147. Snow Falling in Midsummer (4)
“What could that mean?”
I tapped my desk in my study, lost in deep thought. The mention of a similar scent. When I couldn’t understand her words, Natalie showed a surprised expression and shook her head, telling me not to worry about it. That surprised look bothered me. What could she have meant?
“Do you have any idea?”
As I gazed at the sacred sword leaning against my desk and asked, her trembling voice echoed in my head.
“[I’m not sure either. I don’t know if it’s something worth thinking about so deeply.]”
“She’s making me worry for no reason.”
I grumbled and started tidying up my messy desk. A mountain of documents had piled up while I hadn’t been attending to paperwork. I read through each document, stamped them, and sorted them. The sight of the long-unseen lines of text floated around confusingly. I felt like I should get a pair of glasses.
I wish I didn’t have to risk my life. I thought he was someone I’d have to talk to at length someday. With Arjen’s letter, the paperwork was finally over. Now, with a cleaner desk, I slumped down. Fatigue washed over me. The streets of the royal capital were still quiet. A cool summer. A gentle breeze carried sunlight in and out of the room.
“The seventh calamity….”
When I was alone, I thought of the calamity. I have no memory of the ‘Origin.’ My memory about ＜I will never come back＞ stops at the sixth calamity. The original work seemed to have glossed over it and left it rather unresolved.
“[Forget it for now. There’s no guarantee that all the calamities will appear at once.]”
“It’s ambiguous. What do you mean by ‘Origin’?”
“[I don’t know everything, Elroy.]”
Origin. I don’t know the origin of what, nor do I know in what form it will come. But I have to put an end to it. I’ve already come too far to pretend I don’t know anything because I don’t have any information.
“…I’ll find out soon.”
With a sigh, I stood up from my seat. The pile of replies I had written was massive. I couldn’t help but smile even as I sighed, looking at the letters I had written. I left the headquarters and put each of the letters I had written into the mailbox, checking to whom I was sending them and whether the stamps were properly attached.
“You look busy.”
A familiar voice reached my ears. I turned my head to greet the owner of the voice.
“What brings you here? Weren’t you the busy one?”
Georg showed an awkward smile and shrugged his shoulders.
“I have something to say, so I came to ask if you have some time.”
“You came just in time. I was just about to take a break by myself.”
“Great. Let’s go inside and talk.”
I said half-jokingly, but Georg didn’t blink an eye. With a sigh, I followed Georg who entered the headquarters.
“What’s with the letters, Elroy?”
“Replying to those who wrote to me. There were some names I missed.”
“…I see.”
Georg plopped down on a sofa in the lobby, which looked like a living room. It had been a while since I had seen him not wearing armor. He had the appearance of a next-door uncle who simply enjoys beer and exercise. I fetched a cold bottled beer from the basement and handed it to Georg. Georg popped the cork with his teeth and chugged down half of it.
“Thanks. I’ve missed this.”
Georg let out a satisfied sigh and put the bottle down.
“So, what did you want to talk about?”
“I know you want to get rid of me quickly, but don’t rush.”
Georg stretched out on the sofa, resting his head on the backrest and spoke lazily. I watched him hesitate, and then sat down on the sofa across from him and opened my beer. It was so cold that my head felt a little numb. I let out a sigh similar to Georg’s.
“How are you feeling? I’ve heard you’re fine, but knowing you, you’re bound to be hiding any pain.”
“I’m fine. Why would I hide my physical condition from even Isis? I would have been treated if it needed to be treated, you idiot.”
His prickly response was followed by Georg shrugging his shoulders once more.
“You’ve been through a lot, so you’ve become more sensitive. Don’t mind me asking persistently.”
Georg picked up his beer again and drank about half of what was left.
“I’ve been through many battles and wars, but this is the first time I’ve been in a battle where those around me didn’t die. It’s even more frightening not to lose them, knowing that they’re alive thanks only to you.”
As Georg raised the bottle again, the beer, about three-quarters gone, disappeared. He looked at the empty bottle and tapped it lightly.
“Stop hesitating and speak up if you have something to say. What’s going on?”
“The wedding date has been set.”
I widened my eyes in surprise as I drank my beer.
“What? I thought something bad had happened, but you brought good news for a change?”
Georg chuckled as if he had succeeded in surprising me.
“Anyone who hears you would think I only bring bad news.”
“I thought you’ve been strangely busy lately, but it’s because you were preparing for the wedding. Isn’t it rushed?”
“I think both families felt a bit rushed. They agreed to have the wedding quietly while things are calm, fearing they might be called away for something else.”
I nodded with interest.
“That’s great. When’s the ceremony?”
“End of this month. It might feel like roasting beans over a fire, but the preparation itself is going smoothly since there isn’t much to consider.”
“Should I buy you some furniture? I’m guessing you already have a house.”
Georg laughed and waved his hand.
“I’ll accept your kind thoughts. Instead, I’d like you to officiate the wedding.”
Officiate? I widened my eyes again.
“Are you sure I’m good enough?”
“It’s not because you’re a hero that I want you to do it. It’s a request as a close friend. Of course, you can refuse.”
I shook my head vigorously. It’s someone’s wedding, of course I should accept.
“I’ll do my best. But don’t expect anything special, okay?”
“Thank you for accepting. I’ll contact you later.”
Georg smiled and got up from his seat. I watched his back as he left the headquarters with light steps.
One person’s story was turning a new chapter.