Chapter 40

When Cadeon received the report on the outcome, he couldn't help but feel more bewildered than pleased.

As Alter had told him before, there was a gold mine hidden at the indicated location.

If he hadn't verified it first, he could have acquired the gold mine at a bargain price.

However, since it wasn't prudent to blindly trust such claims, he had ended up paying a premium only after confirming the presence of gold ore.

'Is this even possible? How did he come to know that just by speculation?'

While Cadeon was puzzled, he couldn't hide a faint smile.

Certainly, Alter possessed a remarkable talent, befitting that striking first impression.

Surely, he could have approached the northern grand duke first, but he had still chosen to provide the information to Cadeon.

Perhaps the youngest son of the grand duke's family had already thought about his future, even after the engagement was broken off.

'Even if the engagement is broken, does he mean he doesn't want to lose the connection with me? What an interesting way of thinking.'

Cadeon immediately saw through his intent and fell into contemplation.

He could proceed with the breakup at any time.

As long as the appropriate compensation was given, even the northern grand duke would have little to say.

However, he had already made a promise to Brillie, and curiosity had started to grow in him, so he couldn't simply push matters through.

'As I promised, I'll have to give him the land. But... is that really enough?'

For the first time, Cadeon considered that he should give something extra.

The other party had foregone the profits he could have gained from returning to the grand duke's house just to form a relationship with him.

Shouldn't he return the favor accordingly?

'Did he say he's never owned anything of his own before? In that case, I suppose I could throw in one more thing along with the land.'

Cadeon rarely hesitated to spend what was needed for forming personal connections.

Once established, those connections brought tremendous long-term profit.

Of course, most connections relied on lineage or reputation and often proved useless in practice.

By contrast, the youngest son of the grand duke's house depended solely on his own abilities, which made him seem even more extraordinary.

'He said he wants to build a villa, right? Then I shall let him have it his way.'

Though Cadeon suspected there might be some hidden motive even behind that, he had no intention of probing further.

The land had already been promised as part of the deal, and the additional cost of building a house was hardly a burden.

From his position, it would suffice to let things proceed as Alter wished and quietly observe.

'Whether the engagement is broken off or not... this relationship must be maintained, mustn't it? For now, it does seem better not to break it off....'

* * *

After receiving the land deed from Cadeon, Alter went to visit the location himself.

He had ample free time and could go out whenever circumstances allowed.

Fortunately, since Brillie accompanied him, it only made the trip feel more like a casual stroll.

"Hmm... It feels a bit empty here."

"That's because it's on the outskirts of the capital. What noble would bother to come all the way out here?"

Alter wandered about the empty lot, examining the surroundings.

Compared to the area near the royal palace, the houses were rather shabby.

Moreover, the high city walls loomed overhead, casting a dreary atmosphere.

Only commoners or poor nobles would choose to live in such a place.

"Are you really okay with this? You could've asked for better land, you know."

"It's on the outskirts of the capital anyway, so there's not much difference between good and bad. This will be sufficient."

Alter had chosen this land after considering what the near future would hold.

It was land with little demand now, but if used for a certain purpose, its value would rise accordingly.

Since the area within the capital was so limited to nobles, eventually, even the outskirts would become coveted.

"Being right by the city gate, won't it just be noisy?"

"That just makes it easier to move in and out, doesn't it?"

"The city walls block out the sunlight, though."

"Well then, there's no risk of goods being spoiled, is there?"

"The guards are always looking down from up there, aren't they?"

"Thanks to that, there'll be no crime here."

"...?"

Brillie faintly realized what Alter was thinking from that exchange.

Alter had never planned to build any actual structure.

Rather, he had chosen this land specifically for its utility.

"Do you really think you'll be able to sell this land?"

"If we're fast, in three months... no matter how slow, someone will want to buy it within a year."

"Are you planning on setting up a merchant company here?"

"The capital is getting more and more cramped. But no one really wants to move outside it. They can't just evict the commoners from the city for no reason... so, won't people gradually come to the outskirts?"

Most likely, the nobles would try to buy up commoners' land, or legally seize it in some way.

Of course, since the emperor and officials would keep an eye on such behavior, there'd be certain limits.

Even so, those seeking land for a merchant company would inevitably turn their attention to the city's outskirts.

"Lately, it's true that more and more nobles have wanted to establish merchant companies... so I suppose there's hope."

"If the location is close to the city gate, it's easy to go back and forth to the outside. With the guards nearby, people won't even think of stealing. If you just want to use the land for a merchant company, there's nowhere better than here."

"Hmmm..."

Brillie pondered and was soon convinced.

While the area near the royal palace drew the most attention, the cost could be prohibitive.

Near the city gate, though, safe transportation was easier, and the city guard could prevent most crimes.

"If you think that way, wouldn't the other gates have value too?"

"That's a bit different. For establishing a merchant company, the north gate isn't very good. There's no reason to trade with the northern region."

"But you chose the west gate? Don't most merchant companies usually operate in the east or south?"

"Soon, the western region is going to produce gold mines. Duke Illenat has already paved the way... I'm just slipping in for a moment while I can."

Alter had chosen land near the west gate after considering the entire situation.

Since the greatest demand for gold was in the capital, all gold from the western region would, in the end, have to pass through the west gate.

If he established a firm merchant presence near the west gate, he could maximize profits.

"So, you're just planning to sell the land and leave?"

"Yes. I have no talent for business. I'm just doing what I can."

"It seems you're trying to save up money... do you have something in mind to spend it on?"

"I'm just preparing in advance. My family won't be able to look after me forever. The duke's family is probably in a similar situation."

"Ah..."

Brillie gazed blankly at Alter, at a loss for words.

She had thought she understood his situation to some extent, but he was treating it far more seriously than she expected.

How much hardship must he have suffered, to be ruled by money from the very start?

"Ms. Brillie, you can rise through the ranks as a knight, but my own future is uncertain. All the more reason I should save as much as I can, shouldn't I?"

"But you have great talent as a mage. Once the curse is gone, won't you be fine?"

"I'm not confident enough that things will work out... so I can't just count on that."

"I thought you said you trusted me? Can't you just leave it to me?"

"Uh... I do trust you, but I have to find my own way too. Just in case."

Alter hesitated for a moment, then forced out an awkward excuse.

He had told Brillie that he trusted her, but hadn't gone so far as to ask her to take responsibility for him.

In fact, if he became too bound by the idea of marriage, he suspected that pressure would only make him more miserable.

"I understand what you mean... but I wish you'd trust me a little more. I'm already prepared for this."

Brillie's eyes shone with sincerity as she lowered her gaze slowly.

Even as the young lady of the duke's family, there were things she could not obtain.

Her own father, even the emperor at the pinnacle of the empire, were all anchored by reality.

Thus, she could only compromise as necessary and dream of a slightly imperfect ideal.

"... Yes, I suppose I must steel myself as well."

Alter no longer looked for a way to break off the engagement.

Having come this far, if there was no way to escape, he would have to accept it.

If he kept running away, he would never reach any conclusion.

'Whether I marry now or later, what difference does it make? We just have to live together, don't we?'

* * *

Alraune finally located the whereabouts of that mage and made contact.

The authority on curse magic, an attribute-less mage, a solitary wanderer, and the former apprentice of the previous Great Mage.

He had always sought out curses and explored various means of lifting them.

How could such a talented mage be forced to wander without a place to settle down?

"But still, you're a Great Mage. Shouldn't you be able to handle it all yourself?"

"The title 'Great Mage' just means being the foremost of living mages. It's a title backed by history and tradition; it doesn't mean I can accomplish everything on my own."

Sitting across from him, Alraune replied in a calm tone.

He had no intention of mocking himself or criticizing the Mage Society.

He was simply acting as he always did, reflecting on their long-standing friendship.

"If even the Great Mage can't solve it, how am I supposed to?"

"This is a matter of curses. Neither I nor the society's chief mages can easily intervene."

"... That's actually kind of interesting. Those chief mages can deal with just about anything, can't they?"

"If it were any ordinary curse, yes. But this curse is vicious and contemptible."

"Well, if it's a curse cast by the Frost Witch, I suppose that makes sense."

Erze Kartia, a master of curse magic, murmured drily and his eyes flashed.

He and Alraune had been in contact for a long time, often helping each other.

When the rumor spread that a curse from the Frost Witch had been found, he couldn't contain his curiosity.

"By tradition, we'd swear an oath first... but with the society no more, what meaning is there?"

"Are you worried I'll go blabbing somewhere? Do you not know me well enough to ask that?"

"I do know. You may seem a bit arrogant, but don't you prize mutual trust above all?"

"Of course. So, whose curse is it?"

"The youngest son of the grand duke's family—Alter Radiant."

"The grand duke's youngest? Don't tell me..."

Erze, quite surprised, absent-mindedly recalled a certain name.

She had been a fellow student and a close friend.

When she suddenly left for the northern territory, he had felt a twinge of regret, but they'd promised to meet again someday.

But she had died and left forever, and that promise was fading away with time.

"He's the son of Uriel Astille."

"Let me ask in advance: is this connected to Uriel?"

"If someone wanted to wipe out the grand duke's family, would they have cursed only the youngest son? My guess is... someone had a grudge against Uriel."

"Then, are you saying Uriel died because of the Frost Witch?"

"That, I don't know yet. We'll have to investigate."

"...."

Erze's gaze grew cold as he quietly rose from he seat.

He immediately turned his back, moving without hesitation.Alraune, having grasped the general state Erze was in, spoke up again.

"What are you planning to do?"

"I need to gather materials—both for lifting the curse and for tracking it. I have to go find out what happened."

"... You're not up against someone you can handle."

"You're coming too, right? If you survived thanks to Uriel, isn't this the least you can do?"

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=There's more to Uriel's story...It seems Uriel helped Alraune survive the Frost Witch...【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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