Ch. 8: How to Bury the Swamp (SUN)
Lucien: "We have to bury the swamp."
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Afterwards…-.
Lucien sought help from the people to fill in the swampland.
Noble: "L…Lord Lucien…"
Soldier: "Ee…"
No matter how scared the people were, Lucien desperately tried to appeal to them so they would help stop the miasma.
Lucien…
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Lucien: "I have to do something…before it can't be undone."
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I remembered how he looked when he said that.
I want to help…
OO: "Please, as a request from me as well, listen to what he has to say!"
Lucien: "OO…"
Wanting to assist Lucien, I also desperately urged the people of Arbitro to take action.
Lucien: "Thanks."
At last, a diet assembly was called to discuss the problem that Lucien so earnestly spoke of…-.
Then, on the day of the diet meeting…-.
I know it was an unreasonable request to come but…
Lucien appeared, and the gathered people began to stir.
Diet Member 1: "Prince Lucien…"
Diet Member 2: "Those are the black wings…"
Diet Member 3: "Ah, how frightening."
OO: "…"
I bit my lip as I looked at Lucien, but he seemed not to hear their harsh words as he stood calm and dignified.
To me, the glossy ebony wings on his back held a majestic beauty.
However…
Lucien's hand is trembling…
He made a show of courage as he noticed my unobtrusive look, and that filled me with pain.
You can do it…Lucien.
I tightly gripped my hands together, sending that thought out with all my heart…-.
…
……
Chairman: "Now then, the diet assembly shall now begin."
As the assembly started, Lucien immediately brought forth his proposal…-.
Lucien: "A few days ago, I investigated the forbidden grounds. There, I saw that our situation is perilous as the area has spread very near to the barbed wire enclosure.
Diet Member 1: "Wh-what!?"
Diet Member 2: "Preposterous! There have been no reports about any problems with the forbidden grounds."
Lucien: "Your poor information gathering was just a way for you to avoid causing chaos. I know the cause of the spreading area and the miasma is the black swamp at the center of the forest. If we can fill it in…-."
Diet Member 3: "What are you suggesting!? Entering the forbidden grounds… are you saying you want us to have our wings dyed black as well!?"
Lucien: "…"
Lucien stood dumbfounded in response to everyone's refusal.
Diet Member 4: "I-it's easy for you to say, since the prince's wings have already turned black, but…!!"
OO: "…!"
As I reflexively stood up in response to what they'd said …-.
Lucien: "…"
Lucien gave me a calm, yet intent look.
Lucien…
---It's alright, thanks---
The gentle look in his eyes seemed to be telling me that, and I swallowed my words.
Then Lucien tightened his expression as if bracing himself and once more turned his gaze back to the diet members.
Lucien: "I'm not the only one. There are others with black wings."
Ah…
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Servant: "…yes. Everyone detests and fears those black wings, and views them as unlucky. Those affected by the miasma, and those born naturally… The reasons are varied, but everyone agreed to drive them into the recesses of the country where they now live."
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Diet Member 2: "You don't mean…you plan to mobilize them?"
Lucien: "I do. I believe if they help, we can do something about the swamp."
Diet Member 3: "Ridiculous! That group…we have no idea what they'd do!"
Though the unrest was increasing, Lucien was calm and unaffected.
Lucien: "…but it's something that those of you with white wings would never do right? If not for those that you all chased off to the corners of the realm, we can't settle this issue."
Lucien clenched his fists.
Even though we don't know what will happen when people with black wings are hit with the miasma…
Lucien: "So, if we are to take care of this problem…I want to talk to them, and discuss the matter with them."
Diet Member 3: "…"
Even after that, many different discussions and arguments continued.
There was no other option than Lucien's proposal to break down the status quo, and somehow the assembly came to an end.