Duchess Katia’s family has produced outstanding mages for generations. They place particular importance on their relations with the Magic Tower, making it known as the center of magical engineering. Perhaps because of this.
In the past three years, the Katia territory has been transformed into a sanctum of magic, based on the vast resources gained from the victories of the conquest wars.
From the facilities of the Magic Tower lined up in rows to the magic schools built exclusively for mages, it was almost bewildering to realize that this was the territory I once knew.
“It’s changed so much.”
The Katia territory is structured around a main residence the size of a castle, surrounded by several towns. The status of these surrounding towns reflects just how large and wealthy the Katia territory is.
“What is this… it could almost be called a small country.”
The vast fields where golden rice grows are fertile, and with rivers nearby, the resources are unlikely to suffer from poor harvests.
With the central concept of magic, unique culture has been formed and spread, with products and performances never seen before filling the streets.
It was the same when I visited the Lemea territory, but it looks like a completely different world compared to the Empire from seven years ago.
‘But to search for my family here…’
Thanks to Duke Lemea’s assistance, I was able to learn that there is a village in the Katia territory where the Dragon Clan is presumed to live.
However, that village has become a ruin due to the war, and its name has even changed, so to find it, I must locate its residents.
How am I supposed to find the inhabitants of just one village among dozens spread across this vast territory?
‘For now, I guess I have no choice but to look around.’
First, I’ll wander about to gather small bits of information, and if I need other means later, I’ll think of something then.
*****
There is a way to barge into the Katia residence and ask for help recklessly, but one reason has come up that makes that unwise.
“The Duchess is staying at the Imperial Capital?”
“That’s right. It’s been so long that anyone living here should know, but it seems this is our first meeting?”
In a nameless restaurant.
After staying for about a week, renting a place and gathering information, I replied naturally.
“Oh, I’m a wanderer.”
“My, what a hard life you lead in this peaceful world.”
“Peaceful?”
“Of course! What other peaceful era is there like this one?”
“Oh… do you think the current leaders are governing the country well?”
“Indeed. I don’t usually give such compliments, but they are deserving of it. I think it would be excellent if my son could get a job as a government official in the Empire.”
Ten years have passed since the end of the conquest war.
While the war took the lives and livelihoods of many, ten years is a reasonable time for wounds to heal and for pain to fade.
Though we cannot turn back what was lost, the current Empire is certainly a place where people can live comfortably.
“I don’t know where you come from, but it would be best to settle down quickly wherever you can. It’s an era where you don’t have to worry about starving if you’re just diligent. Would you like me to help you get a job as a kitchen assistant?”
“No thanks. I have a place to go back to.”
Ern poured alcohol into a glass.
“If you have a place to return to, it’s better to go there quickly. Just a word of caution from me, the saying ‘you must suffer when young to enjoy rest in old age’ is a complete lie. One should enjoy and play while they are young to have a good life.”
“Did you enjoy yourself when you were young?”
“I didn’t get to enjoy myself much, which is why I’m telling you this. Now I have a beautiful wife and a son, but I was a sl*ve of war back then.”
“A war sl*ve… were you freed during the pacification period?”
“That’s right.”
There had been a suggestion to release the war slaves who had survived five or more battles.
This occurred around the time the Eastern Principality’s castle was conquered and the Duke died, just as victory was near.
With the end of the war, the need for war sl*ves disappeared.
However, the Empire, which had gained considerable experience from these personnel, was reluctant to dispose of them and instead freed them from slavery and offered them jobs.
“I’ve heard it was just liberation in name, making them work for minimum wage for five years and firing them as they pleased, so your situation wasn’t too good, huh?”
“Well, whatever. Ultimately, I managed to save up money and marry my wife, and now I even have a son.”
“Isn’t that just you doing well?”
“Not really. Everyone I worked with packed their bags and left for their hometowns or found other jobs. When you’re working all day, you hardly have a chance to spend money.”
“Don’t you resent the Emperor who started the war?”
“The ruler back then is not the ruler now. What meaning is there in revenge?”
“…”
The current Empress, Epherna Grandeum, is rumored to be a victim of the conquest war, a widely known fact.
Four years ago, the Second Prince spread that rumor, making it common knowledge among anyone over the age of ten.
“…Sir, can I ask you one last thing?”
“What is it?”
“Do you think the current ruler is a wise ruler?”
“I don’t know. What good does it do for me to think she’s wise? It’s just throwing sand against the castle wall.”
“And what do you think?”
“I can’t say for sure whether she’s a wise ruler, but he is a good ruler.”
“…Is that so?”
That’s a relief, then.
Ern smiled and handed a silver coin to the man.
“This is a tip for you, Sir. The stew was delicious.”
“…!! Hey now, this is worth far more than the original amount…”
“I’ll come by again next time.”
*****
It’s autumn.
Considering the temperature of the wind brushing against my skin, it must be around November.
It’s too early for snow and too late for the leaves to fall.
When I exhale, steam comes out, though it isn’t very clear.
Perhaps it’s because I haven’t had alcohol in a while.
The warmth in my stomach stirs my emotions.
“Three years…”
When I first learned that fact, I didn’t feel any particularly strange emotions.
It was probably because it didn’t feel real. But now that I see and hear it, a sense of dissonance has surged within me, contrasting sharply with what I once knew.
The North has truly undergone a transformation, the Katia territory seems to have prospered without much change, and the former war sl*ves are living diligently as citizens of the Empire.
And so, Epherna has become the Empress.
It’s a sentence that doesn’t become familiar no matter how many times I repeat it.
dGdqT3dQdzk0MjN2ekF2QzBPdnl5bnZrV29OWTBpQmhPNkpXcERwUnNPNEFUdXJrVmR3bFpzamRtMEV0clJ5bw It’s not easy to pretend like nothing happened.
Even though I try to act nonchalant, it isn’t easy. Each time the words Epherna and Empress cross my mind, strange feelings stir within me.
What could their true nature be?
As I wander the streets, these thoughts swirl inside me.
“Ah.”
“…I-I’m sorry!”
A child bumped into my leg, quickly bowing to apologize before passing by.
What could be so urgent?
I watched the child’s retreating figure with a light heart when I noticed something unusual.
“Hey, little one.”
“…Y-Yes…?”
“Why are you leaking mana like that?”
As I approached the child, they revealed a sense of hostility, as if they had seen a beast.
“Don’t worry. The energy you’re leaking is something only I can see. I have no intention of telling anyone else.”
The child was wearing a large black cloak that seemed out of place.
I wondered where they were in such a hurry to go, and I noticed that their mana was flowing towards the direction of their heart.
“If you’re trying to go to that mountain, I can help you.”
“…”
“Do you think I wouldn’t know your identity?”
I activated my ability.
The child’s eyes shone brightly as they resonated with my blue ones.
Realizing this, the child hastily covered their eyes.
“I’ve set up a recognition-inhibiting barrier around us. No one will see.”
“……”
“Will you trust me? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen one of my kind.”
The child thought for a few seconds before nodding.
*****
“What’s your name?”
“Sonya.”
“Do you live over there with your parents?”
“Yeah.”
“You left without your parents’ permission, didn’t you?”
“…”
I expected as much.
A young member of the Dragon Clan had come out cloaked without any guardian, just wandering among the crowds.
It’s obvious they must be alone.
“Mister.”
“…”
Ah.
“Did you call for me?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you have a question?”
“How can you walk around the streets like this, Mister?”
“I manage my mana well.”
The Dragon Clan has mana that instinctively follows them.
Without needing to concentrate, the mana inside their bodies floats freely in the air, manifesting their thoughts.
To exaggerate slightly, they are chosen beings.
“Be careful from now on. Any high-level mage aside from me will easily notice that your mana sensitivity is abnormal.”
“How do you manage your mana?”
“You have to imagine well. If you visualize your mana so that it doesn’t unnecessarily reveal its presence, it will follow your thoughts.”
“…I don’t know how to visualize.”
“Take your time to think about that. We’ve arrived.”
I had crossed a mountain to get here.
Though they are of the Dragon Clan, I wondered how they chose to live in such a desolate place. Perhaps I was the one who was unusual.
“Sonya!”
“Our daughter!”
A man who appeared to be middle-aged and a woman suddenly flung open the door of a hut.
They rushed out, clearly worried about their daughter, but halted in their tracks upon seeing me.
I could easily read their thoughts.
“Don’t worry, we are of the same kind.”
I immediately activated my eyes.
