Sigrid

“No, I’m not.”

Arkana shook his head as he answered.

“But there are always those types who come out. Anyway, there were guys like that in the past. They discovered an easy way to increase their magical power. By absorbing Aura cores.”

“Cores… you say…?”

A surprised Arkana muttered. Skard waved his hand and said:

“Of course, it was scrapped at the planning stage. I also think that magicians can go out and do various things like Aura users, but—”

Skard let out a light sigh.

“Anyway, after that incident, magicians became even more withdrawn. But there are still those outside who haven’t given up on such dreams. That’s what they call them.”

“I suppose it’s because the first magician thought to create this tower and shut themselves in from the start.”

Arkana sighed. It would have been nice if the progenitor of all magicians had been a more extroverted person, but the past can’t be changed.

“But that’s also in the past. And if there are such magicians outside, I think we should go out all the more.”

Arkana said firmly. He took another deep drag from the pipe and exhaled.

“Then I suppose I should go settle this.”

As he tossed the pipe with a flick, Skard caught it and grinned.

“Good luck, my disciple.”

“I’d prefer practical support over luck, you know.”

Skard merely laughed at Arkana’s lament.

⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱

Morris blinked and asked back:

“Western flu?”

“Don’t even ask what that is, I have no idea either.”

Marie-Chez said, waving her hand. Morris’s gaze naturally turned to Lowengrin, who also shrugged her shoulders.

“Is it severe?”

At Alkerto’s question, Marie-Chez frowned and said:

“Well, with two Aura users bedridden, it must be quite potent, right? I heard Sigrid even went out of the capital to recuperate.”

“Where to?”

At Morris’s question, Marie-Chez sighed and said:

“She didn’t even tell the servants.”

“What can I say, that’s just like Siri, isn’t it?”

Lowengrin also shook her head as she spoke. Seeing Morris make a strange face, Marie-Chez teased him with an “Aha.”

“You’re making a face that says ‘There’s no way Siri wouldn’t tell me,’ aren’t you? Morris Deforest.”

“It’s not like that.”

He said, but having hit the mark, the tips of Morris’s ears turned slightly red. Alkerto surreptitiously observed Morris’s face and cleared his throat before saying:

“So that’s why people who’ve recently been to the west aren’t getting party invitations these days.”

“Yeah. I heard Lord Lunatil even issued an order to turn away visitors. They say Duke Lunatil went to visit him, but couldn’t even enter the inner quarters.”

At Lowengrin’s words, Alkerto clicked his tongue.

“That’s serious. Where on earth did Siri go? She doesn’t even have anywhere to go for recuperation, does she? Don’t tell me she’s holed up in some forest somewhere, saying she can’t spread the disease?”

Normally, this would be the point where someone would laugh and say, “Haha, that’s ridiculous.” But no such laughter came.

With Sigrid, it could be possible.

The four gathered there thought this simultaneously. Suddenly feeling restless, Marie-Chez said:

“Shouldn’t we try to find her?”

“How?”

“By hiring people or something…”

“Even so, that would be difficult… Knowing Sigrid, she might even be camping in a cave.”

“Ah— From what I heard in the west, that does seem possible.”

Marie-Chez shook her head at Lowengrin’s words. She absolutely, absolutely, absolutely could not camp out. She had to stay at inns and have warm water prepared.

Hearing Sigrid’s words, the west indeed seemed uncivilized to Marie-Chez. Alkerto muttered:

“Should we search the surroundings at least?”

“As if we know where she went.”

Lowengrin shook her head. She continued:

“Even Sigrid isn’t that foolish. I’m sure she’s taking care of herself well.”

“I suppose…?”

Marie-Chez said hesitantly, and Lowengrin nodded deeply.

“More importantly, you two should worry about tomorrow’s test.”

At Lowengrin’s pointed remark, Alkerto shrank his shoulders with an “Eek.” Marie-Chez pouted.

“The 1st Imperial Knight, huh? You’re all leaving.”

“We can’t stay here forever, can we? You should come too.”

At Alkerto’s teasing words, Marie-Chez narrowed her eyes. Lowengrin smiled and said:

“You’ll both pass.”

“What if only one person passes?”

At Marie-Chez’s words, Alkerto frowned and said:

“Don’t even say that.”

Alkerto, who was already feeling intimidated compared to Morris, was stung by Marie-Chez’s words. Morris smiled and said:

“We both worked hard. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll aim for the next opportunity.”

Marie-Chez stretched out her legs and grinned.

“If you fail, you get to stay with a beauty like me longer, so consider it lucky.”

“I’ll take that as consolation.”

It was hard to tell if Alkerto’s words were a compliment or not, but Marie-Chez took it as one and smiled sweetly.

After that, they exchanged a few simple stories and decided to send get-well gifts to Sigrid’s house, choosing what items to include before ending the gathering. As everyone was getting up, Morris discreetly signaled to Lowengrin with his eyes.

Since the meeting was held at Lowengrin’s house, after seeing Marie-Chez and Alkerto off, Morris lingered behind. After sending the two ahead, Lowengrin asked Morris, who remained:

“What is it?”

“Do you have any idea where she might be?”

It was an abrupt question, but Lowengrin hesitated. However, she soon smiled meaningfully and said:

“What kind of idea?”

“Lowengrin Alsekidna.”

Morris called her name in a strict tone, but Lowengrin didn’t bat an eye. Morris quickly changed his approach.

“Please.”

As he spoke in a low voice, Lowengrin sighed and said:

“I don’t know for sure either, but isn’t this western flu strange? And for two Aura users to catch it simultaneously. Thinking in reverse— Those two have already worked together in the west once. So—”

“They’re doing something together?”

“That could be one way to look at it. It’s too suspicious that neither of them can be seen. Plus, I heard rumors that Prince Rudinal has gone missing.”

“Prince Rudinal?”

As Morris asked back in surprise, Lowengrin nodded, placing her index finger on her lips.

“It’s not certain, though.”

“…I see.”

“You’re making that face again.”

“What face?”

“The face that says, ‘Why wouldn’t Sigrid tell me? There’s no way she wouldn’t.'”

“That’s not it.”

Morris denied it with a sigh.

“Anyway, thanks for telling me.”

“Don’t mention it. But don’t go talking about this elsewhere.”

“I know.”

Not only was the prince’s disappearance concerning, but it would also be troublesome if rumors spread that Sigrid had gone with Beramund to rescue Prince Rudinal.

‘I hope Sig doesn’t get caught up in political strife, but she’s too capable for that.’

Morris swallowed another rising sigh.

‘Why didn’t she consult with me?’

Such a complaint faintly arose.

Perhaps Lowengrin was right. Maybe he did have the thought that Sigrid would tell him everything.

“Well, see you next time.”

At Lowengrin’s farewell, which clearly contained a hint to leave, Morris said “Ah, sorry” and left her house after saying goodbye.

‘I hope nothing goes wrong.’

He worried as he thought of Beramund. He didn’t seem like a particularly good person, would Sigrid be alright?

Though he’s the Captain of the 1st Imperial Guard, so his swordsmanship must be excellent—

The rumors about his womanizing were endless. That was one of the reasons he had opposed when Sigrid said she was going down to the west with Beramund.

Of course, Sigrid had returned safely then, but that was official business, and this is different. He lightly rubbed his face with one hand.

‘It’ll be fine. I should focus on tomorrow’s test.’

It would be putting the cart before the horse to worry about Sigrid’s affairs, which he can’t do anything about, and mess up tomorrow’s test. Morris took a long breath and raised his head.

To properly pass the 1st Imperial Knight test… To properly establish himself…

There had been no contact from his family home throughout the funeral. He felt sad thinking they might be cutting ties like this, but also thought it might be for the best.

‘Let’s do this, Morris Deforest.’

Morris encouraged himself.

Unlike her friends’ worries, Sigrid found herself enjoying the journey a bit. Since she had never traveled before, even this kind of movement was interesting in its own way.

It was also fascinating to see Beramund, who seemed much more accustomed to traveling than herself.

Since the shared carriage no longer went where they were headed, Beramund rented a sleigh. Should it be called a covered sleigh since it had a cover on top?

As they went further north, the temperature dropped sharply, and the water in their canteens froze.

“Beramund.”

Sigrid said as she sat down next to him.

“Let’s switch.”

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. You’ve been driving the sleigh since morning. I’ll do it, so go inside and take a nap.”

Sigrid pushed him with her body and forcibly snatched the reins. Though she took the reins, Beramund didn’t seem inclined to move to the back.

“I said go inside.”

“No, I’ll sit here.”

At Beramund’s words, Sigrid looked at him and then turned her gaze back to the front. She asked:

“Do you travel often?”

“No. When would I have time to travel?”

At those words, Sigrid was surprised and looked at him again before turning her gaze forward and asking:

“Then how are you so familiar with this?”

“I studied.”

“Studied?”

“Yeah, but these mules are too slow. Won’t this take more than a month?”

At Beramund’s grumbling, Sigrid looked at the two mules cheerfully pulling the sleigh. Both were wearing colorful, fur-like coverings because of the cold.

“It can’t be helped. There aren’t many farms that raise horses…”

At Sigrid’s words, Beramund trailed off with ‘That’s true, but.’

“I guess so.”

At Sigrid’s sudden remark, Beramund looked at her.

“What?”

“A Beramund who can’t even light a fire wouldn’t travel.”

“I can light one.”

Beramund said, sounding wronged, and Sigrid narrowed her eyes. He added:

“Now.”

Sigrid laughed lightly.

“What about you? Haven’t you traveled?”

“A little. I used to be in a circus troupe.”

“Circus??”

His voice rose involuntarily. Sigrid nodded.

“Oh, then your parents…?”

“No, I was an orphan. I was sold from the orphanage to the circus.”

Beramund opened his mouth slightly.

A circus?

“Then how did you…”

“I met my sword master there. My master’s talent was performing sword dances in the circus. That person taught me the sword.”

I hadn’t told Beramund this story before, Sigrid nodded to herself. As she lightly explained the rest of the story, when the phrase ‘who liked young children’ came up, he growled.

“Who’s that bastard?”

Sigrid was surprised to hear this tone from him and turned to look at Beramund.

‘No, I’ve never heard it in this life.’

Before she came back, in her previous life, when he was rushing at her with all his might to kill her, saying ‘Die,’ his voice was like this.

A low, heavy voice that was absolutely unimaginable from his usual self.

It had been so long that she was taken aback.

“He’s already dead. And he didn’t seriously touch me anyway.”

Sigrid found herself making excuses without realizing it. Beramund silently looked at her with one eye, and Sigrid shook her head.

“There were other targets besides me… I mean, he did touch me, but that—”

“Enough.”

Beramund cut off Sigrid’s words. Sigrid glanced at him. Silence fell.

“Sigrid.”

“Yes?”

“You’re beautiful.”

“Huh?”

Caught off guard by the sudden compliment, Sigrid’s eyes widened. Beramund smiled as usual and said:

“You’re beautiful, I said you’re beautiful.”

“What’s that about.”

Sigrid was dumbfounded, but she didn’t feel bad.

The sleigh glided smoothly over the snow field. The decorative bells on the mules jingled cheerfully. Beramund said:

“Let’s pick up the pace a bit.”

“Okay.”

Sigrid nodded and raised her voice with a “Hyah!” The mules pricked up their ears and started running faster. As they picked up speed, the wind also grew stronger. Suddenly, something entered her field of vision, startling Sigrid. Beramund had draped his cloak over Sigrid like a blanket. She said:

“I’m fine. You’ll be cold.”

“It’s not that cold.”