Chapter 3

Time passes and memories fade.

Therefore, what defines any being is emotion.

“Haa… haa….”

What emotion was felt when grasping that warm bread instead of the curses and kicks in the back alley? When risking one’s life to help through the infamous trials of the North? When someone willingly pledged allegiance as an ally in the palace filled with plots and intrigue? When, amidst the jeers from everyone in the magic tower calling me useless, I first received recognition of my worth?

Indeed, what emotion was it?

「Guh…」

-Swish.

“You thought recklessly charging in would work? Didn’t you learn how to gauge the gap between yourself and your opponent?”

“Guh…!”

Barely catching my breath. Just a few broken bones—was it something so trivial that could be forgotten?

No, I dare say it’s more precious than my own life. The weight of the emotions felt on that day surpasses anything else, incomparably heavy.

Thus, to not lose it. To deny the death of the person who gave meaning to my life.

-Swoosh…

Concealing the gleaming blades in the shadows. Infusing madness into the great axe. Charging the staff of the divine with light. Scattering thick clouds of poison from the flask.

As taught by that person long ago, I gave everything I had.

But…

Because the opponent was an ancient dragon.

Even though I am the only one who knows the answer to their death.

Because of the insurmountable gap between mortals and their kind.

“■”

-BOOM─!!

The utmost effort squeezed out from the very limits of my capabilities was trampled upon far too easily. My already battered body along with it.

“…That’s enough, isn’t it? There’s a limit to how much we can hold back.”

Beyond the intangible mana pressing down on us lies a cold gaze. A clear look of superiority. Unlike us, whose hearts feel like they might explode after the prolonged battle, their breathing hasn’t even faltered.

The naturally fading hope for victory we couldn’t find. But most of all, the fact that we couldn’t hear the answer we sought.

The dusty heads bowed lower as plans turned to nothing.

“…Hmm?”

It was then that the ancient dragon’s cold gaze left us for a moment.

Eventually, the blood smeared on the hand caressing its own neck.

“Kuh, kuhk…”

The dragon laughed at the unnoticed wound. Laughing so hard its shoulders shook, realizing the malice of these flesh heaps briefly reached it.

-Snap!

With a single snap of the fingers, the overwhelming force suppressing the entire area disappeared. A voice full of laughter followed.

“That’s enough fun. Consider this a gift; I’ll spare your lives.”

With the corners of its mouth curling upward, mercy descended, lifting the bodies pressed down beneath it one by one.

Still, instead of turning our backs to flee, another question was spat out.

“Is Master still alive?”

At the stubborn persistence of the question, the dragon wore an expression of irritation.

After all, these uninvited guests were ones who’d been pestering his dear friend endlessly.

Simply,

“I don’t know.”

“…!”

Upon reflection, perhaps there should be a little room for doubt.

So, he decided to test if anyone could find the sage who had completely transformed.

After all, the sage was an unpredictable variable before and after, a rare source of amusement for the dragon cursed with eternal immortality.

Thus, he resolved to carefully observe the game of cat and mouse between the sage and these flesh heaps.

Because the sight of the noble young lady secretly trying to hide her identity from her disciples would be a once-in-a-lifetime entertaining spectacle.

“I don’t even know what happened to that guy. All I know is the wretched message in this will asking me to take care of you lot.”

Of course, Orpheon himself has no intention of giving up someone he hid so personally so easily.

Why should I reveal the truth that the person you thought dead is now sipping warm cocoa in a bathrobe?

Stories become richer in flavor the longer their endings are delayed.

Therefore, let the spirits and emotions of these flesh heaps be utterly exhausted.

Let them endlessly berate themselves for their regrets, clinging to the past.

“…I need to meet the Divine Sage.”

“Absolutely, absolutely unacceptable… Master wouldn’t leave us like this….”

“…I will find him. Definitely.”

He hoped the noble young lady living comfortably would worry even in her dreams.

As a personal revenge as the sage’s friend, and as a last chance for those fools wallowing in regret.

Eventually, the spacious lair fell silent again as the unwelcome visitors parted ways.

The only sound remaining was the howling blizzard beyond.

“You won’t find him anytime soon. Maybe not until his last breath.”

Laughing at the various commotions he would soon hear about.

The result of adding the insane obsession of troublemakers to the life of a noble young lady promised to be deliciously sweet.

“This is why I like you, Asher….”

***

“I, I love you! Lady Leter!”

“…I’m sorry.”

The face reflected in the nearby lake appears awkward.

In stark contrast, the boy’s face bears the expression of a world collapsing.

The problem is that the girl looking awkward is me, and the bigger problem is that there’s at least a ■■-year age gap.

No matter how you look at it, I can’t accept the confession of someone around the age of my child.

‘It doesn’t seem like much of a difference on the outside….’

Most importantly, since becoming this way, romantic feelings just don’t arise anymore.

Honestly speaking, I didn’t really fall in love much even before, but now I’ve reached a point where it’s physically impossible.

Dating a woman means social ruin, and dating a man means mental ruin.

Therefore, under the name ‘Leter Yurt’ which I live by now, the option of romance doesn’t exist.

Anyway, crushing the heart of a boy in full adolescence isn’t good, so…

“There will surely be someone better for you, Lord Adrian.”

“Bu, but…!”

“Thank you for the flowers. I’ll cherish them in place of your feelings.”

I rejected him kindly with a soft voice.

The tone mimicked the courteous speech of nobility I was educated in, so it shouldn’t sound too strange.

Honestly, it’s a little embarrassing, but thanks to the age gap, it’s not unbearably so.

Similar to when I gently rejected Rita’s confession long ago.

It’s less about firmly rejecting a man’s confession and more like comforting a child.

Evidence of this is the hand patting the boy’s back.

“Leter!”

Soon after, a familiar voice called out.

A girl around the same age as the boy walked over and greeted me warmly.

Just, if she finds out about what just happened, it would be awkward for both me and the boy.

“What were you doing here?”

“Uh, Lord Adrian gave me some lovely flowers, and I was thinking about how to thank him. Right, Adrian?”

Trying to frame the rejection nicely while subtly asking for cooperation.

However,

“…I can’t give up on you, Lady Leter!!”

-Clatter!

The real response was the boy’s final desperate attempt to not acknowledge his rejection, followed by a hasty retreat.

…Kids are kids, aren’t they?

“Can’t give up? What do you mean?”

“I, I don’t know either…”

Once again wearing an awkward expression, I said this while lightly grabbing the hand of the girl standing next to me.

No, the hand of Leter Yurt’s half-sister, Isabelle Yurt, and quietly led her away from the garden.

‘It wouldn’t be good if word got out that I received a confession.’

Unlike me, whose spirit and appearance are entirely different, Isabelle is exactly the girl she seems to be.

If she found out I received a confession, she’d undoubtedly chatter about love stories all day.

And eventually spread the news among the many servants of the mansion.

‘Received a confession… from someone ■■ years younger than me… Hmm…’

It would probably reach the ears of Orpheon, that lizard, among the patrons of the Yurt family.

Therefore, changing the topic to rumors circulating across the continent seemed like the best immediate solution.

“Did you hear, Isabelle? Men around Father’s age are being summoned to the palace.”

“Really? Why?”

“Apparently, the princess has a thing for middle-aged men or uncles.”

“Oh my goodness….”

A feather fan delicately covering Isabelle’s shocked expression.

Looking every bit the part of a noble young lady.

Thanks to this, I was confident my change of topic had succeeded.

-Rustle.

-Thud.

-Thud.

“It’s all because of you, Leter.”

A very familiar person.

No, a dragon appeared in mid-air and blocked my path.

“Could you step aside for a moment, Isabelle? I need to speak with Leter urgently.”

“Ah, yes…!”

Isabelle quickly disappeared, seemingly frightened by the sudden appearance of the dragon.

Of course, I’m more concerned about the truth behind the words I heard earlier.

Therefore, I asked the lizard-looking fellow why it was my fault.

“Exactly that. Asher is searching for you, summoning humans of your approximate age to the palace.”

The shocking truth that the rumors spreading across the continent weren’t just rumors.

The news that the rumor of the princess going mad in the palace also came attached.

“Of course, it’s futile. What the princess truly seeks is someone like this young lady.”

“…Why are you suddenly grabbing my chin?”

“Not sure. Just wondering if this face matches the taste of that brat Adrian.”

“You heard everything.”

“Yes.”

I felt like my mind was about to snap.

Somehow, it seems days with Orpheon, this lizard, never pass quietly.

“Anyway, even the Divine Sage can’t sit idly by anymore. She made the princess have a prophetic dream.”

“What? A prophetic dream?”

“Yeah, probably what you’re thinking. So, hide.”

Shortly after, a recommendation letter was handed over.

A document bearing the crest of the prestigious academy of the continent was given to me.

“Even the princess can’t easily meddle with Primus.”

“…Now you’re making me a professor at the academy?”

“Look closely. Not a student, but a professor.”

Where in this world is there a professor who can teach a sage?

Orpheon continued to smile faintly as he added that I should prepare.

“We depart tomorrow.”

“Wait a minute. You want me to teach students?”

“What’s the problem?”

“…Considering how my students turned out, you know too well.”

“Don’t worry. This time, it’s theoretical education, not raising them.”

Eventually, the final words I heard were that if I stayed here much longer, I’d be found soon.

In other words, I have no choice.

…How did things escalate to constant crises in my life?