Chapter 68

Chapter 68

***

When the end approaches, one is bound to look back. Ruminating on the footsteps of the past one by one.

Doing so, things not known at that time are felt anew, being embarrassed for no reason at insufficient points, and smiling at proud events.

Arno, Sandy, Bori-bori and friends, enemies met in Griffinswalt, senior adventurers, other clan people, Nameless, Ehrenberg 5, and War.

Sending many days and nights, and saying goodbye to spring and summer, autumn, harsh winter, and snow and rain and sadness and joy passed by like wind.

But it wasn't that they just passed by like wind blindly. That moment at that time doesn't return, but it was clear it passed leaving something in the heart.

If there was a place with a hole somewhere in the heart, it seemed filled little by little with them. To Rickart, the Academy was a precious place, and memory.

Before one knew, the wind carried autumn. Neither hot, nor cold, leaves fell one by one, and grass in the field ripened yellow.

Rickart finished the writing work of 'Basics of Swordsmanship'. Now it felt there was nothing to subtract, nothing to add.

By the way, looking at Bori-bori's book next to him, it was too different from the book he wrote. First, in terms of quantity, there was a stark difference.

Bori-bori's book thickness was tremendous, and interpreted versions became three books thicker than that.

On the other hand, the book he wrote was very thin, about 40 pages. Of course, the interpreted version was quite thick, but as expected it wasn't something to compare to the book Bori-bori wrote.

Rickart looked at the book piled heavily quietly and said.

"Is writing that much helpful? Language is, the longer it gets, the more it deviates from the essence."

"That sound again? We decided to respect each other. I just want the person reading to feel easy. Moreover, I am still insufficient, so I intend to correct little by little if opportunity comes in future."

Bori-bori's book name changed from Bori Swordsmanship to 'Standard of Swordsmanship'.

It was a book excluding his own unique swordsmanship and informing really basic things in detail. While doing so, it was a format stepping up phases little by little developing into higher level things gradually.

Rickart was uncomfortable inwardly watching that, not for other reason but because Bori-bori's method seemed correct.

Even so, writing that much was annoying, and he didn't think his thought was wrong again, so just uncomfortable.

It wasn't that he didn't worry sufficiently because amount is small, and not that working time was short.

"Anyway, Marie says she won't come today either?"

Bori-bori didn't care Rickart grumbling once in a while, and asked writing words in the book.

"Heard went to city from morning?"

Rickart answered resting chin on hand looking out window. Autumn field being dyed yellow looked lonely for some reason.

"Isn't she painful because we leave?"

Bori-bori knew Marie avoided Rickart consciously recently. Self and Rickart are graduation soon, but Marie remained 1 year more. Although difficult to guess accurately how that mind is, thought she would be restless anyhow.

"Seems not only that."

"What?"

"Don't want to ask daringly what she wants to hide. Eventually I also don't know what that is."

"Mm...... Ricky is your mind unchanging? Marie is super pretty."

"Pretty and that are different."

"What is that?"

"Don't know."

Rickart didn't say. Just as students all consider as idol and existing looking up, seemed to have things existing hate to say.

Maybe the one having big wound more than anyone might be Rickart himself. Rickart just lived holding it.

"Not seeing face even until graduating? I want to say hello a bit. Shame."

Bori-bori just had mind hoping Clan people all get along well. Like when mediating the two when Rickart and Marie's relationship was awkward someday.

But Bori-bori also as aging, and growing, thought thing called person's mind is truly complicated and difficult.

If listening quietly Rickart and Bori-bori's conversation also wasn't just childish like past.

By the way, whether trying to change topic Rickart spoke abruptly.

"Anyhow have to hide original."

"Eng? Why? Wrote with effort?"

"Anyway wrote with Ancient Characters so who recognizes. Like treasure hunt, just."

"Shy?"

"This!"

Rickart took posture as if trying to knuckle Bori-bori laughing. Bori-bori also shrank body laughing.

As sticking together became quite long, Bori-bori noticed Rickart's mind wanting to hide quickly.

Anyway Rickart hid the original 'Basics of Swordsmanship' finally completed somewhere in the Defense Tower. Scraping gap of brick with dagger digging out soil, pulled out brick placed behind that and filled brick again.

Though wanting to happen what doing is this having written with effort, 'Originally intended to kill time', saying so Rickart convinced himself.

Interpreted version was placed laying down on bookshelf behind writing lecture room on 2nd floor. Original use was stacking scroll documents rather than bookshelf. Because this place was fortress in old days.

Since printing didn't develop era book had to be made person writing one by one, so Rickart's book filled bookshelf for first time.

Placing book and looking blankly, finally fact that work to do in Academy ended all touched skin.

Something bittersweet mind occurred. Emotion feeling expectation of future and regretful mind simultaneously.

So Rickart packed luggage with Bori-bori, and waited only day leaving staying in Academy.

Meanwhile spent time playing pranks with kids or looking after swordsmanship kind.

Then was one day.

"Rock Paper Scissors! Next!"

"Wa!"

Rickart shouted. Scissors and Paper, Rickart won, and Rickart shouted next as if natural laughing.

By the way it seemed not simple Rock Paper Scissors, students were swarming noisily around Rickart. Because it was currently 56th consecutive win.

"Won again!"

"How is this possible?"

Students while amazed enjoyed very much.

By the way Bori-bori looking down blankly from 2nd floor bed said one word.

"Isn't that foul?"

"What?"

"Meaning doing looking all. Seem have to do closing eyes."

Bori-bori knew Rickart noticed opponent's minute hand movement quickly and played only winning one.

"Wouldn't it be not particularly foul?"

"Wouldn't it be fairer if doing closing eyes?"

"What, Ricky did looking all?"

"Ei, not fun. Cheap."

At Bori-bori's intervention many students left seat as if spoil sport.

Even if doing looking being able to do so is truly great, but students had no interest in that particularly. Because Rickart's ability is fact already known well, so meaning disappeared in consecutive win.

Rickart becoming swindler suddenly was unfair, but just laughed.

However how bored to do such thing. Rickart climbed on bed and lying next to Bori-bori who was reading Ancient Book obtained from somewhere asked.

"Reading what?"

"Chanson de Geste of Dragon Slayer Ilya."

"Isn't that content known all?"

Dragon Slayer Ilya was story regarding Hero spread widely in world from Ancient Times before Empire. Legend of such kind not clear if existed.

"But if seeing with book different again. Content not known exists too."

"What content not known exists?"

"Ilya was born in poor peasant family, but said was cripple from birth until thirty years old. By the way one day family treated pilgrim and he went giving oil, Ilya drank that and stood up abruptly and tremendous energy occurred said. After that swore to become warrior for God, and left for adventure. Story after Ricky you also will know. Story defeating Giant, killing Witch, catching Dragon."

"Was typical propagation purpose tale. I didn't know such content existed in front part."

"Maybe. But do you know? Here Ilya's hometown born and place died are written. Later if opportunity comes might go visit. Receiving energy."

Rickart smirked. Thought Bori-bori still had naive corner. Still kid, kid.

Anyway Rickart disturbed Bori-bori reading book playing prank, did useless joke eating.

While doing so for a good while one student called from outside.

"Ricky."

"Uh?"

"Adventurer looking for you and Bori came? Said pack luggage and come out."

Rickart and Bori-bori had thought that thing to come came, at the same time.

Folded uniform nicely on bed to pass down, and packing equipment and luggage went out. By the way surprisingly adventurer visited was no other than Delphi.

"Uh?"

"Surprised?"

"Branch?"

"Now hired clerk a bit too. Building management is easy side."

Fortunate hearing that, and Rickart and Bori-bori just laughter came out. Because friend visiting from far alone was happy event. From bittersweet mind, regretful part seemed to go away a bit much.

Walking inner courtyard with light steps, from behind Carlich called urgently and ran coming.

"Ricky! Ricky!"

Looking back wondering what, one document was held in his hand.

"Ricky take this."

"What is it, this?"

"Diploma. I made. After Ricky if graduating intend to give one sheet each. Something meaning exists. In meaning consider proud being from Beringen origin."

Rickart looking at document no content existed particular. Literally just written graduating Beringen Academy. Though decorated coating gold leaf in own way, something much crude.

"Mine doesn't exist?"

Bori-bori asked.

"Unfortunately Ricky is first."

"If I am second mine also has to exist."

"Let's consider that you graduated first."

"......?"

Absurd but wasn't that important. Not document having certain effect also. Now.

Rickart rolling document smiling stealthily. Tying with string and packing in bag said.

"Stay well."

"Ricky also must not forget us."

"Can't forget even dying. Going."

Rickart said goodbye laughing. Carlich didn't follow, and just stood blankly and watched. Other students also watched Rickart leaving standing at window or far away.

By the way Delphi went to female dormitory side, and asked female student passing near there. Probably seemed trying to say hello to Marie while leaving.

"Marie inside?"

"Yes? Ah, not present. Went to city this morning but not returned yet."

"Is it so? Okay, knew."

Rickart watching from behind also was mind complex in many ways. Since same Clan affiliation will be able to see again someday right? Or not? Don't know. Depending on how organizing mind might not see forever. Since love is such thing.

Regretful mind in leaving Academy became less, but now again regretful mind seemed to become thick.

Passed castle gate and went down cliff stairs. Now railing existed so even if stepping wrong foot no event falling below cliff.

As coming down cliff all, yellowly being dyed autumn field spread in front of eyes. On roadside exceptionally purple gentian flowers bloomed much.

Wind is cool, sometimes felt chilly too. Three people walked along road.

Then, discovered a girl standing on road showing back. Held sword in one hand. Was Marie. Meeting lonely autumn wind, her bright blond hair fluttered.

"Marie."

Delphi called. Then Marie didn't surprise and turned back slowly. And said.

"Can you let speak with Ricky for a moment, only two?"

Delphi and Bori-bori knowing how relation between two is, didn't ask reason. Passed Marie walking first, and watched two from far.

Rickart carrying sword on one shoulder, stood facing her keeping distance.

"Can see again, Marie. Don't be too painful."

"No. Not such thing. As have thing to inform you."

"......"

"My name is Martelia. Thirty-second daughter of Emperor Claudius."

"......I see. I am Rickart. 3rd son of Stormhearts Kaldebern Family. Wasn't intending to deceive."

"Me too."

"Was that weighing on mind? That you and I have status difference."

"No."

"Then?"

"I have to beat you, or seduce you marrying to obtain real freedom finally. If not have to live as puppet of Imperial Family until dying. But I like you. How should do?"

Marie didn't want to inform her secret to anyone in the world. Among them to Rickart only wanted not to inform absolutely. Even so, told to Rickart only.

This was practically same as declaration of surrender to her, and meant became completely defenseless and vulnerable. Heart trembled. At Rickart's one word, Marie no different from life and death problem hung.

But answer was despair itself.

"......Sorry."

Then Marie heart sank with thud. But wasn't that didn't think such situation. So, did work to do after that.

Marie pulled out Famous Sword Ricky.

"I also sorry. Being selfish. Pull out sword, Ricky."

Rickart looking at Marie's blue pupils quietly said.

"Will regret."

"Even if regret helpless."

"Okay......"

Rickart put down bag, and pulled out sword carried on shoulder. And catching posture confronted.

Delphi and Bori-bori didn't stop and just watched from far quietly.

By the way somehow, thought that one of two would die occurred. How should do. Bori-bori closed eyes, and Delphi only watched calmly.

Autumn wind blew. Grass in field being swept Swaaa, doing sound was heard.

By the way at certain moment, Rickart put killing intent in eyes. Then Marie bounced out reflexively. Like, jumping in to die.

But Rickart's sword wasn't swung. Was only staying still opening eyes. Marie's sword stopped at Rickart's arm. She couldn't cut in the end. Sword tip trembled recklessly.

By the way Rickart wasn't end there. Suddenly grabbing Marie's sword with bare hand, brought sword tip to own heart.

"Not there. Here."

And tried to stab own heart giving strength. Then Marie surprised tried to pull out sword, but Rickart grabbing blade tightly didn't let go. Blood flowed from hand. In that midst sword tip dug into coat, and became closer to heart gradually.

Marie didn't know how to do as composure collapsed completely momentarily. If pulling out sword raising mana Rickart's finger seemed to be cut, and if being dragged so Rickart seemed to stab own heart really.

In the midst of doing so Rickart's hazel color pupils had not one point of shaking, and was calm to extent cruel.

Marie looked alternately own sword and Rickart with expression almost crying. Boy said such words to self someday. Can die for you. That wasn't lie absolutely.

Finally Marie begged.

"St, stop. Please stop. Beg you."

Then, Rickart released sword only then. Blood flowed from hand drop drop. Marie strength released in body all sat down flopping. Gaze was looking at ground in daze.

As if putting flower gently on her head Rickart said.

"Said will regret......"

And put sword in sheath again, and packing luggage passed her. Wonder if heartless, but this was best.

Bori-bori approached hurriedly holding Rickart's hand did first aid. Wasn't severe wound.

Rather now worried Marie more than Rickart's wound. However couldn't approach.

Marie was sitting down like stone statue. Rickart also heart was torn but now was time to leave. So walked not looking back.

Lonely autumn wind blowing in field was like wave sound.

Chapter 13 - Graduation. End.