“I will hold this place alone. Take Arjen and retreat to Evernode!”
Quenor Stroff’s shrill voice rang out through the blizzard. Beyond the Limit, the temperature was dropping uncontrollably as the Giant approached. The swirling snow was knee-deep, and one by one, the hardy knights and soldiers of the North began to disappear in the snow.
“We can’t do that; you’ll die here too.”
“I never said I would die. Now retreat to the citadel, and prepare for a defensive battle.”
Quenor Stroff’s aura was blowing away the snow around him. Most creatures were torn to shreds at the mere touch of his weapon, and his halberd could slice through even the strongest of them. As Evernode’s soldiers fell back, only then did Quenor Stroff step forward, the howling wind not affecting him.
“Fall back. This is my domain.”
Quenor Stroff’s sword sliced through the snow again. It stepped forward. He stepped out into the depths of the blizzard, unperturbed. The night swallowed Quenor Stroff whole. The swirling blizzard quickly buried his footprints.
***
“…Damn.”
It was a nightmare. I stared blankly at the ceiling, unable to lift myself out of bed. The words of the novel lingered in my mind, not in written letters but in vivid images. It was probably due to the memory of the vision shown by the crown. It made me feel as if I were still in the snowy depths of a dream. I stirred and pulled up the covers.
“Are you awake, Elroy?”
Georg, in the next room, was already up and had apparently finished his morning walk and washed up. It was 7:30 a.m. Time had flown. I raised my upper body and leaned against the bed’s headboard.
“You’re up this early, even on vacation. How do you have the energy to get up and run in the morning like that?”
“You’re acting differently since you’re normally up before me.”
I exhaled thinly. Out of courtesy, Georg hadn’t yet drawn the window blinds. Morning sunlight peeked through the gaps, accompanied by sounds from outside.
“It’s going to be noisy today.”
“Yes. Lady Karin said she’d show you the festivities around noon, so make sure you keep track of the time so you’re not late.”
I rose from my bed and peered through the window. It wasn’t time for the festival to begin, but the people walking along the streets smiled widely and dressed in festive costumes.
“I never thought I’d experience such a peaceful event after our departure ceremony.”
Georg muttered. I thought back to my conversation with Archduke Quenor.
“We really can’t do anything during the Festival,” he said, “the knights already know of us. I doubt they will give us any work.
We tried to help, but Archduke Quenor quickly stated that we didn’t need to help with anything during the festival. No patrols, no missions, no nothing. Just a chance to enjoy the summer in Evernode with his daughter, he said.
“I’ll take a day off then.”
I don’t know if I should be happy, but we got an unexpected extra vacation at Evernode. I closed the blinds again, frowning at the sun stinging my eyes along the window sill. Lowering my head, I saw the Holy Sword on my bedside table and the necklace beneath it.
“….”
I picked up the crown but gently placed it back down. Since then, I’ve tried many times to pass its trial. I thought I would face that snowy field again, but it gave me a different test each time. Sometimes it tormented me; sometimes, it showed me horrible sights. It has tried to test me with thirst, hunger, and insomnia.
Of course, I have yet to pass that test. As the days passed by, I grew more and more impatient.
‘…How annoying.’
Nothing the Holy Sword offered as conditions for the opening of the second stage brought me any closer. I thought I would pass the crown’s trial, but I didn’t know this would be difficult. I sighed and raised myself.
“You should run a lap, too. Just to get your bearings. I can run another lap with you.”
Georg said, tossing the towel around his neck into the basket. I looked at him as if he were a bug, and he shrugged as if he didn’t know why I was looking at him that way. Then I pulled up the blinds blocking the window.
***
The most striking thing about the landscape of the summer solstice festival is the flowers. Wildflowers and home-grown flowers. Evernode was covered in them. When I took a deep breath, their scent wafted through the air, mingling with the smell of grass and wood. Flowers grew in the leaves, vines, and stems that hung from gates, roofs, signs, and windows. I sauntered through the streets, looking at the flowers.
“Wow.”
Daphne, in her white dress, exclaimed. Petals were fluttering against a cloudy sky. Spring was giving way to summer. I looked at the people strolling the street, each wearing a flower crown.
“It’s gorgeous.”
“The Capital is splendid, but it’s rare to see a festival like this.”
Georg turned his head in admiration. Marianne, too, was gazing at the flowers, her eyes slightly wide in a way that was unusual for her.
“Didn’t they have festivals like this in the Holy Land?”
Marianne shook her head at my question. Even on a day like today, she was dressed in her usual nun’s habit.
“There is one holy day we celebrate during the winter, but there is no festival like this in the summer.”
Marianne then looked at the various pots and flower beds on the sidewalk. The flowers swayed in the breeze. I smiled at Marianne, a rare sight of her so engrossed in something.
“So, what do you think?”
“…Beautiful.”
All around the village, tall poles wrapped in vines had been erected, and people were dancing in circles under them. We watched for a while and then went to the Stroff family mansion.
At the mansion’s front gate, we were greeted by Archduke Quenor. He was wearing a light, long-sleeved sweater. ‘Why did he wear that heavy cloak when we first met?’ The Archduke placed a hand on the shoulder of the Ironblood Princess, who had accompanied him to greet us.
“Be good to my daughter today, and thank you for doing me a favor.”
Stepping forward, Karin looked like the definition of the ironblood princess, minus the ironblood. Her black hair was neatly parted, and she wore a long, pleated, apricot-colored skirt and a red embroidered shirt.
“Guide the heroes well. Don’t forget to enjoy the festivities yourself.”
“Yes, Father.”
Karin stepped in front of us with a shuffling gait. Daphne was the first to step forward and reach out her hand to Karin, who stared at it, then clasped it resignedly.
“… I’m so happy.”
The corners of my mouth twitched simultaneously as Georg, and I looked at the two of them with pitying eyes. Karin, you must take good care of our Daphne today.
“Let’s go eat first. Some traditional foods can only be eaten during the festival.”
“Oh, a meal. Good, then I’ll have some of Evernode’s famous ale….”
I hit Georg in the side with my elbow. ‘The ironblood princess said she would guide us through the festival, but all you can think of is drinking.’ I ignored Georg, who was grabbing his side, and I slightly bent over and met Karin’s eyes.
“Lady Karin.”
“Just call me Karin…”
Karin said shyly, a deep blush coloring her flawless face. She strangely reminded of Daphne, her eyes looking down as she shyly made a request. ‘Hey, stop that. The guards will misunderstand.’
“So, Karin. Is there anything you’d like for lunch?”
“…Smoked salmon and…potato bread.”
‘Wait…salmon?’ Are there salmon in this world? There are cows, pigs, sheep, and chickens, and no law says there won’t be salmon. Besides, this place was based on Alaska, Norway, and Sweden. Those are the countries that produce the most delicious salmon in the world. Since it’s summer, the taste won’t be as good as those caught during the fall, but how could I resist? I nodded my head with my shining eyes. Karin’s head nodded, following the rhythm of my head.
“Let’s go eat smoked salmon.”
(… You’re in high spirits for some reason.)
Holy Sword interjected, sounding puzzled. ‘Salmon is light, righteousness, and justice. It is the food that will bring peace to all. It’s delicious grilled, it’s delicious sashimi, and it’s even more delicious smoked.’ This time, Georg and Daphne looked at me in disbelief. Even Marianne looked at me, squinting a little.
What. I said I’d have the salmon.
I grabbed Karin’s hand and headed for the alleyway with the delicious smells wafting in. Daphne’s hand was torn away from Karin’s, causing her to pout. The rest of the group followed with nervous steps.
***
Apparently, smoked salmon was one of many delicious food at the festival. The potato bread was a close contender for the best meal. When Karin said potato bread, I thought it was just bread with potatoes. It was actually made with potato starch to give it a chewy texture. I tried it by slicing the bread into dumpling-like pieces and stuffing it with veggies, herring, and salmon. The combination was ridiculously delicious.
“If only I could drink alcohol, it would be even better.”
Georg muttered between bites. He’d tried to sneak drinks into the restaurant but had been stopped by Daphne and me every time. With his stomach full, he could afford to look around more instead of begging for ale. Karin held Daphne’s hand and showed her around Evernode. Karin’s cheeks flushed as vendors recognized her and gave her free stuff.
“Do you want to buy one of those?”
As we wandered the street, Karin stopped before a stall and pointed her finger. It was a shop selling flower crowns. She looked around and saw that every passerby, young and old, wore them on their head. Karin led us to the shop and bought one for each of us.
“What do you think, Elroy?”
“…It looks great on you.”
Daphne said as she put on the crown of white flowers, which matched her light pink colored hair. Wearing a smaller one, Karin looked even further removed from ‘ironblood.’
“One for everyone.”
Daphne handed out a crown to our party. Georg was secretly excited, and when he received his, he immediately placed it on his head. Meanwhile, Marianne stared at it, then glanced at the sparkling eyes of Karin. She then took off her bandeau and put the crown on her head. It was woven with colorful flowers that matched her silver hair.
“Here, Elroy.”
I looked at the flower crown as Daphne handed it to me. Daphne motioned for me to bow, and when I did, she smiled as she placed it on my head.
“You look good, Elroy.”
I scoffed, fumbling with the petals on my head. Daphne watched me with a smile, then walked off with Karin to find the next thing to do. I stared at her back and smiled bitterly.
(What is it?)
The Holy Sword asked me. Instead of answering, I stood still and removed the crown from my head.
“It reminds me of another thing I wear on my head.”
The image of the crown woven with wildflowers overlapped with the crown of thorns sitting in its wooden box.
(Well, that doesn’t mean you can’t wear that….)
It began to speak but stopped as the flower crown was placed on it.
“So please, wear it for me instead.”
(….)
‘Should I say it fits well?’ I smiled as I looked down at the sword’s hilt where the crown was hanging. It did not open its mouth for a while, and I followed the party.
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