Chapter 76: The First Letter (76)
Chapter 76: The First Letter (76)
"…Leader of the 3rd-year Swordsmanship Department, Ian Percus!"
At Chancellor Delemore’s call, the eyes of high-ranking officials from various nations fixed intently on Ian. Among the silent spectators, a few gazes stood out particularly.
The 'Saintess of the Holy Kingdom,' the 'Queen of the Ball,' and even the girl known as the 'Princess,' the top student of the 1st-year Magic Department.
Everyone’s attention was focused on Ian. However, the expected roar of cheers did not erupt.
This was because the physical state of the man who appeared as the winner was more wretched than anyone could have imagined.
The battle must have been that grueling. It was evident when compared to the corpse of the demonic beast that remained as a grand centerpiece in the middle of the stage. That was why the audience couldn't bring themselves to cheer recklessly.
For a man who had achieved a great feat beyond a life-and-death struggle, simple exclamations or cheers felt out of place. It seemed more appropriate to offer a sense of awe for his sheer grit and tenacity.
"Representing your team, step forward."
At those words, the man quietly stood before Chancellor Delemore. The Chancellor handed him a luxurious plaque and a small box.
"As the winning prize, four bottles of the Imperial Family’s secret elixir, 'Dragon's Pure Blood'!"
Only then did a wave of gasps ripple through the crowd.
An elixir capable of instantly increasing one's mana capacity was an incredibly expensive item. Among them, if it was a secret elixir of the Imperial Family, its value was beyond estimation.
It was proof of just how much interest the Imperial Household was taking in the Academy. They had gifted four elixirs—each of which would trade for thousands of gold coins at the very least—so that each team member could have one.
"And furthermore, I grant you the right to dispose of the demonic beast's corpse, Ian."
As they shook hands, Chancellor Delemore spoke with a benevolent smile. The onlookers watched Ian’s lips with anticipation, as if it were their own business.
After all, the beast was of that size. They couldn't help but wonder how high a price it would fetch.
"It hasn't been officially named yet, but it will be soon. You can expect at least 10,000 gold."
At the Chancellor’s confirmation, whistles and cheers erupted.
10,000 gold—it was a staggering amount. It was rare for a commoner to hold such a sum in their entire lifetime, and for a minor rural noble, it was an amount seen only in the annual budget of their territory.
And that was the minimum. How much more expensive would it become once the bidding truly began?
Numbers were easy to understand, which was a good thing. The spectators, who had looked tense upon seeing Ian’s blood-soaked appearance, immediately shifted their attitude and offered words of congratulations.
Among them were those who seemed to be Ian’s friends. "Buy us a drink, man!" They laughed playfully, repeating the chant.
Ian didn't answer immediately. He remained silent for a moment, then glanced toward his teammates. Elsie was the first to snort and shrug her shoulders.
"Do you think I, Elsie of the Lainella Family, would swallow my pride for a few gold coins? Your contribution was the greatest, so do as you wish."
Next was Seria.
"I agree with Senior Elsie. Please do as you see fit, Senior."
Finally, Celine.
"Y-yeah! Do whatever you want, Ian! I won't resent you even if you keep it all for yourself. I mean, to think I actually won the Hunting Festival… I’m one step closer to the revival of the Haster Family, hehehe…."
Ian said nothing for a moment. He averted his gaze as if hesitating, then raised his head, which had been bowed to receive the plaque, with a determined look in his eyes.
His golden eyes turned toward the side. Toward the front of the podium where the crowd was gathered.
While the onlookers watched his actions with questioning eyes, a sudden shout burst from Ian’s mouth.
"…Saintess!"
At that, a path opened between the crowd and Ian.
It was a path naturally formed as the throng of people parted. At the end of it stood the Saintess, looking bewildered. With her silver hair, pale pink pupils, and her sinful curves.
She pointed to herself with her index finger and tilted her head.
"Me?"
Ian didn't answer her question. He simply gave a faint smile and pointed toward the demonic beast's corpse in the center of the stage.
He simply asked her one thing.
"With a sacrifice of this magnitude, can you heal Emma?"
Because it was such an unexpected request, silence fell over the clearing for a moment.
The Saintess, the crowd, Chancellor Delemore, and even his teammates stared at Ian with wide eyes.
Some didn't know the details of the situation; some looked as if they had never even considered such an idea; and some looked as if they never imagined he would actually put it into practice even if it were possible.
However, the silence didn't last long. The Saintess, who had been staring blankly into Ian’s golden eyes for a while, broke into a smile as if she had no choice.
Ian was serious. And so, she bowed her head and quietly made the sign of the cross over her heart.
"…Immanuel."
It meant 'The Lord be with you'—in other words, it meant she could heal Emma.
Only then did Ian let out a sigh of relief. He looked up at the night sky for a moment.
Light was pouring down, as if celebrating the finale of the stage.
The murmuring voices, the cheers and applause, Chancellor Delemore’s smiling face, and his rejoicing comrades.
All those colors blended into the light, forming a single painting.
It was the end of the Hunting Festival.
Emma’s treatment proceeded immediately. It was thanks to the Saintess taking time out of her schedule.
I needed treatment as well, but I had only received temporary first aid. Even though I had asked the Saintess, the most skilled cleric I knew, I was inwardly anxious about whether it would work.
The result was delivered in the morning. A rustic man with a bushy beard was bowing repeatedly before me. He was slamming his head against the ground so hard that blood was nearly flowing.
"Thank you, thank you… sob, what can this humble servant possibly do to repay this grace…."
"P-please, don't do this."
Startled, I immediately helped him up, but I couldn't hide my own elation upon seeing Emma’s father weeping with gratitude.
You survived, Emma.
It truly was a demonic beast worthy of a name. Whether the Heavenly God Arus had not forsaken Emma or not, her father said that her condition, which had little hope of recovery, had been restored in just one night.
It was such a wonderful conclusion that it made all my previous agonizing feel foolish. I should have sought a sacrifice sooner. I let out a long sigh of relief.
"As a servant! Please use me as your servant for the rest of my life… My daughter is the only hope I have left anyway. If you would let this worthless life repay your kindness, Young Master…!"
"It’s alright, sir. I only did what I had to do."
And where in the world would someone use their friend’s father as a servant?
I had to spend a long time persuading him while breaking into a cold sweat. Despite my efforts, Emma’s father refused to leave my side.
"No, no. My poor daughter, sob… I thought I would never see her again… My daughter, waaah…."
In the end, I had to go beyond persuading and actually comfort him. After a long while, I finally managed to pull away. Only after I told him I wanted to see Emma’s face as soon as possible was I finally able to regain my freedom.
His reaction was overwhelming. But more than that, I felt a deep sense of relief. He was a man who cherished his daughter that much.
If I had lost Emma like that, what would have happened? I didn't even want to imagine it.
I walked toward her room with a mix of anticipation and worry. In front of Emma’s hospital room, I took several deep breaths, feeling unnecessarily nervous.
Steeling my resolve, I stepped inside.
Warm sunlight was filtering through the window. The white marble walls sparkled as they reflected the light. Neat furniture caught my eye. A refreshing scent brushed against the tip of my nose.
The girl was positioned right in the center of that landscape.
Tucked under a pure white blanket, the red-haired girl was staring blankly out the window.
Her fair skin was somewhat pale, perhaps due to her long stay in the hospital, yet it couldn't hide her natural beauty; rather, her sickly appearance further stimulated a man’s protective instinct.
Her soft red hair looked almost like a deep brown when caught in the sunlight. The eyes that slowly turned toward me were green.
She gazed at me intently. For a long time, without saying a word.
And then, a smile played on her lips. The warm, gentle smile she had always shown me.
"…Hello, Ian."
Seeing that smile, I fell silent for a moment.
I didn't know what to say. My throat felt tight, and I felt as if my legs might give way and I’d collapse. I was so relieved, and so sorry.
I wanted to tell her that I had regretted it countless times after she collapsed, that I should have warned her properly.
I wanted to ask her to forgive my foolish self, even now.
I bit my lip, gnawing at it, until all those words were gathered and tucked away, and the only thing that finally escaped my mouth was a single sentence.
"Hello, Emma."
With the same greeting they had always shared, the girl and the boy were reunited.