Chapter 39
Unlike Termion and Kubera’s positive reactions, Ailesia—the one who had raised the topic in the first place—did not look particularly reassured. She had never encountered a black magician in a perfectly normal state before.
“We need to find out whether that only happens when they use miasma, or if it’s like that even in their normal state. I’ve only smelled it when the opponent was actively using black magic.”
“That’s true,” Termion replied. “The chairman also said that these assassins weren’t particularly skilled.”
“The one I chased was exceptionally strong. I’d say around Aura Master level, give or take.”
“They won’t be able to deploy elite forces endlessly. They must have taken significant losses in the last attack.”
The first intruders had been mid- to high-level Aura Experts. Mobilizing as many as twenty of them was no easy feat.
Even across the entire empire, only a handful of forces could boast such strength—the imperial family, the Letis ducal house, and a few of the greatest noble families.
“The ones targeting the main estate probably didn’t even have time to use black magic,” Kubera continued. “His Highness is simply too powerful. My side was different.”
“You said you struggled a bit, didn’t you?”
“At some point, his eyes turned blood-red, and his physical abilities nearly doubled.”
“But no one was seriously injured.”
“There were fewer of them, and they didn’t seem accustomed to frontal combat. They were probably assassins by nature.”
“The imperial family raising people like that?” Ailesia muttered flatly. “That’s ridiculous.”
The moment those words left her mouth, both Termion and Kubera snapped their heads toward her so fast it nearly made a cracking sound.
“…What did you just say?”
“Teacher, is that true? The imperial family?”
“Ah.”
Looks like I forgot to mention the most important part. Ailesia replied in a more serious tone, trying to hide her embarrassment.
“The assassin who escaped had a communication magic tool. I traced the signal, and it led to the imperial palace.”
“…Are you certain?”
“Absolutely.”
“But the palace should be covered by coordinate-distortion barriers. How could you trace it?”
“I didn’t trace it by coordinates.”
Kubera’s mouth fell open. As a high-ranking mage, he instantly understood what her answer implied.
Still, this was not the time for academic curiosity. Nothing mattered more than the possibility that the imperial family was targeting Letis.
“Why would the imperial family…?”
“Your Highness, if I may speak frankly, this isn’t something we should jump to conclusions about,” Kubera said carefully.
“What do you mean?”
“We need to determine whether the mastermind is the imperial family as a whole, or only certain members of the royal bloodline. And just because the location was the imperial palace doesn’t mean we can immediately link it to the entire imperial household.”
“…That’s true.”
Termion pressed his fingers to his forehead, his expression stiff. He had finally obtained a clue about the people behind the attack, yet his thoughts only grew more tangled.
The upcoming monster subjugation, the fragile unity of the family—everything already felt overwhelming. He wanted nothing more than to shout and vent his frustration at how all of this had fallen on his shoulders.
“Termion.”
“Yes?”
When he lifted his head, something soft touched his face. Ailesia was poking his cheek with her right index finger, smiling playfully.
“I told you before, didn’t I? If you keep making that face, you’ll get wrinkles on such a handsome face.”
“…Is now really the time for jokes?”
“You can joke anytime,” she replied lightly. “But most things in life have a specific time and place when you can deal with them. Don’t you think?”
“What are you trying to—”
“You don’t have to carry everything alone. Just handle what you can, one step at a time. You’re surrounded by capable people, you know?”
Termion flinched slightly, then asked cautiously,
“…Does that include you, who happens to be ridiculously strong?”
“Correct!” Ailesia beamed. “So smile and think about a bright, hopeful future, Your Grace.”
She raised her left index finger as well and gently pulled up both corners of his mouth. Termion stared at her blankly for a moment—then burst out laughing.
“Heh… Hahaha.”
“See? You look so much better when you smile. The whole room lights up.”
“…Do you really enjoy treating a perfectly sane man like a child?”
“It’s thrilling. Always new. The handsome Grand Duke is the best.”
“I never knew my face had such practical value.”
“Make sure you remember that. It’s Ellie’s favorite face in the whole world.”
“That, at least, I know.”
As if he’d never been weighed down at all, Termion’s voice softened.
Since first appearing in the ducal household, Termion had always kept his distance from everyone. No matter how kindly they treated him, no one had ever crossed the final line he drew.
The only one who ever had was Eleonora—but his precious niece was someone he had to protect, not someone he could lean on.
For the first time, someone who resembled a friend had appeared in his life.
Someone more mature than he was, yet on equal footing. Someone considerate. Someone… perfect.
What kind of relationship Ailesia and Termion would have in the future was still unclear. For now, just having her by his side felt like enough.
‘…Please stay in Letis for a very long time, Teacher Milenov.’
Kubera quietly turned his gaze toward the window. Reflected in the glass, the two figures stood side by side, their faces harmonizing brightly against the blue sky.
* * *
After traveling through the gate, Termion headed toward the next city at full speed.
Whether it was one royal or the entire imperial family, someone was targeting Letis. He needed to meet the Dowager Duchess and discuss countermeasures as soon as possible.
Thanks to Ailesia repeatedly casting acceleration and stamina-enhancing magic on the horses, they reached the outskirts of the ducal territory before sunset.
As a result, Termion found himself facing a massive castle silhouetted against the setting sun.
“I can’t believe it,” he murmured. “We’re already here.”
“This is my first time pushing horses this hard too, Your Highness,” Kubera said, drenched in sweat. Though his expression remained composed like a seasoned knight, his ragged breathing betrayed his exhaustion.
“Wow! The gate is huuuuge!”
“This must be the ducal castle. Ellie, it’s your first time too, right?”
“Yes! Uncle, Uncle!”
The carriage door opened, revealing Ailesia and Eleonora. Hearing his niece’s voice, Termion waved back at them.
“Hug me, Uncle! I wanna go in with you!”
“…Well, I’d like to, but—”
After dismounting, Termion hesitated. Approaching a child while drenched in sweat made him pause.
He hadn’t cared much about such things before. Somehow, ever since meeting Ailesia, he had started to notice.
‘She really is quick to rub off on people,’ he thought.
And it’s kind of cute.
Reading his thoughts, Ailesia snapped her fingers lightly.
Snap.
In an instant, Termion was spotless. Holding Eleonora, Ailesia strode forward.
“Don’t worry—hug her. Are you really going to ignore such an adorable niece?”
“That’s right! Uncle loves Ellie!”
“…I feel like something got reversed here.”
With no other choice, Termion awkwardly took Eleonora into his arms—and only then realized how clean he felt.
His sweat-soaked hair and sticky skin were fresh and dry, faintly scented. His dust-covered armor and cloak looked brand new.
“Ailesia?”
“What?”
“…Never mind.”
“So bland.”
Getting thanked for every little thing would be annoying, right? Termion seemed to agree, simply bowing his head slightly in her direction.
“Wanna ride the horse with Uncle?”
“Yes!”
Holding Eleonora, Termion leapt lightly onto the horse. Once they were settled, Kubera shouted loudly,
“Open the gates! His Grace the Grand Duke has arrived!”
Rumble—!
With a heavy roar, the massive gates split open to either side. Sitting atop the carriage roof, Ailesia watched the scene with quiet awe.
‘The Grand Ducal Castle of Letis… I can’t believe I’m seeing it in person.’
The impregnable fortress guarding the northern empire. Its walls rose over twenty meters high, and its vast perimeter rivaled that of two cities combined.
Passing through the main gate and traveling another two kilometers brought one to the inner castle.
And at its very center stood the main residence of the Letis ducal family.
