"...A will?"
Raon widened his eyes as he looked at the paper in Sheryl's hand.
'A will...'
Did Master know he was going to die?
I thought Rimmer's last words were "Be happy," but I didn't know he left a separate will.
As the thought that he might have known about his own death crossed his mind, Raon's heart began to race.
"How can someone who's reached transcendence be so bad at controlling their expression?"
Sheryl smirked, slightly raising her chin.
"He didn't give this before this mission, he prepared it a long time ago."
"Ah..."
Raon let out a low sigh as he looked at the paper.
"It's not because of me that this paper is yellowed. That damn guy just wrote it carelessly."
Sheryl tapped the yellowed paper with her hand, asking if Raon didn't know Rimmer's personality.
"I know."
Raon nodded. Someone like Sheryl wouldn't carelessly keep Rimmer's will. She must have treasured it, keeping it free from even a speck of dust, so the paper must have been that yellowed color from the beginning.
-Even his will is left in such a messy state. He's truly consistent, that Pointy Ears.
Wrath let out a hollow laugh, saying Rimmer was truly sickening.
"Shall we read it together?"
Raon asked as he received Rimmer's will from Sheryl.
"No."
Sheryl shook her head firmly, like a knife's edge.
"If he left the will to you, it probably has nothing to do with me. That's just how he is."
She turned her back, saying she couldn't ignore Rimmer's thoughts.
"...I understand."
Raon nodded and unfolded the paper Rimmer had left. A square folded note fell out from inside the letter. He picked up the note, held it in his hand, and examined its contents. Seeing Rimmer's characteristic light handwriting, he felt as if his heart was being tightly squeezed.
[If this letter reaches you, it means I'm dead, right? I don't know how I died, but don't grieve for too long. For Elves, death isn't such a sad thing. We return to nature's embrace, becoming part of the world's mana. We'll meet again someday. Humans have a similar saying, don't they?]
Even in his pre-written will, he had written about the cycle of life and death. It seemed he had no great attachment to his own death, unlike others might.
[It's a will, but actually, I have... nothing to leave as a last testament! There are a few things that come to mind, but I won't say them.]
Rimmer was whining about not leaving any last words in his will. Raon could imagine the playful expression he must have had while writing this letter.
[The reason I'm not leaving any last words is simple. I don't want to burden you kids. My wishes, I'll take with me. Just live happily with a smile.]
He had drawn a picture that seemed to depict smiling eyes, as if telling them not to be too sad and to smile even after his death.
[You might be wondering why I gave this will to Sheryl, but I actually have a small favor to ask.]
Raon let out a short breath as he read the word "favor".
[Take some money from my personal safe at Bares Bank and buy some snacks and toys. Take those to the address written below. You'll know what to do when you get there.]
Rimmer left the safe number and password along with his request.
"..."
Raon bit his lip as he memorized the safe's password.
[P.S. 1. If my body is intact, don't bury it. Cremate me and scatter my ashes to the wind. I want to watch over the Light Wind division from everywhere.]
Glenn wanted to bury Rimmer in Zieghart's cemetery, but since this was his wish, it seemed they would have to cremate him.
"Hah..."
Raon let out a short sigh and turned his gaze to the second postscript.
[P.S. 2. Give the note that was in the letter to Sheryl. And visit her sometimes to keep her company. She's more fragile than she looks.]
Rimmer ended his will with a request to take care of Sheryl. It felt more like a letter than a will.
-This is truly a will befitting that guy...
Wrath lowered his gaze to the ground, saying that while it was light-hearted, it was filled with deep consideration.
"Heavenly Blade Division Leader."
Raon held out the note he had been holding to Sheryl.
"He says this is a letter left for you, Lady Sheryl."
"For me..."
Sheryl chewed her lip for a moment, then seemed to make a decision and took the letter with trembling hands.
"Ugh..."
As soon as she saw the first sentence of the note, she bit her lip. She seemed to be trying to hold back her emotions, but tears eventually fell.
"What does it say?"
"...It's a secret."
Sheryl said she didn't want to tell and carefully tucked the note against her chest.
"I see."
Raon nodded. As Sheryl said, she probably had memories and stories she wanted to keep to herself, so he understood why she didn't want to share.
-B-but I'm curious...
Wrath said he was curious and stretched his neck out, trying to read Sheryl's note.
'Don't do that.'
Raon sighed and grabbed Wrath's tail, pulling him down.
"Raon. You're carrying on that guy's will. Always..."
Sheryl bit her lip as she looked at him.
'She's probably going to tell me not to lose.'
He steeled himself, expecting her to say "Don't give up" or "Don't fall." But Sheryl's words were different.
"Keep a relaxed attitude and smile. If you're too serious about everything like now, you won't be able to use your full strength."
She gave a faint smile, telling him to have composure and laughter, even if he wasn't a fool like Rimmer.
"...Yes. I will."
Raon nodded calmly, understanding why Sheryl was telling him to smile.
"One more thing."
Sheryl turned back just as she was about to leave.
"You'll... take revenge, won't you?"
"I must."
Raon nodded. Now he truly couldn't live under the same sky as Derus. Even if he died, even if his soul was annihilated, he would stop Derus's plans and sever his head.
"I'll be with you then."
Sheryl said she would go with him no matter what, then left.
"..."
Raon carefully folded Rimmer's will and put it away as he watched the fading dawn.
* * *
As soon as morning came, Raon took Dorian with him to the Bares Bank that Rimmer had mentioned.
"Why are we going to that bank?"
Dorian blinked, saying that he had all the money they needed.
"Master left a request."
Raon explained what had happened yesterday as he pointed to the bank in front of them.
"I-is it okay for someone like me to go with you for something like that? I..."
Dorian stepped back, saying he wasn't qualified.
"That's why I brought you."
Raon shook his head as he grabbed Dorian's wrist. While the entire Light Wind division was struggling with Rimmer's death, Dorian was taking it the hardest. Even after listening to advice from Raon and Glenn, his depression hadn't lifted.
"Let's go in."
Raon dragged Dorian into the bank.
"It's Lord Raon!"
The guard at the entrance widened his eyes in surprise and asked about their business.
"We've come to check a personal safe."
"Could you please tell me the safe number?"
"It's number 4478-3."
Raon stated the safe number written in Rimmer's will.
"That's in section 4."
The guard said this couldn't be handled here and led Raon and Dorian to a room in the innermost part of the bank.
"Bank director. These guests are here for safe 4478-3."
After saying this, he closed the door to the director's office and left.
"I've been informed."
A large middle-aged man, referred to as the bank director, stood up from his chair.
"I don't know what to say about this unexpected sad news."
He bowed his head with eyes full of sorrow, as if he too had formed a bond with Rimmer.
"What was your relationship with Master..."
Raon bowed his head in return to the bank director.
"Let's go for now."
The bank director suggested they talk while walking and reached his hand towards a gray safe visible behind him. As his hand touched the safe, its door opened, revealing a dimensional passage leading to another space.
Countless doors lined both sides of an endless corridor, each marked with a number starting with 4.
This seemed to be the dimension where all the safes numbered 4 were gathered.
"Safes starting with 4 are not connected to individuals, but to numbers and passwords. Anyone can open them if they know the number and password, even if they're not the original owner."
The bank director smiled faintly, explaining that the number 4 safes were used in various ways.
"Then, could you please tell me the password for safe 4478-3?"
He nodded, standing in front of the door marked 4478.
"Hmm..."
Raon's lips moved, but he didn't speak immediately.
"..."
The bank director, seeming to understand Raon's emotions, waited silently without saying a word.
"Young Master?"
Dorian blinked at Raon, seemingly unsure of what was happening.
"Hah..."
Raon let out a long sigh as if the ground might cave in, then lifted his head.
"Fifth training ground."
With steady eyes, he spoke the safe's password written in Rimmer's letter.
"Ah..."
Dorian's lips trembled, as if he finally understood why Raon had hesitated to speak.
"I met Mr. Rimmer on my first day working at this bank. Luckily, I was assigned to be his account manager."
The bank director shook his head as he entered the password into the safe.
"Like an Elf without material desires, at first he just deposited money and showed no interest. He never changed his password, it always stayed the same. He was the ideal customer for a bank."
He drew a thin smile as if recalling old memories.
"However, things changed after Mr. Rimmer's subordinates died in the war. He would disappear and then suddenly show up, staring at the money in his safe for a long time before leaving. A few days later, he withdrew 100 gold coins for the first time, and frequently took money after that."
The bank director let out a short sigh, saying it was a drastic change.
"At that time, he changed the safe's password so frequently it was dizzying. Sometimes it was someone's name, sometimes a date, or sometimes words I couldn't understand."
He bit his lip, saying that even from the sidelines, Rimmer's emotions and mental state seemed unstable.
"However, things changed after he became an instructor at the fifth training ground. The depressed look in his eyes disappeared, replaced by composure and vitality. The password 'fifth training ground' that he set then has remained unchanged until now."
The bank director said it was a smile that made onlookers feel good, as he grasped the safe's handle.
"Passwords are usually set with numbers and letters that one can't forget and wants to remember. For Mr. Rimmer, 'fifth training ground' must have held such meaning."
The bank director murmured that it must have been a value more precious than anything else as he opened the safe door. Whoosh! The magically treated iron door opened, revealing a safe filled with gold coins, silver coins, and jewels. It was hard to believe this was the safe of Rimmer, who usually complained about not having money.
"This is the Vice Leader's...?"
Dorian's mouth fell open as he listened to the password "Fifth Training Ground" and tears streamed down his face.
"..."
Raon looked inside the safe for a moment, then took 10 gold coins and came out.
"That's similar to what he used to take."
The bank director smiled as if he had expected this and closed the safe door.
"Then I'll be waiting for your next visit."
He bowed his head as he erased the dimensional passage to the safe.
"Thank you for everything."
Raon returned the greeting to the bank director and left the bank.
"What are you going to do with that money?"
"He told me to buy toys and snacks."
"Huh? I have all of those..."
"Let's just do as he said for now."
Taking along Dorian, who was anxious to use his own pouch, Raon bought toys, snacks, and ice cream, then headed to the address Rimmer had given. It was on the outskirts of a medium-sized village outside the Zieghart castle walls, where an impressive building with a red roof stood behind low walls.
'An orphanage?'
Raon's eyes widened as he saw the name "Slan Orphanage" on the nameplate. He had wondered if Rimmer had children of his own, but the place he had sent them to was an orphanage for children who had lost their parents or been abandoned.
"Huh?"
"Is the red-haired brother here?"
"No! It's an unknown blond!"
"Ahhh!"
Five or six-year-old children who had been looking over the wall squealed and ran into the building.
"W-what's going on?"
"...I don't know either."
As Raon blinked in confusion, a middle-aged man with a friendly face walked out of the orphanage building.
"You kids! I told you not to be rude to guests!"
He lightly patted the backs of the children hiding behind him.
"We didn't say anything!"
"We just said he was blond..."
"We were just waiting for the red-haired brother!"
The children shook their heads, insisting they hadn't done anything wrong.
"Anyway."
The middle-aged man sighed and approached Raon.
"I knew you would come, Lord Raon."
He bowed deeply after looking at Raon's eyes, hair, and the toys and snacks in his hands.
"Perhaps..."
"Yes. This is the Slan Orphanage that Mr. Rimmer regularly supported."
The middle-aged man introduced himself as the orphanage director and bowed.
"T-the Vice Leader supported an orphanage? Ah, come to think of it! There was such a story before!"
Dorian clapped his hands as if he just remembered.
"But it disappeared completely after that, so I thought it was just a rumor..."
"It wasn't a rumor. The Light Wind division... no, he had been supporting us long before you all became swordsmen. And he did it through generations."
The orphanage director smiled, saying Rimmer was an amazing person.
"What do you mean by 'through generations'?"
"When I was growing up in this orphanage, a Zieghart swordsman named Slan would come every week to play with us and provide support. After Slan died in the war, Mr. Rimmer started coming in his place to play with the children and provide various forms of support."
He smiled sadly, saying that the reason they could maintain the orphanage so neatly was because of Rimmer.
"Then the name 'Slan Orphanage' is..."
"Mr. Rimmer changed it."
The orphanage director nodded, saying everyone had agreed to it.
"I see."
Raon bit his lip and turned his gaze, meeting the eyes of the children looking their way.
"Do the children not know?"
"Mr. Rimmer never told them his name, and was just called 'red-haired brother'. It seems he didn't want to create a situation where they might be sad after hearing his name."
The orphanage director chuckled, saying it was the same when he was young.
"Of course, the older ones who know the situation are hiding in corners crying, trying not to show it to the younger children. And of course, I too..."
He shook his head, saying he still couldn't believe it.
"..."
Raon raised his hand to cover his eyes.
'I never knew he was doing something like this...'
He had no idea that Rimmer had such money in his safe, or that he was supporting an orphanage. It seemed people truly had many different facets.
"May I give gifts to the children?"
"Of course."
The orphanage director welcomed the idea and made way. Raon carefully approached the children and opened the lid of the bead ice cream box he had brought.
"Would you like to eat together?"
"Uh..."
The children swallowed hard while looking at the ice cream, wary of the stranger but tempted by the treat.
"It's okay."
When the orphanage director nodded with a thin smile, the children came out and each took an ice cream.
"Thank you for the food!"
"We'll enjoy it!"
The children giggled as they took a bite of the ice cream.
"What flavor is this ice cream?"
"What's your name, brother?"
The children, their guard seemingly lowered by the ice cream, began to speak softly.
"That's mint chocolate. I'm Ra... No, just call me blonde brother."
Raon didn't reveal his name, instead introducing himself as "blonde brother" like Rimmer had done.
"Huh? Are you the red-haired brother's friend?"
"When is the red-haired brother coming?"
The children approached him, asking when Rimmer would come as if they were waiting for him.
"For a while..."
Raon smiled as he patted the children's heads.
"He went on a journey."
Perhaps Rimmer's journey would return to these children's hearts when they became adults. As he learned more about Rimmer, the sorrow frozen in his heart seemed to melt a little.
"Hmm..."
Dorian too seemed calmer, pressing his lips together to hold back tears. Maybe this was why Rimmer had left his last will to them. Raon felt the clear flowing wind and mimicked Rimmer's characteristically relaxed smile.
* * *
The open space in front of the dungeon where Raon had cut down Sif with the Sword of Transcendence. Thud. Sharp footsteps echoed on the broken and shattered ground. A man in a black robe that seemed to wrap darkness picked up a blood-soaked feather and bit his red lips.
"This is the place."
Derus Robert. At his voice laden with deep anger, the Shadow assassins trembled as if spitting blood.
"Find out everything that happened here, even if you have to turn souls inside out."