Chapter 67

"「I can't make a promise.」

Aldis left the Ritt Chamber with those words.

He had given up on the leads to his companions, thinking they had been completely cut off, but there was a chance he might find some clues. He desperately held back the urge to jump at the opportunity and could only manage to give a response of postponement.

Before leaving the chamber, he bid farewell to Kiril, who, along with his sister, proposed that Aldis stay in Reiting for a while to express their gratitude. However, Aldis had no time to linger in Reiting. His sister strongly tried to detain him, but after he explained that he had urgent business and promised to return within seven days, she finally agreed, emphasizing, "When you come back, be sure to visit us."

After leaving the chamber, Aldis went into a store to replenish his preserved food and supplies.

"It's cheaper than in the capital."

After checking the prices, Aldis bought dried meat, salt, spices, and polishing sand.

When he looked up at the sky, the sun was already beginning to set. Aldis observed the people passing on the main street for a while.

What Marida was asking for was the 'Alice Blue' hair of a 'high-magic woman' with 'sky-colored eyes.' The more he heard, the more it seemed she was talking about Nelle, but she hadn't explicitly named Nelle. If he could find someone else's hair that met the same conditions, Marida wouldn't have any complaints.

If possible, Aldis didn't want to involve Nelle or the twins in his affairs. That was his sincere feeling. He searched for the Alice Blue hair color but couldn't find it. Although it seemed common, Aldis had rarely seen it.

If he went to the capital, he would probably find a few people. But the moment he thought about how many people would meet all the conditions, Aldis frowned. He was worried that he would end up taking Nelle's hair, which would mean he was playing right into Marida's hands.

At that moment, Aldis's gaze caught sight of a person. It was the small, tanned man who had performed some kind of spell on the sword at Marida's chamber.

His exotic attire stood out even in a trading city where people from various regions gathered. A moment's hesitation was overcome by curiosity, and Aldis approached the small, tanned man.

"Excuse me, can I ask you something?"

"Eh? What is it?"

The man, who initially looked puzzled when called, relaxed his guard when he remembered that Aldis had been with Marida.

"Oh, you're the one I met at Marida's place."

"Sorry, but can I ask you a few questions?"

Seeing Aldis as someone connected to Marida, the man readily agreed. Aldis listened to the man, hoping to gather some information about the elusive female merchant.

The man belonged to a troupe of traveling performers who traveled west and east, facing various dangers year-round.

Dangers from bandits and robbers, and attacks from carnivorous beasts. These could be dealt with by force. The members of the troupe were skilled enough to work as mercenaries.

"But there are things you can't win against, no matter how strong you are."

According to the man, the troupe was also exposed to local diseases as they traveled. Unfortunately, just before they reached Reiting, several members of the troupe fell ill with a disease they had contracted in a foreign land. Naturally, if they were allowed into the city, the disease would spread. Therefore, they were banned from entering the city.

Reiting probably wanted them to leave as soon as possible. But while that was fine for the city, it wasn't for the traveling performers. Almost everyone was sick, and only a few could move properly.

"We can't buy medicine or herbs because we're not allowed into the city, and doctors or apothecaries won't come out. We can't move to another city because there are too many sick people. The only ones who helped us were Marida's Ritt Chamber."

The Ritt Chamber used mercenaries and traders leaving Reiting to regularly deliver medicine, food, and drinking water to the troupe. Thanks to this, the troupe, which had been sick for about half a month, was finally allowed into the city.

"Of course, it wasn't free. But it was a bit cheaper than market price, and most importantly, it was a matter of our companions' lives. Money can't buy that."

When he offered to thank them, he was asked to perform the seal on the sword.

What a coincidence, Aldis thought, tilting his head. The timing of Aldis and Kiril bringing back the sword from the ruins, the troupe arriving, and having someone who could seal the sword, all happening at once.

One of these coincidences might happen by chance, but three coincidences together were a miracle. It felt more natural to suspect some kind of human intervention rather than a miracle.

Without showing any of his suspicions, Aldis continued the conversation.

"What was that? It didn't seem like magic, but it felt a bit different from the monks' prayers."

"Monks...?"

The man smiled wryly.

"That spell is a special one passed down in my clan. It's different from the general magic. In terms of prayer... it's half right and half wrong. At least, it's different from the prayers of the current church."

He added in a low voice, "It's not something you can say openly on the street," and Aldis's voice also became quieter.

"Different from the prayers of the current church...?"

"The prayers of the church are 'Praise our goddess,' but the prayers passed down in my clan are a bit different."

"To put it simply, it means 'May there be a light on your journey.' It's a wish that the path ahead in life will be bright."

"I see."

At least, it was better than a prayer that forced you to praise the goddess.

"Sorry, but I have to go back soon..."

"Ah, I'm sorry for keeping you. Thank you."

Aldis had tried to uncover Marida's true nature, but all he got from the man was increasing confusion.

After parting ways with the man, Aldis continued to search for Alice Blue hair on the main street of Reiting, but to no avail. He soon gave up on searching in Reiting and left the city at dusk, heading for the Nagrass Kingdom.

Aldis walked east alone on the road toward the capital, Gran. As night fell and the surroundings darkened, he left the road and levitated in a secluded place. He flew through the darkness and arrived at the capital in the middle of the night. He waited until morning to enter the capital, Gran.

Without showing any signs of fatigue, he reported the completion of the 'Heterosaint' extermination to the representative, Jean, and then went to the sorcerer's shop to hand over the 'Heterosaint's' sucker. He decided to keep the method of using the sucker, which he had seen at Marida's place, to himself until its authenticity was confirmed.

Afterward, he visited the information broker, Cesare.

"By the way... That's quite a way to treat me."

Cesare pouted and complained.

"It's actually on the way."

Aldis's response was very curt.

"So? A woman with Alice Blue hair?"

"Yes. And one with high magic and sky-colored eyes. Is there anyone like that?"

Aldis asked Cesare if there was a woman in the capital who met the conditions he had heard from Marida. Even Aldis, who was known for his skills, didn't want to search through the thirty thousand residents of the capital.

"Do you think I'm some kind of handyman? Just because I'm an information broker doesn't mean I know everyone in the capital."

While complaining, Cesare tried to recall his memories.

"Alice Blue hair... sky-colored eyes... high magic... a woman... Wait a minute?"

Cesare looked up as if he had remembered something.

"Isn't that the female mercenary? Are you teasing me now?"

Cesare frowned and complained.

"Hmm... So it's her after all..."

"What do you mean?"

Cesare asked, puzzled by Aldis's rare sigh.

"Nothing. It's fine. Sorry for the trouble."

Aldis brushed off Cesare's question, flicked a copper coin to him, and left the shop.

After finishing his errands, Aldis looked up at the high sun and muttered to himself.

"Time to head back—"

"Hey, Aldis!"

A rough male voice suddenly called out to him. The voice was rough but not unpleasant. In fact, it was a familiar, ear-pleasing voice.

"Ted? Norris and Orphelia too?"

When Aldis turned around, he saw the members of the experienced party 'Morning Star of the White Night,' with whom he had often taken on requests in the city of Tria.

"Damn, I understand the situation, but at least keep in touch."

"Yeah, Aldis. Ted was really worried about you."

"Really, he looks tough but he's a worrywart. You know that, Aldis?"

"Shut up, you guys!"

Seeing the familiar banter, Aldis's cheeks naturally relaxed.

"You're still the same. But didn't you send a letter after moving here? Didn't it arrive?"

Aldis, who had almost no acquaintances in this world, took care of the few people he considered friends. He had sent a letter to Ted and the others about a month after he started his activities in the capital.

"Is this the letter you're talking about?"

Orphelia took out a piece of parchment from her pocket and spread it on the table.

"How am I supposed to feel reassured when the sender and destination aren't even written on this letter?"

Ted and Norris nodded in agreement.

The letter read:

'I'm fine, and so are they.

I'll be leaving Tria for a while.

P.S. I'm not a tasteless person.'

The letter was extremely concise, almost a message rather than a letter.

However, Aldis had his reasons. The lack of destination was to prevent his whereabouts from being known if the letter fell into the hands of the Tria army. The lack of a sender was to avoid causing trouble for the 'Morning Star of the White Night' members if Aldis's name was mentioned. Mentioning his taste, which his companions often labeled as tasteless, would surely convey to Ted and the others that it was from Aldis. He planned to contact them when the situation calmed down.

While it was true that he had neglected to communicate since then, was it really worth this much criticism? Aldis thought this as he was surrounded by the three noisy people.

"Well, the rumors of the 'Three Great Demon Exterminators' reached Tria within a month. We figured out your location pretty quickly."

"Hehe. At first, no one believed it was just a rumor. But with the nickname 'Sword Magic User' spreading, we knew it was Aldis."

"So? Do you plan to return to Tria?"

Orphelia asked Aldis on behalf of the group.

"I plan to stay active in the capital for the time being. I have no intention of returning as long as the Duke of Tria and the general are around."

"Even if the general is one thing, the Duke of Tria won't be gone for decades..."

Ted said, sounding exasperated.

The House of Tria had been a prestigious family since the founding of Nagrass. It was unlikely to be extinguished unless something extraordinary happened. The current head, Frederick, was still in his forties, and it was unclear when the succession would take place.

"In that case, it doesn't seem like Aldis will return to Tria anytime soon... But it's not like we're going to move our base to the capital."

The 'Morning Star of the White Night' had been rooted in Tria for a long time. The trust, reputation, and connections they had built over the years, as well as the mercenaries they could call on in emergencies, were not something they would give up to change their base.

"Well, if anything happens, let us know. We can sneak in and join you."

Aldis didn't even show a hint of disappointment. He was used to working alone and didn't have a strong attachment to the party.

"By the way, what brings you here today? Are you taking on a job in the capital?"

It was unusual for Ted and the others, who were based in Tria, to come to the capital.

"Yeah, there's a well-paid job in the City-State Alliance. We're on our way there."

"To the City-State Alliance?"

"Well, to Reiting, the easternmost city," Norris added.

"What a coincidence. I was planning to head to Reiting in a few days."

The group was surprised to hear Aldis's words.

"Then why don't you travel with us for the first time in a while?"

"Hmm... I'm not sure if I'll leave tomorrow or the day after. Is that okay?"

"Doesn't matter. We're not in a hurry. Let's aim to leave in three days."

Aldis accepted the offer, thinking it would be fine.

"Regardless of when we leave, I'll show up in the morning to coordinate our plans."

With that, Aldis left 'Rivulet Inn.'

He decided to go home and rest for the night. Thinking of his home, which he hadn't visited in a while, Aldis began walking toward the outer wall. He greeted the familiar gatekeeper and left the bustling capital, heading for the forest where the twins and Nelle were waiting.

2017/01/09 Correction: Changing the base would be too risky. → It's unlikely they would change their base.

*Thank you for the feedback in the comments. I also fixed the inconsistent point of view.

2017/02/05 Correction: Tria Duke → Tria Duke

2017/11/02 Correction: In a few days → In a few days to Reiting

2018/02/11 Correction: One week → Seven days

2018/02/11 Correction: Two weeks → Half a month

2019/07/07 Correction: Most importantly, we saved our companions' lives. → Most importantly, our companions' lives were at stake.

2019/07/19 Correction: Capital Tria → Capital Gran

*Thank you for reporting the typo.

2019/08/05 Correction: High in the sky → High in the sky

2019/08/05 Correction: Stuck → Labeled

*Thank you for reporting the typo.