TYND 49

TL: Motokare

“There, finished.”

Zey’s hands hadn’t stopped even while chatting. She quickly finished carving and held out a rather plump crocodile figurine to Rothy.

“How is it? Fearsome, isn’t it?”

“It’s cute.”

“Cute? I beg your pardon. This is a fearsome crocodile fiend.”

“Sorry.”

“Oh no, I’m joking. Please, don’t apologise. Feel free to find it cute. Ah, wait a second.”

When Rothy reached for the plump crocodile figurine, Zey quickly slipped gloves onto his small hands. The wooden figurine hadn’t been finished, so touching it with bare hands could lead to splinters. If Rothy’s fingers got even a scratch, there would be fierce words from Theon.

“It’s really cute.”

Rothy fiddled with the crocodile fiend figurine and Chi-chi, who’d been grooming itself in his arms, perked up with interest. 

Scree

The weasel climbed onto the table, wrapped its long body around the figurine and sniffed it. After examining it carefully, it suddenly kicked it over with its hind legs. 

“Chi-chi doesn’t like it.”

It even scratched at the table as if to express its displeasure. 

“Chi-chi really doesn’t like it.”

“It must be wary since it’s bigger than it is.”

“Sorry. I’ll talk to Chi-chi about it.”

“Please, stop apologising. Or else, His Grace will kill us.”

“Theon doesn’t kill people for no reason… Knights really do exaggerate too much.”

The knights smiled fondly at how biased the archduchess had become.

“Let’s make Chi-chi into a muscular weasel instead. Have him do a hundred sit-ups each day and he’ll grow bigger than this crocodile doll.”

“What’s a sit-up? You raise your body up?”

“Good heavens.”

The unexpected question floored Xeon—literally.

“……!”

Then, just as quickly, he sprang back up. The relaxed mood was gone. His expression sharpened instantly. Zey and Chungnip, who’d been laughing just a moment ago, also tensed. That was because Harrié Geelin was approaching. The leader of PLEIN acted as if he didn’t notice the hostility in their eyes and spoke casually. 

“That weasel’s really adorable. Chi-chi is six years old, correct?”

“Yeah.”

Harrié, either unfazed or outright shameless, sat down in the empty seat across from Rothy. 

“You even dress it. I never knew weasels could wear clothes until I saw Chi-chi.”

“I didn’t know either…”

“These small joys are only possible in times of peace.”

The two knights and the mage beside Rothy all scowled at once. 

There it was again.

Four the past four days, Harrié Geelin had done nothing but hover around Rothy and every time he approached, it was the same conversation. 

“As you know, Araxys’s under constant threats from Maton’s offspring. The way may’ve ended for now, but we never know when it might start again. Your Grace’s existence is the seed of opportunity to reduce human casualties and end this war forever.”

He’d say anything he could to try to bring Rothy to PLEIN. 

Zey and Xeon signalled Chungnip. Not that they needed to—he was already about to say something.

“That’s enough, Master. If His Grace sees this, you’ll be reprimanded again.”

“That’s precisely why I’m speaking when he’s not here.”

“We’re having fun over here, but you’ve ruined the mood completely.”

“Fun times must end eventually. Unless we obtain some overwhelming power that guarantees victory.”

“There are crew members present. Mind your words.”

“They wouldn’t understand even if they heard. And I wish you’d stop interrupting my conversation with His Grace.”

Harrié leaned towards Rothy. He moved a few fingers over the table, and a golden aura swirled—apparently pre-memorised. The aura wrapped around the crocodile figurine that moved as if it was alive.

Click, clack

It clacked over and nudged Rothy’s finger with its snout. Then it circled around before flopping onto the back of his hand. Even though it was made of wood, it felt oddly soft.

“How cute…”

Rothy smiled, tickling the figurine with his finger. Even Chi-chi, who’d disliked the crocodile figurine, seemed interested now and came closer to sniff it. The figurine suddenly sat up and opened its mouth wide at the weasel. Chi-chi startled, began to bristle, but the figurine meant no threat. After yawning, it lay back down. Taking advantage of the moment, Harrié whispered softly.

“Your Grace, we aren’t bad people. Please open your heart and accept our proposal.”

His repulsive whispers made Chungnip, Zey, and Xeon’s faces twist like crumpled paper. Just as Zey, the highest-ranked among them began to speak,
“Lord Geelin, you—”

“Still harassing my consort, I see.”

“Theon!”

Rothy stood up, face bright with welcome. Theon had entered the lounge with Ultje and the guard captain. His expression was as fierce as the winds in Hydra’s Gorge. While everyone—including Harrié and Zey—froze, only Rothy greeted him with a smile as bright as a blooming flower.

“Rothy.”

Rothy stopped after a few steps. His eyes grew watery like a puppy told not to wag its tail at its master after a long absence. Theon hurriedly strode over and opened his arms. Rothy smiled brightly again and fell into the embrace.

Holding Rothy, Theon fixed a heavy gaze on Harrié.

“Testing my patience, are you, Harrié Geelin.”

“Your Grace, however much you dislike me, I am the Leader of PLEIN. How dare you use my name so casually.”

“Shut up.”

“……”

“You are not to approach Rothy again. Try another trick and I’ll take it as a challenge to fight. As you already know, I never turn down a fight.”

“……”

Harrié didn’t cower, not even in front of devils. He’d always been the type to stand his ground, unwilling to back down from anything. But ever since the war, Theon was the one person who made him hesitate. Letting out a slow breath, Harrié lowered his eyes. 

Of course, He’d no intention of stopping, but for now, there was nothing to gain from pushing further. Theon watched him for a moment longer before turning away. Chungnip, Zey, and Xeon, already on their feet, followed behind him.

“Wait… I need my figurine.”

“Figurine?”

“The crocodile figurine, he means. I’ll get it.” Chungnip said, picking up the now lifeless carving and handing it to Rothy. Chi-chi sniffed the figurine and cocked his head. 

“Theon, just a moment.”

Rothy looked back. Since this required twisting his upper body, Theon frowned but adjusted his stance to let Rothy see more comfortably.

“Harrié… how did you make it move? I don’t know this spell…”

Harrié first checked Theon’s reaction. After seeing Theon give a slight nod, he spoke.

“It’s a spell patented by PLEIN. It’s quite simple magic that you could learn easily, but—”

“But I’ve to go to PLEIN to learn it, right?”

Having already received Theon’s warning about no more tolerance, Harrié didn’t answer. Of course, Rothy understood even without a response. He slowly lowered his eyelids in acceptance. When his forehead rested against Theon’s shoulder, Theon turned away. They left the silent lounge, climbed the stairs, and talked as they walked.

“Theon, I heard there’s a huge, terrifying fiend in the Eyghien Swamp…”

“Zey’s been exaggerating again, I see.”

“What if it’s real? What if it’s a dragon from the legend?”

“I sent out a scouting party. There was only a single Kellenta.”

“Ah… I thought only Xeon exaggerated. But Zey’s just as bad. Is it because they’re both knights?”

“Perhaps. The sun’s starting to set. Shall we watch the sunset?”

“Yeah.”

As always, they stepped onto the deck around this time to watch the sunset. Theon’s subordinates scattered to the second floor to give them privacy. Chi-chi once again climbed from Rothy’s body to Theon and perched on top of his head. It seemed the weasel loved the setting sun over the sea just as much as Rothy did. 

“Theon, when we get home, let’s watch the sunset there too.”

“Sure.”

“With Hee-hee too.”

“Of course.”

“And the other dogs.”

“Good idea.”

Theon smiled, adjusting his hold on Rothy with one hand while caressing his cheek with the other. Rothy smiled and leaned into the touch. The summer inspection of fiend border regions would end with the Siren’s Sea. Until next month’s schedule, they planned to spend peaceful days at the estate. 

Just three more days needed to pass uneventfully, like before.

However, the very next day, something unexpected happened.

“Good morning, Your Grace. The fog’s quite thick today.”

That morning, Harrié approached Rothy again. It happened when Theon had stepped away for just a brief moment due to the sudden weather change. Zey immediately blocked his path.

“Lord Geelin. That’s enough. Aren’t you tired of this? Or do you actually want to fight us?”