"Come to think of it, your birthday is coming up soon."
Flynn, who had been looking out the window for a while, opened his mouth while keeping his gaze fixed. Trees with branches drooping as if painted with a brush passed by in a row in the foggy landscape. The sight of water particles clinging to the leaves created a dreamlike mysteriousness rather than a gloomy atmosphere.
After entering the Duke's estate grounds, such water mist often filled the road as they headed toward the mansion by carriage.
Flynn had always loved this scenery since childhood.
The scent of wet soil brushing against the tip of his nose was a bonus. The clean air and natural fragrance purified the mind and body that had been through a day's hardship.
He was about to open the window a bit more when, realizing there was no answer, he suddenly turned his head.
"...."
Across from him, the Commander was leaning against the seat with his eyes closed and arms crossed, motionless. Though they were expected to arrive in about 10 minutes, Flynn carefully closed the window he was about to open, hoping his master would get even a short nap.
However, as soon as the window frame locked, a half-submerged voice flowed out.
"You can open it."
The seemingly heavy eyelids opened thinly like threads, and tired eyes appeared between them. Flynn flinched and whispered softly:
"Ah, I'm sorry. Because of me..."
"No, I was awake. We'll arrive soon."
Hugo answered while rubbing his face dry. The dry sound of his palm brushing against his face indicated that he had fallen into quite a deep sleep. Flynn, with an apologetic face, opened the lid of the water container and handed it to Hugo.
After taking about two sips, Hugo returned the water container to Flynn and asked:
"What did you say earlier?"
"Pardon? Ah, I said your birthday is coming up."
"...Ah."
"Are you planning to spend it quietly this year as well?"
When Flynn cautiously asked, Hugo responded dryly:
"Well, I'm not sure if it will go according to my wishes."
For someone who had just realized their birthday was approaching, it was a rather unenthusiastic response, despite the possibility of forgetting due to busyness. Flynn knew the reason, but he couldn't help feeling somewhat bitter.
The upcoming January 13th was the Duke of Agrizendro's birthday, considered as important an event within the Agrizendro territory as the Emperor's birthday or the Foundation Festival. Festivals utilizing water and waterways, the territory's characteristics, were held, and along with the New Year's events, it was a time when tributes from various regions flowed into the Duke's territory.
Moreover, the reason this birthday was particularly important was that it marked the end of the past century and the beginning of the new year alongside Raina Logia's 1000-year history.
Every year around this time, letters and gifts inquiring about whether a ball would be held lingered at the front door. This year, the quantity was even more overwhelming than usual, but within the mansion where the person in question resided, it was difficult to find movements preparing for the birthday.
The servants had been eager to celebrate the master's birthday, planning cake designs and such from almost two months before, but ironically, such small events were all the celebration they could do on the day.
Except for special food being served at meals, Hugo did not commemorate his birthday or hold separate celebratory events. However, he gave the mansion's servants free time in the evening and let them enjoy a splendid dinner and festive atmosphere instead of himself. It could be the consideration of a wise ruler, but Flynn suspected that more complex circumstances were intertwined.
Hugo always claimed modesty, saying that one should not hold a banquet before the imperial palace in the new year. But the more fundamental reason would be that he didn't particularly welcome his own birthday.
That was also why Flynn was only bringing up the topic after the explosion incident briefing had completely ended, after postponing it all along. Of course, since most people except those in the mansion didn't know this fact, everyone was secretly preparing for the birthday. Among them, Flynn always took on the main responsibility.
'Since we'll be busy with League preparations for a while, it would be nice if he could enjoy a celebratory atmosphere even a little.'
Having suffered from the investigation case until recently, there was also a hope that he would solidify his position at a time when both authority and honor had been restored. However, contrary to the attendant's feelings, the master he served didn't seem to have much intention for a celebratory event this year either.
"By the way, Flynn, about what we were talking about earlier."
"Yes?"
Just then, Hugo pushed open the carriage window with his hand. The moist and fresh air unique to water mist seeped in.
"There was a mana stone with amplification function in the mansion's warehouse, right?"
"Um..."
Flynn rolled his eyes upward, taking his time with the abruptly changed subject. Though he was a bit flustered by the sudden question, honestly, he first wondered if such a thing existed.
The Duke's mansion was a royal palace used by the ancestors of the Agrizendro family during the old Logia era, and its warehouse was filled with such a variety of items that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it contained everything in the world.
Not only precious ornaments that came in as gifts but also relics passed down from ancient times occupied their own places. Though called a warehouse, it would be more appropriate to call it a densely organized museum. Remembering the existence of a mana stone with a specific function in such a place was not an easy task.
Nevertheless, Flynn answered with an awkward smile:
"Yes, there should be one."
"There are about five days left until the official League prizes are confirmed, and I'd like to add one more prize."
"You mean the mana stone you mentioned as a League prize?"
"Yes."
Hugo, staring out the window, answered calmly. Flynn recalled the brief conversation they had in the Commander's office a few hours ago.
"Would that be alright? It must be quite valuable."
"It's an item that won't be used anyway if left there, so it would be good if it went to someone who needs it."
"Hmm..."
As Flynn hesitated, Hugo added nonchalantly:
"...It doesn't have to be Leonardo, it could be anyone."
The League was not only a venue for evaluating mages' skills and ranking them, but also a kind of gateway for hidden talents from all regions to showcase their presence and further grasp fame and wealth.
Therefore, to encourage the participation of reclusive masters, there needed to be overwhelming winning prizes to offset the long and cumbersome League schedule. Generally, the Council had offered monetary support, qualification to join the institution, and precious items such as treasures or spell books as League prizes.
This was possible because they earned considerable revenue during the League period by selling game viewing tickets and small tournament betting rights to outsiders. Most of the revenue was allocated to the national treasury and Council operating funds, but about 5% was paid as prize money for participants and winners.
In fact, Leonardo, with his outstanding abilities and compensation from the Council, would not appear in public places for financial gain. However, if an item similar to what he had been looking for was offered as a prize, the story might be different. Flynn nodded, tactfully not asking more.
"Yes, I'll look for it as soon as we get in today, and register it by tomorrow."
"I'm counting on you."
While answering calmly, Flynn was inwardly excited. He wondered if this was why the Commander had asked about the mineral Leonardo was looking for and its purpose.
Perhaps there might be another chance to meet Leonardo. Though he had become a free man, Flynn, who knew his true value, was inwardly regretful and sorry about Leonardo's path living beneath the surface of the world. If only he would participate in the League, victory would be a foregone conclusion.
Meanwhile, Hugo, who had proposed the winning prize, was entangled in rather complex emotions. Half of it was similar to Flynn's: the desire to contact Leonardo again.
But the other half was a somewhat darker feeling that he couldn't express to anyone.
'There are also things I need to confirm.'
Hugo, who had been staring at his watch, habitually touched the crown of the watch and his wrist.
It was around then that he suddenly detected a chilly current. Just as the blue eyes rolled toward the window, the carriage, which had been moving smoothly, gradually came to a stop in the middle of the foggy forest.
It was before he could ask the coachman what was happening. Several knights of the Duke's family emerged through the fog and stood at attention in front of the carriage window.
"Master, we apologize."
"What's the matter?"
As Hugo opened the window wide and asked, one of the knights at the front reported in a stiff tone:
"At approximately 18:26 today, a phenomenon of the barrier shaking was discovered at the southwestern tower based on the main mansion, and we conducted patrol and search for intruders. After searching for about an hour, no intruders were found, but we discovered a sack emitting a strange energy by the pond in Misrain Forest here."
"A sack?"
"Yes, it contained scales, claws, and chopped tissues, which seem to be the remains of a Silduran-type dragon."
Hugo, who had been listening, opened the carriage door without delay and got out. Following behind, Flynn also alighted, lifting the hem of his master's cloak. Some knights tried to dissuade him, saying it might be dangerous, but Hugo's steps were unwavering.
Looking ahead past the carriage, there were far more personnel stationed 50 meters ahead than expected. All of them, who had been in the midst of the search operation, bowed politely as soon as they spotted their lord. Hugo walked through the hazy veil and headed straight to where most of his subordinates were gathered.
Just then, the person in charge, who had turned his head, lowered his gaze and saluted with a dark expression.
"My lord, you've arrived."
"Let me see."
"This is it."
The commander of the Blue Knights, who guarded the vicinity of the mansion among the family's knights, had come out personally. It seemed to be no ordinary matter. The knight commander opened the mouth of a sack that appeared to have been retrieved from near the pond and showed it to Hugo. About twenty sacks were spread out, and each was vast enough to easily exceed the height of an adult man.
Hugo rolled up his sleeves a couple of times, then directly gripped the sack with his gloved hand and examined the contents. It was filled with parts of a dragon that seemed to have died not long ago. White scales had been neatly processed and completely separated from the flesh, and the same was true for teeth, claws, and crystals presumed to be horns.
In another sack, giant eyeballs and heavy chunks of flesh were gathered together in a frozen state. It was in a condition that preserved the product value as much as possible, not a situation to be taken lightly.
Hugo narrowed his brow, formed an ice spear, and stirred the contents of the sack, pulling them out.
Flynn, who had followed along and was watching, asked with a very tense look:
"Could it be an attempt to frame someone for smuggling?"