Book of Memories ~ Chevalier and Licht ~
Card story
As usual, can’t guarantee 100% accuracy on this.
While taking a walk around court, I noticed that the training hall was unusually lively.
My instincts screamed that things were getting oddly heated and my curiosity made me go over to check it out—
I came across a suspicious figure hiding behind a pillar near the entrance, peering in.
Emma: Prince Licht, what are you doing here?
Licht: Shh.
With a single glance, Prince Licht gestures for me to hide.
When I obediently lined up beside him, his garnet eyes returned to the training hall.
Licht: If you’re here to watch, it’s better if you don’t get caught.
Because he might charge you an observation fee later.
(What’s happening inside…?)
Like Licht, I peeked inside.
The large space was filled with knights belonging to the foreign affairs faction.
In the center was not Nokto, Clavis, or Luke, but Prince Chevalier.
The crowd watched as Prince Chevalier swung his sword against a knight.
The heat in his eyes was so intense that even I could feel it from the outside.
Emma: I’ve had the chance to observe some of the foreign affairs faction’s training sessions…
I feel like it’s rare to see Prince Chevalier here.
Licht: Normally, this is either the head knight’s or Clavis’ job.
But on rare occasions, Chevalier will take part.
Emma: To exercise?
Licht: No, I think it’s to boost morale.
Chevalier’s the strongest knight on the battlefield, so all soldiers admire him.
In fact, knights from the foreign affairs faction often assemble here for Chevalier.
While many fear the brutal beast, his exceptional strength maintains high morale.
It’s a different kind of charisma from Leon’s.
(...I’ve never seen Licht be this talkative)
As he spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Prince Chevalier.
Emma: …Do you admire him too, Prince Licht?
Licht: …
Emma: You do, don’t you?
Licht: Stop grinning.
Emma: I’m calm.
Licht: …You could say that.
Emma: By the way, may I ask what you admire about him?
Licht: Why?
Emma: I’d like to use this as reference when choosing a king as Belle.
Licht: …
..As you can see, every one of Chevalier’s movements with his sword is calculated.
Not a single pointless movement, no hesitation, and no gaps.
His swordsmanship itself is a national treasure-level work of art.
(Certainly…Even the untrained eye can see that Prince Chevalier’s swordsmanship is beautiful)
(Rather than a technique for killing, it’s a martial art that captivates people)
Licht: Only Chevalier, or perhaps the legendary Knight of Roses in the past, can draw such refined swordsmanship.
It’s not the sort of thing that comes from hard work or anything like that.
It’s natural talent.
Emma: But aren’t you similar, Prince Licht?
Licht: …How so?
Emma: I don’t know how to explain it, but…the swordsmanship, footwork…
Look, I’ve also observed the domestic affairs faction’s training.
For some reason, I feel as if you’re making similar movements.
Licht: That’s because…
I’m imitating him.
Emma: Imitating?
Prince Licht sighed in resignation after a moment of hesitation.
Licht: I saw it by chance, a long time ago.
In the training hall at midnight, I saw Chevalier swinging his sword…
~~ Flashback ~~
Licht: …
The scene was like stepping into a world of art painted by a master artist.
Every time the blond-haired, blue-eyed young man swung his silver sword, it drew a line in the empty air.
The repeated swings drew beautiful, overlapping arcs with ease, leaving afterimages.
That was when a younger boy first learned the true meaning of “art”.
Chevalier: What do you want, shut-in?
Licht: …That was how I was a few years ago
Chevalier: You’re not that different now.
Licht: I’m…fine with swords now.
Chevalier: You seem to be avoiding people.
Licht: …
Chevalier: If you have nothing to say then get out of my way. Leave.
Licht: …No. Just let me stay for a little longer.
I’ll be quiet.
Chevalier: Your staring is annoying.
Licht: Then I’ll close my eyes too.
Chevalier: …
Licht: Hey…
Chevalier: Aren’t you supposed to stay quiet?
Licht: I just want to ask you a question.
How can I become as skilled with a sword as you, brother?
Chevalier: Don’t ask worthless questions. No one swings a sword for the sake of improvement.
Licht: Then, for what reason?
Chevalier: For a good cause.
On the battlefield, the weak die and only the strong survive.
If you can’t handle a sword, you won’t accomplish anything.
Licht: What’s your cause?
Chevalier: What a foolish question.
Licht: …To protect the country?
Chevalier: …
Licht: I see…
I never thought about that.
Chevalier: Of course you haven’t. You’re narrow-minded. This is a problem to address before skill.
Licht: …
Chevalier: If you’re also royalty then think on it.
What do you want to accomplish next, now that you can keep yourself from killing your other half.
Licht: …
Chevalier: Then we’ll continue this discussion.
~~ Flashback ends ~~
Licht: —I’ve been thinking about that ever since.
I’ve always been watching Chevalier’s sword like this.
Emma: Prince Licht…
Licht: That’s why I think the only similarity is movement.
But actually, it’s not the same at all, just an imitation…
But, yeah…That’s why they look similar in your eyes.
Those garnet eyes shrouded in darkness seemed to soften a little.
Emma: You look a little happy.
Licht: I admire him…Is that bad?
???: It seems the domestic affairs faction has plenty of free time.
Emma and Licht: ?!
Suddenly, a chilling voice rings out and we turn our heads at the same time.
At the entrance of the training hall stood Prince Chevalier with his arms folded and not even out of breath.
(We got too caught up in our conversation!)
Chevalier: You outsiders are in the way. Leave.
Licht: Come on, just a little more.
It seemed like Prince Licht became defiant, stepping out from behind the pillar and brazenly confronting Prince Chevalier.
Licht: Let her watch. Emma wants to see.
Emma: Prince Licht, too, right?
Licht: I’m escorting…
Emma: Ah, you sneak.
Chevalier: I don’t care. But if you don’t want to be kicked out—
Icy blue eyes turned to the knights standing in line, led by a red-haired knight.
Chevalier: You’ll have to go against them and win.
Licht: Easy…
Prince Licht drew his sword and headed toward the center of the training hall without a moment of hesitation.
I felt the foreign affairs faction’s knight’s enthusiasm rise.
Emma: Prince Licht’s also very popular.
Chevalier: …
Emma: …He says he admires you, Prince Chevalier.
Chevalier: What nonsense.
To think so highly of me…
Beautiful swordsmanship means you don’t hesitate to kill.
My swordsmanship is not human. If he does not want to become a beast, then stop imitating me.
(...This is what Prince Chevalier thinks)
Prince Chevalier leaned against the wall and began to watch Prince Licht swing his sword against a knight.
I stood beside him and followed his movements, which were as refined as a sword dance.
Chevalier: In that sense, I don’t believe Mime will ever catch up to me.
It’s too much of a “waste”.
Emma: That sounds like a compliment…
Chevalier: …
Emma: By the way, I heard something from a maid.
In the castle, there’s this debate about who among you, Prince Leon, and Prince Licht is the best swordsman.
Chevalier: A pointless discussion.
Emma: It’s you, isn’t it?
Chevalier: No, the one who serves the greatest cause is the strongest.
Emma: I see…
Chevalier: If that one finds a cause, he will become better than he is now.
(Prince Licht respects Prince Chevalier, but…)
(It seems as if Prince Chevalier expects a lot from Prince Licht)
Emma: Are you looking forward to that day?
When I asked that probing question, he just laughed scornfully like usual.
(Thought so…)
(I’ll let Prince Licht know first thing when he comes back)
(No doubt he’ll be really pleased)
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