Chapter 65

(Erica’s Point of View)

Following Harold’s departure, an awkward atmosphere settled over the banquet hall. But despite his incongruous behavior, there was such potent power behind his threatening manner that no one dared to blame him.

Amidst the whole ordeal, Erica saw the look in Harold’s eyes. It was a look of profound, crushing despair.

Then came the words Harold was about to utter. Judging from Harold’s nature, his speech, and his actions thus far, deducing the rest of his sentence was simple.

— I have no need for things like a fiancée.

He likely began with those words.

Though Erica couldn’t fathom why he hesitated to actually say them, she believed it stemmed from the hopelessness reflected in his eyes.

【”I am deeply sorry. Please accept my apologies for his rudeness.”】

Itsuki bowed his head to Mr. and Mrs. Berlioz. In turn, the couple assured him there was no need for concern.

【”It’s fine. It’s my husband who said something foolish. Indeed, Aurelian should be the one apologizing.”】

【”Yes, certainly. I hadn’t considered Lord’s feelings. Perhaps he has already chosen a companion?”】

【”That’s…”】

Itsuki hesitated, his gaze darting towards Erica. Aurelian seemed to have grasped something from this.

【”Could that companion be you, Erica? If so, then allow me to apologize to you as well.”】

Well, that thought was natural, given Itsuki’s reaction. The Berlioz family knew the story from five years ago, about a boy named Harold who demanded to break off his engagement with Erica.

However, they didn’t realize the young man they had just spoken with was the same boy, thus concluding that Lord was Erica’s new fiancé.

They were correct, but also wrong. And Harold would have certainly preferred a reply stating they were wrong.

【”There is no need to apologize. Lord and I are not in such a relationship.”】

That’s why Erica replied thus. She avoided looking at the sorrowful expression on Itsuki’s face.

Yet, her heart ached.

【”Then, does he have someone else?”】 (Aurelian)

【”…I haven’t heard of that. Though we’ve known Lord for a long time, he’s not one to speak much about himself.”】 (Itsuki)

Indeed, Erica didn’t know what was truly going on in Harold’s mind. Of course, Itsuki and Erica had heard the rumors about him, but they didn’t believe them.

He was often misunderstood because of his behavior… Or rather, he deliberately made people misunderstand him.

He bore the disgrace of being a murderer to save a parent and child, he acted in a way to make Erica hate him so she could cancel their engagement without worry, and he risked his life, slaying the country’s enemies, to save many members of the knight order and the Star Reader Stellar tribe. The result was Harold’s current predicament.

He was treated far too unjustly. Yet, there were many things he could have done to prove his innocence, and yet he didn’t, so Erica and Itsuki had to respect his choice.

【”He’s a mysterious person.”】 (Brigitte)

【”You could say that. But he’s not a bad person. He’s willing to stand up for others and fight to protect them.”】 (Itsuki)

【”Now that’s a true warrior! Next time, I’d like a proper duel with him.”】 (Aurelian)

【”Right, but there’s no fighting half-heartedly against him. Actually, I have…”】 (Itsuki)

Aurelian once again became excited. Itsuki, who had engaged in proper duels with Harold, began to talk about their fights.

And so, the awkwardness dissipated.

However, a small anxiety lingered in Erica’s heart.

Harold’s pupils reflected such intense despair. She had never seen him with such eyes before.

At the time, Erica had the illusion that Harold was succumbing to his fate. Of course, that was nothing more than an illusion. She was likely just worrying too much.

However, Erica knew not only Harold’s strength, but also his ordinary weaknesses. He constantly battled his inner weaknesses, and it was to overcome these weaknesses that he was so strong.

That was Harold’s way of life. He fought off his weaknesses, the evils of others, monsters, and then, the world itself.

Erica felt that perhaps even she was Harold’s enemy. That’s why she believed he was seeking power excessively.

Training for ten hours a day from childhood was simply not normal. In other words, something was compelling Harold to do so relentlessly.

As if fate had forced him to fight from birth.

(… As if the idea of fighting everything had been “planted” in his mind.)

Those words intuitively flashed through Erica’s mind.

She could envision the seeds of fate, warring within Harold, about to blossom. That dreadful image sent shivers down her spine.

No way. That couldn’t possibly happen, right?

But still, that unsettling image clung to her mind.

She was worried because she cared so deeply for Harold, and knew so little about him. She was worried because she didn’t know how Harold felt, or what he thought.

In that case, she knew what she had to do. And even if Harold didn’t want it, even if he hated her for it, she believed that if it could benefit him, she had to do it without hesitation.

No matter how unfavorable the outcome might be for Erica herself.

◇

Though Harold had rushed out despite himself, he couldn’t simply wander into a stranger’s home. Having said that, despite his hasty exit, he remembered he might get lost, unfamiliar with the place. Thus, he settled at a distance where he could keep the Berlioz mansion in sight. He rested his elbows on the railing of a bridge spanning the waterway.

(Damn, I messed up….)

He’d heard criminals on television say, 【”My blood just rushed to my head for a moment.”】, and now he understood what they meant. Like them, he was “regretting and reflecting.”

As Harold sought excuses, he was confused by his sudden outburst of “emotions he couldn’t possibly feel.” He had been trying to make Erica hate him for eight years, trying every possible means to cancel their engagement, and yet he had almost reflexively blurted out that she was his fiancée.

In other words, what he felt was――.

【”Hell no that wouldn’t happen!”】

With a low groan, he denied his own thoughts.

There was absolutely no way what he felt was love. Harold was a young and healthy man. He had only temporarily lost control, seeing Erica’s attractive figure. It was nothing more than a physiological phenomenon, lust. That had to be it.

However, there was another problem: Harold’s sulky behavior after leaving his seat without Aurelian’s permission.

Even though Aurelian was also in the wrong, as Itsuki had said, he was the leader of this region. The Berlioz house held a higher standing than Harold’s family, yet a young man like himself treated them with such contempt. It wouldn’t be surprising if he were banned from the region for life.

If that happened, he wouldn’t be able to fulfill Itsuki’s request, and he didn’t know what Justus would say about it.

Though he considered apologizing now that he had regained his composure, it would surely be extremely difficult to express his gratitude properly. Or rather, the situation would likely worsen if he tried.

Under the fading light, Harold pondered his next move.

【”What are you doing in such a place?”】

Harold turned toward the voice that had no business being there.

And then, amidst a street reminiscent of medieval Europe, he saw her, Erica, standing there in her kimono. The contrast between her and her surroundings, straight out of an ukiyo-e, and her stunning beauty, might have had something to do with it. (Tln: I don’t know enough about art to understand any of this ><) She wasn't expressionless, but Harold couldn't decipher her emotions from her expression, though she did give him a chill. 【"I can go wherever I please. What brings you here?"】 【"My older brother thought you might have gotten lost."】 【"Don't treat me like a child. It's disgusting."】 【"I'm just as troubled as you are."】 Well, that was certainly true. It was safe to assume that Itsuki had urged Erica, saying, 【"Go comfort Harold now; it's a perfect opportunity."】. In that sense, Harold felt sorry for her, as she was being manipulated no less than he was. 【"Then hurry up and tell that foolish brother of yours his concern is useless."】 【"I'll do just that, but first, there's something I'd like to ask you personally, Harold-sama."】 【"Something you'd like to ask?"】 As he said that, Harold remembered. Itsuki had kept his presence completely secret from Erica. So it was only natural that she would wonder why Harold was there. Though normally it would have been okay to explain it to her once they met face-to-face, the atmosphere and timing had completely vanished thanks to Itsuki's antics. He truly excelled at creating trouble. 【"Hey, young lady, you've got quite the unusual attire. Are you sightseeing?"】 Suddenly, a voice intervened between Harold and Erica. The owner of the voice was a very tanned, dark-skinned man with strong, well-defined muscles. From his tank top, baggy shorts, bare feet (except for sandals), and bandanna, Harold immediately recognized him as a sailor. At the same time, Harold guessed the man's intentions. 【"We're not going to board your boat."】 At a nearby dock, on the waterway, a small boat was moored. Unlike those for travel and transport, it had a few simple decorations. Its size and shape weren't much different from the other small boats, but it felt more like a pleasure craft. This sailor was probably the owner of that boat. 【"Well, don't say that. I mean, this is your chance to show how reliable you are to your lady."】 Despite Harold's curt reply, the sailor wasn't deterred. On the contrary, he misinterpreted Harold and Erica as a couple. It was a natural assumption from a third-party perspective. The problem was that the man's misunderstanding had created a minefield between Harold and Erica. Distressed by the sailor, Harold tried to walk away. But his feet were halted by an unexpected statement. 【"Right, right. Then, a trip for two, please."】 Harold couldn't believe his ears. If Erica wanted a pseudo-pleasure cruise, she was free to do so. However, she said "two people." In this situation, it was impossible for those two people to be anyone other than Harold and Erica. 【".....I don't see your maid anywhere."】 【"Juno is helping set up the assembly hall."】 Though Harold entertained a small possibility, all he got was a "so what?" response. As expected, it seemed Erica wanted to ride the boat with Harold. Harold couldn't understand what Erica was thinking. However, if she just wanted to talk, she wouldn't have gone to the trouble of boarding the boat. Harold's mind was in a whirl, unable to formulate a logical response. Seizing the opportunity in Harold's confusion, Erica took his hand. 【"Let's go, Harold-sama."】 【"Hey, what the hell are you..."!】 【"But you won't get on if I don't do that, right?"】 【"Obviously! Why would I want to go with... let go of my damn hand!"】 【"My older brother said that, when dealing with Harold-sama, the more aggressive I am, the better."】 【"And you believe that guy's words?!"】 【"I don't. I'm just using them to my advantage."】 That was unnecessarily vicious. Erica truly was her brother's sister. Having concluded that words wouldn't convince Erica, Harold used all his strength to shake her off. However, for some reason, he couldn't free himself from her grasp. No matter how many times he tried, his strength would dissipate, leaving him powerless. His efforts had little effect. It was Erica, holding Harold's left hand, who explained the incomprehensible phenomenon. 【"Harold-sama, do you know about 'Aiki'? Simply put, it's a form of taijutsu that disrupts the opponent's body's freedom."】 Harold broke out in a cold sweat. Erica, speaking dispassionately, was mysteriously threatening. In fact, Harold felt she was a little frightening. (I do know about it, but why the hell does Aikido exist in this world?!) Even if it somehow existed here, it was still strange for Erica to use Aikido. In the game, there was no close-quarters combat command for Erica. Her only physical attack was archery, and besides, she was supposed to be a magic-focused character, supporting from behind. And yet, how could she master something like Aikido? It seemed she had evolved beyond Harold's expectations. 【"Wow, didn't think the young lady was actually the most reliable one in this couple. Never easy to deal with a woman stronger than you, is it? Just hang in there, Lady-killer."】 With a look of surprise and sympathy, the sailor lightly patted Harold's back to comfort him. Though Harold was very dissatisfied, in the end, he couldn't shake off Erica's grip and was led onto the small boat, feeling embarrassed as curious eyes gathered, likely witnessing "a man with an evil look in his eyes, complaining while being led by a stunning beauty." On that small boat, Harold couldn't help but feel like he was riding with the grim reaper across the River Styx. Author's Note: The founder of Aikido, Mr. Morihei Ueshiba, once said, "Aiki is love." Translator's Note: Regarding the River Styx, I changed the sentence to make it easier to understand without extensive research. The River Styx is basically the river of the dead from Disney's Hercules; that's easier to understand than the children of limbo the author references.