The Dailan Magical Kingdom, the royal capital Dailan.
The people living there tended to be quite earnest. Crime was rare. Commerce thrived as foreign and imported goods were brought in. The market was lively yet orderly, a city that truly depicted a sense of order.
This was due to the reverence and respect they held for their king and queen.
The queen, Bazarde, the strongest witch and a legend in her own time, was known for defeating every enemy nation and mercilessly incinerating those who opposed her. The citizens of the capital were acutely aware of this fear.
Ten years ago, the army of an enemy nation had approached so closely that it nearly reached the city walls. Their numbers were few—only a thousand. Yet every soldier was a determined warrior who had resolved not to return alive. Their ferocious voices echoed throughout the capital, causing the citizens to tremble in fear. Both the king and queen were away, engaged in a decisive battle against the enemy forces. It was a complete surprise attack.
However, sensing the situation, the queen returned with only a small retinue. From several kilometers away, she turned the thousand soldiers to ashes. Since then, the citizens of the capital harbored deep gratitude towards the queen, mixed with an even greater fear.
While they thrived under such loyal citizens, there were also many informants, and the displaced and poor were always oppressed. Even those of higher status had ingrained a defensive and obstinate attitude to avoid falling out of favor with the royals. In such a city, vibrant culture and flexible ideas were unlikely to emerge, and only foreign goods were revered. Those who stood out were often suppressed, leaving only the self-preserving to thrive. This was the negative aspect of Dailan.
The palace, a symbol of that order and fear, was likewise a grand yet unadorned structure. No one sought to beautify this castle.
However, not far from the royal castle, there was an elegant villa that seemed out of place in the capital.
Its outer walls were painted white, giving a refreshing appearance. Passing through an ornate gate and walking along a tiled path, one could catch glimpses of a vibrant garden. Flowerbeds bursting with seasonal blooms and carefully trimmed trees lined the way, indicating that constant maintenance was carried out.
At the end of the path stood a red-brick mansion.
“Ha… I have to move to the royal palace from here next year. What a hassle.”
The owner of the mansion sighed openly in front of her guest in the reception room.
Yet even that sigh carried an air of elegance and grace.
Her fiery orange hair was as abundant and dignified as a lion’s mane.
Her sharp, elongated eyes resembled those of a carnivorous feline.
The limbs extending from her dress were slender yet toned, showing no trace of fragility.
Her face bore the beauty of a girl in her late teens, yet an aura of nobility radiated from her entire being.
“I guess it’s a lie to say that Lady Erinna is in high spirits…?”
Ionia smiled playfully in front of the mansion’s owner—the future queen, Erinna. Erinna returned the smile with a touch of irony.
“Make sure to speak properly when the attendants are watching. And your choice of words—just because you are a renowned painter, if the wrong person hears you, you could be killed.”
“I apologize. But this is just my nature.”
Without any sign of remorse, Ionia shrugged his shoulders.
“However, Lady Erinna, you do not truly wish to ascend to the throne, do you?”
“Of course not… I’d much rather read books, admire the garden, appreciate art and sculptures, and host banquets. That’s enough for me. The battlefield is a bother.”
“That is true.”
“That’s why I want you to succeed, you know. The leader of the rebel army, Ionia.”
Erinna wore a smile that suggested ulterior motives.
“I never thought I would receive your protection. I will not forget the favor of having my life saved.”
“I was the one surprised. I thought I had captured a leader only to find a renowned painter instead.”
A chill ran down Ionia’s spine.
Erinna could kill him at any moment.
This place was, after all, the lion’s den.
Ionia and Erinna had met about three years ago. As the outcomes of wars with various nations began to come into focus, and post-war management and the hunt for remnants became pressing issues for the Dailan Magical Kingdom, Erinna, though young, had been recognized for her magical prowess and was active in various fields.
Erinna did not overwhelm her enemies with overwhelming power like Queen Bazarde. Instead, her strength lay in her wisdom. She deciphered ancient texts to revive several lost magics in the modern era and even invented new ones. The magic known as “Hound,” favored by the Black Claw Knights, was also created by Erinna.
Both the king and queen held her in high regard. In the series of victories the Dailan Magical Kingdom achieved, Erinna played a significant role. Furthermore, Erinna was the cherished memento of Bazarde’s beloved sister. With her talent and strong resemblance to her sister, Bazarde loved Erinna even more than her own daughter—as a family member and as her magical apprentice.
“I prepared myself for death when I was found by the successor of the witch Bazarde. Though, I suppose I have to be ready for death every time I meet you,” Ionia said with a hint of humor.
“That’s a good attitude. Keep it up. Do you have enough money?”
Erinna utilized her magic fully to track down the rebel army.
However, she overlooked one of the top executives, Ionia.
That wasn’t all.
She provided money, travel permits, false documents, and her own renown as a painter, actively assisting the rebel army.
This was a significant reason why the Black Claw Knights couldn’t capture the rebel executives.
“Ah, thanks to you. And I appreciated the advice on how to deal with the ‘Hound.'”
“That one can’t make complex judgments. When the scent splits or mixes, wild animals are far smarter in their assessments. Well, it does have great convenience because it’s magic, after all.”
“Still, it’s terrifying for those being chased.”
“What are you scared of a dog for? The opponent you need to fight is the great witch who rules this island!”
“Indeed. This world is full of terrifying things.”
“Try to defeat my master before I am crowned. If you can’t do that, you won’t have your life anymore.”
“Of course.”
“The current citizens revere and fear my master and the king as if they were gods. If told to give their lives, they probably would… But that won’t work. Even if you unify this island, you won’t be able to contend with the countries on the continent beyond the sea. If they attack by ship, steal resources, and enslave the citizens, within a hundred years, Argenes Island will be annihilated.”
The reason Erinna protected Ionia was due to her conviction that the current regime of the Dailan Magical Kingdom would not last long.
King Alan and Queen Bazarde wielded overwhelmingly strong power. They relied too heavily on individual strength, and the organization itself had not developed in power. The successors were expected to possess similar monstrous strength.
Erinna was a genius among magicians. Yet, even so, she did not possess the capability to rival the current king. Her talent lay more in her qualities as a researcher than in her abilities as a practitioner of magic. And because she was an outstanding researcher, she became aware of a troubling realization: if time passed as it was, and technologies other than magical tools and spells advanced, the era of victories achieved through individual prowess would become a thing of the past.
“But, it seems the last battle ended in unfortunate results,” Erinna remarked.
“I repeatedly warned that it was premature… but it couldn’t be stopped.”
“Master probably had a vague awareness that the anti-magic mirror would be brought out. She could have repelled it with her strength. However, she had no absolute certainty of victory. She won the gamble.”
“Ah, I couldn’t measure up to Bazarde’s power. She is strong. Not just with that ‘Scorching Light.’ As a commander leading an army, her caliber is different.”
“What do you intend to do?”
Erinna asked with a joking tone.
Yet, her eyes were not smiling.
“The advantage of the land was there, but the timing of the heavens was lacking. I will fill in what’s missing.”
Ionia remained unruffled, shrugging with a sense of resignation.
However, Erinna’s mood soured at that nonchalant attitude.
“Be more specific.”
“…The reason for our defeat was that we did not fully draw out the true power of the anti-magic mirror. It was originally a living thing—a shell.”
“So?”
“The Dragon’s Breath Shell grows by receiving the breath of a dragon. But did you know that dragon’s breath is not of one kind? It can exhale flames, or it can exhale ice. The contents of the shell respond accordingly. The shell meticulously controls what kind of magical power it absorbs. Even just picking up a shell from a corpse and using it as a shield is a threat to any magician, but it is not as versatile as a living Dragon’s Breath Shell.”
“Even so, there are no living Dragon’s Breath Shells, and even if there were, do you think you could command them?”
“Haha, that’s quite impossible… But you can trick the shells.”
“What do you mean?”
“Magical power has ripples. Just like the lines drawn on the pads of a human’s fingers, there are subtle yet definite differences for each user. The Dragon’s Breath Shell perceives this and commands the shell to soften the dragon’s breath. The contents of the shell perform calculations as precise as a ‘devil.'”
“…Where did you learn that? The Dragon’s Breath Shell itself is shrouded in mystery.”
“Do you want to know? If you’re willing to be my ally completely, I can explain.”
At Ionia’s blatant smile, Erinna’s eyes hardened.
“…If I could do that, I would already be doing it. Well, even if the ecology of the Dragon’s Breath Shell allows for it, doing so in reality is impossible.”
“Why?”
“A magician who has mastered barriers and defensive techniques might be able to mimic something similar. But that only holds true when they’ve sparred many times to understand the opponent’s nature; it’s akin to a dance or ritual. It would be like asking two different instruments to perform a magnificent duet without any practice. Do you think you could manage that with the ‘Scorching Light’ that would incinerate you the moment the magic reached you?”
“No, it was able to withstand Bazarde’s serious blow.”
“But it never reached you. The main force of the rebels deemed that challenging, so they pushed through the moderates’ opposition to attack, didn’t they? Your doom is approaching swiftly.”
Erinna closed her fan and lightly tapped her neck.
“Of course. If you think I’m being reckless, then… I can only show you the results.”
“…Are you saying you can do it?”
“Ah, it’s certainly not a pipe dream.”
Ionia observed Erinna’s smile closely.
Yet she relaxed and smiled back.
“Well, if you say so, I look forward to it.”
“However, it’s curious. Why is that ‘Scorching Light’ so strong?”
“I don’t understand that either. I don’t know why my master can wield that kind of power…”
“Perhaps it would be faster for you to quietly inherit the crown, and you could learn the ‘Scorching Light,’ Lady Erinna? If there’s a mechanism to it, it would be reasonable to think that you could use it too.”
At those words, Erinna frowned.
“Is that so…? I might not be able to use it, and if it’s a mystery I can handle, surely someone will decipher it eventually. If you can figure it out, the people from the continent outside will surely reach the same conclusion. In that case, it would be best to reform the country now… but…”
“But?”
“If you can’t figure it out, I will inherit the crown and the title of witch. I will kill you. I will burn the ships that come from foreign lands. Those who oppose me will die. Even those who do not resist but pose a threat to me will be eradicated. Regardless of the disasters that may come in the future, I’ll leave that to the people of that time. I won’t concern myself with what comes after.”
A smile floated on Erinna’s lips.
A natural smile that exuded an appropriate charm for her age.
A bead of cold sweat trickled down Ionia’s back.
“I love this country and this world. I adore your paintings. In truth, I would love to gather all artists, including you, and lock them away somewhere. But that doesn’t outweigh my life. So strive on.”
“I will engrave that in my heart… Now then, shall we put the serious talk aside? I’m quite tense and exhausted.”
“You found me before you were tense and exhausted, how rude of you. Well, it’s fine. Have you prepared the gift?”
“I’m confident in my creation. Please take a look.”
Saying that, Ionia took a garment out of a large bag.
“Wow…!”
Erinna exclaimed in genuine amazement, devoid of any pretense.
This was a dress made from fabric that Jill had dyed using the yuzen technique.
The pure white silk fabric was adorned with vibrant blue bellflower blossoms.
“What do you think?”
“This is beyond my expectations… Show me more closely.”
“Of course.”
Erinna, visibly excited, closely examined the painted sections.
She gently touched it with her fingers, checking the texture, and gazed at the craftsmanship with a look of enchantment.
“Truly impressive, Ionia. I knew you had artistic talent, but to create something like this for a dress… Oh, it’s really a shame.”
“I would be honored to hear such praise… But I must say, I merely drew the sketches. The one who tailored the dress is a skilled craftsman I know, and I had to rely on some connections to create this fabric.”
“Connections? Who are they?”
“The heir to the throne you cast aside.”
“…Huh?”
With a bewildered expression, Erinna murmured.
“It’s Princess Jill. Or rather, I should say ‘former’ Princess Jill.”
At Ionia’s teasing words, Erinna furrowed her brow.
“…Um, that child was supposed to be exiled from the capital, right?”
“Yes. She was granted the forest adjacent to Shelland as her territory and seems to be living quite happily. She appears to be engrossed in making clothes and accessories.”
At first, Erinna looked perplexed.
But soon, her brow furrowed again, and she clenched her fists in frustration.
Then she slammed her hand on the table.
“Ugh…”
“Did I upset you?”
Ionia briefly felt a chill, wondering if he had provoked her too much.
“…If that child weren’t royal, I would have taken her on as my seamstress! I never heard she could make something like this…!”
“Oh, I see.”
This was one of Erinna’s bad habits. She generously supported those she favored, such as painters, musicians, and craftsmen. More than political motives, she genuinely admired Ionia’s art.
“Come to think of it, she was also skilled in embroidery… That was a blind spot.”
“She was a contender for the throne, right? It’s a bit strange that you and Jill aren’t closer.”
“I don’t dislike her. But considering my master, getting too friendly might lead to future complications. It wouldn’t benefit either of us.”
Erinna rested her chin on her hand, gazing out the window.
“I might end up having to kill her, or she could even be the one to kill me. I don’t want to get too attached.”
She murmured softly, her voice tinged with loneliness.
“Being a king is indeed a cursed profession.”
“Absolutely. I envy you for being willing to go to any lengths to protect the woman you love.”
“Isn’t it so? It’s worth risking my life and future.”
“How brazenly you say that…”
Erinna let out a sigh.
Ionia watched her with a sly smile.
“Hmm? What’s with that look? How arrogant.”
“No, I was just wondering what kind of face you’d make if I told you there’s another dress made by Jill.”
“Show me. Quickly.”
As instructed, Ionia pulled out the other garment.
It was an aloha shirt.
Ionia had loved the one he borrowed from Jill so much that he begged until he got one for himself.
“W-What is this…?”
The wave motif captivated Erinna beautifully.
Her reaction was even more dramatic than when Matthew and the others had first seen it.
“What a… wonderful piece!”
“Right? Oh, but this one is my personal property, so I’m afraid it’s not for sale.”
“Hand it over.”
“…It’s for men, you know?”
“I’ll have my seamstress alter it.”
Ignoring Ionia’s words, Erinna tried to move the conversation along.
But Ionia shrugged nonchalantly, maintaining his relaxed demeanor.
“That’s not what I meant… This is troublesome. I’ve been told not to resell it. Well, if it were a promise with someone I didn’t care about, it wouldn’t matter, but a promise with a former princess? I can’t break that.”
Ionia’s words implied that “depending on the conditions, I might give it to you.”
He hadn’t said a single word about not being able to give it up.
“Of course, the reward will be generous, and I won’t wear it in public.”
“Well… I’d like to learn some interesting magic.”
“I suppose I can do that. I was already planning to teach you a few things.”
“And I want to acquire some imported goods. I’d like to negotiate with the foreign merchants.”
“I’ll set it up for you, so keep your schedule open.”
“That’s a big help. I don’t want to skimp on souvenirs.”
At those words, Erinna grinned.
“You really are quite the soft-hearted man when it comes to the woman you love. For someone who claimed to be a member of the Cavern Knights, that name sounds quite fearsome.”
“That trait comes from the commander, you know.”