Chapter 36
“Good job. I’ve heard that child has quite a talent; it’s impressive you managed to win.”
But at best, she was just a fledgling with no practical experience.
“To lose to an eight-year-old means your magical skills aren’t that impressive, Father.”
“True. Your magic is particularly strong.”
Soon, Remton nodded and looked at me with a serious expression.
“Most magicians who see your magic will feel various emotions. So you need to be careful. For now, your family can protect you, but if your talent continues to grow, the future could be different.”
He was right.
Although the Marquess family is among the top ten in the Empire, that means there are families even higher than this Marquess family.
Three Duke families.
And the Imperial family.
At least these four places are undoubtedly positioned above us.
The other five can be considered similar to us or slightly below us in influence.
Of course, just because the power of these four families is strong doesn’t mean they can unilaterally pressure the Marquess family.
“Over time, they’ll start to pressure us.”
Right now, it’s still too early for rumors about me to spread widely, and since I’m a 1st Circle magician, I can pass through without much fuss.
Being a 1st Circle magician while wielding the power of a 2nd Circle magician?
While it’s indeed impressive talent, it also means I’m merely a 2nd Circle magician at best.
Moreover, my notable achievements are limited to hunting a Twin-Headed Ogre, and that was not just my effort but a hunt involving knights and soldiers.
Most likely, they’ll judge it as a false rumor meant to elevate my status.
It’s hard to believe that a 1st Circle magician achieved remarkable feats against a monster with two heads.
The fact that I won the magical duel against Iris is known only to the Count and the Marquess before me.
So, they probably have a very superficial understanding of the information.
“Unless I’m at the level of a 3rd Circle magician.”
For now, neither the three Duke families nor the Imperial family is actively trying to target me.
Even they have their pride.
They wouldn’t create a fuss with the Marquess family just to go after a beginner magician who’s just stepping into the world of magic, right?
Of course, if they knew the knowledge I possess, they’d definitely rush in to dissect me without considering the Marquess family’s status.
Naturally, I had no intention of revealing everything given my current lack of power. I planned to unveil things step by step, according to my circumstances.
Just enough to protect myself.
“Yes, Father. I will be as careful as possible.”
“Good. By the way, who is the child beside you…?”
“Oh, this is Erciel, my new personal maid.”
Upon hearing that, Erciel bowed her head.
“Greetings, Sir.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Between the two of them, a natural silence began to settle.
The Marquess had a look of curiosity about why I brought her, while my maid didn’t have the status to speak up in this situation.
To eliminate this awkwardness, I needed to get to the point quickly.
“Do you remember the magical materials I brought last time?”
“Yes. You mentioned you were going to conduct some experiments.”
“Actually, it wasn’t an experiment. There was a specific purpose. I brought this child to show you the results.”
Upon my words, the Marquess seemed to understand something, and interest flickered in his eyes.
“You took the high-grade spirit stone, right? If that’s the case….”
“You’re correct in your assumption. Erciel?”
At my words, she immediately summoned an ancient spirit.
Flap.
Then, the fluttering spirit met the Marquess’s gaze.
“…It’s a special spirit.”
“It’s an ancient spirit. As you can see, its attribute is light. I’ve heard that it grows together with its contractor.”
“An ancient spirit, huh… What’s its efficacy?”
“I’ll show you. From now on, this spirit will project light onto you. Just accept it. It’s a good light. Now, Erciel?”
In that moment.
A brilliant light burst forth from the spirit’s body.
As if instinctively sensing that it was beneficial light, Marquess Remton accepted the light without blinking an eye.
“…Hmm.”
“Isn’t this result quite decent?”
“Surely, the value you provide is worth it.”
“It will be a great help to our family in the future.”
“With a spirit summoner of this caliber, that will certainly be the case.”
The marquess then looked at Erciel and spoke.
“I understand why you’re here. You mentioned you’ve become Kyle’s personal maid?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Indeed. You certainly have talent. I trust you will take good care of Kyle. Now, please step outside and wait for a moment.”
“Yes.”
With that, Erciel stepped out of the room.
Soon after, Remton quietly looked at me.
“You’ve truly discovered a gem of a talent. Keeping her by your side will be a significant asset in the future.”
“Yes, I plan to support her as much as I can.”
“Good. Make sure to win her heart. Human emotions are like reeds; you must put in a lot of effort to hold them firmly.”
“I will keep that in mind. And I have something to tell you about that child.”
“Go ahead.”
“I would like you to keep this matter a secret for the time being.”
“Is there a reason?”
“Though she is talented, she is still just starting out. If word spreads that she can summon ancient spirits, who knows what could happen?”
At my words, the marquess nodded.
“I understand. I will keep it to myself for now.”
That was reassuring.
After a moment of looking at me, he said, “By the way, I heard that Abel bought a large quantity of wheat from Enfelrum. It happened while you were there.”
Did he know?
Well, of course.
In terms of money, it was a transaction worth a whopping 60 billion. If that much money was flowing, there was no way he wouldn’t know, unless he were a fool.
For now, pretending not to know was the best response.
“Is that so? Wheat, huh… It seems my older brother has taken quite a gamble. Farming has been quite successful over the last decade, hasn’t it?”
“Are you saying you were completely unaware?”
“Yes. I’ve only met my older brother once recently, and that was just a simple exchange of pleasantries.”
“Really? I heard that the second brother visited you too.”
As expected.
The marquess was well-informed about most matters. It was only natural, considering he intended to pass on his power and wasn’t just a toothless tiger.
He still held the top position in the marquisate.
In fact, even after the successor ceremony, it’s common to maintain the head position for about a year while teaching the successor various things.
Of course, Remton had died due to the rebellion instigated by Adolf, so Abel immediately inherited that position.
“Yes, the second brother also came to see me.”
At that, the marquess smiled.
“Those two are trying hard to win you over. Is there someone your heart leans towards?”
“Well… to be honest, I’d like to support my older brother. There’s no law stating the eldest must inherit, but it does lend legitimacy, doesn’t it? It seems like the most stable choice, doesn’t it?”
“Right. Whatever you choose is your own freedom, so do as you wish.”
I casually glanced at the marquess and asked, “Has father not yet decided whom to choose as the successor between the older and younger brother?”
“Not yet.”
Both had seemingly similar power bases, and despite being the eldest, Abel’s younger brother Adolf was somewhat more capable.
That would naturally be a dilemma.
There was no law stating that the family must be handed down to the eldest son.
Thus, the retainers had likely divided their loyalties as well.
Of course, if he knows the true nature of Adolf, he could make a quick judgment.
Unless he were to possess someone like me, it would be natural not to know.
Still, he must have leaned a bit more toward Abel.
People are never one hundred percent impartial. Adolf probably had some idea of the marquis’s true intentions since childhood.
He was a quick-witted kid, after all.
So, he must have actively embraced the powers of darkness and gathered his forces long ago.
He was a troublesome guy.
I glanced at the marquis and casually said, “Personally, I find my big brother’s personality quite admirable. His capacity for acceptance is impressive.”
“Are you already taking sides?”
“After all, one must choose a side eventually.”
At that, the marquis nodded.
From what I could tell, Remton seemed completely unaware of the possibility of rebellion.
Though the factions might be split until the succession ceremony, once that was over, he probably thought they would showcase a miraculous reconciliation and work together to lead the marquisate.
If he thought the second son would revolt, he wouldn’t have let things split into two factions in the first place.
In fact, there are plenty of examples of heirs being decided and the siblings sharing amicably afterward, so it’s understandable he would think so.
But the problem was that Adolf was not that kind of person.
There was nothing I could do about it right now.
Ugh.
This is why evidence is needed.
In the meantime, the marquis looked at me and casually asked, “By the way, did you use the mana pouch well?”
“… Yes?”
“The one I put in the magic pouch last time.”
“… Did you know?”
“You put in quite an effort to conceal your energy. I doubt anyone else noticed it except me.”
Remton turned out to be more of a monster than I expected.
Of course, this monster wouldn’t be able to withstand the combined forces of Adolf and a few of his subordinates.
With a smile that seemed amused, the marquis continued,
“If you had taken the mana pouch without contributing anything, I would never have let it slide. I don’t appreciate sneaky behavior. However, you have made a significant contribution.”
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. You only received what you deserved in return.”
“I used the mana pouch effectively.”
“Did you use it to overcome Hermemu?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
At that, he nodded.
“How far have you opened the passage?”
“Up to the top of the head area. I think I can finish that soon as well.”
“You’re making quick progress in overcoming it.”
“I’ve been doing my best to break through all this time.”
“Good. By the way, did you come to talk about the spirit that child possesses?”
“That’s part of it, and I also have another request. Could I obtain some mana stones?”
“… Mana stones?”
Soon after, I noticed a hint of curiosity in Remton’s eyes as he looked at me.
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