Episode 85: The Calm Before the Storm #3
The training grounds of the Bureau’s Second Division.
The sunlight gleamed off the silver armor of the knights, and the cloaks of the mages and the flags fluttered in the wind.
“His Highness, the Second Prince, arrives!”
At the herald’s cry, all eyes turned in unison. From the opposite end of the training grounds, Descartes appeared. A crimson cape adorned with the golden sun emblem draped over his shoulders.
Descartes walked slowly between the knights and mages, ascending to the podium.
Once on the podium, he brought his lips close to a voice-amplifying magical device.
“Greetings, members of the Bureau. From today, I, Descartes Rozino, will take on the role of commander of the Second Division, the blade that protects the empire.”
His amplified voice echoed across the training grounds. Clear and resolute, it commanded everyone’s attention.
“I’ll get straight to the point. I may lack the ability to fulfill the duties of a commander. I’ve barely reached the level of a second-class knight through sheer effort, and I cannot wield a Mana Blade.”
Descartes paused briefly, gauging the reaction of the knights. The weight of his honesty filled the training grounds.
“I am more of a scholar than a warrior. I’ve always preferred wielding a pen over a sword and researching academic pursuits over honing combat skills.”
Being of royal blood didn’t mean excelling in every area. Everyone had their strengths and preferences, and Descartes was no exception.
“As a warrior, I am lacking. I have never wielded a sword on a battlefield nor ventured into the depths of a Demonic lair.”
He raised his head, meeting the gazes of the soldiers watching him.
“But there is one thing I can promise you. I will not shy away from responsibility or decisive action. I will listen to your voices and strive to become the sharp blade of this empire.”
Raising his hand slowly, he concluded.
“If there’s anything necessary for a mission, do not hesitate to speak. I will address it as an official matter. If you have opinions, do not hold back. I will listen. That is all.”
After finishing his speech, Descartes descended from the podium. As his speech ended, a quiet murmur spread across the training grounds.
“Is this really okay…?”
“Hmm.”
“Looks like a tough road ahead.”
“How will he handle the upcoming demonic lair reconnaissance…?”
It was a natural reaction. The new commander had started his introduction by declaring himself incompetent.
“Still, he seems determined.”
“Honestly, I prefer this kind of attitude.”
“He might actually be trustworthy…?”
At the same time, some nodded at his sincerity. Yohan didn’t think too poorly of him either.
‘At least he’s straightforward.’
Admitting one’s shortcomings required great courage, especially for someone as prideful as a royal.
Yet his honest confession and request for help didn’t come across as recklessness but rather revealed his genuine nature.
‘And he’s not a bad administrator.’
Yohan had heard about the frontier region Descartes had governed. It was a harsh and barren land, but hope had begun to sprout after his arrival.
While he might not know how to wield a sword, Descartes knew how to take responsibility. And that was the most critical quality for someone destined to inherit the throne.
‘Not bad.’
Yohan smiled faintly. Descartes was far better than the sociopathic crown prince.
In fact, he thought Descartes might make the empire’s future even brighter.
‘Well, we’ll have to wait and see…’
Truthfully, as long as the next heir wasn’t Fedelian, anyone would suffice.
***
Right before his shift ended, Yohan received a summons from Descartes and opened the door to the commander’s office.
‘Hmm?’
Yohan tilted his head slightly. The atmosphere in the commander’s office had changed.
The crimson hues of the setting sun softly illuminated the table through the window.
Papers and letters on the desk were neatly organized without a hint of disorder.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Special-Class Mage Lahart. I’ve heard much about you.”
As Yohan stood there in mild confusion, Descartes approached with a friendly smile.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Commander.”
“Haha, no need for such formalities.”
When Yohan greeted him with a respectful bow following imperial etiquette, Descartes waved his hand dismissively and gestured toward the central sofa.
“Please, have a seat.”
“Yes.”
The two sat on the sofa in the middle of the office.
“I wanted to have a conversation, though I must apologize for the lack of preparation. I’ve only just taken up my position.”
“It’s no issue. This is more than sufficient for a conversation. After all, we’re not young noble ladies enjoying a tea party, are we?”
“Hmm, that’s true enough.”
Descartes smiled faintly and nodded slowly. In truth, it was hard to say his preparations were lacking.
The white steam rising from the teacup carried a pleasant aroma, and the cookies placed on the central table, though somewhat clumsy in shape, had a charm to them.
This much was more than enough.
“So, what is it you’d like to discuss?”
Yohan asked, lifting his teacup.
“It’s nothing grand. I simply wanted to say that I look forward to working with you. And, of course, it’s an honor to speak with the famed Special-Class Mage.”
Descartes laughed lightly.
“…I see.”
Yohan nodded dryly. There was undoubtedly some ulterior motive at play.
“…”
Sensing that beating around the bush wasn’t to Yohan’s taste, Descartes quickly moved to the point.
“Well, I’m not fond of beating around the bush, and I imagine you find it frustrating as well. I’ll get straight to it.”
He leaned forward, his expression hardening. His golden eyes took on a serious gleam.
“The conversation we’re about to have is not between a commander and a Special-Class Mage, but between the Second Prince and Count Lahart. Are you alright with that?”
“Yes, please proceed.”
Closing his eyes, Yohan gently tilted his teacup, letting the soft aroma linger at his nose.
“With the Crown Prince’s position now vacant, the imperial succession race has reopened. While it seems the other royals lack ambition, we can’t afford to let our guard down.”
With Fedelian dethroned and branded a traitor, there were no other royals who posed a threat to Descartes.
The only potential competitor was Raeliana, but she had no desire for the throne and was a bit of an airhead, so there was little to worry about.
It wasn’t like something out of the morning dramas from Yohan’s previous life — where someone suddenly declared, “It was all an act!” or “Yes! I’ve been waiting for this moment!” — Raeliana wasn’t that kind of person.
Of course, one couldn’t let their guard down completely. There was always the chance that a member of the Imperial family, backed by the nobles left adrift after Fedelian’s disappearance, might rise to challenge the throne.
“So, are you asking me to support Your Highness?”
“Indeed. Building a foundation starting with you, Count, would be the most stable approach.”
Descartes nodded once, his expression firm.
“But I’m not asking for your support outright. Deciding on a political stance would put you in a difficult position as well. For now, I’d like you to simply observe my progress. After that, I’ll leave the decision to your judgment.”
Supporting a specific member of the Imperial family in the reopened succession struggle would be a heavy burden to bear. After all, the nobility was divided into numerous factions, regardless of personal relationships.
Especially for Yohan, who was not only the Count of Lahart — one of the most powerful figures in the empire — but also set to become the son-in-law of the Duke Fervache, a high-ranking noble family.
That’s why Descartes had no intention of shamelessly begging for Yohan’s support from the start. He hadn’t even considered it a possibility.
“If, after observing my actions, you decide not to support me, I’ll accept that cleanly. It would simply mean I’m lacking.”
Thus, Descartes had chosen a path of demonstrating his potential and leadership, hoping to earn Yohan’s support naturally.
“That’s all I have to say.”
“Hm…”
Yohan furrowed his brows and stroked his chin. A low hum escaped his lips.
‘Well, he seems reasonable. A bit sharp-tongued, but his nature doesn’t seem bad.’
He didn’t know Descartes well, but based on the information he had gathered so far, he didn’t seem like a bad person.
‘I liked today’s inauguration, too… but there’s no pressing need to support him.’
His deliberation deepened.
‘But the empire, where I plan to live with my loved ones, needs a wise and virtuous ruler.’
Before making a decision, Yohan considered all possible outcomes. His eyes grew shadowed with contemplation.
“…”
As Yohan’s lips remained tightly shut, Descartes’ legs began to tremble slightly from nervousness.
“Well…”
At last, Yohan broke the silence.
“Alright. I’ll consider it positively.”
“…Thank you.”
Descartes inwardly sighed with relief. Securing Yohan’s support was essential. As the one capable of sealing the demonic lairs, Yohan was at the Empire’s core.
No matter what, Descartes had to maintain a good relationship with Yohan Lahart. Only through him could the current Imperial family ensure steady cooperation.
Crunch.
As Yohan bit into a cookie, he blinked.
“By the way, what’s with these cookies? They’re different from what you usually find in the market.”
The taste was as unrefined as their appearance. Not that it was bad—rather, it carried a sense of care and effort.
“Ah, those?”
Descartes glanced at the cookies, a small smile forming on his lips.
“There’s an orphanage in the outskirts where I used to stay. The children there baked these cookies with all their effort. When I mentioned that I was heading to the capital, they gave me a pouch filled with cookies as a token of gratitude for everything I had done for them.”
Yohan’s eyebrows raised slightly. For the orphanage children to bake cookies for him, it wasn’t just a matter of simple sponsorship—he must have been closely involved with them.
“Delicious, aren’t they?”
“It’s hard to believe children made them.”
The evaluation of Descartes Rozino as an individual was steadily rising. He might actually be a pretty decent person.
“By the way, where is the Special-Class Mage Ferbache? I wanted to speak with her along with you, but she’s been missing since lunch.”
“The Special-Class Mage Ferbache has taken on an external mission. I wasn’t informed of the details, so I don’t know much about it.”
Even Yohan didn’t know where she had gone. She hadn’t told him, no matter how many times he asked.
“…I see. Even Deputy Commander Ricard said he didn’t know.”
“…”
Yohan silently put another cookie in his mouth. Where could Francia have gone?
***
The Rozino Empire, located at the heart of the continent, possesses territory larger than any other nation. Most notably, the continent’s Origin Point lies within its domain.
When people are asked about the continent’s Origin Point, most respond indifferently, saying, “What meaning does it have?” However, there’s a significant secret hidden there.
The celestial mage who ushered in the Age of Magic created a library at the Origin Point to store their magic and artifacts.
“Hmm.”
Francia, who had entered an underground ruin, ignited her magic at her fingertips. Illumination magic. A soft white light appeared, illuminating the path ahead.
Step.
Francia walked through the celestial mage’s library.
The gray stone-paved floor felt cold and chilly, regardless of the temperature.
Step.
Though dust was piled up like mountains, she didn’t cough. She had covered her breathing passages with a cloth soaked in holy water.
Step.
Passing by towering walls of bookshelves and endlessly flowing tables, Francia finally stopped before an arched door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.
She tapped the doorknob rhythmically.
Rumble—!
The door began to split open with a tremor, dust falling from the ceiling.
Brushing off her hair naturally, Francia stepped inside. The interior was filled with faded artifacts.
As she wandered deeper, she meticulously inspected the dusty artifacts one by one.
And then—
“Found it.”
Francia’s lips trembled slightly as she spoke.
Gladius Luminis. A sword with a faint golden glow, as if resonating with her thirst for revenge, flickered in her crimson eyes.
“Heh.”
With her thin, delicate hand gripping the hilt, she let out a soft laugh.
She would finally eliminate those two men who had tormented her ever since before her regression.
So that she could always remain with Yohan.