Chapter : 29
A sharp gaze landed on Aria.
Those who openly displayed hostility toward her were troublesome.
Aria knew very well that their audacity stemmed from the fact that the Emperor was absent.
Though she tried to hide it, her entire body trembled with tension.
“…I want to go back.”
Every evening, she still wept, thinking of the orphanage where she had lived.
But the past could not be undone.
The Emperor—no, her father—had told her that if she fulfilled her duties as a princess, she would gain the power to make her desires a reality.
So, no matter how frightening it was, she had to move forward.
“Then, I only need to fulfill my duties as a princess.”
Aria played her greatest card.
“I am not only a princess but also a rare Light Mage.”
Even knowing there could be traps, she stepped forward.
“I heard that Hart is suffering because of the Gate. As a sign of the royal family’s apology for this commotion, I will personally go down and do my best to close the Gate.”
Such an extraordinary effort was needed to cover up a major incident.
For a princess—and a Light Mage comparable to the Grand Mage Akilan—to come in person to close the Gate was an enormous matter.
“I swear to achieve results that will erase any memories of my absence.”
When the princess went this far, even the noble faction had no choice but to back down.
Who could object when someone was willing to stake their life?
“…Understood.”
Duke Stern also took a step back. Of course, it was only temporary.
‘This might even work to my advantage. After all, no one knows what could happen inside the Gate.’
The Gate in Hart was so massive that the famous “Everett” had to personally intervene. Not only that, but the mage sent this time was said to be the sole disciple of the Grand Mage.
Moreover, those entering the Gate were not just mages and clerics. Mercenaries or knights of considerable skill would be sent to escort them.
While the mages under the control of the Mage Tower might be restricted, the rest would be free to act.
If an accident occurred inside, or worse, if the Gate remained unclosed even with the princess inside, the already precarious position of the princess would plummet.
How it was handled could greatly enhance the prestige of the lord of the domain where the Gate existed.
‘I need to get to the territory quickly.’
Everett was known to be capable, so mercenaries had to be recruited as soon as possible.
Mages were weak against brute force and would likely struggle to respond to sudden incidents.
‘I’ll recruit mercenaries and eliminate the mages first.’
Excitement built as the plan took shape in his mind. But that plan—
“Ah, I will accompany you there.”
—was shattered by the Grand Mage, who had joined the meeting late.
“…What did you just say?”
“The Emperor has personally ordered me to oversee the princess’s education. Besides, since this is the princess’s first time entering the Gate, I cannot let her go alone.”
Ichigo, who had appeared unexpectedly, spoke fluently and decisively.
‘He usually finds these things troublesome… what’s the reason for this…?’
The sudden, utterly unexpected behavior made one wonder if something had gone awry.
Yet Akilan’s composed, noble face looked no different than usual.
Except for a slight scratch on the right cheek. Had he been into some scuffle? Duke Stern, puzzled, countered sharply.
“Knights are sufficient to escort the princess. It seems unnecessary for the Grand Mage to go as well.”
“Are you saying you would risk losing the newly found princess again?”
“That is an exaggerated statement. Do not insult my loyalty!”
Duke Stern shouted at the unrestrained remark.
“Yes, I am aware of your loyalty. Then I will assume that you will accompany us.”
“W-wait! Should the Grand Mage leave the Mage Tower carelessly? I heard the culprits of the recent terror incident are still being investigated!”
“They have already been caught.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, they are confined in the Tower. They will be brought just before starving to death to extract a confession. Do not worry.”
Akilan’s voice continued calmly, emotionless.
“Then we shall prepare accordingly.”
There was nothing more to argue. Duke Stern spoke merely to buy time.
“We also need preparation in Hart to receive the princess and the Grand Mage. At least a week is necessary.”
“Three days will suffice, Duke.”
“….”
“Now is not the time to fuss about formalities. The Gate must be closed, mustn’t it?”
Had the Grand Mage ever been this serious about closing a Gate?
Such passion could only mean some hidden agenda.
The Grand Mage, once like a scentless flower, had changed.
Duke Stern was curious why.
‘Perhaps I can exploit his weakness…’
The plan to eliminate the princess was abandoned. Instead—
‘An opportunity has come to turn the previously untouchable Grand Mage to my side.’
The weather was clear, and the sun in Hart was strong.
Perhaps because it had been a while since they had gone out? Just hearing the explanation made Aria pleasantly surprised, but seeing Hart in person exceeded her expectations.
Endless waves of yellow swayed in the wind. The bright yellow shimmer under the sun resembled piles of gold—like standing in front of a massive treasure storehouse.
Whoosh!
The stalks of wheat clashed with each other in the wind, as if performing a grand orchestra for them.
‘Now I understand why this is the most famous granary region.’
The energy of life emanating from such an overwhelming space was extraordinary.
It was a natural wonder unseen in the Mage Tower or the capital.
During the mission, Aria and Everett would stay at the Stern family’s main estate in Hart. Normally, they would greet the lord first, but since he was absent, a meeting was not possible.
“He had to leave for an urgent emergency meeting. Our apologies.”
The main estate, befitting the Stern family’s prestige, had multiple large and small annexes. Their temporary quarters were one of them.
“Until the Duke returns, you will stay here. Those dispatched for this mission are also here, so you can greet each other.”
Rooms for the colleagues (?) they would meet were arranged in the annex.
“This is Thémis, the mage dispatched for this mission, and Everett, the cleric.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Jed.”
Here, Aria met Jed Simo, the mercenary sent for this mission.
He was an unusually handsome man with bright red hair and vivid green eyes.
He seemed over 180 cm tall, though the exact height was unknown.
‘The moment I requested information, a red-haired, green-eyed man appeared.’
Could this really be a coincidence?
‘Honestly, he seems a bit ordinary for a main character…’
There was no visible necklace either.
‘I anticipated the rebels’ movements…’
Sending such a clearly identified man was likely a probe to test her.
‘The leader wouldn’t come personally…’
He was probably a subordinate with similar features to the leader.
Since he was almost certainly part of the rebellion, careful observation was necessary.
‘I must be careful around Jed for now.’
When shaking hands with Jed and making eye contact, Aria shyly averted her gaze.
She wanted her words and actions to match, as he had said he was her ideal type.
“It’s an honor to meet you as well, Thémis.”
Next, Aria spoke with Roa, a mage who had already arrived and was waiting.
Although they had not spoken at the Mage Tower, she knew Roa was a mage who specialized in plants.
“I didn’t expect you to come down personally, Thémis.”
“I’ll do my best from now on.”
Roa had been dispatched to Hart because of her rare abilities, but due to the Gate’s unexpectedly large size, additional support was requested. Initially, a different cleric was assigned, but Everett replaced him, and Aria was sent along for additional support.
