Chapter 59.2

Chapter 59 – For Staying Alive

* * *

“What’s the matter, Kyrian?”

“…”

She usually ate with Kaligo, but for some reason, Kyrian was also with them today. Kaligo tilted his head.

“Oh, I told him to stay with me. My escort should be a person who is with me when I eat, go for a walk, or make potions.”

“Ah… is that so?”

Kaligo’s low laughter was heard as Ashia replied indifferently. As if he was dissatisfied with that again, Kyrian wrinkled his eyebrows. Kaligo believed that she would do just well on her own, but he didn’t expect her to take the initiative sooner than expected.

In fact, Kyrian was a person far from the normal category. Kaligo also knew it, so he was cautious as he set up the meeting between the two of them. He couldn’t ignore the probability that he would suddenly go crazy without listening to his orders. But surprisingly, Kyrian seemed to be following Ashia’s orders just well. Though it was of course mainly thanks to the Grand Duke’s orders, it can be said that it was Ashia’s ability to use it well to make good use of Kyrian.

“I am going to the capital tomorrow as soon as the sun comes up.”

“Alright.”

“I will look around the store and also visit Tero at the Imperial Palace.”

Kaligo flinched at the word ‘Imperial Palace,’ while Kyrian flinched at the name Tero, or Theros.

“You don’t have to worry. I have Sir Kyrian with me.”

“It would be best if you don’t visit him.”

“What?”

“If you must visit him, why not have Sir Theros come out himself rather than going directly to the Imperial Palace?”

“…”

He was saying it indifferently, but his words contained his wish for her not to visit Theros and not to go inside the Imperial Palace.

“Are you saying that the Imperial Palace is dangerous?”

“Because it is not a safe place.”

“Tero is there so it would be alright. In that place.” Ashia turned her head to Kyrian. When their eyes met, her eyes curved in an arc. “Sir Kyrian will also be with me. Right, Sir Kyrian?”

“…”

The knight tightened his jaw and the sound of his molars grinding against each other was heard.

“Until the sun goes down…?”

“I told you not to worry. I will be back as soon as possible.”

She could understand a little bit about Kaligo’s concerns. The image of the fragile Renna would always remain in his mind. Ashia was no different than Kaligo, as she also sees her ex-husband from his figure, but she couldn’t just hide until the criminal was caught. Because Ashia has ‘Ashia’s’ life.

They moved to the office after eating. Ashia returned with the potion she had made and placed it on the table.

“This is a new medicine.”

“I still have some left, though.”

“I made it easy to carry around. When I heard that you were going to the subjugation, I thought you won’t be able to use a fragile glass vial.”

“Ah….”

“I made it into pills and not potions. Though there is a difference to how much you should take, there is no significant difference in its efficacy.”

“…Thank you.”

“And.” Ashia took out another box, “I also made hemostatic agents and various things that are useful on the battlefield.”

“…”

“The directions on how to use them are indicated inside, so be sure to read them before using.”

“…Yes, I will.”

“Also, give this to the Knights Templar before you leave.”

“Isn’t this… a magic scroll?”

“Ven and I worked hard to make that.”

(T/N: Hemostatic agents are used to manage bleeding. Most common of them includes ferric (ferrous) sulfate and Aluminum Chloride.)

It seems like she wasn’t just making potions after spending a few days with Ventus inside the lab without showing her face, to the point that it made him feel sad.

“As you know, magic scrolls are really complicated to make and require a lot of mana. Well, is that all? It is very expensive and doesn’t last forever.”

“Yes, I know that.”

As she bragged, Kaligo’s low voice burst into laughter with an audible echo. Quietly listening to his voice, Ashia continued her words with a calm voice., “…So.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t get hurt and come back.”

“…”

“The Etous Knights Templar… and you as well.”

“…Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

She decided not to tell him that she would grant him a wish if he returned safely. It was like saying goodbye to someone who was going far away.

Ashia walked out of the office, once again telling Kaligo how to use the things. She planned to go to bed early today to move early tomorrow morning. Leaving the office, Ashia slowly walked down the hallway laid with a dark blue carpet. Sure enough, Kyrian, who had been quiet until now, opened his mouth.

“That magic. I thought it was only used to kill people, but I see it can also make good things.”

“You’re cheeky.”

“…”

She dismissed his sarcasm with an uninterested voice. Kyrian’s attack didn’t seem to work that much against Ashia. Humming, Ashia entered the office next to the Grand Duchess’ bedroom.

“Sit on the sofa.”

Kyrian walked to the sofa at Ashia’s words. She looked for something on her desk, and then found a small piece of paper, then sat down across from Kyrian. She placed the paper on top of the table and held it in front of Kyrian, then said, “Look for it if you have time. You can stop by there since we will also be going to the capital tomorrow.”

“What’s this?” Kyrian picked up the paper on the table. An address was written on the paper. “An address?”

“You can tell by looking at it. I, too, recognized you at a glance even though it has been seven years already.”

“What are you talking about…”

“…”

Kyrian’s eyes were full of doubts as he checked the address again. Ashia smiled bitterly and continued talking.

“They are survivors. It was still a small village, but it is getting bigger and growing, and life is also getting better.”

“…”

“They’d probably be happy if they know you’re still alive….”

“What kind of rubbish is that?” Crumpling the paper in his hand, Kyrian stared at Ashia with his red eyes.

“…”

“Can it make the dead come back to life?”

(T/N: I thought Kyrian would be made as a character who just made up with the person who made his family die, but I am glad to see him still having second thoughts about Ashia. It made him feel like a person who had emotions and was still grieving about the death of his loved ones, instead of just a written character in a story.)