Episode 22
The last person remaining in the audience chamber was Terrio. He knelt before me and bowed his head deeply.
“Lord Lehel. Must you truly go with that man?”
By that man, he meant Lian. Terrio’s face was filled with unease—he clearly didn’t like Lian one bit.
“You’re going on a long journey. I don’t believe a human could properly serve you. But if you really must take a human with you, then please… take me as well.”
His voice trembled with desperation. Seeing him like that made me uneasy—and a little sorry for him.
“Terrio.”
“…Yes.”
“Come closer.”
He stood up at my call and slowly approached, then knelt again at my feet, looking up at me.
In his eyes flickered traces of anxiety… and loneliness.
…Was his affection level too high?
Compared to the other monsters, Terrio relied on me far too much. Considering his past, I could understand it, but it was still pitiful in a way.
“If you’re with me, who will protect the castle?”
“There are many stronger than me. Even without me, the castle will—”
“Terrio.”
He fell silent at my tone. It was clear that, to him, being by my side took precedence over guarding the castle.
“If I leave again, and someone invades while I’m gone—who will command the defense?”
Technically, I was the master of this castle, but whenever I left, Terrio naturally assumed leadership. If both of us left, there’d be no one to command the others—it’d be hard to fend off intruders.
“That’s…”
“Protect those who remain in my stead.”
“…Lord Lehel.”
“I told you I don’t see you as tools—but that doesn’t mean others won’t try to use you.”
Even the Demon Kings knew how much I cared for my subordinates. If something went wrong, they might try to use them against me, just as the Saint had done.
“So stay here. Protect the castle and those who remain.”
“…Understood.”
Terrio lowered his head, looking like a scolded puppy as he finally relented.
I reached out and gently patted his head. He didn’t flinch, only bowed further.
“I won’t be gone long. I’m counting on you for just a while.”
“…Yes, Lord Lehel.”
When he looked up, his eyes shimmered with tears.
“Please return safely. I’ll guard the castle and everyone here without causing you any worry.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Arden Port — the logistics hub of the Tesarucis Empire. A bustling place, filled daily with merchants and travelers from all across the continent.
Before Lian and I got off the carriage, I took out a potion Felix had given me.
“What’s that?” he asked.
“Something necessary if I’m going to walk around with you.”
I downed the pink-tinted potion in one gulp, wincing at the bitter taste. Lian’s eyes widened slightly.
“Your hair… it changed color.”
“Humans saw my face last time, remember? I thought it’d be easier to blend in, so I brought this.”
My silvery hair—like snowfields—turned into a deep black, like the night sky.
It was the color I used to have back home, before all this. But after spending days with silver hair, it felt oddly strange to see it dark again.
“How is it? Not bad, right?” I asked, fiddling with a strand.
He quickly turned away. “Let’s just get going.”
Then, pulling up his hood, he hurried out of the carriage as if escaping.
I blinked, a little puzzled, and touched my hair again.
…Was it really that weird?
Pushing the uneasy thought aside, I stepped down after him.
I’d known this port would be crowded—but the reality was overwhelming.
“Ugh… I regret this already,” I muttered.
The streets were so packed that the road ahead was invisible. Lian and I looked equally horrified.
I’d never gotten seasick before—but apparently, I could get people-sick.
As I rubbed my chest, Lian spoke, “The docks are the other way.”
“I know. We’re not getting on a ship right away.”
To reach Shaila, we’d need to travel across the Cordelia Sea—but there were things to prepare first.
Still, the crowd was suffocating. At this rate, we’d get swept away.
“How about we drop the ‘five-meter distance’ rule for now?” I suggested.
He glanced around, then sighed and stepped closer. “Just for here.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I replied with a teasing grin.
As we walked, I stopped suddenly. He stopped too, puzzled.
“Your face is showing—pull your hood lower.”
Since the hero’s face was well-known, it was better to stay hidden. I reached out and tugged the hood down firmly.
“How am I supposed to see like this?” he protested.
“You don’t need to. You’ve got me to guide you.”
I held out my hand. “Permission to make contact—granted. Let go, and you’ll get lost.”
When I grabbed his hand, he flinched slightly, looking at me with those bright red eyes under the hood.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
“If there’s such a potion, why didn’t you bring one for me?”
He meant the hair-color potion.
“I only had one. Besides, even with a color change, you’d still stand out.”
No matter what he did, there was no hiding that face.
Lian didn’t seem to understand what I meant and just looked uncomfortable.
“That’s why I changed my hair—to be your eyes,” I said.
“You just didn’t want to wear your own hood,” he retorted.
“…”
He’d gotten way too perceptive lately.
Avoiding his gaze, I tugged his hand forward. Still, I was secretly pleased—after all, the annoying “five-meter no-contact rule” was temporarily gone.
We made our way to the marketplace, filled with shouting merchants.
“Rare materials from across the continent! Limited stock!”
“Unique jewelry designs—available today only!”
The empire’s capital was still recovering from the snow I’d caused, but the port city was lively as ever.
“What are we buying?” Lian asked.
“There’s something I need before we meet Shaila. The castle didn’t have it.”
I led him into a jewelry shop tucked off the main street.
“Welcome!” the owner greeted.
Luckily, it wasn’t too crowded. I went straight to the counter.
“Do you have any glowstones?”
“Glowstones, ma’am?”
“Yes. The shape doesn’t matter—as long as it shines bright.”
The shopkeeper blinked in surprise. Glowstones were rare but not fashionable; nobles preferred prettier gems.
Still, he scurried to the back and returned with several dusty stones.
“Would these be what you’re looking for?”
“Not bad,” I said.
Glowstones looked dull in daylight, but they shone beautifully in darkness.
“I’ll take this one.”
I picked a blue stone—plain, ugly even—but functional. The owner said nothing and wrapped it up.
“Please come again!”
Once outside, Lian looked bewildered. “Why do you need a glowstone?”
“You do know where Shaila lives, right?”
“Under the sea,” he answered confidently.
“Then how were you planning to get there?”
“…Swim?”
“…”
Technically valid, but coming from him, it just sounded absurd.
“Just follow me. It’ll be fun,” I said with a smirk, pulling his hood lower again and taking his hand.
✦ ✦ ✦
The Cordelia Islands were a popular tourist destination—despite everyone knowing a Demon King lived in the surrounding sea. The island itself was breathtakingly beautiful.
“I’m exhausted… I already want to go home,” I groaned while waiting for our ship.
“Not a fan of crowds, are you?” Lian asked.
“My favorite place is home,” I admitted.
Even in my old world, I’d been a total homebody. If not for work, I’d rarely have left my house—and even when meeting friends, I preferred to host them inside.
I sighed and leaned back—then instinctively caught something that flew toward my face.
“…What’s this?”
It was a neatly folded letter, with the words To the One Without a Name written on the back.
“See? Even the air throws junk at me,” I muttered, ready to toss it into the sea—
—when a system message appeared.
SYSTEM: Hidden Quest — Deliver the letter labeled ‘To the One Without a Name.’
My first hidden quest. I felt half excited, half exasperated.
Seriously? Delivering a love letter?
…What am I, a postal worker?
I sighed and reluctantly unfolded it.
Lian frowned. “Should you really open someone else’s letter like that?”
“I don’t want to, but how else can I deliver it?”
I read aloud quietly:
To the One Without a Name,
Today the sky is beautiful, and the waves are calm—reminding me of you.
I’ve grown used to wandering the place where we once met, hoping to see you again.
May I be blessed enough to glimpse your face, even from afar.
“…”
The more I read, the more my expression soured. Lian looked worried, but it wasn’t concern I needed—it was a bucket.
The letter was so nauseatingly sentimental that it made my stomach churn.
“Lehel?”
“…”
Without a word, I folded the letter carefully, shoved it into its envelope, and stuffed it deep into my pocket.
“I just want to go home now,” I muttered darkly.
I’d set out to meet Shaila—but somehow, I’d ended up as a delivery girl for a suspiciously sappy love letter.
And, just as if mocking me, the sky above was obnoxiously bright and clear.
