Chapter 71: Letter
She hadn’t gathered everyone for a formal farewell this morning. He figured she was afraid of seeing their sad faces, and even more afraid that she wouldn’t be able to bear leaving.
’If I’m not mistaken, Nia and Flora probably each have a letter as well.’
’What a coward.’
Lance cursed inwardly, a bitter smile touching his lips.
He took the envelope the waitress handed him.
Sure enough, the envelope was sealed with an Iris Fire Lacquer Seal, which seemed especially jarring at that moment.
"Thank you."
Lance thanked the waitress but didn’t rush to open the envelope.
It was too noisy here, not a suitable place to read a friend’s parting words.
He carefully tucked the letter into his inner breast pocket, placing it close to his chest.
Afterward, instead of leaving immediately, he sat down as he always did.
"The usual. An extra-large roasted meat platter and a mug of rye ale."
The Breathing Technique sped up his skill and physical training, but his body struggled to keep up with the nutritional demands. Right now, he was hungry enough to eat a horse.
Before long, the aromatic food was brought to his table.
When it was time to settle the bill, the waitress habitually gave him the discounted price.
"That’ll be eight Copper Coins in total."
’Looks like this was something Amber arranged, too. Even after leaving, she’s still looking out for my wallet.’
Lance looked at the waitress and shook his head.
He counted out fifteen Copper Coins from his coin pouch, lining them up neatly on the counter.
"No discount needed. Just charge the full price."
The waitress looked at him in surprise. She started to speak, but a look from Lance stopped her.
When Amber was around, the discounts and freebies had been part of the unspoken bond between friends.
Lance had accepted them, but he always returned the favor in his own quiet way—buying expensive desserts or other small gifts to maintain a delicate balance.
It was a way of deepening their friendship.
But now his friend had left.
If he continued to accept the discount without a second thought, he’d be nothing more than a cheap freeloader.
That feeling of being somehow ’lesser’ in the relationship was something Lance could never accept.
He held firm to this principle with everyone, be it Amber, Nia, or Flora.
After eating and drinking his fill, Lance felt his body finally come back to life.
He bought a few bags of black bread from the waitress, a basic staple the tavern also sold.
He planned to train again tonight, so the food was necessary.
Stepping out of the tavern, the cool night breeze blew away the smell of ale on him.
Back at his new home.
According to his plan, he should have started making the hemostatic ointment right away.
But he didn’t.
Lance went up to the workshop on the second floor—a room he’d intentionally kept clear—and lit the kerosene lamp on the desk.
He pulled out a chair, sat down, and took the letter from his breast pocket.
By the dim, warm light, he carefully broke the lacquer seal and unfolded the slightly crumpled stationery.
However, the moment his eyes fell upon the letter, Lance couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.
Any melancholy he’d been nursing from their parting was instantly blown away by the wild scrawl on the page.
The handwriting was ridiculously messy, with several black splotches where she’d apparently made corrections.
"Oh, Amber..."
Lance looked at the words, smiling and shaking his head.
"You really need to practice your handwriting. It’s just awful."
Lance, by the time you read this, Dad and I are probably already on the road with the caravan.
And yes, I’m a coward.
I know that’s what you’re going to call me.
After that sentence, she had drawn a little stick-figure face with its tongue sticking out. A few simple lines, yet they perfectly captured her mischievous expression.
The truth is, I was afraid that when it came time to say goodbye, the moment I saw everyone’s sad faces, I wouldn’t have been able to make myself walk out of the gates of Gray Rock Town.
So, I figured leaving a letter would be cooler.
But this quill is so hard to use! I already broke one just writing this much! I don’t know how you do that Copyist job—it’s inhuman!
Lance let out another chuckle at that.
Oh, and don’t worry about Nia. She’ll come to terms with it soon enough.
She’s a strong girl. So am I.
So don’t worry about me.
Now that I’m rejoining the Star Dust Cross with Dad, I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to train hard with him and the other seniors in the guild.
I used to just hang around the tavern all day listening to gossip, without any real purpose in life.
But seeing you all working so hard... maybe I can also try to become a real Adventurer and see more of the world.
Let me tell you a secret. One of the guild seniors tested my Talent, and guess what? It’s Extraordinary Level!
At this point in the letter, her handwriting became noticeably more flamboyant, radiating a touch of smug pride.
Maybe we’ll even run into each other again on our adventures someday.
And when we do, we can see who’s gotten stronger.
I’ve actually known for a while that you were going to leave Gray Rock Town. You’ve been training like crazy and saving up every coin.
A place like this was never going to be able to hold you. Sooner or later, you were bound for a much bigger world.
Lance was surprised. He never thought the normally carefree, happy-go-lucky Amber had seen him so clearly.
The next part, however, was a complete surprise.
Oh, by the way. I know it was you who beat that scumbag Hakon to a pulp in the alley the other day.
She’d drawn a huge, smug-looking smiley face after that sentence.
Surprised?!
There isn’t a single piece of gossip in Gray Rock Town that I, Amber, don’t know about!
Lance thought about it for a moment and figured out how she knew.
She must have put it together from how he’d left in such a hurry that day, right before Hakon got beaten up.
Remember to write to me! You can send your letters through the Guild channels to the White River City Adventurer’s Guild. Just have them forwarded to the Star Dust Cross Adventurer’s Guild headquarters.
If you dare not write to me, I’ll break your Short Sword in half the next time we meet!
Once winter is over and things warm up, our guild will have a rest period, and I’ll come back to Gray Rock Town for a visit.
I’ll be a little bummed if you’re already gone by then.
But that’s okay! If Gray Rock Town can’t hold you, then we have a deal. We’ll meet again someday on the grand road of adventure!
Keep swinging your sword, Lance.
May the starlight of Goddess Aretia forever light your path.
I know you can do it. From the bottom of my heart, I’m rooting for you to become a Legendary Adventurer, one whose name is known across the continent!
Your friend forever and future great adventurer,
Amber
At the very bottom of the page was a somewhat childish, but meticulously detailed, drawing.
The lines were amateurish, but it was drawn with extreme care, capturing the features of four people.
Three girls and a boy were holding hands. Despite the clumsy technique, you could feel the emotion the artist had poured into the drawing.
It was a portrait of the four of them.
And there was Lance in the middle, wearing an expression that was equal parts exasperated and indulgent.
Lance’s fingers gently brushed over the drawing as he let out a long sigh.
He found an exquisite wooden box, folded the letter with great care, and placed it inside as if it were a precious treasure.
Partings are always sad.
But just as Amber had said, this wasn’t a final goodbye.
Life had to go on. Everyone had to journey onward for the sake of their own future.
"Goodbye, Amber," Lance whispered softly.
"I hope we meet again on the adventurer’s path. And when we do... I hope we’ve both become better people."