Alter strolled around the mansion with a considerably lighter heart.

He had become weak and sickly again, but this time the root cause had been completely eliminated.

Now that he could at least move his body, he imagined that his magic power would soon recover as well.

'Can I finally live a peaceful life from now on?'

He had longed for the moment when he would be freed from the curse.

Because of that one curse, he had suffered for so long and had not been able to accomplish anything properly.

It was also connected to his mother's death, so there was no way for him not to feel mixed emotions.

'... It's not over yet. I still have to return to the Northern region.'

Though Alter was concerned about the invasion of monsters, he didn't allow himself to be impatient.

The Northern Army had firmly defended the front lines under the command of the Northern Grand Duke.

Even if they immediately engaged with the monsters now, the front would not collapse so easily.

'Then do I have to get married before I go?'

Of course, the war in the Northern region was an urgent matter, but that didn't mean he could change the order of business.

If they tried to postpone a fixed matter indefinitely, it would only make things more difficult for both parties.

He figured he should at least hold the wedding with Brillie first, and then return alone.

'What if Brillie says she wants to follow me...? Would I be able to stop her?'

Alter instinctively predicted how Brillie would react.

Simply by being married, she would have a reason to move with him.

Moreover, with her personality, she wouldn't leave him alone, and would try to chase after him no matter what.

'It might be better to postpone. If I just say something came up and I need to visit home, surely she'll understand.'

Of course, he could maybe manage to get through the moment he was persuading her.

But once war broke out and news spread to the capital, Brillie would think she had been deceived.

After that, she might head to the Northern region on her own and try to confront him over right and wrong.

'Hmm... Should I just be honest from the start? I really don't want to fight over something like this.'

Roughly judging the situation, it seemed that no one could stop Brillie at present.

Even the duke of Illenat generally seemed to yield to Brillie's opinions, and rumors were spreading that she would become the next head of the house.

Perhaps Brillie might inherit the title and take full control of the House of Illenat.

'I don't know how this will turn out. So much has already changed...'

Originally, Brillie would have given up her place as a house head to her half-brother.

But all the futures he had seen before had been overturned, so she too would be swept along in that flow.

Perhaps the current Brillie now harbored a desire to become the duke of Illenat herself.

'Since I can't get involved, do I just have to watch how things play out?'

* * *

After much deliberation, Brillie finally reached a decision.

She could now withstand Lang's sword, and had even succeeded in counterattacking a few times.

Of course, she still didn't feel confident about victory, but she no longer felt likely to lose easily.

Now that she had reached such a level, it was time to look toward a new direction.

"... I'll be leaving the Order."

"Are you saying you'll just up and leave?"

Lang flinched slightly, but responded with composure.

After a series of incidents, her mental state would have been shaken somewhat.

However, she was not about to abandon the swordmanship path she had devoted herself to so long, just because her fiancé was injured.

"I want to manage the family's private soldiers now. I think I'll be creating a new Order as well."

Brillie spoke without any hint of emotion in her voice.

It was simply a decision made in accordance with her set goals.

To inherit the family title and property, she had to show results, even now.

"If it's family business, I can't really stop you. So now you plan to run an Order as well?"

"It's not so much to take on requests... It's more about raising the average level of the private soldiers."

"It's quite a good approach for a family member to get involved with the training of the private troops. It should reinforce discipline and deepen loyalty. Have you thought about how you'll organize the new Order?"

"Nothing special. I'll just gather the most skilled among the family knights."

"If that's what you want, I can't oppose."

Lang replied indifferently, but his inner heart was turbulent.

He still hadn't inherited the title of Sword Saint, and there was no guarantee the engagement would be broken off.

But Brillie seemed much colder than before, and now she was pulling further and further away from him.

"Is this related to your fiancé?"

"I can't say it isn't, but... It's not the direct reason. It's not like my fiancé is going to run the family's private soldiers."

"But you are promised in marriage, aren't you?"

"Don't you think it'll be difficult now? It's not like getting married will change anything."

"..."

From those words, Lang could read an unshakable will.

The marriage was scheduled, and the engagement would not be broken off in any way.

Of course, he might have been mistaken, but the message was so clear it was hard to deny.

"There's more I have to do now. Marriage is just one of them, but it's better to put it off for later."

Brillie was starting to find the entire process troublesome.

She had acquired proper force and was granted a title by the emperor, but she lacked the qualities needed to truly carry on the family.

She had only ever pursued swordsmanship, and simply wanted to live as an ordinary noble.

Now, standing at the threshold of a grand objective, she found herself encountering many difficulties.

"Something important must have come up."

"It is important. You can't take responsibility for everything with just a single sword, can you?"

"... Indeed. I understand what you mean."

Only then did Lang recall the rumors about the House of Illenat.

A commoner woman was said to have given birth to the child of the eldest son, so the duke expelled them in one stroke.

As a result, the next head of the house might change, so from Brillie's perspective, she had every reason to contend for it.

"So you won't marry until that's over?"

"I don't really know. Not everything in life goes the way you want, does it?"

"It'll all depend on the order of things. You should think carefully and act accordingly."

Lang continued to speculate aimlessly, unable to shake his anxiety.

Brillie had always given her warmest attention to Alter Radiant, but Brillie's conversations with Lang were always strictly business.

Perhaps Brillie regarded him only as her direct superior and a competent swordsman.

'If I can attain the title of Sword Saint... somehow...'

Strengthening his resolve, Lang decided to let Brillie go for now.

If he became known as Sword Saint, the duke of Illenat, and Brillie's perception would fundamentally change.

Since Brillie had been given a grave matter to deal with, perhaps he could buy some time for himself as well.

'Her fiancé is weak. Having collapsed twice, she must be feeling uneasy.'

Bloodline and honor were important when choosing a marriage partner, but if a person could not maintain their health, there was no hope for the future.

They were supposed to spend their whole lives together; if he was already faltering, the likelihood of an early death was high.

So not only the duke of Illenat, but even Brillie herself would begin to feel suspicion.

'There's still an opportunity left. If I act now, I might still...'

Feeling a little more at ease, Lang looked at Brillie.

One day, even Brillie would turn back and see him.

The title of Sword Saint carried an honored history and dignity befitting that hope.

'There are weaknesses even in the current Sword Saint. If I can wedge myself in, there's a chance I'll seize victory.'

* * *

Alter, unable to sleep, gazed out the window.

Considering his current condition, he should have gone to bed early, but his body simply wouldn't cooperate.

Instead, his mind only became more cluttered with things weighing on him.

'I still have trouble using magic. If war broke out now, what could I do?'

He had sent a letter to his father, but he still couldn't relax.

Even if the capital were to send reinforcements right away, the front couldn't be rebuilt in an instant.

His mother had called it a calamity, so surely a huge number of monsters would flock to the region.

'I was supposed to manifest the Frost Witch's cold.'

Alter had heard about this trait from Alraune.

The curse had distorted his magic power, and by its principle of causality, the unique quality of the Frost Witch had become activated.

In other words, he could reproduce at least a part of the Frost Witch's magic.

'If the Frost Witch had suppressed the calamity, perhaps I can take on that role instead?'

It was a kind of hypothesis, but not groundless.

If his mother had spoken only the truth, there might be other ways to apply it.

That is, just by existing, he might be able to hold the monsters in check.

'But the Frost Witch is a monster. That's different from a human...'

Suddenly, Alter sensed a faint presence and quickly slipped from his bed.

Someone was approaching near the window.

Based on his previous experiences, he figured it was the same outsider as before.

'Coming here again? One really must be out of their mind...'

From between the window sashes, something long popped out.

Without making even the slightest noise, it swiftly unlatched the window.

When it opened, he was greeted by a familiar-looking mask.

"Have you been well... Ah, right. Since you collapsed suddenly, I guess I can't say you've been well?"

Clarke spoke nonchalantly, leaning against the wall.

Alter found it rather absurd, but chose to respond calmly for now.

"I thought I told you never to come again."

"Come on, how could I do that when we're on such terms?"

"I really don't want to hear that from a thief."

"A thief? Wouldn't you at least call me a gentleman thief?"

"I'd rather just call you a criminal."

"If I'm not stealing everything for myself but sharing the spoils, how can I just be a criminal? There are plenty who've benefitted thanks to me."

"Even your excuses are lame. That doesn't erase the fact that you've been stealing."

"You never take my side, do you? Why are you, lady of the Grand Duke's House, always so prickly?"

"Isn't it time to stop with that? What nutcase calls the child of a grand duke's house a 'young lady'?"

"But... That's how you look to me, you know?"

Clarke replied with a leisurely smile, sounding shameless.

He didn't really mean what he said—it was just to tease Alter lightly.

With someone so fragile and noble, he could get away with calling her young lady however much he pleased.

"If you don't get out now, I'm calling the guards."

"What's this? Is this how you treat a guest?"

"I don't need guests like you."

"Come on, don't say that. I even brought you a bouquet of flowers."

Clarke seemed to rummage in his coat, then swiftly pulled something out.

Suddenly, a pile of navy-blue flowers spilled out.

Alter noticed magic was involved, but couldn't quite figure out exactly how.

"Do I look like someone who likes flowers?"

"You shouldn't say it like that. I'm just being polite for your recovery visit, you know?"

"There's really nothing good that can come out of getting a recovery visit from a thief."

"So cold. But who knows—someday I might be able to help the Lady of the Grand Duke's house?"

Clarke placed the bouquet atop the table and slowly stepped back.

Alter could do nothing but watch, unable to stop him.

"You look healthy enough, so I'll leave the greeting at that. See you next time, lady of the Grand Duke's house."

Clarke gave a light wave and vanished without a trace.

Alter stood there in a daze for a moment, then belatedly closed the window.

"What am I supposed to do about him? Geez..."

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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