7th Time Loop WN Vol. 6 Fan Translation

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"What are those lanterns floating on the canal?"

Rishe couldn't contain her curiosity at the beautiful sight. As she tried to get closer to the river, Arnold took Rishe's hand, seeming concerned at her proximity to the water.

"I've heard they're for prayers." he said.

"Prayers..." Rishe pondered.

Arnold looked down and explained as he checked Rishe's footing. "When ships set sail into the night, sailors send those lights out to pray for a safe voyage."

As Rishe walked, relying on the hand Arnold held, her eyes sparkled.

"It's from the sacred scriptures of the Crusade religion, which say that fragments of stars floating on the water guide ships to calm seas. I've heard there are regions where they perform rituals with lanterns shaped like stars based on that. Though it may not be entirely superstition, it's likely an action to make it easier to navigate the currents at night."

Arnold's gaze turned toward the direction of the sea flowing downstream. While it wasn't visible from here, there was a faint scent of the tide mixed in the air.

"When performing this ritual, they're required to submit an application beforehand. Since it involves using the public canal system, some coordination is necessary."

"I see. So that's why you knew about it, Your Highness Arnold."

Normally, it would be hard to imagine Arnold showing interest in a prayer ritual. However, if such applications existed, it made sense that it would have stayed in his memory.

"Long ago, my mentor who taught me about medicine mentioned it." Rishe brushed her hair behind her ear as she gazed at the shimmering canal before her. "There are regions where lanterns are floated on the canal for prayers, and the small lights covering the water surface create a truly fantastical sight. My mentor didn't remember the exact location, which was quite disappointing..."

That was from her second loop. Remembering the story she heard from her master, the apothecary Hakurei, she had tried to find that scenery during various journeys in her life.

But it made sense that she couldn't find it. Realizing the reason, Rishe was captivated by the canal before her.

"I guess it was from the stories of Galkhein after all..."

This beautiful scenery existed in a country Rishe had never visited in her past life.

"Oh...! Please look, Your Highness Arnold!"

Unconsciously squeezing Arnold's hand tightly, Rishe pointed at the canal with her other hand.

"That lantern. It's a shade of blue similar to your eyes!"

"Indeed."

"That shade of blue is the most beautiful..."

But perhaps it appeared dim because blue was a color close to black. These paper lanterns seemed to be colored by dyeing the paper, but dark blue was not easily transparent.

"As one of the studies of alchemy, it might be good to invent various dyes. In distant continents, there are countries where blue dyes of the same weight are more expensive than pure gold." Rishe mused.

"There's potential for demand in this country," Arnold replied, "Because of your work on the wedding gown embroidery, the city's textile technology will attract attention from all over the country."

"The economic effect generated by the imperial family's grand wedding is truly splendid, making the country lively."

Thanks to the beautiful scenery, new things she wanted to try were born. Rishe's demeanor, filled with excitement, was perhaps akin to that of an excited child.

"Your Highness?"

Standing next to her, Arnold seemed to have been observing Rishe's profile intently. Perceiving his curiosity, she tilted her head, and he shared something unexpected. 

"Even on the day we arrived in this country, you were delighted looking at the cityscape. —At that time, I couldn't understand it at all."

It was probably when Rishe was cleaning the palace and looked down at the imperial capital from the balcony with Arnold.

Arnold's words were now recounting the past. Feeling a little nervous, Rishe asked. "...Would you, by any chance, understand it a little now?"

"No. Not for myself. But..." Following his matter-of-fact denial, Arnold added gently. "I understand now that this is something you yearn for."

Realizing the magnitude of his words, Rishe took a small breath.

"Your Highness Arnold must be aware that this is a ritual based on the scriptures of the Crusade religion."

Even if he's not interested in prayers, Arnold still looks through applications. As the son of a Crusade priestess and someone who hate the denomination, this ritual couldn't have been something he favored.

(Yet, he brought me here, despite that.)

The lanterns resembling stars were beautifully swaying on the water's surface. This fire, said to guide ships, also lit up Rishe's heart with a bright light.

"Thank you, Prince Arnold."

Smiling happily, when Rishe's eyes met Arnold's, he narrowed them as if gazing at something dazzling.

"So very beautiful..."

"..."

Could Arnold have noticed that she was on the verge of tears? The hand that wasn't holding Rishe's reached her cheek. Tracing her cheek as if wiping away tears, Arnold kept his expression neutral, but his voice remained soft.

"...I know no beauty other than you."