“We Crestfolk have pledged our allegiance to you since long ago, Lady Saya. You surely don’t remember, but we do so because you are the one and only bearer of the True Crest.”
“So... I’m your comrade?”
“Indeed. There should be a crest on your hand as proof of that.”
Saya looked down at her hand. There was a mark there left over from when she used the royal caliber, its clean, planned lines suggestive of some foreign hieroglyph. Zamin claimed this was the same as a bloodmark.
“I heard you say that before,” Nagi said, Tess nodding in agreement.
“There’s more. Our disease... Bloodmark disease occurs because we awakened incompletely.”
“What do you mean? Awakened to what?” Nagi asked.
“The Sovereign’s Blood.”
Nagi and Saya gasped whereas Tess cocked her head.
“So, we’re failed Sovereigns?”
“Yes. The one who granted us the Sovereign’s Blood blessed with eternal life and power was the Intelligence. Everything was put in place so that we could live in this world where humanity could no longer survive. However, the power granted to us was far too great. It wasn’t suited for humanity. Thus, the Intelligence ruled that only one person, the one who possessed the most suitable qualities, could awake to the Sovereign’s Blood.”
By means inscrutable to herself, Saya understood what Zamin was saying. Just a little while ago, she would’ve given up on trying, but lately she was subject to Dimitri’s long-winded speeches on a daily basis, so she could vaguely keep up now.
“Dimitri told me the source of the Sovereign’s Blood should be flowing through my veins... Is that what you mean?”
“It flows through all people. It is simply dormant in others. It only awakens within the blood of the chosen Sovereign.”
Nagi suddenly realized something here. “Is that what you mean by incomplete awakening?”
“Yes... We are those who awakened to the Sovereign’s Blood in an incomplete form. Our bodies hold the means to rebel against the law the Intelligence left behind. We get a fever, and a bloodmark appears on our bodies. That is the true nature of bloodmark disease. It is also the reason we have longer lifespans than commoners.”
“So... Bloodmark disease is a good thing?”
“Nagi, you’ll do well to learn. Good and evil cannot be so simply determined. To the people who control Agartha, it is a definite evil. Amrita no longer works on us as a price for our awakening. Amrita is the power given to the one and only Sovereign. Our bodies have awakened to another power, even if only half way, giving us a resistance to Amrita.”
“But you live longer than commoners, right?”
“Above all else, we are a terrible inconvenience for the nobles. The Crestfolk cannot even be used as ingredients for Amrita, so the rule based on Amrita and blood offerings crumbles around us. That’s why we’ve been hunted. Furthermore, the far greater misfortune for both us and the nobles is... bloodmark disease is inherited by children.”
Tess was the first to realize the truth implied by these words. “That’s the reason for the sterilizations?!”
“The Crestfolk had to be hunted down, but if a parent is told to hand over their child, they would try to hide them away to keep them alive. That’s why the nobles allow a single generation to live.”
“Making us incapable of having children means our population won’t surge.”
“Exactly. Much like how wheat sowed in cold weather will eventually grow resilient to the cold, our bloodline should have gradually awakened to the Sovereign’s Blood. One day, there would surely be those who obtain the True Crest, much like Lady Saya. That couldn’t be allowed to pass.”
“And it was brought to an end by sterilization,” Nagi said.
Zamin nodded slowly. His movements were so frail it felt like he could come to a stop at any moment.
“All of you shall create a new era. I would like you to watch over it, Lady Saya.”
Saya nodded timidly. The corners of Zamin’s mouth curved the slightest amount in satisfaction. It was such a faint movement that Saya didn’t even realize what had happened.
“Chief...?”
“Zamin?!”
Tess and Nagi raised their voices, making Saya finally notice. Zamin had breathed his last. All that lay there now was a wrinkled, withered corpse composed of skin and bones. This was death by old age. Saya was shocked by how sublime it was. She couldn’t even believe Zamin had once resembled Nagi and herself. This would never happen to Saya for all eternity.
That was when she realized a terrifying truth. One day, Nagi would die of old age. She couldn’t hear Tess and Nagi screaming Zamin’s name. She still couldn’t hear anyone after Tess called the others in and cries of sorrow filled the room.
Saya lost her footing and sank to the floor. She was struck down by the cruelty of the reality she came upon as all of those voices resounded as if they were far, far away.
“Lady Saya, are you all right?! I didn’t think you would be so shocked...” Jubilia said as she grasped Saya’s shoulders.
“Saya. Can you hear me? Saya!”
Nagi’s voice sounded so distant. Even now, Nagi wouldn’t touch her. Even though he did so out of care for her own health, it felt far too lonely. Even though Nagi would die one day. Even though he would die before she did.
“To think Lady Saya would grieve over the chief’s death to such an extent,” one of the Crestfolk said.
Not a single person realized the true reason for Saya’s tears.
“Saya, thank you... Jubilia, take Saya somewhere she can calm down.”
“No. Nagi, don’t go.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Nagi smiled to put her at ease, causing her chest to throb. It brought her fear and sorrow.
Liar.
“So, the old rock finally kicked the bucket.”
That was all Keele had to say when he dropped by Garuga Village immediately following Zamin’s death. By the time the funeral rites finally got underway, Nagi was exhausted. When he was informed that Keele was at the village entrance, he ran over in a hurry, only to be met by such words. Nagi felt anger toward his brother boiling up within him for the first time in a while.
“Quit speaking like that.”
“Hah! Acting like his full-fledged successor now?”
“Zamin chose me and Tess. We protect this village.”
“How splendid. You forget how many Crestfolk died ’cause of you?”
“Still, the sterilizations are over. Even the commoners and nobles are accepting the Crestfolk.”
“Like hell they are. People don’t change that easily.”
“You fought for this too, Keele!”
“I was fine just killing nobles. I wanted to run wild. I still do. I haven’t changed either.”
“Seems you’re out attacking nobles as always.”
“You’ve got some good ears out there.”
“Stop it.”
Nagi stared into Keele’s eyes.
“No way,” Keele said with a cold look and a cynical laugh.
“This is an important time! The new administration is acknowledging the Crestfolk! To that end, nobles and commoners have to get along. You’re just being a bother!”
“I’ve always been like this. I do what I want. I got kicked outta this village, so I don’t got no reason to listen to you.”
“Then get the hell out of here!”
“Fine. I’ve got no business in this shitty village anyways.”
Tess rushed in as the two of them became belligerent.
“Hang on! Nagi, calm down. Keele, come offer flowers to the chief’s grave. He was worried about you until the end.”
“Tess, you and Nagi are the chief now. Say it right.”
“It’s just a minor detail.”
“It ain’t minor. It’s important. Fix it,” Keele said with a glare.
“Fine. Come offer flowers to Zamin’s grave.”
“My dear little brother is telling me to get the hell out, though.”
“Nagi, calm down. Zamin was worried about Keele. He’ll surely be happy.”
“Fine, I get it already.”
Nagi still felt irritated, but Tess was right.
“Well aren’t you a fine adult now, Nagi.”
“I don’t want to hear that from you.”
Nagi felt like his head would rapidly cool if he admitted it.
“Keele, return to the village,” Nagi said reluctantly. “It’s just as you said. Too many people died in the fighting. We’re short on hands everywhere.”
“I already told you, I only do what I want. Were you even listenin’? Besides, I’m surprised you can spout such crap after running your mouth a couple seconds ago.”
“That’s what I thought you’d say, but I still had to ask.”
“Hah.”
Keele gave him a scornful laugh. He seemed strangely happy. The two brothers stood there at the entrance staring each other down as a voice called out to Nagi.
“So this is where you were. I was looking for you, Nagi. Lady Saya isn’t feeling well. She’s quite depressed. We were thinking of returning now that the funeral service is—” Jubilia realized Keele was there in the middle of speaking. “So, it’s you.”
“Yo, Jubilia. I’m glad to see you.”
Their gazes clashed. An instant later, Jubilia and Keele put their hands on their sheathes at the same time.
“Hey! No fighting in the village!” Nagi said in a fluster.
“What a waste. It’s a perfect chance to settle things.”
“You’re right. I’ve been thinking of how I wanted to show you the skills I’ve polished since you defeated me.”
“Hah?! When the hell did I beat you?”
“Both of you, stop... Do this elsewhere.”
That was undoubtedly Nagi’s true feelings on the matter. It was out of the question for Jubilia to fight Keele inside the village. Jubilia should’ve known better, but had lost her presence of mind when faced with this man.
“Somewhere else, huh...? Good idea. Jubilia, come with me,” Keele suddenly said, causing Jubilia to stiffen up.
“Huh?”
“Lately, I’ve been keepin’ up the good fight on my own. Let’s do it together. You’ve been gettin’ rusty cooped up in the palace, yeah? I wanna go at you when you’re in tip-top shape.”
It sounded like a bad joke, but Keele was serious.
“Don’t be foolish. There’s no way I can do that. I’m a noble.”
“That so? It’s a hoot.”
“Out of the question.”
“Oh well. Guess I’ll visit the old rock’s grave, then leave. Tess, where is it?”
“You really never change...”
Jubilia’s exasperated voice seemed awfully envious for some reason. Perhaps it was a reflection of Nagi’s own heart on this matter.