IMIS 06

Chapter 06…

“I heard this is a vase that His Lordship especially treasures. That’s why it’s placed in front of the office, so it can be seen often.”

“Did you come to apologize because of that? There’s no need. Go back.”

How impatient—he didn’t even hear me out. No wonder he ended up in the afterlife so early.

I muttered a curse as casually as breathing and began fitting the shattered pieces of the vase together like a puzzle. I had worried about making a mistake, but fortunately, it all came together perfectly on the first try.

“This is…”

Wilhelm paused for a moment before speaking. He sensed something strange but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was.

“It looks like ancient runes. I never imagined Schreyer would leave something like this in his unfinished works for me.”

Schreyer had been Wilhelm’s longtime friend—a potter who had passed away from illness.

“The location is written here.”

“You can read it?”

Of course. It’s in Korean.

I didn’t want to boast about my mother tongue, but seeing Wilhelm’s surprised reaction made it difficult not to.

I scratched my cheek awkwardly.

“Yes. Well… a little.”

“Ancient runes are a dead language even historians can’t decipher. How could you…”

I pointed my index finger out the window.

“It’s unused land outside the duchy. Not far if you take a shortcut.”

Wilhelm clenched his fist tightly.

“We should leave immediately… no, we need to ride horses.”

“Can I come along?”

“I would be pleased if you did.”

I could feel it.

If I had been reincarnated into a reverse harem game, Wilhelm’s affection for me would have risen at this very moment.

Soon enough, it would be used for some strategy involving following inspiration from a sick friend—but oddly enough, that did come in handy.

Wilhelm brought me to the pasture.

The reason for maintaining a pasture more demanding than stables was partly the wealth of Grimoire, but Wilhelm’s own horse played a major role.

“I’ve equipped it with a double saddle, so we can ride together.”

The saddle didn’t seem to be the main concern.

The horse, a steed said to cover a thousand miles in a day, was not small by any means. With black fur and mane, it was the largest horse I had ever seen.

No… is this even a horse?

Staring in disbelief at its unreal size, I opened my mouth, and Wilhelm lifted me up effortlessly.

“Huh? I was going to fetch a step, but thank you for letting me ride.”

“Your legs are short, and your body is paper-thin. Hold the handles tight so you don’t fly off.”

Wilhelm nudged the horse’s side with his foot, and the black stallion began galloping.

The sun sank toward the west. Riding beneath the dusk sky, the skewed cypress trees brushed past the edge of our vision.

I wondered what expression Wilhelm would wear when we reached the end of this path. Normally, I wouldn’t care if he died or not, but right now…

‘I care so much!’

We raced across the plain without pause.

The place we arrived at was a completely empty land, without a single building. Apart from being a narrow stretch between the mountains and the sea, it was nothing special—a vacant lot.

What secret could be hidden here?

Beneath the wild undergrowth weathered by time, a reddish glow began to bloom.

‘As expected.’

Being short-legged wasn’t entirely a disadvantage.

“Down here, Your Lordship.”

Only then did Wilhelm look down.

“This can’t be…”

His eyes widened in surprise.

At first glance, it didn’t seem strange, but upon closer inspection, it was clear something was off.

The vase had no flowers.

Originally, it had held Abenlise flowers, which his late wife loved, but the seeds had dried up due to the war.

Abenlise had been impossible to find for over a decade.

A mysterious flower whose language of flowers meant “Always by your side” and “Beloved friend” now painted Wilhelm’s vision red.

“Schreyer, that’s just like you. To find flowers, you had to break the vase.”

It was almost laughable.

The one thing capable of defeating the Empire’s grand general wasn’t a mighty enemy but lovesickness. It was a disease of the heart that neither medicine nor potions could cure.

Sure, simply finding a nostalgic flower wouldn’t stop the illness, but…

‘I can score points here.’

That alone was enough to gain a voice in the succession disputes to come. I planted a seed in Wilhelm’s heart, hoping for a day it would sprout.

“I’ll buy this abandoned land. But I can’t allow anyone to trample sacred ground with filthy feet. If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you to run this little errand for flowers.”

Wilhelm spoke cautiously, as if making a difficult request.

He’s leaving this to me?

“….”

I was so surprised I couldn’t speak. I hadn’t been trying to take advantage, but the negotiation had shifted in my favor.

“It doesn’t need to be frequent. I’ll also promise a reward for your labor.”

The devotion of a powerful man… is it supposed to be this sweet?

I wanted to ask how much he could offer, but I put on a demure act and nodded reluctantly.

“Yes, Your Lordship.”

“….”

“Why are you staring? Did I make some mistake…”

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

For a moment, there was a trace of displeasure in his gaze.

Couldn’t hide it: Gilbert’s sulky face from earlier in front of the medical office came to mind. But with Wilhelm, I had found a nostalgic flower for him—why the difference?

I couldn’t figure out the reason.

The next day.

Wilhelm’s aide visited Gilbert’s office.

“Excuse me, Master Gilbert.”

“How long do I have to be called ‘Master’ at my age? You should leave this house…”

“Then should I address you as Count, in keeping with your preference?”

Gilbert had a noble title earned through merit. To him, it was probably only an annoyance.

I wondered what feelings Gilbert had toward the emperor, who had granted him land that once belonged to his deceased wife.

“I’m done with these formalities, Seveck. Just get to your point.”

Seveck, Wilhelm’s aide, was an elderly man with gray hair and a dignified presence.

‘He’s surprisingly younger than Wilhelm, isn’t he?’

Transcendents with excessively strong power avoid aging. According to the grand mage, time flows differently for transcendents than for ordinary people. Some theory explains it… but I didn’t bother.

Sitting on the sofa, I gulped down milk (I had asked for coffee) and watched their conversation.

“The Emperor has summoned you.”

“Now what trouble does he want to cause?”

Gilbert expressed his annoyance openly, folded his newspaper, and stood up.

“No, that’s not it.”

“Hm?”

“The person His Excellency requested is not Master Gilbert, but this person… here.”

Seveck’s polite gesture indicated me.

It was too early to change the flowers, so what could this be about? Discussing whether to ride horses or a carriage, perhaps?

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

“Alright.”

I put down my cup and jumped to my feet.

Gilbert stared at me with a dumbfounded expression.

“I’ll be back. Take care of the house. And don’t follow any suspicious man who offers candy.”

“What on earth do you do when I’m not around, huh?”

“Respecting the elderly.”

I shrugged and left Gilbert, still stunned, behind in the office.

The main building was busy that morning, and many maids were cleaning along the way. Every maid I passed whispered behind my back.

“That’s her. She was officially adopted this time.”

“What kind of girl?”

“A fraud who hides her origins and clings to nobles. Heard it from the annex staff.”

“I heard too. See the mark on her hand? It’s a sign of illness. Creepy.”

Who’s spreading such nonsense…

Ah. There’s one person.

“Wasn’t it said she looked like Kaulen’s foster daughter at first?”

“Don’t even mention it. The Pink Princess was secretly looking for her… a peerless magician with no ties…”

“Shh! Keep your voice down!”

I heard everything, you lot. The public opinion is evidently unsettled.

I was expecting that, but it was surprising that they referred to Eve Maria with a derogatory nickname. She couldn’t control the maid—now I had a rough guess at whom she might cling to.

Maybe we’ll meet soon… starting the day with my appetite gone. Ugh.

“Your Excellency, Miss Levieta.”

“Show her in.”

Why do my bad instincts never fail me?

The moment Seveck opened the door, Eve Maria and I locked eyes.