Chapter 3.2

“Take care. Don’t forget—you promised to write to the Ford family if you find out anything when you get to the capital.”

A large hired carriage pulled up in front of Ford Manor. Because the Marquis of Ford kept packing them with this and that, Zen carelessly dropped the now bulging bag onto the ground.

“When did I make that promise?”

“I did. With Lusell.”

Brienne, already in the carriage, glanced at Lusell, who was checking things over. Zen laughed and nodded as if he understood.

“Ah, right. That guy goes crazy when it comes to work. Things were stuck, but now it’s all worked out! I thought you were just a pretty woman, but you’re smart too.”

“Is that a compliment?”

Brienne narrowed her eyes and asked, and Zen shrugged.

“Well, by my standards.”

“By mine, it’s not appreciated at all.”

“Don’t be like that. I’ve always been this blunt.”

“Is that so? Strange, Lusell is a really good person.”

“What?”

Zen’s eyes widened in mock disappointment as he took a step closer and met her gaze.

“What about me? Don’t you like me?”

At that mischievous question, Brienne recalled how Zen had quickly gotten along with everyone in just a few days.

The big voice, the striking presence wherever he went—thinking she might never see that face again, she felt a small pang of regret. Maybe she had grown a little attached after all.

“The manor will become so quiet after you leave, Zen. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to leave so soon… Still, it was fun, even if only for a short while.”

When she deliberately avoided saying she liked him, the man’s face filled with dissatisfaction. His transparent reaction amused her, so she laughed out loud, prompting Zen to grumble.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Just because. It’s fun.”

“You’re quite the silly lady. Besides, just because we’re leaving doesn’t mean things will be quiet. There are two mages in this house—how could it be boring?”

She had never said she was bored, but as Brienne was about to reply, she suddenly realized she had missed an important word.

“…Two? No, there’s only one.”

“What? Miss, have you already decided not to count that man as a mage?”

“What?”

“Herace Belif, right? That guy. Even if his mage qualification was revoked, he saved your father. Isn’t it harsh to treat a fellow mage that way?”

Despite his words, Zen grinned as if he wasn’t really upset. Brienne realized he’d misunderstood something and quickly waved her hands.

“No, I think there’s a misunderstanding. I’m not a mage!”

“What are you talking about? Just getting close to you drains my mana completely.”

Brienne tilted her head at the incomprehensible remark. Her light green eyes were full of confusion.

“Your mana… gets drained?”

“What, you really don’t know?”

Zen stroked his chin with a serious face, then frowned deeply and asked,

“That man didn’t tell you about your magic power?”

Magic power? What…

“I really think you’re mistaken. I didn’t go to the Academy, and I’ve never learned magic.”

“Huh? Don’t say that. Do you think only Academy graduates awaken their magic? Anyway, since you keep denying it, I can see you really didn’t know… If you want, you can start learning now.”

Come to think of it, Shylo had said something similar.

He’d been so busy dealing with the aftermath in the territory as the young master that they hadn’t talked much since then…

Brienne frowned and looked up at Zen.

She was bewildered for a moment by the random remark, but the mention of the Academy made her heart flutter a little.

“If I start learning now… isn’t it too late?”

“Not at all. With your potential, you’d be in the graduating class in no time.”

Even with his nonchalant tone, Brienne’s cheeks quickly turned red. Just as she was about to ask something else—

“Sir Zen! We have to leave now or we’ll be late!”

“All right!”

With Lusell’s shout, the conversation ended. Zen glanced back and grinned down at Brienne.

“Anyway, I’m looking forward to it. If fate allows, we’ll meet again. Take care until then.”

“Yes, you too, Zen. And Lusell as well.”

“Sure, I’ll tell him.”

Zen slung the bag he had set down over his shoulder, turned around, and walked a few steps away. Brienne intended to see them off until the carriage departed.

However, before long, Zen turned around and strode back to Brienne.

“I’m Garzen. I just wanted to tell you my real name.”

He bowed low and lifted Brienne’s hand.

“W-what are you doing?”

“A greeting.”

Zen pressed a ticklish kiss to the back of her hand, then looked up at her with a smile.

“See you again, Miss.”

* * *

The carriage running along the quiet grassy path made a rattling noise. Over the steady sound of hooves, Lusell’s voice mixed in as he leaned against the window.

“What were you thinking?”

“What?”

“You revealed your real name to her. She’s already found out what we’re investigating, and now you’re being too careless.”

Zen, who had been lying across the seat with his eyes closed, lifted his head. Just moments ago, his face had been colorless and stiff, but now it loosened playfully.

“Lusell, don’t worry so much. She didn’t even know she was a mage. If she could figure out who I am just from a name out of a myth, she would’ve caught on long ago.”

“Still, you’ve never done this before. I knew you were pretending to be a playboy, but I didn’t expect it to be to this extent! At this point, I can’t even tell if you’re acting or not. Was everything you did toward the Marquis’ young lady really just an act?”

At Lusell’s uneasy question, Zen smiled broadly. His answer came without a moment’s hesitation.

“No? Not at all.”

At that laughter-tinged voice, Lusell fell into a deep silence. The tired shadows under his eyes made it clear he was more worried than he let on.

“Ha, I just don’t get it! Why did I ever decide to follow you, Your Highness… By now, my parents and sister are probably preparing for my funeral in sorrow. If I’m forced to return home because our location is exposed by this, I’ll spend the rest of my life cursing you, Your Highness.”

“Cursing me, huh? That’s a scary thing to say.”

“If it ends with a curse, I’ll be lucky. Of course, that’s assuming His Majesty the King doesn’t have my head cut off.”

Knowing that Lusell’s real concern was more for his family than his own life, Garzen brushed off his words and muttered.

“That’s why I told you to at least leave a letter behind.”

“Once I resolved to follow you, Your Highness, I was prepared to take risks. Even if it concerns my family. You know that.”

“Yes, Sir Lusellion. I have great respect for your loyalty.”

Zen’s voice, lowered as if to sound dignified, still held a hint of playfulness. Lusell looked at him with exasperation, sighing as he pressed his forehead.

“…Ah, by the way, what do you plan to do about that mage?”

“Well… Since I witnessed it myself, I can’t just ignore it. If I’m not careful, I could end up an accomplice.”

Lusell recalled Marquis Ford, who had gathered the survivors and asked them to keep quiet about the magic. A slight wrinkle appeared above his straight brow.

“He only saved someone, and yet…”

“We saved someone too, didn’t we? And yet, it’s all so complicated. To think a landslide happened at that exact moment—maybe fate really is predetermined.”

“That’s all the more reason to be grateful to him. Thanks to that, we’re riding comfortably in a carriage, with our pockets full, heading to the capital.”

Lusell glanced at Garzen, who was sprawled across the seat, and deliberately put emphasis on the word.

At that, Garzen turned his head and stared straight at Lusell’s face.

“Is that really all?”

“……”

“You know full well it’s not just that we owe our lives. We could’ve run away and left everyone behind if we wanted. You, who are always so cautious, wouldn’t have missed that.”

“I won’t deny it, but…”

“What exactly are you trying to say? Don’t beat around the bush—say it plainly.”

At that irresistible command, Lusell seemed to make up his mind and spoke.

“…I admire him. Sir Herace is one of the people currently being considered as the next Mage Tower Master. I sincerely hope he isn’t stripped of his qualifications just for saving a life, even if it meant going against the will of the gods.”

Garzen scowled and gestured at Lusell with a voice full of irritation.

“Come on, since when did you start calling him Sir Herace? Admire him any more and you’ll end up on his side. The will of the gods, really… Isn’t that a bit much coming from someone of Roeta?”

“Your Highness…! That’s not what I meant.”

He’d asked Lusell to speak, but all he got in return was a rebuke about his subordinate’s lack of loyalty. Lusell opened his mouth in frustration.

This sly prince—he seemed unusually serious for once, so perhaps he had some grudge against Herace.

“What’s the real problem? Did he offend you somehow, Your Highness?”

“Hm, call it a hunch. With that slick face, he’s definitely hiding something. Just looking at him gives me a bad feeling.”

“A hunch? If you don’t tell me clearly, how am I supposed to understand?”

“Enough! You’re still too young to know.”

Garzen raised his large hand and pressed it down on Lusell’s head. Even so, Lusell, who had just come of age, immediately frowned.

“Your Highness, please…!”

“Lusell. We’ll be so busy in the capital you won’t have time to blink. Get some sleep before then. I’m going to rest now too.”

Knowing there was no point in arguing further, Lusell closed his mouth.