The Mage and the Knight (1)
The forest on a night without a moon was darker than if a blindfold had been pulled over one's eyes. From the highest point of the Benning family mansion, Leon Benning gazed down at the Black Forest that covered nearly half of his domain. Or rather, he was likely staring at his own reflection cast upon the window by the light inside the room. It was a habit of his. On dark nights, he would stand before the window and contemplate his reflection. Usually, what occupied his mind was the future. When he closed his eyes, no memories surfaced in Leon Benning's thoughts. He looked only ahead. Not with haste or desperation, but with a steady, viscous persistence.
Someone knocked on the door to the study. Without turning around, Leon Benning ordered them to enter. It was a servant. The servant spoke in a cautious voice, relaying the matter at hand.
"My lord, a man named Roberto Miller is outside the mansion requesting an audience with you..."
He's here. Leon Benning glanced over his shoulder. "Show him in. He is my guest."
The servant's face betrayed a hint of surprise at Leon Benning's reaction, but he bowed his head. "As you command."
Leon Benning watched the door close with his lifeless eyes, then clasped his hands behind his back. His daughter had returned to the Royal Capital. He did not know how much time he had been granted, but there were matters that needed resolving while Theodora's feet remained on the capital's soil. Leon Benning glanced down at his hand. As was his habit, he looked at the ring on his right index finger. It was not a wedding ring, but one that marked him as the head of the family, engraved with the Benning crest. His thumb brushed over the emblem.
"..."
Leon Benning lifted his dull gaze. He could sense footsteps ascending the stairs. The sound of heavy steps drew closer along the staircase toward the count's chambers. Another knock echoed at the door.
"My lord, I have brought your guest."
A tall man with his hood pulled low stood behind the servant. Leon Benning waved a hand, dismissing the servant. The man's head turned slightly to follow the retreating servant.
"May I come in?"
A sly voice drifted through the air. When Leon Benning did not reply, the man removed his hood and stepped into the study. Roberto's face was revealed, his dull blond hair tied back. Leon Benning gestured with his eyes toward the chair before the desk. Roberto offered a light smile and took the seat.
"Why did you insist I hide my presence and appearance?"
"This is the time for the utmost caution. Do you not realize that a single small mistake could ruin all our plans? I have no desire to abandon a perfectly good plan only to walk into a rabbit hole."
Leon Benning delivered the rebuke in a measured tone. Roberto replied with a simple "I see" and hung his hood over the back of the chair.
"Your deployment period was shorter than expected. You were only there for about two weeks in practice, weren't you? How did things go in No Man's Land?"
Roberto shrugged. "A royal summons should be issued soon."
"Something must have happened. I had a feeling it wasn't ordinary."
Leon Benning spoke in a disinterested tone. He did not seem particularly concerned about the events unfolding in No Man's Land.
"Still... I suppose I should hear what happened."
"Regarding the anomaly..."
"I've already received the report. Skip the explanation. Tell me what you found in No Man's Land and why you returned so quickly."
Roberto nodded. "First, the reason for the early return. One, we discovered the source of the anomaly. Two, we need to dispatch troops to No Man's Land immediately."
Leon Benning tilted his head, signaling for him to continue.
"The source of the anomaly. According to the Margrave, it seems the Behemoth said to be slumbering beyond the Cliff of the End is stirring."
"Fifteen years ago, was it? I understand the need to send troops."
"Yes. They say it's similar to the incident fifteen years ago."
Even after Roberto's added remark, Leon Benning did not so much as twitch an eyebrow.
"If the royal family requests support..."
"I have no intention of sending all our forces like a fool, but I won't refuse either. There's no reason to refuse."
Roberto's lips tightened subtly, as if he had anticipated such a cold response.
"Right. This is the Margrave's problem to solve. If they can't hold the border line, it only benefits us. We only need to focus on our own affairs. What else?"
"It's about Lady Theodora and Maxim Apparte."
The count let out a long sigh. "Go on."
"It seems Maxim Apparte used his Aura, ignoring the curse."
A dry chuckle escaped Leon Benning's lips. The laughter did not stop at once but burst out repeatedly like arrows. He laughed in short bursts, then continued with a drawn-out chuckle. Leon Benning habitually rubbed the ring on his index finger.
"How did that happen?"
"Lady Theodora and Maxim Apparte fell together from the Cliff of the End. The lady was injured."
Leon Benning burst into louder laughter. He showed no concern whatsoever for his daughter's injury. Words slipped through the crooked curve of one upturned lip.
"What an extraordinary coincidence. I almost wanted to see for myself what happened."
"Yes. It seems he unleashed his Aura while fighting monsters at the base of the cliff."
Leon Benning forced a dry cough to suppress the laughter still tickling his lungs. "So he couldn't hold back after all. Or rather, he had no choice but to use it?"
"Given the circumstances, it appears he had no choice."
Leon Benning let out one final chuckle. "Theodora may have discovered that Maxim is cursed."
"She must have. She might have asked the order's mage, Christine Watson."
"Then she definitely knows."
Leon Benning remained surprisingly calm, as if Theodora realizing the truth held no importance at all.
"The curse on Maxim Apparte, and our clever little mage helping him from the side... that probably has its limits now."
The "clever little mage" referred to Christine. Roberto nodded in agreement.
"Yes. There will be limits to how much longer she can suppress the curse. When Maxim Apparte was bedridden, I checked the progression discreetly. Even after Christine Watson visited, the curse was still advancing, albeit slowly."
Leon Benning pressed his temples with an irritated expression. Roberto observed the change in his face and cautiously offered his opinion.
"Leaving him beside Maxim Apparte might create too great a variable..."
"Any sign that she's figured out the true nature of the 'curse'?"
Roberto shook his head. "None. But if we keep letting her observe the curse, she might figure it out... Wouldn't it be better to eliminate her or bring her into the fold?"
Leon Benning slowly waved his hand in refusal. "If it were possible, I would have recruited her long ago. When the Magic Tower introduced her and I purchased the binding spell from her, I would have welcomed her into the family as a vassal even if it meant the highest treatment. Her talent was exceptional. Comparable to my daughter. Of course, she refused outright."
Leon Benning gave a bitter smile. "Well, if she becomes too much of a nuisance, we should consider removing her. It wouldn't be particularly difficult. I suppose I'll have to contact the Tower Lord after all this time."
"That mage had conflicts with the Tower Lord as well. I understand she left the tower quite abruptly."
Roberto asked with a puzzled look. Leon Benning tapped the desk with his fingers, his expression indifferent.
"We must use every card we can."
Leon Benning's eyes gleamed deep and sharp. "Is there a scheduled return date to the front lines?"
"Not yet. I imagine they won't return until Lady Theodora recovers and they've gathered sufficient forces."
"How serious is the injury?"
Leon Benning finally showed interest in Theodora's condition.
"She should recover in less than a month."
"She must have been hurt quite badly. Well, she should still be able to attend at least one small social gathering."
"What if the lady refuses?"
Leon Benning burst into hearty laughter. He did not seem worried in the slightest.
"She won't be able to refuse. It will be the official announcement of her ex-lover's engagement and marriage."
Leon Benning cracked his knuckles with a sharp sound. "That will be all for today. I need to contact Emil first. Then the Tower Lord."
Leon Benning looked at Roberto with a tilted head. Roberto rose from his seat, fumbling to put his hood back on.
"Keep watching them. Theodora, Maxim Apparte, and that mage..."
Leon Benning's eyes flashed. "Everything within your surveillance range. Watch it all."
Roberto bowed his head in response. "Understood."
Everything, for the sake of Benning.
Under Leon Benning's cold gaze, Roberto murmured quietly.
==
The afternoon at the knight order. The newly relocated headquarters of the Raven Knight Order now boasted a far more presentable main building than before. Instead of a training ground overgrown with weeds between the stones, a solid, smooth stone floor had been laid out in front of the main building. Though it was somewhat secluded, it was located in a place that did not require climbing a grueling hill. It was said to be a former headquarters of another knight order that had been renovated.
"Vice Commander, the task you mentioned has been completed."
A regular knight reported to Christine. It had involved compiling a report on the condition of available equipment and requesting additional gear from the central knight order. Several knights had volunteered when they were short-handed.
"Good work, everyone."
The sound of cicadas drifted through the air. Christine was handling Theodora's duties while she was on a brief leave. Since it was effectively a rest period, the work consisted of nothing more than simple administrative tasks. The sun still hung high. Christine looked out the window at the sunlight pouring down, the same golden hue as her own hair. She had plans, so perhaps she would leave early today. It was a bit early, but nothing disastrous would happen. Before the royal family summoned them and the knights returned to their busy routines, they needed to conserve as much stamina as possible.
"Shall we leave early? There's nothing left to do anyway..."
"That sounds good."
The knight eagerly accepted Christine's suggestion. Christine gave a wry smile and dismissed them. The knights' footsteps quickened. Christine stopped by the vice commander's office to gather her things, then left the main building of the knight order first.
"Oh? Leaving already, Vice Commander?"
"Take care on your way home."
Christine waved back at the knights' greetings and made her way out along the single road leading to the Raven Knight Order. The heat rising from the sun-baked ground felt hotter than the sunlight beating down from above. She wished a breeze would come. But the stingy wind offered no relief for her heated hair and cheeks at a time like this.
"It's hot..."
Yet Christine's steps toward the city center were light, contrary to her muttered complaint. What should I buy today? Her mind was filled with thoughts of suitable gifts. As she walked and walked, she soon found herself at the edge of the market street. Christine walked along the market with her hands clasped behind her back, tapping her cheek with her index finger, and twirling strands of her long hair around her fingers.
"Flowers... might be a bit much for a gift..."
"What do you mean, a bit much for a gift?"
Christine's back jolted as if startled by a cat, and she sprang up. The person who had suddenly spoken behind her was none other than Maxim. Christine frowned at his nonchalant expression.
"Ah! What the— seriously!"
Christine lashed out in irritation. Maxim caught her flailing fists with a chuckle.
"What do you think? I saw you while passing by and couldn't just ignore you."
"You're back already?"
"I arrive around lunch tomorrow. I got here today."
Maxim nodded. When Christine saw him moving with a forced lightness, pretending not to be in pain, she let out a sigh.
"You'll be back at work tomorrow, then. It's not like there's anything particularly urgent right now, but I wonder if an injured senior can even join regular training."
"I'll manage. I'm feeling better now."
Christine closed her eyes and shook her head, as if she had no desire to nag further.
"By the way, where were you headed?"
When Maxim asked, Christine pouted her lips and answered.
"Home."
Maxim raised an eyebrow. There was only one place Christine meant when she said she was going home.
"You're going to see the director and the kids?"
Christine nodded. "It's been a while since I visited... I was thinking of stopping by for a bit."
Maxim took a step back, a faint smile on his lips. "Alright. Be careful on your way."
"Wait, senior..."
"Hm?"
Maxim had started to turn away but stopped at the touch of Christine's hand on his wrist.
"Could you come with me?"
"To the orphanage?"
"Yes. The kids and the director would probably want to see you too."
Maxim looked down at Christine. Here we go again, getting roped in. He gave a wry smile and nodded.
"Let's pick out a gift first, then."