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Chapter 67
“What did you just say?”
Howell repeated in shock, his face tightening.
“Don’t tell me… Sir Finn Ende came in person?”
At his question, the butler shook his head.
“No, Sir Ende didn’t come himself. Judging from the letter he sent along, it seems he only dispatched the carriage. It’s… a magic carriage, one that moves on its own without a driver.”
A magic carriage.
Right, those were used often in Seiros Saga.
Elijia recalled. She had never bothered to use one herself—despite the high price, they weren’t any faster than an ordinary carriage, and she preferred running anyway. Still, some players bought them for appearances, for grand events where making an impression mattered.
The advantage of a magic carriage was obvious: no need to hire a driver or keep horses. But the upkeep was far from cheap. In fact, fueling its movement with magic cost more than paying a coachman.
And so, when were they usually used?
When safety and secrecy mattered most.
For times when you couldn’t trust anyone. No risk of secrets slipping out through the driver, no fear that someone had tampered with the horses.
A properly crafted magic carriage could only be controlled by its registered owner. No one could alter its course midway, and it was layered with protective enchantments to deal with almost any emergency.
Still, despite all these advantages, many people hesitated to use them. Cases like this one, for instance—
“You mean to say Elijia’s supposed to ride in that thing alone?”
Howell frowned in clear disapproval. The butler, too, answered reluctantly.
“…That does seem to be the case. But this time, what was sent is the Tower’s highest-grade official carriage. It wouldn’t be wise to send it away without consideration. It could easily be taken as a sign of distrust in the Tower’s craftsmanship.”
The highest grade?
Elijia peeked out the window at the carriage—and blinked in surprise.
Oh? That’s a rare one, even in Seiros Saga.
She recognized it instantly from the shimmering magical aura surrounding it.
This was no ordinary enchanted vehicle. In the game, only two or three existed across the entire server—crafted, according to lore, by an archmage who staked their honor on its creation. They were nearly impregnable to attack and brimming with protective spells. Whether the same lore held true in this world, she couldn’t be certain. But one thing was obvious—it was precious.
Something of that caliber… it should be safe enough.
After all, who would dare tamper with an item bearing the Tower’s honor?
The only unsettling part was the fact that she’d have to ride it alone. Even though the carriage ran by itself, the owner normally rode along. For ordinary folk, the idea of a driverless carriage felt uncanny, even rude.
“I’ll be fine. I’ll ride it.”
Elijia spoke at once. Howell cut in sharply.
“What? Didn’t you hear? Sir Ende isn’t here. That means you’ll be alone.”
“So what? I ran there by myself last time.”
“And this time, you’re not supposed to! Did you forget? The duke only gave you permission to go out on condition you had an escort.”
“Oh… right.”
She had completely forgotten while lying in bed.
But Elijia only shrugged.
“Well, it can’t be helped, can it? We can’t refuse the Tower’s goodwill, and if you came with me it would look improper for the duke’s family.”
“But still—”
“I told you, I’ll be fine. If anything happens, I’ll just get out and run the rest of the way.”
“That’s exactly the problem!”
Howell pressed his fingers to his forehead, at a loss for how to argue further.
Howell’s vigilance has increased!
Vigilance 320% → 330%!
Be careful—excessive vigilance may cause stress and migraines. ^^
And indeed, Howell’s expression grew more strained.
“If you’re late to the banquet for even a moment, I’ll send people after you immediately. And I’ll report it to Father, so don’t forget that.”
“Do as you like.”
Elijia nodded casually. Howell sighed deeply, as though he had expected nothing less, and strode off.
At last, they stood before the carriage. Elijia gazed up at the grand vehicle, adorned with the Tower’s crest. It was a deep violet—so dark it was nearly black—shimmering with enchantments that danced like an aurora around it. All of them powerful wards of safety and protection.
When she laid a hand on the door, it opened soundlessly.
“Perhaps at least a maid should accompany—” Howell began, but Elijia shook her head.
“Carriages like this check identities strictly. If someone isn’t registered, they can’t even board.”
“And how do you know that?”
“…I read it in a book.”
In truth, she knew from the game, but she couldn’t very well say that.
She deftly changed the subject and climbed inside. To avoid further nagging, she even let Howell “escort” her with a gentlemanly hand. Settling onto the plush seat, she waved to him through the window.
“Don’t worry! I’ll see you at the banquet. If I don’t show, then you can come looking.”
“How can you say something like—”
“Depart!”
The moment she said the word, the enchantments around the carriage glowed and it began to glide forward, smoothly picking up speed.
The scenery outside shifted rapidly, yet the ride was perfectly steady—no rattling, no sound. Soon the carriage had left the estate and rolled onto the main road. Elijia murmured in mild admiration.
“It’s a bit slow, but at least there’s no shaking. I like that.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“…!”
The voice startled her. She turned sharply—and saw someone sitting on the opposite seat.
Dressed in black silk embroidered with subtle patterns of violet and crimson, he cut a striking figure. Different from his usual appearance, yet unmistakable.
The very man who had supposedly been unable to attend—the one who had sent the carriage. Finn Ende.
He watched her carefully before speaking softly.
“Forgive me if I startled you, my lady.”
“…I’m not startled,” Elijia replied calmly—and she meant it. Part of her had expected this.
After all, it was only proper etiquette for the owner of a magic carriage to ride along. And Finn… Finn was the kind of man who would respect etiquette.
Besides, if secrecy was the point of this carriage, then clearly he had something important to say.
I knew he’d want to talk.
As she pondered, Finn continued.
“I regret not being able to contact you beforehand, nor come to greet you in person. Since it was I who requested you as a partner, I should have been more attentive.”
“…It’s all right. Something came up, didn’t it?”
She already knew as much. Even the duke and Howell had been convinced Finn wouldn’t attend, which meant only the duke knew the real reason.
How should she ask? After a moment’s hesitation, she decided to be blunt.
“This doesn’t have anything to do with my father, does it?”
“…What?”
Finn’s brows lifted in surprise.
“No. It was simply… work. There’s no excuse.”
He faltered slightly before finishing, but his apology was simple, sincere. Elijia arched a brow.
“And now? Are you all right?”
“…”
His troubled smile was enough of an answer. Seizing the moment, Elijia thrust out her hand.
“Illusionis!”
Light blazed, filling the carriage. Finn’s figure flickered and wavered. Elijia’s voice rang out with certainty.
“As I thought—you’re only a projection.”
“…”
Not truly here. Not in person.
It wasn’t illusion magic like hers—no one else in this world could use that. But there were spells to transmit an image of oneself, and this carriage’s special devices made it possible. He was still at his original location, sending only his likeness here.
“Not only could you not meet me in person, but you’re only here as a projection, even inside the carriage. You really are dealing with something urgent, aren’t you?”
“My lady, that’s—”
He lifted his hand, as though to calm her. Clearly, he hadn’t expected her to expose him so directly. After a pause, his expression sobered, and he spoke in a voice heavy with gravity.
“First, allow me to sincerely apologize for appearing before you only in this form.”
Elijia inclined her head. She didn’t believe he was doing it out of disrespect. He had always shown her utmost courtesy. No—if anything, he had gone to the trouble of sending even this much, straining himself to explain.
“Yes, I understand. And I apologize too, for using magic so abruptly. But still…”
She bit her lip, then pressed on.
“It feels like everyone is hiding too much from me.”
Her gaze locked with his.
“Father went off without a word, saying he had something to do before the banquet. You also suddenly couldn’t attend. And this is no ordinary banquet—it’s the Saintess’s first appearance. Isn’t it strange that you both would miss it? And then there are these clothes… this carriage…”
She stopped short of pointing out how extraordinary his attire and carriage were for an ordinary mage. Better to stay focused on the heart of it.
“Something’s happening outside, isn’t it? That’s why everyone went there instead of the banquet.”
Perhaps she was overstepping. After all, she and Finn had barely met a handful of times. But her family wouldn’t tell her, the servants wouldn’t tell her—no one in this world would ever tell her the truth.
So all she could do was place her hopes in the kindness of a character who hadn’t even existed in the game. She hated to rely on him, but she had no choice.
“Won’t you tell me what’s going on?”
“…”
Their eyes met. Finn hesitated, then smiled faintly—a troubled smile, but touched with something almost tender.
And at last, he spoke.
“…It seems I have no choice.”
