Chapter 6. The fairy from his memories
request.
"For what purpose? As he is now, the Duke would be displeased to be bothered
Dale's attitude towards Ann, the last remaining craftsman, was harsh. His tone
She sensed he was determined to have her make a sugar sculpture that satisfied
"It's an essential matter. I request an audience with him between just the two of
Ann's earnestness seemed to have convinced him, as Dale prepared the
The sun had completely set, and the temperature was dropping further. Outside
Ann was led into Alban's heated chamber.
had probably remained this way the entire time, and most likely spent his days
That lethargic, empty state―Why was he so obsessed with a sugar sculpture as
he was?
the painting.
shape to the object of his desire.
"Thank you very much for granting me this meeting."
"What is the purpose of this meeting?"
sculpture. Would that be alright?"
"Then..."
of the person in the painting?"
seemed that, for the first time, Ann had entered his sight.
"It's for the sake of giving her shape. I feel I must know. The painting doesn't
"With that, will you be able to make it?"
"I don't know."
drew it out of its sheath and stood up with the naked blade in hand.
trembled from forcefully subduing her fear.
"That question just now is a question that invades my memories. Are you
disturbing a person's memories, I'll have you compensate with your life. Are
"I cannot be prepared to die. I won't die. I've made a promise to a friend, and
I will definitely make it. So please tell me―Her name."
shoulder. She winced at the cold and heavy feeling of the iron.
"Is that her name?"
"But fairies have an original name. Are you aware of that?"
By hearing the name promptly leave Alban's mouth, Ann was convinced.
―As I thought, she's special.
only humans who would care are those who see the fairy as an equal, and those
Ann understood that well. She too, knew that same feeling.
"That's what she wished for. She wanted a human name, so she asked that I give
Alban withdrew the sword he'd placed on Ann's shoulder and sat down in a
"Where did you meet? You and Lady Christina." Ann purposely called the fairy
"By the sea. On a beach below the castle's cliff."
"She had just been born. She was sitting absentmindedly, gazing at the wave
"If she remained there that way, she would have been found by fairy hunters,
"That's why I took her back to the castle."
"I pitied that she might be captured by humans and get hurt."
"Did you spend a long time together?"
"And what of Lady Christina now?"
murmured, staring at a single point on the floor.
She saw her own feelings overlap with Alban's figure. Somewhere in her heart,
calling a fairy's name the same way.
lifespan. That while some may live for centuries, others will disappear in a few
―That's why he had so many pictures painted?
been trying to hold onto her, not knowing when she’d be gone. He must have
The fairy smiling in the painting somehow seemed deep in thought. Perhaps
At last, Ann could see the outline of their feelings.
She felt she'd taken quite the roundabout. And she became aware of her own
inexperience. If it were Hugh, no doubt he'd have asked Alban why he desired
Ann thought only of making a beautiful sculpture that could satisfy herself.
What Alban wanted wasn't an extraordinary sculpture. He wanted a portrait that
memories.
the colors, the shapes, and the balance of its form in order for it to look good.
Without those adjustments, a sculpture might be completely raw and unrefined.
The desire to make it overflowed within her. She wanted to shape and show
way she herself sought Shall.
At Ann's question, Alban slowly raised his head.
"I'll bring the sugar sculpture here. I'll carry out my work in your presence, and
eye color... Her expressions and gestures... I'll make them all while listening to
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
"This is bad."
Hugh tossed his coat over the table and plumped down on a chair. Shall was
direction of the window.
strong wind.
Lady Christina wasn't with him."
At Shall's question, Hugh brushed up his forelock while exhaling a sigh and
"That's right. Well, she's a fairy, though."
"A blue-haired fairy?"
"I saw a painting. That guy ordered craftsmen to make a sugar sculpture using
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
Hugh then turned to Shall, looking startled. "Shall, do you know what an oceanborn
"Ocean-born fairies are water fairies. Their lifespan varies. Some live for
Water fairies themselves didn't know their own lifespan. From the moment they
Mythrill was a water fairy as well. He, too, must have been aware of the fact
effort to try and blow off that apprehension. He hadn’t told Ann about his life,
outlive Shall Fen Shall!'
their lifespan, right?"
sugar sculptures might do it, but that too, would probably only add between a
"I see... Then, she disappeared. That's why the Duke is..."
his fairy lover disappeared? As if humans would be bothered by a single pet
replacement."
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
Not only that, but during the Chamber Civil War, they fought for his majesty,
noble position who carries Grand King Cedric's blood? Moreover, does that
All trade-related taxes are siphoned off by the royal family―of which they
That's the treatment they receive after the Chamber Civil War that should have
thirteen years old at the time. How angry had that boy approaching adolescence
child. However, he and his father obeyed. Holding back their anger, prioritizing
But no one could heal those distorted feelings and that anger. No one but her."
"A companion for easing his pent up anger? That fairy must have been happy."
words. "Before becoming the Silver Sugar Viscount, I made the Duke many
that she wanted to prolong her life by even a little. For him."
The fairy in the painting that always wore a smile tinged with sorrow. What was
"She was probably worried this would happen,” said Hugh, before falling silent.
The strong winds shook the windows.
came from the watchman stationed at the highway. It appears Earl Downing has
Philax Castle."
old man and take it easy," he said, then glanced at Shall.
Duke doesn't surrender obediently, he'll launch an attack. There should be two
becomes a rough-and-tumble battle, Ann will be in danger too."
wavered. However, unable to sit still, Shall headed towards Philax Castle along
The sea raged with the strong winds, and the sound of the breaking waves
against his skin.
were three hundred men holding up torches, and fanned by the wind, their
"Earl Downing!"
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
Earl Downing looked surprised to see Hugh's figure rushing towards those tents.
"Has Philax Castle surrendered?" Hugh asked while catching his breath.
I requested their surrender, but a messenger came asking that we wait a while.
attempt has failed."
"It's because I know full well that you have a relationship with the Alban House
persuade him."
further. Don't you get in the way. The last flashpoint of the kingdom must
"I won't get in the way. But Ann Halford is in the castle."
"She's the girl that competed for the royal medal in the previous sugar sculpture
"Ahh... Her..."
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
fight."
But he had a mission. In order to fulfill that mission, he determined that
had experienced the civil war and worked for the sake of securing the country's
"But―"
sitting at.
Hugh insisted, he knew it was futile. That old retainer wouldn't yield no matter
The wind raged on. Beyond a curtain of snow, one could see the castle's vague
Gazing at it, Shall clenched both his fists. "That girl..."
But Shall might be the only one she'd refuse to be helped by. He shouldn't be
the castle before the battle starts and get her out.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
Having located Shall outside the tent, Salim headed straight towards him.
without so much as a greeting, and held out the can to Shall. It was a can for
Unable to grasp the meaning of it, Shall knit his eyebrows, to which Salim then
yours. Open it."
Fitted completely inside it was a small fairy. Shall couldn't believe his eyes.
"Shall Fen Shall?"
"It seems that fellow ate all the soup that was in there. The soldier that found
As I was passing by, he approached me asking if I wanted to buy him," Salim
"What are you doing? You left the castle and ate the soldiers' food?"
protest.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
I don't know why, there were lots of soldiers, so I thought no one would notice
"You left the castle alone to snatch the soldiers' soup? What about that girl?"
Shall's shoulder.
a sugar sculpture he likes, so she told me to wait outside."
"Well, it's because I felt I had to go find you." Tears gradually welled in
back."
"Are you an idiot? What are you saying? She told me to leave, she couldn't be
"You're the idiot!
"Then I'll say it over and over!! Idiot!! Idiot!! idiot!!"
"You think Ann would seriously tell you to leave!? That Ann!? That bastard
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
"...What?"
―She was threatened by Jonas?
―It was after she started crying, so...
Though it had stirred his feelings so much, in truth, she had only been threatened
"Then, now... What is she doing?"
won't leave the castle until she makes a sugar sculpture Duke Philax
Shall's dumbfounded state was momentary. Mythrill's words made him seethe
―That idiot! Even now she's still making sugar sculptures instead of running
Shall grabbed hold of Mythrill, who was annoyingly clamoring and pulling his
"W-what?! Hey, Shall Fen Shall! Let go!"
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
And then he took off.
"Why do I have to hold on to this thing?"
of all get me out of here―!" Mythrill screamed from inside the can.
One barrel of silver sugar, kneaded into balls, then piled up to form a rough
Seeing that, Alban murmured, "Craftsman, what are you trying to do?"
"What was Lady Christina's approximate height?"
After thinking for a while, Alban got up. He stood in front of the pile of silver
chin.
"Then, that's what I'll do."
Straightening her back, Ann once again set her hands into the silver sugar. It
size was necessary.
"I'm making it the same. Everything. Her stature, her face, her expression. I'll
strongest impression that comes to mind? If I were to imagine a certain
though."
standing against the wall. Looking at me, smiling."
That was not a pose she should use if she wanted to make a good-looking
matter whether or not it could attract people's eyes as a sculpture.
Five barrels of silver sugar were carried into Alban's private chamber.
worktable. Additionally, more than a hundred bottles of colored powder that
Ann kneaded up the sugar sculpture over a stone slab placed on the floor. That
allowed it.
She had a solid grasp of the colors and atmosphere.
atmosphere as is.” The atmosphere she read from Christina in the portrait wasn't
the exact facial features before, as well. All she had to do was make sure not to
Taking in her hand a wooden spatula with a brush-like finely cut end, she stood
hair, she quickly carved down from the top of the head to the waist in one stroke.
She carved persistently, so that when looking at it, one could almost feel its
Alban attentively observed Ann, who continued sculpting, and the fairy that was
She couldn't tell how long it had been, but it was certainly already deep into the
Still, Ann continued sculpting. Alban didn't sleep either.
"Duke." The door opened to reveal a nervous-looking Dale.
Downing's men."
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
Without any particularly strong feeling, Alban urged him on, "And?"
"I figured they'd come eventually, but they were later than I expected."
"Have them wait. I want to watch this," said Alban while directing his gaze at
inside its still vague outline.
"Why has Earl Downing come to take you into custody?" Ann asked
Alban smiled as if there was something funny.
the perfect pretext for attacking me, isn't it?"
yourself in danger..."
the tip of his sword at Ann.
"But, why―"
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
"You wouldn't understand! Something like the feelings of someone who's had
one who could understand is...!!" Alban, who'd been shouting in rage, suddenly
Ann gingerly bowed her head, then looked at Alban. Facing down, he let the
of his own fixation.
carpet, and the melancholic sound of the ocean outside the window. One
The Silver Westhall castle Hugh lived in was much more extravagant.
kingdom, they had most likely been desperately enduring. Perhaps it had been
But that fairy had disappeared.
possible that he had not understood the meaning and outcome of that action. Yet
He had chosen slow self-destruction instead.
unable to endure his suppression after losing her.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
single step.
The peace he had finally obtained for the raging feelings he couldn't bear—after
had created himself was gnawing at him.
Reproducing that man's feelings as they were.
powder and kneaded.
Inside, the room was kept at a moderate temperature. But Ann, who earnestly
forehead with the back of her hand. Kneeling on the floor over the stone slate,
and thinly stretched like silk.
There was no knock, but she could tell someone had entered the room. Thinking
thought the same, as he continued gazing at Ann's hands.
"I'm going to have you return her."
At the familiar voice, Ann looked up in shock. "...Shall?"
was slightly dazed. She felt like she was seeing an illusion or something of the
pointing its tip at Alban. The blade shone with the flames of the fireplace.
craftsmen, aren't you. Though I've also heard you're Mercury's warrior fairy.
"I've come to have you return this girl."
want."
your head to him."
Shall glanced at Ann, then spoke bluntly, "I'm amazed at your idiocy."
unreserved comment turned the inner corners of her eyes hot.
her mouth. Her tears were about to escape.
"Mythrill. He really told you... Shall, I'm sorry. That time, I―" Regret and joy
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
themselves in gear, Earl Downing's soldiers are going to break through the gate
"Eh... But, I... The sugar sculpture―"
Alban slowly stood up, holding the drawn sword in his hand. "I won't allow that
"I'm taking her with me. If you want to fight, come."
his eyes.
Ann jumped at Shall's back.
withdraw your swords!"
"I'm serious."
make this fairy's sugar sculpture."
"I undertook it. I started it saying that I could make it! I want to make it. I feel
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
She wanted to continue working. She even felt that she could complete it soon.
"Please, let me continue working!"
battleground."
"It's dangerous."
I can do, and it's my pride.”
Suddenly, the killing intent faded from Shall's body, and he withdrew from his
He heaved a deep sigh. "Make it. But I'm staying here too."
could allow that, he will also be pleased, and I'll be able to continue working."
Having granted his permission, Alban once again sat down in a chair with his
Shall moved to stand against the wall, watching Ann's work attentively.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
He forgave me.
At pivotal points, Ann confirmed aspects of Christina with Alban.
she tilted her head―she paid attention to everything, especially to the coloration.
colored powder over and over.
previously apathetic green eyes appeared the passion of a seeker.
the eyes are wrong. They didn't have such a cloudy white color."
"Silver. It was a translucent silver, like it repelled light."
―A silver color can't be made by normal means. Moreover, it needs to be
Shall coldly watched Alban's eager state.
At that murmur, Shall let out a chuckle. Sneering.
Catching the sound of that sneer, Alban glared at him. "What's so funny?"
"It's Christina."
having something like this made?"
the condensation of an object's energy through the gaze of a living creature."
"So I wanted this shape."
At those surprising words, Ann inclined her head. "Whatever do you mean?"
prolong a fairy's life. Fairies are born from objects, so if I gaze at this, might
―He's asking if something will be born from the shape of Lady Christina made
She tilted her head, unable to grasp Alban's intention. But then immediately,
this1
It was impossible.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
Low to none.
particles of light, and disperse into midair. The matter that made up her shape
fairy's lifespan is prolonged by a sugar sculpture of beautiful 'shape.' That shape
'shape' is what's necessary."
However, Ann couldn't deny it. Though it was unfounded, thrusting reality at a
But Shall was different.
be revived. No matter how much you cry and seek it, it won't come back. Even
being born."
The enraged Alban stood up, holding his sword. Shall remained against the wall
not, it's fact."
She couldn't watch quietly as Shall cornered Alban with the cruel truth.
It was at that moment that the castle trembled.
the door.
coming."
I can't believe that, when just a little longer and what I'd given up on would be
―I want to give this man the fairy he longs for.
to make it welled in her even more strongly. It was only a little longer until what
In that instant, something occurred to her.
Ann rapidly let go of Shall's arm and held up a stone bowl she'd poured silver
creating a silver color.
so, please watch," she affirmed while searching for a nearby pot.
this!?"
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
"You don't need to go along with this man's delusion!"
the end. I'm not pretty, or smart, or rich. But I want to believe that, only in this,
At those words, Shall gazed at Ann in surprise. After a momentary silence, he
"Yes."
"I believe so. But, I want to see this through."
Shall gently touched his hand to Ann's cheek. "I'll hold off the soldiers as much
Leaving only those words behind, Shall turned on his heel and left the room.
Translator Notes:
Keigo (Japanese honorific speech, and specifically in this case, Sonkeigo) to
translate.
1Ann drops the Keigo from here.