Episode 7 – To My First Love, Aliana

To My First Love, Aliana

“Huh? The letter, how… no, the letter?”

Aliana opened the letter. She had merely touched it, and the goddess’s protection had vanished.

Aliana looked at me with wide eyes. She probably thought I did something when I handed her the letter. Even if she looks at me like that, I don’t know.
I shrugged my shoulders.

“The letter has opened. Why don’t you read it?”

If the letter has opened, it’s natural to read it. I don’t know how the goddess’s protection was severed, but since the protection disappeared after Aliana picked up the letter, it must have been her doing. So, she should be the one to read it.

Upon hearing my words, Aliana sent me a look that said she couldn’t accept it for a moment, but soon, she slowly took out the contents of the letter.

“Do I have the right to read this…”

Contrary to the slight smile on her lips, her fingers couldn’t move. Now, with one more step, she could read the contents of the letter she had so desired, but when the time came, she seemed to hesitate.

“I won’t stop you. Well, the person who opened the letter should see it, shouldn’t they?”

Now that the power of the goddess is gone, I have no business with that letter. It doesn’t matter who reads it, or who claims ownership.
Still, it’s better if Aliana reads it. She’s the only one who can appreciate its contents.

“That’s right. Of course, I should… I should read it.”

Aliana slowly opened the letter. As if saying she wouldn’t miss a single word, she began to read every word carefully.

—-

Well, that’s how it is, Aliana.

I’m dead.

I wanted to die in the hands of an enemy, or better yet, just close my eyes comfortably in bed. I wonder how I died, maybe if I died, didn’t I die heroically with the Demon King?

Let’s stop the trivial talk here, it’s already been a year since I crossed over to this side, and if you’re reading this letter, probably about two more years have passed.

A lot has happened during that time. The moonlight of that day remains the deepest in my memory. The moonlight I shared with you is still brushing my eyes.

I wonder what memory was the most impressive for you. We never had a conversation about that before I left, so I don’t know.

Anyway, was the introduction a bit long? It’s a bit strange for a dead guy to talk a lot, so I’ll get straight to the point.

Don’t give up even if you don’t have someone to trust and rely on.

I don’t know all about your childhood, but I do know that you didn’t have anyone to trust and rely on at the very least. Even now, you might think you have no one on your side, but the charm of life is that you never know what will happen, right?

You might meet someone who pretends to be there for you, someone who envies you, or just someone who dislikes you. But as you go on, you might meet a good person.

When you reach the end of the road called life, surely there will be at least one person left by your side.

Even if you rejoice in my death, though there’s no reason to, or even if you mourn. Don’t give up, keep moving forward. Eventually, as you walk the path, you will reach the end someday.

To my first love, Aliana.

From the hero, Kim Ji-hoon.

The first letter written.

—-

I read the letter left behind over Aliana’s shoulder. The content felt considerate of the reader, as if it had been rewritten as much as possible for clarity. From the point where the main topic was discussed, I couldn’t read properly. Aliana’s trembling body obscured the letter, and her flowing tears soaked the paper. Thanks to that, all I could do was read the words sporadically and piece them together.

The first letter written, judging by the content, was written the day before leaving for the Demon King’s castle. That day, the entire hero party wrote something akin to a will. So, this was it.

However, a few imperceptible blemishes and erasures on the letter bothered me. There were also a few traces of overwritten traces, but I decided to let it pass for now. The handwriting seemed a bit different, but I wasn’t sure.

There were parts that bothered me, but it seemed like Aliana had read it properly. Well, isn’t it enough if at least one person reads it properly?

“Now… I can’t even remember the handwriting properly.”

Moonlight in the mid-sky came in through the broken window frame. The moonlight that whispered love that night came in through the window frame. Perhaps the words she shared with him came to mind. Aliana looked down outside with a distant expression. Soon, the sound of the wind blowing and the clouds swallowed the moon.

“If back then, I hadn’t said those words to Troka….”

“…You would probably be exchanging love in the garden below by now. Of course, it’s meaningless now.”

I finished the words she was about to say. The hero and Aliana were each other’s first love, so if he were alive, they would undoubtedly have been a lovely couple. That is, if the hero were still alive.

“Don’t be too heartbroken. Wasn’t it written in the letter? Keep moving forward without giving up.”

Don’t give up, keep moving forward. It’s a phrase worthy of a goddess. Why would Troka, who would never use such a word, write it?

“If you regret the past, there’s no point in reading the letter.”

Upon hearing my words, Aliana looked at me with an indifferent expression. A face asking for more explanation because she still didn’t understand. It’s surprising that even the princess of the world has such a side.

“At least the Troka in the letter wants you to keep moving forward without giving up. Even in the face of the hero’s death, don’t hesitate and return to your original state. Then Troka will sincerely forgive you.”

Forgiveness. Forgiveness is something you can do when the victim is alive, there’s nothing more ridiculous than talking about forgiveness in front of a dead body. But to her, who has never been treated sincerely by anyone in her life, it seemed to sound like comforting words.

“That’s right, Troka…!”

Aliana wore a hopeful smile for a moment, but that was it.

The dead do not return.
Such obvious facts are always realized too late.

“Troka… is…”

Why is it that people only realize after they’ve experienced something? The sight of them regretting after kicking away their opportunities with their own feet was genuinely laughable.

“….”

Why do they only say useless things like ‘I’m sorry’, ‘I made a mistake’, ‘so please come back’ after causing a problem?

“Anyway, it’s time for you to go back now.”

It’s time to part ways. Nicola must be looking for her, so I should send her back quickly. It would be terrible if she went missing without a trace in the middle of the night.

“You’ve already read the letter. People will be looking for you. Oh, and please let me go now. It’s hard being in prison for so long.”

“…You’re free to go. I didn’t restrain you in the first place.”

At Aliana’s words, I felt my body. Indeed, there were no restraints on me. Thinking about it, I felt light. I could have escaped if I really wanted to. Not realizing this, I’m definitely not cut out to be a porter.

I could have just jumped out now that I was free, but I chose not to. I had to collect the remaining letters, and jumping out empty-handed here would be like committing suicide. I should wait as long as possible until Nicola comes back and officially releases me.

“The view from the castle is indeed beautiful. But it’s getting late, so if you don’t mind, I’ll go out for some fresh air.”

“…As you wish.”

I sat quietly by the window, looking at the moonlight.

It’s been a little over two years now. There are no heroes in this other world. A sorrowful sound echoes in the quiet tower. Is this the sound of nightingales and owls filling the quiet night sky, or is it a sinful woman reciting a verse of apology? The moonlight that the tearful girl and the porter looked at was shining brightly as always.

* * *

Nicola arrived here just before the sun rose at dawn. Seeing him covered in twigs as if he had been rolling around outside, I had to hold back my laughter.

Anyway, after Nicola arrived, everything was resolved quickly.

Aliana apologized for carelessly sticking me to the ceiling and got all the remaining letters back. The way she handed me the letters seemed somewhat vacant.

Now there are six letters left. It’s impossible to deliver them all within two weeks.

While I was worrying about how to coordinate the completion of the magic circle and the letters, Aliana helped me solve the problem, relieving me of one worry. It felt a bit strange to get help from the owner of the letters, but as long as it wasn’t my party members, I didn’t have a strong aversion. I couldn’t refuse her offer to help.

With her help, I had plenty of time and could have taken a break in the castle, but I chose not to. Even though I was already late, I had to work non-stop to get home as soon as possible. I was worried that the conditions for the letter weren’t clear, but I figured I could find out as I went along.

“So, who’s next on your list?”

“Lumen of Frontis… Wait a minute, you’re the one who came to see me off?”

“Lumen. You’re going to the mass murderer of the snowfields? You’re in for a tough time.”

The day before I left, she said she felt sorry for sticking me to the ceiling and offered to provide an escort to my next destination. I had expected someone significant, considering she was practically a princess, but the escort turned out to be Nicola. She didn’t have to send him if that was the case.

“…Kid, look at your face. Smile a bit. You’re seeing a friend.”

I must have shown my displeasure. Nicola was looking at me with his arms crossed. Even so, Nicola is a bit…

“Even I am a top-notch escort, aren’t I? You’re just a porter. Where do you get off being so picky? And I’m only going to see you off until you get on the carriage.”

“That’s only good news.”

“You’re really ungrateful. Are you going to take the escort lightly?”

“….”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Let’s talk catch up.”

This is why I didn’t want to go with Nicola. There’s nothing more uncomfortable than being with someone who talks a lot.

“First, explain how you managed to subdue the Wyrm Valkvogel. How did you catch it?”

“Even if you ask me that…”

Maybe it’s better than going alone in silence.

It seemed like it would take quite a while to untangle all the unfinished stories.

*

About an hour had passed since we started our disjointed conversation. Before I knew it, we had arrived at the station, bustling with carriages.

After transferring the luggage that Aliana had prepared into the luggage compartment and engraving a few precautions in my mind, the coachman announced the imminent departure by blowing a horn, and Nicola approached me.

“The northern lands are treacherous. Can you manage without an escort?”

“I’ve been a scout in the Demon King’s army, you know. This is a piece of cake.”

“Is that so….”

Nicola looked a bit disappointed for a moment. It must be hard to part with a mysterious and humorous friend from another world.

“By the way, your speech has become a bit stiff. Take it easy.”

He handed me a small ceremonial dagger as he spoke. Typical. Indeed, a cool parting is the best.

“…I’ll keep that in mind, take care.”

The journey of a porter wandering in another world will continue for a while. With that thought, I tucked my old friend’s parting gift into my pocket.

Speaking of which, I didn’t notice anything strange, but is my speech really stiff? I thought I was always speaking cheerfully, but I guess I need to pay more attention. With that resolution, I boarded the carriage heading north.

To the northern lands of the empire. To find the owner of the letter in a place teeming with barbarians and monsters.

And to learn more about the letter.

…I surely won’t get trapped there, right?