CH 111

I’ll Die

21. Crime and punishment.

The magic destroyed half of the Buchanan mansion. It was a tremendous amount of damage. However, if Nathaniel hadn’t stepped in it wouldn’t have ended only with the destruction of half the mansion.

Rubinia was found trembling in the corner of a half-collapsed room.

“She is trying to kill me together……. It’s different from the promise……. It’s different……! But you’ll see, I won’t die like this……!”

Nathaniel tried to send her to the palace. But he hesitated before giving instructions. Rubinia Orewinbridge’s ring stood out. That would have been the coordinates of meteor magic. Now, death was the only ending for Rubinia Orewinbridge.

And it meant that another death was placed on Kyrie’s shoulder.

After silence, Nathaniel reached out to Rubinia.

“Hick…”

[Stay still. Unless you want your fingers to be cut off]

Soon, a black hole was formed with the same size as the green jewel of the ring worn by Rubinia. No matter how much she looked at it, the black hole, which cannot be seen in two dimensions, disappeared after swallowing only the jewel. Rubinia was terrified with eyes like a king drop. Nathaniel clasped his outstretched hand.

[She won’t notice, so find something similar and insert it. Then go back.]

He swished and turned around. A small thank-you message was heard from behind, but it was meaningless. Because it wasn’t Kyrie.

MarryAnne smiled broadly when she saw Kyrie’s safe, but when she saw Kyrie’s condition, she hardened horribly. And as he tried to get Kyrie out of the city, he rushed to Nathaniel with all his might. Unlike then, Nathaniel placed MarryAnne next to the fainted Kyrie.

The largest room in the unbroken annex became a temporary commanding post. Cesar wandered around the room and turned around in a hurry when Nathaniel came in.

“Isn’t it a different story, sir? You said you would help defend the mansion.”

[Don’t you think I’m this good enough?]

Nathaniel replied indifferently and raised his cane with both hands. Cesar became more cautious, recalling the hidden sword.

“…But didn’t you break your protective magic?”

[So?]

“It’s difficult when it’s like this. When Buchanan declines, the power to support Kyrie diminishes.”

[Even your black kitty knows if you’re a force that’s going to decrease in magic]

He didn’t say that Kyrie was sick in a good way now. Blood vessels stood on Cesar’s forehead.

“If there’s another attack like yesterday, it’ll be over.”

[Yes. That’s right….]

And, then, Kyrie will cry again. No, it might really get ruined. After Nathaniel sighed, he moved his finger in the air. The blue magic spread like a wave.

[Let’s put the protective magic back on] I won’t be able to stop everything.]

“But if you get hooked on meteors again…….”

[It’s not something you can use often. It must be Vallabriga’s magic since it’s uselessly powerful. The current Orewinbridge is not a vessel to digest his magic.]

“Then how did she perform magic like that……?”

[It’s obvious. She ate the magic power of future generations]

Vallabriga was superior to the first Buchanan. He would have analyzed what kind of magic could be used to block his magic.

Cesar seemed to be calculating something hard in his head, but soon frowned.

“It’s difficult. If it becomes an armed fight, Buchanan has no chance of winning. It’s hard to find someone to use as a shield.”

Listening to Cesar, Nathaniel wondered if it was because of her father’s attitude that Kyrie was overreacting to people’s lives.

[I’ll try my best to do that.]

“Lord, are you talking about that?”

[Yes.]

“Then it’s a relief!”

He couldn’t have looked more satisfied, but he lowered his demeanor.

“Are our plans still the same? I mean… I mean, I want to have Kyrie as the Emperor.”

Nathaniel’s boring and cold eyes touched Cesar.

[Isn’t that Kyrie lying down now?]

“Is that a problem for the lord? We’ve already been on a boat.  You rejected the idea that you wanted to make the rumors about Kyrie, the second coming of the founder, a reality.”

[I did.]

Nathaniel remembered the conversation that he had with Cesar.

He had always wanted to put Kyrie at the highest position among humans, but it was after leaving Bund’s house that he began to make a proper plan.

He didn’t tell Kyrie. He wanted to give it to her as a gift. The reason why he left the Emperor was to give the credit of defeating him to her. He thought she would be happy because the quiet days she always wanted would soon come afterwards.

“I can mislead the public opinion. There is support from Lord Protector, and the founding myth of the three heroes is still deeply embedded in the roots of the people of this country. It did some damage, but it would be a good fault for the royal family to use force against the innocent Duke Buchanan.”

Cesar said excitedly. He spoke as if he were the one who turned the enemy’s queen upside down with his piece as bait. It didn’t seem strange because Nataniel was not a human, but it would have been different in Kyrie’s eyes.

Suddenly, everything felt meaningless. Without Kyrie, the world seemed to have lost its color. Nathaniel looked at the door with a sigh. Just in time, Leschaux was coming into the room under the guidance of a servant.

Cesar welcomed him at once.

“Oh, my. Welcome, Lord Protector. Are you here to help us?”

〔Nathaniel〕

Leschaux was welcomed by Cesar with his arms wide open, but was easily ignored and instead he approached Nathaniel.

〔It seems Kyrie Buchanan has gone crazy.〕

Nathaniel, holding the cane, strengthened his grip.

[Your words are still as foul as ever.]

〔I thought you’d be happy.〕

[What about Orwinbridge?]

〔Now you look excited.〕

[The details.]

〔With the application of Buchanan’s magic, now no more wizards will be born to the Orewinbridge family in future.〕

[Her reach has expanded.]

〔And her control became thin.〕

[What’s the situation?]

〔It’s unstable. I don’t know if she’s partially drunk on the new power from the meteor magic, partially crazy, or maybe its the effect of shooting out such energy.〕

Silence spread out between the two of them. Leschaux opened his mouth again.

〔It’s been a long time since we talked about shooting off meteor.〕

[I have nothing in particular to say about Orwinbridge]

〔I thought this shot might transcend human limitations.〕

[However, it did not.]

Leschaux shook his head.

〔But that was too closely tied to you…like Kyrie Buchanan was today.〕

Nathaniel, who was emotionless, had a crack appear on his face. He pulled his chin down with the same attitude that he held his cane.

[Did you come here to say that?]

His words were fierce. Leschaux took a step back, raising both hands in surrender.

〔Don’t you need me?〕

Nathaniel stayed silent for a while. Then, he turned his head straight on and spoke with a fatigued expression.

[Buchanan protects the mansion… I have something to do.]

〔Just as you want.〕

Leschaux stared at Nathaniel with his reddish-purple eyes.

〔I’ve been waiting for this moment all along.〕

***

Duke Buchanan issued an official statement. The main focus was on criticizing the royal family’s behaviour. However, the royal family remained silent, and everyone in the capital lowered themselves due to the atmosphere that war was about to break out. The ball was suspended, and no one went outside. Some people with good senses began to take sides. As the Lord Protector began to stay with Duke Buchanan, the conflict became sharper.

And the Buchanan mansion was covered with hydrangeas and Jakarta. It was only the flower of Elsus that bloomed for Kyrie Buchanan.

Nataniel chose the most scenic spot, put the table, and escorted Kyrie.

[Come here.]

Kyrie, who had an empty face, followed him gently like a child. There was no change in Kyrie’s eyes as she looked at the flowers of Jakarta. Nataniel pressed down on the rising emotions and swallowed it, making her sit in the center of the flowery garden.

[Kyrie.]

At the call, Kyrie looked back at him. Purple eyes were still murky and blurry. Nathaniel carefully held out a flower.

[Not a jacket, but a flower.]

“…….”

Kyrie received it in a motion without enthusiasm. She looked at the flowers for a moment and then turned back into the air. When Nathaniel hesitated, he put more flowers on Kyrie’s hand. As the cold fingertips touched the palm of her hand, Kyrie’s gaze slipped down.

“……flower.”

[Yes.]

Nathaniel spoke as if he were clinging to the little reaction.

[It’s what you like.]

“Me?”

[Yes. It’s a gift from Archibold for you]

When Nathaniel beckoned, the wind blew. More petals were scattered. As a result, the flowers in their hands fell to the floor in the wind.

“Why?”

[Because you like it.]

“Do I like it?”

[Yes]

“No……”

Kyrie raised her chin. Light purple thread-like hair fluttered. Half-closed eyes, as if drunk with drugs, were already wet.

“If I like it, I’ll die…….”

Nathaniel’s fist gained strength by her weak voice. He whispered in a suppressed voice.

[Not anymore. Let’s cast a spell on this garden. So that you can see the Jakarta that never wither. I will protect this place and nothing will kill your flower.]

Even in the springy future when he whispered, Kyrie’s face became darker. Nathaniel still had a habitual smile, but he was lost inside.

[I’ll bring Bund Karf and Eve Karf. You used to like them.]

“…….”

[May I bring your friends? I’ll let you stay with them. If necessary, you can go on a picnic or travel.]

“…….”