NOVEL WEB Chapter 32 - 10 Years (3)
Translator: Marctempest
Editor/Proofreader: TempWane
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Chapter 32: 10 Years (3)
The World Exhibition.
The gathering hosted by the Imperial Family proceeded with great success.
A few days later, some of the most noble figures across the continent arrived.
“Ah···!”
The attendant gasped in surprise and deeply bowed her head.
Additional staff members were urgently dispatched to accommodate the esteemed guests.
“”We greet His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince!””
At their respectful greetings, the Crown Prince, Artan Fricas, gave a slight nod.
Now that his immense talent had blossomed, his physique was solid, and his gaze resolute.
“”Lady Bulizé, welcome as well!””
Bulizé Grypheon, the flower of the Grypheon ducal family, offered a faint smile.
Her green hair, cascading to her shoulders, shone vividly.
She naturally linked arms with the Crown Prince, and Artan walked forward confidently.
“Is this piece expressing the resilience of a noble winter flower? The lines are excellent.”
“Indeed. It would not be out of place hanging in a noble house.”
The two, closely examining the exhibits, seemed to be in perfect harmony.
As they observed the pair, the attendees whispered amongst themselves.
“They truly are a stunning couple.”
“They match so well, it’s enviable. This engagement was undoubtedly the best.”
“I’m already looking forward to their married life. Surely, they will contribute greatly to the empire’s prosperity.”
Even though their engagement ceremony had taken place some time ago, it was still a frequent topic of conversation.
The entire continent was focused on the future emperor and empress.
“Oh, Your Highness, the dignified Crown Prince! It is truly astounding how every movement of yours exudes grace. Ah, I am from the Rozan family······”
Even the nobles who flaunted their status wherever they went had no choice but to bow their stiff backs before the pair.
The guests refrained from offending them and shamelessly flattered them in hopes of making their acquaintance.
“Is that so? I’ll remember you.”
“My, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The pair’s demeanor was gracious.
*
Encouraged, more people gathered around them. It was some time before they entered the inner chamber.
Outside, the buzz of admiration for them continued.
“Hmm.”
Once the attention began to wane, the expressions of the two individuals changed entirely.
Though their arms remained linked, the earlier affection had vanished without a trace.
The Crown Prince muttered in irritation.
“This is uncomfortable.”
His voice was so soft that only she could hear.
He glanced down at their linked arms as if they were cumbersome.
Bulizé, her smile gone, whispered back.
“I feel the same way.”
“It’s a relief we’re on the same page.”
Their engagement had been arranged by the Duke and the Emperor.
Since neither had opposed it, the process had gone smoothly.
“I just can’t get used to this. To think I would have to put up with such things.”
However, their decision was purely pragmatic, based on mutual benefit.
The two held no romantic feelings for each other.
Artan, in particular, detested wearing a façade in official settings.
“Why don’t you get used to it already? If you’re like this now, what will you do after marriage?”
“Marriage, huh···.”
At Bulizé’s sharp remark, Artan gazed into the air with a pained expression.
He pictured a figure—blurry, like smudged paint, yet paradoxically vivid.
Bulizé glanced at him.
Although they lacked romantic feelings for each other, their relationship was not bad.
They simply couldn’t see each other as a potential partner.
Objectively speaking, Artan was exceptional.
Gone was his youthful immaturity; now, there was no flaw in his appearance or character.
Yet, the reason Bulizé couldn’t see him as a man was simple.
She had known him for far too long.
“Hmm···.”
And why couldn’t Artan see her as a woman?
Bulizé thought it must be for the same reason.
At least, that’s what she had believed until a few years ago.
Compared to other nobles, their marriage was notably delayed.
Even their engagement, made just before coming of age, had been considered late.
The delay stemmed from the Crown Prince’s indifference.
He had silently dragged things out, almost as if avoiding the engagement altogether.
Bulizé understood it as a result of his focus on martial arts and academics, to the exclusion of women and politics.
Many still thought the same.
But Bulizé’s perspective had shifted, if only slightly.
“···Is this that famous music box?”
“Huh?”
At Artan’s words, she turned her gaze.
There, atop a luxurious table, was an exquisite item.
A gentle melody flowed from it.
“Ah··· is this an orchestrion? Its tone is as beautiful as I’ve heard.”
“Indeed. If we set aside its size and focus purely on its musicality, it might rival the imperial orchestra.”
For two individuals often called geniuses, their admiration was unusual.
The music box was that remarkable.
“Wasn’t this said to belong to a local lord in Yulistia?”
“Yes. It’s her creation. I wonder where she obtained it.”
Bulizé spoke with curiosity.
She wanted to meet the creator and inquire further, though she already knew the truth.
The local lord had advertised her creations far and wide.
Approaching her with force would bring more harm than good.
The two continued browsing the exhibits. Most were exceptional, including their own.
At one point, they stopped.
“······!”
Artan had frozen in place.
He stared ahead in shock.
“Huh?”
Puzzled, Bulizé followed his gaze.
It was a painting.
Its title was The Fallen God.
The theme depicted a giant serpent attacking a city.
Yet, it seemed merely a pretext to highlight a woman in the scene.
Bulizé tilted her head further.
“Why are you so startled?”
Though skillfully done, it was not among the most outstanding works in the exhibition.
Surely, the Crown Prince’s artistic sense wasn’t inferior to her own.
After a brief pause, Artan finally responded.
“······Oh, no. It’s nothing. Don’t mind me.”
His voice sounded distracted.
Even his eyes appeared unfocused.
Bulizé furrowed her eyebrows.
“Ah, is that so?”
If he didn’t want to tell her, that was fine. She could figure it out on her own.
She stared intently at the painting.
A snake.
She saw a snake.
There was also a woman.
The snake was pitch black and enormous.
By common sense, it seemed as though the woman would be swallowed in an instant.
After a moment, she nodded.
“I don’t understand.”
It seemed like the outcome was reversed, given that the focus was on the woman rather than the snake.
But beyond that, she couldn’t grasp it.
For some reason, the woman’s image gave her an odd sense of déjà vu, but she dismissed it as her imagination.
She glanced sideways.
“······.”
Artan was staring blankly at the painting.
He had the look of someone deep in thought.
“Hmm.”
Still like this, huh.
Bulizé decided to wait for a little while.
Everyone has things they’re reluctant to talk about.
Something they don’t want to say…
“Who could it be···.”
She was referring to the person Artan held feelings for.
Bulizé was certain he had someone in his heart.
She had vaguely sensed it before, a sort of intuition women tend to have.
It clicked perfectly into place.
That would explain his aversion to engagements and his various behaviors.
“···What?”
“Nothing, the song is nice.”
Having realized this, she moved swiftly.
She discreetly sent people to investigate Artan’s surroundings.
The results were inconclusive.
There wasn’t a single plausible woman candidate.
It was strange.
Surely he wouldn’t lean toward men.
“Well··· it doesn’t matter.”
Whoever he liked wasn’t of personal interest to Bulizé.
However, this marriage was crucial for the royal family, the Grypheon household, and the entire empire.
So, it did matter.
Artan, being perceptive, surely understood this.
Blinded by love, he wouldn’t make an irrational decision.
That was why she hadn’t made it an issue so far.
“···But still.”
She was curious.
Who had stolen the Crown Prince’s heart?
It wasn’t a fleeting passion.
Who was the person he had cherished unwaveringly for so long···?
Looking at the pale woman in the painting, Bulizé had such thoughts.
*
The small town of Glenver.
Having arrived at the city closest to the Ice Mountain Range, I paused to catch my breath.
How long had it been since I last came this far?
The villages near the mountain range were considered relatively safe, but small towns lacked post stations.
It was a distance too burdensome to walk, so a carriage was necessary.
-Quelli··· you’re going out again···?
I had informed the Frikes as well.
This time, it might take a while.
-Do you really have to go? Can’t you stay?
“No. Stay and guard the castle.”
-The castle’s fine!
“It might not be. Patrol as I instructed.”
I didn’t want to go either.
But adults must sometimes do what they don’t want to···
Unlike before, there were more of us now, so they wouldn’t be lonely.
“This place has a nice atmosphere.”
Glenver was small but warm.
The standard of living couldn’t have been high, yet the faces of passersby were cheerful.
It felt strange to see people after so long.
There wasn’t time to leisurely admire it.
I headed straight for the currency exchange.
“Welcome!”
A cheerful voice greeted me.
The currency exchange resembled a shop more than anything, and that’s what it was.
In this era, currency exchanges didn’t only handle money and promissory notes.
The exchanger, who had stiffened at the sight of me, asked cautiously.
“···What currency would you like?”
“Continental currency.”
Consisting of copper, silver, and gold coins, the continental currency was the most widely used.
The three main nations leading the Great Seasonal War were included, so no other currency was necessary.
“Continental currency! It’s very popular. Let’s see what you’ve brought—”
“Here.”
Ssshhh!
I lightly tipped my handbag.
Glistening jewels spilled out.
“Uh··· Uh······?”
The exchanger stared blankly at the sparkling sight.
What followed was predictable.
The transaction proceeded smoothly.
“Thank you!”
Jewels, which were valuable anywhere, were more welcome than rare currencies.
That’s why I had prepared them.
Although they were technically items, they weren’t much different from regular jewels.
“Take care!”
“Thanks.”
When I left the currency exchange, my bag was considerably heavier.
Not with copper or silver coins, but with gold coins.
“So, this is what it feels like to be rich?”
I couldn’t help but feel a sense of ease and abundance.
But the situation I faced wasn’t ideal.
Shaking my head, I walked to the post station.
With money in hand, I no longer needed to rely on bartering as I had before.
“We’re heading to Chelmbird! Anyone boarding?”
I arrived at the relay station and paused for a moment.
It seemed even coachmen were in a red ocean of competition, as there were quite a few of them.
However, judging by their attitudes, most of them seemed unprofessional.
Even the promotional content, which suggested they didn’t care whether you rode or not, reflected that.
“Excuse me.”
“Y-Yes?”
I couldn’t trust such people to take me to a distant destination.
Startled, the station master turned to me at the sound of my voice.
“Which is the fastest carriage here?”
“···Ah, in terms of speed, the one pulled by Chevran would be the fastest.”
“Chevran?”
“Over there, that way.”
Looking in the direction he pointed, I saw a scruffy man sitting alone.
The man seemed isolated, keeping apart from the other coachmen, and with no customers, he was merely tapping on a carriage window.
“He doesn’t seem to have any passengers.”
“He’s reliable in his work, but he’s a greedy man. His high rates make him unpopular.”
“Is that so?”
The word “reliable” stuck in my mind, and I didn’t pay much attention to the rest.
Ignoring any further hesitation, I headed in his direction.
“Wait a moment! Didn’t you hear me? He doesn’t charge a small sum!”
The station master’s concerned warning reached me, but I ignored it.
Money wasn’t the issue.
What mattered was how quickly and safely I could reach the Holy Kingdom.
“How much have you earned in the past two days?”
“Me? Enough to buy three pints of wit ale before it’s all gone.”
“Haha! Playing too much, huh? In my case, it’s—”
“Chevran.”
I stood before him and spoke.
The lively noise around us instantly turned into an unnatural silence.
Glancing around at the sudden stillness, I realized everyone’s eyes were on me.
Surprise and shock.
It was a reaction I was somewhat familiar with.
Chevran was the first to snap out of it.
“Could you be··· a customer?”
“Yes.”
That brief exchange was enough to shatter the silence.
The crowd murmured, their eyes darting back and forth between Chevran and me.
“···Do you know her?”
“No, never seen her before. I’d know if I’d seen someone like her around here······.”
“She’s wearing very unusual clothing. Is she a noble?”
Chevran ignored the muttering and fixed his gaze on me.
His eyes radiated confidence.
“Where are you headed?”
“The Holy Kingdom of Astar.”
My tone was firm, and he stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“That’s quite far. For a trip like that······ ten gold coins will do.”
“Ten coins?”
That was cheaper than I’d expected.
As I reached to pay, shouts of protest erupted from all directions.
“What? Ten, ten gold coins?! That scoundrel!”
“What a devilish man! He needs a good lesson to fix that attitude!”
“Who would ever pay that much for a carriage ride?!”
Jeers and complaints were directed at Chevran.
But he didn’t flinch, nor did he react to their words.
They also tried to direct their words at me.
“Miss, that’s daylight robbery.”
“That rascal is infamous around here. You seem like a noble lady—don’t waste your money.”
It was hard to tell if their reactions stemmed from genuine concern or petty jealousy.
Ignoring them, I asked Chevran a single question.
“Can you get me there much faster than those other coachmen?”
At my question, the surroundings fell silent again.
Everyone seemed to await Chevran’s reply.
Finally, he glanced around and grinned.
“At least twice as fast.”
“Here. Let’s leave immediately.”
“Oh-ho! You really are someone important, aren’t you? Got it!”
I handed over the payment without hesitation, and Chevran nodded before moving to the driver’s seat.
“I’ll get you there in comfort!”
The murmurs of the crowd behind us didn’t concern me.
People like him tended to have skills to match their audacity.
As the carriage began to sway like an engine starting, a voice pierced the air.
“Wait! Wait! I’m riding too···!”
Thud-thud-thud!
A woman sprinted toward us at remarkable speed, clad in leather armor with a rapier strapped to her waist.
Her braided hair swung wildly as she repeatedly called out to join the ride, closing the distance in no time and settling beside me.
“Phew···.”
She exhaled in relief, glanced my way, and let out a startled shriek.
“Eek! Ah!”
She screamed shrilly and banged her head on the carriage frame, clutching her head in pain.
As her teary eyes scanned the carriage interior, she mumbled to herself.
“It’s real··· This is the real world.”
She then let out a deep sigh of relief.
The fact that someone could cause such a commotion in mere seconds was quite a talent.
“Riding together?”
I asked curtly, and she nodded awkwardly.
“Yes! I have urgent business as well. You’re headed to the Holy Kingdom, right? That’s correct, isn’t it?”
“It is. But how?”
She must have run from quite a distance.
When I asked, she grinned and shrugged her shoulders.
“My ears are pretty good! It’s one of my few talents. Oh, my name’s Sigina. I’m a modest adventurer.”
“···Quellière.”
Her friendliness was extraordinary.
It felt like even my energy was being drained.
Whether she noticed or not, Sigina exclaimed brightly.
“I almost missed this ride! What a relief. All right, let’s get moving!”
“······.”
Her lively voice echoed a few times before fading away.
Chevran glanced at her curiously and asked.
“Do you have money?”
“Oh, right!”
Realizing she hadn’t paid, Sigina fumbled for her leather pouch.
Soon, ten gold coins were glinting in her palm.
Chevran’s eyes widened.
“···It seems you have some skills, contrary to appearances.”
However, the earlier silence wasn’t due to the amount of money.
The coachman looked at me hesitantly.
“No.”
“Well··· if you insist, there’s nothing I can do··· but, are you sure you won’t reconsider?”
Sharing a carriage required the consent of the existing passenger.
Chevran, proving his greed, expressed his lingering regret.
I glared at him.
Faced with my displeased gaze, he cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Oh my, are you saying I need to get off?”
Sigina, who had been observing the exchange, blinked in surprise.
I nodded.
“Get off.”
“Why? Why! I can pay too!”
“Because I said so.”
“That’s unfair! Too much! I have an urgent matter··· hiek!”
At that moment, she shrank and trembled as if overtaken by a sudden chill.
Her skin prickled with goosebumps as if she were freezing.
My gaze was colder than ever.
“What is this? Why is it so cold all of a sudden···?”
She frantically looked around for the source.
Soon, her pupils froze, locking onto me.
My icy glare was reflected in her irises.
Others wouldn’t be able to see it, but she seemed to sense something.
Sigina muttered.
“Could it be······?”
It was a minor trick.
Even with the limited potential of a Snow Maiden, given enough time, I could achieve this much.
It was an extreme utilization of the ‘winter’ attribute.
“See? She’s desperate enough to feel the cold. Perhaps you could let her stay··· hic!”
Chevran, oblivious to the situation and attempting to persuade me, gasped when my gaze landed on him.
His expression froze immediately, and he glared at Sigina.
“Still not getting off?”
“···Even you, coachman?! I said it’s urgent! I received a letter!”
“I don’t care about your letter or whatever. Get off.”
Sigina and Chevran argued, her face filled with indignation.
There was no reason to share a cramped seat with a complete stranger.
Desperately, Sigina made a proposal to me.
“Then, how about this! I’ll give you information.”
“···Information?”
My ears perked up.
Information was what I needed most.
“Yes, yes! As an adventurer, I know all sorts of things! I hear news quickly too. Ask me anything!”
I could feel my own ears twitch.
I needed knowledge about how the world had changed in the last decade.
Not just common information but details.
I doubted how much she knew, but as a seemingly competent adventurer······.
“If it’s useless, I’ll kick you out immediately.”
“Ah···! Of course, of course! Thank you!”
Sigina beamed with a radiant smile.
*
In the back alleys of Disdel.
A woman with disheveled red hair crouched alone, trying to stifle her breathing.
Her face was pale and haggard.
Biting her nails, she muttered.
“That damned Holy Knights’ Order.”
What is it with anything labeled “holy” always targeting me?
Why do they chase me with such fervor, as if they have a grudge against me?
I miss the days when I was just an adventurer.
Compared to those who only cared about money, the Holy Knights’ Order was obsessively relentless.
It was to be expected, given their congregation of the devout.
From their perspective, someone branded as a calamity like me was no different from a mortal enemy.
“Blood··· I need blood.”
She had overused her powers.
Even someone like her was exhausted.
She needed to replenish her blood, which meant······ she had to feed.
“Damn it.”
She hated doing it unless absolutely necessary.
But there was no other choice.
Using her abilities excessively had pushed her body beyond self-recovery.
Through her senses, she scouted for prey.
She usually targeted criminals or evil-doers whom no one would pity.
A self-deprecating chuckle escaped her lips.
“···Is that why everyone hates me?”
What kind of being drinks the blood of their own kind?
There couldn’t be another creature like her.
Who would ever like someone like that?
And yet, compared to her “curse,” this habit seemed trivial.
The thought left her with only bitterness and despair.
Her elongated fangs felt particularly bothersome today.
As she clenched her jaw, a voice called out.
“Nell Sartilla.”
Nell snapped her head up.
Two men stood before her.
They were dressed in black robes—one adorned with a whirlpool insignia, the other with flames.
“···Who are you?”
She quickly assumed a defensive stance and questioned them.
The two men replied simultaneously.
“Apostles.”
“Saviors.”
Question marks flickered in her eyes.
The man with the whirlpool insignia was the Apostle, and the one with flames was the Savior.
The Apostle raised a brow.
“Saviors? Can we claim such a title, given that we are not Him?”
“What does it matter? We are here to save a wandering lamb, aren’t we?”
“···That’s true.”
Their cryptic exchange made no sense to her.
Nell Sartilla furrowed her brow.
“Cut the crap! Who the hell are you two?!”
“I am Bringle,” said the man with the flame insignia, stepping closer.
“I’ve come to fetch you.”
“Fetch me? Speak clearly! Who the hell are you?”
“Followers of the Calamity.”
“···!”
Nell’s eyes widened in shock.
What did they just say?
As confusion overtook her, Bringle declared.
“Don’t you despise the one-sided hatred cast upon you?”
“···What? What nonsense—”
“Don’t you resent humans? Don’t you want to appear before them and twist their faces in torment?”
Their seemingly empathetic remarks left her speechless.
Bringle, now standing close, scrutinized her as if examining a specimen.
“Just as the rumors say. This revulsion··· doesn’t it feel like your blood is boiling in reverse?”
His words struck a nerve.
He was addressing Nell Sartilla’s greatest taboo: her curse.
“Shut up.”
“You can’t just run from it. If you could have fixed it, wouldn’t you have done so by now?”
“···Don’t talk as if you know anything.”
Despite her hostility, Bringle remained calm.
Removing his hood, he spoke with conviction.
“If you want salvation! Join us. With His power, even your curse can be undone!”
“!”
Nell was startled.
Bold.
But more than that, as desperate as she was, she couldn’t imagine following people like this.
Even though a small part of her wavered, she suppressed it and shouted.
“You crazy fanatics! Are you the opposite of the Holy Knights’ Order? Why is everyone in this country so extreme?!”
This damned nation was full of lunatics.
When she firmly refused, Bringle’s gaze turned sharp.
“Is that so? Then··· we’ll have to make you listen. Adein, let’s proceed.”
“I understand.”
Bringle summoned flames, and Adein conjured whirlpools.
It was clear they intended to use force.
Nell despised coercion and oppression above all else.
“···So this is how it’s going to be? This wretched world. These damned gods.”
She muttered bitterly, her crimson eyes brimming with rage.
“Do you really want me dead? Don’t make me laugh. I won’t die. I can’t die!”
Not until she understood what she was, why she was born.
Dying without knowing would be too unjust.
She resolved to resist.
Shaaah—!
Blood-red magic formed a powerful array.
In this battle, she would have to scrape the last remnants of her strength from the bottom of the barrel.