Chapter 223 - <2>
This is bad. Awkward.
I was at a complete loss.
Here I was, in the nostalgic dining hall of the orphanage. The last time I was here, I'd arrived starving and devoured the potatoes Anna had served me. Back then, I never dreamed I'd end up in this kind of relationship with the church's adopted daughter.
But look at me now. Two years later, sitting in this same spot, I've fallen so in love with her that I can't live without her. You really can't predict your own future.
We were seated at the end of a long table covered with a clean cloth, with enough seats lined up for about twenty people.
When I say 'we,' I mean me and Anna. Ed and Franz weren't here. They had been led to the kitchen by Harris, who had grown surprisingly big in two years.
Harris was the kid I'd harvested plums with before, but amazingly, he was now training as Anton's successor, an earth spirit user.
Anyway, right now, Priest Anton was in front of me, and Anna was beside me. And in front of the three of us was the tea Franz had been forced to make, despite being a guest, because Anna had praised it so highly. But the steam was no longer rising. It had gone completely cold.
For refreshments, there were adorable sweet potato cakes made from sweet potatoes harvested at the orphanage about a week ago, but I hesitated to even reach for one.
I was truly struggling with what to say and how to say it.
After all, to talk about my relationship with Anna and our future, I couldn't avoid talking about Orphe. But I didn't know if it was okay to talk about that, and at the same time, I couldn't just make something up in front of Anna, who believes lying is a sin, and the very person who taught her that belief.
I ran a hand through my hair in silence, and Priest Anton let out a deep sigh.
"...I may have said you should get along, but I certainly didn't mean for you to get this close."
I had to agree with him. Priest Anton was the one who had set things up so that Anna and I would get along well enough to travel together, but he probably never expected it to go this far. Even I, the person involved, was shocked at first, so it couldn't be helped.
"...I'm sorry."
There was nothing else to say but apologize. If, just if, I were a father with a daughter Anna's age, I would absolutely hate to give her away to a mere mercenary. But here I was, forcing that on Anna's parent, so all I could do was apologize.
Priest Anton sighed once more and stared intently at my face.
"Ritz-kun, you said you travel from place to place as a mercenary."
"Yes."
"Then you must have played around quite a bit, haven't you?"
"...Yes."
The lifestyle of a mercenary is set in stone. Killing people in wars, getting paid, drinking, and buying women. Anton originally served at the Water Main Temple. Anyone from the Water Main Temple would know what kind of life a mercenary leads.
Judging by his name, he seems to be from Yuresla originally, but he completed his training in Tarnien... which means a region engaged in combat with Zeum.
"And yet, why Anna?"
Even when asked why, I couldn't give an answer. Right after I fell in love with Anna, I asked myself many times why it had to be her, but I never found an answer. If I had to say, it would be that I fell in love with her because she was Anna.
Anton spoke to me with a sigh.
"It doesn't have to be Anna, does it? Judging by your looks, you're not unpopular. There must be women who would suit you."
"That's not..."
"Women who would suit you better than a country girl."
"..."
I had braced myself for this, but I still couldn't come up with an answer. I had thought there was still plenty of time, after all.
I had planned to return to Sears, confess to Anna, and if she accepted me, I'd let the still-young Anna experience various things in Sears.
I had a decent income in Sears, we could probably live in the Clayton Residence, and since Joe was going to school, I had even thought about sending Anna, who had said she'd never been, to school.
We would play at being a couple until then, and when she was a bit more grown up, I would truly propose as her lover and go to Vishnu. That's the future I had selfishly pictured. So I had expected my reunion with Priest Anton to be several years down the line. But did the path from Orphe's place really have to open up in a place like that? I thought it was fine because Anna was happy, but now I slightly resent Orphe.
I had planned to come and greet him after properly settling my mercenary work and taking on some military duties while putting Franz's plan into action. Of course Priest Anton would be worried.
After all, the only skill I have is killing people.
"You know, I've spent the thirty years until this child set out on her journey raising her with the utmost care. Can you, a mercenary, make her happy?"
"..."
"This child, and I say this as her parent, is a kind and good girl. She couldn't survive in the mercenary world you were in. In that case, can you support her?"
At a loss for words, I glanced at Anna beside me, and saw her happily picking at a sweet potato. I wanted to retort, How can you eat in this situation?, but I couldn't say such a thing in front of her foster father.
"To Anna, you're a novelty, so she might just be swept up in the moment. You're older than her, so you must understand that."
I wanted to say that our relationship wasn't like that, but how could I explain it? No matter what I said, it would be too convoluted to understand.
The only thing for certain is that we're both serious, but considering this is Anna's first love, maybe Anton is right.
...If that's the case, what should I do?
Strange, I'm starting to feel a little anxious. I turned my gaze to Anna and ended up staring. I tried to silently convey, Say something, please, but it didn't seem to be getting through.
"As long as I don't hear your answer, I cannot entrust this child to you."
Anton stated firmly. I could only bow my head and say, That's a fair point.
But then Anna noticed my gaze and stared back at me intently. Hoping she had realized the situation and would throw me a lifeline, I waited in anticipation.
"If you're not going to eat it, can I have it? It's nostalgic and delicious~"
She was interested in the sweet potato, not me.
"That's what you're focused on?!"
I couldn't help but retort.
"Yeah. Because I don't really get what you and my foster father are talking about, so I'm bored."
At Anna's carefree statement, Anton shook his head wearily. I could tell he was slightly regretting having raised her to be so pure.
"So, can I eat it?"
As Anna still showed interest in the sweet potato, I admonished her with a sigh.
"Listen, right now I'm talking about you..."
"I know that. But I don't understand what my foster father is saying or why Ritz is troubled."
As she spoke, Anna sullenly took my portion of sweet potato and took a bite. Damn, it looked delicious. I'm pretty hungry too, you know. I'd normally retort, but I couldn't say anything.
After finishing my portion as well, Anna drained her cold tea, then looked up at Anton.
"Foster father."
"What is it?"
Anton replied gently, a complete change from when he was facing me, but for some reason, Anna was looking straight at her own father. Anton, who had probably never been looked at by Anna in this way before, looked back at her in confusion.
"I'm not a thing. It's strange to talk about entrusting or being entrusted."
"But Anna..."
"And listening to you, it sounds like only Ritz likes me, and I'm being deceived."
"That's not..."
"No. That's how you're putting it. The villagers earlier were the same. Everyone talks as if Ritz likes me and I'm being deceived or something. That's definitely strange."
Anna sighed and rested her chin on her hand.
"I'm definitely the one who likes Ritz more, so why doesn't anyone get it?"
"Anna..."
I was so moved, I felt like I was about to cry. But Anna sighed and glared at me. I instinctively took a step back.
"And you too, Ritz. Why are you so nervous?"
"...That's because..."
"I love Ritz very much. Because I love him, I want to introduce him to my foster father as the person I love most, so you can just be your usual self. But when you look so troubled, I don't know what to do either. You could be more confident."
"Sorry."
When I apologized reflexively, Anna sighed softly and looked back and forth between me and Anton.
"So why are you leaving me out and talking about me without me? Let's talk properly."
"Sorry."
Anton and I bowed our heads almost simultaneously. We sort of exchanged glances. It felt like we were trying to appease Anna somehow. But our actions were completely transparent to Anna.
"You're thinking of trying to sort this out between the two of you, aren't you?"
Sharp. It seems deception won't work.
In that case, I might as well throw caution to the wind and be completely, utterly, and frankly honest, bowing my head to Anton. That must be the right thing to do. Having never been in a situation like this, my options are practically nonexistent.
I took a deep breath and stood up.
"Priest Anton."
At my sudden action, Anton looked up in surprise.
"Wh-what is it, so suddenly?"
"I am dating your daughter with the intention of marriage."
The feeling of having something stuck in my throat cleared up considerably. As I thought, being roundabout or trying to lay the groundwork to make the other person understand just isn't for me. Anton freezing up like a statue was expected, but contrary to my expectations, Anna was the one who shouted.
"Ritz!?"
"Once I've settled things, I plan to quit being a mercenary and give up my military status to find work we can do together. I think I'll have to make Anna wait during that time, and until then, we can't get married, but..."
"Wait a minute, I haven't heard any of this!?"
Anna interjected in a fluster. Come to think of it, I hadn't brought up that topic yet. I had just assumed it, but. However, as a man, once I've said this much, there's no way I can take my words back. Ignoring the panicking Anna tugging at my arm, I declared to the still-frozen Anton.
"As long as I live, I will treasure her. Therefore, I would like your permission for your daughter and I to live together in Sears."
I said it. I said it all. Now what will he do?
As I stared intently at Anton, he eventually unfroze from his rigid state and let out a small sigh.
"Are you serious?"
"I'm serious."
When I answered immediately, Anton stared intently at me. I met his gaze without looking away. I somehow felt that if I looked away, I would lose, but in the end, it was Anton who looked away first.
"But Anna, though she's of age, still looks too young... I have my doubts about her being your wife..."
Anton's concern is understandable. It's true that even I'm not thinking of doing anything with her right away. Since Anna doesn't know anything, of course I plan on waiting quite a while.
"I'm an adult too, so I can wait."
"But you were a mercenary, and you're a man."
"...Well."
If you ask me if I don't want to hold her, I'll be honest, I do. But more than that, I'm afraid to touch her.
The villagers teased me about not making a move, but I myself am too scared to lay a hand on Anna. Her young appearance is part of it, but more than anything, I'm afraid of hurting or breaking the precious Anna, so our current level of contact is just right.
For now, I plan on waiting for about four or five years.
"I wouldn't have confessed to her if I wasn't prepared."
As I stated that firmly, the tension I had been feeling finally began to ease. It seems it's easier to just jump in than to think about it over and over. Besides, no matter how I struggle, it doesn't change the fact that I'm snatching away the daughter Anton lovingly raised.
I realized my palm was slightly warm and saw Anna, with a dazed look on her face, holding my hand and standing perfectly still. Come to think of it, I'd gone and said it to Anna's father before I'd even proposed to Anna. I placed my hand on her head.
"So that's the deal. Um... is it okay if I propose to you once I've settled everything?"
"...!"
At my belated words, Anna looked up as if jolted and stared at my face.
"I think I'll make you wait a few years, but I'd be happy if you'd be with me."
As I said that, scratching my head, her cute face instantly turned bright red. Sh-she's too cute...
"Honestly! You idiot, Ritz! You've got the order all mixed up!"
"Sorry... So, what's your answer?"
"I don't know!"
Anna shook my hand off and ran off, still bright red. Just as she threw open the door to run out of the room, a group of orphanage children and several adults came tumbling into the room.
"Everyone, what are you doing!?"
As Anna shouted, the orphanage children, like kids caught in mischief, let out joyful screams and ran off, leaving the adults behind.
"Hey! I don't remember raising you to be eavesdroppers!"
Anna scolded the children with a tone and words that were far beyond her apparent age, just as she had when they first met, but then her eyes fell on the few who remained, and she pouted.
They were all well-and-truly adults. Among them, Harris, the youngest, stood up with a sheepish grin, representing them all, and looked at Anna.
"Hehehe. Congratulations on your marriage, Anna-neechan."
"Harris!"
"Well, I'll be off then~"
"Honestly!! You wait right there!"
Her face turning even redder, Anna chased after Harris, who had made a run for it after his comment. In the room, only myself, Anton, and the three adults who had tumbled in were left. All three of them had strikingly golden hair. Two of them were, of course, Ed and Franz, but my eyes widened at the sight of the third person among them. The tall man with green eyes grinned cheerfully.
"What are you doing here, Dad..."
"What do you mean? Tomorrow is the harvest festival. It wouldn't start without me bringing the holy water, would it?"
Standing there was my old man, Karl. Come to think of it, he brought holy water every year for the harvest festival and received potatoes in return.
"Don't tell me, Dad..."
"Yep. I heard everything. Oh man, I have to report this to Ciela when I get back. Ciela's going to be so happy~"
My dad said cheerfully, then nimbly hopped up and took Anton's hand.
"Anton. This kid may look and sound rough, but he's an honest and timid soul, so don't worry."
"...Honest is fine, but what do you mean, timid soul..."
"Because it's true, isn't it? You liked Anna, but you couldn't say it because you liked her, so you were moping around all last year, weren't you?"
"Ugh..."
"You held the pudding Anna made so very carefully, savoring it one bite at a time, and you took my cookies, didn't you? You definitely took days to secretly eat those cookies, cherishing them, right? Papa knows everything."
"Uuugh..."
He was right on the money, so I couldn't argue. And as if that wasn't enough, my own father came in for the finishing blow.
"I heard from Edward and Franz. You finally confessed just about a month ago, didn't you? My goodness, to think my own son would take a year and a half just to confess. For someone who pretends to be a playboy, you're really spineless in that regard. I can't believe you're my son."
"Dammit~"
Beaten down so thoroughly that I couldn't even make a sound, all I could do was groan. Ignoring me as if I didn't exist, my father gently placed a hand on Anton's shoulder.
"He's my son, so you can rest assured. After all, he seems to be saying he can't live without Anna, and that he'd die for her, so he'll treasure her like a precious jewel."
I've never told my dad that. Which means there's someone who told my dad such top-secret information. I spun around to look at Ed. Ed smiled serenely and deliberately brushed off dust that wasn't there.
"Well, I believe I was going to help with dinner preparations. Shall we go, Franz?"
"Y-yes."
Franz hurriedly followed Ed's lead. Those two are the culprits who spilled everything. I won't let them get away with this, so they'd better remember it. As I sent a resentful glare at the companions who had sold me out, Priest Anton sighed.
"...I had a feeling it would come to this, Karl."
"I thought so too, Anton."
Turning my attention to their conversation, Priest Anton smiled gently.
"From the first time she met Ritz-kun, she trusted him unconditionally. The way she looked at him, she was so happy..."
Is that so? I didn't know.
"When I heard this story from you last year, I thought, 'So that's how it is.'"
...Priest Anton knew about me and Anna? Come to think of it, the Vishnu harvest festival is a few months after we visited Ciedena last year.
"Right? My son's an idiot, but he's dead serious about strange things."
"Is that so..."
Just how did this damn old man explain me to Priest Anton? I was starting to get a little worried, but it felt wrong to interrupt the fathers' conversation, so I silently gulped down my cold tea.
"You said you have military status?"
Priest Anton suddenly asked. For some reason, both fathers were staring at me, and I nodded.
"I'm with the Yuresla Army, for the time being..."
I have an agreement with Ed to be given a position around the rank of a field officer. Or rather, the truth is, I've been told that if they give me that rank, I have to pay back all my debts in one go. Of course, this is while keeping the fact that I was a former minister a secret.
"Then it seems you're not just a mercenary..."
"Yuresla is peaceful now, and the army should be stable, I think."
"Hmm."
As Priest Anton let out a small groan, my dad spoke to him politely. I see, so my dad plays the part of a normal adult in Vishnu, I thought, strangely impressed. Eventually, Priest Anton let out a deep breath and turned to face me.
"Ritz-kun, please take care of my daughter."
Being told so directly by Anton, I straightened my back, which was out of character for me.
"You can count on me."
When I stated it firmly, Priest Anton lowered his eyes slightly.
"If..."
I asked him to repeat the softly muttered words.
"Yes?"
When Priest Anton raised his face, his eyes glinted with a fierce intensity.
"If you make my daughter unhappy, I will make you pay with all the spirit power I possess."
He's really going to kill me.
"Yes, sir."
As I straightened my back and nodded, Anton extended his hand.
"I'm counting on you."
I firmly shook his not-so-large hand. With a slightly sad smile, Priest Anton released my hand and turned his back to me and my father.
"Now then, let's have a grand dinner for the harvest eve festival."
With his back still turned, Anton took a large bell from a side table in the corner of the room and rang it.
A loud clang clang echoed through the room, and children came in carrying various dishes. Some were holding tableware.
In no time, the table was covered with food.
There were fried, grilled, and boiled sweet potato dishes, and a large jar of plum jam with rye bread. This was the same spread I had been treated to so generously when I came before.
It was only two years ago, but it felt incredibly nostalgic.
Besides that, various other dishes were lined up on the table.
Round, egg-like eggplants were drizzled with plenty of olive oil and grilled with herbs. From the fragrant aroma, a tangy scent wafted, suggesting that balsamic vinegar was used in the sauce.
The main course was a large herb-roasted fish, baked whole with plenty of mushrooms and vegetables on top. Since this is in the mountains, it must be a river fish. At this time of year, it would be trout or salmon.
A tomato-based soup with bacon was also served in a large soup tureen. There was a salad with mainly warm vegetables, and a raisin and pumpkin salad.
This was quite a feast for this orphanage.
"This is amazing."
My dad said, patting my shoulder. Snapping back to reality, I turned to look at him.
"You're not going to ask me anything?"
"You'll talk when you feel like it, right? You can tell me about Orphe someday."
With that, my dad quickly took a seat at the table. I thought he was just greedy, but maybe he did that to avoid asking any more questions. The Karl Alster I didn't know, who appeared in Orphe's stories, was that kind of person.
Maybe I had been making my dad worry quite a bit.
"What's wrong, Ritz? Aren't you going to sit next to me?"
"I'll pass."
I want to go near Anna. But my dad looked at me and gave a nasty laugh.
"Ho ho, are you afraid of losing to me in an eating contest?"
It seems he's telling me to fight as usual. There's no way I'm falling for that provocation.
I take it back. My dad is not considerate of me at all; he's a gluttonous demon.
"...Don't do that at someone else's house."
"Are you running away?"
"If you do, I'll tell Mom all sorts of things, true or not."
"You're a cunning son."
My dad said with a laugh. I felt like it was the first time in a while I'd seen his face as a father, but maybe that was just my imagination.
After a while, all the children were seated at the dining table, and we guests also took our seats. Anna, who was supposed to sit next to me, had sullenly taken a spot next to Ed, and next to me was Franz. Franz looked at me and shrugged.
"My condolences."
"For what?"
"For having me instead of Anna."
"Shut up."
I looked away, and Priest Anton began to quietly recite a prayer to the goddess. Watching the children obediently fold their hands and close their eyes, the four of us listened with mixed feelings.
It was because we knew what kind of woman the goddess being prayed to was, and what she looked like.
As the quiet prayer flowed, I remembered the vision of the real Eneonea I had seen at Orphe's place. Calm, intelligent, yet with a slightly sad expression. I never want to see that kind of lonely look on Anna's face.
I glanced at Anna and our eyes met. Wondering if she was still angry, I looked into her eyes, and after making a momentarily sulky face, Anna gave me a soft smile.
It seems she's forgiven me.
The prayer to the goddess eventually changed to a prayer to the spirits, giving thanks for the harvest. Anna obediently closed her eyes for the spirit prayer. I remembered her saying that she had stopped praying to Eneonea, but she would never forget to thank the spirits.
Even I, a half-breed who can neither see nor use spirits, followed Anna's lead and closed my eyes, though I wasn't praying to anything in particular.
My prayer is simple.
May my beloved woman and my companions be happy.
And if possible, I hope I can be a little happy too.
"Well then, let's eat. In gratitude for the harvest."
Priest Anton raised his glass, filled with red wine. We followed his lead and raised our glasses. The children's glasses were filled with grape juice, and ours with red wine. Anna, who is terribly weak to alcohol, naturally had grape juice.
"Cheers!"