Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Generational Change (4)
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"May I ask one question?"
His head, brushing against the ceiling, slowly nodded.
"Does the Court Mage know anything about my ability, by any chance?"
"No. I don't know!"
"......"
Lian was at a loss for words once more.
Acting like he knew something, only to say he doesn't?
But it wasn't a lie.
Still, truth and falsehood are surprisingly subjective realms.
When dealing with an eccentric like this, one must choose words carefully.
For instance, if it's still just a hypothesis, it might be hard to say he "knows" it.
"Let me rephrase the question. How do you speculate about my ability?"
Then, the corners of his mouth, half-hidden by the mask, curled up slyly.
"A precious gift to hear the voices of all things! For a seeker of truth, it's an enviable talent!"
"All things.... That's a grand but vague expression."
"Or gods or spirits. It could be seen as some entity that governs all things."
"Is that entity related to magic as well?"
"I believe so. Magic is fundamentally a byproduct of knowledge. But with your talent, you could reach even closer to the source!"
It seemed like a cheat key for mages, a rare ability no matter how little he knew.
Lian inwardly cheered and clenched his fist tight.
"...Then, I'd like to hear your esteemed opinion on how to communicate with it."
"How should I know? I can't hear that voice in the first place!"
The Court Mage slammed both hands on the table, throwing a tantrum.
He must truly envy Lian's ability.
"But if I must give one piece of advice...."
Roll, roll.
Large eyeballs rolled side to side beneath the mask.
"If you know a bird's habits, you naturally understand its chirps. The voices of all things should be the same."
"What do you mean...?"
"Study and understand plants, earth, water, fire, wind, and all things. Then you'll comprehend their whispers, and find ways to convey your intent as well."
"...That's no easy task."
"Heh heh. Still, that voice only you hear will hint at shortcuts, so it should be easier for you than most."
Lian recalled the numerous scholarly tomes he'd taken from Delico Matron's room.
The reason there were no dedicated magic books.
From the earlier phrase "byproduct of knowledge" as well.
Magic in this world seemed like some realm or enlightenment reached through pursuing truth.
"By the way, that Leon fellow wanted me to take you as my disciple. Probably scheming to put you in my place as Court Mage someday!"
The Court Mage cackled mockingly at the transparent man, leaning his upper body forward abruptly.
Lian reflexively reached for his sword hilt but stopped his hand.
For a moment, he thought it was a sudden attack, but it was just the eccentric's whimsy.
"But that ignorant little acting lord overlooked one fact!"
"...And what's that?"
"Even the greatest genius takes at least twenty years to master magic! You have a unique gift, so maybe sooner... but still around ten years?"
"That long...."
"Of course, shamanism depends heavily on innate soul qualities, so that's different. It's a separate realm from magic."
It was easy to see why mages were so rare.
At this rate, he'd worry about the old man dying of old age before learning magic.
He needed to reconsider Leon's proposal from several angles.
"Choose wisely where you attach yourself. A new lord without his retainers' loyalty soon becomes a puppet."
"I heard you spilled all the lord's crimes without hesitation. Doesn't that mean you've already fallen out with the nobles, Court Mage?"
"No worries. Birds see and hear more than people! Kee hee hee!"
Meaning he held all their weaknesses.
He claimed disinterest in others' affairs.
Yet this old man knew everyone's every move better than anyone.
"Understood. But could you give me a little time to think it over?"
"No! Decide right here! ...Though I'd love to say that, do as you like! Regrettably, I have no way to stop your sword if you turn on me!"
A true master of shifting stances.
Instead of waiting for Lian's answer, the Court Mage waved him off dismissively.
He planned to hear the reply via bird later.
'Leon and the Court Mage, both plotting to stab each other in the back.... What a mess.'
Not particularly surprising.
Noble society was always rife with intrigue.
If Lian wouldn't abandon his dream of rising in status, he'd have to endure this eventually.
'So, which one's the rotten rope?'
Right hand: Leon.
Left hand: Court Mage.
He arbitrarily assigned them and rocked his hands like a scale, listening intently.
His favored method lately for choosing between two options.
"......?"
But this time, he heard nothing at all.
Meaning neither was the right choice.
Late evening, as moonlight began seeping through the window.
"You're late."
Returning later than planned, Lian faced his displeased wife's expression.
"You said you'd just hear him out politely and come right back."
"That was the plan, but that boastful noble wouldn't shut up. You know how Isabel, nobles love to inflate things needlessly."
"So you just listened to all that and left me hanging?"
Who said forgiveness is easier than permission?
Facing Isabel's icy aura, Lian felt the hardships of married life for the first time.
"Cut me some slack. I wanted to bolt midway too, but he's a noble."
"Noble? What does that matter?"
"Normally, it... does?"
"Hah! No need to tiptoe around trash like that. Make them crawl instead."
And she did exactly that.
She never bowed to nobles, wielding her wealth to bend them to her will.
Of course, that earned her plenty of grudges.
But she didn't care.
"They stick out their hands begging, then act like they're bestowing some great honor. Ignore them appropriately."
"Yes. I think I'll have to from now on."
"Don't forget: the one holding the cards the opponent wants controls the game."
Lian gave a wry smile and nodded slightly.
He could agree to an extent.
At the same time, he could easily guess why Isabel brought this up.
'After Leon, now the Court Mage.... More will try to recruit me soon.'
She seemed to have seen through the real reason for his late return.
Though she probably didn't guess it was the Court Mage.
"Dinner still warm?"
"Yes. What about you, Isabel?"
"Of course. Tell them to reheat it quick."
"Sorry. Making you starve till now because of me."
"It's fine. Couples share everything, right?"
As she spoke, Isabel shot a sharp glance at her secretive husband.
As Lord Francis's trial drew near, Lian clearly sensed it.
He was now seen by many as a key wild card deciding the future landscape.
"An invitation from the Administrator?"
"Yes. He says there's something urgent to discuss regarding the Summer Solstice festival!"
The official from the bureau handed over a sealed letter.
The envelope bore the bureau's official seal.
"Summer Solstice? That's still a couple months away, isn't it?"
"Actually, we're pushing a plan to erect a statue of you in the bureau square."
"Pardon? My statue?"
"Wow! Really? Then you'll stand alongside historical greats, Lian!"
"Of course! To honor your invention of graphs!"
Unlike apprentice accountant Leti, sparkling with admiration for her boss,
Lian, the man himself, wore a dubious look as he read the letter.
Most of it was fawning praise for him.
"Since introducing graphs, administrative efficiency has multiplied. We've easily uncovered wasted budgets too!"
"Oh! Hasn't it spread to the mainland kingdom lately?"
"Exactly! Madella's status in the kingdom is rising thanks to it! All your achievement, Lian!"
"Totally statue-worthy!"
The two chattered away, gilding Lian's image.
But Lian quietly watched, offering only a small wry smile.
'Leon's faction? Or someone else?'
Political motives reeked from every line.
This was them preemptively claiming him as one of theirs.
All too familiar to Lian these days.
"Oh! That bird's here again today? Must be congratulating you too, Lian!"
"...Doubt it."
Outside the window, the bird from the Court Mage perched, awaiting his reply.
And it wasn't the only one.
Security officers dropped by often, pretending to investigate the lord's case while pressing for Leon's proposal.
Nobles and associates visited under business pretexts, trying to win him over.
"I'll write a reply right now, so please wait a moment."
"Of course! I can't wait to see your statue!"
"No. I'll decline the statue."
"What!?"
"Huh? Why?!"
He was growing tired of all these factions' advances.
His own fault too, for stringing them along by staying neutral.
'But isn't the obsession a bit much?'
What they wanted from him.
First off, obviously the Lapis Lazuli Merchant House's capital.
It practically propped up Madella Island's economy.
Isabel wielded more influence than nobles, despite not being one.
But she constantly defied them, plotting their downfall.
Lian, on the other hand?
Fundamentally amicable, and now a full co-owner through marriage, beyond mere proxy.
'But that's not all.'
Lian eyed the bird pacing the windowsill.
The Court Mage avoiding punishment wasn't just stance-shifting.
Leon couldn't easily discard him either.
A unique position irreplaceable by any, perhaps even surpassing the lord's.
And the only one who could check him was Lian, the mage hunter.
Thus, the Court Mage sought to make his sole predator an ally.
'...I've been underestimated.'
From another angle.
Unlike the unpredictable Court Mage or the arrogant, venomous Isabel,
Lian seemed an easy target, controllable.
"Please clearly convey my refusal to the Administrator. I don't want us wasting time on persuasion attempts."
"Ah.... Y-yes! Got it!"
No room for compromise now.
As Isabel said, the one holding the opponent's desired cards seizes control.