Chapter 22: Belmiard (2)
Among the influential families in the western part of the empire, the youngest, Belmiard—the Marquess of the Frontier—was a perfect man.
Ruling the entire southern coastal region of the Belcos Peninsula, he personally managed sixty percent of the trade routes into Ebelstain. The northern part of his territory also housed the continent’s largest magic academy: Drest Academy.
Not only that, he also oversaw the vast granaries that stretched north along the coast. It was often joked that the annual income of the Belmiard Marquisate could fill the ocean with gold coins.
Literally, he was a man swimming in a sea of gold. Yet even he, whose life had always climbed upward, lacked one thing: the blessing of his children.
His eldest son, Linus, fell into gambling and debauchery, wasting his days in vanity, while the youngest, Leonard, suddenly decided to devote himself to divine will and left on a pilgrimage, rarely appearing except on holidays and major family events. It was enough to drive anyone mad.
At least the second son, Ellen, was level-headed and dutiful, becoming the sole treasure of Marquess Belmiard, who was constantly troubled by his children.
*
“It’s time to practice your magic duel, Lady Ellen.”
“…Isn’t it a bit late?”