By Zephyria 
The summons for all the Knights who had gone to the Yuil Mountains was issued three days before our arrival. We heard that it was thanks to that order that they were able to be rescued before we even arrived at the castle to request aid.
Before that, everyone at Widrow Castle believed that a single platoon or two could handle the black monsters.
The Knights of the Sierran Empire were elite soldiers trained to an extreme degree to face monsters. Even if they were afflicted by Black Magic, at most they would face goblins or trolls. They were not the kind of soldiers who would be defeated by such monsters.
However, if the number of monsters to face numbered in the hundreds or thousands, the story was naturally different.
No one could guarantee how the situation had changed, what enemies might be targeting the Knights, or how many of those who had originally gone up the mountain would survive safely. More Knights than originally needed, laden with healing mages, headed towards the Yuil Mountains.
As a result, the interior of Widrow Duchy Castle, which was always crowded and bustling, became empty.
For several more days, even the non-combat personnel sighed with troubled expressions. Our party spent time lingering within the Duke’s mansion, avoiding any potential dangers.
And so, on the first Wednesday of November, a joint funeral was held.
The reason the funeral was rushed to begin before the personnel from other companies arrived was because the 4th Company was the one that had suffered greatly this time. The 4th Company was the one that had received new recruits this year. It was said to be the first time in twenty years that a knight had died in the first year they ascended the Yuil Mountains.
Several empty coffins were placed. The coffins, crafted from dark red oak, were high-quality items befitting the utmost respect. The black cloth with gold tassels draped over them, as well as the holy relics praying for God’s blessing placed upon them, were also precious.
However, no matter how precious or beautiful the items placed upon them, grief cannot be easily dispelled.
The names of the deceased were written on the nameplates placed by each coffin. I also knew the name of the child weeping, prostrate before one of the coffins. Andy Spooner. He was a peer of mine, the top graduate of the Swordsmanship Department at Shierun Academy.
He had been assigned to the 1st Platoon and could have returned as scheduled. However, he was familiar with all the children from the 3rd Platoon who had lost their lives. While I didn’t often associate with the Swordsmanship Department members in my free time due to mingling with other departments, I could guess the deep bond they shared.
Ascending the Yuil Mountains was a stepping stone to higher skill, to a higher title. No one thought they would meet the end of their lives in the lower reaches of the Yuil Mountains. All the children crying now would have thought the same.
It was truly difficult to gather my complex emotions.
Duke Felice Withrow, who came to the funeral hall to pay his respects, did not stand on the podium or give a speech. Instead, he prayed for a long time before the empty coffins.
Several priests also came, kissed each coffin, and recited prayers. One passage from the long prayers was etched into my heart.
“…May this poor, cherished soul, who nurtured their light here, embark on a long journey to stand by Your side. Should they lose their way, may You come and take their hand with every step they take. …As You descended to this land and stayed by our side when we called upon You, have mercy on these souls and remain with them until they are reborn in new bodies…”
Cries erupted from all directions.
Sobbing sounds filled the spaces between the mournful prayers. In the Sierran Empire, it was believed that the more people mourned and grieved for the deceased, the more they were loved by God. Everyone grieved without restraint.
I too stood silently for half the day.
Losing a person is always painful, sorrowful, and infuriating, no matter when it happens.
We observed a moment of silence, paid our respects, comforted those who had fallen, and gave them water. After helping with some minor tasks, a few seniors told me to rest, so I left with the children.
However, everyone felt the same way about not wanting to be alone in their rooms on a day like this, so Rubel, the two children, and I sat in a secluded greenhouse at the Duke’s mansion, brewing tea. The children sat quietly without saying much.
Marianne, her eyes and nose red and swollen from constant sniffing, suddenly declared in a voice she tried to suppress, after poking at her tear-streaked eyes with a handkerchief.
“I’m going to get revenge.”
“…Yes?”
“No matter how I think about it, this was done by humans. There’s no concrete evidence, but we have our suspicions. I’m a mage. I can track black mages too.”
“…I heard that members of the 3rd Magic Tower have already departed…”
While Marianne’s resolve was a welcome sight, her firm words were bewildering.
Frankly, I thought it was beyond Marianne’s capabilities. Weren’t more skilled and experienced mages already pursuing the trail? It was too dangerous for a recent graduate.
However, Marianne pointed out a different perspective.
“I also heard that the mages of the 3rd Magic Tower have all headed northeast towards the origin of the magic. But the Yuil Mountains are dangerous, so they couldn’t have split up too much or gone too far. To be honest, it’s hopeless. Finding a black mage hidden in the Yuil Mountains? It’s like finding a gold coin in the Shatun Desert.”
“…Hmm.”
“So, from now until we ascend the mountain, I plan to go to the 3rd Magic Tower and learn how to track black magic. I don’t want to be an idiot who can’t recognize a trace right in front of me.”
“Yes?”
“Sierran mages are granted the right to access all books in the Magic Tower for their next thesis research topic, only once in their lifetime. I’ll be traveling with you all, won’t I? If I look into paths completely different from other mages, I might find a slim chance.”
…Upon reflection, it wasn’t something I could outright oppose. Unlike me, who quietly agreed, Benjamin retorted.
“But Marianne. The Magic Tower’s autonomous access right is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it’s typically used when one can research in the same place for many years. I heard it’s essential for obtaining the qualification of a High-level Magician.”
“How do you know that, Benjamin?”
Marianne looked at Benjamin with wide, purple eyes, as if surprised.
Come to think of it, that was true. How would Benjamin know which degree mages received and in what order? There was no one close to him besides Marianne who was a mage.
Benjamin remained silent for a moment, gazing at Marianne, then let out a shallow sigh and replied.
“…I overheard it by chance.”
“That’s right. But what’s the point if I die without using it? I can’t stand not knowing things, and I can’t sleep at night if I can’t do what I want immediately. I’m going to use it now. Writing my thesis might take many years, but learning a few magic formulas I need right away will only take two months.”
Marianne declared confidently and cast a Restoration Magic spell on her own face.
Her gesture of tapping her cheek with her staff was quite playful. Her swollen eyes from crying and her bright red nose returned to their normal, clear appearance.
Marianne neatly folded her wet handkerchief, tucked it into her pocket, and spoke in a bright voice.
“So, in the meantime, please bear with missing me. And be sure to call me before you depart anywhere.”
“…Why is that?”
“When using the Magic Tower’s autonomous access right, I cannot leave the Magic Tower. This is because I often examine books that are normally forbidden from being taken outside. However, I’m lucky, as the 3rd Magic Tower has the most books related to black magic. I’ll bring something back.”
It wasn’t forced cheerfulness; it was her inherent magnanimity.
She was so spirited and admirable. I nodded, watching the child’s determined expression. Rubel, who had been watching her quietly, nodded in agreement and acted kindly.
“When do you plan to enter the Tower?”
“Right away. I’ll go as soon as I wake up tomorrow. So, for a while, the three of you will do the dawn training. Don’t get lazy just because I’m not here.”
“…Yes. We will.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
While Rubel and I answered obediently, Benjamin remained silent, his lips pressed together.
Marianne playfully punched Benjamin’s forearm with her tightly clenched fist and glared at him cheekily. Benjamin, accustomed to the familiar teasing, let out a shallow sigh and nodded.
“Yes. I understand.”
“Great. Then let’s have something delicious for dinner tonight.”
We invited Hugh and Elvin to dinner that evening.
Hugh Benson listened to Marianne’s aspirations for a long time without saying a word, then simply said, “Yes, do well.” I didn’t pry into the reasons for his troubled expression and quietly ate.
❖ ❖ ❖
The next day, we accompanied Marianne, who was preparing to leave early in the morning, to the 3rd Magic Tower.
It was partly out of concern for the girl who was packing so much luggage to study, and partly because we also had our own tasks to attend to.
After seeing Marianne off, the other two children and I stood before the Ranunculus rental office.
Most Ranunculuses traveled between magic towers or flew to designated outposts to deliver messages. Even though Ranunculuses were creatures born of magic, there was no way for them to find someone they had never seen before.
Fortunately, the Duke Valentia Family has the 4th Magic Tower. Informing my uncle was not an issue. However, sending news to the capital was a concern. The Imperial family had a separate department, so Rubel could convey the message, but the problem was Edwin.
Edwin Kiadris. If I told him, and the story leaked to Wesley Kiadris, wouldn’t it be more of a disadvantage?
Even though Edwin and I were acquainted, we had no bond beyond that of close seniors and juniors. I was very worried about how much detail I could convey in such a matter.
When I mentioned this, Rubel hid his face with one hand and shook his shoulders for a long time.
Not knowing what was so funny, I simply waited until the child’s laughter subsided. Benjamin, who was watching beside me, clicked his tongue and shook his head, looking suspicious.
“Are you done laughing?”
“Yes, Ah… Ah, I’m sorry. No, I think… It would be good to inform Young Master Edwin about this matter as well.”
“…Hmm.”
“He and I had a similar conversation once. Edwin Kiadris… wants to expel Wesley Kiadris from the family. He said there were circumstances beyond what is publicly known.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. To Young Master Edwin… I’ll send a Ranunculus. Don’t worry.”
It seemed Edwin and Rubel weren’t that close, so when did they share such private conversations? Moreover, he insisted on handling the voice messages himself today, which was unnecessary.
Even if I was displeased, what could I do? I just nodded.
However, the more I thought about it, the more indignant I felt. I didn’t know why I felt this way and tried to calm my mind, but I ended up letting out a hollow laugh. Why was I getting jealous over something like this? It felt strange to have such a sharp feeling over something so trivial.
It was painful to watch the brilliant joy spread across Rubel’s face, but I forced myself to look away. I didn’t want to be a narrow-minded person who felt resentful just because a child made some friends.
Without further argument, I requested a Ranunculus from the assigned mage and each person was assigned one.
We were instructed to take our Ranunculuses into a private room and input our messages, so I obediently followed the guide into a small room.
The Ranunculus, with its magnificent tail, shimmered with iridescent colors. It perched on its stand, opened its beak in a yawn, and spoke first.
“What should I say?”
“Hmm.”
The Ranunculuses I had seen at the Academy had not yet grown to the point where they could think and speak on their own, but the one here was different. It was well-trained to prevent other mages or individuals from intercepting and hearing the message.
I stood directly in front of it and calmly began to speak.