Chapter 161
Brillie, having returned to the capital, once again came face-to-face with her everyday life.
From the very start, she had proactively managed the knight order of her house, and even ended up taking on responsibility for the private soldiers as well.
On top of that, while adapting to her role as the head of house, she also needed to scrupulously raise her public profile.
'There really is so much I have to take responsibility for. I suppose that's only natural since I'm the head of the house.'
For some time, Brillie looked over her pile of paperwork, then finally closed it, albeit belatedly.
A single review was never enough; a momentary mistake could lead to great losses.
Because of that, her father had likely stayed in his office, obsessively checking document after document.
'I have to manage the troops as well as the merchant company... Why is the land so spread out everywhere?'
Brillie, worn out with fatigue, let her arms fall carelessly at her sides.
There weren't just a few things that required managing, so she also had to closely observe the heads of each field.
And recently, having purchased a mine and begun excavating gold ore, the number of matters needing handling had only increased.
'And on top of that, I have to maintain my network....'
Because Brillie had a grasp of the overall situation, her impatience only grew.
If even a single thing got tangled, it would affect everything else.
In the first place, the network had been forged thanks to the fame of the House of Duke Illenat, so all the work was intricately interconnected.
'I guess I'll just have to tackle things one by one.'
Steadying herself, Brillie looked down at the pile of paperwork.
As difficult as the duties of the head of house might be, they were still preferable to risking her life in battle.
She had already overcome several crises; there was no way she would let herself be defeated by a few sheets of paper and some people.
'What should I look into first?'
After tidying up her study a bit, Brillie stepped out into the corridor.
While she had learned many things from her father, she hadn't been able to master everything perfectly.
Perhaps, rather than that, she needed to directly gain hands-on experience, beginning with the basics.
'The estate and the merchant company have to come first, right? I have to keep managing my network, of course... I might even have to visit the mine myself.'
Just as she was about to enter her own room, Brillie glanced to the side.
Alter, as the next great mage, often came to and from the society.
Most likely, he was in the house by now, reading or reviewing society work.
'Maybe I'll just check if he's inside?'
Brillie gently knocked on the door, then opened it.
Alter was reading a book, but immediately set it down and turned his head.
Calmly, he inserted a bookmark and got up from his seat.
"Are you finished with your work for today?"
"Yes. I dropped by on my way back."
"Would you like to have some tea, then?"
"I'll let the maid know myself."
Brillie left, then soon returned to Alter's room.
Sitting at the table, she faced Alter.
For a while, Alter couldn't break the silence, then finally spoke up.
"... Is it not difficult for you?"
"There's a lot I need to know, and everything is a bit tangled. But it's not so much that I can't manage."
"You're handling all the affairs of the duke's house— it can't be easy."
"You can't just receive a title, can you? Without responsibility, there can be no achievements."
"Yes. That's how it ought to be."
Alter, too, had deeply realized this truth as of late.
The title of great mage carried a long history and honor, so he was obliged to fulfill duties befitting it.
At the same time, he had to interact with other societies and support the imperial household, meaning he found himself right in the midst of complex relationships.
"That's why I plan to check things thoroughly, starting now. After all, you can't learn everything just by reading paperwork, can you?"
"You're not wrong... but how do you intend to go about it?"
"First, I'll look into the estate and the merchant company. I figure it'll only take a day or two."
"You mean you're going to check everything personally?"
"Yes. Most things are in the capital, so I can wrap it up quickly. While I'm at it, it won't hurt to look over the land deeds and ledgers."
"You're trying to check the house's foundation as the next head, then?"
"It's something that has to be done eventually, doesn't it? May as well get used to it ahead of time."
"It's a good idea. You can show your authority as the next head of house, too."
There was a brief knock, and a maid set down a teapot and teacups.
Serving tea into each cup, the maid quietly disappeared.
Alter took a faint whiff of the tea's aroma, then lifted his cup.
"Mmm... Yes. I also plan to visit the mine in the western lands myself. I need to find out how things are progressing."
"That's quite a distance. Will you be alright making the trip?"
"I can't just stay in the house all the time, can I? Merely hearing reports won't give me a proper understanding."
"Then, may I accompany you? I wouldn't feel at ease letting you go alone."
"Is that alright? Don't you need to take over the work at the society?"
"I haven't been formally bestowed the title of great mage yet. For now, I'm focusing on honing my magic, and the society head told me to take a bit of a break as well."
"... Is that because of the prophecy?"
"I believe so. No one knows when a battle may occur, so I'm to conserve my strength."
While Alter had overcome a crisis with Brillie, he remained wary of the Knight of True Flame.
He was not an opponent to be underestimated, and even his goal of stealing the power of the dragon was unclear.
That made him all the more vigilant, with no choice but to always remain prepared.
"If we resolve just this, will things finally settle down?"
"Usually that's how it goes, but... we can't decide the future for certain. In principle, the future is unknowable, isn't it?"
"That's true. Being able to foresee the future is practically impossible. I only happened to meet that fortune-teller by chance."
"That's why I want to focus on the present, right now. If we end up regretting it only after we reach that future, it's too late."
"......"
Brillie found herself seized by silence, turning his words over in her mind.
They were profoundly right—so true that they resonated with her.
She wondered if she, too, should face reality as Alter did.
"These days, I often wonder... When will I be able to lay down my sword? Things like that."
"But you're still in your prime. Wouldn't it be good to continue serving as a swordsman a little longer?"
"I've already gained great honor as a knight. As a swordsman, I've reached quite a realm... Surely this is enough?"
"... Do you have something else in mind?"
"I'm not so sure right now. But I ought not to ruin our marriage. I believe I should do my part as your wife, Alter."
After a brief hesitation, Alter met Brillie's gaze.
Brillie, her eyes warm and gentle, looked truly serene.
Perhaps, in marrying him, Brillie was contemplating another kind of fruition.
"Then, I must accept your sincerity as well, Brillie."
"But it will be difficult for now. I have to carry out my duties as the next head... and there are still things left to resolve."
"Yes. We must not lose focus until all is finished."
Alter nurtured a faint faith in himself.
Having achieved time stop, he had come close to breaking the law of nature itself.
Reaching such a realm, perhaps he could now truly stand against the Knight of True Flame.
'It's not really a disadvantage. It's just... that it's hard to predict what the Knight of True Flame will do.'
* * *
Alraune secretly investigated the books within the society, cataloguing them one by one.
He wanted, if possible, to confiscate the ancient texts of other societies and the Semerune Holy Order as well—but that would be considered overstepping his bounds.
Of course, most of the documents had long been under the care of previous great mages, so any related evidence could be thoroughly erased.
"... Alter, do you know about these books?"
"I don't know all of them, but I have read a few."
"Why do you think I gathered all these into one place?"
"I've been thinking about it, but I honestly can't guess. Could you tell me the answer?"
"......"
Alraune couldn't reply and just wandered restlessly about.
These books were items belonging to the society, and steeped in the great mage's history.
In short, the act he was about to commit could be seen as an insult to the previous great mages.
"After witnessing the descent of the Goddess Semerune, I began to contemplate the future. Recognizing what was wrong, I couldn't go through with it. However... to prevent chaos, I must give up my honor."
"What do you mean? Why must you abandon your honor, master?"
"No one can ever learn about the Lihines Knight Order. To question Radiance itself was my mistake."
Finally stopping, Alraune stared at Alter.
Sensing Alraune's inner thoughts at last, Alter's eyes betrayed a grimace.
"... Do you suspect the first holy apostle?"
"I foresee the current crisis, but Lord Berhan is different. He holds onto religious faith alone. What do you think happens if that faith is shaken?"
Alraune was entertaining the worst possible scenario.
If Brillie's bloodline was revealed and the current Emperor found out about it—
Just the fact that she was related to the ruined knight order would make the Emperor suspicious.
"Alter, what I am about to do is not for your sake. Of course, I respect Sword Flower, but I cannot allow personal feelings to interfere. This must solely be seen as an act to prevent mass sacrifice."
"Surely... you're not going to burn all these books?"
"Nothing will remain. Most are ancient texts, so if they're lost I can devise a plausible excuse."
For a moment, Alraune seemed to hesitate, then raised his right hand.
Unleashing mana, he invoked flames.
The fire split into three streams, setting the volumes ablaze.
"Is this really right? These are documents protected by past great mages!"
"A mage should practice magic with righteousness and benefit the world. If magic incites chaos and slaughter, that betrays a mage's calling. That is why I've made my choice."
Watching the raging flames climb higher, Alraune recited dispassionately.
He would forsake his dignity as a great mage, but would not leave even the risk of future turmoil.
Yet, not wishing to hide his resolution, he allowed his successor to witness the sight.
"Whether this is a mistake or not will be proven in the future. I hope you will confirm it in my stead."
Listening intently, Alter gazed at the burning books.
No smoke rose, and not even ashes remained.
Most likely, he had precisely controlled the flame attribute to achieve complete incineration.
'To erase even the faintest trace...'
Internally startled, Alter nevertheless accepted his will.
This was as close as one could get to a prerequisite for ending conflict.
At the same time, it was a measure to protect his wife and the House of Duke Illenat.
If he had been in Alraune's place, could he have acted the same way?
'So this is what it means to be a great mage. To discard even one's pride, if that's what the greater good demands?'