Volume 9 Chapter 2 Part 2

「Is it going to be the same as with my hometown of Marza then? 」

Theo sighed.

「In order to make even one village happy, the world had to change. In other words, there are many things wrong with the world as we know it today. 」

「Most people probably think exactly like that somewhere in their hearts. However, they have given up with doing anything to fix it, because there really is nothing that can be done about it. But you, Lord Theo, are different. 」

「If by ‘different’ you mean unnecessarily harsh on myself and selfish, then yeah, I guess you’re right. 」

Theo smiled bitterly.

Siluca took out a bottle and two glasses of Sistinian wine from the shelf. The wine was what Radovan brought with him when he visited the other day. It is orange in color and slightly foamy. In the meantime, Theo had moved from his desk to the reception sofa.

Wine and oil are Sistina’s specialty products, and are also important trade goods. As Sistina’s rule progresses, the amount of production will also increase. After Theo took over as Sistina’s Earl, he build their own processing factories in the capital city of Laxia, and hired engineers in exchange for royalties. This is to prevent Chaos-related accidents and stabilize the quality of the goods.

Siluca sat down next to Theo, poured him some wine, and then raised her own glass.

「For the victory of the Fantasia Union! 」

The two voices rang out in unison.

「Okay, so changing the subject… will the negotiations with the Factory Alliance go well? 」

Theo asked Siluca when they were done with their glasses.

「No, I don’t think it will be as easy as I would’ve hoped. 」

Siluca admitted it immediately.

「The unification of the continent through armed force is the founding principle of the Factory Alliance, so Lady Marine will definitely not abandon that ideal easily. The Factory Alliance will probably use all its strength to challenge us to a decisive battle. 」

「A decisive battle? What’s the point of doing something like that now? 」

Theo’s expression became grim.

「Because if she wins, Lady Marine will be able to quickly recover from any potential losses suffered during the battle, but if she loses, then the Electoral Council and the people of the Alliance might see that the unification of the continent through force will no longer be possible. But more than anything else, I think Lady Marine herself wouldn’t be satisfied with a conclusion not reached through battle. 」

Siluca placed the glass on the table and said while staring at it. Small lines of bubbles were rising from the bottom, burst on the surface, and disappear.

Just like these bubbles, many lives will be lost again. However, major trends in the world can only be changed through war.

「In that case, the Treaty must rise up to the occasion and challenge her. 」

Theo said with a determined look on his face.

「If the forces of the Fantasia Union and the Factory Alliance were to fight now, the Union would definitely win. However, we cannot let Lord Alexis and Lady Marine fight each other. After all, if everything ends with a battle between them, it will be difficult for the two forces to reconcile with one another. Even if the Artuk Treaty will have to face the Factory Alliance alone, that is something that we must do to remind Marine and the Electoral Council that they won’t be able to achieve their goal anymore. 」

「I thought you’d say that. 」

Siluca looked up and looked at Theo.

It is clear that it will be a tough battle. If it loses, the Treaty will cease to be a third party and lose its position as a mediator of reconciliation between the Fantasia Union and the Factory Alliance.

「You know, this brings Milza’s words back to my mind. This time, once again, the corpses of my allies will remain in my wake. 」

Theo said as he drank another glass down in one breath.

「That is the road of Lordship. 」

Siluca puts her hand on Theo’s arm.

「I’m really selfish… 」

Covering his face with one hand, Theo sank deeper into the sofa.

Theo and Siluka were in the room that Vilar Constance was using as an office. On the wall hung a portrait of Vilar’s mother, Floria.

Next to it was a portrait of Vilar himself. It was painted by Alexis Ducet after Vilar’s death, and when he returned from Halusia, his maid Noelia brought it with him along with various souvenirs.
Siluca stared at the portrait of Vilar in silence.

The Earl of Artuk was also lonely and had various sorrows to deal with in his life. However, he hid all of them, stuck to his beliefs, and lost his life because of them.

Theo said the other day that his path is not very different from what Vilar had in mind. It seems that before he died, Vilar also told Marine that she should just be with Alexis and be happy.

(I will make it happen…)

Siluca swore in her heart to the now deceased Earl of Artuk.

(Not just for the two of them, but for the world as well.)

* * *

A horse-drawn carriage pulled by two horses was crossing a stone bridge over the Donir River. The two people on board are Siluca and Aishela, while Irvin was the coachman.

About half a year ago, the forces of the Artuk Treaty and the Heavy Knights of Waldrind were glaring at each other across this bridge. Just then, Kurt Gallas, the Earl of Leclerc, suddenly broke through Waldrind’s camp with a single horse.Taking advantage of the enemy’s disarray, the Treaty’s forces crossed the bridge and attacked. The result was a landslide victory for the Treaty’s forces, who killed or captured hundreds of enemy knights.

Afterwards, each side built forts on either side of the bridge to keep watch over the other. However, travelers could come and go freely, and trade was also taking place.

「From here on, it’s Waldrind territory. 」

Siluca called out to Aishela.

The thought of entering enemy territory made her nervous. Thankfully, the emblem of the Artuk Treaty and the rainbow flag of the Mages Association were displayed on the carriage, marking her as an official messenger, and harming the messenger is prohibited by the agreement.

However, that doesn’t mean she was completely safe. They may attack in the guise of bandits, or engage in violent acts with the intention of violating the agreement.

「It’s okay, I’ll protect you, Siluca. 」

Aishela said as she held Siluca’s head to her chest.

「Stop it~~ 」

Siluca groaned as she looked at Aishela’s ample breasts.

「I won’t stop~~ It’s been a while since I’ve been alone with you, Siluca. So I’m using this chance however I can. 」

But right now, Irvine is still here, and His Highness Balgary is also in my shadow, you know? 」

「But they’re not in my line of sight! Above all, I’m glad Theo isn’t here! 」

「You really seem to hate him, do you? 」

「That’s right. Because he stole my cute Siluca from me! 」

「Stole me… 」

Siluca felt her face heat up.

「If you look at it properly, you’ll understand. Siluca has finally become a woman! 」

When Aishela says that, she cries out loud.

「Not yet, but Lord Theo said that he would like to make me his queen. 」

Siluca said as she slipped out of Aishela’s arms and fixed her messy hair.

「I’m sure you’re being tricked. All he wants is Siluca’s body. 」

「That can’t be helped though.. 」

Siluca smiled bitterly. Unfortunately, it is a common story for a female Mages to be manipulated by the Lords they were supposed to make contracts with.
The reason why Siluca didn’t want to sign a contract with Vilar was because of the rumors that he was the Lecherous Earl, and she thought that he would definitely try forcing himself on her. Although she later found out that the rumors were completely unfounded.

「To be honest, I can’t even imagine the day when I’ll be able to become Lord Theo’s wife. He is currently an Earl and the leader of the Artuk Treaty, but I don’t know what will happen in the future. 」

「So let’s just go negotiate, okay? If the Alliance agrees to make peace with the Union, the war will end. It would be fitting for Theo to return to Sistina and plow the fields in his home village. 」

Aishela spoke half-mockingly.

Siluca could easily imagine Theo looking like that. Theo still often worked in the garden for a change of pace. His father was a farmer, and he must have seen him working from an early age.

「I just hope for the negotiations to go well. 」

Siluca smiled bitterly.

「They should… if that moron does not give Lady Marine more unnecessary advices of course. 」

Aishela raised a valid point.