The Guardian Knight of Affection-Starved Young Ladies

94 – Plache (01)

095.

If you were to name the most important places in the Claire Empire’s interior, the north, southeast, southwest, south, and central regions would undoubtedly come to mind.

This is because the symbols of the empire, which have now become the five great families, are each located there.

Each region shows quite significant differences, but among them, the north and the south are so different that they could be considered opposites.

The north is often thought of as a remote area.

Surrounded by a massive wall, it gives off a strong sense of being cut off from the empire.

Inside the wall, a unique culture has been passed down.

In contrast, the south is a very prosperous environment.

It’s a bit hot, but it’s nothing compared to the cold of the north.

From that perspective, the south is the most peaceful land in the empire.

However, even such a place is not entirely safe and peaceful.

There are a few places in the empire’s interior known for their danger, and the south is no exception.

The reason a few imperial citizens still visit despite the risks is because it is that beautiful.

For example, the Latia Falls.

A cliff so high and steep that it could be called a masterpiece.

The waterfall that falls beautifully below can be described as magnificent.

The mist that forms at the base of the cliff is enchanting in itself, and the grand yet quiet sound of the waterfall as it falls clears the mind.

And while it would be nice to see it up close, that’s not possible.

The waterfall falls from a dizzying height.

The water pressure and current at the bottom are too much for an ordinary person to withstand, and if one were to be swept away, they would be sucked into the water.

To prevent that, one must stay far enough away that it feels like the mist covers the entire waterfall.

The inability to see it clearly is disappointing, and the true appearance of the Latia Falls remains one of many mysteries.

And now.

At a distance just safe enough from the Latia Falls.

The figures of a boy and a girl were cast there.

The dark and murky gray eyes indicated that they had indeed found the Latia Falls.

*

“If you were going to come without informing me, wasn’t I unnecessary from the beginning?”

“Hmm…”

If we think about the order, Laris should have awakened the imagery first, and then things would have proceeded.

Laris had promised her mother’s funeral using the imagery as a pretext, and when the family changed their attitude, Kalen was supposed to step in.

Kalen’s question about whether it was okay not to inform the family also had that meaning.

However, Laris came straight to Latia Falls without informing the family, which could be considered somewhat abrupt.

“But I can’t go to Latia Falls alone. And you, Kalen, said you would accompany me.”

However, Laris did not expect things to turn out this way.

Initially, she approached Kalen because she wanted the imagery, with the premise of awakening it and negotiating with the family.

What changed her mind was the glimmer of hope and conviction that Kalen showed.

That conviction, that they could overcome anything, made Laris think a lot.

Coming to hold her mother’s funeral before even obtaining the imagery was one of those thoughts.

Since she had Kalen as a means.

There was no need to awaken the imagery or negotiate with the family using it.

She had no lingering attachment to the family or her position as a noble lady.

If she could safely hold her mother’s funeral, she thought that was the right thing to do.

Of course, there was also a slight mix of impulse born from resentment and defiance in that decision.

“Now that I can hold my mother’s funeral, isn’t there no reason for me to use the dangerous last resort of negotiating with the family?”

Anyway, that’s how it turned out.

You could say that Laris’s plan changed on the spot.

“…The danger I was thinking of was when the Flache family would pressure us.”

“Yes, I know. But isn’t it better this way? If I can safely hold my mother’s funeral, I’m thinking of leaving the family immediately. The imagery isn’t important.”

“…”

“And. Since I changed my mind because of you, Kalen, you have to take responsibility. Lead the way. The falls are far.”

In short, if possible, she intended to quickly hold the funeral, which had been impossible due to the family’s pressure, and then escape.

She changed her mind because she had Kalen as a breakthrough.

It’s not an entirely incomprehensible thought.

However, what puzzled Kalen was that Laris’s attitude had strangely become more amiable.

The first impression was definitely that she was a difficult woman to approach, but now she has a subtly childlike appearance.

Perhaps it was because Laris had confided her innermost thoughts, which she had never told anyone before.

Laris had strangely started to smile more, and her tone had become more gentle.

Her current attitude was one of those changes.

Playfully pushing Kallen’s back to urge him on, she looked as if they had known each other for a long time.

Of course, Kallen had slightly different thoughts when he saw Laris, but he didn’t show it and moved his steps.

Beyond the safe distance, to a place where they could face the true face of the Latia Falls.

*

Swoosh-

Was it raining?

The sound of the water was so loud that it gave that illusion.

Kallen and Laris approached the Latia Falls.

The closer they got, the nearer they were to the lower part of the falls.

They faced the huge spray of water created by the water from the upper part falling and meeting the lower part.

A dense spray that could easily be mistaken for fog.

The endlessly pouring waterfall was so vast that their voices sounded small.

Because of the fog-like spray, it was hard to see, but it felt like they were close enough to touch the waterfall.

“…We need to go up now.”

Since they had entered the spray, it was easy to lose sight of each other if they separated even a little.

If Laris were to fall alone and disappear into this huge spray.

It would be dangerous for Laris, who had difficulty standing on her own.

It was a push Kallen had given before entering the spray.

It wasn’t long ago that they found a solution.

“My wrist hurts.”

“What? Oh, ah…”

No matter how close they were, Kallen, who had to clear the way, found it difficult to pay attention to Laris.

So, Laris decided to stay physically close to Kallen.

At first, the suggestion was to hold hands, but Laris refused for some unknown reason.

So, Laris chose to follow behind Kallen, holding his wrist.

However, perhaps intimidated by the waterfall, the grip on Kallen’s wrist grew stronger.

Kallen, who couldn’t look back, quietly spoke to Laris each time, and Laris loosened her grip on his wrist, fidgeting apologetically.

But.

Kwaaa-!

“Ugh…”

Squeeze.

“Ah… I’m sorry…”

Flinch.

The Latia Falls are so enormous that they seem majestic even from a distance.

If you get closer, you can’t help but feel it even more.

The torrents pouring down from such a place are hard to describe as mere streams of water.

The spray created by the falling water alone forms such a thick mist.

The sound of the waterfall was enough to startle anyone.

Kallen felt Laris’s soft hand fiddling with his wrist and looked around.

Because of the spray, he could barely see right in front of him.

It was as difficult to approach as a winter island.

If the winter island was a hardship that spanned the entire north.

The Latia Falls had many inherent dangers just by being a waterfall.

It wouldn’t be surprising to be swept away by the rapids right next to you if you weren’t careful.

Having experienced many out-of-the-ordinary events, Kallen wasn’t startled by the sound of the waterfall.

But Laris’s grip was tightening again, and leaving it as it was made him more anxious.

It seemed that Laris thought she shouldn’t let go of the hand she was holding.

Certainly, the current pace lacked consideration for Laris.

Laris had to match her stride and pay attention to the hand holding his wrist, so it was understandable that she kept tightening her grip.

After pondering for a moment, Kallen began to slow his steps.

“Kallen…?”

“Then, shall we hold hands, Miss? I’ll lead the way.”

He then slightly turned his head back, showing one eye to Laris as he spoke.

“That…”

Laris reflexively tried to say that it wasn’t allowed.

Kwaaa-!

“Sniff…”

Suddenly, the sound of the waterfall grew louder.

Laris, who had tightly closed her eyes and gripped Kallen’s wrist again, slowly opened her eyes.

Kallen’s gaze was still fixed on Laris.

Receiving that gaze, Laris blinked and, slightly lowering her head, loosened her grip on Kallen’s wrist and lowered her hand.

Feeling the touch of the small, delicate hand, Kallen silently held it.

Only then did Kallen turn his head forward and start walking with a noticeably smaller stride.

Thus, Laris, holding tightly to the rough hand that was hard to believe belonged to a boy of similar age, matched her steps to his and followed him.