Lohengrin Episode

They haven't deployed their troops yet... but better safe than sorry.

Kyaaaak!!!

...!

That's a Cockatrice!

They rarely stray from their nests... Did it come all this way just to escape the Empire?

Oh, I didn't know monsters like that existed...

Yes... it looks like it'll be a fun performance.

Damn it... that girl over there doesn't even realize the danger she's in!

Hey, birdbrain! Over here! I'm your opponent!

Kyaaaak!!!

......

Thank you for rescuing me.

Cockatrices are monsters with petrifying poison.

The best strategy is to avoid them at all costs.

It's common sense for any adventurer. Are you just a traveler?

I'm... Lohengrin.

It's been a while since I returned home, and I guess I got a little too excited.

Thank you, kind adventurer.

So... what should I pay you?

Every performance deserves proper compensation.

Just as an actor is paid for a perfect performance,

you saved my life...

So I should give you something more valuable than gold, right?

You don't owe me anything. I just helped because I happened to be nearby.

Huh? Why are you refusing?

Wasn't that your goal all along?

What are you talking about? I was just scouting the forest.

Alone, with no companions?

Adventurer, I'm neither a noble nor royalty.

Even if you'd waited for me to fall into danger,

there's no law that would hold you accountable.

So relax, just tell me what you want.

Fine. Just cover the cost of the potion I used earlier. That's enough.

Hehe... is that so?

Would... ten million gold be enough?

T-Ten million?!

That's way too much. A thousand gold is more than enough.

So you DO want something more special than money. I knew it.

No, really. A thousand gold is fine.

Hehe. That can't be true.

No human would risk their life for just a thousand gold.

People like that are usually just pretending, putting on a show to hide their true intentions.

So, come on. Tell me what you really want.

......

I really misjudged you.

Huh?

I'd have been happy with just a thank-you.

It's not like I helped expecting anything in return.

But I didn't think I'd be treated like some kind of scheming lowlife.

......

...We only just met, so maybe this is out of line...

but let me give you one piece of advice.

Don't mock other people's kindness.

Not everyone in the world is out to get something.

......

Sis... I don't get it.

Helping someone without expecting anything in return?

Only family would do something like that, right?

You're right, Lohen.

Humans... can't be trusted.

Hehe. I knew it.

If that adventurer were really trustworthy...

He would've recognized you, just like that other person.

How many times do I have to say it?! I'm not telling you!

For a merchant, trust is everything!

......

A merchant provides what the customer wants. The customer, in turn, pays for it.

Even someone like me knows that's the golden rule of business.

Why are you so obsessed with that bland, tough meat?

There are far better cuts right over there!

I'm not looking for tasty meat.

If I wanted a gourmet steak, I wouldn't be in some backwater town like this.

I'd be in the Imperial capital.

Urgh...!

What I want is the meat that was just sold.

So tell me, who bought it?

I'll go speak to them myself and propose a deal. Hehe.

That's ridiculous.

..!

You're... that adventurer from a few days ago?

Wait... are you following me? Is this some kind of revenge?

No?!

I just didn't want that guy's livelihood to get destroyed, so I came to stop you.

Ohhh! Finally! Someone reasonable!

Please, you have to save me!

That young lady's been holding up my shop all day!

Don't worry. I'll handle this.

Lohengrin, was it? I don't know what meat you're after, but...

how about you calm down first?

I'll go find it for you.

......

Do you even know what it is I want?

Nope.

But it can't be harder than fighting a cockatrice.

You're wrong. It's much harder.

What I want... is meat from the "Mountain King."

The Mountain King?

The king of the boars that lives deep in the forest.

Even goblins and orcs fear him, the true ruler of the woods.

But despite the legend... the meat is terrible.

Probably tough from years of fighting.

That's why I don't get it...

why be so obsessed with something that tastes so bad?

They say it usually takes a full year before a new Mountain King appears.

Which means that meat is practically impossible to find right now.

Now do you understand how difficult your promise really is?

Or... are you planning to wait an entire year for me?

......

Hey, old man. This Mountain King... it's not a special species, right? Just a title?

That's right. It's a name given to a boar tough enough to survive the harshest parts of the forest.

That so?

Then I might be able to work with that. I've got a great idea.

W-What kind of idea?

Squeeeee!!!

No, no! You need to charge with heart, not just squeal!

.....

Adventurer... what exactly are you doing?

Isn't it obvious? I'm training him.

Yes, I can see that, but...

Why a boar?

What do you mean, why?

I'm training a boar, so of course I need to fight a boar.

What...?

You said the Mountain King is a boar that survives the harshest trials of the forest, right?

Then I'll just create that environment myself.

...!

You're not seriously trying to turn that boar into the Mountain King, are you?

That's reckless. That's... defying the laws of nature! There's no way that'll...

You won't know until you try.

Go wait back in town. I'll bring you that meat in a week, no, make it three days.

.....

Why are you doing all this?

We barely know each other. We're not close.

And I... hurt you. So why?

You want it that badly, there must be a reason.

I figured if I fulfilled your request... maybe you'd finally believe me.

That I didn't help you because I wanted something in return.

...I guess it still bugs me. Being misunderstood like that.

Actions speak louder than words.

Living your life doubting everyone around you... that's exhausting, isn't it?

So I wanted to show you there's another way.

......

Squeeeee!!!

GYAAAH?!

Looks like that's good enough.

Y-You mean... it actually worked?

Didn't you see it flatten those goblins just now?

It's still a little small, but the taste should be pretty close.

......

Though now that I think about it... how are we supposed to eat it? Should we take it back to the shopkeeper?

Hehe. Leave the prep work to me.

You're surprisingly skilled at this. Where'd you learn it?

My father was a hunter.

I wouldn't call myself an expert, but I'm at least better than your average merchant.

I'd say that's more than enough.

All done with the prep.

Now we just wait for it to cook.

Urgh...!

Sorry... I think I messed up.

This stuff's not edible...

No, it's fine.

That was... honestly incredible.

Really? That's a relief...

......

Adventurer... thank you.

And about that first day we met...

I want to sincerely apologize for how rude I was.

I still don't fully understand everything you've said...

But one thing is clear.

The person standing before me now... is someone I can trust.

I feel the same.

At first, I had no idea what you were thinking.

But now... I think I understand why you were so desperate.

Hehe... thank you.

Huh? What's this soft feeling...?

......

I will kill you.

GAH?!

Huh? I feel something here...

......

Remove your hand. Now.

GAH?!

W-What the, a ghost?!

It's not even midnight yet, where did that come from?!

...!

Adventurer, don't tell me, you can see my sister?

What are you even talking about?

Are you saying that ghost is your sister? That's ridiculous...

Adventurer!!!

Gah?! You too, Lohengrin?!

Finally... I finally found you.

The one I've been longing to see again...

Adventurer, allow me to formally introduce her.

This is my sister... the most precious person in the world to me.

...Call me Black Swan.

That'll do.

Wait... how long have you been with us?

...We've always been together.

So you've been here the whole time...?

That's right. I saw everything.

Even how you looked at my sister... like a beast sizing up its prey.

Wh?! When did I ever do that?!

I didn't even have time to sleep from training that boar! You think I had time for that?!

Adventurer... is that really how you saw me?

I thought I could trust you... That's so cruel...

Guh..! I take it back! Forget what I said earlier!

You're, no, you two are, impossible to understand!!

Good morning, Adventurer.

Lohengrin? What's going on so early in the morning?

There's a performance I want to see.

On the way to the theater... I came to ask if you'd join me.

If you have the time... would you come watch it with me?

...Is this because you still feel bad about last time?

If that's it, don't worry. You already apologized and thanked me...

No. This is... a personal request.

Before I leave this town, I wanted to spend some time with you.

Is that... asking too much?

Alright. Since you went out of your way to invite me, I've no reason to refuse.

Let's go right away.

Yes! Thank you, Adventurer.

Sorry, but I'm not good with that kind of thing...

If you went with me, you'd probably just be bored.

I... I see...

(...Did you just reject my sister's request?)

(?! Black Swan?! Where are you even speaking from?!)

(Say yes. Right now.)

(If you refuse... I'll curse you for life.)

(Uwaaaah!!! Fine, fine! I'll go!)

(Just stop with those creepy incantations!)

Why... why are you leaving me behind!

Now that my lord has learned my secret... I must disappear.

Are you enjoying the performance?

Yeah. Even though it's my first time watching, it's surprisingly fun.

Hehe. I'm glad.

But the main character of that play... he was called Lohengrin too.

That's... no coincidence, right?

...Right.

Lohengrin is... my ideal. My hero.

I've always wanted to be a knight as free as the swan.

So you do have another name after all.

Hehe. Curious, are you?

...A little?

It's a secret.

So you never planned on telling me in the first place.

Of course not.

Lohengrin must leave her lord's side if her true name is revealed.

So I intend to keep it secret for life.

Wait, hold on...

This "lord" you mentioned... you mean me?

Oh my, you're only realizing that now?

But you said earlier that you were leaving town...

That's right. Because from now on... I've decided to serve my lord.

Before leaving, I wanted to enjoy my favorite performance... together with you.

......

..........

.................

Black Swan! Explain this! Why is she suddenly following me around?!

(...)

(You are the man my sister chose... so I can't stop her.)

No, don't just give up, stop her!!!

Hehe. I'll be in your care, my lord.

From now on... please call me Lohen.

My lord.

Ah, Lohen. Out for a walk?

Yes. I enjoy it.

I had a feeling you'd be out here alone at this hour... and I was right.

Huh? You came just to see me?

Of course.

Why...?

Because I missed you. I figured if I came here, I'd find you.

...And how did you figure that? I've wandered around plenty on hot nights, but I almost never come to the lake.

That's because you're always on my mind.

When two people are connected, they'll always find each other...

Like lovers in a story.

Wh–?!

Hehe. How do I look? I wore this just for you, my lord.

Wow...

Aren't you a little too happy?

Whoa! Don't sneak up like that!

If you're happy, then treat my sister well.

The day I see tears in her eyes, you'd better be ready.

Uhh...

Don't worry too much... My sister just cares deeply for me.

Haha... Well, strong sibling bonds are a good thing.

My lord...? Are you uncomfortable?

What? N-No! Not at all. I'm perfectly fine!

I'm glad. I just wanted to be by your side.

If it's something you like... I'd do anything.

Tch.

Anything, huh... is that why you're wearing a bikini?

Bikini...?

Ah, swimsuit! Yes. I wanted to look good for you.

So... Do I?

Yeah, it suits you. Both you... and your sister.

Don't get cocky. I only put it on because she asked me to.

I'm glad. I wanted to close the distance between us... seems it worked.

I-Is that so...? Haha...

My lord...

L-Lohen... aren't you a little close?

Am I...?

I just wanted to look at you more closely.

I-It was just... a little too close, that's all...

Me too...

But my heart was pounding. I guess you and I really are connected in some way.

Uh... y-yeah, sure...

That's enough. Remember, the only reason I'm tolerating this is because she likes you.

Sis...

It's not like I did anything...

Lohen's a good comrade. You too. I just want to be closer with both of you.

(You'd better be ready to back those words up.)

(Black Swan...)

(Cling to her all you want, but I'll never trust a human.)

(And if you ever spout nonsense or let her down, I'll curse you...!)

(...I'll pass on that, thanks.)

It feels like I just got both a compliment and a confession from you, my lord... hehe.

Why did you grow so interested in me, anyway?

Hm?

Because you seemed different from everyone else. You even watched my performance...

A performance given to someone I've given my heart to is no different from a confession.

Since I swore to serve you... I'll always be sincere with you, my lord.

Then... how about we just walk along the lake for a bit?

A moonlit stroll with you? I'd love that.

I love how empty the quiet lake in the forest feels. The noise that sometimes torments me disappears.

That's why I like night walks.

Noise... you don't mean your sister back there, right?

O-Of course not...! My sister is very precious to me.

And what did I say I'd do if you ran your mouth?

Sis... my lord just wants to know more about me.

Can't be helped. We're always together.

Lohen. If you've got any burdens on your heart, you can tell me.

Burdens?

Like a deep worry, or some trauma from your past.

Just seeing your sister, I can tell you two aren't ordinary.

I figured you might've gone through some hardships...

Just knowing you care is enough to make me happy. That's all I need right now.

But...

The curtain's already risen on our stage, my lord.

Digging deeper into secrets beyond that... not even you are allowed.

If you put it that way, then...

Whatever I do, it'll always be for you. So you don't need to worry.

...Alright. Thanks for telling me, Lohen.

I'll be cheering for you too. So the curtain never falls.

That's just like you, my lord. So kind, so warm...

Someday, I want to give you the greatest performance of all...!

I already think you're plenty amazing, though.

Like a swan gliding across the lake.

...! You're right. And I did come in a swimsuit.

My lord... would you join me for a swim?

Yes. We're always together. She's just shy, so she hides...

That's true enough.

Hope you weren't planning on sleeping tonight.

Ack! I was kidding!