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Volume 3 Chapter 1 Part 2

「Because then it would be a beautiful victory without flaws? Is such a thing even possible? 」

「That is right… 」

Villar hit the desk lightly.

「However, there are works of art that are more beautiful precisely because of their flaws. And thanks to us welcoming Theo and Siluca into our midst, we managed to suppress our own trouble last time with minimal losses. 」

At the end of last year, an incident occurred in which the ancient 「Demon Lord 」sleeping in the depths of the Vampire King’s castle was revived, and Theo and Siluca worked hard to solve that crisis.

「So what are you going to do about that invitation to the Fantasia Union’s Lord’s Conference? 」

「As much as I really do not want to go to it, I have no choice but to go. Because no matter how you would try to look at it, I am definitely going to be right in the center of the spotlight this time. 」

Margaret nodded silently. In the battle of Selvis, Villar managed to defeat Marine and her forces. And when the incident with the Heavy Knights of Waldrind hunting down Werewolves in Artuk got resolved, Waldrind also ended up paying a considerable amount of financial compensation to Artuk for the damage that has been done to the country and the Werewolf tribe. As a natural result of all that, Marine’s prestige as the leader of the Factory Alliance has been greatly shaken.

However, even though this has been a perfect opportunity for the Fantasia Union to strike a blow against the Factory Alliance, none such actions were taken. It was thanks to the fact that Alexis Ducet, the Marquis of Halusia who succeeded his father as the next head of Fantasia Union did not want to initiate an open confrontation with the Factory Alliance.

「Do you think your actions are going to be praised, Lord Vilar? 」

「I guess that remains to be seen. 」

Vilar then turned his gaze towards the portrait of his mother for a moment, and then he turned to Margaret again.

「By the way, when exactly was your birthday? 」

When Villar asked casually, Margaret stiffened her whole body.

「If you are asking about my 25th birthday, then they happened 43 days ago. 」

「Good heavens!]

Villar panicked when he heard that information.

「Now this is really bad. Why did you not tell me about that sooner? 」
「Because you did not ask about it, and I was too busy to care. 」

「First of all, we have to celebrate. And then, I have to pay you extra for all the additional work that you have been doing… 」

Villar muttered while putting his hand on his chin.

「Since we are already on the subject, who do you think should be your successor as the next Head Mage? 」

Margaret was silent for a while, contemplating the question.

「I never thought about my successor, if I am to be honest. 」

And as soon as she said that, she turned on her heel and left the office with long strides without even looking in Vilar’s direction. When Siluca Meletes returned to the Head Mage’s office and she saw the look on Margeret’s face, she immediately understood that something must have happened, so while pretending to be busy she exchanged glances with Laura and the other Mages.

(I will leave it to you.)

Laura Hadley returned an overbearing gaze at her as if she was trying to convey that exact message to her.

(I don’t want to get involved in it at all.)
Helga Pialosa gave her a cold look, and then she hurried back to doing whatever she was doing before Siluca came back.

(It is impossible for me.)

Colleen Messara shook her head in haste, and remained motionless with her head down.

(*Sigh* I guess it cannot be helped then……)

Siluca took a couple of deep breaths and then she entered Vilar’s office.

「Excuse me… 」

After Luca bowed, she stepped in front of the Earl. She cannot directly ask what happened, so she had no choice but to remain silent and simply stand there until the Earl himself tells her about it.

「It would seem that I have forgotten to celebrate Margaret’s birthday, and I made her very sad because of it. 」

Villar said with a wry smile.

(Ahh, so that is what this is about…)

At least now she knew what had happened, but she had no idea what to do with that information. It is a delicate matter though, so she cannot say anything careless.
「I… I am afraid that I do not think that was what Margaret was upset about. 」

Siluca was choosing her words very carefully.

「But if that is not the case, then what could I have done wrong? 」

Villar was also thinking about it seriously.

(He is usually very kind kind, but when it comes to this type of stuff…)

Siluca muttered in her mind.

(… sometimes he seems to be very cold and uncaring.)

Siluca was slowly beginning to understand what Vilar likes and what he wants as a person, but she could not grasp what was going on inside of his head at all.

「Did… did you ask Margaret about who should be her successor as the next Head Mage, by any chance? 」

When Siluca hesitated to ask, Villar nodded in surprise.

「That is exactly what I asked her about, since it is my personal policy to cancel the contract with my current Head Mage when she turns twenty-five… 」
When Siluca heard that, she could barely contain the urge to cover her face with the palm of her hand.

About a month and a half has passed since the Head Mage Margaret’s 25th birthday. Siluca did not know if Vilar genuinely forgot about her birthday or if she was just pretending to forget, but whatever the case might have been, it was clear that none of the members of his entourage mentioned anything about it to him either.

What was important to Siluca and the others was that Margret’s mood, which was at its absolute worst right before and right after her birthday, was gradually improving day by day, and it meant that she would be able to work better as she was now.

Siluca was very happy to see that Villar was actively thinking about making sure that his contracted Mages could live their lives normally after finishing their contracts with him, but he definitely does not understand that the Mages also have their own professional pride, and that there is nothing they cherish more than having a Lord who is worth serving. Sure, for a woman it is important to marry and have children, but it can be argued that serving a worthy Lord as long as possible is just as important.

「I am sure there are some people who value the promises that have been made more than the cold, hard rules. 」

After hesitating for a while, Siluca decided to say something.

「I guess so. 」

Surprisingly, Villar simply nodded, agreeing with her statement.
「But there is no way for me to know you guy’s true feelings, so even if you were to be dissatisfied with something, there would be no way for me to know about it unless you came and said it to my face. And more than anything else, I do not want to deprive you guys of your chance to find happiness in life. 」

(A chance to find happiness in life… )

Siluca involuntarily looked far away. She definitely did not want to be unhappy, but on the flipside, she just could not imagine how exactly she could be happy in the future, so the only way in which she could respond to that was:

「I think everyone has their own happiness that they want to pursue. And from what I have seen, then it seems that Margaret would be the happiest if she could continue working with you, Lord Vilar.」

「If that is the case, then I would be really happy… but even if those were her true feelings, then I am afraid that I could not accept them. Up until now, there have been several contracted Mages who have said exactly the same thing to me, but I ended up turning them all down regardless, so I cannot allow myself to give her any preferential treatment now. 」

(If you asked me, this is exactly the situation where you should be giving preferential treatment. )

Siluca thought, but she could not bring herself to say it.

「Anyway, we need to hurry up and prepare for Margret’s birthday celebration. Oh, and I am going to ask you to accompany me to the upcoming Lord’s Conference of the Fantasia Union.
Of course, Theo is welcomed to go with us as well. Could you inform Lassic that I would like him to be there as well? 」