. To keep winning.
I didn’t reject “Luke”, but accepted him. I think this choice wasn’t wrong, but… why do I keep getting swept up by those around me?
Why do such intense people who make me think “Was I really this kind of character?” keep gathering around me?
–Well, it’s not all that bad.
“Fufu, that’s so like you. But let’s go to sleep now. Come here.”
“…Hey, don’t casually try to seduce me.”
“I’m not seducing you. I’m just inviting you to bed.”
“…Tch, that’s exactly what–“
–Knock knock. At that moment, a knocking sound echoed from the window.
When I looked, there were two people wearing turbans.
§
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The Great Isprit Forest. While this forest brings various blessings thanks to the spirits, it also has a characteristic of harboring increasingly vicious monsters as one ventures deeper into its core.
It’s truly fitting to describe it as a natural fortress. And it’s within this Great Isprit Forest that the Elven terrorist organization [Vritra] has established its base.
“I can’t believe it… All of them have been undone? In just… a few days?”
With a clatter, the young Elf, Arthur, stood up abruptly. His unusual behavior was so apparent that everyone present stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to him.
“W-What’s wrong, Arthur…?”
After a brief silence, it was Marius, Arthur’s childhood friend and the organization’s second-in-command, who posed this question.
“Sorry, Marius. I need to think for a moment.”
“I understand.”
Arthur placed his hand on his chin and began to ponder deeply on the spot. The atmosphere grew tense. However, this behavior wasn’t unusual for Arthur; for those who knew him well, it was rather a familiar sight.
“…”
Everyone remained still, waiting for Arthur’s words. There was a hint of anxiety in their hearts. For Arthur to interrupt all his ongoing work and engage in deep thought meant that there was an urgent problem at hand. However—there was a trust far greater than the anxiety, a belief that everything would be alright. There was an unwavering, absolute trust that Arthur would always make the right choice.
But—
“We have no choice but to quickly wage war and destroy them…”
“What?! Arthur, you mean… destroy the Beast Kingdom…?”
Arthur’s words were not something that could be easily accepted, no matter how much trust they had in him.
“No, Marius. That’s not it.”
“Huh… then where—”
On the opposite side of the Great Isprit Forest from the Kingdom of Mirestia lies the country of the beast-people. That is—[Regalio Beast Kingdom]. This country has no king, and all important decisions are made by the [Beast King Council], the highest executive body composed of the leaders of each tribe and heads of various institutions.
One of the characteristics of the Beast Kingdom is that they continue to engage in skirmishes, still aiming to bring the stateless Elves under their control. Hence, Marius asked if they were going to destroy the Beast Kingdom. However, Arthur’s answer was—
“The one we must destroy is—the Kingdom of Mirestia.”
“What?!”
Marius wasn’t the only one unable to hide his surprise. Everyone was so confused that some even dropped what they were holding.
“Arthur, you must have a reason for this.”
“Yes… All the protective magic cast on the [Flute] has been undone. —It’s probably dark magic.”
At this point, they were beyond surprised; they were left speechless.
Everyone here knew that the [Flute] had incredibly advanced protective magic cast on it in multiple layers.
“That’s… there must be some mistake…”
“It’s a fact. We don’t have time to turn a blind eye. If the technology of that [Flute] leaks out, centuries of effort will be wasted. Everyone, please understand that we’re in a race against time.”
The atmosphere tightened instantly.
They had just realized anew how serious the situation was.
“However, Mirestia is an ancient great nation. We’d prefer to avoid coming out in the open and becoming their target.”
Once again, Arthur sinks into contemplation. As before, no one interrupts him. Everyone simply watches in silence.
And then—
“Let’s complete the [Flute] and control numerous monsters with it. We’ll use this to cause a [Stampede]. We’ll make it look like the Beast Kingdom is behind this and turn them against Mirestia. Even if we can’t destroy them, we can at least gauge Mirestia’s military strength.”
This was the answer he arrived at. There was no one who could argue against it.
“We’ll execute this plan in about three months from now. I’m counting on all of you.”
Completing all preparations within this three-month period is by no means an easy task. Everyone will have to work desperately day and night, and even then, they might barely manage to get the minimum arrangements in place. Nevertheless—
“Leave it to me, Arthur!”
“Three months? That’s more than enough time.”
“Shall we get started then?”
“Ugh… so troubleso—Just kidding! I’ll do it! I’ll do it, okay?”
“Geez! If Arthur says so, we have no choice! I’ll do my best too!”
They accepted Arthur’s request with smiles. That’s how tightly they were bound by family-like bonds.
“Thank you.”
Arthur expressed his gratitude while looking at these lovable comrades.
And so, the Elven terrorist organization [Vritra] begins to move. To fulfill their long-cherished wish of achieving true freedom, never to be controlled by anyone again—.
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