### Chapter Sixty-One: A Letter
I can’t use the power of the Gate of Truth—Angel deliberately emphasized the phrase “the power of the Gate of Truth.” He stressed each word as if to remind me that this power, especially at such a sensitive moment in the Western Continent, was a clear identifier of those heretics.
Regular folks might not distinguish Sin Fire from ordinary flames or the Order of Fire, but the knights, clerics, and bishops would spot it right away. Its color is deeper, almost like bl**d, and it burns way hotter. Regular Fire Order won’t melt rock and steel that easily, but Sin Fire? Oh, it can do that without breaking a sweat! If I dared use Sin Fire in front of a battle-hardened warrior, I’d be labeled an enemy on the spot. No explanations could save me.
For most clergy and knights, even if they know I’m a Pope Knight, the moment they see Sin Fire, I’m no longer one of them. Not to mention, Angel would be dragged down with me. His political rivals, like Cardinal Saint George, would certainly exploit this, which is a serious problem! This isn’t about positions but rather an absolute denial of faith.
And the Power of Chaos… it’s similarly troublesome.
Unlike back in the Royal City, where the witnesses to the fights were just random soldiers and civilians who didn’t know me or have seen Dead Smoke, now I’d have to deal with clergy, elite knights of the Church, or even other Pope Knights who might be more powerful but don’t know me.
I can’t just brush this off.
That’s what I’m hesitating about.
After the last two fights, I can’t confidently thump my chest and say, “I won’t use any power other than the Power of Order.” Once a battle heats up, I can’t control myself!
And this time, the cost of losing control could be astronomical— the consequences could be predictably severe… which is why Angel said that if I absolutely have to use it, I’d know what to do.
I get what he means.
But—
Ah, the melon is gone.
I reached for the plate, but only felt a bunch of melon rinds. Glancing sideways, I realized that what I had just eaten was indeed the last piece.
…Time to head back.
I wiped away the melon juice on my mouth with the back of my hand, collected the plate, tossed the rinds into a nearby tree pit, then stood up, brushing off my pants and holding my umbrella, gazing towards the lights on the riverbank.
A few small boats had unloaded their cargo and were sailing away from the riverbank amidst the noisy night, the flames at the stern slowly drifting down the river. The merchants who came to see the goods seemed to glimmer with excitement, as if they were relishing a new opportunity after a disaster— this city remained prosperous, the people lived in peace and joy, hoping for a better future and working hard for it.
How wonderful this place is…
I gazed a little longer, then turned away from the riverbank, walking into Longdoll Street lit up with bright lights. After a moment, I flagged down a War Chariot, gave the driver my address, haggled a bit over the fare, and hopped onto the carriage.
The War Chariot sped off, the carriage bouncing slightly.
I lifted the curtain, watching as streets zipped by. The lamplights and shop signs flashed in my view, appearing and disappearing quickly, while the bustling crowds and the lively scenes swirled around me. I stared blankly, my fingers absentmindedly tapping the armrest of my seat.
The street is so bright…
Those people look so carefree and happy…
Should I really…
Just stay here?
Jolt—
Maybe the wheels hit a rock? Suddenly, the whole carriage jolted violently, the view of the street shaking along with it. I felt my bottom slightly lift from the seat and then crash back down with a “thump,” banging my head against the carriage frame. Rubbing my forehead lightly, I vaguely heard the driver in front ask something, but I wasn’t really paying attention. My head didn’t actually hurt, just felt dazed as I stared outside.
…I definitely need to go.
Otherwise, I just can’t settle down… and I have questions for those heretics…
According to Angel, a madman named “Jester” has shown up on their side, and he seems pretty impressive, holding a high position in the Gate of Truth… So he might know about the experiments and probably knows the Romani Doctor.
I have to find him…
But…
If I leave this rich, comfortable city to follow Angel to the battlefield in Silgaya and end up fighting those heretics, with bl**d and fire everywhere, and the enemies being terrifyingly strong, what then?
What if I get hungry…?
I don’t know…
But I might do something bad, making the situation even worse, and then…
What if I end up with enemies on both sides?
I might mess things up…
So Angel is probably advising me to just let him handle it… He doesn’t want me to come…
In his eyes, I must seem like a risky liability…
He’d rather ditch this battle power than take on the risk, right? He’s been saying such nice things to me today… Isn’t that what he means?
Hmph…
It seems I’m being seen as a nuisance.
Thinking that, I suddenly felt a rush of anxiety in my chest, my lips instinctively pouting. I put my hand down from my forehead, propping my chin up, and let out short puffs of air, realizing how incredibly bored I was.
I wish I could talk to someone…
When the War Chariot finally came to a stop at the street corner, I jumped out, handing the driver some coins.
“Miss, don’t you like talking? You ignored me the whole way. I’m not a bad guy, you know~”
The driver accepted the coin and flashed me a teasing smile.
I smiled back but didn’t want to chat much, just thanked him and hurriedly dashed into Longdoll Street, looking at the flickering candlelight of the mansions as I headed toward the gate of the park…
From afar, I could see lights on in some windows of Mansion No. 2. It looked like even the bedroom was lit up.
Victoria could be in there…
I suddenly felt a wave of relief, wanting to rush in to talk to her about anything, share my plans to go to Silgaya. If I told her, maybe I wouldn’t have to overthink it, and I’d be able to decide firmly.
However, as I approached the brand-new iron gate, I started slowing my pace.
Ah…
Angel said Victoria knows some things…
She’s clever; Angel can’t keep secrets from her… She must already know I have powers from the Abyss… She probably knew it all along…
During the time I was unconscious…
But she hasn’t said anything to me… Why didn’t she want to talk about this? Lately, she’s treated me the same as always, almost excessively, acting as if she knew nothing… but what’s going on in her mind? How does she see me…?
She’s so smart; does she guess even more?
Yet she hasn’t sought me out…
Lost in thought, I halted in front of the gate, tilting my head back, staring into the courtyard, lost in contemplation.
I know I’m being awkward right now.
How could Victoria possibly have any feelings about me… If she did, she wouldn’t act like that… She’s Victoria, after all… not just anybody… I know this, I’m fully aware, but for some reason, I just hesitate to face her…
What’s wrong with you, Silvya…
Are you going to find her or not? If you want to go, then go! If you don’t, head home! Why are you just standing here…
“Ah, um…”
“Ah!”
Caught up in my jumbled thoughts, I hadn’t noticed someone had come up behind me until they spoke, stuttering and startling me out of my wits. I couldn’t help but let out a small scream, quickly covering my mouth, turning to step back abruptly, my starry eyes wide open, focusing on the figure standing beneath the lamppost. Half of their face was illuminated by the firelight, flickering in the dark.
It was a man I didn’t recognize.
He looked just as startled by my reaction, his face a mix of panic, surprise, and awkwardness, staring at me for a moment before quickly averting his gaze, stammering, “Beautiful little, um… Miss, I’m so sorry… I startled you, I’m sincerely… a messenger, twenty-three this year, not married… uh, no, wait…”
He lowered his head, gently waving his hand in front of his mouth.
“Sorry, Miss… I just wanted to ask if this is Longdoll Street, Number 3… It’s my first time here, and I can’t seem to find it… I think it should be that building over there, but the plaque doesn’t say that. Do you know—”
“Yes, this is the place.”
Hearing him stammer and fumble for words, as if his tongue was tied in knots, I felt awkward just watching. So once I understood what he meant, I hurriedly interrupted him.
He looked slightly flustered, scratching his head.
“Well, Miss… this is Long, Longdoll Street, Number 3… this… this gate—”
“It’s the right place.”
He’s a messenger…
He’s asking about Longdoll Street Number 3… is there a letter for me?
“Oh, it’s here… so, may I ask, Miss, you are…?”
“I’m the owner of Mansion Number 3. Is there a letter for me?”
“Yes, yes! There’s a letter for you…”
The messenger said as he opened his pouch, taking out a wax-sealed letter, holding it in front of me with both hands: “It’s from Silgaya…”
Silgaya?
I took the letter, flipping it over to see both sides. I noticed the address and signature… Silgaya Republic, Yagema Town, Father Merlin.
…Father Merlin?
“Who’s that?”
I looked at the messenger, feeling somewhat lost.
He seemed to be sneaking a peek at me, and when he caught my gaze, he looked like a startled rabbit, quickly averting his eyes. He fidgeted and said, “Uh, you are… Little Shay… Ah, sorry, this letter is for Little Shay, she lives at Longdoll Street Number 3… Is Little Shay your name…?”
“……”
Little Shay?
I tilted my head for a moment and then suddenly realized.
It’s Grandma Claire!
“Thank you!”
I smiled sweetly at the awkward messenger, then eagerly opened the iron gate and stepped into the yard. I could faintly hear him muttering behind me, “Beautiful lady… she’s called Little Shay…,” and feeling good, I turned back to him and said, “I’m Peilo~,” before ignoring his dazed expression and sprinting along the newly paved path to the garden, just in time to tear open the letter, stopping short, and holding the letter up to read by the lamppost’s flickering light.
Grandma can’t read.
Even though I’ve been sending letters home regularly and sending some coins from my salary every month, I’ve never received a reply. This is actually the first letter!
That Father Merlin—I remember now! He’s the priest from the neighboring town. Grandma must have asked him to help write! What could she want to tell me…?
With a smile on my face, I began reading the contents of the letter.
But soon enough, my smile froze.
