Ch. 7: At the Castle, With Firm Defense
After Apollo’s brother had attacked…-.
The castle had implemented even more strict security.
Apollo: “…”
Now, wanting to get a little fresh air, Apollo and I spent time in the courtyard, but his expression was still grave…
(Apollo really does look concerned… I wonder if he’s alright.)
At that time…-.
Soldier 1: “Uwaaaaa!!!!!”
OO: “…!?”
Apollo: “…!”
Suddenly, a soldier who looked like he’d lost all sense of reason swung his blade at Apollo.
Apollo quickly avoided the attack, and immediately struck the soldier’s arm so that he dropped his weapon…
Apollo: “Bastard… explain yourself!”
Soldier 1: “Uwaaa…!”
Apollo kicked the dropped blade into the air and caught it, then swung at the soldier’s neck.
OO: “…!”
I couldn’t stop myself from looking away.
Apollo: “Speak. If not, I will end you.”
The soldier, shaking with pain and fear, opened his mouth.
However, before he could say anything…-.
Soldier 2: “Drive him into a corner!!!”
Soldier 3: “Uwaaaaaaa!!”
A massive group of soldiers rushed into the courtyard.
Apollo: “…what is the meaning of this?”
Apollo’s body began to heat up.
(Honestly… what on earth is going on!?)
Flames appeared in the palm of Apollo’s hand.
Then… he burned down all of the attacking soldiers.
Apollo: “Tch… more are coming.”
Apollo’s mouth curled in disgust.
Apollo: “I’ve done too much here… come on.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Apollo’s voice was quiet as he muttered to himself then lifted me into his arms.
And like that, the two of us were driven out of the castle.
Ch. 8: The People's Betrayal
After taking an attack at the castle, Apollo and I both made our escape…-.
As we headed into town, Apollo was starting to lose consciousness from having used his power, and I tried to find help as I supported him.
OO: “Excuse me! Please… please help us!”
However…
Citizen: “H-hey…isn’t that Lord Apollo…?”
Citizen: “Prince Apollo… it’s Prince Apollo!!”
(Eh…?)
A commotion suddenly spread throughout the town and the air turned threatening.
I felt something cold run down my spine.
Soldier: “This way! Lord Apollo is over here!!”
Apollo: “…so even the people… are caught up in this…”
OO: “Eh…?”
Apollo: “Father and Brother… I used too much power on the campaign, so they were aiming for when I’d be weakened…”
OO: “That’s horrible…-.”
Apollo: “…dammit!!”
Suddenly… a ball of flame roared to life in Apollo’s hand.
OO: “Apollo…!”
Apollo: “Tch… Aaaaaah!!!”
Apollo’s cry reached the heavens, and a furious flame burned the surrounding area.
OO: “You can’t…! If you use your power any more…!”
I didn’t think my voice would reach him as Apollo’s flames grew even larger.
Apollo: “Damn…!”
The flames kept the people at bay, and in that moment he grabbed my hand and we left.
…
……
We searched for a place no one would find us, and escaped into a cave just outside the territory border.
As soon as we arrived, Apollo lost consciousness from having used too much power…
…
……
A few days passed after that, and Apollo continued to thrash in pain and distress from nightmares.
The days passed, and I could do nothing but try to take care of him.
Then one day…
Apollo: “…OO…”
OO: “Apollo…!”
Apollo, who had continued to have nightmares day in and day out, finally opened his eyes.
Apollo: “…I’ve… slept a lot, haven’t I.”
OO: “Yes, but it’s only been a few days.”
Apollo: “A few days… I see.”
Apollo slowly sat up.
I put my hand on his back and helped him get up.
(He’s cold…)
My heart clenched in pain… feeling his body so cold when it housed such heated flames.
OO: “As soon as we’d taken refuge here, your close aide came by.”
Apollo: “What!? Did they try something!?”
OO: “It’s alright. They’re on your side.”
Apollo: “I see…”
Apollo let out a heavy sigh that was full of relief and sorrow.
Apollo: “So, what did they say?”
OO: “They told me about the state of the castle and the country. Most likely, you’ve already guessed this…”
Apollo: “The castle was seized, and the country is in shambles, yes?”
OO: “…yes.”
Apollo: “…”
Apollo frowned in disgust.
Apollo: “I can’t believe… even the citizens would betray me. Was… the way I operated wrong…? Isn’t it proper for a king to lead with absolute power…?”
OO: “Apollo…”
My chest tightened at hearing those sorrowful words, then…-.
Close Aide: “Lord Apollo…!?”
Apollo’s close aide arrived.
Close Aide: “You’ve awakened! Ah, thank goodness…!”
Apollo: “Hmph… you are an idiot. I thought you were a cleverer man than this.”
OO: “Apollo…?”
I thought it strange that he was being so verbally abusive…
Apollo: “You should have betrayed me like my father and brother. If you had, you would have been guaranteed a high position.”
Close Aide: “But I… I will serve no one other than you Lord Apollo!”
Apollo: “…”
Apollo huffed a small laugh, looking away from the deeply devoted attendant.
For some reason, that face made me smile.
(Good…)
There was a brief moment of relief, then Apollo was informed of the current war situation and it took his breath away.
Apollo: “What did you say…?”
According to the aide, the independent territory that Apollo had suppressed the other day had risen once more in rebellion, and they were even now invading the castle.
Apollo: “…I was incompetent. I wonder if they would have been held in check if I hadn’t been there.”
Close Aide: “I will confirm this information once more… please, take care of yourself.”
After the aide had left… Apollo spoke in disgust.
Apollo: “…we had an army that excelled in warfare. I wonder if those fools have fallen. I…”
OO: “…!”
I realized there were flames flickering in Apollo’s eyes.
Apollo: “…I am still the king of that territory. And a king will protect his country and his people, no matter what…”
OO: “Apollo… then, are you going to the battlefield?”
Apollo: “…it’s my land. If I don’t protect it, who will?”
I could only look at Apollo, saying nothing, when…
OO: “…”
He snatched my lips in a fierce kiss.
(Apollo…?)
It felt as if it were steeped in sorrow, but also clashed with some hidden desire…
Apollo’s kiss was overbearing and rough…
OO: “Nn…”
With an intense ferocity, our lips met over and over… then Apollo held me close.
OO: “…Apollo…?”
Apollo: “I love you…”
OO: “…!”
Apollo: “If you hadn’t been here, I think… I would have gone down the wrong path even more quickly. Tonight… stay with me.”
As I was held against his muscled body, Apollo painfully tugged at my emotions.
(What’s going on…? It’s almost like something scary is going to happen…)
I gently wrapped my arms around his back, and that night we fell asleep cuddled up next to each other.
Ch. 9: To Protect the Country
The morning after Apollo and I spent the night together in the cave…-.
OO: “…Apollo?”
I awoke, and Apollo was gone…-.
…
……
Apollo, his body still not yet fully recovered, forced himself to stand on the battlefield.
Invader 1: “It’s Prince Apollo!!”
Invader 2: “No way…! Why is he here…!”
Invader 3: “Doesn’t matter! Attack!!”
The invading army converged on Apollo, forgoing defense.
However…-.
Apollo: “…I won’t let you take… Flarerouge, my country!”
Apollo guarded his chest and tore into them with tempestuous violence.
From his powerful tattoo, blood started to trickle out painfully… then…
Apollo: “Rhaaa…!!”
A dragon made of flame formed in his hand, and he rushed at the oncoming army.
Invader 1: “Uwaaa!!”
Invader 2: “It’s hot…!”
Mustering up the last of his strength, the raging fire spread and burned the invading army to ash.
Apollo: “Aaaah!!!”
The flames burned out of control, setting everything ablaze.
The people, trembling in fear, were destroyed…
Apollo: “Ugh… ah…”
Looking at the burning landscape, Apollo collapsed to the ground.
Apollo: “I protected… my country…”
His hoarse voice disappeared in the roaring of the flames.
Apollo: “Here on the brink of death, I wish I could see you. I guess I’m also a fool… if possible… I would have liked to see your face, one more time…”
As Apollo wished hard for that very thing, he heard a voice calling him in the distance…-.
…
……
Ch. 10: The Future King
I had been running ever since I left the cave, searching for Apollo.
(Apollo… where are you…)
Unease weighed on my heart, and as I approached Apollo’s territory…
OO: “This… is…”
The scene that I came upon made me gasp.
(Did Apollo… burn this all to nothing…?)
The heat still lingered, and smoke rose from various patches still burning with embers.
Slowly, the flames were smoldering, and at the center was…
OO: “Apollo…!”
I saw Apollo’s form, collapsed and limp.
I rushed over and immediately held him close…
Apollo: “Uh… kh…”
Apollo’s eyelids fluttered as if he were in excruciating pain.
OO: “Apollo… hold on…”
As if responding to my voice, Apollo’s eyes slowly opened.
OO: “Apollo… thank goodness!”
His eyes opened wide in surprise.
OO: “That was cruel of you, going off on your own…”
Apollo: “I did my best as king. Because I had to protect the people… and the queen.”
He smiled arrogantly, but it quickly twisted in pain.
OO: “Let’s move you somewhere else. The flames are too close here…”
Apollo: “…yeah…”
…
……
We entered a nearby forest.
The veil of night had completely fallen, and the moonlight seemed sorrowful as it fell on the trees.
OO: “Your body… it’s in really rough shape…”
I supported Apollo on my shoulder and leaned him against a tree.
I took out the water I had on me and started to treat his wounds with a dampened cloth.
Apollo: “Kh…”
OO: “I’m sorry, does it hurt?”
Apollo: “Yeah. That’s enough…”
OO: “No. If I leave you like this…”
I forcibly wiped the sweat and dirt from his neck.
Then…
(The tattoo on his chest…)
The area bore a horrible wound, as if it had been slashed up.
That ferocious and beautiful tattoo… was only a fraction of the pattern it had once been.
OO: “…”
I gently pressed down on the injury with the cloth, then pressed my lips to it.
Apollo: “…what’s wrong?”
Apollo stroked my hair with a limp hand.
OO: “Why… did you do something so rash?”
Apollo: “…no matter what people think of me… I am this land’s king. I have to… protect it.”
Apollo’s words were strong and they cut to my heart.
(You’d even sacrifice yourself… to protect everyone…)
I had seen that unwavering gaze in Apollo’s eyes when I’d first come to Flarerouge, and the grandeur and strength I saw sparkling in his eyes then was the same as now.
OO: “Apollo… you’re strong.”
Apollo: “Of course I am…”
OO: “You’re strong, and intense… That’s the Apollo that I…”
My feelings were overflowing, and the words spilled out.
Apollo: “…what? Speak up.”
I felt relief hearing that usual haughty tone despite his weakened state.
OO: “…I love you.”
After smiling in satisfaction… Apollo quietly held his breath for a moment.
Apollo: “Good… don’t leave my side.”
With a shaking hand, he gently wrapped my hand up and pulled me in close to his body.
Apollo: “On the verge of death, the one I wanted to see most was you…”
His expression was exhausted, but there was an affection there that was very unlike Apollo…
(Don’t smile at me like that…)
OO: “Please don’t say things like that… it’s not like you Apollo. I want you to smile at me… with all the majesty and teasing that you usually do.”
I’d said the words before I’d even realized.
Apollo: “Ha… I see.”
OO: “It’s no good if you’re not here Apollo… I’m sure this country and the people can’t go on without you as king…”
(And I’m sure everyone will tell you that someday.)
Apollo, who was willing to sacrifice himself for his country, was worthy of being their king.
Full of that idea of reformation, I looked straight into his eyes.
OO: “That’s why you have to live… let’s go back, to Flarerouge.”
Apollo relaxed his arm that was around me and leaned against the tree once more.
Then, slowly, he took a breath…
Apollo: “Yeah, I’ll live on. With my queen, and with the people of this country…”
OO: “Apollo…”
I held his exhausted face between my hands.
I felt a deep sense of relief upon confirming the warmth there and feeling his warm breath continue…
Apollo: “…!”
I was kissing him before I realized it.
Apollo: “…”
I could feel his life in the warmth from where our lips touched, and tears started to fall.
Then…-.
Apollo: “…don’t cry. I won’t do something like this on my own again.”
After our lips slowly parted, Apollo seemed a little embarrassed as he spoke.
OO: “You promise?”
Apollo: “I dislike lies.”
Apollo touched my neck and suddenly pulled me into an embrace.
And like that… our lips met again.
(I’m really so glad… that you’re alive.)
My tears turned the kiss salty and conveyed our deepest feelings…
Then once again, my gaze intertwined with his beloved eyes.
Apollo: “I love you, OO…”
Hit with those words full of Apollo’s passion, my tears continued to fall.
(Apollo…)
I took in his feelings that burned like flames, and slowly closed my eyes.
Apollo’s heart that sought to protect his country… had protected everything with his flame.
What I saw when I closed my eyes was the day Apollo would stand as the King of Flarerouge.
END
Secret Story: Vow of Flame
I sank into darkness…-.
To protect my country, I used the power I held to its limits and burned everything to the ground.
(How pathetic… to have used up this trifling power.)
The injuries I’d taken over my whole body felt like they were burning.
(So this is… my end…)
The woman I loved came to my mind.
(…OO.)
At first glance, my eyes told me she was simply weak…
Yet sometimes, I could see a pure and powerful light hidden in those eyes, and at this point, I would have done anything to see them again.
(Here on the verge of death… to think I’d want to see you again.)
OO: “…Apollo…”
Within my hazy consciousness, I started to hear a voice calling my name.
(…ah, so this is how badly I want to see you.)
I could feel myself smile wryly.
(I guess… I’m also a fool…)
However, the voice gradually drew closer…
And I could clearly hear footsteps pounding along the ground…-.
OO: “Apollo…!”
This time, I could hear it clearly.
Apollo: “…”
Unable to even respond, my eyelids started to flutter when…
I was pulled into a tight embrace.
Apollo: “Uh… kh…”
OO: “Apollo… thank goodness!”
The scent that filled my nose, the sensation of the delicate arms holding me, everything was the OO I knew.
(Why are you here…)
The pain of my wounds and the fact that she was here had my mind in chaos…
(I’m glad… I could see you again…)
I deeply loved OO’s warmth…-.
…
……
OO touched my body and wiped down the wounds.
The warmth of her hand gently wrapped around my heart.
OO: “Why… did you do something so rash?”
Apollo: “…no matter what people think of me… I am this land’s king. I have to… protect it.”
I had grown up estranged from my family, being born as the second prince.
(It was natural… for me to protect the country and the people as one who will one day stand as king.)
OO: “Apollo… you’re strong.”
Apollo: “Of course I am…”
OO: “You’re strong, and intense… That’s the Apollo that I…”
She said that much, then stopped in embarrassment.
I knew what she would say next, yet I urged her on anyway.
Apollo: “…what? Speak up.”
OO smiled as if in resignation, then looked at me.
OO: “…I love you.”
Having those words I’d longed to hear directed at me made me feel curiously happy.
Apollo: “Good… don’t leave my side.”
I was aware that I was grinning, and I held the woman I loved… at that time, I hated my painful wounds.
Apollo: “On the verge of death, the one I wanted to see most was you…”
At those words that I murmured, OO looked as if she were about to cry.
OO: “Please don’t say things like that… it’s not like you Apollo. I want you to smile at me… with all the majesty and teasing that you usually do.”
Apollo: “Ha… I see.”
Just then, I wondered if she’d been able to see through to that moment of weakness in my heart, and I smiled bitterly.
OO: “It’s no good if you’re not here Apollo… I’m sure this country and the people can’t go on without you as king… That’s why you have to live… let’s go back, to Flarerouge.”
I saw myself reflected in OO’s eyes as she looked directly at me.
My attachment to this life that had fading since some time before grew stronger because of OO.
Apollo: “Yeah, I’ll live on. With my queen, and with the people of this country…”
OO: “Apollo…”
Having spoken my intention, OO gently placed her hands on either side of my face.
Then our lips met.
Apollo: “…”
(It’s hot…)
I blamed myself for that…
And yet OO breathed her life into me… with an impassioned kiss.
I felt something warm on my cheek.
Our lips slowly parted, and I saw tears filling OO’s eyes.
Apollo: “…don’t cry. I won’t do something like this on my own again.”
OO: “You promise?”
Apollo: “I dislike lies.”
I wrapped my hand behind her neck and pulled her in tightly.
I kissed OO once more as she fell into my chest.
(I vow to you… I swear I will survive. And I swear that I will protect you until the end, you who will be my queen.)
Apollo: “I love you, OO…”
Large tears fell from her eyes as I conveyed my deepest feelings.
(I love you…)
I could feel nothing of the pain of my wounds, nor the pain of the binding on my heart. All I felt was her body as I held it, and the deepening kiss.
Then, we gently pulled our lips apart…-.
Apollo: “…let’s go.”
I stood up, and held onto her shoulder as she frantically moved to support me.
Apollo: “…I am Apollo, Prince of Flarerouge of the Land of the Sun.”
OO: “Yes…”
I tightened my grip on her shoulder and we set off.
I moved steadily, step by step… dragging this heavy body with me onward.
On the morning glow that burned like flame, I made an unbreakable vow.
I, and only I, would be the one to stand as King of Flarerouge.
END