The dining table in my lodging, adorned with dishes made from the ingredients we brought, looked somewhat more lavish than usual.
The stew made from quality salted meat, rather than the discounted salted pork, along with a soup of onions and red eggplants, was prepared by me, while the lamb with bones and milk stew was reminiscent of home, thanks to Mika’s craftsmanship.
We feasted on rustic yet delicious bread, thickened with acorns, and white bread bought on a whim—over five times the price of black bread—as our staple food, and the meat-heavy menu was completed in accordance with the desires of a growing teenager.
The best lunch a struggling student and a poor apprentice could prepare was a gathering to cherish our brief farewell.
“Then, let’s toast to my friend’s healthy journey.”
A beautiful girl, donned in a lovely outfit seemingly bought from a thrift store instead of her usual worn robe, offered me a wine cup.
With her delicate black hair gently curling around her subtly contoured face and amber eyes filled with deep intelligence, she was Mika, now in her female form.
As the secondary sexual characteristics had begun to appear, the distinction between her male and female forms had become clearer, and now she had transformed into an astonishingly beautiful girl. With this appearance, she usually wore her robes in a manly fashion, slicking her hair back and speaking in the masculine court speech, creating a charmingly disorienting gap.
However, she had also learned the feminine court speech when necessary—an impressive feat, given how dramatically one can change intonation. Today, she had elegantly styled her hair instead of slicking it back.
“To my friend’s success.”
Blushing as she spoke the toast, I raised my cup of wine and clinked it softly against hers.
It was a toast to celebrate our departure while simultaneously lamenting our separation.
“Ah, nice seasoning. You kept the salt modest to highlight the meat’s flavor. Did you neutralize the gamey scent with herbs?”
“Yes, I did. Instead of just rubbing it in, burying the herbs and simmering them helps eliminate the odor more effectively. Your stew is also delicious without the strong smell of lamb.”
“Hehehe, I have a special recipe that my mother taught me. It takes a whole day, but it’s worth it, right?”
While her tone remained the same as always, I was impressed by how well she adapted her mannerisms to feminine etiquette. She could likely make a living as an actress.
“However, an Adventurer…”
As we enjoyed each other’s dishes and the dining table began to clear, she sighed, releasing a breath mixed with alcohol and made that comment to me.
“I assumed you’d use your connections and become a Mage.”
Twisting her wine cup in thought, she seemed somewhat melancholic, perhaps because she had chosen good wine today and was drinking it without much dilution, which made her intoxicated quickly.
“What’s this all of a sudden? I’ve always said I wanted to be an Adventurer.”
“True, but seeing you work so energetically made me wonder. If you’re worrying about your younger sister’s tuition, you wouldn’t need to work so hard.”
Suddenly, her hand reached out and tickled the tip of my nose. That was definitely the spot I had hurt during our recent battle.
“Working so hard that you even get a noticeable scar here is not normal.”
After her fingers traced my nose, they moved to my cheeks, forehead, and lips, following the wounds I had received over the countless skirmishes of the past year. Thanks to the blessings of the fairies, who claimed the scars weren’t cute, none of them had remained.
Well, I was okay with that, right? It’s better to have war wounds than foolish reasons for scars. A facial scar is a warrior’s pride, after all.
“…I’m glad they didn’t remain, truly.”
As she traced the scars, which had vanished from memory, she drained her wine cup. When I poured her more, she unhesitatingly gulped almost half of it, releasing a soft, troubled sigh.
“I was a little hopeful that you’d come to me for guidance as a junior.”
“Really, what’s with you suddenly, Mika? Even if that were to happen, our academic factions and goals would surely differ. My employer is a member of the Dawn faction.”
“Friendship that transcends academic factions isn’t rare. It’s true that the Dawn faction is somewhat isolated, but just look at the bats of the Midday faction; their lack of principles in friendships is quite something.”
I couldn’t help but think how odd it was to mention bats as a comparison, but I indulged my friend in her drunken, rambling conversation.
Learning from a mentor is important, but since there are other lectures, having no acquaintances among the professors could make things troublesome. Just writing a paper or reflection has its own writing style, and since she didn’t have friends, she had struggled with it.
The more I listened, the more I could only think that the environment sounded harsh to someone accustomed to the softly pleasant atmosphere of Japan’s universities. The absence of terms like “proxy attendance” or “past reports” clearly indicated this was a top-tier institution for serious practitioners of magic and sorcery.
That place wasn’t a space to enjoy a grace period. It was a place to hone oneself and head toward a necessary destination. It wasn’t a learning environment that would accept those who merely wished to remain idle.
“Then, Mika… I trust you to look after my sister, Eliza.”
I could not accompany her there. Even if I remained in the Imperial Capital, serving Lady Agrippina, it would be a territory beyond my reach as a non-Mage.
Though I felt I understood, I also knew that protecting her forever wasn’t a kindness from a brother. Even so, it was in a brother’s nature to want to meddle.
“…I suppose I have no choice.”
She appeared momentarily flabbergasted by my plea, but quickly restarted, donning a rare, mischievous smile.
“One favor owed to you, my friend.”
I returned her smile and placed my hand over my heart, bowing politely.
“Understood, most esteemed professor. I will repay your kindness in any way I can.”
“Hmm, it won’t be burdensome, Adventurer. I’ll expect a return gift.”
We indulged in our customary grand exchange of theatrical lines, a playful banter that had become our routine, chuckling as we tidied up the left-over food and devoured the remaining wine.
As a result, she ultimately succumbed to drunkenness and collapsed onto the table. The way she flopped over was a bit unbecoming.
Well, at fifteen, one does grow, after all…
“Hey, hey, are you okay, Mika?”
“Mmm… yeah, I’m fine, just a bit sleepy…”
This was definitely not okay. Well, it’s fine; she had said she had the day off, so I would lend her my bed.
After a brief word, I lifted her, her body surprisingly light despite her height, and carried her to my bed. As I intended to return downstairs, I noticed her grip on my clothing had tightened, preventing me from moving away.
“Hey, Mika, let go of me.”
“Mmm…”
It seemed she was already deep in dreams, unaffected by my calls. This was troublesome; having carried her sideways—because carrying her like a sack of rice felt awkward—her grasp around my chest was utterly unyielding.
Standing around like a fool was unappealing, and since we had shared a bed before, I decided it didn’t matter to join her in lying down.
I had the trait of a “giant snake” and wouldn’t get intoxicated to the point of losing control; still, I would be affected. I was aware that I was tipsy yet could act rationally, enjoying only the buff of the alcohol without losing myself.
However, I suspected the cheesy lines were certainly due to the drink.
“I’ll come to see you again. Or will you come to me? Your fieldwork is an indispensable part of your studies…”
Catching her soft black hair on my chest, I decided to enjoy a nap, using my arm as a pillow.
Since I wouldn’t be able to enjoy such a luxurious afternoon with my friend for a while…
—
A satisfying sound of the pieces clashing countered the tightening pangs in my stomach as a fierce blow struck me.
I spun my head rapidly, considering the board and pieces, exploring all possible avenues as permitted by my Multi-Existential Thought…
“Ah… there are none…”
I was in checkmate. A perfect setup trapped my Emperor with no escape, even resignation wasn’t enough to evade this flawless stratagem.
“Thank you very much.”
With a serene smile and demeanor that belied her overwhelming strength that had severed my tactical maneuvers, Lady Cecilia nodded in satisfaction.
Gnnn, to be so beautifully defeated in the last game! What is this!?
I had come to pay my respects at the Bernkastel estate the day before my departure. Since the morning would be chaotic, everyone had kindly arranged this tea gathering without a farewell, allowing me this opportunity.
Unfortunately, Lady Franziska was away from the Imperial Capital due to some “meeting,” preventing me from seeing her, but at least I could fulfill the minimal obligation of having a letter delivered for a thank-you.
And with just the two of us present, of course, it became a game. In a greenhouse frozen in time by moonlight, we naturally began a match.
It wasn’t a game with anything at stake, yet being defeated so elegantly came as a shock, as though my head had been hammered.
“Wait, wait… where did that come from? Um, huh? No, it was fine up until this point, but there’s no way I’d let my dragon rider be ‘sacrificed’ here…”
Staring at the board, dissecting the steps that led to this utterly hopeless situation, I had no idea what had caused this turn. I shouldn’t have failed anything; I shouldn’t have made a bad move, but what led to this defeat!?
Reaching defeat without committing any errors. My mind twisted under the influence of what was like genuine magic in the moves she had made. While there was frustration in losing, I felt something close to vomiting at how gloriously I had been beaten. I now understood the feeling of generals and strategists in “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” who died from indignation.
As I glared at the board, not understanding, Seth looked down upon me, triumphant with a satisfying expression. I sought a post-game analysis from her, only to be cheerily told, “I won’t tell you.”
Apparently, she was delighted to have beaten me, doing something she usually wouldn’t do out of sheer delight.
“Just one more game! Just one more!!!”
“No, no. Didn’t I say we’d play one before parting?”
Her tone was reminiscent of someone scolding a disobedient child, yet her face betrayed her struggle to contain a smile. She wore a grin that was unbecoming of a lady, placing her finger to her lips and declaring it a pity.
Ugh, I’d indeed said, “Shall we determine our future with this one game?” so asking for another match now would be improper.
But still, darn it…
In a fit of anguish, throwing etiquette aside—and expecting her to forgive me—I buried my head in my hands and writhed. The exquisite defeat I had just experienced melded with a desire as a player who adored trickery, wishing I could win like that, stoking an unquenchable frustration within me.
Yeah, it’s true… when you’re seriously into a game, losing hurts. I understand why some undead folks dedicate centuries to such pursuits.
Just from the time I’d spent, losing felt overwhelmingly frustrating. I couldn’t imagine how devastating it would be for those who had honed their skills over countless hours.
“Hehe, it’s been a while since my triumphant victory. Old strategies are not to be scoffed at.”
Lady Seth was in high spirits, offering a crumb of insight… is it about the game record!?
“It seems my aunt once enjoyed it, and it was in her study. Now, it’s countered and won’t work against seasoned players, but there are still some moves that can catch newcomers off guard.”
Grrr! But I won’t call it cheating! While my method of repeatedly playing to learn is valid, so is studying old game records and receiving guidance from mentors! If there are predecessors who have built counter-strategies against such moves, I certainly wouldn’t deny their merit as a data-loving individual.
The blame lies with me for not knowing and me for losing.
“Guh… fine then… Next time, I shall also study and crush you head-on.”
“Yes, I look forward to it. So please come to play again.”
By the time I could calm my sweating head with delicious snacks and fragrant tea, after the long match, it was time to part ways.
“Now, Erich, it must be frustrating to have me win and leave?”
At our farewell, Lady Cecilia stood by my side and lifted the precious piece among her beautifully crafted set, presenting the “Empress” for me to hold.
“If it frustrates you to have me win and leave, then you must not die no matter what. I will soon leave the Imperial Capital and return to my monastery… but promise you will come to play.”
While I couldn’t fathom the true value of that single piece, she likely wished to emphasize the weight of this promise.
Fine, I too didn’t want to end things with a game that left regrets. From here on out, whether victorious or not, the specter of this one game would linger like a small bone stuck in my throat.
“Yes, indeed. I shall return it once I have won.”
In response to my friend’s hope, as a friend, I must oblige. It’s incredibly rare to find a friend in this world with whom I genuinely wish to trust and play together.
“Yes, I eagerly await your return. So, consider this my blessing.”
Noticing her extended hand, it took me a moment to grasp her intent… yet the blush on her face from the silence quickly revealed it.
I knelt and took her pure, unblemished hand, just as I had that day.
Like the fresh snow of a virgin, when blessed as a beloved nun of the Night God, her protection surely had added allure.
Being threatened with the notion that she might leave for battle if I took too long, I gently pressed my lips to her palm…
—
Miracles do not require lofty hymns or incense to be activated. Sincere wishes and intentions can bestow truly powerful blessings.
Thus, the updates continue daily.
I was urged to promote the “Light Novel News Online Award,” but I assure you this update is not merely a product of that pressure.
With goodbyes from Mika and Seth, the next chapter will follow my departure.
Rest assured, we won’t spend too long on the journey. Stopping bad moves is indeed a challenge.
