I stared blankly at Xenon, and he furrowed his brow.
"Did you hear what I said?"
"No."
"...That was rather hurtful, answering so firmly."
Muttering complaints with a face that showed not a trace of hurt, Xenon pulled something out. Looking at the items he laid out, I saw bandages and medicine bottles.
"While you were away handling business, I gathered some information on my own. I heard the Resurrected One was kidnapped while fighting monsters, having 'once again' sacrificed their body to protect a poor rural village. They said bloodstains remained but tracking ultimately failed, and your whereabouts became unknown."
So it spread that way again?
"Rumors are inherently exaggerated, but I bought these just in case."
He clicked his tongue and shook his head, then began explaining each medicine bottle he had taken out. After rambling on for a while, Xenon looked at me strangely as I sat quietly.
"Did you perhaps injure your head?"
"...Do you want to make me into a patient that badly?"
Thanks to Xenon's nonsense, my thoughts were somewhat organized. After roughly scanning the items he had laid out, I selected a few that were effective for bruises and cuts.
It was fortunate that I realized the pain I had forgotten thanks to Xenon. My recovery ability was certainly excellent, but I hadn't been able to properly rest while continuously fleeing on Nadib. So I needed to tend to my wounds when I had the chance.
"This should be enough."
"I bought them just in case, but you were actually hurt?"
"No problem with running away."
It still hurt, but once I reached a safe place and rested, it would be fine. But was there truly a safe place?
"Did you get struck by a sword?"
"Not a sword. A bow."
I replied matter-of-factly and rolled up my sleeve. I could see dried blood scabs over the ugly gash. Fortunately, it wasn't bleeding.
"Wait, you didn't say it was this bad!"
"Bad? I fell from a horse, so this much should be appreciated."
An ordinary person would have died instantly with a broken neck. Through this fall, I discovered that the gods had given me not only recovery ability but also strong bones. I should be grateful.
"A horse? A running horse?"
"If you have that much energy to fuss, help with this instead."
I jerked my chin at the bandages and tried to open the medicine bottle to pour it over my wound, but Xenon sighed and snatched the bottle from my hand.
"This is expensive, you know."
"I'll pay for it."
"Who's asking for money? The habit of trying to solve everything with money is terrible. Do you think everyone in the world only cares about gold coins?"
Hearing Xenon's grumbling words, Heinley's words came to mind again. That he just wanted to see my face.
For that, he showed goodwill. As if such a trivial act held some great value. As if I were someone of great significance to someone.
Having confirmed the favor he showed, I still couldn't understand. Looking at the book resting quietly on my knee, I suddenly spoke.
"Then?"
"What?"
"What is a more certain price than money? Success? Title? Territory? Power?"
Xenon, who had been cleaning my wound with cotton soaked in medicine, looked at me with absurd eyes. Since Xenon had leaned forward to examine my wound, I could see his face up close as he looked up at me.
Finding something in my face, he set down the medicine bottle he was holding and let out a long sigh.
"Sometimes, simple gratitude can be a greater price than those things."
I was willing to accept most things, but Xenon's answer was truly unreasonable. Such a composed and naive answer.
As expected, mages who only conducted research locked in magic towers didn't know how the world worked.
Feeling the expectation I had momentarily held turn to disappointment, I indifferently extended my arm.
"Enough. Just treat me quickly. We need to leave by midnight."
I had specifically requested a room on the fifth floor of this lodging because it was a carriage rental useful for those wanting to quietly slip out of the city.
Asking for a room on the fifth floor was equivalent to requesting a carriage that could evade tracking within 24 hours.
Knock knock.
"Guest? This is the staff member assigned to the fifth floor."
Just then, a staff member's voice came from outside along with a knock.
"Report."
"Your order has been confirmed. When would you like us to process it?"
"Midnight."
When I answered loudly, the staff member withdrew, saying they understood. Xenon looked back and forth between me and the closed door with a dumbfounded expression.
Sigh, he really can't read the situation. I clicked my tongue and extended my arm again. Only then realizing what was happening, he laughed hollowly and picked up the medicine bottle.
Hmm, Samuel was more skilled at treatment, but this wasn't too bad.
* * *
―No, you brat! What on earth have you been doing all this time without contacting me?
"I'm sorry. I was a bit busy."
―Where you go and roll around is none of my business, but what crime did Neschi commit to be rolling around with you!
"So you only worry about Neschi and not your disciple?"
―Shut up! Just show me Neschi quickly! Do you know how much Gamon worried about Neschi?"
Even filtered through the communication orb, the master's voice was thunderous. Xenon covered his ears and shook his head.
"Neschi."
Xenon sighed deeply and called out to Neschi, who was resting nearby. Neschi, who had been maturely waiting for his turn, quickly approached the communication orb.
Inside the round orb, Neschi whined at the blurred figure of the other person. From the other side, Gamon's pitiful crying could also be heard.
After rubbing his snout against the communication orb and whimpering for a while, Neschi stepped back first. Gamon also moved aside soon, and the white-haired old man appeared beyond the communication orb.
―If you were one day later, Gamon would have rushed out to find Neschi.
Every time, his master's words were full of exaggeration. Just because the regular contact was a few days late?
Seeing Xenon's indifferent attitude showing he wasn't really listening, the master raised his voice.
―Every time I tell you to listen carefully! Do you still not understand your situation? How many times must I say not a speck of fault should be found!
"I understand very well. That's why I'm proceeding with this tedious trial training according to protocol."
Moreover, the contact frequency was modelically exemplary. Despite Xenon's protest, the master's expression didn't ease.
―Tch.
The master clicked his tongue with a displeased face. It wasn't the first time Xenon acted so nonchalantly, yet the master tirelessly nagged.
―Since it's come up, you should end your training.
"What?"
Xenon looked puzzled. At the beginning, it was the master who had emphasized completing it properly no matter what.
But now suddenly telling him to end early? Given the master's usual personality, this wasn't a statement made lightly.
―The world is too noisy right now. You must have heard news of the Resurrected One while traveling. Monsters keep attacking the Resurrected One, so it seems something truly is about to happen.
No, that's a huge misunderstanding. The Resurrected One really likes monsters. Taking around monsters that imitate animals as subordinates? If you think you're fooling my eyes, I'm just staying quiet, but you don't know how nerve-wracking it is every day.
Unable to tell the truth, Xenon kept his lips firmly shut. Meanwhile, the master's worried words continued.
―There's talk at the Magic Tower about entering a lockdown period. Those dispatched outside are returning one by one. Don't get caught up in things and return quickly.
A lockdown period at the Magic Tower meant exactly that—locking the tower doors and cutting off contact with the secular world.
There might be dozens of plausible reasons for declaring a lockdown, but usually the intention was one: not wanting to get involved in events on the continent.
In other words, in this case, it meant the Magic Tower didn't want to get involved with the Resurrected One's matters.
But what to do. If he's worried about getting caught up with the Resurrected One, it was already too late. Xenon smiled awkwardly and turned his gaze elsewhere.
"Still, there's not much left, so I'll complete it."
―Ugh, stubborn fellow. With your magic power sealed! If you get swept up in something and die, do you think a god will resurrect you too?
"I would be grateful if that happened."
Even though I'm not exactly a believer.
At that moment, Xenon thought of someone.
―This insane fellow!
"Since it could be dangerous, please grant permission to unseal my magic power in advance."
―Rather than facing danger requiring unsealing, just come back!
At the husky voice, Xenon frowned with dissatisfaction.
"When you drove me out in the first place, and now you keep telling me to come back? I'll complete the full term."
―You never listen when spoken to nicely!
The master was just as stubborn as Xenon.
"I spoke nicely. Your only disciple will be waiting for permission to unseal magic power. I'm busy, so I'll end this now."
Anelli, who had stepped away briefly, would return soon. Xenon declared the end of the conversation without hesitation. The master, with an absurd expression, hurriedly raised his voice.
―Hey brat, you need to tell me where you are……!
Before the master could finish speaking, the communication ended. I saw Neschi indifferently turn its head.
'...I think I felt contempt in that momentarily glimpsed look, or was I mistaken?'
Xenon clicked his tongue and looked at Neschi.
"You don't know how hard your master works to earn your food expenses."
As if Neschi couldn't understand those words, it placed its head on its neatly gathered front paws and closed its eyes.
'That thing definitely understood. Brazen creature.'
Xenon sighed.