Episode 41
Miel tilted her head slightly without realizing it as she looked at the small bird. The silvery, glossy feathers of the bird shimmered as it hopped restlessly on the perch.
Then, upon noticing Miel, the bird suddenly stopped. Just like Miel had done before, it tilted its head to one side.
“Hello,” Rain greeted the small bird. For some reason, she could sense her father’s magical energy emanating from it.
“Who are you? And what are you doing in my room?”
At that moment, the bird opened its beak, and a voice—like that of a young boy—came out.
“Who are you? Why do you have Riad’s magical energy?”
Rian—that was the name of the great sage. Rian Karladen.
‘So it wasn’t just my father’s benevolence, was it?’
Miel stared intently at the bird and then said calmly, “Isn’t it proper to introduce yourself first when you barge into someone’s dream?”
“Oh, right! That’s the correct order. Then allow me to introduce myself—I am the great Koselico, the first familiar of the great sage!”
“No wonder your aura felt so much like my father’s.”
At her comment, Koselico tilted his head again.
“Father? Don’t tell me… You’re Rian’s daughter? Then you must be that child…”
“Hm?”
“No, never mind. Anyway, I was the very first familiar summoned by Rian 180 years ago when he established Baram. If you want, you may call me uncle.”
Koselico puffed up his feathers proudly, but Miel just stared at him with a blank expression.
“Your name is Koselico, right? Then I’ll call you Coco.”
“Wha—whaaat?!”
Koselico flapped his wings furiously and flew up.
“You call me the same nickname Rian used?! You really are his daughter!”
Though he puffed himself up angrily, in Miel’s eyes, he was still just an adorable little bird.
“Anyway, Coco, where did you come from?”
“Hmph! Where else? From the room Rian used.”
“…His room? Oh, right. Father lived here in seclusion after founding the magic academy.”
“Exactly. Of course, the room is empty now, but I came straight from the great sage’s chamber.”
Miel nodded in agreement. The room of the great sage was located within the restricted zone, an area inaccessible to most magicians.
But Miel, as the sage’s only family, was an exception.
She had visited the sage’s room often. The only thing left in the empty room was a small painting of a bird on the wall.
“Ah… So you’re that bird.”
“Yes! I was sleeping inside that very painting!”
“Then why did you suddenly pop out?”
“Well, you see… I was asleep for a long time, but I sensed Rian’s energy here. That’s what woke me up.”
There could only be one reason the sage’s familiar, dormant for ages, had awakened.
“Could it be… because of the relic?”
“Relic? What’s that?”
Koselico tilted his head at Miel’s question. Miel, just in case, brought out her personal storage box and opened it in front of Koselico.
“This here—”
“Oh! That’s it!”
“You recognize it?”
“Yes! I saw it a very long time ago. Rian hid it very carefully somewhere. But wasn’t there more than just that?”
Koselico kept tilting his head, as if the memory was just out of reach.
“Wait a minute… Coco, do you know about Karlanden’s treasures? My father’s secrets?”
“Treasures? I don’t know anything grand like that. I only know that Rian hid a few things.”
That night, Miel reached out and gently grabbed Koselico, careful not to hurt him.
“Then tell me everything you remember, Coco!”
Koselico squeezed his eyes shut, trying hard to recall. Then he blinked suddenly.
“Oh.”
“You remembered something?”
“No… I can’t seem to recall clearly after all.”
Miel let go of Koselico, who fluttered up and perched on her left shoulder. The bird was so small that she could barely feel its weight.
“Hmm… I feel like I used to know everything, but maybe your Rian’s power has gotten too faint over time.”
“Sigh… I see. That’s too bad.”
She hadn’t even decided which relic to pursue next. She had hoped Koselico would be of help.
Then, Koselico muttered something.
“But there is one thing I do remember.”
“Huh? What is it?”
“He hid a book somewhere on a certain continent.”
“A book?”
No way…
“Yes, the Ancient Tome.”
At that moment—somewhere far away.
A black sky like pure darkness, thunder roaring endlessly.
An ancient, untouched land where no human had set foot.
There, wrapped in shadow, a being opened its eyes.
“So… you’ve finally awakened it.”
Struggling to maintain its form, the being murmured.
“Come to me.”
The darkness began to engulf him, eating away at his life force.
“Bring the relics to me, Miel.”
Back in her room, Miel tried her best to extract information from Koselico. But aside from the fact that the Ancient Tome existed somewhere, she got very little. Less useful than even the contents of her father’s treasure book.
“Ah! But I do know the general location of the Ancient Tome. Not exactly, but close.”
“What?! Are you serious?!”
Miel quickly opened the Karlanden’s Treasures book and laid out the map for Koselico.
“Do you know how to read maps?”
“Of course! A little!”
Puffing up with pride, Koselico extended his wing and pointed at a spot.
“Right here. The continent where the elves live—Green Foreon.”
At last, a small smile appeared on Miel’s lips. Even a small clue was better than nothing.
“But Miel, your Rian’s power needs to grow stronger. That’ll help my memory become clearer too.”
“Hmm… But Coco, you’re my father’s familiar. Don’t you know where he is?”
Koselico nodded absentmindedly. Maybe because he was so small, it somehow felt adorable. Miel gently stroked his soft feathers.
“I used to. But not anymore. He didn’t summon me directly this time, so I can’t sense him. Ah, right there. Scratch that spot.”
“Here?”
“Yes, yes. That’s the spot! That feels good!”
As Miel continued scratching Koselico’s head—
Knock knock. A light knock, and the door opened. It was Jade.
“Miel, I sensed a faint trace of the great sage’s power, so I came.”
“Ah, Master.”
“Oh ho, that bird… I can feel the sage’s power from it. Other magicians may not sense it, but I can. Isn’t that right?”
Jade approached with interest, inspecting Koselico from all angles.
“So, this is the great sage’s familiar. Judging by the faint energy and small size, I’d say this is the first familiar he ever summoned.”
He had deduced the situation instantly. Miel gave a small nod of admiration, while Koselico trembled in protest.
“Weak power, you say?! Riad personally called me adorable and strong, I’ll have you know!”
Puffed up once again, Koselico looked so cute that Miel mumbled,
“You really are cute.”
“Right? I knew only Riad’s daughter would understand!”
Delighted, Koselico nestled on her left shoulder.
“I only spoke the truth.”
“You rude thing! Who do you think you are?!”
“Me? I’m the master of this tower.”
“Hmph! The true master of this tower is Rian! So, you must be the current head, huh?”
Koselico glared at Jade, but it only made him look more adorable. Jade ignored him and turned to Miel.
“So, Miel, did you manage to get any useful information from him?”
“Yes. I found out where to search for the second relic.”
“Where?”
Miel pointed to a specific spot on the map in her book.
“Right here—Green Foreon.”
At her words, Jade’s brow furrowed immediately.
“Green Foreon… That’s the land of the elves.”
Indeed. The very heartland of those infamous for their deep-seated discrimination—not just against humans, but against all non-elves.
