A Glimpse of Freedom
It was early morning when his eyes fluttered open. Licht slowly pushed himself up from the bed. The bandages that had once wrapped his upper body were gone. His body felt much lighter than before, thanks to his external wounds having mostly healed.
Yet there was still discomfort. The circles that had dwindled from five to one felt utterly alien to him. For swordsmen and mages who had reached lofty heights, this dissonance would be even more profound. Unlike ordinary folk who never chose that path, mana was like a second body to them.
"7:40..."
He glanced at the pocket watch on the bedside table. Faintly furrowing his brow, Licht noted the time. His appointment was at 8:00—out in the courtyard—which meant preparing and changing would be a rush.
Well, I was planning to head down anyway...
Last night, he had made a promise with the girl. Once a month, the convent selected people to go down to the city. Even in a place cut off from the secular world, they needed supplies from town. And conveniently, it was tomorrow.
Licht had no reason to refuse.
The letter...
After changing into comfortable clothes for travel, Licht gazed quietly at the subspatial pouch on the table and the Ascension Sword leaning beside it.
It had been quite some time since he sent word to El Sion. This letter was different.
Hypocrisy.
He knew it. The very thought was revolting hypocrisy.
Still, Licht intended to send money to Ranin's younger sister.
Probably.
By now, news of her brother's death must have reached her. For a mercenary to go missing was as good as dead. With only the two of them as family, she was likely alone now.
Not knowing her exact location, Licht planned to impose on the count once more.
He fiddled with the subspatial pouch for a while before slipping it into his bosom.
Money's no issue.
He'd send everything except minimal expenses. If not, he could ask the count.
The real problem was the Execution Sword he possessed.
The pristine holy sword he had taken from Kars. Unlike the three he hadn't recovered amid the life-or-death struggle, this one was safely stored in his subspatial pouch.
After a moment's deliberation, Licht strapped the Ascension Sword to his waist.
Just in case.
To Licht, a sword was more than a mere weapon. Simply having it at his side brought peace of mind.
Only after hanging the silver pocket watch around his neck and slipping the now mana-depleted ring onto his middle finger did he step outside.
"......"
He had come out a bit early, yet the courtyard was already crowded. Veteran nuns and a few novices. And in the midst of the children, a platinum-haired girl.
"Ah, there he is!"
The lively girl he had met once before waved at Licht familiarly. At the sight, the boy let out an involuntary sigh.
***
"Do you usually bring the kids along too?"
"They can't stay cooped up in the convent forever. We take them out in turns for educational purposes. In order."
They passed the city walls. The mountain descent alone took hours. Yet no one complained. It was a rare venture into the secular world. Excitement even lit the children's faces.
Licht watched the leading children and the nuns reining them in, walking at the rear with the girl.
It was a small city, not even half the size of Bailen or Britten, but brimming with vitality. In this moment, his own endless worries felt utterly foolish.
"Peaceful, isn't it?"
The girl, gazing at the same scene, spoke. When Licht glanced sideways, a faint smile graced her lips.
"I love it."
"Love it?"
"All of it. The people on the streets, the playing children. Just being alive and breathing—I'm grateful for that."
Licht said nothing. But he sensed what she meant.
Simply being alive was a blessing. The scene before them embodied that—vibrant energy, not a trace of worry. Not wealthy, but finding joy in the little things.
Such a life. And how many never knew even these small joys?
After a brief contemplation, Licht shook his head inwardly.
"You said you come down once a month."
"Yes."
"What do you buy?"
"Food, clothes, and sundries."
In short, foodstuffs and daily necessities. The convent had small vegetable patches, but foraging in the forest had limits.
"Must cost a lot."
"...It does. Not just Hyeris Convent—most are the same. Many seek salvation's hand, but resources aren't abundant."
Other monasteries and convents too. Even the Papal Court had financial limits. Saving the Holy Kingdom's poor from starvation entirely was impossible.
No paradise existed where everyone was happy. That belonged only in utopian fantasies.
Even now, children starved without a scrap of bread.
Knowing this well, Licht couldn't respond easily.
They followed the group in silence for a long stretch.
"Still, things have gotten a bit better lately."
The girl spoke up suddenly.
"The Papal Court sends funds under the guise of support."
"Don't others get the same?"
"There's a basic amount, but it's truly minimal."
"Must be sorely lacking."
"That's why we rely heavily on donations from local believers. Some come for confession..."
Followers of Goddess Isteria abounded. Wealthy donors steadily contributing to the Papal Court were plentiful. The Alder family had done so too.
"What do you mean 'better lately'?"
"...Since I arrived."
"You don't go back?"
The words slipped out unconsciously. Realizing his mistake only after speaking, Licht cursed inwardly. He had carefully avoided the topic, and now it was all for naught.
But the girl showed no displeasure at his question. She simply closed her eyes as they walked, then continued matter-of-factly.
"It felt suffocating."
"......"
"So suffocating I had to leave."
Short words. Yet Licht understood her feelings. He had felt the same in his family.
"Since I was little. It always felt like a pristine white cage. A holy site every Isterian believer longs to visit... but I hated it."
"The Papal Court?"
"Strange, right? Even when I first received the oracle. I still don't understand why I was chosen as saintess."
She added wistfully that she sometimes wondered how nice it would be to abandon everything and live freely. A bitter smile crossed her face.
"I'm not as devout or special as others. There are priests far more faithful than me. I still don't get it—why did Isteria choose me?"
"So you ran away?"
"...Yes. Sorry to Anima who selected me. But staying longer... I think I'd have gone mad."
"And now?"
"Now..."
They had entered the shopping district. The children, weaving familiarly through the streets, stopped before a shop. Exchanging greetings, they seemed well-acquainted.
"I wish time could stop forever."
"......"
"I've said too much nonsense. Must have annoyed you."
"...No."
"The post office is three blocks ahead. Look for the small bird emblem on the sign—easy to spot."
"Saintess! Over here!"
An child at the shop called out to the late-arriving Licht and girl.
She waved back and started forward, then halted abruptly.
"Oh, right."
Turning, she looked at Licht.
"Your name."
"......?"
"I still don't know it. If it's not too rude, could you tell me?"
Only then did Licht realize: over two weeks of imposing on them, they had never properly introduced themselves.
"...Licht."
"Licht?"
"Licht Sientia. Call me whatever's comfortable."
"Then me too."
"......?"
As Licht blinked in confusion, the girl grinned mischievously.
"Stella Evgenia. From now on, call me by name properly—not 'you'."
With that, Stella left his side.
As she returned, the children chattered anew as if nothing happened. Stella, as always, responded to each with a radiant smile.
The shopkeepers did too. Her platinum hair and golden eyes drew gazes everywhere, and passersby greeted her with carefree smiles—even knowing she was the saintess.
It was like the ideal painting she desired.
Licht stood watching quietly for a while. Then he headed alone to the building she had indicated for mailing the letter.
***
"To El Sion's lord's castle: 3 gold 50 silver. Confirmed."
Inside the post office, Licht paid the fee with a small note.
He chose carrier pigeon over personal courier. He had considered sending money with a letter but changed his mind.
This was a direct pigeon to Count Fredericksen.
Enclosing money would bulk it up, forcing a slower personal delivery. It also served to inform the count of his survival.
The count had promised unwavering support, so he'd gladly handle Ranin's sister in Licht's stead.
I don't know the full internal situation.
What state El Sion was in. Or Holy Kingdom diplomacy.
But the city's calm suggested no dire crisis yet.
Leaving the building, Licht felt a weight lift.
And inwardly sneered.
Disgusting.
Excuses aside, it was all to ease his guilt. This very relief proved it.
Letting out an unwitting chuckle, Licht halted.
"Found you."
"Bro, where'd you go? Did the saintess dump you?"
Three children approached.
Willie, Ben, Emma—the very ones from before.
"Why are you here?"
Licht's tone was a touch prickly. But Emma shot back undaunted.
"Free time."
"Free time?"
"Normally no, but we're fine."
"'Cause we're older."
"Thirteen—we can handle ourselves."
"Hear that?"
"So?"
Emma showed the coins in her hand.
"Worried you'd be heartbroken after the saintess rejected you."
"......"
"Our treat!"
"Emma, shouldn't he say he'll treat? We can't drink anyway..."
"It's just a figure of speech."
"Don't nitpick."
"No..."
"Come on, quick."
The kids grabbed Licht's hand and dragged him to a street vendor. The smell of grilling meat—it was a skewer stall.
"Oh, back again? Snacking? Nuns'll scold you."
"It's fine. Earned from honest work. So skewers—three... no, four please."
Emma, ordering as usual, glanced at the dragged-along Licht and adjusted.
"Got it. Four skewers. 60 copper."
"...Pardon?"
She had no choice but to be stunned.
"Sorry, prices went up. Yesterday, 15 copper each."
"Ah..."
Counting her tightly gripped coins, Emma looked flustered between vendor and Licht. Willie and Ben were no different. They had brought exact change for the old price.
Licht sighed softly and rummaged in his bosom.
"How much?"
"Paying for them? Four skewers: 60 copper."
As Licht reached into the subspatial pouch for change, his expression shifted subtly. But only briefly.
He handed over a single bright gold coin.
"Wait, gold..."
"No change needed."
"What? No..."
Forcing the gold into the vendor's hand, Licht picked up three well-grilled skewers and gave them to the kids—ignoring the bellowing behind.
"You not eating, bro?"
On the way back to the nuns' rendezvous, Emma asked.
"Nah."
"Must be loaded."
In truth, just too lazy to fish out silver, but Licht didn't correct her.
"Bro, are you nobility?"
Big Ben's eyes sparkled.
Licht shook his head slightly.
"Not? Then holy knight for sure..."
"Mage, I said."
"What'd you talk about with the saintess?"
The last came from Willie, who had trailed silently. Unlike the other two, he hadn't touched his skewer, eyes serious.
Emma and Ben shut up in unison.
After a pause, Licht replied curtly.
"Nothing."
"Liar."
"Really."
"We're all orphans. Most kids at the convent are."
Willie blurted unexpectedly. But the vibe differed from last time.
As Licht stayed silent, Willie continued.
"Sure, good folks exist... but usually, they point at us: 'parentless kids.'"
"......"
"But the saintess is different. She's amazing—treats kids like us without prejudice. Not just convent folk; the whole town respects her."
"...I see."
Licht replied without turning.
Silence fell. The four walked the shopping district wordlessly.
Returning, they saw the group—and the platinum-haired girl drawing eyes.
Only then did Willie speak again.
"Don't know if you're a holy knight..."
"......"
"But I know the saintess treasures you. Origin, past—doesn't matter. You're a super strong swordsman, right?"
Licht stopped. Turning, he found three kids looking up.
"Mage."
"Holy knight?"
"Hey!"
Willie, who had built the mood, snapped. Emma and Ben giggled.
"Anyway..."
Embarrassed, Willie cleared his throat.
"Look after the saintess. She wants to stay at the convent, but the Papal Court... Knights might come again soon."
"......"
"You're super strong, right? Someday I'll be like Anima, but right now I'm weak..."
Willie looked deflated, unlike usual.
Gazing down, Licht turned. The saintess waved high, spotting them.
"Sure."
Not certain, but.
"...Really?"
"Yeah."
Licht answered. Willie's face lit up.
"Aak!"
"Hey!"
"Acting cool? Doesn't suit you."
"You..."
Emma smacked their heads as she passed.
"Nyah. Got beef? Catch me."
"You...!"
The boys dashed after the girl, fuming.
Licht chuckled despite himself.
They visited more shops after. Nearly 100 convent members meant many purchases: food, kids' clothes, necessities.
After settling the last bill, tasks ended. Goods were delivered directly to the convent, letting the group ascend lightly as they descended.
"Saintess, Saintess!"
Climbing the mountain path, a child tugged her hem.
Crimson sunset filtered through dense foliage.
"Sing that!"
"Sing?"
"The song you sing sometimes!"
"Hmm..."
"Please!"
"Yeah, sing!"
The climbing kids begged. Hours of uphill monotony bred boredom. Even veteran nuns' protests failed—they knew she'd relent.
With a feigned sigh, she gave in.
"Fine. Just a bit..."
"Yay!"
The children cheered in unison. Nuns shook heads helplessly.
An impromptu song rang out.
Like a butterfly flitting over emerald meadows.
Like a bird soaring the lofty skies.
I want to fly. Freely.
The child in the cage.
I know not the laws.
But I know this: all is a time of waiting.
One wish I hold.
Freedom unbound.
With a pair of pristine white wings.
Spread these fledgling wings wide.
I want to fly.
Like a butterfly flitting over emerald meadows.
Like a bird soaring the lofty skies.
I want to fly. Freely.
Late afternoon. The path from city to convent.
Crimson sunset draping all.
The song echoed through the forest for a time. She sang first; children followed.
Licht stood at the rear, watching silently.
And thought: May this daily life last a little longer.
May this peace she desired endure forever.