The Letter (2)
Maria had left.
I stared at the ring resting in my palm without a word.
It was a jewel, round and flawless, yet the fact that it had been crafted from a thousand-year herb remained unchanged even if one offered a fortune for it.
“…Why did you give this to me?”
The question had no answer even when I asked myself.
The Mad Sword Killing Star, Maria Theresia von Britzhardt.
I could understand her showing interest in me. Her gaze, shaped by someone who stood at the edge of humanity, must differ greatly from ordinary ones. In the previous encounter she had already spoken of seeing “light.”
Yet that alone could not justify this gift without any strings attached. After the noble family’s heirloom, an elixir from the Britzhardt line?
“Well, I’ll have to take it anyway.”
I rolled the ring in my palm and muttered to myself.
If thoughts grew too deep, poison would take root. I had learned that truth, so I decided to stop worrying.
‘How do I take it?’
‘First, assume the lotus position and place it in your mouth. The effects of an elixir usually come with a small price. There is no need to force it.’
Recalling our conversation just before she departed, I slowly brought the ring to my lips. A sharp, refreshing scent tickled my nostrils.
Swallow!
Then, without hesitation, I tipped it straight into my mouth. It felt exactly like gulping down a high-proof liquor, the hot energy rushing down my throat and into my stomach.
Clunk!
The mysterious sensation did not end there.
The ring inside me began to melt slowly, striking my body with an overwhelming shock. It was like a massive orc punching straight through my organs.
Whoosh…
I sat in lotus position with eyes closed, yet I could feel the surging energy racing through every channel of my body.
Boom!
The ring’s power was an endless wild stallion, galloping without pause. Like a reins-less horse, it flooded my meridians, organs, lower dantian, middle dantian, and upper dantian with raw force.
‘…Is it fun?’
Of course, relying on mana—on “energy”—was impossible. That was obvious.
But why? Instinctively I knew. The energy racing through my body was overflowing with pure delight. It felt like a horse galloping across the prairie, and I even had the foolish thought that it was the first time any child had ever visited the playground.
‘Is it… getting tired?’
I had no idea how much time had passed, but the wild surge gradually quieted.
After that, the energy performed actions I could not understand.
A massive mass split into several parts and drifted—one to the head, one to the chest, one to the lower belly.
Like a sapling taking root in fertile soil, the silent energy no longer moved. It had fused completely with me.
At the end of the circulation, a strange refreshment awakened every inch of my body from the deepest sleep.
* * *
High above the tree on the second floor of the hotel, the view of the room was clear.
Maria watched the scene inside from above.
Frey in lotus position, then without a moment’s hesitation tipping the ring into his mouth. The images played vividly before her eyes.
Creak!
Lancelot returned to the room just then.
Whoosh!
He set the food tray on the table and immediately drew his sword. The action happened the instant he saw Frey on the bed.
“….”
Time passed.
One hour, two hours, six hours, twelve hours.
The knight’s blade, kept motionless in the silent room, showed no sign of wavering. He watched with sharp eyes like a raptor guarding its nest, ready to strike at any intruder.
“….”
After some more time, something astonishing happened.
Flash! Flash!
Bright light burst from Frey, eyes closed and seated on the bed.
In empty space, faint green laurel leaves appeared, glowing softly. They hovered above Frey’s head for a long while before vanishing.
Whoosh…
“….”
Frey opened his eyes. Only then did Maria release her concealment and leave the hotel.
Her thoughts grew chaotic. The next gift troubled her deeply.
* * *
“I’m exhausted.”
“…Exhausted? Why?”
The face that greeted me was Lancelot’s, pale and drawn.
“It’s done. I’m going to rest now. I’ve left the seat empty too long; Mother will worry.”
“Yes. Yes.”
Lancelot, face gaunt, left with those few words.
“…?”
Curious, I slowly rose from the chair. At the window, the scenery outside looked exactly as it had before I closed my eyes.
“Wait, has it really been a day?”
My body, once heavy, now felt lighter. No, not merely light—my whole frame felt so buoyant it could fly. Recalling that only minutes or hours had passed, the answer was clear.
‘That long?’
After I checked the situation, an awkward guilt rose in me.
During the time I had sent, Lancelot had guarded the seat against possible danger. A knight whose life depended on strength should not have looked so exhausted unless he had been protecting me.
“…Ah.”
I soon remembered a perfect solution.
I had forgotten. The mercenary guild—there should be money waiting.
If my guess was right, it would be a considerable sum. Not a trivial job, and as a mercenary of the Empire’s expeditionary army, the pay would surely exceed expectations.
‘I should buy him something with this.’
Since Lancelot had abandoned the Almas family’s support, financial hardship was inevitable. What else would a wandering knight exist for? All for money.
I changed into fresh clothes. The laundered fabric carried a pleasant scent. I slung my sword over my shoulder and headed for the mercenary guild in the city center.
Clang!
“Welcome! We’ve been waiting. I was worried you’d be late.”
“…?”
At the guild’s inner counter stood the bartender I had seen before.
His attitude, however, was unusually over-the-top, drawing every eye in the hall toward me.
“The participation bounty I applied for earlier—I’d like to receive it.”
“Oh! All procedures are complete. How would you like to receive it?”
“In physical form.”
“Yes, of course! One moment, please.”
“…All right.”
Suspicion rose at the overly generous behavior. Several mercenaries muttered, “Why is he acting like that?” My own unease had clearly been justified.
A short while later.
The bartender returned carrying a heavy pouch. From its weight, the amount was clearly substantial.
“This is the participation bounty. The guild truly appreciates your involvement in the expedition, Mr. Frey.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
The pouch felt heavy enough to lift my spirits.
With the money secured, I turned to leave. The guild no longer held any pull for me. I had never cared for the route anyway, and mercenary work did not suit my temperament.
Yet.
“Wait, Mr. Frey!”
“…?”
The bartender had clearly not expected me to leave so abruptly and called out urgently. I turned with a puzzled look.
“The magic post arrived at the contact channel.”
“…Post?”
The words stunned me.
Originally, the people I knew in this world had been few. That meant no one existed to send mail through the contact channel.
‘…That means.’
Someone who knew my name and status had contacted me.
“The sender is the Helios Magic Tower.”
The bartender spoke quietly, weighing his words heavily, especially on the name Helios Magic Tower—as if warning every listener.
The mercenaries at their tables stirred.
“Helios… Magic Tower?”
“No way. That guy must be more important than I thought!”
“Is he a mage? He doesn’t look like one.”
“….”
Magic tower. Helios Magic Tower, the pinnacle. It was an unexpected name.
The premier tower on the Western Continent, it felt like the heart of magic itself. If anyone asked for the most traditional tower, all would name Helios without hesitation.
“Will you receive the mail?”
“Yes.”
I answered without much fuss. The Helios Magic Tower was the Helios Magic Tower; there was no need to overdo it.
“Understood. One moment, please.”
A short time later the bartender returned with a single letter. The gold leaf on its surface gleamed impressively.
[ From. Helios Magic Tower, Ariel ]
‘…Ariel.’
A name I did not remember. That the sender was not a high-ranking figure in made sense.
“Delivery complete, Mr. Frey. Please use our branch again in the future.”
“All right.”
I answered briefly, turned, and walked toward the guild entrance, tearing open the seal as I went.
Whoosh—
Then.
Flash! Flash! Flash!
Something absurd unfolded. The envelope’s golden glow burst from within.
Golden Light