Chapter 165
Brillie entered the society head's office and was served tea by Alraune.
Setting up the appointment hadn't been difficult, and Alraune was enveloped in a calm atmosphere.
On top of that, the office was being tidied up, making the place feel somewhat unfamiliar.
"... Are you planning to retire now?"
"I am preparing for it. One must have things ready in order to depart promptly, don't you agree?"
Alraune murmured indifferently as he glanced around.
He had frequented this place for many years, sparing no effort to uphold the honor of the great mage.
However, since his time could not last forever, he would have to lay down the responsibilities someday.
"Isn't it a bit early? I don't mean to disparage my husband, but his career as a mage hasn't been long, you know?"
"There's truth in your words. Alter is still young and lacks much experience. But he has both talent and accomplishments, so he shouldn't lack for qualifications."
"But the Knight of True Flame still remains, doesn't he? Wouldn't it be better to wait just a little longer?"
"I am well aware of that. I have no intention of retiring until the Knight of True Flame is vanquished."
Alraune had not forgotten that their greatest foe still existed.
Of course, monsters themselves would not disappear, so battles could break out at any time.
Still, the Knight of True Flame was as great a threat as a dragon and absolutely needed to be eradicated.
"And... will the society members even respect my husband? The other society heads might even openly disregard him."
"I understand your concerns. However, you needn't worry too much. Since they have witnessed Alter's realm, any mage would have no choice but to acknowledge him."
For this reason, Alraune intended to create an environment where Alter's skills could manifest fully.
An great mage oversaw all mages, so he must possess conditions befitting that role.
Alter had defeated four dragons with magic; his power alone could not be overlooked.
"My words may trouble you, but I hope you understand. As his wife, I just can't help but worry."
"Hoho... Not troublesome at all. As a companion, it's only natural."
Feeling somewhat reassured, Brillie sipped her teacup.
If Alter were to succeed to the title of great mage in the current situation, he would face many difficulties.
At the very least, they ought to subdue the Knight of True Flame and then lead the society forward.
"... This is a bit of a tangent, but actually, I came because I wanted to ask you something."
"What are you curious about?"
"You must have seen it too, great mage. That time, I created a flame, didn't I?"
"I remember it clearly. Do you want to ask about that?"
"Yes. I thought I should find out about it now."
Brillie wanted to face the golden flame she had manifested and clearly understand it.
Even Radiance hadn't worked, and yet the golden flame immediately saved her companion.
What kind of power was able to oppose Lailnetia the Devouring?
"Hmm... In the ancient texts, it was recorded as a flame that leads to immortality. There are wilder rumors—it can cure incurable diseases, or even revive the dead."
"No way. It didn't feel like that."
"'Feel'... Could you explain a little more?"
"How should I put this... It wrapped things warmly with the flame, but also—drove away harmful things? That's what it felt like."
Brillie murmured unconsciously, but couldn't be fully certain.
She had merely expressed her personal impression of the golden flame.
It was surely biased, so it might not reflect its actual capabilities.
"Is that so? I don't think you're wrong."
"Really? Is that what it is?"
"The Goddess Semerune called that flame the 'Celestial One.' I, too, judged it to be the 'Flame of a Thousand Days,' and Sword Flower shared a similar opinion."
Alraune stood from his chair and began pacing around the office.
Brillie quietly turned, watching him.
"... The Celestial One is also called the Flame of Eternal Life. What do you think is needed to obtain eternal life?"
"Um... First, you can't die... You shouldn't get sick or injured either, right?"
"Exactly. To realize eternal life, one must overcome death. There are many causes of death, and all living things must inevitably die. In other words, the Celestial One has a power that weakens life's limitations."
As Alraune spoke at length, he recalled what he had witnessed then.
Certainly, the Flame of a Thousand Days completely nullified whatever was afflicting Alter.
That force had been suppressing Alter's life, so it was natural for the celestial flame to react so strongly.
"So it can only be used to protect someone?"
"That's not necessarily the case. For instance, if a monster attacked, a crisis of death would arise. In that situation, wouldn't the Celestial One try to remove the cause?"
"Hmm... That could be."
"If we discuss its features, the Celestial One is surely specialized in defense. But that's only on the premise of protecting life. If necessary, it could deliver an offensive result through defense, couldn't it?"
"Since you have to kill the enemy to survive, right?"
"Yes. That's why the Celestial One saved Alter. Alter is Sword Flower's husband and a precious connection."
"That is true."
"Since Sword Flower wished to protect her husband, the Celestial One answered that feeling. If we infer from here, it's probably similar to the activation condition for Radiance."
Brillie hesitated for a moment before nodding in acceptance.
Indeed, at that time, she had swung her sword with the sole intention of saving Alter.
But could sheer determination really draw out latent abilities so clearly?
"Is it possible to slay the Knight of True Flame with the Celestial One?"
"Hmm... I can't say for certain. The Knight of True Flame contains the mana of a dragon. If he's also stolen the powers of Lailnetia the Devouring, the outcome becomes even harder to predict."
"Even with Radiance and the Celestial One, you can't guarantee victory?"
"In this situation, the Knight of True Flame must be treated as a monstrous opponent. It's impossible for a human to absorb a dragon's power and survive. Yet, he accomplished it, didn't he?"
"......."
"This, at least, you must remember. My old friend once foretold a final fate. Thus, Alter and Sword Flower must contain the answer."
Brillie unintentionally recalled the fortune-teller's prophecy.
She and Alter would face a human who had grasped forbidden power.
Alter would lead the path to the result, and she herself must bring it to an end.
Was this not an order to destroy the Knight of True Flame using Radiance and the Celestial One?
'Will this end only if I kill the knight myself? If not me, then....'
* * *
Alter, after hearing Brillie's plan, agreed to cooperate at least a little.
Since he was from the northern territory and part of the grand duke's house, he had some involvement in their specialties.
Of course, his father would make the final decision, but usually a favorable answer could be expected.
'They formed a marriage alliance for profit, after all...'
Since Brillie was the next head of house, she should be dealt with as Duke Illenat's proxy.
Most likely, the Duke had already given Brillie permission for this matter and was observing the situation from the sidelines.
At the same time, he was verifying her qualification as heir while granting her discretionary power to gain experience.
'There's no loss even if we only sell to nobles. Usually, there's more demand than supply.'
Rare salt and spices could be harvested in the northern territory.
Salt was considered rock salt, but its superb flavor made it highly sought after by nobles.
As for spices, their unique aroma made them an essential ingredient in certain dishes.
'Normally, you can't obtain much...'
Bringing in the northern territory's specialties required braving fights with monsters.
Moreover, since barbarians lurked nearby, ambushes were a constant risk.
If vicious blizzards and cold were added, they could freeze to death in an instant.
'But things have improved. Monsters almost never appear.'
Thus, the grand duke's house could now gather local products much more easily than before.
Previously, monsters caused significant trouble, but now there were hardly any skirmishes.
Even the region's fickle climate had mellowed, enabling quick collection and transport.
'With larger harvests, I need to sell more as well.'
Since rock salt needed to be mined directly like ore, they could bring in as much as circumstances allowed.
But spices had to be found individually, making them much less efficient than rock salt.
That's why rock salt's share grew, making it essential to secure enough noble buyers.
'It's easier to pass bulk to merchants... but profit is lower.'
Merchants aim to buy and sell repeatedly for the price margin.
That's why they always purchase goods below market price.
Selling large quantities to them only meant suffering proportional losses.
'In that case, might as well hand it to the marriage family.'
Of course, he wouldn't hand over the rights to sell the specialties for nothing.
It was practically a debt owed to the Duke of Illenat's house—a way to clarify their relationship as a political marriage.
Both he and Brillie recognized this, so they were pushing it even more firmly.
'If this marriage had started with affection, maybe things would be different...?'
Trapped in lingering regret, Alter shook his head.
This marriage could never evolve into affection.
Yet, as an arranged marriage, it had at least given him and Brillie the opportunity to meet.
Perhaps the fate his mother once mentioned had worked out in a similar form.
'Even if the order is reversed, as long as the result is good...'
He and Brillie had, however faintly, acknowledged each other's feelings.
Though they hadn't started with affection, at least they had reached a conclusion together, belated as it was.
If there were no lies in that feeling, maybe it was fine to just accept it.
'Even now, we can keep building up little by little, right?'
He and Brillie were young, willing to listen to each other's voices.
With time, they could surely become true partners someday.
For now, it was just unfamiliarity—a momentary wander before finding their way.
'Let's not overthink it. We're already married—there's no reason to hesitate.'