"What's this...?"
Noelle froze at the sight of the large box brimming with letters by the door.
Ellin, however, seemed to have already guessed what it was.
"Open them and take a look!" Ellin said with a smile.
Noelle nodded, picked a few letters out of the box, and opened them.
Hello, Noelle. I'm a merchant. Once, when my wagon caught fire, you threw it into Cider Lake to put out the flames, then jumped into the water to retrieve my goods.
I had staked everything I owned on that shipment. Thanks to your help, I avoided bankruptcy, and my wife and children weren't left out on the streets.
You may have long since forgotten my name, or even the incident itself, but my family will always remember your kindness.
I heard that you failed to become a knight for the ninth time. Please don't be sad. You will surely become the finest knight of all!
My daughter admires you very much. She drew a picture for you, which I've enclosed with this letter.
The letter was signed: [The grateful Marchino family].
Enclosed was a drawing of a resolute knight dressed in maid's armor and holding a greatsword.
The drawing looked childish and wasn't especially skillful, but it was clear that its artist had put a great deal of care into it.
Hello, Noelle!
I'm the adventurer you rescued from Dragonspine back then.
I heard that you didn't pass the knight selection, but please don't be sad or lose hope.
To me, you will always be the most dependable knight.
If not for you, I would have frozen to death on that mountain long ago.
Since then, I've grown from a rookie adventurer into someone capable of holding his own.
Recently, I've been planning to head to Sumeru