Invaders of the Rokujouma!? Volume 8.5

by Takehaya

  “Your Excellency! How very nice to meet you!”

  “Lord Veltlion! We are in a hurry, so please excuse us!”

  When they saw Koutarou, they hurriedly straightened their postures and greeted him politely before scampering off.

  “They seem awfully busy.”

  “Yes. My sister has been working nonstop too.”

  Looking back from the government officials as they left, Koutarou peered through the gap that had been left in the open door. He could see Alaia at a desk at the far end of the room, surrounded by heaps of documents.

  “Don’t just stand there and stare. Go in. I told you that she needs you.”

  “As you wish, my princess.”

  Koutarou smiled at Charl and knocked on the door a couple of times. Although the door was already open, he felt it was only polite to announce his presence.

  “Jeez, you’re so formal, Blue Knight.”

  “We didn’t come here to play.”

  “We did.”

  “You jester.”

  “Yes, who is― Layous-sama?!”

  When Alaia looked up from her papers, she saw Koutarou and Charl at the door and her eyes opened wide in surprise.

  “Princess Alaia, I am here to respond to your summons.”

  “Oh? But I don’t recall calling you, Layous-sama...”

  Alaia blinked repeatedly with a confused look on her face. That response confused Koutarou in turn.

  “But... Princess Charl came looking for me and said that you’d asked for me.”

  “Charl did?”

  Koutarou and Alaia both looked to Charl, who was still on Koutarou’s back. As they did, Charl shut the door behind her and Koutarou with a smile.

  “I never said that she was calling for you.”

  “But...”

  “I merely said that she needed you. This misunderstanding is on you.”

  In short, Charl had tricked Koutarou into coming to see Alaia. The big, satisfied grin on her face said it all.

  “Charl, Layous-sama is very busy, you know.”

  “That’s why, sister!”

  Despite being admonished by Alaia, Charl showed no sign of remorse for what she had done. In fact, she smiled proudly.

  “All you and the Blue Knight ever do is work. You were more relaxed when we were running away from the army! If you don’t rest a little, you’re going to get sick again!”

  Though her bringing the two of them together seemed like innocent mischief at first, her appeal was quite serious. Charl clenched her hands into fists and stared at Koutarou and Alaia.

  “Charl...”

  Alaia had been planning on lightly scolding Charl more, but once she understood the meaning behind her actions, her expression softened. She couldn’t bring herself to reprimand Charl for thinking of her and Koutarou.

  So that’s what’s going on... Now that I think about it, she did say something about coming here to play.

  Like Alaia, Koutarou wasn’t displeased to learn Charl’s true intentions, yet at the same time, he couldn’t help thinking that her consideration was rather childlike. Imagining himself as a child, he might have done something similar for his parents.

  “Come on, don’t just stand there! Go to her.”

  “As you wish, my princess.”

  Koutarou repositioned Charl and approached Alaia. He wanted to respect the young, gentle girl’s innocent feelings. And it did indeed look like Alaia was fatigued. Koutarou believed she could use a break.

  “Layous-sama... would that be all right?”

  However, Alaia didn’t feel the same way. She had an apologetic expression on her face, clearly worried that her little sister was distracting Koutarou from something important and taking up his precious time.

  “I don’t mind. This is part of a bodyguard’s duty as well.”

  As Koutarou said that, he pointed to his chest. From his breastplate hung a wooden insignia. “Insignia of Forthorthe’s Blue Knight, the Super Important Bodyguard of Charl and Alaia.” Alaia knew exactly what it was because Charl had pestered her to help make it.

  “Layous-sama...”

  Seeing Koutarou wearing it, a warmth filled Alaia’s heart. An insignia made from wood and wool was just a child’s handiwork in the end. Although it might have been a gift from royalty, not many knights would so graciously accept being given such a childish thing. But Alaia was happy that Koutarou was one of them.

  “Then let’s take a little break.”

  Alaia didn’t resist the warm feeling coming over her. She wanted to treasure this moment and the time she spent together with Koutarou and Charl.

  “Like Charl said, things might be more tiring now than when we were escaping from our pursuers.”

  “See, Blue Knight?! It’s just like I said!”

  “Very impressive insight, Princess Charl.”

  “Heh, you may praise me more, my knight!”

  “We don’t stand a chance against Charl. Heehee...”

  If she had noticed the insignia when she was alone with Koutarou, she probably would have blurted out something unbelievable. That’s what Alaia thought to herself as she prepared tea while happily watching Koutarou and Charl.

  During their tea break, Charl did most of the talking.

  “And then Mary stopped me, saying that it would be dangerous to ride such a large horse. Then I said, ‘What horse should I ride then?’ Turns out there weren’t any smaller horses. Isn’t that rude?”

  Charl chatted on and on about all kinds of things. Funny stories, sad one, recent events, what she was going to do later on, and everything in between. She prattled on while gesturing wildly.

  “Charl, you’re still too young to ride a horse by yourself.”

  “Your Highness, please settle for a pony.”

  “Are you insulting me, Blue Knight?”

  “I would never dare to insult you, Your Highness.”

  “Then let me ride a horse next time. If you do, I’ll forgive you.”

  “As you wish, my princess.”

  “Very good.”

  “Heehee...”

  Koutarou and Alaia listened to all of Charl’s stories, smiling and commenting from time to time. While she spoke of nothing of real importance, it gave Koutarou and Alaia a chance to unwind. This continued for about an hour or so before Charl talked herself out. She nodded off in Koutarou’s lap with a satisfied grin on her face. She sat there, innocent and vulnerable, completely trusting herself to Koutarou.

  “It looks like she fell asleep.”

  Koutarou stood up and carried Charl to a sofa in the corner of the room. After he laid her down to rest, Alaia covered her with a blanket.

  “Thank you so very much, Layous-sama.”

  After tucking Charl’s wayward arm under the blanket, Alaia stood up and turned to Koutarou. She looked at him fondly, as if they were family. Her eyes were filled with deep trust and love.

  “No, this is nothing.”

  Koutarou was almost sucked in by those eyes, but it was remembering his duties that called him back to reality. After glancing towards the door, he whispered to Alaia so as not to wake up Charl.

  “Well then, Your Highness, now would be a good time for me to take my leave.”

  They had rested long enough. It was time for them to return to their jobs. Both Koutarou and Alaia had plenty to take care of. Alaia knew that as well as he did, but she chose to do the opposite.

  “Layous-sama, might I have some more of your time?”

  “I don’t mind, but...”

  “Please, come this way.”

  “Okay.”

  Following Alaia’s lead, Koutarou returned to the table with the tea set on it. The two of them sat down facing each other. Since they were a bit away from the sofa now, they could speak normally without having to worry about waking Charl. After glancing towards Charl one more time, Koutarou turned to Alaia.

  “She sure is fast asleep. I’m glad we didn’t wake her up.”

  “Charl is
only able to sleep like that when you are by her side, Layous-sama.”

  Alaia glanced at Charl too, but she had a sad expression on her face when she turned back to Koutarou.

  “I’m sure... that you remind her of our father, Layous-sama. She’s depending on you just like she did on him. Although she would never say so, I’m sure she’s feeling lonely too.”

  Of course she’s lonely too...

  Koutarou realized what Alaia was saying without putting it into words. She was also mourning the loss of her parents.

  I’m powerless. I really can’t do anything for them...

  Koutarou had no power of his own. At first glance it looked like Koutarou might be helping Alaia and the others, but in reality, the only reason he was useful was because of the powers he’d borrowed from others. On top of that, he couldn’t even console Alaia and Charl as they grieved. Having lived such a peaceful life, Koutarou couldn’t find any words to console these girls whose parents had been murdered. He felt useless. He couldn’t be of help to Alaia or Charl, and that frustrated and saddened him.

  “So, Layous-sama...”

  Alaia’s words brought Koutarou out of deep thought.

  “After this war is over, I want you to continue to help us.”

  Alaia had stopped Koutarou from leaving to tell him that specifically. It was something she couldn’t say to him unless they were alone.

  “Your Highness...”

  Koutarou was puzzled by Alaia’s request. He knew better than anyone how powerless he was. Moreover, there was somewhere he needed to be. Somewhere he needed to get back to.

  “I won’t be of much help. I’m sure you’re already aware of that, Your Highness.”

  Koutarou was convinced that somewhere along their journey, surely this intelligent girl had realized that he didn’t have any power.

  “Layous-sama...”

  And that was the truth. Having seen the way Koutarou fought and the weapons Clan used, she had a faint understanding of the way things really were. And the fact that Alaia didn’t argue with him conveyed to Koutarou that he was right.

  “I’m not strong. It’s only thanks to the power of others that I can fight. But even that power has its limits. Eventually I will lose these powers and return to being a weak human. Once that happens, I will only be in your way, Your Highness.”

  The ability to manipulate spiritual energy that Sanae had given him was gradually growing weaker. She had forged spiritual circuity in Koutarou’s body in order for him to use that power, but being separated from her and without any way to maintain it himself, that was slowly breaking down.

  And it wasn’t like Theia’s armor would last for all eternity either. There was nowhere in this age for him to get parts to repair it. Clan was doing her best with what she had aboard the Cradle, but eventually she would use up all of what she had on hand and they would no longer be able to service the armor.

  The same was true for Kiriha’s gauntlet and Yurika’s magic. There was a definite point in the future that Koutarou would exhaust all of his power. He wouldn’t be able to maintain his current strength but for so long. That’s why Koutarou believed he would eventually have to part with Alaia and the others, just like the real Blue Knight. The very premise of his power was dangerous, and he didn’t want it to become a seed of conflict. Since he himself wasn’t strong, he wouldn’t have any other option than to bow out of their lives altogether.

  “Layous-sama, it doesn’t matter if you are strong or not to Charl. She adores you because of who you are.”

  And knowing all of that, Alaia responded without hesitation. Charl wasn’t so attached to Koutarou because of his strength. She simply loved him. That’s why she’d given him the insignia.

  “That insignia is proof of how she feels, and the fact that you’re wearing it validates how she feels.”

  Dangling from Koutarou’s breastplate was the handmade insignia. Charl adored Koutarou because he was willing to humor her in such a way. He understood her feelings and honored them.

  “The same is true for me too. If I hadn’t met you, I probably wouldn’t be able to share my feelings with someone and smile like this.”

  Alaia felt similarly. Koutarou’s moral support was worth far more to her than his strength. Alaia had lost heart many times along the way, but every time that had happened, Koutarou was there to encourage her. A knight that was simply strong wouldn’t have been able to protect Alaia the way he had. Koutarou’s true strength was something much greater.

  “Please be more confident in yourself, Layous-sama. If you uphold your oath even as a normal human, then you are a knight we can put our trust in for all eternity.”

  A knight’s sword was his soul. However, the sword was only meant to be a symbol for the oath sworn upon it. And to Alaia, Koutarou—a man who kept all his promises—was without a doubt the strongest knight in Forthorthe.

  “Your Highness... I am not worthy.”

  Learning how Alaia truly felt, Koutarou was so happy he could cry. What Alaia and Charl needed wasn’t strength; it was simply Koutarou. He was overjoyed at the sentiment and could now look past his own lack of power.

  “But I will forever take pride in those words.”

  “Then―”

  Alaia’s expression brightened and she gracefully stood up. To her, whether or not Koutarou would always be by her side was a very important question.

  “No, Your Highness. I can’t do that.”

  However, Koutarou simply shook his head. That was the best he could answer.

  “L-Layous-sama...?”

  Wide-eyed, Alaia fell back down into the chair. Her moist eyes looked imploringly at Koutarou.

  “There is somewhere I must return. There’s a promise I have to keep... No, an oath I must uphold.”

  “An oath...”

  The strongest knight, the knight Alaia and Charl yearned for, was a knight that always did his best to keep his word. If he had sworn to return, then return he must.

  But the truth was that it wasn’t just one oath. He had told himself he’d help Theia in her trial. He had promised Kiriha that they would look for her first love together. He was planning on graduating from high school together with Yurika. He had no intention of making Sanae wait for her parents alone. And most of all, he had sworn to the invading girls, Harumi, and the drama club that they would make the play a success together.

  Koutarou would have to make it home from Forthorthe if he were to keep any of those promises. If Alaia and Charl yearned for Koutarou because he was honest and upheld his duties as a knight, and if Koutarou was to stay true that image, he had to return to the invaders.

  “I... see...”

  Strength left Alaia’s body as she leaned back in her chair. Her disappointment shook her. However, Alaia understood the meaning of what Koutarou was saying. Koutarou—quite true to the way he’d always been—had to be himself. That’s why Alaia loved him. And the part of him she loved the most was exactly the reason he had to leave. There was nothing she could do to stop him.

  “I am sorry, Princess Alaia.”

  “It’s okay. That’s just who you are, Layous-sama...”

  Alaia desperately struggled to keep herself from crying as she smiled at Koutarou. She didn’t want to become a burden for him. She felt her tears would only look like weakness now, and that was the last thing she wanted.

  “In... In exchange, please tell me something.”

  Alaia tried to hold back her sadness and her love for Koutarou, but the feelings she was unable to suppress left her mouth in the form of a question.

  “Anything you ask.”

  Koutarou was planning on truthfully answering anything she asked of him. He didn’t want to lie to Alaia. In a way, it was a demonstration of his loyalty to her.

  “Please forgive me for repeating something I’ve asked before.”

  Alaia stared straight at Koutarou as she spoke. Her question was straightforward and sincere.

  “That royal crest engraved
on your breastplate. Your appearance, your way of moving, and your pride. You are without a doubt a true knight of Forthorthe.”

  “Princess Alaia...”

  Alaia was asking him what she had when they first met. It had been several months since that day, but Koutarou could clearly remember her words like she had asked him just yesterday. It was something that had left a very deep impression on him.

  “But... I have no recollection of that crest engraved into your sword. Just where have you come from?”

  Alaia wanted to know where Koutarou was from—where it was that he’d be returning. If he wouldn’t stay by her side, then she at least wanted to know where he was going instead.

  “I...”

  Koutarou faltered, but it wasn’t because he was hesitant about telling her the truth. It was because he was trying to think of a way he could tell her without inviting misunderstanding. And after pondering that for a moment, he looked out of the window.

  “I came from the other side of that sky... from the world of stars...”

  Through the window, he could see the first star shining in the crimson evening sky. It wasn’t Earth, but Koutarou and Alaia’s gazes were still symbolically drawn to it.

  “The world... of stars?”

  Koutarou’s answer was about what Alaia had suspected. She’d noticed that every time Koutarou looked up into the sky, he looked wistfully nostalgic. But even though she’d known an answer like that was a possibility, she was still quite surprised to hear it.

  “And...”

  Koutarou removed his sword in its sheath from his waist and showed the crest on the handle to Alaia. It was a detailed engraving of a golden flower.

  “This sword was given to me by Princess Theiamillis Gre Mastir Sagurada von Forthorthe. The crest on the handle isn’t a family crest, but Princess Theiamillis’s personal crest.”