***Arc 3 The Precious, Chapter 52 Peaceful Time*** Peaceful Time
The morning started with a climb up the mountain. It's a strenuous journey for a normal soldier, but for someone like Selene, who can consciously use her magic power, there was no problem even after wearing armor. A finely carved silver armor. crimson cloak. Her golden hair is tied back and her eagle-shaped helmet was tucked under her arm.
Krische wears a one-piece dress as usual. She also wears a black cloak, but the only armor she has on is a steel gauntlet. The toes and heels of the boots were reinforced with metal fittings, and although the gauntlet is the practical kind and reinforced the fist properly, she's so lightly dressed that it was unsettling to look at. Her long hair was tied back in two with a flower ornament arranged by Berry, and her braided hair tail swayed from side to side.
Selene looked at the Krische beside her and remembered what happened last night. "----That... I, gave my name." She was concerned about Bery's recent behavior that's getting sweet and sweeter. Perhaps, maybe she has crossed the line with Krische----With that suspicion in mind she asked Bery, it was before the battle Selene wanted to clear up this concern.
'It, would be better to talk about it...' Bery also seemed to have something to say, so both of them went outside the tent, to the place where they can be alone. 'So what happened?' When Selen asked, Bery's cheeks blushed her eyes wavered, and that was the first thing she said. Selene was stunned and speechless by the unexpected words. "A, a-a joke..."
"Not. ...I made a vow." If, Bery was to impulsively laid her hands on Krische, then it's not like Selene couldn't understand Certainly, the innocence, purity and defenselessness written on Krische face is an unbearable temptation. But to offer one's name is a perfectly rational act.
Selene was taught this at the age of seven.
'Selene, a hidden name is a magic name from the age of the gods. It is a magic name that is taught only to the one person to whom you will give everything in your life. You must never tell anyone. Only when you find a wonderful partner like your father and become together with that person like I did, will you dedicate your name to that person.'
In the past, when hidden name was called true name, it had an absolute significance. The soul was concealed in the true name, and one had to offer everything and be subordination to the person to whom it was known. The existence of the true name was regarded as absolute, so much so that it was said that a country was destroyed because the true name was known.
Of course, that was a long time ago, and in reality, such power does not exist. Even if it were to spread, nothing would happen. However, it still has a strong meaning for a noble to offer their true name to someone.
The difference between commoners and nobles is the belief in one's name. It is not permissible for nobles to break the oath they have sworn to their name. If they break it, they will even choose death. Nobles have such faith, and aristocratic society exists on the premise of such faith. Therefore, nobles are repeatedly taught the way of noble from their childhood and are brought up accordingly. The same goes for the family name, and the hidden name is the most extreme of it.
Although the Argan family is of a lower nobility with baron rank, their history is one older than that of the Christand. Even her mother who was a bold and open-minded person was very serious about the importance of names for the nobility and repeatedly told Serene over and over again. That's why Bery telling her hidden name is very significant.
Bery, as a nobleman, does not act arrogant. However, she is a legitimate member of the nobility who has learned the etiquette of nobility and its behavior more deeply than anyone else and has learned it as a matter of course. There was no way Bery would easily reveal her hidden name, and Selene hardened at the weight of that meaning. "...I'm a mean and nasty person." Bery opened her mouth. "I never told Ojou-sama about my past, didn't I?"
"Well, you didn't even tell me when I asked."
"Fufu... I was embarrassed. I was not that much of a good kid." Bery continued. "I spent most of the day in bed, looking out the window and reading books. When I was little, I never thought about going outside like this, so I would make up theories in my head and think I knew the world. Everyone around me looked like an idiot, and I thought, 'Aah, how unhappy I am'." Bery said ashamed and smiles bitterly. While drawing a line on the ground with her feet, she continued to move restlessly. "The servants at that time did not like me. It was only natural. ......Nee-sama came to see me every day, but to be honest, I envied and felt jealous of the cheerful and kind Nee-sama. She had everything I didn't have. I also said a lot of terrible things." Her foot stopped, and she said with a troubled look on her face that 'it was probably a matter of temperament'. "...... I'm a twisted person, aren't I? When I see other's good parts, I become jealous, just seeing the unpleasant part of others, then I only see the unpleasant part of myself. Fundamentally, I hate myself. That's why I hated people and wanted to cover it up." She recalled. Bery talks about her past with a slightly distant look. Serene could not say anything and just listened silently. "I was aware of that in my heart, so I thought when push comes to shove, I would dedicate my life Nee-sama. I just wanted to be beautiful. ......The Argan family fell into debt, and I swore so, but in the end, I was protected by Nee-sama and saved Gotoushu-sama. It's ironic isn't it? ......I can't do anything properly." The dark, sunken eyes shook with sadness. "I've been searching for a meaning. And I lived without knowing it, so I decided to at least try to play the role asked of me......that's how I feel. Be nice to people but draw a clear line and don't let them see dirty things, don't look at it." Berr said and looked up at the sky. A slightly chipped and distorted (oval) moon shone in the cloudless sky. "But even for me... Krische-sama is simply, only beautiful." Her red hair glistens and sways in the gentle breeze, and the moonlight illuminates her well-proportioned face. The profile was such that you could not help but be captivated it. "......it is very beautiful. Pure, without lies, falsehoods, or impurity----it may be very difficult for Krische-sama to live in this world. I am sure there are people who hate her and fear her. But to me, she is still beautiful and......." ----more lovely than anything else. Bery casts her eyes down and put both hands on her chest as if holding something invisible.
It was very similar to the expression her mother sometimes showed when she talked about her father. It was a look that was full of something indescribable, something that could not be put into words. "----Being by Krische-sama sides. I realized that my meaning was there. Then I thought that my name belongs to Krische-sama. ......That's what it is for, that's what I wanted." That's probably why she looks so beautiful. At the very least as Bery said so, she looked more beautiful than ever. "Krische-sama said that she understands what lonely is, fufu, such trivial things are big discoveries for Krische-sama. Fumbling, clumsy, but working harder than anyone else... I wanted to dedicate my life to Krische-sama. ......Please forgive me." Berry bows deeply and Selene sighs. "It's not up to me to decide whether to forgive or not.... What a servant. Certainly, I said you don't need to care about being my helper, but to think you're making me do it."
"... I'm sorry. But, I've decided." The face that smiles with a giggle is still very beautiful, and 'aah', Selene looks up at the sky. Selene rubbed her eyes as she witnessed the somewhat predictable result. "Hahh, How am I going to explain this to father? He was worried since it would be a shame for you to spend the rest of your life as a servant. I can just picture his stunned face."
"It's not that much of big thing, ...... it's just for my own satisfaction."
"From your look, you probably don't have any intention bring up the ceremony." Bery freezes, her face turns bright red again. Serene also froze when she saw Bery's eyes moisten and her gaze waver. "... Ah, um, I was just joking."
"I-I know."
"......It's obvious from your reaction that you're serious." Selene sighs as she holds her head in amazement. Bery stammers, then hurriedly said. "I-I don't mean that I want to do that, but just imagining, what if Krische-sama, um, ......said, she doesn't want...... to do something like that."
"You'd be digging your own grave if you went any further, Bery. Just hearing it is embrassing." But it would be fun, Serene laughed. "The two of you will dress up and have a small party at the estate. The priest will be father. I'll play the sister. Fufu, Kreschenta will play the role of the lovesick rival. I'm sure she will looks at the two of you sullenly."
"Geez...... Please don't tease me." A giggle naturally spilled out. When she imagines it, it's a much, much better spectacle than a war. "We have to finish what is in front of us first for that. Though that's the hardest part. Well, don't worry, your beloved Krische won't die easily even if you kill her."
"......Yes. Please take care of yourself, ojou-sama. I would be troubled without a sister."
"Aren't you full of motivation."
"Ojou-sama the ones who told me to." Berry laughed mischievously, stretched out and kissed Serene on the forehead. "Unya...."
Selene reached out her hand to Krische cheek and pinched it between her fingers, enjoying the feeling as she recalled. Bery must be serious. Bery is also someone Selene admired. Unlike Selene, she had everything a woman must have. "You really set fire to a troublesome opponent, didn't you? You'r being carefree, but I wonder do you really understand?"
"Fuerere...?" Selene let go of her cheek and Krische tilted her head while stroking it. "Making become Bery like that, I can see that you're going to become a complete idiot in the future."
"Krische wouldn't do such a terrible thing like setting Bery on fire. Also Krische is not stupid, rather Krische is the smart one, uu..."
"That's why you're stupid" Selene pinched her cheek again and sighed. The fact that she looked somewhat happy while being pinched on the cheek made her look even sillier, and she think that's why Bery has fallen. For Bery, who always thinks too much, the opposite, Krische is just right. 'It's because she's so clingy and always spoilling Krische', Selene played with the soft cheeks, and think, 'I have to make sure I don't become like that that', while pulling the soft cheeks. They are two people who will endlessly fall to depravity if left unchecked.
*Squish*, *squish*, while rubbing Krische's cheeks, Selene was seriously thinking that she had to be strict where it needs to be strict.
Krische didn't particularly dislike it, but rather snuggled up to Selene and glanced at her. Krische, who thinks that pinching her cheek is just like a kiss, an expression of affection for Selene, blushes at Selene's passionate expression of affection. She thought that Berry had recently become even sweeter, and today Selene was being very aggressive. Krische's very satisfied, but Selene, half unconsciously pinching Krische cheeks while thinking, didn't pay Krische any mind.
Following a little behind the two, who are very friendly with each other, is a group of black century, led by Dagra. They wear leather armor all over their bodies, though not to the extent that it impedes their movements. All of the armor are painted with black paint. It seems that during the training with night attacks as the basis, and since he was selected in black, the soldiers suggested that it would be just right since they were selected for black, and Krische agreed, allowing them to paint their armor. The basic color is dark blue, and the helmet ornament, which looks like Dagra's *tategami*, is also black. It is not bad looking, and has the advantage of being conspicuous in the daytime and difficult to see in the dark.
The soldiers had conducted several joint training exercises with ordinary soldiers as part of their ambush and alert training and rumors had quietly spread throughout the First Corps that these men in their black armor were the best of the best. Soldiers who are unified by standards like such little special things, and for this reason, the morale of the black soldiers is high. Although there was some envy and opposition from the other soldiers, they were fundamentally envious of them, and Selene and others were thinking of allowing the black soldiers to color their uniforms with patterns and colors as a reward for their excellence.
The Black Century is under the direct control of Krische Christand. They are given a special status, and what they see are two girls moving forward. "......Corps Commander and Usa-chan are often flirting like this, huh." Mia wasconcerned about Dagra at Kahlua's words and panics, saying things like, 'Private conversations are strictly forbidden'. "At least say that they are close..."
'Well, I don't care either way. I've never been on good terms with my......sisters at home, so it's kind of fresh for me. She whispers and looks at Krische, who is getting closer and closer to Selene. They are obviously flirting. It was a common understanding among the soldiers who watched it from behind, and there were many who inwardly agreed with Kahlua's words. Naturally, Mia also inwardly agreed.
When talking about Krische Christand, the names of her sister Selene-Christand and the servant Bery Argan are often mentioned. It is common to hear stories of Krische hugging the servant Bery. At least it was an open secret in the First Corps that she and the other two had a very close relationship.
While some consider this to be quite reasonable considering she is only 14 years old, others have started unscrupulous rumors that she may be homosexual. However, many people know that Cliche is a young girl who still has a lot of mental childishness in her, so it is just a vulgar rumor. Not the mainstream. The Black Century, who are often associated with her, were particularly dismissive of her alleged homosexuality, because they know what Krische is really like. They all understand that she is simply young in temperament, although they are blinded by her abilities.
When he saw the food in the camp, she would lecture them saying 'The whole thing is too crude. Geez wasting so much food. It's like this----yes. It's the worst if you can't even look forward to the meal on a battlefield that isn't fun. Please be careful', the way she explanations lack a sense of tension. The way she earnestly gathers everyone together and begins an impromptu cooking lesson, make it hard to believe that she is an adjutant corps commander.
The training required was harsh and rigorous, and the rewards and punishments were clear. However, when she scolded them for trivial matters, her tone was indescribable, as if she was a slightly older onee-san in the village scolding a child. She would stretch out her small body in a somewhat gruff manner, put her hands on her hips, and look up at the person she was scolding, saying, 'Do you understand?', the way she lectured them was adorable. Some people were looking forward to seeing her reprimand that strangely relieved her tension, but she didn't notice it and was extremely serious.
A child standing on their tip-toe, to make themselves taller would be an appropriate word to describe her.
The way she snuggled up to her sister Selene was like her dog wagging her tail and rubbing against her master, and it looked strangely adorable.
As the soldiers watched the two, Krische suddenly stopped and turned around. "Bald Eagle, this Century will be ready to camp as soon as we're up there. Please relax and make sure they are well rested. They will move around a lot after all."
"Yes. Adjutant Corps Commander."
"... Krische, uh... Bald Eagle is?"
"It's a nickname for Dagra. It seems that giving nicknames is popular in the squad, and Krische also gave Dagra the nickname Bald Eagle as a show of affection. Because he has a smooth head and an eagle nos nose, the name Bald Eagle fits perfectly."
Selene pressed her temples and looked at Dagra. "Umm, Dagra. If you don't like it, you can say it honestly you know."
"N-no. I take it as the highest honor."
"Ehehe, it's an honor he said. He really likes the nickname Bald Eagle. ... Ah, it would be nice to give soldiers who worked hard a nice nickname like this in the future."
"Please don't increase the number of victims."
"Uuu..." Selene pinched Krische cheeks with a sigh and silenced her. It's the worst naming sense. It'snothing but abuse.
A few of the soldiers watching quietly shook their shoulders, and Dagra glared at them. Dagra's new nickname, Bald Eagle, had already spread among the century.
Waves of laughter spread from one person to the next, with Krische in a good mood and Selene looking at him with pity. Only Dagra twitched his eyes.
Those were the last hours of peaceful time in the Dragon's Maw.
