Ch.102102. Vacation (1)

“Oh, I got one.”

I quickly grabbed the fishing rod as it twitched. The makeshift rod, hastily assembled with a branch and some fishing line, was surprisingly effective at its job. I nodded with satisfaction as I looked at the trout dangling from the end of the branch. It was slightly larger than my palm. Was it still a fingerling, or was this its full-grown size?

“Is it okay to keep this one?”

Unable to decide, I showed the trout I’d caught to George. George examined the shape and color of the trout’s back and belly, then nodded. With a sigh of relief, I placed my catch in a bucket of water. George glanced at my bucket and asked:

“Is that your second one, Ilroy? Not bad for a beginner.”

“Well, honestly, couldn’t you have just done the fishing by yourself?”

George chuckled softly and cast his line back into the water with ease. His large bucket was filled with trout—quite sizable ones at that.

“We won’t be able to eat them all, so we’ll release some of them. From now on, it’s just for fun. Though I imagine you’d like to catch more.”

George said leisurely as he placed his fishing rod on the stand. George and I had come on a fishing trip. Though calling it a trip might be generous for what was really just a crude two-night camping excursion. We had prepared rather excitedly, loading all sorts of gear. We rented a carriage, bought tents and tools, with one of us sitting in the driver’s seat and the other squeezed among the equipment.

“I had no idea a place like this existed. How did you find out about it?”

When I asked, George shrugged his shoulders subtly.

“Well, it’s sort of a famous spot passed down through generations in the Gray Bear Knights. A forest path on the way to the north. Monster appearances are rare, so among us, it’s known as the perfect place for camping like this.”

I nodded vaguely while baiting my hook. George noticed his rod trembling slightly but left it alone. Winter was a quiet season. No sound of flowing water or birds chirping. I cast my line following George’s example and crouched down on a makeshift chair.

“Fishing, Ilroy, isn’t about catching fish.”

George made this unexpected remark as I stared blankly at my fishing rod. After catching so many fish, what was this man talking about? I frowned slightly as I turned to look at George. He was gazing beyond the riverbank with a relaxed expression.

“It’s about the process—the waiting between casting your line and catching a fish. What kind of waiting you enjoy depends on the person. Like me, appreciating the scenery, or enjoying this silence. Or just zoning out, that’s fine too.”

It sounded like something a sage might say. George rested his arms on his knees and lifted his head to look at the sky again. The sky, which had been constantly dumping snow, had cleared up today. The clear sky showed no clouds. The sun cast warm light, changing its hue throughout the day. Of course, the weather was still bitterly cold.

“That’s disrespectful to people who fish for the thrill, you know. Like those who wrestle with huge fish in the ocean. That’s entering the realm of struggle.”

I retorted to George as I shifted to a more comfortable position. The fallen leaves crumbled beneath my feet.

“Well, that may be true. But the more impatient you are, the less likely fish will bite. Even those who fish for the thrill know that.”

George said as he sipped from his cup of alcohol. He then offered the cup to me, and I couldn’t refuse, taking a sip.

“You should learn to enjoy the waiting too.”

I put the cup down and looked up at the sky. An eagle was circling overhead. I followed its path with my eyes. The eagle barely flapped its wings. I alternated between watching the flying bird and sipping alcohol with George, then tapped my empty cup.

“…Got any more alcohol?”

“Is that supposed to be a question?”

George chuckled as he held up a leather pouch full of alcohol. He took my cup, filled it generously, and set it back down. Then, he produced another cup from somewhere, filled it too, and placed it beside me. I frowned at the brimming cups. Beside me, George was still chuckling.

Clatter.

Just then, my fishing rod began to shake. I put down my cup and grabbed the rod, lifting it up. But perhaps I was too hasty—the rod snapped. I looked at the broken rod with a dejected expression and let out a hollow laugh. George cackled at the sight of the broken rod.

“…But look. I caught one.”

I pointed awkwardly at the ice floor. Next to the ice hole was a large trout I had pulled up with my rod. George laughed in disbelief.

“That just means you’re still too impatient.”

“As long as I caught it, it’s fine.”

We muttered nonsense as we looked at the trout lying on the ice.

“That one looks big enough for dinner.”

“Indeed it does.”

George picked up the large trout and placed it in my bucket. Then he took another branch, unwound my fishing line, and made me a new rod.

“Here, it’s still too early to stop fishing.”

I let out a hollow laugh as I looked at the crude fishing rod. I cast the line back into the ice hole and leaned back. Somehow, I felt like I was beginning to understand what it meant to wait quietly.

The sun had completely set. The trout was tastier than expected, and the winter night wasn’t as cold as I had thought. The sound of branches breaking and burning came from the fire. The sky was clear, making the stars very visible.

“Reminds me of when we were in the north.”

“Yeah, I should visit Evernode sometime too.”

I said, recalling each of their faces.

“You need to clear your mind sometimes, Ilroy. The sixth calamity is still far away, so you can rest easy for now. I thought I should stop you before you push yourself too hard. To save the world, you know.”

Sparks flew like stars. I hadn’t intended to overexert myself. The sixth calamity had designated monitoring locations, and the events likely to occur before then… weren’t due yet. My job was to become strong enough to handle all of it. Though strength wasn’t something you could gain by being impatient.

“I can see what you’re thinking all over your face, Ilroy.”

“You’re the one who brought it up first.”

I chided him and stretched my legs. Today, I hadn’t used magic or drawn on mana. I sat quietly, waiting for a very natural drowsiness to overtake me.

“Let’s go fishing again sometime.”

I mimicked casting a fishing rod. George nodded and smiled.

“Sure. After it’s all over, I’ll take you on a fishing tour across the entire continent.”

It was the third day of our vacation. How long could I push back my anxiety? I watched George sluggishly making his way into his tent. I remained by the fire even after George had gone in. Not long after, George’s snoring broke the quiet night.

“Are you still not going to speak again?”

I asked, looking at the Holy Sword hanging at my waist. The Holy Sword was still silent. Not being able to hear her voice made me feel very empty. Words like “good job defeating the calamity,” or “this is how you should have done it,” or “to improve further, you should do this.”

“…Are you saying I can do well without you?”

I wanted to tell her that wasn’t true. That I still needed her words. More than that, what were those words you spoke to me? I placed the Holy Sword on my knee and took out oil and cloth from my tent. The blade of the Holy Sword, removed from its scabbard, gleamed softly in the firelight.

“You know that’s not it.”

What are you—it’s not even mentioned in the original work. It’s just described as a sacred sword that has existed since ancient times. I soaked the cloth with oil and slowly began to clean the Holy Sword. The blade that had cut down countless monsters and calamities since it began traveling with me was no different from when I first encountered it. It hadn’t deteriorated or lost its luster.

“…Sorry for complaining.”

I apologized and began to clean the blade. I ran the cloth down the blade. Strangely, the cloth didn’t get cut by the blade. I quietly continued cleaning the sword. It’s not like she said she would never speak again. I consoled myself thinking the Holy Sword must have its reasons, and I put it back in its scabbard.

“Tell me someday.”

I said that and entered my tent. For the first time in a while, drowsiness was washing over me.

==

“Did you have a good time?”

I was greeted back at headquarters by Daphne Ephiphone, who was somehow there. Behind Daphne, I could see Marianne Prim wearing an apron. Had the headquarters become these two’s territory while I was away? I gave a wry smile as I looked at Daphne. She was holding a small puppy in her arms.

“What brings you here?”

I asked while scratching the head of the puppy that ran up to lick my fingers.

“Just visiting. Marianne would be alone, so I thought she might be bored.”

“I’ll put the equipment in the headquarters storage, Ilroy.”

Meanwhile, George was diligently moving the equipment we had used during our camping trip. Daphne looked at the equipment being carried to the storage with a disgusted expression.

“You took that much equipment for just a two-day trip?”

“…It just ended up that way as we bought things. Couldn’t be helped.”

I made a lame excuse and entered the headquarters. Daphne was dressed in comfortable clothes that looked suitable for wearing at home. Come to think of it, there was even a puppy comfortably settled in. This didn’t seem like just a casual visit.

“I decided to stay here during the vacation.”

Daphne said. When I turned my head toward Marianne with round eyes, wondering what was going on, Daphne gestured for me to turn back to her, as if to say she would explain.

“I just showed up unannounced and asked for a room.”

“I also thought it would be better to have company than to stay alone, so I asked her.”

Even Marianne, who had been quiet, joined in the explanation. I waved my hands around in confusion. Seeing my expression, Daphne cautiously opened her mouth.

“Is that… not okay?”

Ugh. I flinched as I met those violet eyes. And for some reason, Marianne had joined forces with her, her eyes also shining. I exhaled strongly, trying not to hesitate any longer.

“No… stay as long as you want.”

Daphne’s expression brightened considerably, and following its owner’s mood, the puppy also smiled broadly, panting with its tongue out. I closed the lobby door that had remained open, and Daphne smiled as she put the puppy down on the floor. When she’s so happy like that, I can’t even show how flustered I am.

“Oh, and a letter came from the royal palace this morning. I think you should check it?”

Daphne casually handed me a letter with the royal seal.

“…Thanks.”

Daphne turned around with a fox-like smile. It felt like an invisible tail was swishing behind her. Feeling like I’d been outmaneuvered, I opened the letter from the royal palace.

To Hero Ilroy

That’s how it began. I raised my eyebrows as I read the sentence that followed.

I’ve thought of a way to make you stronger.