CH 129

Reconciliation

It was the day after the audience with the King, which was very nerve-wracking.

She thought she would get the whole day off, but that didn’t happen. Sheila was currently resting up and undergoing supplementary lessons.

She had no problem speaking the ancient language, but she still stumbled when it came to writing.

The biggest problem, however, was that the research maniac was getting in the way of her hard work.

“Why is it that only Sheila-kun can use the holy arts? Even the believers of the Faril Kingdom pray every morning and night, and they use the ancient divine language when they do so. What is the difference between you and them?”

Of course, it was Jornwerner who was happily developing his thoughts. Thanks to that, the contents of the textbook were completely lost in her mind.

“As I thought, maybe it’s a matter of blood? Or perhaps the answer lies in the difference in principles between the divine arts and magic. Should we first find out if Sheila has a background in the divine arts….?”

Jornwerner, who began muttering disturbing things, could no longer be ignored.

“Absolutely not. I’m planning to increase my training more from now on.”

“Depending on the results of the research, there may be advantages for you, too, you know? Maybe I can find a way to make you stronger.”

“I don’t want to become strong through such an illegal, drugging-like procedure.”

“Hey, you shouldn’t be so judgmental, okay?”

Having said that, Jornwerner quickly backed down.

He had invited her to participate in the experiment with the same enthusiasm as before, but lately, he tended to give up if Sheila didn’t want to. It was a mysterious change of heart.

“Besides, I have to meet up with Leidyrune-senpai later today. I don’t have time to be bothered with Jornwerner-sensei.”

“Ah, you’re going to tell them what’s going on, aren’t you? And to Zechs-kun and Cody-kun, too?”

When discussing about the spirit arts, Sheila also had to summon Leidyrune. Because he had requested a detailed explanation before they all fought against the demons.

She couldn’t afford to be late for the appointment with the second son of the Duke’s household.

It was the first time she had faced her friends since the demon attack.

Cody talked to her as usual, but Sheila felt bad because it was obvious he was concerned about her, and Zechs wouldn’t even look at her.

Sheila wondered how they would react if she told them. Would they berate her for keeping it a secret for so long?

She couldn’t stop herself from being negative about it.

Sheila was lying on her head when she suddenly felt a palm press down on her head.

“…. What are doing?”

“I’m trying to comfort you.”

“It’s rather heavy.”

He had never been in contact with any human being in his life, had he? His unruly hand seemed to grab her head rather than caressed it.

As Sheila strained her neck to hold on, the pressure from above suddenly loosened.

This time, he was overly gentle with his stroking while checking Sheila’s reaction. Jornwerner’s principle of action was, as always, difficult to understand.

“…. Um, what’s really going on with you? I honestly feel uncomfortable.”

“At the very least, shouldn’t you say something like ‘it’s out of character’?”

He lowered his eyebrows and smiled weakly, resting his head on Sheila’s shoulder.

The anti-Jornwerner bracelets were again completely unresponsive.

Whether it was responding to malicious intent, or responding to an attack on the body, Sheila decided to carefully ask Clauschezade about the mechanism next time.

Still, the reason why she didn’t feel a sense of danger might be because there was no frisky atmosphere at all. She felt as if she was being cuddled by a large beast.

Jornwerner snuggled up to her neck like an animal interacting with another.

“…. I’m aware of it. But it’s okay. Because I don’t want you to hate me.”

His arguments were so out of character and illogical that Sheila couldn’t help but laugh.

“‘Because’ you say, are you a child?”

“You use that word a lot, don’t you?”

“I’m still young enough to pass as a child.”

“I thought you said you were an adult back then?”

“I won’t coddle you if you say things like that.”

“Hng. Then I’ll shut up.”

Sheila also closed her eyes and rested her head on Jornwerner, who had become obedient. Her depressed mood became calm.

His soft blue-gray hair tickled and was a little comforting.

Leidyrune, Cody, and Zechs were gathered in the dimly lit dining room even though it was daytime.

Lulu placed a steaming cup of herbal tea in front of everyone. When she finished serving the food and left, Leidyrune arrogantly opened his mouth.

“Now, let’s hear what you have to say.”

Sheila scratched her head and shifted her gaze to Cody.

“First of all, why don’t we go over the situation of that day? I also want to know what happened in the capital.”

To be honest, Sheila was afraid to speak until the air softened a little more. Zechs was still silent, not even making eye contact.

Perhaps sensing Sheila’s thoughts, Cody chuckled and opened his mouth.

“We were in the royal capital for a long time, helping the Patrol Corps. I was always with Zola-san, who took care of us during our training. After a while, both Seiryuu and Axe came to help us.”

“Oh, I see….”

Seiryuu and Axe probably couldn’t stay still.

It seemed that some of the other upperclassmen who graduated also helped out. It might have been a blessing in disguise that some of the graduates were still in the capital before they were assigned to their posts.

“I heard that the patrol members are also trained for emergencies. Thanks to them, we were able to evacuate the city quickly and efficiently.”

“Well, in reality, we didn’t even have to evacuate.”

As if interrupting Cody’s explanation, Zechs uttered a sharp voice. He rested his chin on his head and looked away, but he seemed to be listening.

Sheila raised her voice as if calling out to him.

“No, that’s not true. I was determined to stop the demons, but I couldn’t help but feel uneasy if no one had evacuated. Thanks to your efforts, we didn’t have to worry about what was going on behind us. That’s why we could face the demons with all our strength.”

Even though her friend wasn’t looking, Sheila smiled with the intention of conveying her feelings.

“I just wanted to say thank you again. ――I’m really glad that Zechs and the others were there.”

Zechs’ hazel eyes turned slightly.

Feeling that she was being urged to explain the situation, Sheila made up her mind and opened her mouth.

First, there was such a thing as spirit arts.

In Denan Village, it was commonplace for everyone to use it. Sheila explained that it was a power obtained by offering daily prayers of gratitude to spirits, gods, and other invisible beings who gave them blessings.

Both Cody and Zechs were surprised, but they listened without breaking their silence.

However, when Sheila briefly touched on the subject of the holy arts, they were both absolutely speechless. Leidyrune nodded his head in agreement at their expressions.

“… That’s why. According to Jornwerner-sensei, if it’s possible to use it just by praying daily, the people of Faril Kingdom should be able to use it too.”

So, perhaps the difference between magic and divine arts might have something to do with it, or the structure of the human body might be fundamentally different in the first place between the people of the Kingdom of Steitz and the Faril Divine Kingdom.

Furthermore, he suggested the possibility that the Steitz Kingdom and Denan Village had different races of people.

“Because we can’t make it public, the research hasn’t progressed very far, and I don’t really know all the details…. I’m really sorry for not telling you until now.”

Sheila clenched her fists above her knees and bowed deeply.

Even though she was told to keep quiet about it, it was still true that she had hidden a useful power from her friends. Sheila could only apologize.

A heavy silence fell.

“…. Certainly, you can’t tell anyone about this. It’s not good for you if you talk about such a thing so easily.”

Zechs was the first to speak. He let out a long sigh, wildly scratching his sand-colored hair.

“Sheila, don’t go around saying too much from now on. If you’re dealing with a hostile aristocrat, it’s not surprising if they’ll try to kill you. You could even be kept in captivity for the rest of your life.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Still, you should know how we feel about being kept in the dark.”

“――Yes. I understand exactly what you mean.”

Her friend, who implied that he forgave her, was still looking away, but she could tell from his expression that he was simply embarrassed. Cody let out a chuckle.

“Zechs was just sulking.”

“I just figured it out, too.”

“You guys, I can hear you just fine.”

After all the important talk was over, Leidyrune opened his mouth.

“I thought I could help you if you wanted to find out the differences between the people here and the Faril Kingdom, but I’m sure that man has already done the tests since I’ve had my blood drawn so many times to begin with. I’m sorry I can’t help you.”

Sheila blinked at the unexpected offer.

Come to think of it, his mother was related to the High Priest of the Faril Divine Kingdom.

“I’m very grateful, Leidyrune-senpai. But your feelings are enough.”

Or rather, it was too pitiful for him to have his blood drained by Jornwerner so many times. It was a glimpse into a childhood where his pure favoritism of Jornwerner was just exploited.

Perhaps waiting for the right moment, Lulu, who had been in the kitchen for a while, came back pushing a teacart.

“Have you finished talking? How about some delicious tea and sweets?”

“Uwaa, I’m so happy!”

“For Sheila-sama, I have prepared tea with plenty of milk and honey. Today there is also ginger in it, so it will warm you up.”

“Thank you, as expected of Lulu! Here, let me help you.”

The herbal tea was just about finished, so Sheila quickly got up from her seat and put away the tea utensils. Cody suddenly tugged at her arm.

Perhaps because he had witnessed the friendly exchange, her friend looked very miserable. In front of the person he was interested in, his usual calm composure seemed like a lie.

“You really, really don’t like each other, right?”

He whispered lowly, and Sheila felt worn out by his question.

“I’ve told you repeatedly that it’s impossible.”

“Even if you say that, you don’t know what will happen in the future.”

“I do know. I know that Lulu and I will never love each other in a romantic sense. Not for the rest of our lives.”

Laughing while patting Cody on the shoulder, Sheila walked over to Lulu this time.

◇　◆　◇

Cody’s eyes widened as he watched his friend’s carefree back.

Lulu was modest, but she was a pretty and lovely girl.

She was that attractive, and he thought it wouldn’t be strange if she started dating Sheila, who didn’t care about her status.

Why was it that no matter how many times he asked, they never take it seriously?

“――Is that what you meant…?”

If he looked at it from a different perspective, it was quite simple actually.

A slender body with no muscle tone at all. The difference in height was only increasing. They had never run into each other in the bathroom or the toilet even once.

Even the name, Sheila, was too careless.

It was a wonder once he realized that, even when Sheila was with Lulu, it seemed like they were just girls playing with each other.

It was as if the world had been turned upside down.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

Zechs tilted his head, wondering why Cody was standing still.

“Zechs…. You really don’t notice anything when you look at Sheila?”

While keeping his eyes glued to Sheila, Cody asked back. Zechs frowned puzzlingly.

“Ah? You mean other than the fact that the guy had a terrifying hidden gem?”

Cody glanced halfheartedly at his seriously obtuse friend.

“…. At this rate, it’ll be a while before you find out.”

“Hey. I don’t know what you’re talking about, but you’re making fun of me, aren’t you?”

Cody looked over at Sheila again, ignoring Zechs’ dissatisfaction.

Sheila told him that Lulu was an exclusive maid assigned by her guardian in the royal capital, so she probably knew the truth as well.

Lulu was quite free-spirited, but perhaps that was why Sheila seemed more relaxed than usual.

It would be a lie if Cody said he didn’t envy Lulu.

He hoped that one day Sheila would tell him all her secrets like that.

“I’ll wait. Until you tell me.”

Zechs looked even weirded out at the murmur that spilled out of Cody with a smile.