The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Wants to Break Off the Engagement

Side Story 11

Vanderas significantly reduced the number of escort knights and visited the society again.

Normally, he would have to go to the house owned by Uriel's family.

However, for a fallen noble, even a house was a luxury, and often they didn't even have a stable place to stay.

"... Does that mean you have no family?"

"Yes. My parents passed away early, and I've never heard anything about other relatives."

"Did you inherit no wealth?"

"There was a little. That helped me survive for a while."

"Hm... It must have been difficult. How did you live until now?"

"When I was little, I received help from the family's head butler. After I grew up some, I became a maid for a marquis' family... I saved up money fervently, and then found out I had a talent for magic, so I started learning little by little."

"I heard learning magic costs quite a lot... Were you able to handle it with your financial situation?"

"That's why I self-studied. It took a little longer, but I was able to save money that way."

"Self-study... That's no easy feat. But as the great mage's disciple, maybe you picked things up quickly."

"As you said... I understood the principles of magic quickly. It felt somewhat familiar to me. Once I became used to magic, I tried to learn more about the society, and that's when I happened to meet my master."

"You mean the current great mage."

Vanderas was very interested in Uriel's past.

He had only heard rumors about fallen nobles and had never actually met one.

Now, perhaps, he could finally face and understand the circumstances and truths about such fallen nobles.

"Yes. My master observed my magic closely and asked about my study methods. When I said I was self-taught, my master checked a few things with me."

"After that process, you became a disciple?"

"Yes. I still receive a lot of help, and my expenses have decreased a little. My magical realm may have improved a bit since then."

"Hm... Even if your expenses have gone down, didn't you quit your maid job? That would mean you're not earning money."

"My master, knowing my situation, gave me miscellaneous work in the society. Thanks to that, I receive a salary and can live."

"As expected of the great mage, he is generous. Didn't he help you focus on magic?"

"That's why I'm always grateful. He's given me so many opportunities."

After becoming the great mage's disciple, Uriel was able to lead a somewhat peaceful life.

She didn't receive much money, but at least she could eat three meals a day and sleep well.

Of course, she couldn't expect the great mage's title, but she now had a new goal, and accepted even this as fate.

"This may be a sensitive topic, but I can't not ask. If you can't become a great mage, what will you do?"

"I'll look for another path. For example, I could join another society... or get introduced somewhere that needs a mage."

"Couldn't you become a mage for the imperial household?"

"I think it would be very difficult with my skill."

"No. As the great mage's disciple, your qualifications are more than sufficient. Trying wouldn't be a bad idea... Ah..."

As Vanderas mulled things over, he unconsciously realized a widespread discrimination.

The imperial household does not appoint commoners or fallen nobles as their mages.

At most, knights or soldiers might be commoners because they require a lot of manpower.

Only royalty and nobles occupy the main posts in the imperial household.

"I said something unnecessary. You must already have known?"

"Hm? Well... Even if I didn't, it's hard not to realize. I'm a mage, after all."

Uriel recognized the current reality but chose not to be bound by it.

On her own, she could not overcome the Agnes Empire's class system and its corrupt customs.

Since the Agnes Empire was founded by the first Emperor and his meritorious retainers, naturally, benefits were awarded to royals and nobles.

Of course, commoners must have contributed in their own way, but their role was dismissed as an inevitable sacrifice.

"Now that the topic has come up, let me check your intentions. If I recommend you as an imperial mage, would you accept?"

Vanderas first wanted to change the environment Uriel was in.

If her bloodline and origin were lacking, then she should present her own achievements instead.

Moreover, as the great mage's disciple, the imperial household would also acknowledge her qualifications and might reconsider appointing her as an imperial mage.

"... That would be difficult."

"Why would you refuse my offer?"

"I wouldn't be able to adapt. As a fallen noble, I would be looked down upon. And if I were recommended by the Crown Prince, wouldn't people find it unfair?"

"That's a strange thing to say. They were employed because of their origins and connections, but is there any reason you can't do the same?"

"Because only they are allowed such privileges, and they cannot tolerate anyone else. For them, distinguishing by origin and connections is natural, but for me to be recommended by Your Highness, it would appear to be unfair."

"I see. That's one way of looking at it."

Vanderas belatedly understood what that position meant.

The rights enjoyed by the royal family and nobles had already become a fixed custom.

For them, it was a just and reasonable outcome—an unwritten rule that no one could interfere with.

If he were to intervene, it would instinctively trigger resistance.

"Of course, even I think those things are unfair. But there's nothing I can do. I'm not a noble, or a royal."

"Have you resigned yourself to the Empire's customs?"

"Yes, because I am just a fallen noble. Even keeping myself alive is not easy alone."

"I cannot accuse you of lacking resolve. Their behavior is the product of the Empire's own history."

Vanderas reluctantly accepted that and watched her with a look of pity.

As the Crown Prince of the Agnes Empire and another royal, he could not easily step in.

Even if he insisted on what was right, they would consider him a royal betraying the code.

Even the Emperor might say he was in the wrong.

'This woman knows her place. That's why she knows when to step forward and when to fall back.'

Vanderas sincerely admired Uriel's answer.

As a fallen noble, she did not harbor greed and clearly saw the position of others.

If so, should he not choose this kind of companion and transform his fate as Emperor?

'She's truly modest and wise. How can I win her heart?'

* * *

Megarexor, after much deliberation, reluctantly faced the front gate of the society.

Since he wasn't affiliated with any institution, he had no place to invite her.

Even though he had a reason to meet her, once he actually arrived, he just found himself hesitating.

'Is this really okay? It looks like I'm barging in first, doesn't it?'

Megarexor was rather embarrassed, but he couldn't bring himself to turn back.

Since she arbitrarily interfered in mission matters, there was now an indirect connection between them.

If the military authorities tried to pressure her, he would not just stand by and watch.

'There are plenty of reasons, but actually going in is...'

Originally, Megarexor had never gone anywhere just to meet a woman.

It was his first time in such a situation, so he was unconsciously being cautious.

Of course, if he revealed he was the next Sword Saint, he could be guided in right away, but that even felt too bold for him.

'Argh! I can be so reckless in battle, why can't I handle something like this?'

Megarexor chastised himself mercilessly and, with difficulty, entered the society.

Still, as she was said to be the great mage's disciple, she must be somewhere inside.

Of course, if she happened to be out, it would all be for nothing.

'Should I ask someone...?'

Megarexor briefly scanned the society's interior, then watched the people passing by.

If someone was affiliated here, they would surely know the great mage's disciple.

In fact, if he simply asked about a woman with white hair, people would understand right away.

"No weapons are allowed inside the society. Would you please leave them in the storage?"

A man in a robe approached Megarexor and spoke in a cold tone.

Megarexor stared at the man for a moment, then reflexively retorted.

"By that logic, should mages be forbidden here? If magic is the same as a weapon?"

"Mana and weapons aren't the same. And since this is a place where mages operate, everyone is always exposed to mana."

The man was clearly frustrated, but calmly explained.

He didn't know why a swordsman had come to the society, but rules must be followed.

Unless it was the Crown Prince accompanied by royal guards, no exception could be made.

"If I don't have a sword, do you think I can't fight? Why don't you cut off my hands too?"

"If you do not comply with society's rules, we'll have to expel you by force."

"If you're confident, try it. Come at me with your magic, I dare you."

Megarexor glared at the man and openly confronted him.

The man, harboring hostility, gathered mana inside his body.

It looked like the two of them could clash at any moment, but with people milling about, neither could make the first move.

"Must you go that far?"

"Why are you picking this fight anyway? You could have just ignored me."

"I told you, it's society rules!"

"So you think you can suspect people just because of these rules?"

"What are you doing?"

Uriel spotted the two of them and quickly intervened.

Knowing both of their skills, she had to mediate no matter what.

If the vice head disciple of the great mage and the next Sword Saint fought, one of them could die in an instant.

"Senior, that's enough! And you, that goes for you too!"

"Hoo..."

"Tsk..."

As Uriel intervened, the two men reluctantly stepped back.

It was just a matter of pride, and there was nothing to gain from winning.

Rather, it would be better to de-escalate and hope never to cross paths again.

"What's the problem here?"

"He told me to leave my weapon. But he refused my request."

"Haa... Senior. This person is the next Sword Saint. Given the status of that title, shouldn't weapons be allowed?"

"...."

Alraune swallowed his words and glanced at Megarexor.

Megarexor, inwardly pleased with the reaction, was promptly interrupted by Uriel's voice.

"And what's your reason for being like this? You could comply with the rule, couldn't you?"

"I could, but you shouldn't speak as if you can't."

"What's wrong about it? The great mage's fame is at stake in this society. Are you trying to insult the great mage?"

"No... That's not what I meant..."

Megarexor couldn't rebuff her and shut his mouth.

Though he was the next Sword Saint, his status could not match the great mage.

If this turned into a controversy here, only he would be disadvantaged.

"You two aren't going to make up, are you?"

"..."

"..."

"If you don't like that, let's just pretend this never happened and go our separate ways. Understood?"

Uriel settled the situation at once, and the two slowly turned away.

However, Megarexor, having come to see Uriel, couldn't leave right away.

"I... I came here to see you..."

"Then couldn't you have come quietly? Did you have to cause a scene?"

"That's not what I meant..."

"If you pull this again, next time I won't even acknowledge you. Follow me."

With a curt reply, Uriel walked off ahead.

Megarexor followed, unable to help but let out a wry chuckle.

'Well, she has quite an upfront personality. Still, that's better than being fake.'