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A strange silence enveloped the entire room.

I sighed as I watched El and Alexandros, who were standing in a bizarre posture that resembled either shoulder cuddling or shoulder attacking, sneaking glances at me.

“You both look really awkward like that. Just relax.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, the two pushed each other away as if they were both insects, creating a distance between them that was honestly amusing yet bizarre.

“Well, then, I’ll be on my way!”

Julian, who had been observing the situation by the door, said cheerfully. His voice barely masked the laughter he was trying to hold back.

“Julian? Already…”

“Goodbye!”

He interrupted me, and with a whoosh, he vanished. He seemed like someone who enjoys watching a fire but doesn’t want to be caught in it.

After staring for a moment at the spot Julian had just vacated, I turned back to the now subdued pair. Alexandros was leaning against the bed, and El was sitting on the chair next to it.

“Can I ask a few questions?”

“Oh, of course.”

“Sure.”

The two replied simultaneously. It seemed they didn’t even like answering at the same time, as they positioned themselves a little farther apart, resembling two five-year-olds who aren’t getting along.

“Leo, why are you even here?”

Firstly, it felt odd for Leo to be in the temple. As I looked at him with an expression of confusion, he rolled his eyes.

“You know, after facing a basilisk at the Hunting Tournament, I got some minor injuries. I didn’t think it was serious enough to warrant treatment… but they were all in a frenzy telling me to get treated. Mir finally showed up.”

“Has it really been that long since the Hunting Tournament…”

It was amusing that a king of a nation hadn’t received treatment until now, but at this point, his wounds should’ve been completely healed with the regenerative abilities of a sword expert.

When I gave Alexandros a bewildered look, he averted his gaze.

“It doesn’t seem like he’s lying, from the atmosphere…”

While it seemed true that he came for treatment, it didn’t feel like that was the only reason he was here. I narrowed my eyes and looked at El.

“Then El is…”

“I’m here to treat him. He is, after all, a king…”

For a moment, a glimmer of disillusionment flickered in El’s eyes before it vanished. Then, as our eyes met, she smiled brightly, as if to brush it off.

“Understood. Then what was that request you mentioned earlier?”

I considered letting it slide, but curiosity got the better of me. As I brought it up directly, Alexandros flinched.

“…What all did you hear?”

“All about the request and then when you two started talking about war.”

Both of them glanced at each other. It seemed they felt a bit embarrassed mentioning war during a trivial argument. I crossed my arms and looked back and forth between them, shrugging.

“If it’s something you find uncomfortable to discuss, I won’t ask any further. I was just curious.”

I tried to calm Alexandros in case it was a sensitive topic, but he hurriedly shook his head.

“That’s not it. What could I possibly not tell you? It’s just… it’s really nothing much, so it felt awkward to bring it up. I’ll tell you now.”

Alexandros’s expression turned serious.

“I’m looking for my wet nurse’s belongings.”

“…Your wet nurse?”

El narrowed her eyes, questioning him. It seemed she hadn’t heard the details.

“Are you searching for Leisha’s belongings?”

I opened my eyes slightly.

Alexandros’s only wet nurse was Leisha. He hadn’t brought in another after Leisha’s death, and he wouldn’t have been at the right age for it either.

“Were there… even any belongings of Leisha’s?”

This seemed to be content not found in the original material. My memories of the original were fading, but I was certain I had no recollection of such a detail.

“After all, Leisha was just an extra character.”

“The Night of the Fairies” wasn’t the kind of story that would dedicate much content to a disposable character created to traumatize one of the main protagonists.

“There must have been a single human involved.”

What kind of being is unworthy of being recorded in the Creator’s world?

The original Kashmir Crisis, too, was such an existence. Merely a consumable that created a moment of conflict before disappearing.

“Characters consumed in such ways must’ve had their unrecorded stories.”

Feeling momentarily melancholic, I quickly gathered my thoughts as Alexandros continued speaking.

“Her name was Leisha. I don’t know her surname. I heard she was once a magician affiliated with the Mage Tower and ranked top of her class in the Imperial Academy of Magic.”

“…Someone that impressive was your wet nurse?”

El’s eyebrows knitted in disbelief. Indeed, Leisha was no character that would simply fade away as “the wet nurse who died protecting the prince.”

The atmosphere grew serious as Alexandros slowly nodded.

“…Yes. She died six years ago.”

Maybe it was due to the sadness in Alexandros’s light green eyes, but the mood in the room suddenly became heavy.

With my arms crossed, El tilted her head.

“And where are her belongings?”

“I don’t know.”

El scrunched her face. I looked at Alexandros with a similar expression of disbelief, but he remained self-assured.

“I don’t know the exact location; I’ve only heard it’s somewhere in the Empire.”

“Do you think the Empire is simply the name of some mansion in the countryside? If you’re looking for a needle in a haystack, good luck with that.”

With a gentle smile, El sarcastically retorted. I found myself chuckling momentarily at her jarring tone despite her sweet face.

Alexandros, looking aghast, ruffled his own hair, causing his soft light-colored locks to flutter.

“I don’t know the exact place, but I know how to find her belongings. Leisha once came to the Empire thirteen years ago. I heard she left some belongings here then. So, if we track down where Leisha was thirteen years ago, we might be able to find them.”

Indeed, that seemed like a sensible approach. I nodded in agreement.

With a glance at me, Alexandros dramatically sighed.

“I’d really like to make sure to find them now that I’m in the Empire… but that so-called messenger of the gods isn’t helping at all, acting like it’s not their business. What should I do?”

El flinched at his words. I tilted my head back and forth between the two.

“Well… how about I help you find them?”

“Really? You’d do that?”

Alexandros’s light green eyes sparkled. In stark contrast, El’s expression soured. I nodded in the direction of Alexandros’s brightening face.

“Sure. I know a couple of capable information brokers. If there’s any way to aid, I can help you.”

Mercenaries and information brokers often maintained close ties due to their occupations. Since I had made connections through my dealings in Mir, I could easily dig up information about a person’s past.

“If it’s your request, I won’t decline.”

As a friend, I would willingly help with something even more challenging.

When I smiled at him, Alexandros was taken aback. The vivid red became evident in his cheeks under his tousled light locks.

“Wait a second.”

The cold and still gentle voice of El interrupted the eye contact between us. Turning to her, I saw her face lighting up with a bright smile.

“I’ve changed my mind. Helping those in need is part of a messenger’s duty, after all.”

“Why is that duty kicking in only after Shushu arrives? Is your sense of duty so wishy-washy?”

Alexandros’s tone was sharp, as if to repay El for her earlier remarks. El’s brow furrowed slightly before settling back into a smooth expression. Her silver eyes shimmered like jewels.

“I’ll help this person, Shushu. No need to bother your precious hands with this kind of work.”

“Wait. I would like to help Shushu instead.”

“If you want to show that you’re a useless human depending on Shushu to help you, just keep at it.”

El’s chilly words, whispered with a laugh, caused Alexandros to clamp his mouth shut. With a wounded expression, he ground his teeth and forced a smile.

“…If you truly want to help, I won’t decline. Give it a shot.”

A chilly gaze exchanged between El and Alexandros. Although their expressions made it seem they could kill each other, I merely viewed them as children bickering.

I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself as I spoke up.

“So, if El helps find the belongings, I don’t have further obligations?”

“Right. Or, well…”

Alexandros seemed to hesitate as he considered this, then he flashed me a bright smile that showed off his teeth.

“If you’re not too busy today, would you introduce me to the capital of the Empire?”

He offered in a sweet tone.

“Well, I suppose Alexandros is on his second visit to the Empire, so he might need a guide.”

The only task I had planned for today was to enter the temple, and seeing El’s face, she didn’t seem as unhappy as Julian described; so joining wouldn’t be too bad.

Just as I was about to nod, a gentle hand tugged at my sleeve.

“No. I would prefer Shushu to go with me.”

Long, light blue hair brushed against my clothes. Just staying still made her angelic face slightly droop, activating my protective instincts within.

“I’m planning to visit the Information Guild today to fulfill his request. But it’s a bit scary to go alone… so I’d like Shushu to act as my escort just for today.”

El’s voice was soft and sweet, like a cool breeze rolling through.

It seemed that to become a ruler of the Empire, mastering the art of captivating others was essential.

Hearing her voice, I momentarily ditched my focus, feeling as though I had a mouthful of candied violets.

“What nonsense… The papacy is mere decoration? Why are you going yourself? Are all the holy knights in the temple just weaklings? Why would you want to use Shushu as your escort?”

“Be quiet. I checked your injuries; you’re in a vulnerable state, so you shouldn’t be going out and should stay in the temple.”

“Ha! Are you trying to imply Shushu is your subordinate? This is outrageous! The Empire’s downfall is clear as day with a papacy pulling this kind of trick!”

“I asked Shushu, so you should mind your business. The Atara Kingdom has long desired to escape. Shushu, please answer me. Will you go with me?”

It was as if Alexandros and El were like a dog and cat. I couldn’t help but chuckle watching the two, who seemed ready to stab each other at any moment.

“You two seem pretty close.”

The duo looked back at me in surprise, expressions of disbelief surfacing on their faces. But I was being earnest.

“Isn’t all this bickering proof of some familiarity?”

The fact that Alexandros asked El for help indicated their friendship. If he believed she would never help, he wouldn’t have asked.

With the two of them maintaining an exaggerated distance as if each were a centipede with a hundred legs, I rose from my seat.

“For now, I think it’s more appropriate to go with El today.”

“Why!”

A mix of emotions swept across both their faces. I smiled gently at Alexandros, who looked completely confused.

“The areas where the Information Guilds operate can be dangerous. It’d certainly be better for me, as Mir, to escort El. No one would dare challenge us.”

I had received much from El, and I still hadn’t repaid all that help. I wanted to assist her in this small way.

I raised my hand and gently patted Alexandros on the head. His soft light brown hair entwined between my fingers.

“I’ll show you the city next time. Just wait patiently. You can do that, right?”

A sulky expression crossed Alexandros’s face, while El’s transformed into one of victory.

 

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