In the Shirone Palace, under the same moonlight, Roxy, who looked to be only fourteen, was hunched over her desk, writing a letter.
She was petite, so much so that when she sat on the chair, her feet couldn't even touch the ground. She had to stretch her toes to rest them on the support beam between the chair's legs.
Her posture was perfectly straight.
Amidst the soft scratching of her pen, words appeared on the paper.
Unlike her small frame, her handwriting was not 'cutesy' at all. It was also completely different from the flashy, flowing script favored by nobles. Instead, each stroke was deliberate and precise, like the font in an exquisitely hand-copied magic textbook.
Just like her attitude towards magic—rigorous, one might even say a bit 'old-fashioned.'
The content, however... was quite different from the 'old-fashioned' style of her handwriting. It carried a 'cutesy' feeling that matched her appearance. It was completely different from the carefully chosen words and anecdotes she used to write in the monster encyclopedia.
Dearest Allen,
Speaking of which, not long after your letter from last winter, you sent another one before I even had a chance to reply.
The letters were sent less than a month apart.
It made me feel a bit... um... surprised.
Because you usually wait for my reply before writing back... but this time, it was two in a row.
If you have more things you want to share in the future, you can write to me anytime. Hearing about what the three of you are up to makes me feel like I'm a part of it all.
It feels like I'm back in that brief time we spent living together two years ago.
It's a strange feeling.
As for what you wrote in your letter...
You completely dealt with the source of the monster tide in the snowy valley last winter?
That's amazing.
Speaking of the monster tide near the Red Dragon's Jaw, it left quite an impression on me. During the two years I was a tutor at the knight's home, I would see him go out every winter to cull the monsters. He would be gone for a week at a time.
His wife always looked so worried.
During that time, the atmosphere in the house would become oppressive, only returning to normal when the knight returned safely.
Now that the monster tide has been cleared, perhaps this won't happen for the next few years. I'm truly happy for them.
About the process of clearing out the monsters... although you only mentioned it briefly in your letter, I could still sense the danger.
A dense swarm of monsters, stretching as far as the eye could see...
To be honest, I've only ever seen something like that in a labyrinth. In fact, based on your description, it was an entire valley of monsters... I doubt even a labyrinth would have as many as you hunted, right?
I'm really curious about what it was like for you then.
If you can... please tell me the details in your next letter.
I know that, given your personality, you're just trying not to make me worry, just like that time you went to hunt the 'Mane Wolf.'
But, as I said before, I like feeling like I'm a part of it. It reminds me of those times...
I hope you weren't injured.
As for Sylphie's hair turning white due to accidental magic depletion, I was shocked. After receiving your letter, I immediately went to the royal library in Shirone to look up information and found that there was a similar case in the Shirone Kingdom decades ago.
However, that was a human, different from Sylphie's mixed bloodline.
I looked up information on mixed bloodlines and found that, compared to humans, they possess more exceptional talents under various circumstances, including but not limited to physical fitness.
And that human lived to a ripe old age.
So... I think Sylphie will be fine too. Please don't worry too much.
But I'd still like to check on Sylphie's condition when we meet again.
What I'm more curious about is what kind of accident could have caused her magic to be depleted?
Perhaps clearing out the monsters was more dangerous than I imagined. I'll say it again: if you can, please share what happened that day. I worry about you all too.
Well, that's all the important stuff. I seem to have gotten serious without realizing it.
Next, let me tell you about my current situation.
First, about the new student I'm teaching in the palace. He is the seventh prince of Shirone, named Pax Shirone.
As you predicted, he's quite a handful. He looks cute on the surface, but after spending some time with him, I've found that he's picked up some mischievous habits from being spoiled.
He's already twelve years old... and you're only eleven... a year younger than him. I can't help but compare you two...
How can the difference be so huge?
I can still see a cute expression on his face, but when I think of you, I can't seem to associate those two words with you at all...
Ah...
Sorry, I got a bit off-topic. I don't know why, but when I write to you about my daily life, I always seem to go off on a tangent... I apologize.
Speaking of him, I remembered your 'teaching advice' in your letter. I must say, your concerns were valid. In these past few months, I have indeed been tempted to compare his talent to Rudeus's on more than one occasion. But remembering the reminder in your letter, I managed to suppress the thought. As you said, it would probably hurt his confidence.
Speaking of which, to be honest, I too once felt a loss of confidence as a mage because of Rudeus's chantless magic.
But your appearance made me realize that perhaps the Greyrat family is just a place where geniuses are born? After we parted, among the various adventurers I've met, whether they were swordsmen or mages, none possessed the same terrifying talent as you two. It seems geniuses aren't so common after all.
Anyway, I will continue to follow the teaching method you advised—praise him more and not be too harsh on him.
However, I'm still a bit puzzled. Why did you specifically emphasize in two separate letters that if he does anything inappropriate, like sexual harassment, I must use Fire Ring on him at lightning speed before he acts?
He has made some offensive remarks, but so far, he hasn't done anything like that. I think your worry is a bit unnecessary...
Hmm...
Could it be that you're worried about me?
Roxy stopped writing there and blinked rapidly.
She looked at the 'draft' in front of her, feeling a bit embarrassed. Ever since the 'incident' with the single sheet of paper, she had developed the habit of writing a draft when corresponding with Allen.
Even thinking about it now made her blush.
Writing "Dearest" and then immediately crossing it out... it was so obviously trying to hide something.
Luckily, Allen hadn't said anything about it...
Roxy scratched her cheek, her blue hair flowing through her fingers.
She picked up her 'draft' and scanned it from top to bottom.
She put the letter down.
She took her pen and crossed out the entire sentences: 'Could it be that you're worried about me?', 'It made me feel a bit... um... surprised,' and 'Sorry, I got a bit off-topic. I don't know why, but when I write to you, I always seem to go off on a tangent.' Then she scribbled over the filler words like 'um' and 'ah.'
After that, she read the letter one more time and finally nodded in satisfaction.
"This way, it won't sound so clumsy, right?"
Roxy blinked, a smile appearing on her face, and she started writing again.
About what you said regarding the roots of the Shirone national flower being edible.
I gave it a try, and it's really delicious when soaked in sugar water.
Could it be that... you still remember that I like sweets? ~(crossed out)~
I received the 'Buena Village Snowflake' you sent back to me. I didn't know there was such a way to make flowers, and it's so easy to preserve. I thought about using it as a bookmark, but I was worried the book would ruin the folded texture, so I decided against it.
To be honest, I don't want to damage this 'snowflake.'
Seeing it always makes me think of you ~(crossed out)~ the snow in Buena Village...
But thank you all the same. I will treasure it.
As for the 'evil god figurine'? What kind of expression is that? It doesn't sound like a compliment... By the way, don't you like the doll I carved for you? The craftsmanship isn't great, I know, but I put a lot of effort into it... but I really like the one you gave me. I've been sleeping with it every night. ~(entire paragraph scribbled out and crossed out)~
Finally, regarding when we will meet again, it's the same old pretty words as always. But, as always, they are surprisingly pleasant to hear. It's very much your style.
I wonder when I'll hear them in person next time. Will it be in the summer? Or perhaps the winter?
To be honest... I don't have any gifts to give you. I'll owe you one for now. I haven't been out of the palace to buy anything recently... Sorry.
The Batillus flower bookmark you gave me is very beautiful. I didn't realize you were so skilled with your hands. Unlike me, who only managed to make one complete bookmark petal out of so many Shirone national flowers. ~(crossed out at lightning speed)~
Roxy
After finishing the letter, Roxy held up the paper and stared at all the messy crossed-out parts.
Her expression went blank, and then she slumped onto the letter in despair.
"What on earth did I just write..."
The candle flickered in front of her face. A waterfall of blue hair draped over the desk as Roxy's expression shifted from embarrassment to frustration.
On the desk, the letter Allen had sent a short while ago was still there. The candlelight licked at his handwriting.
Next time you write, please send the letter directly to the lord's mansion in Roa City. I still feel that a large city like Roa is more suitable for Rudeus and Sylphie's growth than Buena Village. They are both top of their class among their peers and should broaden their horizons in a big city.
In that case, the lord's mansion would be a suitable place in many aspects. There should be good educational resources there. I will find an opportunity to speak with Uncle Paul about this. At the same time, we might be able to work as tutors for the lord's daughter to earn some money for the household. Ever since Norn and Aisha were born, I can clearly feel the financial pressure on the family has increased.
If that happens, I will also be meeting my biological parents. I wonder what kind of people they are. To be honest, it doesn't feel real to me.
But one thing is for sure: I don't plan to reveal my identity. I feel like they most likely won't recognize me anyway. After all, my appearance has changed a lot recently. Maintaining a proper distance isn't a bad idea.
I look forward to hearing from you.
—Allen.
'Allen's home? Sent to the capital by his family as a child, parents he's never met, referring to his own sister as...'
'...the lord's daughter.'
'It's a bit worrying...'
At that moment, Roxy was slumped over the desk. The candlelight danced in her deep blue eyes. For a fleeting moment, it was as if she could see Allen's expression—not his usual relaxed demeanor, but a look of exhaustion.
Roxy blinked, and the illusion vanished.
She sat up from the desk.
The soft scratching of a pen on paper sounded once more.
Allen,
Are you alright recently?
If there's anything troubling you, you can tell me about it.
I am willing to listen.
I want to listen to you speak, even if it's just through words.
She put down the pen.
A long silence followed.
This time, she didn't cross out a single word.
The candle flickered.
Her eyes glistened.
The words floated in the light and shadow on the letter.
It was Allen's name.
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