Chapter 52 Do We Meet for the First Time?


    Do you really stuff your face with stolen food everyday without An saying anything?


    During the time Kraush was active in the Skyborne Generation, he stumbled upon Lirina, Ans attendant, sneaking bread from the food basket that was to be delivered to An. With a dumbfounded look, he asked her this question. An, who was a figure of remarkable prowess even among the Skyborne Generation, was now alongside Abe as one of the most powerful me magicians and the only grandchild of the me Emperor. It was preposterous to see his attendant, Lirina, up to such antics every time, her eyes half-shut.


    Yes, even when he knows, he doesnt scold me.


    She replied, gulping down the bread.


    Mr. An dislikes bread. So I take it upon myself to enjoy it.


    She did love to indulge herself with bread often for someone who imed such.


    Youll get fat doing that.


    What are you saying? Do you know how diligently I manage myself? Do you want me to prove it? Youre truly agitating.


    Why on earth does An keep you as his attendant


    Kraush and Lirina, Ans attendant, were fairly close.


    An, too, belonged to the Skyborne Generation. He was often afflicted by curses due to his frequent encounters with World Erosion, and he had repeatedly been indebted to Kraush in such times. Thus, they would often exchange small talk like this, jestingfortably with one another.


    Well, Im the pretty handmaid who takes good care of Mr. An. Its all about the charms.


    Do you think Ancks something to pick a handmaid based on her appearance?


    Me, popr? Every time I walk on the road, gentlemen are always trying to coax me into having a drink with them.


    Kraush just stared at her silently.


    What? Do you have a problem with that?


    No.


    Since she insisted, Kraush simply chose to let it go.


    Youre always rude to me. Do you perhaps have an interest in me, Mr. Kraush? How troubling. I must refuse you. Theres only Mr. An for me.


    Thanks.


    Lirina said this and then picked up her basket.


    Despite your otherck of interest in me, I do appreciate how you often talk to Mr. An. He seems a bit more at ease when hes with you.


    As if theres anyone else that dude has a normal conversation with.


    Lirina covered her mouth with her hand and let out a softugh.


    Lets just say that.


    He couldnt fathom what she was doing,ughing without her eyes.


    Still, I believe there wille a day when you will clear Mr. Ans troubles as easily as you seize the curses.


    Despite being called the me Emperor, An always maintained a detached expression towards the world. Kraush, having seen his face multiple times, let out a sigh.


    How many days does that guy have left now?


    291 days.


    Lirina spoke the number before bowing her head and departing.


    Kraush was left to contemte the figure 291. The significancey in the fact that it was the remaining span of Ans life. And right now, Kraush was witnessing Lirina cram more bread into her mouth.


    Has she not aged since then?


    Kraush had never before seen Lirina at this time. His acquaintance with An began after he joined the Skyborne Generation, as An never attended Rahelrn Academy from the start. Yet, Lirinas face seemed to remain unchanged, both then and now. It was almost frightening to consider.


    Additionally, a wave of nostalgia and a strange emotion overwhelmed him.


    Heres the soup and the bread before your meal.


    The server brought the soup and bread just then. Meanwhile, Lirina finished her own bread and was heading outside with her basket.


    Kraush watched her leave and then casually knocked on the nearby window.


    With a whoosh, a fluttering sound followed by the noise of something being thrown outside filled the air.


    Shell be followed alright.


    Kraush looked back at the soup and bread. His own hunger had just begun to stir.


    Might as well eat first.


    After all, An and Lirina werent going to disappear anytime soon.


    Suddenly struck by a thought, Kraush turned to Bianca.


    Bianca, shouldnt you tie back your hair?


    Bianca, who was about to take a spoonful, nced at her own hair. Then she mockingly chewed on her spoon while slightly fiddling with her tresses.


    Indeed, as Kraush pointed out, her hair had grown quite long. Sinceing to Green Pine Mansion, while her hair was tidied, its length had not been cut. By now it had grown significantly longer.


    At that length, it was perfect for falling into her meal. In fact, Bianca always tied back her hair before eating. Her designated handmaid, Eli, had always done the tying for her.


    But Eli wasnt here now.


    Then tie it up, please.


    Bianca turned around and handed over a hair tie.


    Stunned for a moment, Kraushmented,


    The soup will cool down.


    Bianca looked back slightly and urged Kraush on.


    But you cant handle hot food.


    Despite his words, Kraush epted the hair tie and gathered Biancas hair. Being careful not to pull too hard and cause pain, he skillfully tied up her hair with well-practiced hands.


    Bianca seemed surprised to see her hair neatly tied.


    Youre quite skilled.


    I learned a long time ago.


    And not without a fair share of scolding, at that.


    Kraush nced at his own hands that had tied back the hair. Now, it was all a memory of the past.


    With a thought to proceed with his meal, Kraush decided to pick up his utensils instead.


    The meal itself was satisfactory. The restaurants charmy in offering a full meal at a reasonable price. As a result, all its patrons weremoners.


    Fortunately, Bianca ate without concern, regardless of whether it wasmoner food or not. It seemed that she had no particr dislikes, only preferences.


    Having finished eating, Kraush stepped outside with Bianca. The sky was appropriately turning dusky.


    They had dined just before evening, so the timing was natural.


    Flutter!


    Suddenly, Kraush heard the pping of wings. Raising his head, he saw a solitary crow descending. It was none other than Crimson Garden.


    Crim.


    Bianca naturally stroked the crow perched upon Kraushs shoulder. The bird didnt seem to dislike her touch as it allowed her to pet it while gazing at Kraush.


    Did you follow her?


    [ Yes, I followed her, just like you said. ]


    Crimson Garden nodded in response to Kraushs inquiry. Beyond the giant magic tower, she had focused on a particr mansion.


    [ Right now, that mansion is in chaos. ]


    Understanding the situation, Kraush responded with an anticipated reaction.


    The reason for the chaos is definitely


    [ Yes, the grandson of the me Emperor has attempted suicide again. Thanks to that, the mansion is in disarray. ]


    The attempted suicide by the grandson of the me Emperor had been initiated by none other than the very person Kraush knew too well  An Igrit.


    * * *


    Which mansion could be considered the most famous in the magic city of Halgram?


    Everyone would unanimously mention the residence of the me Emperor, the Igrit Estate. Currently, the Igrit Estate was in a state ofmotion.


    This time he tried to hang himself.


    Last week it was poison. What is he thinking?


    Whispers continued among the cleaning maids. Their main topic was An Igrits attempts at suicide.


    An, the sole grandson of the me Emperor, was the eldest son who would eventually inherit the Igrit name. However, due to his innate Lunar Body constitution, he couldnt learn the Igrit familys traditional me magic.


    Yet his character wasnt bad. He remained calm, showed enthusiasm for magic, even though he couldnt utilize the Igrits prideful me magic and tirelessly pursued his magical studies. However, one day it was as if he went mad. Some said a curse from a World Erosion entity deranged him, but no one knew the exact truth.


    If you speak of Mr. An like that behind his back, the steward will scold you.


    The maids jumped, startled by the voice from behind them. The owner of that voice was none other than Ans personal attendant, Lirina.


    Li-Lirina.


    We werent talking about anything!


    As the two scurried away, Lirina scoffed while holding the basket. How carelessly they talk, even being from a noble house. Shaking her head, Lirina proceeded on her way, soon reaching a certain door. Just as she was about to open it, roaring from inside was overheard.


    Are you out of your mind! I didnt raise you tomit suicide! Why in the world!


    Lirina knew the person behind the voice. It was Ans mother and the vice house head, Agatha Igrit. Although it wasnt entirely clear through the closed door, there was no mistaking the scolding tone.


    But no matter how much Agatha shouted, Ans response was unheard.


    Finally, as she stomped closet to the door, Lirina quickly retreated, only for the door to swing open. A striking middle-aged woman with tousled red hair nced at Lirina as she stepped out.


    Did you hear?


    The chill in her gaze made even Lirina flinch.


    No. I didnt hear anything.


    Even if she had, it was better to deny it. So Lirina replied, and Agatha red at her for a moment before striding away. Watching her leave, Lirina hurriedly went into the room, greeted by an unpleasant medicinal smell and ckout curtains.


    Lirina closed the door and walked in with her basket. There, she saw a man.


    His physique was lean, with long, disheveled red hair and dark shadows under his eyes.


    It was none other than An Igrit.


    Red marks around his neck and unraveled bandages betrayed his recent attempt at self-harm.


    It wouldve been easier if you did that while I was here.


    Lirina muttered to herself when Ans eyelids slowly opened. Despite the earlier scolding from Agatha, he wore an indifferent smile.


    Lirina.


    Yes, I am Lirina, Mr. Ans personal handmaid. You must be hungry. Ill prepare your meal.


    She didnt make anyment about Ans neck, instead beginning to set the table with food. These were the dishes she had collected from the restaurant  still warm thanks to the baskets preservation magic.


    An rose slowly and approached the array of food. He pulled out a chair and sat down, silently observing the dishes before taking a spoon and tasting the soup.


    From that restaurant.


    Mr. An wouldnt eat unless from that ce. So I visit it every day, just for you. Please make sure you finish your meal today.


    Ill try.


    However, the effort An put into his words didnt trante to strength in his grasp on the spoon.


    A few minutester, with most of the meal left barely touched, An put his spoon down. Lirina stood up, cleared away the food, and cleaned up after him. An then returned to bed andy down.


    Mr. An, its not good for your health to lie down immediately after eating.


    Its fine. Thanks for your concern. You can leave now.


    An spoke and simply covered himself with his nket. Lirina watched for a moment before cleaning up the rest of the meal and wiping down the table. She then stepped outside.


    Lirinas half-closed eyes lingered on Ans closed door.


    Two months ago, a cheerful An was no more. All that was left was a shell, hoping each day to die.


    Gripping the basket tightly, Lirina wondered how to restore the young lord to his former self.


    Only she, Ans personal handmaid, knew the true reason behind his change.


    Could there be someone?


    Was there someone who could bring him back? Knowing her own efforts were insufficient, Lirina could only sigh deeply. Then her eyes caught sight of a crow perched on the window.


    For some reason, the crow was intently staring at her. As she approached and gently opened the window, the bird surprisingly didnt flee but remained there.


    What an intriguing little one.


    Lirina nced at her basket. The food was going to be discarded anyway. She took out a piece of leftover meat, and the crow snatched it from her hand before flying away. Just as she thought, the bird was on the lookout for food.


    Quite the clever one.


    From then on, a curious rtionship developed between the woman and the crow. Since that day, whenever Lirina tidied Ans leftover food, the crow would appear as if regarding her as its provider. It always received scraps or pieces of meat and flew away. This small routine somehow became a part of Lirinas daily life.


    Today, after clearing up Ans leftovers, she spotted the crow sitting on the window sill.


    Hello, Kami. You came again today.


    Having given the crow the name Kami, Lirina approached with a small smile. Feeling a bit healed by the crow unafraid of her touch, she mused,


    Its not I who should be receiving sce.


    Wouldnt An also enjoy thepany of Kami, she wondered. At that thought, Kami suddenly pped its wings and settled below the window.


    Curious, Lirina peered through the window gap.


    Kami? Arent you eating today?


    With a nce at Lirina, Kami started to walk rather than fly, beckoning with its movements. Lirina, getting the hint, climbed through the window and found herself outside.


    Following the crow, Lirina was led to a park outside the estate, a ce she recognized as she passed through it frequently. Just as they moved beyond the park, Kami took off with a p.


    When Lirina looked up, following Kamis lead, the crow was perched on someones shoulder.


    ck hair, blue eyes, and a youthful face with sharp features, the boy seemed to be in his mid-teens, just entering his growth spurt.


    Kami appeared very friendly with the boy.


    Who are you?


    The boy asked, gazing questioningly at her, his face the very picture of innocence.