Would it happen again as it had done before in Aroth?
Eugene feared it might. He remembered that night when Sienna, Anise, and Kristina, drunk as skunks, forced their way into his room. Eugene had feigned sleep, trembling under his blanket in fear.
The devils reeking of alcohol had laughed as they ripped away Eugene's blanket and landed a punch on his side. Their intent to mock and hurt had been crystal clear as they broke through his resistance and teased him….
What if it happened again this time? Thankfully, Sienna had refrained from drinking and had returned to her room. But Anise had always been the most unpredictable with alcohol, a reputation she'd earned for over three hundred years.
What if Anise drank and Kristina got drunk, and even Ciel, who was with them, also became intoxicated? And if Sienna joined midway and they all drank like there was no tomorrow. What if they then stormed into his room?
Eugene stayed awake all night, consumed by such worries.
But, fortunately, dawn passed without incident. Eugene hadn’t even laid on his bed and sat by the window, lost in thought and was roused by the chirping of morning birds. Relief washed over him as he gazed out at the sunrise over the eastern sea, not too far away.
"Phew…." He exhaled a deep sigh.
A new day had begun. Despite his long contemplation during the pre-dawn hours, the weight in his chest was still there. As he aimlessly gazed outside, he suddenly jolted back in surprise.
Ciel had appeared on the training grounds in her workout clothes. Eugene couldn't make out Ciel’s expression from his vantage point, but she didn't seem dejected, and her steps were steady.
Should he open the window? Or go down to see her? Or should he just ignore her? While Eugene was hesitating, Ciel turned her head.
Eugene could finally see her face. It wasn't exactly fresh; her eyes were red, possibly from crying all night. But her eyes were clear, and her expression was not faint. Ciel stared at Eugene, smirked, and then silently mouthed a word: Idiot.
As she stuck out her playful pink tongue, she gestured for Eugene to come down. After a brief hesitation, Eugene jumped from the window.
"Uh…. Did you... sleep well?" he asked.
"Now I understand," Ciel chuckled while crossing her arms. "Ever since you were young, you've repeatedly mentioned how you admired Sir Hamel more than Sir Vermouth, your very ancestor."
At these words, Eugene swallowed hard. This was the very reason he never wanted to reveal the truth about his reincarnation to others, especially his family. The immense fear he harbored was closing in.
"Whenever my brother or I said even a small negative thing about Sir Hamel, you would instantly defend him,” Ciel continued.
"Uh... well…," Eugene tried to form some form of defense.
"Moreover, you're close to Captain Genos of the Black Lion Knights," Ciel kept listing his actions so far.
Eugene couldn't find words to speak. Only the cold sweat forming on his brows reflected his thoughts. Ciel seemed to enjoy Eugene's reaction and chuckled mischievously.
"Sir Genos knows, doesn’t he?" asked Ciel.
"Uh…. No…. No?" Eugene denied weakly.
"Why bother with such obvious lies? If I hadn't known your true identity, I wouldn't have thought much of it. But now that I know you're Sir Hamel, things feel very different. Thinking about it, Sir Genos struggled quite a bit dealing with you when you were much younger."
"That…. I mean—" By now, Eugene was struggling to form a coherent sentence.
"Don't worry. I won't blame you for telling Sir Genos something you didn't tell me," said Ciel.
She cried all through the early hours. Kristina and Anise had waited patiently until Ciel stopped her tears. They didn't share more words that night. Had Ciel wished for conversation or consolation, the Saints would have gladly obliged. But Ciel didn't desire for such. Just having them by her side during a sorrowful night had been sufficient.
She had pondered deeply.
"It must be quite embarrassing, right?" Ciel said with a laugh, "So, you've been gilding your face for eight years without anyone knowing?"
"Uh—"
Before Eugene could say anything, Ciel continued, "Moreover, in front of kids who didn’t know any better."
Anyone else might have been silenced by embarrassment, but Eugene couldn't. Looking seriously at Ciel, Eugene replied, "Gilding? I don't see it that way. History hasn't evaluated Sir Hamel... I mean, me, correctly…."
As his words trailed on, Ciel couldn't help but laugh, giving a playful slap on Eugene's shoulder. "Yes, yes, Sir Stupid Hamel. I understand what you're trying to say. So, Sir Hamel didn't like the idea of being undervalued by future generations?"
"Ahem..." Hamel coughed awkwardly.
"But this is a bit off. I can understand one gilding themselves, but you, Sir Hamel... you've had all the memories of your past life since birth, right?" Ciel leaned in as she whispered. The closer she got, the more it felt like a sharp blade pierced Eugene's heart. Eugene staggered while holding his aching chest. That’s when Ciel asked, "Does that mean... as a newborn, Sir Hamel cried like a regular baby, even though he wasn't one?"
"That... was beyond my control…," Eugene finally managed to say something.
"Crawling on your knees, then taking baby steps?" Ciel continued with the mocking.
"Regardless... of having memories of my past life, moving a newborn's body is not easy…," said Eugene.
Ciel next asked, "Did you... wear diapers and—"
"I didn't do that!" Interrupting her, Eugene exclaimed, slightly panicked.
He definitely hadn’t, right? He couldn't remember. Memories of those times were buried deep within. Face flushed, Eugene took deep breaths to calm himself.
"What should I call you?" Ciel asked, staring intently at Eugene. "Eugene Lionheart? Or Hamel Dynas?"
"Do I need to answer that?" Eugene sighed deeply while meeting Ciel's gaze.
Her eyes were rimmed red, but they held the same clear determination as before. Ciel wasn't truly seeking an answer from him at that moment.
"Call me as you wish, Ciel," said Eugene.
"Alright, Eugene."
Even if Eugene had asked to be called 'Hamel,' Ciel would not have obliged. Regardless of past lives or reincarnations, to Ciel, Eugene was simply Eugene.
"What should we do moving forward?" Ciel's focus drifted, and with a gentle twirl, she began to walk gracefully. "I embarrassed myself greatly yesterday. From today onward, I aim not to do so."
Eugene listened silently as Ciel said everything weighing on her heart.
"It doesn't mean I'm giving up or discarding my feelings for you. They're irreplaceable,” she admitted.
"Is that so…." Eugene said lightly.
"It doesn't matter if you don't look back at me," Ciel continued.
But it did matter. She wished, even if just occasionally, for a fleeting moment of his attention. However, she never voiced such desires aloud.
"More importantly," Ciel said, firming her heart. She didn't want to wallow in such thoughts any longer. She didn't want to show another vulnerable, weeping side of her like the previous day. Ciel paused to compose herself, then turned back with a beaming smile. "Who else knows that you are Sir Hamel? Lady Sienna, Saint Rogeris, Saint Anise, Mer, Raimira, Sir Genos of the Black Lion Knights, and me. Anyone else?"
"The Demon King of Incarceration and... the Queen of the Night Demons know as well. I think they're the only ones among the demons,” answered Eugene.
"Oh? So the Queen of the Night Demon ambushed us in the tundra because of that?" asked Ciel.
Eugene immediately denied, "No, that wasn't the reason. That attack was just her being crazy, and she only found out about my true identity much later." Beyond that... Eugene sighed deeply before continuing, "And... the Red Tower Master seems... to have noticed, or maybe not...."
"Why so vague?" Ciel asked in confusion.
"I think... he noticed, but he's pretending not to…," Eugene admitted.
"Heh, so he figured it out without you explicitly revealing it? Truly worthy of Lord Lovellian," Ciel praised sincerely.
Gerhard, the elders of her family, and her brother Cyan didn't know Eugene's true identity. Realizing this, Ciel's smile grew sly as she asked, "Shouldn't we tell Cyan?"
"What?" A startled Eugene looked at Ciel cautiously.
"He is my twin, after all,” Ciel said, her sly smile widening. “Cyan holds you in high regard, you know? Just like how I did, he would easily accept the truth about you being Sir Hamel."
"Don't be absurd…," Eugene said brusquely.
"Oh, so you wish for me to remain silent?" She had steered the conversation back to her advantage. The curve of Ciel's lips deepened mischievously. "In that case, grant me one favor."
***
The royal family of Shimuin did not publicly announce its plan to suppress the Pirate Empress. There were indications that the Empress hoped for a frontal confrontation, but nothing was concrete yet. Although not made public, plans for suppression were already in motion.
"Gondor Ironhammer," a stout dwarf with a thick brown beard declared. He reached out his massive hand towards Carmen while identifying himself. "Until the Empress is subdued and we rescue the captured craftsmen, I, Gondor Ironhammer, will fully support all warriors who stand with you."
Had the royal family not initiated the plan to suppress the Empress, not only the dwarves of the capital guild but also those from the distant Hammer Island would have risen in revolt. If that had occurred, Shimuin would have suffered a significant international embarrassment, and the country’s atmosphere would have plummeted.
Fortunately, before that could happen, the royal family acted fast and negotiated with the dwarves' guild. The dwarves were assured that given time, the royal family would suppress the Empress. Thus, they asked for patience and no disruptions.
But dwarves weren’t known for their patience or obedience, especially when their prized craftsmen had been kidnapped. Why would they leave the rescue solely in human hands?
Thus, craftsmen were dispatched from Hammer Island. While they couldn't engage directly in combat, they could offer technical support for the expedition.
Gondor Ironhammer was one of the best craftsmen among the Hammer Island dwarves. He had missed the previous deployment due to unfinished tasks, fortunately avoiding the Pirate Empress' kidnappings.
"I've heard of you, Carmen Lionheart," Gondor began. "You wield a gauntlet that transforms into various forms, don’t you?"
In response, Carmen looked down at Gondor. In contrast to her tall stature, Gondor's height was comparable to that of a child.
"I'm quite interested in the Lionheart clan’s weapons," Gondor admitted, grinning to reveal his yellowed teeth. Skilled dwarf craftsmen could handle any armor or weapon, but very few could manage Exid, Shimuin’s magical armor.
While most dwarves were eccentric, Gondor was exceptionally so. He was more interested in old, worn-out weapons and artifacts than new equipment like the Exid.
The reason was simple: Old-world weapons and artifacts, especially those from mythical times, were challenging to reproduce or even understand with modern techniques.
And the Lionheart family held the most such artifacts on the continent.
"Is that gauntlet also a relic from the mythical era?" Gondor asked.
No matter how precious an artifact, if crafted as a weapon, it should be used as one. This was why Gondor admired the Lionhearts. Shimuin’s royal family had a few ancestral artifacts, but they merely displayed them behind the throne instead of wielding them as weapons.
Gondor said passionately, "Heh! To be able to touch and maintain the Lionheart weaponry with my own hands! Just imagining it excites me. When I wrote to them long ago offering my services, they declined, saying it needed no maintenance—"
"This gauntlet isn't from the Lionheart family," Carmen interrupted. She had been gazing silently at Gondor's beard.
She had never seen someone with such a thick beard. Well, to be precise, Gondor wasn't a human but a dwarf. Carmen had a bit of a romantic notion about lavish beards but felt quite disappointed by its unkempt appearance.
"What? It's not from the family?" asked Gondor.
"I cannot reveal the whole truth... but I won this with my own hands. Or perhaps it was fate that brought it to me…," Carmen said enigmatically.
Carmen's prized possession, the Heaven Genocide, was a gift she received directly from the Red Dragon. Due to a promise made in her childhood, she couldn't speak of its origin. If not for that promise, she would've boasted about her ties with the dragon…. Carmen shook her head in regret.
"However…. Ah, I see,” commented Gondor.
Carmen slightly nodded her head in agreement. "However, my pupil, Ciel Lionheart, the White Rose. She possesses one of the Lionheart's weapons. The Phantom Rain Sword Javel, a weapon favored by the Great Vermouth. Do you recognize its name?"
Gondor's eyes widened in surprise. The Phantom Rain Sword Javel? Of course, he knew of it.
"I don't believe it needs maintenance, but perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have you inspect it?" Carmen suggested.
Carmen was not as simple and strange as she appeared on the surface.
The weapons that the Great Vermouth used had not required any maintenance for over three hundred years. They didn't wear out even if they were kept in a treasure vault for a long time and didn't break even when used in battles and neglected afterward. Javel was no different. There was no need to entrust its upkeep to a dwarf now.
Carmen was aware of this. Yet, she thought of bringing it to Gondor because of Eugene.
‘The Demon Spear and the Annihilation Hammer,’ Carmen thought of those two weapons belonging to the Demon Kings.
Years ago, an uprising had taken place at the Black Lion Castle. The remnants of the Demon King residing in the Annihilation Hammer had seduced and manipulated Dominic, the Captain of the First Division of the Black Lion Knights and the owner of the Annihilation Hammer, marking the start of the uprising.
After that incident, the remnants of the Demon King in the Annihilation Hammer and Demon Spear were eradicated completely, and Eugene became the new owner of the two weapons. Several years had passed since then, and there was no doubt regarding Eugene's abilities. Still, there was no harm in being careful.
However, Carmen knew she shouldn't proceed and make decisions alone regarding this issue. The fact that Eugene, Sienna, and Kristina were staying in her mansion after entering the city was top secret. She hadn't even told Ortus about it.
‘Ciel….’ On her way back to the mansion after parting with Gondor, Carmen thought of her pupil.
Carmen had never fallen in love with a man in her entire life. What she loved was the name Lionheart; herself, who had been born into the family with many privileges; her ashen hair, which had earned her the nickname Silver Lion; and her golden eyes.
She loved her fists and feet, which moved faster and stronger than she could ever have imagined. She loved the fact that she had been chosen by a dragon. She loved her fate, which was now to benefit the world….
She had never thought of loving a man. She had never felt the desire to love. Though she received many proposals in her youth, she never once entertained them. She occasionally thought of having a child but was never desperate for one.
Even that mild wish was fulfilled when she took Ciel as her disciple.
That was why Carmen hoped for Ciel's happiness above all else.
‘It seemed things did not go well….’
She saw Ciel's eyes tinged with red. The always proud and confident Ciel spoke with a fading voice and a weak smile. Witnessing such a sight felt like a dagger piercing through Carmen's heart, and it even caused Dezra to weep uncontrollably.
But what could have been done? There was no place for Carmen to intervene in the matters between Ciel and Eugene. In fact, she shouldn't have. Carmen was well aware of this boundary.
‘Yes. All I can do is… stand back and silently offer my support. I’ll comfort and console that child when the weight becomes too much for her.’ With such thoughts, Carmen opened the doors to the mansion, not considering herself powerless for maintaining her distance.
‘Eugene….’ Walking down the mansion's hallway, her mind wandered to Eugene.
The first time she laid eyes on him, he was studying abroad in Aroth. Back then, he was barely seventeen. The thought that the boy had grown so much over time made Carmen ponder the relentless march of time.
The prodigy from the Lionheart family, who was only beginning to understand magic, became an Archwizard in a mere span of four years. In that short period, he was chosen by the Holy Sword, and he had reached the Sixth Star of the White Flame Formula as the fastest to do so in Lionheart history.
‘Four years….’
Was it truly a lengthy span? No, it wasn’t. It was enough time for a boy to mature into a young man but not enough for him to become the legend he was.
‘No, but even back then, he was like a monster.’
From their very first meeting, Carmen felt there was something extraordinary about Eugene Lionheart.
Every time they met after, he had grown exponentially, making his previous self seem distant. She recalled sparring with him casually during his coming-of-age ceremony. Then, they fought side by side against Iris in the capital of Kiehl. Although it had been their first time coordinating, their rhythm had been impeccable. And the standoff against the White Dragon Knights…. Carmen couldn't help but smile as she recalled Eugene’s valiance.
‘Certainly. It’s not surprising that Ciel is smitten with him, given how impressive he is.’
Chuckling softly, Carmen opened her room door.
She was met with a sight she hadn't expected. The formidable, impressive Eugene Lionheart stood clad in a pristine white dress, surrounded by women.
