Chapter 123
Chapter 123
Alter ended up attending the ball by chance and merely watched the proceedings.
Pairs of noble men and women came together and exhibited rhythmic dance steps in time with the gentle music.
Although it seemed simple and rather old-fashioned, most were intoxicated by the atmosphere.
'This is how they interact, I suppose. And in time, they get married like this.'
The ball was an event included in social gatherings, and was also a method for maintaining relationships among nobles.
Usually, there was an expectation to keep a distance between men and women, which created a need for occasions that might bring them closer.
Therefore, social gatherings were intended to encourage conversation, while balls drew out physical contact and emotional stimulation.
'Even married couples can dance, I guess... But at times like this, it's better to yield.'
Married nobles had already grasped, to some extent, the purpose behind such balls.
That's why they often didn't step onto the dance floor, choosing instead to quietly expand their network of connections.
In Alter's case, as he was already engaged, there was no reason for him to go out of his way to participate.
'I've never even learned to dance, and wouldn't make a good impression anyway.'
Alter was keenly aware that the balance between them was off.
By convention, the man was supposed to be bigger and appear to take the lead.
Yet he himself appeared frailer than Brillie Illenat, so the overall impression would end up awkwardly mismatched.
'Come to think of it, have I only ever been held by Brillie Illenat?'
Reflecting on the past, Alter let out a hollow laugh.
Every time Brillie Illenat perceived him as endangered, she embraced him without a moment's hesitation.
Even now, with the curse gone, that underlying habit remained unchanged.
'It seems like our roles have reversed... But maybe it has to be this way.'
Even from a purely physical perspective, Brillie Illenat was superior.
As a knight and swordsman, she naturally possessed greater strength and stamina, lending physicality to her actions.
But Alter was saddled with a feeble body and, as a mage, had to prioritize honing his mana.
That's why, no matter the situation, Brillie Illenat tended to care for him first.
'Still, I can't help but feel a little regret...'
"Lord Alter, did you come with Lady Brillie Illenat?"
"Yes. Lady Brillie Illenat has just stepped away for a moment."
"She must be quite busy, right? The wedding must be fast approaching."
Terosa sat down at the table, a soft smile on her lips.
Alter seemed conscious of Terosa for a while, then opened his mouth slowly.
"Should I begin by apologizing? You must be disappointed, I imagine."
"It's not that disappointing. I was simply less capable than you, Lord Alter."
To begin with, Terosa had never truly coveted the title of great mage.
If anything, she was content simply to have twisted her fate of a political marriage, even if only slightly.
Besides, she was still learning magic and might yet someday reach an unparalleled realm.
"It's only right that you, Lord Alter, should be chosen as the next great mage. With feats like yours, anyone would have to admit it."
"I myself feel it's more luck than anything else that aided me."
"Do you mean to say you could slay a dragon by luck alone? If I'd been there, I likely would've only felt fear."
"Anyone can feel fear. What matters is how you overcome it."
"That's why I have more to learn, isn't it? I've lived my life simply being treated as a lord's daughter, so I've never really known fear. I suppose I am ignorant of myself."
Through training magic at the society, Terosa came face to face with her complacent past.
She had intended to accept her fate as a noble's daughter, and never truly aspired to choose her own future.
That may have been why, though she lingered over the thought of a political marriage, she never really denied the presence of Brillie Illenat.
"Most people don't think that way. It seems you've gained some insight."
"Rather than insight... perhaps I was simply forgetting. I think I was simply trapped in the constraints of being a noble. But Lady Brillie Illenat broke those constraints of her own volition. Only now am I seeing the difference."
"But it's not easy. As far as I know, lady Brillie Illenat struggled a great deal at first too. You have your own circumstances as well, miss Terosa, so shouldn't you also be cautious?"
"Lady Brillie Illenat achieved her fame because she wasn't cautious. Simply worrying won't provide an answer."
"..."
Alter fell silent, then eventually accepted her words.
Being overly careful would assure one's own safety, but it made it difficult to incite any real change.
To truly stand tall, one had to take on a certain degree of risk.
"Weren't you a little reckless yourself, Lord Alter? Isn't that why you were chosen as the next great mage?"
"Fighting a dragon certainly seems reckless enough."
"But I can never throw myself forward like Lady Brillie Illenat or you, Lord Alter. I'm not that brave. I don't even have the courage to defy my family's wishes. That is my limit."
"But aren't you trying to overcome that limit now? I want to respect your feelings, miss Terosa."
"If only I became a royal court mage... who knows? That is one position that could bring honor to my family."
Terosa answered calmly, even while sensing how ultimately meaningless that was.
She could see her own limits but still could not escape her family's grasp.
From the start, she was nothing but a noble's daughter subordinate to the duke's mansion of Eiliche.
Such entrenched notions were not easily changed, and always weighed down upon her heart.
"... You can start from there. You just need to ascend as a royal court mage."
"Are you suggesting a safer path?"
"If you care for your family, you must prove yourself through honor. After that, set your own goals and you'll be able to act more freely."
Terosa appeared to hesitate for a moment, then recalled Brillie Illenat.
At first, she thought Alter didn't match Brillie Illenat, but now realized the opposite was true.
Maybe, even if not for a political marriage, the two would have formed a bond somehow.
'They're similar in certain ways. That's why they can't help but be drawn to each other.'
To be precise, it was Alter who clung to Brillie Illenat.
Brillie Illenat would always try to push forward, but sometimes needed to retreat as well.
For Alter's sake, Brillie Illenat would surely come to restrain herself at times.
'So fate must exist. If so, perhaps a suitable fate will find me too?'
* * *
Yuria began to receive reports that internal conflict was erupting in various regions.
She had thought peace would come at last, having succeeded in slaying Grafden the Deep, but now had to face fellow humans as foes.
She had finally attained the imperial throne that she had longed for, so why was the chaos only worsening?
"... Should we consider them rebels?"
"It's too early to say for certain yet. They may simply be people dissatisfied with the regional officials."
"But those are officials appointed by the imperial household. Discontent is one thing, but open revolt should not be tolerated."
"Officials receive their authority from the imperial household, but that does not guarantee they always make the right decisions. Would it not be prudent to conduct a more detailed investigation before making a judgment?"
Yuria fully understood the meaning behind the advice.
She must not recklessly suppress armed uprisings by the populace with force alone.
Rather, she needed to understand the internal circumstances and follow up by regaining the people's trust.
"If those who raised arms are commoners, perhaps it was the officials or nobles who erred. But if they are acting in an organized fashion, it means there is a ringleader, does it not?"
"As you say, Your Majesty, it is likely a mastermind is at work, but we have yet to identify them."
"They have been invoking the dragon's invasion and my legitimacy. They must be cunning words meant to deceive the foolish populace. Doesn't this make it even more likely they are rebels?"
"..."
The officials could not bring themselves to refute the Emperor's words.
There were times when commoners could not endure mistreatment and stormed government offices.
But if similar justifications were raised simultaneously across many regions, it warranted suspicion.
The current Emperor, who had restored the authority of the imperial family, was even more sensitive to such matters.
"Find the ringleader. If they attack en masse, we will consider them rebels from that moment."
"If that is your will... do you wish to use the soldiers to drive them out?"
"We cannot allow the rebels to run wild. We must destroy all their bases and hiding places."
"If you wish to resolve this quickly, we will need to send reinforcements. May I ask for Your Majesty's intentions?"
"Of course reinforcements will be needed... but perhaps it would be good to send someone with an established reputation."
"Who, specifically, do you mean by someone with an established reputation?"
"If it is the Semerune Holy Order, they can bring the people to heel. And... what of sending a renowned mage to show authority?"
"I understand. You wish to first persuade them, do you not?"
"Violence isn't the only answer. We should leave it as a last resort, shouldn't we?"
Yuria wished to resolve this matter as quietly as possible.
If she could not govern the people, the imperial household would be shaken at any time.
Thus, rather than simply sending in troops, she needed to gently guide the populace to stand down of their own accord.
'If it's the next great mage, I'm sure it could be handled well, but perhaps I should wait a little longer? Still, it would become a problem if I rely on that person too much every time...'
* * *
Since leaving Duke Illenat's mansion, Hilise had wandered continuously.
He had saved up some money, but didn't feel like settling anywhere in particular.
He merely whiled away his days, a ruined noble lost in bygone days and unattainable dreams.
'I really wondered how things would turn out back then...'
Hilise had run into someone by chance and casually accepted their proposal.
He hadn't expected much, but now most of the commoners followed him.
If things proceeded as planned, he would reclaim his glory as a noble.
'I just have to bide my time here, then strike the capital in a sudden assault.'
Hilise suddenly thought of her name, but quickly shook the thought away.
There was no way someone like that would ever draw close to him.
They might even meet as enemies someday, but he wouldn't hesitate.
As the commander of the rebels, he had to build a new imperial house.
'If you could do it, then so can I, Brillie Illenat...'