Children of the Rune – Winterer - Chapter 304

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 74.
Finding the Cat in the Furnace (23)
Maximian turned his gaze back toward Joshua.
“Really?”
Joshua’s expression grew uncomfortable as he made his excuse.
“It’s true, but don’t look at me with those strange eyes. Haven’t you ever heard of a medium before?”
A voice came again from the empty chair.
“Had I known mediums were such remarkable beings, I would have shown them more respect while I lived. Of course, not all mediums are like this. When Joshua first saw me, he didn’t even realize I was a spirit—he thought I was a living person.”
Maximian crossed his arms, thinking to himself how stubborn he was being, even as this became an undeniable fact, still unable to accept it readily.
“At that time, Joshua was in a state of shock and confusion from his sister’s sudden death. I believe that tragedy is connected to why Joshua came to see me. In any case, after our first meeting, I tried not to draw his attention, but in the end we met again and have come to spend time together like this. Though we are not always together. But as long as I remain in this world, I can immediately hear Joshua’s voice when he speaks to me, and I can come to him at once. Joshua and I have a tremendous difference in age and era, but now we are simply friends. Just as I was friends with his ancestor.”
When the voice ceased, Maximian turned his body toward Joshua.
“Say something. Are you alright? You can be friends with a spirit who was friends with your ancestor from centuries ago without any real trouble?”
Though it sounded like a rebuke, it was actually concern. Joshua offered a faint smile with an unrealistic expression.
“It’s actually somewhat comfortable. He’s familiar with demonic beings like me. He treats me simply as a person.”
He added after that.
“Like you do.”
“Then you’re a person, not a monster or a spirit?”
Joshua did not answer. Maximian turned his eyes back to the empty chair, then asked with a considerably more flexible attitude.
“Then since we’ve met like this, may I ask one thing? What state was Joshua in when you first met him?”
Still, there was no helping the fact that the laughter at the end sounded terribly eerie.
“He wandered through the manor with unsteady steps, then went to his father and clung desperately, begging to be allowed to leave. He slept like the dead, then woke screaming—he was in a state like a small child who had cried all day and was exhausted.”
“He wasn’t in his right mind. That’s why he saw spirits.”
Glancing over, Joshua’s cheeks were flushed with embarrassment.
“But you’re saying he became stable after meeting you? I never knew ghosts were such convenient beings before. Or is it because you’re of the Priesthood? But you’ve been together for five years like this—is that boy still in his right mind?”
Joshua let out a sigh and spoke.
“Why don’t you just ask if I’m a ghost too?”
“Then I’d be the strange one for recognizing you. One strange creature is enough. But do you only see one ghost? If there’s one, there must be others, and before long won’t they come chasing after you in droves?”
“Now look here…”
Ignoring Joshua’s protest, Maximian rose from his seat. Speaking to the chair as if addressing a person felt somewhat better.
“If it were just one, I might manage to tolerate it, but if two or three more follow me around, I’m worried even I’ll lose my mind. So let me be clear—just one. One only. That’s all I can bear. What should I call you? Kelce? Have I introduced myself? Do you already know without me saying? Is it still proper to do so?”
After a brief pause, a response came with a hint of laughter.
“You may call me Kelce.”
“Right, Kelce. I’m Maximian Lipkne. But let me ask one more thing. If you follow that boy day and night, what happens to your personal life? Should he feel uncomfortable wondering if you’re watching him even when he’s sitting on the toilet?”
After waiting a moment, a low chuckle was heard.
“That’s not the case. Joshua can see me clearly, you see.”
At that, Maximian exclaimed as if he’d guessed it.
“Then only I’m left in a bind! You! Can’t you at least wear a bell or something? If you respond in front of people, I’ll be the one who looks insane, won’t I? Do you sleep? Since you’re a spirit, you probably don’t need sleep, right? Then from now on I can never feel safe day or night? Do you have any thoughts or measures regarding this?”
Early the next morning, Riche burst into the room where the two boys were sleeping in. She wore a one-piece dress that was too small and pinched at the seams, with a large apron tied over it. Caesar’s hunting dog that followed her lingered at the entrance, and she drove it away with a shout.
Since neither Joshua nor Maximian had fallen asleep early the previous night, considerable effort was required to drag them from their blankets. Fortunately for the two of them, the only suitable weapon nearby was a pillow.
“…Why are you like this?”
Joshua, who had woken first, ran his fingers through his disheveled hair—the kind of mess that came from being half-wrapped in blankets—and asked eagerly.
“I have something to discuss before Miss Montplayne wakes up and barges in. Come on, hurry, hurry!”
“Fine, but… why do I have to show you this state of mine?”
“What’s wrong with how you look? Don’t you remember when I dragged you out of the Theater last time? And do you think I arrived looking elegant?”
Joshua, who had awakened in the Clock Tower Room that day, had been in the worst condition of his life—recalling it made everything else seem trivial. After rubbing his face thoroughly against the blankets like a cat grooming itself in the morning, his cheeks flushed pink, he poked his head out and glanced at Riche with a resigned expression.
“What is that outfit?”
“I don’t know. Apparently it was bought as a birthday gift when I turned fourteen? Why has it never been given until now? And those tacky frilly trim details on the waistband—clearly an artifact from an ancient era! It’s been stuffed in the closet, wrinkled and reeking of mothballs, without any consideration for my growth, and just thrust upon me whenever. I’m certain they bought it and simply forgot about it until they saw my face and remembered.”
“Then why did you put it on?”
“Because I need to look presentable! Now, since you’re awake, go wake your friend.”
Waking Maximian required several times more effort than waking Joshua. He rarely stirred once asleep, but last night especially, after extinguishing the candles and closing his eyes, uncomfortable imaginings had crept in, and he’d only managed to fall asleep well past midnight.
“Leave me be… I mean, if a wretch like me borrows a body, even a ghost’s life is bound to become equally pitiful…”
Riche turned to Joshua with a puzzled expression.
“What are you talking about?”
Joshua, flustered, mumbled uncertainly.
“I don’t know either.”
Riche took him at his word and brought the pillow down with force.
“If you keep dawdling like this, your life will definitely become equally pitiful!”
After struggling for some time, Maximian finally opened his eyes. Joshua, who had been waiting beside him, placed his glasses on him, and Maximian surveyed Riche with a frown.
“What weapon are you holding?”
“Are you made of butter? A pillow looks like a weapon to you?”
“I thought a boulder was falling in my dream. To wake me so rudely after knowing me for only a few days—your father’s parenting is seriously lacking.”
“My father never gave me any parenting lessons. Besides, why should I lay hands on your body after knowing you for only a few days?”
Maximian slowly sat up, let out a long yawn, and spoke.
“That’s true enough. But Joshua, what were you doing over there?”
Joshua chuckled.
“Watching in admiration. I was trying to learn your technique for waking people.”
Then he glanced back at Riche and added.
“My assistant definitely has the upper hand.”
There was no time for prolonged bickering. Since Maximian asked the same question, Riche explained the outfit’s origins again with an irritated expression, then moved on to what she needed to discuss.
“Yesterday, thanks to Max Cardi’s graceful fainting act—a skill honed and perfected on stage—we managed to put both of them to sleep early. But today will be different. I only come to this house once or twice a year. So he’s bound to suspect something major has happened, and if I tell him the truth, he won’t leave you two alone. That’s why we need to decide on a story beforehand and stick to it.”
Maximian said something irrelevant.
“Yes, that fainting act was truly a masterpiece of pathetic proportions.”
Riche shot back immediately.
“Your comment right now is equally unproductive. We’re short on time even for productive conversation.”
Joshua shook his head.
“Is that really necessary? If we tell him the truth, he might actually help us.”
“Help?”
Riche laughed incredulously.
“You expect help from that man? You certainly dream big. Caesar Montplayne is unrivaled on Blue Coral Island when it comes to irresponsibility. He’s never helped anyone in his life, nor has he ever properly managed his own affairs. Don’t expect anything more difficult than providing a place to sleep.”
Joshua fell silent for a moment before speaking.
“You call yourself Father, but isn’t that language a bit harsh?”
“I spoke only the truth.”
“You can’t claim to know Father completely, can you?”
“Is that so? If I don’t know him well, then do you know him better?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Riche snorted dismissively and paid no further attention. Maximian, who had been searching through the bedding for a missing button from the shirt he’d slept in instead of pajamas and had given up, looked between the two of them and spoke.
“Ah, both of your arguments certainly reveal your perspectives on family quite clearly. Unfortunately, such arguments require a bit more age before one can find common ground. It seems the world contains fathers who are excessively irresponsible and fathers who are quite capable, so let each of you maintain your own perspective on your respective fathers. What I’m curious about is whether Miss Montplayne’s temperament is therefore similar to yours, Riche.”
Riche recoiled with visible displeasure.
“That’s absolutely not the case!”
“Oh, that’s sufficient then. If Jo were to submit a rather arbitrary factual report, there would be no need to worry about being beaten to death with a pillow—or rather, a wooden sword. I was needlessly concerned.”
Children of Rune – Winterer
Author: Jeon Min-hee
Publisher: 14 Month Books
The rights to this book belong to the author and 14 Month Books.
To reuse all or part of the contents of this book, written consent from both parties is required.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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