A room that was neither narrow nor spacious.
A man with both arms severed sat limply.
The old man seated across from him opened his mouth.
“Haa… We can’t keep going on like this forever, Erendrel.”
“………”
The name of the armless fairy was Erendrel. He was a knight of the Fifteen Divine Guards who had lost to Aiden in the Thornwood Duel.
Erendrel’s face was haggard.
He looked completely broken in spirit.
The old man—the elder of the Kirianejial family—hardened his expression and spoke.
“The Proxy of the Guardian Tree has spoken. If you prostrate yourself and beg earnestly, he might reattach your arms. If you can avoid being crippled with just one humiliation, wouldn’t that be a good deal?”
“…Even so, it’s obvious my remaining life would be held hostage.”
“No. There is exactly one way to escape his grasp.”
“Really… there is?”
“Yes. The reason the proxy can exert binding force on other fairies is solely because we received blessings from the Great Tree. Promises made to those without the blessing have reduced binding force. It means there is no reason to follow his commands for life.”
“But that would mean…”
Erendrel agonized over it.
Revoking the Great Tree’s blessing essentially meant excommunication from Illinoer. Even if he had some reputation, he might still live on the outskirts of the Great Forest, but having lived arrogantly on his own merits, he had made many enemies along the way.
The elder, guessing Erendrel’s complicated inner thoughts, continued.
“Rather than remaining crippled like this, wouldn’t it be better to be driven out of the Great Forest and live freely in the outside world with your body intact?”
It was advice from the blood-related elder.
Erendrel pondered for a long time.
But the answer was already decided.
…With the abilities he possessed, he could live quite comfortably even outside the Great Forest.
‘Aiden Stroke’s inauguration ceremony date has been set!’
As if they had been waiting only for the official announcement from the Church of Utility, forces from across the continent dispatched envoys toward the free neutral city.
On the day of the ceremony, in the Glicia Kingdom palace.
Dylan Pozo, master of the Puig Clan, stood in the middle of it all with a hardened expression.
Dylan was the mage who had fought alongside Aiden and Epio in the knight battle during the civil war. As the leader of an allied clan to Blispiel, he had received a formal invitation and come here proudly. But seeing the splendid assembly gathered inside the palace, he could not help but feel intimidated.
The Croa Kingdom, Stroke Principality, Quentaltin Subhuman Alliance, Great Forest, Baskaya Empire, Wiblet Empire, the Four Major Clans, Alpanium Library, and eighty-seven other formidable forces had sent congratulatory envoys.
“It has not even been a full year since we fought back-to-back in the knight battle…”
It was astonishing how much their standing had changed in such a short time.
But Dylan viewed this change as if it were someone else’s story. Blispiel showed no signs of wanting to expand quantitatively, and there was no real threat to the position of mid-tier clans like Puig.
‘When you think about it, it is a strange story.’
Blispiel’s actions were truly peculiar.
Normally, clans that gained effective control over a nation or city incurred many expenses.
Naturally, they created pretexts to collect money from here and there. In the process of securing personnel to handle operations efficiently, the number of clan members inevitably increased significantly.
Yet somehow the funds kept appearing from nowhere, and Blispiel neither interfered with Elanore’s economy nor abandoned their distinctive policy of maintaining a small elite force.
Thanks to that, Blispiel Clan’s reputation around Elanore and the Glicia Kingdom was impeccable. The residents’ favorable opinions would serve as a powerful asset when the clan eventually expanded its influence elsewhere.
Lost in these thoughts, Dylan soon let out a small chuckle and shook his head.
No matter how hard he thought, it would not change the currents of the times. As nothing more than an ordinary citizen, he did not need to overcomplicate things and could simply enjoy the banquet.
“…Thus, I formally declare that Aiden Stroke has become the new master of the Blispiel Clan here and now.”
The archbishop dispatched by the Church of Utility finished his formulaic speech. Immediately afterward, applause erupted from all directions.
Clap clap clap clap clap!
“Looking forward to working with you in the future, Master Stroke.”
Arent Lindal handed over the Seal of Utility of Blispiel with a grin. The practical duties would not change much, but Aiden had finally been officially installed as clan master.
“Congratulations, Lord Aiden.”
A familiar voice, though slightly lower in tone than he remembered, reached his ears. Turning his gaze, Aiden saw a boy with beige hair standing there.
<Sotiros Wi Tigris · Utland>
[Level: 30/52]
[Health: 07][Strength: 06][Agility: 12]
[Mana: 20][Spirit: 03][Sense: 10]
[Divinity: 01]
[Traits: Dual Wheel Heart (S), Young Dragon Accumulation Body (S-), Magic Genius (A), Beastly Agility (B) and 2 others]
[Skills: Multi-Ring Fusion (A), Crimson Tower Vision Destruction Magic (A), Utland Mana Cultivation Method (B), Beastkin Body Techniques (C) and 2 others]
[Description: Fifteen years old, human race. A boy from Saparia, the homeland of the beastkin. Illegitimate son of the Tiger King, and currently the son-in-law of the prestigious Utland Ducal House of the Croa Kingdom.]
“…It has been a while. Good to see you, Sotiros.”
“I am delighted to meet you again.”
Sotiros, the quarter-beastkin boy.
He was the slave Aiden had purchased from the black market shortly after possessing this body.
Having spent a long time in the ducal house and received proper etiquette training, nobility flowed naturally from his clothing and demeanor.
Having been doted on extensively by Duke Utland for the past three or four years, the boy was now the son-in-law of the ducal family. A few months after turning fifteen, he had married Lily, Chesa’s younger sister.
The boy asked,
“How are things progressing with my sister-in-law? The elders of both the Stroke and Utland families seem quite interested as well.”
“Tell them it is going very smoothly. Ask why they are so concerned about their married-off children.”
“Hmm… I myself am quite interested in the progress of your relationship with her.”
“You? Why?”
“Well, once my sister-in-law holds the wedding ceremony, will I not also become blood-related to you, Lord Aiden?”
Aiden recoiled slightly.
The boy respected him to a burdensome degree, though less intensely than when he had gone on about the savior Ekati or whatever it was.
Shaking his head, Aiden changed the topic to recent developments in the kingdom and the family.
“How is your relationship with the duke?”
“Very favorable. It must be because our interests align with the need for ring fusion magic. If he can continue his research, he does not seem particularly attached to the position of family head.”
Sotiros, supported by the clan’s backing.
He was gradually infiltrating the Utland family, and by the time they aimed for northern expansion, he would be able to serve as a bridgehead for the clan as a real power within the family.
“Nothing else special?”
“Hmm, other than that… Oh, come to think of it, Lily recently became pregnant.”
“Well, that is wonderful news.”
As they chatted about this and that, something strange suddenly happened.
The scouts from each force who had been waiting for an opportunity to approach unconsciously stepped back. The crowd parted like the miracle of Moses.
Through the gap emerged warriors exuding a lion-like aura. They were the magic knights of the Lilliac Magic Kingdom, and at their center walked an old man who resembled a corpse.
Disheveled white hair.
Small stature and emaciated build.
His cheeks were so sunken it looked as if only skin clung to bone, yet strangely his eyes alone shone with piercing vitality.
<Tristan Alabur>
[Level: 60/60]
[Health: 04][Strength: 02][Agility: 03]
[Mana: 43][Spirit: 18][Sense: 14]
[Divinity: 07]
[Traits: Memorization (S+), Eye of Truthful Mana (S), Multi-Chanter (A), Remarkable Educator (A) and 3 others]
[Skills: Midnight Scholar (U), Alabur Vision Mana Cultivation Method · Extreme (S), Rainbow Vision Magic · Extreme (S), Advanced Ritual Arts (A), Ultimate Enchant (A) and 11 others]
[Description: Ninety-four years old, human race. One of the Triple Star. A mage known for his tremendous inquisitiveness. He is the spiritual pillar of the mages in the Lilliac Magic Kingdom and serves as technical advisor to the Laprius Clan.]
Tristan Alabur.
Known as the greatest mage on the Prima Continent. Aiden had known in advance from checking the participant list that this person was scheduled to attend.
The old man waved his hand dismissively.
“How long do you people plan to stick around?”
“But, Your Excellency…”
“Do I look like a child left by the waterside to you? The other side will feel burdened too, so disperse already. Go eat or something.”
The knights wore troubled expressions but had no choice but to scatter. Having dismissed his guards, the old man approached closely and said.
“I overheard something interesting about ring fusion. If it is all right, would this old man be allowed to join in? Fortunately, I have some confidence when it comes to discussing magic theory.”
“How could we possibly refuse a request from Lord Alabur, the greatest of mages?”
Sotiros responded calmly.
Tristan’s blue eyes flickered.
“So you are Sotiros of the Utland family. You seem even more outstanding than the rumors suggested. Quite the talent.”
“…How did you know?”
“There are ways to find out.”
It was nothing special; using the Eye of Truthful Mana (S) that Tristan possessed, he could easily discern the amount and nature of an opponent’s mana. It boasted the highest performance among commonly known insight-type mana eyes.
There was an obvious reason why such a heavyweight had personally traveled such a long distance.
“Have you come to meet my fiancée by any chance?”
“Oh, how did you know that?”
“It is a fairly well-known fact that Lord Alabur puts great effort into nurturing the next generation.”
“Hehe, the conversation moves quickly. I like that.”
Tristan Alabur was a mage.
At the same time, he was a great scholar and researcher.
Regardless of combat strength, in terms of knowledge of magic he could be ranked right after the Witch Queen within this world.
He possessed a fanatical passion for magic and held a clear philosophy.
He believed that magic systems could develop rapidly only if barriers between schools were broken down and active exchanges took place. Therefore, whenever rumors spread of a mage with potential, he would personally seek them out and impart teachings.
“According to the rumors, Lady Chesa Utland, Master Stroke’s fiancée, played a significant role in the Glicia civil war. A girl who is still just in her teens.”
“Yes. Every member of our Blispiel Clan can vouch for her exceptional talent.”
“Could I meet her right now?”
“I will give it a try.”
Aiden summoned Chesa through the connection of the Nano Eater. She was currently on the outer terrace, chatting with her younger sister Lily whom she had not seen in a while.
“Chesa Utland.”
Chesa greeted Tristan with a slightly tense expression. Immediately afterward, the old man’s previously relaxed face hardened like ice.
After staring wide-eyed for some time, he finally opened his mouth.
“…Remarkable. Among all the young mages I have met in my life, you are the best, young lady. I thought our Valerie was the finest in a similar age group, but compared to Lady Chesa she is like a firefly before the sun.”
One of Tristan’s top disciples, Valerie Lacroux, had a potential level of fifty-six. At sixteen years old now, her current level was probably around the mid-thirties.
“Moreover, unless my eyes deceive me, is that book hanging at your waist not a grimoire?”
“…It is, Lord Alabur.”
“Chosen mages are rare even across the entire continent. Treasure that connection and make sure to register it with the grimoire.”
After offering those words of encouragement, Tristan cleared his throat. Then he stated his true purpose.
“Lady Chesa, if it is agreeable, would you consider studying under this old man?”
“I am grateful for the offer, but I must decline. This is a critical time for the Blispiel Clan.”
“Hmm….”
Seemingly not expecting such a decisive refusal, Tristan appeared greatly flustered.
Soon after, he turned to Aiden with earnest eyes.