HTRTO 23

HTRTO

Posted by Aashi, Released on April 2, 2026

Chapter 23

Fountain Pen

2024.02.23.

“Come on, there’s nothing to figure out. The answer’s already here.”

Nigel took the black letter from Allen’s hands and carefully read it aloud.

“At the bottom, it says that if the invitation’s owner signs it personally, it can be transferred to someone else. Hurry up and sign it, Allen.”

Nigel pointed to a suitable blank space at the bottom of the invitation for a signature.

Click.

He even pulled a fountain pen from the drawer, the kind with “19th Anniversary of the Merchant Guild” engraved on it, and handed it over.

“Wait… hold on. I don’t understand… Nigel, you—?”

Allen’s face twisted slightly.

“What is it?”

“Allen…?”

Noah tilted his head to the right.

“…You’re acting like this because I’m weak, right?”

“…What?”

“Because I… have no strength, am unreliable, so you’re planning to go with Noah alone.”

“Why bring that up all of a sudden?”

A heavy sigh escaped.

“…Am I wrong?”

Allen pressed his lips together.

“Nope, you’re wrong.”

Nigel raised his hand and pointed at the wall behind Allen. Allen and Noah turned their heads.

“See? The time.”

The finely carved grandfather clock’s hands were at seven and one.

“7:05…”

Allen murmured softly.

“Even if we go to Histon now, rescue Andy, and leave immediately, we won’t make curfew.”

“And that’s… important?”

“Important.”

Nigel immediately cut off Allen’s words.

“Allen, Noah, you go to Sienia first. It’s not the weekend; you have classes right away.”

“So, you’re saying… you’re going to Histon alone, without us?”

Nigel nodded. Without hesitation.

“But Nigel, it could be dangerous.”

“That’s exactly my point. It’s dangerous, so why do you want to come along?”

“Nigel…!”

Allen spoke reproachfully.

“Don’t get involved unnecessarily and just go. This doesn’t concern you.”

“…Doesn’t concern me?”

“Yes, you’ve never met Andy before.”

“Nigel… that’s not what I meant.”

Allen frowned and closed his eyes.

“I agree with Allen, too.”

“…Then what?”

Nigel said curtly, crossing his arms.

“You’re just worried, dummy. Good at studying, but clueless about things like this…”

Ah.

Nigel’s complicated thoughts cleared like a freshly blank canvas.

Now he noticed Allen and Noah’s faces.

Allen’s restless eyes.

Noah’s downturned mouth.

‘Didn’t want to get too close with them… but it seems that ship has already sailed.’

Sighing deeply, Nigel lifted his head.

He realized that what he had meant to just dip a toe into had already dragged him in completely.

“…Are you sure it’s okay even if we get penalized?”

Allen and Noah’s eyes met in midair. Their mouths lifted in unison.

“Do you think I care about a little penalty? I came here to make friends, anyway.”

Allen slung an arm over Nigel’s shoulder.

“That’s impressive.”

Nigel chuckled lightly.

“So, what about the incomplete invitation?”

“…I’ve got a way.”

Nigel’s eyes gleamed meaningfully.

“Hmmm~”

For three years, the man had been running a small corner shop selling miscellaneous magical tools on the outskirts of the capital. Lately, he’d found himself humming.

It was thanks to the spiky-haired boy who, just a few weeks ago, had boosted the shop’s sales for two months in a single day.

The boy bought anything that looked even slightly interesting to him, without a second thought, allowing the man to clear out old stock, even items whose functionality he hadn’t tested.

He felt a tiny bit guilty toward the boy, but so what.

If the boy knew the mountain of debts he still owed the guild, he’d probably feel sorry for him instead.

“Hmmm~ Maybe he’ll come today too?”

Excluding the girl who had been with him.

She had scowled at him when he used a magical tool wrong, asking repeatedly about its duration. Just thinking about it made his skin crawl.

And the silver-haired noble boy—clearly from a distinguished family.

When the girl glared at him, the noble boy’s usual smile stiffened into a serious gaze.

Crushed by their presence, he couldn’t say another word to the spiky-haired boy.

“Ugh, stop thinking bad thoughts! Only good thoughts bring money!!”

Shaking his head vigorously as if chasing away the bad energy, he continued.

“…!”

Then he saw him.

From the alley, the unforgettable spiky-haired head appeared.

“Of course…!”

The man clapped once.

He had felt like clearing out the stock today, and now he knew why…

He silently thanked the goddess Kyrelia for giving him such a true spring day, rubbing his hands until they were warm.

‘This time, I’ll sell three months’ worth of stock!’

The determined man greeted the spiky-haired boy warmly.

“You’re here again….”

…You guys again!

The cheerful tone suddenly sank.

Behind the spiky-haired boy stood the same scowling girl and the silver-haired noble boy.

The girl quickly scanned the shop with sharp eyes.

Bah, that wasn’t important now. The paying customer is the guest, not the observer.

He approached the spiky-haired boy with a big smile.

“Sir, you joined the Solef Merchant Guild, right?”

But the boy said something entirely unexpected.

“…Yes? Yes… yes. All merchants in Solef join the guild, of course.”

…What?

…No! Don’t doubt the easy prey! If I falter here, I fail the test! Just sell something, anything!

“Sir, the new stock is—”

…Yes!

The boy’s lips curved slightly upward. Halfway there!

“Oh, I didn’t come to buy today, just to ask something.”

…What? What’s this kid going to do in the merchant guild?

“Yes, yes. Feel free to speak.”

The man hid his excitement behind a forced smile.

“You know, selling defective items to customers is a one-gold fine per transaction, right?”

“What…?”

The spiky-haired boy silently pulled a golden badge from his pocket.

“…?!”

A large golden “E” was engraved on it. The man recognized it from gossip.

“So, does that mean you, sir, in the guild—”

“Yes, that’s right. I’m the operator.”

The boy smiled innocently.

“I’m a bit busy now. Shall we settle this quickly, sir?”

The girl and the silver-haired noble boy on either side quietly extended their hands.

With that same terrifying, dreamlike intensity in their eyes.

Clatter. Clatter.

“Is this really okay, Nigel? The man did sell defective items, but we had fun with them before.”

In the carriage, watching Nigel carrying a pile of magical tools, including the invisibility tool, Allen pursed his lips.

“You did a good job acting the way I told you to.”

Nigel said.

“Honestly, it was fun. It’s fascinating how everything flowed exactly as you said.”

“But how did you know about the guild’s fines, even if you knew Allen was an operator?”

Noah asked, eyes full of doubt.

“I just guessed.”

Nigel said nonchalantly.

“What?”

“Yes?”

The two stared, wide-eyed.

“A greedy fool like him wouldn’t know the guild rules. I thought if I pressured him with money, he’d back down immediately.”

Nigel shrugged.

“Why, you thought I’d know everything?”

Seeing them blankly staring, Nigel chuckled and tossed something to Allen and Noah each.

“Important stuff, so keep it safe.”

“What is this?”

Noah examined a magical tool shaped like an ear.

“Uh… it feels so soft. What’s this pus-like thing…?”

A red button was on the earlobe.

“…Is there no other option?”

The tool was aesthetically unbearable to Allen, failing even a preliminary evaluation.

Nigel ignored Allen’s complaint and explained.

“Press the earlobe button and use the communication stone, and only we can hear each other. In short, it’s a portable soundproof device. Since it’s from that charlatan, it might break anytime, but it should hold for tonight.”

“But Nigel, you don’t have a communication stone, right?”

Swoosh…

Nigel proudly pulled one from his coat and shook it.

“I borrowed it from the charlatan. …We’ll return it once we find Andy, so relax everyone.”

“…Of course, I knew that.”

“Me too!”

Noah and Allen hurriedly covered their expressions and nodded.

By now, the carriage had stopped moving.

A tense atmosphere filled the air.

“Noah, do you have a dagger?”

“Yes, two.”

Noah immediately handed them over.