Sugar Apple Fairytale Vol 2 Chapter 2

Chapter two - Duke Philax's summons
Stretching out the window was the fourth floor balcony. Standing there, Ann
thought out loud, "Amazing."
A faint dark forest. In its center was a lake with the surface of a black mirror.
The scenery of the quietly falling snow on the dim evening forest felt solemn,
as if rejecting the presence of man.
Ann had never seen a forest or a lake from such a high place before. As she
glanced down at her feet, she felt a chill from the top of her head as though
she might suddenly slip off.
Compared to the coldness of the balcony, the room was as warm as spring.
Inside, plenty of wood had been thrown into the fireplace. The bed was so
wide, it could fit four people Ann's size lined side by side, and it had pillars
sporting from each of its four corners to construct a heavy-looking canopy.
Upon returning to the room, Ann looked the bed up and down and muttered
half in shock, "Those n.o.bles… Just how many people do they intend to share
such a huge bed with? And to begin with, though the bed is indoors, is a
canopy even necessary?"
Just before the day had come to a close, Ann, along with Hugh and the others,
left the shabby inn.
Then, steering her box-shaped wagon to follow Salim's horse, they headed
towards Silver Westhall Castle.
When Hugh said he wanted to invite her to his castle, Ann was taken aback.
Why would he go to the trouble of finding and even inviting her? She couldn't 
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grasp the true meaning behind it.
Still, she took him up on his offer. Frankly, she was grateful.
The city of Westhall stretched over a gradual slope, at its top becoming an
open plateau, where a natural lake was located. On each side of the lake stood
the identically shaped Westhall and Silver Westhall castle: black on one side
and white on the other, though different in color.
The pair was of truly refined structure, with both the lake and the forest taken
in by their scenery.
Both castles were new. They were built fifteen years ago, after the civil war,
which was why the gates did not even have the stern portcullis necessary for
battle.
Their purpose was to serve as a symbol of authority, and for the castle lord
may live comfortably.
To Ann, who lived the life of a vagabond for the fifteen years since she was
born, this was an unfamiliar world. Having never seen a castle this close
before, she was overwhelmed by its enormous size.
Pa.s.sing through the gate as urged, Ann entered the castle's outer block, where
she entrusted her box-shaped wagon.
After pa.s.sing yet another gate, the castle tower soared within the inner
quarters. The stones of the tower's walls had been smoothly polished,
beautifully displaying their chalk-white color.
Inside it, Ann, Shall, and Mythrill were each a.s.signed their own room.
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The three had always slept where they could see one another, so when they
were led to separate rooms, Ann felt slightly disheartened. But Shall was in
the room next door, and Mythrill was in the one next to that.
I'm not lonely, she told herself as she entered the room.
"Is there anything you need? If so, I shall arrange for it."
The one who called out was a crisp-looking fairy the size of a child, and had
the appearance of an adult woman. Upon entering the room with Ann, the
woman immediately proceeded to brew some hot tea.
With the refreshing smell of dried herbs, it was incredibly delicious.
In the Kingdom of Highland where Ann lived, there also lived fairies. Born in
nature, they wore a pair of wings on their backs, and some even possessed
special abilities.
However, those fairies were miserable. They were being captured by humans
and forced into labor. By tearing off one of the wings that was their life source
and using it to threaten them, they could be controlled at one's will.
Ann didn't want to enslave a fairy like that. That's why to her, Shall and
Mythrill were friends of equal footing.
The fairy crouched to grab more kindling to throw into the fireplace, lifting
the heavy-looking wood with both hands.
Ann hastily rushed to her aid. "Wait, it's okay. I can do that myself."
"That's alright. This is my job, after all."
"But, however you look at it, I'm far stronger. Hard work should be handed to 
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those who are strong."
The fairy stared blankly at having the firewood lifted from her hands. Then a
moment later, she chuckled.
"You're quite the odd one."
"Eh? Really? Isn't this what they call 'the right person for the right job'
[1]?"Ann replied while feeding the wood to the fire. The fairy smiled wryly.
"Well, I feel your way of using that is a little off, though. But I must say I
envy those two."
By 'those two', she must mean Shall and Mythrill.
Both Shall and Mythrill had only a single wing on their backs. But the other
wing that had been taken from them is currently in their possession. They are
free.
Ann felt remorseful. Even if she could free a fairy or two, that was her limit.
She couldn't save all the many fairies in their world.
"When I get more money, I could buy your wing back from Hugh, though."
"No. The viscount is a good master, and I am satisfied with my life here. I was
just thinking that it must be nice to travel with someone like you. Is there
anything else I can do for you?"
"No. Really, I'm fine. Thank you."
"If you need anything, please pull the bell string," the fairy said with a smile
as she took her leave.
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With that, Ann was all alone. The room was far too big.
She gently sat down on the bed in a reserved manner, and p.r.i.c.ked up her ears
to listen for sounds from the room next door.
―I wonder what Shall is doing. Maybe I should go take a look.
It had been over two and a half months since meeting Shall, and Ann was now
becoming inadvertently aware of his every word and gesture.
Not being able to see him like this made her feel uneasy.
But it was his fault to begin with, she thought, for doing something like kissing
her fingers after the sugar sculpture festival. What was his intention in doing
something like that? She couldn't wrap her head around it, but she was too
embarra.s.sed to ask.
Somehow, deep inside, she could still feel the sweet shiver that rose in her
chest as she was kissed. At times, she'd recall it, and the feeling would
resurface. It was troubling.
In a rather shady looking manner, she climbed up the bed and pressed her ear
flat against the wall that separated her room and the one next door.
For a while, she searched for signs of presence. Then,
"Hear anything?" someone asked from behind.
Subconsciously, Ann answered, "No. It's awfully quiet in… Wait, whoa!"
As she was about to tumble off the bed, the one to catch her by the arm and
stop her fall was Shall.
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Shall looked down at Ann, who was half sprawled across the mattress. His
black hair gently touched her cheek.
"What are you doing?"
"N-n-nothing really."
Cold drops of sweat formed on her skin, and her ears turned red. Seeing that,
Shall, whose one knee was placed on the bed, snickered nastily. "Feeling
lonely in a room all by yourself?"
"What, I'm not a child you know."
"It's a big bed. I'll sleep with you."
She knew that sweet whisper was nothing more than a mean joke. Still, just
hearing those words was enough to make her cheeks flare up.
"It's fine! I'll pa.s.s, thank you very much! Rather, what are you doing here!?"
She forcefully wound back her held arm while pushing herself away from
Shall, then crawled backwards on the mattress to escape his hand's reach. With
an amused expression, Shall climbed off the bed.
"You looked so helpless entering the room, so I came to see your lonely
crying face."
"I'm not crying. And I'm not lonely."
While trying to act tough, she backed off all the way to the edge of the bed,
where she reseated herself.
"Then, what was that just now?"
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"That was… Um. Because it's such a finely-built castle, I wanted to examine
the texture of the wall…"
She suspiciously averted her gaze, letting out a lame excuse.
Shall grinned. His deep black eyes seemed to have completely seen through
Ann's thinking.
He couldn't possibly have noticed that the only thing on her mind was him,
right? Thinking that he might have noticed made her incredibly embarra.s.sed.
Shall turned on his heel and walked across the room. Looking as if he owned
the place, he comfortably sat himself on the couch there and leaned against the
armrest.
The gracefulness of that gesture made it seem like he naturally belonged in
such a luxurious room.
"You're not surprised by the castle, are you, Shall? From the moment we
arrived, you didn't seem too impressed, even though Mythrill Reed Pod and I
are constantly amazed by its size," she said, trying to change the subject.
"All castles are built alike."
"You've been to a castle before?"
"For about fifteen years, I lived in one. Between now and a hundred years ago,
there isn't much of a difference in structure."
"Is that…"
Suddenly, the area of her chest felt like she had sucked in cold air.
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—Is that the castle you lived in together with that girl, Liz?
Just once, Shall told Ann about his past.
All fairies are born when the energy of, for example, a drop of water, a flower,
a fruit, or a gem is condensed by the gaze of a living creature.
Shall was born from the condensation of the energy of an obsidian, brought on
by the gaze of a lone five year old girl named Elizabeth. The girl, who was the
daughter of a n.o.ble family, brought Shall back to her estate and hid him there,
where they spent the next fifteen years together. However, she was killed by
human hands.
Shall referred to Elizabeth by the nickname 'Liz.' Just that was enough for Ann
to feel that she understood what kind of relationship they must have had.
"What is it?" Shall questioned Ann, who'd suddenly gone quiet. Startled by
that question, she strained a smile.
"Ah, yeah… It's just, that—"
Is the castle you lived in for fifteen years, the same place you lived in with
Liz? was what she was trying to ask casually.
But the words wouldn't come out. Ann, herself, was surprised at how upset she
had become. She felt as though at some point, the scab of a wound she
completely forgot about got peeled off.
"What's wrong?"
"Eh, um. Nothing really…" Thinking of Liz made her chest hurt. And she
couldn't understand why.
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Being stared at by Shall's firm gaze had her overcome with the strong urge to
run away.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
"Ah… Coming!"
At that heavenly salvation, Ann jumped off the bed and walked towards the
door. She opened it to find the one standing there was Hugh.
"So? How are you enjoying the room so far?"
"Oh, Hugh. Thank you. It's terribly comfortable, and so gorgeous it makes me
feel out of place."
Hugh laughed in response. He leaned his arm against the door and looked
down at Ann.
"You'll get used to it after one night. It's hard for humans to adjust to severe
conditions, but they get immediately used to comfortable ones. By the way,
Ann," Looking into her face straightforwardly, he whispered as though
partaking in a secret conversation. "there's something I want to show you.
Mind tagging along? It's a place you can't bring Shall and Mythril to. Only
you can come. It's still within the castle, though, so it shouldn't take long. Just
killing some time till dinner's ready."
Ann wanted to get away from Shall's line of sight as soon as possible. Thus,
she nodded without so much as a second thought.
"I'll go. Right now?"
"Yeah."
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Even while turning back to face the inside of the room, she made sure to avoid
eye contact. "Shall, Hugh says there's something he wants to show me, so I'm
going out for a bit."
After hurriedly leaving the room and shutting the door behind her, Ann felt
relieved. And in her relief, she became curious as to where she was being
taken. She quickly chased the st.u.r.dy back that had begun walking forward.
"What is it that you want to show me?"
"It's a surprise," Hugh turned smoothly and answered with a faint smile.
"I wonder what it could be. Nothing comes to mind… Ah, that's right! I still
can't think of anything, but, that reminds me!"
She slightly picked up the pace and walked up next to Hugh.
"At Lewiston, before I came to Westhall, I was helped by a sugar craftsman
named Cat. He's an acquaintance of yours, right? He said that if I happen to
run into you, to tell you he sends his regards."
Hearing that, Hugh looked surprised.
"Cat did? Hmm, I see. That guy's been doing well, huh. But, it's him we're
talking about. Rather than his 'regards,’ his message to me was likely either
'drop dead!' or 's.h.i.thead b.a.s.t.a.r.d!'"
"W-well, something like that… He's a good person, though unusual. He gave
me this cape."
"If it's his cape, that would make it first cla.s.s goods. Looks like you got your
hands on something nice."
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Inside the tower was a spiral staircase, structured to make it possible to get on
and off at each floor.
After climbing all the way down to the first floor, they advanced into the
corridor directly connected to the entrance hall. At its innermost section, the
corridor hit a wall where the path split left and right. In front of that wall,
Hugh stopped.
A single door was inlaid into the wall's surface.
"This is it. Normally, no one goes in but me. Rather, I should say, no one is
allowed to go in but me."
Upon opening the door, a chilling wind characteristic of a bas.e.m.e.nt blew out.
Immediately past the doorway, a narrow set of stairs continued downwards
along the wall.
Hugh took out a lamp from a dent in the wall and, after lighting it, held it up
as he climbed down the stairs.
"Sorry about this. It's much brighter during daytime."
After descending a mere twelve steps, they arrived in a round room.
The sound of trickling water resounded.
Hugh walked along the wall of the room that seemed to have had lamps
installed on it at equal intervals, and sequentially transferred fire from the
lamp he was holding into each of those.
"This…"
Ann's eyes widened at the sight of the lit round room.
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In its center was a worktable the width of three adult men stretching their arms
wide side by side.
The walls of the room had dents made into them all around to be used as
shelves for stocking colored powder.
The number of gla.s.s bottles containing colored powder could not be counted
with one's two hands. It was a truly tremendous amount.
A ceramic pipe had been inserted into a break in part of the wall, from which
clear water, likely groundwater, flowed without pause. The flowing water was
caught in a jug, where it overflowed into a groove in the room's outer
circ.u.mference that was turned into a mechanism leading outside.
Looking up, there was no ceiling.
Nothing but dark s.p.a.ce continued higher and higher.
This place was likely one of the columns attached to the castle's tower that had
been hollowed out from top to bottom. Far overhead, many window-like
frames could be seen. It was likely designed so that during daytime, the light
coming through the windows would fall down on this workshop.
"Is it really okay, Hugh?" she asked reflexively.
This was the silver sugar viscount's workshop.
Even to normal sugar craftsmen like Ann, their workplace was sacred. The
workshop of the silver sugar viscount, nonetheless, would be equal to the
church of St. Lewiston Bell that was home to the state religion.
This was where sugar sculptures were made for the royal family. Such a holy 
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place must therefore bring magnificent happiness.
That was probably why, though it was a bas.e.m.e.nt, it felt incredibly majestic
rather than gloomy.
Soaked into the stone walls were the feelings and power of the silver sugar
viscount. It felt like they were filling up the hollow tower.
On the work table was a large sugar sculpture in progress.
A huge lion reached Hugh's height with a bold composition and representation
that looked roughly hewn.
It was by no means realistic, nor was it of fine craftsmanship. However, it was
no mere roughness. Looking at the perfectly tailored overall balance made that
clear. The representation of the coat of fur, like a vortex winded by stormy
waters, gave the impression of a legendary beast jumping out of the raging sea.
It was full to the brim with force. It was a sugar sculpture that told of its
maker's power.
Ann unconsciously approached the work on the stone worktable.
"Incredible. It's so powerful."
Hugh stood next to Ann. "Well, yeah. It's a sugar sculpture for his royal
majesty's birthday celebration. It ought to be powerful."
Ann looked up at Hugh in admiration. "Incredible. Compared to this,
something like what I made… Seems like mere child's play."
"Don't be so downhearted. Do you know why I brought you here?"
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"Why?"
"You can become an even better sugar craftsman. And after becoming a silver
sugar master, you can become one of the best even among those. That's what I
think, and what I'm expecting. That's why I wanted to show you this place."
"I'm glad to be praised, but can I really become such a good craftsman?
Though I am making an effort…"
Hugh bent over and looked into Ann's face. Her features reflected in his
strong-willed brown eyes.
"I believe in you. Are you questioning my judgement?"
"It's not that, just, realistically speaking—"
"It's hard for a fifteen year old girl to live on her own. Right now, you still
have Shall, but without him, life would likely be dangerous. Polishing your
skills while living such a life is quite difficult. Your strength may be used up
just trying to pull through each day. I think that's a waste. Frankly, that's why,
it has bothered me since the sugar sculpture festival. When I heard you were
coming to Westhall, I thought of it as a sign and went looking for you. I want
to make you a proposal, Ann."
"A proposal?"
"Until you are awarded a medal by the royal family at the sugar sculpture
festival, stay in this castle. During that time, I'll look after you, and once you
become a silver sugar master, join the Mercury guild. I'll give you a job as my
a.s.sistant."
His words slowly sank into Ann's head.
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To put simply, Hugh was saying that he would support Ann unconditionally,
and for the unknown period of time until she becomes a silver sugar master,
nonetheless. That alone was surprising, but then he went as far as saying he'd
guarantee her a job as his a.s.sistant.
To Ann, there couldn't be a sweeter deal. It was too good to be true.
Although, considering Hugh's personality and position, there likely wasn't a
hidden catch to it. He seemed to sincerely value Ann's talent as a sugar
craftsman.
However, Ann suddenly remembered the luxurious room she was in until now.
—If I get used to such a place, I may never be able to leave for the rest of my
life.
The thought made Ann shiver.
She felt a premonition that the willpower to strongly live the life she was
contented with would be completely deprived of her.
Throwing away her life of desperately moving forward while worrying over
basic daily needs, and instead living a wealthy life where she need only think
of sugar sculpting. That may also be a way to live. But.
—Should I choose such a life? Borrowing someone else's strength rather than
using my own?
In some respects, a frivolous life like that is unreliable.
For fifteen years, she wandered about all over the country with her mother.
She knew the hardships and the harshness and the pleasures of life. To Ann, a 
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life supported by Hugh felt lacking.
"I'm extremely grateful. Thank you, Hugh. But, it's alright. I decline."
"Why? What are you disatisfied by?" Hugh asked in a gentle, comforting
manner.
"How should I put it… I want to walk with my own two feet. If I lived without
using my own strength, I'd become a complete sloth. That's why if you ask me
what dissatisfies me, though nothing dissatisfies me, I'm dissatisfied."
Hearing that, Hugh stared blankly. But the next moment, he burst into laughter.
"Seriously, you! You're an interesting fellow!"
He stretched his folded knees, laughing loudly while bending his body
backwards, then merely ruffled Ann's hair.
—What was that, just now?
Shall tilted his head at Ann's odd manner of leaving the room as if she were
running away.
When he found her perking her ears like a child, she turned red and pale, and
immediately after, her expression suddenly became blank like she had the
wind knocked out of her.
As he was thinking about her strange behavior, shortly thereafter, Ann 
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returned. Upon entering the room, she momentarily paused at the doorway,
looking surprised to see Shall.
"You're still here, Shall. Hugh said it's almost dinner time."
Though with a slightly awkward feel to it, she informed him with her usual
smile.
Then, walking up to the chair in from of Shall, she sat down demurely. "Hey,
Shall, I've been thinking. How about we leave this place and set out to
Lewiston tomorrow?"
"Lewiston?"
"Yeah. Because there are many silver sugar master shops in Lewiston,
normally, the compet.i.tion is harsh, isn't it? That's why we went north to
Westhall. But Soul Ascension day is coming close, right? Because there's a
need for many sugar sculptures for Soul Ascension day, supply can't keep up
with demand in the highly populated Lewiston. That's what mama said a long
time ago. If so, I think there'd be many people who'd buy a sugar sculpture
even from a nameless sugar craftsman like me."
"If there's a possibility, you should go. I'll go anywhere."
"Great! Then, I'll go consult with Mythrill as well." Ann said happily, then got
up from the chair and left the room.
Her appearance was the same as always. Shall felt her strange behavior from
before might just be his overthinking.
After leaving Ann's room as well, he headed towards the room he was
a.s.signed.
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Upon opening the door, Shall stood in place. There was an intruder in the
room.
"Hey there! Welcome back!"
Inside the room was Hugh. He was casually sitting in a chair, raising his hand
towards Shall.
"Now, now, don't be shy. Come in. This may be my castle, but today the
owner of this room is you, Shall."
At his words, Shall entered the room suspiciously.
"What do you want?"
He crossed his arms and looked down at Hugh.
"I came to consult you. It's about Ann. Will you hear me out?"
Shall gave a look signaling him to continue. Hugh kept going.
"Actually, I was thinking of looking after Ann till she became a silver sugar
master, letting her stay in this castle while she polishes her skills. And after
she becomes a silver sugar master, I'd like to hire her as my a.s.sistant. That's
what I just told her but—"
"There's no way that girl would go and say 'Yes, please.'"
If Ann were the kind of girl to jump on such a proposal, she likely wouldn't
have met Shall to begin with. He didn't think she'd be happily taken in by it.
"Precisely. She said she can't live a life that's not supported by her own
strength. I want to respect her wishes, but the fact is, Ann's environment is 
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quite dangerous. You acknowledge that, don't you? Living like that and
having her nature crushed—as a fellow craftsman, I feel that's a pity. That's
why I came to consult you. I thought you could manage to get her to stay in
this castle."
"If you want to persuade her, go to her."
He jerked his chin in the direction of Ann's room. But Hugh only waved his
hand in front of his face in dismissal.
"No use. Even if I tried to persuade her directly, it definitely wouldn't work.
That's why I came here. Shall, I think it would be better if you were gone."
Shall knit his eyebrows at Hugh's words.
"What do you mean by that?"
"The reason Ann is trying to live using her own strength is, ultimately,
because you're there. Having spent a life traveling, Ann should know well
what dangers await a fifteen year old girl traveling alone. But because you're
there, Ann can travel safely. That's why if you were gone, I think she'd be able
to accept my proposal."
"That girl was traveling alone before she met me. Whether I'm there or not,
she would still travel."
"No. I don't think humans can return to how they were before losing
something they once had When they feel they’ve lost something, they become
even more fearful than before.” Hugh grinned.
That grin made Shall feel something begin to seethe in his chest.
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"If being there means that girl can stick to her convictions, I won't leave."
"Do you feel indebted to Ann because she returned your wing? If that's so,
that's all the more reason for you to disappear, so she could choose a safe life."
"It's not that I feel indebted, I just have nothing else to do. That being the case,
I'll stay where I'm needed. That's all."
"There should be someone other than Ann who requires your abilities. And
among the fairies of your own kind, nonetheless. There's no need to be so
hung up on Ann, who's a human. Why are you so fixated on her?"
—Why.....?
He couldn't answer that question.
Back at the sugar sculpture festival, Shall himself decided he'd go with Ann.
And as if drawn in by the scent of the silver sugar on her fingertips, he kissed
her fingers.
It was a fact that at the time, he felt he was needed.
But even if Ann say she needed him, Shall should have had no obligation to
answer to that need.
Still, he decided to go with her. Enquiring for that reason again, why was that?
He didn't understand it himself. At the time, that was simply how he felt.
There was nothing else he could say.
Hugh's gaze cornered him. The seething in his chest turned into clear rage.
Why should he be confronted by such a question? It was unreasonable.
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"I don't have to answer that. Leave." He quietly pointed at the door. Hugh
shrugged.
"I thought you would easily see my point, but I guess I was being too naive."
In an easygoing manner, Hugh left the room. Shall glared at the door he left
through.
The fact that he was feeling confused bothered him.
The next day, Ann, together with Shall and Mythrill, left Silver Westhall
castle.
Stopping by inn-towns along the way, she sold a few cheap sugar sculptures.
With those earnings, they somehow managed to stay at an inn.
Then, three days later, they arrived in Lewiston.
Lewiston was located to south of Westhall. Though it was slightly warmer
than Westhall, it was still not on a level that allowed camping out.
After renting a room at an inn called The Wind Vane at the outskirts west of
the capital, they set out to the marketplace starting the following day.
Lewiston had three markets, with the largest one standing to the west of the
royal palace.
The street pa.s.sing through the west castle gate was the second widest in the
entire capital.
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Filling the street left and right were shops of narrow frontage. They were so
condensed that the shopfront canopies overlapped with each other.
Alongside the cl.u.s.ter of shops, during daytime, cloth tents painted with tallow
fat were lined up. People went from shop to tent, tent to shop, weaving their
way through the gaps between them as they did their shopping.
When gathered, the shrill voices of the peddlers and the shouts of quarrels
made the atmosphere swell up.
The west Lewiston market: the most bustling and rumoredly expensive place
in the country.
At the farthest place from the west gate of the royal palace, nearly cut off from
the rest of the shops, was Ann.
She set up a small stand in front of her box-shaped wagon and placed a white
cloth over it. On top of that, she lined about five of the sugar sculptures she
made. Beside the sugar sculptures, Mythrill sat cross-legged.
On the wall surface of the box-shaped wagon's luggage carrier, she set up a
wooden plank she had cut at a sawmill. On the plank, 'Taking sugar sculpture
orders,' was written in paint.
Little by little, customers stopped by. But seeing that the salesperson who
made those sugar sculptures was a skinny little girl, most people looked at her
dubiously.
Ann simply stood on her feet while absentmindedly watching the people
pa.s.sing by.
Today was the second day. Yesterday, there were five customers who said 
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they'd “consider it.”
But there was still no official sugar sculpture order.
"Though I went through the trouble of paying the five vine location fee to the
market union..." she said while looking down at the dress she was wearing,
thinking of how she might be reflected in the eyes of others.
"Maybe if I looked more grown up. Maybe I should try on one of mama's
dresses."
"If you need a grown up, get Shall Fen Shall to do it. Let's make that lazy b.u.m
work!" Mythrill looked up at Ann, fully motivated.
"I wonder about that. If we did that, there would surely be people saying
foolish things like wanting to buy Shall rather than sugar sculptures."
Shall was lying down on the coachmen seat. That must be his own way of life,
avoiding the public's gaze like that, especially when many people were around.
"Wait, did you make these?" A middle aged man suddenly paused in front of
the sugar sculpture stand.
"Ah, yes. That's right."
"They're well made. How much are they?"
Ann could tell from the man's tone that he wasn't just making fun of her. She
felt encouraged.
"The ones over there are five vine. The larger ones are one cress."
"Do you have a bigger sample?"
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku
   
   
"Yes. It's inside the luggage carrier, I'll go get it right now!"
It was the moment she said that while turning to face the door of the boxshaped
wagon's luggage carrier.
"Hey, there. That girl. Isn't that the girl from the sugar sculpture festival?"
A young man's voice was heard nearby. Looking in the voice's direction, a
group of five, six craftsmen-looking young men were pointing at Ann. Among
them was one familiar face.
"…Eh…Jonas?"
For a moment, she thought it was just someone resembling him. His cheeks
were red like he'd been drinking, which must have been why, compared to his
normally calm, well-mannered expression, he appeared to have let himself
loose.
"Hey, Jonas. It's that girl, right? From the sugar sculpture festival."
At his comrade's question, Jonas's creamy and drowsy blue eyes focused on
Ann's face.
"Huh, well what do you know. Yeah, that's her."
When their eyes met, Jonas smiled and tapped the shoulder of the young man
next to him.
"There's no mistaking it. That girl is Ann."
"Hmm, so that's her."
"Jonas-sama! It's best you don't a.s.sociate with such a girl anymore!" A high-
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku
   
   
pitched voice came from behind Jonas.
"Hey, let's go over there, Jonas-sama! Jonas-sama!"
Saying that while desperately pulling the hem of Jonas's trousers was the labor
fairy Jonas was enslaving—Kathy. When her eyes met with Ann's, she sternly
scowled at her with strong willed eyes as if Ann had wronged her.
"Jonas-sama!"
"How annoying. Jonas, shut her up. She's your fairy."
In response to the words of one of his comrades, Jonas ordered harshly,
"Kathy. Shut up. Do you want to be punished?"
At his words, Kathy released her hands while biting her lips.
Reeking of alcohol, the band of young men approached Ann, grinning.
Intimidated, the man who was interested in Ann's sugar sculptures distanced
himself from the place.
"Ah… Please wai—"
She tried to call out to the man who was about to leave. To keep her from
doing that, one of the young men blocked her way.
"What's with you guys!? I'll take you on!"
Mythrill stood up in rage. The young men frowned in annoyance.
"Your opponent is me, Jonas!"
Ann hurriedly stood between them and the stand in order to cover for Mythrill.
"Drinking this early, Jonas? And not even doing any training."
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"Training? I am training. Today's just a breather. My training's been harsh.
Thanks to being tricked by you at the sugar sculpture festival, I'm being
worked to the bone."
She was riled by his words.
"When exactly did I trick you? You're the one who acted unfairly, remember?"
About two months ago, just before the sugar sculpture festival, the young man
standing before Ann, Jonas, stole her entry work. In the end, because of that,
her first chance of becoming a silver sugar master was completely wasted.
"You're not just going to let her say stuff like that, right, Jonas?"
The young men surrounded Ann, slowly narrowing the circle around her.
"As craftsman from the same Radcliff guild as Jonas, we can't keep quiet
about this."
"Well then, what are you going to do about it?" A chilling question came from
behind them. They turned around, startled by the bloodl.u.s.t it contained.
There stood Shall. Easily breaking the young men's circle as if pushing his
way through weeds, he walked up and stood in front of Ann.
"I asked, what are you going to do about it?"
"What's that, you..."
One of the young men snarled. But they didn't seem to have the courage to
start a fight. They simply kept glaring at Shall.
The eyes of the people pa.s.sing by were lured by the dangerous atmosphere 
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku
   
   
and Shall's looks, stopping one after another.
Before they knew it, a crowd of people had formed. Becoming aware of that,
Jonas glanced at his surroundings.
"We weren't going to do anything, right, guys!? We are honest craftsmen after
all. We just wanted to let the townspeople know of this phony craftsman."
Jonas smiled to flatter the onlookers.
"Don't be deceived, everyone. If you have a Soul Ascension day sugar
sculpture made by the hands of this filthy craftsman, the dead surely won't be
able to move on."
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Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku
   
   
"Stop saying baseless things like 'phony' and 'filthy'!" Ann couldn't help but
shout. In response, Jonas turned towards her, showing a purposely astounded
expression.
"They're not baseless. Everyone, surely there are people among you who have
seen this girl before, are there not? This is the girl who was called forth by the
king two months ago at the sugar sculpture festival."
Amongst the crowd, people started nodding here and there at the sudden
realization.
"See? And there should also be people who remember my face as well, no?
Because I'm the other craftsman who was called forth by the king."
Looking pleased with the crowd's reaction, Jonas continued.
"Don't you find it strange? Why would a sugar sculpture so small it couldn't be
distinguished by the audience be called forth to his royal majesty? It's simple.
This girl seduced the silver sugar viscount and had him recommend her.
Accepting that recommendation, his royal majesty called her forward. But
however you looked at it, it was not a work worthy of the royal medal.
However, there was another sculpture… As a matter of fact, it was mine. My
work was about to be awarded the royal medal when this girl went out and
said she was the one who made it, sowing confusion in the place. Feeling
offended, in the end, his royal majesty left without choosing anyone to
become a silver sugar master."
Ann was stunned. And the next moment, she completely lost it. "That's a
complete lie!!"
"How is that a lie?" said someone from the crowd.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku
   
   
"I went to see the sugar sculpture festival. It looked to me like things
happened just as that young man explained."
Voices saying "It's true" in agreement rose along with his voice.
Looking from afar, one wouldn't be able to hear the conversation that took
place. It was possible that it indeed looked the way Jonas had maliciously
explained.
As soon as Ann realized that, frustration welled up inside her. The back of her
eyes became hot. She was about to cry.
The young men grinned as they watched her, Jonas included.
—As if I'd cry. If I did, I'd lose. Admitting defeat will make them think what
he's saying is true.
"His royal majesty told me he liked my work. That is fact."
Saying only that, Ann picked up the sugar sculptures that were on the stand,
and began to place them in the wooden box by her feet. Guessing what she
was up to, Mythrill jumped off the stand and quickly cleared the white cloth.
She placed the cloth Mythrill handed her inside the wooden box and lifted it.
"My, what are you doing, Ann?"
In response to Jonas's flagrant question, Ann smiled sharply.
"Due to terrible interferences, I'll be closing down today. Move!"
"Are you running away?" Jonas smiled teasingly while clearing the path.
Ann gritted her teeth as she pa.s.sed through them, and headed towards the 
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku
   
   
luggage carrier.
"Going to cry to the silver sugar viscount again?"
"Though the silver sugar viscount sure has some sick hobbies, getting off on
such a runt! Or could it be she provides some incredible service we can't even
imagine?"
The young men headed towards Ann, who was trying to place the wooden box
inside the luggage carrier, jeering and laughing foolishly.
She wasn't up to countering every single one of them, so she firmly endured it.
The more Ann made a fuss about it, the more pleasure they'd derive from it.
And with the place in utter confusion, that was exactly what they were hoping
for.
"Shut up."
Tension fell over the place.
Before they knew it, Shall had gripped his sword and was pointing its tip at
the young men. "I won't allow any more of this."
Both the young men and the people in the crowd gulped. Those black eyes
contained such anger that seemed ready to attack at any moment.
Ann was surprised, but more than that, she felt ashamed. She was
disappointed in herself for making Shall result to such an action.
"It's okay, Shall, stop. Put your sword away. No matter the circ.u.mstances, if
you hurt someone, you'll be captured by the authorities."
However, Shall did not move. His glare was fixed on the young men, 
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku
   
   
measuring the timing to attack, all the while overpowering them with his stern
coldness.
"Please."
Hearing Ann's nearly imploring voice, Mythrill jumped. He climbed up Shall's
shoulder and whispered, "Ann is asking you. Though I know how you feel,
withdraw your sword, Shall Fen Shall."
He rubbed his eyes with the palm of his hand. After glancing at Mythrill, Shall
slowly lowered his sword as it turned into particles of light that gradually
disappeared.
"That guy's not crying. So don't you cry."
Saying just that, Shall turned his back to the young men. He came up from
behind the luggage carrier and helped place the wooden box inside it. Ann
turned towards Shall and Mythrill with a smile.
"Thank you both."
She placed the stand in the luggage carrier and took down the wooden sign
before mounting the coachman's seat.
Feeling triumphant, the young men loudly laughed in mockery. Ann turned
her back to them, grabbing the harness. She left that place and returned to the
Wind Vane.
At the top of the Wind Vane's discolored roof stood a rusty unmoving Wind
vane.
The building was old, and the staying fee was accordingly cheap. But the 
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku
   
   
owner was a chubby, kindhearted woman, so Ann could stay there calmly. But
considering her financial state, two more nights were her limit.
Saying as little as possible, the three entered the inn.
At the bar and dining room on the first floor, they came across the owner, who
was busily cleaning up the tables.
That morning, while declaring to the owner, "Today I will definitely get a
job," Ann had left the inn in high spirits. Upon seeing her return in the
afternoon so dejected after saying that, the owner looked surprised.
"What happened, young lady? Did you get a job?"
"It was useless. To begin with, there were barely any customers, and I got
hara.s.sed on top of it."
Hanging her head downheartedly, she sat down in a nearby chair. Suddenly,
Ann slumped her face over the table.
The owner was taken aback. "What happened!?"
"Ugh, this is so frustrating!! What's with them, they're the worst!! Jonas, too,
hanging out with those guys and even drinking!! He's becoming more and
more of a delinquent! I'll never ever ever forgive them! I'll go become a
sorcerer's apprentice and put a curse on them!!"
She raised her head instantaneously.
"Owner! Do you know any sorcerers!?
What happened earlier was completely mortifying. She thought she was going
to cry from their insults.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku
   
   
But once she calmed down, she realized there was no need to cry. Because
those were merely baseless accusations, there was no need for her to get
depressed over that.
She should just let her pure fury seethe and rage as much as she possibly could.
Seeing Ann's glittering eyes, both Shall and Mythrill were relieved for some
reason.
"Unfortunately, I don't know any sorcerers… What on earth happened?" The
owner, though surprised, smiled honestly.
"Some sugar craftsman, probably from Radcliffe, hara.s.sed me! Drinking in
the middle of the day, despite their social status... Why'd they have to hara.s.s
someone like me who can barely even sell any sugar sculptures!?"
"They're the fellows that had been drinking here till a while ago, aren't they?
They drank quite a bit, saying it was to give themselves a boost."
The owner pointed at a messy table, then smiled at Ann sweetly.
"I may not know any sorcerers, but I can give you some good information."
She sat down before Ann, who was blinking in surprise.
"Why do you think the craftsman from Radcliffe needed a boost?"
"…No clue."
"Connected to the south of Harrington province, in Rockwell province, is a
port town called Philax that is directly under the control of the royal family,
did you know that? Ruling it is Duke Philax. Though when speaking of that
n.o.bility, you'd call it 'the last flashpoint of the kingdom,' won't you."
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku
   
   
"If I remember correctly, Duke Philax is the head of the house of Alban, of
Grand King Cedric's lineage, isn't he? He's undoubtedly of high n.o.bility,
sharing the same blood as his royal majesty."
In Highland, there was a legend of Grand King Cedric, the hero who led the
humans to victory against the fairy king. This Grand King Cedric had three
sons.
Each of those three left behind their own lineage.
There were three houses: The house of Millsland, the house of Chamber and
the house of Alban.
In the past, Highland was in a state of rivalry between lords that stood in each
region. It was formed one hundred years ago through the three houses carrying
Grand King Cedric's blood's allying and uniting many small scale countries.
The one who became the first king of Highland was King Aaron of Millsland.
The other two houses, Alban and Chamber, were made from King Aaron's
va.s.sals.
The current king of the kingdom of Highland was King Edmond II, of the
house of Millsland.
Put simply, the house of Alban was on the same level as the lineage of the
current king, the house of Millsland. It was said to be a n.o.ble bloodline
rivaling that of the royal family. And therein laid the reason it was called the
last flashpoint of the kingdom.
"Exactly. It seems that duke is searching for sugar craftsmen. 'Being a silver
sugar master or not doesn't matter. All outstanding sugar craftsmen are invited. 
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku
Visit us at http://icarusbride.blogspot.com/ &
   
They will stay at Philax castle, and if they can create one sugar sculpture to
the duke's liking, they will receive a thousand cress as payment.' Or so it
seems."
"A thousand cress for one sugar sculpture!?"
"Yeah, outrageous, isn't it? Furthermore, if it's a sugar craftsman
acknowledged by Duke Philax, who carries the blood of Grand King Cedric,
they're sure to gain prestige, no? It seems the craftsmen from Radcliffe are
going to Philax castle for the sake of the thousand cress and the honor of being
acknowledged by Duke Philax. That's why they had that drinking bout as a
boost."
Shutting one eye, the owner continued, "If you go to Philax, you may be able
to beat them and earn a thousand cress in one go."
If she had a thousand cress, Ann's financial condition would improve
immediately.
Spending new year's eve in the Wind Vane would easily become possible.
And the honor of having duke Philax acknowledge her skills—to Ann who
wasn't a silver sugar master, this was a once in a lifetime chance. If she were
awarded such an honor, it would definitely make selling sugar sculptures
easier than now.
The possibility of obtaining those was not zero. After all, Duke Philax
purposely claimed, 'Being a silver sugar master or not doesn't matter.' No
doubt she'd be allowed to compete with her abilities alone.
"What do you think? Shall, Mythrill?"
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Mythrill, who was standing on the table, was staring enchantedly into midair,
likely imagining a thousand cress in gold coins.
"A thousand cress, must be nice... The way things are now, no matter how
hard Ann worked, she wouldn't be able to make that much. A thousand cress,
a thousand cress huh..."
Actually, Ann recently learned that Mythrill apparently really liked money.
She then directed her gaze to Shall.
"Well, it's more constructive than becoming a sorcerer's apprentice," he said
with a shrug.
—That's right. I'm a sugar craftsman. That's why I'll fight with sugar
sculptures.
Ann clenched her fist.
[CHAPTER 2//END.]
Translation Note:
[1] j.a.panese saying meaning to each their own suitable task, properly a.s.signed
according to individual characteristics and/or abilities