Book 2 Chapter 22

Episode 46

Among the four adventurers hired as escorts, Rain’s rank was the lowest. All three others were silver-rank adventurers.

Willis the Spearman.

Brienne the Rogue.

Yanar the Mage.

They were outstanding fighters, but I felt they were a notch below Bart or Rem, who were of the same rank.

However, upon hearing the adventurers' stories, it was said that Bart and Rem's skill was superior, but their contribution was still insufficient (as they were relatively new).

After introducing themselves, they comfortably rode in a carriage back to <Goldenrose> and met the family's guard captain at the inn.

"I am Guard Captain Bardwell. I heard the Young Lady hired you all on the spot, and since her judgment is sound, there's no doubt about your skills."

"……"

"To briefly explain the mission, it's simply to escort the Young Lady during the journey to <Redacable>, during her stay in <Redacable>, and finally, while she participates in <Redacable>'s black market."

He was a middle-aged man with a nervous expression, but his demeanor was quite friendly despite his appearance. Bardwell glanced outside and said,

"Of course, you all know this is an illegal undertaking, don't you?"

"Of course."

"But it's best to be truly prepared. Originally, the Church knew about it but turned a blind eye, but rumors are circulating that it might be different this time."

Perhaps it was because of the Inquisition organization, 'Children of Gold.' Or perhaps the Magic Special Operations Division might be stirring things up for the same reason.

- Rain Ludwig (forgery).

Imagining that squinty-eyed human who approached with dark intentions made me a little uneasy, but… nah, what could possibly happen?

"Is there anyone among you who wishes to purchase something at the black market?"

"I do."

"Rain, is it? You may purchase it at your own expense. Of course, if the price is equal to or less than your remuneration, we can pay for it instead of your fee."

No need for that.

I brought plenty of money.

Following this, a few minor explanations continued, and as Rain yawned, unable to fight off sleep, Bardwell concluded.

"I've rented out the entire inn, so you can sleep in any room you wish. We'll depart tomorrow morning right after you sleep tonight."

"How long will the journey take in total?"

"If all goes as planned, you should be able to return here in nine days. Is that all? Then, dismissed."

* * *

Bellewin, the Ludwig family mansion.

A heavy silence hung over the small banquet hall where the family usually had light meals.

Unusually, Scallage Ludwig sat at the head of the table, laden with a luxurious feast, while his son and daughter-in-law sat to his right, and Seri and Bran sat to his left.

"Now, read it once more."

Four-year-old Bran Ludwig, the youngest, who had been sucking his fingers, turned his gaze back to the letter and began to mumble with his small mouth.

"Ray, Rain Ludwigi jwungangottta sujjung jjaengdorro nacchumdwiaessemmida."

"This time, Seri, you read it."

"Rain Ludwig has been designated as the top student in the midterm exams."

Scallage's expression, as he clasped his hands and glared at the candlelight, was sinister. But the next moment, the corners of his mouth twitched, and laughter escaped.

"Hoohoohoo."

"Hmmhmmhmm."

"Heeheehee."

Not only Scallage, but also Caiven, Brim, and Seri began to giggle and laugh. When Caiven clapped his hands once, the banquet hall lit up brightly.

The residents of the mansion and the guards were all seated at tables overflowing with a lavish feast, and they all began to applaud simultaneously.

"Congratulations, Master!"

"Congratulations, Head of the Family!"

"Congratulations, Madam!"

This was a celebratory party.

As soon as Scallage received the news that Rain had become the top student, he rushed back to Bellewin Mansion from Rivarden Magic Academy. It was his first return home in 19 years.

Scallage, who had been delightedly enjoying the applause, raised his hand to quiet the commotion.

"Enjoy yourselves to your heart's content! Your contributions in wholeheartedly assisting Rain to grow into such an excellent young man are also significant."

Today, it was not the Ludwig family's regular staff but temporary hired servants who busily moved around the hall, preparing food and serving drinks.

When the hall became noisy with the clatter of dishes, Caiven smiled faintly.

"I heard that many formidable talents entered this year, including Warden's third daughter, so I thought it might be difficult to aim for the top student position, but it seems I was mistaken."

"Why do you state the obvious with such seriousness?"

"Is that so?"

"What I was worried about was Marhena being an examiner, but thankfully, it seems she didn't let personal grudges affect the grading."

"Is that right? I heard you two were close friends since your school days…"

Just as Brim cautiously tried to start a conversation with her father-in-law, with whom she had never had a proper conversation until then, Seri spoke up.

"Grandfather, when I go to <Delaiten>, I'll also be the top student there! Just like my brother!"

Seri was currently the top student in the junior division of <Rivarden> Magic Academy. In some circles, she was called a genius lady, following in Crysta's footsteps.

Naturally, Seri, who had learned magic from Rain, would get angry and demand correction, saying she was a genius following in her brother's footsteps whenever she heard such whispers…

Scallage looked at his excellent granddaughter and laughed heartily.

"Ahahahaha! Of course. You are of my blood, Scallage. You are a talent who, like Rain, will brilliantly add glory to the family name!"

And he gave Brim a deep smile.

"To have given birth to such wonderful grandchildren, your contribution is the greatest. You are indeed worthy of being called a daughter-in-law of the Ludwig family."

At that moment, the surging, hot emotion within Brim was… an emotion that could not be described.

Feeling her eyes well up, Brim momentarily bowed her head, then quietly left her seat a little later.

When she didn't return for a long time and Caiven went to look for her, her eyes were wet as she wiped them with a handkerchief in the mansion's corridor.

"Good heavens, why are you crying so much on such a happy day?"

"It was the first time."

"?"

"It was the first time Father-in-law called me his daughter-in-law, today."

Brim was the daughter of a ruined baron family, low in status and without wealth. There was an unbridgeable status gap between her and Caiven, the heir to a powerful family.

Therefore, Scallage, who had sought a bride from a ducal royal family or another prominent magic family, had fiercely opposed Brim's marriage.

But when his son stubbornly refused to yield, Scallage had left the mansion, coldly saying, "You are not my son."

"I always felt so sorry. Because of me, you… became estranged from Father-in-law, with whom you had such a good relationship. He was your teacher, too."

"……"

"I thought, if I hadn't come, perhaps you would have married someone of high status by now and gotten along well with Father-in-law."

Caiven chuckled, walked up to Brim, and nodded.

"Of course, that might have been the case. Princess Sion was so beautiful; she might have been my wife beside me now."

"……!"

"But if that had happened, Rain wouldn't be in my life. The same goes for Seri and Bran. All those children are gifts you gave to our family. Father has recognized that too."

In the moonlight streaming through the arched window, Caiven kissed the back of Brim's hand. A choked sob escaped Brim's lips.

"Don't cry so much over something like this already. That child's life is just beginning. He will give us even more amazing gifts in the future."

* * *

The journey to <Redacable> was not difficult. They only needed to head southwest along the Sun Road, which cut through the southern part of the Empire.

The escorting adventurers formed pairs and moved at the front and rear of the travel procession.

Rain kept wishing for the time he would be paired with the mage Yanar… and that time came during the first night watch.

"You want me to teach you sound magic?"

"Yes, yes! You can't learn that anywhere else."

"This… might be rude, but you can't use it without musical talent. So it's a bit difficult to teach you…"

"It's okay if I can't use it. I'm just so curious about the principles."

Rain, tilting his head and nodding furiously, his eyes shining with pure curiosity, seemed quite cute.

And he was quite handsome…

Yanar shook off the thought of being completely taken in by his handsome charm and cleared her throat before answering.

"First, my zither has four strings. Each makes a different sound, and you can choose a magic square with the first string you pluck."

The first string was water, the second was fire… and so on, choosing attributes.

"And with the tremor of my hand, the tremor of the strings, I create runes, and with combinations of melodies, I create mathematical equations. This is hard to explain in words…"

"You mean you calculate mathematical equations in your head while playing music? That's incredible!"

"No. If that were the case, wouldn't all sound magic users be Yorhen type? There's a playing method that composes mathematical equations."

Suddenly, Yanar's eyes shone seriously, and a round, clear melody echoed through the night forest.

"This is a linear function. This is a quadratic function, and this is a cubic equation."

Wow… this is a completely absurd method. Even with the explanation, I still don't understand it at all.

I once thought about researching it during my Lynn days but gave up immediately because the book's explanation was incredibly obscure.

Yes, let's give up on the Ligwind type. I really wanted to try it at least once, but I'm completely tone-deaf, so I can't help it.

"What are you two talking about so happily?"

That's when Hirpien approached.

She yawned and stretched, seemingly quite tired from the journey (she hadn't ridden in the carriage and had chattered next to the adventurers all day).

Yanar stopped playing and replied politely.

"He asked me about music magic, so I was explaining a little."

"Really? If it's okay, can you play me a lullaby? I'm so sleepy."

"I can't play a lullaby, but… I'll play a spell as quietly as possible that wards off beasts and sounds an alarm if there's an intruder."

Then Willis the Spearman whistled.

"We're counting on you, Miss Mage."

"Music, huh. Even though we're camping, we'll sleep comfortably."

Brienne the Rogue said, pulling her cloak over her like a blanket.

Under everyone's expectant gazes, Yanar felt a touch of shyness as she elegantly began to pluck the strings.

'Ah…'

Listening to the pleasant melody nearby, Rain felt a warmth spread through his heart. A new thrill of inquiry sparked in his mind.

'The world of magic is truly vast and boundless.'

There's still so much magic I don't know. The horizons of knowledge I haven't explored are still so wide.

'The world of knowledge truly leaves no room for boredom… it's endless, no matter how much you learn.'

* * *

It was a place where only starlight eerily shone through cracks in the ceiling. Within the dimly revealed interior, ancient Albrazm-style divine statues wept.

Albrazm style refers to the artistic style that flourished in the era before the Tercian calendar's BCE, when the Lords of the Abyss ruled the world.

This was a forgotten kings' temple, beyond the sight of the Three Divine Dragons, and… currently the hideout of the 'Crows,' pursued by the 'Children of Gold' and the Magic Alliance's Special Operations Division.

"So?"

A strangely alluring voice echoed amidst the ancient, narcotic incense smoke.

"The school side is fine. In roughly half a year, 'No. 1' will graduate as the top student. The operation to secure Lynn's corpse will be perfect then."

At that moment, the flow of magic throughout the area twisted and began to rage like a cold wind. As the incense smoke cleared, the majestic presence of the woman seated at the head of the table was faintly revealed.

"Corpse?"

Her hair, which once held the sky's pale blue light, had been consumed by the abyss and dyed dark blue… but her distinct features and physique, highlighted against her bronzed skin, were indeed celestial beauty without exaggeration.

"I apologize, Lady Tureina. Please forgive me."

The man, who had been prostrating himself, realized his slip of the tongue and immediately pounded his forehead against the floor. As the woman exhaled cigarette smoke, the suffocating surge of magic subsided.

"So, what about <Redacable>?"

Only then did the man cautiously lift his forehead, from which blood dripped.

"'No. 3' and 'No. 6' are on the move."

"Ribeni is going, then."

"Yes. Not only will they secure the goods, but given their nature, they will cause a massacre, which will surely divert the attention of the 'Children of Gold' and the Special Operations Division. We just need Lady Tureina's approval."

Amidst the incense smoke, which had again become so thick that visibility was impossible, the woman inhaled smoke from an old pipe engraved with a golden dragon crest.

Haa…

And whether she was sighing in hesitation, or simply exhaling cigarette smoke, she replied in an exhalation known only to herself.

"Tell them to do whatever they wish."