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Lite and the Castle Wall

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Just the other day, I could manage with just a long-sleeved shirt during the day, but it has quickly become chilly. Compared to the southern village where I lived, it felt a bit colder here. I could already sense that a real winter is approaching.

I hoped it didn’t affect my younger sister Noris’ health. While thinking about such things, I walked to the old library on my day off.

I didn’t particularly have any business at the old library. Since Heinz and the others weren’t at the dorm and it was a completely free day, I thought I might write an article for the next school newspaper in the old library, which served as the newspaper club’s room. Perhaps someone bored might come by.

As I arrived in front of the old school building, I ran into someone coming out of it. It was Lite, holding a paper bag.

“Hey? Are you alone?” (Lux)

“Oh, today, Lev and Heinz are making some documents to send to the homeland at my place. I’m not good at that kind of stuff, you know. I was just thinking, maybe someone would be in the club room since I’m bored. What about you?” (Lite)

“Yeah, I’m also bored. I thought maybe someone would come if I opened the club room.” (Lev)

“Oh, then that’s perfect! Come hang out with me for a bit.” (Lite)

With a big smile, Lite held up the paper bag to show me.

 

—

 

*Gii*

We climbed the stairs, carefully trying not to make noise with the door, and we stood on top of the castle wall. This is our secret place found in the Fifth of the Seven Mysteries. The wind was cold, but sitting on top of the castle wall gave a sense of freedom and lifted my spirits.

“Here we go.” (Lite)

With practiced ease, Lite sat down on the edge of the castle wall and pulled out a bottle of orange juice and some bread from the paper bag, tossing one of them to me. I hurriedly grabbed it to avoid dropping it and sat down beside Lite.

The two of us gazed at the sky for a while, munching on bread and sipping orange juice. It was a bit lukewarm, but it might be just right for the temperature.

“…Lux, are you going back to your hometown for New Year’s?” (Lite)

Lite suddenly asked.

“Huh? Didn’t Heinz say anything?” (Lux)

Since there was the matter of my beloved gun (Counter), I thought all of our information would have been conveyed by Heinz. When I expressed that…

“Even that prince wouldn’t divulge personal privacy.” (Lite)

Lite said with a wry smile.

“I see. Actually, no one is at my house anymore. The house is still standing, but it would take time, so I don’t think I’ll be going back.” (Lux)

“No one is there? Are you living somewhere else?” (Lite)

“No, our family only had grandpa. He passed away a few years ago.” (Lux)

“…I see, sorry about that.” (Lite)

Lite apologized, so I hurriedly shook my head.

“No, it’s not like I was hiding it or anything, so it’s fine. It’s been quite a while since grandpa died. Plus, if we’re talking about hard times, it’s probably been much tougher for you and Lev.” (Lux)

When Heinz’s true identity was revealed, I heard that the siblings Lev and Lite were orphans. From an orphanage to a military academy. And by some twist of fate, they came to our country to study abroad under the secret mission of being Heinz’s bodyguards. Their lives were much more tumultuous than mine.

“Well, that’s true. I can’t say it wasn’t tough… but it wasn’t anything to be particularly pessimistic about!”

Lite replied cheerfully.

He’s strong.

“Now then, while it’s not bad to relax here, what do you think, Lux? Since we’re here, why not explore a bit?” (Lite)

Standing up and dusting off his pants, Lite turned to me.

“Explore? Where to?” (Lux)

In response to my foolish question, Lite pointed to the ground.

“Of course, I mean the castle wall, right? It looks like we can go all the way around the academy from the top of the castle wall. Shall we check if there are other entrances besides this one?” (Lite)

I see, that sounds a bit interesting.

 

—

 

The top of the castle wall had some barriers to avoid enemy attacks. If I crouched down, I could probably hide completely.

We walked slowly along the castle wall, being careful not to be spotted by anyone below. Fortunately, the academy was as deserted as usual on this holiday, and there were very few people wandering around in this chilly season.

As we walked, we glanced at the dormitory heading towards the southern gate. If we can go all the way around, we would end up passing by the western-style mansion and returning to our original spot.

There were, of course, guards at the southern gate. Sneaking past them as quietly as possible was a bit tense but fun. Though I was not at that age anymore, it felt like we were playing hide-and-seek.

There was no one around the sandpit at all, so as we enjoyed the scenery while walking, Lite suddenly exclaimed, “Oh?”.

The location was about halfway between the southern gate and the western gate, slightly north of where we had first looked for the Fifth of the Seven Mysteries. Only there, on the academy side of the aligned barriers, there was a conspicuous opening that seemed perfect for people to come and go.

As we approached and peered down, we could see some footholds that, while not very noticeable, seemed climbable on the castle wall.

“It’s not a hidden staircase, huh?” (Lux)

We noticed because we thought there might be something here, but unless someone knew this place from the beginning, it would be hard to notice from below.

“So, this is an emergency route. There might be other places without barriers.” (Lite)

Just as Lite said, there were similarly climbable spots between the western gate and the northern gate, and between the northern gate and the eastern gate, but we ultimately couldn’t find any hidden stairs by the time we completed the circle. This means that the staircase we found was the official route, while the others are likely places to respond quickly in case of a sudden attack.

Unfortunately, there was nothing particularly noteworthy elsewhere, but the view from all the locations was spectacular, and seeing the academy from above was interesting as it looked quite different. Though hidden among the trees of the forest, we could also see the western mansion.

It was a peaceful holiday where nothing particularly eventful happened, and we simply enjoyed the scenery.

Isn’t it nice to have days like that once in a while?

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