Episode 9
Meia also tried to hold back her tears, but at Yudi’s crying voice, she ultimately couldn’t endure it and began to cry as well.
“Nanny, you know I’m grateful and that I love you, right?”
“Of course. This nanny also loves the young lady very much. More than my own life.”
“I know. And nanny, you see these letters here, right?”
“Yes, young lady.”
“Send them all. And this one letter—if you happen to meet His Highness the Crown Prince, please deliver it to him.”
“Understood. This nanny will wait here like a stone statue, so you must return safely, and don’t get hurt.”
“Even if I look like this, I’m 4th circle in magic. Unless it’s a Sword Master level, I won’t get hurt, so don’t worry.”
Meia’s smiling face looked like a fresh green leaf. But Yudi’s face was full of worry.
“I’ll be taking Juan with me, so don’t worry.”
“Yes. Juan, you must protect the young lady well.”
But there were only Yudi and Meia in the room.
Meia looked at her own shadow and whispered, “Juan, come out.”
The shadow began to ripple.
A figure wrapped in a black robe slowly emerged from within the shadow.
“Yes, young lady.”
The man who appeared from Meia’s shadow was of the Shadow Clan.
The Shadow Clan possessed the ability to hide within shadows and were skilled in assassination and combat.
“Juan.”
“Yes, young lady.”
“We’re going to the Magic Tower.”
“I will stay by your side.”
Loyal Juan prostrated himself before Meia, vowing to protect her with his life.
“Yudi, don’t worry. Juan is like family to me.”
“Yes, I know……”
“Juan, before we leave, can you go see Agnita?”
“Agnita?”
“She left for the valley to find my parents’ bodies and hasn’t returned since. Tell her to properly guard the ducal estate while I’m gone.”
At the thought of going to Agnita, Juan frowned deeply.
“I sent a letter to the deep valley, but it seems it didn’t reach her.”
“Understood.”
After sending Juan on the errand, Meia took out a cloak and boots from her magical subspace that could withstand heat and cold.
The cloak looked slightly worn, but its material was anything but ordinary. It could deflect most magical attacks and even block physical force to some extent. The crest of the Hatzbelua Ducal House was engraved on it.
Then she took out a magically enchanted bag. It had a weight-reduction spell, so even if heavy items were placed inside, it never felt heavy.
Yudi packed cold mana stones along with food into Meia’s magic bag. She also separately prepared warmth mana stones in case of unexpected cold.
Dressed lightly, Meia left the ducal residence and headed toward the teleportation point.
“Young lady, I am worried.”
“I’ll be back, nanny. I’ll write letters. Don’t worry! Take good care of Agnita too—she might cry as if the world is ending if I’m not around.”
“Understood, young lady. Please send a letter as soon as you arrive.”
Meia waved goodbye to Yudi with the brightest, prettiest smile she could show.
She could have used teleportation directly to the Magic Tower entrance, but Meia decided she wanted to see the sea and travel through the port.
The sea—something she had never seen in her life.
If she saw the ocean she had only read about in books, she felt she might finally feel what it meant to be alive.
Meia arrived at Elrn Port via teleportation.
She had enough money, so she first needed to find a place to stay.
She also had to check port guidebooks and ship routes to the Magic Tower.
“There’s more to do than I thought.”
[Young lady.]
It was Juan, from within the shadow.
“You’re back? How is Agnita?”
[Agnita is healthy. She said she will return to the ducal residence.]
“She’s a good kid. Yet her uncle, who shares her blood, ignores her……”
[It is only natural.]
“Good work going there.”
[I am honored. Please command me anything.]
The salty taste of the sea breeze filled the air.
Her silver hair swayed aimlessly in the ocean wind. Meia tied it up tightly using a string from her bag.
‘Let’s find a place to stay first.’
Looking around, she spotted the most luxurious-looking building.
“That looks like a nice hotel.”
As she entered the dazzling hotel entrance, an attendant approached her.
“Welcome!”
The attendant greeted her, and Meia nodded in response.
The attendant had already been sizing her up.
Her cloak looked worn, but the material was clearly high quality. Though she looked like a traveler, everything from the ribbon tying her silver hair to her accessories was expensive.
The fact that she only nodded in response to greetings suggested someone of high status.
And the aura she gave off told him she was not someone to be treated carelessly. He trusted his 10 years of experience as a hotel attendant.
“I will guide you to the VVIP room.”
Meia nodded.
The VVIP room cost 100 times more than a regular room per night. Without even asking the price, she agreed, which delighted the attendant.
Pleased with his judgment, the attendant confidently led the way.
“I’ll also book a room for Juan.”
[No need, young lady. I will stay outside and guard you.]
“If you need a room, tell me.”
[Understood.]
“If you haven’t eaten, please try our hotel restaurant. It’s very delicious.”
“Can I just go down right away?”
“I will make a reservation for you. Just tell them your room number.”
“Okay.”
“And I will send up three maids to attend to you.”
“No. I want to be alone, so no need for maids.”
“Ah! Understood. Please call if you need anything.”
The attendant smiled brightly and quickly left.
Meia changed into a light dress from her magical subspace and went down to the hotel restaurant.
When she stated her room number, the restaurant manager personally guided her to a seat.
The moment she sat down, many eyes turned toward her from all directions.
With her radiant silver hair and ocean-blue eyes, it was inevitable that attention would be drawn.
“Please have a seat here. We will bring you our recommended dishes immediately.”
“Okay.”
The food was served right away. Tender steak, creamy soup, and various dishes made her mouth water.
“It’s rich in flavor.”
As Meia enjoyed her satisfying meal, a fat man smelling of alcohol approached her.
“Hmm, young lady.”
The man’s interruption quickly ended her peaceful meal.
“You are truly beautiful. May I join you?”
“No.”
“I’ll buy you a delicious meal.”
“I’ll give you money, so could you stop talking to me?”
“That cold attitude is exactly my type, hahaha.”
“I don’t know which noble house you’re from.”
“I am Viscount Mahurava from the Zentas Empire, beautiful lady.”
The Viscount Mahurava’s greasy smile irritated Meia.
If he had been rejected twice, he should have left—but instead he kept staring at her with disgusting, lecherous eyes, scanning her face.
For a moment, Meia thought, ‘Should I just splash water on his face?’
But before she acted, the Viscount continued speaking.
“Seeing you travel alone, you don’t seem like a noble lady.”
It was true that it was rare for noble ladies to travel alone. Still, Meia looked at him like he was pathetic for assuming things.
“You’re very beautiful, so I’ll forgive your rudeness. The sea breeze might make you cold tonight—should I warm your bed for you?”
Meia unfolded her folded handkerchief and wiped her mouth, frowning.
“You—”
Just as she was about to reject him again strongly—
“Is it the nobles of Zentas who keep harassing a lady who has already said no twice?”
Meia turned toward the voice.
Behind her, at a seat where someone had been quietly dining, a black-haired man with black eyes met her gaze.
The Viscount also followed her gaze and looked at the man.
The black-haired man slowly dragged his knife across his steak as he spoke.
“It’s unpleasant to see someone keep talking even after a lady has rejected them twice.”
“You… do you even know who I am?”
“Then do you know who I am while speaking informally to me?”
The Viscount hesitated for a moment.
Meia found the situation far from pleasant.
“I’m annoyed.”
She began chanting.
A strong wind stirred and wrapped around the Viscount.
“What is this—Aaagh!”
His body lifted into the air and was flung all the way to the entrance.
He fell in a ridiculous heap, and people around him began laughing.
“Eek! That girl was a mage!”
Terrified by the laughter and realizing he had been thrown far away, the Viscount quickly fled.
Meia turned to the black-haired man with a composed expression.
“Thank you for stepping in like a knight of justice.”
Though she thanked him, the man said something unexpected.
“Are you a mage?”
“As you can see, yes.”
“A mage……”
The man, slightly flushed, looked genuinely impressed. He was quite handsome.
Seeing him here, he was likely the son of some noble family. She must not get involved.
“So you’re a mage. That explains why you weren’t intimidated by nobles.”
The black-haired man stood up without hiding his thoughts, smiled brightly, and approached her.
“Lady Mage, may I know your name?”
At that moment, Meia’s shadow rippled.
“Whoever you are, please do not approach our young lady.”
Juan emerged, drawing his dagger and pointing it at the black-haired man’s neck.
“Juan, put the knife down. He is the one who helped me.”
“Young lady.”
“I won’t say it twice.”
Juan immediately lowered his dagger and disappeared back into the shadows.
