~Chapter 63~
“Welcome, Mage!”
Elliot greeted me with a bright smile.
“Ah, I’m Elliot, by the way.”
Yeah, I already know that…
“And what’s our mage’s name?”
“It’s Ann.”
“Ooh, nice! It really rolls off the tongue!”
He laughed cheerfully and started explaining today’s schedule.
The place where Siren’s remains were kept was a temple in the center of the capital.
Unlike Carpea, the country of Orphen worshipped dragons.
But that didn’t mean they worshipped them like gods or anything.
There was once a god, but after cursing humanity’s greed, he vanished without a trace.
One of his followers, a dragon named Venus, stayed behind, waiting for his return.
Orphen honored Venus and waited patiently for the god to come back.
‘…They’re probably planning to shove that role onto Ailins.’
If they did, Ailins would get his name and reputation back all at once.
It was a perfect fit for a “nameless god.”
“Your task today is simple,” Elliot explained casually.
“The Siren’s resting place is sacred, so we just need you to bless it with some magic.”
“Will that be okay…?”
I fidgeted with the bracelet Lily gave me. It was a magical artifact infused with her mana, allowing me to use it temporarily.
“It’s totally fine. You just have to pretend that you’re doing something.”
Elliot nodded reassuringly.
“It’s just a symbolic gesture, to keep bad energy from clinging to the dead.”
“…”
“It’s a rule they made up just a few days ago. The priests probably don’t even know the details.”
He clicked his tongue with a smirk, then changed the topic.
“By the way, do you know how to ride a horse?”
“Oh no… I’ve never learned horseback riding.”
Ugh, why didn’t I ever learn it?!
“I’ve seen many mages like that,” he said kindly.
“Sorry…”
He smiled gently and held out his hand.
“No worries. Would you like to ride with me, then?”
Just as I was about to take his hand—
“Hup!”
Someone suddenly grabbed me by the waist.
My feet lifted off the ground, and I was suddenly seated high on a horse.
Still stunned in the saddle, I turned and stared blankly at Ricardo.
He simply offered a short apology.
“Pardon me.”
Then he climbed up behind me, grabbed the reins, and placed his hand firmly over mine.
The wind rushed past. I accidentally leaned my back against him, startled by the speed—
But the moment I felt the firmness of his body, I shot upright in embarrassment.
Ricardo seemed to tense as well.
“…It’s uncomfortable, I know. Just bear with it a little.”
His low whisper right next to my ear sent chills down my spine.
Uncomfortable? Why would he say that?
I glanced at him sideways, but Ricardo was just staring ahead, his face hard as stone.
The sound of hooves pounded against the ground, and clouds of dust rose around us.
***
“You must be tired from the long ride.”
Ricardo hesitated a little before offering me his hand.
I carefully took it, and he helped me down as if he’d done it a hundred times before.
“…Is that the mage who’s joining you today?”
Several priests approached us, all of them wearing white cloths over their eyes. Even with their eyes covered, their distaste for me was obvious.
“Yes. She’s from the Mage Tower.”
“Welcome. The temple always hopes to be blessed with magic,” one of them said.
Yeah, right.
“If you’re ready, shall we go pay our respects to Siren?”
I nervously looked up at Ricardo.
I remembered—I was supposed to bless his forehead.
Should I stand on my toes or something?
But before I could even decide, Ricardo knelt in front of me, resting one knee on the ground.
I placed my hand over his hair and carefully spoke.
“…I hope only blessings fill your path, Ricardo.”
He paused for a moment.
Warm energy passed through my hand into him—and then I gently pulled away.
I glanced at Elliot, who smiled lightly.
“I’ll wait outside. Please be careful.”
…Wait. You’re not coming?
Then that means I have to go in alone with Ricardo?!
Ricardo stood and gave a small nod.
“Let’s go.”
My head spun.
Still, I had no choice but to follow.
***
“I’m sorry for the incident at the palace,” one of the priests suddenly said as we walked.
“I just hope this doesn’t ruin the relationship between the Kingdom and the Empire.”
“I’d prefer that,” Ricardo replied bluntly.
“Then why did you even come to the Kingdom?”
His tone was casual, but the meaning behind the words was heavy.
“Life is short. You of all people should know that. Why do you doubt Siren?”
“You do realize there’s no precedent, right?”
A cold gleam entered Ricardo’s eyes.
“Are you referring to the Tower Master? He earned eternal life through a contract. But Siren, as you know, died in the magic war.”
“For someone who’s supposedly dead, he sure leaves behind a lot of traces.”
Ricardo chuckled.
His quiet laughter scattered into the wind.
The air grew tense, crawling coldly over my skin.
“Time will tell,” the priest said calmly.
“That’s where Siren’s remains lie.”
We entered the shrine of Princess Siren—Orphen’s hero.
But the place wasn’t solemn—it was extravagant.
The doors were painted gold. Inside, jewels sparkled everywhere.
The priest walked straight up to the coffin and opened it without hesitation.
A foul smell immediately filled the air—so bad it snapped me awake.
Inside, a young woman lay peacefully.
…Is this really Siren?
“The body is preserved by magic,” the priest said.
She didn’t look older than thirty. There were no signs of aging at all.
“Anyone who fought in the war would recognize her. That should prove we’re not lying.”
He means Blua and Harnen, I thought.
But wait—why was Ricardo here?
If this was just to confirm the body, shouldn’t they have sent someone who fought in the war?
…Maybe it’s not something he needs confirmed.
Ricardo bowed his head briefly in silence toward the body.
“Orphen hopes to forget the past and maintain peace with Carpea,” the priest said.
“I’m sure Siren would want the same.”
“To let her rest peacefully, let’s head out,” Ricardo said, nodding to me.
I nodded back and followed him out.
***
Peace, huh…
I was still thinking about that when Ricardo’s voice brought me back.
“Thanks for today.”
“O-Oh, I didn’t really do much.”
“…”
“Will you be returning to the Empire now?” I asked.
His eyes flickered for a moment—but quickly returned to normal.
“I still have things to do.”
“I see.”
As the silence stretched, he spoke again, more carefully.
“…When are you going back?”
“In two days.”
“So soon.”
I nodded, and that seemed to end the conversation—
But he kept going.
“You’re staying at the Tower as a trainee?”
“Yes.”
“…For good?”
“W-Well… who knows. Life is unpredictable.”
“…Right.”
I laughed awkwardly.
Okay, that was a totally normal mage-level conversation. I think I’m safe.
Just as I relaxed, he spoke again.
“Did you eat?”
“I had a full meal! W-What about you, Duke?”
Why is he being so awkward? He wasn’t like this before…
I started to feel a bit bad for him.
“I did,” he answered, then let out a faint chuckle.
“…?”
He was walking slowly too—he didn’t usually walk this slowly.
“Are you heading back to your lodging?” he asked again.
Why do I feel like I’m being interrogated?
“Yes. I’ve got nowhere else to go.”
We had somehow reached the front of the temple already.
“Well then, I’ll—”
“Ann!”
Before I could finish saying goodbye, I heard Simon’s voice calling urgently from somewhere.
