Ch.45Inauguration Ceremony (5)

The warmth of a human body could tickle one’s heart with just a simple touch.

Winter.

In this season that makes warmth more precious than ever, what could compare to the heat of another person’s body? I felt warmth spreading across my face. While the air filling my lungs was so cold, my exhaled breath was hotter than anything.

My labored breath escaped as white mist, scattering in the air. Though people were sprawled everywhere around us, all I could focus on was our joined hands. I had called it an escort, but far more skin contact was happening than a typical escort would involve. Every time Aileen’s fingers fidgeted against my palm, I couldn’t help but wince.

To be honest, it was difficult to endure.

Yet I never let go of her hand. It was amusing how whenever our hands threatened to part, we would instinctively move our fingers as if by prior agreement. I glanced at Aileen and gave her a small smile.

Her ears had turned bright red, but she maintained her expressionless face, which I found adorable.

Bwooo-

The sound of trumpets filled the air. Countless people had gathered to celebrate my knighting ceremony. The vast garden was filled with round tables surrounded by nobles in extravagant attire. Everyone from the five great houses to the crown prince was present, but since I didn’t particularly want to face them, we chose a path that took us around the crowd, as if we had planned it together.

In a secluded part of the garden, the soil seemed to be showing hints of green as winter slowly gave way. The snow-covered field without a single footprint—walking through this untouched garden brought back memories that made me smile.

“Come to think of it, didn’t we have tea here before?”

That was when Aileen’s attitude toward me had begun to change. Before that, she had disliked me so much that she would even train with Sir Chris just to avoid me. Now, I was used to her gaze being free of coldness. The face that once showed no emotion now reflected feelings. Her lips, which used to form a straight line, were gradually curving into a smile.

“…Yes, we did.”

It seemed like just yesterday when I was caught talking about Rofena and Aileen. Looking back now, all those moments had become precious memories. The word “memories” made my heart feel strangely full.

To think I’d spent enough time here to create memories. At first, everything had seemed so daunting, but now I felt somewhat proud that I’d grown accustomed to this place and found my footing.

“To be honest, I thought I’d be fired quickly at first. Back then, you were… different from how you are now.”

Aileen frowned at my words. As if it was a memory she didn’t want to recall, she shook her head and shot me a glare before speaking.

“I’ve already apologized for all that. You don’t need to bring it up again just to embarrass me.”

“I’m not trying to embarrass you. I’m just saying that’s how it was.”

I first came to this medieval era knowing nothing except that I was to guard Aileen and some future events. When I think about how I worried about becoming a mercenary if I got fired from being a knight, I realize now what an absurd thought that was.

Crunch-

With each step on the white snow, memories of everything I’d experienced here flashed through my mind. When I first woke up in my room, when I realized my name was Evan Fried, when I first met Aileen. When I recognized that her eyes held contempt and irritation.

I still vividly remembered the sight of stars streaming across the sky on our way to the Crystal Palace, and the conversation we had on its balcony.

Just as the summer I always thought would be hot had turned into this snowy winter, Aileen too had gradually changed. I hadn’t noticed it then. I just thought something was a bit odd, but as time passed, the Aileen I faced now was almost unrecognizable compared to before. The shadow that had always hung over her face had lifted, and now she even knew how to smile.

Smile—that word brought back an amusing memory that made me chuckle. When Aileen stared at me curiously, I shrugged playfully and spoke in a teasing voice.

“Do you remember? You know, on my birthday.”

“…Birthday?”

“When I opened the door and saw you smiling at the mirror—ah, I understand.”

Seeing her cold glare, I quickly waved my hands in surrender, and Aileen frowned with a sigh. But it was still hard for me to understand. Could it really be that she was practicing smiling in the mirror because I had asked her to smile?

More pressing, however, was Aileen’s sulking face as she refused to meet my eyes. It was amusing that while she wouldn’t even look at me, she still held onto my hand. But I didn’t want to keep seeing her upset. We would soon be at the platform, and I didn’t want us to part awkwardly.

“My lady.”

I called to Aileen quietly, but she continued walking in silence. Seeing her lips form a straight line again made my mood sink. I pulled on her hand, drawing her closer to me. We were close enough that only a small pebble could fit between us, and Aileen’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Evan, what on earth are you—”

“I told you before.”

I raised my free hand and placed my finger at the corner of her mouth, gently pulling it upward. Looking at her comical face with only one corner of her mouth raised, I couldn’t help but chuckle again. After gazing into her wavering blue eyes, I noticed her flushed cheeks and smiled gently before speaking.

“You look much better when you smile.”

“…W-what? You never said that before.”

“Then I’ll say it now. You look much better when you smile.”

It was partly to make her feel better, but it was also true. This straight line of her lips was far less becoming than even the slightest smile. After briefly meeting my eyes, Aileen narrowed her gaze, then looked away as she carefully removed my finger from her face.

“Fine… now remove your hand.”

“Are you feeling better now?”

“I wasn’t upset in the first place. Do you think I’m Rofena or something, to get upset over such things?”

“You didn’t answer when I called you.”

I shrugged, and Aileen glared at me briefly before sighing and slowly moving away to create distance between us. She seemed conscious of her hand that had just touched my chest, looking at it before raising her head and speaking slowly.

“…Now that I’m feeling better, let’s continue.”

“If that’s what you wish.”

We walked for quite some time. The awkward atmosphere that had initially surrounded us had long since dissipated. The cold wind touched our faces, but the warmth of being with someone quickly made us forget the chill. However, knowing this moment wouldn’t last forever, I slowly spoke as I looked at the platform visible in the distance.

Aileen would be going up to the platform alone. Unlike her, I had to start from the opposite side, where the crowd was gathered. Aileen seemed to realize this too, as she let go of my hand and glanced at me.

Was she feeling regretful? But her expressionless face showed no sign of regret, making me smile bitterly. She parted her lips as if to say something, but then closed them again and turned away. I wished she had said something, but all I could do was watch her leave in silence.

I stared blankly as Aileen walked away. I felt some lingering attachment, but did she feel nothing? Yet I couldn’t bring myself to ask her directly.

So I just caressed my empty hand for a moment, then turned around and slowly began walking. The path had seemed quite short when we walked together, but now that I was alone, it felt endlessly long. I walked on the snowy path, stepping in reverse over the small footprints Aileen had left, covering them with my larger ones.

The wind was cold.

#

The knighting ceremony.

Numerous nobles had gathered to witness the knighting of the youngest knight in the empire, a hero with exceptional talent who had defeated a black mage.

Medive, Kilrog, Hatan, and Roman.

Though the five great houses protecting the empire and many other famous figures were present, the most noticeable was naturally the dragon banner symbolizing the imperial family. The crown prince standing beneath that banner showed a momentary gleam in his eyes.

“He’s finally here.”

Bwooo-

At the sound of the trumpet, louder than ever before, all eyes turned to focus. As the protagonist of the ceremony, Evan Fried, appeared, the knights in formation began rhythmically striking their spears against the ground.

Thump- Thump-

My heart was pounding. The crowd of people, their intense gazes, the expectations and pressure placed upon me. The attention from the five great houses and the imperial family was by no means light. Yet I walked forward with my chest held high, using the gait I had practiced. If I faltered here, it would reflect poorly on House Yuris.

Though it was somewhat burdensome, I focused all my attention on my bearing in this moment.

I touched the sword at my waist, emblazoned with the thorn shield emblem of House Yuris, and slowly regulated my breathing. Though I vividly remembered first waking up as Evan Fried, this was truly the beginning of everything.

The name “Annihilation” and the black mage. There were four years left until the original female protagonist would appear. If I wanted to try something, if I wanted to change the future, I needed to do something within those four years. Today, as I became a knight of House Yuris and Aileen’s guard, the preparations would begin.

From far away, I felt someone’s gaze upon me.

A presence that stood out clearly among the crowd. I smiled. A subtle smile meant for only one person to notice, visible only to that one person far away.

‘Aileen.’

As the red carpet ended and I reached the steps before the platform, Garoth Yuris, the head of House Yuris, slowly began walking forward. The clamor of the crowd suddenly gave way to silence. In that quiet moment, the duke spoke.

“Evan Fried.”

“…Yes.”

“Second son of Count Fried, bearer of Evangelium’s light, and knight who has shed blood on Yuris’s thorns.”

With each word he uttered, a thrill ran through my body. This was a kind of oath preceding the knighting ceremony, pledging loyalty to House Yuris. From the moment this oath was completed, I would become a knight of House Yuris.

Thump-

As the knights once again thrust their spears into the ground, the duke continued speaking.

“Your blood has been ordinary until now, but henceforth it shall be as strong and brave as steel, and above all, as cold and sharp as iron blood. Can you swear this upon your sword?”

“I can swear it.”

I knelt, bowed my head, and placed my hand over my heart. My beating heart and rising mana. When white flames began to rise from my body, the duke raised his sword to the sky and shouted loudly.

“Behold! The iron blood continues. Today, once again, iron blood begins to flow in another knight. Bless him! As of today, another shield dedicating his heart to Evangelium has been added, and the shield of the empire shall remain steadfast forever.”

Thump-

The emblem on the chest of my uniform began to glow bright white. The oath preceding the knighting ceremony—now that it was complete, the magic circle formed by magic began to engrave a symbol on my body. A shield surrounded by thorns. When the burning pain in my chest flesh subsided, I knew the emblem had been naturally engraved on my body.

As the light emanating from the emblem on my uniform chest faded, familiar footsteps began to approach from the distance. I raised my bent knee. Aileen, now clearly visible, quietly approached me, looking at the now-distinct Yuris emblem.

For a very brief moment, I didn’t miss the smile she gave. A very faint smile, given briefly in response to the smile I had shown while ascending the platform, and I smiled back at her again.

Step-

Climbing the stairs, I ascended slowly. All eyes were focused solely on me. The mana I had drawn up, and the flames that had brilliantly bloomed because of it, drew people’s attention. But my gaze was directed at only one person. Recalling the name Aileen Yuris, I took another step.

And when I had climbed all the stairs, I met the blue eyes looking at me.

They resembled winter. As always, cold, and sometimes piercing as if seeing through one’s heart. But they also contained something warm. Eyes that curved beautifully when she smiled, and contorted with tears when she was sad.

Sometimes winter brings snow and bitter cold that cuts to the bone, but isn’t there a warmth that can only be felt in winter? Looking into those winter-like eyes, I knelt.

Tap, the sword Aileen was holding touched my shoulder. The sword touching my shoulder symbolized the responsibility I would bear from now on.

It touched my head. The sword touching my head symbolized everything I would need to consider to protect her.

It touched my chest. It symbolized my future oath, my unwavering heart.

Rising from my kneeling position, I stood before Aileen. Whoosh, I drew up mana again. The flames blooming from my body enveloped the surroundings, beginning to turn the platform bright white.

“I swear.”

That from now on, I am a knight of House Yuris. That iron blood flows within me, and I have become a member of the shield protecting Evangelium.

But there was something even more important, so I quietly whispered, in a voice only Aileen could hear.

“That I will protect you forever.”

As I added these words to my oath, fireworks exploded. White petals unsuited to winter, fluttering like snow—I stared at them blankly before turning my gaze to Aileen.

I thought of whiteness. Despite having just seen petals falling like snow, Aileen’s white hair caught my eye first. Even with such splendid petals decorating the surroundings, Aileen was the first thing that entered my vision.

…Realization was a rather difficult thing. I had become aware that my feelings for her, who had entered my sight at some point, were not just sympathy. Compassion, sympathy, and affection.

How long could I hide it? No, could these feelings even continue?

But for now, I didn’t intend to reveal them. Perhaps when this winter passes and spring comes again. And when that spring passes many times, and she has completely escaped from tragedy.

Perhaps then I could tell her.

I clenched my empty hand. Remembering that warmth from earlier, I smiled again. For now, this was enough. At least, I was content just being able to be with her like this.

Hoping that the sparkle in those blue eyes would not scatter, hoping that the faint smile would not disappear. I looked up at the sky again.

Spring is coming.

And when that spring comes, I would be by her side.