Jared and his men, working with soldiers from the Alway Ducal Family and the Rocco Count Family, succeeded in protecting the girls inside the mansion and apprehending the rebels.
The surrendered members of the Royal Mage Corps meekly accepted their restraints. The remaining nobles, who were ardent believers in magic supremacy, offered no resistance once they realized Leonard was not present.
While a few managed to escape with their family heads, their names have been revealed by those captured, and their apprehension is only a matter of time.
“Lord Jared, are you unharmed? I am relieved,” said Milina Ronmaier, her eyes moist with relief. She was not alone; the five girls who had tried to stop Jared from fighting Leonard were all overjoyed at his safety.
“I’ve apprehended your father. Don’t worry, I didn’t mistreat him,” Jared replied.
“Thank you again. I believe my father is also inwardly relieved that he no longer has to be involved in such matters,” Milina said.
“I will be sure to inform the Mage Association and the Royal Palace that you girls helped me. I don’t know how much my appeal will be heard, but I want to at least ensure you can live in peace,” Jared continued.
“Your intentions are appreciated, but we were prepared from the moment our father sided with Lord Leonard. We fully expected our aristocratic titles to be revoked and to be imprisoned, all while following our father.”
It could be inferred that their loyalty stemmed from a kindness that prevented them from abandoning their family.
Milina and the other girls were not among those captured. While their fathers had indeed sided with Leonard, they themselves hadn’t actively done anything. They were simply members of the Orthodox Magician Army.
Of course, that alone was enough to make them criminals, as they were associated with an organization that had committed treason against the nation. Jared wished to help, if only to ensure the daughters weren’t held accountable. After all, the Ronmaier sisters, and Milina in particular, had saved his life.
“Um, Lord Jared, what will you do now?” Milina asked.
“It seems Leonard’s father is the root cause, so until we deal with him, this incident won’t truly be over,” Jared explained.
“So, there will be more fighting?”
“It can’t be helped. While not official yet, I am technically a Court Mage. And I can’t rest until I settle the score for what they’ve done.”
“I see. Please be careful. I will pray for your safety, Lord Jared.”
“Thank you.”
Jared was grateful for Milina’s heartfelt concern, despite them having only just met. It spoke volumes of her kind heart that she could think of others’ well-being when her own future was so uncertain.
“Jared. What about the children we’ve protected? Since it’s unsettling to entrust them to anyone right now, let’s have them stay at my father’s mansion,” Olivier called out, having been encouraging the other girls from a distance.
“By all means!” Jared exclaimed.
At this moment, the Alway Ducal Family was the only entity he could trust. While the Mage Association and the Royal Palace might also be trustworthy, the Ducal Family was far more convenient. Most importantly, with the capable Rosa Roen guarding the mansion, he felt reassured.
“So, that is Olivier Alway,” Milina murmured.
“Yes, she’s a kind person,” Jared replied.
“I’ve only corresponded with her once by letter and heard some unpleasant rumors, but rumors are just rumors, aren’t they? She spoke to me earlier, and she was indeed very kind.”
Jared was inwardly pleased by Milina’s words. He knew Olivier was genuinely kind-hearted, despite the negative rumors that often surrounded her. However, the public perception was different. He hoped that the girls’ encounter with Olivier’s kindness and consideration would help to dispel the misunderstandings about her. After all, she no longer needed to be constantly strong to protect her mother.
“I envy you, Olivier,” Milina said.
“Envy me?” Olivier replied, surprised.
“I wish I could have met you, Sir Jared, in a different way, not like this… perhaps if fate had allowed?”
Jared couldn’t answer. If what Leonard had said was true, Milina and the other girls had proposed marriage to him, an offer Olivier had rejected. He agreed that it would have been better if they had met under different circumstances. Of course, it wouldn’t have led to a relationship like Olivier’s, but he couldn’t help wishing they had met in a gentler, more ordinary setting, rather than through such a tumultuous event.
“Is it about time, Jared?” Olivier asked, having approached him unnoticed. Jared nodded. Milina and the other girls bowed deeply to Olivier.
“I spoke with you briefly before, but I heard about you from others,” Olivier began. She could have been referring to their role in saving Jared, their attempt to help him escape, or the fact that they were intended to be wives in Olivier’s stead.
“I understand your anger, Lady Olivier,” Milina said, stepping forward to apologize on behalf of the group. But Olivier offered a wry smile and shook her head.
“While I can’t say I have no feelings, there is only one thing I wish to tell you now: Thank you for supporting Jared. I am truly grateful for your help.”
“Your words are too kind. Although our fathers intended for us to replace you, our feelings for Sir Jared were genuine. Please believe at least that,” Milina explained.
“Yes, of course,” Olivier replied.
Neither Olivier nor Jared felt the need to say more than necessary. Or rather, they couldn’t. Jared was surprised by the girls’ feelings, and Olivier seemed to sense something, but they both felt it wasn’t the time to delve deeper. Milina and the others bowed once more before heading off to rejoin the protected group.
“I remember those girls. They were the ones whose marriage proposals I rejected. If I hadn’t tried to monopolize you, if I had accepted them, would they have been drawn into this?” Olivier mused.
“That’s not true. They would have been involved, just like us,” Jared countered.
“…I see. But perhaps I could have helped them sooner. Thinking about it now, I regret that a little.”
Jared understood what Olivier meant. However, it was all speculation. What had happened couldn’t be changed. Instead of dwelling on the past, they should live for the future. Just as Jared had decided to help Milina and the others, even if it was for his own peace of mind, Olivier should do the same. The guilt one carried could only be resolved from within.
“Let’s go, Jared. Luzer and the others are waiting. Jidock will remain here to take command, so we should go defeat Lucas Gallagher and end this ridiculous chaos quickly.”
“—No, that won’t be necessary. Lady Olivier Alway.”
“What?”
An unfamiliar voice echoed, surprising Olivier. Jared immediately moved to shield her, positioning himself diagonally between her and the direction of the voice. In an instant, an explosion erupted from the now-empty stronghold of the Orthodox Magician Army.
“What in the world was that? What’s happening?”
Around them, the sudden explosion caused screams. Soldiers, struggling to maintain their composure amidst their shock, did their best to remain calm.
“Lord Jared, that man standing there—is Lucas Gallagher!” Jidock’s shout, amplified from a distance, sent a wave of tension through the group. Silhouetted against the bright flames and smoke, an elderly man stood facing Jared and Olivier with a wide smile.
“The introduction is appreciated. I am Lucas Gallagher. I assumed you would be looking for me and have arrived,” he stated.
