Chapter 76

The soldiers of the First Outer Fortress each remembered the phenomenon they had witnessed very clearly.

Since they all confirmed these facts to each other, no one thought it was a lie.

As a result, the rumor spread rapidly, and since the war seemed to have ended, people unconsciously came to believe it.

"I heard the Frost Witch came all the way to the castle gates... Is that really true?"

"Of course, it's true. Didn't the Frost Witch summon the monsters?"

"Wow... So the Frost Witch really exists?"

"If you haven't seen it yourself, don't even talk. It's not like only one or two people saw it."

The soldiers who had been on guard at the time all answered confidently.

They heard a voice that was believed to belong to the Frost Witch, and the youngest son of the grand duke's family confronted her so calmly.

Moreover, they even eavesdropped on the content, so they could be even more certain.

"Ahem... Just keep this to yourself. Do you know how the legitimate wife of the Northern Grand Duke passed away?"

"What do you mean? Didn't she close her eyes after giving birth to her child?"

"No, that's not it. The Frost Witch assassinated her. That's not all—she even tried to kill the legitimate wife's child, but failed."

"If it's the legitimate wife's child... Isn't that the youngest son?"

"Exactly. Wasn't it the youngest son who defeated the Frost Witch? He was just waiting for this moment."

"Huh... Is that really true?"

"Of course, it's true. Would I make up such a thing?"

With such interesting stories, people nearby started to gather one by one.

Those who didn't know the rumor, those who knew a little, and those who had heard enough to be sick of it.

All naturally listened to the tale of the main figure in the middle of the crowd.

"So that's why the youngest son came out to the First Outer Fortress?"

"He did what he had to do, so he came out first. Isn't it a child's duty to avenge their mother?"

"Looks like he wanted to settle things before anyone else got caught up in it..."

"Why say the obvious? That's why he easily sliced up the golems and yetis, too."

"Then... is there any reason why the youngest son's fiancé had to come all the way here?"

"You are so dense. They're about to get married—what can't she do? If your wife were crying blood tears, do you think you could sleep?"

"My wife can't even cry. All she does is nag at me."

"If she were pretty, I'd cry for her instead!"

"Puhaha!"

The soldiers burst into laughter, but also glanced around unwittingly.

If their wives heard them, they'd surely get an earful.

No matter how well a soldier endured the cold, he became utterly weak before his family.

"The fiancé must really love the young master dearly!"

"Think about it. It's a marriage between noble families—who's looking for love in that?"

"Who knows, after living together, maybe they'll fall for each other? And then, of course, they'll tangle together at least once."

"Hey, you! What if someone hears you talking like that?"

At the loud shout, the soldiers all looked around at once.

This was near the First Outer Fortress where mostly soldiers stayed, so likely no knights or commanders overheard them.

Still, if they weren't careful, they could get in trouble at any moment.

"So... what happened to the Frost Witch?"

"The youngest son took care of her. The Frost Witch even screamed."

"They say he learned magic in the capital—he must have picked up some fine skills."

"And not just any skills. The Frost Witch poured out her attacks, but she couldn't even scratch him."

"The capital sure is something. Amazing."

"Nonsense! The youngest son was always said to have talent for magic. He just couldn't learn because of his poor health."

"Ah, so he cured his illness in the capital and then learned magic?"

"That's right. If not for his illness, he would've been using magic a long time ago."

"Ho..."

Now even local residents had joined in to eavesdrop on the story.

There was no way not to be interested in the grand duke family's youngest son.

He had returned as a disciple chosen by the Great Mage, and had shown overwhelming power since the recent battles.

"That's not all. His fiancé created something that flashed and cut down the Frost Witch!"

"What was the flashing thing?"

"Did she use magic?"

"I heard it was called Sword Aura. Only a strong swordsman can use it."

"Doesn't the Sword Saint use Sword Aura?"

"Then, does that mean his fiancé is as strong as the Sword Saint..."

"Weren't you listening? She was bestowed a title by the emperor in the capital!"

"Ah, right. That's true."

The soldiers murmured and then belatedly nodded in understanding.

If the emperor personally granted her a title, her abilities must be beyond doubt.

A noble like that, about to marry the grand duke's youngest son—it was only natural for a feeling of awe to surface.

"If the youngest son weren't here, we would've had a hard time."

"You call that a hard time? The Outer Fortress would've fallen. There were even rumors of retreat, but things ended so well."

"Wait... then shouldn't the youngest son become the Northern Grand Duke?"

"Hmm... if the youngest son became the lord, we could live in peace."

"Plus, his fiancé would become the grand duchess! She could deal with monsters before they even arrive!"

"That's true."

"As long as the two of them stay here, we have nothing to fear."

"As long as we do our jobs well, we can survive."

Though the soldiers were quite stirred, they could not deny these facts.

The northern lands were harsh and relentless, and they had survived solely by obeying the Northern Grand Duke.

Only a strong leader who could protect and be trusted would be fit for the seat of the Northern Grand Duke.

"... If the youngest son can't become the Northern Grand Duke, what will happen?"

"What else? He'll just go live quietly in the capital."

"Live in the capital with that kind of power? That can't be."

"That's why he must become the Northern Grand Duke."

"You can't just become the grand duke because you want to—let's just wait and see for now."

"Can you guarantee something like this won't happen again? No one but the youngest son is fit to be the Northern Grand Duke."

* * *

Alter returned to the inner fortress with Brillie after the last battle.

For a while, they slept deeply and didn't leave their room much.

As a result, no one disturbed them; they just quietly brought meals and firewood.

"When do you think we should return to the capital?"

"We should go back quickly. Aren't we much later than planned?"

"I don't mind staying longer..."

Brillie murmured calmly, gazing at the fireplace.

The firewood was burning inside the hearth, radiating warmth.

Since nothing significant was likely to happen now, they could afford to relax a little.

"Duke Illenat must be worried."

"Worried about what? Neither I nor you are weak, right?"

"... We're about to get married, so maybe it's a bit awkward?"

"We can marry here, can't we? Wouldn't the Northern Grand Duke be a little pleased?"

"Then what should I say to Duke Illenat?"

"If we tell him we had the wedding here since we were late, I'm sure he'll understand."

"..."

Alter fell silent and then belatedly sipped his tea.

Having already promised to marry in the capital, it wasn't something to change lightly.

Rather, he figured even his own father might gently talk to them and send them back.

"Still, things ended well, didn't they? I doubt anyone would complain if we went back a bit late."

"... After the wedding, what do you plan to do?"

"Mm... I don't think much will change. I'll probably continue living at my family estate for a while, training the soldiers and learning some tactics. What about you, Alter?"

"I think I'll have to learn more magic at the society. In this state, I should be able to use as much magic as I want."

"Is that because you want to become the Great Mage?"

"Yes. Once I've set a goal, shouldn't I see it through to the end?"

For a mage seeking enlightenment, one inevitably looks toward the peak.

In the Agnes Empire, the peak for a mage is the Great Mage.

Therefore, he had to inherit the title of Great Mage and prove his worth.

"What will you do if you become the Great Mage?"

"Uh... I haven't really thought that far ahead."

"This just came to me—if you inherit the grand duke's title, can you still remain as Great Mage?"

"Wouldn't that be difficult? The Great Mage must stay in the capital."

"Right? If you want to have both, you'd have to give one up, don't you think?"

Alter pondered deeply and then nodded in agreement.

The Great Mage establishes a society in the capital and receives orders directly from the imperial family.

By contrast, the Northern Grand Duke remains on the frontlines in the north, commanding the northern army.

The two roles had such conflicting demands that one person simply could not bear both at once.

"If it were up to you, Brillie, which would you choose?"

"If it were me... hmm... that's hard. I'd have to choose between the ability and the bloodline you have, right? Giving up one makes me regret what's left."

Alter felt much the same as Brillie.

While neither was decided yet, it was clear enough to consider the options.

If he truly had to choose only one, he would need to consider which would bring the greater benefit.

"If Brillie, you were to inherit the duke's title... you'd still have to choose the Great Mage title, right?"

"I suppose so. It would get complicated if both a husband and wife held noble titles."

According to the customs of the Agnes Empire, when noble men and women married, only one side was typically allowed to hold a title.

That way, titles and inheritance could consistently pass to one set of children.

If one family held two titles, their power and wealth could become overly concentrated.

As a result, the imperial family would regard such families with suspicion, and when it came time to pass down titles, it could spark internal conflict.

"Personally, I think Brillie, you should live in the capital. So even if you can't inherit the duke's title, becoming the Great Mage would be better, wouldn't it?"

"Because it would be hard to live in the north?"

"Yes. And... it's best not to fight with your siblings if you can help it."

"I think so too. No matter how much you dislike them, they're still family by blood. If you fight, you'll both just lose out."

Of course, Brillie didn't intend to feel even the slightest familial affection for her brothers and sisters.

She only wanted to minimize her own losses, not concern herself with their circumstances.

She was already committed to protecting her partner and preparing stably for married life.

'No matter how I think about it, it's right for me to be the Duke of Illenat. If not, then I'd better get a lot of the family fortune instead...'