「Indeed, your petition has been duly heard. We shall convey it to the relevant parties. However, they seem to favor avoiding fanfare. Do not place too much hope in the outcome.」
The faint fatigue in Queen Fauntia’s voice was evident as she recited what had become a rote response.
King Shaps, seated on the throne, wore an expression utterly devoid of emotion. Yet, it was not the stoic mask of royal dignity, but rather a profound and overwhelming resignation.
The departing mage, who had earned the distinguished title of “Sage” within the royal capital, bowed deeply before exiting. However, it was unlikely that his request would ever see fruition.
In the audience chamber of the royal castle in Sorx, the capital of the Sorx Kingdom, the King, Queen, and Prime Minister collectively heaved a faint sigh.
「That concludes today’s petitions… There are three more scheduled for tomorrow, however.」
Reported the young Prime Minister Eidel, his own tone echoing the same weariness as the monarchs.
「There’s nothing we can do about it.」
「Yet, we cannot simply dismiss the loyal subjects who turn to us for aid.」
「I’d personally like to issue a proclamation to put an end to this.」
「Don’t be absurd. That would be tantamount to publicly announcing the incident in Alfheim.」
「You’re right…」
Their complaints revolved around the influx of recent petitions from mages. Specifically: requests for an audience with Sui Hatano.
A year ago, his name had been all but unknown, even within the capital being the son of the “Heavenly Bell Witch” and Viscount Hatano. But as summer arrived after the rainy season, whispers began spreading within certain circles about the young man who had invented a seasoning called Granulated Consommé. By autumn, he was recognized more broadly as a co-creator of Noah’s Night Cloud, a confection that had taken the capital by storm.
Up to this point, the interest in him was primarily from shrewd merchants, and dealings could be handled through the intermediaries of the royal family and Sidera Village without requiring direct contact with the man himself.
However, what he accomplished from winter through spring had irrevocably altered the narrative.
He installed a magic power crucible observation device in the Void Forest.
He rescued the progenitor elf imprisoned in Alfheim and defeated an ancient Demon King.
These were no mere commercial achievements—they were the feats of a hero.
Naturally, both events were still classified information. While the former had become common knowledge among the locals in Sidera, the latter remained a tightly guarded secret known only to the upper echelons of the continental nations.
Yet, as is often the case, secrets have a way of slipping through cracks. The mages petitioning the throne were no ordinary citizens; many were high-ranking dignitaries within the kingdom.
Those who had caught wind of the secrets through their own means rushed to the king in droves.
“Please, grant us an audience with Sui Hatano, the illustrious son of the great Heavenly Bell-sama!”
“We yearn to witness even a glimpse of his magical prowess, said to rival even his mother’s.”
Even without lifting their faces, it was clear from the glittering eyes of the petitioners, kneeling and gazing at the floor, that their desire was fervent. After all, titled mages are all, without exception, seekers of the unknown in magic.
And yet.
Even for court magicians of the highest caliber, the fact that they resorted to pleading with the king for a meeting was proof that they were not truly exceptional.
Taking advantage of being alone with his adoptive parents, Eidel allowed himself to grumble softly.
「If they’re so desperate to meet him, they should resign from their posts and head to Sidera themselves. If they wait there long enough, he will show up eventually.」
「You shouldn’t speak that way about those loyal to our kingdom.」
Fauntia chided gently, though her expression also carried a tinge of concern.
「Still… The fact that they hope to achieve their ambitions while remaining confined to the capital does reflect a certain naivety, doesn’t it? Most of the petitioners are titled Oracles, with a few Sages sprinkled in. But not a single Witch has deigned to appear.」
Attaining a mage’s title is a monumental honor in and of itself.
Even the lowest rank, Priest, guarantees a lifetime of security and stipend. Advancing to Eight Trigrams Seer or beyond to Oracle means securing a position at the heart of national affairs, and becoming a Sage speaks for itself.
It could be said, then, that as mages climb the ranks, they inevitably become entangled in worldly affairs. Many cling to the power and wealth they acquire as a byproduct of their growth, unwilling to cross the threshold into madness. This is true even for more than half of those titled Sages.
But those who attain the ultimate title of Witch stand in stark contrast to the rest.
A Witch bows to no one. They are unshackled by power or wealth, driven solely by their singular pursuit of magic. Once they have set their path, they proceed unwaveringly, without a single glance to the side.
Even the famed “Subzero Witch” Seralinde Mucare, who dedicated most of her life to the kingdom, had no particular regard for the title of court mage. Her service was merely incidental—her loyalty stemming only from the fact that the one she loved happened to be a member of the royal family.
Despite being the head of the Royal Institute of Magic, Seralinde Mucare had never hesitated to throw herself into adventurer activities. She had even resigned her position without a second thought to become a subordinate of her niece. Presently, she roamed the frontier lands on her own, a far cry from the expected behavior of a marquis family matriarch.
「As it stands, while she’s accompanying Prince Noapp, even Parker-sama has gone to Sidera to meet him. Whether they hold the title of Witch or are comparable to one, such individuals cannot be restrained by the likes of us.」
Eidel shrugged, prompting Fauntia to furrow her brows.
「Indeed. In our kingdom, it feels likely that someone like Quiet Storm-sama might take an interest—assuming the rumors reach her, that is.」
「Let’s just hope Viole-dono doesn’t get upset… While they don’t dislike each other, their personalities clash something fierce.」
King Shapps sighed in worry.
「That one holds her son dear, just as we do. But unlike us, she isn’t bound by royal obligations and has no qualms about being utterly ruthless. Even if approached under the guise of academic interest, what might happen should someone approach young Sui out of mere curiosity?」
「There’s no need to worry on that account.」
Fauntia replied, her lips curving into a faint smile as she shook her head.
「Even if someone makes it as far as Sidera, Subzero-sama is there to receive them. Furthermore, those who can enter the forest itself are exceedingly rare, even among Witches. While Quiet Storm-sama is among the world’s foremost scholars of magical theory, she is a creature of the desk, not the wild. The forest will remain beyond her reach.」
「…Then let us take solace in this: as long as those lacking the required prowess limit themselves to petitioning the royal family, we are in the clear. We have granted Heavenly Bell-dono permission for her ‘Deer Hunts’ and asked her to stay within our borders. The royal family serving as her buffer is merely a necessary expense. Do we agree on this, Your Majesties?」
The Prime Minister’s words, though practical, carried a note of indulgence toward his adoptive parents. King Shapps and Queen Fauntia exchanged weary but amused smiles, nodding in agreement.
—Regardless of everything…
From inventing condiments to creating a signature dish for the capital, becoming an apparent guardian of the Void Forest, and storming Alfheim to perform feats worthy of history books—Sui Hatano’s escapades had often left the royal family near fainting in shock. (In fact, the lattermost venture had actually caused Fauntia to collapse on the spot.)
Still, he had done nothing wrong. On the contrary, everything he had achieved had brought tangible benefits to the kingdom.
If the royal family had to endure a little mud on their faces to support him, so be it.
And so, with renewed resolve, they decided to back the Hatano family, however they could.
※※※
A little later…
The third prince’s fiancée, stationed in Sidera, would soon write a letter in astonishment after tasting a dish called “curry,” taught to her by Sui Hatano.
This event would, in turn, lead the kingdom’s famously epicurean First Princess, Yunia, to throw a tantrum and demand a visit to Sidera.
Upon hearing this, the Prime Minister would look skyward and mutter, 「What am I supposed to do about this…?」
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