Jared’s face was clear after parting with Luzer.
Although he could now confide his worries to Olivier, he had never been good at truly opening up his heart. He had a habit of shutting himself away to solve things on his own, desperately trying to find an answer. As a result, he would suffer without growing, repeating the same mistakes.
It was Jared Murphy’s bad habit.
However, things had started to change. Three months had passed since he met Olivier—and by seeing his clumsy fiancé, who had also been locked in her own shell, trying to be strong without relying on anyone, change, Jared was also influenced.
Now, he knew there were people who supported him. Irreplaceable family, friends.
“—Alright!”
Even if they called him soft or worried he’d grown weaker, he finally felt it was okay to be himself, because he existed thanks to so many people.
Just as he had promised Olivier—he would never lose again. He would win and return to her side. Having decided that, he would not be defeated anymore.
It felt like fog had cleared. He had his anxieties and doubts, but each step felt lighter.
Though he couldn’t say he was reborn, he felt at ease by switching his mindset.
Looking back at the path he had walked, he could see the cityscape of the Capital City. The Royal Academy he rarely visited, the shopping district where he and his friends would go after school, and beyond that, the Royal Palace.
He didn’t intend to protect everyone living in this Capital City. Jared wasn’t a saint, nor was he strong enough to protect everything. However, he set out anew, wishing to protect at least the important people within his reach with all his might.
***
“It’s been a while, Jared.”
Jared met with Tres Brauer, a Court Mage, in a room rented from the Mage Association.
The last time they had met like this was over a week ago, before he headed to Duke Rüdiger’s territory.
He had received letters of concern and knew Tres had been considerate in many ways, so when Jared expressed his gratitude, Tres simply dismissed it.
After exchanging greetings, they sat on the sofa across the table.
“I heard things were tough in Duke R’s territory. I received a letter from you, but I wanted to hear the details directly from you. My apologies for taking up your time.”
“I also wanted to inform you directly, Tres-sama, so it’s no problem. More importantly, I too wanted information about the Orthodox Magician Army.”
If they were to fight the Orthodox Magician Army in the future, information was essential. It wouldn’t do to face them without knowing anything.
“Shall we get straight to it? May I ask about the individuals who attacked you and Duke Rüdiger?”
“Certainly—”
Jared spoke to Tres.
The incident in Duke Rüdiger’s territory. The Orthodox Magician Army, by manipulating ghouls in some way, attacked the territory, instilled fear in many people, and took lives. They appeared during the battle and attacked Jared and Hugo Rüdiger.
Despite fighting the attackers who clearly intended to kill them, Jared was defeated by the man commanding the Orthodox Magician Army’s soldiers due to continuous battles. Although his life was miraculously saved by his Secretary Officer, Lily Rüdiger, and Ernesta Kaif, he needed several days of rest.
Ernesta confirmed their identities, and it turned out that the person from the Orthodox Magician Army Jared had defeated was a Magician belonging to the Royal Mage Corps.
“……Thank you. For someone serving the nation to attempt to kill a Court Mage and a Duke is nothing short of treason against the nation. Honestly, it gives me a headache.”
Tres managed a strained smile, unable to force a genuine one, and Jared agreed.
The Orthodox Magician Army was originally a term referring to some of the more hardline members among the Magician Supremacists. Magicians who advocated Magician Supremacy, to varying degrees, existed, and some even worshipped Magicians as supreme despite lacking magical power.
While individual thought was free, and neither good nor bad, it was a different story when they, like the Orthodox Magician Army, not only tried to kill a Duke but also aimed to create their own country.
It appeared the Orthodox Magician Army was formed by people from this Wethered Kingdom. In other words, they were rebels and terrorists.
“I have my doubts as to why the extremists who were operating in the shadows are making their move now, but it seems they’ve truly begun to act.”
“Our predictions were off as well. We thought there might be contact, but we never expected our lives to be directly targeted so suddenly.”
In reality, he had anticipated it, but their actions were clearly faster than expected. It felt as though members of the Orthodox Magician Army were right nearby. No, they likely were there. After all, members of the Royal Mage Corps were involved.
Still, now that Jared had obtained this information, it was thought that those involved were either from the Royal Mage Corps or high-ranking members of the Mage Association.
“As I mentioned the other day, I was tracking the Magician Supremacists. Especially those with dangerous ideologies, referred to as the hardliners. However, it’s disheartening, but I haven’t been able to figure out who is controlling the hardliners at all.”
“Because they haven’t taken any action until now?”
“Exactly. The only ones I could identify were humans who couldn’t become Magicians despite having magical power, or Magicians who simply sought preferential treatment.”
“So, regarding the Orthodox Magician Army, you have nothing?”
Tres nodded with a bitter expression.
“I’m sorry. I knew that within the hardliners, there was a group trying to do something in secret, and that there were hardliners lurking among the Royal Mage Corps members. I never imagined you’d catch wind of it sooner than I did… I didn’t want to burden you, but it seems I’ve ended up involving you after all.”
“No, now that my life was threatened, it’s no longer someone else’s problem. More importantly, now that they have clearly targeted the Ducal Family, I don’t think I can just let it slide.”
“Are you considering Olivier-sama to be in danger as well?”
“Yes. As the reasons why Duke Rüdiger was targeted are unclear, I believe not only Duke Alway but also the members of the Ducal Family, including Olivier-sama, are in danger.”
For the same reason, Lily Rüdiger, his Secretary Officer, was also in danger.
He had already informed her, but she had said she would be fine as she had means of self-defense and had no intention of resigning as Secretary Officer.
“I agree. However, at present, there is no concrete proof, and we haven’t managed to get our hands on anything substantial. Of course, with the incident involving Duke Rüdiger, we now know they are seriously attempting to harm the country.”
In that case, it would be possible to warn the various Dukes and other Nobles to be cautious. Above all, they had to inform the Royal Palace to be on guard.
“The problem is that we can’t figure out who belongs to the Orthodox Magician Army.”
“But regarding the attackers that Ernesta identified the other day, their family members have already been apprehended, haven’t they?”
According to what he heard, it had not been revealed that members of the Mage Corps were involved in the terrorist act. This was not only to prevent the citizens from being frightened but also because if their accomplices in hiding were to remain undetected, it would become impossible to capture or even find them.
“Ah, I have already interrogated them.”
“Were the family members also part of the Orthodox Magician Army?”
Tres shook his head at Jared’s question.
“It seems they had been steeped in the ideology of Magician Supremacy for generations, but they were unaware of the Orthodox Magician Army. Of course, the interrogation will continue as there’s a possibility they are hiding something, but they were lamenting the loss of their family members, so I believe they truly don’t know. If they are acting, they are very good; I don’t think I could tell.”
