Every year when autumn arrives, they send it?
Sean hadn’t known when the previous aid came, since he’d arrived in winter. So it was already this season...
After spending half a month in Talamian, Claude ultimately grew bored and decided to head back. At his age, he was at his most energetic, and with nothing worth lingering over in a small town, returning to the city was the better option. At least in Koga City, he could chat with the girl next door while tending the shop.
Of course, from Claude’s [secret delight!], Sean saw it clearly: Esmeralda would likely stay in the town a while longer, and with her gone, Claude would have no one watching him—he could do whatever he wanted!
On the day of his departure, he put on a dejected face in front of Sean, claiming he was useless. He hadn’t accomplished anything in the town, knew nothing about farming, and mining wasn’t feasible there for now. As a token of gratitude, he’d only managed to tune Sean’s flintlock in his spare time.
Watching the young man’s insincere, mournful expression, Sean simply waved him off, telling him to hurry up and leave...
From the start, Sean had never expected Claude to do much. He’d only called for Esmeralda; Claude had probably tagged along just for fun, and now that he was bored, it was time to go back.
………………
Claude left, but his sister Esmeralda showed no sign of following suit.
Though she often argued with Luke, Sean could see their relationship never soured—in fact, they communicated more and more frequently. He often heard Igunia mention that Esmeralda would leave the baron’s house early in the morning to head into town.
Since the two were staying at Sean’s place while Luke was in town, Esmeralda couldn’t know anyone else there. If she went out to meet someone, it had to be Luke. Those two were quite something—always pretending to be at odds in front of others, yet secretly caring for each other.
Setting aside their relationship, Esmeralda was truly a business prodigy!
A woman who could single-handedly run a family business had real skill. Luke had knowledge, and Esmeralda had experience; together, they made Sean’s work much easier. He even considered hiring Esmeralda or forming a joint venture with her, hoping she’d join in building Talamian...
In contrast, Igunia had been helping Sean search for traces of magical history. She believed that if the ‘enemy’ had truly come to Talamian to assassinate the previous Viscount Weigel, they must have left something behind—even if buried under snow or weathered by wind and sun, something would remain.
As a disciple of Eshu, a scholar in the wizard circles of the Basharan Empire, Igunia had her own persistence in this area. She’d even crafted a special magical trace-detection tool to use...
As for Sean.
After figuring out that his family might have enemies, he’d been researching his family’s history, including the distribution of global wizard organizations.
But the books in Talamian were limited. The missing ones were brought from outside cities through the mercenary guild’s contact, while others were sent from Koga City at Igunia’s request.
Yet records of the Sun Crown wizard organization remained scarce. It wasn’t a Basharan Empire organization, nor was it from the Zambutar region, so descriptions were sparse. Most texts only mentioned it in passing, with nothing about its formation or development.
Maybe in larger cities, he’d find relevant records, Sean thought.
He wondered if the Sky-Wing headquarters in Riyetis City had any such records.
After some thought, Sean abandoned the idea of asking...
Too far away. Even sending a letter might take half a month, and a round trip could be a month, with no guarantee of finding anything. It was better to be precise and seek out a few scholars to ask.
Also, he needed to minimize communication with Freya, at least for now.
Not only was the Tacoma region issue still troubling her, but she’d also given him the Cain Tablet. If he corresponded with her during this time, Prince Philip might take notice...
From the first moment he saw the prince, Sean never thought him a fool. To stand out among royalty and suppress the deeply entrenched grand duke in the south within a few years required strength and boldness. With an intelligence network spanning the entire southern city, the prince couldn’t be unaware of how letters were sent.
If the prince learned the Cain Tablet was in Sean’s hands, it would spell disaster for many.
Though Sean felt his current strength could match many experts, the biggest issue was his own power...
He didn’t know how long that passive skill would last, and once the Eye of Gehros opened before the world, it wouldn’t just be about winning or losing—his very existence might be questioned. He’d be branded a heretic and hunted by all!
For now, Sean wasn’t ready to go through the ‘great villain’ phase that every protagonist in the novels he’d read seemed to endure.
A nationwide manhunt?
That would be too painful!
And...
He glanced at the Cain Tablet, always placed under his desk.
Over this period, Sean had occasionally studied the tablet. But this coveted slab, besides its unknown material, bore inscriptions that defied deciphering—only the pattern was readable.
A pattern of a monster like Gehros...
Sean had guessed these tablets recorded what were called ancient gods, with Gehros being one of them. The blessing he’d received could be seen as a believer’s protection.
After work, Sean liked to linger at the town’s mercenary guild. The local head, Andermai, had known him before and even arranged a private room for him, separate from other mercenaries.
They chatted about trivial matters, occasionally asking for news from the Tacoma region and Riyetis.
In the end, Talamian was too small. Sean now felt he had no way to access much information...
Meanwhile, the empire’s aid still hadn’t arrived.
One day, Sean was discussing his views on Tacoma City with Andermai at the guild, playing a special board game as they talked. It resembled chess, but with different rules.
“I heard Viscount Weigel went to Riyetis recently?” Andermai smiled as he moved a piece, then lifted his hand.
“Yes,” Sean replied.
[Smug!]
Seeing the expression on his opponent’s face, Sean shifted a piece slightly.
[Relieved!]...
Another move.
[Nervous!]...
He placed his piece.
“Ah, Viscount Weigel’s skills are improving. Soon, I won’t dare play chess with you anymore.” Andermai laughed, masking his embarrassment—this move was truly unsolvable.
Knock, knock, knock~
Just then, the guild’s door was knocked.
“Probably someone from town. I’ll go, my lord.”
Sean nodded, signaling him to proceed.