“Good morning, Olivier. Did I wake you?”
I bowed slightly to my fiancé, who was in her nightclothes, a thin cardigan draped over her shoulders.
As she rose from the bed, her expression was slightly stern.
“Good morning. I heard from Trane. Your secretary rushed over, didn’t he?”
“Yes. A horde of ghouls has appeared in Duke Rüdiger’s territory and is attacking the populace. The Royal Palace and the Mage Association are requesting my services as a Court Mage to resolve the situation.”
“…Duke Rüdiger’s territory, good heavens. I do hope Lily isn’t involved.”
“Olivier?”
She seemed to mutter something, but Jared couldn’t quite catch what she said.
“It’s nothing. Still, to be asked to work as a Court Mage when I haven’t even been officially appointed yet, the Royal Palace and the Mage Association are being quite unreasonable.”
Olivier shrugged her shoulders as if to express her dissatisfaction.
“It seems there’s no one else who can move immediately besides myself, and given the nature of the threat, they likely can’t dispatch just any magician.”
“Be careful. And, please, come back safely.”
“…Yes. Of course.”
He was a little surprised. He had expected Olivier to voice her complaints to the Royal Palace and the Mage Association.
He had also assumed she would be more anxious, worried, and perhaps even resistant about him going into danger.
“Fufu, is it strange that I’m letting you go so readily?”
Jared almost nodded at her voice, which seemed to see right through him.
“In truth, Jared, I don’t want you to face any danger. The thought of you going all the way to Duke Rüdiger’s territory and something happening to you makes my chest ache with anxiety. However, I am the daughter of a Duke’s family, and one day, I will be the wife of a Court Mage like you. I will likely feel this way many more times in the future, and I have come to terms with it.”
“Olivier.”
“More importantly, there are people suffering. I cannot afford to be a hindrance. I am proud that my fiancé alone can save so many lives.”
Olivier was stronger and nobler than Jared had imagined.
He had never underestimated her, but he felt ashamed of his own assumption that she might oppose him.
“That is why I will send you off with a smile. But, please remember, while my outward appearance may be composed, my heart is filled with worry. If I could, I wouldn’t let you go at all.”
But then, she smiled as if at a loss.
“With that determined look on your face, I, who have been saved by you, cannot possibly stop you.”
Olivier approached Jared and hugged him, wrapping her arms around him.
Her slight tremble was likely due to the anxiety she claimed to feel. He held her tightly, trying to reassure her, and her trembling subsided slightly.
“Remember my body heat. Even in the midst of battle, never forget it.”
“I will never forget.”
Jared hugged the trembling form of his fiancé tightly. He put all his strength into it, as if to engrave her warmth into himself, so he wouldn’t forget.
“Don’t forget to show yourself to Yeny, too.”
“I understand.”
“I’ll send letters to Father-in and Grandfather, so don’t worry.”
“That would be a great help. I don’t want Hannelore to worry, but if you think it’s alright, please convey my regards to Olivier.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Though he was reluctant, he gently released her.
The absence of her warmth felt like a physical pain, tearing at him. But there was no time.
With a heavy heart, Jared forced a smile for his fiancé.
“I’m going now.”
“Go safely. I will be waiting for you.”
Jared swore he would return and left the mansion.
***
After parting with Olivier, Jared informed Yeny, his other fiancé, of his mission.
She, too, held dissatisfaction towards the Royal Palace and the Mage Association, just like Olivier. However, seeing the resolve of the fiancé she looked up to as an older brother, she promised he would return safely and sent him on his way.
He felt a pang in his heart, realizing that becoming a Court Mage would mean causing his family more worry in the future.
However, he had to do what needed to be done.
He gathered the minimum necessary equipment and put on his combat uniform. As he was about to head to Ernesta, who was waiting in the reception room, Pfeil and Rosa appeared and promised to guard the mansion.
After expressing his gratitude, he joined Ernesta and followed Ari, who had gone ahead, to the Mage Association.
Ernesta, a magician belonging to the Royal Mage Corps, had high physical prowess and was able to keep up with Jared as he ran to hurry. She arrived at the association shortly after, breathing heavily, but seemed fine.
“Master Murphy!”
“Dennis!”
Dennis Beckman, an association employee, was the first to rush over upon seeing Jared and the others.
He bowed deeply and offered his apologies.
“Please accept our apologies for the sudden request. All the Court Mages are currently on various assignments, and mobilizing the Royal Mage Corps takes time. Therefore, we had no choice but to rely on you, Master Murphy. We are truly grateful that you accepted.”
“It’s alright. Thinking of the people in Duke Rüdiger’s territory, there’s no reason to refuse. Please don’t apologize.”
It was not Dennis’s fault, so Jared felt awkward being apologized to.
He gave a wry smile and asked, “Could you report what you know about the current situation?”
“Certainly. First, please assume the ghoul horde numbers around three hundred.”
He could feel Ernesta gasp beside him. That was about a hundred more than the secretary’s report.
“Why such a large number?”
“The cause is unknown. Ghouls are still largely a mystery, after all…”
“Indeed, it’s no use dwelling on the reason now. Have you prepared a means of transportation?”
“We have already prepared three wyverns. It’s a two-hour flight from the capital city to the central town of Duke Rüdiger’s territory. I’ll spare you the details about wyverns, as I’ve explained them before, but please be ready for combat.”
Two hours was a long time. He had heard that Duke Rüdiger’s family’s soldiers were already responding, but the situation could change drastically in that amount of time.
“They haven’t reached the central part of the ducal territory yet, but it will be dangerous within another half-day. We must prevent that.”
“I understand. How should I fight? Will I be under someone’s command?”
“No, the Duke’s family will provide someone knowledgeable about the area on-site, so please fight as you see fit with that person.”
“As I see fit… what do you mean?”
“Since we will be out of contact for two hours, it’s unclear how the situation will develop. The Duke himself is directing operations on-site, but in some cases, he may even need to retreat. There is also the possibility that barbarians might attack during this gap. I apologize, but you will have to respond flexibly.”
It was understandable. In a situation requiring such urgency, there wouldn’t be time for leisurely strategic planning.
“To reiterate, Duke Rüdiger’s territory has long-established countermeasures against monster attacks. They should be fighting according to those plans. It pains me to say this, but if the Duke himself is directing the operation upon your arrival, falling under his command might be a viable option.”
“Yes, I will do that. I’m unfamiliar with their ways there. Therefore, to avoid being a hindrance, I will operate under his command.”
Upon hearing this, Dennis visibly relaxed.
He expressed his gratitude and mentioned he would dispatch a familiar, so Jared agreed. This would save him the trouble of explaining upon arrival.
“Then please board the wyvern! For the sake of speed, we haven’t loaded any cargo. All necessary supplies are to be provided by Duke Rüdiger’s family, so please arrange them there!”
He watched Dennis rush off as he said this, and Jared and the others headed towards the wyverns.
“I was surprised.”
“Hm?”
Ernesta suddenly murmured, and when Jared turned to look, she was staring at him with wide eyes.
“You noticed that Mr. Beckman wanted Jared to be under Duke Rüdiger’s command, didn’t you?”
“You didn’t say it, but I kind of got the feeling.”
Frankly, Jared wondered why she didn’t just say it plainly.
“It’s not everyone, but magicians are prideful. Court Mages might be different, but those who hold positions in the Royal Mage Corps can act arrogantly, even towards nobles.”
“Did you think I was like that too?”
That would be a misjudgment.
“No, I believe Mr. Beckman knows your character better, Jared. Likely… he couldn’t directly say it because I, a member of the Mage Corps, was present.”
“I see. I’ll ask just in case, but you don’t have any objections to me being under the Duke’s command, do you?”
“Of course not. Rather, I feel relieved that you made that decision, Jared.”
“Then that’s good. Let’s go then.”
“Yes!”
Jared and the others proceeded.
Ari was waiting for them at the wyverns.
“Jared! Ernesta! We’re all ready!”
Fortunately, the dragon knights piloting the wyverns were the same two who had taken the request, along with their senior dragon knight, Laurentz. After exchanging greetings with familiar faces, they boarded the wyverns.
“Master Murphy, please be careful!”
Dennis, having finished dispatching his familiar, waved enthusiastically. Jared nodded in response, and the wyvern carrying him and the others began to ascend.
