The civil war had finally begun in Judore. According to a letter from Ziek, as soon as Gardner returned to Judore, Schneider accused him of undermining the country’s interests through his contact with Galé and claimed he was trying to turn Judore into a vassal state like Marsche. Gardner objected and protested, of course, but the discussion broke down.
While Gardner was wondering whether to make the first move or to wait for the other side, his retainer set fire to Schneider’s palace, igniting the flames of war. Of course, Schneider was not injured by this attack.
On Gardner’s side were the queen, the reformist nobles who were benefiting from the current regime, and the magician’s association. On Schneider’s side were a part of the magician’s association that was fascinated by his powerful magic, the army that wasn’t amused by the magician’s association, and Maribelle.
They all gathered together and clashed.
Gardner called for the capital to be evacuated, and there had been no civilian casualties yet, but Schneider set fires to the residences of people who had a record of trying to kill him and his mother, and the fires were spreading.
I wasn’t worried about our family’s home in the capital or the Trundle residence, since they had iron walls. But...what about Mrs. Marcus? The Palpal Cafe where Alma and I had tea together? And what about Duncan?
Dumb Schneider!
Gardner’s overwhelming numbers and money against Schneider’s overwhelming power and Terl—the two were surprisingly competitive. Magician’s association buildings and military bases were being ambushed, starting battles. The war had only been going on for a few days, but those without power were being defeated, and just as we had predicted, each side was losing numbers.
I felt guilty for just watching from on high. I wished the two would just fight it out man-to-man, but that was impossible. Gardner was too weak; the queen wouldn’t allow it.
“Sere, when do we join the fight?” Lou asked.
“When someone important to me gets hurt.”
I didn’t have a plot in mind, but it was inevitable that as long as my family and friends were in Judore, someone would get involved. When that happened, I would methodically crush everyone who hurt someone I cared about. And after that would be Schneider and Maribelle.
“You told him that you would only fight to protect someone you love, after all.”
I remembered our battle to the death and wondered how much stronger Schneider had gotten.
“I hear he’s mowing down his enemies with fire,” Lou said.
“I guess he doesn’t think it’s worth showing off his ice magic... Just like me in my past life...”
I wondered how he felt after getting his own hands dirty. Regardless, the capital was aflame at the same time as the plot.
“This letter doesn’t say anything about Maribelle,” Lou noted.
“She’s not important to Ziek. I’ll ask him to tell me about her.”
I wrote a letter of thanks to Ziek, as well as one to my grandmother.
I wanted to hear my grandmother’s opinion as a renowned soldier, but she hadn’t been responding to my letters. I’d just heard from other people that she was furious. Why isn’t she writing back? Is it because of how much weight her words hold as the head of the Trundle family? Should I think of it as her exercising extreme caution?
I was certain that she was healthy because I had wished for it one Tanabata. My grandmother was strong. But just because she was strong didn’t mean she wasn’t lonely. I understood that from my past life as a thirty-something woman. I continued to write her affectionate letters...
“Sere, I’m hungry.”
“Okay!”
“Sere, is it time for dinner?”
“You’re not doing a good job of asking subtly, Asu.”
“Sere.”
“Oh, Gillain! You’re home early. Sit down! I made a rice bowl with Marsche-style salmon and fish eggs. I caught a salmon before it went upstream as part of the Galea Guild’s marine survey request!”
“You have many talents...”
“Well, she has the ruler of the eastern sea behind her.”
“You too, Sakaki, Arthur.”
“Ooh, Marsche-style salmon roe! This is in season!”
“I had some of Yoko’s Secret All-Purpose Dashi/Soy Sauce imported, so I can promise this will taste great.”
“I can’t believe I get to enjoy Lady Serephione’s cooking...”
“Do you like it, Gillain?”
“Yeah, it’s great.”
“Because it’s full of Sere’s love.”
“H-Hey, Asu, stop with the commentary!”
“Aw, don’t be embarrassed!”
“Lou!”
“Ha ha, this tastes great. You’re lucky to have a diligent wife, Gillain.”
“Sere... Thanks.”
“Of course.”
That night, the Trundle residence in the capital was ambushed and burned.