Love Letter From The Future

Even though the eastern sky was getting brighter, the cold wind

Before long, a snowstorm began to rage.

The evacuation procession that set out from the manor quickly grew in number. It was a big relief that the evacuation route was planned in advance.

Fortunately, many of the refugees from the territory were joining the procession.

Of course, their expressions were not very bright.

They were in a situation where they had to leave their beloved hometown as if they were fleeing. Including Viscount Percus, there was no one whose face was not gloomy.

Especially when they were about to put restraints on both of Ria's hands and feet, Celine raised her voice.

“No matter what, you can’t treat her like a criminal……!”

“What else do you suggest we do?”

Arthur replied in a cold tone.

“The test subjects of the Dark Order still pose a risk of going berserk. If not, would you like to face that monster yourself?”

With that, Arthur gestured over.

Beyond them, the Corpse Giant was still stomping around.

Fear flickered across the faces of those eavesdropping on their conversation.

How could we possibly deal with such a monster?

Celine clenched her fists and trembled, but couldn’t find a rebuttal.

Perhaps if Ian had accepted her proposal, it would have been different.

But Ian made a calculated decision, and most people would agree that it was the right one.

Anyone who saw the underling of that Evil God would concur.

Arthur sighed deeply as he looked at Celine, who was filled with resentment.

"...We can't release the restraints unless we can ensure at least that level of safety."

And so the gloomy procession continued.

Of course, there were some who appeared anxious amidst it all.

A lovely girl in a pointed hat, Elsie, was insistently shouting.

"Uncle, we need to deploy the Mage Corps quickly...!"

"Who are you saying should rescue whom?"

Reynold’s voice was still cold as he faced Elsie.

He slowly turned his blue eyes toward her.

"Sir Ian is stronger than both you and our Rinella family’s mage corps. He’s not someone who needs protecting in the first place."

"What about the villagers?!"

"If Sir Ian can't protect them, then neither can we... By now, Sir Ian should already be patrolling the outskirts."

At this, Elsie grew even more frustrated and stomped her feet.

It might have looked cute at a glance, but the words coming out of Elsie's mouth were anything but.

"No, seriously damn it... But the Master isn't coming back, right?! Has the old man’s brain already gone smooth...?"

"Watch your language, Elsie."

Despite her rude outburst, Reynold remained unperturbed.

He seemed like he was used to it.

In fact, those watching from the sidelines were the ones looking fed up.

Reynold's admonishment of "watch your language" was unexpected in itself.

"Calling someone who could be your fiancé 'master'—do you still consider yourself a Rinella?"

"Th-That... Anyway, he's someone who could be my fiancé!"

"...Please, just be patient a little longer."

His tone almost sounded irritated.

Elsie still didn't hide her fierce glare, but she looked at Reynold as if she was willing to listen.

Reynold chuckled inwardly at the sight.

That little girl, who complied with anything as long as it came to the family's name, had grown to the point where she could stand up to an Archmage like Reynold.

It was both fascinating and bittersweet.

After all, the life of a high noble was one that had to serve with the will of the family.

He, too, had gone through a period of rebellion.

Before long, Elsie would also have to realize.

The true meaning of the saying "Rinella’s destiny is determined by Rinella."

No one could escape from those shackles.

Reynold sighed softly with a hint of regret.

"If you wait just a little longer, everything will work out as you wanted. Starting with the engagement, you’ll continue attending the academy, and above all, Sir Ian’s friends have already set out to find him."

"...Just a little longer."

Her voice still held a hint of defiance.

Reynold scoffed as if to say she could do as she pleased.

"I'll just wait a bit more, and if it still seems hopeless, I’ll even go alone if I have to."

"The evacuation procession takes a long time, and every escort is crucial. Besides, how would Sir Ian be in danger?"

Reynold subtly gestured with his eyes at the massive figure making its presence known in the distance.

Elsie's face hardened as she stared at the monstrous giant.

Though she had already seen grotesque creatures like the Flesh Nest, the Corpse Giant was an exceptionally hideous and formidable foe.

"Surely he won’t try to confront that monster..."

It was something she muttered to herself, but Reynold shook his head as if it were ridiculous.

Elsie couldn’t deny it either.

Even to her, that monster was a fearsome adversary, terrifying to even think about facing.

Elsie was someone who had always feared the strong and thus had relied on someone else to maintain her sense of self.

She knew all too well how much courage it would take to face the Corpse Giant.

No matter how strong her master was, he wouldn't be able to stand against that monster.

The very thought made Elsie's body shiver with fear.

Reynold was quite satisfied that Elsie had no further rebuttal.

Then, as if remembering something, Reynold pulled a pouch from his coat.

It was a pouch adorned with luxurious patterns.

Elsie’s eyes filled with curiosity as she accepted it.

"Since you are a mage of Rinella, you should carry a rapid recovery potion. You never know what kind of enemies you might encounter during the evacuation."

Rapid recovery potions.

As its name implied, it was a potion that rapidly recharged mana.

Just as swordsmen would typically carry healing potions, mages often carried rapid recovery potions.

Though having been born with vast mana reserves, Elsie had never needed one.

Elsie discreetly opened the pouch.

Being a direct descendant of the Rinella family, there was a considerable amount of space inside. Yet it appeared small in volume, likely it being an expandable spatial pouch.

Even as she accepted the potion, Elsie's expression remained sullen.

Judging by the way she occasionally glanced toward the village, she still had some regrets.

Reynold clicked his tongue at the sight.

"Elsie, can you even marry and raise children properly with that attitude? That’s why Sir Ian speaks of you in such a way..."

"...Master? What did he say about me?"

Hearing this, Elsie perked up her ears, giving him her full attention.

Reynold looked at her incredulously before speaking again.

"Sir Ian visited the inn last time. At that time, I asked if he had any intention of getting engaged..."

At that moment.

BOOOOM, a thunderous sound echoed, and the ground shook violently.

Some of the people stumbled and even screamed in shock.

All eyes turned towards the source of the commotion.

It was the Corpse Giant.

The giant, which had been walking calmly until now, let out a monstrous roar, seemingly displeased with something.

Reynold’s brow furrowed as he sensed the anomaly.

Blue sparks flickered in his eyes as he carefully scanned the surroundings.

It didn’t take long for him to discover the cause of the Corpse Giant’s agitation.

A bewildered voice escaped his lips.

“...Sir Ian?”

Hearing the name, Elsie’s eyes followed Reynold’s gaze urgently.

There, a man was sprinting through the streets.

Unbelievably.

**

Flooding memories blended with the surrounding scenery.

It was the middle of a burning forest.

The Great Forest was perpetually humid, enough to make its air feel sticky. A natural fire of this magnitude shouldn’t occur in such a place.

It was a man-made fire.

A few charred corpses lay scattered around.

They were once those who lived in the Great Forest.

They were disciples who couldn't endure the Great Witch's training and had fled.

They had turned their swords against her.

In exchange for helping the vampire escape from the forest, they had been promised compensation by the Dark Order.

Indeed, it seemed the Dark Order had paid them a fair compensation.

No matter how many there were, Junior Sister was an Archmage. Even if a crowd of mediocre disciples gathered, she wouldn’t have been cornered.

But the result before my eyes was the complete opposite.

Without even a moment to tremble in grief, I brushed the girl's cheek with my trembling hand.

The woman’s body, leaning against the tree, slid down.

The bloodstains marked the path her body had taken. My eyes and throat were heavy with moisture as I processed the scene.

It felt as though my consciousness was drifting.

It was so unreal that I felt detached from reality.

I felt devoid of any sensations.

Even if my skin was blistering and burning, I wouldn't have noticed.

Whether she understood my feelings or not, the girl in the pointed hat wore a faint smile.

Blood trickled down from the corner of her mouth.

It felt as though blood was spilling from my chest as well.

“What’re you, kugh, crying for… idiot... You’re breaking my heart.”

This marked the man’s first farewell and their final conversation.