Anto’s Dilemma and a Somber Anniversary

“Thank you, Anto… thank you.”At that moment, Mans, supported by the handsome youth beside him, was slowly making his way down the street.

“Had it not been for your intervention, I fear I would have met my end right then and there.”

“You would indeed have met your end there,” Anto stated unequivocally, “had I not been present.”

“You… Mr. Carmen truly perished just like that. They will never forgive you.”

“It wasn’t my doing,” Anto replied. “His attendant, desperate to live, was the one who killed him.”

“But your potent venom…”

“I never employed any potent venom,” Anto clarified, a slight smile gracing his lips. “That bottle merely contained Kolmar Paralysis Grass. It volatilizes rapidly, and in such a confined space, a large dose can induce a sensation of chest tightness and heart palpitations. Merely opening a window for ventilation would alleviate most of the symptoms.”

“So what was it you made me ingest then…?”

“That was simply a restorative pill, offering a measure of care for your thoroughly beaten body,” Anto explained. “They didn’t administer Angel’s Tear to you, did they?”

“No,” Mans confirmed. “However, many girls were subjected to it; they use it to exert control over the populace.”

“…Never get involved with such substances,” Anto warned. “It is an unyielding rule for living a decent life.”

“Thank you, Anto… if not for your timely arrival…”

“It wasn’t my doing at all; it was the village chief. I only came because he instructed me to. Furthermore, you dared to use my name in your gambling, expecting the bill to arrive at my doorstep, did you?” Anto challenged.

“The mere thought of it makes me want to slap you. Come now, let’s go. You can simply endure a proper scolding once we return to the village.”

“Alright.” At that moment, Mans felt a strange improvement in his body; the intense pain had subsided significantly. It was as if simply being in Anto’s presence brought about a sense of healing, confirming him to be a truly miraculous alchemist.

“I still have a multitude of tasks awaiting me,” Anto declared, casting his gaze to the side. “I haven’t properly cleaned the sheepfold, nor have I completed my teacher’s assignments, and I’m expected to help out at the tavern tonight. Having wasted an entire day on your trivial affairs, I find it utterly undeserving of my time.”

“Undeserving, you say…?” Mans questioned, looking at Anto. “But twenty gold coins… you’re not going to give them to my father, are you?”

“…That sum represents an entire year’s expenditure for a family,” Anto stated. “Was your life truly worth such a price?”

“…I understand. I’ll tell them you used that money to redeem me, and I’ll dutifully accept my scolding. So, what do you intend to do with all that coin?”

“Many things,” Anto replied, his expression visibly relaxing. “Having money is infinitely superior to having none; it allows for the resolution of far more issues. I’m considering purchasing some choice feed and books, and perhaps, if circumstances allow…”

“You mean to acquire more books? Are such things truly useful?”

“Only books serve as the bridge to progress; my teacher always espouses that belief.”

“Oh, come now, he’s just a cranky old man; don’t take his words as gospel truth,” Mans scoffed. Suddenly, he realized he could genuinely walk normally, even skip. It seemed Anto’s pill truly possessed miraculous properties.

“This is nothing short of a miracle; it’s truly healed…” Mans exclaimed, watching his bruises visibly recede and the swelling diminish. “You are truly incredible, Anto.”

“It’s merely adequate, nothing particularly extraordinary,” Anto responded nonchalantly. Turning away, he added, “Since you can manage on your own, you may leave the city. I have other errands to attend to.”

“Understood, understood. However, it seems tonight marks Old Jack’s wedding anniversary celebration,” Mans remarked. “Will you be attending?”

“…I will,” Anto affirmed, “should time permit.”

****

Upon Anto’s return home, the evening had already descended. Stepping into his modest cottage, he glanced down at the skirt he was still wearing and let out a weary sigh.

“Phew, I can finally change.” He shed the garments. Before the mirror, the slender youth possessed an exquisite physique, his skin flawlessly pale, complemented by long golden hair and azure eyes. He was as delicate as a doll, resembling a pristine young girl.

“…Tsk.” He clicked his tongue. Facing the somewhat ethereal figure reflected in the mirror, he shook his head. He then donned a simple shirt and a pair of deerskin trousers, gathered his long hair into a neat bundle, and tidied his appearance slightly. At that moment, a young man with a hint of dashing spirit emerged in the mirror.

“Hmph… Old Jack’s wedding anniversary this year,” Anto murmured softly. “What an opportune coincidence.” He then stepped out of his somewhat dilapidated cottage, his gaze falling upon the flock of sheep before him. A relaxed expression softened his features as he approached them, beginning his chores. The ethereal girl was no more, replaced by a capable shepherd boy.

“If I can sell this batch of sheep, I should finally accumulate enough money, with some left over even after purchasing textbooks… Gaining entry to the Royal Alchemist Academy truly seems an arduous task,” he mused, beginning to lead the flock away.

“My master hasn’t visited these past few days, suggesting I’ll need to make a trip to the forest soon. However, what truly demands my attention now is…” he trailed off, glancing at a cloth satchel at his side. This was an annual delivery from an unknown sender, brought by a messenger each year. Initially, he hadn’t paid much heed to it, but this year felt different. He had no intention of attending Old Jack’s wedding anniversary celebration, primarily because this particular day marked not only the couple’s special occasion but also his own birthday, and… her death anniversary.

Donning his coat first, he then took the purchased flowers and other items, making his way to one side. His cottage stood distant from the village, and his destination lay on the opposite side of it.

He took a shortcut, which led him to a building that was little more than a ruin.

This had once been a church, a testament to the world’s most authoritative institution: the mighty Papacy. The Papacy had spread its doctrines and established churches in countless accessible human settlements, ensuring that even in such remote corners, the gospel of faith persisted.

Yet now, with the Papacy’s downfall several years prior, the Gospel Church no longer maintained a stable presence across the continent. The once-vibrant church had long since faded, devoid of any light, standing instead like a forgotten tombstone.

The youth easily pushed open the door, then navigated through the dilapidated church. A massive, broken statue of the Madonna stood before him, yet he paid it little mind, instead proceeding to the rear. There, upon the hill behind the church, a stone monument crafted from rock had been erected.

“…It is the same this year,” he murmured, gazing at the stone tablet as he slowly began to speak.

“I visited the city’s church today to offer prayers, though it became clear that the individual there could not fulfill any of my desires, and indeed, fleeced me of five silver coins. I prayed to him, confessing my sins… it seemed utterly futile.” The youth addressed the tombstone, conversing with it as if with an ordinary person.

“It’s the same this year, isn’t it? A little dust cleared, some flowers offered – just some I bought on a whim, but I think they’re quite beautiful. This should suffice, shouldn’t it, Sister?” Anto murmured, his gaze fixed on the name etched into the tombstone.

“Mother.”