Adelaide sat and looked at the knight who introduced himself as Varen.
He had a decent body and face. However, a blue bruise that had not yet completely disappeared remained on one side of the knight's face.
It is common for knights to get injured while fighting monsters. However, Adelaide knew that this was not a bruise caused by battle.
"I’ve heard the story. I heard you were wronged."
“...That is correct.”
At Adelaide's words, the knight bowed his head low as if embarrassed. A smile played on Adelaide's lips as she looked at the knight.
The knight's bruise was caused by none other than Cedric, Callion's lieutenant.
'They said he acted as he pleased.'
According to Adelaide, Varen was so eager to distinguish himself during the battle with the monsters that he disobeyed Cedric's orders and ran off on his own. After the battle, he was held accountable and demoted to the rank of apprentice knight.
He said that he got punched in the face by Cedric while arguing that it was unfair treatment.
"Is your face okay? You still look like you're in pain."
“...”
At Adelaide's kind words, Varen's fist trembled.
“As far as I know, you hold a title of your own... it must have been incredibly humiliating.”
“...”
Varen did not answer, but bowed his head even lower as if agreeing with Adelaide's words.
Adelaide recalled Cedric, who had given her an arrogant answer. Callion's lieutenant.
'They say a commoner like him snagged a high position.'
It was said that a man with a noble title had been punched in the face by such a person. And he did it in front of everyone under the guise of punishment. After that, Varen harbored a grudge against Cedric.
'So it looks like he wants to get rid of Cedric somehow...'
Since Cedric was someone whom Callion trusted so much, naturally, no matter what Varen pleaded with Callion, it would have no effect. On the contrary, Callion extended his period of punishment, claiming that he showed no remorse.
Because of this, Varen was desperate to somehow regain Callion's trust and take revenge on Cedric.
Havand, who was already planning to plant an ally within the Knights of Hessengard, reached out to Varen.
And Varen took his hand as if he had been waiting for this moment.
'The people planted in the Grand Duke's castle confirmed everything.'
It was said that Varen still turns his head away or avoids Cedric whenever he comes. Having been beaten so severely that bruises still remain, it seemed his resentment had lingered as deeply as the scars themselves. Yet, he is someone who remains loyal in his own way, hoping to regain Callion's trust.
'It’s actually easier than being swayed by money.'
Those who desire money are swayed by larger sums. However, someone with such a clear purpose would act even more faithfully exactly as desired, as long as there were no other options.
Varen, who had been keeping his head down, opened his mouth.
“I need nothing else. I only wish to get rid of that wicked man who does nothing but wag his tongue by Grand Duke Callion's side.”
“Yeah, I know. I valued your loyalty highly. If you were only after money, I wouldn’t have met you in the first place.”
'You are different from those who sell information for money.' As she said this indirectly, a look of pride flickered on Varen's face and vanished. Adelaide laughed inwardly. This knight is nothing but a fool who can't even pocket the money.
“As you are well aware... Hessengard needs to restore order. There are too many who dare to challenge royalty and nobility just because they show off a little trick. That lieutenant, in particular, certainly has a knack for running his tongue rudely.”
Adelaide's voice was permeated with genuine anger as she spoke of Cedric. That tongue that had spouted such unpleasant nonsense in front of her, claiming that Grand Duke Callion cherished Erna the most.
Adelaide vowed that on the day she became Grand Duke, she would cut off that tongue and hang it in front of the Knights.
“If such a person remains by Grand Duke Callion's side, respect for the Grand Duke of Hessengard will fade day by day. Therefore, I shall offer you my sincere words. However, as you know, if I were to speak to you immediately, you might think that someone who knows nothing has come to offer presumptuous advice. So...”
Adelaide brought up the story she wanted to tell first.
"I hope you will be of great help to me so that I can give Grand Duke Callion appropriate advice."
Varen greeted Adelaide and left the room. The person standing in front of Adelaide's room looked around and gestured to Varen to leave.
Anyone would have found it suspicious to see a knight of the Order going in and out of Adelaide's room.
Fortunately, there was no one watching at that late hour. Not long after Varen left the back door of the annex and headed toward the Knights, Cedric walked over from the opposite direction.
“...”
Varen bowed ever so slightly toward Cedric. Of course, his eyes were blazing.
Cedric, too, saw Varen and merely nodded slightly as if to acknowledge his greeting, then ignored him and walked past. As Cedric passed, Varen muttered.
"Shit..."
The way he gritted his teeth made it obvious to anyone that he harbored deep resentment. One of Havand's envoys, who had been following Varen unnoticed, turned around and returned to Adelaide. To convey what he had seen.
Varen headed toward the Knights' Order, still grumbling. He entered the empty lounge, drew the curtain, and plopped down in a seat. A moment later, a bookshelf on one side of the lounge opened, and Cedric appeared.
Cedric looked at Varen and said
“Wow, if you’re that good at acting, why didn’t you just become an actor, Varen?”
“Shut up. My face still hurts, you bastard.”
Varen glared at the snickering Cedric. Princess Adelaide would not know. That the entire disciplinary action was a staged play.
"How was Princess Adelaide?"
“She was pretty, though. But she's not my style. I guess I really am...”
Varen recalled the massive magic that had been cast in the lake region long ago. It was a mighty thing that wiped out thousands of monsters at once with a single strike.
“...I like strong women.”
After saying that much, Varen fell silent. Cedric clicked his tongue.
“Shut up. Do you want to see someone die? This is just respect, respect.”
The sight of the two people bickering was blocked by thick curtains and a door, so no one could hear or see it.
“This is a bit of a hassle...”
Erna smoothed her hair, which the maids had tidied up for her that morning. She liked how pretty it looked, but because so much effort had gone into styling it, she couldn't cast spells as freely as she used to. If she did, it would immediately fall apart.
"The clothes, too."
The ladies-in-waiting clung to her, half-crying, saying that hair and clothes must go together. Since Erna agreed to this, she was now wearing a splendid dress, unlike the ceremonial robes or wizards' uniforms she usually wore.
She did choose something that was at least a little comfortable to walk around in, but even so, it's still just a dress.
Upon seeing this yesterday, Callion felt both pleased and disgusted. Then, saying he felt he couldn't wait until night, he made the absurd suggestion of asking if he could undress her just once right now. Erna created a cord of light, bound Callion tightly, and left the main house.
When they met again at night, Callion grumbled that it took a long time for the magic to wear off, and he almost ended up tied up in his room until lunchtime. Erna clicked her tongue, telling him to stop being such a crybaby.
Erna, who had been chuckling as she recalled the scene, swallowed a short sigh a moment later.
'This is no reason to be happy. I really need to fix the magic cast over the entire Grand Duke's castle.'
It is best to ensure that all magic, except for healing spells, cannot be cast. If possible, it would be even better to make it more complex so that no other mage can cast magic within the Grand Duke's castle.
“For that to happen, the magic formula... would probably require at least a thousand characters.”
The scale, size, power, and range of magic are determined by the combination of characters. Most major spells do not exceed twenty characters, so to think there is a spell of a thousand characters.
“If I hold on tight, maybe it will take about three months?”
It was a sound that would have made the wizards of the Magic Tower collapse in shock if they had heard it. For them, it would have easily taken a year.
“But there is too much work...”
Even if she did nothing but focus on that, she wouldn't have enough time, but there were too many things to handle right now.
From dealing with Adelaide right away to investigating what was seen in the ancient ruins.
Erna entered the main house's entrance, clutching the hem of her skirt that was getting in the way.
As she entered, she saw servants busily carrying furniture. Just as she had told Vanessa before, they were preparing a space to examine the items brought from the ancient ruins.
As ordered, one of the large rooms near the entrance was being completely cleaned out.
'I wonder if it would have been a bit more comfortable if I could use magic freely inside the main building as well.'
Then she could have used magic to move heavy things as well. Thinking this, Erna unconsciously drew a magic formula in the air.
"...uh?"
And Erna was flustered as she looked at the glowing magical letters floating in front of her.
'What happened?'
The main building is the place within the Grand Castle where the power to nullify magic operates most strongly. Therefore, unless it is drawn with great care, most magic vanishes before it can be activated. However, the fact that this magic has appeared intact now means...
'Has the Grand Duke's castle's protective magic weakened?'
Erna felt like her heart sank. She knew it was getting weaker. But she couldn't understand how it had progressed so quickly.
"You've come."
Callion sighed at the presence he sensed behind him. Through Cedric, Varen conveyed the request he had received from Adelaide.
Adelaide demanded comprehensive information about the Knights and asked to be told a way to meet Callion as if by chance, without having to apply for a separate audience.
Thanks to this, Callion was warming up in the training grounds, quite a distance from the Knights' building. Varen must have told Adelaide that he often uses this place, and he would have conveyed that Callion was here about an hour ago.
Just as he expected. Callion turned his head and saw Adelaide walking toward this place, accompanied by a servant carrying a basket.
'This isn't the Knights' territory, so she can roam around as she pleases.'
It was a place so far from the Knights' building and so deserted that anyone could roam freely. Callion saw Adelaide approaching as if she were out for a walk.
“Oh my, Grand Duke Callion. So you were practicing in a place like this.”
“Princess Adelaide...”
Would her favorability have gone up even a little if he had just said he came to see her? Callion felt incredibly awkward trying to act so blatantly. Still, he couldn't help it. He had to see how Adelaide intended to react.
'I'll go back later and tell Erna everything.'
When he told Erna that he would be meeting Adelaide separately, she told him to take care of it, but the corners of her eyes curled up. It was so cute to see her pricking up like a cat.
However, after that, Erna said calmly, "Really? Good job. I have to go to the Wizard Corps for the first time in a while to take care of some business. I also need to check on the new wizard to make sure he's doing well."
At those words, Callion bit his lip.
'I really need to see that wizard's face.'
She said he felt similar to him. So, Erna would surely treat him well. Suddenly, Callion felt a sense of injustice. He wanted to just take all the crumbs of attention Erna might give to that guy for himself.
Just then, Adelaide approached and told the servant to take out the water she had brought in the basket.
He wondered just how much and what on earth they had brought. Water cool enough to immediately form condensation was poured into a clear glass taken from the basket.
“It must be because the Grand Duke is personally devoting himself to training that the reputation of the Knights of Hessengard is rising.”
Adelaide ordered the attendant to bring water. He was already sweating, as he had been moving around before Adelaide arrived, thinking of a male wizard whose face he hadn't even seen. Callion accepted the cup the attendant handed him and gulped down the water.
As the water went down his thirsty throat, a refreshing coolness spread throughout his body. Callion returned the empty cup and looked at Adelaide. She looked far too dressed up to simply be going for a walk. He wanted to scoff, but that wasn't the reason he had arranged this meeting.
“Thank you. I was just getting thirsty...”
Suddenly, Callion felt something was off. What is it?
“It was... it was...”
Suddenly, his vision spun. At the same time, he felt as if someone were stabbing his stomach with a knife. Cough. An uncontrollable cough burst out. Callion saw something sticking to his hand.
Red blood.
His body collapsed to the floor in an instant.
“Aaaaaaaah!”
Adelaide's scream was heard.
Callion realized what had happened to me.
He ate poison. And a terrible kind at that.
He had a decent body and face. However, a blue bruise that had not yet completely disappeared remained on one side of the knight's face.
It is common for knights to get injured while fighting monsters. However, Adelaide knew that this was not a bruise caused by battle.
"I’ve heard the story. I heard you were wronged."
“...That is correct.”
At Adelaide's words, the knight bowed his head low as if embarrassed. A smile played on Adelaide's lips as she looked at the knight.
The knight's bruise was caused by none other than Cedric, Callion's lieutenant.
'They said he acted as he pleased.'
According to Adelaide, Varen was so eager to distinguish himself during the battle with the monsters that he disobeyed Cedric's orders and ran off on his own. After the battle, he was held accountable and demoted to the rank of apprentice knight.
He said that he got punched in the face by Cedric while arguing that it was unfair treatment.
"Is your face okay? You still look like you're in pain."
“...”
At Adelaide's kind words, Varen's fist trembled.
“As far as I know, you hold a title of your own... it must have been incredibly humiliating.”
“...”
Varen did not answer, but bowed his head even lower as if agreeing with Adelaide's words.
Adelaide recalled Cedric, who had given her an arrogant answer. Callion's lieutenant.
'They say a commoner like him snagged a high position.'
It was said that a man with a noble title had been punched in the face by such a person. And he did it in front of everyone under the guise of punishment. After that, Varen harbored a grudge against Cedric.
'So it looks like he wants to get rid of Cedric somehow...'
Since Cedric was someone whom Callion trusted so much, naturally, no matter what Varen pleaded with Callion, it would have no effect. On the contrary, Callion extended his period of punishment, claiming that he showed no remorse.
Because of this, Varen was desperate to somehow regain Callion's trust and take revenge on Cedric.
Havand, who was already planning to plant an ally within the Knights of Hessengard, reached out to Varen.
Havand plans to intervene actively in Hessengard in the near future. Naturally, the Order intends to reorganize as well. If he joins forces with them, he could take Cedric’s place...
'The people planted in the Grand Duke's castle confirmed everything.'
It was said that Varen still turns his head away or avoids Cedric whenever he comes. Having been beaten so severely that bruises still remain, it seemed his resentment had lingered as deeply as the scars themselves. Yet, he is someone who remains loyal in his own way, hoping to regain Callion's trust.
'It’s actually easier than being swayed by money.'
Those who desire money are swayed by larger sums. However, someone with such a clear purpose would act even more faithfully exactly as desired, as long as there were no other options.
Varen, who had been keeping his head down, opened his mouth.
“I need nothing else. I only wish to get rid of that wicked man who does nothing but wag his tongue by Grand Duke Callion's side.”
“Yeah, I know. I valued your loyalty highly. If you were only after money, I wouldn’t have met you in the first place.”
'You are different from those who sell information for money.' As she said this indirectly, a look of pride flickered on Varen's face and vanished. Adelaide laughed inwardly. This knight is nothing but a fool who can't even pocket the money.
“As you are well aware... Hessengard needs to restore order. There are too many who dare to challenge royalty and nobility just because they show off a little trick. That lieutenant, in particular, certainly has a knack for running his tongue rudely.”
Adelaide's voice was permeated with genuine anger as she spoke of Cedric. That tongue that had spouted such unpleasant nonsense in front of her, claiming that Grand Duke Callion cherished Erna the most.
Adelaide vowed that on the day she became Grand Duke, she would cut off that tongue and hang it in front of the Knights.
“If such a person remains by Grand Duke Callion's side, respect for the Grand Duke of Hessengard will fade day by day. Therefore, I shall offer you my sincere words. However, as you know, if I were to speak to you immediately, you might think that someone who knows nothing has come to offer presumptuous advice. So...”
Adelaide brought up the story she wanted to tell first.
"I hope you will be of great help to me so that I can give Grand Duke Callion appropriate advice."
***
Varen greeted Adelaide and left the room. The person standing in front of Adelaide's room looked around and gestured to Varen to leave.
Anyone would have found it suspicious to see a knight of the Order going in and out of Adelaide's room.
Fortunately, there was no one watching at that late hour. Not long after Varen left the back door of the annex and headed toward the Knights, Cedric walked over from the opposite direction.
“...”
Varen bowed ever so slightly toward Cedric. Of course, his eyes were blazing.
Cedric, too, saw Varen and merely nodded slightly as if to acknowledge his greeting, then ignored him and walked past. As Cedric passed, Varen muttered.
"Shit..."
The way he gritted his teeth made it obvious to anyone that he harbored deep resentment. One of Havand's envoys, who had been following Varen unnoticed, turned around and returned to Adelaide. To convey what he had seen.
Varen headed toward the Knights' Order, still grumbling. He entered the empty lounge, drew the curtain, and plopped down in a seat. A moment later, a bookshelf on one side of the lounge opened, and Cedric appeared.
Cedric looked at Varen and said
“Wow, if you’re that good at acting, why didn’t you just become an actor, Varen?”
“Shut up. My face still hurts, you bastard.”
Varen glared at the snickering Cedric. Princess Adelaide would not know. That the entire disciplinary action was a staged play.
"How was Princess Adelaide?"
“She was pretty, though. But she's not my style. I guess I really am...”
Varen recalled the massive magic that had been cast in the lake region long ago. It was a mighty thing that wiped out thousands of monsters at once with a single strike.
“...I like strong women.”
After saying that much, Varen fell silent. Cedric clicked his tongue.
"You can just say someone like Lady Erna."
The sight of the two people bickering was blocked by thick curtains and a door, so no one could hear or see it.
***
“This is a bit of a hassle...”
Erna smoothed her hair, which the maids had tidied up for her that morning. She liked how pretty it looked, but because so much effort had gone into styling it, she couldn't cast spells as freely as she used to. If she did, it would immediately fall apart.
"The clothes, too."
The ladies-in-waiting clung to her, half-crying, saying that hair and clothes must go together. Since Erna agreed to this, she was now wearing a splendid dress, unlike the ceremonial robes or wizards' uniforms she usually wore.
She did choose something that was at least a little comfortable to walk around in, but even so, it's still just a dress.
Upon seeing this yesterday, Callion felt both pleased and disgusted. Then, saying he felt he couldn't wait until night, he made the absurd suggestion of asking if he could undress her just once right now. Erna created a cord of light, bound Callion tightly, and left the main house.
When they met again at night, Callion grumbled that it took a long time for the magic to wear off, and he almost ended up tied up in his room until lunchtime. Erna clicked her tongue, telling him to stop being such a crybaby.
Erna, who had been chuckling as she recalled the scene, swallowed a short sigh a moment later.
'This is no reason to be happy. I really need to fix the magic cast over the entire Grand Duke's castle.'
It is best to ensure that all magic, except for healing spells, cannot be cast. If possible, it would be even better to make it more complex so that no other mage can cast magic within the Grand Duke's castle.
“For that to happen, the magic formula... would probably require at least a thousand characters.”
The scale, size, power, and range of magic are determined by the combination of characters. Most major spells do not exceed twenty characters, so to think there is a spell of a thousand characters.
“If I hold on tight, maybe it will take about three months?”
It was a sound that would have made the wizards of the Magic Tower collapse in shock if they had heard it. For them, it would have easily taken a year.
“But there is too much work...”
Even if she did nothing but focus on that, she wouldn't have enough time, but there were too many things to handle right now.
From dealing with Adelaide right away to investigating what was seen in the ancient ruins.
Erna entered the main house's entrance, clutching the hem of her skirt that was getting in the way.
As she entered, she saw servants busily carrying furniture. Just as she had told Vanessa before, they were preparing a space to examine the items brought from the ancient ruins.
As ordered, one of the large rooms near the entrance was being completely cleaned out.
'I wonder if it would have been a bit more comfortable if I could use magic freely inside the main building as well.'
Then she could have used magic to move heavy things as well. Thinking this, Erna unconsciously drew a magic formula in the air.
"...uh?"
And Erna was flustered as she looked at the glowing magical letters floating in front of her.
'What happened?'
The main building is the place within the Grand Castle where the power to nullify magic operates most strongly. Therefore, unless it is drawn with great care, most magic vanishes before it can be activated. However, the fact that this magic has appeared intact now means...
'Has the Grand Duke's castle's protective magic weakened?'
Erna felt like her heart sank. She knew it was getting weaker. But she couldn't understand how it had progressed so quickly.
***
"You've come."
Callion sighed at the presence he sensed behind him. Through Cedric, Varen conveyed the request he had received from Adelaide.
Adelaide demanded comprehensive information about the Knights and asked to be told a way to meet Callion as if by chance, without having to apply for a separate audience.
Thanks to this, Callion was warming up in the training grounds, quite a distance from the Knights' building. Varen must have told Adelaide that he often uses this place, and he would have conveyed that Callion was here about an hour ago.
Just as he expected. Callion turned his head and saw Adelaide walking toward this place, accompanied by a servant carrying a basket.
'This isn't the Knights' territory, so she can roam around as she pleases.'
It was a place so far from the Knights' building and so deserted that anyone could roam freely. Callion saw Adelaide approaching as if she were out for a walk.
“Oh my, Grand Duke Callion. So you were practicing in a place like this.”
“Princess Adelaide...”
Would her favorability have gone up even a little if he had just said he came to see her? Callion felt incredibly awkward trying to act so blatantly. Still, he couldn't help it. He had to see how Adelaide intended to react.
'I'll go back later and tell Erna everything.'
When he told Erna that he would be meeting Adelaide separately, she told him to take care of it, but the corners of her eyes curled up. It was so cute to see her pricking up like a cat.
However, after that, Erna said calmly, "Really? Good job. I have to go to the Wizard Corps for the first time in a while to take care of some business. I also need to check on the new wizard to make sure he's doing well."
At those words, Callion bit his lip.
'I really need to see that wizard's face.'
She said he felt similar to him. So, Erna would surely treat him well. Suddenly, Callion felt a sense of injustice. He wanted to just take all the crumbs of attention Erna might give to that guy for himself.
Just then, Adelaide approached and told the servant to take out the water she had brought in the basket.
He wondered just how much and what on earth they had brought. Water cool enough to immediately form condensation was poured into a clear glass taken from the basket.
“It must be because the Grand Duke is personally devoting himself to training that the reputation of the Knights of Hessengard is rising.”
Adelaide ordered the attendant to bring water. He was already sweating, as he had been moving around before Adelaide arrived, thinking of a male wizard whose face he hadn't even seen. Callion accepted the cup the attendant handed him and gulped down the water.
As the water went down his thirsty throat, a refreshing coolness spread throughout his body. Callion returned the empty cup and looked at Adelaide. She looked far too dressed up to simply be going for a walk. He wanted to scoff, but that wasn't the reason he had arranged this meeting.
“Thank you. I was just getting thirsty...”
Suddenly, Callion felt something was off. What is it?
“It was... it was...”
Suddenly, his vision spun. At the same time, he felt as if someone were stabbing his stomach with a knife. Cough. An uncontrollable cough burst out. Callion saw something sticking to his hand.
Red blood.
His body collapsed to the floor in an instant.
“Aaaaaaaah!”
Adelaide's scream was heard.
Callion realized what had happened to me.
He ate poison. And a terrible kind at that.
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