“Louis.”
Think Casey:
The words of Duchess Ariel, the leader of the witches, were clear and expected.
“Can I bring Louis?”
"What?"
Over the past few years, magicians have been persistently repeating:
'We can enter the gates too!'
'Give us a chance, a chance to try!'
'Magic is a human challenge achieved through trial and error!'
Things like that.
He expected that she would demand an investigation into the portals.
But suddenly Louis?
‘Is this really Duchess Ariel?
Has she lost her mind?
Or did she eat something rotten?'
As he stared at her, she repeated, as if to confirm that he had not misheard her:
“Yes, I was talking about my student.”
[The character's identity is shaken.]
I frowned as the expected warning blocked my view.
“Amazing.
You were the one who said he could not be brought to the palace, Duchess.”
“Yes, let's say the trust between us has gotten better.
The little boy couldn't hide his desire to see his brother, so I thought I'd show some kindness for once.
Every time I saw him, his weakness bothered me.”
[The character's identity is shaken!]
[The character's identity is shaken!]
As the warning popped up twice, I gritted my teeth inwardly.
Oh, wait a minute.
I'm trying hard to look like a rude duchess and justify my actions!
“In fact, there was no need to ask Your Majesty for permission.”
"What?"
“Louis, before he is your brother, he is my student and a wizard of the Magic Tower.”
“What next?”
As I looked into his arrogant blue eyes, as if to say “try it,” I raised my chin confidently, hoping to look like the cold and arrogant Duchess Ariel.
“However, I am telling you this now, Your Majesty, for the sake of peace and stability between the mages and the Awakened.”
I smiled innocently and asked with my eyes:
So, will you allow it?
I got over it successfully.
Surely I'm over it, right?
Why did the Emperor stare at me that way?
‘After that, Luis had a good time with his brother.
I also promised to bring him often.'
Of course, that night...
I ignored the system window that was issuing annoying alerts, and deliberately delayed responding to the Emperor's call.
'He won't lose control immediately.'
If he was intentionally using his power violently to summon me, he might have set a trap, so it was best to be careful.
'Going directly would be foolish.'
The next day…
I, who have to go to the palace every day, unfortunately faced the Emperor directly.
'Why is he staring at me like that!'
That fierce look in his blue eyes, more ferocious than usual, was not an illusion.
'What a toxic man.'
His aura was so tangled that just seeing it made me frown for no reason.
Ah, the current location is the Noble Assembly Hall of the Empire.
So, so…
“So!
Are you saying that our magicians are wrong?
Making a tool to measure the level of portals is kind of innovative!”
“Who would be happy if wizards showed up right before the gate exploded and started walking around?
If the poisonous air spreads from inside, do you want us to protect you in the midst of the chaos?”
“We're looking to prevent that, you idiot!”
"Idiot?
What place is this to use foul language, you bastard?"
“Did you say scoundrel?”
They were fighting until their ears nearly fell off.
They seemed to have forgotten that the Emperor and the Duchess were sitting in front of them.
Did they drink alcohol in broad daylight?
'My ears hurt.
How long will they argue?'
Of course, I know this is part of the setup, but it's overdone.
Whenever they met, they shouted loudly.
Do they think they are Tom and Jerry?
No, even Tom and Jerry were cute compared to those!
'Are the elite of a country allowed to be like this?'
And why is one of the leaders of this elite...
'Why is he looking at me so annoyingly?'
The Emperor looked very tired.
Even the awake people sitting around him seemed uncomfortable with this.
However, the Emperor was only staring at me with an angry look.
I, who had a lot to feel guilty about, was trying hard to appear nonchalant.
'I want to go home.'
Today too, I wanted to quit so badly.
Why did he become the main hero?
At that moment, Caseys, who had been staring at me with red eyes, opened his mouth:
“Witches, is your request to perform a magic show around the gates?”
There was an awful silence.
Everyone, who were screaming like dogs, stopped and looked at Casey.
Especially the master mage, who was advocating the treatment of mages on my behalf, froze like a statue.
“Yes, what?”
"Sure, your claims have some logic.
If the portals' aura could be measured in advance, saturation could be detected before it occurs.
The preparation process would be shorter as well."
“Your Majesty?”
“Okay, I allow the magic show.”
The wizards looked as if this man had gone missing today.
As for those who were awake, they opened their eyes with a look of betrayal as they looked at the Emperor.
I felt an ominous feeling.
'Why is he looking at me when he says this?'
What is he up to?
“But, on one condition.”
My ominous feeling came true.
“You had better come in yourf, Duchess.”
I almost panicked.
What did you say, you foolish hero?
“What did you say just now?”
“Why do you show this expression, Duchess?
Shouldn’t you be happy?
I am directly allowing what you have been constantly demanding.”
Just then, a wave of joy began to spread among the witches.
Sparkling gazes turned towards me all at once.
Our Lady!
We trust only you!
Words that witches, who follow me like the droppings of a goldfish, repeat several times a day.
Damn, damn!
“Strange.
Is there anything to be afraid of?
You, the great witch, are being asked to perform a demonstration of something uncertain.
It is best for the most distinguished person to handle this matter for safety’s sake.”
My heart was beating painfully.
Is this man beginning to suspect something?
Why would such an order be issued suddenly?
The terrible thing is that the words I can say now are limited.
Before the strange looks from the witches and awakened people in the hall started...
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
While looking at the man with a strange expression, as if he expected that I would not welcome it, I said:
“I will do it.”
I, the fake great witch who knew no magic, had no choice but to say it!
But the Emperor made matters worse:
“Of course, this is not possible now.”
While looking at the wizards who sighed, he said rudely:
“After two months, report on your research, and then continue.
Before that, it wouldn’t be bad to hold a match between the Awakened and the Magicians.”
the curse.
Our eyes met again.
The Emperor laughed.
“This time too, Duchess, show your skill.”
“Why don't you answer?
Do you refuse?”
I don't know what the Emperor is thinking, but one thing is clear.
“How could I refuse?
It is an honor to finally give the wizards a chance, Your Majesty.
We will do our best not to disappoint your expectations and interest.”
It was clear that he had noticed my aversion to interference and was deliberately trying to annoy me with these words.
That's for sure.
“Your Majesty!
Why did you make that decision?
They would definitely become arrogant and act rashly!”
“If they start demanding to enter the gates, you know, they can't get in!”
As he listened to the worried Knight Commander and the Knights following him, Caesis narrowed his eyes.
'Sure.'
He saw that woman walking coldly, ignoring the witches' words full of joy and enthusiasm.
However, her swaying back looked weak, was it an illusion?
'While all the witches were happy, her reaction was different.'
He clearly saw her lips stiffen as if she didn't want this situation.
He didn't know why, but it was obvious.
'Hilaria, Duchess Ariel.'
The great witch of the empire.
The arrogant noblewoman.
His enemy and adversary.
An annoying relationship that can't be faulted.
But this woman was a stranger.