Chapter 44
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Opening the Gate (1)
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The small stream flowing from the central fountain wound around the indoor banquet hall before exiting into the garden courtyard.
Silver lanterns twinkled like stars overhead, while golden oil lamps bloomed like flowers in the garden.
I stopped on the arch bridge crossing the stream.
It was quiet here, a bit removed from the banquet hall, and offered a clear view of the small garden that Clemence cherished so dearly—making it all the more beautiful.
The day before the Lesion delegation was set to depart from Prion.
The White Guard Knight hosted a banquet at his residence to commemorate the delegation's formation.
It was a gathering for everyone participating in the Lesion delegation—their families, colleagues, the White Guard Knights who would escort them, their families, Grain and Weddin, the clerical staff handling the delegation's duties, the cooks, coachmen, repairmen, porters, and servants who would assist on the journey.
Nearly a hundred people had been invited, filling the mansion's banquet hall and courtyard, enjoying food and music.
"Lib!"
Airan approached me with a bright smile.
I gave her a light nod in greeting.
I'd heard that several mages from Althur Tower had been invited, including Claus, Luwen, and Airan, but I hadn't spotted Claus yet.
Airan wore a flashy banquet coat, holding a plate piled high with food in one hand.
Her usual worn-out shirt was plainly visible beneath the coat, but I didn't mention it.
Most of the mages had simply flipped their everyday robes inside out for the occasion—Airan was one of the more formal ones.
"Airan sis, what's all that food?"
"Oh, uh, where's Ashe?"
Was it food for Ashe, by any chance?
I didn't need to ask; her golden tail wagging excitedly told me everything.
Ashe doesn't eat things like that, though... No need to point it out.
"Over there. Outside the glass garden."
I pointed to a spot a little ways off, and Airan waved thanks before scampering away with eager steps.
"I thought Airan was piling up too much food—turns out there was a reason."
This time, it was Clemence.
Clemence wore a neat white dress, carrying a basket brimming with red flowers in one hand.
Ribelroses, which bloomed around this time of year. The vibrant red petals shimmered even brighter at night.
Come to think of it, every table and dining area Clemence had passed had Ribelroses blooming on them.
"You think Ashe will eat all that?"
Clemence drew near, carrying the fresh scent of Ribelroses.
I straightened up a bit from where I'd been leaning on the bridge railing.
"Doubt it. He'll just sniff it."
"That's a shame."
Clemence plucked a Ribelrose from her basket and pinned it to my lapel before I could dodge.
The red flower gleamed against my black formal attire.
"...What are you doing?"
"It suits you."
She flashed a bright, innocent smile.
I wanted to say it suited her even better, but the words wouldn't come.
Clemence set down her basket and leaned against the railing.
The hem of her white dress fluttered in the breeze, and the bluish shawl draped over her shoulders made her silver hair shine even more.
Gazing up at the star-filled night sky, she spoke with a voice full of regret.
"I still can't believe we're leaving tomorrow."
"All packed?"
"Eh, not much for me to do. Mia's coming along too. I said we didn't need a maid, but Grandpa insisted we'd need someone to help out once we reach the royal palace."
She'd barely talked her grandmother out of bringing two more maids, Clemence chattered with a laugh.
She'd miss the garden flowers and trees, so she'd earnestly asked the gardeners to take good care of them.
I was mulling over how to broach the subject with her.
While she was away in Lesion, I'd be joining the Silver Moon Knights as their mage, traveling to sealing facilities across various nations for dangerous missions over the next few years?
It'd be a huge shock and worry for Clemence, who didn't even know sealing facilities existed.
She was already anxious about what might happen in Elgrace—should I pile on my own troubles too?
I hadn't even told Weddin yet. If I didn't do it tonight, there might not be another chance...
"What's wrong?"
Clemence tilted her head, peering at me.
Her face was so close it startled me into stepping back.
"N-no, nothing..."
"Lib, there you are."
Father's voice called out just in time.
He was waving from the direction of the banquet hall.
I quickly pushed off the railing.
"Gotta go."
I half-greeted Clemence and hurried to Father.
She was probably watching me with a puzzled look.
"Hope I didn't interrupt anything."
I shook my head at Father's words.
There'd be another chance to talk with Clemence and Weddin. That was all I could tell myself for now.
"No, it's fine."
"Good. Come this way."
I followed behind Father.
We passed through the banquet hall, where dinner and performances were in full swing, weaving between clusters of chatting guests.
Father responded to greetings with smiles, while I gave slight bows.
On the mansion's third floor, Father's steps halted before a study I'd never entered.
Faint voices drifted from inside.
Father cleared his throat and knocked politely.
"White Guard Knight, I've brought Liberic."
"Ah. Come in."
Father opened the door, and I stepped inside first.
The scent of old books filled the air immediately.
A spacious study with a small fireplace.
The White Guard Knight sat perched on the edge of a wooden desk; Claus occupied the armchair opposite, and the Silver Guard Knight stood by the window.
So that's where Father and the White Guard Knight had gone after the formation ceremony.
I gave light greetings to Claus, the White Guard Knight, and the Silver Guard Knight.
Claus waved casually, while the Silver Guard Knight fixed me with a meaningful gaze.
"Sorry to pull you from the banquet. We have important matters to discuss."
The White Guard Knight poured me a cup of warm tea as he spoke.
Important matters.
I sensed this was the issue Father had been agonizing over.
"Pardon the delay. Are we late?"
The door opened, and Luwen and Grain entered.
Luwen took one look at everyone and grasped the situation.
"Not at all—just about to start. Everyone, have a seat."
I sat on the sofa by the fireplace with Father.
Luwen and Grain settled in nearby, and the White Guard Knight clapped once to liven the mood.
"Alright! The reason I've gathered you all is a major change to the delegation's composition. This is at the Blue Guard Knight's suggestion, and both the Sage and Silver Guard Knight have agreed."
The White Guard Knight glanced at Claus and the Silver Guard Knight.
The Silver Guard Knight's expression remained unchanged, but Claus shrugged.
"It's a small concession."
"Excellent. Originally, the delegation required at least one mage, but we planned to forgo that and bolster the White Guard escort instead.
However, the Blue Guard Knight proposed bringing Liberic Eldrian as the delegation's official mage."
The delegation's official mage?
I turned wide-eyed to Father.
He put a finger to his lips, signaling me to listen.
"And once you arrive in Elgrace, Liberic, at the request of the Silver Guard Knight and the Sage, you'll serve as a mage at the capital's sealing facility. That could lead to your assignment with the Silver Moon Knights."
The White Guard Knight looked straight down at me as he said it.
I jolted upright in surprise.
Assigned to the Lesion delegation on the way there, then switching to the Silver Moon Knights...?
The White Guard Knight grinned before surveying the room again.
"Accordingly, the Silver Guard Knight and Silver Moon Knights, originally bound for the wastelands, will adjust their schedule and depart for Elgrace tomorrow morning with the Lesion delegation. Silver Guard Knight, any issues with preparations?"
"None. Knight selections just wrapped up."
The reply was curt, but it satisfied the White Guard Knight.
"Good, then..."
"Hold on—Lib with the Silver Moon Knights? Isn't that too dangerous?"
Grain raised his hand in alarm.
Everyone else already knew, but this was Grain's first hearing of it, so his shock was natural.
Father answered for him.
"That's why he's going with the delegation—to assess the risks, Grain. If it's too dangerous, we won't even consider the Silver Moon Knights; we'll send him straight back to Prion."
"Why take that risk? Lib's still a student."
Grain knew full well what I'd been through since arriving in Prion at age seven.
His concerns were so valid that no one in the room could respond lightly.
"It's gotten to the point where we have no choice but to make this call... That answer enough?"
Claus stated flatly.
Grain fell silent, stunned, while Luwen squeezed his eyes shut and opened them with a grim expression.
"F-Father. If I go with the delegation..."
I tried to sort through my tangled thoughts.
Join the Silver Moon Knights if my skills earned recognition at Elgrace's sealing facility.
I got that part, but what if demons attacked after we left Prion?
Traveling with the delegation meant... Clemence and Weddin would be in danger too?
The thought chilled me like a bucket of ice water.
"...Isn't it risky?"
"No need to worry about that, Liberic."
The White Guard Knight met my eyes warmly.
"The delegation will have a full White Guard escort plus the Silver Moon Knights, with the Blue Guard Knight and Silver Guard Knight along too. That's an unprecedented force. We can handle any ordinary magical beast or demon ambush."
"And the White Guard Knight yourself."
"This old body's got some life left—I'll do my best."
Father chimed in, drawing a grin from the White Guard Knight. His gaze returned to me.
"Liberic, no risk, no reward. We can only hope our preparations suffice."
I took a deep breath.
I still couldn't quite believe I'd be going with the Lesion delegation, but this was the best path Father had chosen.
He'd watch over me closely to ensure I could handle it and it wasn't too dangerous before deciding.
"Understood..."
"Good."
Claus seized on my words immediately.
"Mind if I borrow the next room, Petron? Need to brief Liberic on the sealing facilities."
He rose, his shabby cloak flapping.
I was still wrapping my head around being the "delegation's mage," but in Claus's mind, I was already Silver Moon Knights material.
The White Guard Knight offered the adjacent room freely, and Claus beckoned me.
"Come along, Liberic. Lots to tell you."
His pace was as relentless as ever. I let out a small sigh and stood.