『By now, Harold only has a few years left to live, I doubt he’ll live past his twentieth year. If he uses that power after this, his remaining time will become even shorter. 』
【”… Are you alright?”】
【”Elu…. I don’t know what to do. How can I help Harold with……”】
【”Do you regret to have heard that story?”】
【”….I don’t know…”】
【”I’m sorry. “】
【”Why are you apologizing?”】
【”Because I knew. I knew that Harold’s life was being cut down every time he fought.”】
【”What?! Then, why didn’t you stop him?”】
【”Do you think just anyone could stop him?”】
【”That’s… You’re right, but…!”】
【”Just what… you… All of you make no sense….”】
【”Right. Perhaps, that’s the right thing to feel. “】
【”Lifa.”】
【”……What?”】
【”If you’re thinking of stopping Harold, you had better forget it right now.”】
【”But that’s….”】
【”This is the path that Harold chose. It’s not a problem that people, who don’t know his circumstances, should put their nose into.”】
【”Then, are you just going to silently watch him die, Elu? I can’t do that….”】
【”In that case, you shouldn’t meet with Harold anymore.”】
【”How can you say that?!”】
【”I told you I already knew Harold’s secret from before, didn’t I? But he didn’t want me to tell you, or to tell anyone. He has his goal, and this is necessary to attain it.”】
【”What is that goal?…..”】
【”He didn’t tell me that much. But it seems to be more important to him than his life.”】
But what could possibly be more important to him than his life? muttered Elu to himself.
【”Well then, it’s time to sleep. Maybe your thoughts will be a little clearer with a rested mind.”】
【”…… Yes.”】
【”Don’t die on us, Harold……”】
◇
【”Just go and die.”】
That was the first thing Harold told Itsuki. Itsuki, who was a picturesque friendly young man, was used to Harold’s abusive words and easily warded them off.
【”Happy to see you have lots of energy to spare. Do you want to drink anything?”】
【”No.”】
【”Hurry and explain from the beginning.”】
【”Well, simply put, I’m getting married.”】
【”Oh?”】
【”The one who’s to become my wife is the daughter of the head of this town. He decided to hold a party to celebrate the marriage before the family wedding.”】
【”And so?”】
【”It’s not that formal so my whole family doesn’t have to be there. But I’ve been thinking of bringing Erica along to see her future sister-in-law.”】
【”Can I leave?”】
【”The problem isn’t with my relatives however, it’s bigger than that. You see, there are many sons of aristocrats and merchants who are going to attend the party.”】
【”So you’ll be like an insect repellent, sending away all the beasts that come courting my sister.”】
【”Are they beasts or insects? Make yourself clear.”】
【”They’re beasts, but they look like no more than insects.”】
【”Why should I deal with something that troublesome?”】
【”Isn’t it natural? You’re Erica’s fiance after all.”】
【”What’s the hell is wrong with your head? Did you forget I told you to cancel that engagement five years ago?”】
【”I remember that. I don’t remember anyone agreeing though.”】
【”Are you fricking…..”】
【”All my father said was『I knew this day would come sooner or later. I guess there was no avoiding that. 』, but he didn’t say he agreed.”】
【”I’m certainly thankful to you, but this and that have nothing to do with each other. So, how about that? Think I reached the summit of selfishness yet?”】
【”Ugh… Are you a fricking kid?”】
【”Hah, in the end, no matter what you say, emotions will always drive your arguments with that competitive personality of yours. Erica is really pitiful, getting forced into an engagement by a twisted elder brother like you.”】(Harold)
【”But I guess it’s no time for joking around. For the time being, you get what I meant to say, so I’ll entrust you with the task of being Erica’s insect repellent.”】
【”I’m telling you this is not――”】
【”Here you go. This is the letter I got from that doctor.”】
【”That’s just how it is.”】
【”What did Eri… that girl say?”】
【”It’s fine to call her by her name… Erica doesn’t know you’re coming. Even now, I told her I was going to meet with a friend and slipped out.”】
【”What?”】
【”This is going to be a surprise.”】
【”For now I’ll have you stay the night at a nearby hotel’s room that I booked for today. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow before noon. We’ll meet up with Erica and my companion later on.”】
【”Hold on. Putting Erica aside, you want to introduce me to your fiancee, you utter moron?”】
【”Well, obviously, she’s my fiancee.”】
【”Stop. This is clearly a bad idea.”】
【”Hmm, it could cause quite the riot if our guards slay every man that comes to challenge you…Oh, that’s it!”】
Itsuki clapped his hands as if to say he had hit on a great idea. And then, he dug up Harold’s dark history…. Or rather, he made a suggestion to rewrite it.
【”From tomorrow, you’ll be Eirca’s fiance, Lord…. Lord Strouse!”】
