“You have quite the nerve, speaking to me like that. However, I commend your audacity in being so bold in front of me.”
“Do you think I’m afraid of someone like you? I’ve lived for years fearing unseen enemies. I won’t be afraid of one I can clearly see now.”
Olivier’s heart burned with anger.
Not only had he taken her and Jared hostage, but he had also plotted to use them as pawns. The fact that they had escaped due to Jidock sparing them did not excuse his abhorrent act of trying to sell prisoners.
The idea of him setting up five girls for Jared was intolerable.
While Leonard might have been the one to carry it out, the root of all evil was the old man Lucas standing before her.
She had been watching Jared and Lucas interact, not wanting to interfere, but there was a limit to her patience. To even suggest such a thing was beyond audacity.
“You’re a spirited girl. So, what will you do?”
“I won’t do anything. You said something so absurd that I couldn’t help but intervene, but your end is still the same.”
“Oh?”
“You will be defeated by Jared, and your foolish ambitions will be crushed.”
To make Olivier’s pronouncement a reality, Jared took a stance and began to gather his magic.
“…I suggest you refrain. While you are undoubtedly strong, there’s no way you can defeat me while exhausted.”
“Don’t we have to try to find out?”
“If you don’t know unless you try, then you should definitely not do it. I am confident I can defeat you without a fight. However, I came here today only to greet you. I have no intention of fighting here.”
Lucas coldly shook his head at Jared, who was ready for battle.
It seemed he truly had no intention of fighting. Not only did he lack fighting spirit, but he didn’t even project any hostility.
“Is that so? But there’s no way I’m letting the ringleader of the enemy escape from here!”
He circulated the gathered magic within his body, causing a sudden burst of Physical Prowess, and silently kicked off the ground, closing in on Lucas. He clenched his fist tightly and thrust it forward as if to pierce him.
The blow, delivered with all his might, was about to strike Lucas’s torso when it was blocked by the old man’s hand.
“Hmph. A good attack. It feels like I haven’t seen Body Enhancement Magic in a while. My foolish son could only use it half-heartedly.”
Strength surged through both their arms. Unlike when he had attacked with the stone spear earlier, this time it wasn’t easily parried. Even now, Jared’s fist was clenched tightly, a testament to him refusing to let go.
“Unfortunately, while I may be the final enemy you need to defeat, I can afford to put you aside.”
Sensing he couldn’t push back Jared’s fist, the old man himself retreated.
“I am aiming to conquer this nation. My enemies are the Royal Family of this kingdom.”
“That’s all the more reason why I can’t just leave you be.”
“Don’t make me waste my time. I am about to go and kill the King with my own hands. I don’t want to expend unnecessary effort.”
“Who would go along with killing the King!”
“Most Nobles would feel the same. Your grandfather might be the prime example. I sent an assassin, but they likely failed. Similarly, I sent an assassin to the Alway Ducal Family, but they were reportedly defeated. However, if I move, it will be no problem.”
“I’d like to know where that confidence comes from. More importantly, you won’t be able to kill anyone. Because I will defeat you here.”
“Heh–heh, ahahahahahahahahahahahaha!”
“What’s so funny?”
Jared frowned as Lucas suddenly burst into laughter.
“No, it’s just that you say the most adorable things. ‘No one will kill anyone,’ you say. Perhaps it’s still because you’re only sixteen, no matter how exceptional a Magician you are.”
Confused as to why he was laughing so hard, Jared was stunned.
After laughing his fill, Lucas turned his gaze to Jared, still smiling, and said,
“I have already killed them. The Duke Ewing, who foolishly fled this place, and the Father of the young lady from the Ronmeyer family who is worried about you and not acting behind you. I have killed them all.”
“…No…”
Overwhelmed by the shocking news of her Father’s death, Millina clutched her mouth and collapsed.
“Milina!”
Jidock supported her, but the shocked young girl didn’t respond.
“You! What do you think you’re doing!”
“What do you mean, ‘what am I doing’? Useless people have no reason to live. Besides, unlike Leonard, I had no intention of marrying the girls to you. Or rather, was it not my foolish son’s idea? I believe it was the Duke Ewing who first clamored for the Magician’s Blood of those with talent. Leonard merely used that to try and make a pawn of you.”
In other words, the scheme to marry Millina and the other girls was orchestrated by those who saw value in Jared, starting with the Ewing Ducal Family.
Leonard, while fulfilling the Duke’s desire, had also intended to use the girls to shackle Jared with emotions.
Furious at how his daughter was treated, as if she were nothing more than a tool, Jared could not accept being treated as mere breeding stock. However, seeing the girl’s shock at her Father’s death, Jared swallowed his rage.
“I understand the desire to have gifted offspring. However, if that was your goal, you should have paired him with talented girls, not ones with little aptitude. In the end, it was just a collection of fools trying to satisfy their noble pride. Therefore, I judged they were not worth keeping alive.”
“Enough.”
“Oh? You’re angry now. Did you perhaps develop feelings for the girls, as Leonard had planned?”
“Is it a crime? Is it wrong to develop feelings for those who didn’t run away for their Father’s sake, but tried to help me escape?”
“I’m not saying that. But it is somewhat comical. Given that this was the outcome they desired, to what extent are the feelings you harbor, and the feelings the girls harbor, genuine?”
“My emotions are my own. Even if someone wished for them, the feelings I hold in my heart right now are mine alone.”
He pitied the girls. He was grateful to them. He wanted to help them. He would not let anyone say it was all fabricated. These were feelings born from Jared’s interactions and thoughts regarding the girls.
“I’m tired of chatting with you. You killed my comrades. So, to prevent you from killing anyone else, I will end it here.”
“You’re a persistent child. Very well, if fighting will satisfy you, I shall oblige. However, do not underestimate me just because I am an old man.”
A chill ran down Jared’s spine. For the first time, Lucas revealed fighting intent. His sharp gaze, unbefitting of an old man, pierced Jared. Overwhelmed by the surge of Magic Power, Jared involuntarily swallowed.
“Olivier, I will defeat this man and bring everything to a close. Please stay away from me for a while. And please look after the unconscious Millina.”
“Jared, but…”
“I’m tired of this. Let’s return to the Mansion quickly.”
“…Yes, you’re right. I believe in you. I know you’ll win.”
“Of course. You are here, someone I must protect. I will definitely win.”
Jared spoke with Olivier without looking back once. His instincts warned him that if he so much as glanced away from Lucas, he would be attacked. He would not underestimate him because he was old. He would face him as a greater foe than Leonard and defeat him with all his might. Feeling Olivier and the others move away, he quietly assumed a stance, ready for battle at any moment.
