Translator: Cinder Translations
...
The flickering flame on the candle cast the shadows of the two women on the white walls.
"Ladia, you seem troubled."
Lady Marianna Grayman, Paul's mother, asked her former student, Ladia Setia Gerald, a spellcaster from the Horns Bay.
Since their unexpected reunion in Alden not long ago, the two had spent much time together—either reminiscing about the past or discussing magical knowledge. Of course, Lady Marianna, or Lady Grayman, would also use this opportunity to learn more about her son and what had happened in Alden.
As she gathered more information, Lady Grayman would have new impressions of her eldest son with each conversation.
Ladia, on the other hand, harbored some resentment toward her teacher. After guiding her and Helen onto the path of magic, why had the teacher disappeared? For a long time, there was no news, and Ladia had even wondered if her teacher had met a tragic end at the hands of some religious group.
Then, to her surprise, she reappeared with such an unexpected identity: a high-ranking member of the Arcane Order and… Paul's mother.
The way fate worked seemed so strange that Ladia wondered if she was living in some story being woven by forces beyond her understanding.
But as they spent more time together, the tension between them gradually eased.
Ladia soon realized the intent behind Lady Marianna's actions. If students were to learn that their revered teacher was a member of the Arcane Order, it could influence their decision when that organization invited them. Marianna didn't want Ladia's independent will to be swayed by this fact.
Lady Marianna wanted her to choose her path without interference.
When she heard her teacher's concerned question, a bitter feeling arose in Ladia's heart.
"No, there's nothing," she answered, a little stubbornly.
Marianna smiled. "I can tell you're a little different toward that boy, but… how about…?" She cautiously asked, "Has he mistreated you?"
Marianna knew that Paul was engaged to the kingdom's princess, but she was worried whether Paul had done anything shameful—like abandoning his old love to climb the social ladder.
"No, absolutely not!" Ladia firmly denied it.
"Really? You don't have to protect him," Marianna said.
"Really, there's nothing, please believe me, teacher!" Ladia carefully chose her words, afraid of causing any misunderstanding. "Lord Grayman and I only… shared some similar views, which led to a mental resonance. I…"
As she spoke, her face reddened.
Marianna sighed. "My dear Ladia, no matter what kind of resonance you have mentally, as someone who has lived through it, I must offer you some advice."
Ladia's expression darkened, as if she already knew what her teacher was about to say.
"A union between a mortal and a spellcaster will not end well," Marianna said seriously. "The pressure from both religious and secular sources will make you suffer. As your teacher and mother figure, I don't want you to endure that pain."
She even cited Helen as an example. "It was because of Helen and her sister's bloodline that her husband's country was dragged into the horrors of war."
"But, isn't it the same for you, Teacher Marianna?" Ladia asked softly, though her voice held some defiance.
"Yes, because I've not only seen it but lived through it, that's why I don't want you to repeat that kind of pain."
Marianna's eyes suddenly became moist, and Ladia couldn't believe it. She had never seen the strong Lady Marianna like this before.
"Do you know how I've gotten through these years? The agony of being separated from my loved ones for over a decade. I lived in constant torment, even… even…"
It seemed as though Marianna suddenly broke down, her tears flooding like a broken dam. "Even when Paul's father passed away, I couldn't be by his side, couldn't send him off for the last time."
Ladia approached and hugged the crying teacher, gently patting her back, as though comforting a child. "I'm sorry for bringing up painful memories."
"It's fine, I was just feeling nostalgic!" Marianna quickly wiped her tears, and in the blink of an eye, her proud and cold demeanor returned. The soft look she had just shown seemed to vanish. Only the red rims around her eyes revealed her earlier lapse in composure.
Ladia spoke in a soothing tone, "Please don't worry, teacher. I'm now a subject of Lord Grayman, and he is my lord. I have the loyalty and respect of a subject for my lord."
Marianna looked at her suspiciously but still said, "One can restrain their desires. You are different from Helen; you have always been rational and calm. I hope you will be cautious in choosing the path you want to take."
The teacher and student continued talking for a long time, even discussing Marianna's past.
Ladia asked casually, "How did you meet the late Lord Grayman?"
"It's all ancient history. Back then, he was a young, hot-headed man, impulsive and easily influenced by his friends. He went into the forest to explore, alone…"
When she spoke of this, Marianna seemed to shed another layer of her tough exterior.
"There's a legend that deep in the forest lives a witch who has a magical crystal ball. Hart planned to steal the crystal ball to prove his courage…"
Marianna's eyes showed a trace of nostalgia, despite her best efforts to hide it. Ladia could see it and, intrigued, asked, "Then what happened?"
The red-haired lady slightly tilted her head, hiding the smile tugging at her lips.
"He failed. He couldn't steal the witch's crystal ball."
"And then?"
"He stole the witch's heart…"
…
Elsewhere, Paul stared helplessly at the map hanging on the wall, surrounded by high-ranking officers like Schroeder and Bryce.
Earlier, in front of the king's envoy, he refrained from making any judgment, but now that he was with his trusted subordinates, he could speak freely.
"To be honest, I really can't believe that Crystal Glare would make such a move."
The others didn't understand what he meant, but they sensed it wasn't good.
Paul asked, "If we continue advancing eastward, can we drive the orcs back to the plains?"
It was almost like slapping Crystal Glare's face.
The generals, surprisingly, began to discuss the possibility seriously.
After a while, Schroeder shook his head first. "Right now, the orc forces are mainly deployed to the south. Without the southern army to restrain them, the orcs can easily turn northwest. And without the royal family's call, our allies might hesitate."
Among them, Schroeder seemed to be the most hurt. As someone from the Watchers' Fortress, it was easy to imagine how he felt about the fall of the place he had fought for all his life to orcs.
The other generals gradually shared similar views.
"Alright," Paul sighed.
"We'll remain stationed for a while and monitor the orc army on the other side. If they break the treaty and attack us while we retreat, it won't be good."
(End of the Chapter)
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