Part 2

When he entered the courtyard with Crusch who had donned an overcoat, he found that there was already someone there.

Looking up into the skies, gazing at the snow falling from the faint clouds was an old man whose entire being was clad in heroic spirit, the sight of whom caused Ferris’ eyes to widen, “Huh”

“Old man Wil, why are mew out in the courtyard?”

“Mm, it’s you, Ferris… And also, Crusch-sama.”

Reacting to his call, the old man ― Wilhelm turned around and bowed to them as they approached. In response, Crusch who had linked her arm with Ferris’ nodded solemnly.

“It would seem the two of you have come to see the snow as well.”

“That is correct. From the way you put it, it would appear that you too have come here for the same purpose.”

“Yes. In this kingdom, it is very unusual to see snow in this season. The skies do not seem to have undergone any significant change so I would not say it is anything to worry about, but it also wouldn’t do to act after something has already happened.”

“Nyaow, don’t go saying such boorish things. I had such a great mood going too, coming out here with Crusch-sama so we could watch the snow, just the two of us.”

Ferris pouted as he complained about Wilhem’s response. Ferris’ dissatisfied gaze caused Wilhelm to force a smile as he offered a slight bow, “My apologies.”

“If that is all, let us leave it at that. I do not wish to be a bother to the two of you, thus I shall return to my quarters and await further instructions…”

“Wait, Wilhelm. Your words did not contain any lies, but… I can see that you haven’t told us everything.”

“――”

“Let me warn you, it would be useless to feign ignorance. I possess the divine protection of wind reading. According to this divine protection, there’s definitely a certain something behind that attitude of yours.”

As Wilhelm moved to excuse himself, Crusch detained him and pointed to her eyes.

―The divine protection of wind reading was a special ability Crusch possessed, one that truly deserved to be called a heavenly blessing. By reading the natural flow of wind, the user could even comprehend others’ emotional states, a divine protection granted only to a special few.

Simply put, lies would not work on Crusch.

Wilhelm’s expression changed to one of hesitation when Crusch called him out with her powers of observation. Seeing this unusual reaction, Ferris mischievously narrowed his yellow eyes.

“Hmmm? Gosh, Wil, trying to keep secrets from Crusch? Don’t you think it’s shameful to have that sort of attitude towards your master to whom you offered your sword and pledged your loyalty?”

“Mm, that is…”

“Or are you perhaps scheming something you can’t tell us about? Oh no, Crusch-sama, Ferri-chan’s scared… Uyan.”

“Good grief. Do not tease Wilhelm so much. I understand your true intentions, but it would be asinine to create unnecessary misunderstandings with that sort of behavior.”

Crusch poked Ferris’ cheek, surprising him, and then offered him a faint smile. And with Ferris still grasping her arm, she turned to Wilhelm and gave a brief apology, “Excuse us.”

“It can be difficult to understand, but Ferris does not bear you any ill will. I hope you have not taken offense at his words.”

“Aah, not at all. I believe his grievance was only natural. You need not be concerned, I do not believe I would misunderstand his true intent either way.”

“I see, that is good then. Now then, what of your ulterior motive?”

“… I am simply no match for you, Crusch-sama.”

Saying this, Wilhelm shook his head with a slight smile. The old man then narrowed his blue eyes and looked up at the snow falling overhead.

“Under the guise of caution towards an unusual event, I was indulging in reverie. The sight of snow brings to mind a conversation I once had with my wife.”

“… Seems to me like just about everything reminds you of your wife, old man. There’s nothing new about that.”

“It is rather embarrassing that I have no response to that.”

With his eyes still on the snow, Wilhelm simply accepted Ferris’s statement without attempting to deny it.

Flashing through those blue eyes of his were deep love for his dead wife ― Theresia Van Astrea, and nostalgia for those bygone days.

― His feelings towards his dead wife were a major factor in Wilhelm’s decision to become the royal selection candidate Crusch’s vassal.

Fourteen years ago, the kingdom carried out the ‘Great Conquest’ in order to subjugate one of the Three Great Witchbeasts, the White Whale. Back then, Wilhem’s wife, Theresia, was one of the people recruited for this mission, and she ultimately died a heroic death in battle when the kingdom’s forces were defeated.

Ever since that day, Wilhelm had continued to chase after the White Whale in order to avenge his wife. Crusch had promised to help him fulfill this most cherished desire of his, and thus made the ‘Sword Demon’ her vassal.

Understanding how dangerous the path would be, Crusch chose to answer this old man’s wish.

“But it kind of sucks to always hear your love stories about your wife whenever something happens.”

“My apologies. My life only truly began when I met my wife. No matter where I look or what I feel, memories of my wife well up on their own.”

Ferris puffed his cheeks, and in response to his dissatisfaction, Wilhelm lowered his eyes and stared at the cat-eared knight head-on as he continued, “That is,”

“Something you understand yourself, surely?”

“―, Wil, you coward.”

Having a precious feeling in his slender chest touched upon, Ferris spoke resentfully.

Wilhelm had declared that his life only began the moment he met his wife. And that Ferris himself should be able to understand that feeling well.

Ferris’ ― Felix Argyle’s life began when he met Crusch Karsten. Imprisoned by his real parents, Ferris meaninglessly lived on in a half-dead state until she brought him to the outside.

Was it not natural to vow to offer such a person everything they wanted?

“Get a hold of yourselves, you two. We do not know how long this snow will last. Enjoy it while you can.”

“Yeees, Crusch-sama. Ferri-chan’s just gonna toss this Wil stuff out and forget all about it!”

Crusch stopped her servants’ trivial quarrel, and when she did so Ferris raised his hand and hurled some more abuses. Wilhelm smiled bitterly at this, and Crusch continued, “Well then,”

“Might I ask what sort of memory with your wife you were looking back on as you gazed at the snow?”

“Yes, of course. I find it rather delightful that you would wish to learn about my wife.”

As Wilhelm smiled broadly, Crusch faced him with a gallant expression. As he watched this from the side, Ferris couldn’t suppress the bit of envy that welled up within him.

It might have looked as though Crusch was simply saying this sort of thing to show her consideration and magnanimity towards her servants, but that was not the case, she proposed this because she was genuinely very interested. It was not because she had an interest in others’ love affairs as was commonly said, the reason was a lot simpler.

It was because Crusch was a swordswoman who admired the Sword Demon Wilhelm Van Astrea.

Setting Crusch’s true feelings aside, Wilhelm whom she had asked to tell her about his memories nodded a few times and then quietly turned toward the end of the courtyard.

In his line of sight were some shrubbery being covered in bits of snow, and a small flower garden.

“My wife was a woman who liked to admire flowers. Regardless of what kind of flower it was, she would say they each had their own good points so she did not choose any one type to admire. But even so, she did have some flowers that she was particularly attached to. For instance, the yellow flower Diana which can spread its roots in any environment.”

“You occasionally see them in the capital too. What was it that she liked about them?”

“My wife once planted the seeds of this flower in an area of the capital that was still under construction, and it was there that we first met.”

“I shouldn’t have asked…”

Ferris had intended to collect himself, but pouted when he ended up poking at the core of Wilhelm’s love story.

“I have a number of other stories relating to flowers, but there is one among them connected to snow. Back then, my wife would say that there was a special flower that would only bloom on snowy days.”

“A flower that only blooms on snowy days, is it.”

Wilhelm’s words caused Crusch to quietly look at Ferris. In response to her questioning amber eyes, Ferris thought for a bit but ultimately shook his head.

Unfortunately, Ferris did not know of any flower fitting that description. However, supposing that such a flower really existed,

“That is definitely something I would like to see at least once.”

“My wife would often say that whenever there was snowfall. Back then, I was a terribly simple man and the blood flow to my head was lacking. I cannot say that I have improved in this regard even now, but I was even worse back then. Whenever there was snowfall, I would get my friends and secretly head out to search for that flower, trying hard to find it as I hoped to surprise my wife.”

“Heeh, how unexpected. You have friends, Wil?”

“― At this point, it might be more accurate to say I had friends. In their eyes, my present self would probably seem to be much more of a fool than the simple fellow I was back then.”

He slowly shook his head, his tone somehow seeming unshakeable as he spoke. In response, Ferris shut his mouth, aware that he said something he shouldn’t have.

Thus, an awkward silence fell over the courtyard. ― And then,

“Raise your head, Wilhelm. Have you forgotten the words you said when you swore loyalty to me?”

Crusch spoke firmly, she would not tolerate this sort of silence from Wilhelm.

Maintaining her dignified stance, Crusch stood right in front of Wilhelm’s eyes,

“I am aware that you have sacrificed many things to get here. It cannot be helped that you have some lingering attachment to those things. However, that is not something you must regret.”

“――”

“Regret is something that always seeps into you regardless of what choice you make, like stagnant dregs. I am no exception, nor are you, nor is anyone in this world. These dregs cannot be avoided, but they only produce hesitation when you look beyond the results of your choices. Therefore, I shall firmly declare this right now:”

Pausing for a moment, Crusch took some time to select her next words,

“―Today is not a day for crying and mourning.”

“――”

Ferris wondered if anyone beside him had noticed the fleeting emotion that filled Crusch’s words.

For an instant, Ferris’ heart was torn apart by Crusch’s strong words, and he felt a sadness so powerful it could rend his soul itself.

The throbbing of the powerful conviction that pushed her spirit to such noble heights ― Just who besides Ferris knew that the source was none other than the dregs known as ‘regret’ that Crusch herself felt.

“Not today, is it. ― Aah, seriously, at this age I even have to be taught how pathetic I am.”

Suddenly, having reflected on Crusch’s words, Wilhelm hung his head deeply. The old swordsman then faced Crusch once more and nodded with a face that suggested he was no longer tormented by his troubles.

“It is just as you said, Crusch-sama. I lack the qualifications to even stand here. And despite that, I am still here. ― Therefore, today is not a day for regret.”

“Correct… Although I do feel that it was Ferris and myself who left you hanging.”

“C-Crusch-sama… Ferri-chan was intentionally staying quiet about that too…”

The serious atmosphere that had enveloped the courtyard was dispelled by those few words from Crusch. Sensing this, Ferris dropped his shoulders at his master’s overly honest nature.

And thus, intentionally acting like he normally did, he buried the earlier impact deep in his heart.

Watching their exchange, Wilhelm smiled gently,

“Once I avenge my wife, I could search for the elusive snow flower she dreamed of. I am able to think this way thanks to you and Ferris.― I thank you.”

And so, in that courtyard’s gentle snowfall, the Sword Demon discovered yet another way to offer his wife his love.

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