The Allied Forces’ first battle ended in a complete victory.
They either killed or captured every enemy, and their own casualties were almost nonexistent. Even those few losses were mostly soldiers from Briol’s vanguard.
“All thanks to my magic,” Marirose said, lounging on a plush sofa as she wrote a report to send back to the Empire.
“Well, the Prince of Briol played his part too,” she added with a hum of satisfaction.
The third prince of Briol had charged alone into the enemy lines, breaking through their formation.
It was a spectacle too impressive to keep to herself.
Like a game of tag, Briol’s knights desperately pursued him, and the prince’s assault shattered the enemy ranks completely.
Marirose had watched it all unfold.
And she could say with certainty:
“That prince is no ordinary human.”
She wasn’t well-versed in warfare, but as a mage, she had studied the extent of a single person’s influence on the physical world.
To put it bluntly, that prince single-handedly turned the tide of the battle.
If anyone else had led the vanguard, even if they won, the casualties would have been far higher.
“That’s right. He’s no ordinary human.”
A familiar voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts. Marirose jumped and turned around.
“What is it?”
“I came to say hello.”
“I never invited you.”
“That’s why I came like this.”
Hernando was leaning against the window, looking out.
Marirose tossed her pen aside.
Books on the shelf seemed to come alive, swirling around to shield Hernando.
The pen’s tip stuck into the leather cover of a book.
“My book!”
“Why are you throwing things all of a sudden?”
“Phew…”
The pen slid back into Marirose’s hand.
“What do you want?”
“I said I came to say hello.”
“I have nothing to say to you.”
Hernando walked over and sat opposite her.
“Long time no see. Good to see you.”
“Not really good to see you, just long time.”
“How’s life as a mage?”
“Good.”
Marirose tapped the armrest of the sofa she sat on.
Carved into the wood was the face of an eagle, its jewel-encrusted eyes gleaming.
“Because I can live comfortably.”
“Bored?”
“Not at all. Being in the Tower is far more boring. And frustrating. Though you probably didn’t notice, running around like you do.”
“You mean…?”
“What do you call it?”
“Master?”
Marirose snorted.
“You left as soon as you became Grand Wizard. What kind of master is that?”
“Sorry about that.”
“Do you know how hard it was for me at the Tower after you disappeared? Without your backing, everyone’s attitude changed completely. Ugh…”
“Mages grow alone, that’s how it is.”
“What?”
“That’s why you found a new master.”
“That was my doing. My survival skills and your irresponsibility are two different things.”
“Logical.”
Hernando glanced at the letter Marirose was writing—a report on the Allied Forces’ battle, addressed to the Empire’s court mages.
“Mind if I take a look?”
“You already did. There’s nothing interesting. What, you think I’m a spy or something?”
Hernando skimmed the letter.
It was mostly a long tale of her and Yuri’s exploits, with barely any actual battle details.
After a few lines, he put the letter away.
Marirose sank back into the sofa and lifted her chin.
“So, you’re following the third prince now, not the king?”
“Yeah.”
“His fate must be pretty interesting, huh?”
“Definitely. Very interesting.”
“How interesting?”
“Well…”
No one knew that Yuri Briol was destined to bring down the heavens.
Hernando smiled as he thought of him.
“I’m here to keep watching. That’s why I came.”
“Honestly, I find myself watching him more and more too.”
“Because of his face?”
“His actions are cute too.”
Marirose narrowed her eyes and smiled.
“If only I could escape Valshard, I’d follow him too.”
The magical barrier protecting Valshard was powered solely by the mages of the Tower.
Sometimes they slipped away in secret, but during times of war like this, they had to stay put.
“Yeah.”
“Are you worried I might try to lure him away?”
“Hmm…”
Hernando shook his head.
“Even you wouldn’t have an easy time. That guy…”
He thought of Yuri, who claimed he didn’t believe in love.
His eyes were like those of a lone wolf walking a path full of lovers. Hernando knew that look well.
Lonely males recognize each other.
“Reminds me of my younger days…”
“What did you say?”
“Anyway.”
He looked at Marirose.
“So, how’s your research going?”
She stared back at him, as if holding back a sharp retort.
“Is that a forbidden question?”
“Not forbidden, just shameless.”
Mages train with the goal of becoming Grand Wizards.
Marirose had inherited the magical path her master pursued.
“Tatago always believed you’d one day complete that magic.”
“Of course. I will. At least partially.”
After Hernando left as soon as he became Grand Wizard, Marirose took on a new master named Tatago.
Tatago was a figure all mages respected.
And the magic he sought was the dream of every mage.
The Absolute Analysis Formula.
But it was an ideal, perhaps a dream forever out of reach for humans.
Instead of the Absolute Analysis Formula, Marirose was researching a derivative magic based on its principles.
“The Transcendental Interpretation Formula is showing results.”
It was a magic that connected meanings so any language could be understood.
Beneath Valshard lay countless ancient books written in old tongues. If she perfected the Transcendental Interpretation Formula, she could study those records—and perhaps revive ancient magic.
“It’s not complete yet. But I can tell the old kingdoms’ magic was incredibly advanced. That’s all for now. Still researching.”
“Tell me more later.”
“Why me?”
“Then I’ll tell you too.”
“Tell me what?”
“Why I’m following Yuri.”
“Ah…”
“And about his destiny.”
“Isn’t that a spoiler?”
“I can avoid that.”
“Yeah, probably. Sounds interesting.”
Hernando stood up.
“I’ll drop by after the Allied Forces finish here.”
“Bring the prince too.”
“I will.”
He turned to leave, then paused and looked back down at Marirose.
“Marirose.”
“Yes?”
“Sorry for leaving without a word back then.”
Her eyes widened.
“You’re apologizing?”
“Time has passed.”
“The arrogant Hernando apologizing… destiny really is scary.”
Hernando chuckled softly.
She was right.
Having awakened the Destiny Contemplation Formula, he understood how small humans truly were. Maybe that’s why he followed Yuri.
“Hope you haven’t forgotten the Tower’s rules.”
“Of course not.”
Hernando rose.
“See you again.”
And just like when he first appeared, he vanished without a trace. Marirose tried to track him, but found nothing.
As she gathered her dispersed magic, she muttered,
“He really is something…”
Hernando was a genius.
That much was clear. Otherwise, he couldn’t have become Grand Wizard at such a young age.
The Tower’s sages worried about his early success. If a Grand Wizard had other ambitions, the world could fall into chaos.
So they emphasized the Tower’s code:
“A Grand Wizard does not interfere in human history.”
The magic Hernando showed was only a fraction of his true power. What he could do far exceeded ordinary imagination.
But that power must never be used.
“But still…”
What if the third prince he followed was threatened with death?
Saving a royal life would certainly break the code and alter history.
“I wonder what he’d do…”
“What about Hernando?”
“He said he was going on an errand, but then disappeared.”
“Constipation?”
The Allied Forces marched east, leaving Valshard behind.
They were now deep in orc territory.
An ambush could come at any time, from anywhere. The entire army was on high alert.
Suddenly, an imperial messenger approached Yuri on horseback.
“Prince! A summons!”
“What is it?”
“The Crown Prince requests your presence. He has something to discuss.”
“Is that so?”
The Allied Forces marched with Briol at the front, the Empire in the middle.
“Go ahead. Raymond, take care of things.”
“Yes, sir.”
Yuri rode toward the Empire’s camp with the messenger.
Ragna sat astride a massive warhorse, flanked by his guards clad in black armor, radiating intimidation.
As Yuri appeared, their gazes fixed on him.
“You’re here.”
“Yes.”
Yuri saluted.
“Come closer.”
Ragna ordered his guards to fall back. Yuri approached.
“There was an ambush at the rear.”
“Is that so?”
“We repelled it, but everyone’s on edge. At this rate, we’ll wear down.”
“Understood.”
“So I want to form a special unit to guard the lines and scout the area.”
“Like a rapid response team?”
“Exactly. Coordination is poor, so the response is chaotic.”
“Then you called me for this…”
Ragna smiled, placing a hand on Yuri’s shoulder.
“You know why.”
He wanted to entrust the task to him.
“Understood.”
Yuri nodded.
There was no harm in winning Ragna’s favor. To kill Okua and lead the allied forces to victory, gaining Ragna’s trust was essential.
Suddenly, the adjutant walking beside him spoke up.
“Your Highness, if we proceed like this, there might be complaints about fairness.”
“Is that so?”
“There are nations willing to offer support. At least consider discussing it…”
“Who said I’d let them?”
“Your Highness.”
“How tiresome. This is exactly why I didn’t want the allied forces involved. When a bunch of self-important types gather, this is what happens.”
Ragna shrugged toward Yuri.
He was quite fond of Yuri. The charge Yuri led in the last battle was exactly the kind of bold move Ragna admired.
Running his hand over his horse’s mane, Ragna fell into thought.
“What should I do…”
“Why not have the volunteers compete against each other?” someone suggested.
“Do you think I’m here for fun? It’ll only delay the march. And I can’t pick someone just like that. War isn’t just a sword fight, you know.”
“Then what do you propose?”
“Hmm…”
Ragna smiled meaningfully.
“This will do. Since you want to form separate units, tell the supporting nations to send their knights. Limit each to no more than thirty men.”
No sooner had he spoken than the Empire’s messenger relayed Ragna’s decree to the entire allied army.
It was a matter of pride. Every nation offered their support.
As the knight orders arrived in groups, the Empire’s ranks grew chaotic.
Gathering them all, Ragna addressed the crowd.
“You have until sundown. Scout the area, find the orcs, and bring back their right ears. The nation that collects the most will be given the opportunity.”
Yuri thought it was a reasonable approach.
This mission required a variety of skills: tracking orc signs, the organizational strength of the knight orders, and real combat ability.
Individual prowess alone wouldn’t guarantee success.
“Then let’s begin.”
Ragna declared.
But no knights immediately charged forward. Most gathered in place, discussing strategy.
Yuri looked over the knight orders.
Aside from Raymond, who would stand in for him, he had selected the most capable knights from Briole.
What were their thoughts?
“Your Highness, what should we do?”
“We will follow only you, Your Highness.”
“Please don’t concern yourself with our opinions.”
“There’s no need for debate. Give us your orders.”
“…”
Not much help, but at least they would carry out his commands faithfully.
“Alright.”
Yuri took the reins firmly.
“Let’s go!”
He spurred his horse forward.
The knights followed without hesitation.
Thus, Briole was the first to move.
Watching the knights from other nations linger behind, the Briole knights soon began to ride out one by one.
Ragna laughed as he observed the scene.
“I wonder if that Yuri fellow knows what he’s doing.”
The adjutant shook his head.
“Tracking and extermination aren’t the same as sword fighting. The third prince of Briole lacks experience. His results probably won’t be good.”
“Is that so?”
Ragna chuckled as he guided his horse.
“If he manages to show something this time, I think I’ll start to favor him.”
“You already do, don’t you?”
“Not yet.”
He pondered for a moment, then said,
“In an hour, send our knights too. The Empire can’t just stand by.”