Star Silver's Secret
Star Silver. It was one of the star ores. Star ores could only be mined from stars that had fallen from the sky, and there were many varieties: Star Gold, Star Silver, Star Iron, Star Jade, Star Stone, and so on. These star ores were rare. Obtaining one was, quite literally, like plucking a star from the heavens. They were also beautiful, their appearance reminiscent of starlight rather than ordinary gold or silver. Yet people did not obsess over star ores for their looks alone. There was a far deeper reason.
The reason people sought star ores was the mysterious power that resided within them. In the case of Star Silver, simply carrying it granted longevity and robust health. Well, to be honest, its actual effect was only slightly increased resistance to illness and marginally better health. Star Silver was good, but possessing it did not make every disease vanish. Still—
“This is the largest piece of Star Silver I’ve ever seen. Though it looks different from what I know.”
“Of course it’s disguised. You can’t just leave something this size sitting openly in a public hot spring, can you?”
I ran my hand over the Star Silver Flora was lying on. No matter how underwhelming its effects seemed, that only applied to pieces the size of a finger. Living beside a chunk this large might truly grant immortality.
“How did you obtain it?”
“Many things happened.”
“Even the Emperor probably couldn’t get one this size.”
“That’s why I’m using it in secret. Before someone asks for it.”
Flora laughed heartily, as if amused by her own words, and puffed on her pipe. I turned to her and voiced the important question I had been holding back.
“Lady Flora.”
“What?”
“So, you won’t sell your magic?”
“I knew you’d say that.”
She exhaled a long stream of smoke, gazed blankly up at the peach tree, then spoke quietly.
“I won’t sell it.”
“I see.”
“What do you plan to do with all the magic you’re so desperately collecting?”
“People don’t breathe just to do something, do they?”
“So collecting magic itself is the goal?”
“The goal is to collect and use it. Leaving magic locked away in a warehouse would be too pitiful for it.”
Magic existed to be used. Nothing was more hollow or pitiful than magic that went unused. My firm answer made Flora study me carefully. Then she spoke calmly.
“How old are you?”
“Seventeen this year.”
“Third rank?”
“You guessed correctly.”
“You’re too skilled for second rank, and you wear thick clothes for fourth rank.”
“I’m currently undressed, though.”
“Can’t you keep that mouth of yours shut? Seventeen and already third rank…”
Flora’s eyes rolled thoughtfully as she tried to gauge the extent of my talent. I kindly informed her.
“I’m average. It took me a month to reach first rank and three years to reach second.”
“That’s not average—that’s slow.”
“Still, I’m third rank at seventeen, aren’t I?”
“Third rank is fast. Was it worth diving into flames?”
“Yes.”
When I answered brightly, Flora narrowed her eyes and muttered.
“Your goal is to master every existing magic, and you won’t hesitate to throw yourself into fire to achieve it.”
“I don’t do that anymore. I promised my master.”
“One of two outcomes: either you hit a wall, go mad, and die, or you stay mad and break through the wall anyway.”
“You sound just like my master. But I won’t die. I also promised to live long and healthy.”
“You have quite a few promises to keep. Just listening to you, I can tell you’ve given your master plenty of headaches.”
Flora tapped her pipe clean and continued.
“I can feel how enormous your desire is. It’s surprising you manage to follow your master’s words so obediently.”
“That was the deal.”
“It sounds far more personal and affectionate than a mere deal. You two must have had a good master-disciple relationship.”
“Lady Flora.”
“Speak.”
“Why are you asking me these things?”
I asked because I suddenly wondered why she was assessing my potential, but Flora focused on her pipe instead of answering. She had no intention of explaining. Fine, then. I climbed onto the Star Silver, rubbed my cheek against it, then slowly spun my body. My damp skin glided across the surface, spinning like a top.
“You’re distracting. What are you doing?”
“Checking the condition of the Star Silver. It feels fresh.”
“As I said, the surface is ordinary marble right now. You’re checking marble, not Star Silver.”
“Lady Flora.”
“Why do you keep calling me?”
“Are you perhaps suffering from an incurable disease?”
“……”
Flora fell silent, as if she had heard an unexpected question. After a moment, she spoke calmly.
“What are you suddenly talking about?”
“The condition for trading magic is eternal life. You made a meaningful remark about how easy it would be to find the Holy Grail if you had already found it. You’re also clinging to this massive Star Silver. Your unique magic is the life-filled kind that grows a peach tree in winter. Every clue points to an incurable illness.”
The hints were so obvious it was as if she were protesting for someone to figure it out. Perhaps my deduction was correct. Flora fiddled with her extinguished pipe, then snapped her fingers. A wooden stem burst from the frozen ground to serve as a stand. She placed the pipe on it and slipped into the hot spring, feet first. Our positions reversed—I was now on the Star Silver while she entered the water.
Flora scooped up the spring water with both hands and let it slip through her fingers. Then her lips moved.
“You had no talent for magic.”
“I’m average.”
“In that sense, I had no talent for longevity.”
Flora confessed plainly.
“My master was a famous divination mage. She sometimes saw the distant future, including my lifespan.”
“Oh dear.”
“The cause of death was illness. When I first heard the prophecy as a child, I didn’t believe it, but I soon realized I wasn’t particularly healthy.”
“Did the prophecy specify the exact date of death?”
“Yes.”
“When is it?”
“Spring, when I turn twenty-nine. In other words, half a year from now.”
Very little time remained.
“I tried every possible means to twist this fate. Searching for the Holy Grail was one of them.”
“So you were my senior?”
“The search failed, but I discovered this Star Silver in the process, so it wasn’t a complete failure. Ever since finding it, I’ve stayed here.”
So this Happy Mid-land-style hot spring inn had been built for that reason. A high-ranking mage running an inn wouldn’t be refused by the local lord, after all. He probably granted permission without issue.
“I wanted to change my fate. No matter what it took, I wanted to escape this wretched destiny.”
“What about the strategy of ending your own life? That would still let you escape the predetermined fate.”
“Don’t get your burns treated.”
“Why?”
“Without burns, you won’t look like a madwoman and might avoid people’s misunderstandings.”
“I see.”
Flora let out a long sigh, leaned her shoulder against the hot spring wall, and snapped her fingers. A wooden stem rose from the floor and began massaging her shoulder. My eyes widened.
“Self-massage is possible? Such an absurd magic…!”
“Even if you beg so earnestly, I still won’t give it to you.”
“Can I receive it too?”
“Come in.”
Following her instruction, I entered the hot spring, and a wooden stem promptly emerged to knead my shoulders. My eyes closed involuntarily. It was impossibly refreshing.
“What kind of delicate massage is this?”
“I learned from a professional masseur.”
“You really would do anything for your health, wouldn’t you?”
I felt Flora’s obsession with life anew. With such obsession, it was no wonder she had become a high-ranking mage at a young age. I relaxed and enjoyed her massage. It felt wonderful.
“Lady Ruina?”
A sudden voice made me open my eyes. I saw the cooking pouch.
“Lady Chris. You’re even coming to the public hot spring now. Don’t just stand there—come in quickly.”
“Who’s that?”
“A future merchant who made a deal with the demon of money.”
“That’s supposed to be a merchant? Not a succubus?”
“She’s the type that absorbs vitality from money.”
“That makes sense.”
Chris quietly sat beside us during our conversation and whispered.
“Lady Ruina, I’m not a succubus, am I?”
“Your figure is succubus-like. Your face too.”
“That’s an ambiguous compliment.”
“It’s a compliment.”
Flora gave Chris a wooden-stem massage as well. She even loosened the cooking pouch completely; her skill was nearly at the level of an imperial masseur.
“It was actually passed down from the former imperial masseur.”
“Your obsession with health is truly immense.”
“Only then can I change fate.”
We thoroughly enjoyed the hot spring bath, then stepped out and drank milk. Milk truly was best after a hot spring soak.
“Oh, right, Lady Ruina. You need to hear the final report.”
“Final report?”
“The trade caravan preparations are complete. Aren’t you going to check?”
“Of course I will.”
It was time to inspect whether my money had been well spent.