Children of the Rune – Winterer - Chapter 418

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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 188.
In the Name of Loyalty and Vengeance (30)
“Of course you should, Your Highness. First, the people of Periwinkle are superior to those of any nation on the Continent, and naturally the same applies to our young ladies. So if you choose the finest young lady from Periwinkle, you’ll be welcoming the finest young lady in the world as your bride. Such a union would be perfectly suited to the noble Young Duke, and furthermore, since Your Highness is already seventeen, it’s time to prepare for the future. Every islander dreams of witnessing Your Highness’s magnificent wedding, and….”
Maximian still had his eyes narrowed and his chin resting on his hand, contemplating where to cut off the conversation. If he left it to Joshua, the man would engage in endless back-and-forth with a single person until the sun set. Moreover, this woman was a master of lengthy discourse that even gave Maximian pause, making it difficult to find an opening to interject.
Setting aside whether seventeen was truly an appropriate age to consider marriage, and overlooking the absurd logic that one should marry simply because islanders wish to see a wedding, he could not bear to listen as the conversation inevitably turned toward how he had four daughters—all beautiful, intelligent, kind, and charming.
Maximian sighed and whispered something to Joshua, who stifled his laughter as he replied.
“Yes. I’ve noted your kind counsel. I shall revisit that matter by bringing my father here to discuss it further.”
Of course, the woman withdrew with a thoroughly satisfied expression.
The third pair consisted of two people who clearly had a poor relationship. One spoke quickly, getting ahead of the other.
“Young Duke, Your Highness, I am honored to meet you. The matter at hand concerns myself, who engages in pearl farming, the most vital industry on this island.”
The moment he finished, the other person interjected.
“Who said pearl farming is the most important?”
“Isn’t that common knowledge to anyone on this island?”
“Common knowledge according to your thinking? I certainly don’t see it that way. And not just me, but….”
“Then surely you don’t think coral harvesting is more important? Coral simply scattered in the sea can be harvested tomorrow if not today, or next year if not this year. But pearls….”
“Since it can be done so easily with high profits, coral harvesting is obviously the more important industry! From what I see, after years of effort cultivating pearls, half turn out to be worthless garbage, another half of the remainder come out misshapen and fetch poor prices, and of what’s left, half again are too small to use. The real gems? At most you can hold them in one handful!”
“Good heavens, this man! You speak as though you alone know what every islander already knows! That’s precisely why pearls that come in such small quantities are so precious—their value is extraordinary! Do you understand the worth and labor involved? These are the blood and sweat of the cultivators, and you mustn’t forget they’re the secret methods created by the esteemed elders of House of Arnim! Because they developed those methods, we alone on the Continent can cultivate the finest pearls! You should be grateful!”
“Am I a pearl farmer? Why should I be grateful?”
Listening to this, I sensed someone would soon appear to stop them. Even Maximian, who had been pretending to look away, sent a look of agreement.
“How can you two conduct yourselves this way before the Young Duke? Quickly now, explain the matter and settle it, or I shall ignore you both and hear from the next person.”
The two quarreling men began their explanation while bowing, only to refute each other’s points in turn. The content they conveyed was simple: “There is high-quality coral in abundance at the location where the Pearl Farm was established.” Both men gazed at Joshua with eyes full of hope for a wise judgment.
Of course, Joshua wore an expression suggesting he’d heard every sort of tale today, Maximian looked as though to say “What presumption, holding a trial over this,” and Riche, who had been yawning beside them….
“Kind Administrator, your throat must be parched, and I imagine you could use something to refresh your palate? Though I suspect I’m not the only one feeling that way.”
As Riche glanced sideways at Joshua, the Administrator’s expression remained impassive, yet without hesitation he summoned someone to bring refreshments. He did not particularly care for Joshua, but he understood his role and responsibilities well.
In the meantime, Maximian deliberated and delivered his judgment. This time, at least there were options.
Option 1.
Expel both and restore peace to the sea creatures.
Side effect: Risk that both will refuse to accept the judgment.
Option 2.
Split the area in half—half for pearl farming, half for coral harvesting.
Side effect: Risk that both will refuse to accept the judgment.
Option 3.
Say you’ll think it over carefully.
Side effect: None.
“I shall think it over carefully… and render judgment after visiting the site myself.”
The two men withdrew, satisfied that the Young Duke had acknowledged their concerns.
In truth, from Maximian’s perspective, the only effect this gathering could and should achieve was this: it made no sense for a Young Duke who had never set foot on this island until now to resolve its various problems simply by bearing that family name.
The audience proceeded in this manner, stretching slowly until lunchtime. By then, even Maximian, who had been manufacturing “wise judgments,” grew weary and dozed off briefly at the table. What answer Joshua gave during that time remained a secret known to no one.
However, Maximian was awakened by the hundredth-or-so petitioner—three people shouting as they quarreled. He felt admiration for these islanders who made such a commotion as to wake him, and simultaneously felt competitive spirit… or rather, seeing no sign of the line diminishing, he let out a dispirited grumble.
“Your petitions are all well and good, but when will you hear our petitions?”
What Maximian had mentioned was, of course, the matter of visiting the Columbarium. I’d mentioned it to Richard Fell the moment we entered the Manor, but he’d brushed me aside saying there was an order to these things, and before I knew it, I found myself seated at this table. Initially, I’d hoped Dulcia might rescue me, but she’d disappeared somewhere, claiming she had other preparations to attend to. I could only pray it wasn’t something like arranging a banquet.
“The Graveyard, sir?”
Surprisingly, Richard Fell reacted to Maximian’s words.
“That place has had its entrance completely sealed off long ago, so even if you were to visit, there would be nothing to see.”
“What?”
Joshua’s face showed clear astonishment. Maximian too furrowed his brow in confusion. The moment the Young Duke’s group began discussing something else, the petitioners immediately ceased their quarreling and positioned themselves to watch.
“Wait, when did this happen? Who did such a thing? Was it someone from our Family?”
But whoever had done it, it seemed unlikely the islanders would have permitted such an act without the Duke of Arnim himself coming and ordering it.
Richard Fell wore a puzzled expression.
“That was done long ago, when the Young Duke’s great-grandfather, the Duke, departed from this place, was it not?”
Now truly startled, Joshua turned to face Maximian. Riche spoke as well.
“So that means no one has been able to enter since then?”
Maximian pressed further.
“Wait, so the main body too… How does this work? You’re certain the entrance is properly sealed? No back entrance? No one can get in at all?”
“How would I know from here? We’d have to go look.”
As the three of them turned their gazes toward Richard Fell, he answered.
“There is no other entrance. At that time, it was important to demonstrate to King Anomarad the resolve never to return to this island, which is why such measures were taken.”
“And since then, no one has broken through the sealed entrance or anything of that sort?”
Joshua asked as if seeking confirmation.
“No one has.”
Maximian rose to his feet.
“I can’t believe it without seeing it myself. Guide us there, would you? I need to examine it carefully.”
Richard Fell glanced sideways at the crowd, but Joshua also rose from his seat. As Riche stood as well, everyone had gotten up except Milestone, who had collapsed onto the table in Maximian’s place and fallen asleep.
Before leaving, Joshua addressed the people.
“An important matter has come up that requires me to visit the Graveyard briefly. Please wait a moment, and I shall return to hear the rest of your concerns.”
Of course, that statement was a serious mistake.
The Columbarium stood on a hill not far from the Manor. It was a place where the wind blew heavily.
Had one not known its purpose, the building would have been elegant enough to inspire a desire to enter. Upon a small cross-shaped foundation rose a structure crowned with a blue roof, and from the tall central tower, regular stone protrusions extended all the way to the peak. The façade consisted of a triangular gable roof and a decorative Terrace that no person could ascend.
Below that was the door, which had originally been surrounded by small sculptural figures, but now was half-blocked by what appeared to be plaster. The door itself was completely obscured by this plaster.
Richard Fell spoke.
“It is a two-story structure, with the Columbarium on the first floor and the burial chamber in the basement, as I understand it.”
Joshua nodded and approached the plaster. Upon it lay a golden plate that had been pressed in before the plaster hardened. Engraved in relief upon the golden plate were words.
Where the past has vanished, may the descendants of Anomarad and Arnim join hands and prosper for generations to come.
Duke Arthur von Arnim
Joshua bent at the waist and touched the golden plate. His fingertips traced over the characters. The fact that he had not even written the title of which Duchy he belonged to felt somehow bitter. Then, gazing up at the façade for a long while, I circled the Columbarium. On the side were several elongated windows with clover-shaped heads surrounded by vine carvings. Yet these were merely appearances; all the places that should have been open were completely sealed from within by iron plates that had been affixed.
Joshua turned toward Richard Fell.
“From what I can see, there appear to be no signs of anyone having broken through and entered. The basement should be secure, then?”
“The basement floor and walls are stone. Had anyone attempted to break through, the entire burial chamber would have trembled. It may well have collapsed.”
“Then I have one more question. Are all members of the Arnim Family buried here? There are no others buried elsewhere?”
Richard Fell spread both his hands.
“I’m not sure why you’re asking such a thing, but after you moved to Jade Ring Castle, there….”
“I know that. Before that, did everyone who possessed Arnim Castle going back to my great-great-grandfather’s generation remain here?”
Children of Rune – Winterer
Author: Jeon Min-hee
Published by: 14 Months Publishing
The copyright to this book belongs to the author and 14 Months Publishing.
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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