Episode 69
“But… if I hadn’t given her that necklace, the young lady wouldn’t have gotten sick…”
Large tears began to roll down Hanlim’s cheeks. Even with Jade’s reassurance, guilt weighed heavily on his heart.
“S-she got hurt because of me…”
As Hanlim continued to cry, Jade tried to say something—but the words didn’t come easily.
Just then, Miel walked over to Jade. When he turned to look at her, she silently shook her head.
Let’s give him some time.
Understanding her intent, Jade gave a slow nod and stepped back.
Now Miel approached Hanlim herself. She didn’t say anything—just stood beside him and gently patted his shoulder.
“Miss…”
Hanlim cried like a child.
Miel quietly handed him a handkerchief.
The others simply stayed by his side in silence, waiting for his tears to subside.
“…I’m sorry. I was just… suddenly overwhelmed with emotion.”
After some time, Hanlim finally managed to compose himself and speak.
Miel handed him a glass of water.
“Here. Drink this first, Hanlim.”
“Y-yes, thank you.”
He gulped it down and let out a long breath. Seeing his slightly more relaxed expression, Miel also softened a little.
“Hanlim. Listen carefully.”
Her voice was calm—devoid of emotion, but serious.
“What happened this time is truly unfortunate.
But you must understand—none of this is your fault.”
“You had no idea what kind of power that necklace held.”
At Miel’s words, Hanlim stayed silent for a moment. Then, with a troubled look, he spoke.
“But… ignorance is no excuse.
That’s what I was taught.
When I was a slave, I didn’t know better.
But once I became a commoner, I learned that not knowing something can cause harm too.”
His eyes grew teary again. Miel handed him a fresh handkerchief.
For some reason, his words pierced her heart.
How should I explain this to him?
Yes, my father’s Sacred Relics are hidden in remote places, but Hanlim only stumbled across it by accident…
Though legends about Karladen’s Sacred Relics were scattered across the world, few actually sought them.
After all, to most, they were just myths—and people from other continents often had no knowledge of them at all.
This really was just a case of bad luck.
Miel gazed at the guilt-ridden Hanlim and said firmly:
“This was not your fault, Hanlim.”
Hanlim looked up in surprise. Her tone was colder and firmer than anything he’d heard from her before.
“Hanlim, have you ever heard of someone named Karladen?”
“Huh? N-no… I’ve never heard that name.”
As expected, Miel nodded slightly.
“Then what about the ‘Great Sage’?”
“N-no, never.”
“Do you think anyone in the Eastern Continent knows those names?”
“Probably not. Or maybe a few?
But I’ve lived over twenty years and never heard of them.”
Miel nodded again.
The Eastern Continent had almost no connection to magic—there was little chance anyone there would know about the Great Sage.
Miel picked up the necklace from the table and held it up.
“If someone from the East doesn’t even know the name Karladen or the Great Sage…
Then of course it’s natural that they wouldn’t know what this object is.”
“Pardon?”
“Even if someone had heard the name, just looking at this necklace—anyone would think it’s ordinary.
It doesn’t look like a powerful magical item.”
She lightly tapped the pendant and continued.
“Honestly, hardly anyone in the world knows what this necklace really is.
It’s an artifact tied to a legendary magician.
Even those of us in the Magic Tower didn’t know the truth about it at first.”
“Oh…”
“So it’s completely understandable that you didn’t know.
And even if you had known what it was—her getting sick still wouldn’t have been your fault.”
“This item contains the mana of the Great Sage.
But to ordinary people like you, it doesn’t cause any harm.”
“But that girl…”
“I don’t know if you overheard our earlier conversation,
But that young lady… she’s different from most people.”
Miel chose her words carefully.
“In the Eastern Continent, it’s incredibly rare, but sometimes—people are born with innate magical potential.
I believe she’s one of them.”
“…So that’s why she was so clever.”
Hanlim muttered as if realizing something for the first time.
Of course, having magical aptitude didn’t necessarily mean high intelligence, but Miel let it pass.
“Anyway, it’s very likely that she didn’t even realize she had magic.
Maybe she thought she was just a bit different…
But in the East, where magic itself is nearly unknown,
There was no way she could understand what that power inside her was.”
“If there were magical institutions in the East,
None of this would’ve happened.
So really, it’s just that this situation was unfortunate for her.”
Hanlim lowered his head deeply.
“That’s why it’s not your fault.”
“…I understand.”
He smiled bitterly.
The guilt faded a little—but one problem still remained.
“But… she still needs to be treated.
I suppose I’ll have to head back to the Northern Continent and fetch some Red Mandrake…”
Hanlim scratched his head awkwardly and forced a smile.
Jade, who had been quiet until now, spoke up casually.
“No need to go that far.”
“Huh? Why not?”
“I already told you, didn’t I? I’m a Great Mage.”
Jade smirked.
“That girl of yours—I can cure her mana poisoning.”
“R-really?!”
Hanlim’s eyes widened in disbelief. Jade nodded confidently.
“Yes. You said she’s had it for about a month, right?”
“Yes, that’s right!”
“In that case, I can treat it even without the Red Mandrake. So stop worrying.”
Even for a Great Mage, not all illnesses were treatable—especially those that affected life and death.
But mana-related ailments were different.
For a Great Mage, such conditions were relatively easy to heal.
“Is that really true? Thank you—thank you so much, sir!”
Hanlim jumped to his feet and grabbed Jade’s hands, bowing over and over.
“Hey, hey—enough. You don’t need to thank me like that.”
Jade looked slightly annoyed as he pulled his hands free—but his expression was gentle.
“However, we’ll be taking both necklaces with us.
I’m sure you understand why.”
“Of course!
If you’ll take back the necklace that made my young lady suffer…
I’d only be grateful.”
Though the two necklaces hadn’t yet been officially confirmed as Sacred Relics, everything was falling into place.
Miel gave a small smile.
But Troy… couldn’t bring himself to smile.
Once again, he hadn’t been of much help.
In the end, I’ve only received help from Miel and the Tower Master…
A wave of unease washed over him. But Troy steeled his heart.
It’s okay. I’ll be there for her—whenever she needs me.
While Troy gathered his resolve, Jade was already helping Hanlim lie back down on the bed.
“Now get some proper sleep, alright?”
Jade spoke in his usual annoyed tone.
But Hanlim just smiled brightly. His heart, finally at ease, was full of gratitude.
“Thank you. Thank you, sir—and all of you, truly.”
Soon, Hanlim drifted back into deep sleep.
The remaining alcohol in his body, along with the emotional exhaustion from all the tears, had worn him out.
Jade glanced at Miel and smiled.
Miel looked back—and returned the smile.
Only Troy… couldn’t smile at all.
