It was late at night, and a hush was beginning to fall over the royal capital. Wraith was alone in a room in the inn, preparing for tomorrow.

''A demon........''

　Demons exist in the vicinity of Wraith's house, which is tomorrow's destination. To put it bluntly, Wraith is not good with demons. You could call it trauma.

　That's because he has been chased around by dangerous demons many times during his tour of collecting hell with his master. If you experience that many times in your early teens, it can be a traumatic experience. On top of that, my master saw Wraith crying and running away, laughing with his belly in his hands.

　The abominable memory that I don't even want to recall makes Wraith smile blankly.
　But fortunately, this time you're not alone. I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say.

The best thing is to avoid encountering them as much as possible..... Phew........

　Wraith finishes packing the bag with most of the necessary items and takes a breath. Not to mention the healing potions, there are also potions inside to get rid of demons.

　They are quite effective against demons with a sensitive sense of smell. In case of an emergency, this will allow me to defend myself somewhat.

''All that's left is the ring.

　Lace removed the red ring that was on the middle finger of her right hand. He then prepares a sheet of plain white paper.

　Wraith placed the removed ring in the center of the paper and began to draw an intricate pattern around it using the dark blue powder. His right hand, which moves without hesitation, finishes drawing the pattern in a matter of tens of seconds.

''Grant.''

　You can also have a look at the following information The "grant" is an alchemy that applies magical effects to accessories and the like by drawing a magic circle to create magical tools.

　Most of the magic tools are used up, and once used, they will return to being just accessories. It is possible to add another "grant" to a tool that has been used once, but it is inefficient because the effect is significantly reduced.

　This time, the reason I gave the ring a 'grant' is the effect of impact resistance. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

"This is how it is.

　Wraith re-fits the ring that finished the 'grant' into the middle finger of his right hand. With this, preparations are completely ready. The only thing left to do now is to rest your body slowly and get ready.

　Wraith got into bed and quietly closed her eyes.



　******



　Tomorrow morning. Amidst the stinging cold air, Wraith and Raffy had gathered at a spot just outside the royal capital.

　Wraith carried his usual bag over his shoulder, while Raffy carried a light armor and sword that would only protect him in the most urgent places. There is a large jute bag at his waist, which is probably where his other tools are stored.

'I have a carriage ready for you to ride in.
Yeah, okay.

　The distance from King's Landing to Wraith's house is about a day's hurry in a carriage.

　I haven't told Raffy, but looking at the progress of Sylvia's illness, I'm not sure if I have a week to spare. We must hurry as much as possible.

'Speaking of which, after all this time, are you sure you can take care of Sylvia?
Hmm?　Oh, I asked Amelia to bow down and take care of you while I was gone.
Okay. So it's safe?

　Raffy and Amelia's relationship has been since Raffy became an adventurer. They have been friends for several years in time. That's how much he trusts her.

　Wraith made sure that Raffy was in the carriage and took the reins of the horse.

'Wraith, can you even ride a horse?'
''Well, my master was my mentor, so I learned most of the chore relations and other skills I needed for life. It wasn't something I wanted to do, though...
Yeah, well...

　Wraith let out a dry voice with a hahaha, and told a hard story about his master. Wraith could talk about his master as much as he wanted to, but he decided to weigh himself as the darkness flooded in unstoppably.

''That said, there was one thing that has been bothering me since I examined Sylvia yesterday.
Hmm, what?
The magic crystal disease is supposed to be a disease that was originally discovered in a different area. So I wonder why Sylvia is suffering from it.

　If Wraith's memory was correct, the magical crystal disease was originally discovered in a place further northeast than the royal capital. The rare cases of patients who developed the magical crystal disease were all people who lived in the northeast. Since the magical crystal disease is not a contagious disease, it cannot be transmitted from person to person.

　Then why was Sylvia suffering from this disease?

'Has Sylvia ever visited the northeast?
No, no. At least not since I met Sylvia.
Well that's what it's all about.

　Wraith guessed what she was trying to say with Raffy's strange phrasing. Originally, he had thought that the two of them were not at all similar in appearance from the moment he met Sylvia.

''Well, you may have noticed it dimly, but we're sisters-in-law.
May I ask why you are the right person?

　Perhaps there is a deeper reason. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's not.

''It's not that great a reason. It's just that I saved Sylvia from losing her memory and took her in because she had no relatives.

　Looking at Raffy, who says that matter-of-factly, Wraith makes a subtle expression.

''At an age younger than now, that decision is a pretty big deal, I guess...''

　Raffy, apparently, has the feeling that his personality is perfected at a young age. Of all the people Lace has met so far, the word 'faithful' fits best.

''I mean, you don't remember Sylvia?''
'Yeah. I don't know why Sylvia doesn't have any memories, either.
'Then maybe Sylvia is from the northeast. It's in the northeast where the magical crystal disease was discovered.
'I see ... I'll remember that.

　Unexpectedly, he got a clue to Sylvia's memory and Raffy nodded with a divine look on her face. Nevertheless, right now, it's time to cure the illness.

''Speaking of which, where is the Wraith's house?''
"A short distance down this road in the woods. A wooden hut.
It's a very strange place to live in the woods again...
'Don't tell me. I'm aware...

　Comparing my life now to when I lived in the forest, I can say that I am definitely more comfortable now. I don't have to cook my own meals, and there are all sorts of things for sale.

　As long as I can collect the materials I left behind in my house in the forest, life in the royal capital will be a complete victory.

　In the first place, he was originally brought to live in the hut by his master. However, the master suddenly disappeared one day.

　Wraith did not like to live in the inconvenient place of the forest.

　So the two of them continued on their way to the house in the carriage, interrupting their conversations from time to time. And they were almost to the forest.

''........hmm?''

　The sun was setting and the visibility was already getting darker. In the midst of all this, Wraith, who had been holding the reins, looked ahead and narrowed his eyes quizzically.

''Is that........a person?''

　A human-like silhouette is floating in a puddle on the street. It is not surprising that people are there, but the silhouette is sitting in the middle of the street.

　It's dangerous to do such a thing on a city street where carriages sometimes pass by. In an attempt to be lightly careful, Wraith approaches Silhouette while slowing down the speed of the carriage.

　Then, Wraith realized his mistake on the way.

''.........!

　Wraith is surprised to clearly see the person who was only reflected as a silhouette. Perhaps it is an adventurer? He was bleeding from all over his body and breathing heavily and repeatedly.

　It wasn't that he hadn't moved from the middle of the street, but rather that he couldn't move. Wraith hurriedly stopped the carriage at the edge and rushed over to the adventurer.