The Allied Army's first battle ended in a complete victory.
They either killed or captured all enemies, and the Allied Army suffered almost no casualties. Even those were mostly among the soldiers of Briol's vanguard.
"This was all thanks to my magic."
Mariloz sat comfortably on a plush sofa, writing a letter to be sent to the Empire about the battle.
"Though Briol's prince did have his moments."
She hummed a tune.
The third prince of Briol had charged alone into enemy lines and pierced through their formation.
It was a spectacle too grand to witness alone.
As if playing tag, the knights of Briol had desperately chased after him, and the third prince completely shattered the enemy lines he had torn apart.
Mariloz had witnessed it all.
So she could say with certainty,
"That prince isn't an ordinary human."
She didn't know much about war, but as a mage, she had studied the influence a single person could have on the manifested world.
With some exaggeration, the prince had single-handedly turned the tide of the war.
If someone else had led the charge, the victory might still have been theirs, but the casualties would have been much higher.
"That's right. He's not an ordinary human."
A familiar voice suddenly rang out. Mariloz flinched and turned around.
"What are you doing here?"
"Came to say hello."
"I never invited you."
"That's why I came like this."
Ernando was leaning against the window, looking outside.
Mariloz threw her pen.
Then the books on the shelf seemed to come to life and streamed out to protect Ernando.
The pen lodged into the leather cover of a book.
"My book!"
"Why are you throwing things all of a sudden?"
"Hoo…"
The pen, stuck in the book, returned to Mariloz's hand.
"What do you want?"
"I told you, just came to say hello."
"Well, I have nothing to say."
Ernando walked over and sat across from Mariloz.
"It's been a while. Good to see you."
"Sure. It's been a while, but it's not good to see you."
"How's life as a Archmage Duchess?"
"It's great."
Mariloz tapped the armrest of the sofa she was sitting on.
In the center of a meticulously carved wooden eagle's face, the gemstone eye shimmered.
"I get to live rich, after all."
"Isn't it boring?"
"Not at all. Being in the mage tower was way more boring. And painful. Though I guess you wouldn't know, gallivanting around as you were."
"'You'?"
"What should I call you then?"
"Master?"
Mariloz scoffed.
"You left the moment you became a Grand Mage. Some master."
"Yeah, sorry about that."
"Do you know how hard it was for me in the tower after you disappeared? Everyone's attitude changed the moment I lost your backing. Ugh…"
"Mages grow alone."
"What nonsense."
"Well, you found a new master, didn't you?"
"That's my achievement. My cunning and your irresponsibility are two separate things."
"Logical."
Ernando glanced at the letter Mariloz had been writing.
It was about the Allied Army's battle. The recipient was a court mage of the Empire.
"Can I take a look?"
"You already did. There's nothing important in it. What, are you afraid I'm a spy or something?"
Ernando picked up the letter and skimmed through it.
There were long accounts of her and Yuri's exploits, but very little actual detail about the battle.
After a few lines, Ernando set the letter aside.
Mariloz sank into the sofa and lifted her chin.
"So now you're following around the third prince instead of the king?"
"That's right."
"Is the prince's fate that interesting to you?"
"It is. Very interesting."
"How much?"
"Well…"
Ernando hadn't told anyone that Yuri Briol would overturn fate itself.
Thinking of him, Ernando smiled.
"I need to keep watching. That's why I came."
"Yeah, I find myself drawn to him, too."
"Because of his looks?"
"His behavior's cute, too."
Mariloz smiled with narrowed eyes.
"If only I could leave Balshad, I would've followed him."
The magic sealing array protecting Balshad was sustained solely by the Archmage Duchess's mana.
There were times when she could leave secretly, but in a time of war like now, she had to remain in place.
"Yeah."
"Worried I might seduce him?"
"Who knows…"
Ernando shook his head.
"Even you wouldn't have it easy. That guy…"
He recalled Yuri, who claimed he would never fall in love.
Those eyes that walked a flower-filled road alone, like a solitary soul. Ernando knew that kind of gaze all too well.
Lonely beasts recognize each other.
"He reminds me of my younger days…"
"What was that?"
"Anyway."
He looked at Mariloz and asked,
"So, how's the research going?"
She stared at Ernando intently.
Like she wanted to snap back but held herself in.
"Is that a question you shouldn't be asking?"
"It's not that… it's just shameless."
Mages, by nature, train with the goal of becoming Grand Mage.
And Mariloz had inherited the path of magic her master had once pursued.
"Tatago always believed you'd complete that magic someday."
"Of course. I will. At least part of it."
After Ernando left the moment he became Grand Mage, Mariloz had taken Tatago as her new master.
Tatago was a mage respected by all.
And the magic he pursued was the shared aspiration of all mages.
Absolute Interpretation Method.
But it was more of an ideal. Perhaps a dream that would never be granted to humankind.
Instead of aiming directly for it, Mariloz was researching a derivative type of magic using its foundations.
"The Transcendent Interpretation Method is showing results."
It was a magic that connected meanings to make any language understandable.
Beneath Balshad lay countless ancient books written in old languages. If she perfected the Transcendent Interpretation Method, she could study those texts and potentially revive ancient magic.
"It's still rough, though. But I can tell that the magic of the old kingdom was incredibly advanced. That's all I know for now. I'm still researching."
"Tell me more about it later."
"Why should I?"
"Then I'll tell you something, too."
"Tell me what?"
"Why I'm following Yuri."
"Aha…"
"Even about his fate."
"Isn't that heavenly secret?"
"I can avoid it."
"Sure, I bet you can. It is interesting, though."
Ernando stood up from his seat.
"I'll stop by when the Allied Army's done."
"Bring the prince with you."
"I will."
He turned to leave but paused and looked back at Mariloz.
"Mariloz."
"What?"
"I'm sorry. For leaving like that."
Her eyes widened.
"You, apologizing?"
"Time's passed."
"To think the 'Arrogant Ernando' would end up like this. I guess fate really is scary."
Ernando chuckled quietly.
She was right.
After awakening the Heavenly Insight Method, he had come to understand just how small a being a human was. Perhaps that's why he was following Yuri.
"I hope you haven't forgotten the rules of the mage tower."
"Of course not."
Ernando rose from his seat.
"See you again."
With those words, he vanished just as suddenly as he had appeared. Mariloz tried to track him, but there wasn't a single trace left behind.
As she withdrew the mana she had spread out, she murmured,
"He really is something…"
Ernando was a genius.
That much was certain. Otherwise, he could never have become a Grand Mage at such a young age.
The sages of the mage tower had worried about Ernando's premature success. If a Grand Mage were to harbor different intentions, the world could fall into chaos.
That was why they had emphasized the rules of the mage tower to him.
"A Grand Mage does not interfere in human history."
The magic Ernando showed publicly was only a tiny portion of what he could do. What he was capable of went far beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
But that power was not meant to be used.
"But then again…"
What if the third prince he followed was put in mortal danger?
Saving the life of a royal was, without a doubt, an act that could influence history and thus went against the rules.
"I wonder…"
***
"Where's Ernando?"
"He said he had something to do, then disappeared."
"Constipation, maybe?"
The Allied Army marched east, leaving Balshad behind.
They were now fully within orc territory.
An ambush could happen at any time, from anywhere. The entire Allied Army was on high alert.
Suddenly, a royal messenger from the Empire approached Yuri on horseback.
"I greet Your Highness!"
"What is it?"
"His Highness the Prince requests your presence. He has something to discuss."
"Is that so?"
The Allied Army was advancing with Briol at the forefront, and the Empire in the center.
"I'll be back. Raymond, I leave things to you."
"Yes, sir."
Yuri headed toward the Empire's camp with the messenger.
Ragna sat atop a massive warhorse, leading his escort. They wore black armor and exuded a powerful pressure.
When Yuri appeared, their gazes fixed on him.
"You've come."
"Yes."
Yuri gave a formal bow.
"Come closer."
Ragna signaled his guards to step back. Yuri approached him.
"There was an ambush on the rear."
"Is that so?"
"We repelled it, but everyone's on edge. If this keeps up, our stamina will be drained."
"Yes."
"So I'm thinking of deploying a separate unit…"
Ragna wanted to organize a special force to patrol the perimeter while maintaining the Allied Army's formation.
"Like a standby force?"
"Exactly. Without cooperation, our response is too chaotic."
"Then the reason you've called me…"
Ragna smiled as he placed a hand on Yuri's shoulder.
"Why do you think?"
It was clear he wanted to entrust the task to him.
"Understood."
Yuri nodded.
There was no harm in gaining Ragna's favor. To kill Okua and lead the Allied Army to victory, he needed Ragna's trust.
Just then, the adjutant at Ragna's side spoke up.
"Your Highness, such an arrangement could raise concerns about fairness."
"Is that so?"
"There are nations wishing to volunteer. At the very least, a discussion should be held…"
"Did I say I'd let them?"
"Your Highness."
"This is tiresome. I didn't want to join the Allied Army in the first place. This is what happens when you gather a bunch of self-important fools."
Ragna shrugged toward Yuri.
He liked Yuri very much. The charge Yuri led in the last battle had been just the kind of bold action Ragna admired.
As Ragna patted his horse's neck, he fell into thought.
"What should I do…"
"How about letting the volunteers compete?"
"Do you think this is some kind of game? It'll delay the march. And we can't choose based on that. War isn't just about swordplay."
"Then what do you propose?"
"Hmm…"
Ragna smiled meaningfully.
"This should work. Since we're organizing a separate unit, any nation that wants to join should bring out their knights. Limit the number to thirty or fewer."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the Empire's messengers delivered Ragna's orders to the entire Allied Army.
It was a matter of pride. Every nation participated.
Knight orders appeared in groups, and the Empire's camp became disorderly.
Once they had all gathered, Ragna spoke.
"The time limit is until sunset. Scout the area, find orcs, and bring back their right ears. The nation that brings the most will be given the opportunity."
Yuri found the arrangement quite reasonable.
To complete this task, they would need to track orc traces, demonstrate strong coordination, and possess real combat power.
Mere individual strength wouldn't be enough.
"Then let's begin."
Ragna declared.
But no knight order dashed off immediately. Most remained where they were, discussing strategies.
Yuri looked around at the knight orders.
Except for Raymond, who was left in charge of his place, Yuri had brought with him a selection of Briol's most skilled knights.
What were their thoughts?
"Your Highness, what should we do?"
"We'll follow only you, Your Highness."
"Please don't concern yourself with our opinions."
"No need for discussion. Just give the order."
"…"
Not very helpful, but they would still faithfully carry out whatever he told them to.
"Alright."
Yuri grabbed the reins.
"Let's go!"
And he rode off at once.
The knight order followed him without a word.
Thus, the first to move was Briol.
Knights from other nations stared at Briol's fading backs, then gradually began to set off one by one.
Ragna, watching the scene, burst into laughter.
"That Yuri… does he even know what he's doing?"
The adjutant shook his head.
"Tracking and extermination are different from swordplay. The third prince of Briol lacks experience. His results likely won't be impressive."
"Does he, now?"
Ragna laughed as he rode his horse forward.
"If he pulls something off again, I might start liking that kid."
"I believe you already do, Your Highness."
"Not quite yet."
After a moment of thought, he added,
"Send our knights out in an hour. The Empire can't just sit still."