Radius was staying in a certain city.
He had only just woken up when a knock echoed at his bedroom door. Sitting up in his bed within the luxurious suite, he called out toward the door. "What is it?" "I'm sorry, nya. You have a visitor, nya." "A visitor? Who is it?" "It's Master Ragna, nya."
He had certainly arrived out of the blue again. Radius let out a heavy sigh, said, "I'll be there shortly," and began to get dressed.
Ten minutes later, when he stepped into the living room of the suite, Ragna was already waiting. "Did you wake up because you sensed your teacher's presence?" "Don't be ridiculous. It was obviously Mirei's doing." Radius let out a wide yawn. He took a seat on the sofa directly across from Ragna. "What did you come here for? You've been appearing quite suddenly lately." "Do you find it unpleasant?" "Not particularly. It's much better than you never showing your face at all." "Hmph. You should just honestly admit you're happy to see your teacher." "Sigh... Anyway, what is your business?" "Hm? Oh, right."
Ragna immediately reached inside his robe. He pulled out a single envelope, sealed with wax through a magical process. "This is what we discussed before. Here." "...What are you talking about?" "Have you already forgotten our conversation in Gargazia? It's about the Adventurer Ashton." "—! Did... did you find something out!?" "Just a little, within the limits of what I could investigate." "..." "I know you're curious, but read it later. You're a busy man; prioritizing our talk will be better for your own sake." "You're acting as if you know everything again, Ragna."
Hearing that, Ragna stood up. He walked to the window and gazed outside. "I'll say it again, but aren't you looking even busier than usual lately?" "What of it?" "Don't be so sulky, my dear, dear former student." Deciding he had teased him enough, Ragna let his expression soften. "I came all the way here. Did you think it was just to deliver a letter?" "Stop speaking in riddles. Speak plainly." "I came because I thought the time was right. Didn't you have something you wanted to ask of me, Radius?" Without meeting his eyes, Radius gave a small, reluctant nod. "...Yeah." "If you can ask honestly, I wouldn't be averse to supporting you." "—I'll ask just to be sure. How did you find out?" "I didn't hear it from anywhere. I can just tell by observing the situation. 'Ah, Radius must be busy with that matter'—is what I thought. The timing is good. It's convenient."
Ragna stood before Radius and grabbed the prince's collar as he sat there looking down. He forced Radius to look him in the eye. Though small in stature, the Shelgardian possessed the undeniable allure of a mature adult. She wore a wicked grin. "Go on, say it. Come, try asking your teacher for a favor." Radius let out a long breath at the provocative attitude. "Then I shall ask you honestly. Ragna, will you side with me?" "For what purpose? Say it clearly." For some reason, it was still difficult to voice. Knowing that, Ragna took pleasure in the silence. Finally, he offered a lifeline. "You're going to become the Crown Prince, aren't you?"
This was an event that had never occurred in The Legend of the Seven Heroes. In that timeline, Radius had already lost his life, despite having been expected to eventually become the Crown Prince. However, that day had never come. "You've been traveling to various regions, and it seems you've been negotiating with members of the Imperial Family who aren't currently in the capital. You're going to talk with Marquis Ignat and the others soon as well, right?" "...You really did see through everything." "Of course. So, how was it? Dealing with those royals you rarely speak to." "They are all troublesome people. I never want to do this kind of political groundwork again." "I bet. So, when is the date?" "If you mean the day I'm officially appointed Crown Prince, it hasn't been decided yet. At the earliest, it will be summer... or perhaps autumn."
Perhaps because it was the answer he had expected, Ragna simply said, "I thought so," and headed toward the door. "To make me beg and then just leave... you have as charming a personality as ever." "I'll say this just to be sure—I would have been on your side even without that exchange just now. That hasn't changed since the old days." "Then what was the point of that exchange?" "It was for my own amusement. You don't look like you need any other explanation." "...I see. It was worth it just to reconfirm your character, Ragna."
Ragna stopped in front of the door, remembering something he hadn't mentioned. It was about the events of the previous day. "Radius, have you heard about the attack?" "Everything regarding the commotion with the Apostle of the Giant God, Wadatsumi. It seems Ren and Estelle defeated the one that escaped. According to Estelle's report, Ren has awakened as a Sword Saint. Though the details are being kept under wraps for now." "Heh! To reach the Strong Sword Saint class at that age... isn't that the fastest in history?" "He's tied for the record, I'd say." "Huh? Then who else? That Chief of yours?" "Estelle entered the Sword Saint ranks at eighteen. The other person reached it at fourteen, just like Ren." "...The Sword King?" Radius nodded. "So that means Ren is a future Sword King." "You're getting ahead of yourself, Ragna." "I'm free to have expectations, am I not? He's already a Sword Saint, after all. ...Come to think of it, he's due for a medal and one other benefit, right?"
Ragna left behind a final remark as he departed. "Keep what's written in that letter a secret. I don't quite understand it all yet, but the matter is more significant than I imagined. Considering their names have been erased from history, it's quite an affair." Burn it once you've finished reading. Leaving those words behind, he vanished as suddenly as he had arrived.
Mirei, who had been waiting nearby, entered the living room where Radius remained. "Is it over, nya?" "Yeah. Incidentally, he saw right through my preparations to become the Crown Prince." "Nyahaha, it is Master Ragna, after all, nya." Without mentioning the letter, Mirei began preparing Radius's breakfast. In times like this, Mirei would sense his mood and act without a word being exchanged.
Radius broke the wax seal. The single piece of parchment inside was written with a magic-ink pen. Even if Radius forgot to destroy it, the writing would disappear on its own after a set time.
'The owner of the letters found in the orphanage desired Phoenix Materials.'
He read on.
'I wonder why. Did they want to craft equipment, or keep them as a treasure? It's unknown if they had another use, however—'
Ragna expressed doubts about the connections between the various pieces of evidence.
'The existence of the "her" mentioned in the letters is what bothers me. The author of the letters headed to the Sky Continent specifically for her sake, and the text suggested they obtained Phoenix Materials for her.'
Before he knew it, Radius began sipping the tea Mirei had prepared. Unusually for him, he forgot to thank her as he became absorbed in the letter.
'The materials of a monster like a Phoenix are a legendary treasure. I've never heard of an instance where they were used for common equipment or mere display. Many documents from the era of the Demon King were lost in the fires of war. That may be why no records remain, but consider this hypothesis.'
An unexpected theory.
'The Blighted Princess from the old tales. Didn't she demand extraordinary treasures? If we consider Phoenix Materials as one of them, the implications are fascinating.'
Previously, Radius would have dismissed it as a joke, but he couldn't this time. There was a certain persuasiveness in Ragna's next words.
'Consider those Dead Mithril Coins found in the orphanage. The same goes for the pen excavated from the Old City. If those were items influenced by the Blighted Princess, the dots finally start to connect.'
"—But, Ragna..."
'Having read this far, Radius, you are likely thinking "it can't be." I can imagine your expression perfectly. However, you can no longer laugh off my theories as mere tall tales.'
Radius read the final section.
'I believe that the sister of the director named Jeno was the Blighted Princess herself. And there's no need to be vague anymore. The author of those letters is the man known as the Adventurer Ashton. Based on several anecdotes, I can find no other answer.'
"...Yeah, I know."
'He is an unidentified hero whose existence was erased from the history of Leomel. I will continue to investigate as much as possible. If you are curious, Radius, think about it when things have settled down. If we can uncover more about the man named Jeno who ran the orphanage, we should naturally learn the truth about the Blighted Princess as well.'
At the very end of the letter:
'—By the way, I found interesting information in a book by a scholar who researched the frontiers of a certain country.'
Cecil Ashton. A legend said that a man who saved a certain village had introduced himself by that name. It was the true name of the Adventurer Ashton that Ragna had managed to uncover in a remarkably short time.
Having finished the parchment, Radius set it on fire.
"...It seems I should talk to Ren directly."