Days passed like lightning—fast, yet exhausting. Two weeks, to be exact.
Eugene and Ned's relationship grew stronger and less cautious. Eugene's muscle mass increased noticeably, and he had begun to adapt to the daily routine—though Ned occasionally broke it.
Sometimes it was with races across green meadows four kilometers away, or through swimming, singing, or duels that always ended with Eugene losing. Other times it came in the form of punishments from Eig because of those very things.
One midnight, when snow strangely did not fall as it usually did, all the knights were outside eating, dancing, and singing. Ned stood among them, leading the celebration. Eig had already gone to sleep, as had the red-haired man.
Eugene entered his house while the lights and voices remained loud behind him. He pulled the curtain closed over the door, then took a candle and shook it lightly. It ignited at once.
He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out two envelopes that looked like letters.
Sitting on the bed, he opened them.
"Ah… it's the first time I've received a letter."
He opened the first envelope and took out the paper, beginning to read while lying on the bed.
"The first letter is from…"
He looked at the back of the envelope and saw the name Rin.
---
Hello Eugene.
I don't know how things are on the border, but I heard the weather there is extremely cold. Try not to catch a cold.
Eugene smiled.
"Heh… Rin, you never change."
He continued reading.
Anyway, the place here is truly strange. From the first day I arrived, I saw a place where everyone wore long white clothes with wide golden lines. It was the headquarters of this organization. Huge—like a gigantic office building with eight floors.
White, black, and purple dominate the place. And yes, the organization's headquarters is located in the city of Herm.
It's a very large city. It's not much different from New, except that it's hotter and has slightly fewer people. There is also Herm University, which belongs to the same organization.
By the time this letter reaches you, it will probably have been about two weeks. I've started getting used to the place. It's quiet and full of books, and most people here are either quiet introverts or extremely annoying… like you.
Eugene raised an eyebrow in surprise, though the smile remained on his lips.
Anyway, it's a nice place, and I've gotten used to it—except for the high prices. Sending this letter cost ten silver pounds.
Well… see you later. Or honestly, I don't know what word fits the end of a letter.
Anyway… goodbye.
Signed: Sherlock Message Center
---
Eugene closed the letter, stood up on the bed, then returned it to the envelope and slid it beneath the bed. After that, he picked up the second envelope, which was golden in color and carried the scent of jasmine.
"I bet this is Fred's letter."
He turned the envelope.
"Yes, it's from Fred."
He opened it and began reading.
---
Man, without Edios around this place is really boring. I don't know where he went—he disappeared on the second day after the break.
Oh right, I forgot to greet you. Though I don't think it's necessary since the letter already started.
Anyway, how are you? How is the border? I actually wanted to go there last year, but my luck landed me in the Justice Organization.
Eugene smiled.
"Fred is still Fred… polite as always."
He continued reading.
Nothing important has happened. The place is somewhat boring, so I spend my days cooking, training, or farming.
By the way, about farming—are you still at the same level?
Anyway, goodbye. And excuse me if I don't reply to your letter—which you haven't even sent yet—because I'll be busy soon. I've found a new hobby, and Noor keeps dragging me along wherever she goes.
See you.
Signed: Riverend Message Center
---
Eugene searched through his clothes, pockets, under the bed, and inside drawers.
"Looks like Rim didn't send anything…"
A bit of doubt crept into his mind.
Is she angry?
No… we made up.
Maybe she's just busy.
His tone returned to indifference.
Then he walked to a drawer, took out paper and a pen, and began writing.
His style was direct, fast, and full of words—very different from Rin's or Fred's writing. Even his handwriting lacked Fred's smooth, neat elegance.
He literally wrote about everything.
Ned and the knights.
Eig and Thor.
The first day.
The freezing weather.
Their strange customs.
Like eating honey with steamed meat, or drinking blue cow milk with an orc chicken egg. Using flowers instead of toothbrushes. The countless womanizers around the place. The brutal training.
And that strange light he once saw in the forest—along with the woodcutter's song that he still couldn't stop thinking about.
Eugene kept writing for about fifteen minutes. When he finished, he folded the paper—and then suddenly realized something.
Where do I get an envelope? And how do I even send letters?
He stood up, left the folded paper on the table, and went outside. The celebration was still going on.
Ignoring them, he turned left and headed toward the central building—the large palace-like structure.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
He knocked quickly and somewhat forcefully.
Less than a minute later, the door opened.
Eig stood there with the same cold, dry expression as always. He wore a thin white sleeping robe with a soft cotton cap.
"What do you want?"
"Where can I find an envelope? And how do I send a letter?"
"And why would I look like someone who knows?"
"Wait… aren't you the manager here?"
Eugene's mind grew confused.
"Yes, I'm the manager. But not of everything. Jin manages the gate guards, and Amila manages the letters."
"And where can I find this Amila?"
Eig pointed at the wall.
Eugene understood what he meant—but still asked, hoping his guess was wrong.
"So… you mean the center behind the wall?"
"Yes."
Eugene looked toward the long staircase. His legs were already trembling.
"Oh no…"
SLAM.
Eig closed the door, leaving Eugene standing there with an unhappy expression.
---
"Ahhhh… ah… ah… when will I reach the top?!"
Eugene had already climbed half the distance, looking like a completely exhausted old man.
While walking, his foot slipped.
He fell flat on his face and began sliding all the way down the staircase until he reached the bottom again.
He lifted his face. A red mark covered it, and the taste of iron filled his mouth.
"Damn you all…"
He stood up and began climbing again.
Once more he slipped, fell, and slid back down.
It happened three more times.
During one of those falls, a light appeared from the left, along with Ned's unclear voice.
"Huh?"
Eugene raised his head toward Ned, who swallowed the food in his mouth before speaking again.
"What are you doing?"
Crunch.
He took a bite from the meat sandwich in his right hand.
"I'm trying to reach the center behind the wall."
Ned raised an eyebrow.
"You want to send a letter?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you climbing and sliding like a child who can't walk?"
His voice carried clear amusement.
"Every time I climb, I slip and fall again."
"Why? You climbed the stairs normally the first time."
Crunch.
Ned took another bite as he approached Eugene.
"Yes—but that time I was full of energy, and I had a strong reason to climb. Now I'm exhausted from that hellish training, and sending a letter alone isn't enough motivation."
Ned tilted his head slightly.
"Then use your imprint."
Eugene's eyes widened.
"Use… my imprint?"
Ned nodded.
Crunch.
"That will save you time and effort. Anyway, I'm leaving before they eat all the food."
Ned walked away.
Eugene quickly stood up, turned around, and released a thick burst of mist—using it as propulsion to push himself forward.
He kept doing it until he reached the top.
"Bleh…"
He vomited.
It had been a long time since he used his imprint at such intensity—especially with his body already exhausted.
Quickly, he went down and ran toward the center. As he passed by, he asked one of the servants:
"Where can I find Amila?"
The maid looked surprised that he called her by name so casually, but she pointed toward a set of rooms.
Eugene went to the large red-doored room on the second floor.
The moment he entered, he smelled cocoa.
The room had red leather furniture, brown curtains, and a single large window behind a big desk. Above, pipes ran through the ceiling in a square formation.
Eugene walked through the room but couldn't see Amila.
When he reached the desk, he found a note.
---
I am not here right now.
If necessary, take an envelope from the red box on the left.
To send a letter, place it in the small blue box connected to the transparent pipe.
---
Eugene grabbed an envelope.
Then he suddenly remembered.
He had left the letter at home.
"AAAAAAAAAH!"
He shouted furiously.
Several maids gathered, watching him storm out of the room with rage on his face.
Eugene ran back down toward his house.
At that very moment, a sudden ice storm began.
A tear slipped from Eugene's left eye.
He went out again and climbed the stairs once more—this time without using his imprint because of the powerful winds.
After more than an hour, he finally reached the top again.
He returned to the room, placed the letter inside the envelope, sealed it, and dropped it into the blue box.
Then he returned home—slipping, sneezing, and shivering from the cold because he had forgotten his knight cloak.
The moment he reached his house, he threw himself directly onto the bed.
Once, that bed had felt hard like stone.
But now, after such exhaustion, it felt like pure heaven.
Within seconds, his eyes closed.
And he fell into a deep sleep.
End of Chapter