The "Master swordsman” who was reincarnated, wants to live freely - Chapter 82

Translator: Darling | Editor: Nebosuke

Three days had passed since the fight with the Shadow Apostles.

Originally, the tour of the empire was supposed to have ended, yet Eina and Mersche still resided within the Kingdom.

The tour was supposed to have finished after two days, but they now saw a problem in visiting other places for longer and would end it with that.

I was talking with Remyl in front of the hospital room.

“Looking at the current situation, there seems to be no more issue with the demons underground. And we’ve also managed to seal off all entrances that lead to the outside as well.”

“Still, the Kingdom is vast. It will be hard to manage it all.”

“We can only do our best. Moreover, it’s better for us to deal with the source of the beasts rather than to keep fending them off… I really couldn’t imagine being involved in this case with my busy schedule.”

The files that filled Remyl’s desk were all about the demons and beasts that lived underneath the Kingdom – It seemed like that would take quite a while to deal with.

Now I could have also come here to see Iris who was hospitalized as well, but…

“You came all the way here, but you’re not going to enter?”

“I do not count as anything special, do I? What’s more, she’s now there together with Alia, isn’t she?”

“True, true. Speaking of Alia…”

“Yes, she cooperated with the Shadow Apostles in an attempt to murder Lady Eina Bodel – If you put it like that, she is involved in a crime. However, in addition to lady Eina not letting the responsibility fall on her, she was also mentally in a very dubious situation, where she acted as a shield for her family. They might want to put her under surveillance, but this isn’t any major crime, is it?”

My fear was that it would become a big problem. Even though there might have been reasons, attempted assassination was still a crime – And since Alia played a role in this, she’s not getting away unscathed.

But the fact that Eina treated this act so lightly and asked no further questions was very generous. We had to thank her for that.

“That’s good to hear. That makes me feel better too.”

“You should tell Alia about it. Also, please remember that you are most likely the one responsible for her observation.”

“Putting more work on my plate… I understand.”

I had promised to protect Alia – I originally trained her and Iris in the blade. So this much shouldn’t be a burden either.

…If I think about it like that, then my responsibilities also don’t feel that much heavier.

“Well, I leave the girls to you.”

As Remyl waved her hand to bid farewell, she left.

Though she took the time to come here, she was actually busy.

From the Empire’s side out, the daughter of the Marshall had been assaulted while on the tour – However, this was all part of Eina’s strategy.

It wasn’t anything major to talk about, and it wouldn’t hurt the Kingdom and the Empire’s relationship in any major way. Still, there were plenty of things to go about in regards to this whole case.

For the time being, it seemed like I just needed to be close to the girls.

“Iris, do you need anything else?”

“No, I’m fine. I feel really good actually.”

I heard Iris and Alia’s conversation as I entered the hospital room.

Iris had been like this ever since she had opened her eyes – Alia was worried about Iris’ wounds and had remained next to her bed day and night. Alia must feel like she’s the one responsible for every scar on Iris’ body.

“Well, you look very good, so that really is a relief.”

“Mr. Schweiss! Oh, s-sorry that you have to see me like …”

Iris kept hiding behind her blanket. Her pyjamas were adorned with various cute animals. They weren’t really worth noticing though.

She then forced herself out of bed, but I stopped her in her tracks.

“Don’t worry, please stay like that. I only came here to see you, so no need to worry. Please.”

“T-thank you.”

“Mr. Schweiss…”

Alia looked at me with a rather awkward look.

That day – Ever since I showed her that I was a swordmaster, Alia and I never really had a chance to talk.

Even though we met each other again like this, it felt like it had been a while. She must be tired from the questioning of the Knights, but it didn’t show.

“Alia, how are you? Is your body alright?”

“Ye, I’m good. Thanks to you… You saved me.”

Alia first looked away into the distance, but as she said this she looked at me straight in the eye.

It was the first time she had said something so pure-hearted to me. I couldn’t help but smile. Surprised, Alia responded.

“What is it? Did I say something funny?”

“No, I am just glad you’re so honest.”

“Yea, you told me I could trust you. And you have protected me and Iris ever since. Thanks to that, I was able to become a bit more honest. However, make sure to protect Alia from now on as well.”

“Wha- Alia…!”

“Of course, that’s what I intend to do. However, that includes you too. If anything happens from here on out, please come to me – Alright?”

“..Yes, thank you.”

Though Alia was worried about Iris during this whole conversation, she kept nodding, causing Iris to smile as well. It felt like everything had finally returned to normal again.

However, there was one more – One more person I had made a promise to.

“Well then, Alia. There is a person willing to meet you waiting on the rooftop. I will stay here to look after Iris, so why don’t you go and look?”

“Someone wants to meet me?”

Alia tilted her neck. She had no idea who that person could be. However, I heard it already from that person – She’d understand after all that happened just now.

With a puzzled face, Alia left the room on my request.

***

The evening sun colored the rooftop where the hospital’s sheets and towels were hung out to dry. 

As the wind shook the white linen, Alia kept looking around her as she walked.

There was someone else. There was a girl looking over at the scenery of the town below.

“You are…?”

“Nice to meet you – No, long time no see is what I should say.”

Alia was surprised as she saw who it was.

Her name was Mersche Artina. She fought with Alia’s father, Qufirio Notoria when they attacked Eina and the rest.

Though she lost to Qufirio in battle, her wounds were shallow, meaning she must have quite some skill.

Why would Mershe want to meet with Alia though?

“Long time no see you say. From since the arena?”

“Well, it’s only been a few days now. Well, I… not even Qufirio noticed, so I won’t blame you for not noticing.”

“…What is that supposed to mean?”

Alia became warry. A natural reaction after hearing Qufirio’s name. With a smile just like Alia’s, Mersche stepped towards her.

She made herself ready for battle – That wasn’t really the case, but she was prepared to respond to anything that could happen.

Mersche kept on talking.

“The one that became the most flustered to see you working with the Shadow Apostles was Lady Iris. But I too was rather shocked. Why would you be with them, I wondered.”

“…? Why would you?”

“Both my face and voice have changed, so you really can’t tell. But I told you, didn’t I? That I would definitely come after you.”

“—“

Alia looked at her with surprise.

It couldn’t be, but Mersche’s words rang a bell. Alia knew these words.

These words were told to Alia by her big sister. Then they never showed up again, and the Brother and Sister she met, in the end, were just fakes.

She knew that the real ones were already murdered by Qufirio. That’s what should’ve happened at least, yet now before her stood Mersche with the same expression as back then.

“It would’ve been the best if I actually stood here before you together with Brother, but the only one who survived is me.”

“…Sis?”

“It’s been a while since you’ve called me that.”

“But… My sister should’ve…”

“Qufirio told you, right? I might as well have been dead – I fleed for my life, and I fought for my life. Still, those wounds linger. But I was saved by Lady Eina, which caused me to be where I am now. So you and I are quite the same now. Getting a new name and—“

Alia interrupted Mersche by embracing her. It was a reflex, and Alia herself was surprised by it too. As she put her head onto Mersche’s chest, she got her head patted softly.

“I never expected it to be like this. But it’s all I ever wanted.”

“Sis…!! I’m so glad you’re alive.”

Alia squeezed out those words.

Her face and voice were different – Yet, at this very moment, she knew it was her. That’s what this was.

“I too am glad to see that you’re safe. I didn’t know whether we could be like this again… I am sorry.”

“I too wanted to apologize to you, Sis. Really… I shouldn’t have run away from there. If I had stayed, then Brother would…”

“It’s alright. Thanks to you, he too knew the meaning of family. In the time we were together, I saw him grow and understand what was happening. So we, your brother and I, both knew that what we had was real. We both regarded you as someone dear to us.”

Mersche hugged Alia back strongly. Alia also hugged back with force. They hugged each other for a long time.

After a moment of silence, Mersche laid her hand on Alia’s shoulder and slowly patted her.

“After everything was over, I wanted to take you with me to the Empire.”

“! You mean…”

“Yes, but… It’s all good. You already have people that care for you, haven’t you?”

Mersche quickly glanced behind Alia. As Alia turned her head, she saw the shadows of two people. … Alta and Iris must’ve come here because they were worried.

Then, without thinking, Alia let out a laugh.

“Sis, I am fine like this. I have a very strong teacher and a family member I hold dear.

Of course, you too are part of a family I hold dear, but…”

“I know. From here on out we can still meet each other if we want to. So, see ya.”

“Yea, see ya.”

As her conversation with Mersche ended, she looked back.

She immediately went for the two who were waiting behind her.

***

“No need to worry, right?”

“…Right.”

Iris and I quickly hid ourselves, but we might’ve been seen by Alia.

Still, we looked at each other and laughed.

Eina came for a tour in the kingdom to lure out the Shadow Apostles – However, all of this was now in the past.

Mersche, a creation of Qufirio, actually revolted against him. That was connected to the case we had in our hands.

“Well then, shall we return to the hospital room soon then? You still need to recuperate.”

“Y-you don’t need to worry about me so much. I am fine, so…”

“Nonono, if you heal properly. we will train again.”

“If that’s the case, then I will heal as soon as possible.”

Iris bowed properly in response. This was very much like her – And with that, we closed the door of the hospital roof.

Alia came over here as well.

“A-Alia… Iris just came up here to –“

Out of nowhere, I felt a light touch upon my forehead. Iris looked at what happened and was filled with surprise. — Alia gave me a kiss on the head.

It was so sudden that I too felt surprised. She laughed as if to make fun of me and then whispered, “I kind of like you, Mr. Schweiss – No more than Iris of course. That’s why I will keep all of it a secret.”

“H-hey!! What the hell is that supposed to mean!…!!?”

“What would it mean indeed…”

“Don’t play dumb! H-hey, wait up!”

With disregard for her own wounds, Iris ran after Alia. She finally caught Alia who came back unworried and started questioning her about what just happened.

As I watched this happen, I wiped my forehead.

“Hahaha, children,” I whispered as I smiled bitterly.