“The other candidates besides me died?”
“Is it true?”
“Regrettably, it is.”
Jared thought, what kind of joke is this?
Court Mage Candidates, even with the qualifier “candidates,” are individuals with power comparable to Court Mages, whose abilities are recognized by the Mage Association and the Royal Palace.
It’s not just about power. It’s about talent, rare qualities, and while each person is different, it’s impossible for them to have no ability at all.
Much of the places where Court Mages’ power is utilized are battlefields. Or, they must be entities that serve as deterrents. Therefore, even with talent or rarity, a certain level of fighting power is required.
The idea that the Court Mage Candidates, chosen to fill the vacancies for Court Mages, have been murdered sounds like a cruel joke.
However, he could also understand. It’s not unreasonable if Dennis from the Mage Association is looking so distraught; if Court Mage Candidates have been murdered. His associates are probably in a similar state.
“Have the culprits been found?”
“Unknown. We are currently investigating everyone who has a connection to the victims, one by one. It will take time.”
There must be few who specifically target Court Mage Candidates. Considerable ability is required. However, such a thing cannot happen without a motive.
There are not many people who can take a life for no reason.
“…I have been investigating various things regarding Court Mages. My father has as well. However, this is the first I’ve heard of Court Mage Candidates being murdered. Is there an information blackout?”
“There is. While it’s partly to maintain the prestige of the Mage Association and the Royal Palace, we couldn’t disregard the wishes of the bereaved families. Furthermore, higher-ups have decided that it would be best to refrain from releasing information to avoid unnecessarily provoking the culprits.”
“But won’t that lead to more victims?”
“You are correct, Olivier. We are saying that information should be released, but since more than half the opinions are against it, the information remains suppressed.”
Dennis, who grimaces in frustration, clearly believes that information should be released. However, neither the Mage Association nor the Royal Palace has any intention of doing so at this time.
“Dennis, is it alright to tell me the information that’s being suppressed?”
“It’s fine. If they are going to continuously target Court Mage Candidates, then Murphy-sama might also become a target. I, and neither the Association nor the Royal Palace, want that.”
“Thank you. But why would someone want to kill a Court Mage Candidate… I can’t understand it.”
If it were just one person, resentment could be considered. However, among the three candidates, one was from another country. It seems unlikely that resentment would connect them all.
“Um, are you really going to be targeted, Jared?”
“I cannot say for certain. However, given the commonality of being candidates, I believe you should be vigilant.”
“Are there any other commonalities?”
“I’d rather not say, but the candidates, other than Murphy-sama, are individuals who, while possessing ability, were recommended through connections.”
“…Is that so?”
Dennis nods at Olivier’s surprised expression.
“Unfortunately, connections have become necessary in this era. It’s probably proof that things have become more peaceful compared to when only ability was prioritized. While the Association wants to focus on ability, it’s not possible when the country is involved.”
“Perhaps Jared also had connections?”
“While the candidates this time were disciples of Court Mages, their relatives, or adopted children of powerful nobles, Murphy-sama was the only one who became a candidate purely through his own abilities. Of course, being an Earth attribute mage with multiple attributes is also a significant reason, but there were no connections whatsoever.”
“Then I’m relieved.”
Jared understood that Olivier, her gaze fixed on him, had become worried that she might have been chosen as a Court Mage Candidate because of her connection to the Ducal Family.
However, he had been told that the talk of Court Mage Candidates came up before Olivier was chosen as his fiancée.
For Jared, both things were announced suddenly around the same time, so there wasn’t much difference. Even if it were connections, he thought that was fine. Connections are also a form of power. Someone who is simply strong might have no reason to become a Court Mage.
In that sense, Jared didn’t have any particular thoughts about the deceased candidates being recommended through connections. As long as they had a certain level of ability and the power to become Court Mages, that should be enough.
Things don’t work with just idealism. Of course, it would be ideal if idealism could prevail.
“This incident was unprecedented. The Association was already pursuing the culprit from behind the scenes, but with the murder of the last candidate this morning, things became chaotic. I rushed over immediately to inform Murphy-sama.”
“I appreciate your concern. I might have faced the enemy without any precautions if things had continued like this.”
“The same to you, I apologize for withholding information. It’s… difficult to say, but some individuals thought that if they informed Murphy-sama, it would reach the Duke as well, and attempted to resolve the situation by secretly apprehending the culprit.”
They must have thought it wasn’t good if the Duke found out about the murder of candidates, something even he didn’t know about, in the form of the culprits not being caught and even Jared potentially being targeted.
However, in reality, they failed to catch the culprits. Now that it has reached both Jared and Olivier, it’s only a matter of time before it reaches the Duke. No, it’s possible that the Duke is currently being directly briefed on the situation.
“Now that Murphy-sama is the only candidate remaining, the Association wants to provide full support. It may seem late, but please, don’t give up on the Mage Association!”
“I have no intention of giving up on the Association. However, I have two requests.”
“Please, tell me.”
“First, I don’t need a guard.”
“Just a moment, Jared! Why would you say such a thing—”
Jared understood Olivier’s anger, but he was still speaking. So, he raised his index finger and silenced her.
“It’s not that I don’t trust the Association, but I don’t want to be monitored by someone I don’t know. I doubt whether a guard would be trustworthy, or if they would be more of a hindrance. Most importantly, as long as the culprits are unknown, I don’t want anyone getting unnecessarily close to this mansion.”
“…Understood. Indeed, it’s highly likely that a member of the Association would be a hindrance to Murphy-sama. While I would like to provide a guard, I will accept your decision.”
“Thank you. And, the other thing—I want to see the scene of this morning’s victim.”
“The scene?”
Dennis accepted the refusal of a guard surprisingly easily, but he looked hesitant when Jared said he wanted to see the scene.
“Is there a problem?”
“It’s not exactly a problem, but the victim’s bloodstains are still there, and more importantly, since the incident occurred in their home, I don’t know if the bereaved family will consent.”
“Hmph, hey, how long do you intend to keep your finger on my lips!”
Olivier, whose lips had been covered mid-sentence, protested.
“Ah, sorry. But you interrupted me to complain.”
“That’s because you said you don’t need a guard! I’m happy that you’re concerned about us, but you don’t need to be scared anymore, you’ll be fine.”
“I am not fine. That’s why I don’t need a guard. If it comes to the worst, I’ll use Pfeil as a shield, so don’t worry.”
Jared appreciated Olivier’s concern, but he didn’t want a large number of unknown people near his mansion.
While he had given various reasons earlier, that was ultimately the only reason.
“Putting aside the matter of a guard, what do you mean by wanting to visit a crime scene?”
“If they intend to kill all the Court Mage Candidates, then I should be a target as well. Therefore, I want to know the method. To know the method, I have no choice but to go to the scene.”
While explaining to Olivier, he turned his gaze to Dennis.
What Jared was saying was reasonable, so Dennis seemed unable to refute it.
“…In that case, may I add a condition that it would be with the bereaved family’s permission?”
“Of course. I don’t wish to see the scene by forcing the family’s opposition. I simply want to do what needs to be done.”
“In that case, please give me some time. I will respond as quickly as possible.”
Dennis, who reluctantly accepted Jared’s offer, nodded as if he were exhausted.
