A Rare Visitor

Vim headed back toward the Royal Capital using flight magic, just as he had on the way there. He increased his altitude and deployed magic to impede recognition, making him invisible from below. It would certainly cause an uproar if people saw a man flying through the sky. After about an hour of flight, the Capital came into view, and Vim touched down in the garden of his mansion.

“Phew. This really is convenient.”

Vim opened the front door and stepped inside.

“Welcome home, Master.”

James greeted him as soon as he entered.

“I’m back. Here, Count Dion gave me these again.”

He handed the tea leaves he had received from the Count to James.

“Understood, sir. Also, you have a guest waiting for you.”

“Eh, for me? I wonder who it is.”

The number of people who would go out of their way to visit him was limited.

“I was not acquainted with the individual myself, but as they carried a letter of introduction from the Royal Palace, I took the liberty of showing them to the reception parlor.”

“I see. Thanks.”

Carrying a letter of introduction from the palace meant their status was sufficiently guaranteed. James had judged that it was safe to let them in even in Vim’s absence. Vim headed toward the mansion’s parlor.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

He opened the door and stepped inside. There, a familiar woman was sitting on the sofa.

“It has been a long time!”

The woman stood up from the sofa.

“Now, please, sit. Let’s see… it’s Misa, right?”

“You remembered me! I’m deeply moved.”

The person waiting there was the female knight Vim had rescued previously.

“Still, I’m impressed you figured out I lived here,” Vim said as he sat down on the sofa.

“Yes. I used my connections to have it looked into.”

“Well, that’s impressive. So, what brings you here today?”

As Vim asked, Misa’s long blonde hair swayed.

“Would you consider employing me here? Please!”

Misa bowed her head deeply.

“Whoa, raise your head for a second. Could you give me a proper explanation?”

“My apologies. I previously served as a member of the Imperial Guard for a Count in the Cyrus Empire.”

That explained how she could obtain a letter of introduction from the palace. Being an Imperial Guard was a position of significant standing. That particular Count in the Cyrus Empire was also one of the Duke’s few collaborators. While he swore loyalty to the Emperor on the surface, he secretly held no love for the current ruler; his interests aligned with the Duke’s.

“I heard from the Count and the Duke about your willingness to stand up for others, Master Vim. I realized once again that I had met a truly incredible person.”

“And so, how did that lead to this?” Vim asked, considering the current situation.

“I decided long ago that I wanted to serve someone I could truly respect from the bottom of my heart. I have finally found that person.”

“To be honest, I think you could find a place with much better treatment, but you’re sure?”

“Yes. I have already resigned from the Imperial Guard.”

Vim could feel the resolve in Misa’s words.

“Understood. If you’re that determined, I have no reason to refuse. Won’t you fight alongside me?”

Vim held out his right hand.

“Of course. I look forward to working with you.”

After a firm handshake with Misa, Vim felt his own resolve renewed as he prepared for what was to come.