Leaving his quarters, Gezell opened the door to the conference room. The ministers were already gathered, surrounding the king’s seat. Gezell walked down the central aisle and took his place.
In a normal year, winter would have been busy and anxious due to monster attacks. However, this year, thanks to the large magical devices constructed the previous year, the first line of defense at the barrier had been remarkably successful. The battles that used to escalate after the support troops arrived from Roudken were now often contained before the flames could ignite.
As a result, recent discussions in the meetings mainly focused on civilian matters. Gezell processed documents submitted by nobles from Roudken and other regions in turn.
“Count Hilderoot has developed a new method for extracting Membril?”
“Yes, he wishes to test it downstream of the Silver River. If implemented, tax collectors should inspect it together.”
“Winter downstream of the Silver River could be dangerous for the extraction operation…”
Gezell lightly touched his chin, lost in thought for a moment. Below his line of sight, the area around his hand suddenly brightened. Surprised, he quickly removed his hand from his chin and looked down. However, the dazzling moment of golden light was nowhere to be found.
Following the vanished light like smoke, Gezell checked his hand and the surroundings. The minister who had been observing him asked, “What’s the matter?”
“Didn’t you see that light around here just now?”
Gezell lightly pointed to the empty space under his chin, and the minister looked puzzled. Gezell turned his gaze to the other ministers standing around.
They, too, were looking at the ruler with expressions of confusion. It could be dismissed as a mistake, but Gezell Jivendad was a sorcerer. The sensation he felt when the area brightened was undoubtedly similar to when magic was in motion. Moreover, if the brilliant light was only visible to him, it meant that the light itself was some kind of magic.
However, unless he cast it himself or someone requested it, who would dare to use magic recklessly on the ruler? Gezell’s eyes, which quickly reviewed his memory to see if he had overlooked anything, narrowed with a subtle suspicion.
“That’s it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing. Let’s continue the meeting.”
As Gezell often got lost in his own thoughts, the ministers were accustomed to such situations. Without further questioning, they continued their discussion. There was much to attend to during the winter, especially with new issues arising daily in the court.
After the meeting concluded and the ministers started to leave one by one, Gezell checked the clock on the office wall. Rensley Maelrosen’s exam had not finished yet.
He stood up and left the office. The courtiers who had been waiting outside followed him.
“Will you be going to the research lab?”
“No, I’ll visit the church.”
The weather outside, heading towards midday, had become milder compared to the morning. Gezell exited the main tower and headed for the church.
Although the church was quiet without any special events or crowded gatherings, people gathered in front of the priest for prayers, blessings, or to inquire about their journeys before embarking on long travels.
As Gezell entered, all eyes turned towards him. Despite his relatively short rule, he received high praise for bringing peace and prosperity to Aldrant. However, compared to previous kings, there was always a subtle murmur about him being an unusual person.
He spent most of his time working and researching within the main castle, rarely going in and out unless necessary. A solid, stone-like man. Previous rulers, as a duty, frequently visited the church, offering prayers and engaging in conversations with priests. Still, Gezell Jivendad mostly attended events held within the castle church only when there was a significant occasion.
Approaching the church, Gezell started his prayers. The gathered priests, in the midst of building the church, greeted him with puzzled expressions.
“Blessings to the Guardian. What brings you here, Your Grace?”
“I have something I’d like to confirm. Can I meet the High Priest?”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
No one would prioritize anything over the lord’s request. The priest temporarily postponed those who had come to see him and guided Gezell to the High Priest’s prayer room. After briefly conversing with the priest at the door, he turned to Gezell.
“He’s currently available. Since there are no special plans, please come inside.”
Gezell nodded briefly and entered through the open door. Whether it’s a mage or a priest, their work is quite similar.
They perform the necessary rituals, offer prayers, and study to explore the truth. However, while mages research natural laws or magical theories, priests cultivate their faith and study the will of the divine.
The divine magic practiced by priests, compared to the elemental magic Gezell studies, follows completely different principles and tracks.
Although there were instances of achieving good results through collaboration, Gezell’s interest in divine magic was limited as it fundamentally wasn’t a type of spell he could widely utilize.
“It’s been a while, Your Grace.”
“I apologize for barging in unexpectedly.”
The High Priest smiled warmly and nodded. He indicated the guest chair.
“Please, have a seat. I’ll have tea brought in.”
“No, I don’t intend to take up much of your time. I came to ask one thing.”
“Another question about magic?”
As Gezell had visited abruptly several times before, seeking advice in the midst of his research, the High Priest was casual.
Gezell nodded. “It’s regarding the binding ceremony I mentioned before. Did we perform a ritual of light on the wrists of the Duke and Duchess during that marriage ceremony?”
“Ah, you’re referring to the bonding ritual?”
“Did it have any actual magical effects?”
Upon hearing this, the elderly high priest chuckled. He had the expression of a grandfather seeing his grandson.
“It is a form of divine magic, but it’s challenging to attribute specific effects to it. When commoners hold marriage ceremonies, don’t they exchange gifts like rings or necklaces? Consider it a ritualistic magic fitting for the sacred marriage ceremony of the royal family, symbolizing the exchange of souls instead of gifts.”
“No concrete effects,” Gezell repeated his words, uttering them as if trying to accept the response, yet he seemed suspicious.
“In fact, a short burst of light emanated from my wrists where the implementation had permeated just a while ago. I felt the movement of magic as well. It doesn’t seem like it occurred without any reason or effect.”
“Is that so?”
The high priest widened his eyes and looked at Gezell, but only for a moment. He quickly returned to his benevolent grandfatherly expression. He appeared even more delighted than before.
“There’s a legend-like tale that when the hearts of those bound together truly become one, power is infused into the ritual. It is said that if those who have become one strongly wish for the same thing simultaneously, they can read each other’s thoughts without speaking, as if peering into the minds or hearts of others.”
“I… didn’t feel such a sensation.”
”I mentioned it’s a story close to legend. I haven’t witnessed it myself, so I don’t know how it manifests. Nevertheless, regardless of the method, it signifies the deep connection between Duke and Duchess. It’s a magic that doesn’t harm people, so there’s no need to worry. If such light appears again next time, I would like to see it as well.”
Gezell gazed at the old man for a moment. The atmosphere was far from one of falsehood or concealment. There was a considerable distance from the feeling of deception. The high priest had, in Gezell’s childhood, given snacks, performed playful magic, and admired him. For some unknown reason, unless it was an entirely implausible event, it was enough for now. Concluding that he should observe a bit more, Gezell expressed his gratitude.
“Thank you for your answer. I’ll visit again next time.”
“Please visit more often. As the youth are busy, the elderly can feel lonely.”
Gezell acknowledged and left the prayer room. Walking through the corridor, he reached the main hall, and the clock on the wall indicated noon. His steps quickened. It was the time when Rensley’s exam would have concluded.
Arriving at the main tower, he headed straight to the Duke’s bedroom. Dismissing even the attendants, he stood still for a moment before knocking on the door. Just in case the exam wasn’t over yet, his voice might be a disturbance. Then, voices conversing inside the bedroom reached his ears.
“Well done, Sir Maelrosen. I will inform you of the results around dinner after grading.”
“Yes! Understood!”
A polite response from the knight commander was followed by the lively voice of a young man. It was energetic and spirited, beyond words. Without checking if the exam went well, Gezell could already guess the answer from the tone. He knocked on the door and opened it after a while.
The sunlight streaming in through the wide-open window made the Duke’s room bright without additional lighting. Anton, who was arranging the test papers, and Rensley, who had just stood up from the chair, turned their attention to the new visitor. Anton quickly lowered his head in greeting.
“Your Grace.”
“Your Grace!”
Before Anton’s greeting could finish, Rensley sprang to his feet. Due to this sudden movement, the chair almost tipped backward but managed to regain balance. The man who pushed the desk with a squeaking sound to get closer to Gezell approached like he was running. His violet eyes sparkled like jewels. Though it was a predetermined question, Gezell still asked.
“Did you finish the exam well?”
“Yes! I didn’t leave a single question unanswered! I might have really become a genius. As soon as I saw the questions, the answers naturally came to me. It felt like my head wasn’t my own. Memorizing all this content in just a week… I never knew I had a talent for studying.”
Gezell attentively listened to the examinee’s exuberant words, which flowed like a song of triumph. Suddenly lifting his head to look at Anton, Gezell, who couldn’t conceal his suspicion, was met with a puzzled expression. The commander, who had been scrutinizing both of them, cleared his throat shortly and organized the test papers and belongings.
Gezell shifted his gaze to Rensley and responded to his enthusiastic report without any reservation.
“Remarkable. All of this is the result of Sir Maelrosen’s diligent efforts.”
“Yes, that’s correct! Thank you so much, Your Grace.”
Anton seemed uneasy. The scent of misconduct and irregularities lingered, but there was no evidence. Moreover, if the target of suspicion was the Duke himself, pushing for something, regardless of others’ opposition or treating it like a personal affair, was Gezell Jivendad, the Duke. If he strongly desired Rensley Maelrosen’s admission, he would try whatever it took.
The knight commander sighed deeply to control his emotions. Without worrying about groundless suspicions, the most important thing was practical skills. As soon as he entered the room, he could not discern any knightly qualities from the man who rushed up without any weight.
When asked what the most crucial talent in battle was, people might give different answers, but Anton prioritized caution. Being cautious did not mean being slow. It meant calmly judging and quickly deciding on a response to unexpected situations and unexpected attacks, without being confused and swiftly implementing countermeasures.
“In the content you chose for the exam, there were really many problems. You didn’t participate in setting the questions, did you?”
“No, I didn’t. That wouldn’t be fair.”
“Truly remarkable. You didn’t even participate in setting the questions, yet you answered the exam so well. Could it be that studying with Your Grace transferred intelligence to me, making me a genius?”
“I remember what questions were asked in the entrance exam every year. By examining the patterns, it’s easy to figure out what kinds of questions are frequently asked. Anyone can do it.”
Their conversation, somehow uneasy, continued even after leaving the bedroom and seeped through the gap in the door, intriguing Anton. It was about the fake wedding ceremony that had been agreed upon due to the pitiful situation of being rejected by their homeland. The seated guest, who was now flattering the Duke, wagged his tail and planned to gain favors later.
“He seems quite crafty and sly.”
Anton shook his head. He fervently hoped that his lord, whom he believed to be clear-headed, would not be swayed by the ambiguous stories of an outsider. Many tyrants in history started their first steps like that.
With a mixture of anxiety and pessimism, Anton gradually distanced himself from the Duke’s bedroom. Rensley’s words, confidently stating his success without waiting for the grading, were followed by an awkward expression.
“I don’t know how to repay this favor. I don’t have much, and you know, the dowry and gifts brought from Cornia are quite modest. They may seem insignificant in the eyes of Your Grace, so I can’t repay with such items.”
Suddenly, Gezell asked a new question, as if changing the subject.
“What do you think I would want from you?”
“Huh?”
“Do you think you can understand what I want without me saying it?”
Rensley, with a perplexed expression, blinked, then focused on Gezell with a hint of tension. He concentrated, even holding his breath, for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders and, as if making an excuse, spoke hesitantly.
“No… I’m embarrassed, but I really don’t know… Even if I’ve become a genius, understanding other people’s thoughts is still… challenging.”
The tip of Rensley’s ears turned slightly red as he realized he couldn’t guess what Gezell wanted. Rather embarrassed, his voice became quieter. Without pressing further, Gezell conveyed the proper answer.
“I haven’t done anything worthy of gratitude. It goes against the ideals of Aldrant to leave capable individuals without assigning any tasks. I could assist in your studies, but the final exam relies on Sir Maelrosen’s abilities.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“When is the martial arts exam?”
“Not yet… I suppose they will inform us after determining the results of the exam.”
“You’ll need a place to practice.”
Gezell rested his chin on his hand, silent. Rensley, who didn’t dare to ask for that much, also remained quiet.
He was confident in riding and swordsmanship, but quite some time had passed since he had ridden a horse or wielded a sword. Even though he tried to move regularly inside the room, practicing every day, his skills would have significantly declined compared to the time when he practiced every day. He couldn’t go outside, couldn’t ride a horse, and couldn’t even watch horses.
“How is Marilyn doing? There’s still no news from Lady Samlet, who promised to check the situation.”
“Duels were taught to everyone, but swordsmanship was only taught to princes, especially those of the enemy. However, I also have a mentor. In Cornia’s capital, Celestine, there is a large market, and there is a tavern run by a wandering swordsman named Pedro. He claimed to be a renowned mercenary in his youth, though hardly anyone believed him. Since he lived immersed in alcohol every day, he wasn’t trustworthy. However, he is a master swordsman and my mentor. So, although he claimed to have been a famous mercenary, I believe his words. He was truly strong. What’s the use of royal swordsmanship? All the swordsmanship I learned is for real combat.”
Rensley, who had been elaborating on his story for a long time, suddenly sealed his lips. A yawn, unexpected and about to burst out, was stifled. He barely held it back, but tears welled up reflexively. Gezell, noticing his condition, changed the topic.
“You must be tired after focusing for a whole week. Let’s worry about the remaining matters later and take a break for now.”
“It’s still daytime. I’m fine.”
“I’ll leave then. We can continue the conversation tomorrow.”
“It’s fine for you to stay a bit longer…”
Although Rensley added a response like a trailing remark, Gezell seemed not to hear and walked away. Just before closing the door, he emphasized once again.
“Rest.”
Rensley nodded his head. Once the door closed, the bedroom, now left alone, became unusually quiet.
Letting out a light sigh, he flopped onto the comfortable chair in front of the fireplace. It mimicked the Duke’s demeanor often observed in the underground research lab. Warm, comfortable, and lethargic. He could understand why the Duke liked this place. Sitting for too long might become tedious, but…
Gazing blankly at the flickering flames, he slowly blinked his half-closed eyes. Even though it had only been two days since he took medicine, the week-long experience of tirelessly studying as if intoxicated had taken a toll. He reduced his sleep hours, focusing on his studies, and when the unfamiliar experience of intense dedication ended, fatigue, like a debt to be repaid, rushed in.
‘Should I rest for a bit?’
Rensley, heading towards the bed, shivered slightly and buried himself under the blanket. Although the bed, not prepared separately, didn’t envelop his body as warmly as a night would, it wasn’t uncomfortably cold either.
As he closed his eyes, a pitch-black sleep overwhelmed him, and Rensley didn’t resist.
Bracelet is a shipper !!
I appreciate MC’s hardwork , but its hard to mug up those thousands of words in such a limited time unless MC is really brilliant as he’s thinking or he borrowed his husband’s immense knowledge unknowingly. (≧▽≦)
Rensley is such a chirpy li’ll Bird 🐦 , a sweet chaotic breeze in Gezell’s routine life.
Anton don’t be so biased please. Just let your lord follow his heart ❤️
Thank you so muchy for update. Lots of blessings (✿^‿^)
Rensley will get even chirpier(≧∇≦)ﾉ
（づ￣3￣）づ╭❤️～
You were right in last chapter (~‾▿‾)~.
Bracelet is a shipper indeed!!!
The breclet is indeed a shipper, also yay! So many new chapters!♡⸜(˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡
Ur welcomee ヾ(≧ ▽ ≦)ゝ
It was so endearing when he excitedly went to the Duke to tell him how well he did