Chapter 176 : Side Story 1
Side Story 1
Alter only returned to the house as the sun was setting.
It had already been over a year since he inherited the title of great mage, yet he was still swamped with work.
How much longer would it take before he could display the true dignity of a great mage?
'Still, things have gotten a lot better. At first, the paperwork was a nightmare...'
As Alter looked back on the past, he displayed a subtle expression.
While cooperating with the imperial household as a great mage, he also had to monitor the conditions of other societies.
Moreover, managing the mages affiliated with his own society left him inevitably busy in many aspects.
'I can't get recognition from the society heads through magic alone.'
No matter how much one professed a magical society, in reality, seniority and honor were required.
A magic society was founded by its society head and could assert its authority through its members.
Of course, since he ended up running the society as well, he was able to secure at least a slightly easier position.
'Still, being called the Radiant Society means I've at least established myself to some degree.'
Originally, the name of a society followed the surname of the society head.
Thus, the Lebhardin Society naturally became the Radiant Society when the position of society head was inherited.
Of course, since most people referred to it differently, he was rarely treated as the actual society head.
'Since I've slain four dragons, I must look extraordinary to others.'
Alter sometimes questioned whether he was really alive.
He had faced such overwhelming monsters four times and yet claimed victory every time.
It was an accomplishment no one else had achieved, an honor that belonged to him and his wife alone.
'The Knight of True Flame... no one remembers him.'
Alter had personally witnessed his end.
His entire body had been frozen by Alter's breath, and his inward darkness had been erased by his wife's sword strike.
It was impossible for him to have died as a human; he only disappeared as a monster consumed by greed.
'I have some regrets, but I suppose things ended well enough.'
Consumed by a warm emotion, Alter stopped moving slowly.
It had taken quite a while for them to confirm their mutual affection, but at last, they had reached fruition.
Now, he would have to strive to nurture that fruit.
"Ah, you're home now."
"How is Kallen doing?"
"He just fell asleep a little while ago."
The nanny lowered her voice as much as possible and stepped aside.
Alter walked carefully and came face to face with a small bed.
Inside the bed, a delicate baby was sound asleep.
"Was everything alright?"
"Oh, there wasn't anything worth mentioning. He barely cries, eats well, and is healthy."
"I'm sorry to say this to you, but... isn't it unusual for him not to cry so much? Babies are supposed to cry a lot at that age."
"That's why I keep checking on him. But he just blinks his eyes and moves around quietly most of the time. When he's hungry, he just waves both hands."
"From your experience, do you think that's okay?"
"Of course. Most babies cry or throw tantrums when they're unwell. But your son hasn't even tried to leave his bed."
Alter checked his only child, then turned his body slowly.
At birth, the baby had cried quite loudly, so they had called a clergyman and conducted a thorough examination.
But since then, he hadn't cried once and had shown only signs of good health so far.
"It must be thanks to your good care. Please continue looking after him."
"Oh, you don't need to say that. If he stays like this, it won't be hard at all for me."
With some relief, Alter left the room.
Now that he had a child, all that remained was to build a peaceful family.
With his wife consolidating her position as the next head of house, they would continue to enjoy the power of the duke's house.
'If there's still something unresolved...'
Alter suddenly recalled the battle with Lailnetia the Devouring.
He and his wife alone could not have defeated that foe.
If not for her help, they would have barely managed the subjugation.
'The Goddess Semerune knows about my wife's ancestor. They must have been close.'
The Goddess Semerune had tried to keep the Lihines Knight Order and his wife's bloodline a secret at all costs.
It was to fully suppress any chaos that the revelation might bring.
Perhaps, once upon a time, the Goddess Semerune herself had lived as a human.
'Why does she exist as a god? She must have a reason...'
* * *
Ever since being chosen as the next head of house, Brillie had not made a single slip of the tongue.
She diligently executed the tasks assigned by her father, and even amidst prolonged peace, her fame as Sword Flower remained worthy of admiration.
She now reviewed documents on behalf of her father, meaning she could inherit the title of duke at any time.
"It worries me a little. Why doesn't he cry?"
"As a parent, it's convenient, but... yes, it is a bit unusual."
"Could it be because his parents aren't around?"
"We already spent half a day with him, didn't we? He was no different then."
"Hmm..."
Brillie furrowed her brow, unable to shake her concerns.
It was natural to worry if one's child didn't fit the usual pattern.
Given that he was their firstborn, she could be hypersensitive about it.
"Still, just to be sure, should we call a clergyman?"
"I don't think it's necessary, but I certainly wouldn't object. Being cautious doesn't hurt."
"Let's do it properly then and get a diagnosis from the holy apostle."
"They must be busy. Will you be able to arrange a time?"
"I only need to make a little time. It won't take long, right?"
"If not, I can take him. I have business with the Semerune Holy Order anyway, so I can visit the grand cathedral."
"Don't overdo it. You still have to manage society affairs."
"But I can't neglect my own child. If he's confirmed healthy, we can relax a bit."
Brillie flinched for a moment, then gave a gentle smile.
Her husband respected her wishes and even volunteered to take care of things.
That was why her affection for him grew even deeper, all the more so because she could trust him.
"Alright. Whoever can do it should go first."
"It's gotten late. Should we get some sleep?"
"Yes, let's do that."
Brillie headed to bed following Alter.
Before getting into bed, she glanced at Alter unintentionally.
It might have been by chance, but she couldn't ignore the emotions welling up inside her.
"Alter, how long has it been since we had our child?"
"It's almost been two years."
"Then maybe it's time for a second?"
"... Excuse me?"
Alter looked quite flustered, his eyes puzzled.
There was nothing strange about her words, and even after marriage, they had continued their relationship regularly.
But since he hadn't considered having another child, he hesitated awkwardly.
"I kept quiet since we had Kallen, but isn't two years enough?"
"I get what you mean, but... wouldn't having another child disrupt our work?"
"But we can't put it off forever, can we? Don't you think we should have at least two?"
Brillie lit the lamp, then extinguished the ceiling light.
After living as husband and wife for so long, she had become used to such moods.
He was just nervous because his wife was being so assertive this time.
"I hope it's a girl this time. I wouldn't mind if she looked like you."
"Wouldn't it be better if she looked like you, Brillie?"
"Your features would suit a girl as well. We should have a beautiful daughter, don't you think?"
"Uh..."
Brillie slowly undressed and then pounced on Alter.
He was swiftly caught up and instinctively embraced Brillie's body.
For a while, he'd have to do everything he could to fulfill his wife's wish.
'This is something that needs to be done sooner or later... there's no avoiding it.'
* * *
Alter found himself surrounded by a strange sensation, glancing around.
It was a void, devoid of anything, with only a vast expanse of gray.
Perhaps it was a dream, but somehow it felt vividly real.
'Should I say it's similar to residual consciousness?'
Alter thoughtlessly compared, but quickly realized it was different.
Someone had unilaterally intervened and shaped this dream for him.
Maybe magic was involved, but in truth, it was more akin to twisting the law of nature with transcendent mana.
'No human could do this.'
He was sure, having seen the might of dragons firsthand.
Dragons interfered with the fabric of the world, wielding a powerful origin.
If something had used a method separate from Lailnetia the Devouring, it might be possible to some extent.
'There shouldn't be any dragons left in this world...'
"So, you're a descendant of Tiksa?"
An otherworldly voice echoed from the void.
Without finding anything, Alter opened his mouth slowly.
"What's the purpose of this?"
"To resolve things quietly, that's why. I can't just show up myself, can I?"
Alter immediately grasped the meaning.
The appearance of someone as powerful as himself would be perceived as a threat to humans.
So, this contact was likely made covertly to avoid battle as much as possible.
"What is it you want to resolve?"
"It's about your mother. You believe she's dead, don't you?"
"...?"
Alter momentarily stiffened, unable to answer right away.
His mother had died in the northern territory, and many people including his father could verify that fact.
So why would someone he didn't even know bring up his mother?
"Hmm... your mother isn't dead. I'm taking good care of her."
"And I'm supposed to believe you?"
"You have no choice but to believe me. Once you wake from this dream, you'll feel your mother's mana released. Then it'll be easy to find her."
"Are you trying to make a deal with me?"
"A deal? Hmm... you could call it one. Unless you accept my terms, I won't let your mother go."
Alter still couldn't dispel his doubts.
He could at least guess that the other held enormous power.
But if he was being threatened by someone holding his mother captive, their intentions became more and more inscrutable.
"What do you want?"
"It's simple. Just fight me. If you do, you can reclaim your mother."
"Do you want to kill me?"
"Didn't you understand me? All you need to do is fight. I don't care about winning or losing. Just try to satisfy me. Bring your companions if you wish."
"...."
From those words, Alter sensed a strange disconnect.
If the other had this much power, assassinating him wouldn't be difficult.
Moreover, mentioning his companions implied a great deal of confidence.
'What is he hiding? It seems like there's another motive...'