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Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? (Light Novel) - Volume 9, Chapter 7: Ruth, Theia and Master
Volume 9, Chapter 7: Ruth, Theia and Master
This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml
Part 1
Thursday, February 11
After the fight had ended, Koutarou picked up Theia. They were going to leave the area before people who had heard the explosion gathered.
“Alright. Let's go, Ruth-san.”
Carrying Theia, Koutarou turned towards Ruth.
“Hm? What's wrong?”
When he did, he saw Ruth kneeling.
“Although I was unaware, please forgive me for all my impoliteness.”
Ruth bowed deeply towards Koutarou. That was what someone of lower status did towards one of higher status.
“What are you doing?”
Koutarou was puzzled by Ruth's sudden actions. She slowly raised her head and looked up at Koutarou.
Ruth-san?
Koutarou wasn't sure of what kind of expression Ruth was making.
It looked like she was crying, but it also looked like she was smiling. Her eyes were moistened by tears and her cheeks were red. And her calm eyes gazed at Koutarou, trying to tell him something.
All that Koutarou could tell was that while Ruth was crying, she wasn't sad.
“That sword... it's the real Signaltin, isn't it?”
Ruth's words didn't answer the question on Koutarou's mind. She narrowed her eyes and looked at the beautiful sword glowing of silvery white hanging on Koutarou's waist. Ruth had seen the power of that sword first hand, and she had concluded that the sword was the real Signaltin.
“Ruth-san...”
Koutarou let out a small sigh and looked down on the sword on his waist.
So it really did come to this...
Koutarou felt it was regrettable that he couldn't protect the secret, but he had been prepared that Ruth might reach that answer, so he didn't panic.
“I am from a family that has served Forthorthe for a long time. Even I can discern that this is not a replica.”
As Ruth said that, she reached out with her hand and touched Koutarou's sword. And she gently stroked it as if it was her own child.
“I thought something was strange. Why had all the armor's data been erased... If you had just been thrown out of the universe, there would have been no need to do that.”
Ruth shed tears as she continued speaking. They kept flowing and wet her cheeks.
“But, this makes sense. Satomi-sama and Clan-sama travelled to the past Forthorthe, and had came back with this sword.”
Ruth was desperately trying to suppress her own feelings. If she let her guard down even a little, her emotions would explode and she would throw herself at Koutarou. However, that wouldn't convey anything. Ruth wanted Koutarou to know what she was feeling right now. Just how thankful she was for this miracle.
“And you erased the data to keep that truth a secret. The reason was to not cause Forthorthe any needless confusion.”
Ruth looked back up at Koutarou. Her glance was filled with trust and love.
“All of that leads to a single answer.”
Ruth was in bliss, to the point where she couldn't express it with words. The future that she could never obtain was now right in front of her. Ruth felt like she would go crazy as she felt that intense, deep joy.
“And that is that you are the highest ranking knight of Forthorthe, the Blue Knight, his excellency Reios Fatra Bertorion.”
All of the clues pointed in that direction.
The silvery white sword, the damaged armor, his relationship with Clan, his improved skill with the sword. The fragmented clues eventually led Ruth to a single solution.
And that was that Koutarou was Forthorthe's legendary hero, the Blue Knight.
“...The highest ranking?”
Those words puzzled Koutarou. Seeing Koutarou's expression change upon hearing those words, Ruth was convinced and showed a smile of true joy.
“So it... really is the truth...?”
“...Yes.”
Koutarou nodded firmly in response to Ruth's question.
“Ah... goddess of the dawn... I thank you for this miracle...”
Ruth loved Koutarou. Those feelings had surpassed her admiration for the Blue Knight for quite a while.
However, now that she knew that Koutarou and the Blue Knight were the one and the same, her admiration for the Blue Knight was added onto her feelings for Koutarou. And her feelings for him were now greater than ever.
“...Your title of Blue Knight, was affixed as the highest rank after the war by her majesty Alaia, in praise of, your loyalty.”
The tears flowing from Ruth's eyes weren't stopping and her sobbing made it hard for her to speak.
Your highness... our Blue Knight... was the real one...
Her trembling hand grasped at her throbbing chest and while her tears wet her cheeks, Ruth did her best to continue speaking. She wanted Koutarou to know just who he was.
“Ever since, 'Blue Knight' has become your personal title. There is no knight that has inherited that title since. 'Blue Knight' is the leader of the knights. It is a higher rank than my title of Guardian Knight.”
“The leader of the knights...?”
Just a moment ago Ruth had been the one confused, but now the tables had turned and Koutarou was gradually understanding the complicated position he was in.
“Yes. As long as you possess that sword and go by the title of Blue Knight, you have the most authority in Forthorthe after royalty. And not even the highest standing nobles, no, not even royalty, would have an easy time doing something to you. You're an exception amongst exception.”
There were too many exceptions Alaia had set up for the Blue Knight to count.
Not only was the Bertorion's special territory still forbidden to enter, the Blue Knight's salary was still included in the national budget even now after 2,000 years had passed.
When it came to the law, exceptions for the Blue Knight were given priority and not even the emperor could remove that right. That is what Alaia had prepared for Koutarou if he were to return to Forthorthe 2,000 years in the future for some reason.
“I see... so her majesty, Alaia did...”
“Yes. If you so feel like it, Master, you could even order me to die.”
As Ruth said that she put her hand on her chest and smiled as if she was saying she'd be willing to die on the spot.
“I won't order something like that.”
“I am aware, Master. Fufu, fufufufu.”
Ruth was well aware that Koutarou would never give such an order. But at the same time, she almost wanted him do to just that.
“By the way... what's with that master thing?”
“Master is Master. You are the most important knight, so it's only obvious I call you that.”
“I'm not all that important though.”
“Oh, but you are. What are you saying, geez...”
To Ruth this was unbearably amusing. The Blue Knight was the most famous general in Forthorthe's history. But the person in question was saying that he wasn't all that important.
“Fufu, I can't wait for her highness to wake up.”
Ruth looked at Theia, resting on Koutarou's back, and smiled through her tears.
“Once her highness learns of Satomi-sama's identity... fufufu.”
Ruth was almost dying with anticipation to see what kind of expression Theia would make when she told her about Koutarou.
“About that... Please don't tell Theia about my secret.”
“Master!? Why is that!?”
Koutarou's words came as a surprise to Ruth. To Theia this would be incredibly happy news.
“Theia's dream will be ruined.”
“That's not true! Not at all!”
“And if both the Blue Knight and Signaltin were to appear, Forthorthe would enter a state of confusion. The fewer that know about this, the better.”
“Her highness would definitely keep it a secret!”
“It's not about if she'll keep it a secret... just knowing it will influence her judgment.”
Koutarou trusted Theia and Ruth. They would without a doubt keep it a secret. However, Koutarou believed that the fact that he was the Blue Knight and that Signaltin existed would fetter Theia's decisions. So aside from having his secret revealed from unavoidable circumstances, he had no intention of revealing it on his own. Neither Koutarou nor Alaia wished for that.
“Her highness's judgment...”
Ruth understood the meaning of that as well. A big secret like that which can't be told to anyone would only be an unnecessary risk.
“I, understand...”
Ruth reluctantly decided to listen to Koutarou. Considering today's events, it would be for the best to keep the risk as low as possible. Although logic dictated that she do so, Ruth was very disappointed.
Part 2
By the time Theia woke up, her surroundings had changed into something more familiar. She was in her private room onboard the Blue Knight. And besides here was her childhood friend. It was the same scene she always witnessed when waking up.
“Ruth.”
“Good morning, your highness.”
“...What happened?”
The last thing Theia could remember was being attacked by Elexis's subordinates and resisting them. Theia asked Ruth what happened after that.
“Before your highness could be abducted, Satomi-sama repelled the enemy.”
“What about Elexis?”
“He escaped. And he didn't leave any evidence behind.”
“I see... we fell completely into his trap...”
From a brief talk, Theia had learned everything she wanted to know. This was probably thanks to the two having spent a long time together. And the discussion regarding the attack ended there.
“What about Koutarou?”
“He is safe. I believe he is eating dinner right now.”
Ruth had prepared dinner while Theia was sleeping. Koutarou's injuries hadn't been anything serious, so he should be eating dinner with everyone else around now.
“I see... that's good...”
Upon hearing that Koutarou was safe, Theia's expression brightened up.
You really did come to save me, Koutarou... and I'm glad you're okay...
Theia had complicated feelings regarding Koutarou, but that wasn't his fault. So she was happy that he had come to save her and she felt relief to hear that he was safe. In the end, Theia loved Koutarou.
“How about you confirm it with your own eyes?”
“No, that's fine...”
Theia shook her head at Ruth's suggestion. If she stayed by Koutarou's side any longer, she would most likely make a decision that would make Koutarou suffer. Theia wanted to avoid that. Since she loved Koutarou, she wanted him to be as happy as possible.
“Your highness...”
Ruth understood Theia's feelings very well. Just a while ago she had been thinking the same thing. But in the end, she chose Koutarou. Because she realized that she would hate it any other way. And now that she had learned of Koutarou's secret, she was convinced that her decision was correct. Ruth wanted to convey to that Theia somehow, she wanted her to understand that it was okay to love Koutarou.
I should tell her.... I feel sorry for her highness...
Upon thinking about it hard, Ruth decided to tell Theia. So Ruth sat down on the chair next to the bed and faced Theia.
“Your highness, there is one thing I want to tell you.”
“What now, why so formal?”
Noticing that Ruth was acting different from normal, Theia straightened herself up and turned towards Ruth. As a result, they ended up looking directly at each other.
“I am well aware of how you are feeling, your highness. And I will say this knowing that.”
Ruth looked straight into Theia's eyes and slowly spoke. Her words were overflowing with her desire to let her childhood friend be happy.
“Your highness, don't hesitate, just choose Satomi-sama. Living with him is not a sin in any way. He will surely be of help to the people of Forthorthe.”
“Ruth...”
Ruth's feelings were conveyed to Theia as well. Theia knew painfully well how Ruth must have felt saying that.
“How can you say that? I can't... find any reason behind it...”
But even then, Theia couldn't make her decision.
It was already a matter of fact that Koutarou was special to Theia and Ruth. However, could the citizens find enough value in Koutarou to accept the Mastir family's lineage dying out? That's what Theia was thinking of.
“I believe in Satomi-sama. He will surely leave behind greater achievements than even the legendary Blue Knight.”
Ruth knew that Koutarou would contribute to Forthorthe, even more than the Blue Knight. In reality, he already had. Since Koutarou was the Blue Knight himself, he had already contributed more to Forthorthe than the legends told. Koutarou was more than qualified to serve as Theia's partner. If anything, Theia might not be qualified enough for him.
However, Ruth felt like Theia's feelings towards Koutarou needed to be developed even further before she learned of the truth. If not, she would surely regret it. Based on Theia's personality, if she were to choose Koutarou by relying on him being the Blue Knight, she would regret making her decision that reliance later.
“Do you believe that Satomi-sama is inferior to the Blue Knight, your highness?”
“I don't, of course not!”
Theia intensely shook her head.
She believed that Koutarou was her greatest knight, that he surpassed even the Blue Knight. And she wanted everyone to believe that to be the truth.
“But... But you see I am an alien! Even if we were to marry a child would never be born! I can never give him a family!”
Theia suffered greatly, since she had grown up with a single parent like Koutarou, she was very well aware of how he felt towards family. And if he were to marry her he would never have a family. Theia believed that it was nothing but sinful to tie him down like that.
“I don't care if it's Kiriha or Yurika! If he doesn't marry a human from Earth he will never be happy! I won't do for him!”
Theia shouted out while crying and strongly grasping the bed sheets.
Why an alien... why couldn't you appear in front of me as a man of Forthorthe...
Theia had never begrudged being an alien as much as this. The fact that they could never become normal lovers was exceptionally painful for Theia. And that pain turned into large tears and rained down on her sheets.
“Then you only need to give him double the happiness. Happiness comes in more than one shape.”
Ruth spoke out in a gentle voice and gently removed Theia's fingers grasping on to the sheet, one by one. Once her hand was free, Ruth placed her own hand in Theia's.
“Ruth...”
Ruth's warmth and words sunk into Theia's chest.
A happiness greater than having a family... a different kind of happiness...
Theia and Ruth were not related, yet they shared a happiness. So the same should be possible between Theia and Koutarou. That was what Ruth was trying to say.
“And you believe I can do that?”
“It's not whether you can or cannot. You will do it. It is not like everyone can have a child either.”
Even in Forthorthe, infertile couples existed, who were unable to have children. There were all kinds of reasons, be it genes, injuries or the likes. But even then they chose each other, because they believed. So Theia should be able to do the same. Ruth not only believed in Koutarou, but in Theia as well.
“However... I am scared.”
Theia could understand what Ruth was saying, that was probably the truth, but there was one more thing that worried Theia.
“Just what could a princess of Forthorthe fear?”
“I am terrified of controlling the fate of one person!! This is the first I have ever been this frightened!!”
Theia's tears overflowed from her eyes and she strongly gripped Ruth's hand.
“Your highness...”
Theia's hand was shaking, Ruth squeezed on her hand to stop the trembles. But that wasn't enough to stop the shaking.
“I am terrified of seeing the sight of Koutarou regretting his decision!”
What Theia was scared of was what might happen after she took Koutarou back to Forthorthe with her. That although everything might be fine at the start, as time passed, he would come to regret coming to Forthorthe. He would probably never say he regretted it, but what about how he truly felt? That's what frightened Theia.
“I don't want him feeling lonely and looking up into the starry sky, searching for Earth! I alone will surely not be enough to save him from that solitude...”
The thought of Koutarou searching for Earth in the stars, something he would never find, floated into Theia's mind. She did so herself; if she looked up at the stars, she would inadvertently look for Forthorthe. Theia had come here of her own will, so that was fine. But what about Koutarou? And if that turned into a reality, what would she do? Theia herself couldn't think of anything to help.
“Then let us search for a way together, you and me, your highness.”
“Ruth!?”
That was where Ruth suggested the unthinkable, leaving Theia at a loss for words.
“If your highness alone can't save him from his solitude on your own, then the two of us might be able to.”
“The two of us...”
Theia had been surprised at first, but if she was together with Ruth, it might be possible. And both Koutarou and Ruth were in Theia's ideal future. She also knew of Ruth's feelings for Koutarou. With that in mind, she began believing that the two of them supporting Koutarou together might be the correct choice.
“...Ruth, tell me one thing.”
However, Theia had a single doubt regarding Ruth's words. Noticing that, she showed her normal, challenging smile while still holding onto Ruth's hand.
Your highness...
That alone was enough for Ruth to understand that Theia had made up her mind. That Theia would walk together with Koutarou, regardless of how difficult that path may be.
“You are just planning on using me for your own happiness, aren't you? I won't be mad so just be honest.”
“Of course.”
Ruth nodded firmly. Her gesture held more meaning than just the answer to Theia's question. And the two of them poured even more strength into their hands.
“My happiness is on the other side of her highness's happiness.”
“...That's one way to put it. You're being reckless...”
Theia sounded like she was amazed, however, that was just her words. The feelings conveyed in her words held a different meaning.
“That's because you can't contain that person without being reckless.”
“...Fufufu, that's right.”
Like such, Theia was finally able to make up her mind.
I will live together with Koutarou and Ruth...
She knew that there would be hardships in the future. Since they were aliens, her uneasiness was considerable. That's why she would surpass the hardships, even if they seemed impossible to obtain a future that would hold value to many people.
“Still... so that's how it is...”
Ruth smiled.
“What is it?”
Theia tilted her head and looked at Ruth.
“I was just remembering what your highness had said a little while ago.”
“What I said?”
“Yes.”
Both Theia and Ruth's expressions were exceptionally bright. The gloomy feelings they had been carrying for these past few days had been greatly diminished.
“Just a moment ago, you said 'I am terrified of controlling the fate of one person'. I believe those are wonderful words from a royalty of Forthorthe.”
“That's true. It's thanks to my coming to Earth. The past me was so foolish.”
And their emotions that had become clearer strengthened their bond even more.
“You could just say that it's thanks to Satomi-sama.”
“...Even if I don't say it, you will. Right?”
“Fufufu, that's correct.”
After smiling at each other, Theia let go of Ruth's hand and jumped off the bed.
“Alright.”
“Your highness?”
Upon landing firmly on the carpet, Theia turned towards Ruth again and reached out her hand.
“There is something I have to do right away. Ruth, I need your help. Please lend me your strength.”
“...As you wish, my princess.”
Ruth grabbed onto Theia's hand without any hesitation.
