Volume 6 Chapter 23 Wilshark Wisteria
The old Kirschtein territory and the town of Edelstein, where Gem's People live, are both part of Margrave Wisteria's land.
Kirschtein and Wisteria used to be next to each other, but after the last war, Kirschtein was taken over by the Bernard Kingdom.
"Nobody wanted to take care of the old Kirschtein land. At that time, the Margrave was still healthy, and King Zeere thought it was best to leave this land to the Margrave's family, so he didn't send any officials from the central government."
"So, that's why you're here."
"Yeah. My brother Clifford took over the Margrave family. I was given this land to manage. I felt like I was being told it was unwanted. I was stuck with anger, thinking about what to do with a place full of Kirschtein people."
In a room in the old Kirschtein territory, Ciel is facing Wilshark.
There's tea and snacks on the table.
Wilshark, sitting across on the sofa, doesn't seem hostile like before.
He looks like a welcomed guest.
"Ciel. First, let me apologize. ...I'm really sorry for everything."
"No, it's fine. Let's not talk about that anymore. I've given up the name Wisteria. I have no past, and I'm just a stranger to you. You don't need to apologize."
"But you are the rightful heir of Wisteria. The blood of the Margrave flows only in you."
"What flows in my body isn't blood. Gem's People don't bleed. Our hearts and bodies are made of minerals. Bloodlines... they don't matter to me anymore."
If this body were punished by Gem Piercing Punishment, would the shattered pieces turn into shining jewels?
While talking with Wilshark, Ciel thinks about this.
──Am I closer to being human or to Gem's People?
Wilshark stops apologizing and lets out a deep sigh, as if he has given up.
"You called me for a reason. What's the urgent matter, Wilshark?"
"Yeah. ...I just mentioned that Clifford took over the Margrave Wisteria family."
"Yes, I heard that."
"Clifford has a strong dislike for other races, just like I did in the past, or even more. He's like a living copy of the Margrave. He's influenced by the Margrave much more than I was when I moved to old Kirschtein."
"Is Margrave... Sir Galeon still alive?"
"If you're the head mage of Saintwise, you should have heard some news."
"I've been trying to stay away from Wisteria matters as much as possible."
Ciel doesn't know everything, but he doesn't interact much with people.
His subordinate, Leavis, knows much more about the noble family's affairs.
Leavis only shares information that seems useful to Ciel.
It seems he avoids bringing up anything about the Wisteria family.
"I see. ...Sir Galeon is still alive. Our father passed away before him. He's healthy, but his feelings towards Kirschtein people and Edelstein have worsened a lot."
"Does that mean he's losing his mind?"
"His age might have dulled his judgment. But my brother doesn't think that way. After losing our father, my brother only looks up to Sir Galeon. Sir Galeon's words are absolute for him."
"Being in that family, it's no surprise it turned out that way. The bad feelings and discrimination against Gem's People from Kirschtein and Edelstein aren't just special to Sir Galeon. Many people in the Kingdom feel that way to some extent."
Saying this, Ciel thinks again that not everyone is like that.
King Zeere and the mages of Saintwise.
And then──Lydia, who said she would be his friend.
The people around Lydia.
They didn't look at Ciel with hate just because he was from Gem's People.
They accepted him naturally. Being together. Eating meals, playing in the snow. Fighting together.
He wants to protect those lovely days.
So they won't be broken. So they won't be hurt.
He hopes the happiness overflowing in Lobelia Diner House continues forever.
"...I heard a strange story."
"A strange story?"
"Yeah. ...My eyes were opened by the Saint, Lady Lydia. Since that day, I've been working hard to help the Kirschtein people and the Kingdom people live together without fighting over their places. Sir Galeon and my brother don't like what I'm doing. So, ...I didn't talk to them directly, but I just heard rumors from the servants."
"So it's just a rumor, then."
"Yeah. ...In the Margrave Wisteria territory, there are more people with the White Moon disease than in other places. They say it's because of the Gem's People from Edelstein. They claim the Gem's People are cursing the people of Wisteria with a death curse."
"...That's foolish. A death curse? Unless it's a monster... Oh, I see, the Gem's People are considered monsters, so they can use that kind of magic."
"That's what they think. Of course, I don't believe that. The White Moon disease is just one of those illnesses we don't understand. It's not a curse from someone. But, Sir Galeon and Clifford are close to Edelstein and seem to be planning an attack. They're getting ready for war."
"...Did Sir Zeere allow that?"
"His Majesty is sick. His Highness Stefan is rumored to be controlled by a monster. Sir Galeon thinks His Highness Stefan is useless and foolish... So, he probably plans to send out the army without asking the royal family. The Margrave Wisteria family is allowed to do that."
That's true.
A Margrave is in charge of protecting the border.
If they had to get the king's permission every time they needed to send out the army, they wouldn't make it in time during an emergency.
The Margrave can send out the army based on their own judgment.
"Are they planning to destroy Edelstein?"
"If Edelstein falls, the next target will be Kirschtein. Even if Edelstein falls, if they realize the White Moon disease won't go away, they'll start saying the Kirschtein people are the ones cursing them."
"...Why are you telling me this?"
"You are the heir of Wisteria. Even if you give up your name, your position won't change. Plus, you have the blood of the Gem's People in you. Father was said to be a child of the royal family of the Gem's People. ...You have ties to both Wisteria and Edelstein."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Think about that yourself, Ciel. I can't do anything anyway. I don't have an army strong enough to go against Wisteria, and I can't involve the Kirschtein people. Your friends probably have many who can help. I'm not in a position to ask Duke Girard, Leonsroar, or the saint for anything."
"...I understand."
He realized that he didn't want to put Lydia or their friends in harm's way because of his family's conflicts.
His feelings had evolved from living righteously, as his mother had taught him, to not wanting to make Lydia unhappy.
As Ciel reflected on this, a memory surfaced. During his visit to Edelstein, he had learned about his father, Safiro, being the king of the Gem's People, who was considered a traitor for putting them in danger.
"Thanks for telling me, Wilshark. ...Sir Galeon and Clifford probably won't listen to me. ...I don't think there's a connection between the White Moon disease and Gem's People, but I'll go to Edelstein and try talking to Gem's People."
"You might be able to talk to Gem's People. They're scared of people. They keep quiet around everyone, but since you have royal blood..."
"I don't expect much. I don't want to spill unnecessary blood either."
Lydia hates fighting.
She wants everyone to have peaceful days. Eating, talking, shopping together.
Just the same boring days are fine. No need for anything special.
That's what makes her happy.
Lydia smiles when she says this. She knows well what it means to be content.
Having known loneliness and hunger, she probably thinks that's enough.
He doesn't want to cloud her eyes with sadness.
Suddenly, Ciel realized that his reason for living had changed from his mother's words of "live rightly" to "I don't want to make Lydia sad."
It felt strangely ticklish. This might be what they call love.
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