Opportunity
Opportunity
Aside from Sheryl and the manor staff, who were wound tight, the meal had been perfectly peaceful and luxurious. After finishing, Asilie and I went upstairs first at Esmue's suggestion. It was a decision made out of consideration for the Ogatorf family's standing, since coming to someone else's house and speaking only with their guest would amount to ignoring the host.
Honestly, judging by Sheryl's expression, she looked like she would have preferred outright disrespect, but that was out of the question.
Time passed uneventfully, save for the small incident where Asilie, who had perfectly predicted that Esmue would seize the chance to stick to me like glue since we hadn't seen each other due to my detention, tried not to be apart from me for a single moment.
In the meantime, I discussed the meal invitation proposed by Rellie and others with Asilie and got her agreement. Only after receiving yet another no-bullshit, alpha-male-style declaration of affection from Esmue, who came up after finishing her business, was I able to more or less wrap up the day.
"Considering it's my first time back in a while, things sure are hectic."
The luggage I'd originally shared with my attendants had already been moved to the last guest room. It wasn't like our bond, built over two years of eating and sleeping together, had somehow gone wrong.
Even in the Republic of Korea Army, spending that much time together inevitably creates something akin to camaraderie unless you completely fuck up your service life. So the bond between kids gathered with a clear sense of purpose goes without saying. The separation was merely a measure taken because housing the one who killed Envelde in the same room as the attendants would look bad outwardly.
If I'd left things as they were, it might've been taken as arrogance—like 'Even our attendants can beat experienced knights'—and invited pointless challenges. Maybe it's because they live and die by honor, but when they feel the need, they'll mobilize every damn thing under the sun to pick a fight.
I mean, even I can instantly think of infinite ways to start swinging when I'm pissed off, so how much worse must it be for those who've lived their whole lives in such a society?
"In many ways, it seems to be falling into place at an opportune time."
Even if it was for earning the Wandering Knight title, I'd worked hard and it was no different from a workplace I'd grown attached to. So I wanted to leave on good terms if possible, while I could. The royal family itself was in a position where it was hard to unilaterally praise me, and no matter how much Ogatorf was a renowned knight family called one of the King's Ten Swords, having me inside made it impossible to know what trouble might arise. If they could handle internal discipline through a fitting dismissal while maintaining the framework of me receiving instruction... that would look like a fairly plausible response in noble society.
It was only after changing into simple clothes and lying down on the bed that I realized the shocking fact that even the guest bed was slightly inferior in quality to the detention center bed, but the psychological comfort was incomparable.
As I lay there, organizing the points I'd need to explain to Sheryl or Sir Ekaf the next day, I instantly fell asleep.
Maybe it was because, in its own way, it felt like home and gave me a sense of relief.
Normally I would've woken at dawn, but I slept soundly until nearly breakfast time. After eating a meal that was, as always, an extremely lavish spread clearly curated with Esmue in mind, I saw Esmue off as she returned to the ambassador's quarters, promising to meet again. Then, I began sorting out my personal affairs as planned the day before.
The moment I explained the situation to Sheryl and laid out the plan I'd devised yesterday, she reacted with a level of disbelief that was harder to overcome than I'd expected, making the start seem shaky. However, through a three-way discussion with the head butler, it was concluded that my argument was reasonably sound, and things somehow sorted themselves out.
"...So in the end, you're really leaving next year."
"What's so new about it? It was already decided when we came here."
After a long period of deliberation with an extremely dissatisfied expression, Sheryl finally signed off on my resignation.
The next place I headed was Ragnis's mansion. Perhaps because everything was in the process of being resolved and returning to normal, the mansion presented a chaotic scene, bustling with energetic servants moving busily about.
I was considering postponing the visit, thinking I might have come at a busy time, when Renisa, who was directing operations just as frantically as on the first day of the Empire's visit, spotted me. She approached with a welcoming smile.
"Sir Eldmia! I see your detention is over!"
"It's been a while, Sir Renisa. I'm glad things worked out well."
"It's all thanks to your assistance, Sir Eldmia. The Margrave has been waiting for you every day. Please, come in."
"You seem extremely busy. Shall I lend a hand?"
"Haha, no. We already received help from your acquaintance yesterday; we couldn't possibly impose further."
The fact that she didn't mention a name suggested they'd only exchanged names to that extent.
Thinking that even lingering here offering help would be a hindrance, I simply nodded and entered the mansion. When I reached the office, Ragnis greeted me. She had been sprawled on the sofa, staring up at the ceiling, looking as if she had not a speck of connection to the commotion outside.
"Your detention's over!"
"Yeah. I actually got out yesterday, but couldn't come straight away because I had to deal with various outside matters. But why does it seem like you're the only one at ease in this mansion?"
"I'm being forcibly neglected..."
What she meant was that, out of consideration for the distress she had suffered, she was being made to rest completely until the mansion returned to normal and the royal family issued a definitive proclamation. Ragnis claimed, with obvious exaggeration, that she needed Renisa’s permission even to lift a finger, repeatedly emphasizing how bored she was.
Of course, it wasn't all complaints. There was other news too—Gies had been reinstated now that everything was resolved, and the noble who had challenged her to a duel had gone to the guillotine. Even if she called it boring, she had clearly been quite worn out, as Ragnis seemed subtly listless throughout our talk. That was probably why Renisa had ordered her to recuperate.
"Now that I think of it, I happened to bring a story that might relieve your boredom."
"Oh? What is it?"
"I'll probably be learning magic from a court mage."
"...Huh?"
I wasn't sure if it relieved her boredom, but it certainly mixed bewilderment with surprise. When I summarized yesterday's conversations, that emotion shifted into shock and disbelief.
"That's a truly absurd connection."
"It's not like absurd things in my life stop at one or two."
"...Th-then, how about staying at my house this time?"
"That's just what I was about to suggest."
As expected, Ragnis had been prepared to throw a near-tantrum, but my successful persuasion won her over, and she reluctantly accepted and gave up on dragging me along.
"The specifics won't be certain until I discuss and divide up my time with Widra, but for now, that's the likely plan."
"I knew he was a famous figure for his personal research, but... I never imagined he'd be researching Magic Power and have such a connection with Eldmia."
All I could offer Ragnis, as she shook her head as if still unable to believe it upon reconsidering, was empathy and a hollow laugh.
◈
The following few days passed as mundanely as if I'd truly gotten a vacation.
They were tranquil days: visiting an inn with Asilie to enjoy dinner with Gaendal's party, explaining the situation to Sir Ekaf, who had finally returned to the mansion, and asking for his understanding, testing the throwing weapons Balkun had finished, and scouting out an inn suitable for a long-term stay.
When about three more days had passed like that, Asilie made a suggestion as if it had suddenly just occurred to her.
"Eldi? Let's use this chance to stop by Ogwen once."
"Oh."
Once I started learning magic in earnest, time would surely become tight. There was no reason I couldn't move right now anyway, and since I'd be even farther away next year, this was indeed an opportune moment.
Even though I'd submitted my resignation, I was still living under the Ogatorf family's roof and relying on their hospitality, so I spoke to Sir Ekaf first. He even lent us horses.
"You've done so much for us; I should naturally help with at least that much. I'll inform Sheryl."
As soon as the royal proclamation was firmly issued, Sheryl returned to the academy. Honestly, she'd been at the mansion so naturally that I'd just assumed she was on vacation, but she wasn't. She said she'd have to stay quite busy for a while to keep up her grades.
Well, anyway. I had originally planned to take a patrol carriage or walk, so this was a fortunate turn. After leaving Sir Ekaf's office, I headed straight to the adventurer's district with Asilie to buy basic travel supplies. Since Asilie had flown to the capital so suddenly, her preparations were inadequate, and due to the nature of my work, even when I took adventurer jobs they were mostly day trips, so we practically needed to buy almost everything new.
Still, it wasn't bad. Perhaps the rain that fell the day the Envelde mansion was half-destroyed had stripped all the warmth from the world, but a definite winter was approaching, as if it might snow soon. Even if I had my existing gear, it would've been time to inspect and replace it anyway.
"If nothing else, let's buy high-quality cold-weather gear."
"Let's. I've gotten so used to Ogwen's climate myself that it's hard to endure now."
"Then let's stop by the guild for a moment. There are some items I've had my eye on."
An A-frame tent. And a magically cozy blanket.
I never expected to be buying them this soon.