~Chapter 7~
“Ugh. So annoying.”
I glanced behind me, worried that the annoying blond might show up again.
Just as I turned the corner of the corridor, I bumped my forehead on something hard and fell on my butt.
“Ugh!”
A low voice came from above me. I recognized it—it was the captain of the Holy Order.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine! And just to reassure you, Kinyaxis has awakened, so the charges are lifted, and he’s walking around freely!”
“…I know.”
He held out his big hand. Was he asking me to stand? I cautiously reached out, and he quickly helped me up.
Then, standing straight before me, he bowed deeply.
“I am Ethan Kreut, captain of the Holy Order, here to formally apologize and thank you.”
A big man bowing that low was not a pleasant sight.
“I’m fine! Captain, you only made the right judgment for Kinyaxis!”
“Still, my earlier rudeness does not disappear.”
“Really, it’s fine!”
Why is he so stubborn? I told him it was fine, but he kept bowing! Someone should tell him to stand up already!
Then, a calm but firm female voice spoke.
“Captain Kreut, this is no time to stand there.”
I turned to see a woman standing upright with servants lined behind her.
When she noticed my gaze, she smiled and greeted me.
“Hello, Miss Rinnegrim. I am Leti Grisha, steward of the Divine Beast Palace. I have come to deliver a message.”
The steward of the Divine Beast Palace—the closest aide to the divine beasts. What business did she have with me?
“I’m Rinnegrim Feahil. What business do you have with me?”
“A message from Lunaris, the head of the Rihwiella family.”
Everyone nearby dropped to their knees except Kinya, who stood on his feet.
When I kneeled too, Leti continued.
“Rinnegrim Feahil, for saving the precious youngest of the Rihwiella family, we wish to repay you. Please come to the Divine Beast Palace.”
Goodness. After a stormy interview, now a private meeting with the divine beast.
Too much happening in one day, but no time to waste—I quickly prepared.
“Thankfully, you allow me time to wash up. At least I can look presentable.”
“Of course. Divine beasts are sensitive to smells.”
No, that doesn’t mean I smell bad…
Leti had maids dress me after my bath. Not a fancy dress, but a neat, modest one-piece, and tied back my short hair.
Dressed properly, I was sent straight to the Divine Beast Palace.
“Oh? It’s Kinya!”
“And Leti too.”
Two kids playing in the garden saw me and ran over quickly. A boy with light brown hair similar to mine, and a girl with pink hair; both had golden eyes.
“Greetings, divine beast.”
Leti bowed, and sensing their status, I bowed too.
“Hey! I know who you are! You’re Rinne, right? They said Rinne saved Kinya!”
“Right, Luca heard that too.”
“Call me Hina! Because I saved Kinya, I specially allow it!”
“I’m Lucas.”
“I’m Rinnegrim Feahil of the Feahil family.”
Thanks to Leti’s quick lessons, I guessed their names: the pink-haired girl was Hinasis, the boy with light brown hair was Lucas—Kinya’s siblings.
“Since it’s Rinne’s first time at the Divine Beast Palace, good Hina will show you around~”
“No! Hina’s not nice! Kinya scolded me!”
“Hey! Kinya, that’s because you worried your sister!”
“Kinya did nothing wrong! Hina’s the fool!”
“I’m not a fool!!!”
Seems shouting is a family trait—now with fire.
Bright red flames burst from Hina’s mouth. If she got closer, she might burn her short hair.
“Hinasis, Rinnegrim is scared~”
Leti gently chided Hina, who calmed down and happily kicked her feet while being held.
“Good Hina must be patient. Leti, put Hina down. She’ll guide you.”
“Oh my~ Good Hinasis, thank you~”
“It’s nothing!”
Hina puffed out her chest and strutted ahead, with Lucas and Kinya following.
We walked along a long corridor to a huge hall, all painted gold, like a lavish banquet hall.
The first thing I saw was a long table piled with dazzling food—and floating around them were what looked like traffic lights?
“You must be Rinnegrim.”
A man with long golden hair stood up to greet me.
He must be Lunaris, the head of the Rihwiella family. I bowed immediately.
“I am Rinnegrim Feahil of the Feahil family, greetings Lunaris-nim.”
“Stop bowing.”
I obeyed, but a brilliant halo nearly blinded me—Lunaris was unbelievably beautiful.
I clenched my lips to avoid drooling.
“You brought Kinyaxis to the palace and cared for the fallen child. We thank you for your kindness.”
“I’m honored. I only did what was natural.”
“You did what few could. Truly grateful.”
“T-Thank you—”
“Brother, stop the formalities and give her proper reward.”
A cheerful voice interrupted. A man with blue hair, guarding the blue light—Ebniss. He strode over with his braided hair flying and embraced me tightly.
“Heh! Thank you so much, Rinne! Without you, we might never see our beloved youngest again! Just imagining it is horrible!”
“Ebniss, your actions are worse.”
A husky voice cut between us—red-haired woman, Raykis, head of the capital guard.
“Rinnegrim, thank you. I hear you endured a lot because of your reckless sibling. As Kinya’s protector, I feel ashamed.”
“No, no. I’m just glad the misunderstanding is cleared.”
“Then, as Ebniss said, we shall give you proper reward.”
Lunaris snapped his fingers and servants with chests of treasure entered.
“Though this may be small payment for the youngest’s life, please accept this castle’s wealth.”
“Gasp…”
How much was that? The boxes were filled with bronze coins—at least ten boxes, worth thousands of gold. I was stunned.
“I’m truly honored…”
My throat tightened with genuine emotion.
“Don’t be surprised yet. For saving Kinyaxis, you may ask for one wish. Speak freely.”
“A wish…”
No more money worries. One problem left.
My mother, bedridden with an unknown illness. And possibly the only way to cure her.
“…Could you please hire a magician?”
“…A magician?”
Lunaris’s voice lowered. I bowed my head but didn’t stop.
“I know how magicians are viewed here. But I heard some have healing magic to cure people.”
“Why do you need healing magic?”
“…My mother has been bedridden for years with an unknown illness. But I have no way to contact the Magic Tower. Please help me protect my only family.”
“Have you shown her to a professional doctor?”
“I’m ashamed to say no. I tried guessing the illness from medical books but couldn’t find the cause.”
“I see. So you want to entrust it to a magician.”
“Yes. I heard healing magic can understand the disease’s essence. So I think it might cure my mother.”
The existence of healing magic was something I read in my father’s thesis. Some magicians could use it, understanding diseases to heal humans.
If my father’s claim was true, hiring a magician might save my mother.
As Lunaris’s lips slowly parted, calming my racing heart, he said:
“I permit it. I will tell Rubein to contact the Magic Tower.”
Rubein? That was the Emperor himself—meaning my wish was entrusted to the emperor directly.
“…Thank you! Thank you so much!”
“Your payment will be loaded on the carriage. Enjoy your meal comfortably.”
Though Lunaris said to relax and eat, I barely tasted the food.
“Hina, cook this more for me.”
“Got it! Pya-ha!”
Hina’s fire show on the table, Kinya clinging to me nonstop.
“I heard from Ethan you responded to the language pledge? Amazing~”
And the persistent Ebniss and the imposing Raykis made it an uneasy meal.
“Hey, Rinne, don’t go. Play with Kinya.”
“Play with Hina too!”
“Kids, no. Don’t trouble Rinne.”
“Nooo…”
“Sorry…”
“Then, see you next time! Thank you!”
“Rinnegrim, the emperor will hire the best magician soon, so you won’t wait long.”
“…Thank you, Raykis-nim.”
“Aw~ Rinne’s crying~”
“Not crying!”
It felt like I faced a mighty storm. After the turbulent meeting with the divine beasts, my exhausted body was loaded into the carriage.
I was given time to settle affairs before entering service at the Divine Beast Management Department—even if only for ten days.
Three carriages lined up behind me. Riding in a shiny carriage made me feel like royalty.
“Unexpected triumphant return…?”
My gaze fell on a box opposite me.
The haze in my mind cleared at the sight of stacked boxes. Opening them revealed they were filled with gold coins!
Crazy! How much was this?
“…Heh. Hehehehehe.”
I stretched out my arms and hugged the boxes like treasure. The scent of metal was the sweetest smell ever.
“Ah. I’m happy. I want to live like this forever.”
Sniffing the boxes, I savored the smell of capital. Ah, so this is what it means to be full without eating!
“…Ahem.”
What was that cough? I hurried to fix my posture but it was too late. Outside the window, the knights were watching me.
Including Captain Ethan Kreut, the strained Sir Ibel trying to hold back laughter, and the knights who pointed swords at me.
“…Damn.”
