Tigrevurmud Vorn arrived at the capital Silesia one night after Valentina had passed away.
Arma Zirnitra had marched straight for the capital after the Battle of Zamberk. On the way, Ruslan’s fast messenger had visited them and passed on the prince’s words which asked Tigre to come to him alone, as quickly as possible. Elen and Mila had opposed the idea, saying that it had to be a trap, but Tigre decided to honor the prince’s request and head into the capital by himself. It partly stemmed from him having sensed something from the messenger’s expression, but the prince having used “my friend Tigre” in his address, which the messenger said he had precisely repeated word by word, also played a role in Tigre making his decision.
Spurring on his horse while staying up all night, Tigre could finally spot the capital’s wall in the distance around the time when the eastern sky began to brighten. And just as the capital greeted the morning, Tigre reached the city itself.
The one welcoming Tigre while standing in front of the gate was a single boy in silken attire.
“I’m Valery.”
With those being his only words, the boy started to walk in order to lead Tigre to his destination. The boy’s hair was disheveled and traces of him having cried for a long time stained his face. Blood stains were visible on his clothes, but Valery kept walking towards the palace with a firm attitude and his back straight.
He didn’t lead Tigre into the palace itself, but rather in front of a certain royal villa. Ruslan was sitting over there. Seeing Valentina lying on the ground next to him, Tigre’s eyes flew wide open, but he immediately realized that her body had lost all its life.
“So you heeded my request? You have my gratitude,” Ruslan smiled as he looked up to Tigre.
Seeing his face, Tigre was assailed by another spell of surprise after the one caused by Valentina’s death. Ruslan’s face was so haggard that Tigre unconsciously swallowed his breath. All vitality had left Ruslan’s expression.
“Your Highness, we must call the doctor at──”
“It’s futile,” interrupted Ruslan curtly. “Even if I were to survive today, I won’t live for many days, let alone last until spring. Rather, I personally believe that I did well to have survived until today. However, I’d like to use up all my life today rather than having it slowly chipped away while lying in bed.”
Tigre tightly clenched his fists, somehow managing to suppress blurting out, “Still.”
Ruslan’s life is his own. There’s no way it’d be fine for me to crush it with my own hands.
“I simply wanted to have a talk with you. After all, it’d be far too terrible for things to end without me talking with you ever again.”
Valery bowed towards Tigre, turned around, and walked away. Tigre sat down in front of Ruslan. The prince, whose departure from this world was already set in stone, and the youth, who would try to tread the path towards kingship from now on, looked at each other squarely.
Ruslan explained all he knew about Valentina and Miron’s death. Despite him being on the verge of death, his recount was concise and to the point. Without waiting for Tigre to recover from his shock, Ruslan shifted to the next topic, obviously valuing every breath of time he had left.
“Could you tell me the reason why you stepped up to become the king of this country? I have heard about the general course of events, but I’d love to hear the details. If I remember correctly, you have decided to take Brune’s throne, haven’t you? Why would you desire a second throne?”
Tigre recounted how he had been entrusted with Eugene’s will, how he had decided to succeed Eugene’s wishes, and everything surrounding the events that led to it. Ruslan nodded at Tigre’s explanation, apparently able to agree.
“Eugene chose a fine successor. What are you going to do once you obtain the throne?” Ruslan asked quietly. “Are you going to eventually break up Zhcted in several parts and integrate the whole into Brune as a province?”
“I do not plan to try changing everything about Zhcted. It would go against Lord Eugene’s wishes. I would like to properly pass on what I inherited to the people of the next era.”
As for Brune, however, Tigre could think of several things he wanted to change. He wanted to teach people the usefulness of bows and form archer units in the royal army. For one thing, Brune was in a situation of having lost many talented people during the civil war two years ago and this year’s wars. If he tried to form an army with fewer soldiers than before, it’d be necessary to change its way of fighting. This was yet another reason why a reinforcement with archer units was so essential. It was something he had to accomplish at all costs. After all, Brune’s neighbors had all formed archer units. Hence, Brune couldn’t afford to remain in its current state of opposing everything with knights alone.
Moreover, it was also important to cause a new wind to blow through noble society by splitting up the territories of Thenardier and Ganelon, which were currently under the direct control of the royal family, among those who had achieved meritorious deeds during the wars until now. Those who would inherit these territories, would be grateful towards Regin and Tigre, likely hoping for the royal family to reign for a long time. And when it came to governing a fief, it was desirable for the kingdom to be as peaceful as possible. Hence, Tigre believed that they’d surely obey the kingdom’s policies. With the help of Regin, Tigre, who possessed few bonds with other lords, might be able to implement his plans.
However, Tigre didn’t harbor any such notions or determinations when it came to Zhcted. He merely felt that he’d like the kingdom to prosper once he became Zhcted’s king. However, he didn’t consider introducing ranks between the Vanadis like Valentina had planned.
“For example,” Ruslan left a short pause before asking, “don’t you consider removing the post of Vanadis altogether, or changing their positions in a drastic way? If you did that, you’d be able to take Eleonora as a wife without any need to worry.”
Tigre blinked in surprise and then fixed a serious look on Ruslan. If he really enforced something like that, it’d likely turn out to become the biggest reform since the foundation of Zhcted. But, it’d be possible for Tigre. All draconic tools except for Ezendeis had lost their power. If he announced their loss of power while concealing the fact that they’d recover in due time, it might become possible to get rid of the post of Vanadis in itself.
Tir Na Fal wouldn’t revive for another several hundred years. The demons weren’t pulling any strings in the back either. Thus it wouldn’t be much of a hurdle for all Vanadis to become normal girls.
But, Tigre shook his head, “Elen wishes to be a Vanadis. And I love her for what she is.”
“I see. This is a story from many years back, but…there was a time when I wished to do just that,” Ruslan said nostalgically, after removing his eyes from Tigre and staring into the distance. “You people sure are blessed.”
Ruslan faced Tigre once more, “I shall entrust this kingdom to you. If you say you inherited Eugene’s will, you’ll likely cause its people no harm either.”
“All of the Vanadis, who have been supporting me, are rulers who think first and foremost about their citizens. I want to be someone who can proudly stand by their side.”
Tigre couldn’t betray their feelings, their expectations. Ruslan believed that thought would likely become the driving force for Tigre, who was now slated to become the next king.
Ruslan nodded with a smile, and changed the topic, “If Eugene or I had become king, we would have probably given Eleonora a suitable post and dispatched her to Brune while also arranging everything with Princess Regin so that Eleonora would be able to stay at your side as much as possible. Afterwards, when Eleonora stopped being a Vanadis someday, you and I would have negotiated anew to assign her as your beloved concubine.”
Tigre stared at Ruslan, dumbfounded. It was a move neither Tigre nor Elen had thought of.
“This method would have had its shortcomings, however. If something were to happen to Eleonora during her stay in Brune, our side would have been compelled to call you into question. Besides, it’d have resulted in her having to lead a constrained life, including the inspection of her letters for example.”
Tigre nodded with a serious expression. It was a possible path. Other than him becoming the king.
Then again, it was a method that wouldn’t have come into fruition with any king other than Ruslan or Eugene.
“Tigre, forgive me, but would it be alright for me to request one more thing from you?”
Tigre was surprised about being suddenly called by his nickname, but he still nodded. It meant that Ruslan wanted to ask him for a favor as a private individual and not as a public character.
“It’s about Valery──my son who led you here. Though I must admit that I’ve never done anything for him that would qualify me to call myself his father.” For the first time today, Ruslan revealed a self-depreciating smile, “I’d like to ask you to take care of him. So that he won’t tread down a path of sorrow if possible…”
“I understand. Please entrust His Highness Valery to me.”
In the first place, Tigre had never planned to harm Valery, but this was a request of a friend. Thus Tigre decided to try to accommodate him as much as possible.
As if saying that he had said everything he had to say, Ruslan gently embraced Valentina’s corpse.
“I died eight years ago. Or rather, my state was similar to that of being dead. It might be disrespectful towards her after she put in much effort into reviving me, but in the end, the dead shouldn’t wander about.”
Tigre silently saw Ruslan off as he entered the royal villa. A quarter koku later, black smoke began to rise from various places of the villa, accompanied by flames blazing up. Eight years ago Ruslan had set fire to this royal villa. Now Tigre was watching the same scene as it took place back then.
Tigre would need to mourn for many people from now on. That was the duty of the living, and also the obligation of a king.
◎
As Zhcted was greeting spring, the Sun FestivalMasleniztsa was held. Compared to last year, this year’s festival was a lot more pompous. After all, it also served as a ceremony for the coronation of the new king.
Tigrevurmud Vorn stood stock still in the king’s chamber, located deep inside the palace, baring his bewilderment. His otherwise unruly hair had been carefully groomed, and he wore a cloak with a candid embroidery of a black dragon atop a mostly black, silken attire. His silken clothes as well as the cloak were plastered with silver and golden ornaments. As of yet, he didn’t wear the crown. He would receive it during the enthronement ceremony, even though the ceremony would be held in the audience hall where the king usually wore his crown.
“You look stunning, Lord Tigre,” Titta clapped her hands with a broad smile on her lips after having helped Tigre to dress himself.
Her cheeks flushing furiously was proof of her own hardship. Three court ladies stood behind Titta. Just like Titta, those three were also all smiles. Smiles that showed how all their hardships had finally bore fruit.
“His usual clothes, when he departs to the battlefield, are plenty gallant, though,” Elen commented with a wry smile.
Her body was hidden by a dress with a sword hanging at her hip. But, because Arifar hadn’t recovered yet, it was an ordinary sword.
“For starters, around this much should do. Once he gets used to it, some majesty will show as well, I believe,” added Sofy with a cheerful laugh.
She was likewise wearing a dress, but the scar stretching from her left shoulder to her right flank had been discreetly hidden. According to her, there was only one person she didn’t mind showing that scar.
“Elen, Mila, remember the time when you came to the palace as Vanadis for the first time. Your expressions and movements were just as stiff from tension.”
Being reprimanded by Sofy, Elen and Mila reflexively exchanged a glance and then snorted in displeasure. Both thought, I shouldn’t have acted as awkwardly as that woman.
Liza wore a dress just like the other three as she stared at Lim who was clad in a military uniform.
“You won’t attend as a Vanadis?”
“No. It is true that I had been chosen by Bargren at one point, but I think it would be presumptuous of me to call myself a Vanadis.”
Lim had still been working as Elen’s aide in Leitmeritz. But that duty would end with the Sun Festival. It was decided that she would serve Tigre thereafter.
At that point, Regin entered the chamber together with Mashas. She didn’t wear a dress, but a silken attire. Her position in this place was that of representative for Brune.
Regin walked up to Tigre, and looked up to the youth with a smile, “It suits you very nicely, Tigre.”
“Thanks,” answered the youth, and gently clasped her hand.
In this place they were Zhcted’s king and Brune’s princess.
Next Mashas lightly tapped Tigre’s shoulder, “I’d really love to show your current appearance to Urs and Diana.”
“Sooner or later, I’ll head over to tell father and mother about it myself.”
The grave of his parents was located behind Tigre’s mansion in Celesta, the central town of Alsace. Just like Bertrand’s grave. Tigre knew that he had loads of new information he needed to share with.
While it was true that he had become the king of Brune and Zhcted, he had no plans to let go of his lordship over Alsace. Tigre intended to have one of his children succeed the peerage someday.
Mashas laughed with tears blurring the corners of his eyes, and then seriously said, “Just another half month and I’ll become unable to talk to you like this.”
It was scheduled for Tigre to return to Brune as soon as the Sun Festival ended for the sake of performing his next coronation ceremony in time for the Joël Grace. The Joël Grace, which was Brune’s new year festival, was quite overdue.
As for the reason why it got delayed so much, Prime Minister Badouin explained it as follows: “Her Highness the Princess Regin is currently residing in Zhcted to assist in the suppression of the chaos in Zhcted, our partner nation. We shall hold the Joël Grace as soon as Her Highness returns.”
The people of Brune accepted that explanation. You could also coin that to be evidence of them having approved of Regin as their ruler. But, this brought about a single worry for Tigre. Just like Brune’s Joël Grace had been delayed this year, next year’s new year festival in Zhcted might get delayed. Tigre only possessed one body, and if he attempted to make an appearance at both festivals, he’d need to delay one.
The option to not attend one of the new year festivals didn’t exist. With Tigre’s reign not being based on a legitimate succession in Brune and Zhcted, Tigre had to forge his authority through a steady reign. This also included an attendance of the new year festivities as king, let alone as one of those governing land. If he only participated in one of the festivals, it’d be regarded as partiality, and that might hurt the feelings of the citizens in the disadvantaged country.
Hence he had no choice but to at least get the citizens to agree by postponing the festival’s date for a reason.
On the other hand, Tigre didn’t believe that he should unify both countries into one. Brune and Zhcted shared many traits, but despite that, both had their own histories. For example, the system of Vanadis would be likely difficult to implement in Brune due to lacking acceptance. And there would also be the issue of how to distribute the land.
Because of that, Tigre came up with an idea. It concerned Prince Valery and Eugene’s daughter Alyssa. It was decided that Valery would live at Natasha’s place, who was the younger sister of King Viktor. Valery wanting to live away from the royal palace also played a part in this, but mostly it stemmed from Tigre being unable to find any good candidate to take care of Valery other than Natasha who knew Valentina. Thus Tigre had visited Natasha’s mansion in Osterode, explained the circumstances, and requested her help while lowering his head. Him taking care of Valery had also been a wish of Ruslan.
“Very well. However, I must warn you that I do not know how much longer this body of mine is going to last,” answered Natasha, who was 55 years old at that time, and accepted to shelter Valry for Tigre.
Once his reign in Zhcted had stabilized, Tigre planned to adopt Valery, Alyssa, or both and appoint one or both as the next ruler of Zhcted. Tigre had also presented that idea to the Vanadis. And Sofy had expressed her approval.
“I think it’s a rather good idea. It comes with two advantages.”
First, Tigre wouldn’t have to welcome a princess consort in Zhcted because of that, which would remove one of the problems which would have caused friction between Brune and Zhcted. Moreover, neither Ruslan nor Eugene had been hated by the people, and because both children were of King Viktor’s blood, it was very probable that the people would accept either or both. Besides, Tigre adopting them meant that he could protect and guarantee their livelihood.
“To add one more advantage: we’ll also be able to feel at peace as things will finish without a further increase of love rivals.”
Being told so by Sofy, Tigre had no words to return, doomed to remain silent. At the point when Tigre had consulted the Vanadis about this, he already possessed four lovers ─ Elen, Mila, Titta, and Regin. Moreover, Sofy, Liza, and Olga had confessed their feelings to him as well.
By the way, those three had performed their confessions together. If they hadn’t done it like this, it would have remained unclear whether someone like Liza would have ever mustered the courage to go through with it.
Sofy, Liza, and Olga had told Tigre that they’d wait for his reply, but they hadn’t done this out of generosity. Seeing how Tigre had accepted not only Elen but even Mila, he didn’t have the option to turn them down anymore. If he had made only two out of the five Vanadis into concubines, it’d have caused a ranking between those two and the other three. In such a case, it’d have actually aligned with what Valentina had plotted.
Tigre grabbed his Black Bow that had been leaning against the wall.
──Everything and anything started on that day when I picked you up for the first time, didn’t it?
The battle against Zion which had fostered the determination in Tigre to oppose Duke Thenardier. The battle of Mt. Tatra for the sake of having Mila take a neutral position. The battle against Black Knight Roland which he barely managed to drag into a draw by borrowing Sofy and Elen’s powers. The fight against Vodyanoy who had suddenly appeared in front of them. The arrow to escape the caved-in Saint-Groel after losing Bertrand. The battle against Torbalan who had infiltrated Asvarre by taking human form. The mighty blow that destroyed the ship of Prince Eliot after he had recruited pirates as soldiers. The battle against Baba Yaga who had cast a curse on Liza. The fight against Ganelon who had sneaked into Brune’s royal palace. The struggle against Drekavac who had attacked the city of Artishem. And the decisive battle against Ganelon who had allowed the goddess to descend.
Each and every single of those fight would have been impossible to tide over without the 『Power』 of the Black Bow. And even during the times when Tigre didn’t rely on its 『Power』, the Black Bow always accompanied him on the battlefields.
It didn’t play a role whether Tir Na Fal had granted the bow to him or whether it was an heirloom of the Vorn family. The Black Bow was a cherished partner for Tigre. And therefore Tigre would face the coronation ceremony while carrying the Black Bow. It was an unprecedented occurrence, but Elen and the others had approved of it. After all, they all knew of Tigre’s bond with the bow.
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