Chapter 121
Chapter 121
Megarexor wandered near the barracks, shrouded in silence.
The battle with the Knight of True Flame had been extremely perilous; depending on the circumstances, they could have faced total annihilation.
Yet, it was the next great mage who landed the decisive blow, ultimately forcing the Knight of True Flame into retreat.
'If I had been willing to stake my life, maybe things could have turned out differently...'
Even when Megarexor was driven to the brink by the Knight of True Flame, he couldn't bring himself to make that final decision.
Confirming victory at the cost of his own life was just too difficult.
It was far too reckless a gamble, and so, he simply hadn't stepped forward.
'I guess I really am getting old. To think I'm starting to fear things now.'
With a sigh, Megarexor glanced at his beloved sword hanging at his waist.
He only ever drew this blade when he deemed it absolutely necessary for him to end things personally.
But, in the end, he had failed to slay the Knight of True Flame, acutely aware now of his growing weakness.
'It really is time for me to retire... But at this rate, I'll have to fight until the day I die.'
Recently, three dragons had appeared in succession.
On top of that, the next Sword Saint had turned into a monster, obsessing only over the dragons' mana.
To kill such formidable foes, the powerful needed to step up.
'Isn't there anyone worth using? If only I could hand this title over...'
"Wouldn't it be best if you rested a bit more?"
After dismissing the holy knights, Ronit approached Megarexor.
Megarexor kept a blank expression for a moment before letting out a bitter chuckle.
"There's nothing good about it. I couldn't even finish things properly."
"You've devoted exceptional effort to this war, Sword Saint. Please, don't belittle yourself."
"Just look at me. I couldn't even leave a scratch on him. Don't I look utterly ridiculous?"
"It was the monster that was strong, not that you were weak, Sword Saint."
"Four of us rushed him at once. Even then, that creature raged wild. The only reason the damage wasn't worse was thanks to the ducal house's youngest."
"..."
Ronit couldn't bring himself to offer further words of comfort.
The results spoke for themselves, and even he had been pushed back by the Knight of True Flame.
It was only the next great mage's relentless offensive that had squeezed out their hard-fought victory.
"... I suppose I must accept it. It's time to set down my sword, isn't it?"
"How many knights, even within the Empire, could surpass the Sword Saint? I know this is a heavy blow, but perhaps you could reconsider?"
"Ah, I must have misled you. I didn't mean I'd retire. I still have things left to do; I can't withdraw just yet."
Megarexor was still deeply fixated on the need to kill the Knight of True Flame.
Though he'd been defeated by the Knight twice, he was yet to die.
No matter how humiliating it was, he couldn't abandon his duties as the Sword Saint.
"You mustn't give up easily—if only for the fallen soldiers. Isn't it thanks to their sacrifice that the Empire still stands?"
"I know. Most of them were younger than me, and yet, they're gone now."
"Haven't wars been breaking out repeatedly these days? The monsters are worrisome enough, but there's always a dragon involved. If this continues, the powerful will always be needed."
"You want me to face dragons again? I'm exhausted just thinking about it."
Though Megarexor was visibly troubled, he was already predicting that situation.
He couldn't pinpoint the reason, but he'd ended up facing several dragons, one after another.
At this rate, he suspected he'd encounter even more dragons before long.
"In my opinion... we'll only have to deal with two more."
"Hm... Are you excluding the dragon who claims to be neutral?"
"Didn't that dragon, for the sake of honor, refuse to attack its kin? In that case, we need not count it as an enemy."
"Isn't it a bit early to be certain? Can you guarantee it won't change its mind?"
"Ru the Luminescent, unlike other dragons, has never invaded the Empire. That's a fact, confirmed in the documents held by the Holy Order."
"Just because it's been that way until now doesn't mean it'll stay that way. Would you really trust a dragon?"
"... One shouldn't have blind faith, of course. History has proven that much."
With some reluctance, Ronit agreed with Megarexor.
Dragons had long menaced the Agnes Empire and its people.
Neutrality alone could not erase the atrocities committed by dragons in the past.
"Maybe it's best to send out the ducal house's youngest every time a dragon appears."
"He's already defeated two dragons. Don't you think three is too much?"
"I had my doubts at first, but now, I have no reason to hesitate. Only someone like the ducal house's youngest can stand up to a dragon."
Megarexor rated Alter's skill very highly.
Of course, Alter hadn't fought the dragons alone, but he'd achieved results in any case.
Most importantly, he had inflicted clear and solid damage upon the Knight of True Flame—undeniably placing him among the most powerful.
"The Knight of True Flame absorbed a dragon's mana, hence his savagery. But, the one who froze him solid must be at a realm far beyond mine."
"I understand your point... but, for my part, I'm a little worried. How can we send people who haven't even had their wedding to the battlefield?"
"Ah... That's true. I suppose I never did receive their wedding invitation."
"I know there were unavoidable circumstances, but it's still a bit cruel. Shouldn't the two of them also deserve a bit of peace?"
"What a troublesome situation. So, once we return to the capital, will the wedding happen right away?"
"I suspect that's how it'll go."
Ronit never forgot the achievements contributed by Alter and Brillie Illenat.
If not for the pair's help, the status of the Holy Order may have been irreparably diminished.
It seemed only right to celebrate their union grandly now that everything else had been settled.
'It's unusual, but His Holiness himself has declared he'll officiate their rite of matrimony. He must want to commend them personally for their merit.'
It was rare for the Holy King to personally conduct a wedding.
Usually, only the Emperor, crown Prince, or those with immense accomplishments warranted such an honor.
In the case of Alter and Brillie, they met those conditions and had greatly served the Semerune Order, so such respect was to be expected.
'Now that things have wrapped up, all that remains is the wedding. At last, I can put things with Uriel in order as well.'
* * *
After confirming that the mana within Grafden the Deep had dissipated, Alter returned to the defensive line.
Fortunately, the Knight of True Flame did not reappear, and not even a single monster was to be found.
He remained stationed at the line for a while, then belatedly returned to the capital.
'It feels like... an awful lot has happened all at once.'
After bathing in warm water, Alter returned to his room.
He then collapsed onto the bed, making no effort to move.
Even as the next great mage, no one could weather relentless battle indefinitely with perfect composure.
'When will another dragon attack next?'
Alter was already anticipating another dragon invasion.
Each dragon may have its own motive, but the fact that they attacked the Agnes Empire remained unchanged.
At the same time, the Knight of True Flame would inevitably show up as well, so he couldn't afford to let his guard down.
'By now, the rebels must have organized themselves.'
Originally, the Third Princess would rise up in rebellion during the reign of the eighth Emperor.
But now, the throne had changed hands twice, and even the palace had been overthrown in the interim.
As such, nothing could be predicted with any certainty anymore.
'Now, the Third Princess has no reason to rebel. If that's the case...'
"Alter, what are you doing?"
Cautiously, Brillie Illenat opened the door and stepped inside.
Alter paused, considering for a second, then sat up.
"I'm just... resting."
"You're not sick or anything, right?"
"I'm fine. I just needed something soft beneath me."
Brillie perched on the edge of the bed and laid her hand gently on Alter's forehead.
His temperature seemed normal, and outwardly, he didn't seem in poor condition.
Compared to the southern region, where sleep had been hard to come by, it made sense he now wanted to savor that comfort.
"Then you'd probably prefer to be left alone. I'll just—"
"You can lie down next to me. Wouldn't it be lonely by yourself?"
"..."
Brillie flinched and glanced at Alter.
He kept a calm expression despite his words.
It seemed like a purely sincere invitation.
"Are you really sure?"
"There's no reason not to be. Didn't we promise to get married?"
"... You've grown quite bold."
Removing her shoes, Brillie climbed onto the bed.
Alter made room, then faced her once again.
The situation felt a bit unfamiliar, but he couldn't help feeling a flutter somewhere deep in his chest.
"Hmm... This is strange. We always slept side by side at the front, so why does it feel so odd now?"
"I feel it too. I suppose it's because we're on a bed?"
"Maybe you're right."
Brillie looked away somewhat self-consciously.
For a couple engaged to be married, sharing a bed together felt strangely intimate.
If they'd tried such a thing in the dead of night, it might have been a little difficult to go through with.
"If you're busy, you can go ahead and leave."
"No, I'm not busy. I just suddenly thought of you while resting, so here I am."
"... Is the knight order running well?"
"Yes. I've left it in reliable hands. I think everything was handled smoothly in my absence."
"I heard you reduced the number of private soldiers when you established the knight order. Did that cause any problems?"
"I can't say none at all... but it wasn't bad. I'd say our strength has actually increased."
"Still, managing the knight order yourself must be quite a challenge."
"It's something I'd have to do sooner or later. Only the approach has changed, that's all."
"Originally, you planned to start the order on your own, didn't you?"
"Yes. That was the plan... but I had to take responsibility."
Gazing with deep affection, Brillie gently stroked Alter's cheek.
Marriage to Alter would bind them together for life.
She couldn't consider only her own position but would share the burden of her companion's life as well.
"I have a responsibility too. You don't have to shoulder everything alone."
"If we're living in the capital, it's right for me to be responsible. If we move to the northern territory, it'd be the other way around, right?"
"I have my pride as well. I can't just keep relying on you, Brillie."
"... Then let me ask. How will you take responsibility for me?"
"Well, first I'll need money. I'll need to build connections too. If I make it as great mage, I'll solve it all eventually, even if it takes time, right?"
"So it's difficult for now, then?"
"Uh... If you could just wait a bit longer..."
Brillie slowly leaned in until she was right beside Alter.
He watched her, freezing up instinctively.
Brillie brought her lips to Alter's ear and whispered softly.
"That's why I said I'd take responsibility. I'll bring you anything you want, so just wait for me. I'll become the Duke of Illenat for your sake."