by Terasu Senoo
“Eduard, do you know what happened to this Zaratan?”
“Parts of the legend have been lost, so it isn’t complete, but...”
With that, he launched into an old story.
The ancestors of modern-day Aurelians once lived in a land far beyond the distant seas, where the stars shined brilliantly across the sky. But one day, a disaster or some other incident drove them away from their homeland.
As they sailed across the endless seas, an old and powerful alchemist named Jasconius took it upon himself to create a single, artificial life-form.
The being was called the Zaratan.
Over many long months and years, the Zaratan grew and grew until he was as large as an island, and once their ships had deteriorated with age, the creature happily carried the lost voyagers on his back.
A city was built on the Zaratan’s shell, and over time, the Zaratan’s bones slowly developed into valuable ores, which were now called star crystal and starsteel.
Their voyage was so long that a generation came and went. Eventually, the travelers reached a new land called Ichthyes.
On that day, a group of some of the leading alchemists killed the Zaratan after all its hard work. They also killed the son—or perhaps daughter—of the late Jasconius before the child could protest. They were after the philosopher’s stone, thought to be hidden somewhere inside the Zaratan’s body.
But no matter how they dissected the great beast, the philosopher’s stone was nowhere to be found.
The conspirators who had plotted the Zaratan’s murder fled to the ends of the earth. The alchemists who remained trembled at the deeds of their former comrades, filled with regret as though they themselves had committed the terrible crimes.
They respectfully entombed Jasconius’ child deep within the body of the Zaratan. They built a deep labyrinth to protect them and to make sure no one could disturb the sleep of these two unfortunate souls ever again.
Jasconius’ youngest brother survived, married the daughter of a different leading faction not involved in the murder, and became the new chief of the Seafaring Tribe. Thus, House Aurelia was born.
“It seems the alchemists broke a certain contract when they killed the homunculus Zaratan. I still don’t know what the contract was, though.”
“It’s a... very sad story.”
“I don’t know how much of it is true. But I think the truth is hidden somewhere in the ruins. Finding it might be my duty as a descendant of Jasconius. Or something like that, anyway.”
Eduard gave a cheerful smile to pep Erika up.
“My theory is that they weren’t just entombed—I think they were deified. Maybe, just maybe, Jasconius and the Zaratan were fused together to form the cornerstone for our founding god, Brean.”
“So the Zaratan became a god...”
“I’d be able to back up that theory if I could just find an altar to Brean somewhere in the ruins. But if the labyrinth did indeed collapse, it will be years before we can conduct a real investigation.”
Erika tried comparing it to knowledge from her past life. Perhaps this case is similar to that of the scholar Sugawara no Michizane or the samurai Taira no Masakado. These two were both normal people in their respective times, but they eventually came to be revered as deities.
The Zaratan had cursed humans, despised them, yet it had been venerated as their god. Betrayed, murdered, then deified.
No wonder I resonated with him. Unreasonably betrayed, absurdly killed; why, he’s a bit like I was in my past life. And we were both victims of blunt-force trauma to boot.
Erika laughed powerlessly. Though there was quite a difference between a meteor and the crowbar that had sent her to the hospital in high school, she tentatively considered them kindred spirits.
“By the way, Erika, is that golem made of starsteel? When did you make it?”
“Golem?! What golem?!”
Erika looked down at her feet in a panic. An armored doll about the size of a largish stuffed animal quietly stared back at her.
When did it start following me? Erika endeavored not to let her befuddlement reach her face as she opened her mouth to answer.
“Y-Yes, well, yesterday I ended up invoking met on your acid golem, so I wanted to reuse its core...”
“Ahaha. Don’t worry too much about it. I can make another acid-hydrogel golem whenever I want.”
Eduard smiled broadly, giving her some peace of mind.
“You can’t imagine how relieved I am to hear that.”
“But a starsteel golem, eh? You really thought this through. It can change shape with mana to a certain extent, which should allow for natural, lifelike motions. Right?”
“Erm, right! That’s just what I was thinking!”
“Interesting stuff. Oh, and what’s this? Does it have a two-layered construction?”
“Lalalala! That’s top-secret technology! It’s still experimental!”
Erika hurriedly blocked Eduard’s view. She had intended to play it off but inadvertently had made him even more interested. Her eyes were now teary, and she was at her limit.
Just before Erika threw in the towel, Eduard took a look at the clock. “Oh, it’s already this late...”
Looks like he’s not going to pursue the matter, Erika thought as she patted her chest in relief.
“For now, I’ll go back to my workshop. I’m sure you turned it inside out, after all.”
“Erk... I, umm...”
“When you’ve calmed down, I’ll tell you about that necklace. We learned something very interesting about it. See you again soon, Erika.”
With that, Eduard walked off. Erika leaked a sigh once he was out of sight.
When she looked down again, she saw the back of the starsteel golem’s head. Of course, it wasn’t actually a golem. It was simply a certain something wearing a small suit of armor made of starsteel.
Erika struck up a conversation with the pseudo-golem.
“Why did you follow me?”
“I was perturbed.”
“By what?”
“Why did you let me live?”
“Sympathy, perhaps?”
“I detest your sympathy. You could never understand how I feel.”
“I guess not.”
A short silence passed between the girl and the beast.
After the curse-dispelling ceremony, Claus had given Erika the vial the Zaratan was sealed in. “Do whatever you want with it,” he’d said. Erika had done just that, immediately releasing the seal.
“However, I happened to hear something nice.”
“What my brother said, you mean?”
“Yes.”
Transparent tears spilled out from the black void within.
“She didn’t betray me. She was killed, too.”
“Sounds like it. Though it’s just a legend.”
“Am I...”
“Yes?”
“...Am I allowed to cry for her?” the Zaratan asked, though it was unclear whether or not it realized it was already crying.
“Of course.” Erika nodded.
While the seal was being undone, the influence of Claus’ spatial compression magic had made the Zaratan even smaller than before.
A misshapen dragon the size of a cat; that was how Erika would best describe it.
The creature had scales as black as a moonless night sky, two curling horns like a ram, and sharp, jagged fangs that came in multiple rows like a shark’s. Its toes were webbed, topped off by short and sharp claws. The scales on its back were especially thick and formed a sort of shell.
Perhaps this was how it had looked when it was still young. Its head and forearms were large, while its tail and upper arms were short. In its current form, its body proportions really were like a teddy bear’s.
One look at its scales and you would call it a fish. A look at its shell and you would think it a tortoise. It had been called the philosopher’s stone, a god, an evil spirit.
But it had never been given
a name to call itself. This creature was just a nameless monster. A lonely, little, misshapen black dragon. The only one of its kind.
Erika had worked through the night to make armor for it. The starsteel she’d used could be freely molded when it came in contact with mana. She had also applied some techniques from the process of making a golem, such as carving in markings with her athame. Although Erika could neither construct spells nor concentrate them into items, this was one of the few alchemy practices even she could pull off.
After that, she had released the Zaratan’s soul into the armor. This was firstly because she wanted to pass it off as a golem, and secondly because she wanted to contain the Zaratan’s infinitely expanding body.
“I thought your revenge was justified. Besides, I wanted to fulfill the contract you made with my ancestors.”
“Why? I nearly killed you.”
“Sympathy, really. Don’t worry, you don’t have to understand how I feel.”
The Zaratan looked up at Erika. She was looking not at him, but somewhere far in the distance. Noticing the dark shadows cast over her emerald eyes, the Zaratan fell silent for quite some time.
“My revenge is over,” it said at last.
“Are you sure?”
“I thought I killed you once. At that moment, my heart was filled with such elation that nothing that came before seemed to matter. You really do resemble her, you know. Truth be told, I didn’t really care about Aurelia. I was fine so long as I could kill her. She was special to me. So... it’s fine. She’s already gone.”
“But you really wanted to smash a meteor into her face, didn’t you?”
“I’m surprised you could tell.”
The small black dragon, over six hundred years old, gave a cheerful laugh from the depths of its armor.
“If I can, I’d still like to fulfill the contract in her place. What do you say?”
“My wish has never changed. Then and now, all I wanted was a friend... and a name.”
“Is that really enough?”
“I have yearned for that for hundreds of years now.”
“I guess you’re right.” Erika bent down, brushing her hand against the Zaratan’s claws. “Then your name shall be...”
Soon after, the brave and beautiful Hafan siblings returned with roses in tow. A gentle breeze blew across the Spring Palace, which was in full bloom.
And just like that, the curtain lowered on the first adventure of Erika Aurelia.
☆
To Tír na nÓg—
My dear friend, won’t you come with me? Far, far beyond the distant sea?
For when we step upon new sand, a new name for our promised land.
Last Chapter: Claus Hafan’s Letter
Dear Erika Aurelia,
A month has passed since we returned to Silverbough Castle in Hafan. I still remember the events of the Spring Palace like they happened yesterday. While it has been quite some time, I believe I have finally managed to collect my thoughts satisfactorily enough to send you a letter.
Truth be told, I initially did not think kindly of our visit to Aurelia. Do you remember the talks between my father and Duke Aurelia? Publicly, they were in regards to mine development and forest resources. You may not have noticed, but I heard they were underlaid by a secret discussion about an engagement between you and me.
We would both be forced down the tracks of a political marriage decided by our parents. The way things were going, I was certain I would end up in a depressing, loveless relationship. The daughter of Duke Aurelia would surely be spoiled rotten and intolerable. I was sure of it. Why did I have to take a gaudy, ill-natured woman as my wife? I came with my mind full of such prejudice.
But that could not have been further from the truth. You were far, far stronger than me. No, you cannot even be measured on a scale of strength. Compared to you, I am... what is it, I wonder? I have a hard time putting it into words. The one thing I can say is that this is the first time I have ever met a woman like you.
Getting back on track. Back then, at the dreary depths of the earth, I was not able to do a thing. I was helpless when I was at a standstill from the labyrinth’s traps and again when an incomprehensible monster was about to kill my sister.
You were always the one who came to the rescue.
You wholeheartedly thanked me, but you must be mistaken. It is the other way around; I should be the one thanking you.
Thank you for protecting my sister, Anne. If you had not made it in time, I would not have forgiven myself for the rest of my life.
I think I want to become a person who can be your equal. I am far too weak as I am now. So one day, when I have enough strength to look you in the eye, I want to propose to you. For real this time.
Naturally, if you are against it, we can pretend this never happened. But please remember this: you don’t have to be mine, but know that I will be yours. If something happens to you, I will rush to your side faster than anyone else. I will protect you, even if it costs me my life.
Your Eternal Shield,
Claus Hafan
☆
“Anne! Wh-Why are you reading someone else’s letter?! Who taught you to do that?! Give it back!”
“This is atrocious, Claus! Absolutely no good at all!”
Anne had snatched away the letter Claus had just finished writing in secret. While Claus panicked to reclaim it, Anne had already read it in its entirety. She stopped him right in his tracks before he could flee.
The girl was three years younger than Claus, and he was terrible at dealing with her.
“Claus. Why are you writing such a gauche, stilted letter? I take my eyes off of you for one minute, and you’re already off wasting all your effort.”
“What part of it is stilted?!”
“Okay, we’ll take it one section at a time. Why are you declaring such excessive attachment? Erika will just be creeped out if she receives something like that!”
“Wha... What?!”
“Your feelings are too heavy!”
“So what are you saying I did wrong?!”
Claus hadn’t the slightest idea what part of it needed work, but it was clear enough that there was a serious mistake somewhere in the letter. His only lead came in the indignant words of his sister, and he would have to listen well.
Anne was one of his few sources of information about the daughter of Duke Aurelia, after all.
“This came up when I was having a girl talk with Erika...”
“Girl talk? And?”
Claus didn’t quite understand what that meant, but he ignored it. Thanks to Erika’s influence, Anne had started picking up some peculiar terms, and currently, she was the only one with an actual grasp on their meaning.
When it came to these matters, obeying his sister was a bridge he had to cross.
“I asked what manner of gentleman she preferred. According to her, while she doesn’t pine for any specific traits, there are traits she would much rather avoid.”
“Hm. In which case, we can use the process of elimination to infer her actual preferences.”
“Precisely.”
“That’s important information. Please continue.”
“Erika dislikes men who arbitrarily shove their emotions onto her. Additionally, she said she was no good with gentlemen who seem favorable at first glance, but who have absolutely no intent to properly communicate.”
“Certainly, I can understand her distaste.”
“It’s not just distaste; she says she doesn’t want to breathe the same air as them.”
“Are you kidding me?!”
“It’s pretty serious.”
“I see...”
Claus secretly recorded the info in a corner of his heart as an item of the utmost importance. Surely Erika had some profound reason for it. There was a possibility she would unequivocally reject him if he carelessly did anything of the sort. Despite his cluelessness on the matter, Claus mulled it over in earnest.
“Also, sh
e wants nothing to do with men who might suddenly bludgeon or stab her from behind...”
“Well, isn’t that obvious?”
Claus was perplexed. His fiancée candidate was only eight; what could she possibly have experienced?
Assassination, maybe? Does that mean someone nearly killed her before? Is that why she sometimes has that dark look in her eyes?
“The world is filled with so many things I know nothing about,” he murmured as his will to protect her grew stronger.
“Our dear Erika looks like she’s kind to everyone, but she’s actually quite the misandrist. In fact, she might even be a misanthropist.”
“What?”
“Ah, I knew it. You’re dense, so you never noticed. It’s because of that smile of hers. It completely masks her true intentions.”
Claus was even more confused than before. He thought back to his time with Erika at the Spring Palace. He wouldn’t say she particularly liked him, but he’d never even considered she might hate him.
The reason being, in most cases, Erika would direct a gentle and reserved smile his way. Was that smile a lie? He shook his head to deny it.
“That’s a smile that will graciously accept anyone, or perhaps she’s showing special courtesy to me and no one else—you couldn’t possibly have thought that, could you?” Anne sharply catechized him.
“Ngh...”
“That’s the sort of smile that won’t let anyone shrink the distance beyond a certain point.”
“Are you serious...?”
“Even when she seems to be having fun surrounded by loads of people, did you notice how she secretly sends a lonely look into the distance?”
“Yeah. I picked up on that much, at least.”
“Wonderful! You just barely passed, Claus!”
Rather than lonely, it felt more like she was zoning out. That’s how Claus saw it, anyway, but he wouldn’t dare say that aloud. At times like these, it was flat-out impossible to beat his sister with words.
As he was thinking over such things, Anne closed in with a serious look in her eyes. Indeed, her stare was so stern that it made her brother retreat ever so slightly.
