TYND 81

TL: Motokare

 “It wouldn’t be right for the temple to keep something bestowed for Your Grace’s sake. While Your Grace has kindly offered to transfer the ownership, the temple can’t accept it. This sacred relic will forever remain yours.”

Theon snapped out of his daze and replied.

“I understand.”

“We’ll guard it carefully for three years, then return it once we’ve dealt with the ‘Archduke’. 

“No, I’ll be keeping this watch. The temple should focus on preparing thoroughly to face the fallen who’ll come for it in three years’ time.”

Theon had his own reasons for not parting with the watch. 

“As you wish, Your Grace. I suppose the relic wouldn’t want to be separated from its owner as well. Schrain won’t make a move for three years, but if Your Grace desires, I can send priests to sanctify your estate as a precaution.”

“Yes, please do.”

While sanctification offered no physical protection, it’d trigger an alarm if the fallen breached it. He’d no reason to refuse. The high priest and his entourage, whose schedule had been disrupted by their unexpected three-day stay at the archduke’s estate, quickly departed for the temple. 

After seeing them off, Theon noticed the sun was setting, making it perfect timing for a garden stroll with Rothy. He dismissed their usual retinue, choosing to walk through the gardens with just the two of them. Well, they weren’t entirely alone since Chi-chi also came along. 

On any other day, Rothy would’ve made heon smile with observations like ‘those pebbles are adorable!’ or pestered him with questions like ‘what’s this flower called?’ 

But today, something else clearly occupied his mind.

“Theon, you know……”

“……”

“Well, it’s just—……”

“……”

“Uhm……”

“Rothy, whatever you want to say, just say it.”

“Mmmm……”

Rothy fiddled nervously with Chi-chi, unable to get the words out. The beautiful sunset garden might as well have been invisible to him. When the distracted boy stumbled with a small yelp, Theon’s patience ran out and scooped him into his arms.

“I’m not a child who needs to be carried around……”

“Then stop tripping over your own feet.”

“Please put me down, Your Grace. I promise I’ll walk properly.”

“Nice try with trying to speak formally. But it won’t work this time.”

Theon held firm, pulling Rothy even tighter against him. 

Screeeing!

Chi-chi, squashed between the two, squeezed free and scrambled up to settle on Theon’s shoulder. Rothy floundered at first, not knowing what to do, but eventually relaxed and melted into Theon’s arms. He even rubbed his forehead against Theon’s shoulder and smiled bashfully. 

Theon continued walking slowly through the garden, waiting for Rothy to say something. 

Though greenery still filled every corner, northern summers were brief. In just two more weeks, this garden would burst into shades of orange. 

Next month would bring the hunting tournament. 

If the Snow Festival was for commoners, the hunting tournament was for everyone, commoners and nobles alike, which meant far more preparations. 

Moreover, this time the youngest archmage in history, who was also the archduke’s cherished spouse had made a rather special proposal……

They’d be busy for quite a while so this leisurely stroll would be their last for some time. 

“Theon……”

Rothy tugged at his collar, finally ready to speak. Theon set Rothy down on a nearby bench and knelt on one knee before him.

“What is it you want to say?”

“In your dreams… what kind of future do you see?”

“Were you that curious about it?”

“Yes.”

“You could’ve just asked. Why’re you hesitating so much?”

“……”

Rothy’s expression grew sombre. It was obvious what he was really thinking. He must’ve wanted to know if he was part of that future. 

“It must be a really happy future, right? That’s why you wouldn’t give the watch to the high priest. Because you wanted to keep seeing it…”

“I was very happy. Every single dream showed you by my side, all grown up.”

“……!”

Rothy’s face immediately lit up like a wilted flower blooming back to life. 

“Me… a grown-up me?”

“Yes. Your hair reaches past your shoulders, and your eyes look more mature. You’re also about a span taller than now.”

“A span by your hand or my hand?”

“Your hand.”

That’s disappointing…”

“You won’t be disappointed when you see it. You were absolutely beautiful.”

Rothy’s green eyes sparkled brilliantly at that.

“Also, I don’t know why, but there wasn’t a single scar on your body either.”

“Why wouldn’t there be scars…?”

“Perhaps they fade gradually as you grow.”

“I’m not so sure about that. But I’m so happy that even after all that time passes, I’m still there by your side.”

“We won’t just be together now. We’ll be together forever. No matter how much time passes.”

Rothy smiled, shy and lovely as a flower. 

Theon cupped Rothy’s cheeks as he too had something he wanted to ask Rothy. 

Did you take on Yolone Sirin’s form when you were on the battlefield?

He thought it was ridiculous. But when he considered everything Rothy had shown him, every word he’d spoken, there was only one conclusion. 

“For now… I just want to enjoy this sea of red……”

Was it you who said it?

But he couldn’t bring himself to ask. Instead, he simply held Rothy’s small body close, content that the boy’s mood had improved. 

***

Northerners gripped bows and daggers before spoons from childhood, learning which beasts and fiends inhabited the forests before they even learnt their letters. This naturally led to it being an annual event, and Northerners loved it so much they held them every three years, even during wartime.

The hunting tournament served many purposes: controlling beast populations, warning off fiends, fostering noble relationships, stabilising public sentiment, and affirming that nobles, commoners, and merchants would all work together to face the harsh winter ahead.

While hosting one required a fortune, the tournament’s energy boosted Northern productivity so much that profits exceeded costs. In short, it was a festival that benefited politics, economy, and culture alike. 

It was also a festival that absolutely couldn’t fail.

Most Northern festivals were led and organised by the lord of the Falsen territory, but the hunting tournament, more than any other, was regarded as the ultimate test of the lord’s competence. 

“Everyone loves it, but honestly, we’d rather it didn’t exist. If there are any mistakes in execution or the preparations are sloppy, the story gets passed down through generations.”

When a beast escaped during the hunting tournament organised by the third Archduke of Falsen, the story survived hundreds of years. Even now, mothers told daughters and fathers told sons how ‘Archduke Juren Zel Detre Falsen couldn’t even control a single deer…’

As a child, Theon had been warned that when he eventually became the archduke, he might slack on other things, but he must absolutely prepare thoroughly for the hunting tournament. 

After returning as an adult, he’d began preparing for a hunting tournament immediately as soon as the Snow festival ended. Emperor Dierm had even sent a personal letter and funding, while nobles from the central and southern regions and the capital supported the event in various ways. Thanks to over seven months of preparation, they successfully launched the hunting tournament in the middle of the tenth month when autumn was at its peak.

“Woo-hooooo!”

“Your Grace! Lord Rothy!”

“Good heavens, what a beautiful sight!”

“Please don’t fall this time!”

“Aah, may Seará bless you both!”

The Northerners’ cheers were so loud that people on Burber Island in the southern seas might crane their necks wondering what was happening. 

And for good reason, as the scene before them was really magnificent. The image of Elsie Falls materialised in the sky while flower petals rained down from all directions. It was magic performed by the archduke’s spouse, Lord Rothy, the archmage himself. The crowds in the square waved flags bearing the black lion emblem of House Falsen. Flags of the many noble houses participating in the hunting tournament also fluttered, though they were fewer in number. 

“Rothy, wave to them.”

“Yes!”

Rothy beamed as he waved enthusiastically beside Theon, who watched the crowd with a soft smile. Their ceremonial carriage rolled slowly through the heart of Falsen’s main district, the road carpeted with petals and fallen autumn leaves. 

Theon carefully observed the cheering crowds. Everything appeared perfect, but he knew some harboured discontent. Among the nobles trailing behind the parade and even among the common folk already slinging rifles and bows over their shoulders, some faces were tight with discontent.

As long as they don’t show it in front of Rothy.

Theon understood the reason for their dissatisfaction. Since he comprehended their displeasure, he planned to let it be as long as they didn’t openly express their complaints before Rothy.

Rothy, still brimming with excitement, bounced on his heels before leaning closer and whispering.

“Theon, I want to make it snow too. Can I?”

“Of course.”

Grinning widely, Rothy raised his staff towards the sky. Soon, white snowflakes began drifting down like delicate spring petals and the cheers grew even louder. 

This hunting tournament, set to run for twenty days, was special in many ways. It was the first post-war tournament, the first one hosted by Theon Detre Falsen, and the first led by a married pair of an aura master and an archmage…

And there was one more special aspect…

“Oh my, so these really are wooden dolls?”

“I was worried they’d look like toys, but they’re nothing like I imagined! They look alive!”

“Lord Rothy certainly lives up to his reputation. Nothing’s impossible for an archmage!”

Theon’s retainers couldn’t stop their gushing praises, with spittle even flying from their mouths. Their eyes were busy taking in the various mountain animals: deer, martens, snakes, wild boars, wolves, eagles and hawks. Despite being natural predators and prey to each other, every single one lay flat with only their tails swishing gently.

None of them were real. 

A month before, skilled artisans had been summoned to carve life-sized replicas of wild animals from wood. Once the bodies were built, Rothy had enchanted them with puppet magic to make them move. To make them look more convincing, he’d added some transformation magic to make them appear more realistic.