The winter borderlands. The ancestors of Phairden had been an independent kingdom—the ninth nation to bear the name Phairden.
However, due to the expansion of uncharted territories and the barrenness of the north, the dynasty could not endure for long. Some three hundred years ago, when the Kingdom of Krevaim declared itself an empire, Phairden was annexed under the pretext of the “Allied Nations.”
Thus, Phairden became the cornerstone of the Empire.
“Those damned fools say the Empire’s negligence made the north weak, or that without the Empire’s support, the north would have perished long ago.”
Zeit explained the history of the north to the young ones. Karlos and Leo listened to his words with sparkling eyes.
“But the north has always protected the capital. While the Empire waged war with the kingdoms, the north fought bloody battles against demon beasts. You must know that. The central bastards don’t know it, but you must not fail to know… And also, when I was young, every demon beast was the size of a house. I especially remember a whale of a bastard called ‘Behemoth.’ That one was truly difficult to catch.”
The history of the north being a continuous chain of wars and struggles, even the two children who hated studying seemed interested.
“…But. Where has your leader gone?”
Zeit, who had repeated “Back in my day” dozens of times, suddenly asked. Leo answered.
“Ganesha?”
“Yes. That twin-tailed tomboy.”
“T-tomboy…? Um, I don’t know what that is, but Ganesha stepped away for a moment!”
Zeit nodded. Then he gauged the atmosphere beside him.
Yulie, Sylvia, Primien—the gazes of those three landed—burning hot.
“…If you have something to ask, ask. Don’t just stand there doing that. Hmm?”
Yulie opened her mouth as if she had been waiting.
“My lord. Why have you come up here so suddenly?”
“Reconnaissance. To see how Recordak, which Deculein took over, is faring. But more than that.”
Zeit pointed at Sylvia.
“Why has the young lady of Elaid come here? Is she a spy?”
“I have business to attend to.”
Sylvia answered composedly. Not intimidated in the slightest.
Feeling strangely awkward, Zeit jutted his chin at the bristle-headed civil servant beside her.
“What about you, the central civil servant?”
“It is a mission. I cannot disclose the details.”
Primien answered only thus. Zeit shook his head with a rather displeased face.
“Jeez. Those central bastards sure have a lot of secrets.”
“Would not Phairden also have many secrets, being what it is?”
“….”
In an instant, Zeit's pupils dilated greatly. The atmosphere of the post station cooled in a flash.
A tremendous pressure arose. The teacup shattered, and convection shifted wildly. An aura that seemed to impale them all.
Primien withstood his hostility and pulled out a sheet of paper.
“Please do not be too angry. I am also from the north.”
An old, worn document. Zeit narrowed his eyes and read its contents.
—「Phairden Sponsorship Certificate」—
◆ Igris von Kreil Phairden
◆ Commoner Yurine
The above commoner has demonstrated outstanding talent and qualities in Phairden’s examination, and is thus sponsored with an academy entrance scholarship…
…Guaranteed by Igris, Guardian of the North, Knight Captain of Snow Trace, and legitimate successor of Phairden.
────
“…So you received Father’s sponsorship.”
“Yes.”
At Primien’s short answer, Zeit, whose lips had been twitching, couldn’t hold back and—grinned.
“Uwahaha! You should have said so earlier. I nearly misunderstood for nothing!”
Thud. Thud. He patted Primien’s shoulder with his large hand.
Primien swayed like a paper doll and spoke.
“If you touch me any further, I may file charges for assault.”
“Hahaha! Look at this one’s sense of humor. Anyway, you truly are a child of the north. Keeping this certificate close for so long, you seem loyal too… Oh. How did you catch Father’s eye? Father truly had an eye for people, and seeing as you’ve climbed to a high position in the capital, as expected….”
Zeit chattered on about this and that.
Yulie sighed and looked out the window. The blizzard was still raging.
“My lord.”
“…Hm?”
Yulie looked at Zeit. And asked seriously.
“Why have you come.”
“….”
Zeit’s expression stiffened. Sylvia and Primien looked at the two of them. They were surreptitiously gauging the situation.
Zeit took a small, deep breath.
“You don’t need to know.”
Zeit had something to say to Deculein separately. Because he had heard a certain “inference” from Usepin.
“…Yes.”
Yulie answered shortly. Zeit smirked.
“You’re sulking.”
“No, I’m not. Do you still think I am a child?”
“What do you mean you’re not. You’re making the exact same face as when you were little.”
Was it seventeen years ago? A face similar to when she had been made to set down her sword for a moment due to an injury.
“…Mind your own business.”
“Fine.”
Zeit stopped minding Yulie. She usually listened when he said such things….
But this time, another child was staring at him fixedly.
It was the one called “Lia.”
“Lad. Do you have something to say too?”
“….”
Gulp—Lia swallowed and spoke with courage.
“Perhaps… could you watch my martial arts once?!”
A child asking so boldly. Watching that figure, Yulie realized the source of the sense of alienation she had felt since earlier.
She resembled her.
That child resembled the woman Deculein had once loved.
“…Martial arts?”
“If it is too much to ask, it is fine…!”
Though she said that, she already assumed the posture of facing a master. Kneeling back on her heels, arms stretched forward to touch the floor—a typical courtesy of the north.
That sight was so cute that Zeit laughed.
“Alright. Good. I’ll take a look. Are you also from the north?”
“No! I am from Dado Sea!”
“Ah, Dado Sea? That’s a rare one. Good. All three of you, once the blizzard ends, I’ll watch.”
“Wow! Thank you!”
Yulie watched Zeit and the children for quite a while. Among them, her gaze especially clung to the child called “Lia” and would not leave.
* * *
A night at the post station.
“….”
Usepin, who had followed Zeit, sat on a branch, watching Yulie sleeping soundly.
Her younger sister visible through the post station window. Even in sleep, her face was not at peace.
“…Poor Yulie.”
Muttering softly, Usepin thought.
“Rumors are circulating in the imperial palace….”
Usepin was buried in many worries these days.
The rumor circulating in the imperial palace now—the attempted poisoning of Sofien. Behind it was the former lord of Phairden… that is, their father.
“Deculein must know that….”
And Deculein knows that fact. No, he must know it. All circumstantial evidence and the situation point to it.
She had investigated like mad all this time, mobilizing every shadow to infer it.
The reason Sofien pressured Deculein before all her subjects was nothing much.
Because the face Sofien had shown until now had been extremely political.
“But my brother-in-law probably, because he loves you… ah.”
Usepin raised her hand and tapped her own mouth. She needed to lower her voice.
Of course, if Yulie inside the post station woke up, she could tell from breathing alone, but it did no harm to be careful.
“…Anyway.”
Usepin closed her eyes for a moment and organized her thoughts.
Professor Deculein still loves Yulie, and he stepped aside for that child. And now, even while receiving Sofien’s pressure, he is protecting that child.
If he falls out of His Majesty’s favor, the ending would surely be death.
“….”
Usepin opened her eyes again and looked up at the sky.
Deculein. A man with the purest heart in his chest. A man exceedingly beautiful despite his appearance.
Perhaps, someone who loves Yulie even more than she herself does.
“But… it must remain a secret until you recover.”
Usepin pressed her palms together in prayer. Wishing while looking at Yulie inside.
Please, recover quickly.
Recover healthily, and soar happily.
* * *
The advance began from the early morning of the day after the blizzard ceased.
Each team assembled military gear, and several prisoners were conscripted as porters. It was the first “culling.”
—We shall open the gates!
With the shout, screeeeech—a thunderous noise of interlocking gears rang out. The great wall of Recordak was opening.
Beyond it, Yulie, Ephrin, Drent, Allen, and other named figures set out on the expedition, each with their own expression.
“….”
I watched them from the mountainside wrapping around the right flank of Recordak. Not everyone needed to carry out missions, and people were needed to guard the main camp too.
Moreover, the mana concentration in the north was quite thick. Surrounded by trees on all sides, its density was tremendous.
In other words, it was the optimal place for mana training.
“…Hoo.”
I made a chair in the middle of the mountain. Sitting on it, I breathed deeply.
It was the training commonly called the “heart method.”
The goal, for now, was the completion of this Memorize.
◆ Memorize Status
: Intermediate Psychokinesis (36%)
┏Intermediate Firepower Control (22%)
┣Intermediate Fluid Manipulation (31%)
┗Metal Strengthening (99%)
To clearly imprint 99% Metal Strengthening into my 「Psychokinesis」. Circulating magic power through my body with my breathing, and completing the circuit of 「Strengthening」 with that magic power.
It was the moment to grasp the efforts of nearly half a year as achievement.
“…Hah.”
The repetition of inhaling and exhaling. Pain as if living flesh were tearing continued, but there was no need to overdo it.
After all…?
Then, black smoke rose from below the ridgeline.
Black smoke standing out amidst the pure white. It was the signal that enemies had appeared.
I looked at my wristwatch. Three hours had already passed.
—Fire arrows!
A shout rang out from not far away. I rode Mokgangcheol and went down the mountainside.
—Shoot!
At Recordak’s wall, prisoners were firing arrows under the guards’ direction.
The targets were “Ice Wolves” beyond the wall. Monstrous beasts clad in cold crystals over their entire bodies.
They must have launched a swift attack as soon as they confirmed the large-scale expedition. Wolf-type demon beasts are exceptionally intelligent.
Swhaaaaack—!
I wielded Mokgangcheol and pierced its neck. The wolf died without a scream.
“Professor!”
A guard on the wall pointed somewhere. I looked there.
On a snowy field not far away, snow-white demon beasts lay crouched, growling.
It was a pack of Ice Wolves.
Fwhiiiiing—!
I levitated Mokgangcheol. And I quietly surveyed the battlefield. The beasts spread out to the distant slope seemed to number well over a hundred.
Grrrr—!
As I was observing, the wolf vanguard opened its jaws and charged.
I thrust Mokgangcheol into its snout. Its head split into two pieces, and blood splattered.
Another one appeared abruptly from the side. The steel cleanly cut its throat.
Even so, the numbers did not decrease. Over a hundred wolves surged from the front alone, and some among them showed intelligent movements, circling to the rear.
Whatever the case, I killed the wolves before me first.
I brought Mokgangcheol down between its eyebrows. Its skull burst, and brain matter spilled. I blocked the splattering filth with Psychokinesis.
Crack—! Slash—! Screech—!
The noise of flesh tearing.
I walked through the snowfield, slaughtering all the rushing demon beasts as if splitting firewood. Those charging from the front were crushed outright; those leaping from the side were ground apart.
At one point while walking thus.
Thud—!
A mole sprang up from the ground. It bit my wrist and gnawed fiercely.
Crunch—!
I tore the waist of the creature writhing in all directions with Mokgangcheol. Its bones and entrails were crushed and splattered in all directions.
“….”
I calmly looked at my wrist. It was merely a scratch. No, even that scratch was healing quickly.
It was the effect of 「Iron Body」.
—Professor! We shall help too!
Guards and prisoners came outside the wall, weapons in hand. As if responding to that reinforcement, hordes of enemies rose like a blizzard on the distant plain.
Nineteen Mokgangcheols seemed a bit insufficient.
I seized the weapons the prisoners and guards were clutching with 「Psychokinesis」.
“Huh?!”
The guards were bewildered, but I hurled the axe first.
The weapon spun through the front like a boomerang, killing dozens of wolves. The mace was used in a similar manner.
Clang— Clang— Screech—!
Not only the nineteen blades of Wood Steel, but dozens of edged weapons drifted through the air, cutting down the wolves…….
……The prisoners and guards there were struck speechless. They stared blankly at Deculein—no, at the scene Deculein was creating all by himself.
He was now shattering the wolf pack. A mace hurtling through the air caved in a wolf’s brow, and a swung axe severed another at the waist.
“Ha…….”
A baptism of weapons, floating around Deculein like satellites in orbit.
The monsters caught in their trajectory were torn apart helplessly. They died before they could even bare their fangs.
At the center of it all, Deculein walked proudly, elegantly, through the swamp of corpses he had slaughtered.
A being beyond standard who was, quite literally, crushing the battlefield. The most refined noble of the North was destroying the field of war like a demon.
“Wh-what are you bastards doing? Cover him.”
“Is there any need to cover him?”
“…….”
Yet it was nothing to be surprised about. We had merely forgotten for a moment.
The demon hunters, Yukline.
The progenitor and ancient tradition of that house had never been false, and Deculein was its most legitimate heir.
“……Still, we can’t just stand around! Charge!”
The guards and prisoners belatedly rushed in.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the same time. The tranquil Imperial Palace.
—Here! A letter!
Sophien received Deculein’s reply. The specially hired adventurer delivered the letter without catching the eunuchs’ eyes.
“……Hm. A reply, is it? I told him not to send one.”
Sophien looked at the envelope with a rather displeased expression.
As if to prove it was from Deculein, it was neat and luxurious. Some mana had even been sealed into it, like an artifact.
“Tsk. Let’s see what grandiose sentences he wrote.”
Sophien pursed her lips, inwardly expectant.
Deculein’s skill in writing and authorship was famous even in the capital. Surely his prose would be as well-crafted as poetry.
Slowly and carefully, she opened the envelope and read the sentence written in the letter.
[Yes. I will endeavor to do as Your Majesty wishes.]
“…….”
Sophien read the contents. It took three seconds.
“…….”
After staring blankly for a moment, she turned the letter over. Perhaps there was a little more on the back.
“…….”
There wasn’t.
She turned it back to the front.
Flip—
Then turned it over again.
Flip—
There was nothing.
“…….”
Sophien tilted her head.
If the Emperor had sent a lengthy letter of more than twenty lines, shouldn’t at least that much sincerity be returned?
Could this stiff-necked man have taken the words “there is no need to reply” literally?
No, of course, there truly was no need for a reply, but still.
“……Ah.”
Then a thought suddenly occurred to her. Was there another sheet?
She picked up the envelope and looked inside.
“…….”
There was nothing.
Nothing at all.
“…….”
Deculein’s letter truly ended with a single line.
Sophien clenched the letter tightly in her hand.
“……Oh, for fuck’s sake.”
She flung it away and lay down on the bed. She had work to do today, but she simply did not feel like doing it.
For some reason, she felt as though she had been insulted, and even affairs of state suddenly became bothersome…….