Love Letter From The Future

“……Third year of the Swordsmanship Department, team leader Ian Fercurus!”

At the call of the Delmore Chancellor, the high-ranking officials from various countries deeply stared at Ian. Even among the audience, who were enveloped in silence, a few gazes stood out.

The ‘Virgin Saint of the Holy Kingdom’, the ‘Queen of the Martial Arts Festival’, even the first-year top student of the Magic Department known as the ‘Imperial Princess’.

All eyes were focused on Ian. However, the expected cheers did not erupt.

This was because the condition of the man who was announced as the winner was more pitiful than one could have imagined.

It must have been an incredibly tough battle. This was evident when compared to the impressive decorative remains of the monster that lay at the center of the stage. The audience refrained from cheering recklessly for that very reason.

For a man who had transcended mere struggle and achieved great feats, gasps or applause didn’t seem fitting. It felt more appropriate to express reverence for his grit and determination.

“Step forward as the representative of your team.”

At those words, the man quietly stood before the Delmore Chancellor. The Chancellor presented him with a luxurious plaque and a small box.

“As the winner, you shall receive four bottles of the ‘Dragon’s Blood’, a potion of vision from the imperial family!”

At that, the crowd finally erupted in cheers.

Potions that could instantly increase one’s magical power belonged to the category of expensive items. The value of the imperial family’s potion of vision was beyond imagination.

This was also a testament to how much the Imperial Court was focusing on the Academy. They gifted a total of four potions, enough for each team member to share.

“And also, I grant you the right to dispose of the monster’s corpse, Ian.”

While shaking hands, the Delmore Chancellor spoke with a kind smile. The spectators were eagerly focusing on Ian, even though it had nothing to do with them.

After all, it was such a large monster. One couldn’t help but be curious as to how high its selling price would reach.

“I haven’t officially named it yet, but it will receive a name soon. You can expect at least over 10,000 gold.”

With the Chancellor’s assurance, whistling sounds filled the air, followed by cheers.

10,000 gold was an enormous amount. It was rare for a commoner to hold such an amount in their lifetime, and even a small noble in the countryside might see that amount in a yearly budget for their territory.

And that was the minimum. How much more would it be worth if the bidding started properly?

Numbers were easy to understand. The audience, who had been tense while looking at Ian’s blood-soaked appearance, quickly shifted their attitude to offer congratulations.

Some of them even appeared to be Ian’s friends. “Buy us drinks, you bastard!” They laughed playfully, repeating such chants.

Ian did not respond immediately. He simply fell silent and glanced at his teammates. Then Elsi chuckled first and shrugged her shoulders.

“Do you think I, Elsi of the Rainelle Clan, would bow my pride for just some gold? Since your contribution is the greatest, do as you wish.”

Next was Ceria.

“It’s as Senior Elsi said. Do as you please, Senior.”

Finally, Celin.

“Y-yeah! Do what you want, Brother Ian! Even if you keep it all for yourself, I won’t complain. I mean, winning the Hunting Festival… I got closer to the revival of the Haster Clan, hehehe…”

Ian hesitated for a moment, then raised his head there, where it had been bowed while receiving the plaque.

His golden eyes turned to the side. To the front of the awarding stand where the audience gathered.

The onlookers watched him with questioning eyes as he took a moment, and suddenly a shout erupted from Ian’s mouth.

“……Lady Virgin Saint!”

At that, a path opened up between the crowd and Ian.

It was a naturally created path as the crowd parted. At the end stood the Virgin Saint, with a bewildered expression. Silver hair, light pink pupils, and alluring curves of her body.

She pointed to herself with her index finger and tilted her head.

“Me?”

Ian did not answer the returning question. He merely smiled faintly and pointed to the monster’s corpse in the center of the stage with his finger.

And he only asked her.

“With a sacrifice like this, can you heal Emma?”

Such an unimaginable question brought a moment of silence to the open space.

The Virgin, the audience, and even the Delmore Chancellor and team members stared at Ian with wide eyes.

Some were simply unaware of the details, while others had never even considered such an idea, and some couldn’t imagine that it would actually be put into action.

However, the silence did not last long. The Virgin, who had been staring at Ian’s golden eyes for a while, eventually smiled as if she had no choice.

Ian was sincere. Therefore, she lowered her head and quietly made the sign of the cross over her heart.

“……Emmanuel.”

The meaning was ‘May the Lord be with you’, implying she could indeed heal Emma.

Finally, Ian let out a sigh of relief. And then he looked up at the night sky for a moment.

Light was about to pour down, as if celebrating the end of the stage.

Whispers, cheers, the smiling face of the Delmore Chancellor, and the delighted companions.

All those colors blended together in the light to create a single painting.

The conclusion of the Hunting Festival had arrived.

Emma’s treatment commenced immediately. It was thanks to the Virgin agreeing to set aside time.

I also needed treatment but had only received a temporary fix. I had asked the Virgin, who I knew to be the most skilled among the clergy, but I still felt uneasy about whether it would work.

The result was announced the next morning. A peasant with a scruffy beard repeated his gratitude before me several times. Bang, bang, blood flowed from his head as he prostrated himself against the ground.

“Thank you, thank you… Cough, I, I don’t know how to repay this favor…”

“P-please, stop.”

I was flustered and quickly helped him up, but I couldn’t hide my excitement at seeing Emma’s father tearfully overwhelmed with joy.

Emma is alive.

It truly was a monster worthy of a name. The Heavenly Deity Arus hadn’t forsaken Emma; her condition, which was previously deemed unlikely to recover, had improved overnight, according to her father.

The ending felt so wonderful it made all the anxiety seem foolish. I should have looked for a sacrifice earlier. I let out a sigh of relief.

“Please, please let me serve you as your servant… After all, my only hope in life is my daughter. If I could repay your grace with this worthless life…!”

“It’s alright, Father. I just did what I needed to do.”

And who in the world would want to use a friend’s father as a servant?

I had to persuade him for a long time while sweating profusely. Nonetheless, Emma’s father wouldn’t let go of me.

“No, no. I thought I’d never see my foolish daughter again… My daughter, wuuuh…”

Eventually, I had to comfort him, having failed to persuade him completely. After a while, I barely managed to disentangle myself from him. I barely regained my freedom after saying how much I wanted to see Emma’s face.

It was an overwhelming reaction. Yet more than that, I felt relieved deep down. He was just as devoted to his daughter.

What would have happened if I had lost Emma? I didn’t even want to imagine.

With a mix of anticipation and worry, I moved forward. In front of Emma’s room, I found myself feeling nervous, taking deep breaths repeatedly.

Having steadied my resolve, I entered the room.

Warm sunlight filtered through the window. The white marble walls shimmered as they reflected the light. Neatly arranged furniture caught my eye. A refreshing scent tickled my nose.

The girl was positioned in the center of that picturesque scene.

Covered in pure white blankets, the girl with red hair gazed absentmindedly out the window.

Her pale skin, perhaps due to prolonged confinement in the sickroom, bore a slightly sickly hue, yet her inherent beauty was unmistakable, further stirring the protective instincts of the young man.

Her subtly red hair appeared dark brown when illuminated by the sunlight. Gradually, the girl turned to look at me with green eyes.

She stared at me silently for a long moment.

And then, she broke into a smile. A warm and kind smile I always knew.

“……Hello, Ian.”

Seeing that smile, I fell momentarily silent.

I couldn’t figure out what to say. My throat felt tight, and I feared I might collapse. I was just so relieved, and also remorseful.

The truth is, I regretted many times after you collapsed. I should have warned you properly.

I wanted to ask for your forgiveness for my foolishness even now, but.

Bitten my lips, chewed, and as those words were forming, all that came out of my mouth was a single word.

“Hello, Emma.”

Just like the greetings we always shared, the girl and the boy reunited.

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