Maps and Miracles

Ensi’s heat passed more quickly and quietly than the periods typically known to the public.

Although he could not use medicine, the illness ruling his body allowed him to suppress his sexual desires with relative ease. Of course, it also helped that Agniele, who visited the mansion every day, delivered items heavily scented with pheromones through the servants.

On the third day after the heat began, Ensi instinctively realized that the cycle had ended. With the help of the priest, he was able to return to his usual physical state.

“You have worked hard over the last three days, Priest Doha.”

This healing priest was someone who had rushed over despite a busy schedule due to Cyril’s earnest request, so Ensi showed his courtesy by bowing his head.

“Not at all. I am simply relieved if I was of even the slightest help.”

Priest Doha, who had stayed at the mansion for all three days tending to Ensi’s condition, returned the bow with a somewhat awkward, embarrassed smile.

It was because he knew all too well that he hadn’t been of much help. Despite being an individual important enough for the Saintess to personally request aid, Doha had repeatedly faced a situation where the skills he usually took pride in were practically useless.

The priest, realizing poignantly over the last three days that he had grown arrogant and slothful, made a sudden resolve to enter a period of ascetic training.

“I shall take my leave now.”

“Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule.”

“I have only done what is expected of a servant of the Gods. Well then.”

Ensi was satisfied because Doha’s skills were superior to the priests he usually requested privately, but Priest Doha, entirely unaware of this fact, shared a brief farewell and left the mansion.

Ensi entered the main building, leaving behind the priest who had departed in a hurry, declining even a proper reward or hospitality. His body felt heavy and lethargic, but he couldn’t rest yet because Donovan, having realized the heat was over, had urgently requested a meeting.

Tugging at the blanket that kept trying to slip off his shoulders, Ensi leisurely climbed the stairs toward his room. As he stood before the door, it opened naturally. The sight was so unfamiliar and amusing that Ensi let out a small chuckle.

“It almost feels like this is your room.”

“Hm? Oh! Sorry. My friends must have opened it on their own.”

“It’s fine. I was the one who told you to go to the room ahead of me.”

Ensi waved his hand at Donovan, who was standing up, signaling him to sit back down. He then walked over and took a seat opposite him. Judging by the map occupying the table, it seemed he intended to explain the next destination of his adventure.

“Are you leaving soon?”

“Yes, I’ve finally specified the location. It’s just that the being with the clue is a wanderer……”

“A wanderer?”

Ensi, who had assumed they would be going to a ruin or a place steeped in mystery, tilted his head upon realizing Donovan intended to meet a specific individual.

“Is the target human?”

“No. If I had to categorize them, they’re closer to a spirit or a fairy. Hmm, how should I describe it—”

Donovan trailed off, tapping his chin. Because the being was quite different from the spirits or fairies one typically imagined, it was difficult to find the right modifiers.

“Is it similar to a water ghost? They draw in those who are close to death, either physically or mentally. To lead them to an early grave.”

A being that living souls would inevitably avoid. Ensi furrowed his brow upon hearing Donovan’s explanation. Going to personally meet a being that brings death didn’t sound particularly pleasant.

“It doesn’t seem like there’s anything to be gained from seeking out such a person.”

“If you shake off her temptation, she grants you one wish, whatever it may be. It’s one of the conditions for her existence on this earth.”

“There must be a criterion for judgment?”

“You just have to not die while spending a night with her.”

It was a simpler condition than expected. Of course, the danger remained unchanged, so the crease in Ensi’s brow showed no signs of smoothing out.

“In exchange for being a conversation partner for a bit, if I can find a way to cure Utia disease, isn’t that a profitable trade?”

“Will she truly tell you kindly?”

“She cannot tell a lie. It would violate the conditions.”

“And she can’t just say she doesn’t know within the limits of her knowledge?”

“When granting a wish, she becomes omniscient, so it’s fine even if she doesn’t know beforehand. Since it’s a wish, she will provide the answer. You’re spending time with her at the risk of your life; shouldn’t the reward be commensurate?”

Donovan poured out counterarguments as if soothing the worried Ensi. Despite the skeptical questions, he steadfastly maintained that there would be no problem.

There was no way to break Donovan’s stubbornness. Since he would likely turn a deaf ear even if discouraged, Ensi let out a sigh as if he had lost and rested his chin on his hand.

“Do you know the location for sure?”

“It’s hard to pin down an exact coordinate, but…… it’s certain that she is currently wandering the Duchy of Celine.”

“If it’s Celine—that’s where Titania is.”

“Once I finish the task safely, shall I go check on Titania’s situation as well?”

Donovan, keenly noticing that Ensi’s heart had softened, asked suggestively. Skilled at reading the non-verbal cues Ensi displayed—the slight lack of strength in his tone, the hand pressing against his temple as if he had a headache—he offered a bright smile.

Ensi glanced at Donovan, who felt particularly cunning today, and sighed once more.

“……If you can achieve what you want, wouldn’t it be better to ask for something other than a cure?”

The question that came after a brief silence was tinged with hesitation. It contained the worry that it would be a shame to waste a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for his sake.

“What do you think is the reason I was able to recall a being that was only mentioned in passing in the original story? It means I am that desperate to find a cure. It also means I didn’t need a genie-in-a-lamp type figure until now.”

You certainly have a way with words.

Ensi, who had intended to try one last time to stop him, finally gave up in the face of Donovan’s firm resolve. Seeing that the spirits clinging tightly to Donovan remained peaceful, it also meant the task wasn’t as dangerous as he feared.

“Don’t get hurt. The Duchy of Celine is a long distance away, so go through the teleportation management office.”

“Since I’m going, I’ll check on Titania too.”

“Do as you wish.”

Donovan, who would usually refuse teleportation by claiming that getting to the destination was part of the adventure, readily accepted this time. It was an urgent matter, and he knew Ensi might actually get angry if he refused even this.

Having secured the permission he wanted, Donovan reached out to clear the map covering the table. Ensi’s gaze naturally fell upon the map at that action. His eyes, having quickly scanned the information packed onto the worn paper, momentarily flashed.

Because geography was considered military secret in this era, it wasn’t as detailed as maps from his previous life, but for a private possession, it was magnificent.

“That map—you made it yourself, didn’t you?”

“Huh? Yes, that’s right. It’s more convenient to have a map if you’re going to work as an adventurer.”

Donovan gave an innocent smile, mentioning that the spirits had helped, making the production easier. It was a smile that pricked Ensi’s conscience, as he had been wanting to obtain the map.

“Should I give it to you if you need it? If you ask a painter, they can produce a copy quickly.”

He would have to find a tight-lipped painter, but knowing that wasn’t a difficult task for Ensi, Donovan offered readily. Since it was a proposal carrying a significant risk, Ensi’s eyes downturned with apology.

“Mmm, there were times when it was difficult because I didn’t have a proper map……”

He trailed off, but he didn’t mean to refuse Donovan’s offer.

Those living in this era endured the inconvenience of not having maps. It was natural, as it was difficult to obtain a map unless one was a noble with considerable power or someone associated with the military.

“It can’t be helped if you’re running a merchant group. You’re a good employer, Ensi.”

Even though he hadn’t said exactly why he wanted the map, Donovan easily saw through Ensi’s intentions. For Ensi, who had no interest in geography and whose body made it difficult to travel, there was only one reason to want a map.

Someone among those working for the merchant group must have voiced their inconvenience. They wouldn’t have said it to Ensi directly, so it must have been a small complaint made in passing. Ensi likely wanted to take care of that grievance he had overheard. Donovan, finishing his thought quickly, chuckled and tapped the map.

“Once I finish this task and return to the capital, I’ll lend it to you. I only have one copy myself.”

“Yeah. I have to find a painter anyway. More importantly, when do you plan to leave?”

It would be nice to get the map early, but since there were no scheduled merchant trips until after the appointment ceremony, he could wait that long.

Of course, finding a painter wasn’t just empty talk. He had to look for someone who was somewhat involved in illegal work, was extremely tight-lipped, and had the guts to copy information equivalent to military secrets without their hands shaking.

“I don’t really want to dawdle. I was thinking of packing today and leaving first thing tomorrow…… Oh, would it be difficult to use the teleportation management office?”

“Hardly. How could it be difficult when you’ve given me a day’s notice?”

Considering how much money he poured into the teleportation management office, if they claimed they couldn’t do even that much, wouldn’t he have to withdraw the money he had distributed under the guise of sponsorship?

Donovan, seeing an incredibly arrogant smile appear on Ensi’s face, thought to himself.

Indeed, though it was a world where nobles existed and power wielded more influence than money, it was still a world where the principles of capitalism functioned reasonably well.