Olivier Alway was facing a difficult situation, poring over the collected information at the Alway Ducal Family Villa in the capital city of the Wethered Kingdom.
“A horde of ghouls in the Duke Rüdiger’s territory… over two hundred of them. Why does Jared always get into trouble?”
The documents spread across her desk were not only those requested from her father, Harald Alway. They were also compiled using Waalthe’s intelligence network, thanks to the efforts of Pfeil and Rosa.
Six hours had passed since Jared left for the Duke Rüdiger’s territory with his secretary, and there had been no contact.
Olivier had dispatched the Alway Ducal Family’s familiar to convey a request for information to the Duke Rüdiger’s family, but had received nothing yet.
The Mage Association also seemed unable to gather much information. All Olivier had received was an explanation of the incident from a staff member, Dennis Beckman, and some intelligence from a Dragon Knight who had returned to the capital.
The Mage Association was focused on providing logistical support, such as supplies, to the Duke Rüdiger’s territory, making it difficult for Olivier to demand information from them.
“Why don’t you calm down, Olivier?”
“Rosa… I can’t calm down.”
“Pfeil is heading there now. With his speed, he should reach the Duke Rüdiger’s territory by evening.”
“I’m grateful to you and him. I never expected you to go check on Jared.”
Pfeil and Rosa had promised to protect Jared and the mansion. Currently, there was no threat from Cornelia targeting Hannelore, nor was there Annette, the enemy of Jared’s mother.
Nevertheless, Pfeil and Rosa had taken Jared’s earnest desire to prepare for any eventuality to heart, not just because they were living together, but because they genuinely cared for the people residing in the mansion.
“There’s no need for thanks. Lord Almeida said we could guard the mansion, which allows us to move freely.”
Thanks to Almeida, who was Olivier’s fiancé’s master and whom the members of Waalthe treated with respect, despite her youthful appearance, Rosa and the others were no longer solely responsible for guarding the mansion.
Almeida was currently in the garden with the Dragon Girl Rio and another fiancé, Yeny Daum, tending to a flower bed. Naturally, her mother, Hannelore, was also present.
Olivier was unsure of Almeida’s true capabilities. However, she trusted someone who had saved, trained, and shaped Jared into a first-rate magician.
Living in the same mansion, they conversed often and surprisingly found they got along well. Though at first, Almeida had been told to consider stepping aside for Jared’s sake, she showed no such intentions now, which was reassuring. At times, she would make comments like a mother-in-law, but Olivier managed to navigate those moments as well.
“Rosa, do you think Pfeil could survive against a horde of over a hundred ghouls?”
“Of course. Though the night is troublesome, during the day, we can simply incinerate them all with magic. Granted, we’re forbidden from using magic in our missions, so it depends on the situation, but survival wouldn’t be difficult. More importantly—Jared has Petrify Magic.”
“That lost, ancient magic, isn’t it?”
“That’s right. He apparently learned it by reading books while living with Lord Almeida. It’s astonishing that Jared can use it so readily, but he explained it as a forceful application due to his fortunate magic power and affinity for earth elemental magic. That’s precisely why I’m concerned.”
“What concerns you?”
Olivier couldn’t help but hold her breath and ask in a voice she tried to keep steady.
“Petrify Magic is incomplete and consumes a tremendous amount of magic power. No matter how gifted he is with magic power, repeated use will drain him. If any enemies remain then, it will be dangerous.”
Magic power is finite. Even with Jared’s extraordinary magic power, continuous use of such a highly consuming magic would eventually deplete it. Without magic power, he would have to fight with physical combat and knives.
While he was trained in close-quarters combat, the risks would increase. A lack of magic power would naturally lead to physical exhaustion, and it was uncertain how long he could fight with a compromised body.
“However, that’s assuming Jared is fighting alone. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, his secretary is a magician, and the soldiers of the Duke Rüdiger’s family are fighting alongside him. Therefore, it’s unlikely he’ll face individual danger.”
“Right, right.”
“There have been barbarian invasions in that region, so I hope they don’t take advantage of the ghoul attacks to raid… Hmm.”
Rosa suddenly stopped speaking and peered out the window.
“What is it?”
“Nothing, just a fool who tried to infiltrate was spotted by Lord Almeida and repelled by Yeny.”
“…I see. It’s happening again, isn’t it?”
“You have a suspicion—as do I.”
“Yes, I do. It seems there are people who are displeased with Jared and my engagement.”
Many people desire a good match with Jared, who is an excellent magician. This has been the case since before he was a Court Mage Candidate, but after his engagement to Olivier and his decision to become a Court Mage, more and more individuals have been trying to establish some connection with him.
Most of them come from families ranging from Barons to Counts, and many are seeking to become consorts, given that Olivier from a Ducal family will be the main wife. However, there are also voices that clearly seek to be the main wife while ignoring Olivier. Many of these families have a history of producing magicians.
“To put it bluntly, they are Magician Supremacists.”
“Ah, them. We— or rather, Waalthe—are also keeping an eye on Magician Supremacists. Especially those considered extremists who call themselves an army—the Orthodox Magician Army. Wahash is directly commanding operations against them.”
“…The Orthodox Magician Army? I’ve never heard of them.”
“They claim that magicians are evolved humans and the rightful beings to lead a country. Though operating beneath the surface, they are steadily making moves—aiming to take over this country and transform it into a magician’s nation.”
Olivier was speechless.
It couldn’t be possible. Magicians were certainly powerful, and she heard they were all capable fighters. At the very least, she understood that someone with just a little martial arts training would be no match for them.
However, magicians were rare. Even humans with magic power were few, and those who could actively practice magic were limited.
It was impossible for them to overthrow a nation. Surely, they lacked the numbers.
“It’s impossible. Even if they were to act, the country has Court Mages, the Royal Mage Corps, and the Royal Knights. The Alway Ducal Family, responsible for the capital’s defense, would also mobilize in an emergency, and if anything happened, the nobles of various regions wouldn’t stand by idly.”
“We judge them to be dangerous precisely because they believe they can succeed.”
“…I hate to say it, but aren’t they a bit insane?”
Rosa echoed Olivier’s unreserved emotions with a wry smile.
“Probably. One wouldn’t consider overthrowing a nation unless they were somewhat insane. How many in your Ducal Family possess magic power? What about those of royal blood? They intend to exclude them all. They are driven by greed, like beasts, waiting for an opportunity to strike, even if they haven’t acted yet.”
“—Are you saying the intruders from earlier were also like that?”
“No, probably not. Those operating in the shadows wouldn’t act so conspicuously. This time, it’s likely people who are after Jared’s information—Don’t worry, I’ll extract everything from them with a little torture.”
“You know, please don’t talk about torture so casually, as if it were tea time… I can’t believe it, but you haven’t tortured the previous intruders, have you?”
“…”
“Answer me!”
She was supposed to be worried about Jared, but perhaps due to Rosa’s consideration or her nature, Olivier’s mind was slightly distracted.
“Well then, I’ll go retrieve the intruders. If I leave them here too long, Lady Hannelore will notice.”
“…All right, please do. However, try not to be too rough.”
“I understand. I intend to handle them with Waalthe’s gentle touch.”
Olivier suspected that for the intruders receiving this “gentleness,” it would be a painful experience.
However, she didn’t try to stop Rosa. Regardless of their intentions, she had no leniency for those who would arbitrarily attempt to intrude into someone’s mansion.
“Once Pfeil arrives at the Duke Rüdiger’s territory, he’ll likely send word. It may be frustrating, but we must wait for now. If you intend to become the wife of a Court Mage, you should be prepared.”
“Right, right, you’re right. Thank you, Rosa.”
Olivier, having regained her composure, was grateful to Rosa for her gentle admonishment. She was embarrassed by her own immaturity, unable to suppress her anxiety despite knowing she would worry more in the future. Worrying was one thing, but being anxious meant she didn’t trust Jared.
“I believe in Jared.”
“Then that’s all that matters. Stand tall, or else—you might lose the position of main wife to Yeny or the Duke Rüdiger’s daughter?”
“—Wait, are you talking about Lily?”
“Don’t underestimate us. Hiding one’s name and background changes nothing, does it? It might fool those you don’t know, but if you’ve seen their face, it’s obvious.”
In fact, Olivier recognized the woman calling herself Ari at first glance as Lily Rüdiger. However, she was greatly surprised, as she hadn’t expected Rosa to know about Lily. Just then,
“—It seems a message has arrived.”
“Huh?”
Before Olivier could even ask what she meant, the door to the room creaked open.
There stood Trane, with a poker face, but Olivier could discern a look of relief.
“Lady Olivier—Jared-sama’s safety has been confirmed.”
Understanding Trane’s words, Olivier felt profound relief for her fiancé’s safety.
