"Successor, Come To My Tower" V6 Chapter 5 - Footsteps Echoing After Sunset
The blue color of the sky bled onto the ground.
The vegetation had all turned black and the night stars were starting to shine. It was around then that he came back to the mansion.
He pushed open the iron gate and entered the front yard.
"You're late."
He heard someone speak suddenly from the other side of the gate — but Orphen looked over without surprise.
He'd been expecting her — or rather, he knew she'd be there, and just as he had expected — there she stood.
He silently closed the gate and turned to face her.
"Azalie..."
He calmly watched her as she slowly walked up to him from the darkness. Orphen felt the sudden urge to run to her, but in the end he restrained himself.
She stopped walking as if she felt his reluctance.
"Have you been sleeping well? You look tired — I can see your shoulders slumping."
But, he ignored the question and asked instead..
"What are you doing here?"
"That's no way to speak to me, and anyway — You said I have my own room here, right?"
"Azalie."
He warned with a groan. She didn't react with any change in expression, but with her usual slanted smile, then sniffed.
"If you upset me too much, I might lose to Whurl Karlen."
"...Huh?"
Orphen stumbled over his words. There wasn't much light coming from the mansion — only a few people even lived there, and there were no servants. There were only two lighted rooms, which made the mansion look abandoned at night.
So it was simply by chance that the light from a small gas lamp, hanging at the entrance, made her brown eyes shine. She was standing in the shadows.
She continued, illuminated by that one small light in the darkness.
"Let's go to the courtyard."
The courtyard of Leticia's mansion was located between two buildings and was several times larger than the front yard. It was also used as a playground, and there were benches and tables along the bank of an artificial pond, making it a good resting place. In a sense it was the center of the mansion.
"Illuminate."
Azalie murmured, and a white phosphorescent will-o-wisp floated just above the artificial pond — Orphen quietly looked at the glittering ball of light that was shedding tiny particles onto the water. It slowly melted away the darkness.
Azalie, who was walking ahead of him, turned around. The black combat clothes she wore almost made her seem smaller than he had expected her to be.
(Or maybe that's just because she was taller than me back then...)
He felt a loneliness deep in his chest. Azalie looked straight at him and asked.
"I don't want to repeat myself too many times and seem jealous or anything — but again, you're late."
"I took a slight detour on my way home from the hospital."
"... You asked the Tower to send a messenger?"
"............"
Orphen lifted his head, silently. He averted his gaze from her, and instead looked over her shoulder at the darkness of the night.
Azalie didn't seem to need that affirmation.
"Tish's orders, right? — Well, her thoughts on it, anyway."
She shrugged when she said it.
"The messenger must've arrived at the Tower already, unless they were involved in some kind of accident along the way."
"! — What?"
Orphen snapped back. Although he didn't have to wait for her answer, he knew what she meant—
"Are you saying that someone from the Whurl Classroom is going to hit the messenger carriage?"
"I hope that's all."
"... What does that mean?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
As Azalie said that, she waved her finger, stirring the darkness. It pointed towards the mansion, and then she spoke up.
"They're going for their last resort."
"Their last... resort?"
Orphen repeated blankly. The last resort of assassins — there was only one.
Azalie's reply came as easily as dancing in the dark.
"Yes. To Stab. All of their enemies."
"Don't be ridiculous!"
Orphen shouted, disgusted by the idea.
"Even in the city of Taphrem, there's a judicial body — The Highest Executive Department of the Tower isn't helpless, nor incompetent. That attack on Tish will make or break them—"
"Forte, Tish, and you — and, oh yeah, let's not forget myself, since I saw Hydrant's face. They'll try to erase every one of us tonight. That will be what makes or breaks them—"
She put her finger to her lips and added.
"That's all there is to it. They have no time left — they attacked Tish, a senior sorcerer of all people, and if the Elders start to move on that, it'll be too late. That alone will be enough for them to dismantle and detain the Whurl Classroom. So they have to wrap up whatever actions they have planned before then."
"That doesn't make sense."
Orphen spat.
"If they kill us their crimes will only be worse, and no matter how strong the Whurl Class is, they don't have the power to fight the whole Tower."
"But they can escape."
"... What did you say?"
Orphen watched Azalie's face for quite a while, reflecting on that statement. After putting her finger to her temple, she continued on.
"How to explain this — I'll tell you what I can, but the goal of these assassinations isn't necessarily you as someone who's involved in the case. What they're aiming for... is to get rid of everything to do with the Childman Class."
"That makes even less sense."
Hearing this, Azalie's expression turned grim. She retreated a step back, until the darkness had covered half of her face, and answered.
"They aren't doing these things for no reason. Nobody does. What they're aiming for the Browning Family's "World Book."
"World...Book?"
Orphen asked back suspiciously. Azalie had spoken the words quite naturally, but he'd never heard of it. It seemed that she had anticipated this.
"It seems you've never heard of it. I only just heard about it from the Elders two weeks ago."
"The elders... who were killed..."
He paused, but Azalie only shrugged her shoulders and didn't respond. Then, slowly, she decided to rephrase.
"The ~ World ~ Book — It's only a book, and it'd take me forever to explain it to you. At most it's one book, filled with bundles of paper. That paper, however, has the power to end life itself."
"And what the hell does that mean, exactly?"
"It all started two hundred years ago."
Azalie sat on the back of the bench.
"You know that basically everything of the Nornir's that's scattered across the continent now belongs to the Aristocratic Federation, right?"
"... Yeah."
He hesitated a little, but then agreed. As soon as he understood what she meant, Azalie laughed.
"Of course, there are some ruins that've been hidden away by the Sorcerer Alliance — but there are also some that the alliance acquired legally by striking a deal. But, the greatest one that can be seen by mankind is still owned by the aristocracy. Do you know which one I mean?"
"The World Map... Tower?"
While answering, he turned his head in the direction of the World Map Tower. From the mansion, not even the tip of it was visible.
"That's why the head of the Church, through the aristocracy, forbade us from entering or investigating the World Map Tower. To tell you the truth, Kimrak's people knew the true purpose for which the Tower was built, even two hundred years ago."
"Purpose?"
"So. Why did the Nornir build the World Map Tower?"
Azalie asked, holding up her finger.
"There's no doubt that it was for the benefit of human sorcerers. They left it for our forefathers, with this message: 'If ever you should have doubts about the world, look here.' The tower itself is a powerful magical device. Two hundred years ago, they performed powerful sorcery. They used the tower to do so. With so much effort, so much cost, and so much sacrifice, what they accomplished was—"
She kept her finger up, then pointed it at him.
"The summoning of a single book."
"............"
He didn't answer, but looked at her fingertip. As she noticed that gaze, she spun her finger around in amusement. Then she continued.
"That solitary book was called the World Book."
"What... what was written in the book?"
"The secrets of the world."
At that, she stopped her fingertip.
"All the things that the Nornir wanted us to know, of course. The book holds the history of the world of the gods."
"Are you about to tell me that the gods wrote it?"
Orphen said with a snort.
But when he saw Azalie returning a dead serious nod, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
"That's right, the author's name was Swedenboli. Do you know that name?"
"The Demon King Swedenboli... He fought with the gods before the written history of Kiesalhima, but that was just a myth, wasn't it?"
She drew back and lifted her hips from the back of the bench.
"Swedenboli, the sorcerer who conquers all, with his angels and demons. He breaths time and devours the night sky to satiate his hunger. This is the book that he wrote about the world of the gods."
And — she suddenly leaned in towards his face. In a hushed voice, she said.
"The World Book, it was summoned to the World Map Tower two hundred years ago. Kimrak knew of the existence of the book before the sorcerers did — though I don't know how. I guess that's just another one of Kimrak's secrets, though..."
Orphen retreated as if to flee, his mouth agape — almost as if he wanted to argue.
"It doesn't matter — if the book is in the World Map Tower, Whurl won't be able to get it. It has nothing to do with Tish or the rest of us, for that matter."
"Yes — as long as it's still in the World Map Tower."
Azalie murmured with a hint of anger in her voice.
Orphen squinted.
"What's going on?"
"It's simple — Forty years ago, there was the Sand War — That's what the Kimrak Church and the sorcerers called the catastrophe, anyway. In reality, Kimrak was after the book, the one that they knew was hidden in the World Map Tower. That's why they destroyed the city, took the book, and then quickly retreated."
"... Then..."
"I know what you're going to say. You thought of it too — if the book is in Kimrak, then that's where the Whurl Class would be heading... After the war, the World Book was kept as a sacred treasure in the Church, and up until ten years ago, it was held by the Browning Family, the most prestigious among the teachers of Kimrak."
She held out her arms as she explained.
"But, as you know, treasure is always stolen... It was just some petty thief that stole that holy grail from the Browning family. He probably didn't even know the value of the book he held in his hands — and maybe just sold it to some second hand book store, right? The World Book would've gone directly to the black market then... where its been missing for years."
"But now that they've found it, they've made their move, haven't they?"
Orphen already had the gist of the story. Azalie folded her hands behind her head.
"It was just last week that this information became public knowledge in the underground. Word is, it was handed over to the Dragon Worshippers in this city six years ago — and unlike that thief I mentioned — they knew some of the ancient language, and were able to realize the importance of the book, if only to a small extent."
"... Within a week of that information becoming known, the Whurl Class attacked that gathering of Dragon Worshippers."
"... It was a waste of time, though."
She laughed.
"To tell you the truth, they only came to the meeting place after I'd already crashed the rally — I even kicked in the door and messed up the whole house. I had to, if I wanted them to talk."
When she said that, her smile vanished.
"They came after I left. When they saw that was going on and realized that someone had outsmarted them, they did what they had to do to prevent any further information leaks... In other words, to keep their mouths shut. I heard that they killed all of the Dragon Worshippers that were there. It seems they got the same information that I got."
"In short—"
Orphen slowly muttered. With that, Azalie continued.
They both said the same thing, at the same time.
"The World Book fell into Childman's hands..."
"I heard that he made a deal with the Dragon Worshippers five years ago. I don't know what kind of leverage he used."
Still, Azalie continued.
"Now that the Childman Class has disappeared — we're the only students left who may know the location of the World Book. In any case, I'm sure that no matter how much Whurl Karlen wanted that book, he wouldn't be reckless enough to try to take it directly from our Master's hands."
"Where's the World Book, Azalie!?"
Orphen questioned her, closing the distance between them. When he stretched out his hand, surprisingly — she didn't try to avoid it — but he stopped himself short of grabbing the chest of her coat.
Azalie looked down at his hand.
"Why do you think I would know?"
"If you didn't already know, you wouldn't have given me all this information — You wouldn't give me the chance to outsmart you. Besides, that look on your face tells me that you already know what's in the book. You've read it, haven't you!?"
Orphen rambled on, just speaking out loud. As soon as he said all that, he realized that his impressions were right—
(That's right — she's trying to use me...)
Azalie still managed a light smile. However... she let her twin brown eyes lower, blending further into the darkness.
"I'm guessing you don't like me very much, so that's a deduction of one point — but, still, it was an almost perfect score."
As she said it, she adjusted the chest of her coat where his hand had been.
"The World Book is in this mansion. I even stole a little peek at it when I had the chance. But what are you going to do with it now that you know where it is?"
"I've already decided! I'll just give it to Whurl!"
"No."
She replied promptly and flatly.
She looked at him, her eyes almost drawing him in, and continued
"I'll tell you why I was trying to find the book — It has to be destroyed. Those who aren't worthy mustn't learn the things written in that book..."
"So just do it. Then tell Whurl that. Say that you burned the book."
"Do you think he'd accept that?"
Azalie laughed as she said it.
"............"
He shut up and thought — but she was right. Whurl wouldn't believe it. He wouldn't believe the word of sorcerers from another Tower class in the first place, never mind on something like this.
(I can't get through to her... Even if I communicate my true feelings.)
He bitterly thought.
As Azalie approached he realized that she had already come up with an idea.
"You can't afford to make the wrong choice. Tomorrow morning, the Tower's Executive Department will begin to move, but we can't wait on the Elder's reluctant decisions. Whurl will be up and running by the end of the night. You know what I mean by that. You and Forte might be able to protect yourselves somehow — and so will I, but what about Tish? She's hurt, and she's not safe in a hospital. There's no way you can protect her. Let's just assume that they're going to make their move at midnight... If you go straight to the Tower, you might get there just in time while they're still gathering their things."
"... I can't believe it."
Suddenly, Orphen muttered.
"Huh?"
Azalie asked back after the surprise. Orphen sighed — putting his hand over the lower half of his face to hide his bitter smile.
"You actually care about Tish's safety."
In the blink of an eye, Azalie raised her eyes, seemingly angry—
"Krylancelo..."
Orphen shook his head as he listened to her growling voice.
"I'm sorry — I didn't mean it."
"I know you didn't. Of course I care, though."
She straightened up. She stared right at him — No, not just staring, but looking into his eyes, even though he almost turned his face to escape, and continued.
"You'll do it, won't you? I know you can do it. Whurl Karlen... You have to Stab him."
Stab—
Orphen chewed that word, feeling the anxiety rise in his chest. The word just echoed and echoed in his ears...
(Can I!?)
He wanted to shout at her, but the words were stuck in his throat. His throat only trembled while he looked back at her — and finally, a different set of words came out.
"... You're saying the exact opposite of what Tish is saying."
"Because I understand you — only me."
She answered, quietly and calmly.
Orphen clenched his fist.
"Oh... So you can use me. Any way you want."
"Shouldn't you be thanking me? I mean... you've regained a lot of your old senses by being forced to confront your old self, haven't you? By facing that man's successor? You've obtained that indispensable power once again..."
(That's so selfish!)
Orphen silently screamed while he gazed back at her — she was pulling a small black box out of her pocket. It seemed to be some artifact of the Nornir that she had acquired, which allowed her to freely transfer through space.
Azalie used her finger to trace the intricate letters on the surface of the box as she spoke.
"The World Book is in your student's possession. It seems he took it from Childman's mansion — the book could be used to play games with Whurl. More or less—"
Countless glowing letters began to appear on the box.
As if dancing or singing, the letters spun around and around, changing shape and increasing in brightness. The light suddenly enveloped Azalie's entire body—
And then she was gone.
"You're — so selfish!"
Orphen screamed out after she had finally gone.
"You don't understand me — A woman who understood me would know that I can't kill them!"
After saying that he shrugged aggressively—
Not because he was afraid. He knew that much.
It was because he had become helplessly aware of the fact that he'd only continue to be used.
(...I wonder if he thought no one would hear him shouting like that...)
Cleao muttered to herself, hiding near the exit of the corridor. Leki was scratching his ears in boredom at her feet, but she ignored him for now.
(Who was that woman just now... I couldn't really tell in this darkness, but...)
She knew her from somewhere, but she couldn't recall where.
As she looked at Orphen, who had been left standing alone by the pond, and was now standing there in a daze, Cleao let out a small sigh.
"Orphen always seems so stressed..."
She said to Leki down by her feet.
Then, she got an abrupt answer.
"I'm sure there's a reason for that."
"It looked kinda like they were arguing about getting back together."
"—!?"
She quickly turned around, and tied to the pillar that connected to the roof along the corridor, were the two dwarves.
"W—What the hell are you even doing here!?"
Cleao shouted as quietly as possible and walked over to them. Vulcan replied with a grave nod of his head
"We were tied up by that kid Pat, who said that those who failed the coup d'État should be taken prisoner and live in shame."
"You sure are bold about confessing to being so pathetic..."
"That girl was trying to hit me with a rock. I didn't even have anything to do with it."
Dortin let out a moan. He somehow seemed more ragged than Vulcan.
Then Vulcan looked up in a flash. He couldn't look him in the face because they were tied back to back, but he still managed to turn his head far enough to look over his shoulder.
"Nothing to do with you!? Our beautiful brotherhood is sealed by our blood even in this place of martyrdom!"
"I don't understand what you're talking about... but..."
Cleao held her head, aware of how heavy her eyelids felt.
"What exactly is martyring yourself supposed to teach anyone?"
"Hehh—"
Vulcan smiled triumphantly.
"With a warrior's spirit like mine, beliefs don't really matter."
"I'm sure you're wrong..."
Dortin mumbled.
Cleao wasn't listening anymore, and she sighed. She scratched the back of Leki's head and bent over, picking him up as he struggled. She then glanced back at Orphen.
"Well, it looks like Orphen's heading back to the mansion, so I'll head back, too — See ya."
"What? You aren't going to untie us?"
Dortin screamed and cried. When Cleao was just about to head back to the mansion, she turned around.
"Why should I be bothered?"
"Why should you... Because... of your humanity...?"
"Huh? — I'm feeling a little anemic from my injuries, so don't try to confuse me with words."
"I mean... Don't you understand? ... It's human nature...?"
Dortin went pale. Cleao coldly narrowed her eyes, then pointed at the pillar they were tied to.
"That pillar."
"W—What about it..."
Dortin groaned. Cleao pointed to the top, then the bottom of the pillar.
"It looks pretty old. If you try your best, it'll break, won't it?"
"There's no way it'll break!"
Vulcan screamed, flailing his feet against the pillar.
"This thing is more like an elephant leg than a pillar! If I could break something like this I'd make a hell of a living and be able to actually eat for once, you idiot! I'll kill you by force feeding you a brown banana!"
"Good luuuck ♪"
With a simple wave, Cleao left the area.
When she got back to the living room, there stood Orphen and Majic. They were talking about some sort of black book, the one that Majic had been carrying around for a while.
(As usual, I'm the outcast...)
She groaned under her breath.
Nevertheless, Cleao approached them with a strange expression. When he heard the footsteps, Orphen turned around.
Majic was pale about something. But, she didn't care.
"Oh, welcome back, Orphen — How's Tish?"
She waited for an answer while stroking the back of Leki's head, . Orphen nodded, his expression unclear—
"She's fine. You know..."
His voice cut out, like he was troubled by something—
Cleao, somewhere deep down, felt that she could predict what he wanted to say.
(Because it's always the same thing...)
"I'm going out for a bit, now..."
Orphen seemed reluctant to say it, and he did so with an amiable laugh.
(Ahh, yes. It's no big deal, I'll be back soon, you can wait here a while, so on and so forth.)
While she thought about how to follow, Cleao smugly smiled and nodded, not bothering to give it much thought.
"Huh?"
Majic seemed to be the only one who took note of her cryptic response.
Orphen continued without noticing a thing.
"I'm going to fight the guys who did that to Tish — The Tower of Fang."
(Geez, you're so secretive about where you're going and why. You should put yourself in the shoes of people like me, who have to sneak after you.)
"But, I can't do it alone."
(It's not a cute trait to be unable to rely on others every now and then, I mean really.)
Orphen slowly averted his eyes with those words.
"Please help me."
(Just like I thought, he's going to leave me behind this time, too—)
............
Cleao stopped thinking.
Slowly — her expression, which had been frozen in that strange smile relaxed.
"... Huh...?"
He was staring at her in all seriousness, and Cleao could only make an utterly stupid sound.
Table of Contents
|
| (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) |
Starting At Night Arriving At Morning Rushing Through The Launch Break Moving Fast In The Afternoon Footsteps Echoing After Sunset Burning At Midnight Missing The Sunrise |