The key point was that neither Irid nor the Grand Duke of the North were directly involved in this conflict. Their Champions were the ones fighting.
This was a duel between knights drawing their blades for the honor of their lords. And that meant the trump card I held—Centra and Heart—wasn’t going to work here.
If I stood before these loyal warriors and declared, I can do whatever I please with your lord’s precious someone! there was a good chance they’d decide to cut my head off on the spot, rather than allow some evil Wizard to fill their master’s head with nonsense.
Of course, I could always turn up the volume and shout ‘Your Heart is here!’ loud enough for the Grand Duke of the North, sitting in his carriage behind them, to hear. That might shake things up.
But if I were a loyal subordinate, and my lord suddenly stormed out of the carriage because of some wizard spouting some outrageous scandal⋯⋯ I might just throw protocol aside and cut his head off on the spot.
So, I needed a negotiation strategy that was very subordinent-friendly.
I had to convince them that stopping this fight here and now, would ultimately serve their lords’ best interests.
First, I had to establish my own presence. If they saw me as just another random wizard, they wouldn’t even pay any attention. For an outsider to call for a negotiation, they needed to carry enough weight.
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
The knight on Irid’s side seemed to recognize me—that was good. She held her massive two-handed sword in a neutral stance, watching and waiting.“I’m asking who the hell are you?”
“If you’re asking about me, then it’s only proper that I answer⋯⋯.”
The real challenge was the warrior from the Grand Duke’s side, who was practically growling.
With an exaggerated noble gesture, I offered a formal bow and rattled off a string of titles. effectively slapping a shiny nameplate onto myself to match their weight class.
“I am an external advisor to the 『Reformist Faction』 of the Church of the Goddess, the financial officer of the Purple Magic Tower, and, at this very moment, your esteemed mediator.”
“Mediators deal in blood and steel, not words, you soft-handed dandy.”
Next up—crafting the right image.
Showing weakness or frailty in front of a northern beast would be a fatal mistake. I needed to act like a complete alpha, someone unfazed by their threats. A war merchant persona would fit perfectly here.
I spread my arms wide with an exaggerated motion.
“How could I not respect the noble traditions of the North? But rest assured⋯⋯ you’d be surprised just how much blood a silver tongue like mine can spill when the situation calls for it.”
“⋯⋯Heueung?”
“Pleased to meet you! But I won’t take up much of your time, M’Lady. I’ll say just two things. And with those, I believe we can find a resolution that satisfies everyone.”
“You, stink of something really nasty⋯⋯ fine. Let’s hear it. Let’s see if that soft, flapping tongue of yours can soak up as much blood as my axe does.”
Poetic.
That⋯⋯ that growling, borderline barbaric attitude—reminds me of Kim Ruru. It was most likely just a concept.
She looked and acted like a beast pulled straight from the snowy mountains, but there had to be a sharp mind beneath the surface. If she were truly a creature of pure instinct, the Grand Duke of the North wouldn’t have kept her at his side.
The fact that she was taking the lead in this situation spoke volumes. It meant that, among their ranks, she was the most reliable choice overall.
If she were just a simple-minded battle maniac like Magical Girl Kim Lulu, she would have been sent to the rear long ago.
⋯⋯This might actually make her easier to persuade.
If this fight was more about protecting her lord’s dignity than anything else, all I needed to do was offer her an honorable way out. That alone could diffuse the entire situation.
I decided on my two lines.
“This city is sacred ground, watched over by the Goddess. If you’ve come here for the Hero Selection Tournament, surely that means you also respect the faith that forms the foundation of the event?”
“Hmph.”
“Also──‘If your brother gives you meat, you should repay him with ale.’ The Grand Duke’s family owes a debt to the Goddess. Now is the time to follow the wisdom of your ancestors. Yielding under these circumstances would not be a shameful act.”
“You’re really starting to get on my nerves. And what debt, exactly, does the Grand Duke’s family owe the Goddess?”
I playfully stuck out my tongue and replied.
“Why, for the misfortune that befell the Grand Duke’s young lady during her travels. The Goddess’s protection allowed her to escape an ambush by a band of marauders without so much as a scratch.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
“I’ll be seeing you soon. I plan to visit the Grand Duke’s side with the Lady before the night grows too late, so be ready to welcome your guests. As for the drink, let’s say… a warm, strong spirit would be ideal.”
“Very well. Out of respect for the Goddess’s light, we shall withdraw! It would be undignified to cause a ruckus as guests of a festival, khek! Insisting on our authority while refusing to yield would be the truly irreverent act!”
In other words, they were claiming to step back in honor of the Goddess. But if we stubbornly refused to move, then we would be the ones disrespecting her for failing to show proper deference.
With that parting jab, the warrior from the North turned away, leading her group in retreat. The Grand Duke’s large entourage redirected to another street, leaving a clear path for Irid’s procession.
The female knight from the Imperial Family observed their withdrawal with sharp violet eyes.
“Thank you for mediating, Mr. Wizard.”
She gave me a brief bow as gratitude.
As her head tilted slightly, strands of golden hair cascaded down like silk, and for a moment, I felt an odd sense of familiarity. If one looked closely at her features, faint traces of Yuna’s lineage were there.
Perhaps because of that, I found myself unconsciously inclined to be a little more generous toward her, even though we were strangers. It was natural to feel a sense of goodwill toward a friend’s family.
Since she shared Yuna’s bloodline, I felt an odd softness toward her as well. I knew better than to pry into a lady’s private matters, but curiosity got the better of me.
“No problem. But⋯⋯.”
I hesitated for a moment before voicing the question on my mind.
“Are you using Black Magic by any chance?”
“⋯⋯Pardon?”
“If not, then it must be Metamorphosis. I’m no expert, but I do know that overdoing it is never a good idea. You should be careful with it.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Should I call it a smell? A sixth sense maybe?
I could feel that her soul was damaged—just like how Bennett had once shattered his own with Black Magic to wring out more power.
It wasn’t some special ability of mine. It was just⋯⋯ I was able to do to it ever since I accepted the Malice.
I suspected that ‘It’ possessed sensory organs attuned to measure torment, since it thrived on human suffering. And I seemed to have⋯⋯ inherited this particular trait.
Whenever this Yurensto knight used her Metamorphosis ability, I could distinctly hear the fractures forming in her soul.
Perhaps she was cursed. Or⋯⋯ similar to Elaine’s previous Metamorphosis, there might be a built-in self-destructive element to it.
Whatever the reason, one thing was certain—the more she relied on her Metamorphosis, the more it shaved away at her lifespan.
Her expression barely concealed her shock at having her secret exposed. She looked so much like Yuna when her weak points were hit. But then, she gave me a smile—one that resembled the ashes left after a fire.
“It doesn’t matter. Thank you for your concern.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
“I believe His Highness is calling for you. You should return to him⋯⋯.”
With that questionable response, she sent me on my way.
===============================================================
I brought up the topic as soon as I boarded the carriage.
“Prince, that⋯⋯ female knight. She’s kinda dying every time she uses her Metamorphosis.”
“How did you figure that out on the first—no, never mind. I shouldn’t expect common sense when it comes to you. If you’ve seen it, at least that saves us some time.”
He already knew about it?
Irid fiddled with an artifact to establish a secure communication, then dropped something unexpected.
“Crazy Wizard, while you seem intent on fully diving into the Hero Selection Tournament… we actually aren’t.”
“⋯⋯What?”
Then what was the point of this grand procession all the way to Trumpethall?
Irid quickly cleared up my confusion.
“I’m here partly for other opportunities⋯⋯ but primarily because of my sister’s request. She asked me to bring the female knight you met—Cicel Yurensto—to participate in the tournament. And──”
And.
“She has specifically requested that I do something to ensure she doesn’t win.”
“Not to help her win⋯⋯ but to make her fail?”
“Exactly. Cicel Yurensto intends to become the Hero, heal her soul, and then return to the Eastern Front. But my sister has other plans. She wants Cicel to retire.”
It was an odd request.
Her loyalty was beyond question. She was willing to sacrifice even her soul for the Empire, displaying absolute devotion with her own life.
And yet, Elaine wanted such a valuable asset to retire?
“Imperial Children are born and raised with countless lives beneath our feet, bound to rule over them. I am no exception. Because of this⋯⋯ we naturally develop our own ways of deciding who should serve us.”
Irid tapped the table lightly. In my mind, I envisioned a spiderweb stretching outward from the papers surrounding him—an illusion conjured by my imagination, but it was probably not far from reality.
Through governance and administration, he controlled everything with meticulous precision. However, since he was still young and inexperienced, lacking complete authority, there were gaps in his web of influence.
But if Irid were to don the crown, that web would extend across the entire Empire, ensnaring even a caterpillar ten thousand li away from where he was sitting.
He was that type.
“I don’t employ those who are unpredictable. I avoid keeping people too close if they refuse to stay within my grasp or act independently.”
“But you value me highly.”
“You’re not my subordinate. If anything, you’re using me. And you have the nerve to say something like that while constantly moving on your own?”
On the other hand…
Elaine was like a warrior from a grand painting, a vanguard wielding a towering banner as she charged forward, platinum hair streaming behind her as she paved the way for others to follow. People followed her naturally.
“My sister commands her subjects through sheer charisma. Rampaging wolves, jackals blinded by ambition—she tames them all under her banner. But even she has limits.”
“The exceptions.”
“She refuses to employ those who have lost themselves. Those devoid of ambition, those whose hearts are hollow—they are unworthy of standing beneath her banner of conquest(覇道).”
I could understand that.
People without dreams were boring.
That was why Elaine wanted Cicel Yurensto—this knight fighting with the last remnants of her soul—out of the military.
It might sound ruthless at first, but Irid’s expression wasn’t as cold as one might expect. And I doubted Elaine would be heartless enough to discard someone without reason.
She wasn’t banishing her, so.
“⋯⋯She was hoping for Cicel Yurensto to find a new purpose in life.”
Then Irid turned to me, making his request.
“Your magic changed both me and my sister.”
“It certainly did.”
“We don’t want to see a knight as talented as her throw her life away so meaninglessly. Give her a chance to change. If you do, I’ll gladly support your plans.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Elaine, who wanted her knight to reclaim her future, and Irid, who rushed here to fulfill his sister’s wish. How cute.
A grin spread across my face.
I couldn’t help but feel excited in a situation like this.
They were asking for a session from me. My precious two players had brought in a new one, and they wanted me to guide her through whatever tragedy she had endured⋯ as a game!
Then I would gladly accept.
She was even from the same family as Yuna, wasn’t she? I might as well throw in some family service while I was at it.
“Leave it to me. This kind of thing… is my specialty.”
“⋯⋯I really cannot trust you when you smile like that. Could you at least—manage your face a bit better⋯⋯!”
I would do it. I would figure out her problem, and help her find meaning again.
The first tournament—the Tournament of『Courage』 was approaching. Let’s use this dazzling stage to weave a compelling story.
Let’s write it. The story of warriors gathering for their own reasons, all trying to become the Hero. And among them, the tale of a female knight, piecing together her lost fragments through battle and newfound connections.
For now, a temporary title would be—
『The Female Knight’s Journey: A Tournament of Passion』.
***
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