86 - Volume 6 - Chapter Ep

EPILOGUE 

HOME SWEET HOME 

He arrived at the right address, only to find himself facing the gate of an estate far too large to belong to a single family. The gate solemnly demarcated the inside and outside of the estate, its fence like a series of long spears pointing up to the heavens. 

Shin remained still before the gate, looking up at the estate. It was the residence of the former Empire’s leading warrior clan—the noble house of Marquis Nouzen. Even now, after relinquishing all its territory and court ranks, House Nouzen still possessed a private property that very much matched an entire city district in size. It also possessed several private businesses and retained some latent influence within the military. It was, indeed, a noble house that was once one of the Empire’s de facto rulers. 

Here lived an old man who still held the position of the head of that family: his grandfather. 

They’d left the base a bit over two months ago, but returning there gave them the feeling they were truly home. Over those two months, the season had turned to summer, and a pleasant breeze streamed in from the open windows. The wind was cool and smelled of greenery, having crossed through the forest surrounding the base. 

Feeling that wind blow against her, Lena turned her gaze from the window back to her office. She heard the voices of soldiers doing their drills, and the sound of operating maintenance equipment and idle chatter, too, reached her ears. The tumult of a normal, routine day in the base. 

“We shouldn’t have a new mission for a while now, so you can take your time and relax, Vika.” 

Her gaze fell on Vika, who shrugged, reclining on the lounge suite’s sofa. 

“If anything, I would rather use the time to practice the Alkonosts’ maneuvers and fine-tune them. The Federacy’s western front is too different from the United Kingdom in terms of topography. There’s too many unpredictable burdens and situations for the Alkonosts to deal with here.” 

Such modifications weren’t unlike the same ones the Strike Package’s units had to go through upon being dispatched to the United Kingdom. The Alkonosts were built to operate in the snowy battlefields of the north, which meant they weren’t suited to work in the Federacy’s territories. Except… 

Lena’s apprehensions must have been written all over her face, because Vika continued speaking after looking in her direction. 

“Just like in the United Kingdom, the Sirins are shut down and stored in the hangar when they’re not training or out on an operation. And when it comes to training, we don’t intend to use this base’s training grounds, but one farther away from here… We’re not going to be a burden to Nouzen, so please don’t make that face.” 

Lena couldn’t help but crack a bitter smile. Her concern was that obvious, it seemed. 

“I appreciate the consideration, Vika.” 

“Nouzen’s ability is invaluable for reconnaissance purposes, after all. We can’t afford to put any strain on him outside of combat, lest he break when we need him most… Though, he doesn’t appear to mind Lerche, at the very least.” 

“Yes.” 

Vika was probably right; Lena’s repeated questioning of “Are you sure?” and Lerche’s constant questioning of “You are not pushing yourself, are you?” didn’t seem to cause any undue strain on Shin. He even made an uncharacteristic grumble, asking if they really distrusted him that much. Lena only pestered him so often because she thought that reaction of his was cute, but this, she kept to herself. 

“I’m sure even the Federacy would love to control that ability of his or mechanically replicate it somehow… I’m willing to look into it, if you would let me.” 

Vika spoke with such indifference and in a tone that was clearly jesting, which prompted a curt response from Lena. 

“No.” 

“Yes, I figured as much.” The prince shrugged offhandedly, making it clear he wasn’t offended in the slightest. 

Before they left the United Kingdom, Crown Prince Zafar gave Lena a rather long list of Things One Must Never Allow Vika to Do. Lena sagely noted, though, that not telling Vika about this was for the best. 

After all, the list had a line written in red text on top of it that went as follows: Vika. If you’re reading this, I’m sure you know this by now, but you must not, under any circumstances, do any or all the things listed here. Any of them. With no exceptions. You’re not allowed to employ any broad interpretations of the things written here, either. 

And for some reason, Lena couldn’t help but feel that Vika was twice as dangerous as she thought he was. To make the list doubly important, it was signed by both the crown prince and the king himself. The document quite frankly terrified Lena. Just what did this boy do other than develop the Sirins? Her curiosity was no match for her fear, and she didn’t dare put that question into words. 

“Are you sure you’re fine with being treated as a commissioned officer, Vika…? You’ve spent some time here already. Does anything strike you as inconvenient? If there’s anything you want, we could try to accommodate for it so long as it’s within reason.” 

The Federacy had successfully deployed its forces in the United Kingdom, and so the time came for the United Kingdom to fulfill its end of the bargain and dispatch personnel who would serve the Strike Package. The commander of those forces was Vika, who now served as commanding officer of the Alkonost unit and direct subordinate to the tactical commanding officer. He had been integrated into the Strike Package’s chain of command as a lieutenant colonel. 

Given his rank, he was provided with a field officer’s accommodations, which were of course far better than anything a company officer was given. But this was by the standards of a soldier, not a member of a royal family. 

“In the United Kingdom, royalty doesn’t get any preferential treatment when it comes to accommodations. Well, perhaps in a military base, we do, but on the front lines, we’re not treated any differently. I’ve no complaints in regards to my room or my treatment. For an impromptu base, it’s a fine place. Except…” 

“Yes, what is it?” 

“…it’s quite hot around here.” 

Vika spoke with clear, blatant annoyance, which made Lena’s eyes widen with amazement for a moment before she burst out in laughter. He wasn’t wrong. He grew up in the north, and until just a short while ago, he was on a battlefield where the Eintagsfliege imposed a lengthened artificial winter. But now, Vika was thrown into the sweltering heat of early summer and was struggling to get used to the climate. 

“This is no laughing matter. Have you ever been to my country in the dead of winter? It’s said those not native to it describe it as a chill that freezes the very soul. Even some natives of our country say that.” 

“I’m sorry. I’d love to come visit someday, though.” 

Someday, when the war ends. 

“Yes, do come visit. I’m sure you’ll think fondly of this infernal heat when you do.” 

Lena smiled. 

“Yes, someday.” 

She then changed the subject. 

“The Strike Package and the 1st Armored Corps—well, Captain Nouzen will be taken off combat operations for a while following this operation. We’ll be moving to the neighboring city, both to take time off and to use their education facilities…” 

“I’ve heard. In fact, weren’t you placed on leave as of yesterday? President Zimmerman invited them to go back, I believe?” 

“Yes. He’s the legal guardian for Shin’s group, so they’ve returned home to him. Shin and Frederica have already gone back… And today, Shin…” 

Lena closed her eyes, a smile on her lips. Shin had always rejected the idea thus far, but today, for the first time, he said he might want to meet that man. 

“…went to meet his grandfather. Marquis Nouzen.” 

Upon entering the hall, Shin found the crest of a headless skeleton brandishing a sword emblazoned on the wall. It was a familiar symbol. Very familiar, in fact. Enough to make Shin stop and look up at it without even realizing. It was identical to his brother’s Personal Mark, which served as the basis for his own. 

“This crest has been handed down the Nouzen line since its conception.” 

The old butler, who had been showing him around and gone on ahead, turned back and returned with this explanation. He was clad in an anachronistic tailcoat and a silver monocle and stood with his back straight. This butler, too, didn’t seem to make a sound when he walked. He simply moved as if sliding along the floor, like a lurking shadow. 

“It also appears on the cover of the picture book the master sent to celebrate your birth as well as your elder brother’s. It contained the exploits of your forefathers, slightly corrected so as to make them clear for children… Your father eloped to the Republic but still routinely sent the master letters. The master obstinately refused to reply to any of them but did send those picture books. He said he would have to make an exception for auspicious events.” 

“………” 

“Your brother did not care for the book, but apparently, it was your favorite… I hear that upon enlisting in the Republic, your unit’s Personal Mark also used a skeleton motif. Did you remember this picture book? Perhaps, you still felt attached to it?” 

“…No.” 

The butler asked with a hint of hope and expectation in his voice, but Shin simply shook his head. He didn’t remember it. He couldn’t remember it, at least not yet. But Rei probably did. He would always read it to him when he was younger—this picture book Shin had loved. 

Shin thought he finally knew why Rei made this emblem his Personal Mark. At first, Shin used to think it was an act of cynicism at his inability to die. But after reuniting and being saved by him, he continued to think about it. 

And now he knew. 

Brother, there…there was never a moment when you truly hated me, was there? 

“Do you think Shin’s already with his gramps?” 

The 1st Armored Corps, and the Spearhead squadron along with it, had been on leave since the previous day. As such, there weren’t too many familiar faces in the base’s PX. Come noon, the dining hall was almost deserted. 

Theo was the one who had spoken up, sitting in a table by the window, with sunlight shining in. Kurena, who sat opposite of him, snuck a glance to the side. The Eighty-Six had their families and hometowns stolen away by the Republic, and many of them had no homes to return to regardless of whether or not they were on leave. Some, like Shin, were first-generation immigrants to the Republic and still had some relatives, but they were the minority. 

And so many of the Eighty-Six weren’t in the base now, but they didn’t go home. Instead, they were out shopping or having fun in the neighboring town. Raiden and Frederica went back to Ernst’s estate, while Anju went shopping with Dustin, who was showing her around since she wasn’t familiar with the Federacy’s cities yet. 

Kurena still said nothing. Since they’d only just returned, the cooks put their best effort into the lunch they served, but she didn’t touch her food. Something—thoughts of someone who wasn’t here—was bothering her. Theo cracked a wry smile. 

“C’mon, you don’t have to make that face. They’re just meeting each other and talking for a bit. He’ll be right back.” 

That person knew Shin’s parents, though Shin himself couldn’t remember anything. To Shin, meeting his grandfather would only serve to remind him of the things he’d lost. But that wasn’t true. This was a chance to take back the things he’d lost, at least in some form. He now wanted to reclaim those memories. And so Shin chose to meet his grandfather—a meeting that he’d rejected so far. 

“It’s fine. He only just left. He’ll be back soon.” 

“…But…” 

Kurena started to say something but then fell silent. Theo had a feeling he knew what she was trying to say, though. Right now, he was going to return to where they were. But that might not be the case the next day. And even if it they didn’t go their separate ways then, it would happen someday. The day would surely come. Their bond might not come undone; they might not even tell each other good-bye, but the homes they returned to—the places they chose to stay—would eventually be different. 

And had they died in the Eighty-Sixth Sector, that day would never have to come. Their times of death may have been different, but they would die in the same place. Death would certainly come for all of them, equally. And so they’d never had to think about this. They were better off not thinking about it. 

And yet they did survive. They were still alive. 

“It’s true for us, too, Kurena.” 

“………” 

“We don’t have anything, but we still have to think about it: What are we going to do next? …How do we want to live from now on?” 

Shin entered the parlor he was led to, and two figures who seemed to have been waiting for him rose to their feet. One of them was a tall old man, with black hair that had mostly turned white. He had a pair of black, hawklike eyes. Next to him was a kind-looking old lady who, by contrast, was quite short and had a roundish face. Her white hair was done up elegantly. 

“You are…,” the old man, Marquis Nouzen, started to say. 

There was something desperate, almost clinging to his question. Shin felt himself choking up a little at the tone of his voice. How should he answer that question? Eventually, he managed a small nod before hanging his head. Nothing else came to mind. 

The realization made Shin bite his lip. He knew it would be this way, and still, he felt nothing. This man was supposedly his grandfather, and yet facing him didn’t bring about so much as a stir of emotion. They may have been blood related, but even so, this man didn’t strike him as anything but a stranger. 

And being reminded of that fact…saddened him a little. He felt his chest tighten. 

But in contrast to Shin’s internal struggle, Marquis Nouzen grew emotional, his eyes welling up with tears. 

“You’ve certainly grown. And you do very much look like them. You bear the visage of my son, Reisha, and the princess of the Maika clan.” 

“Your hair and physique are of the Nouzen bloodline, but your face—it is like Yuuna’s. As is the color of your eyes,” the old lady appended tenderly. 

Shin noted the red shade of her eyes, which hid behind her round glasses. The crimson eyes of a Pyrope. Shin had heard that Marquis Nouzen’s spouse—Shin’s grandmother—passed away a long time ago. And since the Empire’s nobility hated the idea of mixing different bloodlines, she could not have been a new wife. 

Noting the confusion in Shin’s gaze, Marquis Nouzen hummed in understanding. 

“This here is Marquess Gelda Maika… Your mother’s mother. Your maternal grandmother, as it were. I thought that if you were to meet me, you should also meet her.” 

Marquess Maika smiled and bowed her head respectfully. Marquis Nouzen gently curled his lips upward. 

“Now then, where should we begin? After all, to you, we are just unfamiliar old people. We may be related to you by blood, but I’m sure there’s much you wouldn’t want to tell us.” 

“For now, well, let us have tea together. Do you like sweets? I’ve brought some jam, made of strawberries from our greenhouse. Please take some home with you, as a gift.” 

She spoke with a smile, and it took Shin a moment to realize she was waiting for an answer. He parted his lips, looking for the right words. They felt so distant to him that he still had to search for what to say every time. But if he didn’t answer, he wouldn’t be able to truly converse with them. 

He may not have felt any emotion toward them yet. They were strangers he’d only just met for the first time. And despite that…these people knew his mother and father. They remembered the life he had back when he was still happy. 

“…I personally don’t like sweets very much. But my unit’s mascot and my superior officer will probably be very happy to have this… Thank you very much.” 

Marquis Nouzen smiled warmly. 

“Right. Then let’s begin with that… I would love to serve you a dinner best suited to your tastes, but sadly, I don’t know your preferences. My head chef is standing in the hall at present, at the end of his wits. I ought to give him even the smallest hint. You will stay for dinner, yes? If it suits you, you may spend the night here.” 

“…No.” 

Shin could somehow tell that for how composed his grandfather was when he said those words, it took the man a great deal of courage to muster them up. And that made Shin smile all too naturally as he shook his head. 

She had lost her family in the large-scale offensive, too. And she had no home to go back to, either, despite being on leave. So he informed Ernst that morning that he thought to invite her to come along when they went to bring Theo and the others home. 

He had to go to where she was—where Lena was. 

“I’ll head back home for today… There’s someone waiting for me.”