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

Side Story 19

Uriel was only able to finally pass through the Second Outer Castle after the war had ended. She had simply chosen to stay behind alone, even as the capital's imperial army, the holy knight order, and the magic society were returning. Because of that, her lodgings changed, and some soldiers directly guarded her.

'There aren't many mages here... Maybe I can negotiate by offering to help train them?'

However, Uriel wasn't confident about that part. While the northern territory was certainly a region that mages avoided, that didn't mean books related to magic weren't provided. Perhaps the residents of the northern territory simply lacked innate talent for magic in general.

'Usually, at least one or two people would become mages through self-study. Unless they left for the capital to learn more...'

Uriel was clearly aware of the differences in talent. Even for herself, she'd had such outstanding ability that she'd been chosen as the great mage's disciple at a young age. If everyone worked hard under the same conditions, there were bound to be varying results depending on other factors.

'I'll probably have to stay here for a while. I refused the Crown Prince's marriage proposal, after all.'

Uriel didn't have the confidence to face Vanderas in the capital. She had provided reasonable grounds, and he must have been well aware that it was still too soon, timing-wise. However, since they'd ended up in uncomfortable positions with each other, she had no choice but to do her best to avoid him.

'The Crown Prince is a worthy match... but for me, the imperial household is just too much.'

She'd already faced considerable discrimination and scorn as a fallen noble. For now, she'd managed to protect at least her honor by becoming the great mage's disciple. Even so, the imperial household probably wouldn't consider such a status important.

'I'd only end up suffering and be abandoned in the end.'

Uriel respected Vanderas' character, but she harbored doubts about his position as the next emperor. The officials would be quick to discuss Vanderas' marriage, and soon the current emperor would also get involved. On top of that, the nobles would take notice, inevitably causing some form of pressure.

'And the Crown Prince... never really touched my heart.'

For Uriel, Vanderas was someone she could never approach. She was trapped in her own narrow thinking, while Vanderas pursued bold and solemn ideals. Even if she claimed to see the future, she could not embrace convictions like those of Vanderas.

'There's bound to be someone who's a better match than I am.'

Uriel entered her room and set down her belongings. Then she put firewood in the hearth and quickly added the fire starter. She'd already grown used to living in the northern territory, as she lighted the fire without a second thought.

'I wonder when would be a good time to return to the capital.'

* * *

Zair focused on reorganizing the forces even as he oversaw repairs of the First Outer Castle. While they had managed to hold off the enemy offensive, they could not cover up all the resulting damage. For now, his primary duty was to prepare for future battles and fulfill his role faithfully.

'At least things ended at this level.'

Zair felt a silent sense of relief at the outcome. Normally, there would have been numerous casualties and even the Second Outer Castle would have been threatened. But because they'd retreated to the trenches and counterattacked, the losses were greatly reduced.

'If not for the great mage's disciple, we would have had a really hard time.'

Zair turned his head toward the Second Outer Castle without realizing it. By now, the great mage's disciple was likely being treated as a VIP. Since the northern territory lacked a proper magical system, they might even ask for cooperation in training mages.

'I don't know what she's thinking... but that's why she's the great mage's disciple.'

Her decisions had always been right, and even fighting monsters alone was just part of her plan. Of course, she hadn't eliminated that monster, but in the end, she still brought victory to their side. That only deepened his trust in her.

'There must be a reason she decided to stay here, too...'

"Commander, is something bothering you?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"You sent the great mage's disciple to the Second Outer Castle, didn't you? Maybe you should have gone with her..."

"I can't just abandon my post. The Second Outer Castle has its own garrison."

"Still, wouldn't it be unfamiliar for her? You've had dealings with her as a commander, so it might be better if you went along."

"..."

Zair fell silent and looked up at the First Outer Castle. Roden, sensing the subtle atmosphere, continued speaking.

"Almost everything important is resolved. Fixing the castle wall will just take some time. Why not leave that to me?"

"Are you telling me to go off on a personal errand?"

"I wouldn't call it personal. She's the great mage's disciple, after all. If you need a justification, it would be right for a grand duke's house's offspring to take care of her."

"... As commander, I can't just leave my post. I must focus on repairing and defending the castle right now."

"With the achievement from this war, she should be treated with the utmost respect. You have a reason now, and you shouldn't neglect her."

"..."

Only then did Zair, lost in thought, look at Roden. Roden glanced at the Second Outer Castle from the corner of his eye but didn't push further. With all these reasons stacked up, Zair found it difficult to refuse.

"Does it really have to be me?"

"Just hear me out. The great mage's disciple is new to the northern territory. She knows no one and didn't return to the capital alone. She's even gathered merit here—shouldn't someone help her?"

"So, because I at least know her, I should go?"

"And you're an offspring of the grand duke's house. Seems perfect, doesn't it?"

"..."

Zair showed a subtly conflicted expression as he was half-persuaded. Honestly, he didn't want to just leave the great mage's disciple alone like this. He felt he should personally visit her to help her settle in smoothly.

"... Fine, I'll go for now, but report to me right away if anything happens."

"Yes. I'll handle things here."

With some suspicion, Zair reluctantly changed course. Roden watched Zair's back for a while and finally felt satisfied with the result.

"He really is bad at expressing his emotions. It's natural for a man to be attracted to a woman. The woman might be a bit challenging, but... she's worth it, isn't she?"

* * *

Uriel adapted to life in the northern territory by teaching a few people magic. Of course, there were no significant results, but even that was merely considered part of her duty. Meanwhile, she regularly investigated the Frost Witch, and sometimes collected materials about dragons.

'Just as I expected. The northern territory seems inherently removed from magic.'

Uriel checked the list and unconsciously drew her conclusion. She'd devoted considerable effort to repeatedly teaching magic. Yet all they could do was sense and emit mana; they couldn't actually convert it into magic. Essentially, natives of the northern territory were ill-matched for magic in terms of natural ability.

'No matter how well they handle mana, they end up becoming knights.'

She had no intention of belittling those who became knights. It was just that a different way and direction was latent for knights compared to mages. In fact, learning magic required substantial expenses and resources, so in the northern territory, choosing to be a knight might be better.

'I should just tell the truth. I'll just get exhausted doing this for much longer.'

The current Northern Grand Duke had asked her personally about training mages. But even she couldn't find a solution to those innate limits. She might be criticized for incompetence, but since she was in a position of receiving favor, she would have to accept that to some extent.

'I know the Frost Witch stole the dragon's power... but how did it come to that?'

Uriel traversed both the inner and outer castles to gather every possible piece of information about the Frost Witch. Fortunately, there were at least partial references, so she could compile them. To sum it up, it seemed that one of her ancestors had their bloodline's origin stolen by the Frost Witch.

'I can't understand Tiksa the Frostbane, either. Was it really necessary to seal herself away?'

There must have been a compelling reason. But it required accepting great dangers, and in the end, her descendants lost the dragon's power. Thus, Uriel herself could only resort to reckless means to take back that power.

'It's just me and my child who end up suffering...'

A gentle knock sounded from the corridor. Soon the door opened and Zair appeared.

"Are you busy? If so, I'll come back later."

"No, you've come at the right time—I needed to talk to you."

Uriel briskly organized her documents and approached the table. Zair sat down across from her, eyes cold and focused.

"I've confirmed the monsters' area of activity has shrunk. You were right, but can you estimate when this will end?"

"It'll last at least half a year at the shortest. If it drags on, it could be more than a few years."

"Is there a reason for that?"

"They failed in their invasion, right? So now they're afraid and shrinking back."

"You're saying monsters can tell the difference like that?"

"They act by instinct, so it's directly connected to emotion. But that'll dull over the years, and they'll attack again."

"Hmm... It's that simple..."

Zair seemed dubious but was completely convinced. Uriel's advice had never been wrong before. So once it was confirmed, he would mobilize the forces to make up for any shortcomings.

"Now I'd like to ask you something. I'll be telling the Northern Grand Duke directly, so I just need to check if you're alright with that."

"Is it something that could be upsetting?"

"It's about training mages. I've tried my best, but I think I need to give up now."

"Is there a particular reason?"

"I don't mean to disparage northern territory people, but most simply lack the ability for magic. They can manipulate mana, but can't forge it into magic."

"... So there's no hope at all?"

"No. I've gathered only those with exceptional potential, but none could change the nature of mana. Normally, even without me, at least a handful would have become mages."

"Since settling in the northern territory, there's never been a mage. You're probably right."

Zair, without doubting her, accepted it with faint resignation. He'd never expected mages to be raised in such a short time anyway. Instead, he was just grateful that Uriel had taken on this work at all.

"I'll report this. That way it'll be easier to persuade others."

"... Understood."

"If that's all, I'll be off now."

Zair rose without hesitation. He did have some interest in Uriel, but he didn't want to risk offending her. As an offspring of the grand duke's house and a commander, it was better to act with composure.

"Oh, one more thing. As of today, I've taken command of the Second Outer Castle's forces. I'll be coming and going between the Second Outer Castle and the inner castle, so if you ever need help, come find me anytime."

Zair explained belatedly, then quickly left the corridor. Uriel mulled over his words and soon smiled.

'He's a bit stiff, but he's deeply considerate. Maybe I can get a little closer to him?'