LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 98
Could it be that the traces of Kashpa that existed in this continent have vanished?
The chilling wind that held the coldness of a blade has now embraced a gentle warmth. The vast snow-covered expanse has mostly melted away, revealing the green sprouts peeking out beneath.
Tap-tap-tap—
The sound of Nightmare’s hooves slowly echoes through the air.
Days have passed since I lost my way again, wandering aimlessly along the wide road that crosses the border. The presence of a thoroughfare indicates there must be a city ahead where people gather…
If I were to unfold a map, I would know what lies ahead, but I chose not to open it, hoping instead for some small joy from an unexpected encounter.
How long had I been walking? The moment I crested a small hill, I spotted a city surrounded by enormous walls. A grand river slicing through the center of the city was quite a sight.
“Stop!”
As I approached the entrance of the city atop my Nightmare, it was only natural that spears were pointed at me. I had already grown accustomed to the guards’ sharp demeanor. I chuckled lightly and spoke.
“Hello?”
My bright smile left a good impression regardless of gender. That fact never changes. This guard would be no different.
As I expected, the guard hesitated for a moment before stepping back.
“W-What brings you here? And is that a… horse?”
“It’s just a Hairan breed that’s a bit bigger than usual. As for my purpose, I’m simply here for sightseeing.”
As I stroked Nightmare’s mane in response to my answer, he happily swished his tail. That gentle appearance seemed to melt the guards’ hearts.
“Y-You may pass…”
“Thank you~”
[Blue Weaver]
In front of the main gate. It was the name of this city as written on the sign. While my hopes for a peaceful city were somewhat diminished, a certain unexplainable comfort gave rise to a pleasant smile.
Clack-clack-clack—
The sound of Nightmare’s hooves resonated against the stone pavement of the street. He seemed to enjoy the solid ground beneath him, dancing with peculiar steps.
Lunchtime was approaching. I led Nightmare’s reins and sniffed the air.
After walking down the long main road, I arrived in front of a large inn. The savory aroma wafting toward me hinted that the cook at this inn was quite skilled.
Seeing that there were many guests around, it appeared the management had also been diligent.
“Welcome!”
Was the girl in the sky-blue apron who rushed out to greet me a new guest hesitating at the entrance?
Her gaze traveled beyond Nightmare and landed on me before quickly darting away. It seemed my full plate armor intrigued her.
“Room for one and a stable for this guy. Is that possible?”
“Ah, yes!”
“Can meals be included?”
“Of course!”
With a broad smile, I flicked two gold coins toward the girl who nodded eagerly. I had often imagined this moment while reading countless fantasy novels: the act of tossing money around without even asking the price.
How wonderful it must be. I probably looked like a generous veteran adventurer.
“Gasp…! Sir! You have a lot of money!”
The girl’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked up at me after receiving the two gold coins. I smiled lightly and jumped down from Nightmare, handing the reins to her.
“Take care of him.”
“Y-Yes!”
Whoosh—
The girl led Nightmare toward the stable. While waiting for her return, I glanced around the inn’s interior and found more people than I expected.
Travelers in light attire, adventurers having their lunch while wearing their armor, and even bards with lutes in hand.
As I quietly observed the diverse crowd for a moment, the girl who had taken Nightmare ran back, panting.
“Le-Let’s go!”
Guided by her, I followed to a small table tucked away in a corner. It looked well-maintained, with the tabletop neatly wiped clean.
“Please wait just a moment! I’ll bring the key and your food!”
After the girl dashed off, the sweet sound of a bard’s song and the chatter of nearby patrons floated around my ears, filling the air.
It was while I was idly resting my chin on the table that I heard it.
“Really…! I told you this is not the way!”
The irritated voice of a woman approached me in a strangely familiar way. I instinctively turned my head in the direction of the voice as if enchanted.
“… It seems the map is mistaken.”
“What kind of person carries a two-hundred-year-old map around? You should have your possessions checked later.”
A young woman appeared to be chiding an old man. However, the old man stubbornly refused to acknowledge his fault.
“Possessions check…? You have no qualms about speaking to your master, do you?”
“Uh-huh…”
The woman shook her head as if this wasn’t the first time. The tip of her large witch hat swayed this way and that.
Why… why is Rain here?
I looked at the wizard I had parted ways with long ago, my heart fluttering with nervousness. The moment our eyes met, I hastily turned away.
However, turning away didn’t erase the fact that we had made eye contact. Just as I recognized Rain, it seemed she did the same with me. A burning gaze struck my back.
“Could it be…?”
Her voice was laced with a subtle expectation. I curled my body further, avoiding her gaze. Now that I had complicated ties with the Mage Tower, I might have to confront her—just like Leonis who came looking for me.
I didn’t want to fight with the benefactor who helped awaken my mana and assisted me in entering the world of magic. I silently prayed.
‘Please just pass by.’
Creeeak—
Thud-thud.
Rain seemed determined to confirm my appearance. After hearing the sound of a chair being pushed back, soft footsteps approached me.
“Excuse me.”
The opponent, Rain, had already confirmed my identity. I could no longer ignore this situation. I awkwardly smiled and raised my head.
“Ah, aaah!”
“Hello…”
“Seris!”
“It’s been a while, Ms. Rain.”
*
After Rain spotted me and screamed, a bit of commotion ensued until her elderly wizard mentor intervened.
In the end, I found myself sharing a table with the two wizards.
“You were looking for me…?”
Rain and the old wizard nodded at my question. I couldn’t help but think of Leonis, wondering if that was the reason they had come to find me.
However, unlike Leonis, who had been overbearing from the very first meeting, these two were kind to me. They showed no signs of forcibly taking me to the Mage Tower.
“May I ask what this is about?”
Suddenly, I felt the old wizard’s gaze upon me. He looked at me with eyes that held a hint of mystery. Inside his blue irises, strange shapes slowly rotated.
“I’ve heard rumors that you’ve been posing as a mage of the Mage Tower.”
I felt my body tense at the old wizard’s words. My muscles contracted and expanded in response, as if preparing for a fight, and I instinctively placed my hand on the sword at my side.
Everything unfolded as a natural instinct in an instant.
“Calm down. I’m not here to accuse you of anything.”
The old wizard tried to pacify me with a calm voice. But such words couldn’t easily quell my tension. Having already clashed with the Mage Tower’s Leonis once, I couldn’t look favorable upon any mages from there.
Of course, I had been the one to impersonate a Mage Tower wizard in the first place.
“Seris… was it?”
The old wizard’s inquiry drew my attention. I nodded in response.
“That’s right. And you?”
“Haiven.”
“Alright, Haiven. And Ms. Rain. You’re not here to take me in like the other wizards, are you?”
Rain and Haiven both nodded silently. While scanning their expressions, I decided to speak.
“Then why are you looking for me?”
“We’re here to help you.”
“Help me…?”
“Did you not impersonate the Mage Tower’s name? It’s a serious crime to use the Mage Tower’s name without permission. However, if you genuinely were to join the tower, that crime would cease to exist.”
“But that crime existed before joining the Mage Tower…?”
“Adjusting the date of your entry is within my authority.”
“What if I still refuse?”
“Well… it might not be the best option for you. If you refuse, Mage Tower wizards will continue to seek you out… judging by your reaction, it seems you’ve already met one.”
I nodded silently at Haiven’s words. At that, Rain, who was sitting beside me, turned wide-eyed and asked.
“Y-You really met one? An Imperial Mage?”
“I did. He introduced himself as Leonis…”
“Le-Leonis…!”
Rain’s eyes widened in shock at my answer. Haiven appeared somewhat surprised too. But what truly mattered right now wasn’t the magician named Leonis. I frowned and asked Haiven.
“You’re not deceiving me, are you? Am I going to suddenly be ambushed if I follow you to the Mage Tower…?”
“I swear on this spot. That won’t happen.”
“Just words…?”
At that moment, a surge of blue mana erupted from Haiven. Pure mana with immense density began to draw strange magic circles in the air.
Blue lines formed a small circle, with peculiar shapes coming to rest within it. When both the circle and shapes finally stopped rotating, a promise had been sealed.
“Do you see this flow?”
I nodded blankly at Haiven’s words. In this moment, he had staked his mana on this promise to the world. If his words were broken, all his mana would disperse.
If I were to go with him to the Mage Tower, that promise would be fulfilled as it stood.
“W-Why? Why go to such lengths for me…?”
“Is there a reason needed to nurture a promising future student who might establish a new tower someday?”
“A new tower…?”
In that moment, the strange shapes reflected in Haiven’s eyes began to rotate slowly. Suddenly, I got the impression that his gaze resembled that of a dragon.