“I suppose it can’t be helped if she herself is unwilling.”
“Is there really no way?”
“This is a very important period for the Blispiel Clan, and Chesa and I are on the verge of marriage.”
“Hmm… Then it can’t be helped.”
Tristan looked greatly disappointed as Aiden drove the point home.
Since that was the case, Aiden decided to at least lay some groundwork.
“I do plan to stop by the Lilliac Magic Kingdom once I finish my backlog of schedules.”
“Really?!”
“Yes. It will probably be around mid-next year before I have the time…”
Tristan’s face brightened at Aiden’s words.
Fortunately, he seemed pleased.
There was nothing to lose by building a good relationship with this man. Not only would it strengthen their position in the east, the domain of the Lilliac Magic Kingdom and the Laprius Clan, but Tristan himself was an exceptionally skilled mage.
Ah, “skilled” was not meant solely in terms of combat power.
Mages in Reca Chronicles were largely divided into two categories.
One was the ‘spellcaster’ type, who primarily focused on wielding destructive magic. The other was the ‘wizard’ type, who focused on understanding and expounding upon various magical theories.
Most mages in the Reca Chronicles world tended to lean heavily toward one or the other.
This was only natural. The raw output of spells had little to do with the amount of knowledge stored in a mage’s head. An outstanding war mage focused on efficiently using the cards currently in their hand rather than delving deeply into complex magical theory.
Iris Schnifelt was a prime example—someone who could fling elemental magic or <Void> spells left and right thanks to her innate affinity, yet showed little interest in the principles behind the power she wielded.
The opposite was also true. The wizard path required rational thinking ability more than innate mana capacity, so historically, many famous scholars were complete failures as war mages.
Tristan Alabur, however, was a rare case who had achieved remarkable results in both areas.
Simply looking at how he had filled his potential level to the brim despite his advanced age made it clear—he had poured tremendous effort into honing his magic.
If Chesa, who had a similar disposition, received teachings from this old man, her already rapid growth rate would gain wings.
“It was a good meeting. It seems the journey all the way to the central region was worthwhile.”
“I am glad you are satisfied.”
“If the Blispiel Clan visits the Magic Kingdom as promised in the future, I suppose I will also be able to learn the origin of the cultivation methods that Master Stroke and Lady Chesa practice?”
With his Eye of Truthful Mana (S), he seemed to have noticed that the two of them practiced the Alabur Vision Mana Cultivation Method (A).
Aiden felt a slight chill run down his spine.
This old man naturally brought up the topic he had been avoiding.
Since he couldn’t say he picked it up as a perk of possession, he would need to prepare a plausible excuse by next year, when the Praszkeak matter was resolved.
Aiden cleared his throat lightly and changed the subject.
“Ahem. In the spirit of building a good relationship moving forward, I have one suggestion, Lord Alabur.”
“What is it?”
“Princess Diana? Please come this way.”
Soon after, a blonde girl who appeared to be around Aiden’s age approached hesitantly and greeted him.
“I-I am Diana Loop Glicia, Lord Alabur.”
Her tension was obvious.
Tristan turned to Aiden and asked,
“Master Stroke. Who is she?”
“She is Princess Diana, the younger sister of Her Majesty Queen Isabella Loop Glicia. If possible, I would like to discuss a marriage alliance with the Lilliac royal family.”
“A marriage alliance?”
“Yes. She has always shown interest in the path of a mage. Moreover, the Magic Kingdom is the ideal environment for learning magic. If you could pair her with a suitable partner on this occasion, I believe she would be very pleased as well.”
Regardless of his official position, Tristan was a major elder figure in both the Magic Kingdom and the Laprius Clan.
He possessed enough influence to involve himself in all sorts of major and minor affairs in the east if he so chose, and royal marriage talks were no exception.
“…I see.”
Understanding the situation, he nodded.
After gaining effective control over the Glicia Kingdom, Aiden had held private meetings with each of the eight unmarried princesses one by one.
He had carefully assessed their aptitudes and personalities.
In Diana’s case, her character sheet had magic-related traits, and she herself hoped for an environment where she could be close to magic.
She was an ideal candidate to send to the Magic Kingdom as a bride.
“O-oh, it is an h-honor to meet you like this today, L-Lord Tristan Alabur!”
Diana’s face turned deathly pale as she bit her tongue.
Tristan Alabur was practically an idol to the mages of the Prima Continent. No matter that she was a princess of a kingdom, it was impossible for her to hide her nervousness in front of such a figure.
Tristan’s blue eyes sparkled.
“Calm yourself, young lady.”
“Y-yes…”
“Pure, high-quality mana is naturally leaking out of your body. This is proof that you have not neglected your mana cultivation training. You seem more than qualified to become a member of the Magic Kingdom’s royal family.”
“Th-that is too generous an assessment.”
“Hehe, well now… Shall we pretend this marriage talk never happened then?”
“N-no! That is absolutely not the case!”
“Just kidding. It was worth teasing you.”
Diana, who had been babbling incoherently, suddenly turned bright red.
While the heavyweights of both sides discussed a marriage alliance,
If there was one person who drew the most attention from the guests at this banquet besides Aiden and Tristan, it was undoubtedly Clara.
Sparkling silver hair and golden eyes.
Her distinct features already made it impossible not to draw people’s gazes. As she shed her baby fat with age, her beauty was improving day by day.
‘Is that silver-haired girl Master Stroke’s stepsister?’
‘I heard rumors she’s a pope-level priestess…’
‘If we can somehow hook her, she’ll definitely be the greatest catch.’
As the envoys from various forces mentally calculated their options, Clara held her breath and stared at a boy. The boy with burning red hair, Epio, was completely ignoring the political atmosphere filling the banquet hall and was busy emptying plates.
The problem was that the ivory-haired girl Clara found irritating was also stuck to Epio’s side like a leech.
Feeling slightly uncomfortable, she forced it down and sat next to Epio.
“Lord Epio. Could you come with me for a moment?”
“Huh? Why?”
“I thought we could greet the people gathered here and make some connections. It might help the clan’s position as well.”
“Hmm…”
Epio’s political sense or interest was close to zero, but he at least understood that relationships with other forces were important.
Above all, since it was a request from a precious comrade, there was no reason to refuse.
“T-then… I… want to go too….”
“Lady Visanya, you can’t yet. You still have trouble properly introducing yourself to others, right? Plus, if you stutter like that, it will leave a bad impression.”
“But…”
Unable to refute Clara’s logical argument, Visanya fidgeted. Then she looked at Epio with earnest eyes.
Clara clicked her tongue lightly.
Thanks to her deceptively cute appearance, that gesture carried considerable appeal.
Epio scratched his head for a moment before speaking.
“Visanya is also a member of the Blispiel Clan. If we introduce her, she should at least be able to bow her head, right?”
“……….”
Hearing those words, a hint of joy appeared on Visanya’s face. Clara, who had been staring at her, pouted slightly.
In her heart she wanted to just leave her behind, but caring for those who had entered their fence was also one of Epio’s good points.
“…Just for today.”
She wasn’t heartless either.
(———.)
Plebelziam remained silent.
He quietly sensed the waves emanating from Epio and Clara.
To a demonic sword who had lived for nearly a thousand years, the romantic antics of teenagers were nothing more than trivial child’s play.
That should have been the case.
But why?
As he watched the two of them, an indescribable emotion welled up inside him.
It was not the hatred or anger he had always felt when facing priestesses. It was something far gentler than that.
[Just what… am I?]
A serious question arose.
At a moment no one could have predicted, the stopped clock began to move once more.
After the banquet ended, Aiden carried out his initial duties as master of the Blispiel Clan.
He used the Proxy of the Guardian Tree (S-) trait once again to mass-produce Yin-Yang Herbs and recruited craftsmen from various places to assist Bailey in building infrastructure to rake in money.
In the blink of an eye, it was December of year 985.
Finally, an envoy from the Church of Utility arrived.
“The analysis using the Inquisitor’s Needle (S) has been completed. The Empire’s Crown Prince, Yustasio Wiblet Leonor, is clearly a demon contractor.”
“I see.”
It was a fact that needed no further confirmation.
However, having clear physical evidence meant they were now fully prepared to gather all forces to fight Praszkeak. With this, most nations neighboring the Holy Nation would readily agree to treat the crown prince and the empire as enemies.
The flow was generally smooth, but the existence of Irumokwi’s clone in the Wiblet Imperial Palace remained a concern.
The level of Irumokwi of the Five Heroes was [80/80].
The clone he… or she created using Split Messenger (U) possessed stats equivalent to up to 80% of the main body’s capabilities.
The reason he specifically said “up to” was because the Split Messenger could be utilized in various ways. The strength varied depending on how much power was allocated from the main body or how many clones were created.
However, the body double of Yustasio in the Wiblet Imperial Palace was clearly a maximum-output clone.
“Plebelziam.”
[Yes. He was emitting waves on the same level as the main body I encountered on the street.]
Yustasio’s level was a staggering 63.
It was a level of power that could not be imitated unless it was a clone approaching 80% capacity!
It was impossible to know exactly how many of Irumokwi’s clones existed on the Prima Continent, but if such an important clone was operating in secret, there were surely significant interests involved. Naturally, the security around the clone would also be formidable.
“Let’s end this swiftly.”
Aiden immediately began making preparations.
Mariana, the illegitimate daughter of the Glicia royal family.
Salvador, the Second Prince of the Wiblet Empire.
The two, who had confirmed each other’s feelings during a secret reunion held under Aiden’s supervision, held a simple engagement ceremony at a branch of the Thousand Gold Church.
It was Salvador’s declaration of intent that he would never break the engagement with Mariana, even if faced with opposition from the Wiblet imperial family. Seeing him grin foolishly while looking at the engagement ring, it was clear he had completely fallen for Mariana.
“I apologize for bringing this up during such a happy moment… but there is something I must tell you, Your Highness the Second Prince.”
“Haha. Please speak, Master Stroke.”
Aiden signaled to the priest from the Church of Utility standing beside him. The priest presented the Inquisitor’s Needle toward Salvador and slowly explained the fact that Yustasio was a demon contractor.
“…M-my brother? Ha, are you making a joke at me, an imperial prince of the empire?”
As expected, he found it hard to believe.
But after repeatedly presenting evidence that Yustasio was entangled with demons, showing footage taken during the battle with Praszkeak, and receiving confirmation from the archbishop of the Eye of Wisdom Church—famous for its doctrine that they never speak falsehoods—Salvador had no choice but to change his mind.
After briefly discussing with his aides, he eventually accepted the truth.
The fact that his older brother, who had seemed the most perfect person in the world, had such a massive flaw was probably not bad news at all for him, the second son.
After thinking deeply for a moment, Salvador asked with a resolute expression.
“The fact that you went out of your way to tell me this must mean you have something you want from me.”
“Correct.”
“…So, what would you like me to do?”
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