This was the second visit of the warrior clan to my castle. The tension that existed between us had largely been diffused by their apology and my acceptance.
However, revealing the truth of the prophecy made me more anxious than relieved. That was because I’d learned that they were using daemon corpses to draw out information about the overmind of the daemons. What’s more, there was a possibility that information about me was being intentionally distorted.
If the warrior clan knew about my Gate of Magic, they would probably come up with an entirely different opinion. There was a possibility that the Epicenter that served as a conduit to the world of the daemons might be similar to my own gate. The two could be confused, and that could mean lethal consequences for me.
If possible, at some point, I hoped to share the exact situation with Canberils by unveiling the truth. But the time wasn’t quite right yet. That was one reason that I needed to solidify our friendship with the warrior clan.
When I suggested that I visit the home of the warrior clan—which they referred to as their castrum—the mystic maiden was pleased.
She actually said, “I would like to borrow your knowledge as a wizard in order to verify the truth of the prophecy.” Apparently, this was the current top priority for the warrior clan. The clan entrusted their fates to this woman, and the reliability of her prophecies was riding on the answer.
Apparently the Council of Elders had decided that, while they had serious reservations, they would allow me to visit the castrum if it would remedy the situation. This was the information I’d received from Canberils, but I was concerned about the difference in reception between him and the Council of Elders.
Finally, I accepted the reparations from the warrior clan, ending our meeting with the oracle. The warrior clan would return to the barracks the next day. I declared my intention to join them.
I was a bit worried about whether they would accept my sudden request to visit, but judging by Canberils’s reaction, everything had already been arranged.
✦ ✦ ✦
That night…
Thanks to Mora, I was able to throw the warrior clan and their mystic a feast. Canberils and his team were pleased, but the warriors who’d lived at Castle Getaeus for two months were especially moved.
I wanted to go to sleep early to prepare for the next day’s journey, but this seemed right.
“Are you serious?” Clara asked. “You definitely need my strength and counsel. You can just leave Sedam here like you did before.”
Sedam raised a finger. “The negotiations this time are with the warrior clan. A noble’s etiquette and social graces are useless there. Besides, you’ll also need to research this whole King of Daemons mystery. You’ll definitely need my experience as a veteran adventurer, to say nothing of my wide breadth of knowledge.”
Clara and Sedam started arguing. I’d instigated it by suggesting we decide who would accompany me to the warrior clan’s castrum. Surely they both realized that I would have to leave one of them behind to care for Castle Getaeus. Neither of them was ready to give in.
If this had been a discussion about who was going on a picnic, I would’ve happily taken them both, but we didn’t have that luxury.
“A sorceress has plenty of knowledge about daemons,” Clara insisted. “And even if they look like barbarians, the clan has a history and traditions. My social skills will definitely be useful.”
“There’s a possibility that you will be betrayed, even by your own party. If that happens, I can take care of myself and survive without getting in Margilus’s way.”
I watched silently.
As usual, Reyha was off to the side, happy to stay out of the argument. Probably she assumed from the start that she’d be coming along. She was right, of course. I couldn’t afford to leave her behind.
Mora, who was busy preparing tea, couldn’t stand to listen in silence any further. “Hey, stop being so selfish, both of you! It’s Geo’s decision, isn’t it?”
I continued to watch silently.
They looked at each other, then looked at me in unison.
Clara said, “You’ll be better off if I’m with you, Margilus.”
“Maybe she’s stronger,” said Sedam, “but I’m much better at solving puzzles.”
“Mmm…”
I put my staff to my cheek and stared at them for a bit. I understood well that both of them had my best interests at heart. Of the two, Sedam’s motivation as a curious scholar was the easier to read.
But in any case, I’d already decided.
“I’m taking Reyha and Sedam this time.”
“Oho, got it, boss.” He flashed us a quick wink.
I actually needed an attendant who could stay at the castle anytime I had to leave for diplomacy, like when I’d gone to Filsand. Canberils had asked me to bring only the bare minimum, so this was my decision. As Sedam had said, he had a wider base of relevant knowledge, so I definitely wanted him along.
Which wasn’t to say that Clara was his inferior in scholarship; she had her own expertise.
“What do you mean?” I thought Clara would get angry, but instead she dropped her head and said in a low voice, “Won’t you miss me scolding you?”
This startled me. “Clara?”
So she was aware that she was always scolding me…though that wasn’t the most important thing right now.
“That’s not it,” I assured her. “I feel safest leaving the castle in your hands.”
That was no excuse, either. It was how I really felt.
Sedam was also capable of serving as our castellan, though in my experience, I couldn’t really leave Ild in charge for long. However, what if there was a sudden crisis, like when the warrior clan had come?
Clara was the best at handling that kind of problem. She possessed a natural understanding of how to give orders; she definitely exceeded me in that respect. You might even say it was her birthright as an aristocrat.
But there was a bigger reason.
“You understand what I want more than anyone. So if anything happens to me, I know you will do a wonderful job of leading everyone.”
“Really? Do you really mean it?”
“Of course I do.”
Clara pursed her lips and turned away.
Had I said the wrong thing again? I looked around. Mora was frowning, Sedam had one eyebrow raised, and Reyha’s eyes were full of affection. They were all looking at Clara and me.
What in the world?
Clara finally looked up at me. “W-well…anyway…I suppose that’s just how things have to be.” Her blue eyes seem to be a little moist. I wasn’t used to seeing this expression on her face. At least she was somewhat happy that I trusted her. “I promise to take great care of Castle Getaeus.”
“I’ll be counting on you.”
Actually, there was a chance that while I was gone, the King of Daemons might try to attack the castle in some way or another. I decided to leave my Staff of Wizardry with her.
“Setting that aside, Margilus…”
“Hmm?”
“Even the head of a family should never talk about his own death lightly. You were talking to me in private…so even if you write this off as a discussion in confidence, you are forbidden from showing such weakness in public. You hear me, Margilus? What am I going to do with you?”
Ah, and now the scolding had begun. It looked like I’d be getting even less sleep than I’d thought…