Chapter~27
“Me?”
A black magician is targeting me?
“Yes. And you’re the top priority. According to the investigation, the level of attention is estimated to be comparable to that for royalty or high-ranking nobles.”
A black magician… targeting me?
If someone is considered on par with royalty or high-ranking nobles, it usually means they hold the position of a faction leader or something equivalent.
Am I really at that level?
I don’t have any real power…
“Uh… is it because I’m Pierre’s fiancée?”
“That’s not it. If it were just because you were the fiancée of a minor marquis, your visibility would actually be lower. This is attention toward you personally.”
“Then I don’t understand it at all…”
“Neither do I… but there are a few guesses. Do you want to know?”
“Yes, please.”
It’s always best to know things in order to prepare for them.
“According to imperial law, black magicians are supposed to be executed immediately. But do you know what black magicians actually do, and why the royal family goes all out to hunt them?”
“Uh… because they use evil magic?”
“Most people think that. You don’t really know, do you?”
The princess laughed lightly, clearly amused.
“Then let’s start by defining black magic for your sake, Sonnet.”
“The definition of black magic?”
“Yes. Black magic is ‘magic that breaks the laws of the world.’ It was developed for that purpose. Therefore, it should not exist in this world.”
“The laws of the world…”
“The definition of a black magician is similar: one who breaks the laws of the world and delves into dangerous knowledge. They indulge in these laws, and their goal is to overturn them.”
“I see.”
“What’s certain is that black magic, whether preserved, studied, or simply existing, is a plague upon the world. Because black magicians have pursued this, they are criminals and a threat to the world. Threatening the world is, by extension, threatening the empire. That’s why they are treated like traitors.”
‘Though usually they weren’t actively hunted, now…’ the princess trailed off.
“Let’s leave that aside for now.”
She sighed heavily.
“There are two types of people black magicians target. One is someone in power—those whose death or manipulation could cause great chaos in the world.”
“That’s not me, then.”
“Yes, I’m sorry, but being the fiancée of a minor marquis doesn’t create much chaos. They even target only very specific members of the royal family.”
“And the second?”
“Those with special abilities. Unique individuals who have the power to achieve the goals the magicians desire.”
The princess’s expression became serious.
“I think you fall under the second category. Can you guess what it is?”
“…Special ability…”
If it’s something special, I have an idea.
The system.
The ability I gained after possessing this body.
“I see. Interesting, but I won’t press you.”
“Thank you.”
“There’s no need to worry too much just because they are after you. For now, they’ll stay cautious.”
“They’ll stay cautious?”
“Yes. Remember the black market incident? When the dragon dungeon appeared? You were caught up in that with the minor marquis, right?”
“Yes.”
As expected of the head of an intelligence organization. She seemed to roughly know the situation.
“After that incident, the empire clearly became aware of the black magicians’ dungeon summoning magic. We had suspected it from the information you provided… but this latest event confirmed it. This is a huge threat. So by the emperor’s order, a massive search was launched.”
“They must be keeping an eye out.”
“If there’s even the slightest suspicion, they were immediately captured, and if confirmed as black magicians, executed on the spot.”
Terrifying.
This is truly modern efficiency.
“They must have taken a serious hit. So now they’re laying low.”
“I see.”
“But even if their core is attacked, they can’t remain completely hidden.”
“You mean….”
“Yes.”
The princess grinned mischievously.
“Next spring, there will be an attack on the Second Prince’s bloodline.”
‘We’ve secured something that can serve as evidence,’ she said with a smile, giving me advice.
“So when spring comes, be extra vigilant. They’re likely to attack us recklessly—but these guys are unpredictable.”
“Understood.”
Special abilities, black magicians, next spring.
I stored what the princess had said in my mind.
I should probably tell Mr. Pavle too, in case he also becomes a target.
When we returned to the banquet hall, Faye immediately came up to us.
“Oh, were you waiting for us?”
“Yes, we were.”
“You’re like a dog. How cute.”
“Uh… a compliment, right…?”
…Well, leave that aside.
Pierre, who seemed to have been with Faye, followed as well.
Was he worried something bad had happened? Or was he afraid information might have leaked?
He looked slightly sulky and asked me:
“What conversation did you have?”
“Ah, just… how people like us, who want to have an engagement ceremony, prepared for it. She seemed very interested.”
Hiccup.
At that moment, Faye, who had been with the princess, started hiccuping.
It seemed she had been listening.
Don’t worry, it’s just an excuse. The princess won’t be getting engaged to you…
‘Faye seems to like Lord Kyung?’
‘Yes. Seeing him squirm while sneaking glances is adorable. That guy fits my taste perfectly.’
…Probably.
I deliberately ignored the potential spouses from the game that the princess had controlled.
Come to think of it, all of them were people the princess could easily manipulate…
“Why don’t you come to my room tonight?”
“E-e-e-excuse… hic!”
No, no, don’t think about it. I know nothing.
“…The princess seems to like Lord Faye very much.”
“Really? Well, it certainly looks that way.”
To change the topic, I held Pierre’s arm.
“Have you greeted all the other guests?”
“Yes, now I can finally spend time with you. You’re the star of the night, sorry for leaving you alone.”
Such an embarrassing thing to say.
He continued to speak kindly as we walked side by side toward the terrace.
“I’ve prepared something special for tonight. It will start shortly.”
The terrace of the banquet hall with a clear view of the sky.
He took my hand in his, and for a moment, I froze at the warmth.
Amid the dark sky, vivid light blossomed.
Boom—bang—
The multi-colored fireworks painted the dark blue sky.
“That’s…”
“Fireworks. I bought the latest ones developed at the Magic Tower. I wanted you to see them.”
Red, green, purple… a festival of colors spread across the sky as if the heavens were a canvas.
Voices of admiration reached us through the closed curtains from those drawn by the noise.
“They’re beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like them. I wanted you to smile while watching them.”
Even though we were alone, he kept pouring out sugar-coated words.
Even though the fireworks were far away, my face somehow felt hot.
“They’re beautiful.”
Don’t show off my self-consciousness.
It’s just acting.
I repeated it to myself several times, avoiding his gaze to look up at the sky.
Ah, pink.
It reminds me of Mabel.
My lips lifted slightly. Then he called me.
“Sonnet.”
“Yes?”
“I like you.”
“…What?”
Boom—bang—
The fireworks’ noise was loud.
But I heard his words clearly.
I couldn’t help it.
“I-I like you too.”
Finally regaining composure, I responded like a proper partner.
The awkward, utterly clumsy words of a fake couple.
Yet he smiled brightly.
“I’m glad.”
It was the first time I’d seen him smile like that.
His violet eyes shone beautifully in the bursts of light.
Even though it was his usual face, somehow… he looked incredibly beautiful.
“I’m really happy, Sonnet.”
My heart pounded.
I wondered if he could see my flushed face.
Seeing him still smile, it seemed it didn’t show much…
“If you want, I’ll show you these fireworks over and over again.”
Just a deceitful line.
We both knew it was fake.
So it shouldn’t feel sweet.
Yet… my heart stirred at his words.
“……”
A realization I didn’t want to face came over me.
A single word floated in my mind.
“…Yes, Pierre.”
