“My friend, is this about Eugene?”
The Grand Witch spoke up at those words.
“Yes, it concerns Eugene.”
The Ranger nodded in response to his lord’s question. Trying to hide the truth in front of the Grand Witch was pointless. Even now, in the Sacred Capital Illucion, the lord could see through their thoughts.
[Heh heh.]
A smile appeared at the corner of the witch’s mouth. Huh? Why is she smiling before I even said anything? Not knowing the reason, he blinked in silence, and the lord spoke.
[It seems you’ve gotten yourself into some trouble, Holme.]
“What? How do you know that…?”
He flinched at the direct hit. No matter how sharp one’s insight is, there’s no way they’d know the exact details, right? Could it be that even in the Sacred Capital, they were watching everything he did? His embarrassment showed, and the lord suppressed a laugh as he said,
[It was just a guess, but since you reacted exactly as I thought, I guess I was right.]
“Ah…”
Hearing that, a wave of shame rose from within. To recklessly reveal one’s true feelings despite holding the title of Ranger was a grave mistake. No matter how much it was in front of the lord, he realized his basics as a Ranger were lacking.
“I’m sorry. It’s because I’m lacking.”
He apologized for his many shortcomings. His lord was not the kind to dismiss subordinates lightly, but as a Ranger and a retainer, he felt ashamed of himself.
[No. It’s enough if you don’t repeat today’s mistake tomorrow.]
The Grand Witch generously pardoned him. Whether she fully grasped the meaning behind his apology or not, judging by her usual temperament and wisdom, she must have at least roughly understood.
“Thank you, my lord. I will make sure this does not happen again.”
[Very well. Then please explain the details of the incident.]
He nodded at his lord’s request and proceeded to explain everything up to now. From meeting the bandit Eugene at the tavern to how he ruthlessly subdued the mercenaries. Of course, he also told the Grand Witch about the dirty work he did on Eugene’s behalf under coercion.
“…That is the report I have for you, my lord.”
He ended his explanation and looked for a reaction. His lord was not one to lose his temper easily, but revealing his identity on his own authority was a matter that could not avoid rebuke.
[Hmm…]
The Grand Witch closed her eyes briefly and tilted her head. Did she find something to ponder among the report? After a moment, the lord’s lips curved into a bitter smile as his eyes half-closed.
[Eugene really hasn’t changed at all.]
“What? Was he always like that?”
But his lord always said that Eugene, though rough on the outside, had a warm heart. He was a companion who, despite being a bandit by origin, always made the right choices. Still, the incident at the tavern seemed like excessively violent behavior.
[You were surprised by how harshly he punished them, weren’t you?]
It seemed the lord was conscious of that and hit the mark. Whatever he thought, the lord’s insight pierced through his inner feelings precisely, which was why he dared not tell a lie before him.
“Yes, that’s right.”
[He carries the guilt of his late wife.]
“You mean Saint Celestia…?”
Though forgotten by the world, the bandit Eugene was once joined to Saint Celestia. But for some reason, no child was born between them. As is the fate of the immortal, Eugene was separated from the saint.
[Yes, the guilt of not being able to give happiness to that child…]
The Grand Witch closed her eyes briefly, and silence fell. Was it memories that surfaced? Sadness seemed to permeate the quiet. After about three seconds of silence, the lord broke it with an awkward smile.
[Eugene reacts sensitively to women because of that. I don’t know if he’s aware of it.]
“Ah…”
So the anger he felt was like a thorn in his heart. Now the behavior he had seen in Eugene was explained. Hearing about a mercenary touching a student, he must have seen his wife in that light.
‘A hero who has lived over a hundred years—I thought he would be more detached.’
But he’s just an ordinary man after all. I thought immortals would be different from mortals, but deep down, his humanity is no different from ours.’
‘A new discovery.’
Now, the rampage at the tavern was no longer seen as mere cruelty, but rather the somewhat violent tantrum of an old man. That does not justify his actions, of course.
[By the way,]
While lost in thought, the lord spoke again.
[With things having turned out this way, your mission to observe Eugene is compromised.]
“Yes, that’s true.”
Finally, the reprimand he had been waiting for surfaced. The Grand Witch’s expression remained gentle, but that was because she believed he understood his mistake.
“I will accept any punishment.”
[Originally, I should issue a punishment.]
He swallowed hard at the unhesitating response. Even a kind lord would not overlook failure in a mission. When a usually gentle person becomes angry, it’s often scarier because it’s a breaking point.
‘I wonder what kind of punishment he will give.’
He waited nervously for the lord’s answer. Though ready to accept punishment, fear remained. Amidst this, he only wished to keep his life—humans are truly fickle.
[However, I will substitute punishment with a new mission.]
But the order that came was not what he expected.
“What?”
Surprised by the relatively light treatment and relieved, he was also curious about what situation had arisen to warrant a new mission. If the new mission was far from here, he would need a plausible excuse to report back to Ranger Headquarters.
[Go to the Sacred Capital of the Holy Empire.]
“The Sacred Capital Illucion… you mean?”
That place was the capital of the Holy Empire, devoted to the goddess of light Lucia, and a direct territory under the Pope. It was the new Sacred Capital built after the Old Sacred Capital Solarion was devastated fifty years ago by the “Calamity.” But what connection could the Holy Empire possibly have with his lord’s affairs to warrant this order?
[In the central plaza of Illucion, there is an ancient tree called the “Tree of Life’s Light”… do you know of it?]
“I’ve heard of it. Isn’t it one of the Holy Empire’s most famous tourist spots?”
It was planted when the first church of the Holy Empire was built, and survived the “Calamity” that destroyed Solarion, making it the oldest tree in the world. Its circumference was said to be the size of three imperial trains chained together.
“I heard it took hundreds of wagons just to move the tree.”
[Yes, you are to watch over that tree.]
“What?”
This was an utterly unexpected order. Relieved from the mission to observe Eugene, he was now assigned to watch over an old, enormous tree that seemed meaningful only because of its age.
“Um… should I report if anything unusual happens?”
But an order from his lord was an order. He would disregard instructions from Ranger Headquarters if he wished, but he could not question his lord’s command.
[You’ll understand what to report as you watch.]
“What?”
The problem was that even the specifics of what to observe and report were vague. You’ll understand what to report just by watching? This was the first time he had encountered such a ridiculous order.
“W-what do you mean by that…?”
[Sorry, but right now, this is all I can say.]
His lord, the Grand Witch, explained apologetically. Perhaps even she did not yet know what would happen there. If the Grand Witch herself did not know, then what kind of incident was imminent?
[This ends the communication.]
With that, the communication with his lord was cut off.
*****
“Owl.”
From beyond the door of the guest room came Lian’s secret signal.
“Night owl.”
Eugene answered with the agreed reply, and shortly after, the lock on the guest room door clicked open, and the sliding door slid quietly. Before entering, he glanced around inside the room—no one was absent.
“You all behaved yourselves well.”
He praised them briefly before collapsing onto the floor. After a big fight, he just wanted to lie down and sleep anywhere. It wasn’t a matter of stamina but a psychological mechanism to calm his heightened tension.
“I’m going to sleep, so don’t mind me and keep doing what you were doing.”
With those words, he interlaced his fingers behind his head, using his arms as a pillow. Even if he took a short nap, no madman would barge into this room. If someone did, the others would be on alert to respond immediately.
“Oh? What about your gloves, sir?”
But before he could close his eyes, Lian pointed out something. What he was missing were the leather gloves he’d been wearing. Naturally, he had discarded them after the fight at the tavern when they became bloodied.
“I wore them out and threw them away.”
“What? Then I could have repaired them for you…”
“Hmm?”
Turning his head, Emilia looked up from her sewing. She had been mending an incense pouch. No wonder the room didn’t smell despite two men being in it.
“It’s fine. I’m not so poor as to have a kid sew my clothes.”
He wasn’t in such dire straits. She’d be busy repairing her own clothes, and he didn’t want to impose. As he prepared to sleep, footsteps approached.
“Then at least use this.”
“Huh?”
Emilia handed him a cushion.
“Did you make this?”
“Yes! Isn’t it well made?”
The girl shrugged proudly. Probably, she was subtly trying to show off her skills. But unfortunately, a bit of the stuffing was poking out at the corner, and he couldn’t help but point it out.
“There’s a bit sticking out here.”
“Ah!?”
Only then did Emilia’s eyes widen as she reached to take back the cushion.
“Keep it.”
“Huh?”
He stopped her hand and placed it under his head. Though not perfectly finished, it was still soft. Better than laying his head on the bare floor.
“Thanks. Good night then.”
“Y-yes…”
He thanked Emilia and closed his eyes. The reason he used the clumsily made cushion as a pillow was not just for convenience but because it stirred a strange sense of longing.
‘Saint Celestia was terrible at sewing too.’
Now, he sank his consciousness into the darkness.
*****
What is this, you? Are you still longing for me? When he closed his eyes, he saw her. The saint, with her golden hair cascading down, dressed in a worn nun’s habit. Exactly as she was when adventuring alongside the hero.
‘Of course I miss you.’
You are my first and last love. And the painful thorn I must carry in my heart forever. Whether this voice reaches the saint in my dreams or not, even if it does, it is merely an illusion created by my own mind. Foolish, really. Life is still long, yet I am trapped by a love from long ago. As the saint said, this obsession is foolish.
But if I were not foolish, then who would remember you? Not as the record etched on a cold tombstone, but as a living, breathing woman. That is the sorrow of the immortal, and my only duty.
‘Will we meet again?’
Whether she is resurrected, or I die, in whatever form, I want to be reunited with the saint. The adventure to end immortality is for her. If we meet again…
The saint reached out her hand. Her hand was calloused from frequent battles, yet to these eyes, it was more beautiful than any other hand. When I took her hand, she embraced me and stroked my head. I will tell you you’ve done well.
*****
“Sir! Sir!”
The voice that woke him was Emilia’s. Her call brought Eugene back to reality, and he opened his eyes. Around him, the other children had gathered and were looking down at him.
“…What are you all doing?”
It felt suspicious, like some kind of battlefield operating room. Frowning, the children quickly scattered. But now that he was fully awake, he lifted his upper body.
“You brats, why are you surrounding someone who’s sleeping peacefully?”
If the reason was trivial, they’d have to be ready for a rough night. I’ll teach them how awful it is to be woken when they’re sound asleep.
“Actually…”
Lian pointed toward the window with his thumb.
“The train has stopped.”
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