Interlude: Regret
*
King Raizer was staring from the garden, the powder snow that rains down from the sky above Lagisteria Castle.
“Is something on your mind?”
Behind him, Hazen raises his voice.
“……I’m wondering if the white snow that falls this winter, will be dyed in a terrifying amount of blood”
A war with the large country Delshar, that one can say has the most territory, people, weapon; the most of everything on the continent. The fact that tens of thousands of lives will be lost in this battle is, already an unavoidable reality.
“A supreme ruler is not allowed the time to regret. I ask that you be careful when you are not in front of me”
“Fuu……I kind of, ended up whining. Forgive me”
The entire continent is paying attention to the direction of this war. If they lose this war, Bardyst Holy Kingdom will be destroyed, and if they win, they’ll probably announce their existence as one of the prominent military countries on the continent to the world. Unifying of the continent. That is, a grand feat that had never been accomplished before in history, one that one can say is a pipedream. The path to fulfilling that is, of course, a militaristic path painted in blood.
“……”
Hazen, while looking at King Raizer, was recalling his childhood. He was a violent and boorish lad, so much so that one can’t imagine from his current composed demeanour. Debauchery to the extent that anybody would worry for his future; the one appointed as his educator was Hazen. However, with one look, he knew that he was acting. They are, actions so that his life doesn’t get targetted, by his relatives who are after the throne.
After that, Hazen delegated the Four Saints as his bodyguard. By guaranteeing Raizer’s life, his kind and delicate personality managed to return. By the time he ascended to the throne, the eldest son, second son, third son, fourth daughter were all not in this world. That was how intense the struggle surrounding the throne was.
“My hands are sullied with blood”
King Raizer mutters while looking at his palms.
“……it may differ in scale, but that is how it is for one in the position of a King”
“Sometimes……I think. Whether there’s no other way”
“A grand feat that does not spill any blood does not exist. It is just that……I would like it, to end with you”
“……”
Despite possessing overwhelming charisma, his innate kindness is holding him back. The one who invited that individual who, under normal circumstances, would be touted as one of the very few saints on the continent, to the militaristic path was none other than Hazen.
“Are you regretting?”
“Isn’t that……what Hazen-sensei is doing?”
He makes a slightly mischevious smile.
Amidst all that, a butler entered the garden.
“King Raizer, there is a discussion about the dance party that will be held two weeks later”
“……my, my. We’re about to have a war in a month, and yet, on the other hand, there’s a discussion about a dance”
King Razier laughed self-mockingly and went off to butler.
Hazen, he sends his back view off and carries on to move his eyes to the garden.
“How about you show yourself already?”
Hearing that voice, Lloyd revealed himself from the darkness.
“……when did you realise?”
The magic that hides his figure in the darkness is, a New Magic(Original) Lloyd created. He had been assimilating with the dark night and testing its effect, before Hazen and the others came here.
“Right from the start. Previously, there was a fool who used that magic and targetted my life”
“……”
Lloyd turned away with an unamused look. He can’t help feeling irritated, at the fact that it was a New Magic(Original), that had already been developed before.
“Please polish your Light. If you focus on just the Dark you’re good at, you’ll reach your limit one day. If you’re thinking of surpassing me, you’ll learn Light”
“……”
“Fuu……have the Four Saint gathered?”
“……yes. Even without borrowing their strength, won’t it be settled if Hazen-sensei join in?”
If Hazen were to participate in this war, it’d unmistakably be a winning battle. That was, how over the top Hazen’s Magic Power was.
“If I lend my strength publicly, the continent probably won’t acknowledge King Raizer as the new King. Unifying the continent is, his own legacy as well”
“Hmm. I wonder if that is how it is”
Uninterestedly, the child turns away and places both hands on the back of his head.
Looking at that carefree attitude, the old man’s heart stings.
“……haha, it sure is exactly as King Raizer said”
“What?”
“No……it’s nothing”
Up until now, he had never once seen King Raizer’s carefree side. He’d never once seen him laugh, cry, or get angry from the bottom of his heart. And then, he smashes his heart that’s kinder and more delicate than anybody, and tells him to walk the militaristic path. There’s no way he doesn’t have any regrets about that decision.
However……nevertheless.
The wind that blew fiercely on his old body, continued chilling his skin.
