Volume 3, Chapter 45 – Parting Ways

We slept soundly and had a slightly late breakfast.

“Onee-sama! This is delicious!”

Lu-chan was eating with her usual gusto as always, even first thing in the morning.

“Fufu. Lu-chan, you always look like you’re enjoying your food so much.”

“Because it is delicious!”

Just watching Lu-chan speak with such a happy smile gave me energy.

“Next is the Imperial Capital, is it not? When do we plan to depart?”

“Hmm, let’s see. Let’s make today and tomorrow rest days and depart the day after.”

“Understood.”

While we were talking, Lu-chan seemed to have finished eating. Just as we were about to stand up, a man from the inn approached us.

“Excuse me for interrupting your meal. Are you Fiene Argentata-sama, Mieshiro Shizuku-sama, Christina-sama, and Lumia-sama?”

“Yes.”

“The town mayor wishes to see you regarding last night’s events. A carriage will arrive to collect you in two hours, so please come to the lobby.”

“I understand. That was faster than I expected.”

I had anticipated this would happen, and I thought that by departing tomorrow, I might be able to avoid being held back, but it seems departing tomorrow would have been fine regardless.

“Also, Mieshiro Shizuku-sama.”

“That is I.”

“I have a letter here for you.”

“I am grateful.”

Taking the envelope, Shizuku-san tucked it straight into her clothes.

However, was I the only one who felt that Shizuku-san’s expression froze the moment she received it?

“Shizuku-san?”

“…Hm? What is the matter, Fiene-dono?”

I called out to her because I was somewhat concerned, but there didn’t seem to be anything particularly wrong… right?

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“No. Who is the letter from?”

“It is from my family home. They still manage to track down my location and send letters like this. Good grief, they are still so persistent. They really do give me trouble. Hahaha.”

“I see. You’re loved by your family.”

“Haha, I wonder about that.”

Hmm, I still feel like something is off.

“Well then, I shall return to my room a bit ahead of you.”

With that, Shizuku-san hurried back to her room.

“Hmm, let’s kill some time with a bit of tea. That will give her time to read the letter, too.”

After spending about five minutes idling, we returned to our rooms.

◇ ◇ ◇

“I am Fiene Argentata. From left to right are Lumia, Christina, and Mieshiro Shizuku. Thank you for inviting us today.”

I gave a small bow and delivered my greetings.

“Welcome. I am the mayor, Lu Chao. Saint-sama, and all of your attendants, thank you for slaying the Vampire. Thanks to your efforts, our town was spared from becoming a Vampire’s nest. On behalf of the town, I offer my heartfelt gratitude.”

A thin, middle-aged man spoke and bowed politely.

“I only did what anyone would have done.”

“Please, do not be so humble. I have prepared a token of gratitude for all of you. Please, accept this.”

As the mayor spoke, small closed cloth bags on trays were brought in. A woman carrying the trays walked up to us and handed a bag to each person.

I could hear the clinking of metal, so there was likely money inside.

“We accept this with gratitude.”

“By the way, Saint-sama, do you have any plans for after this?”

“No. I don’t have anything in particular.”

“That is wonderful. I would very much like to show you around the town.”

“Thank you. I gratefully accept your offer.”

“Oh, thank you very much!”

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And so, guided by the mayor, we toured the town’s landmarks. Now, we were being treated to lunch.

“I see. So Saint-sama bestowed blessings upon your weapons? The guards reported that when the Saint-sama’s attendant slashed the Vampire, it turned to ash even from a shallow wound; so that was the reason. My goodness, as expected of the Saint-sama. I am truly impressed.”

“All the weapons we use are imbued with Purification Magic, so they should be highly effective against Vampires and Undead. The direct reason I prepared a sword was from fighting the Undying Beast in Fu Yie Village.”

“The Undying Beast, you say?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

I told him about Fu Yie Village and the journey from there to this town.

“I see, such things happened. Saint-sama, if it would be possible, could you perhaps bestow a blessing upon our weapons as well? Of course, we shall pay you for the service.”

“Yes, of course. It will be necessary for protecting this town.”

“Ohhh, thank you so much!”

“Then, once we finish eating, may I come by and start immediately?”

“You can do it now?! Thank you!”

Thus, at the mayor’s request, I ended up enchanting the guards’ weapons. This should ensure a bit more safety on the road between here and Fu Yie Village.

“I shall remain with Fiene-sama, but what of Lumia and Shizuku-dono?”

“I’m gonna go eat my way through the street stalls!”

Lu-chan really is the same as always. As usual, I’ll have Riche keep an eye on her.

“I shall also wander the town a bit.”

“Understood. I’ll see you later, then.”

“…Then, I shall take my leave.”

Huh? She really does seem a little strange…

And so, Lu-chan and Shizuku-san headed out into the town.

“Chris-san, don’t you think Shizuku-san’s behavior is a little strange?”

“Was it? I didn’t notice anything in particular…”

“Hmm, well, if you say so.”

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At that moment, I had no idea how much I would come to regret not speaking to Shizuku-san properly.

◇ ◇ ◇

In the evening, after we had imbued as much Purification Magic as possible into the town’s weapons and returned to the inn, a pale-faced Lu-chan greeted us in the lobby.

“Onee-sama! Onee-sama!”

“Lu-chan, calm down. What happened?”

“Shizuku-san, Shizuku-san is…!”

“I can’t tell what happened from just that.”

“Shizuku-san is gone!”

“Eh?”

“When I came back just now, her luggage was gone from the room, and then, and then…!”

“L-let’s go to the room first.”

We rushed to Lu-chan and Shizuku-san’s room. Shizuku-san’s luggage was gone, and in its place lay the sword she had bought in this town and an envelope.

“Shizuku-san, I knew something had happened…”

Driven by anxiety, I opened the envelope and read the letter.

────

Dear Fiene Argentata-dono, Christina-dono, Lumia-dono,

I feel deeply sorry that I must depart in this manner.

The letter I received this morning was a summons from my main family. I have had a mission ordained since my birth, and the time to fulfill that mission has finally come. Therefore, I have resolved to leave Fiene-dono’s party.

Though it was for a short time of only a few months, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for experiences that cannot be compared to the time I traveled alone.

Lumia-dono, I am sorry for breaking my promise to help search for your sister. I sincerely pray that your sister is found safely.

Also, be careful not to eat too much.

Chris-dono, I am sorry to leave without fulfilling our promise of a rematch. I was looking forward to it as well, and I regret that it could not be realized. If there is a next life, I ask that we cross blades then.

And Fiene-dono, while bearing the double burden of being the Saint and the Maiden of Blossoming Grace, you remain humble and gentle, naturally reaching out to those in need.

I truly respect your way of life—maintaining that kindness and the strength to push others away when necessary, without succumbing to the trials given to you.

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I cannot tell you how much I wished we had met sooner, or that such times could have lasted forever. However, seeing your earnest figure, I too have resolved to fulfill my mission without running away.

Had I not met you, I might not have found the courage to fulfill my duty.

Thank you.

Because my resolve might waver if I saw your face, and the faces of everyone else, I leave this letter and depart.

It is a regret that I can no longer protect you, but I sincerely pray for the safety of your journey and your future success.

With gratitude,

Mieshiro Shizuku

────

The handwriting toward the end of the letter was blurred in places.

“What is this! This is basically a suicide note!!!”

“Shizuku-dono…”

“Onee-sama…”

“Agh, enough! I won’t accept this! I told her we were comrades! We promised not to go off and die on our own! Why does everyone keep doing this, just deciding things on their own!”

“Fiene-sama, please calm down.”

Chris-san admonished me after I had unintentionally raised my voice.

“Anyway, let’s hurry and chase after her!”

“Fiene-sama, the sun has already set and the gates are closed. It is dangerous; please wait until tomorrow.”

“…”

True, since she left a note like this, she is likely no longer in the town, and rushing out blindly now won’t accomplish anything.

“I understand. We’ll depart first thing tomorrow morning.”

What was the mission Shizuku-san had to fulfill?

And is Shizuku-san safe?

And so, I spent a sleepless night.