By Zephyria 
Leon, Giselle, and John. These three were mercenaries who had traveled the Shatun Desert together.
Leon and John, devout followers of the Sun God, were fellows who used an axe and a morning star, respectively. Giselle, who was as tall as the men and enjoyed witty jokes, used a standard longsword. The day Leon planted his axe to divine the path forward felt as vivid as if it were yesterday.
I went to the inn where they were staying and knocked.
The door opened with a bang without any preamble. Thanks to me not bothering to hide my presence, Leon, who must have recognized me from afar, was waiting at the door. Seeing his face, which crinkled into a smile, making his already small fox-like eyes even narrower, I felt a renewed sense of joy.
The chairs, scattered and askew, caught my eye, a result of all three of them jumping up hastily to greet me.
“It’s been a while.”
“It really has! We didn’t even get to say hello, and you’ve already gone and slayed a dragon. That’s truly amazing.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“The knights who were dispatched on the same mission are all in an uproar. They say you fought a great battle against a dragon phantom after breaking some kind of magic seal. They said it was bigger than any ordinary wyvern.”
“While everyone is preoccupied with many troubles and cannot rejoice right now, the emergence of the third Grand Sword Master in the Sierran Empire is a monumental event. Congratulations.”
I calmly observed their faces, which broke into wide smiles.
The last time I saw them, just before parting ways at the Indus Canyon, all three had been quite robust. Now, they were all as thin as sticks in a drought. Of the three, John, who had been plump and cute, looked particularly unfamiliar, his cheeks hollowed from significant weight loss.
It was pitiable. Having narrowly escaped losing their close comrades right before their eyes, and then enduring prolonged hunger while fighting zombies, how exhausting it must have been. As I looked at them with such affection, they chuckled again.
“You haven’t changed one bit in that regard…”
“In what regard?”
“Well, uh, what… the way you stare intently, making people feel awkward instead of answering…? It’s not that I dislike it, mind you. It’s just a little unfamiliar. I suppose the three of us all have rather rough appearances…”
“Rough? One needs to have this much build to exert strength.”
“Yes. Well, including things like that.”
We exchanged small pleasantries.
When I expressed my continued confusion as to why they were wearing knight’s attire, they burst into hearty laughter. It seemed that while they were with the knights in Felix, where supplies were scarce, they had been treated as novice knights. Because supplies and food were limited, they couldn’t freely distribute them to outsiders, so Hugh Benson had pulled some strings.
“Why did you go to such lengths? I heard Peter and Ann returned to the capital.”
“Well, we’re getting on in years, so we do have a slight desire to settle down when the opportunity arises. But honestly, wearing knight’s clothes doesn’t make one a knight; we were just imitating them.”
“Hmm.”
“I am currently receiving a Divine Revelation.”
“Pardon?”
Leon scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin. I turned to look at the other two, surprised, and saw John nod approvingly, while Giselle shrugged and shook her head. It seemed only Leon and John could receive Divine Revelations.
“Before, I only spoke of believing in God. I had never experienced anything like a Divine Revelation… Now, I clearly feel and hear the gaze and words of the Sun God. Perhaps it’s because I’ve consumed the holy body twice.”
“Even now?”
“Yes. Uh… God says He is pleased that Lord Ernhardt appears to be safe.”
I suspected this was why Hugh Benson had specifically asked me to find them at this hour. Leon and John were, after all, followers who believed in and served the Sun God. Seeing their faces look brighter and more serene, I thought it was a good thing and didn’t press further.
“Please convey my thanks. Regardless of the circumstances, I have received a favor.”
“Yes. And…”
“And?”
“He also said that we might be of help on Lord Ernhardt’s journey.”
“…How would he know what I intend to do?”
“You are going to complete what you couldn’t finish in the canyon before, aren’t you?”
“…”
After a moment of thought, I asked, “I heard the Sun God couldn’t sense me before. Did you hear about that, by any chance?”
“Ah. That… Just a moment, just a moment.”
Were they receiving the information in real-time? This was astonishing. I regretted not bringing Marianne with me, thinking it would have been better if I had. After listening for a while, Leon cleared his throat awkwardly and said,
“Actually, even now… the ‘higher-ups’ cannot see Lord Ernhardt’s location. He asks me to convey that He is seeing through my eyes instead.”
“Can He not see the locations of other Grand Sword Masters in the Empire?”
“Uh… Those individuals are quite conspicuous. He is asking if you mean the one currently residing at the Academy in the capital.”
“…”
The Sun God could not peer into the interior of the Indus Canyon, which was enveloped by the power of the Ninth God. And I, having received the Mana that the Ninth God had drawn around me, easily became a Grand Sword Master. I felt a sense of unease, unsure of how this power would manifest later.
I must have unconsciously been stroking my sword hilt. Meeting the mercenaries’ curious gazes, I awkwardly withdrew my hand from my sword.
“There has been no discussion yet about how to organize personnel or which direction to head. I will relay your opinions to Ruben separately.”
“Yes. We have enough means to protect ourselves even if we go up to the Yuil Mountains. Please just consider it as an option that exists.”
“…”
I gazed at his cheerful, smiling face. Was Leon like this when I first met him? No, he had the demeanor of a rather greedy mercenary. Sensing my thoughts, he clasped his hands politely in front of him and smiled, further narrowing his small eyes.
“No matter what, you are our savior.”
“…From when?”
“We consider all these things. Please think of it casually.”
“Hmm.”
After a moment of contemplation, I extended my right hand abruptly.
“Still, thank you. We’ll meet again.”
“Yes. Don’t worry. We’ll eat well, rest soundly, and wait to be called.”
Leon grasped my hand without hesitation. I shook the man’s hand, as large as a cauldron lid, up and down. I was greatly satisfied with the friendly Sierran-style greeting.
❖ ❖ ❖
The next day. Ruben had a new office set up and was as busy as ever.
It was then that I remembered the letter I had carefully placed inside the bedside table drawer so it wouldn’t get damaged. I had put it away immediately upon Ivan’s arrival because we had a drinking session, and then I had been so busy charming Ruben every night that I hadn’t had the leisure to take out and read the letter.
No matter how absent-minded I might be, I shouldn’t neglect my precious kin. Feeling guilty and embarrassed, I hurried into Ruben’s bedroom and opened the bedside table. Fortunately, the letter was still there, exactly as I had left it.
A single, thick, large envelope contained several letters together. I turned the envelope upside down and poured its contents onto the bed; the scent of fragrant flowers and dried petals spilled out along with the letters.
I wondered whose charming trick this was. With a smile, I opened a letter.
All the letters written before the Emperor’s demise were peaceful and affectionate. The first one I picked up was the thickest, from my mother.
“My brave and admirable son, Michael.
It has already been three years since you left to train your swordsmanship.
In Ernhardt’s Garden, flowers have bloomed and grapes have ripened with the changing seasons during your absence. Michael and Asdel have also grown considerably and can now argue right from wrong. They are just like you were in your childhood. Thanks to them, my husband and I are scolded every day.
Have you heard that Michael has taken up a sword and Asdel a staff? Their goal these days is to awaken their Mana quickly and learn to wield Ranunculus. They are surprisingly diligent after seeing your uncle handle Ranunculus.”
My mother’s letter, which began with talk of my siblings, ran for over ten pages. She had so much she wanted to say that she repeated her closing remarks three or four times before exclaiming, “Ah, right,” and continuing.
It seemed my family had gone on various family trips during my absence. While meticulously recounting what they saw, ate, and experienced, they made sure to insert a sentence about missing me at least once per paragraph, which was quite touching.
From my father’s letter, I learned that my uncle and he had become quite close.
My father had always found my uncle somewhat intimidating and a little scary, but now it seemed he, along with members of the Second Prince Faction, held gatherings once every month or two. He said it happened because my uncle visited the Viscounty often under the pretense of relaying my news, and that it was all thanks to me.
Michael wrote in great excitement, his handwriting reflecting his fervor, about hearing that I had gone on a pilgrimage. He asked if I had seen any traces of God, which holy sites I had visited, how large the statue of the Goddess was, and if the ground truly boiled at the Temple of the Sun God.
Asdel’s handwriting had improved tremendously. His formerly crooked script had become neat and elegant, like his mother’s. After writing that he feared he might forget his older brother’s face and wished I would return soon without staying away too long, he had attached a drawing of a pink-haired boy that bore a much closer resemblance to a human figure than his previous drawings.
Asdel must be about ten years old now. I noticed how he now used clear lines with simple colors, a marked improvement from his earlier drawings.
I wanted to write a reply and looked around, but I couldn’t find any writing materials in the bedroom. I carefully sealed the letters back into the envelope.
Someone in the group must have some usable stationery. I didn’t want to disturb Ruben, who was busy with work. After a moment’s thought, I headed to the drawing-room where the group usually spent their time.
However, as soon as I opened the drawing-room door and stepped inside, my steps halted.
“Why are you standing there? Come in, Michael.”
“…”
“…No, it’s just… why are you two alone?”
“The knights are busy escorting Your Highness and commanding the troops, and Mage Boulder has gone somewhere to pore over his books again.”
I hadn’t expected to find Marianne and Benjamin alone.
Fearing I might have interrupted some important moment, I glanced at Benjamin, but he sat there with his usual stoic expression. A gnome, toddling around his feet, raised its arms high and chirped.
[Hooray! Hug me.]
“…What is this?”
“I was teaching the gnome to talk because I was bored. Do you want to join, Michael?”
I really shouldn’t have come. I felt quite dispirited.