Chapter 90 - <12>
"There's something I need to tell you."
As he began, the three of them looked up. His voice must have sounded quite serious, as they were all looking at him quizzically.
"You look grave. I'm listening."
Ritz said as he pulled up a chair for himself and sat down. Edward, too, was seated at some point.
"There's something I've been hiding until now."
Taking another deep breath, Franz told them everything—the truth of what happened inside the Infinite Nightmare and about the documents he had found here.
They all listened in silence. When he had finished, Ritz let out a long sigh.
"I see. That makes sense. It was just too convenient that you happened to have an item that could overcome a dark spirit, Franz."
That was right. Ritz had tested him on that very point, and he remembered breaking into a cold sweat. Franz let out a small sigh and crossed his arms. As Franz remained silent, Ritz continued.
"And Orphe-san, you know, when you weren't around, he told me and Anna, 'I am something similar to you, yet different.' And… right, he also said he'd lived longer than me."
That was news to Franz. His master had indeed said that Ritz might be the only one to realize Orphe had lived for a considerable age.
"I haven't opened it yet, but there's a letter from my master. I found it here in the treasury."
Franz took out the letter and continued speaking as he opened it.
"I don't know how my master got into the underground treasury, but this letter definitely has my name on it in his handwriting."
Taking out the letter, Franz quickly checked that the contents weren't just some prank directed at him. He wouldn't put such a trick past his master.
But the contents seemed to be serious. Moreover, it was written as if on the assumption that Ritz and Anna would be reading it with him. Perhaps his master had thought Franz would have already confessed to Ritz about him by the time he saw this letter.
If that was the case, his own will might be stronger than his master imagined. After all, he had kept silent until this very moment.
"It will take a while for everyone to read it. Would you read it for us, Franz?"
At Edward's suggestion, Franz nodded. That did seem faster.
"I will."
Franz cleared his throat, let out a small breath, and began to read the letter aloud.
"To my dear disciple, Franz,
The fact that you are reading this letter means you have successfully found the documents from the year 547 of the Yuresla Kingdom Calendar. The only writing in this world about the 'Infinite Nightmare' is in this one book, you see.
Which means you must have received permission to view it from King Edward. You were able to trust your companions and speak with them, I see.
It seemed that even Orphe hadn't anticipated him borrowing the Prince and the key without permission to sneak in. Letting out a small sigh, Franz continued reading.
"The last time I was in this country was over a thousand years ago. It was during the era of King Edmond the Frugal. At that time, unable to bear my loneliness, I once again involved myself with the royal family of the Yuresla Kingdom. What a coincidence it is that I should reunite with you through the one and only memento I left behind.
No, perhaps all of fate was set in motion from the moment I sent you off with those two.
I told you then that you had the right to know my true identity, but I did not provide any clues. But now that you have come this far, I think I shall give you one.
It concerns the orb that you, Ritz-kun, and Anna-chan possess. That is a major clue. Ask Ritz-kun to have King Edward show you the royal crown. If Ritz-kun asks, King Edward will surely relent.
"…How does he know that?"
Edward muttered under his breath.
"Will he really relent? Feels like Ed would refuse flat out."
Ritz shot back in a low voice, but Franz interrupted their bickering.
"Could you show us the crown?"
"I don't mind, but…"
Edward murmured, cocking his head.
"Can you bring it out, Ed?"
"This is the underground treasury. That much is simple. Ritz, get a desk ready."
Edward stood up and opened the door opposite the archives. Franz knew that was the treasury, but they hadn't found the crown. There was probably a secret hiding place known only to the King and his close aides.
While Edward was fetching the crown, the three of them were somehow silent. Even if they had spoken, they probably couldn't think of what to say.
Orphe's letter was just too far beyond the scope of their imagination.
Ritz silently righted the desk that had been part of the barricade and placed it in the center of the three of them. The desk made it easier to sit. Franz also brought a chair over to the desk and finally settled down.
Edward, who appeared holding a magnificent wooden box, placed it in front of them all and looked at each of them in turn.
"I'm opening it."
Taking a small key from a ring of keys, Edward unlocked the box. He quietly unfastened the latch and pushed open the lid.
Nestled in soft velvet, the crown revealed itself to the three of them, emitting a profound and elegant radiance.
"This is the kingdom's crown. It is said to have been a gift from a renowned spirit user when the country was founded."
Edward said this as he slowly took out the crown and placed it on top of the closed box.
At the very front of the crown, in its most prominent position, was a round, mysterious gem that gave off an uncanny glow. He had seen that gem before….
The moment he realized what it was, Franz gasped. Anna's mouth was hanging wide open. He looked at Ritz, who was reaching into the breast pocket of the shirt he wore under his uniform. Franz, just like Ritz, took a small pouch out of his bag.
"What is it?"
Only Edward, who knew nothing, furrowed his brow in suspicion. But when he saw what Ritz and Franz had taken out, his eyes widened in astonishment.
"This is… the same as the gem in the crown?"
"Looks like it…"
The mysterious orb that the three of them possessed was identical to the one set in the crown. Comparing them, even the size was the same.
"Huh? Huh? What does this mean?"
Anna, the only one not holding hers at the moment, looked between Ritz's and Franz's faces in confusion.
"Do you have one too, Anna?"
When Edward asked, Anna nodded.
"Yes. It's at the house right now, but it's the only clue I have to my parents."
Franz noticed the gazes of the other three were fixed on him and remembered he was holding the letter. Right, if he read the rest, he might understand something.
Franz hurriedly began to read the continuation.
"The crown should have a gem identical to the ones you all possess. It is recorded in the books that the person who created this crown and gifted it to the first king was also a great spirit user named Artis Ozmand.
Everyone froze. Even Franz, who was reading, couldn't hide his trembling. If that was true, then Orphe had already been alive for over fifteen hundred years.
"Franz, are you all right?"
Ritz, the first to recover, peered at his face, and Franz snapped back to his senses. Confusion bred more confusion. But his duty for now was to read this letter to the end.
"I'm fine. I'll continue reading."
Franz took a deep breath and began reading again.
"This means I have been involved with this country's royal family three times: fifteen hundred years ago, one thousand years ago, and just recently. The longest I have stayed in this country was this most recent time. Though that is only for the past few decades.
I never dreamed that I would end up looking after you for five long years of that time.
Say, Franz.
It seems I've strayed from the topic. In truth, there are several more of these orbs. The one in this crown is the last one in the Yuresla Kingdom. All the rest have been gifted to the non-human races. Though it wasn't I who went around distributing them.
And along with these orbs, a different legend concerning the orb should have been left with each race.
Six races have been entrusted with six orbs and six legends. Ritz-kun may know the legend of the Clan of Light. If not, you should ask Karl. He may not look it, but he is quite knowledgeable. Though Ritz-kun might not believe it.
Now, this is all I can say for now.
If you all read those texts, I believe you will know where I am now. You will realize they all point to a single land.
If you can make it that far, I will not run or hide. I will tell you… you who hold the orbs, everything.
But knowing the truth is not always synonymous with happiness. Forgetting without knowing is also an option. The three of you should decide what to do.
I hope that you will make a happy choice. The journey to know the truth will surely be a harsh one, a path of thorns.
I do not want you to walk that path. I wish for you to live happily.
On the other hand, how sinful am I, to think that I want to meet you all again.
Oh, and Franz, if you were to return to Saradio now, my house would no longer be there. The people of the city would not remember me. My friends of several hundred years, Karl Alster and his wife—that is, Ritz's parents—they will likely remember.
And you all will remember as well. Because you are the last ones I met. Do you understand what this means?
No one can remember me except those I wish. That is the kind of being I am. I told you then, didn't I? That if you wished to forget me, I would want you to.
The fact that you are looking at this letter means you have kept me in your memory. That, I am honestly happy about. There is nothing sadder than to be forgotten.
This has gotten rather long. I imagine you are in great turmoil right about now. You must want some time. I believe I understand you better than you understand yourself, you see.
Let me say one last thing.
Franz, do not live so rigidly. Whatever choice you make, as long as it is your choice, I want you to live without regret. These are the last words I can give you as your master.
Until we meet again somewhere.
Your master, Orphe, aka Artis Ozmand.
After he finished reading, Franz quietly lowered his eyes. He knew that the more he thought, the more complicated things would become. But he couldn't help but think.
He spread the letter open again, but nowhere on it did it say, This is a joke, Franz.
This was the truth.
Undeniably, it was the truth.
"This is a difficult story, isn't it?"
It was Anna who spoke first.
"And there's no point in thinking about it, right?"
Being so easily dismissed, Franz looked up in astonishment. Before him was Anna's determined face, her straightforward eyes staring at the crown. Ritz chuckled wryly at Anna's words and nodded.
"That's right. If he's telling us to come, we have no choice but to go. Besides, from the looks of this letter, it seems like me and Anna have something to do with this too."
Indeed, the matter was no longer just about Franz learning Orphe's true identity. If the one who possessed these orbs was Artis Ozmand, and if they had been entrusted to other races, then the orbs the three of them held must also have some meaning.
Anna gently touched the gem on the crown and spoke as if murmuring to herself.
"Orphe-san said he didn't go around distributing these orbs to the other races himself, right? So, does that mean there was someone else who went around distributing them?"
Was there any meaning to that? Franz couldn't quite grasp Anna's question. Especially not with his head in such a confused state.
"I suppose that would be the case."
Ritz, who had recovered the quickest, answered Anna.
"But what's the meaning in that?"
On Franz's behalf, Ritz posed the question to Anna.
"…I was just thinking, maybe the person who distributed them was my parents…"
At that softly spoken phrase, everyone's gaze snapped to Anna. Flustered, Anna waved her hands frantically in front of her face.
"It's just a maybe! Because it's not very common for ordinary people to interact with other races, right? Right, Ritz?"
Anna directed the question to Ritz, the only other race among them. Suddenly being treated as a different race, Ritz gave a wry smile.
"That's certainly true. In my clan, aside from me and my old man, I haven't seen anyone interact with humans in a hundred and fifty years."
In his entire life, Franz had never seen another race besides Ritz and that man Lef from earlier. Perhaps that was just how things were.
"See? But I look like a human, no matter how you look at it. But the fact that I have a long lifespan can only mean that some other race is mixed in."
Everyone agreed with Anna's line of thinking. It was a possibility. Though it didn't go beyond the realm of possibility.
"In that case, I want to know the truth. Because I set out on this journey to find my parents. If this orb is the clue, then having Orphe-san tell me the truth seems like the fastest way."
Anna was telling Franz that if he were to search for Orphe, she would go with him. He understood that. When he looked up, his eyes met Ritz's. Ritz was also looking up, smiling.
"I agree with Anna. This orb told me to 'find the answer to why I'm alive.' If the answer is there, I'd like to see this model answer for myself."
Ritz's and Anna's gazes fell upon Franz. It was up to him now. If he made the decision, a new journey with a clear purpose would begin from here.
He suddenly remembered the words he had said when he stood in the way of the illusion of Ritz inside the Infinite Nightmare.
…With these two, I might be able to find the meaning of my existence.
Why he had lived, what he was living for. The meaning of his own life, which he had drifted through without even understanding.
"I… want to know the truth. I want you to help me find my master's true identity. Will you come with me, both of you?"
When he looked up, he was met with the smiles of his two friends.
"Of course. This isn't just your problem anymore."
"That's right, it's my problem too. Besides, we're companions."
Without realizing it, the corners of his mouth had turned up. Anna noticed and pointed it out.
"Did you see that? Did you see? Franz just smiled! I definitely saw it!"
"If you made that face more often, you'd be a little more charming."
It was strange. The teasing tone of these two, which had genuinely angered him before, wasn't unpleasant. It was likely because he was so deeply relieved.
"…It seems you've reached a decision. I shall offer some assistance before the day of your departure."
As he put the crown away, Edward spoke those gentle words to them. Holding the crown, now back in its box, he was about to start walking away when he turned back to Ritz.
"Ritz, the day after the coronation will be fine, right?"
"Yeah. Just as we promised."
"Understood."
After Edward disappeared beyond the door, Ritz looked at Anna and Franz.
"We'll leave the Royal Capital after the coronation, blending in with the festive chaos of the king's enthronement. I've kept it quiet until now, but that's the promise I made with Ed."
So that was why Ritz had come to the Royal Capital so readily and taken on the position of minister. The question was finally answered.
Just then, the sound of many footsteps and voices came from outside the door. The Military Police had arrived. Their presence here was no longer needed.
"Well, either Altman or the castle's Military Police have arrived. That's our duty done. Let's go home and get something to eat. I skipped lunch, so I'm starving."
With that, Ritz stood up with a great stretch. As if pulled along, Anna also shot up from her chair, clenching her fists and swinging them around.
"That's right! I haven't eaten since lunch yesterday!"
"That's serious. If Anna hasn't eaten, tomorrow's weather will be a blizzard for sure."
"Geez, Ritz, you idiot!"
As if their big fight had never happened, Franz gave a small nod, drawn in by their usual cheerful smiles. The confusion that had dominated his mind had eased considerably. Worrying about what to do wouldn't solve anything; he just had to act.
Franz often found himself overthinking things, getting cornered and unable to move. Ritz and Anna knew that, which was why they had reached out a hand to the hesitating Franz, urging him forward.
That alone made him feel lighter.
If he didn't know, he just had to search. If he was confused, he just had to keep seeking the truth and he would eventually reach it. He would not regret this choice.
"Alright, let's go home. To our home."
Ritz looked around at everyone, announced this, and opened the door.
Our home… That's right, he had a home now. He had a place to return to, and that's why he could set out on a journey.
That pure thought made him happy.
In the end, the first of the Military Police to arrive was Altman, who Ritz said he had arranged to have on standby.
After a brief questioning, it was agreed that they would come to the house to hear the details directly at a later date, given Anna's condition. He was thoroughly relieved when they were able to return home without any reprimand.
He was happy to finally be free from the fear of being punished for trespassing.
"Whoa, that smells good…"
Ritz, whose nose was as good as his ears, let his cheeks relax. Soon, Franz caught the scent as well. The moment they opened the front door, the fragrant, sweet smell of apple pie wafted out.
Looking at the clock, it was just teatime. The long, long night had finally broken, and everything was over.
Above all, the worries he had been carrying had been resolved, which was a joy beyond compare. Now he wouldn't have to sneak around the library researching the royal family, nor would he have to rack his brain about his master's identity.
"Anna!"
Joe, who must have heard the door open, came tumbling down the stairs and, upon seeing Anna's disheveled state, threw her arms around her.
Anna hugged Joe back just as forcefully.
"Joe, I'm sorry for making you worry."
"I was so worried! I was terrified, thinking what if you were dead!"
After blurting that out all at once, Joe burst into tears.
"Waaaaah, Anna~! I'm so glad you're safe~."
"I'm sorry, Joe~."
As if the tension she had been holding in had suddenly melted away, Anna also clung to Joe and started crying.
Come to think of it, Franz, who had been out of the house since yesterday evening, didn't know the circumstances of how all this had come about. A lot must have happened.
He could ask Ritz and Anna about that later.
Prompted by Ritz, Franz entered the drawing room with Lef. Like an old man, Ritz plopped down onto the comfortable sofa with a grunt. Inside, Ritz was sometimes a middle-aged man, contrary to his appearance.
Franz returned Sara, whom he had been carrying around since last night, to the fireplace. Sara obediently entered the flames and curled up contentedly in the center where the fire was strongest.
"Good work."
As he murmured this, Ritz called out to him.
"Franz, this is a late introduction, but this is Lef, a beastman. He was a victim in that drug incident. We're looking after him for a while. Lef, this is our other companion, Franz."
Franz turned around with a small, exasperated sigh. "That's quite the late introduction."
"You didn't ask, did you?"
"That's true, but…"
"Then it's fine, isn't it?"
He let out a small sigh at Ritz's overly casual attitude, but Lef, who had come to stand before him, extended a hand to Franz with a broad smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Franz."
"Yeah. You too."
Even with Franz's curt attitude, Lef didn't flinch at all. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying himself. For some reason, this attitude seemed familiar.
Right, it was Anna. This innocence was similar to Anna's. But physically he looked like an adult, and it was hard to guess his age.
He glanced at Ritz, who seemed to be wondering the same thing, as he stared intently at Lef and asked.
"Lef, you… how old are you?"
"Huh? I'm fifteen."
Franz couldn't help but look at Lef again.
"I see… It's hard to tell the age of a beastman."
Ritz nodded as if he had come to a deep understanding. He remembered that a man named Altman who had visited before had mentioned that a beastman had been easily captured by the drug cartel and drugged, but it seemed he was talking about him.
"So you're younger than me?"
When he asked softly, Lef gave him an innocent smile.
"I may be younger in years, but I am an adult."
"Huh?"
"Beastmen come of age at fifteen. I can already hunt on my own."
"Hunt?"
Hunting and adulthood, was there a connection? What did that ultimately mean? Did demi-humans not age just like Ritz?
As he stood there confused, Lef spoke to him, his smile never faltering.
"Beastmen only have a lifespan of fifty years, so we're different from humans."
"Is that so… I didn't know."
Franz let out a long sigh.
"Our lifespans may be short, but our reflexes and self-healing abilities are second to none. It seems that from a human's perspective, we live out our entire lives in the blink of an eye."
He glanced over at Ritz, who was leaning back on the sofa with his eyes closed. Ritz was of the Spirit Clan, the longest-lived race. And at the opposite end of the spectrum were the beastmen.
Though they were both demi-humans, the two races were so different. Which could be said to be happier? Franz, a human who had been living as if dead until now, had no way of knowing.
"Alright, I've decided."
Ritz suddenly said, sitting up. Without giving anyone a chance to interject, Ritz nodded in satisfaction.
"Our journey to visit all the other races, let's start with the beastmen."
"Huh?"
Not understanding, Franz stared at Ritz, who closed one eye.
"May is a good season for a sea voyage, isn't it? We'll enter the neighboring country by ship, and while we're dropping Lef off at his hometown, we'll stop by. Then we'll travel overland through Saradio, and though I'm somewhat reluctant, we'll meet my old man in my hometown of Ciedena Forest… that seems to be the shortest course."
"You don't know the legend of the Spirit Clan, do you, Ritz?"
When he asked, Ritz gave a wry smile.
"Unfortunately, no."
"…How pathetic."
"Sorry for being useless. How about you, Lef? Do you know anything about the legend?"
Ritz, conveniently ignoring his own ignorance, asked Lef who was nearby, but Lef also shook his head.
"Beastmen go on a year-long wandering journey after coming of age. After that, we are recognized as adults and are apparently taught various things, so…"
"I see, so you don't know yet."
"That's right."
"See, Franz? I'm not the only one who doesn't know, am I?"
He wished Ritz wouldn't be proud of his ignorance. Franz quietly placed Sara's lamp, which he had been holding, on the table.
"Then it can't be helped. That course is fine."
"Then it's decided."
As Ritz said this cheerfully, Franz muttered with a sigh.
"Saradio… just passing through is fine."
Franz couldn't even imagine what his standing in that city was now, after he had burned down his family home and fled.
"Of course. In that town, you're an arsonist, aren't you?"
"'Arsonist' is uncalled for."
"Now that that's settled, we need to catch a ship after the coronation. There will probably be tourists from other countries, so it should be easy to find a vessel."
"You're right."
There were still three months until the coronation. There was quite a lot to be done before then. It was going to get busy.
"Decide what you need to prepare. Food, cold-weather gear, and…"
"…Medicinal herbs."
Franz smoothly retorted to Ritz. It was payback for being called an arsonist. He couldn't forget the time he had forgotten to prepare them, even if he wanted to.
"Franz, I'm leaving it to you."
He really was irresponsible. But if he left it to Ritz, who would be busy with the coronation, and he forgot everything, it would all be for naught. Franz let out a long sigh.
"Fine. I'll take care of it."
'Welcome back, everyone. Will you be having your apple pie here?'
Just as their conversation reached a lull, Annie came in. A tea set was already prepared on the tray. Although she asked, it seemed it had already been decided in Annie's mind that they would have tea here.
Glancing behind Annie, he saw Anna, who had changed her clothes, and Joe, who had developed a strange crying tic after his big cry. And supporting Joe was, of all people, Evans.
"Well, well, can I finally hear the story now?"
Evans, who should have been at work today, looked around at everyone present and offered a faint smile.
'Now, have some snacks. And then, please explain what happened properly so that I can understand as well, won't you?'
Ritz, Franz, and Joe were supposed to have kept Anna's disappearance a secret, but it seemed Annie had sensed something was wrong as well. Yet she had quietly watched over them.
Perhaps this was what Anna called family.
"Alright, let's sit down for now. Then we'll have a debriefing."
Thinking of the peaceful family time that was about to begin, Franz felt the happiness of having a 'house' and 'a place to return to' seep warmly into his chest.