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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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As soon as dawn broke the next day, Margrave Vender alone greeted us at the gate as we prepared to depart, just as he had when we first arrived.
“It was a short visit, but you’re leaving quite a significant mark,” he said.
Esmée only sent a letter through the Margrave, stating that we would see each other again soon, without making an appearance herself.
Considering the gravity of the recent incident, it was understandable that she would be extremely busy for a while, so I felt no disappointment about her absence.
“Eventually, there will come a day to formally commend your achievements, but as someone who serves the Imperial family, I’d like to express my personal gratitude for your service and accomplishments in protecting Her Highness,” the Margrave said, cutting straight to the point.
What he handed me directly was a very simple-looking… gauntlet? Hand guard? What should I call this thing?
“From what I’ve heard about your recent exploits, most of your injuries were caused by magic. As it happens, our family had some suitable equipment left around, so I’d like to take this opportunity to gift it to you.”
This item, which resembled an armadillo’s armor but with a softer feel, seemed too combat-oriented to be called a simple gauntlet, yet too thin to be considered a hand guard.
In terms of color, it surprisingly matched well with my dwarven longsword, so I had no particular objections, but it was clearly not a conventional design.
Since it had already been given to me, I had no intention of refusing.
I put on the gauntlet that reached up to my elbow right there, and Margrave Vender provided further explanation.
“The Empire has been making efforts in various areas to counter the demons. One of these efforts involved collaborating with dwarves to produce armor that could better resist demonic magic. This gauntlet is considered one of the more successful attempts among those efforts.”
“One of the more successful…?” I asked.
It was clearly a high-quality item, given that someone of margrave rank would give it without hesitation to the person who saved the princess, yet the nuance that followed was quite ambiguous.
In response to my question, Margrave Vender continued his explanation with a bitter smile.
“The basic durability and magic resistance were impeccable, thanks to the dwarves’ assistance. However, due to the Empire’s lack of magical expertise, the effectiveness of the enchantments was somewhat… terrible. It requires an excessive amount of mana to activate the enchanted magic.”
“May I ask what kind of magic was imbued in it?” I inquired.
“A barrier of magic nullification,” he replied. “Once activated, it’s a magic so robust that even mages with stellar potential couldn’t penetrate it.”
The problem lay in its efficiency and mana consumption.
It required so much mana to activate that it was practically unusable, consuming as much as casting four simple protection spells.
Yet, it wasn’t even more effective than those spells.
As a result, it had been tucked away in some corner of the margrave’s family storehouse until it found its way into my hands.
“Still, it’s a sufficiently good piece of equipment. It should be able to block simple projectile magic without any problem,” he assured me.
“Thank you. I think it will be very helpful,” I responded.
“It’s but a modest gift,” he said. “In any case, I hope we’ll have more opportunities to converse when you visit next time.”
As the Margrave finished his conversation with me and began discussing various matters with Lagnis, Asirye, who had been quietly observing our exchange, moved slightly away and said while rubbing her ears,
“That person is quite an exceptional mage.”
“Have you met him before?” I asked.
“He was there when Princess Esmée visited Ogwen in person. He was also the one who demonstrated the portable gate,” she replied.
“Portable gate? Is that even possible?” I exclaimed.
I nearly raised my voice in shock at this information, which was as startling as if a basic cell phone had suddenly transformed into a smartphone overnight.
However, Asirye calmly described what she had seen, even using hand gestures to illustrate.
“I was surprised too. It was about this big? He took out something like a square metal box, and when it unfolded, it created a gate.”
“Something just a bit larger than my fist becomes a gate…?” I asked incredulously.
It seemed that Asirye had glimpsed a fragment of the Empire’s cutting-edge technology.
Considering the gauntlet I had just received as well, Margrave Vender might be a highly intelligent figure responsible for the Empire’s magical technology.
It was somewhat vexing that he was not only handsome but also highly capable, but having received a gift, I decided to let it slide.
“By the way, what are you planning to do now, Sis?” I asked Asirye.
“For now, I’ve decided to impose on Lagnis for a while. I didn’t completely clear out my home when I left. I’ll need to return to Ogwen first, at least.”
“Are you planning to move to the capital for good?”
“More accurately, I’m going wherever you are, Eldi. If you go, I’ll go too.”
Saying that her mind was made up now, Asirye smiled with a resolute look in her eyes and tightened her grip on my arm.
“Since it’s come to this, why don’t you take some time to visit Ogwen as well, Eldi? You can spare that much time, can’t you?” she suggested.
“Ogwen…” I mused.
Originally, I had considered this visit to the Empire as something of a vacation… but the truth was, I had been mentally exhausted from the whirlwind of events that had unfolded.
Looking back, it was hard to believe how many things had happened in such a short time.
As I was starting to be drawn to Asirye’s suggestion, Lagnis finished her conversation with Margrave Vender, and began directing the servants through Renisa.
Asirye, leading me along, said,
“Let’s think about it after we get back and assess the situation. They’re rushing us back like this, so who knows what other problems might arise?”
“Come on, Sis. It’s not like we’ve committed a crime. If anything, we’ve done something worthy of praise,” I replied.
If anything, I thought we might be commended for creating a good opportunity for friendly relations with the Empire.
With such a relaxed mindset, we passed through gate after gate, finally returning to the familiar capital of Itisiel.
To our surprise, we were greeted by spears and swords.
Yes, those cold steel weapons.
Before we could even process our disbelief at the sight of over 30 spear tips pointing at us as we emerged from the gate, the man who appeared to be the leader spoke.
“Margrave Lagnis Lien da Levien. You are currently under suspicion of treason. From this moment, you will be placed under temporary confinement. Please cooperate quietly.”
I barely managed to suppress the urge to curse out loud as I looked at Lagnis, but she too seemed quite taken aback, clearly not having anticipated this situation.
Well, if she hadn’t been shocked by this, I would have been even more surprised.
The one saving grace was that Lagnis didn’t just remain dumbfounded.
“You dare to arrest me without a royal decree?” she challenged.
“The charges against you have been submitted and approved by the Itisiel Noble Council. The Noble Council has the authority to temporarily detain nobles below the rank of duke based on charges with justifiable reasons and evidence,” the leader explained.
“Are you saying the Noble Council has such definitive reasons and evidence to suspect me of treason?” Lagnis pressed.
“At least, the Noble Council has judged it so. The details will be addressed at the noble trial scheduled for tomorrow morning. For now, please comply quietly.”
I wasn’t well-versed in the laws governing noble society.
In the end, all I could do was observe Lagnis’s expression to determine whether this was a valid claim or nonsensical sophistry.
And incredibly, frustratingly, Lagnis gritted her teeth but couldn’t muster a rebuttal.
“The servants of Margrave Levian may return to the mansion. This is merely temporary confinement, so visitation is allowed, and all actions to provide convenience to your master are permitted. However, if you resist the Noble Council’s decision or interfere with her confinement, appropriate consequences and punishments will follow. Do not forget this,” the leader announced.
Huh?
What about me?
I kept staring at the leader, puzzled, but he acted as if I didn’t exist and only restrained Lagnis.
Lagnis also seemed perplexed by this attitude and tilted her head, but she appeared to be holding her tongue to avoid making the situation worse.
If Lagnis was suspected of treason, shouldn’t I, who had been most active in the Empire, be considered a likely collaborator?
Yet they weren’t even touching me?
This is why I hate politicians.
I’m too ignorant to understand what they’re thinking or how they operate.
“Eldmia. For now, go to Cheryl and try to find out about this situation.” Lagnis instructed me, her eyes fixed on mine as if trying to prevent me from going berserk.
She subtly shook her head.
“Renisa. Accompany me to verify the temporary confinement area, then notify the Ogatorf family,” she ordered.
“…Yes, understood,” Lenisa replied.
Lagnis didn’t forget to give orders to Renisa, who looked ready to draw her sword with a murderous glare.
It was a side of her I had never seen before, and anyone could tell she was brimming with killing intent.
If Lagnis’s order had been even a moment late, she might have swung her sword to behead the leader.
Fortunately, Lagnis’s intervention had calmed the situation for now, but I couldn’t be sure how long it would last.
As they moved away, I hurried back to the Ogatorf mansion with Asirye, hoping that someone, anyone, could explain how this wretched situation had come about.
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[Your Text Here]
… What the fuck?
I know the way they were talking was foreshadowing, but still, what the fuck?