The Kulkova marquessate was located in the eastern part of the Debuhi Empire. It was ruled by Marchioness Maria Kulkova, one of the great nobles, and had become a bastion of technological advancement in fields ranging from industry and agriculture to art and cuisine. It boasted arguably the Empire’s only academic city, attracting researchers not only from across Debuhi but also from the rest of the Central Provinces. The marchioness had deep ties with the imperial family, and rumors abounded of many highly confidential research projects being conducted there that weren’t allowed to be conducted in the imperial capital. Funds from her personal coffers as well as the estate’s had been flowing into research, drawing brilliant minds, which then led to an influx of private capital, attracting even more exceptional talent... This virtuous cycle, continuing for over a decade, was now about to yield a groundbreaking result, but it wouldn’t be revealed to the general public. After all, special information is the exclusive domain of the privileged class.
“Lady Maria!”
“Welcome, Lady Fiona.”
In front of her mansion, the marchioness happily greeted the imperial princess, who had just alighted from her carriage.
“Thank you for the invitation, my lady.”
“Oscar, I see you’ve grown into a fine young man as well.” Maria smiled at Oscar as he disembarked after Fiona.
Marchioness Maria Kulkova, in her mid-thirties, was just as beautiful and elegant as when he’d first met her. She led them to a parlor, where they were treated with the utmost hospitality she and her staff could offer.
“Though it’s been four years since we last met, you haven’t changed a bit, my lady. You’re still as beautiful as ever.”
“Stop, you flatter me. And might I say you’ve blossomed into a lovely young woman yourself, Your Highness.”
“Now I’m the one who’s embarrassed...”
Oscar listened to their conversation with a smile. No doubt the members of their division had never seen such a gentle expression on his face. The same was especially true for those in the imperial court. He smiled because it was just the three of them, all old friends. And his calmness stemmed from the knowledge that Fiona adored Maria like an older sister, or even a mother.
“Father said I would see something special today?”
“Yes,” Maria replied. “Although the research was undertaken here in my territory, it was a project directly under His Majesty’s control. It has finally been completed, which I reported to him, and he said he’d send you as his representative to ride it.”
“Ride it?” Oscar asked, raising an eyebrow.
She smiled in response. Naturally, she had deliberately included the keyword as a technique to steer the conversation, so it pleased her that he’d noticed. She had anticipated as much, since he’d served as her bodyguard and spent time in her salons for many years... That was how much thought she’d put into her words. The pupil must ever maintain their keen senses and education... This is a truth that remains unchanged in any era, in any world.
“Lady Maria, the sage has arrived,” Eckhart, Maria’s head butler, informed her.
“Oh, he’s here. Show him in,” she replied. Then she turned to Oscar. “I wanted you to meet him.”
“Me?”
This was very unusual. A special kind of bond tied the three of them together. Oscar had once been employed as Maria’s bodyguard. She had adored Empress Frederica, who died shortly after giving birth to Fiona, like an older sister. Understanding all of this, Emperor Rupert VI had brought Fiona and Maria together. And through a combination of coincidence and fate, Oscar had become Fiona’s sword and magic teacher. So why would Maria deliberately invite a fourth person into the space the three of them shared?
Moreover, her manner hinted that this “sage” was someone he knew. He had absolutely no idea who it was, though. And yet...she was said to be the most cultured woman in the Empire, so she would never act without tact. The more he considered it, the more the situation puzzled him.
A white-haired old man opened the door and entered. From his wrinkles, he looked to be in his late seventies or even early eighties. However, his posture was perfectly straight, he was dressed smartly, and his long hair was neatly tied back. He held a staff in his hand, but it wasn’t the kind used to support one’s steps. Rather, it was a moderately sized one, the kind often carried by healers.
“Guild Master?”
“It’s been a long time, Oscar.”
Moritz Bachmann, the healer who had once served as guild master of the adventurers’ guild in the imperial capital. When Oscar joined, he had told Bachmann almost everything about himself and his thirst for revenge. He had judged honesty to be the best way to gather information about Boskona, his enemy.
At the time, Bachmann had felt genuine pity for the fifteen-year-old boy. He had risen to C-rank at such a young age and possessed the sort of magical talent said to appear only once every few decades. He hadn’t shied away from the effort swordsmanship required either... Yet his heart was consumed by vengeance.
Five years ago, when Moritz went to the imperial palace to announce his retirement, he had seen Oscar. The change in the boy had surprised him at the time. He was clearly different from before, no longer trapped by revenge. Of course, he’d known that Oscar was serving alongside Fiona, the eleventh princess, and he was convinced that this had prompted the change for the better. However, the boy still had room to grow. Perhaps in a few years... Moritz looked forward to it.
After that, life happened, and while running a school for healers in the Kulkova marquessate, he also became something of an advisor to Maria. Not too long ago, she’d mentioned to him that Oscar and Fiona would be visiting. Naturally, he’d wanted to meet them as well.
“I asked Maria to make time for us,” Moritz said, then chuckled, his gaze bouncing back and forth between Oscar and Fiona. He nodded enthusiastically.
“What do you think, Master Sage?” Maria asked, deliberately keeping her question vague.
“Wonderful,” Moritz answered, just as vaguely.
But she understood that the change in Oscar was wonderful. And Princess Fiona, who had brought about that change, was also wonderful. Above all, the relationship between the two young people was wonderful. Moritz was able to see for himself that Fiona had completely melted Oscar’s frozen heart.
So the four of them enjoyed the tea party. Though this was Moritz’s first time meeting the princess, he carried on a conversation with her like they’d known each other for years, smiling the whole time. Perhaps his social adeptness was a testament to his age and experience. Oscar watched the scene, feeling slightly surprised.
“Something on your mind, Oscar?” Maria murmured quietly.
“Oh, no... I was just thinking how amazing he is,” he answered honestly.
“Indeed. They’ve only just met, but even I didn’t expect them to hit it off so quickly... Actually, perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“What do you mean?” Oscar tilted his head thoughtfully.
“I told you he’s running a school here to train healers, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Well, he has a saying he’s particularly fond of. ‘Magic can heal physical wounds, but it cannot heal emotional wounds. Healing emotional wounds requires trust between the healer and the patient.’”
“Trust...”
“Yes. Building it is by no means an easy feat. Just one wrong word can shatter it. That’s why a healer must choose their words carefully... The crux of his teaching.”
“I see... I think I understand.” Oscar nodded emphatically. It was precisely because he had earnestly considered his words that Moritz was faring so well in this situation.
“I still have so much to learn in this world,” Oscar murmured.
Maria smiled.
Maria’s head butler, Eckhart, entered the room and whispered to her, “My lady, the preparations are complete.”
Moritz overheard. “Oh ho,” he said, “forgive an old man for losing track of the time chatting away.”
“Not at all, Master Sage.”
“No, no, these two young’uns are here for a reason, yes? I only wanted a bit of their time, and I’ve received more than I expected. I couldn’t be happier. You have my thanks, Lady Maria.” Moritz bowed deeply.
“Oh, please, raise your head, for I also share that joy,” she replied with a smile.
Only Fiona and Oscar didn’t understand what they were talking about...
“You’ll be staying for a few days, yes? Why don’t you visit Master Moritz’s school while you’re here?” Maria suggested.
“Absolutely!” Fiona said eagerly.
“We would be delighted,” Oscar said.
Moritz bobbed his head happily.