“Ugh… what a pain,” Jared said, not bothering to hide his genuine annoyance.
He wasn’t the only one. Olivier and the others, who had only been listening without interrupting, also frowned at the scent of new trouble.
“…You all are quite honest,” Haru said. Although he knew he had brought trouble, he found himself unable to even force a wry smile at their clear expressions of displeasure.
“Well, well, I agree it sounds troublesome,” Olivier said.
“So, who is it that’s thinking of such a foolish thing now?” Jared asked.
“Descendants of the Progenitor are living quietly in this kingdom. They are not direct descendants, but are said to be descendants of those who were around her. It seems they aren’t entirely without a blood connection.”
“Are there descendants of the Magician Empire in the Wethered Kingdom?”
“It’s not surprising. The Magician Empire was destroyed by many years ago, but weren’t you told that the foolish King who caused it was killed by the wise King that followed? The wise King, to atone for the foolish King’s mistakes, accepted the citizens of the Magician Empire. Of course, some people refused to be accepted, but many became citizens of the Wethered Kingdom.”
Hearing that, it made sense. Defeated nations always ended up absorbed.
“Didn’t the kingdom keep watch?”
“There was no need. After all, even if they were descendants, they had the blood of Wethered Kingdom citizens mixed in, and it was hundreds of years ago. It’s strange why now. Besides, there are many people who inherit the blood of the Magician Empire.”
“That’s natural. It must be difficult to have descendants solely from the people of the Magician Empire.”
It wasn’t impossible, but relationships between humans are complicated. The feelings of the individuals involved matter. It’s absurd to worry about lineage or bloodlines when forming a bond and nurturing love with someone you care about.
“What I fear is that there are direct descendants of the Progenitor among these descendants. I don’t know how that child will act. That’s why I want to take preventive measures before they do something troublesome.”
“Preventive measures?”
“Currently, we are applying seals to those who are highly likely to become vessels for the Progenitor. It’s a kind of first aid, but unless there’s someone exceptionally skilled at dispelling magic, it’s unlikely to break naturally.”
“Then that’s reassuring. So, who are you applying these preventive measures to?”
There are very few who can break a dragon’s seal. Humans and dragons are too different in their innate strength.
Jared, on the verge of feeling relieved, thinking that as long as the seal was in place, there would be no problem, heard Haru say,
“Olivier Alway, Emilia Alway, and Yeny Daum.”
“…What did you just say?”
Haru uttered unbelievable names.
“Me, Emilia, and Yeny?” Olivier asked in disbelief.
“Um, me as well?” Yeny questioned.
“…What does this mean?”
The girls whose names were called looked astonished, unable to believe it.
No, it wasn’t just them. Everyone present was enveloped in shock without exception.
“What does this mean? Can you please tell me what connection we have to this Progenitor you’ve been talking about?” Olivier asked, regaining her composure. Her face clearly showed that she would not tolerate any lies or deceptions.
The other two girls were the same. While anxiety was evident, their eyes clearly pleaded for the truth.
“Although the blood is thin, the Alway Ducal Family inherits the blood of the Progenitor.”
“…No way. Then Father and Conrad as well?”
“Yes, undoubtedly the Progenitor’s blood flows through them. If my memory serves me correctly, an individual who was a descendant of the Progenitor was welcomed into the Alway family.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“It’s understandable. It happened nearly five hundred years ago, and only a very limited number of people know about the Progenitor’s resurrection.”
Haru, speaking as if recalling the past, continued. Many nobles of the Magician Empire are said to have the Progenitor’s blood. It is likely that this bloodline branched off from the Progenitor’s direct children.
It is said that a daughter of a noble with the aristocratic title of that era was welcomed into the Alway family at that time. To show her allegiance to the Wethered Kingdom, which was accepting her country’s citizens, she entered into a political marriage. It seems that many nobles of the Magician Empire, both male and female, married nobles of the Wethered Kingdom at that time.
The woman who was Olivier and Emilia’s ancestor inherited the Progenitor’s blood strongly. However, as generations passed, the Progenitor’s blood became diluted, and in modern times, it held little significance.
But, occasionally, people are born with awakened blood. It seems that Olivier and Emilia are such individuals.
“But we don’t have magic, let alone magic power.”
“That doesn’t matter. It’s only about being close to the Progenitor. That’s the only condition for becoming a vessel for the Progenitor’s resurrection.”
“…Um, I have no connection to the Alway Ducal Family.” Yeny the granddaughter of Baron Daum timidly asked.
“Of course, I am aware of that,” Haru continued.
“Yeny, your mother’s maternal lineage belongs to a direct descendant of a shrine maiden who served the Progenitor. In terms of blood, she mingled with the Progenitor’s descendants after the Progenitor’s death. However, what is more troublesome is the power of the Progenitor that has been passed down.”
“Wait, Haru, wait, please. I can’t keep up with the story. I have so many questions, but first—what is the Progenitor’s power?”
