kscans

47 - The Time of Parting is Also Bitter

With departure finally set for tomorrow, Ray was preparing his luggage alone. Though he called it preparation, food and camping gear were to be transported by carriage, so he was simply gathering his personal belongings. With Cecil's help, he had finished long ago. At least, as far as his official luggage was concerned.

Somehow managing to get Cecil, who refused to leave his side, to run an errand, Ray began checking the contents of his Shadow Storage once he was alone.

He hadn't been able to collect as much food as he wanted. For the past week, Ray had been ordering extra bread and the like every time they ate and saving it, but it was quite a feat to leave leftovers without Cecil noticing.

Knowing that Ray was heading on a dangerous mission, Cecil clung to him so intensely that it would have been surprising if even newlyweds were this attached, she simply would not leave him.

Her persistence was almost frightening, but Ray couldn't bring himself to strongly reject her, feeling that he was the one who had driven her to this state.

Furthermore, there were other reasons why Ray felt guilty. Even now, for one thing or another, Ray was taking advantage of Cecil's blind devotion to him.

The acquisition of the Magic Crystals in his Shadow Storage was one such example. Rather than the scrap Magic Crystals Julius had given him for practice, Ray had obtained crystals of much higher purity. Cecil had procured them from the Mage Corps, thinking she could make Ray her own for this past week. Ray had not been told how she procured them.

I'm the worst.

When he thought about this, he felt as if he had become a parasite, and Ray became deeply depressed.

Piling sin upon sin. Someone like him should not be forgiven. He sank into these dark thoughts.

"Kamui."

At the sudden voice calling out to him, Ray snapped back to his senses.

"...Miria-san."

Standing at the entrance to the room was Miria, whom he had thought he would never see again.

"Do you have a moment?"

"Yes. I'm fine."

As he told Miria this, Ray erased the shadow gaping open on the floor. It was Ray's carelessness that he had sunk so deep into thought that he hadn't noticed her presence detection.

"Departure is tomorrow, right?"

Fortunately, there was no sign that Miria had noticed the Shadow Storage. Without showing any particular reaction, Miria entered the room.

"Yes. That's right. By any chance, are you here to say goodbye?"

"That's part of it, but I have something to give you."

"A farewell gift, is it?"

"Yeah. That's right. From the Princess."

"...I see."

Hearing it was from Princess Ekaterina, Ray's face clouded. Seeing Ray's expression, Miria let out a small sigh.

"Hey, did something happen between you and the Princess?"

"...Why do you think that?"

"The Princess is acting strange. Even though she speaks harshly of you with her mouth, she's had this gift prepared."

"Is that so..."

"In the first place, it's strange that the Princess speaks harshly of you. Listening to it, it almost feels painful."

"It's not particularly strange. Wasn't it like that at the beginning?"

"At the beginning, yes."

"Perhaps she realized her own position? It's stranger for the Princess to be close with a slave."

"That's true, but..."

Ray's words were the same warnings Miria had given Princess Ekaterina many times. Princess Ekaterina had completely turned a deaf ear to them. Now that she no longer saw Ray, the fact that she was reconsidering seemed nothing but unnatural.

"She has simply returned to how things should be. There is no problem."

"...Don't make a fool of me."

"Eh?"

"As a Royal Guard, I am always by the Princess's side. I intend to understand at least a little of what the Princess is thinking."

"...I see."

Miria had a serious expression Ray had never seen before. Ray thought that trying to deceive her with vague words was indeed making a fool of Miria. That didn't mean he could tell her everything, though.

"The Princess is anxious. She's frustrated, thinking that she might never see you again."

"That... is as the King mentioned. I don't know when I will be able to see her next, either."

"Even so, the Princess should have been able to believe in you. If you had said you would meet again, she would have believed those words and waited. But now, she can't do that."

"...There's no way the Princess would believe in me."

"Then, why is that?"

"...Because I was deceiving her."

"What?"

"Because my attitude and actions were all fabricated to make the Princess trust me."

"That's a lie."

"It's the truth. I was deceiving the Princess all along. And the Princess found out."

"That's a lie! That can't be!"

Miria's reaction was unexpected for Ray. He had thought she would be so enraged she might attack him.

"...Even if you say it can't be, I'm the one saying it."

"That's no good! I can't accept that!"

"No, that's..."

"You are my goal!"

"Eh?"

Once again, unexpected words flew from Miria's mouth.

"You are my goal as a Royal Guard. I want to support the Princess and become a trusted Royal Guard like you. I cannot accept that your actions were fake!"

"...Um."

Ray had never dreamed that Miria thought of him in such a way. He was stunned, unable to find any words to respond.

To Ray, Miria was indeed a dazzling existence. Ray was the one who wished he could be like her.

"I'll surpass you one day, Kamui. So..."

"You've already surpassed me."

"I won't be fooled by words like that."

"I'm being sincere. Miria-san, you are straightforward toward the Princess. That alone is something I can't even hope to reach."

"But you too..."

"My feelings... are separate."

"Does that mean... still..."

"I can't forget. Even now, the moment a precious person died is burned into my heart. I can clearly remember the sensation of the hand when I took their life."

After thinking about many things, this was what ultimately remained in Ray's heart. He must not forget Kamiira and Rui. A peaceful life is not permitted for someone like him, who killed those two with his own hands. Ray had decided to finish what he left undone and then die himself.

Though Ray should be mentally stronger than most people, there was no point if these negative thoughts didn't disappear. Ray had always been this way. He felt no meaning in living.

"Kamui. I don't think I have the right to say this to you... but, I think it's better to forget."

"That is not permitted. Nor do I intend to forget."

"I see..."

By getting to know Ray, Miria's prejudice against the Demon Race Ray called family had faded. As prejudice fades, sympathy arises. For Miria, it was a complex feeling she couldn't quite process.

Unable to think of words of persuasion, Miria fell silent.

"What are you two doing?"

A voice called out to the silent pair. This voice, tinged with anger, belonged to Cecil.

"Ah... no, I was just saying goodbye to Kamui."

"I see. Then why don't you finish up quickly and go home?"

Cecil's grudge against Miria had still not vanished. It was a betrayal at a point where Cecil, who originally didn't trust people, had opened her heart slightly. Unless something extraordinary happened, repair was impossible.

"...Well then, Kamui. Come back safe."

"I'll make an effort."

This was Kamui's utmost response, as he could not promise that he would return.

"Also, this is the farewell gift."

What Miria held out was the sword she wore at her waist. For something Princess Ekaterina had prepared, it was a plain, unadorned design. However, the moment he received it, Ray knew it was no ordinary sword.

"...This is..."

"The Princess had the Court Blacksmith make it. There wasn't much time, so they just reforged a sword that was already finished, but since the original was a decent sword and various things were added to it..."

"Magic, right?"

"Yeah. Three Magic Crystals are embedded. Magic for improving strength and durability, and for reducing weight, are incorporated. In short, it's a sword that's hard, sturdy, and light."

"It's practical."

"Since you're heading into actual combat. I advised that being eccentric wouldn't be useful."

"...Did Miria-san have actual combat experience?"

"Don't say that."

"But it's a good sword. I like it."

"I see. That's good. ...Well then, I'll be going."

Miria had been speaking pleasantly, but upon noticing that Cecil had been glaring at her the whole time, she abruptly cut the conversation short and hurried out of the room.

After staring hatefully at that back, Cecil turned back to Ray. By this time, her expression had changed to a smile.

"Kamui-sama, I've brought the item you requested."

"Thank you."

"How is it?"

"...Yes. You looked for a very proper one."

"Since you said you'd be putting stones in it, I looked for something sturdy."

"You're right. With this, it seems it'll be fine even if I put stones in. And..."

What Ray had asked Cecil for was a pouch to keep pebbles for his projectiles. Since he had asked for it as an excuse to be alone, anything would have done, but the item Cecil prepared was more proper than he had imagined.

It wasn't a pouch, but a leather waist bag, with a pocket on one side where pebbles could be placed. Besides that, it was designed so that various things could be inserted. When he actually tried putting it on his waist, Ray finally understood something.

When he inserted the sword he had just received from Miria into the sword loop and fastened the clasp, the sword was fixed in a good position.

"I see. Since I don't usually carry a sword, I forgot to prepare something like this."

"Is that so? I'm glad."

At Ray's words, Cecil approached him with a happy smile.

Moving behind him, Cecil wrapped her arms around Ray's waist as if hugging him. Just as he wondered what she was starting, she removed the sword he had just fastened and roughly threw it toward the luggage on the floor.

"...Um?"

"Isn't it in the way if you're wearing a sword?"

"It is, but I thought it might be better to get used to it a little. Since I've never fought while wearing a scabbard, I might not be able to move as usual."

"...I see. But let's leave that for later."

"Hah."

As for what she would do now, Cecil took the magic tool Ray had made from the luggage and activated it by pouring in her own magic.

Ray felt the spread of magic. Along with it, he felt a bad premonition.

"Um, why the barrier?"

"Because I don't want anyone to disturb us."

"Disturb what?"

"Our time alone."

"And what is that time?"

"...Don't ask boring questions. You should already know."

Cecil's tone changed. Since he had experienced this every day for the past week, Ray had naturally grown used to this change. He had grown used to the change, but that didn't change the fact that his chest still ached.

Placing her hand on Ray's chest, Cecil began to slowly stroke his body.

"...It's still light outside."

"That's why I put up the barrier. Because I don't want anyone to disturb us."

"That's not the issue..."

"Kamui will depart tomorrow. Even including this, there are only two times left."

"Two times... including tonight?"

"Yes. Isn't that obvious?"

"...Tomorrow morning is quite early, though."

"I know. That's why I'll let you finish early tonight, in exchange, love me now."

"Is that how it is..."

Even while they were talking, Cecil began to undress Ray. Once his upper body was bare, she gently pushed him down onto the bed, Ray didn't do anything to resist. He knew from the experience of the last few days that resisting Cecil in this state would only make her scream hysterically, which would be more troublesome.

As she put her hand on his underwear and pulled them down, she began to undress herself. Cecil wore a robe that she simply pulled over her head. Once she took that off, only her underwear remained. Normally she wore other things under the robe, but only when she was with Ray did Cecil do this.

Removing the remaining underwear and becoming stark naked, Cecil draped herself over Ray. Cecil's hair fell over Ray's face. Her lips, drawing close, touched Ray's forehead, eyelids, cheeks, and then his lips.

"...Tell me if there's anything you want me to do."

"...Nothing in particular."

"For Kamui's sake, I'll do any lewd thing."

"...That's already enough."

"I'll do anything Kamui desires. I can do things that woman can't."

"............"

Once again, she called her own country's princess "that woman." He realized that Miria's appearance and the sent sword had stimulated Cecil.

"I won't give you to anyone. Kamui is mine."

A light that felt like madness floated in Cecil's eyes. Staring at Ray with a smile on her lips and an entranced expression, she was mysterious enough to be frightening, and beautiful.

To the point where he overlapped her with the image of Kamiira, though they shouldn't be similar.

If this isn't charm, what is? While such an excuse floated in his head, Ray drowned himself in Cecil's body. The time with Cecil, where he could be without thinking, was a perfect escape for Ray. For that reason, Ray used Cecil.

◇◇◇

As the departure time drew near, the area in front of the castle gate was bustling with final preparations.

Still carrying the atmosphere of last night's tryst, Cecil was devotedly taking care of Ray. She didn't shy away from public view, rather, it felt as if she were intentionally showing off to those around them.

In fact, Cecil was doing it on purpose. She was conscious of her rival, who she was sure was watching from somewhere.

There was only one person who could stop such a Cecil.

"You're scary."

"What do you mean, scary?"

"Right now, it feels like you're scattering the terror of a woman's jealousy for all to see."

"That has nothing to do with you, Geel-sama."

Geel was probably the only one who would suddenly engage with Cecil in this state.

"It does have something to do with me. I'm the brat's master, after all."

"Haven't you stopped being his master?"

"Does a master-disciple bond once tied vanish so easily? At least, I don't recall expelling the brat."

"But you didn't teach him anything either."

"You're really strict when it comes to the brat, little lady. But what's important isn't how I am. It's whether the brat sees me as his master."

"Kamui-sama does not."

"...Brat. I wasn't asking you, little lady. If you meddle too much, you'll be disliked."

"That's..."

While having this exchange, Cecil's atmosphere returned to her usual tone. Ray had also learned a lot from Geel regarding the handling of women.

"Coming all this way, and at such an early hour, just to see us off?"

"Yeah. Of course."

"No way. Were you out all night?"

"...I was."

"I thought so. Coming through the main gate so boldly despite being out all night... how like a master."

"It's close to the knight's quarters."

Indeed, the knight's quarters were very close to the main gate. The area inside the outer wall consisted mostly of military facilities, and inside that was another wall, within which lay the actual castle, that was the structure of this place.

"Well, whatever. As a result, I was able to see you."

"Yeah. So, how is it?"

Geel's interest was, as always, in fighting.

"I wonder. I intend to have continued my training, but I can't say I'm confident."

"Are the Magic Beasts of the Forest of Bewilderment that strong?"

"Even though I lived there, I only stayed in one place, so I'm not well-versed. But even among the few Magic Beasts I saw, there are some I'm not confident I could beat."

"Do you know what kind of Magic Beast it is?"

"Murder Wolf."

"...I see. Fast, hard, and clever, if I recall correctly."

Though Geel no longer fought Magic Beasts now, he had a general amount of information in his head.

"Yes. They use something like Body Strengthening, so they're troublesome."

"Do they use magic?"

"I think it's magic. It felt like their strength jumped up a level."

"The way you put it makes it sound like you fought one."

"I can't say I fought. I only watched."

"The ones fighting were the Demon Race, right?"

"Yes. Even with two of them, they couldn't secure a victory. Well, one of them was a child, though."

"...I see. I knew the information, but are they that strong?"

A Magic Beast that two of the Demon Race couldn't defeat. Normally, one would be afraid, but naturally, Geel was different. He wore a happy smile after hearing Ray's explanation.

"Don't follow me."

"How did you know?"

"Of course I know. You have a face that says you can't wait to fight."

"It'll be easier if I come along, you know?"

"The opposite. I can see you starting a fuss because there's nothing to eat. I can't deal with that kind of trouble."

"You're carrying as much as you need, right?"

"Naturally. But whether it's a carriage or a wagon, I don't know, but if I move along with that, there's no way I could search the forest."

They wouldn't be traveling on paved roads. Even with a carriage, it would be faster for Ray to run. Moreover, there are more places in the forest where a carriage cannot proceed.

"That's true. Then it's impossible. I am a gourmet, after all."

"That's for the best."

"It's about time."

Looking at the surroundings, Geel muttered. In reality, the preparations for departure had been finished long ago. They had just been waiting because they were afraid of Geel and couldn't interrupt the conversation.

"Well then, this is it."

"Yeah... let's meet someday."

"Will it be a fight to the death then?"

"If you've become that strong by then."

"...I'll make an effort. Huh? Is it okay to do that?"

"It's fine. You won't reach me anyway."

"I see. Then, I'll definitely make an effort."

"Yeah."

"Then, for real this time, this is it. You too, Cecil-san."

"...Kamui-sama."

Cecil was staring at Ray with a face that looked as if she might burst into tears at any moment. Sensing an atmosphere that might turn into a scene, Ray quickly turned around and headed toward the carriage.

"Kamui-sama!"

Cecil's voice reached his back. The pure feelings carried in that voice, devoid of any madness, pierced Ray's heart. Ray had accelerated his pace as if to shake it off, but as if having decided something, he gave a light nod and ran back to Cecil.

"...Kamui-sama."

"...Tsukitani Ray."

"Eh?"

"Maybe I should say Ray Tsukitani. Because that's my name."

"Your name..."

"Actually, I remembered my name. But since I've become established as Kamui, I thought it was too late, so I hadn't told anyone."

"Ray..."

"Tsukitani. It's hard to pronounce, isn't it?"

"Ray Tsukitani-sama. So that is your real name?"

"Yes. It's not a big deal, but I thought I'd leave at least one truth between myself and Cecil-san."

He felt sorry for Cecil if he parted while still deceiving her. He thought about leaving something intended only for Cecil, and the name came to mind. It was a fairly bold decision. Ray was one thing, but a surname like Tsukitani probably didn't exist in this world.

"...To me, everything is the truth."

"Well, it's just my own self-satisfaction. Then, for real this time."

Without listening to Cecil's words further, Ray ran toward the carriage.

"That guy..."

Geel muttered softly while watching that back.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, I just thought he was trying to act cool."

"Kamui, no, Ray-sama was cool to begin with."

"Yeah, I guess so. But he doesn't realize it himself."

"That's what's cute, and what's worrying."

"Jealousy again? Give it a rest, will you?"

Geel couldn't bring himself to say the thought that the brat might be intending to die. He knew that if he said it, Cecil would make a fuss. And no matter how much Cecil made a fuss, it wasn't something that could be helped. This was a Royal Decree from the King. Even Geel could do nothing.

All Geel could do was pray for Ray's good luck.