225. Late summer turns to fall (1)
#225
Phileon Academy was lush with greenery in late summer. Cicada’s song probably the last performance of the year was echoing throughout the sky.
Faculty members on duty and some students who returned early were going in and out of the school gate. Iril who was looking at the scenery through the window muttered to himself.
She said “School is starting soon.”
Iril was humming her tune and changing the flowers in her vase. I never get tired of seeing bright yellow daffodils.
She suddenly remembered what happened three years ago and smiled softly when she received a gift for the first time from her always prickly younger brother.
She said ‘It was a daffodil back then too.’
The daffodil Ronan held out shyly was more beautiful than any flower Iril had ever seen. Looking back it was that very day that her younger brother decided to go to Phileon Academy. I was so proud that I cried.
“…I hope you come quickly.”
“I already received a call yesterday. “They said it would arrive today or tomorrow.”
“Oh really?”
At that time a low calm voice came from behind. Iril’s eyes widened as she turned her head.
Two hours had passed since she started cleaning and Schlieffen had not yet stopped mopping her.
“Mr. Schlieffen you don’t have to work so hard. “I’m doing it!”
“You can’t do that. Doing your best in everything is the family motto of the Grancia family. Moreover if you breathe in a lot of dust you may develop lung disease so you have to be as thorough as possible.”
“Oh my.”
Despite Iril’s dissuasion Schlieffen was stubborn. The sight of her next swordsman wearing a hood and moping has now become a daily occurrence.
‘You’ve grown a lot.’
Schlieffen who had looked young when she first saw him now looked like a full-fledged young man. His height had grown significantly and veins were bulging on his arms as he rolled up her sleeves. Iril who was quietly looking at him clapped his hands.
“that’s right. Mr. Schlieffen you were the same age as our Ronan right? “Is it next year that you graduate from the academy?”
“exactly. “Why are you doing that?”
“Hehehe I’m just curious. “I’ll prepare lunch soon so let’s eat together!”
Iril left those words behind and headed downstairs. With her lively pace she suddenly turned in front of her kitchen and entered her room.
Her room decorated to match her Iril’s sweet and fresh image had never had a single guest in her life including her Ronan. She slowly walked to the front of her bed and fell down on her floor. Then he put her arm under her bed.
“Uuuuuu…!”
It wasn’t easy. As she stretched her hand to her limit something grabbed hold of her. It was a small box just big enough to fit in the palm of her hand.
“Whew maybe I should have put it somewhere else.”
After dusting off her exterior Iril opened her box. Inside was a mechanical device that looked similar to her compass. It was a blood needle a magical tool that points in the direction of the person you wish to record when it is dipped in the blood of the person you wish to record.
The red needle was fixed towards one place. Iril who was quietly looking at the blood needle muttered quietly.
“…not much time left.”
She closed her box again. Then she pushed it back in so deep that it was out of her reach.
Iril who tapped her face as if to control her will raised her body. Suddenly a familiar voice was heard from the front door.
“Sister I’m here. “Senior as well.”
“Oh Ronan!”
Iril’s expression brightened. She opened her door and ran out hugging Ronan who was standing in her doorway. It was a reunion after two months. She said hello as Adeshan who was behind her covered his face.
“Oh hello. Mr. Iril.”
“It’s been a while Adeshan! Why is her face covered?”
“It’s a bit messy since it just came back. “I couldn’t even wash properly…”
She was right. The two people exhausted from the long journey were looking shabby and could not honestly be called clean. But Iril didn’t care at all.
“What does that matter! “I missed you all so much!”
“me too.”
Ronan answered briefly. She raised her gaze and smiled brightly.
her younger brother. My one and only younger brother in the world.
****
“This is it. After all my sister’s cooking is the best.”
“Ehehe I’m glad. “Eat a lot.”
“Okay then just one more bowl.”
Ronan scooped her potato stew into her own bowl. This was already my fourth bowl.
It was surprising that it was so addictive even though it didn’t contain any special ingredients. she said pointing to Schlieffen as he sat across from her.
“okay. “That weasel guy didn’t do anything strange right?”
“yes? “Is this something strange?”
“There is something like that. “Something like asking if I can use the bathroom because I suddenly need to wash up… or asking me to help him exercise with his top off…”
“Sigh.”
She gasped as Schlieffen lifted her head. Fortunately she wasn’t putting any food in her mouth so it ended with some spitting. He wiped his mouth with her handkerchief and clicked his tongue.
“That’s vulgar. “This is an absurd speculation.”
“Then I’m glad. “What I’m saying is follow the standard procedures and not use shady tricks.”
Ronan and Adeshan headed home as soon as they returned to the Islands. It happened to be lunch time so we were able to eat together.
Four people were sitting at a long table facing each other. Iril stretched out his upper body and gently stroked Adeshan’s head.
“Adeshan also eats a lot. “It’s not messy at all so don’t worry!”
“Thank you. “I will eat well.”
Ade Shan nodded his head. Even though she knew that Ronan and her were biological siblings she couldn’t help but feel intimidated when she stood in front of Iril.
Even if you searched not only the empire but the entire continent you would not find such a beautiful person. Iril who was staring at Adeshan’s face continued speaking.
“It’s not that it’s messy but it’s actually prettier right? Hehehe have you got a boyfriend?”
“That’s it…so…”
Adeshan stuttered. I had no idea if I could tell the truth about this. What if a big pumpkin like you gets angry and asks how dare you touch my little brother? Could it be that you are suddenly crying? He’s my younger brother whom I raised with love like my own child…!
Of course given Iril’s personality it seemed unlikely but he couldn’t help but be afraid. She was in the midst of great confusion. Ronan who was quietly eating her stew opened her mouth.
“That could be true. “Because you’re dating me.”
“uh?”
“Ro Ronan…!”
There was not a hint of hesitation in his calm tone of voice. Adeshan shouted urgently but the water had already spilled.
For a moment silence came to the table. Tuk. The spoon fell from Schlieffen’s hand as he was just listening. Suddenly Iril stretched her body further and grabbed her face with both hands.
“What! Really?!”
“Yes yes… that’s how it happened.”
Ade Shan nodded her head as quickly as a woodpecker. It was even prettier when I saw it up close. Iril who was looking at Ronan and her alternately let out an exclamation.
“Ouch! Oh my god it went really well. “It suits you so well!”
“i think so too.”
“When did you decide to date? Who confessed first? Did you hold her hand? “I can’t believe we’ve already kissed…!”
A barrage of questions poured in like a torrent. Every time Adeshan whimpered and answered a question Iril’s legs fluttered as if swimming.
‘It’s fun.’
Ronan who was looking at the two people laughed. I really missed this atmosphere. The past two months spent tangled up in snow and polar lights were fun in their own way but I couldn’t feel the idyllic atmosphere like I do now.
The pot was slowly becoming empty. Suddenly Ronan opened her mouth.
“Sister. “I want to ask you something.”
“huh? “What is it?”
“You said she had no memory of her father?”
“…to?”
Iril’s face froze for a split second then she relaxed. Pursing her mouth she nodded her head.
“that’s right. You left home when you were very young. what’s the matter?”
“just. “I was suddenly curious.”
Ronan shook her head from side to side. She hoped that she might be able to get some information about the savior or Abel but it seemed like an empty idea. In the first place I saw for myself in the world of images that her curse was upon her as well.
“If someone who looks like your sister comes and claims to be your father or relative you must never open the door. “Okay?”
“Huh? I will. “I’m not sure what it means but…”
Iril blinked her eyes as if she had no idea what was happening. Ronan once again emphasized that she was shutting down the door in a tone that seemed to be admonishing her daughter. This was the most dangerous time with Nebula Clazie on the defensive.
‘A wounded tiger is scary.’
We put a lot of effort into security but you never know. If the church found out about the existence of the house or the sister and staged a kidnapping it would not have been that difficult.
“I meant to tell you to be careful. “I brought you a gift from the North.”
“Oh a gift?!”
After finishing the serious talk Ronan turned the topic to a gift. In the end she had to pay more attention to herself. Soon Ronan and Adeshan left the house after finishing their meal.
“I ate well. “I’ll just carry my luggage to the senior dormitory and come back.”
“Yes come slowly! Adeshan come again!”
Iril smiled brightly and saw them off. The moment the front door opened several human images quickly scattered out of the corner of my eye. Ronan opened his mouth with his eyes focused ahead.
“How many people?”
“Twenty and three. “There are seven more a little further away.”
Adeshan answered. It was an astonishing detection ability at any time. Ronan chuckled raising one corner of his mouth.
“good. “You definitely keep your promises.”
It was a house guard that the emperor had asked for in return for his previous service. He thought they would send at most five or six people but there were thirty. Moreover looking at his movements it seemed like he had quite a bit of skill.
“Now how long until school starts?”
“Two days. “This vacation was really only in the North.”
“I see. Umm…what should I do?”
Ronan who was thinking about something fell asleep. Although the long journey had just ended he had no time to rest. Adeshan tilted his head.
“what’s the matter?”
“No I was just worried about who to go with. “The senior is the student council president and is in his senior year so he shouldn’t focus on the academy.”
“Hmm?”
The next destination was virtually decided. However because it was such an intense place I was extremely worried about when to go and who to go with.
Ronan’s worries continued until he dropped Adeshan off at the dormitory. After making sure that there was no one around he kissed his cheek and returned home. That was all he could think about until right before he went to sleep after not being able to sleep.
After what happened he devoted time to organizing the data he had collected in the North. It would have been much simpler if he had sent all of his materials but since there might be a sect’s inner circle in the imperial family it was easier to just organize them myself and report them directly. said Ronan placing his seventh report into Sita’s mouth.
“This time this. “Please.”
“Bye!”
Sita flew out her window. When a report is made this way a response is received within three hours on average. Now that I think about it he has to stop by the imperial palace at least once.
Anyway because I was so busy the two days passed by in an instant. At the school opening ceremony held in the main plaza many nostalgic faces gathered together. Marya who was shoulder to shoulder with Asher saw him and shook his hand.
“Ronan! “When did you come back?”
“Ma Marya. “Hehe I’m out of breath…!”
Fortunately the two people seemed to have returned safely. I don’t know if it was his mood but they seemed much closer than before. Ophelia Braum Erzsebet also remained in her position looking a little more mature. Not to mention Schlieffen.
“Where on earth has this kid gone?”
But there was someone else Ronan was looking for. After wandering around the campus for a while he found the blonde boy only when he entered the club’s training facility.
When I opened the door a rush of hot air mixed with ash came rushing in. Judging from the fact that all of the training scarecrows were engulfed in flames it seemed like they had been focusing on training since the first day of school. Ronan called to him.
“Hey Er.”
“Who dares treat me like that…Ronan?”
Itar Gand turned his head. The beautiful face befitting a Navardose blood relative was glistening with sweat. He made eye contact with Ronan and smiled triumphantly.
“It’s been a while. Are you here to train too? “If you don’t mind spar with me…”
“Sparring is good. If you want I can beat you to the point where you shit your pants. But before that let me ask you something.”
“what?”
Itargand shrugged his eyebrows. Ronan shook off the ash from his clothes and opened his mouth.
“Tell me how to get to the dragon city of Adren. “Preferably in a way that allows us to arrive alive.”
