TYND 34

TL: Motokare

“Are you looking down on me right now? What, you don’t believe me when I say I’m an Aura Consumer?”

Aeruhen’s sharp tone made Rothy flinch. If he refused any further, it’d hurt Aeruhen’s pride and damage their relationship. 

“No, I believe you. Let’s go.”

“Should’ve just said that from the start.”

Aeruhen pouted sulkily and strode ahead. Rothy decided there and then he’d tell Theon everything tonight, but soon changed his mind. 

Theon wants me to get along with Aeruhen.

If he tattled and Theon ended up reprimanding Aeruhen… 

Aeruhen would definitely feel betrayed. 

And that’d create an irreparable wedge between them. 

It’d only been a week since he’d been here, and it wouldn’t do to create a conflict with the archduke’s heir so soon. He needed to live quietly, unobtrusively, as if he didn’t even exist. That was the only way he could stay here… He didn’t want to go back to the laboratory. That place was frightening, lonely, painful, and……

“From now on, you must stick close to Theon. Don’t let go of him. If you don’t want to suffer anymore, if you want to live, if you don’t want to see more children sacrificed…”

His master had said this while tying a thick rope in circles, his face heavy with exhaustion. 

“Not the emperor, not PLEIN, and absolutely not any foreign nations. He’s the one who’ll really protect you. When I’m gone, you must cling to him.”

“I know… I like Theon the best too.”

“……”

His master’s expression then seemed to say, ‘What am I to do with this child…’

Whatever it was, Rothy knew his situation well. He must live quietly, obediently, and kindly. Only then will Teon continue to take responsibility for him. And only with Theon’s protection… would the world not attempt to create a second living magic stone.

“Hey, hurry up!”

“Coming.”

Rothy followed Aeruhen into the forest. Chi-chi made an anxious squeak, but he’d no choice but to follow along. True to his word, Aeruhen knew the forest well. He moved with natural ease, climbing over rocks and pushing through dense undergrowth as if he’d done it countless times. He wasn’t just knowledgeable about animals either. Spotting a thick vine growing on a dead tree, he’d muttered that it was an invasive species and swiftly cut it off with his dagger. 

As they ventured deeper into the forest……

Screeeee.

Screech. 

Screeeeee!

They came upon a boggle of Northern White-tailed weasels. The small, fluffy weasels huddled together, curiosity piqued as they sniffed around Rothy. 

“Wow, these guys aren’t scared? They always hide when I bring my friends.”

“They must be curious about Chi-chi.”

Rothy knew the magic stone inside him made the animals feel drawn to him, but he feigned ignorance. 

Scree! 

Unlike the curious Northern White-tailed weasels, Chi-chi bristled defensively with its fur puffed up. The approaching weasels backed away, frightened by the fierce hostility. Rothy patted Chi-chi when it began circling around the weasels. They peeked from behind trees and bushes, stealing glances his way, but were too spooked by Chi-chi’s defensive behaviour. It looked like Chi-chi wouldn’t be making any friends today. Besides, when Rothy stroked Chi-chi, its heart was beating faster than usual—it was clearly stressed. 

“Aeruhen, let’s go.”

“Already? Aww, let’s watch a little longer. They’re too cute.”

Aeruhen crouched in front of the weasels, his posture was relaxed, but he was grinning widely. The creatures, still wary of Chi-chi, approached him instead, sniffing at him with their noses. 

“Such cute little things. I think it’s cruel to hunt such adorable creatures…” 

“Who hunts them?”

“They’re the most popular target during the hunting festival. Their tails are used to make decorative trim for cloaks. It takes about a hundred weasels just to make one.”

“That’s terrible…”

“Right? Horrible humans. You should tell His Grace too. Tell him to ban unnecessary killing during the hunting festival. Or change the targets from animals to demonic fiends. I don’t get why they need to kill living animals when the fake fur’s plenty nice.”

“Yeah, I’ll tell Theon. He’s kind, so he’ll definitely help these poor weasels.”

Aeruhen pulled a slightly incredulous face.

“His Grace’s…kind?”

“He’s really kind and warm-hearted.” 

“Hey, you’re not confusing the meanings of ‘kind’ and ‘warm-hearted’, are you?”

Rothy gave a faint smile.

“Of course I didn’t. I understand the meaning well… You’re kind and warm-hearted too, Aeruhen.”

Aeruhen’s expression grew even more dubious. 

“Me… Warm-hearted…?”

Rothy needed. 

“Yeah. When one of your friends pointed out my awkward way of speaking, you told them to stop… It really touched me, and I was grateful.”

“That was just the right thing to do.”

“That’s precisely what makes you warm-hearted.” 

“……”

“And protecting the weasels shows you’re kind… They’re wild animals, and they’re so scared that they won’t even approach Chi-chi that looks just like them, but they come right up to you, lick your palm, and roll over for you to pet them. I can see how much you’ve cared for them… You’re really warm-hearted, Aeruhen.”

“……”

Aeruhen bit his lips, overwhelmed by a sudden surge of emotion. As the heir of House Falsen, he’d grown up surrounded by praise—his noble appearance, his innate qualities as a future Aura Master, how he could top the academy if he just put his mind to it… 

He’d always preened at such praise, but Rothy’s shy, earnest compliments left no room for empty swagger. Because no one had ever praised him for wanting to protect animals. 

“If animals are so precious to you, why do you eat meat?”

“Young Master, even your clothes are made of animal hide.”

“Next you’ll say we can’t kill demonic fiends because they’re animals too.”

The hunting-loving Northerners never understood him. Aeruhen loved the North deeply, but this had always disappointed him. Rothy soothed that hurt as if knowing it existed, warm and sincere in his comfort. 

“You’re kind. Theon’s kind too. Kindness must run in Falsen’s blood…” 

“……You’re the only one who’d say that.”

“Really…? Why?”

“Why? Because House Falsen has always been famous for being cold and merciless.” 

“Hey, then I’ll let more people know. I’ll keep saying how kind you and Theon are… If I keep saying it, eventually people will understand.”

“No matter how much you say—”

Aeruhen, grumbling from embarrassment, suddenly paused. 

“……”

He shot to his feet with his hand on his sword hilt, his sharp gaze fixed on the bushes opposite where they stood.

Screeeeeeee!

Chi-chi also bristled fiercely in that direction.

Something’s there.

Rothy hugged Chi-chi tightly, on guard. 

“Sharp one, aren’t you? So this is what an Aura Consumer is, even at your age.”

The bushes rustled, and three figures emerged—all carrying swords and wearing black clothes with black masks on. Aeruhen immediately drew his sword.

Sching!

“Who are you? Where’re you from?”

“We’re not interested in you, young master. We don’t want to kill House Falsen’s heir, so stay put.”

What? Then what are you—”

Aeruhen flicked a quick glance at Rothy. The masked men were looking at Rothy as well.

“Are you… ‘it’?”

“Never mind. Take it first. We can confirm later.” 

Rothy bit his lower lip—he understood exactly what was happening. He’d never expected the existence of a living magic stone to stay hidden forever, but this was sooner than expected. Aeruhen, roughly grasping the situation, spoke quietly. 

“I figured there must be a reason His Grace welcomed you as his archduchess… Hey, I don’t know what’s going on, but get behind me.”

Rothy obeyed immediately. 

“I’ll buy you casting time, make sure you use the flashiest magic you can so that everyone can see it.” 

“Alright.”

Aeruhen released his sword aura in full force as he positioned himself in front of Rothy protectively. One of the masked men whistled appreciatively. 

“He’s definitely beyond the level of an Aura Consumer. Is it fine to kill him?” 

“We must capture ‘it’ alive. And that young master, let him live. Unless you want the Aura Master hunting you forever.”

“Ah, the Demon of Seará. What a terrifying being.”

The masked men charged, two of them attacked the sixteen-year-old knight while the third hung back to keep a close watch on Rothy.  

Cling, clang, clang!

The clash was immediate and ferocious. Aeruhen’s sword clashed with the masked men’s several times, sparks flying. But it was clear he was gradually being pushed back. 

This swordsmanship… It’s Givarche’s style.

Even as he fought, Aeruhen recognised the distinct patterns in their strikes. 

Why would Givarche want Rothy?

He didn’t know the reason, but the estate guards would come soon. He just needed to hold out until then. 

Clang! 

Just as he deflected a sword aimed at his shoulder—

“Aeruhen… duck!”

“……!”

He was startled by the voice in his head, but he reacted instantly, ducking down. 

Whooosh~

With a sudden burst, something streaked through the air and exploded. 

Red blood then splattered, staining the forest floor crimson.