Love Letter From The Future

It was now a familiar dream. The memory of a man.

A flag symbolizing the legion fluttered over the tent. It was an army stationed on the plains. Exhausted and injured soldiers stood out prominently. The despair evident in their eyes left no room for hope.

They looked like dried fish.

As soon as he dismounted, the voice of mockery reached his ears.

“Hey, look over there, the crows have come!”

“They say they’re the masters of escape?”

It was bothersome, but there was no change in the man’s expression. He tightened the black cloak draped over his armor and moved forward without hesitation.

No soldiers stopped him. Not even when he entered the red military tent where the commander was stationed.

Inside sat a woman with a pale complexion. Her exact features were unclear. Only her tired eyes were etched in his mind.

“It’s been a while, sir.”

“…It’s an honor to see you again.”

The man bowed his head in a disciplined manner, but he could not capture the woman’s attention, who was engrossed in reviewing documents. She merely glanced at his presence.

It did not take long for the papers to be dropped sharply onto the table. Only then did the woman shift her weary eyes toward him.

He opened his mouth softly.

“I am curious about the situation on the eastern front from the institution.”

“…The situation?”

She laughed softly, as if finding it absurd.

The woman slowly stood up and stepped outside the tent. The man followed her naturally.

She revealed the battlefield beyond the tent.

Blood-soaked ground, devoured corpses, and crows shrieking created a chilling atmosphere. And beyond that, unidentified trees twisted as if made of flesh were densely growing.

The woman, who had been gazing blankly at the scenery, spoke to the man.

“It’s always the same. There are not enough soldiers, no capable knights, and the enemies continue to multiply day by day. We’ve long since reached our limits. At the very least, they could deliver supplies on time.”

“…I will recommend it once I return to the institution.”

To the man’s words, the woman merely scoffed. Her expression said she had no expectations.

Afterward, a long silence descended. The woman’s eyes, which had been blankly staring at the battlefield, had slowly turned to a gloomy light.

“Please, I beg you. I can’t endure this anymore.”

“We are doing our best. But as you know, the situation on the western and northern fronts is…”

The man’s words could not be completed. Before he could finish, the woman pointed beyond the battlefield with her finger. Moving and writhing, a tree made of flesh.

It was evident to anyone that it was not a creature belonging to nature. Finally, a vague fear filled the man’s eyes, which had shown no signs of emotion until now.

“…Delphrium is coming.”

A trembling voice infused with fear and hatred.

Those were the last of the woman’s eyes that had been looking at him.

Gasping, I sat up in bed.

It was yet another incomprehensible dream. The sense of reality, as if the boundary between dream and reality was crumbling, and the pillow soaked with cold sweat.

I was tormented by a pounding headache and a burning thirst. I reached for the water stored in the canteen kept by my bedside and gulped it down, only to quickly realize something felt off.

The turned calendar and the ambiguous letter lying on the desk.

“…What the hell.”

Initially flustered, it was already something I had experienced before. My hand swiftly tore open the envelope.

My eyes rapidly scanned the letter.

—-

To. My beloved Ian Fercurus

Have you ever thought about love?

Lately, I find myself deeply contemplating that emotion. I don’t know if it’s because I started a romance or because it’s been months since I said goodbye to my beloved.

Looking back, I think love is like a tree. Until the seed sprouts, you don’t notice it at all. Then before long, it grows, filling my heart with its shade.

Of course, I’m talking about you. You seduced innocent me and acted oblivious, and I still feel a flush of anger just thinking about it. Be honest, was it intentional?

You specifically decided to do your internship at the orphanage that year. There were requests to scout and eliminate monsters scattered everywhere. Naturally, there were villages located in the Perkus Manor among them.

You once mentioned that nobles should serve to protect their family lands. Then what was the reason you chose to do your internship at the orphanage that year? After much thought, I’ve come to one conclusion.

‘This man has been eyeing me for a long time!’

So you toyed with my naive heart, which had never experienced love. It’s utterly despicable. May the Judgment of the Gods fall upon this wicked playboy.

And may blessings be upon you.

If you were indeed eyeing me, then I’m grateful for that. Love is such a terrifying emotion. Becoming yours alone makes all the past feel like a blessing and a connection.

I’m lucky to be able to fall for you, Ian. Thank you for introducing me to the feeling of happiness.

Above all, it can’t be denied that even if your intentions are impure, I cannot belittle the heroic struggle you showed that day.

Your efforts may not particularly have helped with grades or demanded anyone’s sacrifice, but you picked up your sword for the weak and defended them even while injured.

That’s when I understood. Although on the surface you seem fearsome and full of secrets, deep down there’s a purity.

From that day forward, I became interested in you.

Before that, I only felt threatened, but I realized there was a reason why I had to feel that way toward you.

If you hadn’t threatened me, I never could have repelled the ambush and destroyed their nest.

Once again, I thank you. For playing with the heart of a naive girl like me, for suffering through a fever of love, and for finally being able to stand by your side.

Everything is by your grace. Emmanuel.

I miss you, Ian. I always pray for you.

P.S. 1: I’ve heard that the Empire’s brat has recently been dispatched to Arancourt at the southern end of the continent? What a fitting fate.

P.S. 2: Don’t think you’re safe being in the institution. The Heavenly Deity watches over all worlds. If you stray, you shall meet the deserving punishment.

From. With love from afar, Lucia.

On the second day of the month of the Wheel in the year 571 of the Empire.

—-

It was still a letter filled with cryptic words. For a moment, I put my hand on my forehead, gathering my thoughts.

The previous letter was about the ‘Hunting Festival’, and now it was about ‘internships’. It seemed to refer to the upcoming practical training replacing the final exams.

Are there issues arising there as well? Why on earth?

The term ‘ambush’ alone was ominous. It had been the same during the last Hunting Festival, but I had to prepare for life-threatening battles. A headache was already creeping in.

Why does the Heavenly Deity impose such trials upon me? I desperately wanted to go to the temple and question it, but before that, my eyes, scanning the text, suddenly froze.

It was the part where the sender’s name was written. The one sending the letter from the future was ‘Lucia’.

Not ‘Sepia’.

I couldn’t help but burst into a hollow laugh due to my exhaustion.

“Such a mess, completely…”

It seemed that my future self had multiple fiancées.

In disbelief, I sighed deeply. My head shook involuntarily. As I attempted to tuck the letter away, I caught sight of a phrase written on the back of the letter.

‘Obeying Destiny’

The two hastily scribbled words stood out as if written in a different handwriting.

I silently gazed at the words before finally putting the letter into my shirt.

Strangely, that phrase was etched deeply in my mind.

The second letter arrived, yet my tasks remained unchanged.

First, I had to attend classes. I needed to train and take some potions.

‘Dragon’s Blood’ was among the best potions available. If taken carelessly, severe side effects could occur.

It was wise to take such potions under the guidance of a trusted master, such as Professor Derek.

However, as I reached for the box containing ‘Dragon’s Blood’, my hand hesitated.

The box was empty. I had to check my magical power just in case.

Then, a rush of magic flowed out like a waterfall.

Startled, I had to quickly calm the wild magic. The amount of magic within me had multiplied more than twice. If that’s the case, there could only be one possibility.

It meant I had already consumed ‘Dragon’s Blood’. Yet I had no memory of it.

“I’m going crazy…”

I was afraid. I had lost my memory again. I was terrified of what I could have done in the meantime.

Last time, I had beaten Seria to a pulp. Although I had somehow managed to handle it afterward, I still ground my teeth whenever I recalled that day.

In the end, things turned out well, but the process had been tumultuous. It had been a month that did not suit my stability-seeking nature.

However, on the other hand, I wondered if I might have done something I couldn’t handle again.

My skills had improved unimaginably compared to a month ago. I now had reliable companions like Seria and Senior Elsi, as well as a mentor in Professor Derek, someone I could seek advice for any issue.

As long as I wasn’t caught in a predicament, I should be fine. I forcibly repressed the unease creeping into my thoughts.

Fortunately, as soon as I stepped outside, no hushed whispers followed me.

I heard some whispers here and there, but it was unavoidable since various rumors about me were already widespread.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips. If I had gotten into trouble again, then that wasn’t me. That would be an enemy disguised as me.

While I walked with these complacent thoughts, something suddenly tugged at my arm. Into a dark alley between adjacent buildings.

The strength was beyond imagination, leaving me no time to resist. Then, my body collided violently with the wall.

Dazed, my eyes scanned the assailant’s profile. It was a familiar face.

Silver hair like spun silver, and eyes of a light pink that stirred the hearts of many men.

And a body that provoked unsettling thoughts flashed before my eyes, leaving me even more bewildered.

The Lady Virgin Saint, why?

But she merely gnawed at her lips, glaring at me with eyes overflowing with malice and hatred.

“…You! What are you plotting?”

Before I could even ask what she meant.

The Lady Virgin Saint grabbed me by the collar and shouted. A voice heated with resentment and anger.

“What are you plotting, I ask!”

It was closer to the behavior one might show toward a foe.

All I could do was mutter inwardly.

What on earth have I done?

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