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Volume 1 Chapter 5 Part 14

Siluca was relieved. At the same time, she finally realized that she was hugging Theo. She walked away like nothing happened, turned his back on Theo, and looked at Marine’s camp.

 

All through the night, the heavy knights formed a circle around the camp and tried to protect Marine, but Artuk’s soldiers, like ferocious beasts, continued to attack their positions, and eventually, Artuk’s army succeeded with their surprise attack.

 

However, Waldrind’s army protecting Marine did not collapse easily. Aubest probably predicted this surprise attack and came up with countermeasures to it. Both knights and soldiers risked their lives to protect Marine.

 

Before long, a message of urgency reached the knights who were attacking the castle, and they hurriedly turned back. Some, including Lasik, suggested that they pursue them, but neither Theo nor Siluca would approve of that. They don’t have that much manpower to spare, and if they pursued Waldrind here, it would be like an open declaration of hostility.

 

As Theo said, Artuk wasn’t necessarily their ally just yet.

 

When Waldrind’s main force returns, Artuk’s army quickly retreated into the forest. In this battle, Marine is said to have taken her own sword and fought. Moreover, her opponent was the Earl of Artuk, Villar Constance himself.

 

If Villar had gone all out, Marine might have been killed. However, it is said that Marine was a cousin to Villar, and he didn’t seem to have any intention of killing her. It is said that Villar only told Marine something, and then he gallantly withdrew

 

More than half of the knights who protected her Marine lost their lives in the resulting battle. It wasn’t a decisive defeat, but the damage to Waldrind’s knights was heavy, and the mental shock was even greater.

It was impossible to continue the battle as it was, and Waldrind’s army formed a line and withdrew to their home country. There was no negotiation. It was tantamount to giving up influence over Selvis. However, they prioritized returning Marine safely to her home country. If Marine died there, they would lose the legitimate direct line of the Iron-Blooded Earl Jürgen Kraische. There are several blood relatives other than her, but ironically, the one who is higher in the inheritance is Vilar, Earl of Artuk.

 

Siluca raised the flag of the Mages Association and had an audience with the Earl of Artuk, who has emerged from the forest.

 

Theo claimed to be a member of the Fantasia Union and has requested to join the Factory Alliance, but has been refused. And then he was saved from the crisis by the Earl of Artuk, who was one of the most influential figures of the Fantasia Union, so now Theo had no choice but to join the Union

 

In this battle, Waldrind’s prestige was greatly diminished. Its neighboring allies were also upset. Unlike the Fantasia Union, Factory Alliance relied heavily on Waldrind’s military power and the power of its leader, the Kraische family, and now their power was brought into question. In the battle over the Grancrest, the Alliance suffered a severe blow.

 

And the fame of Vilar, the Earl of Artuk, grew even more. If Artuk continues this momentum and conquers Waldrind, the battle over the Grancrest may very well end soon.

 

The one who negotiated was Margret, Vilar’s Head Mage. When Siluca offered to greet Villar, she replied that he wanted to go up to the castle and pay a courtesy visit to Lord Theo.

 

With no reason to refuse, Siluca complied and rushed to get ready. When she told them that they were ready, Villar arrived with a small number of people. Theo greeted him, and thanked Artuk for the assistance in battle.

 

「I secretly watched your fight. It was amazing. You have my most sincere respect. 」

 

「Everyone just fought to the death. 」

 

Theo answered honestly.

 

「That is the highest honor for a Lord. You should feel proud. 」

 

Vilar applauded Theo.

 

「Well, I’d like to discuss the future now… 」

 

Vilar changed the subject and Siluca became nervous.

 

They were saved from annihilation, but in a way, it’s like they were defeated by Artuk. I have no choice but to accept Vilar’s terms even if he presents them with the most severe conditions.

 

「First of all, please allow me to apologize for my rudeness towards you! 」

 

Siluca stepped forward in front of the Earl of Artuk and bowed deeply.

 

「I don’t understand why you should apologize to me, since you brilliantly carried out the mission I gave you. You occupied the attention of the King of Selvis long enough for him to turn from the Factory Alliance. I am sure that his allies from other countries must be upset as well. 」

「What do you mean? 」

 

Siluca had a bad feeling.

 

「It means that you mase a contract with me as promised, so there will be no reason for you to be questioned by the Mages Association for violating the agreement. I can also welcome an excellent Mage to replace Margret. It means all is well. 」

 

「T-That is… 」

 

Siluca was violently shaken. However, she cannot refuse the offer. It all started from Siluca’s misunderstanding of Vilar. If she refuses, she will be sued for violating the agreement, and Siluca will be recalled to the Mages Association and placed before the Sages Committee for inquiry, and will be severely punished.

 

「What about the treatment of Selvis then? 」

 

Siluca asked Vilar.

 

「You were the ones who killed the King of Selvis, right? Then without a doubt, Lord Theo should be the next leader of Selvis. I am not even going to ask you to subordinate yourself to me, but since we are both the allies of the Fantasia Union now, then let us fight together. 」

 

Then Vilar asked Theo for a handshake.

 

「Long live Theo Cornero, King of Selvis! 」

Lassic lets out a shout of joy. The expression on his face gave the impression that he was really happy. Soldiers were also shouting joyfully. However, …

 

「I cannot do that. 」

 

Theo didn’t take Villar’s hand. The place that had been filled with joy suddenly froze.

 

「Are there any other conditions that you have? 」

 

Vilar asked Theo without changing his expression.

 

「My conditions are as follows: I want to keep Siluca, and serve you as a Knight, Earl Constance. 」

 

「What do you mean? 」

 

「He’s assuming that you’re not going to hand Siluca over. However, that would be a waste of the Earl’s generosity, and that is why Lord Theo wants to subordinate himself to you. After all, it is common for a master to assign a Mage to his subordinate Lords. 」

 

Margret added an explanation from the side, and Theo slowly nodded in affirmation.

 

「I know it’s an irreverent wish, but please understand. 」

 

Theo knelt before Vilar and bowed respectfully.

「I don’t care about men… 」

 

The Earl frowned. Siluca was speechless, and her thoughts became paralyzed.

 

「I think you should accept that offer. 」

 

Margaret advised Vilar.

 

「He is admired by the people of his territories, and he showed his qualities as a Lord, and it seems that he has a style that is not among the Lords who are subordinate to the Earl. Together with Siluca Meletes, I think he is a necessary person for the upcoming battle. 」

 

「Well, if you say so… 」

 

Vilar nodded.

 

「However, I have one more condition from here. I will not give the territory to Lord Theo, and I will ask him to live in my castle. Of course, the same goes for Siluca Meletes since she made a contract with you. While in the castle, I will treat her as a part of my Magic Division. 」

 

「I understand. 」

 

Theo expressed his gratitude and stood up. Continuing the contract with Siluca was more important to him than anything else.

 

「Um… Lord Theo? 」

 

Siluca was still dumbfounded due to the sudden development, and she still could not process what the hell was going on right now.

 

「You don’t have to say anything. This is what I decided. Just like we said the other day. I return to being a Knight and leave this land, and I also leave all of my titles in the hands of Lassic David. 」

 

 

 

Of course, that was their original intention. However, it was the one for the sake of a ceasefire negotiations with Waldrind.

「Is it really okay for you to lose the Viscount rank for the sake of one contracted Mage? 」

 

Lassic whispered into Theo’s ear.

 

「I don’t mind. I am still immature, so I will try to learn all that I can while working under the Earl. And of course, I have no intention of giving up on my dream. Someday, I will definitely return to my hometown. 」

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

「Okay. I’ll keep the title in my custody then. But my loyalty will remain with you. Call me when you need it, and I will rush to your side even if I would have to throw everything away. 」

 

「Thank you. 」

Theo and Lassic shook hands firmly.

 

「I can’t believe that the Crests entrusted to us by God can be handed over so easily. 」

 

Indignantly, Priscilla approaches Theo and preaches to him about the value of the Crest.

 

「However, I have sworn to God that I will guide you. I will go with you to Artuk, so do continue to support me, please. 」

 

「If you want to do missionary work, then you have to get permission from the Earl. After all, right now I am just a Knight without any territories to speak of. 」

 

Theo gave a wry smile.

 

As Siluca watched them all, she gradually regained her composure. Theo’s proposal came as a surprise, but she couldn’t help but be happy. For Siluca, Theo’s dream was no different from her own dream. And also…

 

(Maybe I am…)

A thought welled up in her, but Siluca hurriedly dismissed it from her mind. That was something a Mage shouldn’t have thought of.

They suppress their passions, think with biased logic, and do what is best for their Lord. That is the Mage’s role, and the correct way to deal with the Lords.

 

Even so, Siluca still thought:

 

(Even though he went to great lengths to become a Viscount…)

 

It was unheard of a Lord to give up his rank for the sake of a single person. In that sense, did he not go back to how things were when they first met, needing to start over again? However, for some reason, Siluca could feel here heart flutter at that thought, but she could not understand why, and it made her feel immensely confused.