Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Farewell at Golden Rose
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Shaaaah—
The wind gently brushing the field’s grass made my eyes open on their own.
Each time the carriage wheels creaked, my body shook pleasantly. A scene I’d seen somewhere before...
Sitting up in the wind that coolly caressed the cold sweat soaking my body, the heavens and earth were dyed in twilight.
“Ah, you’re awake!”
A bright voice came from the coachman’s seat. It was Sammy. She held the reins, leading two packhorses.
“Where is this...?”
“On the road to [Golden Rose]. We should arrive tonight.”
This time the voice came from beside me, accompanied by the heavy clanking of black iron.
“I know rest is the top priority, but Rem said the break is ending soon.”
“Yeah! They’re super strict about credits at <Delaiten>.”
Rem, rest, break...
Amid that string of words, a headache like my skull was splitting suddenly surged. Memories I’d forgotten in my sleep came flooding back.
“All that was really true...?”
If those memories were real, the mere fact that I was alive and breathing right now was a miracle.
Haaa...
Letting out a long sigh, I flopped powerlessly back into the cargo hold, and Rem chattered on.
“But man, your connections are way wider than I thought?”
“Huh?”
“That forbidden book you brought—we almost got in deep trouble leaving the city, but the Special Division just waved us through.”
Special Division... Doran Slade?
“The guy with the squinting, creepy smile?”
“Yeah, exactly that vibe! He said, ‘This is a token of affection from Rain Ludwig’s future boss,’ and to pass along his regards.”
“Tell him I’m not interested.”
The kind of guy who pops up out of nowhere whenever he gets bored. Thanks to him, we did manage to snag the book from [Leda Cabel]...
“Still, it’s a favor we received. Pay him a visit sometime.”
A favor... If we’re keeping score, there’s someone else I owe a greeting to first.
These idiots didn’t just follow me all the way here out of worry—they helped me even after turning the black magicians into enemies.
Sammy’s putting on a brave front, but I can see the cold sweat trickling down past Volga. Even Fride groaned in pain after the antidote...
“...You guys are the reason I even had to deal with that inspection in the first place.”
So I turned my head slyly away and grumbled in a petulant whisper, my voice trailing off.
Just like with Rista, I wondered if a day would come when I could express my gratitude honestly. A day when I could smile and cry openly.
Did that unspoken sincerity reach them? Bart and Sammy gave warm smiles.
“What?!”
But Rem leaped into the cargo hold and dramatically cupped a hand to his ear.
“Didn’t hear that—say it again?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“What?! ‘If it weren’t for you guys, I wouldn’t have had to deal with that inspection’?!”
“I said nothing!”
“Wow! Bart! Sammy! Rain—who said if it weren’t for you guys he wouldn’t have dealt with that inspection—says he’s got more to say!”
“Ah, stop it!”
“Ah, huzz mlurg~!”
Rain thrust out a hand to grab Rem, but no mere mage could catch a top-tier archer’s agility.
Dodging nimbly, Rem mimicked Rain’s voice, and Sammy burst into laughter.
Bart told him to quit teasing, but even his voice was laced with amusement.
‘Well, he’ll be fine.’
Glancing back at Rain playfully tussling with Rem, Sammy thought.
‘He’s so full of energy—no way reading that forbidden book will cause any weird trouble...’
* * *
Late on Friday night, we safely reached [Golden Rose]’s west gate.
It was a close call.
The gatekeeper had been just about to shut the gates—a little later, and we’d have been camping outside.
“It’s so dark already—bet the dorm’s closed.”
Passing through the deepened night streets, Rem—who’d handled perimeter watch the whole trip—yawned lazily. Rain shook his head.
“They keep the dorm open till midnight during break.”
“Oh?”
Rem scratched his head with a hint of regret and glanced at Bart. Wonder what that was about.
“Nooo~ Why’d you do such grueling work at [Leda Cabel]? We can’t even brag about our feats. Bad for business.”
Word of [Leda Cabel] had already spread across the south—[Golden Rose] pedestrians were whispering about the massacre there.
That’s what Rem was grumbling about after overhearing.
“If you wanna get nabbed by the heresy inquisitors, spend forever testifying, and paint a target on your back for the black magicians, go ahead and confess you took them all down, Rem.”
“Shut it. Who doesn’t know that? I’m just a little bummed, that’s all.”
We bantered pointlessly like that until we reached the dorm gate.
By then, my body had recovered enough for me to walk on my own. Pain and fatigue lingered, so no intense exercise for a few weeks, but...
I jumped down from the carriage and stretched lightly when Bart spoke gravely.
“Then it’s time to part ways.”
“Yeah. Does it really need this dramatic vibe?”
“Rain, truth is, we followed you to say hello. If nothing had happened at [Leda Cabel], that’s all it would’ve been.”
What hello.
I chuckled and shook my head.
“I said thanks are enough already.”
But the three of them had a strange air about them. An inexplicable anxiety made my heart clench.
“It’s not that—we won’t see each other for a while.”
“Won’t see each other?”
“We got the call.”
I gasped in surprise. Adventurers only ever got one kind of call.
Trident Point.
A cape stretching like a trident into the North Sea off the continent’s northwest—adventure’s holy land, reserved for true elites.
Bordering the mad land of Harbadonia, it was packed with ancient abyssal temples and labyrinths, with over 60% still unexplored.
Adventurers there earned multiples on contributions and rewards, but the danger was multiplied too—only silver rank and above allowed.
“The Mobidic adventurer party nominated us. They’re ranked 3rd. It’ll be a huge stepping stone for me and Rem.”
Rain said nothing.
It was something to congratulate. Something to celebrate together. Yet my throat felt clogged, like I’d swallowed a lump of lead.
This felt weird. Did I actually like these guys this much? Sure, I’d felt some fondness, but...
“Sammy’s not silver rank.”
“Of course it’s too dangerous, so I’m heading back to the church. Time to seriously prep for the priest exam.”
Sammy smiled warmly.
Watching Rain’s expression, Rem teased.
“What, scared now that your cool big bro and sis are heading out? Want us to stick around?”
“...Ridiculous.”
Rain averted his gaze and muttered sulkily.
I thought about telling them not to go. About asking them to stay. But Bart had said Trident Point was his big growth opportunity.
Wouldn’t holding back a friend like that be too selfish?
“I figured it’d just be a quick goodbye.”
Then Bart suddenly dropped to one knee to meet my eyes. He reached out and ruffled my hair.
A warrior’s touch was inevitably rough, but I could feel the affection in it.
An old memory flashed— the feeling from when Kies and Rista would pet Lin’s head whenever they got bored.
“This whole mess has me worried—my feet won’t budge.”
My eyes shook violently for a moment. Was it the shock of a poignant realization?
Ah, I see. I really do like these weirdos...
Only realizing it at the moment of parting. Honest with my feelings too late. Repeating my past life’s mistakes.
- Lin.
If Rista were here right now, and I told her I was leaving for my duties, what would she do?
“Don’t worry. Go.”
“Hm?”
“Funny, seriously. I’m several times stronger than you guys. You saw it yourselves—you know better than anyone. What’s with the worrying?”
It would’ve been softer, warmer, but I’m sure that’s what she’d say. To lighten their steps, ease their worries, even just a little.
Unfamiliar with farewell vibes, Rem fidgeted awkwardly with his lips before flashing a cocky grin and crossing his arms.
“When we meet again, be ready to bow properly. Lord Rem, the Bow Star, might be waiting.”
“No, that’s impossible.”
It was a playful jab, but Rem bristled.
“Hey! Why’re you deciding that?! You the next emperor? You picking the imperial bowmaster?”
Sammy laughed ha-ha, Bart grinned, and Rain chuckled. Rem, realizing it was a joke, gave a wistful smile and stuck out his hand.
“Then stay healthy, you little punk, Rain.”
Grasping that hand already felt lonely. But I didn’t let it show. Rista wouldn’t have.
“Sammy, lose some weight.”
“Haha, thanks for the concern, brother dear. Don’t go not recognizing me next time ’cause I’m too skinny, okay? Oh, right.”
Grinning cheekily, Sammy approached and pressed a heavy object into Rain’s hand.
The forbidden book—on Tureina.
Bart and Rem hadn’t asked Rain about the book. They trusted he’d explain if he wanted to.
‘To earn someone’s trust, you’ve gotta trust them first, right?’
Sammy agreed with that call. Those two rarely got it wrong.
They hadn’t pried about the book or Rain’s true nature. Just like they hadn’t with her before.
Bart gazed down at Rain, who examined the book with eyes full of complex emotions, then finally stood.
“Then, Rain—this is goodbye for a while.”
With those words from Bart, the eccentric trio turned away. Their steps into the darkness halted abruptly. Because Rain shouted.
“We’ll... we’ll see each other again, right?”
The cry caught them off guard—they exchanged puzzled glances.
They were beaming with quiet delight, but the distance hid it from Rain...
Finally, Rem cupped his hands to his mouth like a megaphone and replied as their rep.
“Why ask something so obvious? We’re friends.”
In that instant, a warmth wriggled deep in my heart. Rain waved vigorously. The trio waved back and resumed their steps.
Little by little.
And steadily.
The boy grows alongside the world.
Socrafres.
- You can inherit the progress status of ‘Unique Magic’ research from the surrounding environment.
- Progress 44.8%
Under the truth that surely resides amid the boy’s life, though invisible to the eye.