Chapter 127
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: I'll Take You as My Husband
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, vacation time~ but sh*t, next week's the Founding Festival, so I gotta head to the capital.
We're talking about the princess and all that...
(Rough situation summary)
No way she actually wants me to come just to help pick out clothes, right?
Is it safe to tag along?
Plus, the chairman said something cryptic.
Lately, the duchess keeps showing interest in me outta nowhere. No clue why.
She's showing up at my dorm tonight. What the hell do I do? For real.
What else could it be? Obviously they wanna use you as a living fleshlight.
Go for it~
I'm cummiiiiiing—
Pssshhh—
Subjugation Fest was just a taste—now dragging you home for the full pounding.
Not jealous at all.
Sh*t; you think?
My take: going this time seems fine. Worst case is probably just the stuff in the comments above.
Saying it like becoming a living sex toy ain't a big deal;
Why?
First off, it's because of what the chairman said. If he's right, Kim Muggle isn't officially a 'candidate' yet.
Flip that around—it means they won't kill or threaten Kim Muggle right away.
Sounds about right... Honestly, if those Archmage Dukes wanted Kim Muggle dead, they'd have done it already.
Exactly, what else but kidnapping and locking him up for bangs? Sh*t, go get that bang tale.
Hearing that makes sense. In that case, figuring out their real goal now might actually be smart.
Walk right into the tiger's mouth, huh?
I agree. Going now could let you gather solid intel on the Archmage Dukes' plans.
The other Archmage Dukes are quiet, so Duchess Ilimost's goals might differ from what the chairman said.
Not all Archmage Dukes share the same aims, that's for sure.
The chairman's info might not be 100% solid either. He's weaker than the Archmage Dukes, so it's probably just educated guesses from incomplete data.
So Duchess Ilimost just wants to bang Kim Muggle, duh. Sh*t, I'm dead serious (no joke).
Virgin saying that won't change sh*t...
My virgin radar went off—if she was like the other heroines, Duchess Ilimost is confirmed bang bait.
Duchess Ilimost registered as a heroine on my virgin radar, sh*t.
Virgin radar lmao
How's a virgin spotting bang angles lol
Why you judging who's a heroine, sh*t lol
"Hmm..."
After Professor Multifell and Yuuna left.
I sank deep into thought while scrolling through the gallery comments.
"Go into the tiger's mouth to get intel..."
ExtremeEfficiencyFanatic had a point.
If the Archmage Dukes really marked me as a 'candidate,' I might not be able to respond in time.
Gathering info now and preparing countermeasures could be a solid plan.
"But damn, it's scary as hell. How am I supposed to walk into a tiger's mouth?"
Scary was scary, no helping it.
I wished Harisha had spilled everything.
The info gap was breeding fear.
Guess I had to take solace in not being officially marked as a 'candidate' yet.
But what if Duchess Ilimost's intentions were dangerous?
No. Endless what-ifs led nowhere.
Like the gallery said, they'd have killed me already if that was the plan.
I'd already been alone with Yi Soo-ah plenty of times.
"Hmmm..."
Were the gallery bros right?
They usually were. Never caught 'em wrong yet.
And if they wanted me dead, they'd just do it—no need for convoluted excuses.
"Should I just broomstick outta here right now?"
Running from the academy?
Then secluded training to get stronger.
Level up solo while lurking the gallery.
What about just noping out? Lurk gallery and secluded train till I can beat an Archmage Duke lol
No way, idiot;
Aaah, idiot;
Why sh*t;
No way, we just swapped out the chancellor.
Stay in the academy for protection if sh*t hits the fan;
What if you wander outside alone and get nabbed, dumbass?
Best to power up fully inside first.
Oh, right.
If I'm really being targeted, the academy's actually the safest spot.
Better to max out strength while I'm here.
Strong enough no one dares touch me, protection or not.
Don't pussy out.
This guy's still doubting us.
People are predictable af.
Aaah, just go uncover what those Archmage Duke bastards want. Can't even do that?
This dude keeps freaking over nothing sh*t.
It's a bang angle, ffs. Go get banged!!!
He's over-freaking cause of the chairman. Minus that, why would non-mass-murderer Archmage Dukes bother with one cadet?
"These guys are such d*cks."
Acting all tough cause they're strong.
Well, if even they say so, yeah, I'm probably overreacting.
Instinct-wise, Duchess Ilimost didn't seem dangerous.
Worst case? Locked up and railed, maybe.
Knock knock—
Someone rapped on the dorm door.
Word was, the carriage from House Ilimost Archmage Duke had arrived.
"Ha... skipping and having them drag me sounds scarier."
I packed my bags and left the dorm.
Freaking out just meant getting played.
Like the gallery said, go gather clues properly.
Still, this lingering unease...
I steeled myself and boarded the carriage.
"You've arrived?"
Yi Soo-ah was waiting in the carriage.
She wore another skin-tight dress slit high on both thighs.
Chayuri's mini-dress packed a punch, but...
Even that paled next to Yi Soo-ah.
"Have a seat, Ian."
Yi Soo-ah smiled brightly, patting the seat opposite her.
Sitting across made it impossible not to stare.
Her crossed legs bared her thighs completely.
I forced my gaze to the window and changed the subject.
"Hello. So, why'd you summon me?"
"Didn't they tell you? To attend the Founding Festival together."
I have zero intention of threatening you, Ian, so relax.
Yi Soo-ah added with a beaming smile.
Had she sensed my faint anxiety?
"That's the weird part. Why would Your Grace bother with a commoner cadet like me?"
"Why think that? You're a man of great worth, Ian."
Yi Soo-ah leaned forward with a sultry smile.
Her cleavage deepened. I squeezed my eyes shut.
"You smell so good, Ian."
"Pardon?"
"And your face is handsome too."
"...Pardon?"
"Hehe."
What the...? The vibe was off.
Were the virgins right?
"Ian, you are..."
"—Your Grace! The scenery is lovely!"
Just as Yi Soo-ah leaned in further,
Professor Multifell in the front seat yelled.
The curtain between front and back seats? He yanked it aside to shout.
Yi Soo-ah's smile froze.
"...Thanks, Professor."
"Fresh air—let's crack the windows! Haha!"
He flung the windows open too.
The cool breeze snapped me awake.
"Hmph..."
Yi Soo-ah shot Professor Multifell a glare before turning back to me.
Regaining my wits, I recalled the gallery's advice.
Get intel.
Yi Soo-ah clearly wasn't out to harm me.
Time to probe lightly.
"Thank you. But is that really all? Lately, I've felt like professors from Archmage Duke houses keep approaching me..."
"...What did you say?"
Whoosh—
Yi Soo-ah's eyes sharpened.
The sultry look vanished, replaced by icy steel.
"Other Archmage Dukes approached you?"
"Hard to say details, but I'm curious why House Ilimost keeps reaching out."
Gulp...
I swallowed involuntarily.
Truth was, no Archmage Duke but Yi Soo-ah had approached directly.
That line was straight from the gallery.
Drop it casually like that.
High chance Archmage Dukes watch each other's moves.
"This soon...?"
Yi Soo-ah muttered.
Harisha's words confirmed, basically.
Archmage Dukes were scheming. I might be involved.
If so, gallery said get more direct.
Ask straight if they confirm targeting me.
"If it's not rude, may I ask? Why is House Ilimost targeting me?"
"..."
Yi Soo-ah fell silent.
The sticky tension was long gone, blown away by the wind.
Now the carriage thrummed with cold sweat-level tension.
"I expected it, but... if other Archmage Dukes are after you, you're definitely in the 'candidate' pool, Ian."
"Candidate?"
"Hehe. Want to know?"
"...Yes."
Candidate—
She said it too.
Yi Soo-ah smiled brightly.
Cold sweat trickled down my spine, but she looked nonchalant.
Relief? Maybe.
No hostility from her still.
"Then let me make a proposal, Ian."
"A proposal?"
"Tomorrow, my house holds the 9th-grade vassal selection exam."
Selection exam. I'd heard of it.
Looked it up after talking with Harisha.
House Ilimost Archmage Duke had no direct heirs since no marriage.
So the family couldn't grow through blood.
Instead, Yi Soo-ah ran selection exams to pick 'vassals.'
Loyal retainers over blood kin.
House Ilimost vassals boasted fanatical loyalty to her,
Unlike other houses' heirs—pure loyalty bound them.
That made the house mighty.
Becoming a vassal was high honor.
Tons of mages applied.
But many chased status over loyalty.
So exams were brutally tough to filter true loyalists.
"Is that so?"
The easiest was 9th-grade vassal exam.
Even that drew mid-6th circle mages.
7th and 5th were for way higher tiers.
Why bring it up suddenly?
No way...
"Yes. Pass the 9th-grade vassal selection exam, and I'll tell you what you're curious about."
Yi Soo-ah wagered real info on the exam pass.
After the carriage reached Ilimost Archmage Duke Castle.
Ian headed to a guest room, replying he'd 'think it over.'
"Your Grace. Ian Isaac is still a first-year cadet. Suggesting the selection exam..."
"Is that a problem? No rule says vassals must graduate the academy first."
"But..."
Once Ian was gone, Professor Multifell addressed Yi Soo-ah.
House Ilimost vassals were utterly devoted to her.
Multifell included.
Yet that devotion made him voice concerns, barely suppressing his urge to argue.
"Didn't you say you'd permit it if he passed the house exam?"
"True, but right now..."
"Ian's plenty qualified. Don't you trust my judgment?"
"Not that, Your Grace. Please reconsider."
Multifell trailed her, sweating bullets.
Yi Soo-ah strode to her room unperturbed.
"Your Grace!"
"What's everyone doing in front of my room?"
Other vassals crowded her door.
They'd heard she fetched Ian personally and waited anxiously.
"Your Grace! Please reconsider!"
"Can we drop 'reconsider' already?"
"But Your Grace—"
"I proposed the 9th-grade vassal exam tomorrow to Ian. If he passes, you can't object anymore, right?"
The vassals nearly toppled in shock.
But quickly huddled, murmuring.
"Y-Yes?"
"Y-Your Grace! That's...!"
"No, actually perfect. No way a first-year passes selection."
"Might as well crush him properly now..."
A first-year cadet passing? Zero chance.
Great for vassals.
Fail him, boot the kid for good.
"..."
Yi Soo-ah gave a wry smile at their reactions.
Yi Soo-ah, Ilimost Archmage Duke, was famed as a lord who cherished vassals.
She always weighed their counsel heavily in house decisions.
Listening to subordinates despite power? A true sovereign's virtue.
No heirs meant vassals propped up the house.
She catered to them,
They were unflinchingly loyal.
Thus, House Ilimost rivaled any bloodline house.
She could've built like a mage tower lord.
But clung to Archmage Duke status for her goals.
Even in vassal-centric Ilimost, her power was absolute.
What she wanted, happened.
But vassals opposed this tooth and nail.
Understandably.
Her recent bombshell:
—I plan to take Ian as my husband.
Marry Ian.
They had to oppose.
Not even a full mage—a academy first-year cadet? A commoner at that, vaguely shady.
Background check showed girls swarming him.
—We can't give Your Grace to filth like that!!
—Please reconsider!!
Their loyalty bordered overwhelming.
Even without, it was absurd.
Ian was talented for a first-year, sure.
But Archmage Duke husband? Laughable.
Vassals resisted fiercely.
Days of debate forced compromise.
Yi Soo-ah couldn't steamroll all vassals into marriage.
Final call: 'Permit if Ian passes selection.'
Mages got one shot at Ilimost exams.
To pick true devotees, not casuals.
Exams tested more than magic circles—loyalty above all.
Plus potential and growth.
Vassals couldn't demand more.
Pass, and you're proven lifetime loyalist.
"He must fail..."
"We can't yield Your Grace...!"
Though laced with personal grudge against Ian.
Not just vassal—handing their lifelong liege as a bride.
Frankly, they disliked Ian period.
Like mothers-in-law hating the daughter-in-law, everything grated.
"That settles it, right?"
"Understood, Your Grace."
"You'll drop it if that cadet fails."
"Of course."
Agreement sealed.
Ian passes: husband material.
Vassals figured no first-year passes—win-win.
Yi Soo-ah? Knew he wouldn't fail.
Ian had zero marriage thoughts, of course.
Not her problem.
He'd freak if he knew.