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Volume 2 Chapter 1 Part 6

「Mainly because the battle of Selvis is going to make for a good topic of conversation, since Lord Milza likes these kinds of talks. 」

Margret explained the reason behind Vilar’s decision.

「If that is the case then I will be sure to tell Lord Theo about this. 」

Siluca was convinced by Margaret’s answer and decided to pass the message on th Theo the next time she was going to see him. The way she saw it, it should not be a bad thing for Theo to get himself acquainted with the person who will become the king of Dartania in the future.

* * *

A number of tables has been brought onto the great hall of the castle, and a number of gorgeous dishes were lined up on a pure white clothes. They were all a part of the supper prepared for Prince Milza Kuches of the small continent of Dartania.

The prince was dressed in all black and had a black cloth wrapped around his head. It is said that the armor he wears and the horse he wears are all black as well. His hair, eyes, and long beard are all black. His skin was also dark, so much so that when he was sitting on a chair he looked more like a shadow rather than an actual human being. However, despite all of that, his sharp eyes were still giving off a sense of an overwhelming presence, and Siluca body could not help it but to tremble when they made eye contact with one another when he was greeting her. He doesn’t look like that from his appearance, but he’s just over 20 years old.

A toast had already been made, and now it was time to have a pleasant chat while eating.

Sitting next to Vilar, the lord of the castle, was Margret, dressed in a fiery crimson dress, but this time she had a gentle smile on her face, which was something genuinely hard to believe for anyone who did not know her well enough. Since Vilar himself was still unmarried, she was filling in the role of his companion. On the other hand though, Milza said that he has 4 wives waiting for him back in Dartania.

Vilar’s three other Mages, and Siluca were now wearing dresses prepared specifically for this occasion instead of their regular vestments. Theo, who was also present at the party at Vilar’s personal nomination, was also dressed in formal attire. The band that was hired by Vilar was playing music quietly in the background. Overall, the entire banquet was elegant and efficient, much in the style preferred by all of the members of the Fantasia Union.

「… I heard that you managed to defeat the heavy knights of Waldrind in combat, Lord Vilar. 」

As the meal progressed, Milza immediately brought up the topic of the battle that happened the other day. His tone was polite, but there was a strong sense of pride in his voice.

「It’s not like we managed to truly defeat them. We attacked them from behind while they were attacking the castle, but we weren’t able to break down their main force. If we faced them in open battle, we would have been defeated in no time at all. 」

Soon after Vilar’s forces launched their attack against the camp where Marine was, the large portion of Waldrind’s army rushed back to aid her, so he ordered his forces to retreat back to the nearby forest in a hurry. They were also lucky that theWaldrind’s army retreated soon after, fearing a possible pincer attack from the castle’s soldiers.

「During that battle, I heard that you had an opportunity to kill Marine Kraische, the leader of the Factory Alliance? Is that true?」
Siluca did not know if that was true or not because she only saw the fight from afar, but she heard the story later from those who did see it.

「I am afraid that this is nothing more but a rumor. We did cross swords wit one another, but she is a pretty good swordswoman… but more than that, she is my cousin, so I did not wish to hurt her. 」

「That was a naïve way of thinking. If Marine Kraische had been killed then and there, the entire Factory Alliance would have collapsed, and you would have been that much closer to obtaining the Grancrest for yourself, Lord Vilar. 」

「If only it was as easy as you say… 」

Villar sighed.

「In the first place, I didn’t want a war with the Factory Alliance, and Marine was the one who planned her Marriage with Alexis Ducet out of political convenience.

planned her political marriage.「

「Hah! The unification of the Fantasia Union and the Factory Alliance through marriage! What a nonsense! 」

Milza spat out those words in disgust.

「I don’t know who was the one who plotted the assassination of the two Archdukes, but what I do know is that now that they are gone, pretty much anyone can become the Emperor. 」

「Yes, even you could acquire that title, Lord Milza. 」

Villar said in a suggestive manner.

「If there was an opportunity for doing so, then of course I will go for it. But to become Emperor, you need to win over the times as well. Dartania is a small continent, so it’s easy to defend, but unsuitable for attacking others. On the other hand, if you have chosen to become Emperor, I would have gladly obeyed you, Lord Vilar. 」

Milza said so and stared at Villar.

「I value aesthetics more than ambition. If I could become Emperor as the result of living the most beautiful life, I would have accepted that role.

Vilar answered quietly.

「I am relieved to hear that. If you had answered that you have no ambition of becoming the Emperor at all, then I was prepared to take your Crest back with me to Dartania. 」

Milza said with a completely straight face.

Siluca was surprised and stared at the Prince of Dartania. The words that he had spoken just now were equivalent to a declaration that he was willing to kill Vilar and claim his Crest for himself. She did not think that he fully meant what he said just now, but the fact that he had enough guts to say something like that out loud in the first place was a major problem in and out of itself.

The smile disappeared from Margaret’s face, however, Villar himself remained completely calm.

「If I were to cross swords with you right now, Lord Milza, then I do not think I would have any real chances of winning. Even five years ago, it would have probably been a struggle for me. I hear that since then, you have traveled all over the continent and fought against various opponents, and that as a result of your travels your Crest and your peerage have increased from those of the rank of Baron to the rank of a Viscount. And moreover, since you do not have any subordinate Lords, then you are free to use all of the power of your Crest yourself. 」

「From Baron to Viscount in five years? That is amazing! 」

Theo said with admiration.

「Who is he? 」

Milza asked Villar without looking at Theo at all.

「He is Theo Cornero, a Knight who has become my subordinate Lord and is now serving as one of my royal guards. He was the one who fought against the large army of Waldrind and fought a splendid battle despite being at a disadvantageous position. Originally, he is the one who should have become the next King of Selvis. In return for sending reinforcements, I said that I wanted to welcome Siluca, the Mage sitting next to him, as my next contracted Mage, but as soon as I said that he said that he would like to swear loyalty to me, throwing away his title and territories for her. Siluca is my close aide now, but in terms of position, she is his contracted Mage. 」

「Are you Theo Cornero? I’ve heard many rumors about you… 」

Saying that, Milza sharply glared at Theo.

She wouldn’t go so far as to call it rude, but Siluca’s mouth twitched slightly at that attitude, which had no trace of respect towards the person he was speaking to at all.

However, Theo calmly accepted Milza’s gaze.

「Have you no ambition at all? 」

「I do have ambition, or rather, a dream. 」

Asked by Milza, Theo answered with a smile.
「I have a hometown that is suffering from demonic presence and the tyranny of the current Lord, and my wish is to save it one day. 」

「Are you talking about Sistina? 」

Milza seemed to know what Theo was talking about right away.