Chapter 85: Each Ones Future (1)

Not far from the urban area of the continent was an exceedingly high-priced plot of land that embraced not only lakes and streams but also the mountains behind it.

That served as the Yukline mansions colossal site.

One could even argue that it was too gigantic. After all, thanks to the recent surge in the continents land prices, their residences monetary value was now equal to the annual budget of small and medium-sized estates.

Julie, proud of herself for having purchased a three-story mansion near the island alone, seemed to enjoy her everyday life in the Yuklines property.

A few laps around its backyard was enough to complete her morning jogging, and its large sports ground provided ample space for worry-free swordsmanship training. Moreover, all the meals served in the mansion were equivalent to a three-star restaurant.

Deculein set very strict standards for its expansive grounds, but I didnt care what the servants did as long as it was tidy. I even authorized the import documents they carefully handed me.

The attendants with far-reaching connections heard rumors of exotic pottery, tableware, beans, food, flower seeds, and carpets from a distant foreign land. With my permission, they imported all of them under the Yukline name.

As a result, beautiful flowers and trees from all over the world now grew in our gardens. The mansions interior was filled with all kinds of scents and aromas, and the clear lakes and streams were made suitable for summer vacation.

Julie seemed to especially like lakes. Whenever I couldnt find her, I knew she would be lying down near one together with her new pet, Blackie.

Ultimately, our residence became a place where luxurious comfort and unobtrusive abundance embraced people.

Everyone who visited our home couldnt help but appreciate it, even if just for a moment.

A paradise as alluring as a Venus Flytrap

That was the Yukline Mansion.

Basic stamina is the most important thing, Julie said, standing on the sports ground. For the first time in so long, she wasnt wearing her armor but instead a gray gym uniform.

Hence Uh, professor? Why are you looking at me like that? She tilted her head.

I shrugged.

Its been a long time since I last saw you wear something other than your armor, but thats it?

Ah~ I see.

Julie, who just accepted my complaint as a fact, pulled her clothes tight.

Ive been using this since my days in the Knights Templar. Its pretty good stuff. Its made of Femurene, so it should still be fine for the next 20 years.

I see.

Mmhmm. Going back, when it comes to physical fitness, ones basic physical strength is the most crucial factor.

She swiftly returned to the main topic.

Julie grabbed a wooden sword.

Let me first show you an example. This is the simplest rotation move.

Wheeik!

She swung it twice.

She initially drew a diagonal frontal strike, then turned around, rotating it around with her. Her movements were almost simultaneous. I even momentarily thought there were two Julies.

Its also known as Spin Move.

Spin Move.

Spin Moo-ve.

Spin Move.

Hmm. In any case, although a very basic move in our field, it can cause an injury if its executors carrying a large load on their back and knees, have poor basic physical strength, or are equipped with untrained muscles.

Julie handed me a wooden sword, which I grabbed and immediately used to follow her movements.

Swish! Swish!

It wasnt that different, in my opinion.

?

Momentary confusion flashed in her eyes. Blinking a couple of times, she said, Try it one more time.

Swish! Swish!

I repeated the same move.

?

Once again confused, she looked at the curriculum script that I had placed under the shade of a tree.

You seem to be doing well at a glance, but please try one last time.

I executed the Spin Moo-ve again.

?

When she doubted her eyes for the third time, I finally decided to interrupt her.

Accept it. I can do it just like you can.

You can, but your risk of injury is greater.

I wont get hurt.

You might think so, but your risk of injury is high.

Are you a parrot?

Thats why basic physical strength is essential.

Drops of sweat formed on her forehead. She seemed to have thought of me as someone weak, like most other wizards, which made her decide to start with the basics.

Well begin with a running session today. Are you ready?

Sure.

Okay. Lets go!

Julie moved at her regular pace, and I followed, keeping a gap of a couple of steps from her.

One, two One, two

One, two One, two

One, two One, two

She glanced sideways.

Youre really trying hard.

Yeah.

Good. Keep at it!

We continued down our path.

I didnt know how much my stamina compared to that of a knight, but [Iron Man] was a pretty advanced attribute, and I didnt neglect my mental strength, so it should be fine.

Are you okay? Julie looked behind her to check up on me again.

Yes.

Hmm.

She nodded proudly.

Our basic training went on.

Im going to speed it up a little bit more!

Okay.

Seemingly finding it unexpected that I could match her pace easily, she picked up the pace as if to daunt me.

One, two, one, two One, two, one, two

One, two, one, two One, two, one, two

In no time at all, we did ten laps.

Are you okay, Professor?

Yeah.

Whoa

My perfectly fine state surprised her.

I felt like the basic stamina of [Iron Man] had grown much more than before, perhaps because my Mana Rating had been upgraded to the 4th rank.

Do you want to stop?

No. Im okay.

I see.

We continued.

We were practically sprinting now. I couldnt even remember how many laps we had made anymore.

.

Noticing how Julie sweated profusely while seemingly in pain, I realized it too late.

When one had a heart injury, their biggest problem would always be their basic stamina.

Specifically, cardiorespiratory endurance.

I slowed down to a halt.

Lets stop. Im tired now.

Is that so?

She laughed bitterly, her expression dark, which evidenced she was unhappy with her physical condition.

Your basic physical strength is sufficient, professor. You must have exercised separately.

I looked at her silently. Damp with sweat, she seemed more beautiful than ever.

Julie. You are a knight.

Yes, I am

Julie tilted her head, wondering why I said something obvious.

With a faint smile on my lips, I continued.

I wanted to be someone that suited you. Thats why I worked hard.

She didnt reply, but her breathing stopped for a moment, and her ears tainted red.

It was a cute reaction.

Its a joke. I wanted to live.

I-I see.

I took my words back and told the truth, but she already had a shy blush on her cheeks.

Lets go get something to eat.

Sure

I went to the dining area first, and she followed hesitatingly. She also kept glancing at me the whole time we ate together.

After our meal, my servant served Luwak coffee, the high-quality coffee beans used on it causing Julies eyes to light up.

Thank you~

Sip after sip, I hid a smile as I watched her drink it dearly.

Julie. Lets begin preparations for todays imperial lecture.

Oh, okay.

The moment I cued her to start the escort mission again, her expression changed to that of a lioness.

*****

The Royal Palace at the Imperial City.

A cumbersome traditional event called the Emperor-presided Meeting was underway.

Sophien sat down on her throne and looked down on her subjects, her hands full with the appeals presented by the ministers.

I cant help but be concerned about the problems Mariks opening will cause, Your Majesty. It would only be proper to close it off now before its too late.

Those demon-blooded beasts always appear when we least expect it. Hence, I suggest focusing on them for now.

The suppression of their kind will surely cause resistance. In response to the chaos and destruction that would bring, the empire must

Sophien had a headache. She didnt want to keep listening to the damn bastards before her, which she found so annoying she almost killed herself right away.

Ive already decided to open Marik. I do not intend to change my mind now.

No, my lord!

Her servants shouts made the veins on her forehead pop.

Your Majesty always said

Please, dont disregard your servants appeal so much

When adventurers invade it indiscriminately, demons will appear

While they clamored like crazy people, Chiron came up to her and whispered, Your Majesty. Deculein has arrived.

Sophien smiled as soon as she heard that.

Enough! Its time for my lectures. Begone!

No, my lord! Nothing has been decided yet

Are you unaware of what Im learning from Deculein?

Rune language.

An invincible ability for Sophien.

Not even her officials could mess with the days when she was supposed to learn more about it.

Do you want me to waste such valuable time? Are you prepared to cope with the consequences of me doing so later?

.

Its runes. Do you not know what runes are?

Only then did her servants quiet down. Sophien sat up satisfactorily.

Go. This is where we end the meeting.

*****

Youre finally here. The emperor welcomed Deculein with a smile in the study room today.

I am.

I had a really annoying meeting today. Its a tradition that the emperor presides over it, so it was inevitable. Those moronic subjects of mine kept asking so many things. Listening to them question every single decision I made felt disgusting.

I see. Then lets start the class. Todays rune is .'

.

Deculein began the lessons as soon as she took a seat. The emperors eyes became as sharp as an ax.

Follow me. .'

Bae.

Not Bae. .'

Sophien rested her hand on her chin while looking at him.

A sigh from the emperors lips made her boredom known.

.

You never ask anything about my policy, do you?

.

Youre only saying that damn rune.

Her motivation to learn today was close to zero after suffering from her servants.

Realizing that fact, Deculein reluctantly focused on Sophiens words.

My servants were eager to know why I reopened Marik even though it doesnt even really matter what the reason is to them. Theyll oppose it anyway and welcome the Demon Blood suppression, an extension of it, with open arms

She stopped talking abruptly and looked at him languidly.

What do you think of my policy, Deculein? Why do you think the ministers are against its reopening?

The reason why the officials of the empire opposed it, why they desperately tried to close that door even though it had already been opened

He answered without a moments hesitation.

The supply of mana stones is already sufficient, so why do we have to take the risk and open it? Everyone being against it, I think, makes some sense.

Sophiens expression hardened, her lips curving into a frown.

Hmpf. Is that so? Youre no different. She replied, her voice sounding disappointed, as she leaned against her chairs backrest, but Deculein wasnt done yet.

He slowly continued.

However, the supply of it remaining sufficient is exactly what I find strange. The mines that produce it are clearly limited, and they have been exploited for hundreds of years.

Her forehead scrunched in curiosity.

Yet the mines that shouldve been statistically depleted long ago continue to procure them. The merchants selling the stones reason out that its possible due to the development of mining technology.

She slowly straightened up upon hearing his words.

Moreover, the upper ranks are the ones that not only dictate the mana stones price but

Also determine its supply. [Lopalasia], [Vermonia], [Crumakto]. Even the last emperor tried to maintain an amicable relationship with those three.

As Deculein nodded in agreement, Sophien leaned towards him.

The emperor was merely careful of them. Its funny, isnt it?

The inner story of the continent that she knew was simple.

According to it, more than 70% of the mana stones circulated by the giant upper-ranks now came from the Altar since the mines for it existed even in desolate lands that had been left untouched for hundreds of years.

She looked at his lips, wanting to hear what he had to say next quickly.

Yes. However, now that Marik opened, countless mana stones have become available for mining. It also simultaneously leaves no room for the merchants distribution network to interfere with the supply itll produce. After all, its all under the full authority of the imperial family.

Thanks to that, those morons are in a hurry now. Mariks mana stones are a fatal danger to them. Thats why the ministers who took money from them keep pestering me.

She smiled, and he reciprocated it.

Exactly. In that sense, Your Majesty can use it to strengthen your power. If theres a Demon Blood among the chiefs of the upper-ranks

There is. I know that for a fact, and I also know that if I keep messing with the Demon Blood, the Altar will intervene.

The empire has many internal enemies, not external ones.

Thats what makes it an empire.

The back-and-forth between Sophien and Deculein continued as if they were one person.

It was the first agreement she ever experienced in her life, but what came after that was far more important.

Without knowing this key point, Deculein wouldnt live up to her expectations.

Knowing all of that, Your Majesty still declared to me that you will expedite annihilation outside, not inside.

The emperor said she would aim her sword externally to suppress the Demon Blood, even though she knew the enemy within.

The flow of that logic was slowly reaching the emperors heart.

She felt childishly excited after so long. Unable to wait for Deculein to continue, she opened her mouth first.

Right. Mana stones are just the first trigger. Once the Altar bastards become worried to death due to the opening, I will declare the Myulji expedition myself.

Myulji is home to the Altar. Theyll inevitably feel threatened.

Once they do, its self-explanatory how theyd react.

They will go on an expedition and raid the empires empty appearance.'

At that moment

Sophien looked into Deculeins crystal-like blue eyes, staring into the pupils of the being who perfectly understood her will.

Youll annihilate them.

Ill annihilate them.

They uttered those words almost at the same time.

The emperor was already smiling from ear to ear.

For her, the incarnation of boredom and sloth, such insight was natural.

Not a single piece of effort was spent. It was just like breathing.

Her wisdom was that kind.

She thought the professor before her, Deculein, would be the same.

Right. But I informed you of the conquest of Myulji from the beginning. Why didnt you tell anyone?

If I did, I would have become your enemy, which was what you actually rather hoped I would do.

Oh? Were you aware of it all?

He nodded.

Of course. It was all part of the storyline, after all.

Ahaha.

She put her own people around her to the test as a habit. Chiron and Deculein were the only ones who didnt fail so far.

Then let me ask you this: what is Your Majestys purpose? Is it simply the imperial powers growth and the Altars destruction?

The emperors smile quickly subsided.

The joy she felt towards Deculein for understanding her lasted less than five minutes.

I dont know.

She leaned back.

Her terribly drowsy look seemed somewhat sad.

Even I dont know.

At her quiet murmur, she heard words that sounded like an answer to her complaint.

Then lets find out together.

?

She doubted her ears for a moment.

Lets find out together?

It was something that no servants, not even Chiron, dared say to her.

Sophien looked at Deculein silently.

Strangely enough, he was full of a certain duty.

Her boredom was a task not only for Deculein but for the whole world. The emperor, unaware of that, was completely puzzled.

Its a lesson to find that purpose.

The emperor remained quiet for a moment, but even in that silence, Deculein did not back down.

Sophien waved her hand.

Enough. You may go. Im getting tired of your handsome face now. It seems it lasted a little longer than others, but from now on, please come with makeup.

Class is not over yet. Please follow along. .'

What?

.'

Deculein was persistent, and the emperor listened to him, shaking her head.

.

Runes appeared.

Fly, it meant.

The whole space began to rise, and Deculein, who confirmed the reaction, stood up.

Thank you.

Okay. Go.

*****

After Magic Educator Deculein left, Sophien lay on the hard floor of the study room, murmuring while staring at the ceiling.

Theres not a single lie.

No unconscious lies.

Empty flattery.

Negative or positive habits.

Anyone could do it at least once. But not him, apparently.

Theres also nothing he doesnt know. If I turn an encyclopedia into a human, I think hell appear.

Sophien was interested in Deculeins self-confidence.

He knew her thoughts, plans, grounds Everything.

From their very first meeting, when she said she would conquer Myulji, he had already pierced through her whole thinking.

Even his arrogant nonsense of finding a goal Hey Chiron. You heard it too.

Her eyes moved to her knight, whom she found smiling.

Why do you look like that?

You know the answer to that, Your Majesty.

What?

When are you going to get married?

Do you want to be publicly executed, Chiron?

Sophien stared at him. Now that drowsiness had engulfed her entirety, her anger had trouble welling up.

If youre trying to provoke me, you succeeded. Ill praise you for that. Ill add it as one of your tasks.

Thats not it. The ministers are worried.

Assholes.

Sophien was in her early twenties, the perfect age for marriage. Of course, the number of years she had lived was probably twice that, but they didnt know that.

Theres no man who can handle me.

.

Chiron didnt say anything.

What?

.

He just looked at the closed door.

Sophien quickly understood what he meant.

Deculein?

.

Are you crazy? I have no hobby of stealing other peoples things.

I didnt say anything.

Your political skills have improved. For a knight.

Chiron just shrugged.

Youre annoying me too, so I need you to leave too.

Okay.

He left immediately.

After kicking him out, she thought quietly.

Deculein.

He saw the world from the same perspective as hers.

Hence, it was understandable that he had that kind of personality. There were so many stupid people in the world she had to deal with, so she couldnt help but get pissed off.

Should I consider myself fortunate that Im not alone?

Sophien grinned.

She had found at least one comrade.

I wasnt sure before, but Im finally convinced. Thanks to him, I can finally have fun for a while.

For now, that was enough for her.

Pff. Arrogant bastard. What? Find out a purpose together? Lessons?

Sophien chuckled, recalling the conversation they just had.

After an hour, she finally got tired of it.

One hour.

It was already quite a long duration for her.

*****

Epherene continued preparing for her trip.

Towel, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, emergency food, review books, and

The most important of them all.

Her eyes widened when she looked at it.

Aged Roahawk!

Those four pieces of Roahawk, which her father gave her as a gift to pass the exam, was the most valuable food right now.

She planned to bake one at a time when she felt most tired and sad during the exam.

Whew Time to go.

With the backpack on, she took a deep breath and went out of the dormitory.

She first stopped by the magistrate, wrote a letter to her sponsor, and then strolled through the campus despite the undesirable weather brought forth by the rainy season.

When is she coming.

She stood under the clock tower of the campus, waiting at the place they agreed on.

Today, a friend decided to go to the Isle of Wizards Wealth with her.

Epherene~ here~

Just in time, Maid Letes soft voice called out to her. Sitting in the drivers seat, she honked.

Hello~!

Epherene smiled brightly and sat in the backseat. Sylvia next to her had a dissatisfied face, but she didnt stop the ride itself.

Lets do well together. I want to get to the next rank too.

Arrogant Epherene.

Hehe.

Without that line, she really couldnt feel like her day was complete.

As she chuckled, Sylvia looked freaked out. Seemingly thinking she was beside some kind of pervert, she snuggled up against the window.

Now, lets go~.

Yep!

Together, they set out for the floating island.

Vroom

Watching the passing scenery outside the car, Epherene thought about her future. The things she would do under Deculein. Her fathers past and his death.

Epherene clenched her fist.

Sylvia, on the other hand, only thought of Deculein. Her heart ached every time she thought of him, but she couldnt stop it.

In this way, he served as the firewood in her heart, perhaps according to Glitheons plan.

It was so huge and dry it probably wouldnt stop burning even after she became an archmage.

Huh? Isnt that uncle?

Sylvia looked at where Epherene was pointing, where she found the married man they had met before, Carixel, standing by the roadside.

Approaching them with a smile, he shouted.

Oh! Epherene, Sylvia! What good timing~ Cant you give me a ride too~?

Lete glanced at Sylvia, who sighed before agreeing to the idea.

She would meet him at the exam hall anyway. She didnt have to be mean.