“I used to think that when Luma left like that, it meant he had absolutely no intention of ever coming back here until he achieved his goal. Honestly... it really looked like there was no reason for him to stay here anymore. So after about a hundred years had passed, I figured he’d probably died somewhere without reaching his goal...”

The hand that had been idly turning the worn brooch of the Grand Mage clenched it tightly.

“But after reading that letter, my thoughts started to shift. I started wondering if maybe Luma had been acting in a direction I hadn’t predicted.”

“A different direction?” Yuder asked.

Inon nodded.

“Yeah. Maybe he didn’t die without achieving anything, but instead found a lead—maybe even figured out how to proceed. And he came back here to prepare something.”

He mumbled that he still didn’t know exactly what it could’ve been, then tucked the brooch back into his robe.

“Either way, the one clear fact is that Luma did come here just to leave me this letter. There might be more things he left in other places too—things I haven’t discovered yet. I’ll need to check more carefully, not just the obvious stuff.”

After that, Inon recited the contents of the letter in a calm voice. Most of it matched what Yuder had read, but there were a few additional lines toward the end that Yuder hadn’t reached.

—However, if you return to the Wall, you may fulfill the purpose of protection, but it will be difficult to reclaim yourself as you were. Whether that becomes the freedom found by returning to the source, or a sorrowful surrender, I do not know. Just remember that shedding your physical body is equivalent to severing the bond of your soul with your own hand... That is Luma’s final message.

“...”

“If you have any more questions about it, ask.”

“Was there... anything like a farewell? Or a personal note?”

At Kishiar’s dry question, Inon scoffed.

“Didn’t you already get the hint? He wasn’t the kind of guy to write stuff like that.”

“I see. Then what do you think, as the pharmacist—when do you think the Grand Mage might’ve come back and left this?”

“Seems to me he deliberately kept it vague. Didn’t want to make it easy to deduce. But he’s still human... No matter how late it was, probably within a hundred years of when he first left. I mean, even if Luma was a legendary mage, he didn’t discover a way to live forever, did he? That’s why he created me. If he could live forever, he would’ve been the Guardian himself. But why ask that now, suddenly?”

Kishiar gave a thoughtful hum and nodded.

“Because your question reminded me of a certain artifact we received from the Prince of Nellaern.”

“An artifact?”

Yuder realized what Kishiar was referring to—the Voice of Dreams relic that Prince Ezein had sent to the Empire.

“It’s a magical tool supposedly left behind by someone called the Blind Sage. The Empire never recognized the claim, but the people of Nellaern believe that the Blind Sage was actually Luma, after he left the Empire. Have you heard of that?”

“No. After Luma disappeared, too many con artists went around pretending to be him.”

“That’s exactly why the Empire denied it too. But unlike all those frauds, the Blind Sage really was a mage. Back before people even used the term ‘magical artifact,’ he created tools that could perform miracles and heal the sick. And some of the items he left behind still work to this day.”

“...”

“If Luma could give his heart and hand to another, then why not his eyes too, once he left the Empire?”

“Does this Blind Sage guy have a grave?” Inon asked, face expressionless.

Kishiar shook his head.

“No. He wandered without ever meeting the elite of Nellaern. He helped the poor and sick, performing miracles before vanishing. The images we have of him—drawings, carvings—are all based on hearsay and reports. None were made with direct observation. If it weren’t for the relics, we might not have had any proof he existed at all.”

“When we return, let me see this artifact the prince sent. I’ll know if it’s real once I’ve seen it.”

“Of course. We haven’t figured out how to activate it yet anyway.”

Yuder asked, “Didn’t you bring the Mirror of Truth with you when you retrieved it? Even with that, you couldn’t identify anything unique?”

“Right. I sent it to the Royal Mage Office, but haven’t heard anything. Still, the folks in Nellaern probably used something similar to the Mirror of Truth, so it’s not surprising.”

Originally, the item had been brought in hopes that it might help heal Emperor Keillusa’s vessel. Now that the Emperor had recovered, there was no urgency to unlocking its use—but even if it wasn’t truly Luma’s relic, it would be worthwhile to try and learn more from it. There was no reason not to show it to Inon.

“Anything you’re curious about?” Inon asked next, turning to Yuder with eyes that suggested he already knew exactly what Yuder was most interested in. With a look like that, there was no point hesitating over whether to ask. Yuder stared into his eyes and slowly opened his mouth.

“I’m curious if... the you from the previous game read the letter and returned to the Wall. And if you did... what happened to you?”

“Beats me. Probably did go back, though. Given that I never came back afterward, it seems like Luma was right—restoring myself again was impossible.”

“...”

“Oh, come on, don’t make that face! Sure, things must’ve been real shitty outside at the time. But Luma said it clearly in the letter, didn’t he? Whether it’s freedom or surrender, you won’t know until you do it.”

Yuder had been about to ask what face?, but that thought vanished at the next words.

“He was warning me. To think carefully, because it could end badly.”

“A warning, yeah. But maybe that line about ‘freedom found by returning to the source’ doesn’t mean it’s all bad.”

“Sounds more like the ‘freedom’ you get from dying, to me.”

Freedom found in death, or regret in surrender—it was still death in the end. And from personal experience, Yuder knew both very well.

“You little bastard. You keep twisting everything I say to sound grim, huh?”

Inon scowled, brows furrowed. Yuder decided not to provoke him further.

“Try learning how to interpret things more optimistically! And for the record, I’ve got no intention of returning to the Wall, so get that straight!”

With a shout, Inon jumped to his feet.

“That’s enough talk about the letter! I’m going back to searching. We might be here a while, so either help search the area or go upstairs and rest!”

It was strange. Inon had clearly raised his voice in irritation, yet Yuder felt more at ease than he had moments ago. He realized he’d been deeply relieved to hear that Inon had no intention of returning to the Wall.

...How absurd.

No matter where Inon went or what he chose, it was his choice. Yuder had no right to interfere. But if Inon had tried to return to the Wall like in the previous life—if he’d chosen to sacrifice himself—Yuder would’ve done anything to stop him.

It was selfish. But he also sincerely wanted to continue having these kinds of conversations with Inon.

He says he has no thoughts of returning now, but... if things take a bad turn, who knows? All the more reason to find more information and resolve things faster.

Yuder renewed his awareness of how heavy the burden was. Even if they had prevented the worst in the West and South, the problems were far from over.

***

As Inon predicted, their stay lasted longer than expected. They spent several hours searching the lab together, but aside from the few things Inon already knew about, they didn’t find any new wooden fragments containing useful information.

Most of the wooden pieces were filled with complex magical theories Yuder couldn’t comprehend, and unlike the letter, he couldn’t read any of them clearly. Eventually, night fell, and Kishiar and Yuder were practically chased upstairs to the bedrooms. Officially, Inon said to check if there was anything on the second floor—but no one misunderstood that to mean anything other than go wash up and sleep.

This place is so remote we don’t need to worry about the horses tied at the forest’s edge. That’s a relief.

There were two bedrooms on the second floor. Yuder assumed one had belonged to the Grand Mage and the other to Inon. Both were clean and well-maintained, with nothing particularly unusual.

“Shall we use separate rooms tonight? Or share?” Kishiar asked teasingly.

“Of course I’m sleeping with you, Commander. Don’t tell me... you were thinking of bunking with Inon?”

Yuder asked just to be sure. Kishiar burst into laughter like a flower blooming at night.

“Of course not. That would’ve made both the pharmacist and me deeply miserable.”

“I wouldn’t be thrilled either.”

Yuder’s curt reply made Kishiar laugh again.

“Alright. Then let’s get some rest. If we keep pushing ourselves without sleep, the one downstairs might worry.”

“...”

It was likely Kishiar had asked that question precisely because he noticed Yuder’s mind was still preoccupied with Inon. Yuder let out a quiet sigh and nodded.

He lay down beside Kishiar and closed his eyes.

Then, what felt like only a moment later, he suddenly opened them again.

...Thought I wouldn’t be able to sleep. Guess I was wrong.

Earlier, the room hadn’t seemed so dark, but now it was pitch black. He must’ve dozed off for several hours. A nocturnal bird cried faintly in the distance.

Yuder held his breath, trying to sense any sign of Inon moving in the room next door. But he couldn’t feel anything.

No way he’s still down there...

He carefully rose from bed, trying not to make a sound or disturb Kishiar. But before he could move, a low voice rumbled in the dark.

“...You’re thinking of going downstairs.”

“You’re awake? I’m sorry.”

“No need.”

The man lying down turned his head and reached out, brushing Yuder’s cheek with his hand. As that warm hand settled against him, Yuder closed his eyes briefly. Kishiar exhaled.

“I’ll wait here. Go ahead.”

“You’re not coming with me?”

“If I go too, the pharmacist won’t be happy. But for a short farewell kiss, I think I can manage waiting patiently right here.”

Kishiar had already figured out exactly what Yuder was thinking. Yuder stayed silent, then nodded.

“I’ll just check in and come back.”

He leaned down and kissed Kishiar’s lips. He could feel the corner of Kishiar’s mouth curl upward.