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Marsheim has been thoroughly explored, and practically all places that could be called wholesome tourist attractions have been visited.
After all, the city was originally built for practical purposes, and even if a lot of time has passed since its completion, there aren’t many places that could truly be called landmarks.
If there were military enthusiasts nearby, they might have gladly engaged in a lecture about how during the nth Marsheim Defense Battle, Lord So-and-So did such-and-such along the city walls, but Mika was not someone interested in such things, so she refrained. Being a fan of heroes doesn’t necessarily align with being a military otaku.
If the locations of epic battles from heroic poems were available, perhaps they would have found joy in them, however, the most famous ancient battlefield in the city are the city walls, where the “Blood Mud Street” was once the site of fierce combat… Unfortunate as it might be, there would be little to no emotional resonance now by visiting them.
There was a historic locale where, in order to prevent intrusions into the city walls once destroyed by the strategic magic of the local landlords, the knight Sir Heidrich Walter von Knappstein, famed as a hero of Marsheim through poems, gambled his life over a mere five-meter gap, resulting in over ten thousand casualties on both sides. But now, with its repairs, it’s just an ordinary street, bereft of any traces of the deadly battlefield it once was.
What remains are the ominous names of the streets, a quiet statue commemorating Sir Knappstein, who died defending Marsheim, located by the city wall, and the cenotaph dedicated to the six thousand defenders who accompanied him to the afterlife.
Without venturing into places that would likely end up on a list of Marsheim’s disappointing tourist attractions in some future guidebook, they returned to the Cat Tumbling Inn.
From what seemed to be exhaustion, Siegfried went straight to bed without eating dinner, naturally followed by Lady Kaya.
Still under the influence of the amber liquor she had sipped earlier, Margit, when she returned to her room, lay on her bed with a damp towel over her face, evidently suffering the effects of the drink. It appeared the amber liquor had not agreed with her.
Deciding to take things carefully as she couldn’t shake the nausea, her childhood friend said she would rest all day and might sound as if she were on her deathbed. While caring for her, I soon dozed off myself and decided to eat dinner in the dining hall instead.
Having finished the light imperial dinner with my friend and sharing an after-dinner drink, my friend unexpectedly apologized for being late.
Upon inquiring, his hand, which had been hesitantly rummaging in his pocket, revealed a thick bundle of envelopes.
“I apologize, I had intended to hand this over to you this morning, but the conversation got rather complicated and I couldn’t find the moment.”
And we ended up enjoying ourselves longer in the afternoon. He scratched the back of his head as he explained, his face flushed for reasons other than alcohol.
“Oh, it’s quite alright. This isn’t some urgent message, is it?”
As he was about to apologize further, I stopped him, saying it was fine, and slowly began looking through the envelopes.
The first, to my utmost delight, was a letter from Eliza. We’ve been trading letters often, but since the capital and the far west are distant, exchanges occur about once a season, making this arrival especially joyful.
The next was also from Eliza, and the one after that… Hmm?
“Well, you see… When I suggested to her that she might consider writing a letter to you, our dear little sister couldn’t stop once she started and overwhelmed several envelopes.”
Indeed, each envelope was so overstuffed it was bulging, and they were sealed with wax inscriptions, likely spelled to prevent anyone but the recipient from opening them without effort. It seems with transport costs no longer a concern, there was nothing to restrain her usual restrained hand when it came to pocket money.
“I did mention I could roll and bundle them for simplicity, but she insisted on cute envelopes because it was a special occasion…”
“Oh… I see. Thank you, and I apologize.”
Ugh, this tendency to go all out once inspired, along with her quirky stubbornness that wouldn’t budge—how familiar. Her exuberance in writing makes me both incredibly happy and concerned for her well-being.
The following letter bore the elegant handwriting of Lord Raizenitz, and this one too was rather thick… or rather large. Encased in an oversized envelope, its contents were rather predictable.
I gently set that one aside for now, and the last letter… unfortunately, it bore a name I’d rather not see.
A letter from the Agrippina von Staarl Baroness, now also the Countess von Ubiorum, a former employer. It was political in tone, clearly expecting a similarly political response.
But… but… I want to pretend I didn’t see it and leave it aside. However, no, let’s get this over with.
“Then I’ll retire. It’s been a rather eventful day, and I’m feeling a bit fatigued…”
Smiling faintly at the likely expression of conflicted feelings on my face, Mika let out a small yawn and rose from her seat. Though she said she was tired, this was clearly her way of giving me time to absorb Eliza’s letter.
As the Cat Tumbling Inn’s counter was quiet this spring evening with few guests, and the doors were closed earlier because there were no expected guests inside, this seemed to be a perfect setting to read letters in privacy.
“Alright then. I apologize for dragging you along. Good night, my friend. Sweet dreams.”
“Oh, it was mutual. You too, my friend. Sweet dreams.”
The magical light source left by my friend dimmed as he withdrew, and I silently bowed deeply. You may act as if it’s nothing, but your thoughtfulness means so much.
Truly, such care for others, understanding what they need, is something you don’t often see unless someone truly grasps it. It is indeed a rare blessing to have a friend who understands me this much.
My connections are truly a blessing.
Let’s take a moment to express gratitude for those connections, and read the letter from my beloved sister.
Before that, though, let’s set the mood properly.
I retrieved a candle from my pouch, confirming no one else was around, and lit it using a fire spell. Then I extinguished the light Mika had left behind. Under this soft glow, I conjured a single cube of ice into the waiting cup and poured amber liquor over it.
Though I had a reasonable dinner, with Eliza’s letter as my finest appetizer, it’s all I need.
Preparations complete. Amid the vague flicker of the solitary candle at the dim bar counter, few places could be more perfect to enjoy the moment in such intimate ambiance.
Satisfied solo, I solemnly picked up Eliza’s letter and carefully broke the wax seal.
The stationary, fitting snugly within the envelope, was slightly rosy, as if infused with incense. Once opened, the scent of a flower field wafted out—a wonderfully nostalgic aroma.
This delightful, familiar fragrance reminds me of the flower field I took Eliza to during the early spring days when I first brought her to Königsstuhl Manor. It seems she took to this spot on the manor grounds, where nameless, colorful flowers blossomed each year, and now it appears she has perfected some incense magic to replicate the scent of memory.
Ah, she truly is a prodigy. Her professor promotion will be sooner than expected at this rate.
Then, perhaps, visiting the flower field together will be a possibility.
Lost in these cherished memories, as I opened the note, it was filled with small letters utilizing the full space, detailing a delightfully long letter.
Her education as a member of the nobility shows in her impeccable seasonal greetings, with her graceful script flowing without a single flaw. Her feminine, adorable handwriting reflects considerable practice, making each letter seem to exude charm.
Savoring the sentences tenderly, I absorbed the heartfelt words, each phrase caressed by my gaze. The simple, yet heartwarming events shared in the letter made me feel profoundly content. The enjoyable tone, devoid of forced cheer, assured me that she isn’t writing merely to ease my worries.
So, she’s made friends, has she? I’m so proud of you, my little sister. Though, Eliza, do let me know the name of any mischievous boy teasing your hair. I won’t do anything severe, just a brief conversation.
Seriously, whose son is this… Anyway, boys who tease adorable girls shouldn’t get away with it past the age of ten. Once I find out, even Lady Agrippina will be consulted for action.
Oh, she likes cats? It seems Lady Agrippina gifted her a potential familiar in the form of a cat. Cats are wonderful; their cuteness is pure joy, and although they can’t travel as far as birds, they can still be helpful messengers, skilled burglars, and excellent wards against intruders for their sharp senses.
Above all, they are magical beings who guard against nightmares and cleanse impurities, making them wonderful companions. If Eliza, so gentle, takes them as familiar, they fit her better than crows ever could.
Though, how much did this pristine, blue-eyed feline cost? High-breed felines capable of becoming familiars often come with hefty price tags far exceeding that of pureblood cats.
Hmm, Lady Agrippina’s intentions seem unclear. She isn’t the overly indulgent type, so there must be something else behind this… But Eliza seems happy, so it’s fine. Simply, Eliza, wasn’t “Eilyk” just the foreign version of “Erich”?
Giving the white cat with blue eyes, reminiscent of me, such a name—how charming. I feel a slight pang of envy though. The thought of a sibling-like feline always by her side, receiving love and eventually becoming her protector… Ack, despite being content with my current circumstances, I suddenly yearn to return to the capital.
If only I could clone myself. An “older brother” version enjoying full adventure while a “studious” version remains here… alas, no skill or trait in my arsenal could sustain such a dream realistically.
Even if I could, one might envy the other leading to an inevitable conflict, given the concept of familial rivalry. It’s best to leave it be.
Putting the silly thought aside, Eliza’s updates continued like a rich diary, detailing her days at the Magic Academy. The academy has even started providing cute outfits upon Lord Raizenitz’s request. She has started to acclimate to Mika’s shifting gender presentations, the classes remain difficult but she feels proud when given a chance to shine, among other things.
These everyday moments feel like precious stars. Eliza is enjoying her life as a student at the academy, isn’t she? Isn’t that the best feeling to have in this world?
Even the challenging tasks under Lady Agrippina’s care and the battles against overpowered characters somehow feel like cherished memories now. If asked to repeat them, I would beg for pardon, but I truly feel appreciated for what’s been overcome.
But, amidst her writing, there’s a hint of longing for companionship in phrases like “It would have been nice if my brother were here to see” or “It would’ve been great if we could have eaten it together.”
Even though it isn’t quite fair of me to say this, after setting off on this adventure, I do wish I could be by her side. However, I chose this path of adventure, strengthening myself to keep my promises, and for that, I can proudly bear the name Erich of Königsstuhl without a moment’s regret.
Even if I entertain “what ifs,” I will never regret leaving her, especially with her parting gift in mind.
Alright, as she has written such an extensive and heartfelt letter, I should write a longer reply than usual. Although I sent a letter recently, which might not have reached her yet, there’s plenty to share. She has given me countless small joys worth telling her about.
Hm? A postscript indicates that she’ll ask Lord Raizenitz to send me a portrait, mentioning she wants me to see how much she’s grown…?
The moment I finished, my hands flew into motion at what could confidently be called the fastest speed in several years.
I retrieved the letter, peeled the wax seal, and extracted the contents. Shuffling aside the accompanying note, what lay beneath was a breathtaking maiden.
Painted on a postcard-sized canvas, the oil portrait depicted Eliza’s development for when she returned to her hometown, following the same format as souvenirs.
However, compared to the previous, souvenir portraits, the realist brushwork clearly portrayed a girl who had grown into an extraordinary beauty, taking my breath away.
Her seated poise on the chair radiated the exquisite elegance of a single lily transformed into a human. She had grown taller, her once childlike limbs developed gracefully into a well-proportioned figure. Her originally beautiful and long hair now flowed down to her waist, adorned with black ribbons studded with gems, an image so majestic even gods would blush in admiration. Even her round and childlike facial features had matured, her gentle smile conveying the refinement of a lady she had blossomed into.
“Ah…”
I couldn’t help but exclaim. Adding more amber liquor to the glass given by my brother, each sip felt as rich as a divine blessing. With such a fine appetizer, the drink tasted even better, truly worthy of being called a nectar even gods might seldom taste.
Indeed, no matter what, my little sister, you are the cutest in the world.
Feeling exceptionally good, I took the letter and portrait out to the courtyard.
On a night like this, the moon should surely be beautiful, I thought.
And indeed, the moon was beautiful. The full moon was glowing softly, accompanied by stars in the cloudless night sky, performing on the velvet black stage of the heavens.
It was decided; what could be more fitting than this serene night?
“Are you in good spirits?”
A voice came from behind, with an almost imperceptible presence that never gave itself away. Turning around slowly, there stood the night fairy Ursula, whose figure resembled that of a young girl, even though the moon was beginning to wane.
“Oh well, you might say so. Look, Eliza sent me a letter!”
“Oh my, I could just tell it had something to do with your dear sister!”
A tinkling laughter bubbled down Ursula’s lips, contrasting Eliza’s elegant growth with Ursula’s enduring innocence. She hadn’t changed at all—perhaps too much so.
As I grew older, other fairies seemed less interested in me unless I called out. Although they’d still respond warmly, with the golden hair and my blue eyes, their attention naturally shifted from the grown adult to the pure and innocent.
Except for Ursula and Rorotte, who remained the same as ever. They continue to help if called upon, so long as the waning moon isn’t fully hidden, and engage me during quiet moments.
Thinking of it, they, too, might be considered rare and precious friends, despite the strange nature.
“Hey, my dear, if you’re this happy, perhaps you could share a little of that joy with me?”
As I proudly showed her the portrait of the incredibly lovable sister who’s the cutest in the world, she suddenly suggested I share a little of that happiness.
Share? I asked, and she smiled seductively, extending her hand. Under the moonlight, her glossy brown skin shimmered beguilingly.
I see. Well, occasionally, it’s not bad.
Besides, tonight is such a happy one, and the moon is so beautiful; just staring at it feels like a waste.
“Would you like to dance with me?”
“Of course, I wouldn’t mind dancing forever with you.”
“Let’s avoid the forever option, shall we?”
I gently tucked the precious portrait away, then took Ursula’s hand.
Although there was no music, the serene lunar glow was more than enough. We danced leisurely in each other’s arms, enjoying the tranquil night until a pleasant lassitude enveloped me, returning to my room without incident and placing the beautifully visible portrait on the desk. I fell into a peaceful sleep.
And then, the next day, the innkeeper asked, “Are you ignoring them?” as she waved Agrippina’s letter and the one from Lord Raizenitz, which I had left opened. “Oh no, I messed up big time!” rushed through my panicked thoughts.
Regardless of how blissful one might feel, self-restraint is essential. It was a good lesson learned…
