Chapter 17

### About the Engraving

I must have written poorly, as I received various comments about the engraving.

In the protagonist's case, anything related to spirits = engraving.

I'll add more next time.

---

Yesterday, I drank too much.

When I woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. I have the day off today.

My head doesn't hurt, but my body feels a bit heavy.

I haven't been to the city in a while; maybe I'll go shopping. It would also be nice to use the library at the Magic Guild.

I should drop by the appraisal office for a bit. I haven't seen anyone there in a while.

"Ah, Mr. Noah. Good morning."

"Hey, Eugene."

The door to the appraisal office was wide open.

Muss had gone out for lunch but was supposed to be back soon, so I decided to wait here.

Eugene was comparing the actual items with the documents, trying to understand their features.

"Mr. Noah, would you like to go around the market stalls with me next time?"

"Sure. You're really dedicated to your studies, Eugene."

Rare items can sometimes be found at market stalls.

Finding the real thing among suspicious items and junk is good training.

The best way to hone an appraiser's eye is to see as many actual items as possible.

I gave Eugene some tips on how to distinguish items and pointed out some similar items that are easy to mistake.

After a while, Muss came back.

"Ah! Mr. Noah, you're here!"

"What's the matter? Why are you so sudden?"

Muss ran over and handed me a letter.

"I got it from the branch manager. He said a letter for you had arrived."

He must have gone to my room in the dormitory while having lunch at the cafeteria.

When he got there, it was empty.

"Thanks, but you didn't have to rush like that, right?"

"Look at the sender!"

I looked at the letter again.

"Oh, it's from Uncle..."

"It's a letter from the Earl! Of course, I had to hurry!"

Muss seemed excited. He was thrilled to have touched the Earl's letter.

The wax seal bore the crest of the Earl of Essex.

It's been a while since I received a letter.

The envelope was enchanted. The key to unlock it is my magic.

I had registered my magic by touching the ring beforehand. If someone else tried to open it forcefully, it would burn. It's quite convenient.

"Unlock."

I touched the wax seal and infused it with a bit of magic, then took out the parchment inside.

"Ah..."

Muss and Eugene looked at me with puzzled expressions as I read the letter and froze.

"Sorry, Eugene. I might not be able to go out with you for a while."

The letter from Uncle said to come to the castle after a long time.

He must have anticipated that I, who dislike traveling, would be reluctant, so he also mentioned sending an escort (guard).

He even got permission from the branch manager. Uncle is thorough. There's no choice but to go.

---

Who would be the escort?

The answer came quickly.

Called by a staff member, I headed to the main entrance of the guild. It was quite noisy.

"Noah."

"Nigel...?"

Why is Nigel here?

He's not just a mercenary anymore.

His contributions during "Fimbul's Year" were recognized, and he pledged his loyalty to Uncle, earning the rank of knight despite being a beastman.

He's supposed to be in charge of the beastmen at the castle.

I was surprised.

Nigel walked over slowly.

Nigel, a lycanthrope, is very tall. He has a large scar on his forehead from "Fimbul's Year." His body is covered with many other scars.

"How are you? Are you feeling well? Haven't caught a cold, have you?"

"Hey, hey! I'm fine! I'm feeling great!"

---

Embarrassing!

Nigel still sees me as the little kid I used to be.

The first time we met, I was bedridden.

I stayed that way for weeks, and he took care of me until my body returned to normal.

Because of that, he became very overprotective.

I'm like a younger brother to him, and indeed, he has always taken care of me that way.

Imagine this:

A tall, fierce lycanthrope warrior, nearly two meters tall, smiling broadly and speaking like a mother.

Anyway, we shouldn't keep talking in the guild's entrance.

I pulled Nigel out of the guild and went to a nearby tavern to talk.

"Nigel as the escort?"

"Yeah, that's right. There are others too."

It seems they are conducting a joint training exercise with the royal knights and the Earl's knights.

Nigel and a few others came to the capital to escort me. They are now on their way back to Essex Castle with the royal knights.

Nigel said he was told to bring me back on the way.

'The journey will be safe.'

That line from the letter came to mind.

The group of knights will stay in the city for one day to gather supplies.

Nigel told me we would leave early tomorrow morning, so I started preparing in a hurry. The journey will be by carriage, surrounded by knights.

It's about an eight-day trip from here to Essex Castle. I think it will be relatively safe.

Even if we are attacked by monsters, Nigel has the strength to handle them. I don't know the capabilities of the other knights, though.

To avoid any unexpected incidents, I'll ask the spirits for guidance.

I touched my bracelet with my fingers and fell asleep in the guild dormitory.

---

2015/01/10 Revised