Chapter 76
The day after everyone except Aquila and Ianpel was defeated by the fiery seasoned skewers—while Aquila continued to feign ignorance regarding the Right Hand of the Halo—Aquila was finally able to et rien Raiesel in the late afternoon.
She still looked haggard, yet she listened carefully to Aquila’s explanation and nodded from ti to ti.
“……To be honest, it is difficult to believe you right away.”
Despite adding those words, rien Raiesel did not seem entirely distrustful.
After all, it was only natural to feel confused at such a claim. The asures Aquila had taken would have been impossible unless he had known in advance. Moreover, he did not seem like the sort of man who would lie about such matters.
Had he not been fully aware of the circumstances surrounding House Raiesel, yet never once shown any sign of coveting their mithril?
The reason they had searched high and low for Quija’s Smile without revealing their na was precisely because they feared becoming prey to the greedy.
Unaware that any suspicion of Aquila Reschenhardt secretly seeking to build ties with Count Raiesel—or coveting mithril because of the mithril arrowhead Ark Batchel had left behind—had now completely vanished, rien thought as much.
“In any case, if what you say is true, then you may find yourself facing many things in the future, Lord Aquila.”
rien brushed her loosened hair back as she continued.
If a great ancient dragon had bestowed such a blessing upon him, it ant he had been born under a trendous fate.
Of course, what differed from her assumption was that Aquila was not soone who would rely be swept up by fate—he intended to leap into it himself.
“I can only hope it ended with what happened the other day.”
Aquila replied lightly, as if such a thing would never happen again, yet he genuinely hoped that nothing more would occur.
A peaceful world in which the main scenario never unfolded was what he had longed for most through all thirty regressions.
“I plan to leave Portplum soon and return to Igrail. Now that I have t you and explained everything, I shall depart tomorrow afternoon.”
“……I would like to ask you to stay longer, but you have already remained for quite so ti because of the auction. I cannot very well detain you.”
“I will return eventually. There is still work left to do.”
To et him again at the Grand Temple of Portplum, if nothing else.
rien nodded.
She had intended to introduce Aquila to her youngest brother, Collins Raiesel, but even with the injection of the treatnt, his leg would not heal imdiately.
It would take at least ten days for the gradually hardening movent to cease and return to normal.
She could not possibly ask Aquila to remain until then.
Raiesel was busy with nurous issues, and though she did not know the details, Aquila also seed to have matters of his own to attend to.
When Aquila rose from his seat as if to take his leave, she stood as well.
Facing him like that, rien suddenly realized that their eye level seed slightly different from before.
Had he grown taller?
Or was it because, after only two etings and the mory of him coughing up blood and leaving Portplum, he now exuded an entirely different presence?
When I wrote that letter in anger, I had no idea matters would conclude like this……
A strange sentint welled up within her, but she soon composed her expression.
“I truly an it when I say I will send a formal letter. I shall await your visit at any ti, Lord Aquila.”
rien lightly gathered the hem of her skirt and bowed her head.
This ti, Aquila did not add that there was no need.
For the day he returned to Portplum would be the very day he could et Count Raiesel.
“Then, until we et again.”
“Please take care, Lord Aquila.”
After expressing his hope that her brother’s leg would heal safely, Aquila left the Raiesel Estate.
***
With two Fairywinds in hand, Aquila once again commissioned Peillat for rare materials that could only be found in the West.
Peillat was curious how the young master of House Reschenhardt even knew of such ingredients, yet he did not show it.
He rely inford him that although he possessed the first two items, he did not currently have the rare herb, and acquiring it might take so ti.
He still had business to attend to in Portplum and could not depart yet.
Even so, he promised to request assistance from a rchant acquaintance and send the goods. Aquila was greatly pleased with that reply.
For what he truly sought was a connection to rchants who were either based in the West or traveling toward it.
That was precisely why he had deliberately requested herbs that grew near Belmaburn.
A considerable amount of ti has passed. It is possible it has moved from Belmaburn toward the center by now. I should secure so capable fellows who can bring information….
While pondering, Aquila sent a reply to Peillat.
As he requested the herb, he added that if any suspicious rumors or noteworthy stories from the West surfaced, he would appreciate hearing about them as well.
Once again, Peillat did not ask for a reason.
However, by adding that remark, Aquila ensured that Peillat—an herbal rchant and a born trader—would pay closer attention to news from the West.
It is convenient to be able to use the family’s funds freely, but it is about ti I started earning capital myself.
Handing the letter to Shen, Aquila set down his pen.
His thoughts drifted to the box he could feel inside his coat—the mithril arrowhead Ark had given him.
It was far more expensive than the Eye That Sees the Hidden, yet he had still spent sixteen million gold.
Running a hand through his hair, Aquila let out a small sigh.
If it were two years later, I would earn money the usual way. At this ti, which place was I supposed to target again…?
Leaning back against the sofa, he continued thinking.
Cahena quietly watched him before closing her lips without a word.
***
All preparations to depart for Igrail were complete.
The sa group would return as before, and several Temple Knights, including Heinen, would escort them as far as Celteng.
Given what had happened within Portplum, it was a precaution against any unforeseen incident.
Though Aquila, who knew the full truth of the affair, wondered whether such asures were necessary, how could he refuse when they insisted?
The carriage was ready. All that remained was for him to board.
“It seems we must part for a while.”
As Aquila was about to step into the carriage, he turned at the sound of the voice.
Ianpel had approached unnoticed, smiling with a slick expression.
“On your way to Saintroia, the Guild of Darkness may attempt to attack Martio. He possesses information, after all. And in the process, the fact that Gilesha is alive could be exposed. Be cautious.”
“Yes. I am, of course, aware. I shall take special care in selecting personnel.”
After nodding and speaking in a low voice, Ianpel raised his head.
“And if there is anything you wish to inform of… you understand, do you not? Contact through the bracelet at any ti.”
“Yes. The sa to you. And if a report cos in that sothing has occurred on Belmaburn’s side, please inform as well.”
“Ah, yes. I had been wondering why you were so concerned about that matter. Is it related to a blessing, similar to what you told ?”
After a mont’s thought, Aquila nodded.
He needed to gather as much information as possible before making any moves.
Ianpel’s eyes narrowed gravely, then soon returned to their usual gentle curve.
“If new information cos in, I shall let you know. Then… shall we have a farewell embrace?”
“No.”
“Haha. May the rcy of the Sun God Raspalara be thick upon your path.”
With Ianpel’s farewell, Aquila boarded the carriage.
NEIGH!
With the horse’s spirited whinny, the carriage jolted and began to move.
Aquila glanced sideways at the small window veiled by curtains before leaning fully against the cushioned backrest.
Leaving behind the tireso yet nostalgic Portplum, they rode along the long-stretching road.
Until they arrived at Celteng, they encountered no attacks.
Aquila’s party rested briefly in the small town in peace.
“After spending a month together, it feels almost regretful to part. I wish you good health.”
It was ti to bid farewell to Heinen.
So the last fellow who reports everything he sees and hears straight to Ianpel is finally peeling off.
Though his face was stoic beneath the helt he wore low, a faint smile lingered at the corner of his mouth.
In this thirtieth regression, Aquila seed to discover sides of others he had never seen before.
eting his gaze, Aquila nodded.
“Yes. Until we et again.”
With a deeply regretful expression, Cahena extended her hand to Heinen, then pulled the corner of her lips into a grin.
“Stay well, Lord Heinen. Let us spar again next ti.”
“I look forward to it. May you remain unhard as well, Lady Cahena.”
Heinen placed a hand over the armor engraved with Raspalara’s emblem and bowed politely.
A quiet blessing praising the Sun God flowed from his lips.
Behind him, the Holy Knights of the Grand Temple of Portplum standing in line also bowed.
Cahena waved and mounted her horse with ease.
With the rhythmic clatter of hooves, the carriage slowly resud its journey.
“Even knowing we will et again, parting still feels lonely.”
Gazing blankly out the window, Shen murmured.
He must have grown rather attached.
Yujelia nodded and leaned forward, resting her chin in her hands.
“I wonder if Lord Ershan and Lady i are doing well. And everyone else as well…. Ah, I was surprised that you brought the Fairywind first, Young Master. I have never seen a Fairywind so large and beautiful.”
Any Fairywind beca beautiful when imbued with Divine Power, yet the one purchased from Peillat was in pristine condition and particularly striking.
Aquila briefly shook his head, recalling Peillat’s proud expression as he presented the goods.
“I happened to find a good herbal rchant and purchased it while I was at it. By now, they have likely made their decision.”
“Yes, I only hope it brings them so comfort, whatever they have decided.”
Yujelia let out a deep sigh before lifting her head.
“You ntioned that the Head of the House has also returned?”
“Ah, yes. The subjugation of the Frost Forest should be complete, so he will be in Igrail by now. It will be your first ti eting him, Lady Yujelia.”
There were many words used to describe Lexenbert Fad Reschenhardt, whose renown ranked among the top five across the Delvion continent.
It was not rely because he had received a dragon’s blessing, but because of the vast array of achievents he had accomplished.
Yujelia had heard nurous rumors surrounding him on several occasions.
But they were only rumors.
After hesitating, she asked cautiously,
“……Um, what kind of person is he? Is it truly all right for to accompany you like this?”
At that question, a pair of green and black eyes turned toward her.
He was as cold as a land of eternal frost.
Aquila recalled the Lexenbert he had faced in the previous regression.
The frigid, cutting gaze, and the snowstorm that had lashed against the Reschenhardt Estate….
Yet contrary to Aquila’s thoughts, Shen smiled brightly at the worried Yujelia and said,
“He is truly a good person. There is no need for you to worry at all.”
Bearing such contrasting impressions, the carriage eventually entered Igrail.
Reviews
All reviews (0)