Chapter 144
Alter managed to survive through the third night and arrived at the Imperial Hero Monument.
It was also constructed in the capital, yet the form and atmosphere seemed quite different.
He had not visited often, so now he decided to look around and reflect on the deeds of the past.
'... I couldn't sense any mana. Does it only appear to those who possess Radiance?'
Alter was carefully recalling the words Brillie had shared with him.
The statue of Goddess Semerune had suddenly contained mana and had even taken the initiative to start a conversation.
Only a brief exchange took place, but even that was laden with profound meaning.
'Since it is said to have been handed down from the origin, radiance must be passed down through the bloodline.'
The great mage had mentioned this point once before.
Eventually, through an ancient text, he had uncovered the existence of the Lihines Knight Order.
Furthermore, the fortune-teller had called it the blood of a hero, so this could now be taken as fact.
'The warning about an approaching crisis is the same. It must be related to monsters.'
Alter instinctively thought of Lailnetia the Devouring and the Knight of True Flame.
Ordinary monsters would not be able to threaten him or Brillie.
This too had been mentioned by the fortune-teller, so it seemed the basis for it had solidified.
'But how should I interpret the Goddess Semerune descending directly...?'
"Alter, are you thinking about what I said?"
"Yes. It isn't something that can be brushed off lightly."
"But what if I was just mistaken?"
"When you are married, you have to trust even in mistakes, don't you? And I believe you, Brillie, can distinguish at least that much."
"Still, if I'm wrong, you should tell me. We are married, after all."
Brillie smiled serenely and took the lead.
Of course, for herself, she could not completely ignore either the fortune-teller or the statue of the Goddess Semerune.
However, right now, as she was enjoying her honeymoon, she merely sought a little more amusement.
"Are you perhaps worried?"
"I can't say I'm not. But it hasn't happened yet... and I trust you, Alter."
"......"
Alter followed Brillie in silence.
He himself could not be certain of anything either.
The future he had once seen had become twisted, and unpredictable variables were now lurking.
"What do you think would happen if we tried to run away?"
"Somebody else might destroy the enemies in our stead. But we would not be able to escape criticism and punishment."
"Sometimes I wonder, what if I had met you, Alter, under normal circumstances... something like that."
"If we hadn't learned magic and swordsmanship, we might have lived ordinary lives."
"If so, I wouldn't have gotten engaged to you. I might have been even unhappier than I am now."
"Yes. I think so too."
Alter, unconsciously agreeing, deduced the worst-case scenario.
He would still have been tormented by the curse, never rising to be the next great mage.
Brillie might have been swept into a political marriage and perhaps even lost her potential as a swordsman.
"I think I have come this far because you are by my side. I wouldn't have been able to do anything on my own."
"It's the same for me. If you hadn't been there, Brillie... my life would have been quite miserable."
"I want to enjoy this moment. Especially since I'm with my husband."
"That's true. Rather than worrying about the future, we should live the present to its fullest."
With that, Alter looked over the monument.
The names of those who had achieved lofty accomplishments were engraved clearly.
A few of his ancestors must have been commemorated here as well.
"It says 'Northern Grand Duke' here."
"Yes. My ancestors certainly did achieve great things."
"The founding Northern Grand Duke, as a founding hero, hunted down a great many monsters in the northern territory... It says the family has protected the northern territory for generations. It must not have been easy from the start."
"It is always difficult until one settles down."
"Hmm... It's written here that the Third Emperor sealed Tiksa the Frostbane together with the Fourth Northern Grand Duke. Why did they seal it rather than destroy it?"
"There must have been a reason, but even my father said he did not know about that part."
After awakening the power of the dragon, Alter had long entertained suspicions.
Tiksa the Frostbane—his ancestor had deliberately left behind unique power for his descendants.
If he truly loved his companion, did he have to be in conflict with humanity?
"Compared to you, my family doesn't seem like much. Except for the founding hero, nothing else is recorded."
"But now, you are the one making history, Brillie. Eventually, your name will be engraved on the monument as well."
"For defending the northern territory and slaying a dragon, for example?"
"Could any one person achieve such feats in succession? It is more than worthy of relentless commemoration."
"Then your name will be written alongside mine?"
"I suppose so."
Alter was not particularly conscious of the monument.
He had never intended to become a hero; it was merely the responsibility given to the powerful.
Rather, he thought it might be better to retreat from battle and continue a quiet life.
"I feel like I've accomplished something, but I'm not all that happy."
"That's because it wasn't our original goal. We didn't fight for honor."
"Someone had to do it. It just happened to be us."
"Do you regret having to fight as a hero?"
"I don't really know. What about you, Alter?"
"I do have some regrets, but I don't think it was bad. After all, I married you, Brillie."
"Then I shouldn't regret it either. I married you, didn't I?"
Alter drew a brief smile and held Brillie's hand.
Brillie glanced at Alter with pure tranquility.
Then she walked slowly, wandering around the monument.
'This should be enough. As long as we trust each other, we will not become unhappy...'
* * *
Cadeon summoned Brillie to his office upon her return to the house.
Now that she was married to Alter, one worry had disappeared.
However, since Brillie was an heir to the family, he could not help but interfere.
"Did you enjoy your honeymoon?"
"Yes. There was a little trouble, but it ended up going well enough."
"Hmm... I heard about that. Things couldn't have gone well from the first night."
"It almost didn't, but we managed to do what we had to do."
Brillie lied naturally as she picked up her teacup.
She knew very well what her father wished from her.
However, as the situation was not suitable at present, she had no choice but to defer it for now.
"How many children do you plan to have?"
"Wouldn't two be enough? One son and one daughter sounds good."
"Hmm... Still, at least three would be better, don't you think?"
"Is it about the family head position?"
"You know why. The more children, the more choices. You can entrust the family to someone even better."
"How can we talk about that already? I haven't had even one yet."
"Your marriage was rather late. You should have been married by eighteen at the latest."
"But I received a title in place of that, didn't I? I've accomplished things as well. Isn't this enough for now?"
"What if you get hurt? If you end up unable to have children, that will be a problem too."
"That's excessive worry. Nothing has happened so far."
"Maybe, but how long do you think good fortune will protect you? You cannot be sure your husband will always be unharmed. To lead the family, you must consider all possibilities. If you are careless, you will inevitably suffer loss."
"......"
Brillie could not argue against him.
Her father had long managed House Illenat.
He had pursued only the family's prosperity and wealth, but thanks to that, he had preserved the fame of the duke's house.
Indeed, the foundation of the family was maintained through her father's ambition.
"I'm not trying to diminish you. Many people recognize your ability. But that is only for a moment. The more danger you expose yourself to, the more your future will be shaken!"
"I understand what you're saying. You mean I should prioritize my life, right?"
"That includes your husband as well. Even as the next great mage, can he avoid shedding blood?"
"But it's not like we can retire right away."
"All I can do is hope that no more wars break out. Can I be at peace, sending my daughter and son-in-law to the line of fire time and again?"
Cadeon valued the lives of Brillie and Alter more than honor.
They had already accomplished enough for the family and more.
That is why, rather than fighting excessively, it was time to focus on their safety.
"Isn't it enough now? Any further achievements would be excessive. You have received the title of Sword Flower and even slain a dragon—how much stronger do you need to be?"
"......"
"Think it over. Now you have something to protect. As the head of the duke's house, wouldn't it be better now to live happily with your husband?"
Brillie unconsciously repeated Cadeon's advice to herself.
She could deny nothing, and even her own feelings were in turmoil.
Yet she couldn't ignore the fortune-teller's prophecy or the warning from Goddess Semerune.
'I can't put down my sword yet. Not until everything is over...'
* * *
Alter went to Alraune and informed him about the fortune-teller.
Alraune immediately showed a reaction, asking about the name and appearance.
Then, after contemplating for a while, he spoke at last.
"... He was a mage devoted to astrology. He said he would become the wisest after witnessing a distant future. But before long, he abandoned that dream."
"Did something happen?"
"I don't know what he saw, but it must have shocked him greatly. He stopped eating and shut himself in the society. Before long, he told me never to confront the future recklessly."
"So there was a restriction, then?"
"There must have been. That's probably why he disappeared quietly."
Alraune mumbled slowly and looked at Alter.
The friend who vanished had left a letter for him.
Only now could he be certain that the letter's words had come true.
"Now that you've brought the message, I can finally be at ease."
"He said he had lost his foresight. Is it fine to just leave him be?"
"That was my friend's wish. You have freed him from that curse."
"'Curse'? I don't understand."
"... In my friend's letter it was written thus: 'Proclaim the future to the one who will decide the world's end. Then you will be freed from the shackles of foresight.' In other words, the final destiny lies with you and the Sword Flower."