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Chapter 36
“Ah.”
Kanin’s expression instantly shifted, as if he had been snapped back to reality.
Ariadne watched as his face twisted briefly with pain. He usually showed so little emotion that seeing this fleeting display was strangely affecting. She quietly waited for him to speak again, wondering who could evoke such a reaction from him.
A faint sigh escaped his lips, barely noticeable.
Who could make such an emotionless man show this much feeling?
Ariadne couldn’t help but wonder. Then, almost as if nothing had happened, the shadow on Kanin’s face disappeared. With a clean, composed expression, he smiled and continued speaking.
“I cannot explain it now. I will do so after meeting with His Majesty.”
“Ah… I see.”
Although Ariadne intended to use her healing power in exchange for Kanin’s help, she found herself curious about the person he was referring to. It amazed her that someone could provoke that reaction in him.
Sensing the awkwardness, Kanin asked again.
“Is there anywhere in Illiad you would particularly like to stay?”
“Somewhere I’d like to stay…? Does Your Majesty really concern himself with such things?”
Ariadne replied jokingly, thinking him to be more considerate than she expected.
“Of course. Lady Ariadne, you will be treated as a distinguished guest of Illiad. So please, request anything you wish, and speak freely.”
Hearing this, Ariadne felt a strange emotion. She unconsciously opened her mouth, staring at him. She could do whatever she wanted.
Suddenly, she recalled what the Count had always told her.
[You must always prioritize the Saint over what you want.]
[It can’t be helped, Aria. You are her sister, after all. Be grateful—helping the Saint is an honor.]
She had thought that was right: putting aside her own desires for Ashley, living according to her needs was the proper way.
But now, Kanin asked her personally, treating her as an individual, not as “Saint Ashley’s sister.” This attention, which she had never received even from family, was unfamiliar but not unpleasant. She was both pleased and slightly uncomfortable, having never believed such attention would be allowed.
She decided to speak what she had originally intended.
“I want to live near the borderlands.”
“The borderlands…?”
Kanin asked, clearly surprised.
“Ah, since leaving Rensha, I’ve thought I’d like to go toward the border. Is that strange?”
“Is there a particular reason you want to go there?”
He asked, sounding curious and slightly concerned. Ariadne immediately understood his meaning.
“You’re asking why I would choose a region with problems, aren’t you?”
“Ah…”
Kanin knew. The borderlands still experienced minor skirmishes and the security there wasn’t the best. He added:
“Since you said you want to earn money, you must enjoy a little adventure, I suppose?”
“Haha.”
“If you treat noblemen’s ailments, you could live much more comfortably, though.”
That wasn’t wrong. But Ariadne wanted to go where people truly needed her abilities. She had grown weary of the nobles’ duality and pretenses in Rensha.
“That’s true. I’ve grown tired of living close to nobles and seeing their ways.”
“I see…”
At the same time, her mother’s words came to mind. Though she had passed, Ariadne remembered them from her childhood.
[You are a noble, and you have an obligation to return to the world what you enjoy. You mustn’t take all you have for granted. With privilege comes responsibility.]
[Responsibility?]
[Yes. Even if not grand, it would be good if you could share what you have.]
So, if she had healing powers, she wanted to find those who genuinely needed them rather than thankless emperors or nobles who couldn’t appreciate anything.
But that didn’t mean she would live only in service.
“And as far as I know, wealthy patients tend to gather on the outskirts near the border, don’t they?”
Kanin’s face brightened unusually at her words.
“You’ve done your research. I hadn’t considered that.”
If she healed them, she could amass wealth just as if treating the nobles of the capital. Kanin nodded in understanding and continued.
“Still, you will need to visit where I am periodically.”
“Excuse me?”
“This is for your safety. If I deem the area too dangerous, you must leave immediately.”
“I understand. I’m not someone who enjoys extreme danger. I don’t like risky situations either.”
“Good. I will have a place prepared for you there.”
Having said this, Kanin turned his head toward the window. The airship was approaching the nation of Illiad.
“Oh, we can start seeing Illiad now.”
Ariadne followed his gaze, naturally moving to the window. The sight before her was unlike anything she had ever seen. She could only gasp.
“My, is that really Illiad?”
The sunset, just beginning, dyed the entire capital in shades of orange. Ariadne was so captivated she couldn’t even exclaim.
“I’ve never seen buildings like this…!”
The buildings in the city center reached skyward in jagged formations. One building, reflecting the yellow-orange sunset like water, stood out. When she asked what it was, Kanin explained that its outer walls were made of glass. Ariadne marveled at the minimal, mirror-like glass used.
“It’s so beautiful.”
Purple clouds spread across the orange sunset like watercolor, and wisps of smoke and steam rose from between buildings, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The haze made the city appear as though it were floating among clouds. Yellow gas lamps lit the streets like stars, enhancing the beauty.
Ariadne pressed against the window, taking in the details, then pointed at something and asked:
“What’s that moving so fast on the ground like a snake?”
Kanin glanced at her face, then followed her finger.
“Ah, that is called a train. It’s about ten times faster than a carriage.”
“A train?”
“Yes.”
The tracks spread across the outskirts like a tangled web. Lines converged into a circular building and then spread out again. Ariadne watched the moving train with curious eyes for some time before shifting her gaze.
“Then, is that the tallest building in the center the palace?”
“Ah, yes, it is.”
That was shocking as well. Buildings she had seen in Rensha rarely exceeded two or three floors, with central domes and symmetrical layouts. Illiad’s architecture was strikingly different.
“And what is that round thing floating on top?”
The top of the palace seemed to reach the sky. A large, transparent sphere floated above it.
“It is a symbol of the palace… hmm. You could think of it as similar to the giant statues in front of Rensha’s palace, if that helps.”
Kanin tried to explain in terms she could relate to. Ariadne continued observing the city with wide-eyed wonder. Kanin noticed the city reflected in her eyes, seeing it anew through her amazement.
“How do we get to the palace from here?”
As soon as she asked, the airship began lowering altitude with a whistling sound.
The sensation of descending was strange. Her ears popped, then quickly adjusted. The ship slowed near the ground.
“We will go straight to the palace.”
“Straight there?”
The airship flew low, gliding gracefully between stone bridges and streets. It then gained speed and ascended, finally docking at the palace tower’s airship port.
Ariadne marveled at everything. The hum of machinery stopped, leaving an unusual calm.
“Let’s disembark.”
Kanin stepped out first and guided her.
“You will meet His Majesty immediately.”
“Ah.”
Hearing the word “Emperor,” Ariadne couldn’t help but feel nervous.
