kscans

Chapter 111 - Little One and the Seaside Forest

"What is that…?"

Castrato was visible in the distance. The area around the horizon, even further than the borderlands, was glowing a faint red, with several plumes of smoke rising into the air. Flickering lights emerged in the evening dusk. Watching the smoke drift on the wind, Little One recalled the conversation she had at the western forest she had visited earlier.

"So this is the other side of that fissure, after all?"

Without even needing the rampart gate opened, Little One got permission from the border count and flew the Honeybee Carriage straight into the western forest. She landed the carriage at the edge of the canyon and went into the forest with Dorfen, where Joker greeted her with a weary look.

"To think it was connected to the Castrato forest. .....They really did a number on me."

The fissure, which split open and widened diagonally downward from the deep canyon of the western forest, had been completely sealed with spider silk from top to bottom. Although the surface was covered, Joker apparently hadn't expected it to connect all the way to Castrato’s subterranean lake.

A deep silence fell over Joker's nest for a time, and then she spoke in a hushed tone.

She spoke of how this fissure might connect to the abyss. How the Dark Spirits had likely slipped through the gaps.

"Spirits… but we already have them, don't we?"

Little One twirled her finger, summoning Colon and Pockle. The two of them tumbled together, bouncing poyopoyo on the silver web. Joker shook her head at this and looked straight at Chihiro.

"These are pure Arcadian spirits. They're different from the Dark Spirits. The Dark Spirits draw close to people and feed on their desires. They are the loyal servants of the Dark Spirit King."

"The Dark Spirit King?"

Darkness and light are two sides of the same coin. Although darkness is often used with negative connotations, in reality, the difference is no more than that between night and day. Both are necessary for the world, and each has its own meaning. Joker nodded and explained the birth and history of the Dark Spirit King. And his deeds.

After hearing the story, Little One blinked lightly and tilted her head.

"So?"

"..........Yeah. Well, I figured you’d say that."

Joker gave a wry smile.

The Dark Spirit King who dominated other worlds, pampering and taming their human inhabitants. It was the humans of those worlds who chose that tranquility. They willingly soaked in lukewarm water, living just as the Dark Spirits wished.

"If that's the case, isn't that fine? The humans and the Dark Spirit King have no complaints, so it's a win-win, isn't it?"

They’re both doing what they want, right? I don't see any problem.

Her eyes spoke volumes.

It was Dorfen who questioned Little One’s straightforward thinking.

"However, I cannot imagine that being pampered into doing nothing, simply drowning in idleness, is true happiness."

Even though it was a story about another world, Dorfen, who had grown all too accustomed to talk of otherworlds thanks to Little One, was quick to grasp the outlandish tale. He furrowed his brow doubtfully, and Little One shrugged.

"That’s just our own selfish set of values. Over there, that might be the ultimate bliss, you know? I’d pass on it, though."

I see. Well, I suppose that’s one way of thinking.

Joker glanced at Dorfen, who bared his teeth in a slight grimace, and continued the story.

"That world is that world. It has nothing to do with us. But the problem is that the Dark Spirit King wants Arcadia, too."

"Weh? How annoying."

Chihiro crossed her arms in a flash, showing her complete and utter rejection. Joker watched the girl with an amused smile and nodded with a tired expression.

"I know, but that guy is… what you would call, one of those creatures, you see? Once he gets an idea in his head, he doesn't stop."

"Ah, that type."

The two of them spoke with the casualness of people discussing a troublesome relative. In fact, Little One thought of it as nothing more than that. It was like a fire on a distant shore, she didn't place much importance on a Dark Spirit King she had never even seen. She couldn't really grasp the reality of it, even when told that the Dark Spirits released by the king might have infiltrated Arcadia. It didn’t quite register when she heard they were maneuvering in the shadows to test and tame people. She did receive a warning from Joker to be careful, but she never imagined she would encounter them so soon and right before her eyes.

The royal capital of Castrato drew closer and closer. Numerous flames colored the city. And frolicking in the rising smoke were puppet-like things laughing, kera kera. The deep purple figures had the shape of small humans. They had six wings and were spinning and dancing joyfully. There were over a hundred of them at a glance.

"Are those the Dark Spirits? What did they do?!"

The flames were spreading, centered around the noble district that encircled the royal palace. The Honeybee Carriage flew through the sky above the city, filled with screams and groans, and landed in the palace garden.

"Who goes there?!"

They were surrounded by soldiers and knights who came rushing out, but Hyrulia opened the door and barked an order, and they all fell silent.

"Did you not hear me? I am Duke Halbay."

Their eyes shot open in realization. The soldiers raised their swords and spears, and the knights knelt. Anyone from Castrato would know the silver hair and violet eyes that were the colors of the ducal house.

"Understood. The palace is currently in chaos due to an emergency. We beg your forgiveness for our discourtesy."

"You are forgiven. Go quickly."

"Yes, sir!"

Hyrulia watched the soldiers run off, then beckoned to Little One, Dorfen, and the others. The Frontier knights poured out of the carriage. A Castrato knight was dumbfounded by the sight, his eyes going wide.

"Your Grace, Duke Halbay, who are these people…?"

"They are honored guests from Frontier. Treat them with courtesy and without disrespect. This is Her Highness the Princess. She is also on familiar terms with His Highness the Crown Prince."

Her eyes curving into a soft smile, Hyrulia opened the fan she was holding to cover her mouth. A beautiful woman with a graceful presence. Illuminated by the evening moon, her silken silver hair shimmered as if dusted with stars. Her magnificent, ladylike appearance captivated not only the Castrato knights but the Frontier knights as well.

Woah, a trueborn princess is really something else.

Little One couldn’t help but be mesmerized.

But Chihiro herself had been armed in a proper dress, a compulsory makeover by Hyrulia. Over a softly layered pannier skirt, she wore a knee-length Japanese-style Gothic dress. The half-collar was lavishly adorned with lace, and the purple kimono with a glimpse of the vermilion undergarment was adorable. Paired with the opulent-looking kimono was a mystical circlet of rutilated quartz. Her black hair was let down, cascading to her waist like waves, making her look like an incarnation of the night itself.

"...A goddess?"

Looking at the two beautiful girls, like a pair of paintings depicting the moon and the night, the Castrato knights couldn't look away, holding their breath as they stared, transfixed. As if time had stopped, the dazed Castrato knights were completely unable to move until the Crown Prince, having received the report, came running.

Incidentally, it goes without saying that the Crown Prince was also rendered speechless by their stunning appearance and stood there frozen.

Tsukutsun. Little One gave him a poke.

"Hey, isn't this a national crisis, nyo?"

"...That's right! My lady! I implore you, lend us your aid!"

Snapping back to his senses, the Crown Prince led the Frontier party towards the palace.

Not understanding what had just happened, the image of the two girls remained seared onto the eyelids of the Castrato soldiers and knights, refusing to fade.

"You are dressed up quite splendidly today."

Little One grimaced at the Crown Prince’s words.

"I have no choice. Hyrulia is so fussy."

"That is how one should normally dress. You are a princess, after all!"

Hyrulia snorted. The Crown Prince smiled wryly and briefly explained what had happened.

"The monsters kept by the nobles have escaped. ...Probably all of them."

"Uweeeh?"

Letting out a cry familiar in the Frontier royal palace, Little One buried her face in her hands internally.

How did it come to this?!

Little One was her usual energetic self. There is no peace where she goes.