Prologue "The Tale and the Spirit's Flame"
Crimson Lotus Kingdom - Tactical Bureau Archives.
By the window where moonlight streamed in‚ Yug Salion was opening a poetry collection.
The chair was hard‚ his back was stretched too far‚ and his posture was already close to torture.
(This chair is tougher than the enemy. Before I can even light the flame of the tale‚ I have a feeling my butt will be destroyed. If only spirits would possess the furniture‚ tactical planning would be so much more comfortable.)
When he turned the page‚ a soft light flickered.
A small‚ grain-like spirit stopped on Yug’s shoulder.
“…You’re here again‚ Lux.”
Yug smiled.
This spirit was the only being that reacted solely to the flame of the tale.
Invisible to others‚ speaking to no one‚ it simply stayed by Yug’s tales.
(Are you a poetry bug? Or the spirit of the chair? …No‚ you’re the only one who keeps me company in my delusions.)
“…Another poetry collection? Don’t tacticians usually use maps and stuff?”
Serina Noctia called out from behind him.
A spirit mage who wielded fragrance circle arts. Her voice was soft‚ yet had a somehow tickling resonance.
“This is a tactical poetry collection. Foundational material for tactical design through narration.
In other words‚ it’s also a mental barrier to escape the hardness of this chair.”
“You’re already losing to a chair. What kind of tactician is that?”
“The chair is more merciless than the enemy. At least imperial soldiers might use cushions.”
Serina chuckled softly.
“Then should I ask the spirits to summon a cushion? We’ll call it the ‘Seat of Narration.’”
“That sounds like it could turn into a myth and scare me. ‘The spirit dwelling in the Seat of Narration’ could easily become legend.”
Yug looked away from the poetry collection and at her.
“Ideals are more complicated than war. Enemies can be predicted‚ but your smile is unpredictable.”
(Unpredictable smile. Maybe I can incorporate it into tactical design. The magic princess’s smile that disrupts enemy morale… No‚ it would probably disrupt our own side’s concentration too.)
Serina raised an eyebrow.
“Is that praise? Or provocation?”
“I just analyzed it. No emotions included. Also‚ I hope no stomach pain was included.”
“Fufu‚ then put me in the tactical manual as the ‘Unpredictable Smile.’
‘The magic princess’s smile that disrupts enemy morale.’”
“That would disrupt not only the soldiers’ hearts but also the tactician’s concentration. Also‚ it would make you forget the hardness of the chair.”
Yug closed the poetry collection.
On its cover‚ the ancient words ‘Embers of the Six Stars’ were engraved.
“Hey‚ Yug. You really don’t want to fight‚ do you?”
Serina’s voice suddenly grew quiet.
She sat down beside Yug and gazed at his profile in the moonlight.
“I don’t want to fight. I just want to win. Preferably without anyone dying.
It seems ideals can only be obtained in exchange for stomach pain‚ though.”
(If my narration reaches the battlefield‚ swords won’t be drawn. If it doesn’t‚ the poem is just a monologue.)
“That’s a magical kind of ideal.”
“Magic comes true with a price. Even if you pay the price for an ideal‚ all that remains is the chair and stomach pain.”
Serina stayed silent for a while.
Then she gently rested her head on Yug’s shoulder.
“…I like your ideal. Even if it doesn’t come true‚ I like it.”
Yug widened his eyes in surprise‚ then quickly looked away.
“…You sometimes have more destructive power than a bombing.”
“Can I interpret that favorably?”
“It’s nothing more than a recorded fact. Also‚ it helps that you’re softer than the chair.”
At that moment‚ the archive door quietly opened.
The black-clad shadow mage — Lumina Valtia — was silently watching the two of them.
“…It is time for the tactical meeting‚ Lord Yug. Lady Serina‚ please prepare for the shrine maiden ritual soon.”
Her voice was not cold‚ but it showed no emotional fluctuation.
Her eyes‚ illuminated by the moonlight‚ looked somewhat lonely.
“Thank you‚ Lumina. I’ll be right there. Also‚ please submit a request to replace this chair.”
“…Does the hardness of the chair count as part of tactics?”
“At the moment‚ it’s the greatest enemy.”
Serina laughed and tugged at Yug’s sleeve.
“Then let’s go. With the unpredictable smile‚ the idealistic tactician‚ and the shadow mage who hides her emotions.”
“…Tactically‚ it’s the worst combination.”
“But story-wise‚ it’s the best.”
Yug smiled faintly.
That smile held a quiet serenity he never showed on the battlefield.
That night‚ the flame of the tale was lit for the first time.
Spirits unconsciously began to gather at Yug’s narration.
Fragrance enveloped the space‚ silence created margins‚ and light began to draw outlines.
The one drawing that light was Ilumina Ferna.
She avoided eye contact with anyone‚ sitting small at the edge of the ritual diagram.
Her fingertips trembled‚ but the coordinates of light were perfect.
“…Third orbit‚ stable. Spirits… reacting… maybe…”
Her voice was small; she thought no one could hear it.
But the spirits gently nestled close to that voice.
Lux‚ who had been resting on Yug’s shoulder‚ floated up softly‚ circled once above Ilumina’s ritual diagram‚ and returned.
(Lux‚ did you acknowledge her too? Her light is gentler than narration.
The reason the spirits don’t flee may be because the flame of the tale is wrapped in her light.)
Narration was not structure‚ but emotion.
It was not tactics‚ but an ideal.
And the spirits gently nestled close to that ideal.
| Narration calls forth the spirits’ domain.
| The flame is lit not as structure‚ but as memory.
| Still‚ no one knows.
| That the day will come when this flame burns away destruction.
Chapter 1 "The Tactician Escapes into a Poetry Collection. Worrying About Love and the Hardness of the Chair"
Crimson Lotus Kingdom - Tactical Bureau Archives.
By the window where moonlight streamed in‚ Yug Salion was opening a poetry collection.
The chair was hard‚ his back was stretched too far‚ and his posture was already close to torture.
(This chair is tougher than the enemy. Before I can even light the flame of the tale‚ I have a feeling my butt will be destroyed. If only spirits would possess the furniture‚ tactical planning would be so much more comfortable.)
At the edge of the page‚ a soft light flickered.
A small‚ grain-like spirit stopped on Yug’s shoulder.
“…You’re here‚ Lux.”
Yug smiled.
This spirit was the only being that reacted solely to the flame of the tale.
Invisible to others‚ speaking to no one‚ it simply stayed by Yug’s tales.
(Are you a poetry bug? Or the spirit of the chair? …No‚ you’re the only one who keeps me company in my delusions.)
“…Another poetry collection? Don’t tacticians usually use maps and stuff?”
Serina Noctia called out from behind him.
A spirit mage who wielded fragrance circle arts. Her voice was soft‚ yet had a somehow tickling resonance.
“This is a tactical poetry collection. Foundational material for tactical design through narration.
In other words‚ it’s also a mental barrier to escape the hardness of this chair.”
“You’re already losing to a chair. What kind of tactician is that?”
“The chair is more merciless than the enemy. At least imperial soldiers might use cushions.”
Serina chuckled softly.
“Then should I ask the spirits to summon a cushion? We’ll call it the ‘Seat of Narration.’”
“That sounds like it could turn into a myth and scare me. ‘The spirit dwelling in the Seat of Narration’ could easily become legend.”
Yug looked away from the poetry collection and at her.
“Ideals are more complicated than war. Enemies can be predicted‚ but your smile is unpredictable.”
(Unpredictable smile. Maybe I can incorporate it into tactical design. The magic princess’s smile that disrupts enemy morale… No‚ it would probably disrupt our own side’s concentration too.)
Serina raised an eyebrow.
“Is that praise? Or provocation?”
“I just analyzed it. No emotions included. Also‚ I hope no stomach pain was included.”
“Fufu‚ then put me in the tactical manual as the ‘Unpredictable Smile.’
‘The magic princess’s smile that disrupts enemy morale.’”
“That would disrupt not only the soldiers’ hearts but also the tactician’s concentration. Also‚ it would make you forget the hardness of the chair.”
Yug closed the poetry collection.
On its cover‚ the ancient words ‘Embers of the Six Stars’ were engraved.
“Hey‚ Yug. You really don’t want to fight‚ do you?”
Serina’s voice suddenly grew quiet.
She sat down beside Yug and gazed at his profile in the moonlight.
“I don’t want to fight. I just want to win. Preferably without anyone dying.
It seems ideals can only be obtained in exchange for stomach pain‚ though.”
(If my narration reaches the battlefield‚ swords won’t be drawn. If it doesn’t‚ the poem is just a monologue.)
“That’s a magical kind of ideal.”
“Magic comes true with a price. Even if you pay the price for an ideal‚ all that remains is the chair and stomach pain.”
Serina stayed silent for a while.
Then she gently rested her head on Yug’s shoulder.
“…I like your ideal. Even if it doesn’t come true‚ I like it.”
Yug widened his eyes in surprise‚ then quickly looked away.
“…You sometimes have more destructive power than a bombing.”
“Can I interpret that favorably?”
“It’s nothing more than a recorded fact. Also‚ it helps that you’re softer than the chair.”
At that moment‚ the archive door quietly opened.
The black-clad shadow mage — Lumina Valtia — was silently watching the two of them.
“…It is time for the tactical meeting‚ Lord Yug. Lady Serina‚ please prepare for the shrine maiden ritual soon.”
Her voice was not cold‚ but it showed no emotional fluctuation.
Her eyes‚ illuminated by the moonlight‚ looked somewhat lonely.
“Thank you‚ Lumina. I’ll be right there. Also‚ please submit a request to replace this chair.”
“…Does the hardness of the chair count as part of tactics?”
“At the moment‚ it’s the greatest enemy.”
Serina laughed and tugged at Yug’s sleeve.
“Then let’s go. With the unpredictable smile‚ the idealistic tactician‚ and the shadow mage who hides her emotions.”
“…Tactically‚ it’s the worst combination.”
“But story-wise‚ it’s the best.”
Yug smiled faintly.
That smile held a quiet serenity he never showed on the battlefield.
That night‚ the flame of the tale was lit for the first time.
Spirits unconsciously began to gather at Yug’s narration.
Fragrance enveloped the space‚ silence created margins‚ and light began to draw outlines.
The one drawing that light was Ilumina Ferna.
She avoided eye contact with anyone‚ sitting small at the edge of the ritual diagram.
Her fingertips trembled‚ but the coordinates of light were perfect.
“…Third orbit‚ stable. Spirits… reacting… maybe…”
Her voice was small; she thought no one could hear it.
But the spirits gently nestled close to that voice.
Lux‚ who had been resting on Yug’s shoulder‚ floated up softly‚ circled once above Ilumina’s ritual diagram‚ and returned.
(Lux‚ did you acknowledge her too? Her light is gentler than narration.
The reason the spirits don’t flee may be because the flame of the tale is wrapped in her light.)
Narration was not structure‚ but emotion.
It was not tactics‚ but an ideal.
And the spirits gently nestled close to that ideal.
| Narration calls forth the spirits’ domain.
| The flame is lit not as structure‚ but as memory.
| Still‚ no one knows.
| That the day will come when this flame burns away destruction.
Chapter 2 "Delusions and the Side Effects of Spirits"
Crimson Lotus Kingdom - Tactical Bureau Underground‚ Spirit Field Observation Room.
Yug Salion‚ with his poetry collection still open‚ was looking at the spirit reaction records.
The lingering traces of fragrance‚ the wavering of silence‚ the orbits of light.
Everything was reacting to the narration.
Lux‚ who had been resting on his shoulder‚ floated up softly‚ circled once above the record sheet‚ and returned.
Yug whispered in a low voice.
“…The side effects aren’t you‚ right?
No‚ having only one spirit that reacts to narration is conversely side-effect-like.”
(The spirits reacted. The narration reached them. …But what if the place it reached was the “spirits’ stomach”? A future where the poem gets eaten and ends is a bit scary.)
“…Yug‚ you’re imagining things again‚ aren’t you?”
Serina Noctia said while adjusting her fragrance ring.
Her voice was soft‚ yet unrelenting.
“Delusions are a side effect of narration. The spirits react not only to the flame of the tale‚ but also to the delusions within the tale.”
“Isn’t that a nuisance for the spirits?”
“Even if it’s a nuisance‚ they’re reacting. Meaning‚ to the spirits‚ narration is like ‘a noisy but intriguing neighbor.’”
Lumina Valtia quietly said from the field of silence.
“…If it’s a neighbor‚ one should keep distance. Spirits prefer margins over noisiness.”
Yug nodded.
“That’s why silence is necessary. The flame of the tale will run wild without margins.”
At that moment‚ Ilumina Ferna raised her hand slightly at the edge of the ritual diagram.
She spoke to no one and was spoken to by no one‚ simply adjusting the orbits of light.
“…Second orbit‚ was off… sorry… but I can fix it… probably…”
Her voice trembled‚ but the coordinates of light were accurate.
Lux floated up softly‚ circled once above Ilumina’s ritual diagram‚ and returned to Yug’s shoulder.
(Lux‚ did you acknowledge her too? Her light is more precise than narration.
She doesn’t talk to anyone‚ but she converses with spirits. …Much more than I do.)
Serina said softly.
“Ilumina becomes a different person only when she’s doing magic‚ doesn’t she?
Normally she’s like a small animal‚ but when she draws light… it’s like a mythical scribe.”
Yug closed the poetry collection.
“To reach the spirits with the flame of the tale‚ silence‚ fragrance‚ and light are necessary.
Each of them neutralizes the side effects of narration.”
Lumina said quietly.
“Silence is the vessel of narration.
Without a vessel‚ the flame will rage.”
Ilumina murmured while drawing the ritual diagram‚ thinking no one could hear her.
“…If the flame rages… the spirits… will be scared… so…”
Yug narrowed his eyes gently at her words.
(Her light is gentler than narration.
The reason the spirits don’t flee may be because the flame of the tale is wrapped in her light.)
That night‚ the flame of the tale was wrapped in silence‚ fragrance‚ and light.
The spirits dwelled not in noisiness‚ but in the margins.
Yug opened the poetry collection and quietly narrated.
Lux reacted to his voice and trembled slightly on his shoulder.
“…Narration is flame.
But with flame alone‚ no one can be protected.
Only when there is silence‚ fragrance‚ and light does the flame become a prayer.”
(But if the chair is hard‚ even the prayer bends. If spirits react to lower back pain‚ that could become a new kind of narration.)
| Delusions and the side effects of spirits.
| The flame of the tale‚ wrapped in silence‚ fragrance‚ and light‚ reached the spirits.
| Still‚ no one knows.
| That the day will come when this flame turns the battlefield into prayer.
Chapter 3 "Crimson Lotus Kingdom Summons the Tactician"
Crimson Lotus Kingdom - Tactical Bureau Headquarters.
Yug Salion’s footsteps echoed quietly as he walked down the stone corridor.
The poetry collection was tucked in his chest‚ and the air was so tense he had no time to think about the hardness of the chair.
As always‚ the spirit Lux was resting on his shoulder.
A small grain of light‚ the only being that reacted solely to Yug’s narration.
Invisible to others‚ speaking to no one‚ it simply stayed close quietly.
(This atmosphere is harder than the chair. I’m glad Lux is here. Even without a spirit field‚ you alone react to my narration.)
“…Bringing a poetry collection‚ you really are strange.”
Serina Noctia walked beside him and chuckled.
The faint scent of her fragrance ring added softness to the tense air.
“It’s a tactical meeting‚ right? Since I handle the flame of the tale‚ the poetry collection is a weapon.”
“But the kingdom’s upper echelons prefer ‘structure’ over ‘poetry.’
I wonder if your ideal will get through.”
“Even if it doesn’t‚ I’ll just speak.
Narration remains even if it doesn’t reach.
That is the nature of flame.”
(A narration that doesn’t reach becomes a monologue. But if a monologue reaches the spirits‚ then it’s already tactics. …Probably.)
When the meeting room door opened‚ the officers surrounding the heavy table all turned their gazes at once.
Yug bowed once and placed the poetry collection on the table. Lux softly descended onto it and quietly lit its light.
“Tactician Yug Salion. I propose tactical design through narration.”
One of the officers frowned.
“Narration? Is that tactics? Or is it poetry?”
Yug nodded quietly.
“Narration is a flame that stirs emotion rather than structure.
Spirits react and the field changes.
That is one form of tactics.”
(Was that explanation too poetic? The phrase “the field changes” might not get through to soldiers.
Should I have said “the enemy becomes confused”? No‚ that’s sales talk‚ not narration.)
Another officer said while flipping through documents.
“What about the stability of the spirit field? Tactics that depend on emotion are militarily unstable.”
Serina stepped forward.
“Stabilization of the field through fragrance circle arts is possible.
Contracts with spirits are also progressing.
The flame of the tale has been established as a ritual.”
“A ritual…? You’re going to perform a ritual on the battlefield?”
At those words‚ Lumina Valtia quietly spoke.
“Silence is also part of narration.
A ritual is not structure‚ but a technique to create margins.
Spirits dwell in silence and support the narration.”
(Lumina’s silence is sometimes more persuasive than a poetry collection.
If she wrote poetry‚ my narration might have to retire.)
The officers fell silent for a while.
Yug opened the poetry collection and read aloud a passage.
“‘Embers of the Six Stars‚ dwelling in the orbit of narration‚ turn the battlefield into prayer.’”
At those words‚ the air trembled faintly.
Fragrance swayed‚ silence deepened‚ and light drew outlines.
Spirits began to gather.
Lux lit its light quietly at the center.
“…Is this a demonstration?”
Yug nodded.
“Narration is a flame that calls forth the field rather than structure.
Spirits react not to the meaning of the words‚ but to their resonance.”
One officer leaned back in his chair.
“It’s idealistic. However‚ I’m interested in tactics with zero deaths.
Please submit a practical plan at the next tactical meeting.”
Yug bowed.
Serina smiled faintly beside him.
“…It got through. A little.”
“A little is enough. Because narration is flame.
Once lit‚ it spreads.”
Lumina said quietly.
“Silence also spreads.
If narration and silence stand side by side‚ the spirits will not flee.”
In the corner of the room‚ Ilumina Ferna was drawing a ritual diagram.
She spoke to no one and was spoken to by no one‚ simply adjusting the orbits of light.
“…Fourth orbit‚ stable. Spirits… reacting… I think…”
Her voice was small; she thought no one could hear it.
But the spirits were gently nestling close to that voice.
Lux floated up softly‚ circled once above Ilumina’s ritual diagram‚ and returned to Yug’s shoulder.
(Lux‚ did you acknowledge her too? Her light is more precise than narration.
She doesn’t talk to anyone‚ but she converses with spirits. …Much more than I do.)
That night‚ Yug returned to the archives.
The chair was as hard as ever‚ but the weight of the poetry collection felt a little lighter.
(The narration reached them. Just a little.
But maybe “a little” is enough for the spirits.
Flame will burn as long as there is a spark.)
Lux trembled slightly on his shoulder and gently touched the cover of the poetry collection.
| Crimson Lotus Kingdom summons the tactician.
| The flame of the tale has begun to reach the military council.
| Spirits react not to structure‚ but to ideals.
| Still‚ no one knows.
| That the day will come when this flame turns the battlefield into prayer.
Chapter 4 "The Shadow Mage’s Silence"
Crimson Lotus Kingdom - Tactical Bureau Underground‚ Field of Silence.
The air was tense. Sound was absorbed‚ words sank.
Yug Salion‚ with his poetry collection open‚ was gazing at the margins of silence.
Lux was resting on his shoulder.
A small grain of light‚ the only being that reacted solely to Yug’s narration.
Even in the field of silence‚ it was swaying faintly.
(It feels structurally wrong for a spirit to be in a field of silence.
But Lux follows narration rather than structure. …Meaning‚ you are a resident of poetry.)
“…The flame of the tale requires silence.
Spirits dwell not in noisiness‚ but in margins.”
Lumina Valtia said quietly.
The black-clad shadow mage. Her voice held outlines even within silence.
“Silence is the vessel of narration.
Without a vessel‚ the flame will rage.
Spirits only stabilize within the vessel.”
Yug nodded.
“Narration is flame. But with flame alone‚ no one can be protected.
Only when there is silence does the flame become a prayer.”
(But if the silence is too deep‚ the narration gets lost.
If the poem drowns in silence‚ the spirits will drown too. …Lux‚ can you swim?)
Lux floated up softly‚ circled the center of the field of silence once‚ and returned.
Yug smiled faintly.
“…It seems you can swim. The buoyancy of spirits is not to be underestimated.”
At that moment‚ Ilumina Ferna raised her hand slightly at the edge of the ritual diagram.
She spoke to no one and was spoken to by no one‚ simply adjusting the orbits of light.
“…Field of silence‚ coordinates… not off… I think…”
Her voice trembled‚ but the coordinates of light were accurate.
Lux floated up softly‚ circled once above Ilumina’s ritual diagram‚ and returned to Yug’s shoulder.
(Lux‚ did you acknowledge her too? Her light does not break the silence.
When narration is wrapped in silence‚ her light illuminates the path.)
Lumina said quietly.
“Lady Ilumina’s light does not disturb the silence.
It will become a shield that protects the flame of the tale.”
Serina Noctia said while adjusting her fragrance ring.
“Silence‚ fragrance‚ and light. The triple field that wraps the flame of the tale.
I’m starting to see why the spirits don’t flee.”
Yug closed the poetry collection.
“Narration is emotion rather than structure.
But emotion alone cannot reach.
Only when there is silence‚ fragrance‚ and light does narration become a field.”
Lux trembled slightly on his shoulder and gently touched the cover of the poetry collection.
(You are the only spirit that stays close to the flame of the tale.
But because you are here‚ I can continue to narrate.
If you shine for me even within silence.)
| The shadow mage’s silence.
| The flame of the tale‚ wrapped in margins‚ reached the spirits.
| Silence became the vessel of narration and turned the flame into prayer.
| Still‚ no one knows.
| That the day will come when this flame turns the battlefield into prayer.
|