Contract (2)
Dante shared a brief conversation with Marquis Genie. As both were mages, they had plenty to discuss about magic.
"Oh ho. So each insect prefers different mana waves?"
"That's right. Larvae and beetles are different, and flying insects differ from burrowing ones."
"Hmm. Then wood-boring insects and parasitic ones that live in animals must have similar waves."
"Oh. Exactly. How did you know?"
"I guessed based on similar cases in other schools. It's like the beast control mages..."
As expected of the Magic Tower Lord. He knew almost nothing about bug magic, but his broad knowledge of magic in general allowed him to grasp whatever Dante said instantly. With mastery of every spell, he could always draw parallels no matter the example.
"..."
Suddenly, Dante paused.
Valentina Aision, the second daughter of the Aision family. She sat silently, listening intently to the two mages' discussion.
Had he and the marquis been talking too much just among themselves? Dante shifted the topic.
"Marquis. What were you discussing with my sister?"
Genie smiled. "Ah, you didn't know? Well, you're always being summoned by other nobles, so you'd be busy."
"???"
"Your sister has been studying magic quite diligently."
Dante glanced at Valentina. She blushed and shook her head vigorously.
"No...! Not compared to the Tower Lord or Brother..."
"Your brother handles a rare magic, but he's not one who's delved deeply into the magical world."
It was true, so Dante nodded. He'd only studied bug magic thoroughly; he knew little of other schools. And there wasn't time to learn now.
"Valentina has a pure talent for understanding magic principles. She might enter the Magic Tower right after coming of age."
"That impressive?"
"Yes! And if her brother attended the Tower with her—! How reassuring that would be—!"
"..."
"Ma! gic! Tow! er! Ma! gic! Tow! er!"
"..."
A true madman. Dante let it slide. Even if the Tower Lord ranted, he had no intention of enrolling now to study. Princess Esilia would be disappointed.
"Well, you're still young. When life gets boring, challenging for a professorship at the Tower wouldn't be bad."
"If life ever gets that boring."
"Hahaha! See you next time, Mage Dante!"
Whether the gift-giving was the goal, the Tower Lord soon returned to the Tower. Dante skimmed the book Genie had given him. Say what you would... it was still a fine gift. He could use it as a guidebook while traveling the Empire later.
"Brother."
"Valentina. When did you start studying magic?"
"About a year... a bit less."
Truly not long. Yet the Tower Lord had taken notice of her skill.
"Impressive."
At Dante's words, Valentina blushed and bowed her head. Far more timid and quiet than her sister Sara.
"Brother is... far more amazing than me..."
"You think so?"
"Yes! Just recently, you helped the Princess! And she calls for you often, working together! You must be doing something incredible!"
"..."
Dante smiled bitterly. It wasn't quite what Valentina imagined. The Princess's situation was far messier than she knew.
"Having talent is a good thing. Keep at it, Valentina."
"Yes, Brother!"
Dante chatted idly with his sister. Sara's voice rang out from afar.
"Vali~na~! Where are your shoes~? Lend sis some~!"
"Ah! Wait a moment! Sis!"
Valentina vanished, and Sara dashed off somewhere. Dante smacked Sara's back.
"Don't run. And don't steal your sister's shoes."
"It's not stealing~! She promised to lend them last time!"
"Another party?"
"Yeah. A friend of Charlotte's friend is hosting."
"Bring waffles on the way back."
"Bro always says bring waffles."
Dante chuckled. A few incidents had occurred since coming of age, but life at Aision Mansion remained peaceful.
And Dante cherished this everyday routine. Memories to last a lifetime.
To the Honorable Dante,
Thank you for aiding Princess Esilia. In reward for your devotion, we request your presence at the palace.
About two weeks passed, as expected. A letter arrived for Dante.
Dante stared at the seal stamped on the letter for a moment.
The Emperor's seal. Only two people in the Empire could use it: the Emperor himself, and his proxy, the Prime Minister.
The reclusive Emperor wouldn't have written to Dante personally. This letter was undoubtedly from the Prime Minister.
After a brief explanation to his family, Dante returned to the capital.
"Dante!"
"Princess."
The informed Princess awaited him. Under the afternoon sun, she wore a wide-brimmed white hat. As always, Esilia was dazzlingly beautiful.
"Have you eaten?"
"Something light."
"Shall we have some tea, then~?"
She naturally led him to a private room. Dante pulled out a chair and sat familiarly. Maids prepared a tea set for them.
"While you were home, I uncovered some interesting points~."
"Interesting?"
"The Carmilton Liberation Army's sponsor is a man called the Rakraban Elder~."
Dante nodded. While he'd been at the estate, she'd extracted info from the prisoners. Impressively, in such a short time, valuable intelligence.
"As expected, the Rakraban Elder is a member of the Hand of Power~."
"Your prediction was spot on, Princess."
"Yes. He's a mid-level executive of the Hand of Power operating in Carmilton~."
She explained: gleaned from simple interrogations.
"Remember Yorcan?"
"The warrior who put up a fight."
"He's not from the North. A mercenary from the Empire's east."
"..."
"He just changed his name to sound Northern and joined the Liberation Army. But isn't it odd? Why would an eastern Imperial join northern separatists~?"
Princess Esilia explained briskly, like singing.
"The Hand of Power hired him. They contracted to kidnap noble children pretending to be Liberation Army, then hand a few over to the Hand~."
Dante frowned slightly.
"Why do that?"
"Hmm... I don't know the Hand of Power's true goal. Only that they've committed countless evils in the Empire... and some tentacles reach the Prime Minister~."
She sipped her tea.
"If we find proof linking the Hand and the Prime Minister, it'll be his weakness for sure~."
"I see."
"If he ever attacks me... I hope to counter with that weakness~."
She discussed future plans with Dante. Such private meetings felt utterly natural now. Because Dante trusted her, and she trusted him.
Then, her maid opened the door.
"Princess. And Lord Dante. The audience is prepared."
"Shall we go~? Us~?"
Dante accompanied her to meet the Prime Minister. Passing the palace's labyrinth, a massive, grand door appeared. Four such doors led to the Emperor's Imperial Palace Audience Chamber.
And there, the Empire's de facto ruler, the Prime Minister, handled affairs.
"We'll talk details after the audience."
"Yes."
The door opened. The Princess entered with confident steps. Dante followed into the chamber.
First visible: the towering throne. Built at the chamber's highest point... it stood empty.
Below it, a small chair. The Empire's Prime Minister sat there, receiving visitors.
"Ah, Esilia. You've come."
"Prime Minister."
Princess Esilia and the Prime Minister exchanged natural greetings. She bowed her head; he looked down.
He eyed her briefly, then shifted to Dante.
"The hero who rescued the Empire's Princess... is you."
"Yes, Prime Minister."
"Most commendable. Son of Aision. Lennon Aision was renowned as a fine knight. You shine his name even brighter."
"An honor."
The Prime Minister gestured. A servant brought a golden medal before Princess Esilia. The Third-Class Merit Medal.
"We hope you continue serving the Empire. We bestow this medal."
At his glance, Princess Esilia pinned it to Dante's uniform.
"Dante of Aision. I hear you wield the rare bug magic."
"A humble skill, Excellency."
"Haha. Any skill becomes a tool if used well, trash otherwise. You've used yours aptly—truly talented."
He added casually.
"Care to serve the Imperial household?"
"..."
Dante paused briefly. Princess Esilia kept her head bowed, but her presence was vivid. Naturally—he had no intention of betraying her.
So he replied politely.
"Thank you for the offer. But I wish to study my magic more deeply."
"Hmm. The mage's path. Not bad, but wouldn't that mean entering the Magic Tower?"
"My magic can't be advanced there. I've discussed it with the Tower Lord."
"The Tower Lord?"
"Yes. He understood and helped me, indirectly."
The Prime Minister nodded as if comprehending.
"If the Tower Lord approves, then so be it."
As expected of Marquis Genie, the top madman in the Empire. The Prime Minister accepted instantly, sparing Dante explanations.
"Then, what do you wish to do?"
"Travel the Empire, researching rare insects."
"...Researching insects. Frankly, hard to grasp."
"Bug magic itself is hard to understand, isn't it? Once done, I'll write a book. The Tower Lord wants that too."
"Very well. More fine mages benefit the Empire clearly. Become a bug mage rivaling the New Continent's Lizardmen. Dante Aision."
The talk ended there. Learning Dante's goal was Empire travel, the Prime Minister seemed to lose interest rapidly.
"Until next time, Dante."
"Yes."
As Dante and Esilia turned to leave—
"Esilia."
"Yes?"
"A word. Spare some time."
The Prime Minister detained her. She nodded, and Dante exited alone. Passing, she whispered.
"Wait in my room."
Dante returned to her room. It would take a bit for her to return.
After Dante left, the Prime Minister spoke businesslike to Princess Esilia.
"The debutante ball is over. Let's discuss your succession to the throne."
"!"
His sudden words startled her, but what followed turned her mind blank.
"Regrettably, conditions aren't right for the ceremony now."
"What do you...?"
"Your brother is quite unwell."
"..."
She gazed at him with trembling eyes. He continued flatly.
"His mental strength and judgment are impaired. He can't even handle minor reports."
"That... bad? Father... like that...?"
"So it is."
"..."
"Sorry, but wait a few more years. I'm shocked too by his sudden decline. Piles of work to handle."
"..."
Princess Esilia stared at the floor briefly—then lifted her head.
"Yes, Prime Minister. I entrust the Empire's affairs to you."
"Good. Sorry I couldn't see you at the ball. When your brother's condition changes, I'll summon you. Stay quiet till then."
She backed out politely.
Click, click...
Princess Esilia hurried down the corridor to her room. Dante, sipping tea, greeted her.
"Did the talk—"
But then, she seized his hand roughly—wrapping it around her slender waist. Before he could resist, she burrowed into his embrace.
...Dante couldn't help but be flustered. They'd known each other since she was 15, but... had she ever clung this close? Even without eyes on them, this violated her dignity as Princess...
"..."
But Dante sensed it. There was a reason for her actions.
"Princess."
Calling her, she murmured.
"Just a moment... just a little. Let me stay like this."
"..."
Her voice was damp, a wet whimper. Dante let her cling. She held him long, catching her breath.
"Father... Father..."
"..."
"He won't last much longer."
Princess Esilia looked up at Dante. In her large, clear eyes, transparent tears welled.
"What should I do now?"
Dante silently pulled her tighter. Dignity be damned. To share warmth calming her heart, he lent his embrace willingly.
Wordlessly. Only their quiet time flowed.