Chapter 3: Castle by the sea
The capital of Rockwell province was Heilberg. It was ruled by Earl Richards,
who was rumored to be a sworn friend of Earl Downing's.
Facing the sea and possessing an old harbor, Rockwell prospered through
continental trades.
Philax city, the harbor town, served as the gateway for said trades.
Philax was under the direct control of the royal family, which served the dualpurpose
of securing a strategic military position and monopolizing the profits
from the trades with the continent.
Under the direct control system, another member of the aristocracy separate
from the provincial lord would be dispatched to rule the special administrative
district. This aristocrat would be chosen from within the royal family's bloodline
and would be bestowed with the title of Duke of the area over which they were
appointed to govern.
Currently, the title of Duke Philax was held by William Alban.
The very same Alban, Duke of Philax, who was currently recruiting sugar
craftsmen.
"Plenty sits still, hunger is a wanderer... Was it?" Ann muttered with a sigh
while steering the horses from the driver's seat.
Mythrill, who was seated between Ann and Shall, looked up at her and tilted his
head.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
"What's that?"
"A saying? Or something like that, that people say in a faraway continent. I
heard it a long time ago."
"What about it?" Shall asked, urging her to continue.
"Nothing really. It just came home to me that I move from place to place often."
"You do wander about a lot," Shall immediately affirmed without hesitation.
Furthermore—
"You could also say plainly, completely poor!" Mythrill pressed on as well.
Though she knew they meant no ill will, and what they were saying was true,
Ann became gloomy.
"That's right huh~? I'm a wandering pauper, right~? It sounds kind of cool when
you put it in a proverb, but in plain words, that's how it is, isn't it."
Ann had departed the day after learning of Duke Philax from the Weather Vane
owner.
From Lewiston to Philax was half a day's time. They borrowed a farmer’s barn
for lodging the previous night, and at dawn, they dashed on the box shaped
wagon.
Thanks to that, they arrived in Philax by noon. The city of Philax stretched along
a loose arc-shaped bay, with red brick houses clustered across the coastline.
"Well, I like traveling, and I'm not troubled. But if possible, I'd like to at least
calmly spend the end of the year in a warm inn. For that, I have to do
something."
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
Beyond their gaze lay Philax castle.
The huge, sternly-built castle stood atop a cape that was jutting into the sea at
the eastern end of the bay. It was three times the size of Silver Westhall castle,
with an extending rampart and passageway. Not a single decorative intent could
be detected in either the castle tower, the watchtower, or the castle gate. It had
a structure like that of a fortress.
With just one glance, you could tell the castle had been standing for a long time
and withstood many battles.
As it was built at the tip of a cape, it didn't have a moat surrounding it. Hence,
the polished rampart would occasionally bask in the sunlight reflected by the
sea, and—unsuited to its rugged appearance—would become clad in spots of
sleek blue light.
Steering her box shaped wagon, Ann arrived before the stern castle's gate.
The gate to Philax castle opened, and there she announced her occupation and
purpose to the gatekeeper. Then,
"Do you currently possess a sugar sculpture you yourself have made?" he asked
her.
Answering that she did, the gatekeeper then took a look inside the luggage
carrier for confirmation. After seeing that the sugar sculpture was indeed there,
she was easily allowed through.
:After hearing that Duke Philax was looking for sugar craftsmen, craftsmen
from all over the country were expected to come on a daily basis. To pass
through the gate and get to meet Duke Philax, one must first have a self-made
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
sugar sculpture prepared.
That was a given. They couldn’t let all the coming craftsmen in and have them
work there. Only those who show promise could be given the chance to make
their sculpture. In order to assess their potential, it was necessary that one bring
their own piece.
Carriages were instructed to wait outside, and Shall and Mythrill were made to
wait along with them. Only Ann, with her work in hand, continued forward. The
soldiers took her inside, heading towards the castle tower.
She was guided into a small waiting room that appeared to be followed by a
hall.
There was a previous visitor in the waiting room: a lone man who looked like a
sugar craftsmen. The gloomy looking man wouldn't talk to Ann at all.
Before long, the door opposite to the one Ann came in through opened quietly.
A page-looking boy wearing livery came in. He faced the two and announced,
"Bring your sugar sculptures and come this way please."
The hall had the same rugged atmosphere as the exterior of the castle. Its walls
appeared to be made of nothing but stone, and unlike Silver Westhall castle,
they weren't decorated with any plasterwork. But that stone in itself told of its
history. It was in no way shabby. Rather, it appeared to bear great pride. The
hall's innermost section was a step taller and had minutely woven tapestry at its
rear. In front of it was a massive throne-like chair, with a woolen fabric placed
on the floor facing it, which seemed to mean 'kneel here and wait.’
"Duke Philax will see you soon," said the page, then withdrew himself to the
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
end of the hall. Ann and the man knelt on the woolen surface.
Close to the floor, the atmosphere was damp and cold. The large furnaces on
either side of the hall had no trace of fire.
Feeling disheartened by the awfully chilly space, Ann restlessly looked around
her. While doing so, she felt a sense of discomfort.
—There's something wrong with this castle. What is it? It's somehow different
from Hugh's castle and the city.
"H-hey!! You!"
Albeit in a low voice, the man kneeling next to Ann called out to her urgently.
"Eh...? Me?"
She turned her head in the man's direction. He was bowing down. She tilted her
head, wondering what happened.
"There is no need to lower your head."
A voice sounded from a high place. Surprised, Ann looked forward.
Before she knew it, a young man had sat down in the chair in front of her.
It seemed that Ann had been looking about restlessly without noticing him enter
the room, and the man next to her was trying to warn her of that.
Though he said there was no need to bow down, Ann wasn't bowing to begin
with. She did nothing but stare at the pale young man in front of her. But he
didn't seem to mind her rudeness.
Not out of tolerance, but likely out of indifference. What made her feel that way
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
was that she couldn't sense any sort of feeling in the young man's dark green
eyes.
He appeared to be in his late twenties. His pale blond hair was neatly done, and
his simple coat that had elaborately embroidered rims was both refined and
elegant.
His entire atmosphere seemed calm.
But cold. That's what Ann felt. All due to those eyes that harbored no emotion.
"I am Alban, Duke of Philax," he introduced himself in a monotonous voice.
—This person is Duke Philax. The head of the Alban house known as the last
flashpoint of the kingdom.
As a commoner, Ann wasn't very familiar with the kingdom's politics. But just
the name Duke Philax and its standing, she knew of. It was a famous story not
only Ann, but anyone living in Highland knew about.
That the Alban house was the last flashpoint left in the kingdom, that is.
Three bloodlines were left behind by the sons of grand King Cedric, the hero
that led the humans to victory in the fight against the fairy king: the house of
Millsland, the house of Chamber and the house of Alban.
After the founding of Highland one hundred years ago, Millsland ascended the
kingdom's throne, and the other two houses became Millsland's vassals.
However, Chamber and Alban possessed huge territories to which Millsland's
rights could not extend.
Thus, there were two extraterritorial territories left in the kingdom of Highland.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
It became a flashpoint fifteen years ago.
When the previous king, Edmond I, passed away, the current king, Edmond II,
was a twelve year old child.
And at that time, the head of Chamber, Stewart, being the ambitious person that
he was, raised the following question:
"Having a little king of twelve years is not very reliable. To begin with, the three
houses share the same blood, therefore shouldn't the most suitable person from
among the three houses be made king?"
So he argued. Moreover, some of the vassals who felt uncertain of a twelve year
old king agreed.
That was the beginning of a civil war known as the Chamber Civil War.
Ultimately, the Chamber Civil War ended in Millsland's victory.
All members of the house of Chamber—including infants—were executed, and
their lineage died out.
After the civil war, the key figure in setting up a firm centralized authoritarian
system for the sake of the twelve year old king was Earl Downing, who
exhibited his shrewdness since the previous king's generation.
The remaining one of the three houses, Alban, had cooperated with Millsland
during the civil war.
However, "A country should not have two rulers," so proposed earl Downing,
and with that, their territory was revoked. Their private army troops were also
dismantled, leaving only a few soldiers as guards. And the head of Alban was
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
made to live in Philax as the administrator of the area directly under the control
of the king.
It was quite the harsh treatment. But Earl Downing advised Edmond II to take
even more drastic measures:
To exile the head of Alban.
He argued that it was a lineage that could become a flashpoint at any moment.
That even if the ones in question had no such intention, there was a possibility
that a traitor may rise to power. And as such, these afflictions should be cut off.
The head of Alban at the time was Thomas, father to William, the current Duke
of Philax.
Thomas was apparently a very calm, intellectual man.
Edmond II idolized Thomas's personality, and because of that, Edmond II
disregarded Earl Downing's opinion solely on this matter, and did not exile him.
Instead, Alban was assigned two duties.
First: all collected trade-related taxes would be paid to the royal family. Of the
payment to the royal family, a fixed amount would be paid to Alban. It was a
humiliating duty, equal to receiving allowance from the king.
Second: once a month, the head of Alban would have to visit the capital city of
Lewiston and give his greetings to the king. This duty was to ensure they swear
eternal loyalty.
It seemed that even after it became the generation of Thomas's son, William,
Alban had solemnly fulfilled these duties.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
However, Edmond II aside, it was said that the vassals serving under Millsland
were still looking for a chance to bury Alban, with Earl Downing at their
forefront.
Ann was acquainted with Earl Downing, who gave the strong impression of a
gentle old man. If the gentle-looking Earl Downing was aiming for a chance of
obliteration, she thought Duke Philax must be a frightening man. But contrary
to her imagination, the young man before her was very quiet, only somehow
clad in an odd coldness.
"Show me the sugar sculpture you're holding."
At Alban's order, a page took both Ann and the man's sculptures, and held them
out in front of Alban. He glanced at the sculptures the page had in each hand,
then grabbed hold of Ann's sculpture and announced, "The man there, leave.
The girl, remain as is."
Puzzled by the far too quick decision, the sugar craftsman stared blankly. After
returning the sugar sculpture, a page courteously prompted him towards the exit.
The man left while looking over his shoulder with bad grace.
Alban stared at the sculpture in his hand.
It was something Ann had made while playing around, using Mythrill as a
model. “This is for you, go ahead and eat,” she had said to him, but he’d replied
with, “That's like cannibalism so no way!” And with that, it was decidedly left
uneaten. She had confidence in its making, so that made her disappointed.
Ann and Alban were left alone, facing one another in the wide space.
The room felt even colder.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
"Why did you make this?" Alban asked suddenly.
"The model for that is one of my friends who’s travelling with me. I thought I'd
make him a sugar sculpture so I made that."
"This is... A fairy, is it not?"
"Yes."
"Very well."
Alban stood up slowly and after stepping off the platform, he came up to Ann.
He held out the sugar sculpture he had in hand in front of her with a look, urging
her to take it. After she received the sugar sculpture, he then declared, "I'll allow
for you to stay in the castle. Make me a sugar sculpture—a sugar sculpture that
will meet my expectations."
"What should I make?"
Alban suddenly straightened his back and moved behind Ann.
Still kneeling, Ann followed him with her eyes. He headed towards the wall in
front of the chair he was sitting in.
A large fabric was hanging over that wall, but behind it was the hall, so there
couldn't be a window there.
Alban pulled the decorative string without hesitation.
The curtain quickly opened left and right, revealing a single portrait.
"Woah... It's beautiful!" Ann thought out loud, forgetting she was in the
presence of a noble.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
It was a portrait of a young woman. It looked life-sized, being only a little lower
than Alban. White skin, silverish eyes with a mysterious shine, and pale blue
straight flowing hair. Other than being good looking, what left the greatest
impression was her expression, which showed a somewhat sad smile.
And what caught Ann's eye most of all was what was on her back.
"A pair of wings... This person is a fairy, isn't she," she asked without really
asking, to which Alban nodded.
"I want you to make the fairy in this painting. Can you do it?"
Ann felt something like conviction being born inside her.
When she'd find something to be beautiful, she'd get the urge to capture that
beauty in a sugar sculpture.
If she earnestly directed that urge at her creation, it would surely get bigger.
"I can do it."
Alban closed the window and returned to his seat, then explained apathetically,
"In the inner ward is a building for the craftsmen. Make your sugar sculpture
there. I'll have someone guide you. If you want to look at this portrait, there are
several pictures of the same fairy hanging in the eastern tower of the outer ward.
Look at those."
"Yes."
Ann nodded and looked at Alban. She still couldn't sense any feeling in his eyes,
as if something was missing from them. While speaking to her, she was
reflected in those eyes, yet he was indifferent to her existence as if he didn't
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
acknowledge her. That made her shudder slightly.
Alban took his leave, and in his stead came a young man named Dale to guide
her. He was Alban's servant. Dale had a large bundle of keys attached to his belt.
Because of that, he made a loud clattering sound as he walked.
Shall and Mythrill were given permission to stay. Apparently, when Dale went
to confirm, the Duke had said, “No problem.”
The castle was nearly touching the tip of the cape. The sound of the rolling
waves was heard incessantly. With the blowing sea breeze and winding
whirlpools above the rampart, they could see sea birds circling calmly above
the rampart if one looked up.
Ann and the rest were guided to the inner ward of the castle.
There, it turned into a large plaza. Simple tenements were clinging all around
to the walls surrounding the plaza. Those were likely the work rooms assigned
to craftsmen.
The roof of the wooden two-storied building was mostly made of single roofing.
In the inner ward's innermost section were two towers. And as it was also the
innermost section of the castle, it was a dead end.
The eastern tower should be adorned with portraits of that fairy.
"Currently, how many craftsmen are there?" she asked Dale who was walking
in front, to which Dale turned around and answered.
"Currently, including you, six."
"That's it?"
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
"It's because even though everyday one or two arrive, at the same time, two or
three are thrown out."
"That many?"
"Yeah. Once a sugar sculpture is complete, it is presented to the Duke. That's
where most craftsmen get kicked out."
"Hasn't there been a craftsman capable of making a sugar sculpture that satisfies
the Duke yet?"
"If there was, the Duke wouldn't be looking for craftsmen anymore."
"I suppose that's true. But for what purpose does the Duke require a sugar
sculpture? Is it for some sort of celebration, or a festival?"
In response to that question, Dale answered expressionlessly. "You should ask
the Duke directly. We don't know. If it's the Duke's wish, we will follow it
without asking for a reason. We have sworn loyalty to the Alban house since
that man's father's generation. We are not Millsland's vassals, but Alban's
vassals."
Ann was surprised at Dale's declaration.
All the humans living in the kingdom of Highland, nobles and commoners alike,
serve the king of Highland. It's a sort of common knowledge that even the
vassals under each noble don't serve those nobles, but the king reigning over
them.
Yet Dale declared he was not the royal house of Millsland's vassal.
Normally, such words could be considered treason.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
But for the Alban house, it was probably allowed. Otherwise, you wouldn't
carelessly let an unknown sugar craftsman hear something like that.
She felt like she caught a glimpse of the reason they were called a flashpoint.
"You take pride in serving Alban, don't you."
"Of course. That aside," Dale looked at Shall who was walking beside Ann, and
Mythrill who was cheekily sitting on her shoulder, "You own two fairies? That's
quite extravagant."
"They're my friends. I don't own them, we simply travel together."
Ann answered somewhat annoyed, having heard that all the time.
With an 'Aha,’ Dale nodded in assent.
"That's why the Duke gave his permission, even though you brought two
fairies."
"What do you mean?"
"The Duke hates enslaving fairies. There isn't a single fairy in this castle. The
Duke will only allow a craftsman one labor fairy if it's necessary for the job.
Owning two fairies should have made a bad impression. Yet, since the Duke
said there was no problem, I thought it was strange."
"Ah, I see. Fairies. That's why."
Back in the hall, she kept thinking of the true nature behind her sense of
discomfort. And now she realized.
There were no fairies in this castle. Fairies could always be seen somewhere in
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
towns, castles, inns and shops. But ever since entering the castle, she hadn’t
seen a single fairy.
Dale stopped in front of a tenement in the eastern rampart.
"Well then, this building is the room you'll be using. Five young craftsmen from
Radcliff entered the building next door yesterday. Try to get along."
Hearing of the craftsmen from Radcliffe, Ann heaved a light sigh. They must
be Jonas and his comrades.
"Yes. We'll try to get along as much as possible."
Once Dale left, Ann entered the tenement.
Inside was quite pleasant. It had floorboards set down, so it wasn't too cold.
Climbing up a simple staircase with no footboards was the second floor, where
five beds were lined up.
The building appeared to be a remnant from wartime. Long ago, during war,
many craftsmen and technicians, and sometimes even livestock and farmers,
were apparently allowed to reside in the castle.
The castle guards lived in the tenements constructed in the inner district. That
was why currently, the ones who always lived in these tenements inside the
inner ward were gone. With no sign of life, it had a lonely atmosphere.
"He said all I need to do is sculpt the fairy in the painting," Ann explained while
bringing the luggage from her box shaped wagon's luggage carrier into the
tenement.
Both Shall and Myhtrill helped her carry the luggage.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
"It's a really beautiful female fairy."
"But, can you remember a picture you've only seen once?" Mythrill asked while
carrying in a pot.
"He said there are several pictures of the same fairy hanging in that eastern
tower. After we're done bringing in the luggage, will you two go see it with
me?"
"Nah, I'm tired. I finally get to sleep in a bed, so I'm going to take a nap."
Mythrill placed the pot by the stove with a yawn, then hopped up the stairs to
the second floor while humming a tune. He must have been happy to have a bed
after spending the previous night in a barn.
Surely, the only one who'd want to see that painting was Ann, who was about
to start working.
"You too, Shall..."
"I'll go."
After placing down the luggage, Shall turned to Ann and jerked his chin.
"Eh!? You'll go?"
"What's with that, after inviting me."
"It's just that I didn't think you'd go."
When she said that, Shall seemed to sulk a little.
"I'm just interested."
"Why? Why are you interested in it?" she asked reflexively, but Shall ignored
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
her question. Finally, they left the tenement.
"Ah! Wait, Shall!"
"Hurry up."
While chasing his back as he walked onwards, Ann realized that Shall wouldn’t
have any interest in seeing the portrait; he was simply accompanying her. That
made her happy.
Once she caught up and joined him by his side, she looked up at him with a
smile.
"That's a slovenly face you're making."
"I don't care. It's because I'm happy."
She didn't even mind Shall's bad mouth.
While directly heading towards the eastern tower, a group of five young men
were coming from its direction. Ann was taken aback.
—Jonas. I remember the others as well.
Seeing them revived her rage, but it didn't end just there; that rage was gradually
turning into willpower. As they reached a point where their faces could be
discerned, Ann felt fighting spirit overflow inside her.
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