Ch. 1: First Meeting
Kingdom of Arbitro in the Land of Judgment, Month of Shadow…-.
In order to meet with the prince I’d awakened, I was invited to Arbitro in the Land of Judgment, a place full of cobblestone buildings.
Accompanied by a messenger, I entered a room to find a man standing completely still, without the barest hint of movement.
(This person…)
He stood perfectly straight, his broad shoulders stiff, and he seemed to exercise a great amount of willpower just to keep his eyebrows from moving as he stared at me.
Camilo: “…”
(We couldn’t talk at the time I woke him up…so I’m kind of nervous.)
OO: “Um…Camilo.”
Camilo’s gaze didn’t move an inch as I heard the messenger announce me, and I did my best to muster up a smile.
Still, he was as stiff as a statue.
(It’s like he’s not even blinking…)
I was dubious about him even being alive, so I started to take a couple steps closer.
Camilo: “Th-that’s enough. Please, come no closer.”
Camilo suddenly spoke, and with a shudder his pure white wings spread out wide.
I stared in mute amazement, wondering how many feathers were on his wings.
Camilo: “…my apologies for startling you. I’m not very experienced with…I’m not sure how to speak.”
OO: “Experienced…?”
Camilo: “Yes…that is, with women…”
Camilo cleared his throat with a cough then, seeming to have pulled himself together, he turned to face me.
Camilo: “I wished to express my gratitude for waking me. Thank you. And you are welcome in my country.”
He brought his wings in as if to punctuate the closing of his speech, and I felt a little of my nervousness fade.
Camilo: “…”
(I wonder what now?)
Camilo: “…you’ve come all the way here. Would you like to observe the judgments? I could show you…”
As he looked at me, I caught a glimpse of redness on his face.
(He really isn’t experienced with women.)
OO: “Yes, I’d like that.”
I nodded emphatically, realizing how much courage he had to have mustered to offer me the invite.
Ch. 2: Courtroom Observation
Trials were held in the courtyard of the castle.
Camilo guided me to the public seating area where many people were gathered for the observation.
OO: “Do you hold a trial every day?”
Camilo: “Yes, as this is where those who have committed sin in the Sky Country are judged. Of course it would be better if there were days we didn’t have to, but…”
Camilo stroked his chin, suddenly deep in thought.
Camilo: “Ah, no, rather…it would be ideal for people to not commit crimes in the first place.”
Camilo’s profile as he looked down at the court was full of sorrow.
(From the bottom of my heart, I pray for peace in the Sky Country…)
I could feel the sincerity of his words and I looked fixedly at his profile.
Noticing my look, Camilo gave a forced cough.
Camilo: “If you’re looking at me, you can’t observe…look, the defendant is entering.”
Within the commotion of murmurs from the spectators, a single, thin man took the defendants stand, followed by a stern-looking man who took the judge’s seat.
OO: “You’re not the judge Camilo?”
Camilo: “I’m charged with managing and escorting defendants.”
(I’m sure he’s quite suited to that job…)
Without thinking, I found myself inspecting his sturdy figure and…
Judge: “Now, we shall commence deliberation immediately.”
The judge banged his wooden mallet twice, the noise loud as it rang out.
The room fell completely silent, the murmurs replaced by a feeling of tension in the air.
Camilo: “That man from the Sky Country is a villain charged with multiple counts of thievery. He must be judged, and punished.”
Camilo’s face was tight and severe as he listed the man’s crimes dispassionately.
It was a different tension in his face than when he’d greeted me, and I could feel a tingling in the air.
OO: “Judging someone is like deciding their fate, isn’t it.”
Camilo: “Yes…”
OO: “It makes me…a little nervous.”
Camilo: “That makes sense…this is also part of the job. If you’re not prepared for it, you can’t carry out your duty.”
OO: “That’s some amazing preparedness.”
Camilo: “It has nothing to do with being amazing. In order to protect the peace…it’s something that must be done.”
Camilo’s already severe expression became even more intense.
OO: “I’d like to follow your example.”
Camilo: “You would? I see…”
His expression turned from being impressed to delight.
Judge: “Now we shall announce the verdict.”
Finally, the judgment would be handed down.
Defendant: “Damn!”
Suddenly the defendant broke free of his restraints and made a mad dash into the crowd of onlookers.
Defendant: “Move it!”
Camilo: “! Oh no…!”
Suddenly Camilo climbed over the railing on the edge of the visitor’s gallery and swiftly drew his bow.
Camilo’s gaze was intense with concentration, like the eyes of a fierce god, and he was shrouded in an aura that kept everyone from getting too close.
Camilo: “That’s far enough.”
A thrum ripped through the air as an arrow shot straight at the fleeing man.
Defendant: “Hie!”
There was a muffled sound as the arrow pierced the man’s long cuff, pinning it to the ground as if the cloth and ground had been stitched together.
The defendant fell with an annoyed groan and the guards immediately had him subdued.
(That surprised me…but what amazing accuracy with the bow. Such incredible skill…)
In the end, the commotion of the day caused court to be adjourned.
I pressed down on my chest, the sudden events having made my heart pound, as I saw Camilo speaking with the guards.
Camilo: “We’ll increase the number of guards on him.”
Camilo briskly relayed the instructions with a dignified calm.
I was shocked at how this version of him was completely different from the image I’d had of him when we’d first met.
Ch. 3: Thoughts Towards Work
After the trial was hastily adjourned, Camilo showed me to my room.
(Camilo…he’s always silent, and grim.)
Remembering his deadly accuracy with the bow and the electric shock that had run through the air, I shivered slightly.
Camilo: “Will this room be alright?”
The place he had guided me to was an immaculate room with subdued furnishings.
OO: “Yes. This should be just fine. Thank you so much for showing me the way here.”
I politely bowed my head, and saw Camilo looking troubled.
OO: “…?”
Camilo: “…sorry.”
OO: “Eh?”
I couldn’t hear what he’d said, his voice barely a whisper.
Camilo: “Ahem.”
Camilo placed his fist over his mouth as he gave a forced cough, then tried once more…-.
Camilo: “I’m sorry about what happened earlier. I’m sure it surprised you. That kind of thing usually doesn’t happen…it’s usually quiet.”
Seeing Camilo so guilty…-
OO: “I was surprised at how good you are with the bow.”
Camilo: “…if I couldn’t do that much, I wouldn’t be much of a guard.”
Though his response was humble, his voice still carried a sense of self-confidence.
OO: “I suppose frightening things like this can happen from time to time.”
Camilo: “Sometimes…that’s why guards like us are so vital.”
Camilo: “This wasn’t a typical affair …I’m sorry you had to go through something so frightening.”
His shoulders slumped as if he was terrible uneasy.
OO: “Oh no…I was able to see how serious of a job it can be.”
Camilo: “I’m grateful that you’d say that.”
Camilo seemed relieved, and I felt a little guilty.
(He was worried about me.)
Now I understood why he’d seemed so apologetic, and why he’d been so stiff on the way to my room.
Camilo: “If possible, I wanted you to come to understand this country…and I thought it’d be nice if you liked it…but then I made the mistake of bringing you to watch a trial.”
He voiced his honest regret with his eyes downcast, and I shook my head in panic.
OO: “I’m glad I went. I was able to experience the serious and vital responsibility that this country carries.”
I smiled, hoping to ease his mind, and I saw some of the tension leave Camilo’s face.
Camilo: “You’re…what is it, that is…-.”
He looked puzzled as he searched for something.
OO: “Camilo?”
Camilo: “…you’re a nice person, or something like that.”
I was shocked to see him smiling slightly.
However, his lips re-tightened immediately.
Camilo: “However, I hope that what happened today won’t happen again. The duty of the Land of Judgment has a basis in discipline. The rules must never be bent. That’s why I strive to temper myself wholeheartedly, so that I can protect people’s lives and well-being.”
I listened attentively as his words gradually became more passionate, then he gave a start and went silent.
Camilo: “Sorry. As much as I try, I can’t stop talking about work. Micaela is always warning me about it.”
OO: “Micaela…?”
Camilo: “One of my comrades. Micaela isn’t very dependable so I can’t take my eyes off him for even a second, and I end up nagging him.”
Though he feigned being troubled as he spoke, I could tell from his words that his true feelings for his friend were kind.
(So Camilo is also someone with many friends then. He’s passionate about work…and he’s also very kind.)
Camilo: “There’s somewhere I’d like to take you tomorrow…what do you say?”
OO: “I look forward to it.”
Camilo: “Good, this time I won’t fail.
OO: “I’m excited. Ah, in a good way.”
Camilo: “I promise what happened today won’t happen again.”
Camilo: “Let me make up for what happened today.”
Saying as much, Camilo gave a gallant bow and left the room.
(He’s such a sincere person…)
My heart filled with anticipation as I thought about the day to come.
Ch. 4: A Different Side
The day after I’d gone to observe a trial…
Camilo, who had come to get me and show me around, was guiding me through the facility used as a station for the guards.
OO: “There are so many fine chapels.”
Then, a grandiose bell rang out from the belfry and I looked up as I spoke.
Camilo: “It’s for the sinners who want to repent, even if it’s just a small thing, so they come here and face their sins.”
OO: “Seeing a chapel as grand as this would make me want to come repent right away.”
I said as much, then Camilo suddenly seized both of my arms and examined me with a deadly serious expression.
Camilo: “You haven’t…committed some sin, have you?”
OO: “N-no…it was just a for instance.”
Camilo: “I-I see…”
After expressing his relief, Camilo realized he was holding my arms and immediately pulled his hands away.
Camilo: “I’m sorry. I just panicked.”
Camilo turned away in embarrassment.
OO: “I am too…I’m sorry for saying something like that.”
Camilo: “Though really, a pure girl like you committing a crime is unthinkable.”
I felt my cheeks turn red as he called me pure.
OO: “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Camilo: “OO, you have such a pure heart, there’s no way you’d commit a crime.”
His tone was so firm that I could tell that he spoke from the heart.
OO: “Is that so…”
Camilo: “Yes…you’re safe.”
As he looked right at me, I felt my heart pounding.
At that time, a passerby called out to Camilo.
Camilo: “One of my subordinates.”
He whispered, and I bowed.
I thought he would pass by with just a nod in greeting, but Camilo approached his subordinate…
(Camilo?)
Camilo stood in front of his subordinate and placed his hands on their attire.
Camilo: “…your cuff is in disarray.”
It seemed like Camilo was straightening his subordinate’s clothes.
(It’s good that he takes care of people.)
The subordinate was bewildered at Camilo’s sudden approach, then relaxed as he fixed the cuff.
Subordinate: “Thank you very much, Lord Camilo!”
He smiled and expressed his thanks, then spoke cheerfully to Camilo.
Subordinate: “Lord Camilo, I see you’re with someone quite beautiful. Is she your girlfriend? Must be nice. I’m so jealous.”
OO: “Uh…um.”
I felt my face heat up at his teasing, and I reflexively put my hands over my cheeks.
Camilo: “Hey.”
Camilo’s voice was intense as he rebuked his subordinate and turned an angry look at him.
Camilo: “She is my benefactor. Don’t be impolite.”
Camilo glanced at me, then glared at his subordinate…
Subordinate: “M-my apologies. Please enjoy your stay.”
He said only that then was gone in an instant.
Camilo: “I’m sorry. I’ve been careless in my subordinate’s training.
OO: “Please, don’t worry about it.”
Camilo: “I am worried about it. I wanted you to see the good parts of this country, but I’m not very good at showing them to you. I don’t want to give you even the slightest unpleasant memory about this place.”
His expression was serious, and his eyes so sincere that they seemed to look straight through me.
My heart started pounding loudly, as if that gaze of his pierced through to my heart.
Ch. 5: Suspicion
The next few days proceeded much the same: when Camilo had free time, he would show me around.
It was on just such a day…-.
While we had gone around the chapel a few times, it had become completely dark.
OO: “Everywhere is wonderful. I keep thinking how nice it would be to have a wedding at one of these places.”
Camilo: “W-wedding!?”
Camilo halted and his voice went up an octave.
OO: “S-some day. I don’t have any plans, or a partner so…”
Camilo: “I-I see…”
He let out a long sigh as if in relief, and strangely my heart stirred.
Camilo: “I’m glad you’re interested in it. I wanted you to come to like this country.”
OO: “I already do.”
Camilo: “I’m glad.”
Camilo’s expression was gentle as he looked at me.
(He can look like this too.)
OO: “I’d like to know more.”
Camilo: “Me too…I want you to know more. About other things too…”
(Other things…?)
I felt passion carried in those words.
Camilo: “If you like, you can stay forever in…-.”
A strong wind blew and I didn’t catch the rest of his sentence.
OO: “What?”
Camilo: “Nothing, never mind.”
Camilo’s smile was strained as he continued to walk.
Camilo: “I should be getting you back to your room. In truth I…”
He was about to say something more when…-.
I saw a boy running towards us.
OO: “Ah-“
Camilo: “OO…!”
As I was about to be run into, Camilo moved to stand in front of me as a shield.
His wings spread out with a rustle and enveloped me in protection.
Camilo: “…ng …?”
The boy ran into Camilo, then kept running without so much as an apology.
Camilo: “…”
OO: “Camilo? Are you alright?”
Camilo was staring after the fleeing boy with a look of suspicion.
Camilo: “Yeah…”
(What’s wrong…?)
However his expression tightened into seriousness almost immediately.
Camilo: “Though he was a child, I’m unimpressed with his actions. It disrupts the town’s order.”
OO: “Are you sure you’re alright?”
I looked up at Camilo in concern as his wings folded back and our eyes met from an unexpectedly close distance.
I felt a shock as my heart leaped.
Camilo: “Are you hurt?”
OO: “I-I’m fine. Because you protected me Camilo.”
Camilo: “Of course I did. That much is…”
Camilo reached his hand towards me, and for an instant it looked as if he would touch my hair when…
OO: “…!”
I heard the barking of a dog.
Subordinate: “L-lord Camilo…!?”
As I looked, Camilo’s underling that I’d met before came towards us, leading a dog.
Subordinate: “It couldn’t be that…-“
Camilo: “Tell me what’s going on.”
The subordinate’s face paled as he looked at Camilo, and the dog at his side continued to bark loudly.
Subordinate: “Lord Camilo…my apologies, but may I inspect your clothing?”
Camilo: “! What is the meaning of this?”
Subordinate: “The dog…reacts to drugs.”
Camilo: “You don’t think I’m carrying them do you?”
Subordinate: “No…but no matter the situation, we must exercise justice. I learned that from you.”
Camilo: “…”
Subordinate: “…excuse me.”
Camilo nodded and his underling searched his clothes.
Before long, he pulled something out of Camilo’s pocket.
Subordinate: “This is…the banned drug that’s become a recent craze…”
OO: “Eh…”
Both Camilo and his subordinate stood there dumbfounded, as if they couldn’t believe what had just happened.
Camilo: “I would never…! Could it be…that boy…”
But Camilo didn’t continue his thought.
(Did the boy that ran into us put it in Camilo’s pocket…?)
There was an incredible amount of tension in the air, pervading the darkness of the night.