MMLP 06

Chapter 6

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“I heard this vase is something the lord especially treasures. That’s why it was placed in front of your office, so you could see it often.”

“Is that why you came to apologize? No need. Go back.”

Wow, doesn’t even listen. Impatient guy. No wonder you’re going to the afterlife early.

As naturally as breathing, I dropped a harsh quip in my head while fitting the shattered vase pieces together like a puzzle. I worried I might mess it up, but luckily, they matched perfectly on the first try.

“This is…”

Wilhelm paused before continuing. He could tell something was odd, though not exactly what.

“These look like ancient runes. I never imagined Schreier would engrave such a thing into the work he left behind.”

Schreier—Wilhelm’s old friend. A potter who had passed away from illness.

“There’s a location written here.”

“You can read it?”

Of course. It’s Korean.

Not that I wanted to brag about being fluent in my mother tongue, but when Wilhelm reacted in such shock, it was hard not to.

I sheepishly scratched my cheek.

“Yes. Well. A little.”

“Ancient runes are a dead language—one even historians can’t decipher. How on earth can you…?”

I pointed out the window with my index finger.

“It’s outside the duchy’s borders, but if we take a shortcut, it’s not far.”

Wilhelm clenched his fist.

“Summon the carriage at once… No, better to ride.”

“May I come along too?”

“I’d be glad if you would.”

I was certain of it.

If I really was in some reverse-harem game, Wilhelm’s affection points definitely went up just now.

Not that wooing an old man fated to fall ill and follow his friend to the grave would do me much good—but you’d be surprised. Sometimes it comes in handy.

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Wilhelm brought me to the pasture.

Maintaining a pasture instead of just a stable was partly thanks to Grimglaur’s wealth, but it also had a lot to do with Wilhelm’s personal steed.

“I put on a double saddle so we can ride together.”

Pretty sure the saddle isn’t the problem here.

They said this horse could run a thousand li a day—so of course it wasn’t small. With its black coat and mane, it was the biggest horse I’d ever seen in my life.

Wait. Is this even a horse?

Its size made me feel like I’d wandered into a land of giants. While I gaped in disbelief, Wilhelm effortlessly lifted me up.

“Gah? I was going to fetch a step stool, but… thank you for the lift.”

“Your legs are short, and your body light as paper. Hold tight, or you’ll fly away.”

At his kick, the black stallion thundered forward.

The sun sank westward. As we galloped under the twilight sky, towering cypress trees scratched at the edges of my vision.

What kind of face will Wilhelm make when we reach the end of this road? Before, I wouldn’t have cared whether he lived or died, but now…

“I care way too much!”

We rode on, relentless, without a single pause across the vast plain.

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The place we arrived at was barren—just empty land without a single building. Other than being a narrow stretch between mountain and sea, there was nothing remarkable about it.

So what secret could be lying hidden here?

Under the tangle of brush weathered by years of wind and rain, a reddish glow bloomed.

I knew it.

Guess having short legs isn’t always a disadvantage.

“Below, my lord.”

Finally, Wilhelm looked down at his feet.

“This is… no way…”

His eyes widened in astonishment.

At first glance it might seem ordinary, but on reflection, something was off.

The vase hadn’t contained any flowers.

In the past, he’d always placed his late wife’s favorite flower in it—the Abenrise. But after the war, its seeds had vanished.

The Abenrise hadn’t been seen for over a decade.

Now, here it was—this mysterious flower, whose meanings were “Always by your side” and “Dear friend.” Wilhelm’s vision was filled with its crimson blossoms.

“Schreier… so like you. To find the flowers, one had to break the vase.”

What a joke.

The great general of the Empire hadn’t been felled by any mighty foe, but by lovesickness. A sickness of the heart no medicine could cure.

Finding a flower from the past wouldn’t cure his illness either.

But it could earn me points.

All I needed was enough influence to gain a say in the succession disputes to come. And so, I planted a seed in Wilhelm’s heart, waiting for the day it might sprout.

“I’ll buy up this wasteland. But I won’t allow unworthy feet to trample a sanctuary. If you don’t mind, I’d like to entrust the flower gathering to you.”

He spoke carefully, as though asking a great favor.

He’s giving me this task?

“….”

I was so startled I couldn’t answer at first. I hadn’t been scheming for this, but the negotiation was tilting in my favor.

“It doesn’t have to be often. And I’ll ensure you’re properly compensated for your labor.”

So this is what a powerful man’s earnestness feels like—sweet as honey?

I wanted to ask how much he was willing to pay, but instead I put on an air of reluctant acceptance.

“Yes, my lord.”

“….”

“Why are you staring at me like that? Did I say something wrong…?”

“No. Let’s head home before it gets any later.”

For just a moment, his eyes flashed with discontent.

He looked so much like Gilbert, sulking outside the physician’s office, that I almost laughed. But why? I had brought Wilhelm his flower of memories. Shouldn’t he be pleased?

No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t figure it out.

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The next day.

Wilhelm’s aide visited Gilbert’s office.

“Pardon me, Young Master Gilbert.”

“How long am I going to be called ‘young master’? I’m old enough to walk out of this damned house.”

“Shall I reflect your preference and call you ‘Count’ instead?”

Gilbert did indeed hold the title of Count, granted for his military achievements. Though to him, it was probably just an annoyance.

After all, the emperor had granted him as his fief the very land where his wife had died. What feelings must Gilbert harbor about that?

“Forget the pompous titles, Sebek. Just say what you came to say.”

Sebek, Wilhelm’s aide, was an elderly man with silvery-white hair and a dignified look.

Surprisingly, he’s actually younger than Wilhelm.

Transcendents with too much power often escape aging altogether. A great mage once explained it’s because their time flows differently from ordinary people’s—something about the theory of it…

Whatever.

I sipped milk (I’d asked for coffee!) and watched the two of them talk from the sofa.

“His Grace has summoned you.”

“Tch. What is it this time, another hassle?”

Gilbert openly grimaced, folding his newspaper and standing up.

“No, not you, actually.”

“…Hm?”

“His Grace requested… her.”

Sebek gestured politely toward me.

It was far too soon to be replacing flowers, so what did he want? Discuss travel arrangements—horse or carriage?

Whatever it was, I’d find out soon enough.

“Alrighty.”

I set my cup down and hopped to my feet.

Gilbert gave me a dumbfounded look.

“I’ll be back. Keep an eye on the house, okay? And don’t follow any strange men offering candy.”

“What the hell are you even doing when I’m not around? Hm?”

“Respecting my elders.”

With a shrug, I left the office, leaving Gilbert staring after me, slack-jawed.

It was a busy morning, so the halls of the main residence bustled with maids cleaning. Each one I passed whispered behind my back.

“That’s her. The one they say was formally adopted.”

“What does she even do?”

“Word is she’s a con artist who tricked her way into the nobility. I heard it from one of the annex maids.”

“I heard too. Look at the mark on her hand—it means she has some disease. Creepy.”

Who would spread such ridiculous rumors…

Oh. Right. There is one person.

“At first, I thought she was Kaulen’s foster daughter.”

“Don’t say that! Remember the Pink Princess has been secretly searching for a young mage without ties anywhere…”

“Shh! Quiet, someone might hear!”

Too late. I heard everything, you idiots. Seems the gossip mill is in overdrive.

I wasn’t surprised at being slandered, but I was taken aback they’d insulted Eve-Maria with a nickname. Since she couldn’t freely order maids around, I had a pretty good guess whose side she’d go crying to.

Might even run into her myself. Ugh. Lost my appetite already.

“Your Grace, Lady Revieta is here.”

“Let her in.”

Why do bad premonitions never miss?

The moment Sebek opened the door, my eyes locked straight onto Eve-Maria’s inside.