Farewell 1
As soon as dawn broke, Licht stepped out of his inn. The cleanup was already mostly done. Bailen's streets looked no different from usual. On the surface, nothing had changed since before he'd arrived. Jeron, the firstborn son, had been written off as dying from a sudden illness, and Archbishop Sernos appeared perfectly alive and well. There had been a brief wave of mourning for the death of Duke Alder, who commanded everyone's respect, but that was it. The rumors among the nobles would circulate what had happened before, but it was no longer Licht's concern now that he was about to leave.
What mattered more was 8,000 gold.
He had plenty left for travel expenses. Count Fredrikson had given him 100 platinum coins and a stash of jewels, which he'd exchanged bit by bit as needed. In everyday transactions, silver and copper coins were the norm, with gold coins used only occasionally—platinum coins weren't commonly traded.
Better to hold onto the jewels as-is. Exchange the platinum coins once I reach the Holy Kingdom.
The currencies differed between the southern continent, the central regions, and the north. Usually, coins from Arhen Kingdom or the Palenia Holy Kingdom were preferred. They held steady value, high liquidity, and low exchange fees or hassle.
If I pass through Girga Kingdom, I'll have to swap again.
But that wasn't a priority right now. Gold and jewels held value anywhere on the continent. A bit of a fee, but no real issue. Girga Kingdom could still exchange Palenian or Arhen currency.
He slipped over the city walls undetected and reached the meeting spot, where Millein, Del, and Jamel were already waiting.
"You've arrived."
Licht gave a small nod in response to Millein's greeting.
"Shall we walk a bit?"
The morning breeze was chilly. In the well-manicured garden within the lord's castle, devoid of any people, Licht wandered aimlessly with the three of them. Sneaking over the walls and choosing the garden over the office as the rendezvous—both had been his call. He didn't like drawing eyes.
"As I said yesterday... thank you, truly. If it hadn't rained then, if we hadn't stopped at that inn, if we hadn't met you... I probably would've died before even reaching Bailen. It would've been me dead, not my brother."
"......"
"Thinking back, it feels like some twist of fate. Until recently, I never dreamed I'd inherit the duchy and stroll gardens like this so leisurely."
"...Fate."
"I'll do my utmost from here on. My shoulders feel a bit heavy, but..."
Millein gave a wry smile. By then, their steps had come to a halt. Licht said nothing more. The deal had been to install Millein, the second son, as duke heir. From there, it was up to him to forge ahead.
"The reward I mentioned."
At Millein's gesture, Del stepped forward from behind and offered a bundle with a respectful bow.
"I wanted to at least say goodbye to the two mercenaries..."
"Your sentiments will reach them just fine."
Inside was a hefty pile of gold coins. Even with Alder family's strained finances, they could afford to compensate two mercenaries handsomely. Licht hadn't asked for money, so it would go to Jack and Ranin. Once he confirmed Licht tucking the bundle away, Millein spoke again.
"Is there truly nothing else you need? Even something small."
"I'm fine. The oath from before is more than enough."
"Then..."
Millein hesitated, lips twitching as if debating whether to voice it.
"This might be rude to ask."
But he steeled himself, eyes gleaming.
"You said the 7th Seat Executioner is dead. Are you truly heading to the Holy Kingdom?"
The question he hadn't asked yesterday. Silence stretched. A breeze tousled their hair. Millein knew about the El Sion mages kidnapped from the cathedral basement and massacred. He knew 7th Seat Kars had died in the process. Pursuit was inevitable. As a nation's ruler, Millein couldn't touch him without just cause, but Licht was different. The "don't clean up after me" warning yesterday had been aimed at this very risk—Millein knew that. He knew raising the topic was presumptuous, but he couldn't hold back.
"I've planned that from the start. The path is set."
Licht's answer was the same as before. He was heading to Palenia Holy Kingdom. Millein couldn't reply immediately. Perhaps because he glimpsed the resolve in Licht's eyes. After a moment's thought, he proposed:
"About that reward—if money doesn't appeal, how about a horse? We have some fine warhorses with solid bloodlines. They'd serve you well on your journey."
But Licht shook his head slightly.
"I can get a horse easily enough. Worst case, take a carriage."
There were plenty of ways to reach the Holy Kingdom. With money to spare, he could even walk if needed. At that point, Millein couldn't push further. For Licht, making a fuss over one horse would be more trouble.
"I see. My apologies for the pointless suggestion."
"......"
"It seems it's time to part ways for real."
Del and Jamel bowed crisply, gratitude and respect for past events in their stance.
"If you ever have time later... please visit again."
"...Someday."
"Someday... haha! That's enough for me."
Then, Lord Licht.
Millein added, eyes lowered longingly.
"Safe travels."
Licht answered with a silent look. As he turned quietly, it felt like Millein's gaze followed him all the way out of the inner castle.
***
After leaving the lord's castle, Licht found a post office to send a letter. No sender listed, recipient: Count Fredrikson. The contents were concise—a brief summary of events since arriving in Bailen. No sender to preempt issues, and the text used code. Even if intercepted midway, it would be hard to trace. No clue who sent it or what it said. Dozens to hundreds of letters flooded the count daily; pinpointing from one recipient was near impossible.
And Licht wasn't worried the count wouldn't recognize it. He'd marked the envelope with their private signal.
"Bailen to El Sion lord's castle... 3 gold 60 silvers. Anything else to send?"
Licht set down three gold coins and six silver coins, pondering briefly.
Letters...
A few more people he wanted to write to. But the hesitation was fleeting. He bought two fresh sheets from the counter.
This one's for personal courier.
The note to Count Fredrikson went via messenger bird—small and swift. But these two letters needed human couriers. Too large for a bird's leg, and birds had limited ranges anyway. Speed wasn't worth the premium here.
Not urgent.
Licht grabbed a quill and began writing.
Sebrik, Lena.
Are you well?
Wandering the continent like this dulled his sense of time. It was mid-June already. Summer's heat had surged in. Girga Kingdom near the equator was probably sweltering—half-joking, the whole place baking. In contrast, Orkin Empire between center and far north was far more livable. Vast lands meant regional variance, but the capital at least sprawled across blessed plains under fine weather.
Too much? Tone it down...
Idly fussing like that, he kept scribbling. How was El Sion now? Were they faring well since he left?
...Past me wouldn't have written like this.
As he penned missing them, longing words, Licht paused unconsciously. Stuff from his previous life he'd never embarrass himself with.
I've changed a lot.
Using mana on the paper to draw out ink, he finished. Any mage would gawk at the control, but luckily the place was sparsely populated. Sender: Licht. Recipients: Sebrik and Lena.
One down. The other...
One sheet filled top to bottom. The blank one beside it.
"......"
Licht stared at it. Better to write it. He twirled the quill idly for a while before resolving and starting again.
This letter had a single recipient. Aila Pavria, Pavria family's second daughter—the first besides Sebrik and Lena to show him kindness without strings. By now, she was probably visiting the central estate as promised. Maybe with her guard mage Aren too. After entrusting Sebrik and Lena to them so earnestly, skipping even a check-in letter wasn't right. He wasn't some beast.
"......"
Write a word, agonize, repeat dozens of times. Staring at the half-filled sheet, Licht suddenly bled out a flood of ink.
What he'd written suddenly irked him.
Just two letters, and it's this draining?
Quill in hand again, he wrote faster now.
"Bailen to El Sion central estate... address confirmed. Human courier, 1 gold 20 silvers."
Licht paid as before. Unlike scarce, hard-to-train messenger birds, human couriers handled bulk cheaply.
Just two letters, and half the day gone...
Stepping out, the sun was high noon already. With a small sigh, Licht headed back to the inn. Last, bid Jack and Ranin farewell and pay their commission fee.
"Found you. Where the hell you been roaming since morning?"
But he had to stop short. Midway to the inn, the two mercenaries he'd been seeking approached slowly from across the street.
"Lord Licht. Good morning... nah, good lunch. All your business done?"
"Said you were heading to the castle, so we waited, but damn, took forever. Had to come hunt you down."
Seemed they'd been looking for him. Licht nodded at their words.
"All taken care of."
"Yeah?"
"Setting off right away?"
Ranin's question. Licht pondered briefly before answering.
"Planned to leave today, but..."
The extra commission for Jack and Ranin was complete. Millein had rewarded them separately—no reason to linger.
But.
"One last thing left, so departing at dawn tomorrow."
7th Seat Executioner Kars was dead. Word must've reached the Papal Court. Bryce the excommunicated last-seater, and Kars sent personally by the Pope. They wouldn't drop it.
But they couldn't move immediately. Sending another Executioner with two already dead?
They don't have that luxury.
It would take time. Executioners rarely exceeded three at the Vatican even normally. So today, he could relax.
"Knew it. We were planning to head out tomorrow too."
Jack laughed heartily.
"There's this killer restaurant here. Tons to say about the job, future plans..."
No sooner said, Jack slung an arm around him.
"Whaddya say, young master? Join us?"
Jack turned, face playful, eyes twinkling. Ranin chuckled helplessly. Licht gazed at them wordlessly.
A strange feeling. Alien from his previous life.
"In that case."
Not bad, though.
"I'll cover it. Drink as much as you want."
"Ooh, oooh. Class act, young master. Leagues above that cheapskate Ranin."
"What?"
"C'mon, let's roll. I'll guide you there special-like."
Jack released the arm and strode ahead energetically. Ranin grumbled, following. Licht watched them a moment, murmuring inwardly.
Should be fine.
What could go wrong?
"Young master? Hurry up or we leavin' without ya."
Jack glanced back. Licht followed slowly.
Bailen's midday boulevard. Unlike yesterday, not a cloud marred the clear sky.