Rosenblur laughed lightly at the sight and said:

“I was just looking for Cordelia, and here she is.”

“Me? Why me?”

“There’s a commotion at the Magic Association. Someone who said they’d step out for a moment hasn’t returned. I barely managed to dissuade them from sending out search parties.”

“I-Is that so?”

“But I never imagined you’d be here with Leonard. Oh, did Count Abrams come up to the capital with you? You two seemed quite close when I saw you last.”

“You.”

As Rosenblur engaged in friendly conversation with Cordelia, Leonard became highly vigilant and shielded Cordelia behind him.

“How many times have you met my disciple to act so familiar?”

“Familiar? I’m hurt. Are you displeased that I’m being kind to Cordelia?”

“Who are you to be kind to my disciple? Do you have some ulterior motive?”

“Ulterior motive? It’s pure goodwill.”

It was an overly sensitive reaction to just a few exchanged words.

Rosenblur found it both absurd and fascinating that Leonard was acting like a jealous husband.

Although he had known Leonard his whole life, this was the first time he’d seen him behave this way towards someone.

“By the way, with all those fireworks you set off, everyone must be dying of curiosity.”

“Just before you arrived, a message came from the palace.”

“Already?”

Leonard picked up an elegant letter from a silver tray and dropped it on the table. The silver deer, symbol of the current royal family, was engraved on it.

“Our idle Majesty is apparently dying to know if I’ve really returned alive, and wants me to come to the palace quickly.”

“When do you plan to enter the palace?”

“Tomorrow, first thing. It says to come as soon as day breaks.”

“That soon? Well, His Majesty isn’t one to let such an interesting matter slide.”

While the two men conversed, Cordelia stared intently at the letter with the silver deer engraving, her eyes filled with curiosity. It was her first time seeing the royal crest up close.

Leonard’s gaze fell on her.

“So you should prepare too.”

“…For what?”

“We’re entering the palace tomorrow. Get ready.”

“Yes, I understa- What? Enter the palace? Tomorrow?”

Though she had heard a rough explanation from the Baron and was somewhat mentally prepared, she didn’t expect to go so suddenly. Cordelia was flustered and could only open and close her mouth.

“But I don’t know much about court etiquette.”

“They’ll be too busy looking at my face to care about your greetings anyway.”

“Oh, and I don’t have any suitable clothes.”

“If you tell Anna, she’ll find something appropriate.”

She had run out of excuses. Cordelia fidgeted restlessly, twiddling her fingers.

Just a month ago, she was living in the backwoods of Abrams, and now suddenly the royal palace. She was terrified of making some mistake once there.

“Do I really have to go?”

“Of course you do. Don’t you need to go and make your mark as my disciple? Is there a problem?”

“But I’m clumsy with etiquette, I don’t know how to bow properly, and I’m worried I’ll just be a burden to you, Master…”

“Cordelia.”

At that moment, Rosenblur called her name in a soft voice. He explained kindly:

“His Majesty isn’t a fussy person. As long as you maintain basic courtesy, there’s not much to worry about. Moreover, you’re going as Leonard’s disciple, so even if you make any mistakes, Leonard will be punished in your place.”

“Is that so?”

The last part was added jokingly. Though she knew this, somehow hearing Rosenblur’s words made her feel a little more at ease.

Seeing her expression visibly relax, Leonard suddenly grabbed Cordelia’s wrist and stood up abruptly. Startled, Cordelia also rose to her feet.

“Why?”

“You. Go back to your room.”

“Now?”

“When I say go back, go back. We’ll be leaving early for the palace tomorrow, so go and get some sleep.”

Leonard held her wrist and pulled her to the door. As Cordelia was about to leave the room, she suddenly remembered why she had come here in the first place.

“Oh, right. Master, can I really use that room?”

“Why? Don’t you like it?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s too nice. I was wondering if it’s really okay for me to use it.”

“Good grief. I give you a nice room and you’re still unsatisfied. It’s an empty room with no owner, so just use it.”

After sending her away, Leonard sat down in front of Rosenblur. He sternly warned:

“Don’t flirt with my disciple. Rosenblur Elfenbaum.”

“What? Flirt? Come on, that’s childish.”

“Childish? Have you already forgotten what you said to my disciple?”

“What did I say?”

“How shameless. You told my disciple you’d become her master, that you desired her. I heard everything from, well, from Cordelia.”

“Ah.”

Seeming to belatedly recall what he had said to her, Rosenblur spoke with a voice tinged with amusement.

“Well, that was when I thought you were dead. How could a low-level magician survive alone in the Magic Association without a master?”

“Now that you’ve confirmed I’m alive, don’t even speak to Cordelia.”

“Come on. Isn’t that excessive caution?”

Rosenblur burst into laughter, thinking Leonard’s words were a joke. However, Leonard’s expression didn’t change. Rosenblur stopped laughing and asked again.

“Surely you’re not serious?”

“Why do you think I’m not serious?”

“Alright, alright. I get it. I understand. How bitter it must be for those without disciples.”

Of course, the first disciple holds special meaning for magicians. But he never imagined that Leonard, who had always been indifferent about taking on disciples, would change like this.

“You know Lidia worried a lot about you?”

“Why her?”

“Why? Have you forgotten that Lidia likes you?”

“Still?”

Leonard said indifferently. Rosenblur expressed his disappointment at that unconcerned attitude.

“That’s too much. Everyone in Yebo Delim knows that Lidia has been in love with you for a long time.”

“I know too. But how long is she going to keep following me around? Isn’t Lidia an adult now?”

“Hah.”

Though he had known Leonard for a long time, even Rosenblur couldn’t control his emotions well when the topic shifted to his sister.

Having argued with Leonard about this issue several times before, he let out a short sigh and changed the subject.

“Anyway, what are you going to do about Maximilian? Have you sent out a pursuit team?”

“No.”

“Not yet, I see. When I last saw him, he was in the Wilias Islands, so we should send people there…”

“No need. He’s in this mansion.”

“In the mansion? You’ve already caught him?”

Instead of answering, Leonard jerked his chin towards a large box in the corner of the reception room. Rosenblur didn’t understand what it meant at first. But soon he realized what the box was.

“Good heavens! Is Maximilian in there? He’s not an animal, to be moved like that.”

“Even animals don’t kill siblings born from the same womb, so he’s not even an animal.”

Leonard replied nonchalantly. Rosenblur looked back and forth between the box and Leonard’s face, then shook his head.

“Seeing as you’ve confined him like that, I assume he’s still alive. Why? Are you planning to take him to Atilei’s ancestral home for execution?”

“No. I’m going to hold a trial.”

“A trial? You’re going to convene the council for a trial? Why on earth?”

It was natural for him to be puzzled.

If brought to trial, it would drag on for up to three years with tedious legal arguments back and forth.

Of course, given the clear evidence, he would be sentenced to death, but it was hard to understand why he wouldn’t just kill the source of conflict immediately.

Then Leonard smiled coldly.

“I want to give Maximilian the gift of a living hell for as long as possible.”

“I understand what you’re saying, but what if he uses magic to escape?”

“He can’t anymore. I used him as a medium for soul transfer magic.”

“…I see your cruelty well enough.”

For a magician, being unable to use magic is tantamount to a death sentence. But deliberately keeping him alive in that state shows Leonard’s will to make him experience a ‘living hell’ as he said.

For all I know, Maximilian trapped in that box might be wishing he were dead.

“And there’s one more thing that’s bothering me.”

“What’s that?”

“It seems Embly was backing Maximilian.”

“Embly? Embly joined hands with Maximilian? Is there any reason for them to get involved in Atilei’s succession?”

There’s an absolute unwritten rule among the sacred eight families: neither help nor hinder another family’s succession.

“And of all people, when the head of the family is none other than Leonard Atilei?”

“That’s why I’m puzzled too. What on earth was he thinking to join hands with Maximilian?”

“Even if they wanted to kill you, what benefit would Embly gain? Did Maximilian promise to give them the entire gold mining rights or something?”

Instead of answering, Leonard crossed his legs and leaned back. For a moment, a thought flashed through Rosenblur’s mind.

“The reason you want to hold a trial in the first place is because of Embly.”

“Well, killing two birds with one stone.”

Leonard nodded slightly. If he just killed Maximilian, he would lose the connection to Embly.

But by holding a trial, he can officially gain the authority to investigate Embly.

Moreover, just being brought to trial and standing on the podium is a shameful thing, so he can drag Embly’s honor through the mud.

He intends to take a small risk in order to put Embly on the gallows.

Every choice has its consequences. It’s time to hold Embly accountable for daring to interfere in Atilei’s affairs.

* * *

“Hoo, hoo.”

“Stop that already.”

“I-I can’t help being nervous.”

Cordelia’s breathing became more rapid as they got closer to the royal palace. She tried her best to calm herself, but to no avail.

If someone had told her a year ago that she would become a magician and meet the King of Ershe, she would have asked if they were crazy.

But now, this dream-like event was coming true.