Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Farewell Gifts
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"Here, take this. A parting gift for you as you leave."
A gift upon departure.
I hadn't even considered it.
"No, when did you even..."
"If I made it too extravagant, I figured you'd refuse. So I prepared some modest things."
In truth, Jeon hadn't expected to receive anything more when leaving Silvermont.
He had done much for Silvermont, but they had done just as much for him in return.
Apparently, Silvermont didn't see it that way.
"Come on, take it before my hand starts feeling awkward."
With those words, Alexar handed over a rectangular leather bag.
Peeking into the slightly open bag, several items came into view.
"This is..."
Among them, the first to catch his eye was a silver fox-faced pendant.
'The item Lena showed at the bank when we first met.'
Back then, it had been used to prove her identity as a Silvermont to withdraw money from the Imperial Bank.
"It's a pendant that guarantees you're under our family's sponsorship. Nothing better for proving your identity anywhere."
Being sponsored by Silvermont essentially meant the family vouched for him.
With this pendant alone, he wouldn't face suspicion about his status or travel restrictions in most places.
Though still a commoner, it was the perfect substitute ID for Jeon, who essentially had no clear status.
"I'd love to grant you a title, but in Langley, outsiders need significant achievements for that."
"A title? No, that's too much. This is more than enough—thank you."
Langley Kingdom, being an island nation of Foxkin,
applied strict criteria even for a duke like Alexar when granting titles to non-Foxkin outsiders.
Of course, revealing everything Jeon had done would make a title a breeze, but Jeon himself was reluctant to disclose it.
'It might catch the eye of the Luin Church.'
Back in Celleron,
he had avoided drawing too much attention to prevent being summoned everywhere.
Now, knowing of the Luin Church's existence, he had even less desire for needless fame.
'Come to think of it, I've ruined two of their plans.'
He had thwarted their terrorism targeting the Fifth Prince and even conquered the ruins they couldn't touch.
If they learned of it, the Luin Church would surely target him immediately.
'Lucky Alexar understands.'
Thus, Jeon had asked Alexar not to reveal the ruins conquest.
The Silvermont retainers might inevitably learn, but keep it from outsiders.
Alexar had agreed, promising to hide Jeon's name even if it leaked—and draw aggro himself if needed.
'That's more than enough.'
And now, gifts on the way out.
"There are a few more inside—take a look."
Peering back in at Alexar's words, he saw a few sheets of paper and a lump of silvery ore.
"With the pendant, you can use these certificates at any Imperial Bank. I put in five for 1 million credits each for convenience. Use them as travel funds."
5 million credits for travel expenses.
Equivalent to handing over 50 million won in his past life.
'As expected from the rich—generous.'
Enough to splurge all the way to the White Tower without worry.
Next, the silvery ore lump.
It hadn't seemed heavy in the bag, but holding it now, it had considerable weight.
"Special silver fused with mana stone. Rare even in silver mines."
"Why give something like this to me...?"
"I heard you're serious about crafting artifacts. High mana stability—goes into any artifact."
"Wow... truly, thank you so much."
With his circle rising and magic knowledge growing,
Jeon had been planning another usable artifact beyond mana stones.
And now this gift.
"We're the grateful ones. You uncovered our family's lost history."
"I learned a lot too."
"You earned it—no need to feel burdened. Just remembering Silvermont's name is enough for me."
Watching Alexar's magnanimous demeanor, Jeon bowed in gratitude.
But with ore in one hand and pendant plus certificates in the other, his posture was awkward.
"Hm? Seen everything? Put them back in the bag instead of holding them."
"Pardon? Aren't you taking the bag back?"
"Of course not. The bag's part of the gift. Weight reduction and security magic—handy to carry."
"Ah."
The bag too.
He'd thought it just for display.
Putting items back and lifting it, the hefty ore barely registered in weight.
Square leather with a long strap like a crossbody—easy to carry.
"...Thank you so much for thinking of this."
Overkill for a casual parting gift.
Slinging it on, Jeon thanked Alexar once more.
"So, off to the White Tower now?"
"Yes. As I mentioned, departing in three days."
"It'll be lonely without you. Loved hearing about your progress."
Alexar's expression showed not just regret, but a touch of loneliness.
"I'll visit again when I have time."
"Good. Spar again then."
...So that's why he felt lonely.
Typical Alexar, Jeon chuckled—
"I wanna go too-!"
Lena suddenly burst between them.
He'd overheard her mutter about watching their spar after tea time.
She really had been watching from the training ground's edge.
"What?"
"White Tower! Take me!"
"Miss, you can't—Miss!"
Risar tried stopping her beside her,
but Lena ignored him.
"Why do you wanna go?"
"What if you go and get way stronger? I'm going to learn magic too!"
Competitive spirit, huh.
But watching her, Jeon realized it wasn't rivalry.
'She's sad I'm leaving.'
Jeon's body was young, mind adult.
Lena was still a child,
entering puberty—unable to voice feelings honestly.
'A kid's a kid.'
Grasping her heart, Jeon smiled wryly and spoke to calm her tantrum.
He knew the best way from experience with her.
"Fine, come along."
"R-Really!?"
"But after reaching 4th Circle."
"Why!?"
"Anything less, and White Tower has nothing for you. Plus, 4th Circle minimum to roam outside."
Pretend to accept, then add conditions.
"You're not 4th Circle either! Why me!?"
"I'm stronger than you. Beat me if you hate it."
Childish logic for her childish argument.
And it scratched her competitive itch.
"Ch-cheater!"
She yelled but didn't argue further.
Accepted the condition.
"Just watch—I'll hit 4th Circle and head straight there!"
Leaving those words, Lena stormed off the training ground.
"Sure, I'll be waiting."
Jeon waved goodbye with a smile.
'Good she listens.'
From his view,
her going to White Tower wasn't an issue.
Mages visiting towers benefited regardless of ties to Silvermont.
But just in case.
With Silvermont linked to terrorism and ruins,
Luin Church might target her outside.
Even with Risar and guards, she needed to grow stronger.
Hence the 4th Circle condition.
Also bought time.
"Hmm... Still perfect son-in-law material..."
Alexar eyed him, revealing his desire again.
"No. Not doing that."
Jeon shut it down firmly.
'One slip, and he pushes marriage.'
Persistent.
But such proposals were ending soon.
Time to leave Silvermont.
Three days later.
Amid farewells, Jeon departed Silvermont.
Silvermont provided a carriage to Langley's port—comfortable ride.
'Now truly alone.'
Surrounded by people lately, solitude felt odd.
Yet exciting—starting anew solo.
Anyway.
At the port, Jeon first checked ships to Celleron.
"Celleron? Ah, Haswell?"
"Pardon? Haswell?"
"Closest port city, right? Imperial management handed to Haswell family—name changed."
He'd heard Celleron family collapsed post-terror.
Even the lord and city name changed.
'Time has passed, huh.'
Over half a year in Silvermont—not surprising.
"Ah, yes. That sounds right. One ticket to Haswell, please."
"Sure. Cabin type?"
"Whatever's fine."
Timing perfect—no long wait.
Boarded soon.
'Been a while.'
Gazing at the sea, excitement stirred memories of his old city.
Celleron—no, now Haswell.
Had it changed with the name, or stayed the same?
'Wonder if they're doing well.'
Along with the cityscape,
faces he'd reunite with—how changed?
Quite the anticipation.