TUHWKM 06

Chapter 06

“It is said that from the moment Lady Charlotte Schmidt left the capital, the Crown Prince’s brainwashing has been gradually unraveling. It seems it was not an outrageous lie.”

“…Is that so?”

Kaierus’s head tilted.

“So it was true.”

His long, pale fingers intermittently tapped the wooden armrest.

“How unfortunate.”

If it had been a lie, he could have used that as grounds for execution. She knew how to dodge the best justification.

“Unexpected.”

Vasel glanced at Kaierus’s mood.

He hesitated before asking.

“Do you truly intend to just watch her?”

“Vasel, where are we?”

“…Lusipenia.”

“How many troops have experience dealing with black mages?”

“At least over three thousand.”

“And among them, the elite?”

“…One hundred.”

“Does that answer your question?”

Vasel fell silent.

It meant that after eight years of dealing with black mages, a single witch from the capital could be handled easily at any time.

All directions were Kaierus’s eyes, and his limbs moved in his stead. Once she set foot in Lusipenia, she could never be free from thorough surveillance.

“She knows about the divine artifact.”

Kaierus added in a sunken tone, as if murmuring to himself.

Eight years ago, the ‘Sword of Domination’ that disappeared along with part of the murdered imperial family’s remains.

Among the three divine artifacts said to exist in this world, it was the only one whose location was clear. Its very existence was kept secret, so aside from the direct line and their closest confidants, no one even knew whether it truly existed.

During the time Kaierus had killed hundreds of black mages, he had never met anyone who knew of the sword’s existence.

“That means there are two possibilities. Either that witch can truly find out about the culprit, or she is involved in the incident.”

Either way, it was favorable for Kaierus.

Charlotte Schmidt’s fate was already in his hands.

So he only needed to keep her within reach and dispose of her when the time came.

“For now, let her move about freely. I’m curious to see what she intends to do.”

“…Yes, understood.”

“More importantly, what happened with the black mage we were tracking?”

“We’ve grasped the approximate escape route. It seems they fled to the mountain range at the northern border. They likely haven’t gotten far from the grand ducal territory.”

“They must have been quite desperate. To head north where there’s nothing but snowy mountains.”

“They’re a heinous criminal who has already killed several people. It’s fortunate they didn’t head toward the cities.”

“Now they’re like a rat in a trap. Should I go myself?”

“We will handle it.”

“Yes, after eight years, it’s about time you could manage that much on your own.”

Kaierus pressed his eyelids shut tightly. It was a habit he showed whenever a headache came on.

“…What about the others?”

“We’re pursuing any traces of black mages as we find them, but so far no one who knows about ‘that incident’ has emerged.”

“Don’t trust their tongues. Find out even if you have to torture them.”

“Yes.”

Vasel raised his head and checked Kaierus’s pale complexion. Slowly, he lowered his gaze and scanned the small scars covering his neck and the back of his hands.

“However, my lord, the physician said… it would be best to avoid contact with them for a while. We will take charge of tracking the black mages, so it would be good for you to remain at the grand ducal castle for the time being.”

“Nonsense.”

“But still.”

Black mages were skilled in magic that harmed others. After seizing the lands that had been under their influence, Kaierus had been exposed to black magic through a long, drawn-out fight.

If he had not been a swordmaster capable of freely wielding sword energy, his body might have crumbled long ago, Vasel thought.

“You must take care of your body.”

“Did I perhaps hire a nursemaid?”

“I speak out of concern.”

“You have plenty to worry about.”

Kaierus slowly opened his closed eyes and smiled coldly.

Since that day eight years ago, Kaierus’s life had been completely overturned.

He lost his father, his mother, and even his beloved older brother in an instant. Among the corpses of his family, only Kaierus survived.

Kaierus did not know why he still remained alive in their place. Only the red bloodstains that violently invaded his vision when he opened his eyes were vivid.

So he vowed revenge.

The reason he refused the imperial throne himself and accepted only the nominal title of Grand Duke, planting his flag in Lusipenia, was solely for that.

If they would not appear before him, he need only erase the very existence of black mages. They were, after all, people skilled at harming others. In essence, no different from the enemy who had upended his entire life.

Kill, kill, kill.

And so he killed hundreds.

Even so, after eight years, he had not even stepped on that person’s shadow. At times, he even doubted whether they truly existed.

“I can find out about the culprit of the incident eight years ago.”

“You will definitely need me.”

Charlotte Schmidt.

He had long heard of her notoriety. She possessed a peculiar constitution that allowed her to skillfully wield both white magic and black magic, which were said to be difficult to master even one of, and her temperament was so vicious that she caused chaos wherever she went.

“…Freedom.”

Naturally, he had no intention of giving Charlotte such a thing.

From the moment she set foot in this territory, he had never planned to let her leave alive.

Even if she was a half-breed who could wield both black and white magic, it made no difference. Kaierus did not trust the lot called black mages.

Charlotte Schmidt had used black magic to threaten the Crown Prince’s safety. That alone was reason enough to kill her.

However, if that woman truly knew about the incident of that day.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Kaierus’s gaze turned to the sword placed beside his chair. He slowly traced the blade, which likely still bore Charlotte’s blood.

His eyes curved into a crescent.

“…Just how far will your usefulness go, I wonder.”

—

***

“This is where you will stay.”

After following the butler through the corridors for quite some time, I arrived before an old wooden door. It was tucked away in the most remote corner even within the main building of the grand ducal castle.

I opened the door and fell silent for a moment.

“Wow…”

“There was word that you may move freely within the territory until separate instructions are given. Meals and such will be provided the same as for the servants of the grand ducal castle.”

“Ah, yes…”

Free, my foot.

I know full well that I’m surrounded by surveillance.

The moment I do anything displeasing, they’ll come running and drag me to the underground prison.

Anyway, at least I wasn’t locked in the spire.

…Is that actually fortunate?

The room I was guided to was a little bigger than the studio apartment I used to live in, and a little smaller than the bathroom of the Schmidt count’s residence.

It seemed to have been used as a storage room, as there were iron bars on the window and a strangely musty smell.

An underground prison, then exile, and now a storage room.

Is this right?

While I stood there dazed, the butler quietly closed the door and scurried away.

I knew it.

He had been breaking into a cold sweat the entire time he guided me under Kaierus’s orders. I suppose I am scary to him.

“…Anyway, this place is a bit much.”

I placed my hands on my hips and looked around the room, which appeared half-ruined.

This time, I turned my head and checked the firmly closed door.

The butler was gone, and I sensed no presence nearby.

“This is a legitimate exercise of my rights.”

Wooong—

A magic circle glowed beneath my feet.

Wind swirled, and the structure of the room began to warp. Moldy walls were covered with wallpaper, and wooden window frames appeared in place of the iron bars. A plush rug was laid over the stone floor that had been nothing but dust, and luxurious furniture appeared one piece at a time.

“This should do, right?”

Magic is the best.

This actually works.

As expected, you have to hand it to competence.

It was when I was surveying the cozy, satisfying room that suddenly my vision spun and strength drained from my legs.

“Ugh.”

Grrrrowl.

My stomach roared loudly.

“…Ah, right. Food.”

Now that I think about it, I hadn’t eaten anything for three whole days. I had forgotten because I was so overwhelmed with emotion at having preserved my life.

All mages are big eaters. Casting magic consumes more calories than one might think. And having used large-scale magic while starving for three days, it was no wonder I felt dizzy.

“Whimper, I’m hungry.”

Grrrrowl, grrrrrowl.

Thunder clapped from my stomach again.

Clutching my starving belly, I staggered to my feet.

Once I became aware of it, a maddening hunger rushed over me. Without exaggeration, I could barely lift a finger.

“There’s no room service… of course.”

I suppose I have no choice but to go to the kitchen if I want to get something to eat.

Surely they wouldn’t refuse to feed me.

I’m this skin and bones.

Because I felt dizzy enough to truly faint, I headed toward the kitchen, tottering like a zombie.

And I encountered an unbelievable situation.

“…What do you mean by that?”