Ch.246Chapter 246: Mixed Emotions

#

Even as our airship, dispatched by the Imperial Princess’s command, was urgently redirected to Night Haven instead of the Solarium Islands.

The tense atmosphere inside the airship, which had begun with a single telegram, showed no signs of dissipating.

Everyone’s expressions were different.

The captain and crew members, who had changed course to Night Haven without a moment’s hesitation upon receiving the Imperial Princess’s order, displayed nothing but determination on their faces.

They truly embodied the ideal of imperial soldiers, unwavering in their dedication to their assigned duties even amid this chaotic situation.

However, even with their steadfast demeanor, they alone couldn’t change the heavy atmosphere.

This was simply because, without needing much explanation, these crew members weren’t in a position to take the lead in anything.

Therefore, excluding them, I needed to observe the expressions of others to gauge the mood.

First, let’s look at those who could actively influence the atmosphere.

Imperial Princess Lukius, who had requested the course change to Night Haven, maintained a composed expression, though she couldn’t completely hide her anxiety.

Even Wibel, her shadow whose face was typically unreadable behind her mask, clearly showed signs of considerable distress in the current situation.

Perhaps more than being confused by the current circumstances, she was tense because the person she was sworn to protect was voluntarily heading into danger.

…It seemed almost amusing that someone skilled enough to protect the Princess even if separated from her in the middle of the Obsidian Palace was reacting this way.

But it was understandable—no one would be pleased to see someone they’re supposed to protect put themselves in harm’s way.

These two were actually in better shape than the others.

Despite feeling anxious, they clearly demonstrated their resolve regarding what needed to be done.

At least they weren’t spreading their anxiety to those around them.

The real problem lay with the rest of the delegation, who had been tight-lipped since seeing the telegram.

Well, from my perspective, they were still handling it reasonably well.

For delicate officials unaccustomed to battles with magical beasts, I would have understood if they had panicked after seeing such a telegram.

Their faces had briefly turned pale when they first read it, but aside from maintaining stern expressions, they were trying hard to stay composed—something I couldn’t help but appreciate.

However, despite their efforts to maintain composure, the news of numerous Imperial Knights sacrificed in a single battle had created a somber atmosphere that couldn’t be easily overturned.

Even I, probably the calmest person present, was barely suppressing the turmoil rising within me.

I needed some time alone to avoid being affected by this heavy atmosphere.

But before I could take that time, right after finishing the task of carrying the unconscious Excel to the infirmary and laying him down—

[Your sister. She’s fine. Clear enough that I can sense it even from this distance.]

Paphnir’s voice penetrating my mind eliminated the need for that time alone.

A single reassurance filled with firm conviction.

While I was first curious about how he knew this,

I also couldn’t help feeling relieved by Paphnir’s confident statement.

But there were too many uncertainties to be comforted by mere words.

‘I don’t know how you can sense that, but I hope you’re right.’

I casually probed for the basis of his confidence.

[When have I ever spoken nonsense about such matters?]

Paphnir responded with a somewhat brusque tone, then continued:

[The bloodline of your family is deeply connected to me. Though not as directly as you who are right beside me, know that I’m the first to notice when someone of Ranos’s line is harmed.]

He was guaranteeing my sister’s safety based on what seemed like rather vague reasoning.

Hmm, though he might be exaggerating a bit, I felt deep trust in Paphnir’s words—he had never once lied to me without reason.

Still, given the circumstances, I couldn’t simply relax based on his assurance.

[You remember, don’t you? That I shared my blood with your ancestor, Lumen.]

Paphnir’s voice, bringing up an ancient tale to strengthen his argument, was more resolute than the aura that emanated from the Crimson Dragon Armor during our training sessions.

[Even though that blood has been diluted over the ages, I can sense the life and death of those who inherited my blood, no matter how far away they are.]

He concluded with a spirited tone that brooked no argument.

I couldn’t see or hear what he claimed to sense.

I had to judge life and death based solely on Paphnir’s claims of feeling it.

Yet thanks to Paphnir, who had set aside his usual playfulness to convey this firm conviction to me,

I was able to somewhat lift the heavy burden I had been carrying.

I thought that if he spoke with such a strong tone, it must be trustworthy.

The only regrettable point was that,

While I might believe in his conviction,

The problem was that I couldn’t easily share this certainty with others.

If I told people that an ancient dragon speaking in my head was certain my sister was safe,

I’d be lucky if they just told me to rest because I seemed to have hit my head.

Of course, there was one person who wouldn’t doubt these words.

“Excel… I hope he doesn’t look heartbroken when he wakes up…”

Shizu, who was still gazing worriedly at the unconscious Excel while muttering to herself,

Would undoubtedly accept without question if I relayed what Paphnir had told me.

But.

[I don’t mind if you tell her.]

‘No, it’s fine. I’d rather keep this information to myself for now.’

[As you wish.]

I had no intention of sharing this certainty with Shizu.

It wasn’t that I thought Shizu wouldn’t believe me.

Rather, I didn’t think Shizu would keep this information to herself after hearing it from me.

She would surely try to lift the gloomy atmosphere by telling others what I had told her.

And those who heard would likely split into various groups.

Those who would accept it completely, those who couldn’t believe it despite hearing it, those who would doubt it, and those whose thoughts would remain unreadable.

It would be fortunate if they merely divided in opinion, but if they started arguing that their own judgment was correct, engaging in verbal disputes with those who thought differently, the airship’s atmosphere would certainly change—

But I didn’t think that change would be for the better.

So I chose silence to avoid creating an awkward atmosphere.

Speech is silver, but silence is gold.

Especially when I couldn’t share my certainty with others, spreading my conviction freely would only make their hearts uneasy—such speech would be worth less than copper, let alone silver.

We would arrive at Night Haven soon enough, so I could share it then.

In the past, I might have immediately shared such a vague conviction with others, disrupting the atmosphere around me.

But having lived a full life and experienced the miracle of regression, I now had the discernment to know better.

A bitter smile almost escaped me at the thought that a life filled with painful experiences that seemed wasted was finally finding some purpose.

But the steady breathing sound that reached my ears stopped the smile from forming.

…It was steady but seemed a bit too loud, so I turned my head toward the source of the sound.

“Excel’s condition has improved a lot.”

I could see Shizu, informing me that Excel—who had fainted under the pressure of the lightning he’d emitted due to his inability to control his emotions—was visibly better.

Her expression, which had been unable to hide her concern when we brought him to the infirmary, had noticeably stabilized.

Whatever method Paphnir had used,

The guy who had fainted with foam at his mouth, unable to withstand the shock of the lightning coursing through his body when forcibly calmed down,

Had now stabilized his breathing, making me think with a bitter smile that his physical resilience was better than mine.

[As I told you, he’s sturdier than you imagined—fainting from being electrocuted by his own lightning isn’t enough to cause him real harm.]

Paphnir’s voice echoed somewhat noisily in my head, insisting that his assessment had been correct as he saw my bitter smile.

It was filled with his usual glibness rather than the firmness he had shown when speaking of my sister’s safety.

[Anyway, don’t worry. Your sister is safe. Just like this fool lying in bed now.]

In response to Paphnir’s effort to reassure me despite his glib tone,

‘I appreciate your words, at least.’

After expressing my gratitude in a calm tone,

“Haaah…”

I exhaled a deep sigh, enough to expel all the anxiety accumulated in my chest, and simply wished.

Along with my sister’s safety,

That this airship would reach the north faster than any vehicle I had ever experienced,

So I could confirm my sister’s condition as soon as possible.

And as if that wish, that prayer, was being answered,

Wheeeeee-!!!

The sound of the biting wind, penetrating the perfectly soundproofed cabin,

Was telling us how far this airship had traveled.

This was a place where the winter was far more severe than the relatively mild winter I had experienced in the Eastern Continent.

Perhaps this was the signal flare announcing the beginning of a long, long winter in my life…