Ch.366Chapter 366: Epilogue – Invitation (1)

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Before getting to the main point, the conversation with Alcor, which began with the topic of appearance, continued in a warm atmosphere.

Alcor and I had appearances with absolutely nothing in common.

My impression still contained sharpness and fierceness that I hadn’t been able to shed, despite hearing that I had softened considerably.

And Alcor’s impression, marked by a handsomeness that could only be described as transcending human boundaries and entering the realm of the divine, couldn’t even be falsely called similar to mine.

Yet somehow, our conversation started with the premise that the two elements making up our completely dissimilar appearances had something in common that caught people’s attention…

“Good, very good. It reminds me of how I looked in my prime.”

“…You’re gilding your junior’s face, I see.”

The conversation continued with Alcor offering embarrassingly high praise while looking at my face, and me barely managing to contain my embarrassment in response.

I couldn’t help but feel flustered.

With such a handsome face, he claimed that in his younger days, his impression was too harsh and gloomy, earning him criticism from others—who was supposed to believe that?

Of course, I wasn’t angry since it seemed closer to comfort and encouragement rather than mockery.

“Time is the best medicine. You’ll understand what I mean as time passes.”

Alcor’s advice, based on life experience that surpassed mine even by comparison, carried a compelling sincerity that made it difficult to dismiss.

“…I’ll take your words to heart.”

Though somewhat reluctantly, I responded with words of respect, and that’s how we spent our time.

Though it seemed trivial, we were discussing it so deeply that we almost forgot the main topic and nearly spent the entire time talking about appearances while seated.

“Ahem.”

When the attention of people who had been interested in our appearances began to wane, Alcor’s throat-clearing brought our drifting conversation back to the main point.

It was a signal that we were ready to enter the main discussion, coinciding with the slight diminishing of people’s gazes that had been fixed on us even during seemingly useless, truly meaningless small talk.

It was just a simple conversation—reading the phrase written on the invitation, resolving related questions, and then combining that with what I had discovered to decide whether to accept the invitation or not.

But Alcor had maintained his commitment to his purpose of concealing himself from others, even wearing tinted glasses, and had waited for the attention to decrease.

While Alcor’s behavior seemed incomprehensible at first, after a little thought, it made some sense.

Indeed, I could understand his concern about the ripples that might form if others overheard the somewhat outlandish story of a transcendent being from a completely different world visiting this place for leisure.

So when…

“You seem to have read the invitation. What did you think of it?”

As soon as he confirmed that the attention focused on us had disappeared, Alcor asked not whether I had read the invitation, but what I thought of it, certain that I had already read it.

“I read it thoroughly.”

Having no reason to lie, I answered calmly, then asked:

“May I know who wrote the invitation?”

Before stating whether I would accept, I inquired about who had sent the invitation.

This question had been on my mind continuously as I read the elegant handwriting on the pristine white paper revealed when the velvet envelope’s seal was broken.

I couldn’t help but ask.

Setting aside the neat handwriting that seemed to reveal the writer’s refined character…

The content invited Shizu and me to a place whose name gave no hint of its nature, without revealing who the sender was.

And the immense divinity emanating from the invitation, which was merely a medium, indicated nothing except that it was sent by a being not of this world.

I needed to ask Alcor about it, at least in this way.

Depending on the answer, I might step into an unknown world different from this one in an instant—such caution was essential.

Since he didn’t seem like someone who would refuse to answer, I felt no burden in asking, which made the question all the more necessary.

Since Alcor, who had handed me the invitation, understood the meaning behind my simple question…

“…Ahem.”

Before answering my question, he averted his gaze from me and cleared his throat, just as before.

To an outsider, it might have looked like he was at a loss for words and trying to change the subject.

But to me, it seemed like his utmost effort to speak about the being he was about to mention in the most pleasant voice possible.

“It’s my wife.”

Seeing Alcor reveal the sender’s identity in the most refined voice after clearing his throat, my prediction wasn’t far off.

When I mention Shizu while talking with others, I also try to use the most pleasant voice possible—why would Alcor be any different?

I’ve always felt that when you like someone and hold them dear, your words and gestures become gentle and soft when mentioning them to others.

I don’t know how much similar experience Alcor has had, but I could clearly feel that he loved his wife at least as much as I love Shizu.

“She wants to see the heroes, including you, who removed the great distortion cast over this place.”

Just by his careful manner of conveying her will, I could tell abundantly.

However, while Alcor’s answer revealed who wrote the invitation, it was somewhat insufficient as an answer to who this person actually was, so I needed to ask more.

I was about to open my mouth to continue, but…

“She is my benefactor who took me in, the person I love most, and…”

My mouth couldn’t open due to Alcor, who was reciting briefly about who his wife was in a slow but clear tone.

Despite the brief introduction, I could clearly feel Alcor’s love for his wife, and then…

“She’s also the one who infused the most divinity into the material that became what your world calls the Holy Sword when it was sent down to this land.”

Alcor’s words provided the most intuitive explanation of who his wife was.

Alcor’s wife, who had been perceived as an unknown entity, was instantly engraved in my mind as someone who could be regarded with both familiarity and awe.

Though what came from his mouth would have been shocking enough to astonish any stranger who heard it…

“I see…”

I simply responded with a low voice of acknowledgment to Alcor, who had finished explaining about his wife.

Listening to him naturally resolved several questions I had only perceived as points of curiosity.

Thinking back, I realized that the energy I had defined as divinity, which had emanated from that velvet envelope in the guest room yesterday, was very similar in texture to what emanated from Shizu’s Holy Sword. This was the main reason I could naturally tell there was no falsehood in Alcor’s words.

Anyway, though the introduction was a bit long, it was also an overflowing answer to my curiosity, so…

“I understand.”

Unlike my previous quiet response, I put more distinct strength into my voice to thank Alcor for answering my question, then said:

“I will accept the invitation.”

I immediately told Alcor that I accepted what was written in the invitation.

Contrary to my expectation of an intense reaction…

“Welcome.”

Alcor greeted me, who had accepted the invitation, with a short word that contained a measured restraint.

It seemed almost too brief to express a welcome, but…

“I could invite you right away if you wish.”

Despite his tinted glasses completely concealing his eyes, I could tell from his upturned lips, clearly revealing his emotional state, and his apparent readiness to take me to the place of invitation immediately, that he was trying to restrain his joy that wanted to leap out.

After hearing the circumstances, I too was filled with the desire to go, but…

“I’ll think about it after having breakfast. I’m quite hungry after moving around all night.”

When I hinted that I needed to fill my stomach before doing anything…

“Ah.”

After letting out a single exclamation, Alcor’s expression changed to one of pleasant acceptance, as if he’d been caught off guard, and he said:

“That’s right. Whether an ordinary person or a being like me who traverses the heights, we all need to fill our stomachs to live.”

As he said this, a faint but clearly discernible laugh of amusement flowed from his lips.

On the third day of our journey…

Perhaps instead of our initial goal of touring the southern part of the central continent…

I might end up exploring an unexpected unknown world together with Shizu.

“Let me have another glass of that kvass I drank yesterday.”

“…No matter what, alcohol first thing in the morning is a bit…”

Before that, I need to stop this man who’s obsessed with kvass.