Ashes and Kingdoms

Quanos is the easternmost castle fort in the territory of Nakte.

It is situated on a small hillside of an open plain, and here during the post-war period, there is also a history of "dragon kings” and emperors leading large armies into clashes. Now the traces of ancient battlefields have become mostly ranches and fields, and rarely have eartips and ancient coins emerged from under cultivated soil.

That said, the fact that this is still Nakte territory symbolizes the pride and power of the Austra Gate. Just to say that I will take it again and stand at any time, the town of this fort is boneless throughout and although it is equipped with a fighting area and bathing area as well as any other city, it is unparalleled in theatres, libraries and gardens.

After the Winter Solstice Festival, General Glaus and Emperor Varis aligned themselves in Quanos, then the Great Senato arrived last. However, there were no indications on either side that I would get right to the point, and all day long, I had fun with poetry and music for drinking and eating.

The fins that accompanied the response became unbearable for a moment. Valt and Nellis were jealous in half of the joke that he might be in quite a good position to have a treat, but we don't feel that way very much.

The food was indeed delicious. However, I am anxious to know where to prepare ingredients for a meal of extravagant dedication that changes every time, and whether the food pantry will be emptied. Even now at this time, in the destroyed towns and villages of the north side, people would crawl around in search of a grain of beans, and I couldn't grab my throat and swallow it.

In front of him like that, the Emperor and Dragon Horse Senato continue their calculated public discourse blankly. It's like two wolves wandering around staring at each other, and it hurts my stomach just to watch.

Somehow when it came to what Finn was used to, it was just the dark blue clothes and the deep red cape in the example.

After the banquet at the museum lasted two days, on the third day he was to change his taste and leave for the suburbs with his horse. It is cold in the middle of winter, but boulders are ideal for sunbathing if the weather is nice and the wind is mild.

Of course, I have to offer you Finn. Glaus, who didn't have time to plant it until the horseback ride, whispered in a whisper, "Can I ride it?" before leaving.

"I have a little experience, and I'm pretty much flat around here, so you'll be fine"

Finn replied unconfidently, straddling the horse with a pair of feet. Soon after his hips settled in the saddle,

(Not good!)

Finn lowered his body reflexively, in a position to hold him around the horse's neck. At the same time, the horse is gone, standing up and scratching the universe with his front leg. Glaus grabbed the reins from the side in a hurry and took a nag.

(Don't be frightened, I won't do anything)

Finn unconsciously touched the horse's consciousness and told him that he had no hostility to calm him down. I realize if Lena's light is too dazzling for animal instincts, and I put a cover of consciousness on my inner self to keep it from leaking out.

The horse soon calmed down and Finn woke up. Not only Glaus, but two Senators and Varis, who had already ridden, stared at him.

"Oh, I'm sorry I did this"

When I looked at him, Senato flashed his face and apologized.

"Usually a horse with no problems, but apparently frightened by unfamiliar guests. You should have told me to give you the most important thing. Are you hurt, Dragon Marquis of the North?"

It was in a pale tone, but everyone on the spot felt a distant insult. The rider was immature, so he hated the horse.

But Finn pretended not to have noticed, so he took care of himself.

"You must have been frightened by the power of the dragon. This was the one that almost injured an important horse without enough consideration. I'm sorry."

He lowered his head and then gently slapped him on the neck of a horse that had grown up completely, accompanied by saying that this horse was fine. I could tell by the signs that Glaus breathed secretly and Senato was disappointed inside without having to look through the dragon's eyes.

Senato doesn't believe in what will be the "dragon march of the north," and has set a whispering but old trap since the first day trying to uncover who Finn is. Manipulation, knowledge cultivation. But when Finn realized it, he confessed that he was not born precious, so he stopped attacking them.

(Now they want to see the extent of their abilities)

Oh boy. Sighing softly inside, Finn proceeded slowly with his horse from behind the emperor. It would be an easy problem to clean up if we showed Lena, but if we could, we didn't want to put her in contact with the Powers until that time when an agreement was actually made.

Don't worry, I'm okay now, okay?

I detect Finn's fatigue and Lena speaks out of touch. Finn squeezed his mouth tight as he looked out at the view.

"Yeah, you won't get hurt anymore. But humans could be hurt more on their own. 'Cause I might think about seeing you and getting your powers, and I don't know what I'm gonna do when my self-control breaks.'

'... right. Humans are scared.

Finn gently touches Lena, who crushed the same thing as always.

And, as the horse accidentally stopped his leg, Finn froze. When I looked him in the eye and regained consciousness, the horse looked at him with a face he had said something about. Like asking if you keep walking like this, or if you'll stick around somewhere.

Finn rushed to fix his expression and moved the horse forward with a no-eating look.

Leading the way is the Legion Commander Rufus, who, because of his familiarity with the geography around him, guides us to good scenery, springs where we can drink water, etc. The Emperor and Senato lined up behind it, followed by Glaus and Finn. Each squire and escort will follow on foot with the carriage much later. Dining outdoors doesn't mean that when you become an emperor, you throw wine and bread in one cage.

Where the sun was higher and the horse kept rocking and the line of bodies warmed up sufficiently, Rufus told him he was on the lunch floor. It's a beautiful little hillside slope, sunny and dry, and exposed white rocks everywhere are likely to be used for sitting on your back or table.

Connecting the horses to the evergreen trees, the emperor lowers his back to the appropriate rock. The caught up squire spreads the rug shortly after the break and gets ready for lunch. Finn moved his body a little and relaxed his stiff knee, heading to Mac's place, where he was preparing to burn.

"Let's help."

"Idiot!"

Scolded with whispers as soon as possible, Finn makes his eyes squeeze. Mac kept hissing, looking like he was going to nod there with his head still.

"What would Dragon Hou do with such a thing? Don't worry, my brother will deal with you greatly!

"But you said I wasn't noble."

"You don't have to be noble! Fine, at least don't be too commonplace before that grandfather sees you. I can't stop worrying about you!

……

Like I know why, like I don't. Releasing a tinkered fin, Mac grasses angrily, lines stones, and gathers dead branches to prepare for a handy incineration. Then he started looking for firestones with his hands in his luggage.

So Finn looked behind him and realized Senato was subtly observing this one. Is it suspicion and disdain that is included in the slang? In young construction, which may not be the bone of any horse, it is not possible to pretend to be a dragon marquis in the archery of the burning blade.

Finn caught Mac's shoulder pretending to be unfamiliar, aware of Senato's gaze.

"Leave it to me to light it."

As I say, I am stretching one hand over a dead branch. When I removed the “cover” applied to the inside of me slightly and guided the light, a flame was easily created.

I didn't mean to make it a spectacle, so few humans noticed what happened during the meantime. But when Finn glanced at him, he could clearly see Senato was upset. Dim shadows around its body, too.

……

A shadow that I haven't noticed, albeit relative, several times in close proximity over the past two days. I don't know, Finn frowned.

"Thank you, brother. But that's enough here."

Finn looked back at him in a hurry as Mac thanked him in a whisper. Around the bitter smile I'm used to seeing, a clear little light shines. Finn smiled and nodded, filling in next time, whispering this one whispered, leaving the spot.

Pretending to go check on the horse and see what Senato looked like again, it still had a grey shadow on it. Is it hostility towards the emperor or Finn? Or do you mean you're up to something, or... difficult to think about, but is it the shadow of death due to old age?

(Though I'm still not dying)

Ha, twisting his neck, slapping his horse in the neck. The horse leaned over his nose and sniffed Finn's hand as if he didn't have anything.

Lord Phineas.

Called and looking back, Rufus stood. His back length is lower than Finn's, but he has a disappointing physique, and he has the atmosphere of being an Imperial soldier. That said, I don't feel tougher or tougher than I need to, or high-pressure. Finn was early and deep down, putting Rufus at the head of the military man he wanted to be his boss. Glaus is also an excellent soldier, but I don't know if that room...

With that in mind, he invited Rufus with a voice that was calm but did not allow him to resign.

"There are traces of ancient battlefields nearby. Lord Senato would like to guide His Majesty the Emperor and General Glaus, but I wonder if Lord Phineas could join us."

"Sure, I'd love to"

Finn answered briefly and walked out about after Rufus.

Unless this man is the son-in-law of Marquis Senato.

Even if I say Dragon Hou, it's actually a country powder shop, and I have no great power, no connections, nothing, so I don't have to treat it special - even though I can confess it.

Seeing Rufus's hindsight again as he pondered, there was at some point a thin blur and a grey shadow.

(What...? Is it the same as Lord Senato?

Finn frowned. By nature, it's probably the same shadow. But even if this commander obeys his uncle's will, I don't think it's the same to the inside. So is this shadow the effect it has from Senato?

(Not a very good one)

Not sure who he was, but somehow he felt something he didn't like, and Finn stepped up his guard.

On the way, Senato is slowly descending the slopes of the hill as he speaks to the emperor. Glaus was also near it, so Finn ran a little and caught up with him.

"... there are still times around here where old spear tips and broken swords can be found."

The voice Senato is describing to Varis arrives in the wind. Finn took a look at the scenery and revealed in his mind the history of the war he had recently remembered in the packing. The battle between the Emperor and the first Nakte Dragon Marquis, it shouldn't be. That was done a little further east. This place...

"This is where the last battle with the Dark Family took place."

Varys responded quietly. Yes, the inner fin nodded, looking around again. His eyesight sharpened, and he saw various powers fade into the natural landscape. It resembles a sea of quiet and serenity. But the dragon's eyes did not miss the fact that there was a black stream at the bottom of it.

"There's still dark power around here."

I didn't mean to say it, but that's what Finn said when he realized. Varis and Senato, going ahead, stop and look back. Varis had a slightly surprising color and Senato had a rather suspicious look on his face.

Not touching the veracity of Finn's remarks, Senato coughed and once again turned forward, he continued his conversation with the Emperor.

"It is said that it was precisely in this neighborhood that the first Nakte Dragon Marquis drove the dark things down to the bottom of the earth with the power of the earth dragon. There should no longer be any need to fear, but the men of the land are superstitious, saying that it is a lament of darkness, whether the wind blows or rains, and all the more so that it is a grudge of darkness if it is sunshine. There are still no soil farmers around here. Your Majesty, if you let us dig there and see, we will soon find one, two interesting things."

The fear of the locals was right, Finn thought, but now he kept quiet. It would be wiser to be as cautious as possible with statements that differ against Senato.

Finn pretended to be casual while watching the emperor not to come too close to the darkness, digging a little bit of the dirt there with his fingertips. Exactly to that extent, though I didn't come out with a single piece of old money just because I saw the grassroots.

He laughed at the emperor that Glause was more intrigued than Finn, and he didn't have to call his squire, bending himself over and digging back into the proper place with his hands.

Soon, whoa, the general will raise his voice. There was a small clasp in his hand.

I wonder if it is the clasp of the sword belt, it seems, etc. and other loving interactions are exchanged. If you want a better harvest, and Senato indicated a little further. A mysterious wand was found around the area before, and I looked it up and said it was made of natural gold and silver alloy (Electrum).

Glaus, who asked, turned to the emperor and stood aside and showed him imitating a hound.

"Please wait a long time. Let's dig up one thing that inflates the Emperor's purse and move on."

Varys looked like he had a thin temper, but either decided it wasn't a good idea to ignore Senato's suggestion and let him whitewash it, or let him go Glause around laughing bitterly.

Finn, watching the interaction, felt an unpleasant sign ahead of Glaus and rushed after him.

"General, don't get too close to me."

To Finn, who lurked his voice and warned him, Glaus responds with an optimistic smile.

"What, even the Viper found it"

"… that's where it is"

"That being said, we can't just turn back like this. Old Senato's self-esteem won't subside until the Emperor's General sees him digging for treasure."

I can't let the emperor himself, and I can't let all his squire dig holes in a row. That being said, Glaus flaunted his shoulder and continued to hang out to the right place. Finn is worried, too, and I'll follow him in a little while.

"If there's anything around here... yeah?

"What's wrong?"

"No, there's a crack in the ground."

Glaus answered curiously, unwrought the place buried between the little rock and the grass at the tip of his shoe.

At that moment, I saw a small shadow pop up in Finn's eyes.

"Danger!"

Grabbing Glause's arm and pulling him back, he quickly pulls out his sword and slashes him into the shadows.

The tip of the sword stitched the shadow to the ground. Shortly afterwards, the dust and soil collapse and fall into cracks from rock to rock. Finn flew away in a hurry and pulled out his sword so that it would not be swallowed by the earth. Glaus is also taking a few steps back and circling his eyes to his surprise.

Also in the meantime, zuck, and some more surrounding soil and sand fell, and the cracks spread several times as wide at once. Glaus peeked at it from behind Finn and saw the unexpected size of the fallen hole, faintly leaking his relief breath.

"Oh, my God. Well, you almost broke my finger when I stuck my hand in it without knowing. Thank you, Phineas."

"No, you're safe and above all.... it's out-of-the-box, deep."

Finn was staring at the back of the crack. Varis and Senato rush, you can tell in footsteps. But Finn didn't even turn around.

"I think you should pile around the area to alert people to inadvertently stay away. This crack... I can't see the bottom"

Finn shook his head and said with a rugged look. Behind his back, Varys asks no one.

"No way, it's not the very rift in the earth that Dragon Marquis sealed the darkness"

"If that's the case, it's not such a small thing. It must have been made naturally or a trail of a beast's lair."

Senato smiled bitterly. Finn shakes his head honestly, not denying or affirming each word, I don't know.

"It just looks like a cavity, but anyway, if you accidentally stick one foot in it, it's the depth you could be swallowed right at the bottom of the ground. Whether the darkness is lurking or not, it's safer to stay away."

Finn retracted the other three and sealed the crack by pouring the power of Lena around just in case.

(That one that popped up... was it a snake, or)

The cutting edge of the sword pierced the ground had no dirt on it other than sand. Even if it were a snake or something, its body would fall into the crack with the soil, and I don't know.

"General Glaus, I don't know what you don't know, but it's totally inconspicuous. As a sign of apology, I will give you all the wine for lunch. Come on, come here."

Senato bows his head deeply and says, urging everyone to return to the hills. Finn saw the crack again and then tried to walk out at the end - realizing what Rufus looked like. He seemed to stand on the slope of the hill and watch the line, but his face was only stiff and tight with his heart.

(I wonder if he knew)

Give me that crack place. that it has unexpected depths, or that it is inhabited by vipers. Did you tell Senato that?

(We need to be more careful)

Apparently, I can't even look around because I'm just a shapely witness.

Finn pulled his lips together and walked carefully step by step.