Though mages might seem like solitary beings who don’t band together, in certain ways, they care for no one but their own kind. Most of them didn’t treat those without knowledge of magic by the same standards, and from the moment they became mages, they regarded the privileges that came with it as a matter of course. In his previous life, Yuder had sometimes suspected that, to a mage’s eyes, only other mages even counted as human.

So then... when she said that not knowing the emperor’s name wasn’t that strange, given how many mad mages there are—that comparison only makes sense if she didn’t think he was just an ordinary person.

When a regular person lacks basic knowledge, it’s shocking. But when it’s a mage, it ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) becomes something they can shrug off or spin into a charming anecdote. It was a subtle turn of phrase that, if one didn’t know how mages spoke and looked at people, could sound like she was just seasoned enough not to be surprised by anything.

A different kind of annoyance from the nobility.

"Still... even if Madam Sallandin was wary of us, she ended up sharing her information without holding anything back. That’s fortunate."

Her recollection of his grandfather matched the grocer’s description almost exactly. He had seemed oddly lacking in basic knowledge when he first arrived, appeared to be a mage, but never explicitly stated who he was.

But...

"When I heard the grocer’s account, I thought it was likely he’d lost his memory or mental clarity temporarily due to some accident. But after hearing this new information, I’m starting to think it wasn’t that simple."

"I agree."

Could someone who had forgotten even basic common sense so easily read a book like that? And not just any difficult book—a text so archaic it required interpretation.

"Unless he was a historian well-versed in archaic language even before losing his memory, but... looking at the items we found among his possessions, that seems highly unlikely."

The things they’d found among the belongings he tried to burn suggested he was a mage studying mana. But that didn’t automatically mean he was someone with deep knowledge of ancient history or classical language.

"Even among mages, those fluent in ancient languages are rare. Especially the ones who dedicate their lives to hands-on research—they usually have no need for it."

"I thought so too. Something like studying ambient mana in nature doesn’t seem to require knowledge of old dialects or early imperial language."

"Exactly. So if he really was fluent in such things—on top of his own research field..."

Kishiar paused, frowning thoughtfully before continuing in a careful tone.

"This might sound harsh, but if your grandfather had that level of talent, I doubt he’d have remained a nameless mage until old age. He would’ve been as famous as Helrem by now."

"It’s not harsh. It’s just the truth."

Regardless of his feelings for his grandfather, facts were facts.

Yuder looked at the man who laughed softly at his own comment and asked:

"But do you think it’s true that Madam Sallandin was only a trainee mage? Personally, I find that hard to believe."

"I feel the same. It’s especially hard to accept when you consider her memory—plus, for someone of that level to be able to recognize the kind of artifact my bracelet is? That’s not easy."

"Speaking of that bracelet... What’s the story? Since when did you start collecting disguise artifacts so obsessively you gained a reputation?"

"A long time ago. Back when I first started making money in Peleta, I think."

That was the young duke who earned his fortune by clearing monsters for the northern lords. And the first thing Kishiar had tried to acquire with his savings had been something that would help him move around more freely.

"I figured if I wanted to get anything done, I needed freedom of movement. But, as you can see, I stand out far too much."

So he’d started secretly collecting magical tools for disguises. And because the kind of quality he needed could only be found in very old relics, they weren’t easy to come by.

"Nowadays, I’d just use the Peleta Knights to procure what I need. But back then, I had to rely on outside help. And mercenaries and intelligence guilds... well, you know how they are."

"You always have to expect your information will leak. They’re not exactly trustworthy."

Yuder knew firsthand how difficult those dealings were. In his previous life, he hadn’t fully trusted Inon either, but he’d kept going back for information nonetheless.

Kishiar chuckled, as if recalling those old hardships.

"Right. I was able to get some of what I needed, but... the fact that someone was gathering such items must’ve leaked out. I just never thought I’d run into the result of that here. Ha."

"Are you all right with this? Sallandin might’ve guessed who you are."

"Honestly? I think it worked out well. She recognized the bracelet, and because of that, she decided to be straightforward with us. That helped us. So I feel great about it."

Kishiar looked completely unbothered. He even smiled, as if he welcomed being recognized.

"At any rate, I think Sallandin’s attitude may have been the biggest reason your grandfather chose to become a regular at that shop. It’s not easy to find a merchant who’ll guard a customer’s secrets no matter what they buy or ask. And for someone selling rare and dangerous artifacts in a rural area, a mage like her was probably the ideal match."

"Do you think my grandfather really understood the value of the items she sold?"

"Maybe not. But it probably didn’t matter—as long as he wasn’t buying anything other than books."

Kishiar smiled and lightly shook the paper-wrapped bundle in his hand. Inside were the magical tools he’d just purchased from Sallandin’s shop. The combined price could’ve paid for the shop’s roof repairs a hundred times over.

"This is just speculation, but... based on the books he read and what we’ve learned, I think your grandfather was trying to close a gap. He lacked knowledge about the world and was making an effort to catch up."

"Trying to close a gap in knowledge...?"

Yuder repeated the words, trying to grasp them.

"Yeah. It might look like amnesia, but it’s something else. How should I put it... Like someone who’s been locked away for years and is trying to understand what’s happened in the meantime. People like that often behave this way."

"..."

"Once they’ve gotten the basic information they need, they live simply—blending in, drawing no attention. That’s the feeling I get. Though of course, this is just a theory. The more we learn, the more mysterious it all becomes."

Kishiar smiled with bright, relaxed eyes. Then, out of nowhere, he stopped walking.

"Well then. Shall we wait here for a bit?"

"Huh?"

"Actually, when I paid back at the shop... I used a little trick. If I’m right, someone should be coming after us right about now."

"What do you mean—?"

Before Yuder could even finish his sentence, a voice shouted behind them.

"Excuse me! Sirs! Please wait!"

Just as Kishiar predicted, Sallandin’s daughter was running toward them, waving frantically. Kishiar let out a low whistle with a grin.

"Told you so."

Panting with a flushed face, Sallandin’s daughter came to a halt. Only after catching her breath did she finally manage to grab Yuder’s sleeve.

"I’m so glad you weren’t far! My mother told me to go after you, quick. Huff... Huff..."

"Why?"

"She said... you were short-changed. She thinks you may have paid too much."

She finally looked up, having caught her breath.

"My mother’s never done this before... Would you mind coming back with me for a moment?"