episode_0033

Chapter 33 – Memory

The northernmost part of the Empire. Snowy mountains soared to the sky, alongside massive castle walls. A land where battles between monsters and knights ceaselessly erupted, assaulting villages multiple times a day. Spring arrived in the Friuli territory.

The snow that covered the land melted, and the bone-chilling winds transformed into warm breezes. Seven-year-old Ruan Friuli frolicked in the garden, reveling in the long-awaited spring. Isis Friuli was by his side.

“Noona! Look at this! It’s a butterfly!” “Yeah. It’s so pretty.”

The Ice Flower Butterfly, striking with its blue wings, is a rare insect that can only be seen for a single month each year. He was watching, captivated, when it happened.

“Hahaha! Your jokes have improved.” “Is that so? It’s been a while, so I’m hearing all sorts of things.”

A group of adults appeared from behind, accompanied by the sound of their conversation. Leading them was a man appearing to be in his early thirties, with black hair and silver eyes. He was Ian Friuli, the head of the Friuli household.

Behind him stood a young couple. “Ruan, Isis. Were you playing well?” “Yes! Father! But who are those people?”

Ruan clung to Ian’s leg, looking up at the couple with a mix of wariness and curiosity. As he did, Ruan suddenly spotted a girl his age hiding behind the young couple, just like him.

Her silver hair shimmered as white as the snow covering the mountains, and her blue eyes were as striking as a cold winter lake. Ruan thought. She looked like the fairies of the Great Forest, only heard of in storybooks.

“She’s like a fairy.” However, it was a mistake for it to slip out. Upon hearing his words, the girl turned her gaze away, looking miffed.

Just as he was about to be discouraged by her chilly reaction. “Haha! Ruan. It seems Skadia likes you. That’s a relief. Now, Skadia. You should say thank you too.” A gentle-looking man who had been observing stepped in, urging Skadia.

Skadia hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly. “Thank you.”

“Oh, no! I just said what I honestly thought. I’m Ruan Friuli. And you?” “…Skadia Maryland.” Even her name was pretty.

Ruan couldn’t take his eyes off Skadia. This northern region, far from the capital, didn’t have much interaction with other nobles. Naturally, all the children he saw around him were commoners, and their appearances weren’t particularly striking due to lack of care. Until now, Ruan had even thought Isis was the prettiest in the world.

To him, Skadia, with beauty comparable to Isis, delivered a shock as if the world itself had turned upside down. His heart pounded uncontrollably, like crazy.

While Ruan was still dazed, Skadia had already finished introducing herself to Isis. Ian stroked Ruan’s head.

“Ruan. Your father will be talking with the guests for a bit, so you play with Skadia until then. Can you do that?” “Yes! I can!” “Good. Then I’ll leave her to you. Isis, it’s almost time for your training, isn’t it? Let’s go together halfway.” “Yes, Father.”

Once the adults and Isis had left, only Skadia and Ruan remained in the garden. Ruan stood close beside Skadia, who was sitting on a bench, staring blankly at the flowers.

“S-Skadia. The flowers are pretty, aren’t they? You can only see them one month a year! Isn’t that amazing!” “…Not really. I’ve seen plenty of these already.”

The Maryland County territory is in the west. It was the empire’s largest granary, with vast plains where flowers were as common as pebbles underfoot. Disconcerted by her nonchalant reply, Ruan pondered, then quickly pointed to one side.

“Th-that? Is that not special either?” There, a butterfly was resting on a flower. Each flutter of its wings made the patterns shine with diverse colors, like glistening ice crystals. Curiosity filled Skadia’s eyes.

“It’s a butterfly I haven’t seen before. It looks amazing.” “Right? They said it’s a butterfly you can only see here! Should I catch it for you?” “No.”

Ruan, who had been excited, pouted at the rejection delivered without a tenth of a second’s hesitation. But it’s wise to hear someone out. Skadia sprang up from the bench and continued. “I’ll catch it myself.”

“Huh? Ah! W-wait a minute!” The Ice Flower Butterfly had adapted to the north. Though they called it spring, adapting to this barren land, colder than an average southern winter, meant it possessed unique traits.

The Ice Flower Butterfly, upon sensing danger, immediately emits concentrated cold energy from its wings. In truth, Ruan’s offer to catch it earlier was nothing but a bluff. Therefore, Ruan stretched out his hand to stop her, but surprisingly, Skadia’s movements were remarkably swift.

“Got it!” The moment her small, delicate hand seized the butterfly, a burst of cold energy exploded. Boom!

Though the force wasn’t incredibly strong, the cold aura was enough to easily cause frostbite on a child’s skin. Ruan, startled, quickly rushed over to Skadia. “Skadia! Are you alright?”

But his worry was unnecessary. Skadia, having practiced ice magic since childhood, had a much higher resistance to ice attributes than ordinary people. She paid no mind to Ruan’s concern, focusing instead on the butterfly trapped in her hand. “I should take it home.”

A small smile spread across her lips. As her face had been expressionless like a doll, the change was all the more striking. Ruan unknowingly murmured. “Pretty….”

Again, his mouth moved on its own. At this point, it almost seemed intentional. Perhaps hearing his voice, Skadia’s gaze shifted to Ruan. Her expression had already returned to its original state.

Her blue eyes held a mischievous glint. “Do you like me?” “Uh, huh?” “I asked if you like me.” “Oh, yeah. I, I like you.” “Then guide me to where there are many of these butterflies. If we find a lot, I’ll give you a kiss.”

Ruan’s eyes widened at the proposal. Though still young, he wasn’t unaware that kissing was something shared between special people. “R-really?” “Yes. So hurry.” “Alright! Just follow me!”

Ruan, filled with motivation, shouted loudly and led the way, delving into the garden. Following him, Skadia chuckled. ‘Fool.’

Everyone has a different standard for “many.” She planned to insist that whatever number of butterflies Ruan found was “small,” thus avoiding the kiss. However, life doesn’t always go as planned. A variable emerged when they had found five butterflies.

“Ruan. Skadia. Were you two getting along well?” “Yes, Father! Skadia and I were catching butterflies.”

Ruan proudly held out the collection box he’d retrieved to Ian. Ian calmly peered inside, then let out a low murmur. “Hmm… These are Ice Flower Butterflies. It seems what I heard about Skadia’s immense magical talent is true. That’s incredible.”

Ian, who had been tilting his head in puzzlement, recalled what he had heard from the Count and Countess Maryland and nodded to himself in understanding. Skadia meekly bowed her head. “You’re being too kind.”

“You’re very sensible. Ruan, you did well too.” Ian praised them both equally. Ruan, delighted by the hand stroking his head, boasted. “Hehe! Skadia said she’d kiss me if I caught a lot of butterflies! That’s why I worked so hard.”

“…Is that so? It seems you two have become quite close.” Ian looked at his friend, Count Ainz Maryland, as if seeking his opinion. Count Ainz asked Skadia. “Skadia, is this true?” “Yes? Well…”

Skadia surmised. She knew that much would change depending on how she answered here. If she lied, she wouldn’t have to kiss Ruan, but it might complicate things. If she told the truth, she’d be forced to keep her promise. Skadia made a quick decision. “I did.”

“I see. Five is quite a lot then. What do you think?” “…It’s certainly many.” “Alright. Then keep your promise.” “Yes….”

Count Ainz was rather firm, unlike his usual self. He was Skadia’s father. He understood his daughter’s personality well enough. It was easy for him to discern that his cunning daughter had no intention of keeping her promise. Skadia could not disobey her father’s words and approached Ruan. “Thank you for helping me catch the butterflies.”

Smooch! Then, thinking it best to get the inevitable over with quickly, she expressed her thanks and kissed his cheek. Her delicate, pink lips touched and then left the soft, smooth skin unique to a child.

Ruan’s face flushed crimson. “U-uh, ugh, ugh…” Ruan, repeating strange groans, eventually hung his head low.

Count Ainz smiled contentedly. “Hahaha! The boy. It seems he’s embarrassed. Skadia. How about you?” “…I’m fine. It was just my lips touching his cheek.” “Is that so? Hahaha!”

Contrary to her words, Skadia’s earlobes were flushed red. No matter how precocious she was, she was still only a seven-year-old child. In fact, with her mental age ambiguously hovering around puberty, it was only natural for her to feel even more embarrassed. Having witnessed his daughter’s cute side after a long time, Count Ainz chuckled delightedly.

He looked at his close friend. “Haha. Say, Ian. It seems we can finally fulfill the promise we made ten years ago. What do you think?” “…Let’s observe them a little longer. They’re still just children.” “Still so old-fashioned. Well, as you wish. I’ll make sure to visit more often in the future.”

After that, the two met quite often. Though it never exceeded five times a year, they grew closer with each meeting, to the point where, after three years, they exchanged laughter without hesitation. And before that year was over, that day finally arrived.

“Then, I hereby announce the successful engagement of Young Master Ruan Friuli and Young Lady Skadia Maryland.” With the priest’s declaration, applause echoed throughout the hall. Ruan looked at Skadia and said. “From now on, I’ll definitely protect Skadia!”

“But Ruan, you’re weak.” “E-even so! If I try, I can get stronger.” “No. My talent is superior. The gap will only widen over time.” “Ugh…”

Ruan’s confidence drained from his face at Skadia’s cold assessment. Just as he was about to drop his head helplessly, Skadia’s hands cupped his cheeks. “So, I’ll protect you.”

“Huh?” “I’ll protect Ruan. I’ll become much stronger than I am now so no one can bother you.” “Skadia…” “Instead, you have to like only me for your whole life. Okay?” “Yes!”

The two exchanged smiles. Undoubtedly, Skadia, as he saw her then, was more brilliant and beautiful than anyone else.

***

Rustle— Waking up from my sleep, I turned my head and gazed at the academy scenery beyond the window, sighing. “Why did I have a dream like this today of all days?”

The timing was truly ironic. Sitting up, I recalled the scene I had just witnessed and felt a wave of emotions. Their relationship was so good that comparing it to the present felt meaningless. Ruan Friuli was full of passion, and Skadia laughed a lot.

If not for the events that followed, they would have been together all this time. In that case, perhaps I wouldn’t have possessed this body. Shaking my head at the impossible hypothetical, I got out of bed.

“Hmph… I should go train.” The current time was 5 AM. Since we were supposed to meet at 8 AM in the carriage, there was still plenty of time left.

Since I couldn’t sleep anyway and simply idling would only bring bad thoughts, it was much better to exhaust my body to the fullest. I quickly washed my face and left the room.