A week has passed since the rebellion by the Gallagher family and most of the Royal Mage Corps, which had threatened the Wethered Kingdom from the shadows, was suppressed.
Gathered in the Royal Palace were the kingdom’s dignitaries, including Duke Harald Alway, heads of ducal and marquis families, and the court mages.
Led by King Horst W. Fair of the Wethered Kingdom, Duke Harald Alway and Duke Hugo Rüdiger were seated to his right around a circular table. Following them were Duke Dominic Kneisl, an elder with white hair, and Duke Cassandra Hagedorff, a young woman who had only recently become the head of her family at the age of twenty-eight.
The Duke Ewing family was notably absent from this assembly. Not only had their previous head been murdered by Lucas Gallagher, but the palace had also prohibited the selection of a successor, and no proxy was permitted to attend this conference.
Next, the heads of five marquis families, excluding the Ronmayer family who had joined the rebellion, took their seats.
Finally, the court mages and the commander of the Royal Knights occupied their places.
In order, seated were Kirsi Santala, the Second Seat of the Court Mages for Royal Academy Defense, known as “the Sage”; Tres Brauer, the Seventh Seat of Court Mages for Royal Capital Defense Support, Attack Operations, known as “the Wind Wielder”; Adelina Bischof, the Eighth Seat of Court Mages for Royal Capital Defense Support, Defense Operations, known as “the Water Mirror”; Katarina Frey, the Third Seat of Court Mages and Director of the National Medical Magic Research Institute, known as “the Healer”; and Ruzek Bajandas, the Twelfth Seat of Court Mages for Palace Guard, known as “the Steadfast.”
Among the distinguished figures of the Wethered Kingdom, one man remained standing. He was Dennis Beckman, the First Seat of Court Mages and President of the Mage Association, known as “the Shadow.” He appeared to be in his mid-thirties, with neatly styled brown hair and a gentle smile.
“Now, let us begin the conference. Your Majesty, please lead us,” Dennis Beckman said softly, after ensuring everyone was seated.
“Understood,” replied King Horst W. Fair, a young monarch in his early forties. He was known as a benevolent king who championed education, welfare, and healthcare. His father and grandfather had also been just rulers. Horst smoothed his immaculate blond hair back, his refined features hardening with resolve.
“Today, we will discuss the punishment of the rebels who conspired against our kingdom, led by Leonard Gallagher and Lucas Gallagher, and consider the future of those who resolved this incident. Dennis, please proceed.”
“Certainly. First, the Gallagher Count Family, along with a significant portion of the Royal Mage Corps, revolted against our Wethered Kingdom. Their stated objective was to create a nation solely for mages. It appears their rebellion stemmed from dissatisfaction with the treatment of mages and, regrettably, from a sense of magical elitism prevalent among them.”
“Utterly absurd. I heard that many who clamored for improved treatment were themselves incompetent mages. Beckman, is this not a failure of your management as President of the Mage Association?” Duke Dominic Kneisl, an elder and former knight, interrupted with a snort, fixing Dennis with a sharp gaze. While he never openly admitted it, Dominic was famously distrustful of mages, though he was not inflexible and understood their importance. Consequently, his family employed many mages, and he actively recruited gifted ones into his bloodline. Recently, he had expressed joy over the birth of a grandson who was not only an excellent knight but also possessed magical talent.
“I apologize. Indeed, it was a lapse in my management.”
“Duke Dominic, this is not the time to question Dennis’s responsibility,” Duke Harald Alway interjected.
“…Hmph. My apologies. Continue,” Dominic conceded, though his dissatisfaction was palpable.
“As Duke Dominic stated, apart from the Royal Mage Corps members, most of those involved were indeed, for lack of a better term, inexperienced. However, it is deeply regrettable that students from the Royal Academy and other academies were among them.” Many of the young students, misled by Leonard’s flattery, had joined the rebellion fueled by fantasies of improved mage treatment, their own triumphs, and the chance to become heroes if they succeeded. It was an unprecedented incident where a large number of students were apprehended, including many noble daughters. Ironically, the ones who resolved the incident were students themselves.
“We have already discussed this, but today we must formally decide the fate of the apprehended individuals, including the students involved.” No one voiced any objection to the King’s declaration.
“Very well, let us continue, Dennis.”
“Regarding the Gallagher Count Family, the ringleaders, including the daughter, are deceased. However, it has been confirmed that a large portion of the extended family participated.”
“Then it is appropriate to disband the family, sentence the participants to death, and confine their close relatives to the frontier under house arrest.”
“What about the others? Duke Kneisl, do you have any opinions?”
“Allow me to offer my thoughts,” Duke Cassandra Hagedorff said as she raised her hand tentatively. Though only twenty-eight, she was a brilliant young duchess, well-versed in various academic fields since childhood. Despite lacking magical power, she had a profound understanding of magic. She was also exceptionally beautiful and, had she not inherited her title, might have been a candidate for the next king, Prince Ralph W. Fair’s consort. Her short silver-blond hair, well-defined nose, lustrous lips, and large, moist eyes gave her an almost sculpted appearance, yet her approachable demeanor prevented her from seeming cold or doll-like. As a duchess, she was close to her people, having worked alongside them in the fields since childhood, earning their unwavering loyalty. Upon inheriting her dukedom as per her late father’s dying wish, she had skillfully consolidated her power, silencing all opposition. This incident marked her first official duty as head of her family.
“I request leniency for the students who were implicated. After all, Lucas Gallagher was the one who lured them with sweet words, and he skillfully manipulated these young boys and girls. While I do not propose they be absolved of blame, I wish for them to be given an opportunity to atone.”
“I concur with Cassandra. In our youth, we are often swayed by our surroundings. Of course, given their actions, they should face consequences, but it would be regrettable not to offer them a chance to reform,” Duke Hugo Rüdiger added. Support for Cassandra’s proposal also came from the marquis families and court mages.
“Understood. We must handle the students’ cases with great care. Let us first decide the fate of the adult participants before proceeding.”
“Harald, do you have any suggestions?”
“I believe severe punishment is warranted. Especially for the nobles who joined the rebellion knowing it was treason; they deserve no leniency. However, if the head of the family acted alone in leading them to participate, then mercy should be shown to their families,” Duke Harald Alway stated.
“That is precisely the kind of thinking I expect from you. I do not dislike it,” the King replied with a slight smile, nodding in satisfaction at Harald’s response. The discussion continued with further exchange of opinions, leading to swift conclusions.
“Therefore, hear the official decision: the Gallagher family, as the instigators of this rebellion, shall be disbanded. All family members who participated will be sentenced to death. Those who did not participate but are close relatives will be confined to the frontier under surveillance.” The King then announced the decisions regarding the other implicated nobles.
“The crime of participating in rebellion is grave. All who joined, regardless of their rank within the Royal Mage Corps or noble families, will be sentenced to death. For families whose heads have been sentenced to death, including the ducal and marquis families already deceased, the palace will appoint their successors. Count, Viscount, and Baron families will be disbanded.” No objections were raised. The appointment of successors by the palace would significantly diminish the power of the ducal and marquis families as noble houses. The disbandment of count families and below was a harsh but understandable decision. After all, there was no need to record the names of rebels in the nation’s history. Their families would have no choice but to rely on their distant relatives. While a dispersed family might face a harsh fate, the nation decided to provide only minimal assistance. The responsibility of the head of the household extended to their family, serving as a stark warning against future acts of treason. Perhaps the minimal aid was granted solely because Horst W. Fair was kind-hearted, or perhaps, too lenient. Thus, severe punishments were meted out to those who had participated in the rebellion, with many facing the death penalty.
