BSS 43

Chapter 43

The land blessed with mana.

A place renowned for its exceptionally rich mana, beloved by wizards and rumored to be home to many extraordinarily intelligent minds.

The capital of Veilan, the land of scholars and wizards, was called Valen.

This city was famous for three things. First, the Wizard’s Tower, where the greatest wizards gathered. Second, the ironclad city walls called Signati, crafted by those very wizards and known as the culmination of all protective magic. And third, a massive public library said to rival even royal palace libraries in scale.

The public library’s fame stemmed from its core principle: its vast treasure trove of knowledge was open to everyone.

Commoners, ordinary citizens, nobles—anyone who sought knowledge could freely access it. This immense public library was a symbol of the nation.

But today, at the main gate of that very library, there was a certain unfortunate girl being denied entry…

That girl was me.

“I want to go in!”

Stamping my feet and throwing a tantrum, I pleaded, but the head librarian regarded me with a cold, unwavering gaze. My cuteness attack had no effect—she was a formidable opponent!

Adjusting her glasses with her left index finger, she looked utterly indifferent.

“You may not enter!”

“Why not!? The library’s motto is that it’s open to everyone!”

I had rushed here at the break of dawn specifically to visit the library today, and now the librarian was blocking my way.

She scrutinized my face for a moment, then unfurled a scroll from her sleeve.

At that moment, Rai, standing behind her, once again offered his unnecessary kindness by reading the scroll aloud to me.

[Blacklist additions for August and their details: Ginny (10 years old, female). Entered the castle on the 22nd under the guarantee of Captain Shabel of the mercenary corps. A student of Drike Academy, Royal Academy of Dimitri. Blonde with blue eyes, a typical aristocratic girl. Peculiarity: carries a white serpent in her bosom.]

[What? That exists?]

*[July 22, 983 Rune Era: White serpent incident at the castle inn. Property damage and instigation of a fight between mercenaries.

July 23: Central fountain explosion incident. The fountain unexpectedly exploded; no injuries, but repairs are ongoing. Reports claim the blonde girl used magic.

July 25: Signati contact incident. Someone cast offensive magic at Signati, causing an emergency. Reports claim a blonde girl was seen.]*

Wow, no wonder this is the land of scholars—the information moves incredibly fast.

*[Same day, Ginny’s white serpent caused a commotion at Rinsen shop. Tried to be killed but too resilient.

July 28: Another fight at the inn caused by the white serpent. Second damage. Details unknown, but parties reached an agreement. Ginny was at the center of the fight.

July 30: Orc Mall incident.]*

[Are we done yet, Rai?]

[Last one. Orc Mall incident—Drike’s group was expected to arrive, so four unauthorized orcs ran outside the castle but returned. Central to the incident, caution advised… There were a few more, but they went unnoticed, Master!]

I had to keep my mouth shut as Rai’s voice painted a panoramic display of the events in my mind.

Tch, I just experimented a little with the fountain, thinking that increasing the pressure would make the water shoot higher. Who knew it would explode?

As for Signati, I was only practicing elemental magic against the wall, and the knights overreacted and made a fuss.

At Rinsen’s shop, Rai was simply browsing some rare jewels and got caught, and my serpent didn’t even eat anything—so why all the fuss?

I admit I did cause a tiny bit of trouble.

That’s why I went to greet my party, cautiously. Who could have imagined there’d be a pack of orcs near the capital? And I actually took down two of the four; there were originally six!

“Your name is Ginny, affiliated with Drike Academy, correct?”

While silently preparing to protest, the librarian asked my name.

I could have pretended not to know, but denying myself didn’t feel right.

“Uh… probably?”

“Then it seems entry to this library will be difficult. Unfortunately, you must return…”

“Wah! I just want to study! This is too cruel!”

[Undine, sprinkle more. More!]

[Yes, Master!]

I discreetly summoned an Undine with practiced skill, using my water-sprinkling technique near my eyes.

This newly developed technique came in handy in many situations.

“Ah… ah… well… you see…”

“I just… sniffle… want to read a book. Sob!”

Tears started to fall, and the librarian seemed flustered, unsure how to respond.

“Phew, really… not allowed.”

“Sob sob.”

“…There’s no helping it. Stop crying and follow me. Now, wipe your tears.”

[Good job, Undine. Return now.]

[Yes, Master.]

Unable to overcome my sadness, I held the librarian’s hand as if I were being led reluctantly. I sent the Undine back as I entered the library.

Inside, I was gleeful, but my acting skills were so refined that no one could tell.

Now accustomed to it, I opened the door to my inn, which felt like home, and saw my party finishing their meal.

Anel spotted me and smiled warmly.

“How was the library, Ginny?”

“It was wonderful! There were so many different books! Some I’d never seen before! I didn’t find what I was looking for, though.”

Chattering happily as I clung to Anel’s lap, I noticed her expression seemed unusually somber.

“Why, Anel? What’s wrong? Is someone misbehaving? I’ll scold them for you!”

“…It’s not that. Sorry, Ginny. We’ll need to return now.”

“Return? What do you mean?”

“It means we’re going back to Sharan. There’s a new request.”

It wasn’t Anel who answered, but the indifferent Shabel.

I couldn’t help feeling flustered.

“What about me?”

“Your companions will arrive today or tomorrow, so stay here quietly. I told the innkeeper to make sure you’re fed…”

“No! You’re abandoning me!”

“Abandoning!? Who would think that!”

“Heartless! That’s why you’re a bachelor!”

“…What does that have to do with anything! This decision is final! We have to leave today to make a living. Even now, we’ve stayed three extra days because of you! Be grateful to Anel.”

I was taken aback by the unexpected withdrawal of Shabel’s mercenary corps.

I had assumed they’d stay until Drike’s group arrived.

Though I was grateful for their company until now… why did I feel so upset? Why did tears keep coming?

Shabel ignored my trembling and went upstairs without looking back.

The other mercenaries followed suit. When I looked, they all scattered.

“Waaah!”

“Ginny…”

I was the only one attached! That’s it, right? They were all just annoyed by me.

Anel called me with a worried voice, but I could only sob.

Was it because I was upset at Shabel’s coldness, or because I couldn’t bear seeing Anel genuinely sad?

Or perhaps because the mercenaries’ expressions looked as miserable as mine?

“Ginny, don’t think the captain is so bad. He worked hard for you, too. He may not show it, but he said he was glad you were here. He suggested staying until the next request arrives.”

“…I’ll miss them.”

“So will I. I’m sorry. I wish we could stay longer… Please understand, Ginny.”

“Sniff… boohoo.”

These weren’t tears from the Undine. They were real.

I had rarely expressed gratitude for all the trouble I caused, and now the farewell was too sudden. Anel hugged me tightly, and I couldn’t hold back my sobs.

The mix of gratitude, guilt, hurt, and longing for the mercenary corps that had stayed nearly ten days in Valen overwhelmed me.

Even though my memories are from the past, my body and mind were those of a ten-year-old girl, and sometimes emotions overtook reason.

When truly sad, I reverted to being a child. And the same happened when extremely happy…

“Anel! If we part now, when will we meet again?”

“God will help us. Ginny, if fate connects us, we will surely meet again.”

Unlike nobles, there was no way I could send letters to Anel, a wandering mercenary from the jungle. That made me even more hopelessly sad. There was no way to contact her.

“Hey! Why is that kid crying?”

“Why are you making the girl cry?”

The mercenaries gathered around me. I was grateful for their concern, and also a little disappointed that their “test subject” was gone.

Ah, never mind the “test subject” part.

At the castle gate, waiting for the mercenary members, I gritted my teeth to hold back the tears again.

This damn child’s body… always ready to cry at any moment.

“Anel, you really have to write a letter, okay? Send it to the academy!”

“Alright, Ginny. Enjoy the festival! Don’t get hurt. We’ll be cheering from afar, okay?”

“Okay!”

The gatekeeper, holding firmly to my nape, seemed worried I might run out of the castle again.

There’s no way I’d bring more orcs this time! Even for me…

“Take care, everyone! Live long!”

“You too, little one!”

“Stay safe.”

“Live long so we can see each other again!”

In this world, wishing someone to live long was the deepest way to say “see you next time.”

I waved until Shabel’s group disappeared from sight.

Leaving behind gratitude and regret, I promised to meet again, but the farewell was still painfully unfamiliar.

By the time everyone was gone, I had cried my hardest.

After crossing a small hill, Signati, Valen’s city wall, was no longer visible. Even the usually composed Anel had tears streaming down.

“Sob!”

“Hey, Anel! Don’t worry. That kid will be fine.”

“Right. Even if thrown into the Dark Empire of Coiran, they’d survive.”

“I know. But Ginny’s just a ten-year-old child. How scared must she have been? Didn’t you see her crying constantly? How…?”

All the mercenaries fell silent. Apart from Anel, no one had felt their life threatened by that ten-year-old.

“Look! Anel.”

Shabel suddenly stopped his horse and pointed to the distance.

A group was approaching, and at its front waved a familiar flag.

Red background, golden lion and eagle intertwined, flying majestically.

It was unmistakably the flag of Drike Academy.

Designed after the royal crest, it was impossible to miss.

“…Thank goodness!”

Seeing the flag, Anel instantly sighed in relief, tears still in her eyes, but she smiled broadly.

“That kid sure is lucky, huh?”

Kent added in agreement with Shabel’s words.

“Not ordinary at all. Remember how surprised they were with the ogre? A kid with more than one life, I swear.”

“Judging by their courage, they might really make a name for themselves later.”

“Exactly. Not ordinary at all.”

Though slightly regretful, the mercenaries weren’t overly worried. Only Anel kept glancing back.

“They’ll be okay, right? I want to meet Ginny again, someday. Definitely.”

Anel said softly, but no mercenary echoed her sentiment.

Unlike Anel, the Shabel mercenary corps had mixed feelings—none wished to see Ginny again.