Chapter 3

Since my brain has such a convenient function, I should have been informed about earlier. This way at the very least during conversational English class, I wouldnt need to give the English teacher face, and I could just sail through the class.

Who would have thought that my English would be so fluent?

Although Hazel would occasionally ask me what I said, there are no communication difficulties between us at all. To be honest, I never thought that my middle high English with some katakana mixed inside, would actually be of use some day. I didnt think compulsory education was really that important.

But the problem is that when I discovered that I could speak English, I start remembering things I forgot. For example the number of the subways stops, a weird older sister who wasnt Gurrier but was a crossdressing guy as well, mermaids, a fortune-telling box that talked, the uniform of a convenience store I cant identify, and little duckies.

Theres even foreign street names what on earth is this, could it be that my older brother took me running around before? Ah, I have the impression Ahbut it seems to be some painful past

A painful past?

In the tunnel that can barely fit a grown adult, Josak can just turn his head around. His orange hair is almost hitting the ceiling, but before that, the torch in his hand might burn the similarly-colored hair to a crisp.

Everyone has a painful past, Young Master. Its okay, you dont have to purposely remember it.

If I can prevent my memories from resurfacing, Id have done that a long time ago.

The problem is those memories are like water spilled onto a tablecloth, slowly spreading wider and wider. At first they were just tiny slivers of memories, but they start expanding after absorbing enough water, and the images get clearer and clearer too.

What theWhat is this? Whats that outfit that looks like an aproned dress? Speaking of which, that couldnt have been

Seeing me press my forehead as I walk, my protector seems a little worried.

Conrad uses a tone of unease different from his usual one, putting his hand on mine, the one pressing my forehead, from behind,

Are you okay? If you think it hurts anywhere, do you want to tell her, and rest for a while first?

No no, rather than saying it hurts, its more like embarrassment! Ahhouch! Thats basically giving in and letting others do as they please! Could you just reject it a little, kid me!

Hazel has always been walking in the far front of the twisting tunnel, so all we see of her is light and a petite silhouette.

It may be because of Adalbert.

What about the muscleman? What does that mean?

Perhaps when he forced out the language of this world, he also broke a seal on your memories.

Broke a seal Why do I have a too little, too late kind of feeling.

No, thats not what I meant. Right now youre just starting to wake up to the past that was on brake before.

On brake?

I raise my head and look up, seeing his exceptionally solemn expression. The silver stars with their iridescent glow, are sparkling in the torchlight. Its been such a long time since I saw him at such a close distance.

In other words, the English youre using isnt just what you learned at school, but mostly likely includes the conversations you heard naturally as a child

Oh, yeah, I count as someone who returned home from abroad too! Though it was just a few short months, and it was when I was just born, when I was just a small BABY.

I heard of that.

Just as were talking, my bodys experiences are awakening subconsciously. Something like a gun, burying my face in Bobba Waa, STOP! Bobba? Pause for a sec there and rewind! In my haste my arm hits the hard mud wall, he stone on my pinky slicing away some of the dirt.

Careful, there.

Im fine, but what do you mean by on brake? And whats the seal on my memories?

To ensure that Josak can hear him too, Conrad raises his voice slightly,

I havent done any in-depth research on it, but most people keep their memories starting from when theyre two to three years old. As for before that, what happened as newborns or in the womb, theres practically no recollection.

Mn, thats true.

But just as I said before, the soul records everything down.

Its memories and records again, why is it getting more and more complicated.

The reason you can understand the Shin Makoku language despite never being here, is because it was already recorded, accumulating in the depths of your soul. Those are definitely Your Majestys Yuuris experiences from before you were born.

I feel as though theres a stone choking my throat, but I still manage a gulp. Its just that my mouth is extremely dry, there isnt even enough saliva for me to swallow.

In other words, Im using the EXP from the previous owner of my soul to speak?

Conrads expression doesnt change, as he slowly nods.

Thats it exactly. Those records that shouldnt float to the surface, should be sealed behind an utterly unopenable door. After all it must not affect the personality of the souls new owner.

Affect Ah, is that so?

The so-called souls new owner, is me.

As for who the previous owner of the soul is, I have no idea.

You dont have to know those kinds of things.

I thought for a moment there that my thoughts had been found out, so I cant help but stand in place. But those words didnt come from my mouth, instead it was Josak, whos walking ahead desperately to not lose sight of Hazel, saying in his regular tone,

Standing from a point after being born, to be honest, its no use even if you do know your previous life. As long as you use everything you own now, and live on desperately, with everything you have, then thats good enough.

Well said, Gurrier! If I was Professor Kindaichi, Id compile a book of Gurrier Quotes for you.

Im so happy, Your Majesty! Gurrier is so touched!

Once someone starts thinking about their past lives, then its really game over.

I have been told the name of my past life before, but I wont simply believe a past I havent see with my own eyes. Even if the person who used the same soul as me was a king, at the most he would be as big as the Dessert Worlds King of Homeruns[1]. The world is a very small place.

Besides, if someone said I was a girl they used to know, then I really wouldnt know how to react. If we met again, then how am I going to greet them, huh. Something like President, your tie is really pretty? Although theres no president, and no tie[2].

The maseki thats back to hanging around my chest seems to be heating up, but I pretend not to notice. As I thought, pretending not to know anything and living on is the best way.

But Josak betrays my conclusion, saying carelessly,

But the people around you would probably feel really troubled, right~

I trip over a stone the torchlight couldnt reach.

If they found out that the person who was a friend yesterday is actually the enemy, or their cute son is the reincarnation of someone who killed their family, then that would definitely be a real bother. They wouldnt know what to do, yknow.

Thats why it must be sealed.

I suddenly realize Conrads palm, pressed against my forehead, has become scalding hot.

Thats why it must be sealed tightly deep within the soul, so the people around them and they themselves will never notice. But Adalbert destroyed that seal, bringing out the memories that dont belong to Your Majesty. If its just language, then its not that serious. But if even the seal on the memories of back then are broken

Wait a sec, wait a sec!

I break free from his hand, my heels scrambling against the ground as I turn around.

Im just remembering things I saw and heard as a toddler. The memories should be from around three years old. As for the genius kindergarteners the neighbors talk about sometimes, isnt that just their idle chatter after a good meal? If I say, I even remember clearly how it was like inside my mummys tummy, then what kind of a situation would that be! Conrad, that would be way too exaggerated. So I say, youre overthinking this, and worrying for nothing.

Is that so?

It is.

I grip the hand without the ring, lightly tapping the chest on his uniform. Theres a thump, I can feel the force of the rebound, it feels as though I can even touch his heartbeat.

Worrying for things for me, should be Gnters job, right?

But, I also wish to be able to share your worries Please allow me to.

Maybe its because of the wavering torchlight, that expression looks close to tears. But it isnt me, its him.

Even if its just for now.

So many retorts appear in my mind, like that isnt something you should say to a sixteen-year-old boy or there are already rumors flying around town, saying you and Gnter are too overprotective of me. At the end I still didnt rebut him, just repeated the same, short and simple answer.

Its okay.

Ill say it again, Im okay.

Theres nothing in this world that would make me more grateful now, than the cheerful spys random interruption. Josak treats everything jokingly, the way he holds the torch to his face and waves it crazily, is like a fire dance, and only he can say whatever he wants without hesitation.

Isnt that too dangerous, Gurrier!?

Thank goodnessHis Majesty still worries about Gurrier.

Thats not it, if you really want me to say it, Im more worried for the torch

I suddenly hear someone calling us, and so I look past Josaks shoulder and aheadHazel Graves, now way far ahead, is yelling at us from the top of her lungs,

BOYS, did you leave your feet at home?

The two of us who understand English shrug, thinking, Conrad shouldnt count as a BOY, right? If she knew the difference between how he looks and his true age, surely she would be fairly surprised.

The one who starts yelling weirdly after hearing the true age isnt Hazel, but me.

Are you that old!?

If what she says is true, then she should be an old grandmother over a hundred and twenty years old. All that about it being rude to ask a ladys age, shes long past that. But on the surface she only looks around seventy, seems her aging is different from the mazokus.

If I count Conrad and Josak as well, then standing between the trio of centenarians, I sincerely feel that the elderly these days are extremely active. It really feels as though theyve become Dokumamushi Sanday[3].

But shizoku have long lives, just like the mazoku, huh.

No, its true that they tend to live to a hundred and fifty or so, but I havent heard of them aging slower like you guys. Their bodies will stiffen up once theyre past a hundred, and quite a few of them stay bedridden because of it.

Thats what she says, but Venera, also known as Hazel Graves, has easily leapt across that chasm. Who does she mean by their bodies will stiffen up?

I take good care of my body normally, it wasnt easy to last this long, but it seems Im almost at my limit now too. Besides, Im not from this world, so the effect of time on my body will be more or less different.

Hold on, I cant pretend I didnt hear that. Youre not from this world? What does that mean? Could it be that Grandma Hazel is just like me

About that, Lord Weller should know it well.

That half a face illuminated by torchlight curves into a smile, her hand continuously exploring a few spots on the wall, as though looking for a bump or something.

I died decades ago. In the United States on Earth Also known as America.

America!?

1936 AD, you suddenly disappeared from the outskirts of Boston.

In my surprise I blurt out, Thats seventy years ago!

Conrad watches the old ladys every move, continuing,

And you disappeared in a fire together with the house you just moved into.

Thats right, logically speaking I should have burned to death back then, but Im still as lively as ever right now, I wonder why? When I first came here, I even thought this is the afterlife. But if this is heaven, then its rather too sinister. It made me think that I didnt do anything good in my life, and thats why the gates of heaven wouldnt open for me.

No, no, this isnt hell or paradise.

Of everyone here only I hasten to refute her. Thats no joke, if it really as what Graves said, then wouldnt I be dead as a doornail too? And besides, Ive come and gone from here quite a few times, now even the people in Japan over there wont think I mysteriously disappeared.

Thats right, Ive figured out this isnt the afterlife. But back home they must have held my funeral, and built a little tombstone for me, huh. So Hazel Graves is officially dead. From that moment I broke the taboo and touched that, and was enveloped in blue flames.

Thats right, you opened the Box. And then you were blown here by the impact.

Conrad!

Just as the conversation was interrupted, the wall makes a heavy noise and slides aside. Upon closer inspection, it turns out that the door here is made of a thick stone slab, and its a large round stone that can move to a side, too. But now isnt the time to stand in awe of a rigged underground passage.

You mentioned the Box?

Im so tense even the tips of my fingers turn cold.

You mentioned the Box just now, didnt you? You mean the four Boxes that put us through hell and back? Those things

My throat hurts so much, as though Ive swallowed ice cubes.

Are here?

Not here exactly!

Hazel Graves watches my expression as she takes half a step in the direction of the stone wall.

Its further north, on the edge of this continent. The shinzoku lands are very vast.

Her gaze is appraising me. It feels like Im passing through the detectors in an airport, a displeasing feeling.

Since coming to this world, little old me hasnt been able to cross the ocean. Although I cant compare to other countries, but according to my sense of distance from when I was alive, this place should be as big as Australia.

Hazel even adds, laughing, But there arent any sheep here.

Just like its name, Country of the Holy Sand, theres only wind and yellow sand here. Forget oases, there arent even any decent types of plants.

Though youre not a shinzoku, you sure know this place well.

How long do you think Ive lived here? Li His Majesty over here already said it all surprised, right? Seventy years, yknow. After staying in the same country for seventy years, I know a lot more about this country than the kids born here.

She beckons us into a small stone hut, bringing the torch to the oil lamp on the walls. In the many intricate drawings, there are people, livestock, and images of what looks like gods. The room about twenty tatamis[4] big, looks like its been drowned in bright red, coming off as majestic.

Waa

Even Josak, who doesnt have much of an interest in arts, cant help but praise,

This is a temple or some house of worship?

Now its just a simple gathering area. But around two hundred years ago, apparently it had the important position of entrance. Listen up, Im going to explain it to you.

Hazel knocks the innermost wall. For some reason, her gaze isnt trained on Conrad, whos well-versed in English, but at me.

The walls of this room are each connected to different passages, but you must never go on, because theres a maze ahead. In the past that used to be an underground city where people lived, but since two hundred years ago when the last batch of citizens were taken out, its been abandoned to this day. Even seventy years ago when I arrived here, there was only an impenetrable darkness, with not a single sliver of light to depend on. Listen carefully, if you dont want to die, never cross these walls. If you dont have a powerful guardian angel next to you, theres no way at all you can survive in the mazes ahead.

But Grandma Hazel passed it.

You cant really say I passed through all of it.

She shakes her dusty white hair, sitting on the hard ground. Whats unbelievable is, her pose isnt as straight as it was earlier, making her look like just another petite and exhausted old lady. She supports her forehead with her thumb and pointer, head bowed and spirits low,

I didnt walk here from the other end either, thats simply impossible. All I did was duck inside halfway and walk a small distance to avoid the horseback tribe on the surface. But just that small distance was almost enough to drive me insane. Do you believe me? I, who went through countless ruins and explored so many tombs, nearly lost my mind!

Hazel seems to be talking to herself, telling of the mazes terrors,

Ive eased my way through raining bullets, went toe-to-toe against wild beasts in the forest, even inched my way through caves, and was trapped in a shipwreck underwater. But I that darkness really is something else. This is different from treasure-hunting on Earth, completely different.

Technically, Josak shouldnt be able to understand the language shes speaking, but he doesnt interrupt all the same. It could be that from the atmosphere around here, he can sense what shes saying.

There were people living in the underground city up to three hundred years ago, and I heard it was rather prosperous then, too. Though its still no match for the cities on the surface. The residents were all the lowest of the low among the slaves, and werent allowed to live on the surface. But at least back then it wasnt utter darkness, and there were torches illuminating the passages everywhere, so they werent a dark maze either. But a certain Seisakoku monarch brought all the slaves living underground to the surface. That tyrant didnt care about these people, and didnt want to care about these people, so from the on this place has become somewhere not blessed by the gods. When I was wandering the maze, I thought I had been abandoned by the gods

Her voice is so low its like a murmur,

Thats the Box of taboos created by the gods, once youre driven by desire to touch it, you will receive divine punishment

Thats not it, Hazel.

I speak up without thinking.

The old lady raises her head, meeting my eyes directly.

It actually has nothing to do with God.

Why?

Im still standing straight, and my feet are still on the ground, as I lower my head to look into her hazel eyes. Although it feels as though the beasts drawn onto the walls are about to pounce on us, thats just an illusion caused by the firelight.

It has nothing to do with God. That was created by the mazoku to seal away an ancient threat, eventually sealed and hidden away. All that happened long before you or I were born, a long long time ago. Right, Lord Weller?

I can feel Conrad nod in agreement behind me.

So, even if you met misfortune due to the Box, its definitely not divine punishment. The gods you believe in havent abandoned you. Its just I all I can say is, I feel so sorry for you

Hazel Graves lifts her head to look at me and Lord Weller behind me, falling into a long silence, before opening her mouth slightly, singing a certain familiar melody in a tiny voice. Her voice is gruff, and the lyrics are blurred, but that is definitely the song that boy once sang in front of the palace.

What is

I dont get to complete my question because someone nudges my shoulder, preventing me from continuing. When I look to my side, I find Lord Weller has his eyes narrowed, and though he doesnt say anything, I know what he means. He probably knows what song this is.

I wait motionlessly, until Hazel suddenly stops singing. Her expression is that of a child who was caught crying in a corner,

If only someone sang this at my funeral for me, thatd be great.

I dont know if anyone sang this song

Conrad takes a step forward, reaching his left hand out to Hazel on the floor its that left hand.

I heard that many close friends and relations attended your funeral, singing and sighing over your death. Even people who live far away and dont usually interact, used that chance to rekindle past friendships. Your daughter and her husband had positive outlooks, as well. As a way of remembering the deceased, it was truly a great farewell.

Thats wonderful, Im glad. But this feeling sure is strange, learning about my own funeral in a foreign land.

And your heir, April Graves became an impressive figure, just as you wished.

Halfway through getting up, Hazels expression suddenly turns solemn, frozen mid-motion. Thats a name I never heard before, but it should be he granddaughter.

You said April

Two years after you disappeared, she came across the Box by accident. Just like you.

In that moment I doubted my ears. There were four Boxes originally, how many of them are in this world? And how many are on Earth!? No, more importantly, why are the things threatening this world appearing on Earth? Just hearing that makes me restless with worry, but seeing Hazels agitated expression, it seems that theres no chance for me to interrupt with a question related to the mazoku.

To think that child That child met the same fate as me!?

No

Lord Weller grips Hazels slender, wrinkled fingers tightly with his left hand.

She and some friends You should know them, I think they were your friends, called Regent and DT. With their help, April sank that Box into the water, getting past the German armys detection without triggering the taboo.

The old lady looks relieved, the wrinkles around her eyes and mouth deepening.

I met April Graves once, she said shes extremely proud of you.

Is that so

Conrad says, with a smile of someone cheering up their own grandmother, Shes a lot like you.

Thank you, theres no news better than that.

This time she really cries.

Hazel Graves holds Conrads hands, tears flowing down her thin, gaunt face.

Her time has finally been connected again.