Chapter 41

041.

The Northern region of the Claire Empire.

Though technically part of the same inland territory, it is regarded as essentially a separate world.

The long defensive line, resembling a city wall, not only protects the empire against potential attacks but also隔离s this ‘Northern’ region from other inland cities, maintaining its separation.

Perhaps because of this.

The Northern region of the Claire Empire places a particularly strong emphasis on preserving old traditions—what is commonly referred to as “tradition.”

No matter how times change or innovations like magic arrive, nothing here seems to alter.

Literally a separate world, the Northern territory of the Claire Empire is their exclusive, pristine white snowfield.

The Northern Festival falls squarely within these bounds of tradition.

No one remembers exactly when or how it began.

Its origins are shrouded in mystery, but what matters is that this cherished tradition has been passed down to the present.

Debates may arise over whether it truly qualifies as a “festival,” yet the people of the North enjoy it regardless.

Given how tense this place can be, any opportunity to truly relax is precious.

Especially in the North, where such leisure is scarce.

Gathering in the rearmost village to sit together around a colossal, warm bonfire is immensely treasured.

It can be a time to reaffirm longstanding relationships or an occasion to meet someone new and get to know them.

Or, perhaps, an unexpected fate awaits.

Inside a slightly dim room,

Ruby, glowing in the shadows, was drawing something on the tabletop.

“Haa…”

No matter how much Kalen swallowed, the anxiety in his chest would not subside.

Should he have stopped now?

After pondering for a long while, it was clear there was no easy answer.

Kalen is not from the North.

This became a firmly ingrained fact the moment he complimented his own eyes.

Whether it was a mere delusion or a lie told to evade the situation then,

Kalen decided to accept it as truth.

The only person he could trust would never betray him.

Still, was it right to do this to Kalen?

Since he is not from the North, he’s not obligated to be bound by traditions.

Kalen likely knows nothing of Northern traditions anyway.

Is it truly appropriate to act this way towards him?

Perhaps, in some ways, she resembles her father.

She was indulging her own selfishness.

Serasie glanced at the wine bottle clumsily adorned and placed on the table.

If only she’d known, she would have crafted it more carefully, as other Northern women do, holding it dear.

Northern tradition wine,

made by mixing the clear Northern water with snow grapes, is something every Northern woman possesses.

Since a very young age, they create and maintain it, giving it a deep, sweet flavor.

Only Serasie’s was different from others.

Unlike the carefully preserved wines of other women, hers appeared old and of poor quality.

Back when she had erected walls in her heart,

Serasie had resented many things, and her traditional wine was one of the targets of that resentment.

Bowing her head, Serasie gently picked up the neglected wine bottle.

If only she had cherished it like the other women, she might have felt a little braver.

The discarded wine bottle seemed to be reminding her:

“How dare you?”

“Though you’ve received nothing but help, how dare you act so selfish?”

“…”

Still, there was no other way.

Though she didn’t want to admit it, Kalen leaving was something that had to happen eventually.

The mere thought of it made her break out in cold sweat, and she felt an overwhelming sense of anxiety.

Kalen is someone who must leave.

This wine bottle will be a selfish gift meant for him.

He won’t know, but it will become a shackle forged from her selfishness.

The piercing feelings of guilt, remorse, and gratitude…

…will be something she repays over her entire life.

With that thought, Serasie left the room, holding the less-than-impressive wine bottle.

*

The rearmost village of the North.

It was the very same village Kalen had entered into when he first came to the North.

Given its tiny size, the people sitting together had created a bustling spectacle.

In the center stood a massive bonfire.

The people surrounding it were chatting amicably, sharing their stories.

Stories about Serasie winning the civil war.

That the women Toren had brought had been sold into slavery.

News that with the monsters gone, securing food had become easier.

Rumors about a sweet caramel dessert popular in the inland empire.

Even tales about Lady Lakatus turning the social scene upside down.

In this way, the stories bloomed, creating a somewhat poignant atmosphere.

Combined with the crackling of the fire, they melted the chilled hearts of everyone there.

And among all this, one place drew by far the largest crowd.

There, a different scene was unfolding.

“Ha! I surrender!”

With that final declaration of surrender,

Quiet applause erupted from the surrounding people.

“Even Knight Craeders?!”

“Amazing, Kalen~.”

“Are you drunk? You’re darling….”

Detecting something rising inside him, Craeders quickly left the scene.

With his departure, a boy’s face emerged in the cleared space.

Surrounded by village women, the boy’s face had turned red, yet in an uncharacteristic move, he smiled, showing his teeth in a wide grin.

“…Once again, I’ve won.”

Exactly how many had it been?

His head was a little fuzzy, so he couldn’t recall, but

nevertheless, he had won many times.

So, he was in a good mood.

At the beginning, it was a bit boring.

The festival started early, and he had watched people dancing.

The rather cozy atmosphere had appealed to him.

But then, Serasie disappeared claiming she had something to prepare.

Left alone, surrounded by unfamiliar things,

he simply sat there doing nothing.

“Hey! What are you doing all by yourself?”

Until then, it had been like that.

It all started when a woman approached him as night fell.

“I’m just sitting quietly.”

“Alone?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm… then how about playing with me?”

With that woman initiating the conversation,

gradually, more people surrounded him.

One woman, another woman, yet another woman.

The village housewives found something amusing and approached him, covering their mouths and giggling.

Somewhere along the way,

“Would you like a drink?”

Was this truly a “festival”?

He was offered alcohol, something he had only seen Blamia drink.

However, Blamia had said drinking was a bit premature.

It was essential to know one’s drinking capacity,

and even then, he was still too young, she had said.

“No thank you.”

So he had refused.

“Why?”

“Because I was told I’m too young.”

“Huh?”

The clearest memory was the women’s giggling after that.

“Aw, how cute. Your mom said you couldn’t?”

“Exactly, I don’t even know my capacity…”

“Are you scared?”

In hindsight, that question was the problem.

After one woman had asked that, he had flared up a little.

“Normally, you learn while drinking. Here~ my arms are getting tired~.”

“…Cancel that, please.”

Kalen should not have taken the drink she offered.

“Once I finish this drink, cancel calling me a coward, please.”

The women exchanged glances and

Kalen kept accepting the drinks handed to him one after another.

One bottle, two bottles, three bottles.

As Kalen drank more,

“Something interesting is happening over there” spread quickly.

By the time he had faced challenges from the women, knights, and finally Knight Craeders, the scene had reached its current state.

Kalen had a habit of getting a bit excited when he heard the word “bet.”

Even if he were the one who had uttered that word.

“Hoo…”

Feeling dizzy, Kalen wobbled to his feet, raising his fist above his head.

That was his way of signaling his victory.

If he had been in his right mind, he would never have behaved so foolishly.

But Kalen, having lost count of how many bottles he had consumed, was far from sober.

Moreover, the gentle hands of the women who kept stroking his head made him feel inexplicably happy.

It was a feeling he had never experienced before in his life.

Surrounded by the women and deeply engrossed in drinking games,

he saw someone approaching from afar.

Was it another challenger?

Kalen’s already red face didn’t even attempt to hide his blush as he looked up.

The new challenger had eyes as beautiful as rubies.

*

“Huh.”

What was this unreasonable situation?

“Serasie?”

One of the women surrounding Kalen asked urgently.

The intoxicating aroma of wine.

Kalen’s flushed face.

There was no need to ask what had transpired.

“Did you lot give him alcohol?”

“Uh, well, we found his reactions too cute to resist.”

Just how much alcohol could they have given him to reach this state?

Though clearly flustered, Serasie asked the most important question.

“Did he drink what you made?”

“No, we originally intended to have him drink it once he had his coming-of-age ceremony, but since he’s not from the North, we just gave him alcohol.”

At least it wasn’t the worst-case scenario.

Serasie sighed in relief at that thought.

Then she squatted down in front of Kalen, who was seated surrounded by her skirts.

“Kalen, are you alright?”

“Absolutely… fine.”

Despite everything, he was still using honorifics.

Judging by his expression, it seemed unlikely he would remember any of this.

“What were you doing?”

“Instilling proper boundaries for those who didn’t know their place.”

“…Hmm?”

“I won every bet today.”

Hehe.

If his expression made a sound, it would probably have been something like that.

Kalen, who had perhaps never known what an expression was, beamed widely.

It had an unusual charm.

Serasie cleared her throat to calm the bubbling feeling in her chest.

“Hey Kalen, do you want to know the real reason I brought you here?”

“The real reason?”

“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before. Can you listen to me now?”

Kalen nodded.

“The reason I said I was alone guarding Lady Lakatus was just an excuse. Back then, I didn’t want to think about anything.”

The soft and gentle voice spread quietly among those surrounding the bonfire.

“Maybe I was just tired. The world in front of me felt so dark, and I just wanted to give up on everything.”

Though Serasie was smiling, her face illuminated by the great bonfire,

held more than just happiness.

“While in that state, I heard about you. About a boy who might be connected to the imagination Lady Lakatus had cultivated, plus some of my own delusions.”

In that final confession,

the meaning of Serasie fully opening her heart to Kalen was embedded.

“Perhaps I could acquire an imagination too. If I did, maybe I could bring down those two trashy human beings. That’s why it was you.”

Who could remain undaunted forever?

Loneliness and isolation eat away at a person.

Serasie, who had endured alone for at least a few years, was incredibly fatigued.

“Trust is built on shared memories, they say. I still think I can’t open up to anyone else besides you, but even so…”

In time, the surroundings were enveloped in an overwhelming wave of emotion,

the crimson waves painting a breathtaking scene, leaving the gathered people unable to even breathe.

“Even so, because I truly believe in Kalen’s promise.”

Moving her hand, which had been behind her the whole time, Serasie revealed an unsightly wine bottle.

The question lingering from before.

The emotion in Serasie’s expression as she looked at Kalen.

The surrounding women had an idea in mind at the same moment,

“Would you accept this?”

Serasie offered the bottle to Kalen.

Those who understood the meaning behind the gesture were almost about to faint.

Kalen, however, is not from the North.

He doesn’t understand the meaning behind this “tradition.”

Staring blankly at the bottle, Kalen stood up,

and Serasie followed, standing with him.

Thump, thump.

Why was looking at the bottle causing so much tension?

Serasie felt her ears might go deaf from the uncontrollable pounding of her heart.

The sound of the cork being pulled happened as Kalen took the bottle.

“Eh…?”

Without further ado, Kalen took the bottle and drank it all in one go.

Watching the drink she had made flow down his throat,

Serasie froze, shocked beyond belief,

despite knowing that Kalen couldn’t possibly understand the meaning behind the act.

“Ah.”

The now-empty bottle caused Kalen to wobble slightly,

and with a soft sound,

“Hiiit?!”

Collapsing on top of the frozen Serasie.

“Ahh, I apologize… ma’am.”

“Huh… huh… I… I’m your older sister…”

The glasses she wore fell off, her bare face now unmistakably exposed.

Serasie trembled, lying beneath Kalen’s younger form.

Her eyes widened beyond measure as she stared at the Kalen right in front of her.

The sweet scent of the grape wine was dizzying.

Having lost his balance in the fall and unintentionally pressing Serasie’s hands above her head, Kalen awkwardly grinned.

Still excited from thinking he had won the bet by drinking the wine she offered.

Yet as he recalled what Serasie had said,

the loneliness this girl had felt,

awkward condolences being insufficient, he decided to offer praise instead.

Serasie hated her own body, so perhaps praising it would boost her self-esteem?

With his mind foggy and lacking strength, Kalen rested his head beside Serasie’s,

and as the struggling body beneath him stilled,

he slightly turned his head and smiled in a way uncharacteristic of him, whispering into her ear,

“You’re beautiful, older sister.”

“…”

Though Kalen didn’t know it, a lot was omitted due to his drunken state.

The voice that spread like a whisper in her ear shook Serasie’s mind completely.

The people gathered there due to Serasie’s undeniably violent yet beautiful imagination

could only be astonished.

Because they know.

The meaning behind the act of a Northern woman offering her cherished traditional wine to a man,

and the act of accepting and drinking it all in such a setting.

The meaning contained within a bottle of traditional wine offered by a Northern woman is:

“I wish to spend my entire life with you.”

-That was what it signified.

---